bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Graph‐Based Wavelet Representation of Multi‐Variate Terrain Data
Authors: Cioaca Teodor , Dumitrescu Bogdan , Stupariu Mihai‐Sorin 
Published: August 2015

AbstractTerrain data can be processed from the double perspective of computer graphics and graph theory. We propose a hybrid method that uses geometrical and vertex attribute information to construct a weighted graph reflecting the variability of the vertex data. As a planar graph, a generic terrain data set is subjected to a geometry‐sensitive vertex partitioning procedure. Through the use of a combined, thin‐plate energy and multi‐dimensional quadric metric error, feature estimation heuristic, we construct ‘even’ and ‘odd’ node subsets. Using an invertible lifting scheme, adapted from generic weighted graphs, detail vectors are extracted and used to recover or filter the node information. The design of the prediction and update filters improves the root mean squared error of the signal over general graph‐based approaches. As a key property of this design, preserving the mean of the graph signal becomes essential for decreasing the error measure and conserving the salient shape features.
Non‐invasive Assessment and Symptomatic Improvement of the Obstructed Nose (NASION): a physiology‐based patient‐centred approach to treatment selection and outcomes assessment in nasal obstruction
Authors: Nouraei S.A.R. , Virk J.S. , Kanona H. , Zatonski M. , Koury E.F. , Chatrath P. 
Published: August 2015

ObjectivesTo evaluate the impact of selecting treatment for nasal obstruction on the basis of a structured physiology‐based assessment protocol on patient outcomes.DesignProspective longitudinal study.SettingDistrict general hospital.ParticipantsA population of 71 patients with a mean age of 33 years, containing 36 males, presented with nasal obstruction for consideration of nasal surgery. All patients underwent a structured clinical assessment, skin prick allergy testing and oral–nasal flow‐volume loop examination. Fifty‐one patients completed the follow‐up, and mean follow‐up was 11 months.Main outcome measuresNOSE, SNOT‐22 and NASION scales.ResultsOf the 51 patients who completed follow‐up, six had conservative treatment, 28 had septal/turbinate surgery, and 17 underwent nasal valve surgery. Mean NOSE score fell from 68 ± 18 to 39 ± 31 following the treatment. Mean SNOT‐22 score fell from 47 ± 20 to 29 ± 26 following the treatment. The difference between pre‐treatment and post‐treatment NOSE and SNOT‐22 scores were statistically significant. Success rate of septal/turbinate surgery in patients without nasal allergy was 88%, and this fell to 42% in patients undergoing septal/turbinate surgery who also had nasal allergy. Presence of nasal allergy was the only independent predictor of treatment failure. Patients with nasal valve surgery reported significantly greater symptomatic improvement following surgery. The newly formed NASION scale demonstrated internal consistency with a Cronbach α of 0.9 and excellent change‐responsiveness and convergent validity with correlation coefficients of 0.64 and 0.77 against treatment‐related changes in SNOT‐22 and NOSE scales, respectively.ConclusionsSuccessful surgical outcomes can be achieved with the use of a structured history, clinical evaluation and physiological testing. Flow‐volume loops can help elucidate the cause of nasal obstruction. The newly formed NASION scale is a validated retrospective single time‐point patient outcome measure.
Dissemination, Implementation, and Improvement Science Research in Population Health: Opportunities for Public Health and CTSAs
Authors: Kuo Tony , Gase Lauren N. , Inkelas Moira ,   The Population Health and Policy Workgroup
Published: August 2015

AbstractImportanceThe complex, dynamic nature of health systems requires dissemination, implementation, and improvement (DII) sciences to effectively translate emerging knowledge into practice. Although they hold great promise for informing multisector policies and system‐level changes, these methods are often not strategically used by public health.Objectives and MethodsMore than 120 stakeholders from Southern California, including the community, federal and local government, university, and health services were convened to identify key priorities and opportunities for public health departments and Clinical and Translational Science Awards programs (CTSAs) to advance DII sciences in population health.Main OutcomesParticipants identified challenges (mismatch of practice realities with narrowly focused research questions; lack of iterative learning) and solutions (using methods that fit the dynamic nature of the real world; aligning theories of change across sectors) for applying DII science research to public health problems. Pragmatic steps that public health and CTSAs can take to facilitate DII science research include: employing appropriate study designs; training scientists and practicing professionals in these methods; securing resources to advance this work; and supporting team science to solve complex‐systems issues.ConclusionsPublic health and CTSAs represent a unique model of practice for advancing DII research in population health. The partnership can inform policy and program development in local communities.
Convergent adaptive evolution – how insects master the challenge of cardiac glycoside‐containing host plants
Authors: Dobler Susanne , Petschenka Georg , Wagschal Vera , Flacht Lara 
Published: August 2015

