bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictive Factors for Visual Field Conversion: Comparison of Scanning Laser Polarimetry and Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Diekmann Theresa , Schrems-Hoesl Laura M. , Mardin Christian Y. , Laemmer Robert , Horn Folkert K. , Kruse Friedrich E. , Schrems Wolfgang A. 
Published: November 2017

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of scanning laser polarimetry (SLP) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) to predict future visual field conversion of subjects with ocular hypertension and early glaucoma.

Methods:
All patients were recruited from the Erlangen glaucoma registry and examined using standard automated perimetry, 24-hour intraocular pressure profile, and optic disc photography. Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL) measurements were obtained by SLP (GDx-VCC) and SD-OCT (Spectralis OCT). Positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) were calculated for morphologic parameters of SLP and SD-OCT. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted and log-rank tests were performed to compare the survival distributions. Contingency tables and Venn-diagrams were calculated to compare the predictive ability.

Results:
The study included 207 patients—75 with ocular hypertension, 85 with early glaucoma, and 47 controls. Median follow-up was 4.5 years. A total of 29 patients (14.0%) developed visual field conversion during follow-up. SLP temporal-inferior RNFL [0.667; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.281-0.935] and SD-OCT temporal-inferior RNFL (0.571; 95% CI, 0.317-0.802) achieved the highest PPV; nerve fiber indicator (0.923; 95% CI, 0.876-0.957) and SD-OCT mean (0.898; 95% CI, 0.847-0.937) achieved the highest NPV of all investigated parameters. The Kaplan-Meier curves confirmed significantly higher survival for subjects within normal limits of measurements of both devices (P<0.001). Venn diagrams tested with McNemar test statistics showed no significant difference for PPV (P=0.219) or NPV (P=0.678).

Conclusions:
Both GDx-VCC and SD-OCT demonstrate comparable results in predicting future visual field conversion if taking typical scans for GDx-VCC. In addition, the likelihood ratios suggest that GDx-VCC’s nerve fiber indicator<30 may be the most useful parameter to confirm future nonconversion. (http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov number, NTC00494923; Erlangen Glaucoma Registry).
Updates on the biology of serotonin and tryptophan hydroxylase
Authors: Swami Tara , Weber H. Christian 
Published: November 2017

Purpose of review
To summarize the most recent findings relevant to the biology of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) and the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) in human gastrointestinal disease.

Recent findings
Serotonin is synthesized in the central nervous system (CNS) and the gastrointestinal tract where it is secreted from enteroendocrine cells. Its biosynthesis is regulated by two isoforms of the enzyme TPH of which TPH1 is localized predominantly in gastrointestinal enteroendocrine cells. Serotonin activates the peristaltic reflexes, regulates gastrointestinal motility, and has a role in intestinal inflammation. Inhibition of TPH with novel molecules represents a new pharmacological tool in the successful management of carcinoid syndrome in patients with gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (GI-NETs). Certain 5-HT receptor subtype agonists and antagonists are useful in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Summary
The gastrointestinal tract is the largest storage organ for serotonin where its biosynthesis is regulated by TPH1. It has several important functions in gastrointestinal motility, secretion, and inflammation. Furthermore, TPH represents a target for inhibitory pharmacological therapy of serotonin access states such as the carcinoid syndrome.
Controllability in an islet specific regulatory network identifies the transcriptional factor NFATC4, which regulates Type 2 Diabetes associated genes
Authors: Sharma Amitabh , Halu Arda , Decano Julius L. , Menche Jörg , Liu Yang-Yu , Prasad Rashmi B. , Fadista Joao , Santolini Marc , Padi Megha , Weiss Scott T. , Vidal Marc , Silverman Edwin K. , Aikawa Masanori , Barabási Albert-László , Groop Leif , Loscalzo Joseph 
Published: November 2017

