bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of carr‐purcell refocusing pulse trains on transverse relaxation times of metabolites in rat brain at 9.4 Tesla
Authors: Deelchand Dinesh Kumar , Henry Pierre‐Gilles , Marjańska Małgorzata 
Published: January 2014

PurposeTo investigate the effect of Carr‐Purcell (CP) pulse trains on transverse relaxation times, T2, of tissue water and metabolites (both noncoupled and J‐coupled spins) in the rat brain at 9.4 Tesla (T) using LASER, CP‐LASER, and T2ρ‐LASER sequences.MethodsProton NMR spectra were measured in rat brain in vivo at 9.4T. Spectra were acquired at multiple echo times ranging from 18 to 402 ms. All spectra were analyzed using LCModel with simulated basis sets. Signals of metabolites as a function of echo time were fitted using a mono‐exponential function to determine their T2 relaxation times.ResultsMeasured T2s for tissue water and all metabolites were significantly longer with CP‐LASER and T2ρ‐LASER compared with LASER. The T2 increased by a factor of ∼1.3 for noncoupled and weakly coupled spins (e.g., N‐acetylaspartate and total creatine) and by a factor of ∼2 (e.g., glutamine and taurine) to ∼4 (e.g., glutamate and myo‐inositol) for strongly coupled spins.ConclusionApplication of a CP pulse train results in a larger increase in T2 relaxation times for strongly coupled spins than for noncoupled (singlet) and weakly coupled spins. This needs to be taken into account when correcting for T2 relaxation in CP‐like sequences such as LASER. Magn Reson Med 73:13–20, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tamsulosin modulates, but does not abolish the spontaneous activity in the guinea pig prostate gland
Authors: Chakrabarty Basu , Dey Anupa , Lam Michelle , Ventura Sabatino , Exintaris Betty 
Published: January 2014

AimsTo examine the effects of the α1A‐adrenoceptor antagonist, tamsulosin, on spontaneous contractile and electrical activity in the guinea‐pig prostate gland.MethodsThe effects of tamsulosin (0.1 and 0.3 nM) were investigated in adult and ageing male guinea pig prostate glands using conventional tension recording and electrophysiological intracellular microelectrode recording techniques.ResultsTamsulosin reduced spontaneous activity, and had different age‐dependent effects on adult and ageing guinea pigs at different concentrations. 0.1 nM tamsulosin caused a significantly greater reduction of spontaneous contractile and electrical activity in ageing guinea pigs in comparison to adult guinea pigs. In contrast, 0.3 nM tamsulosin had a significantly greater reduction of spontaneous contractile and electrical activity in adult guinea pigs in comparison to ageing guinea pigs.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that tamsulosin can modulate spontaneous myogenic stromal contractility and the underlying spontaneous electrical activity; tamsulosin does not block spontaneous activity. This reduction in spontaneous activity suggests that downstream cellular mechanisms underlying smooth muscle tone are being targeted, and these may represent novel therapeutic targets to better treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. Neurourol. Urodynam. 34:482–488, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Examining the smooth and nonsmooth discrete element approaches to granular matter
Authors: Servin M. , Wang D. , Lacoursière C. , Bodin K. 
Published: January 2014

SUMMARYThe smooth and nonsmooth approaches to the discrete element method (DEM) are examined from a computational perspective. The main difference can be understood as using explicit versus implicit time integration. A formula is obtained for estimating the computational effort depending on error tolerance, system geometric shape and size, and on the dynamic state. For the nonsmooth DEM (NDEM), a regularized version mapping to the Hertz contact law is presented. This method has the conventional nonsmooth and smooth DEM as special cases depending on size of time step and value of regularization. The use of the projected Gauss‐Seidel solver for NDEM simulation is studied on a range of test systems. The following characteristics are found. First, the smooth DEM is computationally more efficient for soft materials, wide and tall systems, and with increasing flow rate. Secondly, the NDEM is more beneficial for stiff materials, shallow systems, static or slow flow, and with increasing error tolerance. Furthermore, it is found that just as pressure saturates with depth in a granular column, due to force arching, also the required number of iterations saturates and become independent of system size. This effect make the projected Gauss‐Seidel solver scale much better than previously thought. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of three accelerated FFT‐based schemes for computing the mechanical response of composite materials
Authors: Moulinec H. , Silva F. 
Published: January 2014

