bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Road Surface, Vehicle, and Device Characteristics on Energy Harvesting from Bridge–Vehicle Interactions
Authors: Cahill Paul , Jaksic Vesna , Keane John , O'Sullivan Anthony , Mathewson Alan , Ali Shaikh Faruque , Pakrashi Vikram 
Published: August 2016

AbstractEnergy harvesting to power sensors for structural health monitoring (SHM) has received huge attention worldwide. A number of practical aspects affecting energy harvesting and the possibility of health monitoring directly from energy harvesters is investigated here. The key idea is the amount of power received from a damaged and an undamaged structure varying and the signature of such variation can be used for SHM. For this study, a damaged bridge and an undamaged bridge are considered with harvesters located at different positions and the power harvested is accessed numerically to determine how energy harvesting can act as a damage detector and monitor. Bridge–vehicle interaction is exploited to harvest energy. For a damaged bridge, a bilinear breathing crack is considered. Variable surface roughness according to ISO 8606:1995(E) is considered such that the real values can be considered in the simulation. The possibility of a drive‐by type health monitoring using energy harvesting is highlighted and the effects of road surface on such monitoring are identified. The sensitivity of the harvester health monitoring to locations and extents of crack damage are reported. This study investigates the effects of multiple harvesters and the effects of vehicular parameters on the harvested power. Continuous harvesting over a length of the bridge is considered semianalytically. A comparison among the numerical simulations, detailed finite element analysis, and experimental results emphasizes the feasibility of the proposed method.
Increased yield pressure in the anal canal during sacral nerve stimulation: a pilot study with the functional lumen imaging probe
Authors: Haas S. , Liao D. , Gregersen H. , Lundby L. , Laurberg S. , Krogh K. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBackgroundSacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is a well‐established treatment for fecal incontinence but its mode of action remains obscure. Anal sphincter function is usually evaluated with manometry but resistance to distension may be a more appropriate parameter than luminal pressure. The functional lumen imaging probe allows detailed description of distension properties of the anal canal. Our objective in this study was to characterize the impact of SNS on distension properties of the anal canal in patients with idiopathic fecal incontinence.MethodsWe studied 10 women (median age 64 [44–79] years) with idiopathic fecal incontinence at baseline and during SNS. The luminal geometry of the anal canal was examined with the FLIP at rest and during squeeze and the distensibility of the anal canal was investigated during filling of the bag.Key resultsAll patients were successfully treated with SNS and the mean Wexner Incontinence Score was reduced from 14.9 ± 4 to 7.1 ± 4.8 (P<.001). The pressure required to open the narrowest point of the anal canal during distension (yield pressure) increased from 14.5 ± 12.2 mmHg at baseline to 20.5 ± 13.3 mmHg during SNS (P<.01). The pressure‐strain elastic modulus increased non‐significantly from 2.2 ± 0.5 to 2.9 ± 1.6 kPa, indicating increased stiffness of the anal canal.Conclusion and inferencesThe yield pressure and the resistance to distension increased in response to SNS for idiopathic fecal incontinence. This will inevitably increase the resistance to flow through the anal canal, which may contribute to the benefits of sacral nerve stimulation.
Colonic content: effect of diet, meals, and defecation
Authors: Bendezú R. A. , Mego M. , Monclus E. , Merino X. , Accarino A. , Malagelada J. R. , Navazo I. , Azpiroz F. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe metabolic activity of colonic microbiota is influenced by diet; however, the relationship between metabolism and colonic content is not known. Our aim was to determine the effect of meals, defecation, and diet on colonic content.MethodsIn 10 healthy subjects, two abdominal MRI scans were acquired during fasting, 1 week apart, and after 3 days on low‐ and high‐residue diets, respectively. With each diet, daily fecal output and the number of daytime anal gas evacuations were measured. On the first study day, a second scan was acquired 4 hours after a test meal (n=6) or after 4 hours with nil ingestion (n=4). On the second study day, a scan was also acquired after a spontaneous bowel movement.ResultsOn the low‐residue diet, daily fecal volume averaged 145 ± 15 mL; subjects passed 10.6 ± 1.6 daytime anal gas evacuations and, by the third day, non‐gaseous colonic content was 479 ± 36 mL. The high‐residue diet increased the three parameters to 16.5 ± 2.9 anal gas evacuations, 223 ± 19 mL fecal output, and 616 ± 55 mL non‐gaseous colonic content (P<.05 vs low‐residue diet for all). On the low‐residue diet, non‐gaseous content in the right colon had increased by 41 ± 11 mL, 4 hours after the test meal, whereas no significant change was observed after 4‐hour fast (−15 ± 8 mL; P=.006 vs fed). Defecation significantly reduced the non‐gaseous content in distal colonic segments.Conclusion & InferencesColonic content exhibits physiologic variations with an approximate 1/3 daily turnover produced by meals and defecation, superimposed over diet‐related day‐to‐day variations.
ABNORMAL VASCULAR BUNDLES regulates cell proliferation and procambium cell establishment during aerial organ development in rice
Authors: Ma Ling , Sang Xianchun , Zhang Ting , Yu Zhanyang , Li Yunfeng , Zhao Fangming , Wang Zhongwei , Wang Yantong , Yu Peng , Wang Nan , Zhang Changwei , Ling Yinghua , Yang Zhenglin , He Guanghua 
Published: August 2016

