bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reproducibility of MR‐based liver fat quantification across field strength: Same‐day comparison between 1.5T and 3T in obese subjects
Authors: Artz Nathan S. , Haufe William M. , Hooker Catherine A. , Hamilton Gavin , Wolfson Tanya , Campos Guilherme M. , Gamst Anthony C. , Schwimmer Jeffrey B. , Sirlin Claude B. , Reeder Scott B. 
Published: January 2015

PurposeTo examine the reproducibility of quantitative magnetic resonance (MR) methods to estimate hepatic proton density fat‐fraction (PDFF) at different magnetic field strengths.Materials and MethodsThis Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)‐compliant study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. Following informed consent, 25 severely obese subjects (mean body mass index [BMI]: 45 ± 4, range: 38–53 kg/m2) were scanned at 1.5T and 3T on the same day. Two confounder‐corrected multiecho chemical shift‐encoded gradient‐echo‐based imaging methods were acquired to estimate PDFF over the entire liver: 3D complex‐based (MRI‐C) and 2D magnitude‐based (MRI‐M) MRI. Single‐voxel MR spectroscopy (MRS) was performed in the right liver lobe. Using linear regression, pairwise comparisons of estimated PDFF were made between methods (MRI‐C, MRI‐M, MRS) at each field strength and for each method across field strengths.Results1.5T vs. 3T regression analyses for MRI‐C, MRI‐M, and MRS PDFF measurements yielded R2 values of 0.99, 0.97, and 0.90, respectively. The best‐fit line was near unity (slope(m) = 1, intercept(b) = 0), indicating excellent agreement for each case: MRI‐C (m = 0.92 [0.87, 0.99], b = 1.4 [0.7, 1.8]); MRI‐M (m = 1.0 [0.90, 1.08], b = –1.4 [–2.4, −0.5]); MRS (m = 0.98 [0.82, 1.15], b = 1.2 [–0.2, 3.0]). Comparing MRI‐C and MRI‐M yielded an R2 = 0.98 (m = 1.1 [1.02, 1.16], b = –1.8 [–2.8, −1.1]) at 1.5T, and R2 = 0.99 (m = 0.98 [0.93, 1.03], b = 1.2 [0.7, 1.7]) at 3T.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that PDFF estimation is reproducible across field strengths and across two confounder‐corrected MR‐based methods. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:811–817.
Improvement in Oxidation Resistance of IMI834: Comparison Between Implantation and Coating; a Quest
Authors: Sinha S.K. , Nair K.G.M. , Tyagi A.K. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryAlthough IMI834 is designed to have high oxidation resistance, its surface can be further improved after nitrogen ion implantation or titanium nitride coating. It is well known that oxidation resistance can be improved after implantation and coating, but up to what extent, depends a lot on the temperature at which it is used. TiN is formed after nitrogen ion implantation in IMI834 as confirmed from glancing angle XRD. For comparison between implantation and coating, same thickness of TiN equal to that of the nitrogen ion range is deposited on IMI834 and oxidation behavior is analyzed at different temperatures. Surface of the samples were analyzed using Scanning electron microscope, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, compound formation using glancing angle XRD and nanohardness was measured using nanoindentor. Oxidation resistance of the unimplanted, implanted and coated samples was compared at three different temperatures (500, 700 and 800°C). It is observed that oxidation resistance is better for the implanted samples at higher temperature whereas oxidation resistance is better for the TiN coated samples at lower temperature.
