bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Doppler‐Detected Valve Movement in Aortic Stenosis: A Predictor of Adverse Outcome
Authors: Ren Xiushui , Banki Nader M. , Shaw Richard E. , McNulty Edward J. , Williams Sherry C. , Pencina Michael , Schiller Nelson B. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe absence of auscultatory aortic valve closure sound is associated with severe aortic stenosis. The absence of Doppler‐derived aortic opening (Aop) or closing (Acl) may be a sign of advanced severe aortic stenosis.HypothesisAbsent Doppler‐detected Aop or Acl transient is indicative of very severe aortic stenosis and is associated with adverse outcome.MethodsA total of 118 consecutive patients with moderate (n = 63) or severe aortic stenosis (n = 55) were included. Aop and Acl signals were identified in a blinded fashion by continuous‐wave Doppler. Patients with and without Aop and Acl were compared using χ2 test for dichotomous variables and analysis of variance for continuous variables. The associations of Aop and Acl with aortic valve replacement were determined.ResultsAop or Acl were absent in 22 of 118 patients. The absence of Aop or Acl was associated with echocardiographic parameters of severe aortic stenosis. The absence of Aop or Acl was associated with incident aortic valve replacement (36.4% vs 7.3%, respectively, P < 0.001). Even in patients with aortic valve area <1 cm2, the absence of Aop or Acl was still associated with increased rate of aortic valve replacement (42.1% vs 13.9%, respectively, P = 0.019) and provided incremental predictive value over peak velocity.ConclusionsIn a typical population of patients with aortic stenosis, approximately 1 in 6 has no detectible aortic valve opening or closing Doppler signal. The absence of an Aop or Acl signal is a highly specific sign of severe aortic stenosis and is associated with incident aortic valve replacement.
Coronary Arterial Development: A Review of Normal and Congenitally Anomalous Patterns
Authors: Lluri Gentian , Aboulhosn Jamil 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTCoronary artery development is a delicate, complex, and finely tuned process that includes multiple interactions among many pathways, especially in the pericardium and the developing myocardium. There still exists some controversy on the exact origin of certain cellular components. Nevertheless, an understanding of this extremely important developmental process is paramount in identifying some of the causes of anomalous coronary development. There are different patterns of anomalous coronary arteries, with variable risk of myocardial ischemia, malignant arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. These anomalies can be broadly categorized into 2 basic anatomic subsets: those with origin of the anomalous coronary artery from the opposite aortic sinus, and those with origin of the anomalous coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. Diagnosis and management of such patterns continues to be challenging. A good knowledge of the normal and abnormal coronary artery development could potentially help us explore new avenues in the treatment of ischemic heart disease as well as anomalous coronary arteries.
Prognostic Role of Incidental Pleural Effusion Diagnosed During Echocardiographic Evaluation
Authors: Ercan Suleyman , Davutoglu Vedat , Altunbas Gokhan , Inanc Ibrahim Halil , Kaplan Mehmet , Oylumlu Muhammed , Koç Ibrahim , Yuce Murat , Ozer Orhan , Soydinc Serdar 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine the long‐term prognostic implications of incidental pleural effusion (PE) detected during echocardiographic examination and its relationship with concomitant diseases.HypothesisThe study hypothesis is to test whether incidental pleural PE detected during echocardiographic examination be used as a prognostic marker.MethodsThe study was performed by evaluating patient records (N = 251) in whom PE was incidentally detected during echocardiographic examination in a tertiary hospital between 1999 and 2012. The patients were classified into 4 major groups according to the concomitant primary disease: malignancy, and cardiovascular, renal, and pulmonary diseases. The total survival time was obtained from hospital records for patients who died during the hospital stay and social security institution records for patients with out‐of‐hospital death.ResultsOne‐year and 5‐year life expectancies of PE cases concomitant with different disorders were as follows; heart failure (n = 151), 81% and 70%; malignancies (n = 45), 53% and 44%; pulmonary diseases (n = 37), 89% and 78%; renal diseases (n = 18), 100% and 83%; respectively. PE associated with heart failure, renal disease, and pulmonary disease had similar (P > 0.05 for all) and favorable outcomes compared to PE associated with malignancies (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe prognosis of incidental PE was the worst in patients with concomitant malignancies; however, PE associated with nonmalignant diseases including heart failure, pulmonary disease, and renal disease have similar and favorable outcomes.
