bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wound‐healing effect of acupuncture for treating phonotraumatic vocal pathologies: A cytokine study
Authors: Yiu Edwin M. L. , Chan Karen M. K. , Li Nicole Y. K. , Tsang Raymond , Abbott Katherine Verdolini , Kwong Elaine , Ma Estella P. M. , Tse Fred W. , Lin Zhixiu 
Published: July 2015

Objectives/HypothesisAcupuncture is a less‐invasive procedure when compared with surgical treatment for benign vocal pathologies caused by vocal overuse. This study aimed to determine the wound‐healing effect of acupuncture in treating phonotraumatic vocal fold lesions.Study DesignTwo‐way, mixed‐model, between‐ and within‐subjects, prospective randomized, placebo‐controlled, blinded group design.MethodsSeventeen dysphonic individuals with vocal nodules were recruited from a university clinic in Hong Kong. Each participant was randomly assigned to receive one session of either genuine or sham acupuncture. The genuine acupuncture group (n = 9) received needles puncturing nine voice‐related acupoints for 30 minutes, whereas the sham acupuncture group (n = 8) received blunted needles stimulating the skin surface of the nine acupoints for the same frequency and duration. Laryngeal secretions were suctioned from the surface of the vocal folds immediately before, immediately after, and 24 hours after the acupuncture. The protein concentration levels of wound‐healing–related cytokines (interleukin [IL]‐1β and IL‐10) in these secretion samples were measured.ResultsFollowing acupuncture, a significant increase in the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 was found in the genuine acupuncture group (n = 9) but not in the sham acupuncture group (n = 8).ConclusionsThe findings showed that acupuncture of voice‐related acupoints facilitated an anti‐inflammatory process in phonotraumatic vocal pathologies. This could be considered as supporting evidence to consider acupuncture as a less‐invasive alternative option, when compared to surgery, for treating phonotraumatic vocal pathologies.Level of Evidence1b Laryngoscope, 126:E18–E22, 2016
Dynamic multi‐coil tailored excitation for transmit B1 correction at 7 Tesla
Authors: Umesh Rudrapatna S. , Juchem Christoph , Nixon Terence W. , de Graaf Robin A. 
Published: July 2015

PurposeTailored excitation (TEx) based on interspersing multiple radio frequency pulses with linear gradient and higher‐order shim pulses can be used to obtain uniform flip angle in the presence of large radio frequency transmission (B
) inhomogeneity. Here, an implementation of dynamic, multislice tailored excitation using the recently developed multi‐coil nonlinear shim hardware (MC‐DTEx) is reported.MethodsMC‐DTEx was developed and tested both in a phantom and in vivo at 7 T, and its efficacy was quantitatively assessed. Predicted outcomes of MC‐DTEx and DTEx based on spherical harmonic shims (SH‐DTEx) were also compared.ResultsFor a planned 30
flip angle, in a phantom, the standard deviation in excitation improved from 28% (regular excitation) to 12% with MC‐DTEx. The SD in in vivo excitation improved from 22 to 12%. The improvements achieved with experimental MC‐DTEx closely matched the theoretical predictions. Simulations further showed that MC‐DTEx outperforms SH‐DTEx for both scenarios.ConclusionSuccessful implementation of multislice MC‐DTEx is presented and is shown to be capable of homogenizing excitation over more than twofold B
variations. Its benefits over SH‐DTEx are also demonstrated. A distinct advantage of MC hardware over SH shim hardware is the absence of significant eddy current effects, which allows for a straightforward, multislice implementation of MC‐DTEx. Magn Reson Med 76:83–93, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interventions to decrease pain and anxiety in patients undergoing urodynamic testing: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Solomon Ellen R. , Ridgeway Beri 
Published: July 2015