Nitrogen Ion Beam Modification of Alumina for Hard Tissue Implants
Authors: Shikha Deep , Jha Usha , Sinha S.K. , Nair K. G. M. , Tyagi A. K. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryAlumina has wide applications in industry, automobiles, electrical appliances etc. However its application as biomaterial has started recently. We propose to improve the bio‐physical, bio‐chemical and bio‐medical properties of alumina for its application as biomaterial by nitrogen ion implantation. Alumina is implanted with nitrogen ions at different energies (30 keV to 90 keV) and various ion doses (1 × 1015 ions/cm2 to 5 × 1017 ions/cm2). The microstructural changes and surface roughness of the specimens are characterized using Optical Microscope, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). Nano‐layered compound formation of nitrides & oxynitrides were observed using Glancing angle X‐ray Diffraction (GXRD). Mechanical changes like hardness are studied using nanoindentation method. It is observed that corrosion resistance studied using Electrochemical analyzer (ECA) increases at lower energy and at intermediate ion dose. At higher energy and higher ion doses corrosion resistance deteriorates which is in co‐ordinance with the micrstructural analysis. Bio‐medical characterization of the specimens has been carried out by Wettability and Thrombogenicity tests. Wettability decreases in comparison with unimplanted samples. The thrombogenicity of unimplanted and implanted samples were evaluated using a whole blood kinetic clotting time method. From thrombogenicity test, it is concluded that at lower energy, thrombogenicity increases whereas for higher energy thrombogenicity decreases in comparison with the unimplanted samples. On the basis of all the above studies, best suitable energy and ion‐dose is decided for the hard tissue replacement by alumina.
Footprint Recognition with Principal Component Analysis and Independent Component Analysis
Authors: Khokher Rohit , Singh Ram Chandra , Kumar Rahul 
Published: January 2015

SummaryThe finger print recognition, face recognition, hand geometry, iris recognition, voice scan, signature, retina scan and several other biometric patterns are being used for recognition of an individual. Human footprint is one of the relatively new physiological biometrics due to its stable and unique characteristics. The texture and foot shape information of footprint offers one of the powerful means in personal recognition. This work proposes a footprint based biometric identification of an individual by extracting texture and shape based features using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Independent Component Analysis (ICA) linear projection techniques. PCA is a commonly used technique for data classification and dimensionality reduction and ICA is one of the most widely used blind source separation technique for revealing hidden factors that underlie sets of random variables, measurements, or signals. In this study PCA and ICA have been compared for footprint recognition using distance classification techniques such as Euclidean distance, city block, cosine and correlation. Experimental results show that ICA performs better than PCA for footprint recognition.
Reliability of single and paired‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation in the vastus lateralis muscle
Authors: O'leary Thomas J. , Morris Martyn G. , Collett Johnny , Howells Ken 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an important tool to examine neurological pathologies, movement disorders, and central nervous system responses to exercise, fatigue, and training. The reliability has not been examined in a functional locomotor knee extensor muscle. Methods: Within‐ (n = 10) and between‐day (n = 16) reliability of single and paired‐paired pulse TMS was examined from the active vastus lateralis. Results: Motor evoked potential amplitude and cortical silent period duration showed good within‐ and between‐day reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ≥ 0.82). Short‐ and long‐interval intracortical inhibition (SICI and LICI, respectively) demonstrated good within‐day reliability (ICC ≥ 0.84). SICI had moderate to good between‐day reliability (ICC ≥ 0.67), but LICI was not repeatable (ICC = 0.47). Intracortical facilitation showed moderate to good within‐day reliability (ICC ≥ 0.73) but poor to moderate reliability between days (ICC ≥ 0.51). Conclusions: TMS can reliably assess cortical function in a knee extensor muscle. This may be useful to examine neurological disorders that affect locomotion. Muscle Nerve 52: 605–615, 2015
Small Weirs, Big Effects: Disruption of Water Temperature Regimes with Hydrological Alteration in a Mediterranean Stream
Authors: Bae M.‐J. , Merciai R. , Benejam L. , Sabater S. , García‐Berthou E. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe effects of hydrological alterations on thermal regimes due to small water provisioning schemes are poorly understood. We studied the alteration of thermal regimes in a Mediterranean stream, where a weir and a water abstraction have been previously shown to severely affect the flow regime (e.g. frequency and duration of drought) and fish assemblage. Compared to non‐impacted sites, the daily water temperature was more variable downstream of the weir, where water flow was reduced and drying occurred every summer. However, water temperature variation was smaller in a nearby downstream site dominated by effluents from a wastewater treatment plant. In addition, compared to all other sites, the times of the day to reach minimum and maximum water temperatures were markedly different in this site receiving the wastewater plant effluents and occurred earlier in the day in the site below the weir. The relationships between air and water temperatures were tight downstream but became looser and anomalous at the sites affected by water abstraction and effluent inputs. Overall, our results show that water temperature regimes in small streams are abruptly disrupted with water provisioning schemes with unknown consequences for aquatic organisms and ecosystems. Effects may be particularly stressful in Mediterranean‐climate streams, where water is scarce and hydrological alterations pervasive. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of maternal immunity and age structure on population immunity to measles
Authors: McKee A. , Ferrari M. J. , Shea K. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractMeasles was successfully eradicated in the Pan-American Health Region in 2002. However, maintenance of elimination in parts of Africa, Europe, the USA, and other regions is proving difficult, despite apparently high vaccine coverage. This may be due to the different age structure in developed and developing populations, as well as to differences in the duration of maternal immunity. We explore the interaction between maternal immunity and age structure and quantify the resulting immunity gap between vaccine coverage and population immunity; we use this immunity gap as a novel metric of vaccine program success as it highlights the difference between actual and estimated immunity. We find that, for some combinations of maternal immunity and age structure, the accepted herd immunity threshold is not maintainable with a single-dose vaccine strategy for any combination of target age and coverage. In all cases, the herd immunity threshold is more difficult to maintain in a population with developing age structure. True population immunity is always improved if the target age at vaccination is chosen for the specific combination of maternal immunity and age structure.
