bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Canada Acute Coronary Syndrome Risk Score for Hospital Mortality in the Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events‐2
Authors: AlFaleh Hussam F. , Alsheikh‐Ali Alawi A. , Ullah Anhar , AlHabib Khalid F. , Hersi Ahmad , Suwaidi Jassim Al , Sulaiman Kadhim , Saif Shukri Al , Almahmeed Wael , Asaad Nidal , Amin Haitham , Al‐Motarreb Ahmed , Kashour Tarek 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundSeveral risk scores have been developed for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, but their use is limited by their complexity. The new Canada Acute Coronary Syndrome (C‐ACS) risk score is a simple risk‐assessment tool for ACS patients. This study assessed the performance of the C‐ACS risk score in predicting hospital mortality in a contemporary Middle Eastern ACS cohort.HypothesisThe C‐ACS score accurately predicts hospital mortality in ACS patients.MethodsThe baseline risk of 7929 patients from 6 Arab countries who were enrolled in the Gulf RACE‐2 registry was assessed using the C‐ACS risk score. The score ranged from 0 to 4, with 1 point assigned for the presence of each of the following variables: age ≥75 years, Killip class >1, systolic blood pressure <100 mm Hg, and heart rate >100 bpm. The discriminative ability and calibration of the score were assessed using C statistics and goodness‐of‐fit tests, respectively.ResultsThe C‐ACS score demonstrated good predictive values for hospital mortality in all ACS patients with a C statistic of 0.77 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.74‐0.80) and in ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction and non–ST‐segment elevation acute coronary syndrome patients (C statistic: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.73‐0.79; and C statistic: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.75‐0.84, respectively). The discriminative ability of the score was moderate regardless of age category, nationality, and diabetic status. Overall, calibration was optimal in all subgroups.ConclusionsThe new C‐ACS score performed well in predicting hospital mortality in a contemporary ACS population outside North America.
CT segmentation of dental shapes by anatomy‐driven reformation imaging and B‐spline modelling
Authors: Barone S. , Paoli A. , Razionale A. V. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryDedicated imaging methods are among the most important tools of modern computer‐aided medical applications. In the last few years, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has gained popularity in digital dentistry for 3D imaging of jawbones and teeth. However, the anatomy of a maxillofacial region complicates the assessment of tooth geometry and anatomical location when using standard orthogonal views of the CT data set. In particular, a tooth is defined by a sub‐region, which cannot be easily separated from surrounding tissues by only considering pixel grey‐intensity values. For this reason, an image enhancement is usually necessary in order to properly segment tooth geometries.In this paper, an anatomy‐driven methodology to reconstruct individual 3D tooth anatomies by processing CBCT data is presented. The main concept is to generate a small set of multi‐planar reformation images along significant views for each target tooth, driven by the individual anatomical geometry of a specific patient. The reformation images greatly enhance the clearness of the target tooth contours. A set of meaningful 2D tooth contours is extracted and used to automatically model the overall 3D tooth shape through a B‐spline representation.The effectiveness of the methodology has been verified by comparing some anatomy‐driven reconstructions of anterior and premolar teeth with those obtained by using standard tooth segmentation tools. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Free Energy Calculations using a Swarm‐Enhanced Sampling Molecular Dynamics Approach
Authors: Burusco Kepa K. , Bruce Neil J. , Alibay Irfan , Bryce Richard A. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractFree energy simulations are an established computational tool in modelling chemical change in the condensed phase. However, sampling of kinetically distinct substates remains a challenge to these approaches. As a route to addressing this, we link the methods of thermodynamic integration (TI) and swarm‐enhanced sampling molecular dynamics (sesMD), where simulation replicas interact cooperatively to aid transitions over energy barriers. We illustrate the approach by using alchemical alkane transformations in solution, comparing them with the multiple independent trajectory TI (IT‐TI) method. Free energy changes for transitions computed by using IT‐TI grew increasingly inaccurate as the intramolecular barrier was heightened. By contrast, swarm‐enhanced sampling TI (sesTI) calculations showed clear improvements in sampling efficiency, leading to more accurate computed free energy differences, even in the case of the highest barrier height. The sesTI approach, therefore, has potential in addressing chemical change in systems where conformations exist in slow exchange.