AbstractCardiac glycosides are a prime example of highly toxic plant secondary compounds, which block an essential transmembrane carrier in animals, the Na,K‐ATPase. Nevertheless, over 100 insect species from diverse orders are known to feed on plants containing these compounds and in many cases these toxins are additionally sequestered without ill effect. We investigated whether the insects’ adaptations for handling cardiac glycosides are based on a single physiological mechanism or whether various strategies have evolved across groups. We analyzed gene sequences of the Na,K‐ATPase α‐subunit from cardiac glycoside‐adapted insects and screened for amino‐acid substitutions which could alter the affinity of the enzyme toward cardiac glycosides. In representatives from five insect orders, separated by over 300 million years of evolutionary divergence, we uncovered amino‐acid substitutions at identical positions. Especially striking is the convergent substitution of a histidine for the conserved asparagine at position 122, which we report here for the first time in a sawfly, Monophadnus latus Costa (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), and which was previously observed in the orders Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Diptera. Prior in vitro expression and enzyme assays indicated that this substitution as well as combined substitutions with other residues result in a strongly increased cardenolide resistance of the Na,K‐ATPase. The substitutions to threonine111 and histidine122 observed in M. latus are highly effective and were previously known only in lygaeid bugs. However, not all insects dealing with dietary cardenolides rely on target‐site insensitivity as a mechanism of resistance. An impermeable gut or the exclusion of cardenolides from the nervous tissue with the greatest expression of Na,K‐ATPase by the perineurium, the insect blood brain barrier, apparently represent alternative strategies. Immuno‐histochemical data presented here support the existence of P‐glycoprotein‐like efflux transporters in insect gut membranes that might prevent the uptake of allelochemicals like cardenolides.
Costs of epilepsy and cost‐driving factors in children, adolescents, and their caregivers inGermany
Authors: Riechmann Janna , Strzelczyk Adam , Reese Jens P. , Boor Rainer , Stephani Ulrich , Langner Cornelia , Neubauer Bernd A. , Oberman Bettina , Philippi Heike , Rochel Michael , Seeger Jürgen , Seipelt Peter , Oertel Wolfgang H. , Dodel Richard , Rosenow Felix , Hamer Hajo M. ,   the EpiPaed Study Group
Published: August 2015

SummaryObjectiveTo provide first data on the cost of epilepsy and cost‐driving factors in children, adolescents, and their caregivers in Germany.MethodsA population‐based, cross‐sectional sample of consecutive children and adolescents with epilepsy was evaluated in the states of Hessen and Schleswig‐Holstein (total of 8.796 million inhabitants) in all health care sectors in 2011. Data on socioeconomic status, course of epilepsy, and direct and indirect costs were recorded using patient questionnaires.ResultsWe collected data from 489 children and adolescents (mean age ± SD 10.4 ± 4.2 years, range 0.5–17.8 years; 264 [54.0%] male) who were treated by neuropediatricians (n = 253; 51.7%), at centers for social pediatrics (“Sozialpaediatrische Zentren,” n = 110, 22.5%) and epilepsy centers (n = 126; 25.8%). Total direct costs summed up to €1,619 ± €4,375 per participant and 3‐month period. Direct medical costs were due mainly to hospitalization (47.8%, €774 ± €3,595 per 3 months), anticonvulsants (13.2%, €213 ± €363), and ancillary treatment (9.1%, €147 ± €344). The total indirect costs amounted to €1,231 ± €2,830 in mothers and to €83 ± €593 in fathers; 17.4% (n = 85) of mothers and 0.6% (n = 3) of fathers reduced their working hours or quit work because of their child's epilepsy. Independent cost‐driving factors were younger age, symptomatic cause, and polytherapy with anticonvulsants. Older age, active epilepsy, symptomatic cause, and polytherapy were independent predictors of higher antiepileptic drug (AED) costs, whereas younger age, longer epilepsy duration, symptomatic cause, disability, and parental depression were independent predictors for higher indirect costs.SignificanceTreatment of children and adolescents with epilepsy is associated with high direct costs due to frequent inpatient admissions and high indirect costs due to productivity losses in mothers. Direct costs are age‐dependent and higher in patients with symptomatic epilepsy and polytherapy. Indirect costs are higher in the presence of a child's disability and parental depression.
Population‐level consequences for wild fish exposed to sublethal concentrations of chemicals – a critical review
Authors: Hamilton Patrick B , Cowx Ian G , Oleksiak Marjorie F , Griffiths Andrew M , Grahn Mats , Stevens Jamie R , Carvalho Gary R , Nicol Elizabeth , Tyler Charles R 
Published: August 2015

AbstractConcentrated chemical spills have been shown to impact adversely on fish populations and even cause localized population extinctions. Evaluating population‐level impacts of sublethal exposure concentrations is, however, complex and confounded by other environmental pressures. Applying effect measures derived from laboratory‐based chemical exposures to impacts in wild fish populations is constrained by uncertainty on how biochemical response measures (biomarkers) translate into health outcomes, lack of available data for chronic exposures and the many uncertainties in available fish population models. Furthermore, wild fish show phenotypic plasticity and local adaptations can occur that adds geographic and temporal variance on responses. Such population‐level factors are rarely considered in the chemical risk assessment process and can probably be derived only from studies on wild fish. Molecular technologies, including microsatellite and SNP genotyping, and RNASeq for gene expression studies, are advancing our understanding of mechanisms of eco‐toxicological response, tolerance, adaptation and selection in wild populations. We examine critically the application of such approaches with examples including using microsatellites that has identified roach (Rutilus rutilus) populations living in rivers contaminated with sewage effluents that are self‐sustaining, and studies of stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) that have identified genomic regions under selection putatively related to pollution tolerance. Integrating data on biological effects between laboratory‐based studies and wild populations, and building understanding on adaptive responses to sublethal exposure are some of the priority research areas for more effective evaluation of population risks and resilience to contaminant exposure.
NF‐κB signaling regulates the generation of intermediate progenitors in the developing neocortex
Authors: Yamanishi Emiko , Yoon Keejung , Alberi Lavinia , Gaiano Nicholas , Mizutani Ken‐ichi 
Published: August 2015

In addition to its well‐established role during immune system function, NF‐κB regulates cell survival and synaptic plasticity in the mature nervous system. Here, we show that during mouse brain development, NF‐κB activity is present in the neocortical ventricular and subventricular zones (VZ and SVZ), where it regulates proliferative pool maintenance. Activation of NF‐κB signaling, by expression of p65 or an activated form of the IκB kinase complex subunit IKK2, inhibited neuronal differentiation and promoted retention of progenitors in the VZ and SVZ. In contrast, blockade of the pathway with dominant negative forms of IKK2 and IκBα promoted neuronal differentiation both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, by modulating both the NF‐κB and Notch pathways, we show that in the absence of canonical Notch activity, after knockdown of the pathway effector CBF1, NF‐κB signaling promoted Tbr2 expression and intermediate neural progenitor fate. Interestingly, however, activation of NF‐κB in vivo, with canonical Notch signaling intact, promoted expression of the radial glial marker Pax6. This work identifies NF‐κB signaling as a regulator of neocortical neurogenesis and suggests that the pathway plays roles in both the VZ and SVZ.
Recurrent Spontaneous Paresthesia in the Upper Limb Could Be Due to Migraine: A Case Series
Authors: Prakash Sanjay , Rathore Chaturbhuj , Makwana Prayag , Rathod Mitali 
Published: August 2015

