bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale for secondary prevention of ischemic stroke: Quantitative synthesis of pooled randomized trial data
Authors: Hakeem Abdul , Cilingiroglu Mehmet , Katramados Angelos , Boudoulas Konstantinos Dean , Iliescu Cezar , Gundogdu Betul , Marmagkiolis Konstantinos 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous device closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) for secondary prevention of ischemic strokeBackgroundStroke remains the leading cause of serious long‐term disability in the United States. The effectiveness of a percutaneous PFO closure in the prevention of recurrent cryptogenic strokes has not been established.MethodsWe performed a literature search using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Google Scholar, and Internet‐based sources from January 2003 to September 2017. Randomized controlled trails (RCTs) comparing percutaneous PFO closure to medical therapy alone.ResultsFive RCTs (CLOSURE I, PC Trial, REDUCE, RESPECT, and CLOSE) with 1,829 patients in the device group and 1,611 patients in the medical group met inclusion criteria. The cumulative incidence of recurrent stroke was 2.02% in the PFO closure arm and 4.4% in the medical therapy group (RR 0.42, 95%CI 0.20, 0.91; P = 0.03). There was no difference in the incidence of death [0.7% vs. 0.9%; RR 0.76 (95% CI 0.35, 1.64), P = 0.49] or adverse events during the follow‐up period [24.6% vs. 23.7% (RR 1.03; 95% CI 0.91, 1.16), P = 0.65] between the closure and medical therapy groups. Incidence of atrial fibrillation was significantly higher in closure group compared to medical therapy [4% vs. 0.6% (RR 4.73; 95% CI 2.09, 10.70), P = 0.0002]. The comparative effectiveness of PFO closure (compared to medical therapy) was significantly more pronounced in those younger than 45 years, males, larger shunts and disc design platforms (P < 0.05).ConclusionsBased on the results of this analysis of randomized trial data, percutaneous PFO closure appears to be a safe and effective therapeutic option for the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke in patients with PFO and cryptogenic stroke.
Increased scientific rigor will improve reliability of research and effectiveness of management
Authors: Sells Sarah N. , Bassing Sarah B. , Barker Kristin J. , Forshee Shannon C. , Keever Allison C. , Goerz James W. , Mitchell Michael S. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTRigorous science that produces reliable knowledge is critical to wildlife management because it increases accurate understanding of the natural world and informs management decisions effectively. Application of a rigorous scientific method based on hypothesis testing minimizes unreliable knowledge produced by research. To evaluate the prevalence of scientific rigor in wildlife research, we examined 24 issues of the Journal of Wildlife Management from August 2013 through July 2016. We found 43.9% of studies did not state or imply a priori hypotheses, which are necessary to produce reliable knowledge. We posit that this is due, at least in part, to a lack of common understanding of what rigorous science entails, how it produces more reliable knowledge than other forms of interpreting observations, and how research should be designed to maximize inferential strength and usefulness of application. Current primary literature does not provide succinct explanations of the logic behind a rigorous scientific method or readily applicable guidance for employing it, particularly in wildlife biology; we therefore synthesized an overview of the history, philosophy, and logic that define scientific rigor for biological studies. A rigorous scientific method includes 1) generating a research question from theory and prior observations, 2) developing hypotheses (i.e., plausible biological answers to the question), 3) formulating predictions (i.e., facts that must be true if the hypothesis is true), 4) designing and implementing research to collect data potentially consistent with predictions, 5) evaluating whether predictions are consistent with collected data, and 6) drawing inferences based on the evaluation. Explicitly testing a priori hypotheses reduces overall uncertainty by reducing the number of plausible biological explanations to only those that are logically well supported. Such research also draws inferences that are robust to idiosyncratic observations and unavoidable human biases. Offering only post hoc interpretations of statistical patterns (i.e., a posteriori hypotheses) adds to uncertainty because it increases the number of plausible biological explanations without determining which have the greatest support. Further, post hoc interpretations are strongly subject to human biases. Testing hypotheses maximizes the credibility of research findings, makes the strongest contributions to theory and management, and improves reproducibility of research. Management decisions based on rigorous research are most likely to result in effective conservation of wildlife resources. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Impacts of wind turbines on redheads in the Laguna Madre
Authors: Lange Corey J. , Ballard Bart M. , Collins Daniel P. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTFreshwater ponds adjacent to the Laguna Madre along the lower Texas coast provide an important and heavily used source of fresh water for the redhead (Aythya americana) throughout winter. A 267‐turbine wind farm was constructed within the core wintering area of the redhead on a private ranch along the western coast of the Laguna Madre, in 2010. Our objective was to investigate the effects of this wind farm on the habitat and potential displacement of redheads and their use of coastal ponds along the lower Texas coast. We conducted weekly aerial surveys to monitor coastal pond use by wintering redheads from mid‐October through mid‐March during pre‐construction (2000–2003) and post‐construction (2012–2014) of the wind farm. Pond availability and Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) within the wind farm were significantly correlated during pre‐construction (n = 16, R2 = 0.53, P = 0.035) and post‐construction (n = 11, R2 = 0.64, P = 0.003). However, the number of ponds available at each PDSI level within the wind farm decreased during post‐construction (paired t = 3.2, n = 5, P = 0.033). The average number of redheads detected per survey on coastal ponds within the wind farm decreased by 77% from pre‐construction to post‐construction. Redhead abundance on ponds across the entire Laguna Madre increased by an average of 3.26 times between pre‐construction and post‐construction, partly due to increases in the continental redhead population. It appears that the wind farm has altered the use of coastal ponds by redheads during winter. Future wind farm placement along the lower Texas coast should consider coastal pond distribution and the dynamics of redhead use between coastal ponds and foraging areas in the Laguna Madre. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Roost site selection of western long‐eared myotis in a western juniper woodland
