bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of inhaled juniper volatile oil in amyloid beta (1‐42)‐induced anxiety and depression in laboratory rats
Authors: Hritcu Lucian , Hancianu Monica , Mihasan Marius , Cioanca Oana 
Published: November 2015

AbstractJuniper volatile oil is extracted from Juniperus communis L., of the Cupressaceae family, also known as common juniper. Also, in aromatherapy the juniper volatile oil is used against anxiety, nervous tension and stress‐related conditions. The present study analysed the possible anxiolytic, antidepressant and antioxidant properties of the juniper volatile oil in beta‐amyloid (1‐42) rat model of Alzheimer's disease. The anxiolytic‐ and antidepressant‐like effects of the juniper volatile oil were studied by means of in vivo (elevated plus‐maze and forced swimming tests) approaches. Also, the antioxidant activity in the amygdala was assessed using superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase specific activities, the total content of the reduced glutathione, protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde levels. The beta‐amyloid (1‐42)‐treated rats exhibited the following: decrease of the exploratory activity, the percentage of the time spent and the number of entries in the open arm within elevated plus‐maze test and decrease of swimming time and increase of immobility time within forced swimming test. Inhalation of the juniper volatile oil significantly exhibited anxiolytic‐ and antidepressant‐like effects and also antioxidant potential. Our results suggest that the juniper volatile oil inhalation ameliorates beta‐amyloid (1‐42)‐induced anxiety and depression and attenuated oxidative stress in the rat amygdala. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bayesian Model Averaging under Regime Switching with Application to Cyclical Macro Variable Forecasting
Authors: Shi Jianmin 
Published: November 2015

AbstractModel uncertainty and recurrent or cyclical structural changes in macroeconomic time series dynamics are substantial challenges to macroeconomic forecasting. This paper discusses a macro variable forecasting methodology that combines model uncertainty and regime switching simultaneously. The proposed predictive regression specification permits both regime switching of the regression parameters and uncertainty about the inclusion of forecasting variables by employing Bayesian model averaging. In an empirical exercise involving quarterly US inflation, we observed that our Bayesian model averaging with regime switching leads to substantial improvements in forecast performance, particularly in the medium horizon (two to four quarters). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long Non‐Coding RNA Central of Glucose Homeostasis
Authors: Ruan Xiangbo 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACTGlucose metabolism is one of the fundamental biochemical processes in mammals. Metabolism of glucose is subjected to tissue and cell specific regulation involving many transporters, enzymes, and transcriptional factors. Dysregulation of glucose metabolism has been linked to many human diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a novel class of functional RNAs that regulate multiple biological functions through diverse mechanisms including recruitment of epigenetic modifier proteins, control of mRNA decay and translation, and DNA sequestration of transcription factors. Recent studies have demonstrated that lncRNAs play an important role in regulating differentiation and homeostasis of metabolic tissues. This review will discuss lncRNA biology with a focus on their role in regulating glucose metabolism in cancer cells and metabolic tissues. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1061–1065, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An index of wind–wave coupling and its global climatology
Authors: Jiang Haoyu , Chen Ge , Yu Fangjie 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACTUsing the fully developed wind–wave relation and simultaneous data of surface wind speed and wave height, an index of wind–wave coupling is presented. The validity of this index is demonstrated by comparing it to other wind–wave indices using 45‐year European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Re‐Analysis (ERA‐40). The comparison shows that the angle between wind and wave directions need not be considered in practice when mapping climatology of wind–wave interaction, and the rationality behind it is explained from a statistical point of view. The results also indicate that probability‐based indices are not robust enough to represent wave climate. A global climatology of this index is developed using both ERA‐40 and jointly‐calibrated altimeter data. Its spatial distributions show that the wind–wave coupling is strong in the mid‐latitudes while weak in the low latitudes except for the trade‐wind regions. Mixing of wind‐sea and swell is found to be common in the ocean, especially in the trade‐wind region, where two‐way momentum transfer may exist because the directions of wind‐sea and swell are different. The weakly coupled regions usually have a clear preference for the eastern sides and low latitudes of ocean basins, because the eastward swells there are mainly from the storms in westerlies. However, in the Pacific Ocean, trade‐wind‐generated swells may propagate westward, causing western side to be also weakly coupled.
Associative Algorithms for Computational Creativity
Authors: Varshney Lav R. , Wang Jun , Varshney Kush R. 
Published: November 2015

