bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Excessive coupling of the salience network with intrinsic neurocognitive brain networks during rectal distension in adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome: a preliminary report
Authors: Liu X. , Silverman A. , Kern M. , Ward B. D. , Li S.‐J. , Shaker R. , Sood M. R. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe neural network mechanisms underlying visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are incompletely understood. It has been proposed that an intrinsic salience network plays an important role in chronic pain andIBSsymptoms. Using neuroimaging, we examined brain responses to rectal distension in adolescentIBSpatients, focusing on determining the alteration of salience network integrity inIBSand its functional implications in current theoretical frameworks. We hypothesized that (i) brain responses to visceral stimulation in adolescents are similar to those in adults, and (ii)IBSis associated with an altered salience network interaction with other neurocognitive networks, particularly the default mode network (DMN) and executive control network (ECN), as predicted by the theoretical models.MethodsIrritable bowel syndrome patients and controls received subliminal and liminal rectal distension during imaging. Stimulus‐induced brain activations were determined. Salience network integrity was evaluated by the functional connectivity of its seed regions activated by rectal distension in the insular and cingulate cortices.Key ResultsCompared with controls,IBSpatients demonstrated greater activation to rectal distension in neural structures of the homeostatic afferent and emotional arousal networks, especially the anterior cingulate and insular cortices. Greater brain responses to liminalvssubliminal distension were observed in both groups. Particularly,IBSis uniquely associated with an excessive coupling of the salience network with theDMNandECNin their key frontal and parietal node areas.Conclusions & InferencesOur study provided consistent evidence supporting the theoretical predictions of altered salience network functioning as a neuropathological mechanism ofIBSsymptoms.
Evolution of marginal populations of an invasive vine increases the likelihood of future spread
Authors: Kilkenny Francis F. , Galloway Laura F. 
Published: October 2015

Summary

The prediction of invasion patterns may require an understanding of intraspecific differentiation in invasive species and its interaction with climate change. We compare Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) plants from the core (100–150 yr old) and northern margin (< 65 yr old) of their North American invaded range to determine whether evolution during invasion increases the probability of future expansion.

Plants from populations in the core and margin were compared in two sites beyond the northern range edge to assess their potential to invade novel areas. Data were compared with previous work to assess the effect of latitudinal climate on L. japonica spread. Winter survival in current climates was modeled and projected for future climates to predict future spread.

Margin plants were larger and had 60% greater survival than core plants at sites beyond the northern range edge. Overall, winter survival decreased with increasing latitude and decreasing temperature, and was greater in margin plants than core plants.

Models suggested that greater winter tolerance in margin populations has increased L. japonica's northward spread by 76 km, and that this survival advantage will persist under future climates. These results demonstrate that evolution during invasion may increase spread beyond predictions using increasing global temperatures alone.
Moving from conceptual ambiguity to knowledgeable action: using a critical realist approach to studying moral distress
Authors: Musto Lynn C. , Rodney Patricia A. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractMoral distress is a phenomenon that has been receiving increasing attention in nursing and other health care disciplines. Moral distress is a concept that entered the nursing literature – and subsequently the health care ethics lexicon – in 1984 as a result of the work done by American philosopher and bioethicist Andrew Jameton. Over the past decade, research into moral distress has extended beyond the profession of nursing as other health care disciplines have come to question the impact of moral constraint on individual practitioners, professional practice, and patient outcomes. Along with increased interest in the phenomenon of moral distress have come increasing critiques – critiques that in their essence point to a serious lack of conceptual clarity in the definition, study, and application of the concept. Foundational to gaining conceptual clarity in moral distress in order to develop strategies to prevent and ameliorate the experience is a careful revisiting of the epistemological assumptions underpinning our knowledge and use of the concept of moral distress. It is our contention that the conceptual challenges reveal flaws in the original understanding of moral distress that are based on an epistemological stance that holds a linear conception of cause and effect coupled with a simplistic perspective of ‘constraint’ and ‘agency’. We need a more nuanced approach to our study of moral distress such that our ontological and epistemological stances help us to better appreciate the complexity of moral agents acting in organizational contexts. We believe that critical realism offers such a nuanced approach.
A palaeoscolecid worm from the Burgess Shale
Authors: Smith Martin R. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractPalaeoscolecid worms are a ubiquitous group of Early Palaeozoic ecdysozoans that are curiously lacking in the archetypal Cambrian Lagerstätten, the Burgess Shale. Here I describeScathascolex minorgen. et sp. nov, the first unequivocal palaeoscolecid from this site.Scathascolexis armoured with simpleHadimopanella‐like plates, but lacks smaller platelets, pointing to a close affinity with the Palaeoscolecidasensu stricto. Neither preservational nor environmental factors account for the scarcity of palaeoscolecids in the Burgess Shale, which presumably represents an ecological phenomenon.
The Effect of Private Police on Crime: Evidence from a Geographic Regression Discontinuity Design
Authors: MacDonald John M. , Klick Jonathan , Grunwald Ben 
Published: October 2015