AbstractProbing the dynamic control features of biological networks represents a new frontier in capturing the dysregulated pathways in complex diseases. Here, using patient samples obtained from a pancreatic islet transplantation program, we constructed a tissue-specific gene regulatory network and used the control centrality (Cc) concept to identify the high control centrality (HiCc) pathways, which might serve as key pathobiological pathways for Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). We found that HiCc pathway genes were significantly enriched with modest GWAS p-values in the DIAbetes Genetics Replication And Meta-analysis (DIAGRAM) study. We identified variants regulating gene expression (expression quantitative loci, eQTL) of HiCc pathway genes in islet samples. These eQTL genes showed higher levels of differential expression compared to non-eQTL genes in low, medium and high glucose concentrations in rat islets. Among genes with highly significant eQTL evidence, NFATC4 belonged to four HiCc pathways. We asked if the expressions of T2D-associated candidate genes from GWAS and literature are regulated by Nfatc4 in rat islets. Extensive in vitro silencing of Nfatc4 in rat islet cells displayed reduced expression of 16, and increased expression of 4 putative downstream T2D genes. Overall, our approach uncovers the mechanistic connection of NFATC4 with downstream targets including a previously unknown one, TCF7L2, and establishes the HiCc pathways’ relationship to T2D.
Differentiation of primate primordial germ cell-like cells following transplantation into the adult gonadal niche
Authors: Sosa Enrique , Chen Di , Rojas Ernesto J. , Hennebold Jon D. , Peters Karen A. , Wu Zhuang , Lam Truong N. , Mitchell Jennifer M. , Tailor Ramesh C. , Meistrich Marvin L. , Orwig Kyle E. , Shetty Gunapala , Clark Amander T. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractA major challenge in stem cell differentiation validation is the availability of bioassays to prove cell types generated in vitro are equivalent to cells in vivo. In the mouse model, differentiation of primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) from pluripotent cells was validated by transplantation, leading to the generation of spermatogenesis and to the birth of offspring. Here we report the use of xenotransplantation (monkey to mouse) and homologous transplantation (monkey to monkey) to validate our in vitro protocol for differentiating male rhesus macaque PGCLCs (rPGCLCs) from rhesus macaque induced pluripotent stem cells (riPSCs). Specifically, transplantation of aggregates containing rPGCLCs into mouse and nonhuman primate testicles overcomes a major bottleneck in rPGCLC differentiation with the expression of VASA and MAGEA4, but not ENO2. These findings suggest that immature rPGCLCs once transplanted into an adult gonadal niche commit to differentiate towards late PGCs and spermatogonia-like cells but do not complete the conversion into ENO2-positive spermatogonia.
Customized cranial implant manufactured by incremental sheet forming using a biocompatible polymer
Authors: Bagudanch Isabel , García-Romeu María Luisa , Ferrer Ines , Ciurana Joaquim 
Published: November 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the feasibility of incremental sheet forming (ISF), using the most common variants, single-point incremental forming (SPIF) and two-point incremental forming (TPIF), to produce prototypes of customized cranial implants using a biocompatible polymer (ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, UHMWPE), ensuring an appropriate geometric accuracy and cost.

Design/methodology/approach
The cranial implant is designed based on computerized tomographies (CT) of the patient, converting them into a 3D model using the software InVesalius. To generate the toolpath for the forming operation computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software is used. Once the cranial implant is manufactured, a 3D scanning system is used to determine the geometric deviation between the real part and the initial design.

Findings
The results corroborate that it is possible to successfully manufacture a customized cranial implant using ISF, being able to improve the geometric accuracy using the TPIF variant with a negative die.

Originality/value
This paper is one of the first research works in which a customized cranial implant is successfully manufactured using a flexible technology, ISF and a biocompatible polymer. The use of polymeric implants in cranioplasty is advantageous because of their lightweight, low heat conductivity and mechanical properties similar to bone. Furthermore, the cost of the implant has been calculated considering not only the raw materials and manufacturing time but also the environmental impact, revealing that it is a cheap process with a low lead-time.
Laser sintered body armour – establishing single layer stab protection
Authors: Johnson Andrew Allan , Bingham Guy , Majewski Candice 
Published: November 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to establish the minimum thickness required to provide stab protection in accordance with the United Kingdom Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) standards while testing a series of laser sintered (LS) planar specimens using instrumented test apparatus.