AimsTo determine if music (at 60 beats/min) or watching a pre‐procedure educational video decreases pain and anxiety in women undergoing multichannel urodynamic testing compared to usual care.MethodsWomen undergoing multichannel urodynamic testing at a tertiary care center were randomized to one of three groups: usual care (UC), music (M), in which music was played throughout the urodynamic test, or video (V), in which subjects watched an informational video on the procedure prior to undergoing the test. Visual analog scales (VAS) were used to measure patient's pain and anxiety before and after the test. Demographic information was obtained and five‐item Likert questionnaires were given to assess information seeking behavior, preparedness, embarrassment, and privacy.Results98 subjects were included in this analysis. In the overall group, mean perceived pain on the pre‐test VAS was significantly higher than the post‐test VAS with pre‐test mean (SD) 47(±30) and post‐test mean (SD) 26(±23), P = 0.0001. Overall the anxiety pre‐test VAS was significantly greater than post‐test VAS with pre‐test mean (SD) 46.9(±29) and post‐test mean 17.9(±18), P = 0.0001. There were no differences in pain and anxiety scores between the two intervention groups and usual care. Patients who were randomized to usual care or the video arm felt more prepared for the test compared to patients who were randomized to the music arm, with (mean ± SD): usual care (42 ± 8), video (43 ± 9), music (37 ± 11), P = 0.002.ConclusionsMusic and an educational video do not decrease pain or anxiety in subjects undergoing multichannel urodynamics compared to usual care. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:975–979, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Revealing structure formation in PCPDTBT by optical spectroscopy
Authors: Scharsich Christina , Fischer Florian S. U. , Wilma Kevin , Hildner Richard , Ludwigs Sabine , Köhler Anna 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTThe low‐bandgap polymer poly{[4,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐cyclopenta‐(2,1‐b;3,4‐b′)dithiophen]‐2,6‐diyl‐alt‐(2,1,3‐benzo‐thiadiazole)−4,7‐diyl} (PCPDTBT) is widely used for organic solar cell applications. Here, we present a comprehensive study of the optical properties as a function of temperature for PCPDTBT in solution and in thin films with two distinct morphologies. Using absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy as well as Franck‐Condon analyses, we show that PCPDTBT in solution undergoes a phase transformation at 300 K from a disordered to a truly aggregated state on cooling. The saturation value of aggregates in solution is reached in PCPDTBT thin films at any temperature. In addition, we demonstrate that the photophysical properties of the aggregates in films are similar to those in solution and that a low percentage of thermally activated excimer states is present in the films at temperatures above 200 K. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 1416–1430
A Longitudinal Study of Predictors of Sexual Dysfunction in Men on Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Pearce Shane M. , Wang Chi-Hsiung E. , Victorson David E. , Helfand Brian T. , Novakovic Kristian R. , Brendler Charles B. , Albaugh Jeffrey A. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Aim
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between sexual dysfunction, repeat biopsies and other demographic and clinical factors in men on active surveillance (AS).

Methods
Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) measures were administered at enrollment and every 6 months to assess quality of life (QOL), psychosocial and urological health outcomes. Using mixed-effects models, we examined the impact of repeat biopsies, total number of cores taken, anxiety, age, and comorbidity on sexual function over the first 24 months of enrolling in AS.

Main Outcome Measures
PROs included the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite-26 (EPIC-26) Sexual Function (SF) subscale, the American Urological Association-Symptom Index (AUA-SI), and the Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer (MAX-PC).

Results
At enrollment (n = 195), mean age was 66.5 ± 6.8 with a mean EPIC-26 SF score of 61.4 ± 30.4. EPIC-26 SF scores steadily decreased to 53.9 ± 30.7 at 24 months (P &lt; 0.01). MAX-PC scores also progressively decreased over time (P = 0.03). Factors associated with lower EPIC-26 scores over time included age, unemployed status, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and hypertension (all P &lt; 0.05). Higher prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was associated with a more rapid decline in EPIC-26 SF over time (P = 0.03). In multivariable analysis, age, diabetes, and PSA × time interaction remained significant predictors of diminished sexual function. Anxiety, number of biopsies, and total cores taken did not predict sexual dysfunction or change over time in our cohort.

