bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A phylogeny of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), using recent Ethiopian collections and a broad selection of publicly available DNA sequence data
Authors: GRACE‐LEMA DANIELLE M. , YARED SOLOMON , QUITADAMO ANDREW , JANIES DANIEL A. , WHEELER WARD C. , BALKEW MESHESHA , HAILU ASRAT , WARBURG ALON , CLOUSE RONALD M. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractSand flies in the psychodid subfamily Phlebotominae carry important human pathogens in the trypanosomatid protozoan genus Leishmania (Cupolillo). Despite the fact that hundreds of sequences for this group are now publicly available, they constitute different sets of taxa and genetic markers. Integrating these data to construct a molecular phylogeny of the family is a significant bioinformatics challenge. We used sequences of eight markers obtained from freshly collected sand flies from Ethiopia and combined them with over 1300 publicly available sequences, performing a combined analysis after generating single terminal sequences from ancestral reconstructions for some individual markers. The resulting phylogeny had 113 terminals and recovered Phlebotominae and certain species groups as monopheletic. Although the 20 outgroups in Psychodinae were recovered as a well‐resolved clade with bootstrap support for many internal clades, Phlebotominae was recovered as several lineages with unclear relationships among them. However, phlebotomines clustered by geographic region, the most notable being all the New World species except Brumptomyia (Galati), which were recovered as monophyletic. Our phylogeny suggests a Sub‐Saharan African or South Asian origin for the subfamily, which subsequently expanded to the north and west, and eventually to the New World. Supported species groups are often composed of widespread species with overlapping ranges. This result highlights the need for a large increase in the amount and diversity of molecular sequence data, and a broad selection of terminals, to test taxonomic hypotheses and examine speciation processes in this important group of flies.
Necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis and ventricular assist device infection: case report and review of literature
Authors: Kornberger A. , Walter V. , Jaeger F. , Lehnert T. , Soriano M. , Moritz A. , Stock U.A. , Beiras‐Fernandez A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractNecrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis and Aspergillus device infection are rare and have potentially fatal complications after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. To date, few cases of patients surviving Aspergillus device infection have been published, with survival reported only after device removal. We present a patient implanted with an LVAD in whom necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis with device involvement was successfully treated by segmentectomy and prolonged antifungal treatment without device exchange or removal. Similar cases in the literature were searched for and are discussed in view of the severity of this complication.
A level set method for cupping artifact correction in cone‐beam CT
Authors: Xie Shipeng , Li Chunming , Li Haibo , Ge Qi 
Published: July 2015

Purpose:To reduce cupping artifacts and improve the contrast‐to‐noise ratio in cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT).Methods:A level set method is proposed to reduce cupping artifacts in the reconstructed image of CBCT. The authors derive a local intensity clustering property of the CBCT image and define a local clustering criterion function of the image intensities in a neighborhood of each point. This criterion function defines an energy in terms of the level set functions, which represent a segmentation result and the cupping artifacts. The cupping artifacts are estimated as a result of minimizing this energy.Results:The cupping artifacts in CBCT are reduced by an average of 90%. The results indicate that the level set‐based algorithm is practical and effective for reducing the cupping artifacts and preserving the quality of the reconstructed image.Conclusions:The proposed method focuses on the reconstructed image without requiring any additional physical equipment, is easily implemented, and provides cupping correction through a single‐scan acquisition. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method successfully reduces the cupping artifacts.
Comparison and uncertainty evaluation of different calibration protocols and ionization chambers for low‐energy surface brachytherapy dosimetry
Authors: Candela‐Juan C. , Vijande J. , García‐Martínez T. , Niatsetski Y. , Nauta G. , Schuurman J. , Ouhib Z. , Ballester F. , Perez‐Calatayud J. 
Published: July 2015

