bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Artifact correction in diffusion MRI of non‐human primate brains on a clinical 3T scanner
Authors: Zhang Xiaodong , Kirsch John E. , Zhong Xiaodong 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackgroundSmearing artifacts were observed and investigated in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies of macaque monkeys on a clinical whole‐body 3T scanner.MethodsFour adult macaques were utilized to evaluate DTI artifacts. DTI images were acquired with a single‐shot echo‐planar imaging (EPI) sequence using a parallel imaging technique.ResultsThe smearing artifacts observed on the diffusion‐weighted images and fractional anisotropy maps were caused by the incomplete fat suppression due to the irregular macaque frontal skull geometry and anatomy. The artifact can be reduced substantially using a novel three‐dimensional (3D) shimming procedure.ConclusionThe smearing artifacts observed on diffusion weighted images and fractional anisotropy (FA) maps of macaque brains can be reduced substantially using a robust 3D shimming approach. The DTI protocol combined with the shimming procedure could be a robust approach to examine brain connectivity and white matter integrity of non‐human primates using a conventional clinical setting.
Mapping cellular processes in the mesenchyme during palatal development in the absence of Tbx1 reveals complex proliferation changes and perturbed cell packing and polarity
Authors: Brock Lara J. , Economou Andrew D. , Cobourne Martyn T. , Green Jeremy B.A. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe 22q11 deletion syndromes represent a spectrum of overlapping conditions including cardiac defects and craniofacial malformations. Amongst the craniofacial anomalies that are seen, cleft of the secondary palate is a common feature. Haploinsufficiency ofTBX1 is believed to be a major contributor toward many of the developmental structural anomalies that occur in these syndromes, and targeted deletion ofTbx1in the mouse reproduces many of these malformations, including cleft palate. However, the cellular basis of this defect is only poorly understood. Here, palatal development in the absence ofTbx1has been analysed, focusing on cellular properties within the whole mesenchymal volume of the palatal shelves. Novel image analyses and data presentation tools were applied to quantify cell proliferation rates, including regions of elevated as well as reduced proliferation, and cell packing in the mesenchyme. Also, cell orientations (nucleus–Golgi axis) were mapped as a potential marker of directional cell movement. Proliferation differed only subtly between wild‐type and mutant until embryonic day (E)15.5 when proliferation in the mutant was significantly lower.Tbx1−/−palatal shelves had slightly different cell packing than wild‐type, somewhat lower before elevation and higher at E15.5 when the wild‐type palate has elevated and fused. Cell orientation is biased towards the shelf distal edge in the mid‐palate of wild‐type embryos but is essentially random in theTbx1−/−mutant shelves, suggesting that polarised processes such as directed cell rearrangement might be causal for the cleft phenotype. The implications of these findings in the context of further understanding Tbx1 function during palatogenesis and of these methods for the more general analysis of genotype–phenotype functional relationships are discussed.
Division of Labor, Gender Ideology, and Marital Satisfaction in East Asia
Authors: Qian Yue , Sayer Liana C. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractUsing data from the 2006 Family Module of the East Asian Social Survey (N = 3,096), this article examines associations of marital satisfaction with divisions of housework and gender ideology in four East Asian societies: urban China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Compared with Japanese and Korean married women and men, Chinese and Taiwanese spouses were more satisfied with their marriage and had more egalitarian divisions of housework, but simultaneously they held less egalitarian gender ideologies. Multivariate analyses showed that relative share of housework was negatively associated with marital satisfaction for Japanese and Korean men and for Korean and Taiwanese women. Egalitarian gender ideology was significantly associated with lower marital satisfaction only among Taiwanese women. In addition, the negative association between housework and marital satisfaction was more pronounced for Taiwanese women who espoused more egalitarian gender ideologies. The authors discuss how differences in macro‐level social contexts explain these cross‐society variations.