Independent Effects of Body Fat and Inflammatory Markers on Ventricular Geometry, Midwall Function, and Atrial Remodeling
Authors: Lai Yau‐Huei , Liu Chuan‐Chuan , Kuo Jen‐Yuan , Hung Ta‐Chuan , Wu Yih‐Jer , Yeh Hung‐I , Bulwer Bernard E. , Hung Chung‐Lieh 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe effect of body fat distribution on left ventricular (LV) mass and geometry has been recently recognized. However, data regarding circulating inflammatory markers in relation to regional visceral fat deposits, which are metabolically active tissues that can impact cardiac structural remodeling, remain sparse.HypothesisWe hypothesized that obesity has adverse effects on cardiac function and structure.MethodsWe consecutively studied 1071 asymptomatic subjects (age 49.5 ± 10.5 years, 39.4% female) free from significant valvular disorders, chronic lung disease, or renal disease. Echocardiography‐defined cardiac structures and LV geometries including LV mass, mass‐to‐volume ratio, and fractional shortening were all determined. Body fat composition (Tanita‐305 Body‐Fat Analyzer; Tanita Corp., Tokyo, Japan) was obtained and calculated. Multivariate regression models from various models were used to represent the independent association between body fat and echo‐derived ventricular mass and geometries.ResultsIn multivariable analysis, increasing body fat was significantly related to increase in left atrial (LA) and LV diameter, posterior wall thickness, relative wall thickness (RWT), LV mass, mass‐to‐volume ratio, and decreased midwall fractional shortening with or without stress correction (all P < 0.001). When LV mass and severity of mitral regurgitation was further added, the independent association between increased body fat composition and larger LA diameter remained significant (β coefficient = 0.37, P < 0.001). Elevated high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (Hs‐CRP) level was associated with larger LA diameter, increased RWT, and worsened midwall mechanics in the female gender (all interaction P < 0.05).ConclusionsAccumulated body fat seemed to be related to worse ventricular midwall contractility and atrial remodeling, particularly in the female gender, with high systemic inflammation. These gender and Hs‐CRP–specific modification effects may potentiate the pathological mechanisms involved in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
Self‐Assembly of Hydrosoluble Carbon Nanotubes into Macroscopic Belts
Authors: Wu Chuxin , Zheng Dongdong , Wang Hongtao , Guan Lunhui 
Published: January 2014

AbstractA simple approach for the synthesis of a truly neutral aqueous solution of shortened carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is presented. Upon evaporation of the solvent, the shortened CNTs self‐assemble into belt‐like macroscopic structures of approximately 3 cm in length. After the annealing process, the macroscopic assembly exhibits a good electrical conductivity of approximately 140 S cm−1. The possible self‐assembly process is also discussed.
Scheduling contention‐free broadcasts in heterogeneous networks
Authors: Hsu Ching‐Hsien , Chen Tai‐Lung , Yang Chao‐Tung , Chu Hai‐Cheng 
Published: January 2014

SummaryWith the advance of network and computer techniques, the development of scalable computing becomes a new trend. To integrate and utilize distributed and heterogeneous resources efficiently, message broadcasting is an important and crucial technique for distributed computing systems such as grids and clouds. In this paper, we present a Location Aware Broadcasting Scheme (LABS) for performing message broadcast on irregular and heterogeneous networks in distributed systems. The LABS introduces a new scheduling scheme that based on heterogeneity of workstation and network topology. Together with a binomial tree optimization technique, the LABS is able to schedule communications to avoid both node and link contention. To evaluate the performance of the proposed techniques, we have implemented the LABS method along with some well‐known algorithms. These algorithms were performed in a variety of scenarios. Our extensive experiments show that the LABS is able to provide reliable performance with lower network latency in different circumstances. In particular, the LABS have significant improvements when the environment is with high heterogeneity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Channel capacity analysis of a diffusion‐based molecular communication system with ligand receptors
Authors: Liu Qiang , Yang Kun 
Published: January 2014