Authors: Anthony Christopher R. , Sanchez Dana M. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTSeveral bat species occur in piñon (Pinus monophylla) and juniper (Juniperus ssp.) woodlands across the western United States, yet factors influencing roost site selection in these vegetation communities are poorly understood. Piñon‐juniper woodlands have expanded beyond their historical geographic range in the western United States since European settlement. Many former stands of widely spaced old‐growth juniper are now crowded with younger trees. Currently, federal and state land management agencies and private landowners are removing juniper trees to restore shrub‐steppe for greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) across its geographic range, with little understanding of the treatment effects on roost site selection by bats. We used radio‐telemetry to examine roost site selection of western long‐eared myotis (Myotis evotis) at 3 spatial scales (roost, plot, and home range) during the breeding season. We attached radio‐transmitters to 32 individuals and located 92 day roost sites for 25 different individuals. Lactating females selected rock crevices as roosts more frequently than tree cavities, whereas males used tree roosts and rock roosts more evenly. The majority of tree roosts were in pre‐settlement trees that had at least 1 cavity. The odds that a tree was selected as a roost site increased with the number of available tree roosts within 17.8 m of the roost site. Preference by lactating females for rock roost sites increased with the number of available rock roosts within 5 m of the roost site and decreased with distance from water. Preference by males for rock roosts decreased if the roost was a single rock compared to an aggregate of rocks, increased with the number of available roosts within 5 m of the roost site, decreased with distance from water, and increased with area of pre‐settlement juniper woodland within 1 km of the roost site. These results provide support for protecting pre‐settlement juniper trees and rock formations near water sources in juniper woodlands to conserve existing populations of western long‐eared myotis during the breeding season. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Fine‐scale spatial genetic structure of deer in a suburban landscape
Authors: Crawford Joanne C. , Dechen Quinn Amy , Williams David M. , Rudolph Brent A. , Scribner Kim T. , Porter William F. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTHunting regulations traditionally applied to manage deer populations in rural areas are not well suited to management in heavily populated suburban landscapes. We evaluated the spatial genetic structure of a suburban deer population to assess the feasibility of localized management at the scale of social groups. We used fecal DNA from white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in suburban Michigan to determine whether deer in suburban landscapes maintain the matrilineal social structure that has been observed in studies of rural deer. We amplified 7 microsatellite loci from fecal pellets (n = 591) collected from August to October 2013 on public and private lands throughout Meridian Township, Ingham County, central Michigan, USA. Based on multi‐locus genotypes, we identified individuals, quantified the extent of spatial genetic structure at multiple spatial scales, identified the location and spatial extent of aggregations of related females and males, and estimated genetic neighborhood size. We also used landscape genetic analyses to evaluate associations between measures of land cover, edge density, the presence of major roads, and inter‐individual genetic distance. Spatial genetic autocorrelation was positive and significant up to a distance of 0.5 km. We did not detect correlations between landscape variables and inter‐individual genetic distance. Results indicate that deer in suburban landscapes exhibit familial structure reported for deer in more rural areas, albeit at a smaller spatial scale, and with substantial overlap among groups. Management at the spatial scales of genetically related groups of deer may be feasible in suburban communities. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Otolaryngology/head and neck region manifestations of Brucella
Authors: Lazutkin Anna , Korem Maya , Weinberger Jeffrey M. , Eliashar Ron , Hirshoren Nir 
Published: January 2018

Objectives/HypothesisPatients with Brucella infection present with nonspecific symptoms originating from different organs. In this study, we investigated the manifestations involving principally the otolaryngology/head and neck region.Study DesignRetrospective cohort chart review.MethodsA retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with brucellosis in a tertiary medical center. Medical records of 55 patients treated for positive Brucella blood cultures between 2007 and 2016 were analyzed. Clinical manifestations localized to the otolaryngology/head and neck region were evaluated.ResultsMost patients (78%) in our study group lived in rural areas. There was an almost equal gender distribution and a wide age range (2–77 years). Nonspecific symptoms, including fever (71%), fatigue (31%), weight loss (20%), and night sweats (32.7%) were the most common. Of the specific organ systems affected by Brucella, the osteoarthritic system was most commonly infected (45.5%). Three patients (5.5%) presented with predominantly localized otolaryngology/head and neck region symptoms, consisting of necrotic lymphadenopathy or a thyroid abscess. All patients underwent drainage procedures, and the diagnosis was confirmed by positive blood and pus cultures. Complete resolution was achieved with prolonged antibiotic treatment.ConclusionsBrucella infection should be suspected in patients with nonspecific constitutional symptoms associated with neck lymphadenopathy or thyroid abscess, especially in those living in rural areas. A high index of suspicion is mandatory for proper diagnosis and treatment. Formal drainage and prolonged antibiotic treatments are required. We strongly recommend simple drainage and not excision as the mainstay of surgical treatment.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 128:2056–2059, 2018
Oblique thyroarytenoid muscle in humans: An independent muscle or an accessory belly?
