bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Proteomic Analysis of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell–Derived, Fetal, and Adult Ventricular Cardiomyocytes Reveals Pathways Crucial for Cardiac Metabolism and Maturation
Authors: Poon Ellen , Keung Wendy , Liang Yimin , Ramalingam Rajkumar , Yan Bin , Zhang Shaohong , Chopra Anant , Moore Jennifer , Herren Anthony , Lieu Deborah K. , Wong Hau San , Weng Zhihui , Wong On Tik , Lam Yun Wah , Tomaselli Gordon F. , Chen Christopher , Boheler Kenneth R. , Li Ronald A. 
Published: March 2015

Background—
Differentiation of pluripotent human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to the cardiac lineage represents a potentially unlimited source of ventricular cardiomyocytes (VCMs), but hESC-VCMs are developmentally immature. Previous attempts to profile hESC-VCMs primarily relied on transcriptomic approaches, but the global proteome has not been examined. Furthermore, most hESC-CM studies focus on pathways important for cardiac differentiation, rather than regulatory mechanisms for CM maturation. We hypothesized that gene products and pathways crucial for maturation can be identified by comparing the proteomes of hESCs, hESC-derived VCMs, human fetal and human adult ventricular and atrial CMs.

Methods and Results—

Using two-dimensional–differential-in-gel electrophoresis, 121 differentially expressed (>1.5-fold;
P
<0.05) proteins were detected. The data set implicated a role of the peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor α signaling in cardiac maturation. Consistently, WY-14643, a peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor α agonist, increased fatty oxidative enzyme level, hyperpolarized mitochondrial membrane potential and induced a more organized morphology. Along this line, treatment with the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine increased the dynamic tension developed in engineered human ventricular cardiac microtissue by 3-fold, signifying their maturation.

Conclusions—
We conclude that the peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor α and thyroid hormone pathways modulate the metabolism and maturation of hESC-VCMs and their engineered tissue constructs. These results may lead to mechanism-based methods for deriving mature chamber-specific CMs.
Cardiac Structure and Function Across the Glycemic Spectrum in Elderly Men and Women Free of Prevalent Heart Disease
Authors: Skali Hicham , Shah Amil , Gupta Deepak K. , Cheng Susan , Claggett Brian , Liu Jiankang , Bello Natalie , Aguilar David , Vardeny Orly , Matsushita Kunihiro , Selvin Elizabeth , Solomon Scott 
Published: March 2015

Background—
Individuals with diabetes mellitus and pre–diabetes mellitus are at particularly high risk of incident heart failure or death, even after accounting for known confounders. Nevertheless, the extent of impairments in cardiac structure and function in elderly individuals with diabetes mellitus and pre–diabetes mellitus is not well known. We aimed to assess the relationship between echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and function and dysglycemia.

Methods and Results—

We assessed measures of cardiac structure and function in 4419 participants without prevalent coronary heart disease or heart failure who attended the Atherosclerosis Risk In the Community (ARIC) visit 5 examination (2011–2013) and underwent transthoracic echocardiography (age, 75±6 years; 61% women, 23% black). Subjects were grouped across the dysglycemia spectrum as normal (39%), pre–diabetes mellitus (31%), or diabetes mellitus (30%) based on medical history, antidiabetic medication use, and glycated hemoglobin levels. Glycemic status was related to measures of cardiac structure and function. Worsening dysglycemia was associated with increased left ventricular mass, worse diastolic function, and subtle reduction in left ventricular systolic function (
P
≤0.01 for all). For every 1% higher glycated hemoglobin, left ventricular mass was higher by 3.0 g (95% confidence interval, 1.5–4.6 g),
E
/
E
′ by 0.5 (95% confidence interval, 0.4–0.7), and global longitudinal strain by 0.3% (95% confidence interval, 0.2–0.4) in multivariable analyses.