Design/methodology/approach
Planar test specimens were LS in single-layer thicknesses ranging from 1.00 to 15.00 mm in four material powder categories – DuraForm® virgin, DuraForm 50/50 mix, DuraForm EX® virgin and DuraForm EX 50/50 mix. All specimens were tested using instrumented drop test apparatus and were impacted with established Stanley Tools 1992 trimming blades to the UK HOSDB KR1-E1 stab impact energy level.

Findings
The research demonstrated that a minimum single planar specimen thickness of 11.00 mm, manufactured from DuraForm EX 50/50 mix powder, was required to provide protection against the HOSDB KR1-E1 level of stab impact energy. The alternative powder mixes tested within this experiment demonstrated poor levels of stab protection, with virgin powder specimens demonstrating no protection up to 15.00 mm, whereas DuraForm 50/50 mix specimens demonstrating inconsistent performances.

Originality/value
This paper enhances on existing literature surrounding the manufacturing and testing of additive manufacturing (AM) stab-resistant armour by adding further rigour to the testing of AM body armour specimens. In addition, this research establishes key foundation characteristics which could be utilised for the future development of bespoke AM body armour garments.
A nationwide epidemiological study of myasthenia gravis in Latvia
Authors: Zieda A. , Ravina K. , Glazere I. , Pelcere L. , Naudina M. S. , Liepina L. , Kamsa I. , Kurjane N. , Woodhall M. , Jacobson L. , Leite M. I. , Tandon K. , Kenina V. 
Published: November 2017

Background and purposeMyasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by fatigable muscle weakness due to antibody‐mediated impairment of neuromuscular transmission. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and prevalence of MG in Latvia, and to characterize this population by well‐established clinical parameters such as age at onset, presence of associated antibodies and thymus pathology.MethodsAll prevalent cases on 1 January 2015 and cases of patients newly presenting with MG symptoms from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2014 were selected from the database of the Neuromuscular Disease Clinic of Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital and Children's Clinical University Hospital. Crude rates were calculated based on population data. These were directly age‐standardized to the European and World Health Organization world standard populations. The analysis of clinical characteristics was carried out in a cohort of patients who had undergone a complete set of electrophysiological, serological and radiological investigations (n = 153; 68%).ResultsDuring the study period 99 incident and 226 prevalent cases were identified. The total crude MG incidence was 9.7 per million person‐years. The prevalence of MG on 1 January 2015 was 113.8 per million. 54.2% of patients tested positive for acetylcholine receptor antibodies, 7.8% for muscle specific kinase antibodies and 1.3% for lipoprotein related protein 4 antibodies.ConclusionsThis is the first study of MG in Latvia and the second population‐based study of MG in Eastern Europe. Our epidemiological results are similar to those in some other European and Northern American countries, and show high prevalence and increasing incidence of late‐onset MG.
Vessel noise cuts down communication space for vocalizing fish and marine mammals
Authors: Putland Rosalyn L. , Merchant Nathan D. , Farcas Adrian , Radford Craig A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAnthropogenic noise across the world's oceans threatens the ability of vocalizing marine species to communicate. Some species vocalize at key life stages or whilst foraging, and disruption to the acoustic habitat at these times could lead to adverse consequences at the population level. To investigate the risk of these impacts, we investigated the effect of vessel noise on the communication space of the Bryde's whale Balaenoptera edeni, an endangered species which vocalizes at low frequencies, and bigeye Pempheris adspersa, a nocturnal fish species which uses contact calls to maintain group cohesion while foraging. By combining long‐term acoustic monitoring data with AIS vessel‐tracking data and acoustic propagation modelling, the impact of vessel noise on their communication space was determined. Routine vessel passages cut down communication space by up to 61.5% for bigeyes and 87.4% for Bryde's whales. This influence of vessel noise on communication space exceeded natural variability for between 3.9 and 18.9% of the monitoring period. Additionally, during the closest point of approach of a large commercial vessel, <10 km from the listening station, the communication space of both species was reduced by a maximum of 99% compared to the ambient soundscape. These results suggest that vessel noise reduces communication space beyond the evolutionary context of these species and may have chronic effects on these populations. To combat this risk, we propose the application or extension of ship speed restrictions in ecologically significant areas, since our results indicate a reduction in sound source levels for vessels transiting at lower speeds.
Microstructure and indentation damage resistance of ZrB2‐20 vol.%SiC ipo‐eutectic composites
Authors: Zhou Jiamin , Zhu Degui , Zhang Haiwen , Bogomol Iurii , Grasso Salvatore , Hu Chunfeng 
Published: November 2017

