bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Numerical analysis of corneal curvature dynamics based on Corvis tonometer images
Authors: Kasprzak Henryk , Boszczyk Agnieszka 
Published: March 2016

The paper presents numerical analysis of corneal curvature distribution, based on Corvis ST images. It was shown that a new approach to analysis of corneal curvature from tonometer images enables a better description and understanding of processes during fast corneal deformation. Ten healthy volunteers participated in nine repeated measurements on one eye. 90 sequences of images were processed with software written in Matlab, with the use of the Image Processing Toolbox. Time‐spatial distribution of the local curvature distribution of the corneal profile was obtained for each and every measurement. Some new curvature parameters were proposed and analyzed. A high repeatability for individual subjects was obtained for the proposed parameters. For four of these new parameters, the ICC coefficients were higher than 0.85. The ICC value for the calculated curvature of the cornea before deformation reaches 0.989. Such high repeatability of the proposed new parameters can be useful in examination and differentiation of corneas due to their geometrical and biomechanical properties.
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Classification of Gemcitabine resistant Cholangiocarcinoma cell lines using synchrotron FTIR microspectroscopy
Authors: Wongwattanakul Molin , Hahnvajanawong Chariya , Tippayawat Patcharaporn , Chio‐Srichan Sirinart , Leelayuwat Chanvit , Limpaiboon Temduang , Jearanaikoon Patcharee , Heraud Philip 
Published: March 2016

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a cancer of bile duct epithelium, is a major health problem in Thailand especially in the northeast. Overall treatment outcomes have not shown much improvement because the disease is usually detected at an advanced stage and often shows chemotherapeutic resistance. High‐throughput Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy can be used for cell classification and has the potential to diagnose cancer and possibly predict chemo‐response. This study was aimed to differentiate gemcitabine‐sensitive and gemcitabine‐resistant induction in two CCA cell lines (KKU‐M139 and KKU‐M214) and xenograft tissues using synchrotron‐FTIR microspectroscopy. Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS‐DA) could discriminate between chemo‐sensitive and chemo‐resistant cells in the FTIR fingerprint spectral region (1800–1000 cm–1) with more than 90% sensitivity and specificity. The chemo‐resistant and chemo‐sensitive phenotypes were different in protein (amide I, amide II), lipids (carbonyl group and CH3 deformation) and phosphodiester from nucleic acids. Additionally, spectra from xenograft tissues showed similar results to the cell line study with marked differences between chemo‐resistant and chemo‐sensitive CCA tissues, and PLS‐DA could discriminate the chemotherapeutic response with 98% sensitivity and specificity. This is the first study to demonstrate the use of FTIR microspectroscopy to assess chemo‐response both in vitro and in vivo.
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Serum Bilirubin and Their Association With C‐Reactive Protein in Patients With Migraine
Authors: Peng You‐Fan , Xie Li‐Qiu , Xiang Yang , Xu Gui‐Dan 
Published: March 2016