Guidelines for Ear, Nose, and Throat Examination of Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: Report of a Clinical Practice Application
Authors: Oron Yahav , Shushan Sagit , Ben‐David Nophar , Flaksman Haim , Korenbrot Frida , Merrick Joav , Roth Yehudah 
Published: December 2015

AbstractHealth problems among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are considered more prevalent than among the general population, but there are very few studies that have described a detailed ear, nose, and throat examination of this group. The purpose of this paper is to provide a set of guidelines that can result in a structured ear, nose, and throat examination, describe one experience with implementing the guidelines for otorhinolaryngological care with a heteroegnous sample of adults with intellectual disability, discuss relevant care principles derived from the experience, and specifically address the issue of cerumen impaction. The subjects, 356 adult residents of two residential care centers for people with I/DD, were examined by four otolaryngologists, assisted by an audiologist/speech‐language pathologist, and a nurse. The examinations lasted 8 h over 2 days. Of the residents, 292 (82%) had at least one main finding; impacted cerumen was observed among 54.9% of the examined ears. Of these, 103 residents (206 ears) were examined again after cerumenolytic treatment and cerumen cleared. The authors concluded that there is a need for focused physical examination in order to recognize and treat ear, nose, and throat disorders in this population. Examinations of adults with I/DD are feasible and important in enabling good communication and maintaining general health.
PTS regulation domain‐containing transcriptional activator CelR and sigma factor σ54 control cellobiose utilization in Clostridium acetobutylicum
Authors: Nie Xiaoqun , Yang Bin , Zhang Lei , Gu Yang , Yang Sheng , Jiang Weihong , Yang Chen 
Published: December 2015

SummaryThe phosphoenolpyruvate:carbohydrate phosphotransferase system (PTS) regulation domain (PRD)‐containing enhancer binding proteins (EBPs) are an important class of σ54‐interacting transcriptional activators. Although PRD‐containing EBPs are present in many Firmicutes, most of their regulatory functions remain unclear. In this study, the transcriptional regulons of about 50 PRD‐containing EBPs in diverse Firmicutes species are reconstructed by using a comparative genomic approach, which contain the genes associated with utilization of β‐glucosides, fructose/levan, mannose/glucose, pentitols, and glucosamine/fructosamine. We then present experimental evidence that the cel operon involved in cellobiose utilization is directly regulated by CelR and σ54 (SigL) in Clostridium acetobutylicum. The predicted three CelR‐binding sites and σ54 promoter elements upstream of the cel operon are verified by in vitro binding assays. We show that CelR has an ATPase activity, which is strongly stimulated by the presence of DNA containing the CelR‐binding sites. Moreover, mutations in any one of the three CelR‐binding sites significantly decreased the cel promoter activity probably due to the need for all three DNA sites for maximal ATPase activity of CelR. It is suggested that CelR is regulated by PTS‐mediated phosphorylation at His‐551 and His‐829, which exerts a positive effect and an inhibitory effect, respectively, on the CelR activity.
Achalasia: new perspectives on an old disease
Authors: Gyawali C. P. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAchalasia is defined by esophageal outflow obstruction from abnormal relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) due to deranged inhibitory control. In genetically predisposed individuals, an autoimmune response to an unknown inciting agent, perhaps a viral infection, results in inflammation and sometimes loss of myenteric plexus ganglia and neurons. The net result is varying degrees of inhibitory dysfunction, at times associated with imbalanced and exaggerated excitatory function, with manometrically distinct achalasia phenotypes on high resolution manometry. There is new evidence in the current issue of this Journal suggesting that type 1 achalasia, with esophageal outflow obstruction and absent esophageal body contractility, is an end‐stage phenotype from progression of type 2 achalasia, which is characterized by panesophageal compartmentalization of pressure in the untreated patient, and partial recovery of peristalsis after treatment. Esophageal outflow obstruction with premature peristalsis (type 3 achalasia) or intact peristalsis may result from plexitis in the myenteric plexus but can also be encountered in other settings including chronic opioid medication usage and structural processes at the esophagogastric junction and distally. In most instances when idiopathic esophageal outflow obstruction is confirmed, some form of pharmacologic manipulation or disruption of the LES provides durable symptom relief. This review will focus on current understanding of pathophysiology, diagnosis, and principles of management of achalasia in light of emerging literature on the topic.
