bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Graphene-Based Resistive Pressure Sensor with Record-High Sensitivity in a Wide Pressure Range
Authors: Tian He , Shu Yi , Wang Xue-Feng , Mohammad Mohammad Ali , Bie Zhi , Xie Qian-Yi , Li Cheng , Mi Wen-Tian , Yang Yi , Ren Tian-Ling 
Published: February 2015

AbstractPressure sensors are a key component in electronic skin (e-skin) sensing systems. Most reported resistive pressure sensors have a high sensitivity at low pressures (<5 kPa) to enable ultra-sensitive detection. However, the sensitivity drops significantly at high pressures (>5 kPa), which is inadequate for practical applications. For example, actions like a gentle touch and object manipulation have pressures below 10 kPa and 10–100 kPa, respectively. Maintaining a high sensitivity in a wide pressure range is in great demand. Here, a flexible, wide range and ultra-sensitive resistive pressure sensor with a foam-like structure based on laser-scribed graphene (LSG) is demonstrated. Benefitting from the large spacing between graphene layers and the unique v-shaped microstructure of the LSG, the sensitivity of the pressure sensor is as high as 0.96 kPa−1 in a wide pressure range (0 ~ 50 kPa). Considering both sensitivity and pressure sensing range, the pressure sensor developed in this work is the best among all reported pressure sensors to date. A model of the LSG pressure sensor is also established, which agrees well with the experimental results. This work indicates that laser scribed flexible graphene pressure sensors could be widely used for artificial e-skin, medical-sensing, bio-sensing and many other areas.
Multiple mechanisms sustain a plant-animal facilitation on a coastal ecotone
Authors: He Qiang , Cui Baoshan 
Published: February 2015

AbstractTheory suggests that species distributions are expanded by positive species interactions, but the importance of facilitation in expanding species distributions at physiological range limits has not been widely recognized. We investigated the effects of the nurse shrub Tamarix chinensis on the crab Helice tientsinensis on the terrestrial borders of salt marshes, a typical coastal ecotone, where Tamarix and Helice were on their lower and upper elevational distribution edges, respectively. Crab burrows were abundant under Tamarix, but were absent in open areas between Tamarix. Removing Tamarix decreased associated crab burrows with time, while simulating Tamarix in open areas by shading, excluding predators and adding Tamarix branches as crab food, increased crab burrows. Measurements of soil and microclimate factors showed that removing Tamarix increased abiotic stress, while simulating Tamarix by shading decreased abiotic stress. Survival of tethered crabs was high only when protected from desiccation and predation. Thus, by alleviating abiotic and biotic stresses, as well as by food provision, Tamarix expanded the upper intertidal distribution of Helice. Our study provides clear evidence for the importance of facilitation in expanding species distributions at their range limits and suggests that facilitation is a crucial biological force maintaining the ecotones between ecosystems.
Seismological evidence for a non-monotonic velocity gradient in the topmost outer core
Authors: Tang Vivian , Zhao Li , Hung Shu-Huei 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe Earth's core is mostly an Fe-Ni alloy with a fraction of light elements (~10 wt%, mainly O, S and Si). Accumulation of these light elements under the core-mantle boundary (CMB) may lead to chemical stratification. Seismic observations have been presented both for and against the stratification in the topmost region of the outer core. Here we investigate the structure under the CMB using differential travel times between SKKS and S3KS waves. We obtain 606 high-quality S3KS-SKKS differential travel times with global path coverage. Result from a Bayesian inversion of these differential times indicates that the seismic velocity in the top 800 km of the outer core is ~0.07% on average lower than that in model PREM. The depth-dependent velocity profile, in particular a low-velocity zone of up to ~0.25% lower than PREM at ~80 km below the CMB, strongly favors the existence of stratification at the top of the outer core.
