bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Histogram Analysis Comparison of Monoexponential, Advanced Diffusion‐Weighted Imaging, and Dynamic Contrast‐Enhanced MRI for Differentiating Borderline From Malignant Epithelial Ovarian Tumors
Authors: He Mengge , Song Yang , Li Haiming , Lu Jing , Li Yongai , Duan Shaofeng , Qiang Jinwei
Published: January 2020

Background

The accurate preoperative differentiation between borderline and malignant epithelial ovarian tumors (BEOTs vs. MEOTs) is crucial for determining the proper surgical strategy and improving the patient's postoperative quality of life. Several diffusion and perfusion MRI technologies are valuable for the differentiation; however, which is the best remains unclear.

Purpose

To compare the whole solid‐tumor volume histogram analysis of diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), and dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI (DCE‐MRI) in the differentiation of BEOTs vs. MEOTs and to identify the correlations between the perfusion parameters from IVIM and DCE‐MRI.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

Twenty patients with BEOTs and 42 patients with MEOTs.

Field Strength/Sequence

1.5T/DWI, DKI, and IVIM models fitting from 13 different b factors and 40 phases DCE‐MRI.

Assessment

Histogram metrics were derived from the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), diffusion kurtosis (K), diffusion coefficient (Dk), pure diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), perfusion fraction (f), volume transfer constant (Ktrans), rate constant (kep), and extravascular extracellular volume fraction (ve).

Statistical Tests

The Mann–Whitney U‐test and receiver operating characteristic curve were used to determine the best histogram metrics and parameters. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the best combined model for each two from the four technologies. Spearman's rank correlation was used to analyze the correlations between the IVIM and DCE‐MRI parameters.

Results

ADC, D, Dk, and D* were significantly higher in BEOTs than in MEOTs (P < 0.05). K, Ktrans, kep, and ve were significantly lower in BEOTs than in MEOTs (P < 0.05). The 10th percentile of Dk was the most reliable single metric, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.921. Dk combined with Ktrans yielded the highest AUC of 0.950. A weak inverse correlation was found between D and Ktrans (r = −0.320, P = 0.025) and between D and kep (r = −0.267, P = 0.037).

Data Conclusion

The 10th percentile of Dk was the most valuable metric and Dk combined with Ktrans had the best performance for differentiating BEOTs from MEOTs. There was no evident link between perfusion‐related parameters derived from IVIM and DCE‐MRI.

Level of Evidence: 4

Technical Efficacy Stage: 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:257–268.
Multiclass and multiresidue screening of veterinary drugs and pesticides in infant formula using Quadrupole‐Orbitrap MS with PRM scan mode
Authors: Zhang Lu‐Qi , Zhang Xiao‐Mei , Zhang Hong‐Wei , Wang Hui , Xu Hui , Wang Feng‐Mei , Lin Chao , Xiao Jing , Xu Wen‐Yuan
Published: January 2020

A multiclass and multiresidue method for screening veterinary drugs and pesticides in infant formula was developed and validated using ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to Quadrupole‐Orbitrap high‐resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐HRMS). A total of 49 veterinary drugs and pesticides investigated belong to 11 classes including antivirals, anticoccidials, macrolides, pyrethroids, insecticides, sulfonamides, beta‐agonists, sedatives, thyreostats, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, and other pharmacologically active substances. A generic sample preparation and highly selective acquisition mode of parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) were deliberately incorporated to perform efficient screening analysis. As a result, the screening target concentrations of the analytes varied from 1 to 500 μg/kg with ≤5% of false compliant rate as specified in Decision 2002/657/EC for screening analysis. The average recoveries ranged from 40.7 to 124.9% as well as the relative standard deviations from 4.2 to 26.6%, respectively. The matrix effects and interferences were effectively controlled by integrated application of dispersive solid phase extraction, PRM scan mode, and matrix‐matched standard calibration. The proposed method will be helpful to provide applicable strategy for screening residues in infant formula with surveillance purpose.
The ability of two chlorine dioxide chemistries to inactivate human papillomavirus‐contaminated endocavitary ultrasound probes and nasendoscopes
Authors: Meyers Craig , Milici Janice , Robison Richard
Published: January 2020

