bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Applications of Noninvasive Prenatal Testing
Authors: Greeley Elizabeth T. , Kessler Kimberly A. , Vohra Nidhi 
Published: May 2015

AbstractPrenatal screening for aneuploidy provides individualized risk assessment that helps patients and clinicians decide who may choose invasive diagnostic testing. Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a new technology that analyzes cell-free fetal DNA in maternal serum to screen for trisomy 21 and other common aneuploidies. Compared to existing prenatal screening tests, NIPT can be performed earlier in pregnancy, around 9–10 weeks of gestation, and has the best detection accuracy for screening. However, it does not replace invasive, diagnostic testing such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling. Current guidelines recommend that women at an increased risk for aneuploidy can be screened using NIPT. There is insufficient data to recommend that low-risk patients or women with multiple gestations may benefit from NIPT. Various technologies achieve results with high sensitivity and specificity that significantly decrease the number of invasive diagnostic procedures performed. Limitations of NIPT include detection of only a few chromosomal abnormalities, test failure, and false positive and false negative results from various maternal, placental, and fetal conditions. A confirmatory diagnostic test is recommended following a positive NIPT result. The American College of Genetics and Genomics recommends use of the term noninvasive prenatal screening instead of NIPT to emphasize the screening nature of this test. It is essential that women are offered pre-test and post-test counseling to explain the performance and limitations of the test and the significance of a positive result.
Tuning in to teens: Improving parental responses to anger and reducing youth externalizing behavior problems
Authors: Havighurst Sophie S. , Kehoe Christiane E. , Harley Ann E. 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTParent emotion socialization plays an important role in shaping emotional and behavioral development during adolescence. The Tuning in to Teens (TINT) program aims to improve parents' responses to young people's emotions with a focus on teaching emotion coaching. This study examined the efficacy of the TINT program in improving emotion socialization practices in parents and whether this reduced family conflict and youth externalizing difficulties. Schools were randomized into intervention and control conditions and 225 primary caregiving parents and 224 youth took part in the study. Self‐report data was collected from parents and youth during the young person's final year of elementary school and again in their first year of secondary school. Multilevel analyses showed significant improvements in parent's impulse control difficulties and emotion socialization, as well as significant reductions in family conflict and youth externalizing difficulties. This study provides support for the TINT program in reducing youth externalizing behavior problems.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prevalence Studies in Transsexualism
Authors: Arcelus J. , Bouman W.P. , Van Den Noortgate W. , Claes L. , Witcomb G. , Fernandez-Aranda F. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundOver the last 50 years, several studies have provided estimates of the prevalence of transsexualism. The variation in reported prevalence is considerable and may be explained by factors such as the methodology and diagnostic classification used and the year and country in which the studies took place. Taking these into consideration, this study aimed to critically and systematically review the available literature measuring the prevalence of transsexualism as well as performing a meta-analysis using the available data.MethodsDatabases were systematically searched and 1473 possible studies were identified. After initial scrutiny of the article titles and removal of those not relevant, 250 studies were selected for further appraisal. Of these, 211 were excluded after reading the abstracts and a further 18 after reading the full article. This resulted in 21 studies on which to perform a systematic review, with only 12 having sufficient data for meta-analysis. The primary data of the epidemiological studies were extracted as raw numbers. An aggregate effect size, weighted by sample size, was computed to provide an overall effect size across the studies. Risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The relative weighted contribution of each study was also assessed.ResultsThe overall meta-analytical prevalence for transsexualism was 4.6 in 100,000 individuals; 6.8 for trans women and 2.6 for trans men. Time analysis found an increase in reported prevalence over the last 50 years.ConclusionsThe overall prevalence of transsexualism reported in the literature is increasing. However, it is still very low and is mainly based on individuals attending clinical services and so does not provide an overall picture of prevalence in the general population. However, this study should be considered as a starting point and the field would benefit from more rigorous epidemiological studies acknowledging current changes in the classification system and including different locations worldwide.
Transmission of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to Healthcare Worker Gowns and Gloves During Care of Nursing Home Residents
Authors: Roghmann Mary-Claire , Johnson J. Kristie , Sorkin John D. , Langenberg Patricia , Lydecker Alison , Sorace Brian , Levy Lauren , Mody Lona 
Published: May 2015