Authors: Lee Shin‐Hyo , Koh Ki‐Seok , Song Wu‐Chul 
Published: January 2018

Objectives/HypothesisThis study aimed to determine the prevalence and morphological variations of the oblique thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle in humans.Study DesignCadaveric anatomic dissections.MethodsOne hundred hemilarynges from 50 formalin‐embalmed cadavers were dissected to investigate the morphology of muscle fibers of the TA muscle.ResultsThirty‐six (36%) hemilarynges were found to have a distinct oblique belly superficial to the TA muscle. In 28 cases, the belly had a relatively constant origin and an insertion that extended straight onto the TA muscle from the anterosuperior area of the internal surface of the thyroid lamina to the base of the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage. Eight cases were located in a similar area but with some differences in the origin or insertion features.ConclusionsWe proposed that the oblique TA muscle has a high prevalence and probably acts to close and relax the vocal cords. It remains to be determined whether the oblique TA muscle is an independent muscle or an accessory belly of the main TA muscle.Level of EvidenceNA. Laryngoscope, 128:1634–1638, 2018
Current and future management of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis
Authors: Ivancic Ryan , Iqbal Hassan , deSilva Brad , Pan Quintin , Matrka Laura 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesRecurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a chronic disease of the respiratory tract that occurs in both children and adults. It is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), in particular low‐risk HPV6 and HPV11, and aggressiveness varies among patients. RRP remains a chronic disease that is difficult to manage. This review provides perspectives on current and future management of RRP.ResultsThe current standard of care is surgical excision, with adjuvant therapies as needed. Surgical management of RRP has evolved with the introduction of microdebriders and photoangiolytic lasers; the latter can now be used in the office setting. Numerous adjuvant pharmacologic therapies have been utilized with some success. Also, exciting preliminary data show that HPV vaccines may prolong the time to recurrence in the RRP population. There is also optimism that wide‐spread HPV vaccination could reduce RRP incidence indirectly by preventing vertical HPV transmission to newborns.ConclusionTo date, the biology of RRP is not well understood, although it has been noted to become more aggressive in the setting of immune suppression. Additional research is needed to better understand immune system dysfunction in RRP such that immunomodulatory approaches may be developed for RRP management.Level of Evidence4
A theoretical study on cyclacenes: Analytical tight‐binding approach
Authors: Battaglia Stefano , Le Hai‐Anh , Bendazzoli Gian Luigi , Faginas‐Lago Noelia , Leininger Thierry , Evangelisti Stefano 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe present a theoretical study of cyclacene molecules performed at tight‐binding level. The orbital energies and eigenvectors have been analytically computed, and exact expressions for the axial component of the total position spread and polarizability tensors have been obtained. In absence of dimerization, the system has a Dnh symmetry, where n is the number of hexagonal units. The energy bands present no gap at the Fermi level, and to this fact it corresponds a diverging (per‐electron) polarizability for
in the direction of the system symmetry axis. The two (degenerate) components of the polarizability on the σh symmetry plane, conversely, remain finite for
. The total position spread tensor presents a qualitatively different behavior, since all the three components of the position spread per electron remain finite for
. The results are analyzed and discussed for both axial and planar components separately as these are affected differently with respect to the increasing system size. Both dipole polarizability and total position spread have been computed using an ab initio approach for the smallest systems, to compare the analytical tight‐binding expressions with a higher‐level theory.
