bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Skin biopsy and I‐123 MIBG scintigraphy findings in idiopathic Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism: A comparative study
Authors: Giannoccaro Maria Pia , Donadio Vincenzo , Incensi Alex , Pizza Fabio , Cason Ernesto , Di Stasi Vitantonio , Martinelli Paolo , Scaglione Cesa , Capellari Sabina , Treglia Giorgio , Liguori Rocco 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackground123I‐meta‐iodobenzylguanidine (123I‐MIBG) myocardial scintigraphy is considered reliable in differentiating idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) from other parkinsonisms, but it is biased by pharmacological treatments. Skin biopsy is not influenced by therapy and has disclosed skin denervation in IPD. Our aims were to compare 123I‐MIBG scintigraphy and skin biopsy findings in IPD and parkinsonisms to (1) verify whether myocardial and skin denervations are linked; (2) explore the simultaneous extent of the autonomic dysfunction.MethodsWe studied 22 IPD and 11 parkinsonism patients by means of 123I‐MIBG scintigraphy and skin biopsies.ResultsIn the IPD group, both 123I‐MIBG scintigraphy and skin biopsy results were abnormal in 91% of patients, showing concordance in 82% of cases. In parkinsonisms, results of both tests were normal in all patients.Conclusion(1) Skin biopsy and 123I‐MIBG scintigraphy provide comparable results; (2) in IPD, autonomic dysfunctions are often simultaneously widespread at cardiac and skin branches. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
PS48 can replace bovine serum albumin in pig embryo culture medium, and improve in vitro embryo development by phosphorylating AKT
Authors: Spate Lee D. , Brown Alana , Redel Bethany K. , Whitworth Kristin M. , Prather Randall S. 
Published: March 2015

SUMMARYThe application of embryo‐related technology is dependent on in vitro culture systems. Unfortunately, most culture media are suboptimal and result in developmentally compromised embryos. Since embryo development is partially dependent upon Warburg Effect‐like metabolism, our goal was to test the response of embryos treated with compounds that are known to stimulate or enhance this Effect. One such compound is 5‐(4‐chloro‐phenyl)‐3‐phenyl‐pent‐2‐enoic acid (PS48). When added during oocyte maturation, the quality of the resultant embryos was compromised, whereas when added to the culture medium after fertilization, PS48 improved both the percentage of embryos that reach the blastocyst stage and the number of nuclei in those blastocysts. Embryonic PS48 treatment resulted in more phosphorylated v‐akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog (AKT) in blastocyst‐stage embryos as compared to the controls. Further, PS48 could replace bovine serum albumin in embryo culture medium, as demonstrated by high‐quality embryos that were developmentally competent. The action of PS48 appears to be via stimulation of phosphoinositide‐3 kinase and phosphorylation of AKT, which is consistent with stimulation of the Warburg Effect. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 82: 315–320, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gradient‐modulated SWIFT
Authors: Zhang Jinjin , Idiyatullin Djaudat , Corum Curtis A. , Kobayashi Naoharu , Garwood Michael 
Published: March 2015

PurposeMethods designed to image fast‐relaxing spins, such as sweep imaging with Fourier transformation (SWIFT), often utilize high excitation bandwidth and duty cycle, and in some applications the optimal flip angle cannot be used without exceeding safe specific absorption rate (SAR) levels. The aim is to reduce SAR and increase the flexibility of SWIFT by applying time‐varying gradient‐modulation (GM). The modified sequence is called GM‐SWIFT.Theory and MethodsThe method known as gradient‐modulated offset independent adiabaticity was used to modulate the radiofrequency (RF) pulse and gradients. An expanded correlation algorithm was developed for GM‐SWIFT to correct the phase and scale effects. Simulations and phantom and in vivo human experiments were performed to verify the correlation algorithm and to evaluate imaging performance.ResultsGM‐SWIFT reduces SAR, RF amplitude, and acquisition time by up to 90%, 70%, and 45%, respectively, while maintaining image quality. The choice of GM parameter influences the lower limit of short T2* sensitivity, which can be exploited to suppress unwanted image haze from unresolvable ultrashort T2* signals originating from plastic materials in the coil housing and fixatives.ConclusionsGM‐SWIFT reduces peak and total RF power requirements and provides additional flexibility for optimizing SAR, RF amplitude, scan time, and image quality. Magn Reson Med 75:537–546, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Urodynamic catheter moisture sensor: A novel device to improve leak point pressure detection
Authors: Marshall Blake R. , Arlen Angela M. , Kirsch Andrew J. 
Published: March 2015

