bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intrinsic diffusion sensitivity of the balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) imaging sequence
Authors: Bär Sébastien , Weigel Matthias , von Elverfeldt Dominik , Hennig Jürgen , Leupold Jochen 
Published: September 2015

The purpose of this work was to analyze the intrinsic diffusion sensitivity of the balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) imaging sequence, meaning the observation of diffusion‐induced attenuation of the bSSFP steady‐state signal due to the imaging gradients. Although these diffusion effects are usually neglected for most clinical gradient systems, such strong gradient systems are employed for high resolution imaging of small animals or MR Microscopy. The impact on the bSSFP signal of the imaging gradients characterized by their b‐values was analyzed with simulations and experiments at a 7T animal scanner using a gradient system with maximum gradient amplitude of approx. 700 mT/m. It was found that the readout gradients have a stronger impact on the attenuation than the phase encoding gradients. Also, as the PE gradients are varying with each repetition interval, the diffusion effects induce strong modulations of the bSSFP signal over the sequence repetition cycles depending on the phase encoding gradient table.It is shown that a signal gain can be obtained through a change of flip angle as a new optimal flip angle maximizing the signal can be defined. The dependency of the diffusion effects on relaxation times and b‐values were explored with simulations. The attenuation increases with T2. In conclusion, diffusion attenuation of the bSSFP signal becomes significant for high resolution imaging voxel size (roughly < 100 μm) of long T2 substances. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computational studies on two novel energetic nitrogen‐rich compounds based on tetrazolone
Authors: He Piao , Zhang Jian‐Guo , Wang Kun , Yin Xin , Zhang Tong‐Lai 
Published: September 2015

AbstractTwo novel energetic nitrogen‐rich compounds 1,4‐diaminotetrazol‐5‐one (DATO) and 1,4‐dinitrotetrazol‐5‐one (DNTO) were proposed first and studied by quantum chemistry method with B3LYP/6‐31G* level of theory. The optimized geometry, IR predicted spectrum and thermochemical parameters, frontier molecular orbitals and molecular electrostatic potential were calculated for inspecting the electronic structure, molecular stability and chemical reactivity. The important macroscopic properties including density, enthalpy of formation, detonation parameters and impact sensitivity have been predicted as well. As a result, two designed compounds DATO and DNTO possess positive enthalpy of formation (395.79 and 342.77 kJ/mol), impressive detonation parameters (D = 8.80 km/s, P = 33.69 GPa; D = 8.89 km/s, P = 34.98 GPa) superior to the remarkable explosive RDX, acceptable sensitivities and might be promising candidates of energetic materials. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recurrent diaphragmatic hernia: Modifiable and non‐modifiable risk factors
Authors: Al‐Iede Montaha M. , Karpelowsky Jonathan , Fitzgerald Dominic A. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryRationaleThe risk of recurrence of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) in an era of thoracoscopic surgery is unclear.Objectives(1) estimate the incidence and (2) evaluate the perioperative factors associated with the symptomatic recurrence of CDH.MethodsMedical records of CDH infants operated on in the neonatal period at a single‐tertiary hospital between January 2000 and January 2013 were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsOf 119 infants with CDH, 34 (28.6%) were excluded: 17 (14.3%) died without recurrence and 17 (14.3%) presented beyond neonatal period or were followed elsewhere. Of 85 survivors, 71 infants had an open repair and 14 had a thoracoscopic repair. Eleven of 85 survivors (13%) developed a recurrence on average 19.8 weeks (range 15–34) after the initial repair. Of 11 recurrences, 6 had an initial thoracoscopic repair and 5 had an open repair (6/14 [43%] vs. 5/71 [7%]; P = 0.002). Two children had multiple recurrences. Statistically significant associations were found between recurrence and the presence of persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHTN) (P = 0.006), severe PPHTN (P = 0.002), inhaled nitric oxide, or sildenafil use for treatment of PPHTN (P = 0.002), need for perioperative high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) (P = 0.0006), length of hospital stay (LOS) (P = 0.02), duration of ventilation (P = 0.016), and need for home oxygen (P = 0.003). In multivariate regression analysis both the closure type and home oxygen requirement were statistically significant, independent factors predicting a recurrence (P = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively) but the type of surgery (thoracoscopic vs. open) only approached significance (P = 0.052). The recurrence rate for the seven surgeons who performed at least 5 repairs ranged from 7% to 40%.ConclusionsA high survival rate of 85% with a 13% incidence of symptomatic CDH recurrence was demonstrated. Potentially, improved selection of cases for thoracoscopic repair and concentrating the thoracoscopic technique amongst a dedicated team of experienced thoracoscopic surgeons may reduce the rate of recurrence of CDH. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:394–401. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Magnetic properties of hard magnetic (Fe,Cr)3Sn2 intermetallic compound
Authors: Goll D. , Loeffler R. , Herbst J. , Frey C. , Goeb S. , Grubesa T. , Hohs D. , Kopp A. , Pflanz U. , Stein R. , Schneider G. 