The Normal Anatomy and Variations of the Bronchial Arteries: Evaluation with Multidetector Computed Tomography
Authors: Yener Özlem , Türkvatan Aysel , Yüce Gökhan , Yener Ali Ümit 
Published: January 2015

Introduction In this study, we aimed to reveal the normal anatomy and variations of the bronchial arterial system and to determine the sex distribution of these variations by retrospectively reviewing the images of patients who underwent thoracal multidetector computed tomographic angiography for various reasons. Materials and Methods Multidetector computed tomographic images of a total of 208 patients (151 men; mean age, 59 years) were retrospectively reviewed to assess the normal anatomy and variations of the bronchial arterial system. Results A total of 531 bronchial arteries (median, 3; minimum, 1; maximum, 5; mean, 2.5) were detected. The number (mean diameter) of the right bronchial arteries were higher than the left bronchial arteries (290 [1.43 mm] and 241 [1.26 mm], respectively; P < .05 for both number and diameter). The mean number (diameter) of the bronchial arteries were higher with men than with women (2.58 [1.45 mm] and 2.47 [1.32 mm], respectively; P < .05 for both number and diameter). The most common (24%) branching pattern was the combination of 1 right intercostal-bronchial trunk and 1 left bronchial artery, and, secondarily (13.46%), the combination of 2 right (1 intercostal-bronchial trunk and 1 bronchial artery) and 1 left bronchial arteries. Seventy-eight ectopic bronchial arteries were detected in 59 cases (28.3%). They most commonly originated from the aortic arch (37.2%), the descending aorta below the level of T6 (35.9%), or the aortic branches (16.7%). The number of right ectopic bronchial arteries was significantly higher than the left ectopic bronchial arteries (50 [64%] vs 28 [36%]; P < .01). The incidence of ectopic bronchial arteries was statistically higher with men versus women (45 [29.8%] vs 14 [24.6%]; P < .05). Conclusion The origins, numbers, diameters, and courses of the bronchial arteries can vary substantially among individuals. Multidetector computed tomographic angiography enables a detailed road map of the bronchial arterial system to interventional radiologists and thoracic surgeons.
Long‐term stability in children's frontal EEG alpha asymmetry between 14‐months and 83‐months
Authors: Müller Barbara C.N. , Kühn‐Popp Nina , Meinhardt Jörg , Sodian Beate , Paulus Markus 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIn the present study, we investigated the test‐retest stability of resting state alpha asymmetry in 18 children (9 male and 9 female) in a longitudinal design. Children's resting state brain activation asymmetries were assessed by means of EEG first after 14 months of age, and again a second time at 83 months of age, and frontal (AsymF), temporal (AsymT), and parietal (AsymP) alpha activation asymmetries were calculated. Analyses demonstrate positive relations between frontal asymmetry scores at 14 and 83 months of age. Temporal and parietal asymmetries did not show this stability over time. This finding provides further support for the use of frontal alpha asymmetry measures to investigate processes underlying emotion and motivation in childhood, and its stability over time.
