bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of microstructural heterogeneity on pore size distribution and permeability in Opalinus Clay (Mont Terri, Switzerland): insights from an integrated study of laboratory fluid flow and pore morphology from BIB-SEM images
Authors: Philipp T. , Amann-Hildenbrand A. , Laurich B. , Desbois G. , Littke R. , Urai J. L. 
Published: March 2017

Abstract

Opalinus Clay (OPA) is considered as a potential host rock for the deep geological disposal of radioactive waste. One key parameter in long-term storage prediction is permeability. In this study we investigated microstructural controls on permeability for the different facies of OPA. Permeability and porosity were determined under controlled pressure conditions. In addition, the pore space was investigated by SEM, using high-quality surfaces prepared by broad ion beam (BIB) milling. Water permeability coefficients range from 1.6×10
−21
to 5.6×10
−20
m
2
; He-pycnometer porosities range between approximately 21 and 12%. The sample with the highest He porosity (shaly facies) is characterized by the lowest permeability, and vice versa (carbonate-rich sandy facies). This inverse behaviour deviates from the generally reported trend of increasing permeability with increasing porosity, indicating that parameters other than porosity affect permeability. Visible porosities from SEM images revealed that 67–95% of the total porosity resides within pores smaller than the SEM detection limit. Pore sizes follow a power-law distribution, with characteristic power-law exponents (
D
) differing greatly between the facies. The carbonate-rich sandy facies contains a network of much larger pores (
D
(shaly)
≈2.4;
D
(carbonate-rich)
c.
2.0), because of the presence of load-supporting sand grains that locally prevent clay compaction, and are responsible for a higher permeability.
Phospholipid Bilayers: Stability and Encapsulation of Nanoparticles
Authors: Alipour Elnaz , Halverson Duncan , McWhirter Samantha , Walker Gilbert C. 
Published: March 2017

Nanoparticles are widely studied for their potential medical uses in diagnostics and therapeutics. The interface between a nanoparticle and its target has been a focus of research, both to guide the nanoparticle and to prevent it from deactivating. Given nature's frequent use of phospholipid vesicles as carriers, much attention has been paid to phospholipids as a vehicle for drug delivery. The physical chemistry of bilayer formation and nanoparticle encapsulation is complex, touching on fundamental properties of hydrophobicity. Understanding the design rules for particle synthesis and encapsulation is an active area of research. The aim of this review is to provide a perspective on what preparative guideposts have been empirically discovered and how these are related to theoretical understanding. In addition, we aim to summarize how modern theory is beginning to help guide the design of functional particles that can effectively cross biological membranes.
Visual and presaccadic activity in area 8Ar of the macaque monkey lateral prefrontal cortex
Authors: Bullock Kelly R. , Pieper Florian , Sachs Adam J. , Martinez-Trujillo Julio C. 
Published: March 2017

Common trends observed in many visual and oculomotor-related cortical areas include retinotopically organized receptive and movement fields exhibiting a Gaussian shape and increasing size with eccentricity. These trends are demonstrated in the frontal eye fields, many visual areas, and the superior colliculus but have not been thoroughly characterized in prearcuate area 8Ar of the prefrontal cortex. This is important since area 8Ar, located anterior to the frontal eye fields, is more cytoarchitectonically similar to prefrontal areas than premotor areas. Here we recorded the responses of 166 neurons in area 8Ar of two male macaques while the animals made visually guided saccades to a peripheral sine-wave grating stimulus positioned at 1 of 40 possible locations (8 angles along 5 eccentricities). To characterize the neurons’ receptive and movement fields, we fit a bivariate Gaussian model to the baseline-subtracted average firing rate during stimulus presentation (early and late visual epochs) and before saccade onset (presaccadic epoch). One hundred twenty-one of one hundred sixty-six neurons showed spatially selective visual and presaccadic responses. Of the visually selective neurons, 76% preferred the contralateral visual hemifield, whereas 24% preferred the ipsilateral hemifield. The angular width of visual and movement-related fields scaled positively with increasing eccentricity. Moreover, responses of neurons with visual receptive fields were modulated by target contrast, exhibiting sigmoid tuning curves that resemble those of visual neurons in upstream areas such as MT and V4. Finally, we found that neurons with receptive fields at similar spatial locations were clustered within the area; however, this organization did not appear retinotopic. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We recorded the responses of neurons in lateral prefrontal area 8Ar of macaques during a visually guided saccade task using multielectrode arrays. Neurons have Gaussian-shaped visual and movement fields in both visual hemifields, with a bias toward the contralateral hemifield. Visual neurons show contrast response functions with sigmoid shapes. Visual neurons tend to cluster at similar locations within the cortical surface; however, this organization does not appear retinotopic.
Echo Parameters for Differential Diagnosis in Cardiac Amyloidosis
Authors: Pagourelias Efstathios D. , Mirea Oana , Duchenne Jürgen , Van Cleemput Johan , Delforge Michel , Bogaert Jan , Kuznetsova Tatyana , Voigt Jens-Uwe 
Published: March 2017