Structurally Governed Cell Mechanotransduction through Multiscale Modeling
Authors: Kang John , Puskar Kathleen M. , Ehrlicher Allen J. , LeDuc Philip R. , Schwartz Russell S. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractMechanotransduction has been divided into mechanotransmission, mechanosensing and mechanoresponse, although how a cell performs all three functions using the same set of structural components is still highly debated. Here, we bridge the gap between emerging molecular and systems-level understandings of mechanotransduction through a multiscale model linking these three phases. Our model incorporates a discrete network of actin filaments and associated proteins that responds to stretching through geometric relaxation. We assess three potential activating mechanisms at mechanosensitive crosslinks as inputs to a mixture model of molecular release and benchmark each using experimental data of mechanically-induced Rho GTPase FilGAP release from actin-filamin crosslinks. Our results suggest that filamin-FilGAP mechanotransduction response is best explained by a bandpass mechanism favoring release when crosslinking angles fall outside of a specific range. Our model further investigates the difference between ordered versus disordered networks and finds that a more disordered actin network may allow a cell to more finely tune control of molecular release enabling a more robust response.
Intravitreal Combination of Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate and Bevacizumab in The Treatment of Exudative AMD
Authors: Vakalis N. , Echiadis G. , Pervena A. , Deligiannis I. , Kavalarakis E. , Giannikakis S. , Papaefthymiou I. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DSP) combined with bevacizumab for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In this non comparative case study, 30 eyes of 27 patients with CNV due to AMD received intravitreal DSP (0.2 mg) and bevacizumab (1.25 mg) during a 6-month PRN (pro re nata) dosing regimen. Visual acuity, macular thickness and intraocular pressure (IOP) were monitored and recorded. After 6 months, mean retinal thickness decreased from 423.5 ± 75.3 to 228.2 ± 34.5 and mean visual acuity improved from 0.9 ± 0.39 logMAR to 0.53 ± 0.34 (p = 0.001) logMAR. During the trial period, 81 intravitreal injections were performed in 30 eyes, thus the mean number of injections per eye was 2.7 ± 1.1. 86.7% of the eyes required 3 or less injections while only 13.3% needed 4 or more injections. None of the patients, phakic or pseudophakic, manifested an elevation of IOP during the treatment, ranging between 12 and 22 mmHg. Combined DSP and bevacizumab offers encouraging results in the challenge of AMD treatment, providing immediate response of macular edema, reduced number of intravitreal injections and stabilization or improvement of visual acuity.
Against the Odds: Massive Lumbar Intradural Disk Herniation in the Elderly
Authors: Orakcioglu Berk , Dao Trong Huy Philip , Jungk Christine , Unterberg Andreas 
Published: February 2015

Study Design Case report. Objective Presentation of an unusual case of an elderly patient with massive intradural disk herniation at the L2–L3 level. Methods Clinical and imaging data are presented after obtaining informed consent from the patient. Results A 90-year-old man suffering from sudden-onset neurogenic bladder dysfunction and lower back pain but no further neurologic deficits initially presented with magnetic resonance imaging and laboratory values suggestive of an intraspinal infection. However, intraoperative inspection proved the unexpected finding of a large intradural lumbar disk herniation at the L2–L3 level. Conclusions Lumbar soft disk herniation to the intradural space is a rare event and has never been described in a patient over the age of 75. This case of a 90-year-old man with acute-onset bladder dysfunction underlines the necessity to consider this as a differential diagnosis in the case of a newly diagnosed intradural mass.
SDSS J083253.18+064316.7: one strange object with double-peaked narrow Hα but single-peaked narrow Hβ
Authors: Zhang Xue-Guang 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
In this Letter, we first report one unique object SDSS J0832+0643 with particular features of narrow Balmer emission lines: double-peaked narrow Hα but single-peaked narrow Hβ. The particular features cannot be expected by currently proposed kinematic models for double-peaked narrow emission lines, because the proposed kinematic models lead to similar line profiles of narrow Balmer emission lines. However, due to radiative transfer effects, the non-kinematic model can be naturally applied to well explain the particular features of narrow Balmer emission lines: larger optical depth in Hα than 10 leads to observed double-peaked narrow Hα, but smaller optical depth in Hβ around 2 leads to observed single-peaked narrow Hβ. Therefore, SDSS J0832+0643 can be used as strong evidence to support the non-kinematic model for double-peaked narrow emission lines.