Published: September 2015

By high‐throughput screening Fe–Sn–Cr, (Fe,Cr)3Sn2 (Fe53.5Cr6.5Sn40) with high potential as new hard magnetic compound is discovered. To produce the compound in large amounts a special procedure is needed. By quantitative microscopy and magnetometry promising intrinsic properties, Js ∼ 0.9 T, K1 ∼ 1.7 MJ/m3, TC ∼ 612 K, are found with K1 increasing with temperature.
magnified image(© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Circular law for random matrices with exchangeable entries
Authors: Adamczak Radosław , Chafaï Djalil , Wolff Paweł 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAn exchangeable random matrix is a random matrix with distribution invariant under any permutation of the entries. For such random matrices, we show, as the dimension tends to infinity, that the empirical spectral distribution tends to the uniform law on the unit disc. This is an instance of the universality phenomenon known as the circular law, for a model of random matrices with dependent entries, rows, and columns. It is also a non‐Hermitian counterpart of a result of Chatterjee on the semi‐circular law for random Hermitian matrices with exchangeable entries. The proof relies in particular on a reduction to a simpler model given by a random shuffle of a rigid deterministic matrix, on hermitization, and also on combinatorial concentration of measure and combinatorial Central Limit Theorem. A crucial step is a polynomial bound on the smallest singular value of exchangeable random matrices, which may be of independent interest. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 48, 454–479, 2016
Design of provably secure and efficient certificateless blind signature scheme using bilinear pairing
Authors: Islam SK Hafizul , Obaidat Mohammad S. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIn the literature, several pairing‐based blind signature schemes have been put forwarded using identity‐based cryptography. However, the private key escrow problem of these schemes makes them unsuitable in practical environments because the private key generator computes signer private key using signer public identity. Therefore, an untrusted/semitrusted private key generator may perform malicious activity on behalf of the signer. We took the advantage of certificateless public key cryptography and constructed a robust and efficient certificateless blind signature (CL‐BS) scheme using bilinear pairing. Furthermore, the probabilistic map‐to‐point hash function, which requires more computation time than the execution time of an elliptic curve scalar point multiplication, is circumvented in our scheme. We found that our scheme is unlinkable and provably secure against the adaptive chosen message and identity adversaries. From the perspective of computational costs, our scheme is more efficient and secure than other related schemes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PI3K Signaling in Normal B Cells and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Authors: Okkenhaug Klaus , Burger Jan A. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractB cells provide immunity to extracellular pathogens by secreting a diverse repertoire of antibodies with high affinity and specificity for exposed antigens. The B cell receptor (BCR) is a transmembrane antibody, which facilitates the clonal selection of B cells producing secreted antibodies of the same specificity. The diverse antibody repertoire is generated by V(D)J recombination of heavy and light chain genes, whereas affinity maturation is mediated by activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID)-mediated mutagenesis. These processes, which are essential for the generation of adaptive humoral immunity, also render B cells susceptible to chromosomal rearrangements and point mutations that in some cases lead to cancer. In this chapter, we will review the central role of PI3Ks in mediating signals from the B cell receptor that not only facilitate the development of functional B cell repertoire, but also support the growth and survival of neoplastic B cells, focusing on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells. Perhaps because of the central role played by PI3K in BCR signaling, B cell leukemia and lymphomas are the first diseases for which a PI3K inhibitor has been approved for clinical use.