Background—
A plethora of echo parameters has been suggested for distinguishing cardiac amyloidosis (CA) from other causes of myocardial thickening with, however, scarce data on their head-to-head comparison. This study aimed at comparing the diagnostic accuracy of various deformation and conventional echo parameters in differentiating CA from other hypertrophic substrates, especially in the gray zone of mild hypertrophy (maximum wall thickness ≤16 mm) or normal ejection fraction (EF).

Methods and Results—

We included 100 subjects, of which 40 were patients with newly diagnosed, biopsy-proven CA (65.5±10.8 years, 65% male, 62.5% amyloidosis light chain [AL] type), 40 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy matched for demographics and maximum wall thickness (60.1±14.8 years, 85% male), and 20 hypertensives with prominent myocardial remodeling. Quantifiable conventional morphological and functional parameters along with multidimensional strain and strain-derived ratios indices, previously suggested to diagnose CA, were analyzed. EF global longitudinal strain ratio showed the best performance to discriminate CA (area under the curve, 0.95; 95% confidence intervals, 0.89–0.98;
P
<0.00005). Traditional echo indices showed overall low sensitivities and high specificities (among them myocardial contraction fraction ratio had the highest area under the curve, 0.80; 95% confidence intervals, 0.7–0.87;
P
<0.0001). In the challenging subgroups (maximum wall thickness ≤16 mm and EF>55%), EF global longitudinal strain ratio remained the best predicting parameter of CA diagnosis (multiple logistic regression models
P
<0.00005 and
P
=0.0002, respectively) independent of the CA type.

Conclusions—
Our study demonstrated that in patients with thickened hearts, EF global longitudinal strain ratio has the best accuracy in detecting CA, even among the most “challenging” patient subgroups as those with mild hypertrophy and normal EF.
The United States and Latin America in the Trans-Pacific Partnership: Renewing Hegemony in a Post–Washington Consensus Hemisphere?
Authors: Biegon Rubrick 
Published: March 2017

The nascent Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement puts the United States at the center of an expanding liberalization regime connecting the Americas to the Asia-Pacific region. U.S. power is bound up with the globalization of Latin America’s political economy, and the TPP is indicative of U.S. efforts to renew its hegemony in the region. It reinforces the importance of “free trade” on the post–Washington Consensus agenda, undercutting existing Latin American–led approaches to integration while responding to China’s growing influence in the hemisphere. As the free-trade consensus is reconstructed through the TPP process, U.S. hegemony in the Americas is potentially extended even as it continues to face challenges in the structural, institutional, and ideological dimensions of intrahemispheric affairs. El naciente Acuerdo Transpacífico de Cooperación Económica (TPP) coloca a Estados Unidos al centro de un régimen de liberalización en expansión que conecta a las Américas con la región Asia-Pacífico. El poder estadunidense está vinculado a la globalización de la economía política latinoamericana, y el TPP es indicativo de los esfuerzos de Estados Unidos por renovar su hegemonía en la región. Refuerza la importancia del “libre comercio” en la agenda establecida después del Consenso de Washington, socavando los intentos latinoamericanos de integración regional mientras responde a la creciente influencia de China en el hemisferio. La hegemonía estadunidense crece potencialmente en el continente americano conforme se reconstruye un consenso de libre comercio a través del proceso del TPP. Al mismo tiempo, continúa afrontando retos estructurales, institucionales e ideológicos en las relaciones intrahemisféricas.
The Transition to Entrepreneurial Governance in a Middle-Sized Ecuadorian City
Authors: Prada-Trigo José 
Published: March 2017