AbstractZirconium diboride with 20 vol.% silicon carbide bulk composites were fabricated using directionally solidification (DS) and also by spark plasma sintering (SPS) of crushed DS ingots. During the DS the cooling front aligned the c‐axis of ZrB2 grains and its Lotgering factor of f(00l) was high as 0.98. The Vickers hardness was anisotropic and it was high as 17.6 GPa along the c‐axis and 15.3 GPa when measured in an orthogonal direction. On both surfaces, even when using 100 N indentation load, no cracks were observed, suggesting a very high resistance to crack propagation. Such anomalous behavior was attributed to the hierarchical structure of DS sample where the ZrB2 phase was under strong compression and the SiC phase was in tension. In the SPSed sample, the microstructure was isotropic respect to the direction of applied pressure. Indentation cracks appeared around the indent corners but not emanated from the diagonals, confirming high damage resistance.
The Sleep Condition Indicator: reference values derived from a sample of 200 000 adults
Authors: Espie Colin A. , Farias Machado Pedro , Carl Jenna R. , Kyle Simon D. , Cape John , Siriwardena A. Niroshan , Luik Annemarie I. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryThe Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI) is an eight‐item rating scale that was developed to screen for insomnia disorder based on DSM‐5 criteria. It has been shown previously to have good psychometric properties among several language translations. We developed age‐ and sex‐referenced values for the SCI to assist the evaluation of insomnia in everyday clinical practice. A random sample of 200 000 individuals (58% women, mean age: 31 ± 13 years) was selected from those who had completed the SCI via several internet platforms. Descriptive and inferential methods were applied to generate reference data and indices of reliable change for the SCI for men and women across the age deciles 16–25, 26–35, 36–45, 46–55, 56–65 and 66–75 years. The mean SCI score for the full sample was 14.97 ± 5.93. Overall, women scored worse than men (14.29 ± 5.83 versus 15.90 ± 5.94; mean difference: −1.60, η2 = 0.018, Cohen's d = 0.272) and those of older age scored worse than those younger (−0.057 points per year, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.059 to −0.055) relative to age 16–25 years. The Reliable Change Index was established at seven scale points. In conclusion, the SCI is a useful instrument for clinicians and researchers that can help them to screen for insomnia, compare completers to individuals of similar age and sex and establish whether a reliable change was achieved following treatment.
Engine Strategies to Meet Phase-2 Greenhouse Gas Emission Legislation for Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines
Authors: Joshi Satyum , Dahodwala Mufaddel , Koehler Erik , Franke Michael 
Published: November 2017

