bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Duration analysis using matching pursuit algorithm reveals longer bouts of gamma rhythm
Authors: Chandran KS Subhash , Seelamantula Chandra Sekhar , Ray Supratim 
Published: November 2017

The gamma rhythm (30–80 Hz), often associated with high-level cortical functions, is believed to provide a temporal reference frame for spiking activity, for which it should have a stable center frequency and linear phase for an extended duration. However, recent studies that have estimated the power and phase of gamma as a function of time suggest that gamma occurs in short bursts and lacks the temporal structure required to act as a reference frame. Here, we show that the bursty appearance of gamma arises from the variability in the spectral estimator used in these studies. To overcome this problem, we use another duration estimator based on a matching pursuit algorithm that robustly estimates the duration of gamma in simulated data. Applying this algorithm to gamma oscillations recorded from implanted microelectrodes in the primary visual cortex of awake monkeys, we show that the median gamma duration is greater than 300 ms, which is three times longer than previously reported values.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Gamma oscillations (30–80 Hz) have been hypothesized to provide a temporal reference frame for coordination of spiking activity, but recent studies have shown that gamma occurs in very short bursts. We show that existing techniques have severely underestimated the rhythm duration, use a technique based on the Matching Pursuit algorithm, which provides a robust estimate of the duration, and show that the median duration of gamma is greater than 300 ms, much longer than previous estimates.
Optimal use of limb mechanics distributes control during bimanual tasks
Authors: Córdova Bulens David , Crevecoeur Frédéric , Thonnard Jean-Louis , Lefèvre Philippe 
Published: November 2017

Bimanual tasks involve the coordination of both arms, which often offers redundancy in the ways a task can be completed. The distribution of control across limbs is often considered from the perspective of handedness. In this context, although there are differences across dominant and nondominant arms during reaching control ( Sainburg 2002 ), previous studies have shown that the brain tends to favor the dominant arm when performing bimanual tasks ( Salimpour and Shadmehr 2014 ). However, biomechanical factors known to influence planning and control in unimanual tasks may also generate limb asymmetries in force generation, but their influence on bimanual control has remained unexplored. We investigated this issue in a series of experiments in which participants were instructed to generate a 20-N force with both arms, with or without perturbation of the target force during the trial. We modeled the task in the framework of optimal feedback control of a two-link model with six human-like muscles groups. The biomechanical model predicted a differential contribution of each arm dependent on the orientation of the target force and joint configuration that was quantitatively matched by the participants’ behavior, regardless of handedness. Responses to visual perturbations were strongly influenced by the perturbation direction, such that online corrections also reflected an optimal use of limb biomechanics. These results show that the nervous system takes biomechanical constraints into account when optimizing the distribution of forces generated across limbs during both movement planning and feedback control of a bimanual task. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Here, we studied a bimanual force production task to examine the effects of biomechanical constraints on the distribution of control across limbs. Our findings show that the central nervous system optimizes the distribution of force across the two arms according to the joint configuration of the upper limbs. We further show that the underlying mechanisms influence both movement planning and online corrective responses to sudden changes in the target force.
Seeding Chaos: The Dire Consequences of Numerical Noise in NWP Perturbation Experiments
Authors: Ancell Brian C. , Bogusz Allison , Lauridsen Matthew J. , Nauert Christian J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPerturbation experiments are a common technique used to study how differences between model simulations evolve within chaotic systems. Such perturbation experiments include modifications to initial conditions (including those involved with data assimilation), boundary conditions, and model parameterizations. We have discovered, however, that any difference between model simulations produces a rapid propagation of very small changes throughout all prognostic model variables at a rate many times the speed of sound. The rapid propagation seems to be due to the model’s higher-order spatial discretization schemes, allowing the communication of numerical error across many grid points with each time step. This phenomenon is found to be unavoidable within the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model even when using techniques such as digital filtering or numerical diffusion.These small differences quickly spread across the entire model domain. While these errors initially are on the order of a millionth of a degree with respect to temperature, for example, they can grow rapidly through nonlinear chaotic processes where moist processes are occurring. Subsequent evolution can produce within a day significant changes comparable in magnitude to high-impact weather events such as regions of heavy rainfall or the existence of rotating supercells. Most importantly, these unrealistic perturbations can contaminate experimental results, giving the false impression that realistic physical processes play a role. This study characterizes the propagation and growth of this type of noise through chaos, shows examples for various perturbation strategies, and discusses the important implications for past and future studies that are likely affected by this phenomenon.
Head teachers’ views of oral health education in schools in Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Veerasamy Arthi , Gage Jeffrey , Kirk Ray 
Published: November 2017