Comparative Effectiveness of Induction Therapy for Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Cryptococcal Meningitis: A Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Campbell Jeffrey I. , Kanters Steve , Bennett John E. , Thorlund Kristian , Tsai Alexander C. , Mills Edward J. , Siedner Mark J. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Background.  Multiple international treatment guidelines recommend amphotericin-based combination regimens for induction therapy of cryptococcal meningitis. Yet, only 1 trial has reported a mortality benefit for combination amphotericin-flucytosine, and none have reported a mortality benefit for combination amphotericin-fluconazole.
Methods.  We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis to estimate the comparative effectiveness of recommended induction therapies for HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis. We searched PubMed and Cochrane CENTRAL for clinical reports of induction therapy for HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis. We extracted or calculated early (two-week) and late (six to 12-week) mortality by treatment arm for the following induction regimens: amphotericin B alone, amphotericin B + flucytosine, amphotericin B + triazoles, amphotericin B + flucytosine +triazoles, triazoles alone, triazoles + flucytosine, liposomal amphotericin B, and amphotericin B + other medicines.
Results.  In the overall sample (35 studies, n = 2483), we found no evidence of decreased mortality from addition of flucytosine or triazoles to amphotericin B, compared with amphotericin B alone. Although we did find a nonsignificant benefit for addition of flucytosine to amphotericin B in studies including participants with altered levels of consciousness, we did not ide.jpegy a benefit for combination therapy in restricted analyses in either resource-rich or resource-limited settings, studies conducted before or after 2004, and studies restricted to a high dose of amphotericin B and fluconazole.
Conclusions.  Given considerations of drug availability and toxicity, there is an important need for additional data to clarify which populations are most likely to benefit from combination therapies for human immunodeficiency virus-associated cryptococcal meningitis.
Pharmacokinetics of ε-Aminocaproic Acid in Neonates Undergoing Cardiac Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Authors: Eaton Michael P. , Alfieris George M. , Sweeney Dawn M. , Angona Ronald E. , Cholette Jill M. , Venuto Charles , Anderson Brian 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAbstract
ε-Aminocaproic acid clearance, expressed using allometry, is reduced in neonates undergoing elective cardiac surgery compared with older children and adults. Loading dose and infusion dose are approximately half those required in children and adults.

Background:
Antifibrinolytic medications such as ε-aminocaproic acid (EACA) are used in pediatric heart surgery to decrease surgical bleeding and transfusion. Dosing schemes for neonates are often based on adult regimens, or are simply empiric, in part due to the lack of neonatal pharmacokinetic information. The authors sought to determine the pharmacokinetics of EACA in neonates undergoing cardiac surgery and to devise a dosing regimen for this population.

Methods:
Ten neonates undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were given EACA according to standard practice, and blood was drawn at 10 time points to determine drug concentrations. Time-concentration profiles were analyzed using nonlinear mixed effects models. Parameter estimates (standardized to a 70-kg person) were used to develop a dosing regimen intended to maintain a target concentration shown to inhibit fibrinolysis in neonatal plasma (50 mg/l).

Results:
Pharmacokinetics were described using a two-compartment model plus an additional compartment for the cardiopulmonary bypass pump. First-order elimination was described with a clearance of 5.07 l/h × (WT/70)0.75. Simulation showed a dosing regimen with a loading dose of 40 mg/kg and an infusion of 30 mg · kg−1 · h−1, with a pump prime concentration of 100 mg/l maintained plasma concentrations above 50 mg/l in 90% of neonates during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Conclusions:
EACA clearance, expressed using allometry, is reduced in neonates compared with older children and adults. Loading dose and infusion dose are approximately half those required in children and adults.