Conclusions—
In a large contemporary biracial cohort of elderly subjects without prevalent cardiovascular disease or heart failure, dysglycemia was associated with subtle and subclinical alterations of cardiac structure, and left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. It remains unclear whether these are sufficient to explain the heightened risk of heart failure in individuals with diabetes mellitus.
Changes in Theta and Beta Oscillations as Signatures of Novel Word Consolidation
Authors: Bakker Iske , Takashima Atsuko , van Hell Janet G. , Janzen Gabriele , McQueen James M. 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
The complementary learning systems account of word learning states that novel words, like other types of memories, undergo an offline consolidation process during which they are gradually integrated into the neocortical memory network. A fundamental change in the neural representation of a novel word should therefore occur in the hours after learning. The present EEG study tested this hypothesis by investigating whether novel words learned before a 24-hr consolidation period elicited more word-like oscillatory responses than novel words learned immediately before testing. In line with previous studies indicating that theta synchronization reflects lexical access, unfamiliar novel words elicited lower power in the theta band (4–8 Hz) than existing words. Recently learned words still showed a marginally lower theta increase than existing words, but theta responses to novel words that had been acquired 24 hr earlier were indistinguishable from responses to existing words. Consistent with evidence that beta desynchronization (16–21 Hz) is related to lexical-semantic processing, we found that both unfamiliar and recently learned novel words elicited less beta desynchronization than existing words. In contrast, no difference was found between novel words learned 24 hr earlier and existing words. These data therefore suggest that an offline consolidation period enables novel words to acquire lexically integrated, word-like neural representations.
The Inclusion of Functional Connectivity Information into fMRI-based Neurofeedback Improves Its Efficacy in the Reduction of Cigarette Cravings
Authors: Kim Dong-Youl , Yoo Seung-Schik , Tegethoff Marion , Meinlschmidt Gunther , Lee Jong-Hwan 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Real-time fMRI (rtfMRI) neurofeedback (NF) facilitates volitional control over brain activity and the modulation of associated mental functions. The NF signals of traditional rtfMRI-NF studies predominantly reflect neuronal activity within ROIs. In this study, we describe a novel rtfMRI-NF approach that includes a functional connectivity (FC) component in the NF signal (FC-added rtfMRI-NF). We estimated the efficacy of the FC-added rtfMRI-NF method by applying it to nicotine-dependent heavy smokers in an effort to reduce cigarette craving. ACC and medial pFC as well as the posterior cingulate cortex and precuneus are associated with cigarette craving and were chosen as ROIs. Fourteen heavy smokers were randomly assigned to receive one of two types of NF: traditional activity-based rtfMRI-NF or FC-added rtfMRI-NF. Participants received rtfMRI-NF training during two separate visits after overnight smoking cessation, and cigarette craving score was assessed. The FC-added rtfMRI-NF resulted in greater neuronal activity and increased FC between the targeted ROIs than the traditional activity-based rtfMRI-NF and resulted in lower craving score. In the FC-added rtfMRI-NF condition, the average of neuronal activity and FC was tightly associated with craving score (Bonferroni-corrected p = .028). However, in the activity-based rtfMRI-NF condition, no association was detected (uncorrected p &gt; .081). Non-rtfMRI data analysis also showed enhanced neuronal activity and FC with FC-added NF than with activity-based NF. These results demonstrate that FC-added rtfMRI-NF facilitates greater volitional control over brain activity and connectivity and greater modulation of mental function than activity-based rtfMRI-NF.
National Weather Service Forecasters Use GPS Precipitable Water Vapor for Enhanced Situational Awareness during the Southern California Summer Monsoon
Authors: Moore Angelyn W. , Small Ivory J. , Gutman Seth I. , Bock Yehuda , Dumas John L. , Fang Peng , Haase Jennifer S. , Jackson Mark E. , Laber Jayme L. 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
During the North American Monsoon, low-to-midlevel moisture is transported in surges from the Gulf of California and Eastern Pacific Ocean into Mexico and the American Southwest. As rising levels of precipitable water interact with the mountainous terrain, severe thunderstorms can develop, resulting in flash floods that threaten life and property. The rapid evolution of these storms, coupled with the relative lack of upper-air and surface weather observations in the region, make them difficult to predict and monitor, and guidance from numerical weather prediction models can vary greatly under these conditions. Precipitable water vapor (PW) estimates derived from continuously operating ground-based GPS receivers have been available for some time from NOAA’s GPS-Met program, but these observations have been of limited utility to operational forecasters in part due to poor spatial resolution. Under a NASA Advanced Information Systems Technology project, 37 real-time stations were added to NOAA’s GPS-Met analysis providing 30-min PW estimates, reducing station spacing from approximately 150 km to 30 km in Southern California. An 18–22 July 2013 North American Monsoon event provided an opportunity to evaluate the utility of the additional upper-air moisture observations to enhance National Weather Service (NWS) forecaster situational awareness during the rapidly developing event. NWS forecasters used these additional data to detect rapid moisture increases at intervals between the available 1–6-h model updates and approximately twice-daily radiosonde observations, and these contributed tangibly to the issuance of timely flood watches and warnings in advance of flash floods, debris flows, and related road closures.
Untangling Microphysical Impacts on Deep Convection Applying a Novel Modeling Methodology
Authors: Grabowski Wojciech W. 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Microphysical piggybacking applied previously in shallow convection simulations is employed to highlight microphysical impacts on deep convection. The main idea is to apply two sets of thermodynamic variables, one coupled to the dynamics and driving the simulation and the second one piggybacking the simulation: that is, responding to the simulated flow but not affecting it. The two sets can be driven either by different microphysical schemes or by the same scheme with different scheme parameters. For illustration, two single-moment bulk microphysical schemes are implemented, one with a simple representation of ice processes and the second one with a more comprehensive approach. Each scheme is applied assuming contrasting cloud droplet concentrations, pristine versus polluted, with simulations mimicking dynamical effects of pollution on deep convection. The modeling setup follows the case of daytime convective development over land based on observations during the Large-Scale Biosphere–Atmosphere (LBA) experiment in Amazonia. Microphysical piggybacking with small ensembles of simulations allows for separating dynamical and microphysical impacts on deep convection with high confidence and enables extracting small differences in the surface precipitation, cloud cover, and liquid and ice water paths with unprecedented accuracy. It also shows that the cloud buoyancy above the freezing level is only weakly affected by contrasting cloud droplet concentrations. The latter casts doubt on the convective invigoration hypothesis for the case of unorganized deep convection considered in this study, at least when investigated with a single-moment microphysical scheme.
Analysis of Low-Level Atmospheric Moisture Transport Associated with the West African Monsoon
Authors: Lélé M. Issa , Leslie Lance M. , Lamb Peter J. 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
The major objective of this study is to re-evaluate the ocean–land transport of moisture for rainfall in West Africa using 1979–2008 NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data. The vertically integrated atmospheric water vapor flux for the surface–850 hPa is calculated to account for total low-level moisture flux contribution to rainfall over West Africa. Analysis of mean monthly total vapor fluxes shows a progressive penetration of the flux into West Africa from the south and west. During spring (April–June), the northward flux forms a “moisture river” transporting moisture current into the Gulf of Guinea coast. In the peak monsoon season (July–September), the southerly transport weakens, but westerly transport is enhanced and extends to 20°N owing to the strengthening West African jet off the west coast. Mean seasonal values of total water vapor flux components across boundaries indicate that the zonal component is the largest contributor to mean moisture transport into the Sahel, while the meridional transport contributes the most over the Guinea coast. For the wet years of the Sahel rainy season (July–September), active anomalies are displaced farther north compared to the long-term average. This includes the latitude of the intertropical front (ITF), the extent of moisture flux, and the zone of strong moisture flux convergence, with an enhanced westerly flow. For the dry Sahel years, the opposite patterns are observed. Statistically significant positive correlations between the zonal moisture fluxes and Sudan–Sahel rainfall totals are most pronounced when the zonal fluxes lead by 1–4 pentads. However, although weak, they still are statistically significant at lags 3 and 4 for meridional moisture fluxes.
Sea Ice Enhancements to Polar WRF*
Authors: Hines Keith M. , Bromwich David H. , Bai Lesheng , Bitz Cecilia M. , Powers Jordan G. , Manning Kevin W. 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
The Polar Weather Research and Forecasting Model (Polar WRF), a polar-optimized version of the WRF Model, is developed and made available to the community by Ohio State University’s Polar Meteorology Group (PMG) as a code supplement to the WRF release from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). While annual NCAR official releases contain polar modifications, the PMG provides very recent updates to users. PMG supplement versions up to WRF version 3.4 include modified Noah land surface model sea ice representation, allowing the specification of variable sea ice thickness and snow depth over sea ice rather than the default 3-m thickness and 0.05-m snow depth. Starting with WRF V3.5, these options are implemented by NCAR into the standard WRF release. Gridded distributions of Arctic ice thickness and snow depth over sea ice have recently become available. Their impacts are tested with PMG’s WRF V3.5-based Polar WRF in two case studies. First, 20-km-resolution model results for January 1998 are compared with observations during the Surface Heat Budget of the Arctic Ocean project. Polar WRF using analyzed thickness and snow depth fields appears to simulate January 1998 slightly better than WRF without polar settings selected. Sensitivity tests show that the simulated impacts of realistic variability in sea ice thickness and snow depth on near-surface temperature is several degrees. The 40-km resolution simulations of a second case study covering Europe and the Arctic Ocean demonstrate remote impacts of Arctic sea ice thickness on midlatitude synoptic meteorology that develop within 2 weeks during a winter 2012 blocking event.
A Source of AGCM Bias in Simulating the Western Pacific Subtropical High: Different Sensitivities to the Two Types of ENSO
Authors: Paek Houk , Yu Jin-Yi , Hwu Jyh-Wen , Lu Mong-Ming , Gao Tao 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
This study reveals a possible cause of model bias in simulating the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) variability via an examination of an Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP) simulation produced by the atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) developed at Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau (CWB). During boreal summer, the model overestimates the quasi-biennial (2–3 yr) band of WPSH variability but underestimates the low-frequency (3–5 yr) band of variability. The overestimation of the quasi-biennial WPSH sensitivity is found to be due to the model’s stronger sensitivity to the central Pacific El Niño–Southern Oscillation (CP ENSO) that has a leading periodicity in the quasi-biennial band. The model underestimates the low-frequency WPSH variability because of its weaker sensitivity to the eastern Pacific (EP) ENSO that has a leading periodicity in the 3–5-yr band. These different model sensitivities are shown to be related to the relative strengths of the mean Hadley and Walker circulations simulated in the model. An overly strong Hadley circulation causes the CWB AGCM to be overly sensitive to the CP ENSO, while an overly weak Walker circulation results in a weak sensitivity to the EP ENSO. The relative strengths of the simulated mean Hadley and Walker circulations are critical to a realistic simulation of the summer WPSH variability in AGCMs. This conclusion is further supported using AMIP simulations produced by three other AGCMs, including the CanAM4, GISS-E2-R, and IPSL-CM5A-MR models.
Eccentric exercise in adults with cardiorespiratory disease: a systematic review
Authors: Ellis Rachel , Shields Nora , Lim Kwang , Dodd Karen J 
Published: March 2015