Nonplanar Shocks and Solitons in a Strongly Coupled Adiabatic Plasma: the Roles of Heavy Ion Dynamics and Nonextensitivity
Authors: Ema S. A. , Hossen M. R. , Mamun A. A. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAn investigation has been made on heavy ion‐acoustic (HIA) nonplanar shocks and solitons in an unmagnetized, collisionless, strongly coupled plasma whose constituents are strongly correlated adiabatic inertial heavy ions, weakly correlated nonextensive distributed electrons and Maxwellian light ions. By using appropriate nonlinear equations for our strongly coupled plasma system and the well‐known reductive perturbation technique, a modified Burgers (mB) equation and a modified Korteweg‐de Vries (mK‐dV) equation have been derived. They are also numerically solved in order to investigate the basic features (viz. polarity, amplitude, width, etc.) of cylindrical and spherical shock/solitary waves in such a strongly coupled plasma system. The roles of heavy ion dynamics, nonextensivity of electrons, and other plasma parameters arised in this investigation have significantly modified the basic features of the cylindrical and spherical HIA solitary and shock waves. The findings of our results obtained from this theoretical investigation may be useful in understanding the nonlinear phenomena associated with the cylindrical and spherical HIA waves both in space and laboratory plasmas. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
MicroRNAs as regulators of beta‐cell function and dysfunction
Authors: Osmai Mirwais , Osmai Yama , Bang‐Berthelsen Claus H. , Pallesen Emil M. H. , Vestergaard Anna L. , Novotny Guy W. , Pociot Flemming , Mandrup‐Poulsen Thomas 
Published: September 2015

SummaryIn the last decade, there has been an explosion in both the number of and knowledge about miRNAs associated with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Even though we are presently in the initial stages of understanding how this novel class of posttranscriptional regulators are involved in diabetes, recent studies have demonstrated that miRNAs are important regulators of the islet transcriptome, controlling apoptosis, differentiation and proliferation, as well as regulating unique islet and beta‐cell functions and pathways such as insulin expression, processing and secretion. Furthermore, a large number of miRNAs have been linked to diabetogenic processes induced by elevated levels of glucose, free fatty acids and inflammatory cytokines. Thus, miRNAs are novel therapeutic targets with the potential of protecting the beta‐cell, and there is proof of principle that miRNA antagonists, so‐called antagomirs, are effective in vivo for other disorders. miRNAs are exported out of cells in exosomes, raising the intriguing possibility of cell‐to‐cell communication between distant tissues via miRNAs and that miRNAs can be used as biomarkers of beta‐cell function, mass and survival. The purpose of this review is to provide a status on how miRNAs control beta‐cell function and viability in health and disease. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SNAr versus Buchwald–Hartwig Amination/Amidation in the Imidazo[2,1‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazole Series
Authors: Copin Chloé , Massip Stéphane , Léger Jean‐Michel , Jarry Christian , Buron Frédéric , Routier Sylvain 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAn original and efficient palladium‐catalyzed amination of imidazo[2,1‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazole is reported. The SNAr and Buchwald–Hartwig cross‐coupling reactions were investigated to access C‐2 aminated imidazo[1,2‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazole derivatives. The reaction conditions were optimized under microwave irradiation, and a wide range of amines were used to determine the scope and limitations of the method. To complete this study, the palladium‐catalyzed and SNAr amination reactions were compared to determine the best strategy. The X‐ray crystallographic data of imidazo[2,1‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazole derivative 20 was used to formally establish the structures of the products.