Wildlife biology, big data, and reproducible research
Authors: Lewis Keith P. , Vander Wal Eric , Fifield David A. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTChanges in technology have made it possible to gather vast amounts of data, often of high quality, that in turn can improve the quality of wildlife biology. However, with this growth in data, practices such as data management, exploratory data analysis, data‐sharing, and reproducibility of an analysis have become increasingly complex. These practices often depend heavily on computer scripting languages, and are often hidden from the peer‐review process despite their influence on the final results. Although these issues have been discussed in the literature, they are generally dealt with in a piecemeal fashion, preventing synthesis, and thereby slowing progress. We offer a conceptual framework to illustrate relationships among these practices, and show where wildlife biology as a field has embraced these changes, where awareness is growing, and where it lags behind other fields. We then present several case studies to emphasize the importance of adopting these practices. Any of these case studies could have been conducted with little attention to these practices or employing scripting languages, but there are many disadvantages to this approach including increased chance of errors, inefficiency, and lack of reproducibility. We suggest that a change in the culture of how wildlife biology is conducted is required and that this change will be fostered by integrating these practices into wildlife biology education, implementation, and embracing the idea of open data and open computer code. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
The Future of American Archaeology
Authors: Klein Terry H. , Goldstein Lynne , Gangloff Deborah , Lees William B. , Ryzewski Krysta , Styles Bonnie W. , Wright Alice P. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTOver the past several years, we have seen many attacks on publicly funded and mandated archaeology in the United States. These attacks occur at the state level, where governors and state legislatures try to defund or outright eliminate state archaeological programs and institutions. We have also seen several attacks at the federal level. Some members of Congress showcase archaeology as a waste of public tax dollars, and others propose legislation to move federally funded or permitted projects forward without consideration of impacts on archaeological resources. These attacks continue to occur, and we expect them to increase in the future. In the past, a vigilant network of historic preservation and archaeological organizations was able to thwart such attacks. The public, however, largely remains an untapped ally. As a discipline, we have not built a strong public support network. We have not demonstrated the value of archaeology to the public, beyond a scattering of educational and informational programs. In this article, we—a group of archaeologists whose work has focused on public engagement—provide a number of specific recommendations on how to build a strong public constituency for the preservation of our nation's archaeological heritage.
Design and analysis of a propulsion mechanism using modular umbrella-like wings
Authors: Gao F. , Lv J. G. , Zhang X. C. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTThis article describes the design and evaluation of a new type of propulsion mechanism that uses modular umbrella-like wings oscillating symmetrically in counterphase to generate thrust. The principle of the propulsion and movement of the modular umbrella-like wings was first developed, and the mechanism used to implement the movement of the modular wings was subsequently designed. A structural model and the assembly relationship of the propulsion mechanism were developed for prototype fabrication. An experiment was established to measure the kinematic and mechanical performances of the propulsion mechanism for different reciprocating frequencies and travels. The results for the single umbrella-like wing indicate that either increasing the frequency or enlarging the travel can enhance the average aerodynamic force generated by the wing in one cycle. The results for the modular umbrella-like wings demonstrate that the inertial force generated by the mechanism can be balanced using a symmetrical structure. The average aerodynamic force would be markedly enhanced by increasing the percentage of the time that the outspread wing is moving downwards; e.g. the average aerodynamic force generated by the modular umbrella-like wings was increased by 85.84% compared to the value for a single umbrella-like wing for the same travel and frequency. This work provides practical guidance for optimising the structure design.
Compliant structures based on stiffness asymmetry
Authors: Wang C. , Khodaparast H. H. , Friswell M. I. , Shaw A. D. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTOne of the key problems in the development of morphing aircraft is the morphing structure, which should be able to carry loads and change its geometry simultaneously. This paper investigates a compliant structure, which has the potential to change the dihedral angle of morphing wing-tip devices. The compliant structure is able to induce deformation by unsymmetrical stiffness allocation and carry aerodynamic loads if the total stiffness of the structure is sufficient.The concept has been introduced by building a simplified model of the structure and deriving the analytical equations. However, a properly designed stiffness asymmetry, which is optimised, can help to achieve the same deformation with a reduced actuation force.In this paper, round corrugated panels are used in the compliant structure and the stiffness asymmetry is introduced by changing the geometry of the corrugation panel. A new equivalent model of the round corrugated panel is developed, which takes the axial and bending coupling of the corrugated panel into account. The stiffness matrix of the corrugated panel is obtained using the equivalent model, and then the deflections of the compliant structure can be calculated. The results are compared to those from detailed finite element models built in the commercial software Abaqus. Samples with different geometries were manufactured for experimental tests.After verifying the equivalent model, optimisation is performed to find the optimum geometries of the compliant structures. The actuation force of a single compliant structure is first optimised, and then the optimisation is performed for a compliant structure consisting of multiple units. A case study is used to show the performance improvement obtained.