Importance of multi‐dimensional analyses of resource partitioning in highly mobile species assemblages
Authors: Roswag Anna , Becker Nina Inga , Encarnação Jorge André 
Published: September 2015

AbstractResource partitioning is an essential mechanism enabling species coexistence. The resources that are used by an animal are linked to its morphology and ecology. Therefore, similar species should use similar resources. The ecological niche of an individual summarizes all used resources and is therefore composed of several dimensions. Many methods are established to study different dimensions of an animal's niche. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that a combination of suitable methods is needed to study spatial and dietary resource partitioning of sympatric species in detail. We hypothesized that, while each individual method might identify differences between species, the combined results of several methods will lead to a more complete picture of spatial and dietary resource partitioning. As model organisms we chose the sympatric insectivorous bat species Myotis bechsteinii, M. nattereri, and P. auritus. We examined horizontal habitat use by telemetry, vertical habitat use by measuring δ13C, trophic position by measuring δ15N in wing membrane, and diet composition by molecular fecal analysis. Our results show that each method is able to provide information about spatial/dietary resource partitioning. However, considering further dimensions by combining several methods allows a more comprehensive assessment of dietary and spatial resource partitioning in bats.
Structural and functional analysis of a low-temperature-active alkaline esterase from South China Sea marine sediment microbial metagenomic library
Authors: Hu Yongfei , Liu Yinghui , Li Jing , Feng Yanbin , Lu Na , Zhu Baoli , Xue Song 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
A low-temperature-active alkaline esterase, Est12, from a marine sediment metagenomic fosmid library was identified. Est12 prefers short- and middle-chain p-nitrophenol esters as substrate with optimum temperature and pH value of 50 °C and 9.0, respectively, and nearly 50 % of maximum activity retained at 5 °C. The hydrolysis activity of Est12 was stable at 40 °C. Ca2+ especially activated the activity of Est12 to about 151 % of the control. DEPC and PMSF inhibited the activity of Est12 to 34 and 25 %, respectively. In addition, Est12 was more tolerable to methanol compared to other organic solvents tested. The crystal structure of Est12 at 1.39 Å resolution showed that the cap domain which is composed of an α-helix and a flexible region resulted in a relatively wide spectrum of substrate, with p-nitrophenol caproate as the preferred one. Furthermore, the flexible cap domain and the high percentage of Gly, Ser, and Met may play important roles in the adaptation of Est12 to low temperature.
Informatic search strategies to discover analogues and variants of natural product archetypes
Authors: Johnston Chad W , Connaty Alex D , Skinnider Michael A , Li Yong , Grunwald Alyssa , Wyatt Morgan A , Kerr Russell G , Magarvey Nathan A 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
Natural products are a crucial source of antimicrobial agents, but reliance on low-resolution bioactivity-guided approaches has led to diminishing interest in discovery programmes. Here, we demonstrate that two in-house automated informatic platforms can be used to target classes of biologically active natural products, specifically, peptaibols. We demonstrate that mass spectrometry-based informatic approaches can be used to detect natural products with high sensitivity, identifying desired agents present in complex microbial extracts. Using our specialised software packages, we could elaborate specific branches of chemical space, uncovering new variants of trichopolyn and demonstrating a way forward in mining natural products as a valuable source of potential pharmaceutical agents.
Biomarkers of an Autoimmune Skin Disease—Psoriasis
Authors: Jiang Shan , Hinchliffe Taylor E. , Wu Tianfu 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
Psoriasis is one of the most prevalent autoimmune skin diseases. However, its etiology and pathogenesis are still unclear. Over the last decade, omics-based technologies have been extensively utilized for biomarker discovery. As a result, some promising markers for psoriasis have been identified at the genome, transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome level. These discoveries have provided new insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways in psoriasis pathogenesis. More importantly, some of these markers may prove useful in the diagnosis of psoriasis and in the prediction of disease progression once they have been validated. In this review, we summarize the most recent findings in psoriasis biomarker discovery. In addition, we will discuss several emerging technologies and their potential for novel biomarker discovery and diagnostics for psoriasis.