AimsHigh‐quality urodynamic studies in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction are important, as UDS may be the only reliable gauge of potential risk for upper tract deterioration and the optimal tool to guide lower urinary tract management. Reliance on direct visualization of leakage during typical UDS remains a potential source of error.MethodsGiven the necessity of accurate leak point pressures, we developed a wireless leak detection sensor to eliminate the need for visual inspection during UDS.ResultsA mean decrease in detrusor leak point pressure of 3 cm/H20 and a mean 11% decrease in capacity at leakage was observed when employing the sensor compared to visual inspection in children undergoing two fillings during a single UDS session.ConclusionRemoving the visual inspection component of UDS may improve accuracy of pressure readings. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:647–648, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A new finite element approach for solving three‐dimensional problems using trimmed hexahedral elements
Authors: Kim Hyun‐Gyu , Sohn Dongwoo 
Published: March 2015

SummaryIn this paper, a novel finite element approach is presented to solve three‐dimensional problems using trimmed hexahedral elements generated by cutting a simple block consisting of regular hexahedral elements with a computer‐aided design (CAD) surface. Trimmed hexahedral elements, which are polyhedral elements with curved faces, are placed at the boundaries of finite element models, and regular hexahedral elements remain in the interior regions. Shape functions for trimmed hexahedral elements are developed by using moving least square approximation with harmonic weight functions based on an extension of Wachspress coordinates to curved faces. A subdivision of polyhedral domains into tetrahedral sub‐domains is performed to construct shape functions for trimmed hexahedral elements, and numerical integration of the weak form can be carried out consistently over the tetrahedral sub‐domains. Trimmed hexahedral elements have similar properties to conventional finite elements regarding the continuity, the completeness, the node–element connectivity, and the inter‐element compatibility. Numerical examples for three‐dimensional linear elastic problems with complex geometries show the efficiency and effectiveness of the present method. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Frictional contact analysis of functionally graded materials with Lagrange finite block method
Authors: Li M. , Lei M. , Munjiza A. , Wen P. H. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryBased on the one‐dimensional differential matrix derived from the Lagrange series expansion, the finite block method was recently developed to solve both the elasticity and transient heat conduction problems of anisotropic and functionally graded materials. In this paper, the formulation of the Lagrange finite block method with boundary type in the strong form is presented and applied to non‐conforming contact problems for the functionally graded materials subjected to either static or dynamic loads. The first order partial differential matrices are only needed both in the governing equations and in the Neumann boundary condition. By introducing the mapping technique, a block of quadratic type is transformed from the Cartesian coordinate of global system to the normalized coordinate with eight seeds. Time dependent partial differential equations are analyzed in the Laplace transformed domain and the Durbin's inversion method is applied to determine all the physical values in the time domain. Conforming and non‐conforming contacts are investigated by using the iterative algorithm with full load technique. Illustrative numerical examples are given and comparisons have been made with analytical solutions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling of cement hydration in high performance concrete structures with hybrid finite elements
Authors: de Freitas J. A. Teixeira , Cuong P. T. , Faria Rui 
Published: March 2015

SummaryA hybrid finite element formulation is used to model the hygro‐thermo‐chemical process of cement hydration in high performance concrete. The temperature and the relative humidity fields are directly approximated in the domain of the element using naturally hierarchical bases independent of the mapping used to define its geometry. This added flexibility in modeling implies the independent approximation of the heat and moisture flux fields on the boundary of the element, the typical feature of hybrid finite element formulations. The formulation can be implemented using coarse and, eventually, unstructured meshes, which may contain elements with high aspect ratios, an option that can be advantageously used in the simulation of the casting of concrete structural elements. The resulting solving system is sparse and well suited to adaptive refinement and parallelization. It is solved coupling a trapezoidal time integration rule with an adaptation of the Newton–Raphson method designed to preserve symmetry. The relative performance of the formulation is assessed using a set of testing problems supported by experimental data and results obtained with conventional (conform) finite elements. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developing a Fidelity Assessment Instrument for Nurse Home Visitors
Authors: Black Kirsten J. , Wenger Mary Beth , O’ Fallon Molly 
Published: March 2015