SummaryDiffusion‐based communication is one of the most dominating forms in the micrometer and nanoscale communications. Generally, information is coded in molecules that are released by a transmitter nanomachine, propagated via a diffusion‐based channel, and then received by a receiving nanomachine (called receiver). The receiver considered in this paper is equipped with multiple ligand receptors. The molecular communication system in this paper is single hop and SISO. Namely, there is only a channel connecting a pair of transmitter and receiver. While most literature considers either the channel or the receptors, this paper proposes a channel model that takes into account both the diffusion‐based channel and the ligand‐based receiver. The channel capacity under such model is analyzed, which studies the impact of different parameters at both channel and the receiver on the performance of the molecular communication system. We establish a digital channel model based on the on–off keying and time slot scheme. A capacity expression is derived with consideration of the effects of the channel memory and ligand‐receptor binding mechanisms. The numerical results show that the overall channel capacity is restricted by the physical parameters of diffusion channel and ligand receptors. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A mouse model with tamoxifen‐inducible thyrocyte‐specific cre recombinase activity
Authors: Undeutsch Henriette , Löf Christoffer , Offermanns Stefan , Kero Jukka 
Published: January 2014

SummaryWe have created a mouse model expressing tamoxifen‐inducible Cre recombinase (CreERT2) under the control of the thyroglobulin (Tg) gene promoter to be able to study the role of defined genetic modifications in the regulation of thyroid function. We chose the thyroglobulin promoter, as it is expressed specifically in the thyroid. In order to obtain reliable expression under the control of the Tg promoter, we used a P1 artificial chromosome (PAC) containing a large piece of the Tg promoter. A tamoxifen inducible CreERT2 construct was selected to avoid the possible consequences of the gene deletion for the development of the thyroid gland, and to study the role of gene deletion in the adult thyroid. Transgenic lines (TgCreERT2) carrying this construct were generated and analyzed by crossing the TgCreERT2 mice with the ROSA26LacZ reporter strain. The activity and specificity of the Cre recombinase was tested by staining for β‐galactosidase activity and by immunohistochemistry using an anti‐Cre‐antibody. In the TgCreERT2xROSA26LacZ reporter line, Cre‐mediated recombination occurred specifically in the thyrocytes only after tamoxifen administration, and no significant staining was observed in controls. The recombination efficiency was nearly complete, since almost all thyrocytes showed X‐gal staining. We could also induce the recombination in utero by giving tamoxifen to the pregnant female. In addition, mice expressing TgCreERT2 had no obvious histological changes, hormonal alterations, or different response to growth stimuli as compared to controls. These results demonstrate that the TgCreERT2 mouse line is a powerful tool to study temporally controlled deletion of floxed genes in the thyroid. genesis 52:333–340, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A molecular-based approach for examining responses of eukaryotes in microcosms to contaminant-spiked estuarine sediments
Authors: Chariton Anthony A. , Ho Kay T. , Proestou Dina , Bik Holly , Simpson Stuart L. , Portis Lisa M. , Cantwell Mark G. , Baguley Jeffrey G. , Burgess Robert M. , Pelletier Marguerite M. , Perron Monique , Gunsch Claudia , Matthews Robin A. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Ecotoxicological information for most contaminants is limited to a small number of taxa, and these are generally restricted to comparatively hardy organisms that are readily extractable from test media and easily identifiable. Advances in DNA sequencing can now provide a comprehensive view of benthic invertebrate diversity. The authors applied 454 pyrosequencing to examine the responses of benthic communities in microcosms exposed to sediments with elevated concentrations of triclosan, the endpoint being eukaryl communities that have successfully vertically migrated through the manipulated sediments. The biological communities associated with the 3 treatments (control triclosan, low triclosan [14 mg/kg], and high triclosan [180 mg/kg]) clustered into 3 groups: control/low (n = 6 controls and 4 low), moderate (n = 2 low), and high (n = 5 high). One sample was discarded as an outlier. The most pronounced change as a response to triclosan was the loss of number of metazoan operational taxonomic units (OTUs), indicative of the control/low and moderate groups, with this being most evident in the range of taxa associated with the classes Chromadorea and Bivalvia and the phylum Kinorhyncha. The authors also describe a range of other taxa that aided discrimination between the groups; compare findings with traditionally obtained meio- and macrofaunal communities obtained from the same experiment; and illustrate some of the advantages and limitations associated with both the molecular and traditional approaches. The described approach illustrates the capacity for amplicon sequencing to provide ecologically relevant information that can be used to strengthen an understanding of how sedimentary communities respond to a range of environmental stressors. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:359–369. © 2014 SETAC
Analysis of efficient preconditioned defect correction methods for nonlinear water waves
Authors: Engsig‐Karup A. P. 
