bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Walking and Calcified Atherosclerotic Plaque in the Coronary Arteries
Authors: Imran Tasnim F. , Patel Yash , Ellison R. Curtis , Carr J. Jeffrey , Arnett Donna K. , Pankow James S. , Heiss Gerardo , Hunt Steven C. , Gaziano J. Michael , Djoussé Luc 
Published: April 2016

Objective—
Studies have reported mixed findings on the association between physical activity and subclinical atherosclerosis. We sought to examine whether walking is associated with prevalent coronary artery calcification (CAC) and aortic calcification.

Approach and Results—

In a cross-sectional design, we studied 2971 participants of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Family Heart Study without a history of myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting, or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. A standardized questionnaire was used to ascertain the number of blocks walked daily to compute walking metabolic equivalent hours. CAC was measured by cardiac computed tomography. We defined prevalent CAC and aortic calcification using an Agatston score of at least 100 and used generalized estimating equations to calculate adjusted prevalence ratios. Mean age was 55 years, and 60% of participants were women. Compared with the ≤3.75-Met-h/wk group, prevalence ratios for CAC after adjusting for age, sex, race, smoking, alcohol use, total physical activity (excluding walking), and familial clustering were 0.53 (95% confidence interval, 0.35–0.79) for >3.75 to 7.5 Met-h/wk, 0.72 (95% confidence interval, 0.52–0.99) for >7.5 to 15 Met-h/wk, and 0.54 (95% confidence interval, 0.36–0.81) for >15 to 22.5 Met-h/wk, (
P
trend=0.01). The walking–CAC relationship remained significant for those with body mass index ≥25 (
P
trend=0.02) and persisted with CAC cutoffs of 300, 200, 150, and 50 but not 0. When examined as a continuous variable, a J-shaped association between walking and CAC was found. The walking–aortic calcification association was not significant.

Conclusions—
Our findings suggest that walking is associated with lower prevalent CAC (but not aortic calcification) in adults without known heart disease.
Cost-Effectiveness of Oral Anticoagulants for Ischemic Stroke Prophylaxis Among Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Patients
Authors: Shah Anuj , Shewale Anand , Hayes Corey J. , Martin Bradley C. 
Published: April 2016

Background and Purpose—
The objective of the study is to compare the cost-effectiveness of oral anticoagulants among atrial fibrillation patients at an increased stroke risk.

Methods—

A Markov model was constructed to project the lifetime costs and quality-adjusted survival (QALYs) of oral anticoagulants using a private payer’s perspective. The distribution of stroke risk (CHADS
2
score: congestive heart failure, hypertension, advanced age, diabetes mellitus, stroke) and age of the modeled population was derived from a cohort of commercially insured patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation. Probabilities of treatment specific events were derived from published clinical trials. Event and downstream costs were determined from the cost of illness studies. Drug costs were obtained from 2015 National Average Drug Acquisition Cost data.

Results—

In the base case analysis, warfarin was the least costly ($46 241; 95% CI, 44 499–47 874) and apixaban had the highest QALYs (9.38; 95% CI, 9.24–9.48 QALYs). Apixaban was found to be a cost-effective strategy over warfarin (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio=$25 816) and dominated other anticoagulants. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that apixaban had at least a 61% chance of being the most cost-effective strategy at willingness to pay value of $100 000 per QALY. Among patients with CHADS
2
≥3, dabigatran was the dominant strategy. The model was sensitive to efficacy estimates of apixaban, dabigatran, and edoxaban and the cost of these drugs.