OBJECTIVETo estimate the frequency of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) transmission to gowns and gloves worn by healthcare workers (HCWs) interacting with nursing home residents to better inform infection prevention policies in this settingDESIGNObservational studySETTINGParticipants were recruited from 13 community-based nursing homes in Maryland and MichiganPARTICIPANTSResidents and HCWs from these nursing homesMETHODSResidents were cultured for MRSA at the anterior nares and perianal or perineal skin. HCWs wore gowns and gloves during usual care activities. At the end of each activity, a research coordinator swabbed the HCW’s gown and gloves.RESULTSA total of 403 residents were enrolled; 113 were MRSA colonized. Glove contamination was higher than gown contamination (24% vs 14% of 954 interactions; P<.01). Transmission varied greatly by type of care from 0% to 24% for gowns and from 8% to 37% for gloves. We identified high-risk care activities: dressing, transferring, providing hygiene, changing linens, and toileting the resident (OR >1.0; P<.05). We also identified low-risk care activities: giving medications and performing glucose monitoring (OR<1.0; P<.05). Residents with chronic skin breakdown had significantly higher rates of gown and glove contamination.CONCLUSIONSMRSA transmission from MRSA-positive residents to HCW gown and gloves is substantial; high-contact activities of daily living confer the highest risk. These activities do not involve overt contact with body fluids, skin breakdown, or mucous membranes, which suggests the need to modify current standards of care involving the use of gowns and gloves in the nursing home setting.Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;36(9):1050–1057
The use of grafted seedlings increases the success of conservation translocations of Manglietia longipedunculata (Magnoliaceae), a Critically Endangered tree
Authors: Ren Hai , Liu Hong , Wang Jun , Yuan Lianlian , Cui Xiaodong , Zhang Qianmei , Fu Lin , Chen Hongfeng , Zhong Wenchao , Yang Keming , Guo Qinfeng 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe distribution of the Critically Endangered tree Manglietia longipedunculata, of which there are only 11 known wild individuals, is restricted to the Nankunshan Nature Reserve in South China. The species is threatened with extinction because of its small number of individuals and the impediments to its reproduction (a combination of protogyny, a short period of stigma receptivity, and a lack of efficient pollinators). To reduce the risk of extinction we conducted two conservation translocation trials: one to augment the sole extant population, and the other 202 km north of the current range. The latter trial was a conservation introduction in which the goals were to increase the population and to buffer against the effects of climate change. We used emerged and grafted seedlings as translocation materials. We compared the survival, growth, and eco-physiological properties of emerged and grafted seedlings at the two sites. The survival rate and growth were higher for grafted seedlings than for emerged seedlings at both sites. Eco-physiological data indicated that grafted seedlings at both sites were as efficient or more so in light and water usage than wild individuals, whereas emerged seedlings were less efficient. Grafted seedlings attained the flowering stage sooner than emerged seedlings. Our study suggests that grafting can facilitate the augmentation and establishment of new populations of M. longipedunculata and perhaps of new populations of other threatened species facing reproductive difficulties and climate change.
No progression of the alterations in the cortical thickness of individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder: a three-year longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging study of first-episode patients
Authors: Roiz-Santiáñez R. , Ortiz-García de la Foz V. , Ayesa-Arriola R. , Tordesillas-Gutiérrez D. , Jorge R. , Varela-Gómez N. , Suárez-Pinilla P. , Córdova-Palomera A. , Navasa-Melado J. M. , Crespo-Facorro B. 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundCortical thickness measurement offers an index of brain development processes. In healthy individuals, cortical thickness is reduced with increasing age and is related to cognitive decline. Cortical thinning has been reported in schizophrenia. Whether cortical thickness changes differently over time in patients and its impact on outcome remain unanswered.MethodData were examined from 109 patients and 76 healthy controls drawn from the Santander Longitudinal Study of first-episode schizophrenia for whom adequate structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were available (n = 555 scans). Clinical and cognitive assessments and MRIs were acquired at three regular time points during a 3-year follow-up period. We investigated likely progressive cortical thickness changes in schizophrenia during the first 3 years after initiating antipsychotic treatment. The effects of cortical thickness changes on cognitive and clinical variables were also examined along with the impact of potential confounding factors.ResultsThere were significant diagnoses × scan time interaction main effects for total cortical thickness (F1,309.1 = 4.60, p = 0.033) and frontal cortical thickness (F1,310.6 = 5.30, p = 0.022), reflecting a lesser thinning over time in patients. Clinical and cognitive outcome was not associated with progressive cortical changes during the early years of the illness.ConclusionsCortical thickness abnormalities do not unswervingly progress, at least throughout the first years of the illness. Previous studies have suggested that modifiable factors may partly account for cortical thickness abnormalities. Therefore, the importance of implementing practical actions that may modify those factors and improve them over the course of the illness should be highlighted.
In vitro steroid-induced meiosis in Rhinella arenarum oocytes: role of pre-MPF activation
Authors: Arias Torres Ana Josefina , Bühler Marta Inés , Zelarayán Liliana Isabel 
Published: May 2015