Objective: To determine if eccentric exercise is effective, tolerable and safe for adults with chronic cardiorespiratory disease. Data sources: We searched electronic databases from inception until January 2015 (Medline, CINAHL, Embase, SportDiscus, PEDro, Cochrane Central and AMED) supplemented by citation tracking and reference list scanning. Review methods: Included articles had to report effects of eccentric exercise, alone or as a primary component of intervention, of any intensity and duration, on adults with chronic cardiorespiratory disease. Trials needed to be reported as full text in a peer-reviewed journal and include control data (randomised, quasi-randomised and single group cross-over design trials). Any outcomes or comparison interventions were accepted. Methodological rigor was assessed using the PEDro scale. Results: Of 22 potentially relevant articles, 10 met inclusion criteria. They reported results from seven trials with a total of 112 participants across the diseases. PEDro scores were low (median 3). Eccentric exercise increased strength and mobility to comparable levels as concentric exercise, however, it did so with lower oxygen consumption (effect size as large as d = –3.07 (–4.12, –1.80)), and four-fold power output (effect size d = –3.60 (–5.03, –1.66)). There were no adverse events reported for eccentric exercise. Pain was avoided with familiarisation sessions and individual exercise prescription. Conclusion: Eccentric exercise is beneficial and at least comparable with traditional exercise in improving walking and strength for people with chronic cardiorespiratory disease. It was well tolerated and we identified no safety concerns for the use of this intervention for this population.
A systematic review of the economic evidence for interventions for family carers of stroke patients
Authors: Heslin Margaret , Forster Anne , Healey Andy , Patel Anita 
Published: March 2015