Published: January 2014

SUMMARYRobust computational procedures for the solution of non‐hydrostatic, free surface, irrotational and inviscid free‐surface water waves in three space dimensions can be based on iterative preconditioned defect correction (PDC) methods. Such methods can be made efficient and scalable to enable prediction of free‐surface wave transformation and accurate wave kinematics in both deep and shallow waters in large marine areas or for predicting the outcome of experiments in large numerical wave tanks. We revisit the classical governing equations are fully nonlinear and dispersive potential flow equations. We present new detailed fundamental analysis using finite‐amplitude wave solutions for iterative solvers. We demonstrate that the PDC method in combination with a high‐order discretization method enables efficient and scalable solution of the linear system of equations arising in potential flow models. Our study is particularly relevant for fast and efficient simulation of non‐breaking fully nonlinear water waves over varying bottom topography that may be limited by computational resources or requirements. To gain insight into algorithmic properties and proper choices of discretization parameters for different PDC strategies, we study systematically limits of accuracy, convergence rate, algorithmic and numerical efficiency and scalability of the most efficient known PDC methods. These strategies are of interest, because they enable generalization of geometric multigrid methods to high‐order accurate discretizations and enable significant improvement in numerical efficiency while incuring minimal storage requirements. We demonstrate robustness using such PDC methods for practical ranges of interest for coastal and maritime engineering, that is, from shallow to deep water, and report details of numerical experiments that can be used for benchmarking purposes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectral discrimination of brain tumour severity from serum samples
Authors: Hands James R. , Dorling Konrad M. , Abel Peter , Ashton Katherine M. , Brodbelt Andrew , Davis Charles , Dawson Timothy , Jenkinson Michael D. , Lea Robert W. , Walker Carol , Baker Matthew J. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractGliomas are the most frequent primary brain tumours in adults with over 9,000 people diagnosed each year in the UK. A rapid, reagent‐free and cost‐effective diagnostic regime using serum spectroscopy would allow for rapid diagnostic results and for swift treatment planning and monitoring within the clinical environment. We report the use of ATR‐FTIR spectral data combined with a RBF‐SVM for the diagnosis of gliomas (high‐grade and low‐grade) from non‐cancer with sensitivities and specificities on average of 93.75 and 96.53% respectively. The proposed diagnostic regime has the ability to reduce mortality and morbidity rates. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
FFS‐mode OS‐LCD for reducing eye strain
Authors: Hatsumi Ryo , Fukai Shuji , Kubota Yusuke , Yamashita Akio , Jikumaru Mika , Baba Haruyuki , Moriya Koji , Kubota Daisuke , Kusunoki Koji , Hirakata Yoshiharu , Koyama Jun , Yamazaki Shunpei , Chubachi Yuka , Fujiwara Chieko 
Published: January 2014

AbstractIn order to reduce eye strain, a driving method for reducing flickers of liquid crystal display (LCD) is devised. For this driving, an oxide semiconductor (OS) is used in a backplane, liquid crystal and alignment layer materials are optimized, and a fringe field switching (FFS) mode with a structurally formed storage capacitor is used. This work reveals that suitable usages of positive and negative liquid crystals differ from each other according to their characteristics. This work also describes an OS‐LCD with a touch sensor we fabricated for mobile devices, which proves the possibility of reducing‐eye‐strain technology (REST) with reduced flickers.