Conclusions
Men on AS experienced a gradual decline in sexual function during the first 24 months of enrollment. Older age, PSA × time, and diabetes were all independent predictors of diminished sexual function over time. Anxiety, AUA-SI, the number of cores and the number of biopsies were not predictors of reduced sexual function in men in AS.
New genera and species of Ostracoda from the Maastrichtian and Danian of the Neuquén Basin, Argentina
Authors: Ceolin Daiane , Whatley Robin , Fauth Gerson , Concheyro Andrea 
Published: July 2015

AbstractA total of 113 species belonging to 54 genera are recovered from a study of the Maastrichtian and Danian deposits in the Cerro Azul section of the Neuquén Basin, west‐central Argentina. Of these, 9 new genera, 38 new species and 28 species in open nomenclature are recorded. These form the basis of the present study and are listed below. Genera: Phelocyprideis gen. nov., Aleisocythereis gen. nov., Apatoleberis gen. nov., Mimicocythereis gen. nov., Castillocythereis gen. nov., Hysterocythereis gen. nov., Orthrocosta gen. nov., Petalocythereis gen. nov. and Sthenarocythereis gen. nov. Species: Cytherella saraballentae sp. nov., Cytherella semicatillus sp. nov., Paracypris bertelsae sp. nov., Paracypris imaguncula sp. nov., Argilloecia abnormalis sp. nov., Argilloecia concludus sp. nov., Argilloecia hydrodynamicus sp. nov., Bythoceratina cheleutos sp. nov., Phelocyprideis acardomesido sp. nov., Eucythere dinetos sp. nov., Krithe crepidus sp. nov., Cytheropteron hyperdictyon sp. nov., Cytheropteron bidentinos sp. nov., Cytheropteron translimitares sp. nov., Aversovalva glochinos sp. nov., Eucytherura stibaros sp. nov., Hemingwayella verrucosus sp. nov., Heinia prostratopleuricos sp. nov., Loxoconcha (s.l.) posterocosta sp. nov., Keijia circulodictyon sp. nov., Keijia kratistos sp. nov., Paramunseyella epaphroditus sp. nov., Munseyella costaevermiculatus sp. nov., Ameghinocythere archaios sp. nov., Aleisocythereis polikothonus sp. nov., Castillocythereis multicastrum sp. nov., Castillocythereis albertoriccardii sp. nov., Cythereis stratios sp. nov., Cythereis clibanarius sp. nov., Cythereis trajectiones sp. nov., Henryhowella (Wichmannella) praealtus sp. nov., Hysterocythereis paredros sp. nov., Hysterocythereis coinotes sp. nov., Hysterocythereis diversotuberculatus sp. nov., Orthrocosta decores sp. nov., Orthrocosta atopos sp. nov., Orthrocosta phantasia sp. nov. and Sthenarocythereis erymnos sp. nov. The nature of the fauna and aspects of its evolution are discussed.
Accelerating worst case execution time analysis of timed automata models with cyclic behaviour
Authors: Al-Bataineh Omar , Reynolds Mark , French Tim 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
The paper presents a new efficient algorithm for computing worst case execution time (WCET) of systems modelled as timed automata (TA). The algorithm uses a set of abstraction techniques that improve significantly the efficiency of WCET analysis of TA models with cyclic behaviour. We show that the proposed abstractions are exact with respect to the WCET problem in the sense that the WCET computed in the abstract model is equal to the one computed in the concrete model. We also compare our algorithm with the one implemented in the model checker UPPAAL which shows that when infinite cycles exist (i.e. cycles that can be run infinitely often), UPPAAL’s algorithm may not terminate, and when largely repetitive finite cycles exist (i.e. cycles that can be run a large number of times but finite), UPPAAL’s algorithm suffers from the state space explosion, thus leading to a low efficiency or resource exhaustion.
Radiology on Board the PLA(N) Peace Ark Hospital Ship During a Humanitarian Medical Relief Mission to the Philippines
Authors: Ren Ai-Jun , Sun Tao , Wang Hai-Wei , Ge He-Quan , Ye Hong-Jun 
Published: July 2015

AbstractObjectiveFrom November 24 to December 10, 2013, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy [PLA(N)] hospital ship Peace Ark was deployed to the Leyte Gulf in the Philippines to provide humanitarian medical relief in Tacloban after Typhoon Haiyan. The purpose of this study was to assess the radiological services aboard the ship to provide guidance for future missions.MethodsA retrospective review was performed on a cohort of 109 patients who underwent digital radiography (DR) and 59 patients who underwent computed tomography (CT) scans during a 16-day period during a humanitarian medical relief mission to the Philippines. Patient demographics, DR findings, and CT findings were analyzed.ResultsThe mean age of the 109 DR patients was 39.7 years for the 64 males and 43.7 years for the 45 females. A total of 148 DR examinations were performed of the chest (n=109), extremities (n=35), and spine (n=4). The mean age of the 59 CT patients was 43.8 years for the 32 males and 49.1 years for the 27 females. A total of 72 CT scans were performed of the head and neck (n=36), thorax (n=24), abdomen (n=5), spine (n=4), and extremities (n=3). The imaging findings mainly included disaster-related and non-disaster-related fractures, pulmonary tuberculosis, pulmonary infection, acute brain infarction, intracranial hematoma, and occupying lesions.ConclusionAnalysis of radiological services during a humanitarian medical relief mission to the Philippines provided meaningful information for future humanitarian medical relief missions. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:16–19)
Turbulent convective flows in the solar photospheric plasma
Authors: Caroli A. , Giannattasio F. , Fanfoni M. , Del Moro D. , Consolini G. , Berrilli F. 
Published: July 2015