The pathogenesis of Prurigo nodularis – ‘Super‐Itch’ in exploration
Authors: Zeidler C. , Ständer S. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractPrurigo nodularis (PN) is characterized by multiple hyperkeratotic nodules, papules and the presence of intensive pruritus. This leads to an impaired quality of life and high burden due not only to the severe itch but also the chronic, skin lesions and lack of treatment options.The pathogenesis of PN is not completely clarified. Previous studies have demonstrated just how important the interaction between cutaneous nerve fibres and immune cells is. Besides a reduced intraepidermal nerve fibre density, there are increased dermal levels of neuropeptides such as substance P, calcitonin gene‐related peptide and nerve growth factor, as well as a predominant presence of eosinophils and mast cells. An interaction of these factors results in a complex relationship which will be discussed in this article.
Pruritus in psoriasis: An update
Authors: Szepietowski J.C. , Reich A. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackground and objectivePsoriasis is one of the most common chronic inflammatory skin diseases, found in about 1–3% of the general population. Pruritus affects about 60–90% of patients with psoriasis. The aim of this review was to summarize current knowledge about the pathogenesis and treatment of this symptom in psoriasis patients.ResultsMajority of psoriatic patients consider pruritus as the most bothersome symptom. The pathogenesis of pruritus is still unknown but the major concept of its origin is focused on neurogenic inflammation. Possible itch mediators include neuropeptides released from dermal nerve endings upon various stimuli, which were found to be abnormally expressed in itchy psoriatic plaques. Another important phenomenon supporting the idea of neurogenic inflammation as a key player in pruritus accompanying psoriasis is abnormal innervations of psoriatic skin. Possibly increased innervation density in psoriasis may decrease the threshold for pruritic stimuli. It is also suggested that pruritus in psoriasis might be related to abnormal functioning of the peripheral opioid system. Despite the high frequency of pruritus in psoriasis, to date there is no single antipruritic therapy dedicated specifically to treat itch in this disease.ConclusionsNeurogenic inflammation seems to be important for itchiness in psoriasis. Treatment of pruritus in patients with psoriasis should be directed towards the resolution of skin lesions, as disease remission usually is linked with pruritus relief.
Electrochemical Performance of Carbon Onions Fabricated by Electric Arc‐Discharge Method
Authors: Ruan Chao , Leng Jinsong , Lian Yongfu 
Published: September 2015

AbstractArc discharged carbon onions (CNOs) were purified through successive ignition, acid wash, surfactant‐assisted dispersion, filtration and centrifugation. Cyclic voltammetry of the multistage separated products with a ferro/ferricyanide redox probe was employed to measure the heterogeneous electron transfer (HET) rate. It was found that metal (nickel) encapsulating CNOs yielded in an HET rate about 60 times higher than that of hollow CNOs. The electrochemical performances of CNOs are interfered by the residual metal catalyst and nano‐graphitic debris, and are dependent on their varying morphology and structure. This work implicates that the metal encapsulating CNOs are applicable in the field of batteries or supercapacitors.