AbstractFidelity monitoring is a core component for successful translation of evidence‐based interventions, yet little guidance is available on developing tools to assess intervention fidelity that are valid and feasible for use in community settings. We partnered with nurses in the field to develop a fidelity monitoring instrument that would capture the essential elements of the nursing intervention that is the core of Nurse‐Family Partnership, a prenatal and early childhood home visitation program. Using a grounded approach, we employed concept mapping to identify the salient behavioral characteristics associated with the program, and then, adapting Dreyfus’ model of skill development, created a tool to assess nurse home visitors (NHVs) according to their stage of growth. In a pilot, the Nursing Practice Assessment (NPA) form was used to assess 188 NHVs. The average time to complete the tool was 1 hour, and skill development stage was concordant with years of NHV experience. According to surveys of supervisors and NHVs, the tool captured the essential elements of the program model. Articulating the essential elements of each skill development stage can provide a foundation for professional development for NHVs. In response to feedback, online training modules were developed prior to large‐scale implementation in the field. The grounded methods used to develop the NPA enhanced its internal consistency and implementation feasibility and could be utilized by other public health nursing programs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A first look at women's perspectives on noninvasive prenatal testing to detect sex chromosome aneuploidies and microdeletion syndromes
Authors: Agatisa Patricia K. , Mercer Mary Beth , Leek Angela C. , Smith Marissa B. , Philipson Elliot , Farrell Ruth M. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study is to explore women's opinions about the use of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) to assess the risk of sex chromosome aneuploidies and microdeletion syndromes.MethodsFocus groups were conducted with women who were currently pregnant or had recently delivered. Qualitative analysis using interpretive description was used to generate study findings.ResultsThirty‐one women (mean age 32.4 years) participated in the focus groups. Participants were unfamiliar with sex chromosome aneuploidies but expressed support for the use of NIPT to detect these conditions. Participants were uncertain about the utility and actionability of receiving information about microdeletion syndromes with variable or unknown phenotypic expression. Participants voiced their desire to be informed of all conditions assessed by NIPT prior to testing. They considered clinicians to be the key provider of such information, although stated that patients have a responsibility to be knowledgeable prior to testing in order to support informed decision making.ConclusionsThe use of NIPT to identify sex chromosome aneuploidies and microdeletion syndromes will introduce new challenges for clinicians to ensure pregnant women have the information and resources to make informed choices about NIPT when used for these conditions. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association of human papillomavirus with Fanconi anemia promotes carcinogenesis in Fanconi anemia patients
Authors: Liu Guang Bin , Chen Jiezhong , Wu Zhan He , Zhao Kong‐Nan 
Published: March 2015