Enteroendocrine cells: a review of their role in brain–gut communication
Authors: Latorre R. , Sternini C. , De Giorgio R. , Greenwood‐Van Meerveld B. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackgroundSpecialized endoderm‐derived epithelial cells, that is, enteroendocrine cells (EECs), are widely distributed throughout the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Enteroendocrine cells form the largest endocrine organ in the body and play a key role in the control of GI secretion and motility, the regulation of food intake, postprandial glucose levels and metabolism. EECs sense luminal content and release signaling molecules that can enter the circulation to act as classic hormones on distant targets, act locally on neighboring cells and on distinct neuronal pathways including enteric and extrinsic neurons. Recent studies have shed light on EEC sensory transmission by showing direct connections between EECs and the nervous system via axon‐like processes that form a well‐defined neuroepithelial circuits through which EECs can directly communicate with the neurons innervating the GI tract to initiate appropriate functional responses.PurposeThis review will highlight the role played by the EECs in the complex and integrated sensory information responses, and discuss the new findings regarding EECs in the brain–gut axis bidirectional communication.
Retinal thickness profile of individuals with diabetes
Authors: Srinivasan Sangeetha , Pritchard Nicola , Sampson Geoff P. , Edwards Katie , Vagenas Dimitrios , Russell Anthony W. , Malik Rayaz A. , Efron Nathan 
Published: December 2015

AbstractPurposeTo examine the retinal thickness profiles of individuals with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR).MethodsFull retinal thickness in the central zone, overall and hemisphere thicknesses of the parafovea and perifovea, ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness were assessed in 185 individuals using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (88 individuals with diabetes but no DR, 55 with DR, and 42 non‐diabetic controls). The DR group comprised of 60% of participants with very mild non‐proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) (representing microaneurysms only) and 40% with mild NPDR (hard exudates, cotton‐wool spots, and/or mild retinal haemorrhages). Regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with retinal tissue thickness, taking into account, age, sex, presence of DR, duration of diabetes, HbA1c levels and type of diabetes.ResultsThe mean (S.D.) of the overall parafoveal thickness was 306 (16) in the DR group and 314 (14) in the control group (p = 0.02). The mean (S.D.) of the superior hemisphere parafoveal thickness was 309 (16) in the DR group and 318 (14) in the control group (p = 0.02). The mean (S.D.) of the inferior hemisphere parafoveal thickness was 303 (17) in the DR group and 311 (15) in the control group (p = 0.02). There were no significant differences in retinal thickness between groups in the central zone (p = 0.27) or perifovea (p > 0.41). Neither the overall nor the hemisphere RNFL (p > 0.75) and GCC thickness (p > 0.37) were significantly different between the groups. Regression analysis revealed that parafoveal thickness in diabetic individuals was reduced in association with presence of DR (B = −5.9 μm, p = 0.02) and with advancing age (B = −4.5 μm, p = 0.004, for every 10 year increase in age) when adjusted for sex, duration of diabetes, HbA1c levels and type of diabetes.ConclusionThe inner macula is thinner in the presence of clinical signs of diabetic retinopathy and is compounded by advancing age. The influence of any macular oedema or that by cotton‐wool spots could not be ruled out and may still confound these results.