Introduction: Children and young people in India have a high prevalence of dental decay. As part of a broader epidemiological study, we interviewed 10 head teachers to understand the status of, and challenges to, inclusion of oral health education in the curricula of public and private schools in Tamil Nadu, India. Objectives: The two main objectives of this study were (1) to describe the views of head teachers about the implementation of oral health education in school curricula and (2) to identify challenges to achieving oral health education in public and private schools in Tamil Nadu. Method: Qualitative descriptive design, with a purposive sample of 10 head teachers who participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic coding was used to analyse and report on the data. Results: There is a lack of oral health education in public and private schools in Tamil Nadu, India. Four main types of barriers to the initiation and implementation of oral health education were lack of recognition, academic burden, prioritisation of other health needs and policy inequities. Head teachers acknowledged the lack of oral health education in their schools, yet also acknowledged the importance of oral health education in promoting students’ health. Conclusion: Health curricula in Tamil Nadu schools lack integration of oral health education. Limited access to the services, cultural factors, policy deficiencies, insufficient awareness among policy-makers, the nature of the education system and lack of research contribute to the current situation. Policy-makers should address these barriers to enable and promote oral health education strategies in both private and public schools of Tamil Nadu.
Stent extension into a single inflow vessel is a valuable option after endophlebectomy
Authors: van Vuuren Timme MAJ , Kurstjens Ralph LM , de Wolf Mark AF , van Laanen Jorinde HH , Wittens Cees HA , de Graaf Rick 
Published: November 2017

Background Venous stenting with an endophlebectomy and arteriovenous fistula can be performed in patients with extensive post-thrombotic changes. However, these hybrid procedures can induce restenosis, sometimes requiring stent extension, into a single inflow vessel. This study investigates the effectiveness of stenting into a single inflow vessel. Methods All evaluated patients had temporary balloon occlusion of the arteriovenous fistula to evaluate venous flow into the stents. When stent inflow was deemed insufficient, AVF closure was postponed and additional stenting was performed. Patency rates and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Results Twenty-four (38%) of 64 patients had additional stenting. The primary, assisted primary and secondary patency were 60 %, 70% and 70% respectively. Villalta score reduced by 6.1 points ( p < 0.001), and venous clinical severity score by 2.7 points ( p = 0.034). Conclusion Stenting through the femoral confluence into a single inflow vessel is a feasible bailout option if primary hybrid intervention fails with relative high patency rates and clinical improvement.
MicroRNA-375 as a potential serum biomarker for the diagnosis, prognosis, and chemosensitivity prediction of osteosarcoma
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhao XiaoTao , Zhang Ying-Jian , Fang Guang-Wen , Xue Yuan 
Published: November 2017

Objective This study was performed to examine serum microRNA-375 (miR-375) expression in patients with osteosarcoma and determine its diagnostic and prognostic value. Methods Serum samples were obtained from 95 patients with osteosarcoma and 95 healthy individuals. miR-375 expression was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The associations of serum miR-375 expression with the patients’ clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis were then evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to obtain the potential value of serum miR-375 as a biomarker for osteosarcoma diagnosis and chemosensitivity prediction. Results Serum miR-375 expression was significantly lower in patients with osteosarcoma than in healthy individuals. Low serum miR-375 levels were associated with advanced clinical stages, large tumor size, positive distant metastasis, and poor tumor response to preoperative chemotherapy. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis illustrated that serum miR-375 could distinguish patients with osteosarcoma from healthy individuals and distinguish patients with a good pathologic response from those with a poor response. Multivariate analysis confirmed low serum miR-375 expression as a statistically significant independent unfavorable prognostic factor. Conclusions Serum miR-375 expression was downregulated in patients with osteosarcoma and might serve as a biomarker for its diagnosis, prognosis, and chemosensitivity prediction.
Bowtie diagrams: A user-friendly risk communication tool
Authors: Turner Claire , Hamilton W I , Ramsden Martyn 
Published: November 2017