Summary

To understand the molecular mechanisms of rice aerial organ development, we identified a mutant gene that caused a significant decrease in the width of aerial organs, termed ABNORMAL VASCULAR BUNDLES (AVB).

Histological analysis showed that the slender aerial organs were caused by cell number reduction. In avb, the number of vascular bundles in aerial organs was reduced, whereas the area of the vascular bundles was increased.

Ploidy analysis and the in situ expression patterns of histone H4 confirmed that cell proliferation was impaired during lateral primordia development, whereas procambium cells showed a greater ability to undergo cell division in avb. RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) showed that the development process was affected in avb. Map‐based cloning and genetic complementation demonstrated that AVB encodes a land plant conserved protein with unknown functions.

Our research shows that AVB is involved in the maintenance of the normal cell division pattern in lateral primordia development and that the AVB gene is required for procambium establishment following auxin signaling.
Analysis of Double Single Index Models
Authors: Chen Kun , Ma Yanyuan 
Published: August 2016

AbstractMotivated from problems in canonical correlation analysis, reduced rank regression and sufficient dimension reduction, we introduce a double dimension reduction model where a single index of the multivariate response is linked to the multivariate covariate through a single index of these covariates, hence the name double single index model. Because nonlinear association between two sets of multivariate variables can be arbitrarily complex and even intractable in general, we aim at seeking a principal one‐dimensional association structure where a response index is fully characterized by a single predictor index. The functional relation between the two single‐indices is left unspecified, allowing flexible exploration of any potential nonlinear association. We argue that such double single index association is meaningful and easy to interpret, and the rest of the multi‐dimensional dependence structure can be treated as nuisance in model estimation. We investigate the estimation and inference of both indices and the regression function, and derive the asymptotic properties of our procedure. We illustrate the numerical performance in finite samples and demonstrate the usefulness of the modelling and estimation procedure in a multi‐covariate multi‐response problem concerning concrete.
Evaluation of skin firmness by the DynaSKIN, a novel non‐contact compression device, and its use in revealing the efficacy of a skincare regimen featuring a novel anti‐ageing ingredient, acetyl aspartic acid
Authors: Kearney E. M. , Messaraa C. , Grennan G. , Koeller G. , Mavon A. , Merinville E. 
Published: August 2016

BackgroundOne of the key strategies for anti‐ageing in the cosmetics industry today is to target the structural changes responsible for ptosis of the skin, given its impact on age perception. Several objective and non‐invasive methods are available to characterise the biomechanical properties of the skin, which are operator‐dependent, involving skin contact and providing single‐dimensional numerical descriptions of skin behaviour. The research introduces the DynaSKIN, a device using non‐contact mechanical pressure in combination with fringe projection to quantify and visualise the skin response in 3‐dimensions. We examine the age correlation of the measurements, how they compare with the Cutometer®, and measure skin dynamics following application of a skincare regimen containing established anti‐ageing ingredients.MethodsDynaSKIN and Cutometer® measurements were made on the cheek of 80 Caucasian women (18–64 years). DynaSKIN volume, mean depth and maximum depth parameters were correlated with age and 15 Cutometer® parameters. Subsequently, the firming efficacy of a skincare regimen featuring acetyl aspartic acid (AAA) and a peptide complex was examined in a cohort of 41 volunteers.ResultsDynaSKIN volume, mean depth and maximum depth parameters correlate with age and the Cutometer® parameters that are associated with the skin relaxation phase (R1, R2, R4, R5, R7 and F3). Furthermore, the DynaSKIN captured significant improvements in skin firmness delivered by the skincare regimen.ConclusionThe DynaSKIN is a novel device capable of capturing skin biomechanics at a high level of specificity and successfully detected the firming properties of a skincare regimen. Its independent measuring principle, consumer relevance and skin firmness 3D visualisation capabilities bring objectivity and novelty to product efficacy substantiation evaluation.
Functional characterization of Arabidopsis phototropin 1 in the hypocotyl apex
Authors: Sullivan Stuart , Takemiya Atsushi , Kharshiing Eros , Cloix Catherine , Shimazaki Ken‐ichiro , Christie John M. 
Published: August 2016