SUMMARYSince the early 1990s when an iterative method based on Fourier transforms was introduced to compute the mechanical properties of heterogeneous materials, several algorithms have been proposed to increase the convergence rate of the initial scheme. This paper is devoted to the comparison of three of these accelerated schemes. It shows that two of them are special cases of the third, corresponding to particular choices of parameters of the method. An upper bound of the spectral radius of the schemes is determined, from which sufficient conditions of convergence of the schemes are derived. Conditions are found for minimizing this upper bound. In particular, the accelerated scheme, which minimizes this upper bound, is exhibited. The paper discusses the choice of the convergence test used in the schemes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A pilot study of electronic directly observed therapy to improve hydroxyurea adherence in pediatric patients with sickle‐cell disease
Authors: Creary Susan E. , Gladwin Mark T. , Byrne Melissa , Hildesheim Mariana , Krishnamurti Lakshmanan 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundPoor hydroxyurea (HU) adherence limits effective HU use in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Electronic directly observed therapy (DOT) may limit costs and achieve high HU adherence in children with SCD. This study aimed to determine if electronic DOT was feasible, acceptable, and could achieve ≥90% HU adherence.ProcedureChildren with SCD were recruited for this single institution, 6‐month pilot study if they had been prescribed HU for ≥6 months and had daily access to a smartphone or computer. Participants submitted HU administration videos daily and received electronic reminder alerts, personalized feedback, and incentives to encourage adherence as part of electronic DOT. Primary outcomes were feasibility, participant satisfaction with electronic DOT, and HU adherence. Secondary outcomes included mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hemoglobin F percentage (HbF), and overall participant satisfaction with HU therapy.ResultsOf 15 enrolled participants, 14 completed the study. Satisfaction surveys showed electronic DOT reminded participants to take HU and could be completed in fewer than 5 minutes daily. Participants' median medication possession ratio at study entry improved from 0.75 (0.59–0.82) to 0.91 (0.85–1.00) (P = 0.02) at the end of the study. Overall median observed HU adherence with electronic DOT was 93.3%. Median MCV and HbF increased from 96.0 to107.2 (P = 0.009) and 10.5 to 11.4 (P = 0.03), respectively.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates electronic DOT is feasible, acceptable, and can achieve high HU adherence. Further study is needed to confirm that electronic DOT can improve HU adherence and impact clinical outcomes in children with SCD. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:1068–1073. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fit4Life: A weight loss intervention for children who have survived childhood leukemia
Authors: Huang Jeannie S. , Dillon Lindsay , Terrones Laura , Schubert Lynn , Roberts William , Finklestein Jerry , Swartz Maria C. , Norman Gregory J. , Patrick Kevin 
Published: January 2014

BackgroundChildren surviving acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at increased risk for overweight and obesity over that of the general population. Whether a generic or tailored approach to weight management is needed for cancer survivors has yet to be tested.ProcedureThirty‐eight youth 8–18 years with BMI ≥ 85% who had survived ALL were recruited for a randomized clinical trial evaluating a weight management intervention (WMI) tailored for childhood ALL survivors (Fit4Life). Fit4Life recipients received a 4‐month web, phone, and text message‐delivered WMI tailored for cancer survivorship. Controls received a general WMI delivered via phone and mail. Assessments were performed at baseline and 4 months. Outcome data were analyzed according to assigned treatment condition over time.ResultsMost (80%, (70%, 100%) [median (IQR)]) of the assigned curriculum was received by Fit4Life participants as compared to 50% (40%, 65%) among controls. Fit4Life recipients ≥14 years demonstrated less weight gain (P = 0.05) and increased moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (P < 0.01) while all Fit4Life recipients reported reduced negative mood (P < 0.05) over time as compared to control counterparts.ConclusionsWe demonstrated acceptable feasibility of a WMI tailored for overweight and obese children surviving ALL utilizing a multimodal technology approach. Improved weight, weight‐related behavior, and psychological outcomes were demonstrated among Fit4Life intervention as compared to youth receiving a generic WMI. Data from this pilot trial may be used to design a larger trial to determine whether youth of all ages also can derive a benefit from a cancer survivor‐tailored WMI and whether short‐term outcomes translate into improved long‐term outcomes for childhood ALL survivors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:894–900. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Safety profile of asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi in a large compassionate‐use trial
Authors: Plourde Paul V. , Jeha Sima , Hijiya Nobuko , Keller Frank G. , Silverman Lewis B. , Rheingold Susan R. , Dreyer ZoAnn E. , Dahl Gary V. , Mercedes Taheri , Lai Chinglin , Corn Tim 
Published: January 2014