Evolution of a Double Amino Acid Substitution in the 5-Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-Phosphate Synthase in Eleusine indica Conferring High-Level Glyphosate Resistance
Authors: Yu Qin , Jalaludin Adam , Han Heping , Chen Ming , Sammons R. Douglas , Powles Stephen B. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Glyphosate is the most important and widely used herbicide in world agriculture. Intensive glyphosate selection has resulted in the widespread evolution of glyphosate-resistant weed populations, threatening the sustainability of this valuable once-in-a-century agrochemical. Field-evolved glyphosate resistance due to known resistance mechanisms is generally low to modest. Here, working with a highly glyphosate-resistant Eleusine indica population, we identified a double amino acid substitution (T102I + P106S [TIPS]) in the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene in glyphosate-resistant individuals. This TIPS mutation recreates the biotechnology-engineered commercial first generation glyphosate-tolerant EPSPS in corn (Zea mays) and now in other crops. In E. indica, the naturally evolved TIPS mutants are highly (more than 180-fold) resistant to glyphosate compared with the wild type and more resistant (more than 32-fold) than the previously known P106S mutants. The E. indica TIPS EPSPS showed very high-level (2,647-fold) in vitro resistance to glyphosate relative to the wild type and is more resistant (600-fold) than the P106S variant. The evolution of the TIPS mutation in crop fields under glyphosate selection is likely a sequential event, with the P106S mutation being selected first and fixed, followed by the T102I mutation to create the highly resistant TIPS EPSPS. The sequential evolution of the TIPS mutation endowing high-level glyphosate resistance is an important mechanism by which plants adapt to intense herbicide selection and a dramatic example of evolution in action.
Prognosis and segment‐specific nodal spread of primary lung cancer in the right lower lobe
Authors: Tomizawa Kenji , Suda Kenichi , Takemoto Toshiki , Mizuno Tetsuya , Kuroda Hiroaki , Sakakura Noriaki , Iwasaki Takuya , Sakaguchi Masahiro , Kuwano Hiroyuki , Mitsudomi Tetsuya , Sakao Yukinori 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackgroundAlthough lobe‐specific nodal spread of primary lung cancer has been recently described, segment‐specific nodal spread remains unclear. We investigated the frequency of hailer and mediastinal lymph node involvement and survival in patients with tumors located in the superior segment (SS) and basal segment (BS) in the right lower lobe.MethodsTwo hundred and sixty‐three patients with primary lung cancer originating in the right lower lobe underwent lobectomy with systematic mediastinal lymph node dissection. Patients were categorized into two groups: SS (n = 114) or BS (n = 149).ResultsFrequencies of metastasis to station 11s and 11i were significantly higher in the SS (P < 0.0001) and BS groups (P = 0.022), respectively. Both the SS and BS groups showed a high frequency of subcarinal mediastinal zone (station 7) metastasis (96.9% and 90.6%, respectively; P = 0.271). The frequencies of superior mediastinal zone (station 2R and 4R) metastasis were 37.5% in the SS and 35.8% in the BS group (P = 0.878). In patients with pN2 disease, three‐year disease‐free survival was significantly shorter in the SS (22.6%) than the BS group (42.1%; P = 0.020). In the BS group, the independent predictive factors of a poor or good prognosis were metastasis to station 11i or skip metastasis, respectively; however, we did not detect an independent prognostic factor in the SS group. In the right lower lung lobe, there was no segment‐specific nodal spread.ConclusionWhen segmentectomy is undertaken, mediastinal lymph node dissection should be performed in proportion to lobectomy.