Effect of non‐moment braced frame seismic deformations on buckling‐restrained brace end connection behavior: Theoretical analysis and subassemblage tests
Authors: Zhao Junxian , Lin Fuxiong , Wang Zhan 
Published: September 2015

SummaryIn‐plane buckling‐restrained brace (BRB) end rotation induced by frame action is a commonly observed phenomenon in buckling‐restrained braced frames (BRBFs). However, its effect on BRB end connection behavior has not yet been clear. In this study, four BRB end deformation modes for quick determination of end rotational demand are proposed for non‐moment BRBF considering different BRB arrangements, installing story of BRBs, and boundary condition of corner gussets connected with column base. Key factors affecting BRB end rotation and flexural moments are examined theoretically by parametric analysis. Subassemblage tests of seven BRB specimens under horizontal cyclic loading were conducted by adopting two loading frames to impose the expected BRB end deformations. It shows that BRB end rotation subjected BRB ends to significant flexural moments, leading to premature yielding of BRB ends or even tendency of end zone buckling. The deformation modes, the flexural rigidity of BRB ends, and the initial geometric imperfections of BRBs were found to have significant influence on BRB end connection behavior. The triggering moment induced by BRB end rotation was the main contributor to end flexural moment. However, the moment amplification effect induced by flexure of BRB end zones became prominent especially for small flexural rigidity of BRB ends. Implications and future research needs for design of BRB end connections are provided finally based on the theoretical and experimental results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simplified macro‐model for infill masonry walls considering the out‐of‐plane behaviour
Authors: Furtado André , Rodrigues Hugo , Arêde António , Varum Humberto 
Published: September 2015

SummaryOne of the main challenges in earthquake risk mitigation is the assessment of existing buildings not designed according to modern codes and the development of effective techniques to strengthen these structures. Particular attention should be given to RC frame structures with masonry infill panels, as demonstrated by their poor performance in recent earthquakes in Europe. Understanding the seismic behaviour of masonry‐infilled RC frames presents one of the most difficult problems in structural engineering. Analytical tools to evaluate infill–frame interaction and the failure mechanisms need to be further studied. This research intends to develop a simplified macro‐model that takes into account the out‐of‐plane behaviour of the infill panels and the corresponding in‐plane and out‐of‐plane interaction when subjected to seismic loadings. Finally, a vulnerability assessment of an RC building will be performed in order to evaluate the influence of the out‐of‐plane consideration in the building response. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differential involvement of cortical and cerebellar areas using dominant and nondominant hands: An FMRI study
Authors: Alahmadi Adnan A.S. , Pardini Matteo , Samson Rebecca S. , D'Angelo Egidio , Friston Karl J. , Toosy Ahmed T. , Gandini Wheeler‐Kingshott Claudia A.M. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractMotor fMRI studies, comparing dominant (DH) and nondominant (NDH) hand activations have reported mixed findings, especially for the extent of ipsilateral (IL) activations and their relationship with task complexity. To date, no study has directly compared DH and NDH activations using an event‐related visually guided dynamic power‐grip paradigm with parametric (three) forces (GF) in healthy right‐handed subjects. We implemented a hierarchical statistical approach aimed to: (i) identify the main effect networks engaged when using either hand; (ii) characterise DH/NDH responses at different GFs; (iii) assess contralateral (CL)/IL‐specific and hemisphere‐specific activations. Beyond confirming previously reported results, this study demonstrated that increasing GF has an effect on motor response that is contextualised also by the use of DH or NDH. Linear analysis revealed increased activations in sensorimotor areas, with additional increased recruitments of subcortical and cerebellar areas when using the NDH. When looking at CL/IL‐specific activations, CL sensorimotor areas and IL cerebellum were activated with both hands. When performing the task with the NDH, several areas were also recruited including the CL cerebellum. Finally, there were hand‐side‐independent activations of nonmotor‐specific areas in the right and left hemispheres, with the right hemisphere being involved more extensively in sensori‐motor integration through associative areas while the left hemisphere showing greater activation at higher GF. This study shows that the functional networks subtending DH/NDH power‐grip visuomotor functions are qualitatively and quantitatively distinct and this should be taken into consideration when performing fMRI studies, particularly when planning interventions in patients with specific impairments. Hum Brain Mapp 36:5079–5100, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spatiotemporal patterns of cortical fiber density in developing infants, and their relationship with cortical thickness
