bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of phonatory posturing at phonation onset
Authors: Shiba Travis L. , Chhetri Dinesh K. 
Published: December 2015

IntroductionIn speech and singing, the intrinsic laryngeal muscles set the prephonatory posture prior to the onset of phonation. The timing and shape of the prephonatory glottal posture can directly affect the resulting phonation type. We investigated the dynamics of human laryngeal phonatory posturing.MethodsOnset of vocal fold adduction to phonation was observed in 27 normal subjects using high‐speed video recording. Subjects were asked to utter a variety of phonation types (modal, breathy, pressed, /i/ following sniff). Digital videokymography with concurrent acoustic signal was analyzed to assess the timing of the following: onset of adduction to final phonatory posture (FPT), phonation onset time (POT), and phonatory posture time (PPT). Final phonatory posture time was determined as the moment at which the laryngeal configuration used in phonation was first achieved.ResultsThirty‐three audiovisual recordings met inclusion criteria. Average FPT, PPT, and POT were as follows: 303, 106, and 409 ms for modal; 430, 104, and 534 ms for breathy; 483, 213, and 696 ms for pressed; and 278, 98, and 376 ms for sniff‐/i/. The following posturing features were observed: 1) pressed phonation: increased speed of closure just prior to final posture, complete glottal closure, and increased supraglottic hyperactivity; and 2) breathy phonation: decreased speed of closure prior to final posture, increased posterior glottal gap, and increased midmembranous gap.ConclusionsPhonation onset latency was shortest for modal and longest for pressed voice. These findings are likely explained by glottal resistance and subglottal pressure requirements.Level of EvidenceNA. Laryngoscope, 126:1837–1843, 2016
Lignin Epoxy Composites: Preparation, Morphology, and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Sun Jiaotong , Wang Cun , Yeo Jayven Chee Chuan , Yuan Du , Li Hui , Stubbs Ludger P. , He Chaobin 
Published: December 2015

A novel route to lignin epoxy composites is developed through covalent incorporation of depolymerized lignin epoxide into amine‐cured epoxy matrix. The partially depolymerized lignin is first epoxidized with epichlorohydrin and the resultant depolymerized lignin epoxide shows decreased solubility in common organic solvents. When dispersed in epoxy matrix and cured, the depolymerized lignin epoxide is integrated into epoxy networks in the form of submicron aggregates. The resulting lignin epoxy composites show improved mechanical properties compared with neat epoxy. At a loading content of 1.0 wt% of degraded lignin epoxide, the Young's modulus and the critical stress intensity factor (KIC) of the composite increase by 10% and 25%, respectively, in comparison with those of neat epoxy, while the glass transition temperature is little changed. This method presents a promising way to convert wasteful lignin to an alternative epoxy monomer and effective additive in epoxy composites.image
Carbon Nanotube Multilayer Nanocoatings Prevent Flame Spread on Flexible Polyurethane Foam
Authors: Holder Kevin M. , Cain Amanda A. , Plummer Morgan G. , Stevens Bart E. , Odenborg Patrick K. , Morgan Alexander B. , Grunlan Jaime C. 
Published: December 2015