The association between scheduling a gynecologic clinical visit and clinical breast examination in Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Martins Luís Felipe L. , de Almeida Liz Maria , Szklo André S. , Tupinambá Helena A , Szklo Moyses , Coeli Cláudia M. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate factors associated with gynecology health professionals' failure to perform clinical breast examinations (CBEs) during clinical visits.MethodsA cross‐sectional, interview‐based survey was conducted in 2010 among women aged at least 18 years who had undergone a cervical smear in 2007 at primary‐care units in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Binomial regression was used to generate prevalence ratios and absolute differences between visits for routine examinations or gynecologic complaints.ResultsAnalyses included 982 women, of whom 182 (18.5%) did not have a CBE during their visit. Significant interactions were observed between age and primary reason for the visit: the prevalence ratio for no CBE during a visit for gynecologic complaints versus routine examination was 3.2 for women aged at least 40 years, and 1.3 among younger women (P for multiplicative interaction = 0.001). Absolute differences were 6.4% and 18.5% for younger and older women, respectively (P for additive interaction = 0.04).ConclusionA high proportion of eligible women do not undergo a CBE during cervical smear appointments at primary‐care units in Rio de Janeiro, particularly older women presenting with gynecologic complaints. Understanding of health professionals' barriers to following and implementing guidelines for secondary prevention of breast cancer is urgently needed.
Clinical outcomes after fast‐track care in women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy
Authors: Minig Lucas , Chuang Linus , Patrono Maria Guadalupe , Fernandez‐Chereguini María , Cárdenas‐Rebollo Jose M , Biffi Roberto 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and safety of multimodal perioperative care after laparoscopic hysterectomy.MethodsA prospective observational study was performed at Clara Campal Comprehensive Cancer Center, Madrid, Spain, between April 1, 2011, and July 30, 2014, and included women who were scheduled to undergo a laparoscopic hysterectomy. Fast‐track (multimodal) care included provision of full preoperative verbal and written information, intravenous dexamethasone (8 mg) during surgery, removal of the urinary catheter at the end of surgery, and early mobilization and solid food intake. The main outcome was the length of hospital stay.ResultsOverall, 88 patients were included. The median hospital stay was 22.7 hours (range 5–72). Same‐day discharge was feasible in 24 (27%) patients. A total of 51 (58%) women were discharged after overnight stay, 46 (90%) of whom elected to do so because of personal preference. Finally, 13 (15%) patients were discharged at least 36 hours after surgery. Eleven (13%) women visited the emergency unit after discharge and 3 (3%) were readmitted.ConclusionThe perioperative multimodal recovery program is safe and feasible in a selected group of women after an elective laparoscopic hysterectomy.
Comparison of Intracranial Neuroendoscopic Procedures in Children versus Adults
Authors: Girgis Fady , Diaz Roberto , Hader Walter , Hamilton Mark 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackground:The emphasis regarding intracranial neuroendoscopy has been traditionally advocated and focused on the role in pediatric patients, although a significant usage has developed in adult patients. In this study, we examine and contrast the role of predominantly intracranial neuroendoscopy in both a pediatric and adult population with a minimum postprocedure follow-up of 5 years.Methods:A retrospective review was conducted for patients in the two hospitals that manage neurosurgical care for Southern Alberta, Canada, undergoing neuroendoscopic surgery between 1994 and 2008. The pediatric group was defined as age ≤17 years and the adult group as age ≥18 years.Results:A total of 273 patients who underwent a total of 330 procedures with a mean postprocedure follow-up of 12.9 years were identified. There were 161 adult and 112 pediatric patients, and both groups underwent surgery by the same surgeons. The most common procedure was endoscopic third ventriculostomy, accounting for 55% of procedures. One postoperative death occurred in an adult patient. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy success 1-year postprocedure was 81%, with only three late-term failures. Postoperative infection was the most common serious complication (two pediatric/four adult patients). Adult and pediatric patients had similar major complication rates (4.2% vs 5.7%, p=0.547).Conclusions:Neuroendoscopy overall had a similar role in both pediatric and adult neurosurgical populations, with the most commonly associated complication being infection. Neuroendoscopy is an important therapeutic modality in the management of appropriate adult patients.