Authors: Li Gang , Liu Tianming , Ni Dong , Lin Weili , Gilmore John H. , Shen Dinggang 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe intrinsic relationship between the convoluted cortical folding and the underlying complex whiter matter fiber connections has received increasing attention in current neuroscience studies. Recently, the axonal pushing hypothesis of cortical folding has been proposed to explain the finding that the axonal fibers (derived from diffusion tensor images) connecting to gyri are significantly denser than those connecting to sulci in both adult human and non‐human primate brains. However, it is still unclear about the spatiotemporal patterns of the fiber density on the cortical surface of the developing infant brains from birth to 2 years of age, which is the most dynamic phase of postnatal brain development. In this paper, for the first time, we systemically characterized the spatial distributions and longitudinal developmental trajectories of the cortical fiber density in the first 2 postnatal years, via joint analysis of longitudinal structural and diffusion tensor imaging from 33 healthy infants. We found that the cortical fiber density increases dramatically in the first year and then keeps relatively stable in the second year. Moreover, we revealed that the cortical fiber density on gyral regions was significantly higher at 0, 1, and 2 years of age than that on sulcal regions in the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes. Meanwhile, the cortical fiber density was strongly positively correlated with cortical thickness at several three‐hinge junction regions of gyri. These results significantly advanced our understanding of the intrinsic relationship between the cortical folding, cortical thickness and axonal wiring during early postnatal stages. Hum Brain Mapp 36:5183–5195, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neural responses to kindness and malevolence differ in illness and recovery in women with anorexia nervosa
Authors: McAdams Carrie J. , Lohrenz Terry , Montague P. Read 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIn anorexia nervosa, problems with social relationships contribute to illness, and improvements in social support are associated with recovery. Using the multiround trust game and 3T MRI, we compare neural responses in a social relationship in three groups of women: women with anorexia nervosa, women in long‐term weight recovery from anorexia nervosa, and healthy comparison women. Surrogate markers related to social signals in the game were computed each round to assess whether the relationship was improving (benevolence) or deteriorating (malevolence) for each subject. Compared with healthy women, neural responses to benevolence were diminished in the precuneus and right angular gyrus in both currently‐ill and weight‐recovered subjects with anorexia, but neural responses to malevolence differed in the left fusiform only in currently‐ill subjects. Next, using a whole‐brain regression, we identified an office assessment, the positive personalizing bias, that was inversely correlated with neural activity in the occipital lobe, the precuneus and posterior cingulate, the bilateral temporoparietal junctions, and dorsal anterior cingulate, during benevolence for all groups of subjects. The positive personalizing bias is a self‐report measure that assesses the degree with which a person attributes positive experiences to other people. These data suggest that problems in perceiving kindness may be a consistent trait related to the development of anorexia nervosa, whereas recognizing malevolence may be related to recovery. Future work on social brain function, in both healthy and psychiatric populations, should consider positive personalizing biases as a possible marker of neural differences related to kindness perception. Hum Brain Mapp 36:5207–5219, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evidence that smooth pursuit velocity, not eye position, modulates alpha and beta oscillations in human middle temporal cortex
Authors: Dunkley Benjamin T. , Freeman Tom C.A. , Muthukumaraswamy Suresh D. , Singh Krish D. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractSuppression of 5–25 Hz oscillations have been observed in MT+ during pursuit eye movements, suggesting oscillations that play a role in oculomotor control and/or the integration of extraretinal signals during pursuit. The amplitude of these rhythms appears to covary with head‐centered eye position, but an alternative is that they depend on a velocity signal that lags the movement of the eyes. To investigate, we explored how alpha and beta amplitude changes related to ongoing eye movement depended on pursuit at different eccentricities. The results revealed largely identical patterns of modulation in the alpha and beta amplitude, irrespective of the eccentricity at which the pursuit eye movement was performed. The signals we measured therefore do not depend on head‐centered position. A second experiment was designed to investigate whether the alpha and beta oscillations depended on the direction of pursuit, as opposed to just speed. We found no evidence that alpha or beta oscillations depended on direction, but there was a significant effect of eye speed on the magnitude of the beta suppression. This suggests distinct functional roles for alpha and beta suppression in pursuit behavior. Hum Brain Mapp 36:5220–5232, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.