A key issue in territorial studies in recent years has been the transition in urban governance from managerialism to entrepreneurialism. North American and European cities were pioneers in this transition, and Latin American metropolises adapted their postulates to a different reality. Middle-sized cities in the region seem to have copied the intervention models of the nearest metropolis, uncritically applying them to a context characterized by important urban and social deficiencies and low standards of urban governance. The result has been a transition from no management to urban entrepreneurialism. In the case of one middle-sized city, this model has generated “islands of investment” attractive to foreign capital without resolving such long-standing problems as poverty, inequality, underemployment, and scarcity. Un factor clave en los estudios territoriales de los últimos años ha sido la transición, en el rubro de la gestión urbana, de la gestión misma al emprendimiento. Las ciudades europeas y norteamericanas sentaron las bases de esta transición, mientras que las metrópolis de América Latina adaptaron sus postulados a una realidad distinta. Las ciudades medianas de la región parecen haber copiado los modelos de intervención de las metrópolis más cercanas sin ningún sentido crítico, implementándolas en un contexto de deficiencias sociales y urbanas significativas, así como bajos estándares de gestión urbana. El resultado ha sido una transición de la ausencia de gestión a un modelo de emprendimiento urbano. En el caso de una ciudad mediana, este modelo ha generado “islas de inversión” que atraen capital extranjero sin resolver antiguos problemas como la pobreza, la desigualdad, el subempleo y la escasez.
Price Behaviour Around Dividend Announcements in the Indian Equity Market in the Existence of Corporate Dividend Tax
Authors: Chatterjee Chanchal , Dutta Paromita 
Published: March 2017

This article empirically examines the price behaviour around cash dividend announcements of the firms listed on the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSE) in order to understand whether dividend announcements really influence stock returns in the market and carry meaningful information to the investors in the existence of corporate dividend tax. The article uses standard ‘event study’ methodology based on market model on a sample of 210 dividend announcements. Subsample analysis is employed for further analysis of firms of different categories. The study finds that cash dividend announcements do not necessarily generate abnormal stock returns in an emerging market, such as India. The whole sample is further divided into various subsamples on the basis of firm size and the size of payout ratio. The study finds that large payout firms experience greater stock returns compared to the smaller payout firms just after the dividend announcements. However, stock returns following dividend announcements do not vary across firm size. This article provides evidence to the managers about the non-linkage between cash dividend announcements and stock returns in an emerging market like India. This finding is contrary to the findings of many other studies that are based on the data of the developed economies.
Assessing Gaming Simulation Validity for Training Traffic Controllers
Authors: van Lankveld G. , Sehic E. , Lo J. C. , Meijer S. A. 
Published: March 2017

Background. The Dutch railway company ProRail is performing large-scale capacity upgrades to their infrastructure network. As part of these upgrades, ProRail uses gaming simulations to help prepare train traffic controllers for new infrastructure situations. Researching the validity of these gaming simulations is essential, since the conclusions drawn from gaming simulation use may result in decisions with large financial and social impact for ProRail and Dutch train passengers. Aim. In this article, we aim to investigate the validity of the gaming simulations for training traffic controllers for new situations in rail infrastructure. We also aim to contribute to the discussion on the minimum level of fidelity required to develop and conduct gaming simulations in a valid way. Method. We investigate the validity by using training sessions in conjunction with questionnaires. We based the approach and questionnaires on the earlier work of Raser. Results. Our results show that the validity of the gaming simulation ranges from medium to good. They also show that while the fidelity of the gaming simulation is not like the real-world operating conditions, this does not reduce validity to low levels. Conclusions. We conclude that the gaming simulation used in this study was of medium to good validity. We also conclude that maximum fidelity is not required in order to run a valid gaming simulation session.
Spinal cord lesions: A modest contributor to diagnosis in clinically isolated syndromes but a relevant prognostic factor
Authors: Arrambide Georgina , Rovira Alex , Sastre-Garriga Jaume , Tur Carmen , Castilló Joaquín , Río Jordi , Vidal-Jordana Angela , Galán Ingrid , Rodríguez-Acevedo Breogán , Midaglia Luciana , Nos Carlos , Mulero Patricia , Arévalo Maria Jesús , Comabella Manuel , Huerga Elena , Auger Cristina , Montalban Xavier , Tintore Mar 
Published: March 2017