The Operational and Economic Impact of a Neurovascular Unit in an Acute Care Academic Hospital
Authors: Appel Eva , Hahn-Goldberg Shoshana , Chow Eric , Casaubon Leanne K. , Abrams Howard B. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackground: There is strong evidence that clinical outcomes are improved for stroke patients admitted to specialized Stroke Units. The Toronto Western Hospital (TWH) created a Neurovascular Unit (NVU) using resources from General Internal Medicine, Neurology, and Neurosurgery for patients with stroke and acute neurovascular conditions. Under resource-constrained conditions, the operational and economic impacts of the Neurovascular Unit were unknown. Methods: Retrospective patient-level data was studied from two years prior and one year post NVU implementation. Descriptive statistical analysis and non-parametric testing were conducted on the acute length of stay (LOS), alternate level of care LOS, total cost per bed-day and per visit, and patient flow within each medical service and hospital wide. Results: The median acute LOS per hospitalization for NVU-eligible patients decreased significantly (p=0.001). For Neurology patients, mean acute LOS decreased from 9.1 days pre-Neurovascular Unit to 7.6 days post and median acute LOS decreased from 6 to 5 days (p=0.002); however, mean alternate level of care LOS per visit more than doubled (from 1.6 to 4.1 days, p=0.001). For the Neurology service, the mean cost per visit decreased by $945, representing a 5% reduction (p=0.042) and the mean cost per bed-day decreased by $233, or 12.5% (p=0.026). Hospital wide, a saving of over C$450 000 was achieved. Conclusions: During the first year of operation, the NVU at TWH achieved decreased acute LOS per visit and lowered the total hospitalization cost per year for NVU-eligible patients. Addressing the issue of increased alternate level of care LOS could result in additional efficiencies.
COGNITIVE DIVERSITY, BINARY DECISIONS, AND EPISTEMIC DEMOCRACY
Authors: Weymark John A. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTIn Democratic Reason, Hélène Landemore has built a case for the epistemic virtues of inclusive deliberative democracy based on the cognitive diversity of the group engaged in making collective decisions. She supports her thesis by appealing to the Diversity Trumps Ability Theorem of Lu Hong and Scott Page. This theorem is quite technical and the informal statements of it aimed at democratic theorists are inaccurate, which has resulted in some misguided critiques of the theorem's applicability to democratic politics. This paper provides an exposition of the Diversity Trumps Ability Theorem that does not sacrifice precision for accessibility. It also shows that it is not possible to satisfy the assumptions of this theorem when there are only two options. Thus, the Diversity Trumps Ability Theorem cannot provide support for the epistemic virtues of inclusive democratic deliberation for binary collective decisions.
EPISTEMIC AUTHORITY, PREEMPTIVE REASONS, AND UNDERSTANDING
Authors: Jäger Christoph 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTOne of the key tenets of Linda Zagzebski's bookEpistemic Authority: A Theory of Trust, Authority, and Autonomy in Belief(2012) is the “Preemption Thesis for epistemic authority.” It says that, when an agent realizes that an epistemic authority believes that p, the epistemically rational response for her is to adopt the authority's belief and to replace all of her previous reasons relevant to whether p by the reason that the authority believes that p. I argue that such a “Hobbesian approach” to epistemic authority yields problematic results. This becomes especially virulent when we apply Preemption to cases in which the agent and the authority share their belief (same-belief cases), or in which both have either a positive or a negative graded doxastic attitude toward a given proposition. As an alternative I propose what I call a “Socratic approach,” according to which epistemic authorities will not only motivate us to adopt their beliefs, but also provide us with higher-order reasons for re-assigning our own considerations their proper place in the web of reasons for and against the view in question, thereby fostering our overall understanding of the topic.