SummaryFanconi anemia (FA) is a rare recessive disorder associated with chromosomal fragility. FA patients are at very high risk of cancers, especially head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas caused by infection of human papillomaviruses (HPVs). By integrating into the host genome, HPV oncogenes E6 and E7 drive the genomic instability to promote DNA damage and gene mutations necessary for carcinogenesis in FA patients. Furthermore, E6 and E7 oncoproteins not only inhibit p53 and retinoblastoma but also impair the FANC/BRCA signaling pathway to prevent DNA damage repair and alter multiple signals including cell‐cycle checkpoints, telomere function, cell proliferation, and interference of the host immune system leading to cancer development in FA patients. In this review, we summarize recent advances in unraveling the molecular mechanisms of FA susceptibility to HPV‐induced cancers, which facilitate rational preventive and therapeutic strategies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Potential Impacts of Stream Crossing Traffic On Macroinvertebrate Communities in the Missouri Ozark River
Authors: Heth R. L. S. , Bowles D. E. , Havel J. E. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractDepending on intensity, physical disturbance can either decrease or increase diversity of stream macroinvertebrate communities. Recreational activities in parks are one component of physical disturbance. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of stream crossings and recreational traffic on macroinvertebrate assemblages. Five stream‐crossing sites were sampled during winter and summer in the Current River, Ozarks National Scenic Riverways, Missouri, USA. Stream‐crossing traffic was assessed using trail cameras. At each site, macroinvertebrates were collected from four locations: riffle upstream of crossing, riffle immediately downstream of crossing and second and third riffles downstream of crossing. We compared sites and locations within sites using standard metrics (taxa richness, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera richness, biotic index and diversity) and their composite stream condition index (SCI) plus multivariate analyses (Nonmetric multidimensional scaling and correlations). Stream crossings had no detectable impacts on macroinvertebrate communities in winter, but in summer location, effects were present. Patterns in SCI scores across locations varied among sites, with no consistent declines in macroinvertebrate diversity downstream of crossings. Longitudinal stream effects dominated over potential stream‐crossing effects on macroinvertebrate communities. Overall, high SCI scores indicated that current levels of stream crossings and traffic in this scenic riverway do not pose a threat to macroinvertebrate communities at the spatial and temporal scale of this study. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Generating invariants for non-linear loops by linear algebraic methods
Authors: Rebiha Rachid , Moura Arnaldo Vieira , Matringe Nadir 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
We present new computational methods that can automate the discovery and the strengthening of non-linear interrelationships among the variables of programs containing non-linear loops, that is, that give rise to multivariate polynomial and fractional relationships. Our methods have complexities lower than the mathematical foundations of the previous approaches, which used Gröbner basis computations, quantifier eliminations or cylindrical algebraic decompositions. We show that the preconditions for discrete transitions can be viewed as morphisms over a vector space of degree bounded by polynomials. These morphisms can, thus, be suitably represented by matrices. We also introduce fractional and polynomial consecution, as more general forms for approximating consecution. The new relaxed consecution conditions are also encoded as morphisms represented by matrices. By so doing, we can reduce the non-linear loop invariant generation problem to the computation of eigenspaces of specific morphisms. Moreover, as one of the main results, we provide very general sufficient conditions allowing for the existence and computation of whole loop invariant ideals. As far as it is our knowledge, it is the first invariant generation methods that can handle multivariate fractional loops.
Effects of environmental factors on key kinetic parameters relevant to pitting corrosion
Authors: Woldemedhin M. T. , Srinivasan J. , Kelly R. G. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractExperiments using stainless steel artificial pit (lead-in-pencil) electrodes in ferric chloride and lithium chloride solutions were performed in order to determine the effects of key environmental factors such as chloride concentration and pH of the bulk solution on the central parameters utilized to characterize the pitting phenomenon—the repassivation potential Erp and the pit stability product under a salt film (i · x)saltfilm. For all the stainless steel alloys studied, a relative independence of the Erp to the pit depth was observed once sufficient anodic charge had been passed. The pit stability product under a salt film was seen to be largely insensitive to the pH of the bulk solution. Erp, on the other hand, was fairly independent of bulk pH only at the lower chloride concentrations of both lithium chloride and ferric chloride solutions. The two parameters were affected differently by variation in the chloride concentration of the bulk solutions. Increasing the chloride concentration resulted in a decrease in the value of (i · x)saltfilm for all alloys in both solutions. In ferric chloride, the value of Erp increased with increasing chloride concentration for Custom 465 and the austenitic steels, whereas it decreased across the same range for 17–4 pH. These trends were explained qualitatively using solution conductivity and alloying composition arguments. Finally, the results obtained from this study allowed for a rationalization of the phenomenology, enabling a method of measurement of the diffusion coefficient and the concentration at saturation of the “stainless steel cation” within the pit, both of which agreed well with values obtained from the existing literature.
Pedagogies That Explore Food Practices: Resetting the Table for Improved Eco-Justice
Authors: Harris Carol E. , Barter Barbara G. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAs health threats appear with increasing regularity in our food systems and other food crises loom worldwide, we look to rural areas to provide local and nutritious foods. Educationally, we seek approaches to food studies that engage students and their communities and, ultimately, lead to positive action. Yet food studies receive only generic coverage and tangential attention within existing curricula. This article, reporting a pilot study located at Canada's geographic and cultural edge, focuses on local knowledge about past and present food practices. Objectives are to test pedagogies that bring all students greater opportunities for engagement and learning about their physical environment and food history, and that can be applied to rural and, with modifications, urban settings. Three critical, place-base pedagogical approaches — experiential, discovery and arts-based — to classroom teaching and learning are discussed, as well as implications for educational leadership, teacher training and curriculum development.
The European Union Integrated Political Crisis Response Arrangements: Improving the European Union’s Major Crisis Response Coordination Capacities
Authors: de Miguel Beriain Iñigo , Atienza-Macías Elena , Armaza Emilio Armaza 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIn recent years, the European Union (EU) has progressively assumed more and more of a primary role in crisis response coordination. The EU Integrated Political Crisis Response arrangements (IPCR) were recently approved to facilitate this task. These new agreements, which substitute for the Crisis Coordination Agreements, will add more flexibility to crisis response mechanisms in the EU. They will also strengthen cooperation between the different relevant agents in a major crisis situation and create new useful tools, such as the Integrated Situational Awareness and Analysis. Their real performance still needs to be fully tested, but some weakness can already be foreseen. This article provides a deep analysis of this new legislation. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:234-238)
Molecular characterization and phylogeny ofKalotermespopulations from the Levant, and description ofKalotermes phoeniciaesp. nov.
Authors: Ghesini S. , Marini M. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe presence of the yellow-necked drywood termite,Kalotermes flavicollisFabr., has been reported along most of the Mediterranean coasts of Europe, Africa and Asia. While morphological and genetic data exist on EuropeanK. flavicollispopulations from western and central Mediterranean regions, data on eastern MediterraneanKalotermesare scarce, and no genetic data exist to date. In this study, we analyzed 17Kalotermessp. colonies from 11 localities in the Levant (Cyprus, Lebanon, and Israel), in order to characterize genetically (mitochondrial DNA: COII, 16S, and control region) these populations. We found that samples from the Levant are genetically different fromK. flavicollis, with distance values falling in the range of interspecific distances. In the phylogeny of EuropeanKalotermespopulations, samples from the Levant form a clade of their own, sister to a clade includingK. flavicollisandKalotermes italicus. Inside the eastern Mediterranean clade, all the samples from Cyprus are included in a well-supported subclade, suggesting that the colonization of the island might have occurred in a single event. These findings show that the populations we examined do not belong to the speciesK. flavicollis, but to a new species peculiar to the Levant, that we describe asKalotermes phoeniciaesp. nov. It is possible that previous reports ofK. flavicollisin this region can be attributed toK. phoeniciae.