SummaryPhototropin (phot1) is a blue light‐activated plasma membrane‐associated kinase that acts as the principal photoreceptor for shoot phototropism in Arabidopsis in conjunction with the signalling component Non‐Phototropic Hypocotyl 3 (NPH3). PHOT1 is uniformly expressed throughout the Arabidopsis hypocotyl, yet decapitation experiments have localized the site of light perception to the upper hypocotyl. This prompted us to investigate in more detail the functional role of the hypocotyl apex, and the regions surrounding it, in establishing phototropism. We used a non‐invasive approach where PHOT1–GFP (P1–GFP) expression was targeted to the hypocotyl apex of the phot‐deficient mutant using the promoters of CUP‐SHAPED COTYLEDON 3 (CUC3) and AINTEGUMENTA (ANT). Expression of CUC3::P1–GFP was clearly visible at the hypocotyl apex, with weaker expression in the cotyledons, whereas ANT::P1–GFP was specifically targeted to the developing leaves. Both lines showed impaired curvature to 0.005 μmol m−2 sec−1 unilateral blue light, indicating that regions below the apical meristem are necessary for phototropism. Curvature was however apparent at higher fluence rates. Moreover, CUC3::P1–GFP partially or fully complemented petiole positioning, leaf flattening and chloroplast accumulation, but not stomatal opening. Yet, tissue analysis of NPH3 de‐phosphorylation showed that CUC3::P1–GFP and ANT::P1–GFP mis‐express very low levels of phot1 that likely account for this responsiveness. Our spatial targeting approach therefore excludes the hypocotyl apex as the site for light perception for phototropism and shows that phot1‐mediated NPH3 de‐phosphorylation is tissue autonomous and occurs more prominently in the basal hypocotyl.
Correction of prasugrel‐related bleeding by prophylactic transfusion of human platelets in a rabbit model
Authors: Bonhomme Fanny , Godier Anne , Samama Charles Marc , Lecompte Thomas , Fontana Pierre 
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUNDPrasugrel provides rapid and intense inhibition of platelet aggregation combined with an increased risk of bleeding. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of platelet transfusion to reduce blood loss after a prasugrel loading dose in a rabbit model.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThirty‐five rabbits were randomized into five groups: “control” (saline plus physiological buffer), “no‐transfusion” (prasugrel plus physiological buffer), “platelet low dose” (prasugrel loading dose plus transfusion with a platelet count increase <80 × 109/L), “platelet intermediate dose” (prasugrel loading dose plus transfusion with a platelet count increase 80‐120 × 109/L), and “platelet high dose” (prasugrel loading dose plus transfusion with a platelet count increase ≥120 × 109/L). Naïve, washed human platelets in physiological buffer were transfused before bleeding was induced. Sequentially, a stenosis and an injury were carried out on the carotid artery to induce cyclic thrombotic occlusions. Ultimately, liver sections were performed to evaluate the primary endpoint of blood loss monitored for 15 minutes.RESULTSBlood loss in the “control” group was 3.16 g/kg (inerquartile range [IQR] [4.79‐9.15]) and was increased in the “no‐transfusion” group to 6.15 g/kg (IQR [4.79‐9.15]; p < 0.02). There was a gradual trend across the three transfusion groups toward less bleeding, and the highest dose of platelet transfusion significantly decreased prasugrel‐induced blood loss (3.05 g/kg; IQR [2.55‐3.56]; p = 0.006). Platelet aggregation was significantly but only partially restored in the latter group. Regarding safety, platelet transfusion was not associated with an increase in thrombotic events regardless of the dose.CONCLUSIONSIn this animal model, platelet transfusion aiming for a platelet count increase of at least 120 × 109/L was necessary to correct prasugrel‐related bleeding.
In vitro antimicrobial activity of a gel containing antimicrobial peptide AMP2041, chlorhexidine digluconate and Tris‐EDTA on clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from canine otitis
Authors: Ghibaudo Giovanni , Santospirito Davide , Sala Andrea , Flisi Sara , Taddei Simone , Cavirani Sandro , Cabassi Clotilde Silvia 
Published: August 2016

BackgroundPseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) may cause suppurative otitis externa with severe inflammation and ulceration in dogs. Multidrug resistance is commonly reported for this organism, creating a difficult therapeutic challenge.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of a gel containing 0.5 μg/mL of antimicrobial peptide AMP2041, 0.07% chlorhexidine digluconate (CLX), 0.4% Tris and 0.1% EDTA on 30 clinical isolates of PA from canine otitis externa.Materials and MethodsAntimicrobial activity was evaluated through minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC). Standardized bacterial suspensions were incubated with different concentrations of the gel at 37°C for 30 min and plated for colony forming unit (CFU) counts. Time‐to‐kill kinetics were evaluated with the undiluted product and at MBC for each PA strain at 30 s, 1, 5, 10, 15, 30 min, 24 and 48 h.ResultsThe MBC was 1:64 for two of 30 strains, 1:128 for 15 of 30 strains and 1:256 for 13 of 30 strains. The geometric mean was 1:165, equivalent to a concentration of 0.003 μg/mL AMP2041 + 0.0004% CLX + 0.0024%Tris + 0.0006% EDTA. Time‐to‐kill assays with the undiluted product showed complete bactericidal effect within 30 s for all isolates, whereas at the MBC this effect was reached within 5 min for 20 of 30 isolates and within 30 min for all isolates. Bactericidal activity was maintained after 48 h for all isolates.ConclusionThis gel has shown rapid, complete and long‐lasting activity against a panel of 30 PA isolates from cases of canine otitis externa.
Cell size and nucleo‐cytoplasmic ratios of meibocytes in the anterior acini of the upper eyelid Meibomian glands in rabbits
Authors: Doughty Michael J. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the morphological details of the acini of the normal meibomian gland.Animals StudiedSix young adult pigmented rabbits.MethodsThe upper eyelid was prepared in extended configuration by glutaraldehyde fixation. Tissue block sections approximately 0.5–1 mm from the eyelid margin were assessed by light microscopy in sagittal sections and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in coronal sections. TEM images at between 1000× and 2000× magnification were enlarged onto A3‐sized prints and cell size and nuclei measured by planimetry.ResultsLight microscopy sagittal sections revealed clusters of variable sized acini, sometimes appearing to be slightly overlapping and without any obvious spatial organization of the internal cells (meibocytes). The estimated areas of the acini were close to 6500 sq micron. Coronal sections, as examined by TEM, allowed for visualization of small to large acini (average diameter 82 ± 17 microns, with an estimated area of 5500 sq. microns) containing variable numbers of immature (partly differentiated) or mature (fully differentiated) meibocytes with a distinct spatial organization. The average area of the meibocytes was 158 ± 81 square microns, and they usually appeared to have a single nucleus (with an average sectional area of 29 ± 12 square microns). Within individual acini, peripherally located immature meibocytes tended to be smaller and have higher nucleo‐cytoplasmic area ratios, while more centrally mature located meibocytes tended to be slightly larger and had lower or much lower nucleocytoplasmic ratios.ConclusionsComparative studies on meibomian glands can be undertaken with objective assessments to assess for normality or abnormality.
Fly ash particles as a filter material in on‐site wastewater treatment systems for total phosphorus reduction
Authors: Ahmedi Figene , Pelivanoski Petko 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIn this paper, a simple filter model is used to determine the utility of fly ash fraction for total phosphorus reduction. Fly ash, which is introduced in this work, is a fraction of natural fly ash of particle size greater than 0.3 mm, and is used as a media filter material to reduce the total phosphorus concentration in wastewater. The results of a single snapshot sample indicate that fly ash fraction can hold wastewater due to its high specific surface area and release the final treated effluent at an appropriate level in terms of total phosphorus concentration. The physical and hydraulic characteristics and also the chemical composition of this fly ash fraction, and then the results of a single snapshot sample encourage both towards considering the material for total phosphorus reduction. Furthermore, this study proposes the valorization of fly ash waste material and its application as media filter for total phosphorus reduction.
Treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus with autologous collagen-induced chondrogenesis: clinical and magnetic resonance evaluation at one-year follow-up
Authors: Usuelli Federico , Grassi Miriam , Manzi Luigi , Guarrella Vincenzo , Boga Michele , De Girolamo Laura 
Published: August 2016