The origin of the 22-year solar magnetic cycle lies below the photosphere where multiscale plasma motions, due to turbulent convection, produce magnetic fields. The most powerful intensity and velocity signals are associated with convection cells, called granules, with a scale of typically 1 Mm and a lifetime of a few minutes. Small-scale magnetic elements (SMEs), ubiquitous on the solar photosphere, are passively transported by associated plasma flows. This advection makes their traces very suitable for defining the convective regime of the photosphere. Therefore the solar photosphere offers an exceptional opportunity to investigate convective motions, associated with compressible, stratified, magnetic, rotating and large Rayleigh number stellar plasmas. The magnetograms used here come from a Hinode/SOT uninterrupted 25-hour sequence of spectropolarimetric images. The mean-square displacement of SMEs has been modelled with a power law with spectral index ${\it\gamma}$. We found ${\it\gamma}=1.34\pm 0.02$ for times up to ${\sim}2000~\text{s}$ and ${\it\gamma}=1.20\pm 0.05$ for times up to ${\sim}10\,000~\text{s}$. An alternative way to investigate the advective–diffusive motion of SMEs is to look at the evolution of the two-dimensional probability distribution function (PDF) for the displacements. Although at very short time scales the PDFs are affected by pixel resolution, for times shorter than ${\sim}2000~\text{s}$ the PDFs seem to broaden symmetrically with time. In contrast, at longer times a multi-peaked feature of the PDFs emerges, which suggests the non-trivial nature of the diffusion–advection process of magnetic elements. A Voronoi distribution analysis shows that the observed small-scale distribution of SMEs involves the complex details of highly nonlinear small-scale interactions of turbulent convective flows detected in solar photospheric plasma.
From Reluctance to Acquiescence: The Evolving Attitude of African States Towards Judicial and Arbitral Settlement of Disputes
Authors: YUSUF ABDULQAWI A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe attitude of African states towards judicial and arbitral settlement of disputes has substantially evolved since their accession to independence. The original reluctance to resort to the judicial settlement of disputes was due to a lack of trust in the system of ‘international law’ from which they were excluded prior to the UN Charter era and the rules of which were sometimes used to justify their colonization. There was also the issue of under-representation in international judicial or arbitral organs. That initial reluctance has more recently evolved into acquiescence at the universal level. Judicial institutions are also being established by the African states themselves.
Multiplexed TEM Specimen Preparation and Analysis of Plasmonic Nanoparticles
Authors: Mulligan Sėan K. , Speir Jeffrey A. , Razinkov Ivan , Cheng Anchi , Crum John , Jain Tilak , Duggan Erika , Liu Er , Nolan John P. , Carragher Bridget , Potter Clinton S. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWe describe a system for rapidly screening hundreds of nanoparticle samples using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The system uses a liquid handling robot to place up to 96 individual samples onto a single standard TEM grid at separate locations. The grid is then transferred into the TEM and automated software is used to acquire multiscale images of each sample. The images are then analyzed to extract metrics on the size, shape, and morphology of the nanoparticles. The system has been used to characterize plasmonically active nanomaterials.
High-performance n-type black phosphorus transistors with type control via thickness and contact-metal engineering
Authors: Perello David J. , Chae Sang Hoon , Song Seunghyun , Lee Young Hee 
Published: July 2015