The rail infrastructure controller in Great Britain recognised that more work was required to allow a robust and consistent demonstration that appropriate health and safety risk assessments are being undertaken throughout each stage of the contracting process. In response to this requirement, the authors were engaged to assist the rail infrastructure client with the development of a new risk-based contractor management and assurance process. Bowtie diagrams were selected as a key component of this process to represent: Key safety risks associated with rail construction projects; Potential causes and consequences of unwanted events; Good practice in risk barriers/controls. To test the suitability of Bowties for risk communication to contractors, three key hazards were identified for Bowtie analysis. These and the specific top events selected were as follows: Hazard: Working at height – from scaffold, ladders, mobile elevating working platforms, mobile towers or ledges; Top event: Falls from height – to surface; Hazard: Working in vicinity of uninsulated conductors and supply points; Top event: Contact with live/charged equipment >60 V; Hazard: Working on or near the line; Top event: Personnel in path of oncoming train. A one-day Bowtie development workshop was held for each of the hazards selected. These were attended by client personnel with the required knowledge and expertise of the hazard and associated barrier measures, ensuring the necessary levels of input and consultation. Feedback to date on the Bowtie approach has been positive, both within the client and contractor organisations. Bowties provide a method of communicating the client’s expectations about levels of protection to infrastructure project contractors and address the following key requirements: Allow contractors to understand risk management requirements in detail and to price jobs accordingly; Enable identification of gaps in the barrier of key risks and facilitate implementation of best practice; Can be used by the client as a project safety assurance tool to check the risk management measures in place against those defined in the Bowtie; Demonstrate to the regulator that the client is communicating a clear ‘safety story’ throughout a project. This paper describes the Bowtie development process in accordance with Ten Golden Rules including how human factors can be incorporated in a systematic and meaningful way. It will demonstrate how the Bowties developed within this project represent in a clear and accessible manner what constitutes industry best practice with regard to controlling important safety risks in construction projects.
Does Infrastructure Matters in Government Spending? A Case Study of Jammu and Kashmir (India) with Cointegration Approach
Authors: Hassan Samir Ul , Mishra Biswambhara 
Published: November 2017

This study is an attempt to investigate the impact of infrastructure level on government spending in short and long run and also to find the tendency of infrastructure level to stabilise any disequilibrium in government spending in long run. Infrastructure is related to the quality and quantity of goods and services provided by government to the population, to fulfil their diverse demands. The state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is not an exception; the increasing trend in different aspects of population and rising needs and aspirations of the growing population forces the government to increase expenditure on that count, which results in increase in aggregate government spending. Using multivariate cointegration technique followed by vector error correction model (VECM) model on annual time-series data for the period from 1984 to 2013 with broader data set of infrastructure dimension, the study found that the infrastructure variables cause major variation in government expenditure in short as well as in long run. Study shows that infrastructure related to health, education, roads and portable water produce positive and significant impact on the growth of government spending and infrastructure related to these dimensions has significant tendency to stabilise any disequilibrium in government spending in long run. JEL Classification: H3, H5, H53, I
Validation of Candidate Serum Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers for Early Detection
Authors: Su Feng , Lang Jennifer , Kumar Ashutosh , Ng Carey , Hsieh Brian , Suchard Marc A. , Reddy Srinivasa T. , Farias-Eisner Robin 
Published: November 2017

ObjectiveWe have previously analyzed protein profiles using Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption and Ionization Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectroscopy (SELDI-TOF-MS) [Kozak et al. 2003, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 100:12343–8] and identified 3 differentially expressed serum proteins for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer (OC) [Kozak et al. 2005, Proteomics, 5:4589–96], namely, apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), transthyretin (TTR) and transferin (TF). The objective of the present study is to determine the efficacy of the three OC biomarkers for the detection of early stage (ES) OC, in direct comparison to CA125.MethodsThe levels of CA125, apoA-I, TTR and TF were measured in 392 serum samples [82 women with normal ovaries (N), 24 women with benign ovarian tumors (B), 85 women with ovarian tumors of low malignant potential (LMP), 126 women with early stage ovarian cancer (ESOC), and 75 women with late stage ovarian cancer (LSOC)], obtained through the GOG and Cooperative Human Tissue Network. Following statistical analysis, multivariate regression models were built to evaluate the utility of the three OC markers in early detection.ResultsMultiple logistic regression models (MLRM) utilizing all biomarker values (CA125, TTR, TF and apoA-I) from all histological subtypes (serous, mucinous, and endometrioid adenocarcinoma) distinguished normal samples from LMP with 91% sensitivity (specificity 92%), and normal samples from ESOC with a sensitivity of 89% (specificity 92%). MLRM, utilizing values of all four markers from only the mucinous histological subtype showed that collectively, CA125, TTR, TF and apoA-I, were able to distinguish normal samples from mucinous LMP with 90% sensitivity, and further distinguished normal samples from early stage mucinous ovarian cancer with a sensitivity of 95%. In contrast, in serum samples from patients with mucinous tumors, CA125 alone was able to distinguish normal samples from LMP and early stage ovarian cancer with a sensitivity of only 46% and 47%, respectively. Furthermore, collectively, apoA-I, TTR and TF (excluding CA-125) distinguished i) normal samples from samples representing all histopathologic subtypes of LMP, with a sensitivity of 73%, ii) normal samples from ESOC with a sensitivity of 84% and iii) normal samples from LSOC with a sensitivity of 97%. More strikingly, the sensitivity in distinguishing normal versus mucinous ESOC, utilizing apoA-I, TF and TTR (CA-125 excluded), was 95% (specificity 86%; AUC 95%).ConclusionsThese results suggest that the biomarker panel consisting of apoA-I, TTR and TF may significantly improve early detection of OC.
Mouse Germ Cell Developmentin-vivoandin-vitro
Authors: Saiti Deshira , Lacham-Kaplan Orly 
Published: November 2017