SummaryResearch demonstrates that police reduce crime. We study this question by using a natural experiment in which a private university increased the number of police patrols within an arbitrarily defined geographic boundary. Capitalizing on the discontinuity in patrols at the boundary, we estimate that the extra police decreased crime in adjacent city blocks by 43–73%. Our results are consistent with findings from prior work that used other kinds of natural experiment. The paper demonstrates the utility of the geographic regression discontinuity design for estimating the effects of extra public or private services on a variety of outcomes.
Gibberellic acid signaling is required for ambient temperature‐mediated induction of flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Galvão Vinicius Costa , Collani Silvio , Horrer Daniel , Schmid Markus 
Published: October 2015

SummaryDistinct molecular mechanisms integrate changes in ambient temperature into the genetic pathways that govern flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana. Temperature‐dependent eviction of the histone variant H2A.Z from nucleosomes has been suggested to facilitate the expression of FT by PIF4 at elevated ambient temperatures. Here we show that, in addition to PIF4, PIF3 and PIF5, but not PIF1 and PIF6, can promote flowering when expressed specifically in phloem companion cells (PCC), where they can induce FT and its close paralog, TSF. However, despite their strong potential to promote flowering, genetic analyses suggest that the PIF genes seem to have only a minor role in adjusting flowering in response to photoperiod or high ambient temperature. In addition, loss of PIF function only partially suppressed the early flowering phenotype and FT expression of the arp6 mutant, which is defective in H2A.Z deposition. In contrast, the chemical inhibition of gibberellic acid (GA) biosynthesis resulted in a strong attenuation of early flowering and FT expression in arp6. Furthermore, GA was able to induce flowering at low temperature (15°C) independently of FT, TSF, and the PIF genes, probably directly at the shoot apical meristem. Together, our results suggest that the timing of the floral transition in response to ambient temperature is more complex than previously thought and that GA signaling might play a crucial role in this process.
Characteristics of renal sympathetic nerve single units in rabbits with angiotensin‐induced hypertension
Authors: Burke Sandra L. , Lukoshkova Elena V. , Head Geoffrey A. 
Published: October 2015

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
Is the elevated whole renal nerve activity observed with chronic low‐dose angiotensin the result of recruitment or changes in firing frequency of renal neurons?

What is the main finding and its importance?
Resting firing frequency of renal neurons is lower with low‐dose angiotensin, but cardiac rhythmicity is reduced by high‐dose angiotensin. Unitary responses to baroreceptor stimulation are reduced, but there is greater sensitivity of central chemoreceptor pathways. Elevated nerve activity in conscious animals is the result of recruitment of individual neurons normally silent but available for recruitment during physiological challenge.

We examined the effect of chronic angiotensin (Ang II)‐induced hypertension on activity of postganglionic renal sympathetic units to determine whether altered whole renal nerve activity is due to recruitment or changes in firing frequency. Rabbits were treated with a low (20 ng kg−1 min−1, 8 weeks) or high dose (50 ng kg−1 min−1, 4 weeks) of Ang II before the experiment under chloralose–urethane anaesthesia. Spontaneously active units were detected from multiunit recordings using an algorithm that separated units by action potential shape using templates that matched spikes within a prescribed standard deviation. Multiunit sympathetic nerve activity was 40% higher in rabbits treated with low‐dose Ang II than in sham (P = 0.012) but not different in high‐dose Ang II. Resting firing frequency was similar in sham rabbits (1.00 ± 0.09 spikes s−1, n = 144) and in those treated with high‐dose Ang II (1.10 ± 0.08 spikes s−1, n = 112) but was lower with low‐dose Ang II (0.65 ± 0.08 spikes s−1, n = 149, P < 0.05). Unit firing rhythmicity was linked to the cardiac cycle and was similar in sham and low‐dose Ang II groups but 29–32% lower in rabbits treated with high‐dose Ang II (P < 0.001). Cardiac linkage followed a similar pattern during hypoxia. All units showed baroreceptor dependency. Baroreflex gain and range were reduced and curves shifted to the right in Ang II groups. Firing frequency during hypoxia increased by +39% in low‐dose Ang II and +82% in shams, but the greatest increase was in the high‐dose Ang II group (+103%, Pdose = 0.001). Responses to hypercapnia were similar in all groups. Increases in sympathetic outflow in hypertension caused by low‐dose chronic Ang II administration are due to recruitment of neurons, but high‐dose Ang II increases firing frequency in response to chemoreceptor stimuli independently of the arterial baroreceptors.
Simultaneous 3D–2D image registration and C‐arm calibration: Application to endovascular image‐guided interventions
Authors: Mitrović Uroš , Pernuš Franjo , Likar Boštjan , Špiclin Žiga 
Published: October 2015