Purpose:A surface electronic brachytherapy (EBT) device is in fact an x‐ray source collimated with specific applicators. Low‐energy (<100 kVp) x‐ray beam dosimetry faces several challenges that need to be addressed. A number of calibration protocols have been published for x‐ray beam dosimetry. The media in which measurements are performed are the fundamental difference between them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface dose rate of a low‐energy x‐ray source with small field applicators using different calibration standards and different small‐volume ionization chambers, comparing the values and uncertainties of each methodology.Methods:The surface dose rate of the EBT unit Esteya (Elekta Brachytherapy, The Netherlands), a 69.5 kVp x‐ray source with applicators of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mm diameter, was evaluated using the AAPM TG‐61 (based on air kerma) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) TRS‐398 (based on absorbed dose to water) dosimetry protocols for low‐energy photon beams. A plane parallel T34013 ionization chamber (PTW Freiburg, Germany) calibrated in terms of both absorbed dose to water and air kerma was used to compare the two dosimetry protocols. Another PTW chamber of the same model was used to evaluate the reproducibility between these chambers. Measurements were also performed with two different Exradin A20 (Standard Imaging, Inc., Middleton, WI) chambers calibrated in terms of air kerma.Results:Differences between surface dose rates measured in air and in water using the T34013 chamber range from 1.6% to 3.3%. No field size dependence has been observed. Differences are below 3.7% when measurements with the A20 and the T34013 chambers calibrated in air are compared. Estimated uncertainty (with coverage factor k = 1) for the T34013 chamber calibrated in water is 2.2%–2.4%, whereas it increases to 2.5% and 2.7% for the A20 and T34013 chambers calibrated in air, respectively. The output factors, measured with the PTW chambers, differ by less than 1.1% for any applicator size when compared to the output factors that were measured with the A20 chamber.Conclusions:Measurements using both dosimetric protocols are consistent, once the overall uncertainties are considered. There is also consistency between measurements performed with both chambers calibrated in air. Both the T34013 and A20 chambers have negligible stem effect. Any x‐ray surface brachytherapy system, including Esteya, can be characterized using either one of these calibration protocols and ionization chambers. Having less correction factors, lower uncertainty, and based on measurements, performed in closer to clinical conditions, the TRS‐398 protocol seems to be the preferred option.
Which factors may determine the necessary and feasible type of effectiveness evidence? A mixed methods approach to develop an instrument to help coverage decision-makers
Authors: de Groot Saskia , Rijnsburger Adriana J , Versteegh Matthijs M , Heymans Juanita M , Kleijnen Sarah , Redekop W Ken , Verstijnen Ilse M 
Published: July 2015

ObjectivesReimbursement decisions require evidence of effectiveness and, in general, a blinded randomised controlled trial (RCT) is the preferred study design to provide it. However, there are situations where a cohort study, or even patient series, can be deemed acceptable. The aim of this study was to develop an instrument that first examines which study characteristics of a blinded RCT are necessary, and then, if particular characteristics are considered necessary, examines whether these characteristics are feasible.DesignWe retrospectively studied 22 interventions from 20 reimbursement reports concerning medical specialist care made by the Dutch National Health Care Institute (ZIN) to identify any factors that influenced the necessity and feasibility of blinded RCTs, and their constituent study characteristics, that is, blinding, randomisation and a control group. A literature review was performed to identify additional factors. Additional expertise was included by interviewing eight experts in epidemiology, medicine and ethics. The resulting instrument was called the FIT instrument (Feasible Information Trajectory), and was prospectively validated using three consecutive reimbursement reports.Results(Blinded) RCT evidence was lacking in 5 of 11 positive reimbursement decisions and 3 of 11 negative decisions. In the reimbursement reports, we found no empirical evidence supporting situations where a blinded RCT is unnecessary. The literature also revealed few arguments against the necessity of a blinded RCT. In contrast, many factors influencing the feasibility of randomisation, a control group and blinding, were found in the reimbursement reports and the literature; for example, when a patient population is too small or when an intervention is common practice, randomisation will be hindered.ConclusionsPolicy regarding the necessity and feasibility of different types of evidence of effectiveness would benefit from systematic guidance. The FIT instrument has the potential to support transparent, reproducible and well-founded decisions on appropriate evidence of effectiveness in medical specialist care.
Childhood abuse is associated with increased hair cortisol levels among urban pregnant women
Authors: Schreier Hannah M C , Enlow Michelle Bosquet , Ritz Thomas , Gennings Chris , Wright Rosalind J 
Published: July 2015

BackgroundHypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity is known to be altered following events such as childhood abuse. However, despite potential adverse consequences for the offspring of women who have experienced abuse, very little is known about altered HPA axis activity during pregnancy.MethodsDuring pregnancy, 180 women from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds reported on their exposure to emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse before the age of 11, and general post-traumatic stress symptoms (ie, not limited to childhood years or abuse experiences). Around delivery, they provided hair samples for the assessment of cortisol levels during pregnancy. Hair cortisol was assessed for each pregnancy trimester. The effect of childhood abuse on hair cortisol was assessed using mixed-effects analyses of covariance models allowing for within-subject correlated observations, and were first performed in the entire sample and subsequently stratified by race/ethnicity.ResultsControlling for post-traumatic stress symptoms, hair cortisol levels varied by history of child abuse, F(2,166)=3.66, p=0.028. Childhood physical and/or sexual abuse was associated with greater hair cortisol levels, t(166)=2.65, p=0.009, compared with no history of abuse. Because childhood rates of abuse and hair cortisol levels varied by race/ethnicity, analyses were stratified by race/ethnicity. The associations between history of abuse and cortisol levels were only significant among black women, F(2,23)=5.37, p=0.012.ConclusionsChildhood abuse, especially physical and/or sexual abuse, is associated with differences in cortisol production during pregnancy, particularly among black women. Future research should investigate how these differences impact physical and mental health outcomes among offspring of affected women.
The effect of reduced street lighting on road casualties and crime in England and Wales: controlled interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Steinbach Rebecca , Perkins Chloe , Tompson Lisa , Johnson Shane , Armstrong Ben , Green Judith , Grundy Chris , Wilkinson Paul , Edwards Phil 
Published: July 2015