Transient neurologic dysfunction is a characteristic feature of migraine. About 20% of migraineurs may experience various symptoms in the absence of any headache at one time or another. Visual auras are the most common auras of migraine, and migraine is considered as the most common cause of transient vision loss in young patients. Sensory auras are the second most common migrainous auras. However, the literature is silent for isolated sensory aura as a migraine equivalent. Herein we report 14 patients with recurrent episodic paresthesia in the limbs and other body parts. All patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of “typical aura without headache” of ICHD‐3β. All patients were subjected to various investigations to rule out secondary causes. Ten patients received antimigraine drugs and all showed a positive response to therapy.Recurrent spontaneous paresthesia is quite common in the general population and many patients remain undiagnosed. We speculate that a subset of patients might be related to migrainous sensory auras.
External Nasal Neuralgia: A Neuropathic Pain Within the Territory of the External Nasal Nerve
Authors: García‐Moreno Héctor , Aledo‐Serrano Ángel , Gimeno‐Hernández Jesús , Cuadrado María‐Luz 
Published: August 2015

BackgroundNasal pain is a challenging diagnosis and very little has been reported in the neurological literature. The nose is a sophisticated structure regarding its innervation, which is supplied by the first and second divisions of the trigeminal nerve. Painful cranial neuropathies are an important group in the differential diagnosis, although they have been described only scarcely. Here, we report a case that can conform a non‐traumatic external nasal nerve neuralgia.CaseA 76‐year‐old woman was referred to our office due to pain in her left nose. She was suffering from daily excruciating attacks, which were strictly limited to the territory supplied by her left external nasal nerve (left ala nasi and apex nasi). She denied previous traumatisms and the ancillary tests did not yield any underlying pathology. An anesthetic blockade of her left external nasal nerve achieved a marked reduction of the number of episodes as well as their intensity.ConclusionExternal nasal neuralgia seems a specific neuralgia causing nasal pain. Anesthetic blockades of the external nasal nerve may be a valid treatment for this condition.
People with insomnia: experiences with sedative hypnotics and risk perception
Authors: Cheung Janet M. Y. , Bartlett Delwyn J. , Armour Carol L. , Ellis Jason G. , Saini Bandana 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundSedative hypnotics form an important part of managing insomnia and are recommended for short‐term use. It is standard practice for clinicians to inform the patient to use medications only ‘when required’, but the use of these medications is often chronic. Little is known about the impact of standard labelling/instructions on promoting appropriate medication use for managing insomnia.ObjectiveTo explore patient medication‐taking beliefs, experiences and behavioural practices relating to the use of pharmacological/complementary sleep aids for insomnia.Setting and ParticipantsSpecialist sleep/psychology clinics and the general community in Sydney, Australia.MethodSemi‐structured interviews were conducted with 51 people with insomnia using a schedule of questions to gauge their experiences, beliefs and current practices relating to insomnia medication use. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and subjected to Framework Analysis to identify emergent themes.ResultsParticipants held distinctive views about the safety and efficacy of complementary and pharmacological agents but do not intuitively turn to medications to resolve their sleep complaint. Medication use was affirmed through tangible medication‐taking cues due to the ambivalence in current instructions and labelling. Practices such as dosage modification, medication substitution and delaying medication use might be important drivers for psychological dependence.ConclusionCurrent labelling and instructions do not necessarily promote the quality use of sedative hypnotics due to the variability in patient interpretations. Clarifying the timing, quantity and frequency of medication administration as well as insomnia symptom recognition would play a significant role in optimizing the role of pharmacotherapy in the management of insomnia.
Alkali Activation of AOD Stainless Steel Slag Under Steam Curing Conditions
Authors: Salman Muhammad , Cizer Özlem , Pontikes Yiannis , Snellings Ruben , Dijkman Jan , Sels Bert , Vandewalle Lucie , Blanpain Bart , Van Balen Koen 
Published: August 2015