Purpose:Three‐dimensional to two‐dimensional (3D–2D) image registration is a key to fusion and simultaneous visualization of valuable information contained in 3D pre‐interventional and 2D intra‐interventional images with the final goal of image guidance of a procedure. In this paper, the authors focus on 3D–2D image registration within the context of intracranial endovascular image‐guided interventions (EIGIs), where the 3D and 2D images are generally acquired with the same C‐arm system. The accuracy and robustness of any 3D–2D registration method, to be used in a clinical setting, is influenced by (1) the method itself, (2) uncertainty of initial pose of the 3D image from which registration starts, (3) uncertainty of C‐arm's geometry and pose, and (4) the number of 2D intra‐interventional images used for registration, which is generally one and at most two. The study of these influences requires rigorous and objective validation of any 3D–2D registration method against a highly accurate reference or “gold standard” registration, performed on clinical image datasets acquired in the context of the intervention.Methods:The registration process is split into two sequential, i.e., initial and final, registration stages. The initial stage is either machine‐based or template matching. The latter aims to reduce possibly large in‐plane translation errors by matching a projection of the 3D vessel model and 2D image. In the final registration stage, four state‐of‐the‐art intrinsic image‐based 3D–2D registration methods, which involve simultaneous refinement of rigid‐body and C‐arm parameters, are evaluated. For objective validation, the authors acquired an image database of 15 patients undergoing cerebral EIGI, for which accurate gold standard registrations were established by fiducial marker coregistration.Results:Based on target registration error, the obtained success rates of 3D to a single 2D image registration after initial machine‐based and template matching and final registration involving C‐arm calibration were 36%, 73%, and 93%, respectively, while registration accuracy of 0.59 mm was the best after final registration. By compensating in‐plane translation errors by initial template matching, the success rates achieved after the final stage improved consistently for all methods, especially if C‐arm calibration was performed simultaneously with the 3D–2D image registration.Conclusions:Because the tested methods perform simultaneous C‐arm calibration and 3D–2D registration based solely on anatomical information, they have a high potential for automation and thus for an immediate integration into current interventional workflow. One of the authors’ main contributions is also comprehensive and representative validation performed under realistic conditions as encountered during cerebral EIGI.
Collision prediction software for radiotherapy treatments
Authors: Padilla Laura , Pearson Erik A. , Pelizzari Charles A. 
Published: October 2015

Purpose:This work presents a method of collision predictions for external beam radiotherapy using surface imaging. The present methodology focuses on collision prediction during treatment simulation to evaluate the clearance of a patient's treatment position and allow for its modification if necessary.Methods:A Kinect camera (Microsoft, Redmond, WA) is used to scan the patient and immobilization devices in the treatment position at the simulator. The surface is reconstructed using the skanect software (Occipital, Inc., San Francisco, CA). The treatment isocenter is marked using simulated orthogonal lasers projected on the surface scan. The point cloud of this surface is then shifted to isocenter and converted from Cartesian to cylindrical coordinates. A slab models the treatment couch. A cylinder with a radius equal to the normal distance from isocenter to the collimator plate, and a height defined by the collimator diameter is used to estimate collisions. Points within the cylinder clear through a full gantry rotation with the treatment couch at 0°, while points outside of it collide. The angles of collision are reported. This methodology was experimentally verified using a mannequin positioned in an alpha cradle with both arms up. A planning CT scan of the mannequin was performed, two isocenters were marked in pinnacle, and this information was exported to AlignRT (VisionRT, London, UK)—a surface imaging system for patient positioning. This was used to ensure accurate positioning of the mannequin in the treatment room, when available. Collision calculations were performed for the two treatment isocenters and the results compared to the collisions detected the room. The accuracy of the Kinect‐Skanect surface was evaluated by comparing it to the external surface of the planning CT scan.Results:Experimental verification results showed that the predicted angles of collision matched those recorded in the room within 0.5°, in most cases (largest deviation −1.2°). The accuracy study for the Kinect‐Skanect surface showed an average discrepancy between the CT external contour and the surface scan of 2.2 mm.Conclusions:This methodology provides fast and reliable collision predictions using surface imaging. The use of the Kinect‐Skanect system allows for a comprehensive modeling of the patient topography including all the relevant anatomy and immobilization devices that may lead to collisions. The use of this tool at the treatment simulation stage may allow therapists to evaluate the clearance of a patient's treatment position and optimize it before the planning CT scan is performed. This can allow for safer treatments for the patients due to better collision predictions and improved clinical workflow by minimizing replanning and resimulations due to unforeseen clearance issues.
The development and verification of a highly accurate collision prediction model for automated noncoplanar plan delivery
Authors: Yu Victoria Y. , Tran Angelia , Nguyen Dan , Cao Minsong , Ruan Dan , Low Daniel A. , Sheng Ke 
Published: October 2015