Micro ribonucleic acid‐93 promotes proliferation and migration of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by targeting disabled 2
Authors: Li Chang , Ding Cheng , Chen Tengfei , Chen Jun , Xu Zhenlei , Lei Zhe , Xu Chun , Zhao Jun 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackgroundAccumulated evidence has revealed that the dysregulation of micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) may contribute to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). MiR‐93, which is a member of the miRNA cluster miR‐106b∼25, has been widely studied for its tumor promoting effect on different types of cancers. However, our knowledge of miR‐93 function in ESCC remains unclear.MethodsThe expression levels of miR‐93 in ESCC and the adjacent non‐tumor tissues were measured by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Cell counting kit‐8, flow cytometry, and 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine incorporation and transwell migration assays were employed to explore the effects of miR‐93 on proliferation and migration capabilities in EC109 cells. To determine the possible target gene of miR‐93, cell transfection, Western blot analysis and luciferase reporter gene assays were performed.ResultsA significant upregulation of miR‐93 expression in ESCC tissues was determined, combined with a downregulation of the predicted target gene, disabled 2 (DAB2). The introduction of miR‐93 significantly promotes cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and the metastatic capability of EC109 cells. By cell transfection and luciferase reporter assay, DAB2 was confirmed as a direct target of miR‐93. In addition, the knockdown of DAB2 by small interfering RNA displayed a consentaneous phenocopy with miR‐93 overexpression in EC109 cells.ConclusionOur results indicate that miR‐93 acts as a tumor promoter in ESCC, and its promotion effects on ESCC cell proliferation and migration depend largely upon DAB2 suppression.
Overlapping Dopaminergic Pathway Genetic Susceptibility to Heroin and Cocaine Addictions in African Americans
Authors: Levran Orna , Randesi Matthew , da Rosa Joel Correa , Ott Jurg , Rotrosen John , Adelson Miriam , Kreek Mary Jeanne 
Published: February 2015

SummaryDrugs of abuse activate the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway. Genetic variations in the dopaminergic system may contribute to drug addiction. Several processes are shared between cocaine and heroin addictions but some neurobiological mechanisms may be specific. This study examined the association of 98 single nucleotide polymorphisms in 13 dopamine‐related genes with heroin addiction (OD) and/or cocaine addiction (CD) in a sample of 801 African Americans (315 subjects with OD ± CD, 279 subjects with CD, and 207 controls). Single‐marker analyses provided nominally significant evidence for associations of 24 SNPs) in DRD1, ANKK1/DRD2, DRD3, DRD5, DBH, DDC, COMT and CSNK1E. A DRD2 7‐SNPs haplotype that includes SNPs rs1075650 and rs2283265, which were shown to alter D2S/D2L splicing, was indicated in both addictions. The Met allele of the functional COMT Val158Met was associated with protection from OD. None of the signals remained significant after correction for multiple testing. The study results are in accordance with the results of previous studies, including our report of association of DRD1 SNP rs5326 with OD. The findings suggest the presence of an overlap in genetic susceptibility for OD and CD, as well as shared and distinct susceptibility for OD in subjects of African and European descent.
Simulation‐based certification for cataract surgery
Authors: Thomsen Ann Sofia Skou , Kiilgaard Jens Folke , Kjærbo Hadi , la Cour Morten , Konge Lars 
Published: February 2015

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the EyeSi™ simulator in regard to assessing competence in cataract surgery. The primary objective was to explore all simulator metrics to establish a proficiency‐based test with solid evidence. The secondary objective was to evaluate whether the skill assessment was specific to cataract surgery.MethodsWe included 26 ophthalmic trainees (no cataract surgery experience), 11 experienced cataract surgeons (>4000 cataract procedures) and five vitreoretinal surgeons. All subjects completed 13 different modules twice. Simulator metrics were used for the assessments.ResultsTotal module score on seven of 13 modules showed significant discriminative ability between the novices and experienced cataract surgeons. The intermodule reliability coefficient was 0.76 (p < 0.001). A pass/fail level was defined from the total score on these seven modules using the contrasting‐groups method. The test had an overall ability to discriminate between novices and experienced cataract surgeons, as 21 of 26 novices (81%) versus one of 11 experienced surgeons (9%) did not pass the test. The vitreoretinal surgeons scored significantly higher than the novices (p = 0.006), but not significantly lower than the experienced cataract surgeons (p = 0.32).ConclusionWe have established a performance test, consisting of seven modules on the EyeSi™ simulator, which possess evidence of validity. The test is a useful and reliable tool for assessment of both cataract surgical and general microsurgical skills in vitro.