Background: The usefulness of performing a spinal cord (SC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in all clinically isolated syndromes (CIS) is controversial. Objective: To assess the value of SC lesions for predicting multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis and disability accrual in CIS. Methods: Concerning SC lesions and MS diagnosis (2010 McDonald), adjusted Cox regression analyses were performed in increasingly specific CIS groups: all cases ( n = 207), non-SC CIS ( n = 143), non-SC CIS with abnormal brain MRI ( n = 90) and non-SC CIS with abnormal brain MRI not fulfilling 2010 MS ( n = 67). For the outcome Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≥3.0, similar analyses were performed in all cases ( n = 207), non-SC CIS ( n = 143) and SC CIS ( n = 64). Performance at 2 years was assessed for all outcomes. Results: The presence of SC lesions increased MS risk 2.0–2.6 times independently of factors like brain lesions. If considering lesion number, the risk ranged from 1.6 to 2.1 for one lesion to 2.4–3.3 for ≥2. SC lesions increased the short-term disability risk around fivefold, better demonstrated in non-SC CIS. SC lesions were very specific for evolution to MS and showed very high sensitivity for EDSS ≥3.0. Conclusion: SC lesions are independent predictors of MS in all CIS and contribute to short-term disability accrual. SC MRIs in CIS could be useful to estimate their prognosis.
Abnormal Brain Connectivity Spectrum Disorders Following Thimerosal Administration
Authors: Geier David A. , Kern Janet K. , Homme Kristin G. , Geier Mark R. 
Published: March 2017

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), tic disorder (TD), and hyperkinetic syndrome of childhood (attention deficit disorder [ADD]/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]) are disorders recently defined as abnormal connectivity spectrum disorders (ACSDs) because they show a similar pattern of abnormal brain connectivity. This study examines whether these disorders are associated with exposure to thimerosal, a mercury (Hg)-based preservative. Methods: A hypothesis testing case-control study evaluated the Vaccine Safety Datalink for the potential dose-dependent odds ratios (ORs) for diagnoses of ASD, TD, and ADD/ADHD compared to controls, following exposure to Hg from thimerosal-containing Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines administrated within the first 15 months of life. Febrile seizures, cerebral degeneration, and unspecified disorders of metabolism, which are not biologically plausibly linked to thimerosal, were examined as control outcomes. Results: On a per 25 μg Hg basis, cases diagnosed with ASD (OR = 1.493), TD (OR = 1.428), or ADD/ADHD (OR = 1.503) were significantly ( P < .001) more likely than controls to have received increased Hg exposure. Similar relationships were observed when separated by gender. Cases diagnosed with control outcomes were no more likely than controls to have received increased Hg exposure. Conclusion: The results suggest that Hg exposure from thimerosal is significantly associated with the ACSDs of ASD, TD, and ADD/ADHD.
Long-term use of benzodiazepines in older patients in Germany: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Jacob Louis , Rapp Michael A. , Kostev Karel 
Published: March 2017