abstractComputational creativity, the generation of new, unimagined ideas or artifacts by a machine that are deemed creative by people, can be applied in the culinary domain to create novel and flavorful dishes. In fact, we have done so successfully using a combinatorial algorithm for recipe generation combined with statistical models for recipe ranking and selection. However, the algorithm of creation in our prior work may be difficult for people to interpret, understand, and ultimately adopt because the process differs from the process of human creativity theorized in the psychology and neuroscience literatures. In this paper, to address this issue, we discuss how human creativity, including in the food arena, may be built on associations and how an algorithm also built on associations can be more relatable to people so they can interact with the tool more easily. We propose a computational creativity approach that extends the data mining technique of association rule mining to generate new food recipes. We illustrate this associative algorithm on real‐world culinary data.
TranQuill sling snoreplasty for snoring: A single‐arm pilot study for safety and effectiveness
Authors: Murphey Alexander W. , Nguyen Shaun A. , Fuller Colin , Weber Aimee C. , Camilon Marc P. , Gillespie M. Boyd 
Published: November 2015

Objectives/HypothesisDetermine safety and efficacy of the TranQuill Sling Snoreplasty (TSS) (Surgical Specialties Corp., Vancouver, BC, Canada) for the treatment of snoring in adults with benign snoring or mild obstructive sleep apnea.Study DesignProspective, unblinded, single‐center pilot study.MethodsFrom February 2014 to July 2014, 20 adult patients with chronic, disruptive snoring assessed by bed partner were recruited to undergo TSS. Subjects with apnea hypopnea index < 15, minimum oxygen saturation > 85%, and body mass index (BMI) < 32 were included. Outcomes were assessed comparing the results of quality‐of‐life questionnaires, bed partner‐assessed snoring, pain visual analog scales, WatchPAT (Itamar Medical Ltd, Caesarea Ind. Park, Israel) home sleep studies, and flexible endoscopy at baseline and 90‐day follow‐up.ResultsThirteen males and seven females were enrolled. Average age was 49.1 (range 31–67) and BMI of 25.8 ± 2.66. TranQuill Sling Snoreplasty significantly reduced snoring symptom scores from 8.70 ± 4.27 to 6.42 ± 4.14, P = 0.012. Snoring visual analog scores demonstrated reduction of 17.8 mm (59.4 mm ± 22.1 to 41.6 mm ± 29.2), P = 0.0184. Thirty‐five percent (7/20) of subjects reported complications related to the trial, with no serious adverse events.ConclusionTranQuill Sling Snoreplasty is a safe therapy that improves snoring symptoms in most adult subjects with benign snoring or mild sleep apnea. Further study is required to better identify patients likely to respond to the therapy.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 126:243–248, 2016
Endoscopic cartilage tympanoplasty: A two‐handed technique using an endoscope holder
Authors: Khan Mubarak M. , Parab Sapna R. 
Published: November 2015

Objectives/HypothesisEndoscopic ear surgery provides a minimally invasive approach to the middle ear. The disadvantage of endoscopic ear surgery is that it is a single‐handed surgical technique. The nondominant hand of the surgeon is utilized for holding and manipulating the endoscope. This necessitated the need for the development of an endoscope holder that would allow both hands to be free for surgical manipulation.The aim of this article is to report our preliminary experience using our newly designed and developed endoscope holder, which allowed us to perform cartilage tympanoplasty utilizing both hands for surgery.Study DesignRetrospective nonrandomized clinical study.MethodsThe endoscope holder was designed and developed to aid in endoscopic ear surgery and to overcome the disadvantage of single‐handed endoscopic surgery. The design of the endoscope holder is described in detail, along with instructions on how it can be used. A total of 179 endoscope holder‐assisted cartilage tympanoplasties were performed to evaluate the feasibility of a two‐handed technique and to evaluate the results of surgery.ResultsIn an early follow‐up period ranging from 6 to 20 months, the graft take was seen in 174 ears, with one residual perforation and four recurrent perforations, giving a success rate of 97%. The endoscope holder eliminates the disadvantages of single‐handed surgery and is a good option for those who wish to perform endoscopic ear surgery using both hands.ConclusionThe study reports the successful application and use of the endoscope holder in a two‐handed technique of endoscopic tympanoplasty.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 126:1893–1898, 2016
Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the temporal bone: A review of 29 cases at a single center
Authors: Modest Mara C. , Garcia Joaquin J. , Arndt Carola S. , Carlson Matthew L. 
Published: November 2015