BackgroundIncreased levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP) have been considered as a marker in assessing neurogenic inflammation of migraine patients. An inverse relationship between serum bilirubin and CRP has been observed in various diseases. Therefore, we analyzed serum bilirubin levels in migraine patients, and investigated the relationship between serum bilirubin and CRP in migraineurs.MethodsA total of 86 newly diagnosed migraine patients were consecutively recruited to this study.ResultsSignificantly lower median serum total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin (CB) and unconjugated bilirubin were found in patients with migraine than healthy controls, and the levels of CRP were significantly higher in migraine patients than healthy controls. A negative correlation between CRP and CB was observed in patients with migraine (r = −0.255, P = 0.018). In a multiple linear regression model, the concentrations of CRP remained negatively correlated with CB.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that serum bilirubin concentrations are decreased in migraineurs, and CB levels were found to be positively correlated with CRP in migraine patents. However, larger cross‐sectional and prospective studies are needed to establish whether serum bilirubin may be a useful biomarker for assessing neurogenic inflammation in migraine patients and eventually guiding the therapy.
Evolutionary patterns of shape and functional diversification in the skull and jaw musculature of triggerfishes (Teleostei: Balistidae)
Authors: McCord Charlene L. , Westneat Mark W. 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTThe robust skull and highly subdivided adductor mandibulae muscles of triggerfishes provide an excellent system within which to analyze the evolutionary processes underlying phenotypic diversification. We surveyed the anatomical diversity of balistid jaws using Procrustes‐based geometric morphometric analyses and a phylomorphospace approach to quantifying morphological transformation through evolution. We hypothesized that metrics of interspecific cranial shape would reveal patterns of phylogenetic diversification that are congruent with functional and ecological transformation. Morphological landmarks outlining skull and adductor mandibulae muscle shape were collected from 27 triggerfish species. Procrustes‐transformed skull shape configurations revealed significant phylogenetic and size‐influenced structure. Phylomorphospace plots of cranial shape diversity reveal groupings of shape between different species of triggerfish that are mostly consistent with phylogenetic relatedness. Repeated instances of convergence upon similar cranial shape by genetically disparate taxa are likely due to the functional demands of shared specialized dietary habits. This study shows that the diversification of triggerfish skulls occurs via modifications of cranial silhouette and the positioning of subdivided jaw adductor muscles. Using the morphometric data collected here as input to a biomechanical model of triggerfish jaw function, we find that subdivided jaw adductors, in conjunction with a unique cranial skeleton, have direct biomechanical consequences that are not always congruent with phylomorphospace patterns in the triggerfish lineage. The integration of geometric morphometrics with biomechanical modeling in a phylogenetic context provides novel insight into the evolutionary patterns and ecological role of muscle subdivisions in triggerfishes. J. Morphol. 277:737–752, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The postnatal ontogeny of the sexually dimorphic vocal apparatus in goitred gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa)
Authors: Efremova Kseniya O. , Frey Roland , Volodin Ilya A. , Fritsch Guido , Soldatova Natalia V. , Volodina Elena V. 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTThis study quantitatively documents the progressive development of sexual dimorphism of the vocal organs along the ontogeny of the goitred gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa). The major, male‐specific secondary sexual features, of vocal anatomy in goitred gazelle are an enlarged larynx and a marked laryngeal descent. These features appear to have evolved by sexual selection and may serve as a model for similar events in male humans. Sexual dimorphism of larynx size and larynx position in adult goitred gazelles is more pronounced than in humans, whereas the vocal anatomy of neonate goitred gazelles does not differ between sexes. This study examines the vocal anatomy of 19 (11 male, 8 female) goitred gazelle specimens across three age‐classes, that is, neonates, subadults and mature adults. The postnatal ontogenetic development of the vocal organs up to their respective end states takes considerably longer in males than in females. Both sexes share the same features of vocal morphology but differences emerge in the course of ontogeny, ultimately resulting in the pronounced sexual dimorphism of the vocal apparatus in adults. The main differences comprise larynx size, vocal fold length, vocal tract length, and mobility of the larynx. The resilience of the thyrohyoid ligament and the pharynx, including the soft palate, and the length changes during contraction and relaxation of the extrinsic laryngeal muscles play a decisive role in the mobility of the larynx in both sexes but to substantially different degrees in adult females and males. Goitred gazelles are born with an undescended larynx and, therefore, larynx descent has to develop in the course of ontogeny. This might result from a trade‐off between natural selection and sexual selection requiring a temporal separation of different laryngeal functions at birth and shortly after from those later in life. J. Morphol. 277:826–844, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Four‐week exercise program does not change rotator cuff muscle activation and scapular kinematics in healthy subjects
Authors: Lin Yin‐Liang , Karduna Andrew 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTRotator cuff and scapular muscle strengthening exercises are an essential part of shoulder rehabilitation and sports training. Although the effect of exercise training on pain and function have been widely investigated, few studies have focused on the changes in shoulder kinematics and muscle activity after exercise training. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of rotator cuff and scapular strengthening exercises on shoulder kinematics and the activation of rotator cuff and scapular muscles in healthy subjects. Thirty‐six healthy subjects were recruited and randomly assigned into either a training or control group. Subjects in the training group were trained with rotator cuff and scapular strengthening exercises for 4 weeks. Scapular kinematics and shoulder muscle activity during arm elevation were measured before and after exercise training. After the 4‐week training protocol, there was an increase in strength and a decrease in upper trapezius activation in the training group, which is consistent with previous studies. However, no difference was found in scapular kinematics and activation of rotator cuff muscles between the control and training groups after the training protocol. Although the exercise protocol resulted in strength gains for the rotator cuff, these gains did not transfer to an increase in muscle activation during motion. These results demonstrate the difficulty in changing activation patterns of the rotator cuff muscles. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:2079–2088, 2016.
Fermentation of rapeseed meal, sunflower meal and faba beans in combination with wheat bran increases solubility of protein and phosphorus
Authors: Poulsen Hanne Damgaard , Blaabjerg Karoline 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDTo increase self‐supply of protein and phosphorus (P) in European pig and poultry diets and reduce nitrogen (N) and P excretion, attention is directed to approaches increasing protein and P digestibility of rapeseed, sunflower and faba beans. Wheat bran is rich in enzymes degrading and solubilizing protein and phytate. Herein, solubilization of protein, N and P was investigated when increasing ratios of wheat bran were fermented with rapeseed meal (RSM), sunflower meal (SFM), faba beans (FB) or a combination of these (RSM/SFM/FB).RESULTSProtein, N and P solubility was greater, for all mixtures, the more wheat bran was included and the longer the mixtures were fermented. The increase in N (FB > RSM/SFM/FB > SFM > RSM) and protein solubility (RSM/SFM/FB > RSM > SFM > FB) was greatest from day 0 to day 3 and thereafter limited, whereas P solubility increased during the whole period (5 days; FB > RSM/SFM/FB > SFM > RSM). In general, FB showed the highest solubility and highest increase in N and P solubility, while RSM showed the highest protein solubility and RSM/SFM/FB the highest increase in protein solubility.CONCLUSIONFermentation of RSM, SFM, FB and RSM/SFM/FB without or with wheat bran uncovers a potential for increased protein and P digestibility and thereby reduced N and P excretion from pigs and poultry. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of pulsed light treatments and pectin edible coatings on the quality of fresh‐cut apples: a hurdle technology approach
Authors: Moreira María R , Álvarez María V , Martín‐Belloso Olga , Soliva‐Fortuny Robert 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDPulsed light (PL) treatments stand as an alternative for the shelf‐life extension of fresh‐cut products. The antimicrobial effects of PL are well known; however, its influence on quality attributes needs to be assessed. This study was aimed at evaluating the application of PL treatments in combination with pectin‐based edible coatings enriched with dietary fiber for the preservation of fresh‐cut apples.RESULTSDipping of fresh‐cut apples in ascorbic acid/calcium chloride solution prior to pectin coating and PL treatments was effective to minimize browning and softening of apple surfaces. Incorporation of fiber in the pectin coating did not cause any change in microbial loads and sensory acceptability of apple cubes. Pectin‐coated PL‐treated apple pieces exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity values than fresh and PL control samples. At the end of storage, the combination of both treatments resulted in an almost 2 log CFU g−1 reduction of microbial counts. Sensory attribute scores did not fall below the rejection limit throughout 14 days, although the presence of off‐odors limited the acceptability of the pectin‐coated samples.CONCLUSIONThe results demonstrate that PL treatments applied to pectin‐coated fresh‐cut apples may be used to maintain quality attributes, thus conferring prebiotic potential and extending the shelf‐life of the product. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
The association between non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A hospital based case‐control study
Authors: Kinoshita Masahiko , Kubo Shoji , Tanaka Shogo , Takemura Shigekazu , Nishioka Takayoshi , Hamano Genya , Ito Tokuji , Tanaka Sayaka , Ohsawa Masahiko , Shibata Toshihiko 
Published: March 2016