Enhancing onion breeding using molecular tools
Authors: Khosa Jiffinvir S. , McCallum John , Dhatt Ajmer S. , Macknight Richard C. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBulb onion (Allium cepaL.) is an ancient crop that is thought to have originated in Central Asia and has been cultivated for over 5000 years. Classical genetic and plant breeding approaches have been used to improve onion yield, quality, and resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses. However, its biennial life cycle, cross‐pollinated nature and high inbreeding depression have proved challenging for the characterization and breeding of improved traits. New technologies, notably next‐generation sequencing, are providing researchers with the genomic resources and approaches to overcome these challenges. Using these genomic technologies, molecular markers are being rapidly developed and utilized for germplasm analysis and mapping in onion. These new tools and knowledge are allowing the integration of molecular and conventional breeding to speed up onion improvement programmes. In this review, we outline recent progress in onion genomics and molecular genetics and prospects for enhancing onion yield and quality in the future.
Measuring Persistence in Inflation: Evidence For angola
Authors: Belbute José Manuel , Massala Leonardo Dia , Delgado Júlio António 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to examine the degree of persistence in five inflation indicators for Angola, and to identify the implications for decision making. Our results suggest that when structural breaks are accounted for, all five inflation indicators are stationary. Second, our findings suggest that persistence is not too high. Moreover, the degree of persistence is similar among the five inflation indicators and throughout the sample period. Finally, our results also show that extracting the most volatile components of the headline inflation indicator does not generate a new inflation indicator that is less volatile and more persistent than the original. These results have important policy implications as the National Bank of Angola is preparing to change its monetary policy focus to a more inflation‐targeting regime.
An Ethnography of Social Assistance to Ethiopian Children by Non‐governmental Organizations: Types, Adequacy and Predictability
Authors: Hailu Daniel 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAlthough in Africa social assistance is provided by both state and non‐state actors, systematic research has paid little attention to the aggregate services provided by the latter. This is so despite the significance of the aggregate size, diversity, investment and coverage of the services provided by non‐state actors in the continent. This article reports on an ethnographic assessment of the nature of aggregate social assistance services provided to Ethiopian children by non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) in Africa, taking the cases of services provided by 38 NGOs that run 52 social protection interventions in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. Data collection employed semi‐structured interviews with officers of the 38 NGOs and exploratory interviews with 25 key informants. Analysis of the ethnographic data revealed that social assistance by NGOs was insufficient, unpredictable, erratic and of inferior quality and, hence, failed to meet the conditions that could make social assistance an effective instrument for breaking the intergenerational transmission of poverty. The analysis also revealed that the same social assistance was not large enough to undermine recipients' commitment to work. The article concludes by recommending the establishment of a social welfare system in Ethiopia that can effectively regulate social assistance in order to ensure the quality of design and implementation, and the integration of discreet social assistance projects.
Distribution and survival of Borrelia miyamotoi in human blood components
Authors: Thorp Aaron M. , Tonnetti Laura 
Published: December 2015

BACKGROUNDBorrelia miyamotoi, the agent of relapsing fever, is a tick‐borne spirochete first isolated in Japan in 1994. Since then, the spirochete has been detected in ticks globally, generally in the same vectors as the Lyme disease agent. Human infection has been reported in Russia, Europe, Japan, and the United States, as influenza‐like febrile illness. In addition, two cases of meningoencephalitis caused by B. miyamotoi have also been reported in immunocompromised patients. Here we evaluate the ability of the spirochete to survive in human blood components stored under standard blood bank conditions.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSFreshly collected human whole blood was spiked with in vitro cultured B. miyamotoi or B. miyamotoi–infected mouse plasma and separated into red blood cells (RBCs), plasma, and platelets. Components were either injected into immunocompromised (SCID) or wild‐type immunocompetent mice or cultured in vitro, right after separation and after storage at the appropriate conditions. Infection was monitored by microscopic observation, blood smears, and polymerase chain reaction.RESULTSIn vivo, all the SCID mice challenged with the components before storage and the RBCs stored for up to 42 days developed the infection. Wild‐type mice also developed the infection when injected with prestorage samples from all components, while a lower number of mice were infected by RBCs stored for 42 days. In vitro, spirochetes grew in all samples but frozen plasma.CONCLUSIONSThis study demonstrated that B. miyamotoi can survive standard storage conditions of most human blood components, suggesting the possibility of transmission by blood transfusion.