Linear Symmetric “Fat Taxes”: Evidence from Brazil
Authors: Leifert Rodrigo M. , Lucinda Claudio R. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAccording to the World Health Organization, the obesity epidemic is a threat. Brazil is not an exception, and the objective of this article is to analyze the effects of a “fat tax” there. For this purpose, the estimation of a demand system was carried out and policy simulations were performed using the estimated parameters. The simulation results indicate that to be successful, this “fat tax” must be combined with a subsidy on healthy food. Another contribution was the analysis of a linear symmetric revenue‐neutral tax schedule with more pronounced changes to micronutrient intake at no net cost to the government.
Establishment of Ochlerotatus japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Thielman Aynsley , Hunter Fiona F. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Ochlerotatus (Finlaya) japonicus (Theobold) is newly established in Ontario, Canada. It was first discovered in 2001 during the province-wide West Nile virus mosquito surveillance program implemented by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. Although the numbers of adults trapped in CDC light traps were low in 2001 and 2002, they increased during the 2003 and 2004 surveillance seasons. Oc. japonicus larvae also have been collected in large numbers in the Niagara Peninsula in a variety of natural and artificial containers. The number of health units with records for Oc. japonicus has increased over the 4 yr of surveillance, illustrating the ability of this species to rapidly extend its range. As a potential arboviral bridge vector, its establishment in Ontario requires further study and should be considered a public health concern.
Flight Initiation of Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) Under Natural Climatic Conditions
Authors: Gurevitz Juan M. , Ceballos Leonardo A. , Kitron Uriel , Gürtler Ricardo E. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Flight dispersal of Triatoma infestans Klug is probably the most important mechanism for house reinfestation at a village scale after residual spraying with insecticides. The aim of the current study was to estimate the flight initiation probability of field-collected T. infestans and to assess how this probability was affected by sex, adult age, partial bloodmeal, and the presence of a host inaccessible for feeding. Four experimental series, each consisting of three to six consecutive nights and repeated measurements of flight initiation on each individually marked bug, were carried out in experimental huts inside closed cages under natural climatic conditions. We demonstrate that flight initiation probability of T. infestans is much higher than previously reported, responds to temperature in a sigmoid manner, and is higher in females than males, and that the frequency distribution of the number of flights per individual is highly aggregated in female and male bugs. The age of adults had strong effects on flight initiation, whereas the presence of an inaccessible host and a partial bloodmeal exerted no significant effects in models controlling for the effects of bug weight-to-length ratio. The high flight potential found is consistent with the rapid changes in reinfestation patterns observed in the field. The present estimates of flight probabilities and the identification of factors modifying them provide essential knowledge for modeling reinfestation patterns and for improving control strategies of T. infestans.
Spatiotemporal Patterns of Host-Seeking Ixodes scapularis Nymphs (Acari: Ixodidae) in the United States
Authors: Diuk-Wasser M. A. , Gatewood A. G. , Cortinas M. R. , Yaremych-Hamer S. , Tsao J. , Kitron U. , Hickling G. , Brownstein J. S. , Walker E. , Piesman J. , Fish D. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
The risk of Lyme disease for humans in the eastern United States is dependent on the density of host-seeking Ixodes scapularis Say nymphal stage ticks infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. Although many local and regional studies have estimated Lyme disease risk using these parameters, this is the first large-scale study using a standardized methodology. Density of host-seeking I. scapularis nymphs was measured by drag sampling of closed canopy deciduous forest habitats in 95 locations spaced among 2° quadrants covering the entire United States east of the 100th meridian. Sampling was done in five standardized transects at each site and repeated three to six times during the summer of 2004. The total number of adults and nymphs of the seven tick species collected was 17,972, with 1,405 nymphal I. scapularis collected in 31 of the 95 sites. Peak global spatial autocorrelation values were found at the smallest lag distance (300 km) and decreased significantly after 1,000 km. Local autocorrelation statistics identified two significant high-density clusters around endemic areas in the northeast and upper Midwest and a low-density cluster in sites south of the 39th parallel, where only 21 nymphs were collected. Peak nymphal host-seeking density occurred earlier in the southern than in the most northern sites. Spatiotemporal density patterns will be combined with Borrelia prevalence data as part of a 4-yr survey to generate a nationwide spatial risk model for I. scapularis-borne Borrelia, which will improve targeting of disease prevention efforts.