In mammalian development, primordial germ cells (PGCs) represent the initial population of cells that are committed to the germ cell lineage. PGCs segregate early in development, triggered by signals from the extra-embryonic ectoderm. They are distinguished from surrounding cells by their unique gene expression patterns. Some of the more common genes used to identify them are Blimp1, Oct3/4, Fragilis, Stella, c-Kit, Mvh, Dazl and Gcna1. These genes are involved in regulating their migration and differentiation, and in maintaining the pluripotency of these cells.Recent research has demonstrated the possibility of obtaining PGCs, and subsequently, mature germ cells from a starting population of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in culture. This phenomenon has been investigated using a variety of methods, and ESC lines of both mouse and human origin. Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into germ cells of both the male and female phenotype and in one case has resulted in the birth of live pups from the fertilization of oocytes with ESC derived sperm. This finding leads to the prospect of using ESC derived germ cells as a treatment for sterility. This review outlines the evolvement of germ cells from ESCs in vitro in relation to in vivo events.
Electron Pathways through Erythrocyte Plasma Membrane in Human Physiology and Pathology: Potential Redox Biomarker?
Authors: Matteucci Elena , Giampietro Ottavio 
Published: November 2017

Erythrocytes are involved in the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body. Since pH is the influential factor in the Bohr-Haldane effect, pHi is actively maintained via secondary active transports Na+/H+exchange and HC3–/Cl–anion exchanger. Because of the redox properties of the iron, hemoglobin generates reactive oxygen species and thus, the human erythrocyte is constantly exposed to oxidative damage. Although the adult erythrocyte lacks protein synthesis and cannot restore damaged proteins, it is equipped with high activity of protective enzymes. Redox changes in the cell initiate various signalling pathways. Plasma membrane oxido-reductases (PMORs) are trans-membrane electron transport systems that have been found in the membranes of all cells and have been extensively characterized in the human erythrocyte. Erythrocyte PMORs transfer reducing equivalents from intracellular reductants to extracellular oxidants, thus their most important role seems to be to enable the cell respond to changes in intra- and extra-cellular redox environments.So far the activity of erythrocyte PMORs in disease states has not been systematically investigated. This review summarizes present knowledge on erythrocyte electron transfer activity in humans (health, type 1 diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, and chronic uremia) and hypothesizes an integrated model of the functional organization of erythrocyte plasma membrane where electron pathways work in parallel with transport metabolons to maintain redox homeostasis.
Cellular Adhesion Molecules in Healthy Subjects: Short Term Variations and Relations to Flow Mediated Dilation
Authors: Eschen Ole , Christensen Jeppe Hagstrup , Dethlefsen Claus , Schmidt Erik Berg 
Published: November 2017

The objective was primarily to describe short term intra-individual variation in serum levels of soluble adhesion molecules (sCAMs: E-selectin, P-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1(sICAM-1) and vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1(sVCAM-1)) in healthy subjects. Secondly, sCAMs were correlated to brachial artery flow mediated vasodilation (FMD). Forty healthy subjects aged 24–66 years had sCAMs measured twice with 4 week intervals and short-term intra-individual variation was estimated as variation in the paired measurements after correcting for the analytical precision of the used method. At baseline, brachial FMD was measured. No difference was observed in mean sCAMs in the whole study group. Estimated intra-subject variations in sCAMs were 7.6–11.3%. In a regression analysis, significant negative association was found between sE-selectin and FMD after controlling for possible confounders (p < 0.04) while no significant correlation could be demonstrated between the other sCAMs and FMD. In conclusion, short term intra-individual variations in sCAMs were 7.6–11.3% in healthy subjects. We also found a significant negative association between sE-selectin and FMD, indicating an possible association between inflammation and dysfunction of the vascular endothelium; however further studies are required to confirm this preliminary finding.
Legislative Term Limits and Voter Turnout
Authors: Kuhlmann Robynn , Lewis Daniel C. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAccording to reformers, legislative term limits should increase voter turnout by enhancing electoral competitiveness for legislative seats. However, this claim has been largely untested. The only existing study of the effect of legislative term limits on voter turnout, to date, finds that turnout in California did not increase after the imposition of term limits and may have decreased turnout. Yet, it is unclear whether this result generalizes to other states. This study employs a comparative state analysis of both aggregate turnout and district-level turnout rates in state legislative elections. We find that term limits significantly increase voting rates in state legislative elections.