Objectives/HypothesisEvaluate presentation, management, and clinical outcomes of patients with temporal bone Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH).Study DesignRetrospective chart review.MethodsReviewed all patients with temporal bone LCH at a tertiary academic referral center between 1978 and 2014. Presentation, disease course, intervention, and clinical outcomes were analyzed.ResultsBetween 1978 and 2014, 29 temporal bones in 20 patients (12 males; median age 32 years, range 1.3–88 years) were diagnosed with temporal bone LCH, representing 4% of all patients diagnosed with LCH at our institution during that time. Twelve (60%) patients presented purely with head and neck disease, nine (45%) with bilateral temporal bone involvement, seven (35%) with intracranial spread, and eight (40%) with multisystem disease. The most common presenting symptoms were otorrhea (n = 11; 55%) and subjective hearing loss (n = 10; 50%). Treatment included primary chemotherapy or radiation alone(n = 7; 35%), local resection alone (n = 2; 10%), and chemotherapy or radiation with surgery(n = 11; 55%). Ten patients suffered local or systemic relapse (50%; median 12 months). Median follow‐up for patients was 31 months. One patient died secondary to pulmonary complications of multisystem LCH.ConclusionsLCH is an uncommon histiocytic disorder with a range of clinical manifestations and disease severity. Otologic involvement is rare, and frequently manifests with symptoms similar to otomastoiditis. Evaluation and close follow‐up of both ears is important. Bilateral simultaneous or sequential LCH can be seen in up to 45% of cases. Patients with temporal bone LCH should be managed by a multidisciplinary team with treatment tailored to the patient. Relapse is more common in patients with multisystem involvement. Even in subjects with isolated otologic involvement, long‐term follow‐up is critical, with relapses occurring years beyond treatment.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 126:1899–1904, 2016
Morphological Changes under Strain for Different Thermoplastic Polyurethanes Monitored by SAXS Related to Strain at Break
Authors: Stribeck Almut , Li Xuke , Zeinolebadi Ahmad , Pöselt Elmar , Eling Berend , Funari Sérgio 
Published: November 2015

In tensile tests of six different hand‐cast thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) with a hard‐segment content = 0.51, the volume fraction of hard domains (vh) has been tracked. The materials exhibit a linear increase up to a strain of ≈0.5 (strain‐induced phase separation). Thereafter a linear decrease ofvhis indicated. When stretched by 100% about 25% of the initially present hard domains are destroyed. The extrapolation tovh= 0 is close to the elongation at break. Characteristic materials parameters are suggested by the found relation. The tests (maximum strain: 3) are monitored by small‐angle X‐ray scattering. The morphology is closer to particle scattering than that of machine‐processed material. Therefore the longitudinal scattering appears fittable by a 1D statistical model that separates the weak discrete scattering from the height distribution of hard domains, whose weight returns the variation ofvhwith the strain. All TPUs are based on 4,4′‐methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). The other raw components are systematically varied. Two MDI units determine the height of the average hard domain. The variation ofvhwith strain is described by a tensile augmentation (in analogy to the tensile strength) which is realized at an end‐of‐growth strain. The following hard domain destruction is governed by a consumption factor. Deviations between extrapolated and measured strain at break may be related to the TPU composition.image
Fast myelin water fraction estimation using 2D multislice CPMG
Authors: Akhondi‐Asl Alireza , Afacan Onur , Balasubramanian Mukund , Mulkern Robert V. , Warfield Simon K. 
Published: November 2015