BackgroundL‐Asparaginase is an integral component of standard chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Clinical hypersensitivity, a common reason for treatment discontinuation, has been reported in 10–30% of patients receiving Escherichia coli‐derived asparaginase. After hypersensitivity, E. coli‐derived asparaginase should be discontinued and an alternative asparaginase preparation, such as asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi, may be initiated. We conducted a compassionate‐use study to collect additional safety information on asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi and to support FDA approval of the product.ProcedurePatients with ALL or lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL; N = 1368) who developed a hypersensitivity reaction (grade ≥2) to an E. coli‐derived asparaginase participated in this trial. The recommended asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi dose was 25,000 IU/m2 three days per week (Monday/Wednesday/Friday) for two consecutive weeks for each missed pegylated E. coli‐derived asparaginase dose and 25,000 IU/m2 for each missed nonpegylated asparaginase dose for the completion of their planned asparaginase treatment.ResultsAdverse event reports and/or case report forms were completed for 940 patients. The most common adverse event (AE) was hypersensitivity (13.6%). Eighteen patients (1.9%) died during the study. Most patients (77.6%) completed their planned asparaginase treatment with asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi. There was no apparent difference in the incidence of the most commonly reported AEs with asparaginase treatment by age, administration, or disease state.ConclusionsThis study further established the safety profile of asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi in patients with ALL or LBL who had a hypersensitivity reaction to an E. coli‐derived asparaginase. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:1232–1238. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Massively parallel solvers for elliptic partial differential equations in numerical weather and climate prediction
Authors: Müller Eike H. , Scheichl Robert 
Published: January 2014

The demand for substantial increases in the spatial resolution of global weather and climate prediction models makes it necessary to use numerically efficient and highly scalable algorithms to solve the equations of large‐scale atmospheric fluid dynamics. For stability and efficiency reasons, several of the operational forecasting centres, in particular the Met Office and the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) in the UK, use semi‐implicit semi‐Lagrangian time‐stepping in the dynamical core of the model. The additional burden with this approach is that a three‐dimensional elliptic partial differential equation (PDE) for the pressure correction has to be solved at every model time step and this often constitutes a significant proportion of the time spent in the dynamical core. In global models, this PDE must be solved in a thin spherical shell.To run within tight operational time‐scales, the solver has to be parallelized and there seems to be a (perceived) misconception that elliptic solvers do not scale to large processor counts and hence implicit time‐stepping cannot be used in very high‐resolution global models. After reviewing several methods for solving the elliptic PDE for the pressure correction and their application in atmospheric models, we demonstrate the performance and very good scalability of Krylov subspace solvers and multigrid algorithms for a representative model equation with more than 1010 unknowns on 65 536 cores on the High‐End Computing Terascale Resource (HECToR), the UK's national supercomputer. For this, we tested and optimized solvers from two existing numerical libraries (the Distributed and Unified Numerics Environment (DUNE) and Parallel High Performance Preconditioners (hypre)) and implemented both a conjugate gradient solver and a geometric multigrid algorithm based on a tensor‐product approach, which exploits the strong vertical anisotropy of the discretized equation. We study both weak and strong scalability and compare the absolute solution times for all methods; in contrast to one‐level methods, the multigrid solver is robust with respect to parameter variations.
Distribution of AMPA receptor subunit glur1 in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and effect of stress
Authors: Hubert George W. , Muly E. Chris 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe brain circuitry thought to be involved in stress responses includes several nuclei of the extended amygdala. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is thought to be involved in the generation of sustained, nonspecific anxiety. Previous behavioral and electrophysiological experiments demonstrate that glutamate systems are involved in anxiety‐like behaviors in the BNST. Antagonists for AMPA receptors injected into the BNST decrease anxiety‐like behaviors. However, little is known about the role of AMPA receptors and the mechanism by which they act in the establishment of anxiety‐like behavior in response to a stressor. We hypothesized that the distribution of AMPA receptors is changed following a paradigm of unpredictable footshock as has been seen in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). We examined the subcellular localization of the GluR1 subunits of the AMPA receptor. We found that the neuropil of the BNST had a lower density of dendritic spines compared to dendritic shafts in the BLA. The majority of elements immunolabeled for GluR1 were dendritic shafts and spines with axonal and glial elements rarely labeled. Compared with controls, no significant effect was observed on days 1, 6, or 14 poststress. However, there was a trend for an increase at 6 and 14 days poststress. These data demonstrate that GluR1 subunits are primarily located on postsynaptic elements in the BNST. Moreover, it was shown that the response of the AMPA GluR1 subunit does not undergo a significant migration into spines from dendrites in response to a stressor as has been demonstrated in the BLA. Synapse 68:194–201, 2014. Published 2014
Exemplary practices in field trips to natural environments
Authors: Tal Tali , Lavie Alon Nirit , Morag Orly 
Published: January 2014