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the association between non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).MethodsThis was a case control study of patients who underwent surgical resection either for ICC or for a metastatic liver tumor (the control group). We assessed their clinical characteristics, pathological findings, and the prevalence of known ICC risk factors. For patients without known risk factors, we compared other factors including the prevalence of NASH.ResultsIn the patients without known risk factors, 15 of 34 patients in the ICC group and 13 of 69 patients in the control group were diagnosed with NASH. Univariate analysis showed significantly higher values in the ICC group for age (P = 0.0478), prevalence of obesity (P = 0.0365) and NASH (P = 0.0078), and serum levels of albumin (P = 0.0051), and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase (γ‐GTP) (P = 0.0006) compared with the control group. Multivariate analysis showed that age and serum levels of γ‐GTP and NASH were independent risk factors for ICC. In patients with NASH, the proportion of patients with hepatic fibrosis was significantly higher in the ICC group than in the control group (P = 0.0014).ConclusionNASH is a possible risk factor for ICC development. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:779–783. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimal extent of lymphadenectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma: A 7‐institution study of the U.S. gastric cancer collaborative
Authors: Randle Reese W. , Swords Douglas S. , Levine Edward A. , Fino Nora F. , Squires Malcolm H. , Poultsides George , Fields Ryan C. , Bloomston Mark , Weber Sharon M. , Pawlik Timothy M. , Jin Linda X. , Spolverato Gaya , Schmidt Carl , Worhunsky David , Cho Clifford S. , Maithel Shishir K. , Votanopoulos Konstantinos I. 
Published: March 2016

Background and ObjectivesThe optimal extent of lymphadenectomy in the treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma is debated. We compared gastrectomy outcomes following limited (D1) or extended (D2) lymphadenectomy.MethodsUsing the multi‐institutional US Gastric Cancer Collaborative database, we reviewed the morbidity, mortality, recurrence, and overall survival (OS) of patients receiving D1 or D2 lymphadenectomies.ResultsBetween 2000 and 2012, 266 and 461 patients received a D1 and D2 lymphadenectomy, respectively. ASA class, mean number of comorbidities, grade, and stage were similar between groups. While major morbidity was similar (P = 0.85), mortality was worse for those receiving a D1 lymphadenectomy (4.9% vs. 1.3%, P = 0.004). D2 lymphadenectomy was associated with improved median OS in stage I (4.7 years for D1 vs. not reached for D2, P = 0.003), stage II (3.6 years for D1 vs. 6.3 for D2, P = 0.42), and stage III patients (1.3 years for D1 vs. 2.1 for D2, P = 0.01). After adjusting for predictors of OS, D2 lymphadenectomy remained a significant predictor of improved survival (HR 1.5, 95%CI 1.1–2.0, P = 0.008).ConclusionsD2 lymphadenectomy can be performed without increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Additionally, D2 lymphadenectomy is associated with improved survival especially in early stages, and should be considered for gastric adenocarcinoma patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:750–755. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Polysulfone–poly(Orthotoluidine) nanocomposite membrane with an improved separation performance
Authors: Alhoshan Mansour , Alam Javed , Khan Aslam , Surur Al Shabouna Fahad , Sasivarnam Senthivel , Arockiasamy Dass Lawrence , Shukla Arun Kumar 
Published: March 2016