AbstractRecent work has demonstrated excellent p-type field-effect switching in exfoliated black phosphorus, but type control has remained elusive. Here, we report unipolar n-type black phosphorus transistors with switching polarity control via contact-metal engineering and flake thickness, combined with oxygen and moisture-free fabrication. With aluminium contacts to black phosphorus, a unipolar to ambipolar transition occurs as flake thickness increases from 3 to 13 nm. The 13-nm aluminium-contacted flake displays graphene-like symmetric hole and electron mobilities up to 950 cm2 V−1 s−1 at 300 K, while a 3 nm flake displays unipolar n-type switching with on/off ratios greater than 105 (107) and electron mobility of 275 (630) cm2 V−1 s−1 at 300 K (80 K). For palladium contacts, p-type behaviour dominates in thick flakes, while 2.5–7 nm flakes have symmetric ambipolar transport. These results demonstrate a leap in n-type performance and exemplify the logical switching capabilities of black phosphorus.
Flow-driven assembly of VWF fibres and webs in in vitro microvessels
Authors: Zheng Ying , Chen Junmei , López José A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractSeveral systemic diseases, including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, manifest much of their pathology through activation of endothelium and thrombotic occlusion of small blood vessels, often leading to multi-organ failure and death. Modelling these diseases is hampered by the complex three-dimensional architecture and flow patterns of the microvasculature. Here, we employ engineered microvessels of complex geometry to examine the pathological responses to endothelial activation. Our most striking finding is the capacity of endothelial-secreted von Willebrand factor (VWF) to assemble into thick bundles or complex meshes, depending on the vessel geometry and flow characteristics. Assembly is greatest in vessels of diameter ≤300 μm, with high shear stress or strong flow acceleration, and with sharp turns. VWF bundles and webs bind platelets, leukocytes and erythrocytes, obstructing blood flow and sometimes shearing passing erythrocytes. Our findings uncover the biophysical requirements for initiating microvascular thrombosis and suggest mechanisms for the onset and progression of microvascular diseases.
First mitochondrial genome for the red crab (Charybdis feriata) with implication of phylogenomics and population genetics
Authors: Ma Hongyu , Ma Chunyan , Li Chenhong , Lu Jianxue , Zou Xiong , Gong Yangyang , Wang Wei , Chen Wei , Ma Lingbo , Xia Lianjun 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIn this study, we first described the complete mitochondrial genome for the red crab (Charybdis feriata), elucidated its phylogenetic relationship among 20 species within Decapoda and estimated the population genetic diversity. The mitochondrial genome was 15,660 bp in size and encoded 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes and two ribosomal RNA genes. The gene arrangement of the mitochondrial genome was the same as that of its sister species, C. japonica. Phylogenomic analysis suggested that genus Charybdis should be classified into subfamily Portuninae but not into subfamily Thalamitinae. Moreover, a total of 33 haplotypes of complete cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene were defined in 70 individuals of C. feriata derived from three localities. Haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity values among three localities indicated a high level of genetic diversity in C. feriata. AMOVA analysis suggested a low level of genetic differentiation among the three localities (FST = 0.0023, P > 0.05). Neutrality tests and mismatch analysis revealed that C. feriata might have undergone a population expansion event that possibly occurred in the last 61,498 to 43,814 years. This study should be helpful to better understand the evolutionary status and population genetic diversity of C. feriata and related species.
Transcriptional profiling of macrophages derived from monocytes and iPS cells identifies a conserved response to LPS and novel alternative transcription
Authors: Alasoo Kaur , Martinez Fernando O. , Hale Christine , Gordon Siamon , Powrie Fiona , Dougan Gordon , Mukhopadhyay Subhankar , Gaffney Daniel J. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractMacrophages differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSDMs) are a potentially valuable new tool for linking genotype to phenotype in functional studies. However, at a genome-wide level these cells have remained largely uncharacterised. Here, we compared the transcriptomes of naïve and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) and IPSDMs using RNA-Seq. The IPSDM and MDM transcriptomes were broadly similar and exhibited a highly conserved response to LPS. However, there were also significant differences in the expression of genes associated with antigen presentation and tissue remodelling. Furthermore, genes coding for multiple chemokines involved in neutrophil recruitment were more highly expressed in IPSDMs upon LPS stimulation. Additionally, analysing individual transcript expression identified hundreds of genes undergoing alternative promoter and 3′ untranslated region usage following LPS treatment representing a previously under-appreciated level of regulation in the LPS response.