Crystalline argon oxygen decarburization slag, in powdery form, was investigated for its hydration potential by alkali activation and curing at 80°C. Na‐silicate and K‐silicate of the same modulus were used as activators. Isothermal calorimetry at 80°C indicated exothermic reactions in the slag pastes. When the slag mortars were cured under steam at 80°C appreciable gain in compressive strength was measured. This was attributed to C–S–H which was detected in TG, FTIR, and 29Si NMR analyses. Upon hydration at 90 d, the amount of crystalline phases decreased, whereas the XRD amorphous content in the slag increased. Electron microscopy showed the formation of different morphologies of reaction products depending on the alkaline activator employed. Presence of reaction rims around the crystalline phases with a major presence of Ca, Si, and O in the reacted matrix was observed in elemental maps.
Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance of CdO Ceramics Via Ba2+ Doping
Authors: Gao Linjie , Zhai Shengjun , Liu Ran , Fu Nian , Wang Jianglong , Fu Guangsheng , Wang Shufang 
Published: August 2015

Polycrystalline Cd1−xBaxO (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.08) ceramics were synthesized via conventional solid‐state reaction method, and the effect of Ba2+ doping on the microstructure as well as the thermoelectric transport properties of the samples were investigated. It was found that doping of Ba2+ can inhibit the grain growth of CdO, resulting in a considerable reduction in grain size. Moreover, with the increase in Ba2+ doping content, both the electrical conductivity and the thermal conductivity of Cd1−xBaxO decreased, whereas the Seebeck coefficient increased. A high ZT value of 0.47 was achieved for Cd0.99Ba0.01O at 1000 K, 38% higher than the undoped CdO, mostly due to reduction of the thermal conductivity.
Repeated evolution of exaggerated dewlaps and other throat morphology in lizards
Authors: Ord T. J. , Klomp D. A. , Garcia‐Porta J. , Hagman M. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe existence of elaborate ornamental structures in males is often assumed to reflect the outcome of female mate choice for showy males. However, female mate choice appears weak in many iguanian lizards, but males still exhibit an array of ornament‐like structures around the throat. We performed a phylogenetic comparative study to assess whether these structures have originated in response to male–male competition or the need for improved signal efficiency in visually difficult environments. We found little evidence for the influence of male–male competition. Instead, forest species were more likely to exhibit colourful throat appendages than species living in open habitats, suggesting selection for signal efficiency. On at least three independent occasions, throat ornamentation has become further elaborated into a large, conspicuously coloured moving dewlap. Although the function of the dewlap is convergent, the underlying hyoid apparatus has evolved very differently, revealing the same adaptive outcome has been achieved through multiple evolutionary trajectories. More generally, our findings highlight that extravagant, ornament‐like morphology can evolve in males without the direct influence of female mate choice and that failure to consider alternative hypotheses for the evolution of these structures can obscure the true origins of signal diversity among closely related taxa.
Sex investment ratios in eusocial Hymenoptera support inclusive fitness theory
Authors: Bourke A. F. G. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractInclusive fitness theory predicts that sex investment ratios in eusocial Hymenoptera are a function of the relatedness asymmetry (relative relatedness to females and males) of the individuals controlling sex allocation. In monogynous ants (with one queen per colony), assuming worker control, the theory therefore predicts female‐biased sex investment ratios, as found in natural populations. Recently, E.O. Wilson and M.A. Nowak criticized this explanation and presented an alternative hypothesis. The Wilson–Nowak sex ratio hypothesis proposes that, in monogynous ants, there is selection for a 1 : 1 numerical sex ratio to avoid males remaining unmated, which, given queens exceed males in size, results in a female‐biased sex investment ratio. The hypothesis also asserts that, contrary to inclusive fitness theory, queens not workers control sex allocation and queen–worker conflict over sex allocation is absent. Here, I argue that the Wilson–Nowak sex ratio hypothesis is flawed because it contradicts Fisher's sex ratio theory, which shows that selection on sex ratio does not maximize the number of mated offspring and that the sex ratio proposed by the hypothesis is not an equilibrium for the queen. In addition, the hypothesis is not supported by empirical evidence, as it fails to explain ‘split’ (bimodal) sex ratios or data showing queen and worker control and ongoing queen–worker conflict. By contrast, these phenomena match predictions of inclusive fitness theory. Hence, the Wilson–Nowak sex ratio hypothesis fails both as an alternative hypothesis for sex investment ratios in eusocial Hymenoptera and as a critique of inclusive fitness theory.