AbstractIn light of the literature that deals with challenges of outdoor education, this paper presents exemplary practices in field trips to natural environments. We offer an analysis of 62 field trips of students in grades 4–8 (age 10–14), guided by professional guides or by teachers. In aiming at elucidating the qualities of exemplary fieldtrips, we analyze five examples of high quality field trips. Each of the five was exemplary in several aspects, but not necessarily in all. Data were collected though observations and interviews with teachers, guides and students. Interpretative analysis was used in addition to an analytic framework that we developed previously. In general, we stress that good collaboration between the guide and the teacher, who enact active learning and psychomotor activity, and make much use of the environment for student exploration and interaction, are the key to high quality outdoor learning experiences. We provide several examples to support this claim. Other aspects we highlight are a sense of freedom, time and opportunity to enjoy nature and the opportunities to have meaningful social interactions. In light of the prevalent critique toward current outdoor education practice, we suggest the research community learn from good practices. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 51: 430–461, 2014
Species diversity estimation of ambrosia and bark beetles in temperate mixed forests in Japan based on host phylogeny and specificity
Authors: Watanabe Kenji , Murakami Masashi , Hirao Toshihide , Kamata Naoto 
Published: January 2014

AbstractUnderstandings of the effect of host plant phylogeny on the structure of herbivore assemblage is useful for estimating global species richness of herbivores. Here we test the relationship between host plant phylogeny and two assemblages including ambrosia beetle assemblage that have been considered to be the lowest host specificity among plant‐dependent guilds. These results of local scale were used for estimating regional species richness by extrapolating to the number of plant order and species in Japan. The estimated numbers were compared with the numbers of described species in Japan. Tree trunks of 17 plant species representing 17 orders of all major lineages of Japanese tree flora were exposed for collecting wood boring beetle species. A total of 12 ambrosia and four bark beetle species were collected. Similarity of both ambrosia and bark beetle assemblages showed a significant negative trend with phylogenetic distance between focal host plant species. The regression model for this relationship was well fit by a linear model whereas previous studies used a semi‐log model, which suggests a difference in mechanism of host utilization with host taxonomic levels. Our results showed a broader host range of ambrosia beetle assemblage in temperate forest than to a comparable study in tropical rainforests. Species richness estimated is lower than the described species in Japan, suggesting the need for more samples along the altitudinal gradients for accurate estimation for the Japanese fauna.
Lower availability of midbrain serotonin transporter between healthy subjects with and without a family history of major depressive disorder – a preliminary two-ligand SPECT study
Authors: Hsieh P.C. , Chen K.C. , Yeh T.L. , Lee I.H. , Chen P.S. , Yao W.J. , Chiu N.-T. , Chen C.-C. , Liao M.-H. , Yang Y.K. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractPurposeSerotonin transporter (SERT) and dopamine transporter (DAT) levels differ in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who are in a depressed state in comparison with healthy controls. In addition, a family history of depression is a potent risk factor for developing depression, and inherited vulnerability to serotonergic and dopaminergic dysfunction is suspected in this. The aim of this study was to examine the availabilities of midbrain SERT and striatal DAT in healthy subjects with and without a first-degree family history of MDD.MethodsEight healthy subjects with first-degree relatives with MDD and 16 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were recruited. The availabilities of SERT and DAT were approximated using SPECT, employing [123I] 2-((2-((dimethylamino)methyl)phenyl)thio)-5-iodophenylamine (ADAM) and [99mTc] TRODAT-1 as the ligands, respectively. There are missing data for one participant with a first-degree family history of MDD from the ADAM study, due to a lack of the radio-ligand at the time of experiment.ResultsSERT availability in the midbrain was significantly lower in subjects with a first-degree family history of MDD than in healthy subjects. However, DAT availability was no different between two groups.ConclusionsThe results with regard to the midbrain SERT level suggest the heritability of MDD.
Poor longitudinal continuity of care is associated with an increased mortality rate among patients with mental disorders: Results from the French National Health Insurance Reimbursement Database
Authors: Hoertel N. , Limosin F. , Leleu H. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundResearch on the impact of the continuity of care (COC) on health outcomes in patients with mental illness is limited. This observational study examined whether the longitudinal COC is associated with a decreased likelihood of death among patients with mental disorders in the French general population.MethodData were derived from the French National Health Insurance (NHI) reimbursement database. Patients with any mental disorder who visited a psychiatrist at least twice within 6 months were included. The primary endpoint was death by all causes. We measured longitudinal COC with a psychiatrist twice a year between 2007 and 2010, using the COC index developed by Bice and Boxerman. The COC index was analysed as a time-dependent variable in a survival analysis after adjustments for age, gender and stratifying on comorbidities and social status.ResultsAmong 14,515 patients visiting a psychiatrist at least twice in 6 months and tracked over 3 years, likelihood of death was significantly lower in patients with higher continuity of care (hazard ratio for an increase in 0.1 of continuity, adjusted for age, sex, and stratified on comorbidities and social status: 0.83 [0.83–0.83]), particularly in those with bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and schizophrenia.ConclusionImproving longitudinal continuity of care in mental health care may contribute to substantially decrease mortality.