BackgroundMany local authorities in England and Wales have reduced street lighting at night to save money and reduce carbon emissions. There is no evidence to date on whether these reductions impact on public health. We quantified the effect of 4 street lighting adaptation strategies (switch off, part-night lighting, dimming and white light) on casualties and crime in England and Wales.MethodsObservational study based on analysis of geographically coded police data on road traffic collisions and crime in 62 local authorities. Conditional Poisson models were used to analyse longitudinal changes in the counts of night-time collisions occurring on affected roads during 2000–2013, and crime within census Middle Super Output Areas during 2010–2013. Effect estimates were adjusted for regional temporal trends in casualties and crime.ResultsThere was no evidence that any street lighting adaptation strategy was associated with a change in collisions at night. There was significant statistical heterogeneity in the effects on crime estimated at police force level. Overall, there was no evidence for an association between the aggregate count of crime and switch off (RR 0.11; 95% CI 0.01 to 2.75) or part-night lighting (RR 0.96; 95% CI 0.86 to 1.06). There was weak evidence for a reduction in the aggregate count of crime and dimming (RR 0.84; 95% CI 0.70 to 1.02) and white light (RR 0.89; 95% CI 0.77 to 1.03).ConclusionsThis study found little evidence of harmful effects of switch off, part-night lighting, dimming, or changes to white light/LEDs on road collisions or crime in England and Wales.
Sedimentary basins and continental margin processes – from modern hyper-extended margins to deformed ancient analogues: an introduction
Authors: Gibson George M. , Roure Francois , Manatschal Gianreto 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Continental margins and their fossilized analogues are important repositories of natural resources. With better processing techniques and increased availability of high-resolution seismic and potential field data, imaging of present-day continental margins and their embedded sedimentary basins, in which the majority of these resources are located, has reached unprecedented levels of refinement and definition, as illustrated by papers in this volume. This, in turn, has led to greatly improved geological, geodynamic and numerical models for the crustal and mantle processes involved in continental-margin formation from the initial stages of rifting through to continental rupture and break-up, to the eventual development of a new ocean basin. Further informing these models, and contributing to a better understanding of the features imaged in the seismic and potential field data, are observations made on fossilized fragments of exhumed subcontinental mantle lithosphere and ocean–continent transition zones preserved in ophiolites and orogenic belts of both Palaeozoic and Mesozoic age from several different continents, including Europe, South Asia and Australasia.
Content Analysis of Social Media Related to Left Ventricular Assist Devices
Authors: Kostick Kristin M. , Blumenthal-Barby Jennifer S. , Wilhelms Lidija A. , Delgado Estevan D. , Bruce Courtenay R. 
Published: July 2015

Background—
Social media have the potential to offer important benefits for patient education, support, and shared decision making. Despite the proliferation of social media use during the past decade, little is known about the scope and quality of available information, or the purposes that social media sites serve for patient decisional and support needs.

Methods and Results—
We conducted a mixed method study, including content analysis of social media and principal components analysis analysis of data sites discussing left ventricular assist device treatment for heart failure. This study explored aspects of interactivity, user-friendliness, appeal, medium, purpose, audience, and accuracy of information. Higher levels of interactivity (eg, posting comments) seem to enhance the appeal and usability of available information but also introduce greater potential for inaccuracy and inconsistency. The current lack of oversight into the content and quality of available information constitute a challenge for the reliable use of social media as forums for information-seeking and social network–based support.

Conclusions—
We conclude that social media outlets constitute a promising source of informational and psychosocial support for patients, caregivers, and candidates, and if used in conjunction with patient-provider dialog, can contribute to informed decision making by facilitating reflection and discussion of personal concerns, values, and informational needs.
Combined Multimodal Computed Tomography Score Correlates With Futile Recanalization After Thrombectomy in Patients With Acute Stroke
Authors: Espinosa de Rueda Mariano , Parrilla Guillermo , Manzano-Fernández Sergio , García-Villalba Blanca , Zamarro Joaquín , Hernández-Fernández Francisco , Sánchez-Vizcaino Cristina , Carreón Ester , Morales Ana , Moreno Antonio 
Published: July 2015

Background and Purpose—
Futile recanalization after acute ischemic stroke occurs in almost half of the patients despite optimal angiographic results. Multimodal neuroimaging may help to improve patient’s selection but is still dismissed by many interventionalists. Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy of each parameter of multimodal computed tomography (CT) and their combination for predicting futile recanalization after successful thrombectomy.