PurposeT2 relaxometry based on multiexponential fitting to a single slice multiecho sequence has been the most common MRI technique for myelin water fraction mapping, where the short T2 is associated with myelin water. However, very long acquisition times and physically unrealistic models for T2 distribution are limitations of this approach. We present a novel framework for myelin imaging which substantially increases the imaging speed and myelin water fraction estimation accuracy.MethodWe used the 2D multislice Carr‐Purcell‐Meiboom‐Gill sequence to increase the volume coverage. To compensate for nonideal slice profiles, we numerically solved the Bloch equations for a range of T2 and B1 inhomogeneity scales to construct the bases for the estimation of the T2 distribution. We used a finite mixture of continuous parametric distributions to describe the complete T2 spectrum and used the constrained variable projection optimization algorithm to estimate myelin water fraction. To validate our model, synthetic, phantom, and in vivo brain experiments were conducted.ResultsUsing the Bloch equations, we can model the slice profile and construct the forward model of the T2 curve. Our method estimated myelin water fraction with smaller error than the nonnegative least squares algorithm.ConclusionsThe proposed framework can be used for reliable whole brain myelin imaging with a resolution of
in
. Magn Reson Med 76:1301–1313, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Current controversies in prenatal diagnosis 3: is there still a value in a nuchal translucency screening ultrasound in conjunction with maternal plasma non‐invasive cell‐free DNA testing?
Authors: Wilson R. Douglas , Poon Liona C. , Ghidini Alessandro 
Published: November 2015

What's already known about this topic?

Nuchal translucency is an ultrasound measurement of the fetal physiological lymphatic development as it can identify both normal and abnormal lymphatic collections.
Abnormal or enlarged nuchal translucency measurements are nonspecific and heterogeneous in origin.
The source of maternal plasma cell free fetal DNA is placental apoptosis.
The embryonic and cellular development of the placenta can have true chromosomal mosaicism (involves fetus and placenta) orconfined placental mosaicism (CPM) (placenta only).
CPM is present in 1–2% of placentas and can cause false positive results for diagnostic chorionic villus sampling and maternalplasma cell free DNA prenatal aneuploidy screening resultswhile false negative placental results are much less common at 1 per 3000.
What does this study add?

This report summarizes an oral debate presented at the 19th International Conference on Prenatal Diagnosis and Therapy inWashington, DC, USA, on 14 July 2015.
This study compares the fetal aneuploidy screening and detection process with the ultrasound nuchal translucency aneuploidy-geneticpathology screening test/measurement and the more recent maternal plasma cell free DNA aneuploidy only screening test when used in conjunction or separately.
Informed consent and patient understanding of the aneuploidy screening options and techniques is an important counselling principle for the variety of aneuploidy and genetic screening protocols.
Comparing ion‐pairing reagents and counter anions for ion‐pair reversed‐phase liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis of synthetic oligonucleotides
Authors: Gong Lingzhi 
Published: November 2015

RationaleIon‐pair reversed‐phase liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (IP‐RP‐LC/ESI‐MS) has been widely used for the quality control of oligonucleotides. However, researchers are still looking to improve mobile phase systems for IP‐RP‐LC/ESI‐MS analysis of oligonucleotides. This study compared the performance of six ion‐pairing reagents with three different counter anions for IP‐RP‐LC/ESI‐MS analysis of oligonucleotides.MethodsThe study was performed using a Waters ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC®) system coupled to a Waters LCT Premier XE mass spectrometer by using a UPLC® OST column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 µm). Buffer systems containing acetate, bicarbonate, and hexafluoroisopropanolate salts of six ion‐pairing reagents (triethylamine, tripropylamine, hexylamine, N,N‐dimethylbutylamine, dibutylamine, N,N‐diisopropylethylamine), respectively, were optimized for IP‐RP‐LC/ESI‐MS analysis of oligonucleotides, and then the optimized conditions were applied for the separation of oligonucleotides.ResultsCounter anions definitely play a role in IP‐RP‐LC/ESI‐MS analysis of oligonucleotides. Buffer containing 30 mM diisopropylethylamine and 200 mM hexafluoroisopropanol provided the highest separation of unmodified heterogeneous oligonucleotides, but tripropylammonium hexafluoroisopropanolate achieved the most enhanced separation of sequence isomers. However, triethylammonium acetate and bicarbonate had equally the highest separation for positional isomers.ConclusionsIP‐RP‐LC/ESI‐MS separation of oligonucleotides is mainly sequence dependent, but it is also dependent on both the type of ion‐pairing reagent and counter anion present in the mobile phase. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synchronization and tracking control for multi‐motor driving servo systems with backlash and friction
Authors: Zhao Wei , Ren Xuemei , Gao Xuehui 
Published: November 2015