Conclusions—

All the newer oral anticoagulants compared were more effective than adjusted dosed warfarin. Our model showed that apixaban was the most effective anticoagulant in a general atrial fibrillation population and has an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio <$50 000/QALY. For those with higher stroke risk (CHADS
2
≥3), dabigatran was the most cost-effective treatment option.
Movement patterns and activity of the Brazilian snake-necked turtle Hydromedusa maximiliani (Testudines: Chelidae) in southeastern Brazil
Authors: Famelli Shirley , Souza Franco L. , Georges Arthur , Bertoluci Jaime 
Published: April 2016

To investigate the movement patterns and activity ofHydromedusa maximilianiin southeastern Brazil, sixteen adult freshwater turtles (eight males and eight females) were monitored with radio-transmitters from October 2009 to November 2010. An additional 22 turtles (11 males and 11 females) were monitored with thread-bobbins over a 3-day period.Hydromedusa maximilianishowed strong tendency to remain close to the river course. The distance moved each day varied from 0 to 179 m/day (radio-tracking) and 1.5 to 201 m/day (thread-bobbins). Males moved greater distances than females during the mating season (August to November), while females exhibited pronounced movements associated with egg-laying (December to February). Male and female movements did not differ significantly. Straight line distance measurements, usually obtained by radio-tracking, underestimate actual movement distances, since the nonlinearity of movements is not captured by radio-tracking as opposed to spool tracking, even when long distances are travelled. Results from this study are important for establishing conservation strategies for this vulnerable species.
A Review of Targeted Observations
Authors: Majumdar Sharanya J. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
It has long been conceived that numerical weather forecasts will benefit from the assimilation of supplementary observations that augment the conventional observational network. In particular, the concept of “targeting” observations in selected regions to improve a forecast of a high-impact weather event had been promoted and tested prior to and during the World Meteorological Organization/World Weather Research Programme’s The Observing System Research and Predictability Experiment (THORPEX) era (2005–14), through field campaigns and assimilation experiments. The end of the THORPEX era provided an appropriate opportunity to review the outcomes and, in particular, the evaluations of the influence of assimilating targeted observations on numerical weather predictions. The main outcome in the extratropics was that the influence of the targeted observations was positive though small (typically an average forecast error reduction of less than 10%). In the tropics, the targeted observations usually improved tropical cyclone track forecasts. Significantly, the results from these and other experiments were found to be sensitive to the sample chosen, the method of verification, and the numerical weather prediction system including the data assimilation scheme and the treatment of observations. Recommendations for the future include innovations to optimize the use of the Global Observing System via better exploitation of routinely available resources together with new instrumentation; expanding into the convective scale and mesoscale; investing quantitative evaluations and improving our understanding of how observations affect forecasts; and assessing the socioeconomic value of improved forecasts. A comprehensive bibliography of approximately 200 papers is provided in the online supplement to this paper.
The GEWEX Water Vapor Assessment: Results from Intercomparison, Trend, and Homogeneity Analysis of Total Column Water Vapor
Authors: Schröder Marc , Lockhoff Maarit , Forsythe John M. , Cronk Heather Q. , Vonder Haar Thomas H. , Bennartz Ralf 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe Global Energy and Water Cycle Exchanges project (GEWEX) water vapor assessment’s (G-VAP) main objective is to analyze and explain strengths and weaknesses of satellite-based data records of water vapor through intercomparisons and comparisons with ground-based data. G-VAP results from the intercomparison of six total column water vapor (TCWV) data records are presented. Prior to the intercomparison, the data records were regridded to a common regular grid of 2° × 2° longitude–latitude. All data records cover a common period from 1988 to 2008. The intercomparison is complemented by an analysis of trend estimates, which was applied as a tool to identify issues in the data records. It was observed that the trends over global ice-free oceans are generally different among the different data records. Most of these differences are statistically significant. Distinct spatial features are evident in maps of differences in trend estimates, which largely coincide with maxima in standard deviations from the ensemble mean. The penalized maximal F test has been applied to global ice-free ocean and selected land regional anomaly time series, revealing differences in trends to be largely caused by breakpoints in the different data records. The time, magnitude, and number of breakpoints typically differ from region to region and between data records. These breakpoints often coincide with changes in observing systems used for the different data records. The TCWV data records have also been compared with data from a radiosonde archive. For example, at Lindenberg, Germany, and at Yichang, China, such breakpoints are not observed, providing further evidence for the regional imprint of changes in the observing system.
A Combined Balloon Photography and Buoy-Tracking Experiment for Mapping Surface Currents in Coastal Waters
Authors: Miyao Yasuyuki , Isobe Atsuhiko 
Published: April 2016

AbstractA novel observational technique to map surface ocean currents at high spatial resolution in narrow regions is developed. Low-altitude remote sensing using a digital camera suspended from a vessel-towed balloon is used to track trajectories of floating buoys deployed on the ocean. Surface-current velocities are thereafter computed by sequentially moving buoy locations on photo images converted into ground (Cartesian) coordinates. Field experiments were conducted in July and August 2013 using a balloon towed by a research vessel on the Seto Inland Sea. The image-derived currents were compared with those derived from buoy locations recorded by GPS receivers attached to each floating buoy. It was found that surface currents computed using GPS data contain unrealistic values arising from stochastic fluctuations in those data. However, the image-derived currents reproduced well convergent flows and a cyclonic eddy that accumulated foam and marine debris, as actually observed during the surveys. This performance is attributed to the fact that the image processing acts as a filter to remove erroneous buoy locations in computing surface currents. The estimated error was 4.1 cm s−1, sufficiently small to measure snapshots of surface coastal currents with magnitudes greater than several tens of centimeters per second.
Potential Gaps in the Satellite Observing System Coverage: Assessment of Impact on NOAA’s Numerical Weather Prediction Overall Skills
Authors: Boukabara Sid-Ahmed , Garrett Kevin , Kumar V. Krishna 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe current constellation of environmental satellites is at risk of degrading due to several factors. This includes the following: 1) loss of secondary polar-orbiting satellites due to reaching their nominal lifetimes, 2) decrease in the density of extratropical radio-occultation (RO) observations due to a likely delayed launch of the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate-2 (COSMIC-2) high inclination orbit constellation, and 3) the risk of losing afternoon polar-orbiting satellite coverage due to potential launch delays in the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) programs. In this study, the impacts from these scenarios on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Global Forecast System skill are quantified. Performances for several metrics are assessed, but to encapsulate the results the authors introduce an overall forecast score combining metrics for all parameters, atmospheric levels, and forecast lead times. The first result suggests that removing secondary satellites results in significant degradation of the forecast. This is unexpected since it is generally assumed that secondary sensors contribute to system’s robustness but not necessarily to forecast performance. Second, losing the afternoon orbit on top of losing secondary satellites further degrades forecast performances by a significant margin. Finally, losing extratropical RO observations on top of losing secondary satellites also negatively impacts the forecast performances, but to a lesser degree. These results provide a benchmark that will allow for the assessment of the added value of projects being implemented at NOAA in support of mitigation strategies designed to alleviate the negative impacts associated with these data gaps, and additionally help NOAA to define requirements of the future global observing system architecture.
The POWER Experiment: Impact of Assimilation of a Network of Coastal Wind Profiling Radars on Simulating Offshore Winds in and above the Wind Turbine Layer
Authors: Djalalova Irina V. , Olson Joseph , Carley Jacob R. , Bianco Laura , Wilczak James M. , Pichugina Yelena , Banta Robert , Marquis Melinda , Cline Joel 
Published: April 2016

AbstractDuring the summer of 2004 a network of 11 wind profiling radars (WPRs) was deployed in New England as part of the New England Air Quality Study (NEAQS). Observations from this dataset are used to determine their impact on numerical weather prediction (NWP) model skill at simulating coastal and offshore winds through data-denial experiments. This study is a part of the Position of Offshore Wind Energy Resources (POWER) experiment, a Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored project that uses National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) models for two 1-week periods to measure the impact of the assimilation of observations from 11 inland WPRs. Model simulations with and without assimilation of the WPR data are compared at the locations of the inland WPRs, as well as against observations from an additional WPR and a high-resolution Doppler lidar (HRDL) located on board the Research Vessel Ronald H. Brown (RHB), which cruised the Gulf of Maine during the NEAQS experiment. Model evaluation in the lowest 2 km above the ground shows a positive impact of the WPR data assimilation from the initialization time through the next five to six forecast hours at the WPR locations for 12 of 15 days analyzed, when offshore winds prevailed. A smaller positive impact at the RHB ship track was also confirmed. For the remaining three days, during which time there was a cyclone event with strong onshore wind flow, the assimilation of additional observations had a negative impact on model skill. Explanations for the negative impact are offered.
Efficacy of Recommended Prehospital Human Equivalent Doses of Atropine and Pralidoxime Against the Toxic Effects of Carbamate Poisoning in the Hartley Guinea Pig
Authors: Brittain Matthew K. , McGarry Kevin G. , Moyer Robert A. , Babin Michael C. , Jett David A. , Platoff Gennady E. , Yeung David T. 
Published: April 2016

Purpose: Aldicarb and methomyl are carbamate pesticides commonly implicated in human poisonings. The primary toxic mechanism of action for carbamate poisoning is cholinesterase (ChE) inhibition. As such, it is logical to assume that the currently accepted therapies for organophosphate poisoning (muscarinic antagonist atropine and the oxime acetylcholinesterase reactivator pralidoxime chloride [2-PAM Cl]) could afford therapeutic protection. However, oximes have been shown to be contraindicated for poisoning by some carbamates. Methods: A protective ratio study was conducted in guinea pigs to evaluate the efficacy of atropine and 2-PAM Cl. The ChE activity was determined in both the blood and the cerebral cortex. Results: Coadministration of atropine free base (0.4 mg/kg) and 2-PAM Cl (25.7 mg/kg) demonstrated protective ratios of 2 and 3 against aldicarb and methomyl, respectively, relative to saline. The data reported here show that this protection was primarily mediated by the action of atropine. The reactivator 2-PAM Cl had neither positive nor negative effects on survival. Both blood acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities were significantly reduced at 15 minutes postchallenge but gradually returned to normal within 24 hours. Analysis of cerebral cortex showed that BChE, but not AChE, activity was reduced in animals that succumbed prior to 24 hours after challenge. Conclusion: The results suggest that coadministration of atropine and 2-PAM Cl at the currently recommended human equivalent doses for use in the prehospital setting to treat organophosphorus nerve agent and pesticide poisoning would likely also be effective against aldicarb or methomyl poisoning.
Unfavourable effects of medically indicated oral anticoagulants on survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Kreuter Michael , Wijsenbeek Marlies S. , Vasakova Martina , Spagnolo Paolo , Kolb Martin , Costabel Ulrich , Weycker Derek , Kirchgaessler Klaus-Uwe , Maher Toby M. 
Published: April 2016

Procoagulant and antifibrinolytic activity has been associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); however, investigation of anticoagulant therapy in IPF has suggested deleterious effects. Thispost hocanalysis evaluated the effect of medically indicated anticoagulation on mortality and other clinical outcomes in IPF.Patients randomised to placebo (n=624) from three controlled trials in IPF were analysed by oral anticoagulant use. End-points included all-cause and IPF-related mortality, disease progression, hospitalisation, and adverse events, over 1 year.At baseline, 32 (5.1%) patients randomised to placebo were prescribed anticoagulants for non-IPF indications, 29 (90.6%) of whom received warfarin. Unadjusted analyses demonstrated significantly higher all-cause and IPF-related mortality at 1 year in baseline anticoagulant usersversusnonusers (15.6%versus6.3%, p=0.039 and 15.6%versus3.9%, p=0.002, respectively). In multivariate analyses, baseline use of anticoagulants was an independent predictor of IPF-related mortality (hazard ratio 4.7, p=0.034), but not other end-points. Rates of bleeding and cardiac events did not differ significantly between groups. In an exploratory analysis, anticoagulant use at any time during the study was an independent predictor of all end-points.Thispost hocanalysis suggests that anticoagulants used for non-IPF indications may have unfavourable effects in IPF patients. Future studies are needed to explore this relationship further.
microRNA-206 is involved in survival of hypoxia preconditioned mesenchymal stem cells through targeting Pim-1 kinase
Authors: Zhang You , Lei Wei , Yan Weiya , Li Xizhe , Wang Xiaolin , Zhao Zhenao , Hui Jie , Shen Zhenya , Yang Junjie 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Background
Overexpression of Pim-1 in stem/progenitor cells stimulated cell cycling and enhanced cardiac regeneration in vivo. We proposed that hypoxic preconditioning could increase survival of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) via upregulation of Pim-1 and aimed to determine the microRNAs that modulate the expression of Pim-1.

Methods and results
MSCs were subjected to hypoxia exposure. The expression of Pim-1 in MSCs was enhanced in a time-dependent manner, detected by quantitative PCR and western blot. miR-206 is predicted as one of the potential microRNAs that target Pim-1. The expression of miR-206 was decreased in hypoxic MSCs and reversely correlated with Pim-1 expression. Luciferase activity assay further confirmed Pim-1 as a putative target of miR-206. In addition, gain and loss-of-function studies with miR-206 mimics and inhibitors showed that inhibition of miR-206 in hypoxic MSCs promoted the migration ability of the cells, prevented cell apoptosis, and protected membrane potential of mitochondria, while the benefits were all blocked by Pim-1 inhibitor. In an acute model of myocardial infarction, transplanted hypoxic MSCs showed a significantly improved survival as compared with hypoxic MSCs overexpressing miR-206.

Conclusions
Hypoxic preconditioning could increase short-term survival of bone marrow MSCs via upregulation of Pim-1, and miR-206 was one of the critical regulators in this process.
Factors associated with uterine fibroid in Ghanaian women undergoing pelvic scans with suspected uterine fibroid
Authors: Sarkodie Benjamin Dabo , Botwe Benard Ohene , Adjei David Nana , Ofori Eric 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Background
Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumours affecting premenopausal women and are often associated with considerable hospitalization and morbidity. Literature shows virtually no study concerning the quantification of the main factors associated with uterine fibroids in Ghanaian women. The purpose of this study was to assess the main factors associated with uterine fibroid among Ghanaian women presenting for ultrasound.

Method
A prospective cross-sectional study design was employed in this study. A total of two hundred and forty-four (244) women were consecutively evaluated from November 2011 to February 2012 using a 2–5 MHz curvilinear probe of Philips HD3 ultrasound machines at three centres in Accra using a trans-abdominal pelvic approach. Data was analysed with (SPSS) version 20.0 for windows, 2010; Chicago. The Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to determine associations between selected demographic and gynaecological characteristics and uterine fibroid appearance. All tests were two-tailed and p-value of less than 0.05 was interpreted as significant.

Results
The range, mean and standard deviation (SD) of the patients’ age were 14–54 years, 31.89 years and ± 7.92 respectively. Factors that associated significantly with uterine fibroid in Ghanaian women included obesity (X2 = 17.3, p-value = 0.001), participant’s age range (X2 = 47.4, p-value = 0.001), parity (X2 = −10.169, p-value = 0.001), and age at last delivery (X2 = 34.579, p-value = 0.001).

Conclusion
Uterine fibroid was mainly associated with women of older age group of the reproductive age than the younger age categories and also associated more with women with without children compared to those with more children. Moreover, it associated more with obese patients and patient with late age at last delivery.
Biomimetic substrate control of cellular mechanotransduction
Authors: Andalib Mohammad Nahid , Dzenis Yuris , Donahue Henry J. , Lim Jung Yul 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Extracellular mechanophysical signals from both static substrate cue and dynamic mechanical loading have strong potential to regulate cell functions. Most of the studies have adopted either static or dynamic cue and shown that each cue can regulate cell adhesion, spreading, migration, proliferation, lineage commitment, and differentiation. However, there is limited information on the integrative control of cell functions by the static and dynamic mechanophysical signals. For example, a majority of dynamic loading studies have tested mechanical stimulation of cells utilizing cultures on flat surfaces without any surface modification. While these approaches have provided significant information on cell mechanotransduction, obtained outcomes may not correctly recapitulate complex cellular mechanosensing milieus in vivo. Several pioneering studies documented cellular response to mechanical stimulations upon cultures with biomimetic substrate modifications. In this min-review, we will highlight key findings on the integrative role of substrate cue (topographic, geometric, etc.) and mechanical stimulation (stretch, fluid shear) in modulating cell function and fate. The integrative approaches, though not fully established yet, will help properly understand cell mechanotransduction under biomimetic mechanophysical environments. This may further lead to advanced functional tissue engineering and regenerative medicine protocols.