Methods—
We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of consecutive patients with anterior circulation stroke, fully assessable multimodal CT, and successful recanalization. Nonenhanced CT, CT angiography source images, cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and mismatch CBV–CBF maps were studied by Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS); collaterals on CT angiography were graded as poor or good (≤50% or >50% of the middle cerebral artery territory). Futile recanalization was defined as modified Rankin Scale score >2 at 3 months despite successful recanalization.

Results—

One hundred fifty patients were included and 57% of them had futile recanalization. They had lower ASPECTS on nonenhanced CT, CT angiography source images, CBV, CBF, and mismatch CBV–CBF and presented more frequently poor collaterals (all
P
<0.001). Among them, CBV showed the highest area under the curve (0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.76–0.88). In multivariate analyses, CT angiography source images ≤5 (odds ratio, 5.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–21.9), CBV≤6 (odds ratio, 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–9.7), and poor collaterals (odds ratio, 8.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.8–41.7) were independent predictors of futile recanalization. A combined score of these 3 parameters added complementary information: 57% of the patients with score-1, 89% with score-2, and 100% with score-3 had futile recanalization. Reclassification analyses indicated that this score improved prediction of futile recanalization.

Conclusions—
In this population, a combined multimodal CT score predicted futile recanalization.
A Look at the Evolution of Meteorological Satellites: Advancing Capabilities and Meeting User Requirements
Authors: Schmetz Johannes , Menzel W. Paul 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
In this paper, the authors offer their observations from more than 30 years of involvement in the evolution of the space-based meteorological remote sensing systems. Successes and issues from the past are recalled that established meteorological satellites into their current pivotal role. Evolution of imaging and sounding satellite systems from user requirements to affordable realizations is noted; some examples from recent U.S. and European experiences in the area of operational meteorological satellites are presented. The authors discuss the importance of the balanced roles of the three partners in satellite development (government, research, and industry), the need to develop full utilization of new satellite programs quickly during their early life, and a vision for global cooperation early in the planning stages of meteorological satellite missions. The authors offer suggestions that could foster expanded international collaboration on science and applications as well as expedite more satellite observations being pursued in a sustained manner.
Spatial Distance, Community Disadvantage, and Racial and Ethnic Variation in Prison Inmate Access to Social Ties
Authors: Cochran Joshua C. , Mears Daniel P. , Bales William D. , Stewart Eric A. 
Published: July 2015

Objectives: This article examines the impact of distal prison placements on inmate social ties. Specifically, we test whether distance adversely affects inmates by reducing their access to family and friends and then test whether the effects are amplified for minorities and inmates who come from socially disadvantaged areas. Methods: These questions are assessed using a sample of inmates that includes all convicted felony offenders admitted to a single state’s prison system over a three-year period. Results: We find that inmates vary greatly in the distance from which they are placed from home and that Latinos are placed more distally than Blacks and Whites. We also find that distance and community disadvantage adversely affect the likelihood of inmate visitation. Although the adverse effect of distance appears to be similar across racial and ethnic groups, a difference exists among Blacks—for this group, high levels of community disadvantage amplify the adverse effects of distance. Conclusions: This study identifies an important dimension along which incarceration may adversely impact inmates, their families, and the communities from which they come, and how these effects may be patterned in ways that disproportionately affect minorities and prisoners from disadvantaged areas.
The Modifiable Areal Unit Problem in Person–Context Research
Authors: Vogel Matt 
Published: July 2015

Objectives: To examine whether the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP) observed in studies of aggregate crime rates poses a threat to studies examining the moderating effect of neighborhood processes on the association between individual risk factors and self-reported violence. Methods: A series of negative binomial regression models were estimated on a sample of 11,288 youth participating in the Add Health study to assess the moderating influence of neighborhood disadvantage on the association between impulsivity and violence aggregated to the census block group and the census tract. Results: One-unit increases in neighborhood disadvantage and impulsivity were associated with 5.1 percent and 4.9 percent increases in the expected count of self-reported violent behaviors, respectively. Neighborhood disadvantage exacerbated the association between impulsivity and self-reported violence when measured at the tract level but had no moderating effect when measured at the block group. Conclusions: The findings reported here suggest that the MAUP poses a unique concern for person–context research. The geographic aggregation of neighborhood effects warrants careful consideration in theoretical and empirical models linking individual behavior with broader social ecologies.