Purpose:Significant dosimetric benefits had been previously demonstrated in highly noncoplanar treatment plans. In this study, the authors developed and verified an individualized collision model for the purpose of delivering highly noncoplanar radiotherapy and tested the feasibility of total delivery automation with Varian TrueBeam developer mode.Methods:A hand‐held 3D scanner was used to capture the surfaces of an anthropomorphic phantom and a human subject, which were positioned with a computer‐aided design model of a TrueBeam machine to create a detailed virtual geometrical collision model. The collision model included gantry, collimator, and couch motion degrees of freedom. The accuracy of the 3D scanner was validated by scanning a rigid cubical phantom with known dimensions. The collision model was then validated by generating 300 linear accelerator orientations corresponding to 300 gantry‐to‐couch and gantry‐to‐phantom distances, and comparing the corresponding distance measurements to their corresponding models. The linear accelerator orientations reflected uniformly sampled noncoplanar beam angles to the head, lung, and prostate. The distance discrepancies between measurements on the physical and virtual systems were used to estimate treatment‐site‐specific safety buffer distances with 0.1%, 0.01%, and 0.001% probability of collision between the gantry and couch or phantom. Plans containing 20 noncoplanar beams to the brain, lung, and prostate optimized via an in‐house noncoplanar radiotherapy platform were converted into XML script for automated delivery and the entire delivery was recorded and timed to demonstrate the feasibility of automated delivery.Results:The 3D scanner measured the dimension of the 14 cm cubic phantom within 0.5 mm. The maximal absolute discrepancy between machine and model measurements for gantry‐to‐couch and gantry‐to‐phantom was 0.95 and 2.97 cm, respectively. The reduced accuracy of gantry‐to‐phantom measurements was attributed to phantom setup errors due to the slightly deformable and flexible phantom extremities. The estimated site‐specific safety buffer distance with 0.001% probability of collision for (gantry‐to‐couch, gantry‐to‐phantom) was (1.23 cm, 3.35 cm), (1.01 cm, 3.99 cm), and (2.19 cm, 5.73 cm) for treatment to the head, lung, and prostate, respectively. Automated delivery to all three treatment sites was completed in 15 min and collision free using a digital Linac.Conclusions:An individualized collision prediction model for the purpose of noncoplanar beam delivery was developed and verified. With the model, the study has demonstrated the feasibility of predicting deliverable beams for an individual patient and then guiding fully automated noncoplanar treatment delivery. This work motivates development of clinical workflows and quality assurance procedures to allow more extensive use and automation of noncoplanar beam geometries.
Evaluation of the New BD Max GC Real-Time PCR Assay, Analytically and Clinically as a Supplementary Test for the BD ProbeTec GC Qx Amplified DNA Assay, for Molecular Detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Golparian Daniel , Boräng Stina , Sundqvist Martin , Unemo Magnus 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT

The new BD Max GC real-time PCR assay showed high clinical and analytical sensitivity and specificity. It can be an effective and accurate supplementary test for the BD ProbeTec GC Qx amplified DNA assay, which had suboptimal specificity, and might also be used for initial detection of
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
.
Recognition of Streptococcuspseudoporcinus Colonization in Women as a Consequence of Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry for Group B Streptococcus Identification
Authors: Suwantarat Nuntra , Grundy Maureen , Rubin Mayer , Harris Renee , Miller Jo-Anne , Romagnoli Mark , Hanlon Ann , Tekle Tsigereda , Ellis Brandon C. , Witter Frank R. , Carroll Karen C. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT

During a 14-month period of using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for group B streptococcus (GBS) identification, we recovered 32 (1%)
Streptococcus
pseudoporcinus
isolates from 3,276 GBS screening cultures from female genital sources (25 isolates from pregnant women and 7 from nonpregnant women). An additional two
S. pseudoporcinus
isolates were identified from a urine culture and a posthysterectomy wound culture. These isolates were found to cross-react with three different GBS antigen agglutination kits, PathoDx (Remel) (93%), Prolex (Pro-Lab Diagnostics) (38%), and Streptex (Remel) (53%). New approaches to bacterial identification in routine clinical microbiology laboratories may affect the prevalence of
S. pseudoporcinus
.