In an effort to protect polyurethane foam (commonly used as cushioning in upholstered furniture) from fire using environmentally benign chemistries, nanocomposite thin films are deposited using water‐based solutions of cationic‐ and anionic‐stabilized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The open‐celled foam is coated using layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assembly to produce uniform protective layers up to 600 nm thick, comprised of cationic polyethylenimine modified with pyrene (PEI‐Py), anionic poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), and MWCNT. Film thickness is found to rely heavily on the PAA‐stabilized MWCNT solution. Coatings of only six [PEI‐Py/PAA+MWCNT] bilayers (BL) show tremendous reductions in peak heat release rate (up to 67%) and total smoke release (up to 80%) for the polyurethane foam. This same coating significantly improves the performance of the polyurethane when exposed to horizontal and vertical flame tests. With 9 BL, the foam successfully withstands a vertical burn test, self‐extinguishing immediately after removal of the test flame. These dramatic reductions in foam flammability are unprecedented and are attributed to the protective nature of the carbon‐based char formed from the coating that acts as a protective barrier.
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DRUM‐PD: The Use of a Drum Circle to Improve the Symptoms and Signs of Parkinson's Disease (PD)
Authors: Pantelyat Alexander , Syres Candace , Reichwein Suzanne , Willis Allison 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackgroundPhysical therapy can improve motor function in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Music performance may be used to improve motor skills by rhythmic entrainment. Drumming has long been a part of traditional healing rituals worldwide and is increasingly being utilized as a therapeutic strategy.MethodsThis pilot controlled prospective and cohort trial assessed feasibility and effects of twice‐weekly group West African drum circle classes for 6 weeks on PD patients’ quality of life, symptoms, motor findings, cognition, and mood. Ten patients with PD were recruited into the drum circle group. Ten patients with PD were matched pairwise to each of the drum circle participants and enrolled in a no‐intervention control group. Both groups completed the PD‐specific Parkinson Disease Questionnaire (PDQ)‐39 quality of life assessment and the Geriatric Depression Scale and underwent motor and cognitive assessments by a rater blinded to group at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks.ResultsDrummers had significantly improved PDQ‐39 scores from baseline to 6 weeks (−5.8; P = 0.042), whereas the control group's scores were unchanged. Walking performance was significantly faster at baseline for controls; after 6 weeks of drumming, this difference was no longer significant and remained nonsignificant at 12 weeks. The drummers trended (P = 0.069) toward improvement in walking from baseline to 12 weeks. Other outcomes did not significantly change from baseline to 6 or 12 weeks.ConclusionsDrum circle classes significantly and reversibly improved quality of life in patients with PD. This pilot trial's findings merit larger controlled investigations comparing drumming classes to established interventions in PD, such as physical therapy.
The pathogenicity of genetic variants previously associated with left ventricular non‐compaction
Authors: Abbasi Yeganeh , Jabbari Javad , Jabbari Reza , Yang Ren‐Qiang , Risgaard Bjarke , Køber Lars , Haunsø Stig , Tfelt‐Hansen Jacob 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackgroundLeft ventricular non‐compaction (LVNC) is a rare cardiomyopathy. Many genetic variants have been associated with LVNC. However, the number of the previous LVNC‐associated variants that are common in the background population remains unknown. The aim of this study was to provide an updated list of previously reported LVNC‐associated variants with biologic description and investigate the prevalence of LVNC variants in healthy general population to find false‐positive LVNC‐associated variants.Methods and ResultsThe Human Gene Mutation Database and PubMed were systematically searched to identify all previously reported LVNC‐associated variants. Thereafter, the Exome Sequencing Project (ESP) and the Exome Aggregation Consortium (ExAC), that both represent the background population, was searched for all variants. Four in silico prediction tools were assessed to determine the functional effects of these variants. The prediction results of those identified in the ESP and ExAC and those not identified in the ESP and ExAC were compared. In 12 genes, 60 LVNC‐associated missense/nonsense variants were identified. MYH7 was the predominant gene, encompassing 24 of the 60 LVNC‐associated variants. The ESP only harbored nine and ExAC harbored 18 of the 60 LVNC‐associated variants. In total, eight out of nine ESP‐positive variants overlapped with the 18 variants identified in ExAC database.ConclusionsIn this article, we identified 9 ESP‐positive and 18 ExAC‐positive variants of 60 previously reported LVNC‐associated variants, suggesting that these variants are not necessarily the monogenic cause of LVNC.
Powder‐XRD and 14N magic angle‐spinning solid‐state NMR spectroscopy of some metal nitrides
Authors: Kempgens Pierre , Britton Jonathan 
Published: December 2015