In the current study, poly(orthotoluidine) (POT), which is a polyaniline derivative, was used as a novel organic nanoadditive for the preparation of a polysulfone–POT nanocomposite membrane with an improved separation performance. The effect of different concentrations of POT (0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt%) on the membrane properties was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, tensile measurement, thermogravimetric analysis, contact angle meter, and zeta potential. The performance of the membranes was evaluated in terms of the water flux and bovine serum albumin (BSA) rejection and adsorption. The irreversible flux decline ratio (Rir) and the flux recovery rate (FRR%) were calculated to evaluate the fouling‐resistant ability of the prepared membranes. All of the membranes that consisted of the POT nanomaterials exhibited improved membrane performances (i.e., water flux, BSA adsorption resistance, rejection, and mechanical and thermal properties) compared with the neat polysulfone membrane. A considerable improvement in the membrane performance was observed for the nanocomposite membrane that had a POT content of 1 wt% because of its membrane morphology, which has a typical asymmetric structure and suitable surface characteristics, including surface roughness and charge. The 1 wt% POT‐added nanocomposite membrane, which exhibited the highest FRR value of 87.95% and the lowest irreversible fouling resistance (Rir) value of 12.04%, could be used as a preferential membrane in ultrafiltration applications. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:E157–E166, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Optically and electrically excited emissions from organic semiconducting oligomer crystals
Authors: Hotta Shu 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis paper reviews optically and electrically excited emissions from organic semiconducting oligomers in the form of their single crystals. Of the semiconducting oligomers, the review focuses on thiophene/phenylene co‐oligomers (TPCOs). The topics cover crystal growth and laser oscillation along with related spectrally narrowed emissions of TPCO crystals. Aside from the strong excitation with a laser beam, weak excitation using a mercury lamp produces optical fringes superimposed on broadband emission spectra. The laser oscillation spectra accompanied by longitudinal multimode and optical fringes observed from the weak excitation have the same origin. This enables us to determine optical constants (i.e. refractive indices) and their dispersion of the crystals and provides sufficient information for the construction of optoelectronic devices based on the organic crystals. As a typical example, the review outlines the improved device constitution and performance as well as device operation methods with light‐emitting field‐effect transistors (LEFETs), because the device configuration is suited for cutting‐edge devices including lasers. Finally the review presents device performance of LEFETs having a diffraction grating. These devices are suited for exploring the possibility of constructing a next‐generation current‐injected laser device. © 2016 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Linear (k,n) secret sharing scheme with cheating detection
Authors: Liu Yanxiao 
Published: March 2016

AbstractLinear (k,n) secret sharing scheme with the capability of detecting cheating is considered in this paper. Linear (k,n) secret sharing scheme is a class of (k,n) secret sharing, where all the n shares of a secret satisfy a linear relationship. It plays an important role in other cryptographic systems, such as multi‐party computation and function sharing schemes. On the other hand, cheating problem in (k,n) secret sharing is an important issue, such that cheaters (dishonest players) submit forged shares during secret reconstruction to fool honest players. During decades of research on cheating prevention, vast (k,n) secret sharing schemes against cheating have been proposed. However, most of these schemes are not linear schemes because it contains redundant information in their shares to achieve cheating detection. Because linear (k,n) secret sharing is an important primitive in threshold cryptography, linear (k,n) secret sharing scheme with the capability of cheating detection is also worthwhile to be discussed. In this paper, we propose a linear (k,n) secret sharing scheme against cheating based on Shamir's original scheme, which possesses the following merits: (1) Our scheme is just a combination of two Shamir's schemes. Therefore, our scheme can be used in other threshold cryptographic systems, which are based on Shamir's scheme. (2) The size of share in the proposed scheme almost reaches its theoretic lower bound in (k,n) secret sharing with cheating detection. (3) In the phase of cheating detection, only one honest player can detect the cheating from other k − 1 cheaters, which achieves a stronger detection effective than the previous linear secret sharing schemes against cheating. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.