Objectives: To examine the economic evidence for interventions aimed at family carers of stroke patients. Data sources: Searches (limited to those published in English since 1990) were performed in key databases along with hand searches of relevant papers. Review methods: Papers were restricted to studies including any economic data (broadly defined) for any intervention targeting carers explicitly or explicitly referring to a carer element, beyond involving carers in the care or intervention for patients (i.e. more than just carers being invited to observe an intervention targeted at the patient). Two reviewers independently screened full papers and extracted data using guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and quality assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (cohort studies), the Delphi list (randomised controlled trials) and guidelines on economic quality from the British Medical Journal. Data were reviewed descriptively as meta analyses were inappropriate due to non-comparability of studies. Results: Ten papers were included in the review. These were heterogeneous in their design, intervention and economic analyses making comparison difficult. Only three of the ten papers included economic evaluations. All three reported that the intervention was less costly and had better or equivalent outcomes than the control comparator although two of these were based on the same intervention using the same dataset. Conclusion: There is some limited evidence that interventions for family carers of stroke patients are effective and cost effective. However, due to variation in the types of interventions examined, little can be concluded regarding implications for clinical practice.
CT and microbiologic follow-up in primary multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Kim Wooil , Lee Kyung Soo , Kim Hyun Su , Koh Won-Jung , Jeong Byeong-Ho , Chung Myung Jin , Jang Hye Won 
Published: March 2015