A randomized, phase 2 clinical trial of lithium carbonate in Machado‐Joseph disease
Authors: Saute Jonas Alex Morales , de Castilhos Raphael Machado , Monte Thais Lampert , Schumacher‐Schuh Artur Francisco , Donis Karina Carvalho , D'Ávila Rui , Souza Gabriele Nunes , Russo Aline Dutra , Furtado Gabriel Vasata , Gheno Tailise Conte , de Souza Diogo Onofre Gomes , Portela Luis Valmor Cruz , Saraiva‐Pereira Maria‐Luiza , Camey Suzi Alvez , Torman Vanessa Bielefeld Leotti , de Mello Rieder Carlos Roberto , Jardim Laura Bannach 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundBecause lithium exerts neuroprotective effects in preclinical models of polyglutamine disorders, our objective was to assess the safety and efficacy of lithium carbonate (0.5‐0.8 milliequivalents per liter) in patients with Machado‐Joseph disease (spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 [MJD/SCA3]).MethodsFor this phase 2, single‐center, double‐blind, parallel, placebo‐controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01096082), 62 patients who had MJD/SCA3 with a disease duration ≤10 years and an independent gait were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either lithium or placebo.ResultsAfter 24 weeks, 169 adverse events were reported, including 50.3% in the lithium group (P = 1.00; primary safety outcome). Sixty patients (31 in the placebo group and 29 in the lithium group) were analyzed for efficacy (intention‐to‐treat analysis). Mean progression between groups did not differ according to scores on the Neurological Examination Score for the Assessment of Spinocerebellar Ataxia (NESSCA) after 48 weeks (−0.35; 95% confidence interval, −1.7 to 1.0; primary efficacy outcome). The lithium group exhibited minor progression on the PATA speech‐rate (P = 0.002), the nondominant Click Test (P = 0.023), the Spinocerebellar Ataxia Functional Index (P = 0.003), and the Composite Cerebellar Functional Score (P = 0.029).ConclusionsLithium was safe and well tolerated, but it had no effect on progression when measured using the NESSCA in patients with MJD/SCA3. This slowdown in secondary outcomes deserves further clarification. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Ultrasound evaluation in transthyretin‐related amyloid neuropathy
Authors: Granata Giuseppe , Luigetti Marco , Coraci Daniele , Del Grande Alessandra , Romano Angela , Bisogni Giulia , Bramanti Placido , Rossini Paolo Maria , Sabatelli Mario , Padua Luca 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Familial amyloid polyneuropathy is a rare condition caused by mutations of the transthyretin gene (TTR). We assessed the pattern of nerve ultrasound (US) abnormalities in patients with TTR‐related neuropathy. Methods: Seven patients with TTR‐related neuropathy (TTR‐N) and 5 asymptomatic TTR‐mutation carriers (TTR‐C) underwent neurological examination, nerve conduction studies, and US evaluation. Results: Multifocal US abnormalities were identified in 6 of 7 TTR‐N patients. A single patient with only a mild sensory polyneuropathy had normal nerves on US evaluation. In the TTR‐C, we only detected an enlarged ulnar nerve at the elbow. Interestingly, disease severity correlated with number of nerves affected on US evaluation. Conclusions: No specific pattern of US abnormalities was identified in this cohort. However, in TTR‐related amyloid neuropathy, US may be a helpful tool in monitoring disease progression, and/or clinical response to pharmacological treatment. Muscle Nerve 50: 372–376, 2014
Optimal preview control: A review
Authors: Birla Nidhika , Swarup Akhilesh 
Published: January 2014

SummaryThe field of preview control has attracted many researchers for its applications in guidance of autonomous vehicles, robotics, and process control, as this field is well suited for use in design of systems that have reference signals known a priori. The paper presents the efforts of various researchers in the field of preview control. The literature available in this field, since 1966, is categorized based on formulation, method domain, solution approach, and objective. The preview control problem is formulated and solved using classical time‐domain optimal control design tools for under water vehicle model. The key observation obtained from the discussions shows the enormous scope of work available in the field of preview control. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Size control of gold nanoparticles synthesized in a DNA hydrogel
Authors: Miwa Yasuyuki , Zinchenko Anatoly , Lopatina Larisa I , Sergeyev Vladimir G , Murata Shizuaki 
Published: January 2014

AbstractA DNA crosslinked hydrogel, which efficiently absorbs Au3+, was used as a ‘reactor’ for in‐gel synthesis of gold nanoparticles. Chemical reduction of Au3+ absorbed by the DNA hydrogel proceeds inside the hydrogel volume and yields well‐dispersed gold nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution. The average diameter of the nanoparticles varies from 1 to 2 to 5 nm on changing the pH during the reduction. The electrostatic properties of DNA hydrogels containing gold nanoparticles are discussed. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry