bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the performance of accelerated MRI through preservation of acquisition SNR: An “aliased” k‐space approach
Authors: Arunachalam Arjun 
Published: August 2014

PurposeA method for preserving acquisition SNR through simultaneous acquisitions of distinct k‐space phase encodes to enhance the performance of accelerated MRI is presented.Theory and MethodsAn excitation module comprising RF pulses and gradients is inserted into a sequence of choice to overlap and acquire distinct k‐space phase encodes. This accelerates a scan as all phase encodes can now be acquired in a duration shorter than that of a typical scan. Next, this “aliased k‐space” is restored during reconstruction using receiver sensitivity profiles. When the aliased k‐space is also sub‐sampled for additional acceleration, Parallel Imaging (PMRI) is applied first to synthesize the unacquired aliased samples. The synthesized samples are then used with the acquired samples in an iterative reconstruction to obtain the output.ResultsDepending on the sequence, acquisition SNR increased by 18–25% relative to PMRI or by 5% relative to the unaccelerated scan. This compensates for the SNR loss when the aliased k‐space is sub‐sampled for additional acceleration. With PMRI, the method could enable acceleration factors as high as 12 in 2D cartesian scans.ConclusionA method for accelerating MRI scans through aliased k‐space acquisitions and the feasibility of combining the same with PMRI for greater acceleration has been demonstrated. Magn Reson Med 74:150–161, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Epidermal axonal swellings in painful and painless diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Cheung Audrey , Podgorny Peter , Martinez Jose A. , Chan Cynthia , Toth Cory 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe pathophysiology of neuropathic pain (NeP) in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is unclear. A potential pathological feature associated with intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) loss in DPN is axonal swellings.MethodsWe determined the prevalence of intraepidermal axonal swellings in DPN patients with or without NeP and compared the findings with diabetes patients without DPN, patients with idiopathic neuropathy with NeP, and control subjects. The primary outcome measure was the ratio of axonal swellings to IENFD. Secondary outcome measures included clinical neuropathy severity and assessment for messenger RNA for voltage‐gated sodium and calcium channels.ResultsIENFD was depressed in DPN (with/without pain) and in idiopathic neuropathy patients. Axonal swelling ratios were similar for DPN subjects with and without pain. There was no overexpression of voltage‐gated ion channels in epidermis from DPN patients. Clinical neuropathy severity was only related to IENFD.ConclusionsThere was no clinical relationship to pain or clinical neuropathy severity for axonal swellings in DPN. Muscle Nerve 51: 505–513, 2015
Practical Significance: Ordinal Scale Data and Effect Size in Zooarchaeology
Authors: Wolverton S. , Dombrosky J. , Lyman R. L. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractQuantitative analysis of zooarchaeological taxonomic abundances and skeletal part frequencies often relies on parametric techniques to test hypotheses. Data upon which such analyses are based are considered by some to be ‘ordinal scale at best’, meaning that non‐parametric approaches may be better suited for addressing hypotheses. An important consideration is that archaeologists do not directly or randomly sample target populations of artefacts and faunal remains, which means that sampling error is not randomly generated. Thus, use of inferential statistics is potentially suspect. A solution to this problem is to rely on a weight of evidence research strategy and to limit analysis to descriptive statistics. Alternatively, if one chooses to use statistical inference, one should analyse effect size to determine practical significance of results and adopt conservative, robust inferential tests that require relatively few assumptions. Archaeologists may choose not to abandon statistical inference, but if so, they should temper how they use statistical tools. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of sense of control and cognitive functioning in older cancer patients' depression
Authors: Mystakidou Kyriaki , Tsilika Eleni , Parpa Efi , Galanos Antonis 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the associations between depression, sense of control, and cognitive functioning, as well as the predictive power of sense of control and cognitive functioning in older cancer patients' depression.MethodsEighty‐six cancer patients were referred to a palliative care unit. They completed the 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale, the Cancer Locus of Control, and the Mini Mental State Examination questionnaires.ResultsHigher perceived control over the ‘course of illness’ was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms (p < 0.0005), whereas lower perceived control over the ‘cause of illness’ was associated with higher depressive symptoms. The same results were found for ‘cause of illness’ between non‐depressed and depressed patients (p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that whereas an external orientation in ‘course of illness’ increased the likelihood of depression (p = 0.002), an external orientation in ‘cause of illness’ decreased the likelihood of depression (p = 0.05).ConclusionsOlder cancer patients' sense of control orientation over the course of illness and the cause of illness predicted the levels of depressive symptomatology. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rutin improves endotoxin‐induced acute lung injury via inhibition of iNOS and VCAM‐1 expression
Authors: Huang Yi‐Chun , Horng Chi‐Ting , Chen Shyan‐Tarng , Lee Shiuan‐Shinn , Yang Ming‐Ling , Lee Chien‐Ying , Kuo Wu‐Hsien , Yeh Chung‐Hsin , Kuan Yu‐Hsiang 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTEndotoxins exist anywhere including in water pools, dust, humidifier systems, and machining fluids. The major causal factor is endotoxins in many serious diseases, such as fever, sepsis, multi‐organ failure, meningococcemia, and severe morbidities like neurologic disability, or hearing loss. Endotoxins are also called lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and are important pathogens of acute lung injury (ALI). Rutin has potential beneficial effects including anti‐inflammation, antioxidation, anti‐hyperlipidemia, and anti‐platelet aggregation. Pre‐treatment with rutin inhibited LPS‐induced neutrophil infiltration in the lungs. LPS‐induced expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)‐1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was suppressed by rutin, but there was no influence on expression of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 and cyclooxygenase‐2. In addition, activation of the nuclear factor (NF)κB was reduced by rutin. Furthermore, we found that the inhibitory concentration of rutin on expression of VCAM‐1 and iNOS was similar to NFκB activation. In conclusion, rutin is a potential protective agent for ALI via inhibition of neutrophil infiltration, expression of VCAM‐1 and iNOS, and NFκB activation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 185–191, 2016.
Elucidating and alleviating impacts of lignocellulose-derived microbial inhibitors on Clostridium beijerinckii during fermentation of Miscanthus giganteus to butanol
Authors: Zhang Yan , Ezeji Thaddeus Chukwuemeka 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Fermentation of liquid hot water (LHW) pretreated Miscanthus giganteus (MG) by Clostridium beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 was investigated towards understanding the toxicity of lignocellulose-derived inhibitors to solventogenic Clostridium species vis-à-vis butanol production. While C. beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 did not grow in undiluted MG hydrolysate-based fermentation medium, supplementation of this medium with Calcium carbonate enabled the growth of C. beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 and production of butanol. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and spectrophotometric assays, LHW-pretreated MG was found to contain lignocellulose-derived microbial inhibitory compounds; some of which were transformed by exponentially growing C. beijerinckii to less inhibitory compounds during fermentation. Contrary to all expectations, the reduction product of furfural, furfuryl alcohol, inhibited butanol production by C. beijerinckii by more than 16 %. Collectively, these results provide new insights into why lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysates are recalcitrant to fermentation to biofuels and chemicals.
Comparative studies on the implantation of nano platinum black and pure platinum electrodes in the rabbit orbicularis oculi muscle
Authors: Zhang Y , Li K Y , Jin C , Wang Y T , Geng L , Sun Y J , Tian H C , Liu J Q , Jin X J 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjective:To study the interactive influence of implanted nano platinum black electrodes (as compared with pure platinum electrodes) on rabbit orbicularis oculi muscle morphology and function.Methods:The influence of the two types of electrode on the orbicularis oculi muscle was monitored in a rabbit model of facial paralysis. Biological electric current and exciting current were administered to biological tissue, and morphological and functional changes were identified. Changes in orbicularis oculi muscle contraction, electrode configuration and performance associated with long-term electrical stimulation were observed over 28 days of implantation.Results:The nano platinum black electrode was superior to the pure platinum electrode in the following aspects: morphology and functionality, electrical excitation function of the orbicularis oculi muscle (as assessed by electromyography), muscle contraction function and biological tissue changes. Furthermore, the nano platinum black electrode features had good stability.Conclusion:Microelectrode surface modification with nano platinum black can effectively increase the microelectrode surface area and improve electrode performance, and is associated with good tissue compatibility.
Early perturbation in mitochondria redox homeostasis in response to environmental stress predicts cell fate in diatoms
Authors: van Creveld Shiri Graff , Rosenwasser Shilo , Schatz Daniella , Koren Ilan , Vardi Assaf 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Diatoms are ubiquitous marine photosynthetic eukaryotes that are responsible for about 20% of global photosynthesis. Nevertheless, little is known about the redox-based mechanisms that mediate diatom sensing and acclimation to environmental stress. Here we used a redox-sensitive green fluorescent protein sensor targeted to various subcellular organelles in the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, to map the spatial and temporal oxidation patterns in response to environmental stresses. Specific organelle oxidation patterns were found in response to various stress conditions such as oxidative stress, nutrient limitation and exposure to diatom-derived infochemicals. We found a strong correlation between the mitochondrial glutathione (GSH) redox potential (EGSH) and subsequent induction of cell death in response to the diatom-derived unsaturated aldehyde 2E,4E/Z-decadienal (DD), and a volatile halocarbon (BrCN) that mediate trophic-level interactions in marine diatoms. Induction of cell death in response to DD was mediated by oxidation of mitochondrial EGSH and was reversible by application of GSH only within a narrow time frame. We found that cell fate can be accurately predicted by a distinct life-death threshold of mitochondrial EGSH (−335 mV). We propose that compartmentalized redox-based signaling can integrate the input of diverse environmental cues and will determine cell fate decisions as part of algal acclimation to stress conditions.
From molecular spectra to a density shift in dense Rydberg gases
Authors: Gaj A. , Krupp A. T. , Balewski J. B. , Löw R. , Hofferberth S. , Pfau T. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractIn Rydberg atoms, at least one electron is excited to a state with a high principal quantum number. In an ultracold environment, this low-energy electron can scatter off a ground state atom allowing for the formation of a Rydberg molecule consisting of one Rydberg atom and several ground state atoms. Here we investigate those Rydberg molecules created by photoassociation for the spherically symmetric S-states. A step by step increase of the principal quantum number up to n=111 enables us to go beyond the previously observed dimer and trimer states up to a molecule, where four ground state atoms are bound by one Rydberg atom. The increase of bound atoms and the decreasing binding potential per atom with principal quantum number results finally in an overlap of spectral lines. The associated density-dependent line broadening sets a fundamental limit, for example, for the optical thickness per blockade volume in Rydberg quantum optics experiments.
Ligand-specific endocytic dwell times control functional selectivity of the cannabinoid receptor 1
Authors: Flores-Otero Jacqueline , Ahn Kwang H. , Delgado-Peraza Francheska , Mackie Ken , Kendall Debra A. , Yudowski Guillermo A. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractG protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the major transducers of external stimuli and key therapeutic targets in many pathological conditions. When activated by different ligands, one receptor can elicit multiple signalling cascades that are mediated by G proteins or β-arrestin, a process defined as functional selectivity or ligand bias. However, the dynamic mechanisms underlying β-arrestin signalling remain unknown. Here by studying the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R), we identify ligand-specific endocytic dwell times, that is, the time during which receptors are clustered into clathrin pits together with β-arrestins before endocytosis, as the mechanism controlling β-arrestin signalling. Agonists inducing short endocytic dwell times produce little or no β-arrestin signalling, whereas those eliciting prolonged dwell times induce robust signalling. Remarkably, extending CB1R dwell times by preventing endocytosis substantially increased β-arrestin signalling. These studies reveal how receptor activation translates into β-arrestin signalling and identify a mechanism to control this pathway.
Promoter-proximal transcription factor binding is transcriptionally active when coupled with nucleosome repositioning in immediate vicinity
Authors: Yadav Vinod Kumar , Thakur Ram Krishna , Eckloff Bruce , Baral Aradhita , Singh Ankita , Halder Rashi , Kumar Akinchan , Alam Mohammad Parwez , Kundu Tapas K. , Pandita Raj , Pandita Tej K. , Wieben Eric D. , Chowdhury Shantanu 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Previous studies have analyzed patterns of transcription, transcription factor (TF) binding or mapped nucleosome occupancy across the genome. These suggest that the three aspects are genetically connected but the cause and effect relationships are still unknown. For example, physiologic TF binding studies involve many TFs, consequently, it is difficult to assign nucleosome reorganization to the binding site occupancy of any particular TF. Therefore, several aspects remain unclear: does TF binding influence nucleosome (re)organizations locally or impact the chromatin landscape at a more global level; are all or only a fraction of TF binding a result of reorganization in nucleosome occupancy and do all TF binding and associated changes in nucleosome occupancy result in altered gene expression? With these in mind, following characterization of two states (before and after induction of a single TF of choice) we determined: (i) genomic binding sites of the TF, (ii) promoter nucleosome occupancy and (iii) transcriptome profiles. Results demonstrated that promoter-proximal TF binding influenced expression of the target gene when it was coupled to nucleosome repositioning at or close to its binding site in most cases. In contrast, only in few cases change in target gene expression was found when TF binding occurred without local nucleosome reorganization.
Drosophila Brahma complex remodels nucleosome organizations in multiple aspects
Authors: Shi Jiejun , Zheng Meizhu , Ye Youqiong , Li Min , Chen Xiaolong , Hu Xinjie , Sun Jin , Zhang Xiaobai , Jiang Cizhong 
Published: August 2014

AbstractATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes regulate nucleosome organizations. In Drosophila, gene Brm encodes the core Brahma complex, the ATPase subunit of SWI/SNF class of chromatin remodelers. Its role in modulating the nucleosome landscape in vivo is unclear. In this study, we knocked down Brm in Drosophila third instar larvae to explore the changes in nucleosome profiles and global gene transcription. The results show that Brm knockdown leads to nucleosome occupancy changes throughout the entire genome with a bias in occupancy decrease. In contrast, the knockdown has limited impacts on nucleosome position shift. The knockdown also alters another important physical property of nucleosome positioning, fuzziness. Nucleosome position shift, gain or loss and fuzziness changes are all enriched in promoter regions. Nucleosome arrays around the 5′ ends of genes are reorganized in five patterns as a result of Brm knockdown. Intriguingly, the concomitant changes in the genes adjacent to the Brahma-dependent remodeling regions have important roles in development and morphogenesis. Further analyses reveal abundance of AT-rich motifs for transcription factors in the remodeling regions.
The First Report of Downy Mildew Caused by Peronospora belbahrii on Sweet Basil in Greenhouses in the Czech Republic
Authors: Šafránková I. , Holková L. 
Published: August 2014

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an aromatic plant that is cultivated as a pot plant in greenhouses or in fields in the Czech Republic. The plants are intended for direct consumption or for drying. In April of 2012, the first large chlorotic from the middle necrotic spots occurred gradually on leaves of pot plants O. basilicum cv. Genovese in greenhouses in Central Bohemia. The characteristic gray to brown furry growth of downy mildew appeared on abaxial surfaces of leaves in the place of chlorotic spots within 3 to 4 days. The infested leaves fell off in the late stages of pathogenesis. The infestation gradually manifested itself in ever-younger plants and in July, cotyledons and possibly the first true leaves were already heavily infected and damaged and these plants rapidly died. The plant damage reached 80 to 100%, so it was necessary to stop growing the plants in the greenhouse at the end of July. The causal agent was isolated and identified as Peronospora belbahrii Thines by means of morphological and molecular characters (2,3). Conidiophores were hyaline, straight, monopodial, 280 to 460 μm, branched three to five times, ended with two slightly curved branchlets with a single conidia on each branchled tip. The longer branchlets measured 13 to 24 μm (average 18.2 μm), the shorter one 4 to 15 μm (average 9.7 μm). Conidia were rounded or slightly ovoid, from brownish to dark brownish, measured 22 to 31 × 20 to 28 μm (length/width ratio 1.2). A pathogen-specific sequence was detected with the help of the pathogen ITS rDNA specific primers in symptomatic leaves (1). DNA from plant tissues was isolated using the DNeasy plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Germany) following the standard protocol. PCR was performed using KAPA2G Robust HotStar kit (Kapa Biosystems, United States) according to the conditions recommended in Belbahri et al. (1). The specific products were visualized by electrophoresis through 1.5% agarose gels. Leaves of 20-day-old potted plants O. basilicum ‘Genovese’ were inoculated by spraying with 5 × 105 conidia/ml of the pathogen. Each pot contained 10 plants. Sterilized distilled water was applied to control plants. Plants were covered with polyethylene bags during the entire incubation period to maintain high humidity, and kept at a temperature of 22 to 24°C. Typical disease symptoms appeared on leaves 5 to 9 days after inoculation. Control plants were symptomless. P. belbahrii was re-isolated from the lesions of inoculated plants, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. Downy mildew on sweet basil was reported in countries in Africa, Europe, and South and North America (4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of downy mildew on sweet basil in the Czech Republic. References: (1) L. Belbahri et al. Mycol. Res. 109:1276, 2005. (2) Y.-J. Choi et al. Mycol. Res. 113:1340, 2009. (3) M. Thines et al. Mycol. Res. 113:532, 2009. (4) C. A. Wyenandt et al. HortScience 45:1416, 2010.
Maternal age and emergency operative deliveries at term: a population−based registry study among low‐risk primiparous women
Authors: Herstad L , Klungsøyr K , Skjærven R , Tanbo T , Forsén L , Åbyholm T , Vangen S 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveTo study the association between maternal age and emergency operative delivery. The roles of in‐labour indications, and birthweight ≥ 4000 g, gestational age ≥ 42 weeks, induction of labour, and epidural use, according to maternal age were explored.DesignPopulation‐based study.SettingMedical Birth Registry of Norway and Statistics Norway.PopulationWe studied 169 583 low‐risk primiparous mothers with singleton, cephalic labours, at ≥37 weeks of gestation, from 1999 to 2009.MethodsThe associations between maternal age and mode of delivery were analysed using multinomial regression analyses, adjusting for sociodemographic factors.Main outcome measuresEmergency caesarean section and operative vaginal delivery.ResultsOf women aged ≥40 years, 22% had emergency caesarean sections and 24% had operative vaginal deliveries, giving adjusted relative risk ratios (RRRs) of 6.60 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI 5.53–7.87) and 3.30 (95% CI 2.79–3.90), respectively, when compared with women aged 20–24 years. Adjustments for sociodemographic factors only slightly changed the estimates. Dystocia was the main indication, followed by fetal distress. All of the listed factors increased the level of emergency operative deliveries, mainly because of an increase in dystocia. The increase in risk for emergency caesarean section by all factors, and for operative vaginal deliveries by epidural, were greater in older than in younger women, but were significant for epidural only.ConclusionsWe found a close association between maternal age and emergency operative delivery in low‐risk primiparas. Contributory factors increased the risk for both emergency operative delivery and epidural more in older than in younger women.
Children learning to use technologies through play: A Digital Play Framework
Authors: Bird Jo , Edwards Susan 
Published: August 2014

AbstractDigital technologies are increasingly acknowledged as an important aspect of early childhood education. A significant problem for early childhood education has been how to understand the pedagogical use of technologies in a sector that values play‐based learning. This paper presents a new framework to understand how children learn to use technologies through play. The Digital Play Framework is based on the sociocultural concept of tool mediation and Corrine Hutt's work regarding epistemic and ludic activity as basis for understanding play. The Digital Play Framework presents a series of indicators for how children learn to use technologies as cultural tools, first by exploring the functionality of technologies through epistemic activity, and second by generating new content through ludic activity.