SummaryThis paper presents a novel switching controller incorporated with backlash and friction compensations, which is utilized to achieve speed synchronization among multi‐motor and load position tracking. The proposed controller consists of two parts: synchronization and tracking control in contact mode and robust control in backlash mode, where a function characterizing whether backlash occurs is used for switching between two modes. Using the proposed switching controller, several control objectives are achieved. Firstly, the coupling problem of speed synchronization and load tracking in contact mode is addressed by introducing a switching plane. Secondly, based on the switching plane, an improved prescribed performance function is introduced to attain load tracking with prescribed performances, and L∞ performance of speed synchronization is guaranteed by initialization method, maintaining the transient performance of synchronization behavior. Thirdly, the lumped uncertain nonlinearity including friction and other uncertain functions is compensated by Chebyshev neural network in contact mode. Furthermore, a robust control is adopted in backlash mode to make system traverse backlash at an exponential rate and simultaneously eliminate low‐speed crawling phenomenon of LuGre friction. Finally, comparative simulations on four‐motor driving servo system are provided to verify the effectiveness and reliability. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The use of orthoses and gait analysis in children with AMC
Authors: Bartonek Åsa 
Published: November 2015

Purpose Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) can be described as a complex condition characterized by deformed joints with an intact sensory system. Consequences of muscle weakness and joint contractures in the lower limbs influence walking ability. With orthoses most children achieve functional ambulation. Based on four studies, the aim of this article was to describe gait pattern wearing habitual orthoses, to quantify quiet standing, to test and describe a new orthosis and compare gait differences with regular orthoses, in children with AMC. Methods In total 83 children, of which 35 with AMC took part in the studies. All children had underwent clinical examination. Based on joint range of motion and muscle strength they had been prescribed various orthosis types, ranging from insoles to knee–ankle–foot orthoses with locked knee joints. 3D gait and motion analysis was performed during standing and walking with 34 reflective markers aligned with anatomical landmarks. Results The findings are presented with respect to each of the included studies. Conclusions According to the positive subjective impressions from parents and children, the clinical experiences of our research group, and the objective results from the gait assessments, continuously wearing of orthoses in persons with AMC is recommended.
A qualitative study of adolescents with medically unexplained symptoms and their parents. Part 1: Experiences and impact on daily life
Authors: Moulin Virginie , Akre Christina , Rodondi Pierre‐Yves , Ambresin Anne‐Emmanuelle , Suris Joan‐Carles 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACTMedically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are common among adolescents and are frequently encountered in primary care. Our aim was to explore how these adolescents and their parents experience the condition and its impact on their daily lives and to provide recommendations for health professionals. Using a qualitative approach, six focus groups and two individual interviews were conducted. These involved a total of ten adolescents with different types of MUS and sixteen parents. The respondents were recruited in a university hospital in Switzerland. A thematic analysis was conducted according to the Grounded Theory. The analysis of the data highlighted four core themes: disbelief, being different, concealing symptoms, and priority to adolescent's health. Transcending these themes was a core issue regarding the discrepancy between the strategies that adolescents and their parents use to cope with the symptoms. Health professionals should be made aware of the emotional needs of these patients and their families.