In 2027, the fully phased-in EPA/NHTSA Phase-2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emission legislation for heavy-duty (HD) diesel engines will mandate a 5.1% reduction in fuel consumption for MY2017 tractor engines and a 4.2% reduction in fuel consumption for MY2017 vocational engines. Along with improvements in engine efficiency, manufacturers are likely to face a simultaneous challenge to achieve a significant reduction in tailpipe NOx emissions, as the ARB is expected to implement an ultra-low NOx emission standard in the 2024–27 timeframe. With this consideration, technology solutions for Phase-2 GHG will have to be NOx neutral or provide additional reduction in NOx emissions which is typically contrary to a reduction in fuel consumption.
In this study, various advanced engine technologies — such as engine downsizing and downspeeding, variable compression ratio, cylinder deactivation and turbocompounding — have been evaluated to improve engine efficiency with a goal to reach Phase-2 GHG engine requirements. Simultaneously, the impact of these technologies on engine-out NOx emission and aftertreatment inlet temperature has also been evaluated. The technologies were evaluated with a GT-Power model of a 7.7 liter medium HD diesel engine applied in vocational vehicles at steady-state operating conditions as well as over transient operating profiles. Significant fuel consumption reductions were observed with engine downsizing and engine downspeeding at the same engine-out NOx emissions as the baseline engine. Cylinder deactivation showed a moderate impact on fuel consumption while variable compression ratio and turbocompounding had a much lower impact on fuel consumption. In general, exhaust gas temperatures decreased with a reduction in fuel consumption, except in the case of cylinder deactivation where significant increase in exhaust gas temperatures was observed. The results of the study show that engine efficiency improvements beyond what has been mandated by the Phase-2 GHG regulations are possible without increasing the engine-out NOx emissions of a Phase-1 GHG compliant engine. However, if an ultra-low NOx emission standard is implemented as expected, some of the efficiency gains demonstrated in this study will need to be offset to achieve higher exhaust gas temperatures and lower engine-out NOx emissions.
Effects of Fuel Quality on Gaseous Emissions From an 8.9L Spark-Ignited Natural Gas Engine Operated Over Prime-Mover Cycles for Unconventional Well Development
Authors: Johnson Derek , Besch Marc , Heltzel Robert , Jammalamadaka Sashank 
Published: November 2017

Technology developments in directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing have led to increased natural gas reserves. Development of these unconventional resources is an energy intensive process. Prime-movers of unconventional well development were previously identified to be over-the-road trucks, drilling engines, and hydraulic stimulation engines. Diesel engines dominate these markets but industry is attempting to cut costs by using dual fuel and dedicated natural gas engines. On-road engines are subject to the transient FTP cycle for certification and off-road engines are subject to the 5-mode ISO 8178 D-2 cycle. It is well known that in-use activity can differ from certification activity. Significant in-use activity data for each prime-mover were collected and a Markov-Chain Monte-Carlo Simulation with a genetic algorithm was used to develop test cycles for each.
The developed test cycles allowed for operation of a smaller yet similar engine within a controlled laboratory environment. Laboratory tests utilized a Cummins 8.9L ISL-G to analyze the emissions of new cycles compared to certification cycles and to examine the effects of fuel quality on emissions. The ISL-G is a spark-ignited engine used for heavy-duty trucks and could see market penetration in fleets serving the well development industry. It is similar in technology to the Waukesha LI7044, which is used in drilling operations — both employ air fuel ratio control and three-way catalysts. For the case of “pump” quality fuel, compressed natural gas was used. The developed OTR truck cycle produced higher brake-specific emissions of CO2, CO, NOx, and lower HC emissions compared to the FTP. The drilling and fracturing cycles tended to have lower CO2 and HC emissions but higher CO emissions when compared to the D-2 cycle. Two additional fuel blends were used on the new cycles and represented blends with higher ethane and propane fractions — which are common to shale gases that could fuel prime-movers in the future. The minimum recommended methane number for this engine was 75 and additional fuel blends had methane numbers of 75.5 (propane blend) and 75.3 (ethane blend). As expected, CO2 emissions increased with increased alkane concentration, while opposite trends were shown for THC and CH4. NOx emissions also tended to decrease with higher ethane and propane blends, across all cycles. For all cycles and fuels, HC emissions were predominately CH4 - 94–97%. Variations in activity and the effects of different fuels should be addressed when estimating emissions since using standard certification or emissions factors may not be representative of in-use emissions.