SummaryIn this work we showed the relationship between seasonal periods and the response of R. arenarum follicles and oocytes to different steroids. Using in vitro germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) assays, we demonstrated that P4 is the main steroid capable of inducing maturation in R. arenarum oocytes and follicles. In the second part of this work we showed that androgens can activate pre-maturation promoting factors (pre-MPFs) such as P4, by cytoplasm microinjection experiments. The results indicated that the steroids assayed induced oocyte and follicle maturation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In oocytes, P4 was the most efficient steroid as a maturation inducer (EC50 of the reproductive period, 6 nM, EC50 of the non-reproductive period ≅ 30 nM). Androgens (DHEA, dehydroepiandrosterone; T, testosterone; and AD, androstenedione) were less efficient maturation inducers than P4 (EC50 reproductive period ≅ 50, 120 and 600 nM respectively). Similar results were obtained with intact follicles in both seasonal periods. Although the response of follicles to the different androgens was variable, in no case was it above the above the response induced by P4. Independently of the season, oocytes and follicles incubated in P4, P5 and T underwent GVBD after 6–10 h while oocytes and follicles incubated in DHEA and AD matured more slowly. Furthermore, we demonstrated that microinjection of mature cytoplasm from androgen-treated oocytes is sufficient to promote GVBD in immature recipient oocytes (DHEA, 57 ± 12%; AD, 60 ± 8%; T, 56 ± 13%). Thus, androgens such as DHEA, T and AD are as competent as P4 to activate pre-MPF.
Establishment and characterization of a novel murine model for pollen allergy
Authors: Murakami Shiho , Nakayama Sayuri , Hattori Makoto , Yoshida Tadashi 
Published: May 2015

AbstractAlthough there have been many studies revealing the mechanism and establishing the therapeutical method for allergic rhinitis, no suitable animal models for allergic rhinitis, especially for pollen allergy, are currently available. We therefore aimed in this study to develop a murine model producing IgE in response to an inhaled antigen without using any adjuvants. Ovalbumin (OVA)-specific T cell receptor transgenic mice (DO11.10) inhaled an OVA solution for one h, twice a week, for six weeks. The resulting increase of OVA-specific IgE in the serum was observed depending on the times of inhalation. Spleen cells from mice that had inhaled the antigen produced more IL-4 and less IFN-γ than those from the control mice in vitro. These results indicate that inhaled antigen enhanced the Th2-type responses and induced IgE production in a T cell-mediated manner. Our findings would contribute to studies on prevention and treatment of pollen allergy.
Changes in Red Snapper Diet and Trophic Ecology Following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Authors: Tarnecki Joseph H. , Patterson William F. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus were sampled at 33 natural and 27 artificial reef sites in the northern Gulf of Mexico prior to (2009–2010) and after (2010–2011) to examine potential diet and trophic shifts following the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill. We dissected 708 stomachs for gut content analysis and processed 65 muscle tissue samples for stable isotope ratio-mass spectrometry analysis of δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S. Forty-eight percent of stomachs contained identifiable prey, which we grouped into seven categories: fish, decapods, cephalopods, stomatopods, gastropods, zooplankton, and other invertebrates. Based on these categories, Red Snapper diet was significantly different following the DWH oil spill, and was differentially affected by fish size. The interaction between habitat (natural versus artificial reefs) and DWH oil spill effects was also significant. Significant differences in diet among Red Snapper size-classes were due to low trophic position prey, such as pelagic zooplankton, being more abundant in the diet of larger (&gt;500 mm) Red Snapper, while decapods and fish constituted a higher proportion of the diet of smaller individuals. Red Snapper consumed higher amounts of decapods at artificial (21.9% by mass) versus natural (14.8%) reef sites, but the habitat effect on diet was not significant. The habitat × DWH timing interaction was driven by a decrease in zooplankton consumed at both habitat types, increased benthic prey at natural reefs, and increased fish consumption at artificial reefs in post-DWH oil spill samples. Stable isotope data indicated a postspill increase in Red Snapper trophic position (15N enrichment) and an increase in benthic versus pelagic prey (34S depletion), both consistent with observed dietary shifts. Overall, results indicate shifts in Red Snapper diet and trophic position occurred following the DWH oil spill, thus the relative abundance of prey resources likely changed.
Received May 30, 2014; accepted February 3, 2015
Operating room adjusted utilization study
Authors: Arcidiacono Gabriele , Wang Jihan , Yang Kai 
Published: May 2015

Purpose
– This paper aims to identify key factors that impact operating room (OR) utilization and evaluate different scenarios on OR performance.

Design/methodology/approach
– Five months of data were collected. stepwise regression and best subset models were used to select factors and generate regression model for OR utilization. We further used simulation to test the influence of case duration mean, case duration variation, scheduled utilization and first-case delay on OR utilization, OR cost inefficiency and patient wait time on the day of surgery.