Impact of Trap Elevation on Estimates of Abundance, Parity Rates, and Body Size of Culex pipiens and Culex restuans (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Drummond Cori L. , Drobnack Jason , Backenson P. Bryon , Ebel Gregory D. , Kramer Laura D. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Trapping success, abundance, parity rate, and body size indices of Culex pipiens (L.) and Culex restuans Theobald, important vectors of West Nile virus (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, WNV), were determined for specimens captured from both ground level (≈1-m) and elevated (≈6- to 7-m) CO2-baited CDC miniature light traps. Mosquitoes were collected from six study sites in Albany County, New York, from mid-May to mid-October 2004. There was no significant difference in abundance or mean parity for either Cx. pipiens or Cx. restuans between the elevated and the ground-level traps. Mosquitoes collected in elevated traps tended to be larger than mosquitoes collected at ground level. Elevated traps captured significantly fewer mosquitoes per trap-night than did ground traps, but a greater proportion of those captured were Culex spp. Therefore, elevated traps more efficiently captured Cx. pipiens and Cx. restuans with similar reproductive status and body size and reduced the time necessary to sort and identify collections. These findings may be beneficial to researchers or surveillance programs focusing on Cx. pipiens or Cx. restuans.
Natural Survivorship of Immature Stages of Culex vishnui (Diptera: Culicidae) Complex, Vectors of Japanese Encephalitis Virus, in Rice Fields in Southern India
Authors: Sunish I. P. , Reuben R. , Rajendran R. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
The development and survival of immatures of Culex vishnui (Diptera: Culicidae) complex, vectors of Japanese encephalitis virus, were studied in transplanted rice, Oryza savita L., fields during three crop growing seasons. The total duration of development from the first instar to adult emergence varied from 6 to 8 d. Survival rate estimates ranged from 0.003 to 0.524, but they generally were &lt;0.1. Unusually high survival rates (0.192–0.524) were observed in summer and long-term monsoon crop seasons during 1993. A multiple regression method using backward elimination was used to analyze the factors responsible for these variations. The model identified nine parameters related with survival rates that explained 99% of the variance. Area of water surface and hardness were negatively related, whereas green algae, notonectid adults, anisopterans, dytiscids, salinity, water depth, and dissolved oxygen were positively associated with immature survival.
Life History and Seasonal Abundance of Fannia benjamini Complex (Diptera: Muscidae) in Southern California
Authors: Mullens Bradley A. , Gerry Alec C. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Seasonal abundance and life history of Fannia benjamini complex (Diptera: Muscidae) was studied in the coastal mountain community of La Habra Heights in Los Angeles County, California, with additional observations in drier, inland mountains in the Woodcrest area, Riverside County. The dominant species (&gt;95% of fly collections) was Fannia conspicua Malloch, whereas Fannia benjamini Malloch also was present. Both species could be collected nearly year-round by netting adults (almost exclusively females) attracted to people, although F. benjamini was relatively more common in cooler weather (November-April). In La Habra Heights, adult activity peaked in June and July (both species), whereas peak activity in Woodcrest was late April through June for F. conspicua and February through April for F. benjamini. Field-collected adult females provided only water died within 2–4 d, whereas females provided with water plus a dry milk and sugar mixture survived up to 128–130 d in the laboratory. Males of F. conspicua (1–40 individuals) swarmed at heights of 0.5–4.0 m near Aptenia cordifolia (L.f.) Schwantes, an exotic, succulent, low-growing ground cover plant. Eggs of F. conspicua were deposited singly on older, decaying leaves of this plant, and adult F. conspicua emerged from Aptenia-covered areas in the field. In the laboratory, larvae of F. conspicua grazed on microbial surface films associated with Aptenia. Emergence of F. conspicua from field-collected soil-Aptenia mixtures (held in the laboratory) occurred from 1.5 to 5 mo after collection. Widespread Aptenia planting since the 1980s has probably resulted in F. conspicua becoming a severe human nuisance in some areas.