AbstractSome metal nitrides (TiN, ZrN, InN, GaN, Ca3N2, Mg3N2, and Ge3N4) have been studied by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and 14N magic angle‐spinning (MAS) solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. For Ca3N2, Mg3N2, and Ge3N4, no 14N NMR signal was observed. Low speed (νr = 2 kHz for TiN, ZrN, and GaN; νr = 1 kHz for InN) and ‘high speed’ (νr = 15 kHz for TiN; νr = 5 kHz for ZrN; νr = 10 kHz for InN and GaN) MAS NMR experiments were performed. For TiN, ZrN, InN, and GaN, powder‐XRD was used to identify the phases present in each sample. The number of peaks observed for each sample in their 14N MAS solid‐state NMR spectrum matches perfectly well with the number of nitrogen‐containing phases identified by powder‐XRD. The 14N MAS solid‐state NMR spectra are symmetric and dominated by the quadrupolar interaction. The envelopes of the spinning sidebands manifold are Lorentzian, and it is concluded that there is a distribution of the quadrupolar coupling constants Qcc's arising from structural defects in the compounds studied. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sugar‐ and artificially sweetened beverages and intrahepatic fat: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Campos Vanessa , Despland Camille , Brandejsky Vaclav , Kreis Roland , Schneiter Philippe , Chiolero Arnaud , Boesch Chris , Tappy Luc 
Published: December 2015

ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that substituting artificially sweetened beverages (ASB) for sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSB) decreases intrahepatocellular lipid concentrations (IHCL) in overweight subjects with high SSB consumption.MethodsAbout 31 healthy subjects with BMI greater than 25 kg/m2 and a daily consumption of at least 660 ml SSB were randomized to a 12‐week intervention in which they replaced SSBs with ASBs. Their IHCL (magnetic resonance spectroscopy), visceral adipose tissue volume (VAT; magnetic resonance imaging), food intake (2‐day food records), and fasting blood concentrations of metabolic markers were measured after a 4‐week run‐in period and after a 12‐week period with ASB or control (CTRL).ResultsAbout 27 subjects completed the study. IHCL was reduced to 74% of the initial values with ASB (N = 14; P < 0.05) but did not change with CTRL. The decrease in IHCL attained with ASB was more important in subjects with IHCL greater than 60 mmol/l than in subjects with low IHCL. ALT decreased significantly with SSB only in subjects with IHCL greater than 60 mmol/l. There was otherwise no significant effect of ASB on body weight, VAT, or metabolic markers.ConclusionsIn subjects with overweight or obesity and a high SSB intake, replacing SSB with ASB decreased intrahepatic fat over a 12‐week period.
Preparation and application of a monoclonal antibody against the isoflavone glycoside daidzin using a mannich reaction‐derived hapten conjugate
Authors: Yusakul Gorawit , Sakamoto Seiichi , Juengwatanatrakul Thaweesak , Putalun Waraporn , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Morimoto Satoshi 
Published: December 2015

AbstractIntroductionDaidzin and its aglycone daidzein are major pharmacologically active compounds of soybean (Glycine max), kudzu (Pueraria lobata), and kwao kruea khao (P. mirifica). Pharmacological activities of daidzin are mediated by its more potent metabolites daidzein and equol; however, daidzin is the predominant compound found in these medicinal plants, and the efficacy and safety of equol depend on the amount of daidzin consumed.ObjectiveTo develop a specific monoclonal antibody (MAb)‐based indirect competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (icELISA) for standardisation of daidzin content in herbal medicines or nutraceuticals.MethodologyThe Mannich reaction was used for the synthesis of a highly immunogenic conjugate between daidzin and a cationised carrier protein. Splenocytes of hyperimmunised mice were fused with myeloma cells to generate a hybridoma secreting antibody against daidzin.ResultsThe icELISA showed high selectivity and acceptable sensitivity for daidzin determination (1.56–100 ng/mL) with high reproducibility (coefficients of variation were < 5%). The icELISA was a reliable analytical method for daidzin in Glycine max, Pueraria lobata and P. mirifica, for which daidzin recoveries from spiked samples were 98.99–104.94%. Daidzin content of these plant‐derived products determined using the icELISA were in close agreement with those determined by a HPLC‐UV method.ConclusionThe icELISA is useful for specific daidzin determination because of its reliability, low cost, speed and high throughput. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating time‐varying drug adherence using electronic records: extending the proportion of days covered (PDC) method
Authors: Bijlsma Maarten J. , Janssen Fanny , Hak Eelko 
Published: December 2015