Findings
– The scheduled utilization, case cancellation and add-on cases were the most important factors identified in all models. The larger the case duration variation, the lower the OR cost efficiency and utilization, the longer the patient wait time. First-case delay and turnover times are not critical in OR utilization or cost efficiency.

Practical implications
– OR management should focus on creating an effective way to manage case cancellation and add-on policy to tackle the change on the day of surgery. In addition, several weeks before the surgery, the management needs to consider how to schedule cases to fit the allocated OR time.

Originality/value
– In complementary of current OR management, this research assists OR management by identifying the factors that would result in the most significant improvement on OR utilization.
Wrench perception in intermediary telepresence for remote manipulation
Authors: Shirwalkar Varsha , Dwarakanath T.A. , Bhutani Gaurav 
Published: May 2015

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to conduct a reliable remote manipulation with good contact perception of the remote site. The long-term experience of the authors’ repeatedly confirm that the highest relevance lies in monitoring the wrench acting at a structurally weak point of the work piece rather than monitoring the wrench experienced by the robot end-effector.

Design/methodology/approach
The approach followed here is to sense the wrench at the interface of the robot end-effector and the environment. Position and orientation data and environment model are used to arrive at the contact point in real time. The intent of remote contact procedure is understood based on the knowledge of motion trajectory. All the above information is used to develop a wrench transformation to obtain the force diagrams.

Findings
The haptic solutions greatly suffer from objectivity, and therefore may result in inconsistency in an operator’s role. Intermediary telepresence through the visual communication of the wrench at the remote site in the form of force diagram provides excellent consistency across the operators and operations. Observing six components of the wrench in separate graphs does not provide on-line error estimate. Force diagrams suggested in the paper are found to be highly effective in perceiving the wrench.

Practical implications
The contact mode operations like assembly, surgery, docking, etc. still suffer due to the lack of easily perceivable wrench visualization. This paper provides solution to such practical issues.

Originality/value
The concept is original, and has evolved steadily over a period of time.
Incremental approach for trajectory generation of spray painting robot
Authors: Andulkar Mayur V. , Chiddarwar Shital S. 
Published: May 2015

Purpose
This paper aims to present a new offline robot programming approach for automated trajectory generation on free-form surfaces targeted toward spray painting application.

Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, an incremental trajectory generation approach is developed where new paint passes are generated based on paint deposited on the surface as a result of previous paint passes. The trajectory is generated on real surfaces where optimal velocity is calculated using genetic algorithm considering parameters such as surface model, spray gun model, paint distribution model and task constraints.

Findings
The developed approach was implemented on various surfaces for different paint distribution patterns, and the simulation results reveal that the approach is flexible and efficient to handle variety in part geometry and paint distribution. From experimental validation and analysis of results thus obtained, the developed approach is highly promising compared to the existing methods.

Research limitations/implications
The approach assumes that the computer-aided design (CAD) model of the surface is available and is limited to surjective surfaces in a structured environment where the spray gun characteristics and process parameters are known beforehand.

Practical implications
The problem of programming a robot manually is overcome by automatically generating a sub-optimal trajectory which can be easily transferred to an industrial robot for spray painting the surface.

Originality/value
This paper discusses a new approach for automated trajectory generation from CAD model. The experimental validation of the developed approach is successfully performed on a highly curved test surface, and obtained results are in agreement with the simulation results.
A biomimetic cownose ray robot fish with oscillating and chordwise twisting flexible pectoral fins
Authors: Ma Hongwei , Cai Yueri , Wang Yuliang , Bi Shusheng , Gong Zhao 
Published: May 2015

PurposeThe paper aims to develop a cownose ray-inspired robotic fish which can be propelled by oscillating and chordwise twisting pectoral fins.Design/methodology/approachThe bionic pectoral fin which can simultaneously realize the combination of oscillating motion and chordwise twisting motion is designed based on analyzing the movement of cownose ray’s pectoral fins. The structural design and control system construction of the robotic fish are presented. Finally, a series of swimming experiments are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the design for the bionic pectoral fin.FindingsThe experimental results show that the deformation of the bionic pectoral fin can be well close to that of the cownose ray’s. The bionic pectoral fin can produce effective angle of attack, and the thrust generated can propel robotic fish effectively. Furthermore, the tests of swimming performance in the water tank show that the robotic fish can achieve a maximum forward speed of 0.43 m/s (0.94 times of body length per second) and an excellent turning maneuverability with a small radius.Originality/valueThe oscillating and pitching motion can be obtained simultaneously by the active control of chordwise twisting motion of the bionic pectoral fin, which can better imitate the movement of cownose ray’s pectoral fin. The designed bionic pectoral fin can provide an experimental platform for further study of the effect of the spanwise and chordwise flexibility on propulsion performance.