Purpose: the aim of this study is to report the clinical and imaging results recorded by a series of patients in whom osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) were repaired using the autologous collagen-induced chondrogenesis (ACIC) technique with a completely arthroscopic approach.
Methods: nine patients (mean age 37.4±10 years) affected by OLTs (lesion size 2.1±0.9 cm2) were treated with the ACIC technique. The patients were evaluated clinically both preoperatively and at 12 months after surgery using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS) and a visual analog scale (VAS). For morphological evaluation, the magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score was used.
Results: the AOFAS score improved from 51.4±11.6 preoperatively to 71.8±20.6 postoperatively, while the VAS value decreased from 6.9±1.8 to 3.2±1.9. The mean MOCART score was 51.7±16.6 at 12 months of follow-up; these scores did not directly correlate with the clinical results.
Conclusions: use of the ACIC technique for arthroscopic repair of OLTs allowed satisfactory clinical results to be obtained in most of the patients as soon as one year after surgery, with no major complications or delayed revision surgery. ACIC is a valid and lowinvasive surgical technique for the treatment of chondral and osteochondral defects of the talus.
Level of evidence: therapeutic case series, level IV.
Evaluation of RSA set-up from a clinical biplane fluoroscopy system for 3D joint kinematic analysis
Authors: Bonanzinga Tommaso , Signorelli Cecilia , Bontempi Marco , Russo Alessandro , Zaffagnini Stefano , Marcacci Maurilio , Bragonzoni Laura 
Published: August 2016

Purpose: dinamic roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis (RSA), a technique currently based only on customized radiographic equipment, has been shown to be a very accurate method for detecting threedimensional (3D) joint motion. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the applicability of an innovative RSA set-up for in vivo knee kinematic analysis, using a biplane fluoroscopic image system. To this end, the Authors describe the set-up as well as a possible protocol for clinical knee joint evaluation. The accuracy of the kinematic measurements is assessed.
Methods: the Authors evaluated the accuracy of 3D kinematic analysis of the knee in a new RSA set-up, based on a commercial biplane fluoroscopy system integrated into the clinical environment. The study was organized in three main phases: an in vitro test under static conditions, an in vitro test under dynamic conditions reproducing a flexion-extension range of motion (ROM), and an in vivo analysis of the flexionextension ROM. For each test, the following were calculated, as an indication of the tracking accuracy: mean, minimum, maximum values and standard deviation of the error of rigid body fitting.
Results: in terms of rigid body fitting, in vivo test errors were found to be 0.10±0.05 mm. Phantom tests in static and kinematic conditions showed precision levels, for translations and rotations, of below 0.1 mm/0.2º and below 0.5 mm/0.3º respectively for all directions.
Conclusions: the results of this study suggest that kinematic RSA can be successfully performed using a standard clinical biplane fluoroscopy system for the acquisition of slow movements of the lower limb.
Clinical relevance: a kinematic RSA set-up using a clinical biplane fluoroscopy system is potentially applicable and provides a useful method for obtaining better characterization of joint biomechanics.
Successful Treatment of Bloodstream Infection Due to Metallo-β-Lactamase-Producing Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in a Renal Transplant Patient
Authors: Mojica Maria F. , Ouellette Christopher P. , Leber Amy , Becknell M. Brian , Ardura Monica I. , Perez Federico , Shimamura Masako , Bonomo Robert A. , Aitken Samuel L. , Shelburne Samuel A. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
is an emerging multidrug-resistant (MDR) opportunistic pathogen for which new antibiotic options are urgently needed. We report our clinical experience treating a 19-year-old renal transplant recipient who developed prolonged bacteremia due to metallo-β-lactamase-producing
S. maltophilia
refractory to conventional treatment. The infection recurred despite a prolonged course of colistimethate sodium (colistin) but resolved with the use of a novel drug combination with clinical efficacy against the patient's
S. maltophilia
isolate.