Data-driven Human Mobility Modeling
Authors: Hess Andrea , Hummel Karin Anna , Gansterer Wilfried N. , Haring Günter 
Published: December 2015

Over the last decades, modeling of user mobility has become increasingly important in mobile networking research and development. This has led to the adoption of modeling techniques from other disciplines such as kinetic theory or urban planning. Yet these techniques generate movement behavior that is often perceived as not “realistic” for humans or provides only a macroscopic view on mobility. More recent approaches infer mobility models from real traces provided by positioning technologies or by the marks the mobile users leave in the wireless network. However, there is no common framework for assessing and comparing mobility models.
In an attempt to provide a solid foundation for realistic mobility modeling in mobile networking research, we take an engineering approach and thoroughly discuss the required steps of model creation and validation. In this context, we survey how and to what extent existing mobility modeling approaches implement the proposed steps. This also summarizes helpful information for readers who do not want to develop a new model, but rather intend to choose among existing ones.
Salient, Irrelevant Sounds Reflexively Induce Alpha Rhythm Desynchronization in Parallel with Slow Potential Shifts in Visual Cortex
Authors: Störmer Viola S. , Feng Wenfeng , Martinez Antigona , McDonald John J. , Hillyard Steven A. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractRecent findings suggest that a salient, irrelevant sound attracts attention to its location involuntarily and facilitates processing of a colocalized visual event [McDonald, J. J., Störmer, V. S., Martinez, A., Feng, W. F., & Hillyard, S. A. Salient sounds activate human visual cortex automatically. Journal of Neuroscience, 33, 9194–9201, 2013]. Associated with this cross-modal facilitation is a sound-evoked slow potential over the contralateral visual cortex termed the auditory-evoked contralateral occipital positivity (ACOP). Here, we further tested the hypothesis that a salient sound captures visual attention involuntarily by examining sound-evoked modulations of the occipital alpha rhythm, which has been strongly associated with visual attention. In two purely auditory experiments, lateralized irrelevant sounds triggered a bilateral desynchronization of occipital alpha-band activity (10–14 Hz) that was more pronounced in the hemisphere contralateral to the sound's location. The timing of the contralateral alpha-band desynchronization overlapped with that of the ACOP (∼240–400 msec), and both measures of neural activity were estimated to arise from neural generators in the ventral-occipital cortex. The magnitude of the lateralized alpha desynchronization was correlated with ACOP amplitude on a trial-by-trial basis and between participants, suggesting that they arise from or are dependent on a common neural mechanism. These results support the hypothesis that the sound-induced alpha desynchronization and ACOP both reflect the involuntary cross-modal orienting of spatial attention to the sound's location.
Northwest Flow Snow Aspects of Hurricane Sandy
Authors: Keighton Steve , Miller Douglas K. , Hotz David , Moore Patrick D. , Baker Perry L. , Lee Laurence G. , Martin Daniel T. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
In late October 2012, Hurricane Sandy tracked along the eastern U.S. coastline and made landfall over New Jersey after turning sharply northwest and becoming posttropical while interacting with a complex upper-level low pressure system that had brought cold air into the Appalachian region. The cold air, intensified by the extreme low pressure tracking just north of the region, combined with deep moisture and topographically enhanced ascent to produce an unusual and high-impact early season northwest flow snow (NWFS) that has no analog in recent history. This paper investigates the importance of the synoptic-scale pattern, forcing mechanisms, moisture characteristics (content, depth, and likely sources), and low-level winds, as well as the evolution of some of these features compared to more typical NWFS events in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Several other aspects of the Sandy snowfall event are investigated, including low-level stability and mountain wave formation as manifested in vertical profiles and radar observations. The importance to operational forecasters of recognizing and understanding these factors and differences from more common NWFS events is also discussed.