AbstractPurposeAccurate measurement of drug adherence is essential for valid risk‐benefit assessments of pharmacologic interventions. To date, measures of drug adherence have almost exclusively been applied for a fixed‐time interval and without considering changes over time. However, patients with irregular dosing behaviour commonly have a different prognosis than patients with stable dosing behaviour.MethodsWe propose a method, based on the proportion of days covered (PDC) method, to measure time‐varying drug adherence and drug dosage using electronic records. We compare a time‐fixed PDC method with the time‐varying PDC method through detailed examples and through summary statistics of 100 randomly selected patients on statin therapy.ResultsWe demonstrate that time‐varying PDC method better distinguishes an irregularly dosing patient from a stably dosing patient and demonstrate how the time‐fixed method can result in a biassed estimate of drug adherence. Furthermore, the time‐varying PDC method may be better used to reduce certain types of confounding and misclassification of exposure.ConclusionsThe time‐varying PDC method may improve longitudinal and time‐to‐event studies that associate adherence with a clinical outcome or (intervention) studies that seek to describe changes in adherence over time. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Translational value of mechanical and vasomotor properties of mouse isolated mesenteric resistance‐sized arteries
Authors: Outzen Emilie M. , Zaki Marina , Abdolalizadeh Bahareh , Sams Anette , Boonen Harrie C. M. , Sheykhzade Majid 
Published: December 2015

AbstractMice are increasingly used in vascular research for studying perturbations and responses to vasoactive agents in small artery preparations. Historically, small artery function has preferably been studied in rat isolated mesenteric resistance‐sized arteries (MRA) using the wire myograph technique. Although different mouse arteries have been studied using the wire myograph no establishment of optimal settings has yet been performed. Therefore, the purposes of this study were firstly to establish the optimal settings for wire myograph studies of mouse MRA and compare them to those of rat MRA. Second, by surveying the literature, we aimed to evaluate the overall translatability of observed pharmacological vasomotor responses of mouse MRA to those obtained in rat MRA as well as corresponding and different arteries in terms of vessel size and species origin. Our results showed that the optimal conditions for maximal active force development in mouse MRA were not significantly different to those determined in rat MRA. Furthermore, we found that the observed concentration‐dependent vasomotor responses of mouse MRA to noradrenaline, phenylephrine, angiotensin II, sarafotoxin 6c, 5‐hydroxytryptamine, carbachol, sodium nitroprusside, and retigabine were generally similar to those described in rat MRA as well as arteries of different sizes and species origin. In summary, the results of this study provide a framework for evidence‐based optimization of the isometric wire myograph setup to mouse MRA. Additionally, in terms of translational value, our study suggests that mouse MRA can be applied as a useful model for studying vascular reactivity.
Determination of triacylglycerol regioisomers using differential mobility spectrometry
Authors: Šala Martin , Lísa Miroslav , Campbell J. Larry , Holčapek Michal 
Published: December 2015