Background Little attention has been paid to the initial and follow-up computed tomography (CT) features in primary multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (pMDR-TB) setting. Purpose To describe serial CT findings and clinical course of pMDR-TB with antibiotic treatment. Material and Methods For the last 10 years, 340 MDR-TB patients were managed in a tertiary referral hospital. Among them, we included 44 (27 men, 17 women; mean age, 40 years; age range, 20–81 years) pMDR-TB patients; 37 treated with chemotherapy only and seven treated with medical therapy plus surgery. CT findings were evaluated regarding tree-in-bud sign, acinar nodule, peribronchial, segmental or lobar consolidation and cavity, and their extent. Sputum negative conversion rates and serial CT scores were assessed. To compare changes in disease extent between initial and follow-up CT studies, paired t-test was performed. Results Two most frequent patterns of lung abnormality were tree-in-bud sign (37 of 44, 84.1%) and acinar nodule (41 of 44, 93.2%). Among 37 patients treated with chemotherapy only, 36 showed negative sputum conversion within 3 months after second-line drug commencement, maintained for >12 months. The other seven undergoing surgery during medical treatment showed excellent outcome with negative conversion achieved within one month after surgery and maintained for >12 months. CT scores showed significant decrease on serial CT studies ( P < 0.001) in all. Conclusion In pMDR-TB, two most frequent abnormal CT patterns are tree-in-bud sign and acinar nodule. In 98% of patients, negative sputum conversion is achieved, and CT score also shows decrease in extent after TB chemotherapy.