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of long-term benzodiazepine use in older adults treated in general and neuropsychiatric practices in Germany. Methods: This study included 32,182 patients over the age of 65 years who received benzodiazepine prescriptions for the first time between January 2010 and December 2014 in general and neuropsychiatric practices in Germany. Follow up lasted until July 2016. The main outcome measure was the proportion of patients treated with benzodiazepines for >6 months. Results: The proportion of patients with benzodiazepine therapy for >6 months increased with age (65–70 years: 12.3%; 71–80 years: 15.5%; 81–90 years: 23.7%; >90 years: 31.6%) but did not differ significantly between men (15.5%) and women (17.1%). The proportion of patients who received benzodiazepines for >6 months was higher among those with sleep disorders (21.1%), depression (20.8%) and dementia (32.1%) than among those with anxiety (15.5%). By contrast, this proportion was lower among people diagnosed with adjustment disorders (7.7%) and back pain (3.8%). Conclusion: Overall, long-term use of benzodiazepines is common in older people, particularly in patients over the age of 80 and in those diagnosed with dementia, sleep disorders, or depression.
Growth differentiation factor-15 is a predictor of important disease outcomes in patients with COPD
Authors: Husebø Gunnar R. , Grønseth Rune , Lerner Lorena , Gyuris Jeno , Hardie Jon A. , Bakke Per S. , Eagan Tomas M. 
Published: March 2017

Increased levels of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15) are associated with cachexia, cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. The role of GDF15 in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unknown.The study included 413 patients with COPD from the Bergen COPD Cohort Study. All patients had a forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) <80% predicted, a FEV1to forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio <0.7 and a history of smoking. Spirometry, fat free mass index, blood gases and plasma GDF15 were measured at baseline. Patients were followed for 3 years regarding exacerbations and changes in lung function, and 9 years for mortality. Yearly exacerbation rate, survival and yearly change in FEV1/FVC were evaluated with regression models.Median plasma GDF15 was 0.86 ng·mL−1(interquartile range 0.64–1.12 ng·mL−1). The distribution was not normal and GDF15 was analysed as a categorical variable. High levels of GDF15 were associated with a higher exacerbation rate (incidence rate ratio 1.39, 95% CI 1.1–1.74, p=0.006, adjusted values). Furthermore, high levels of GDF15 were associated with higher mortality (hazard ratio 2.07, 95% CI 1.4–3.1, p<0.001) and an increased decline in both FEV1(4.29%versus3.25%) and FVC (2.63%versus1.44%) in comparison to low levels (p<0.01 for both).In patients with COPD, high levels of GDF15 were independently associated with a higher yearly rate of exacerbations, higher mortality and increased decline in both FEV1and FVC.
Impact of tumour thickness on survival after radical radiation and surgery in malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors: de Perrot Marc , Dong Zhi , Bradbury Penelope , Patsios Demetris , Keshavjee Shaf , Leighl Natasha B. , Hope Andrew , Feld Ronald , Cho John 
Published: March 2017

Tumour thickness was assessed to determine if this parameter could refine patients' selection for multimodality therapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma.We reviewed 65 consecutive treatment-naïve malignant pleural mesothelioma patients undergoing surgery for mesothelioma after radiation therapy (SMART). Total tumour thickness was determined by measuring the maximal thickness on nine predefined sectors on the chest wall, mediastinum and diaphragm.After a median follow-up of 19 months, 40 patients (62%) developed recurrence and 36 died (55%). Total tumour thickness, ranging between 2.4 and 21 cm (median 6.9 cm), correlated with tumour volume (p<0.0001, R2=0.29) and maximum standardised uptake value (p=0.006, R2=0.11). Total tumour thickness had a significant impact on overall survival and disease-free survival in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, total tumour thickness remained an independent predictor of survival (p=0.02, hazard ratio (HR) 1.12, 95% CI 1.02–1.23) and disease-free survival (p=0.01, HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.03–1.24) along with epithelial histologic subtype (p<0.0001, HR 0.25, 95% CI 0.13–0.50) and pN2 disease (p=0.03, HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.07–4.33). Diaphragmatic tumour thickness correlated best with time to recurrence (p=0.002, R2=0.22) and time to death (p=0.003, R2=0.2).The impact of tumour thickness on survival and disease-free survival independent of histologic subtypes and nodal disease is extremely encouraging. This parameter could potentially be used to refine the clinical staging of malignant pleural mesothelioma and optimise patient selection for radical treatment.