RationaleTriacylglycerols (TG) contain three fatty acyls attached to the glycerol backbone in stereochemically numbered positions sn‐1, 2 and 3. Isobaric TG with exchanged fatty acyl chains in positions sn‐1/3 vs. sn‐2 are referred to as regioisomers and the determination of their regioisomeric ratios is important for nutrition purposes.MethodsDifferential mobility spectrometry (DMS) coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) is applied for the separation of simple unsaturated TG regioisomers extracted from porcine adipose tissue using their silver‐ion molecular adducts.ResultsFour pairs of TG regioisomers containing combinations of unsaturated and saturated fatty acyl chains are successfully separated using DMS with 1‐butanol or 1‐propanol as the chemical modifier. Various experimental parameters are carefully optimized, such as the separation and compensation voltages applied to DMS electrodes, the type and flow rate of chemical modifier and the dwell time of analyte ions in the DMS cell. The optimized DMS approach is used for the characterization of TG regioisomers in less than one minute, compared to tens of minutes typical for silver‐ion or reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry approaches.ConclusionsThe application of this method for the characterization of TG regioisomers in porcine adipose tissue shows the method suitability for analyses of other animal fats. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oral Reading Fluency Testing
Authors: Howland Karole , Scaler Scott Kathleen 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAs school districts nationwide have moved toward data driven intervention, oral reading fluency measures have become a prevalent means to monitor progress by assessing the degree to which a child is becoming a fast (and therefore fluent) reader. This article reviews results of a survey of speech‐language pathologists (SLPs) working with children who stutter. The survey found that children on SLP caseloads are being referred for reading services when they do not actually have any trouble with reading fluently, but instead have trouble with any task that involves speaking fluently. The purpose of this article is to outline potential challenges in the use of oral reading fluency measures for children with speech disorders, and to provide practical solutions to those challenges.
Fetal lower urinary tract obstruction: proposal for standardized multidisciplinary prenatal management based on disease severity
Authors: Ruano R. , Sananes N. , Wilson C. , Au J. , Koh C. J. , Gargollo P. , Shamshirsaz A. A. , Espinoza J. , Safdar A. , Moaddab A. , Meyer N. , Cass D. L. , Olutoye O. O. , Olutoye O. A. , Welty S. , Roth D. R. , Braun M. C. , Belfort M. A. 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo present a single center experience of a standardized prenatal multidisciplinary management protocol for fetal lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) and to propose a classification of fetal LUTO based on disease severity.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of 25 consecutive fetal patients with prenatal diagnosis of primary LUTO. Fetal intervention was offered after evaluation by a multidisciplinary team. Analyses were conducted using Bayesian methodology to determine predictors of survival at 6 months postpartum. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% credibility intervals are reported.ResultsFifteen (60.0%) of the 25 patients referred for assessment survived to postnatal evaluation. Fetal vesicoamniotic shunt was placed in 14 (56.0%) patients with 12 survivors. Multivariable analysis suggested that fetal intervention (OR, 6.97 (0.88–70.16), Pr(OR > 1) = 96.7%), anhydramnios (OR, 0.12 (0.04–0.35), Pr(OR < 1) = 99.9%), favorable fetal urine analysis (OR, 3.98 (0.63–25.15), Pr(OR > 1) = 92.7%) and absence of renal cortical cysts (OR, 3.9 (0.66–24.2), Pr(OR > 1) = 93.3%) were predictors of survival.ConclusionsFetal intervention and fetal renal function were independently associated with postnatal survival of fetuses with LUTO. A classification based on the severity of disease is proposed. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Neural, cognitive, and evolutionary foundations of human altruism
Authors: Marsh Abigail A. 
Published: December 2015

This article considers three forms of altruism from both a psychological and a neural perspective, with an emphasis on homologies that can be observed across species and potentially illuminate altruism's evolutionary origins. Kin‐based altruism benefits biological relatives and, according to the theory of inclusive fitness, is ultimately beneficial to the altruist from a genetic standpoint. Kin selection adequately explains some altruistic behavior, but it is not applicable to much human altruism. Little is known about the neural processes that support it, but they may include cortical regions involved in processing autobiographical memory and the identities of familiar others. Reciprocity‐based altruism is performed in expectation of future rewards and is supported by dopaminergic cortico‐striatal networks that guide behavior according to anticipated rewards. Care‐based altruism is aimed at improving the well‐being of distressed and vulnerable individuals and is closely linked to empathic concern. This form of altruism is thought to rely on the subcortical neural systems that support parental care, particularly structures densely populated with receptors for the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin, including the amygdala, stria terminalis, and striatum. The amygdala may be a particularly important convergence point for care‐based altruism because of its dual role in responding both to cues that signal infantile vulnerability and those that signal distress. Research on altruism continues to converge across disciplines, but more research linking molecular‐level neural processes to altruistic behavior in humans and other species is needed, as is research on how various forms of altruism intersect.WIREs Cogn Sci2016, 7:59–71. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1377This article is categorized under:Psychology > Emotion and Motivation