Sexual transmission is the most common pathway for the spread of Human papillomavirus (HPV). However, the potential for iatrogenic HPV infections is also real. Even though cleared by the Food and Drug Administration and recommended by the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, several disinfectants including glutaraldehyde and o‐phthalaldehyde have shown a lack of efficacy for inactivating HPV. Other methods such as ultraviolet C and concentrated hydrogen peroxide have been shown highly effective at inactivating infectious HPV. In this study, two chlorine dioxide systems are also shown to be highly efficacious at inactivating HPV. An important difference in these present studies is that as opposed to testing in suspension or using a carrier, we dried the infectious virus directly onto endocavitary ultrasound probes and nasendoscopes, therefore, validating a more realistic system to demonstrate disinfectant efficacy.
Precipitation regionalization, anomalies and drought occurrence in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Authors: De la Barreda Betsabé , Metcalfe Sarah E. , Boyd Doreen S.
Published: January 2020

Climate change projections have identified the Yucatan Peninsula as being vulnerable to increasing drought. Understanding spatial and temporal precipitation variability and drought occurrence are therefore important. Drought monitoring in Mexico has been carried out only relatively recently and often without considering the long‐term variability in both droughts and precipitation. This research explores the spatio‐temporal variability of precipitation and occurrence of droughts at a much finer spatial resolution and over a longer temporal period than previous studies. Using statistical (cluster analysis and standardized precipitation index) and geostatistical (kriging) techniques, maps of precipitation and droughts are generated for the period 1980–2011. These show that whilst many previous studies have regarded the Yucatan Peninsula as a homogenous region with respect to precipitation, there are actually four distinctive clusters of precipitation amount, showing climatic variability across the Peninsula. The analyses also show that droughts in the Peninsula are regionalised. Twelve‐month Standardized Precipitation Indices (SPI), calculated for individual stations and for precipitation surfaces, reveal distinct patterns of spatial and temporal variability. SPI surfaces indicate the occurrence of major droughts in 1981, 1986–1987, 1994, 1996, 2003, 2004 and 2009, but these rarely affect the whole Yucatan Peninsula uniformly. Wetter years, such as 1983, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1995, 2002 and 2005 sometimes reflect the impact of individual extreme events, such as hurricaneIsidorein 2002. Our results show that drought can be regionalised, thus enhancing the quality of information about droughts in the area and providing evidence and support for future drought mitigation and environmental protection. These methods could usefully be applied elsewhere.
Exploring new genetic variants within COL5A1 intron 4‐exon 5 region and TGF‐β family with risk of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures
Authors: Laguette Mary‐Jessica N. , Barrow Kelly , Firfirey Firzana , Dlamini Senanile , Saunders Colleen J. , Dandara Collet , Gamieldien Junaid , Collins Malcolm , September Alison V.
Published: January 2020

Variants within genes encoding structural and regulatory elements of ligaments have been associated with musculoskeletal soft tissue injury risk. The role of intron 4‐exon 5 variants within the α1 chain of type V collagen (COL5A1) gene and genes of the transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) family, TGFBR3 and TGFBI, was investigated on the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures. A case‐control genetic association study was performed on 210 control (CON) and 249 participants with surgically diagnosed ruptures (ACL), of which 147 reported a noncontact mechanism of injury (NON). Whole‐exome sequencing data were used to prioritize variants of potential functional relevance. Genotyping for COL5A1 (rs3922912 G>A, rs4841926 C>T, and rs3124299 C>T), TGFBR3 (rs1805113 G>A and rs1805117 T>C), and TGFBI (rs1442 G>C) was performed using Taqman SNP genotyping assays. Significant overrepresentation of the G allele of TGFBR3 rs1805113 was observed in CON vs ACL (P = .014) and NON groups (P = .021). Similar results were obtained in a female with the G allele (CON vs ACL: P = .029; CON vs NON: P = .016). The TGFBI rs1442 CC genotype was overrepresented in the female ACL vs CON (P = .013). Associations of inferred allele combinations were observed in line with the above results. COL5A1 intron 4‐exon 5 genomic interval was not associated with the risk of ACL ruptures. Instead, this novel study is the first to use this approach to identify variants within the TGF‐β signaling pathway to be implicated in the risk of ACL ruptures. A genetic susceptibility interval was identified to be explored in the context of extracellular matrix remodeling.
Cocaine, polysubstance abuse, and oral health outcomes, NHANES 2009 to 2014
Authors: Bahdila Dania , Aldosari Muath , Abdullah Abeer , Nelson Jevae L. , Hegazi Fahad , Badamia Riddhi , Alhazmi Hesham , Chandel Tejasvita , Odani Satomi , Vardavas Constantine I. , Agaku Israel T.
Published: January 2020

Background

Cocaine is the second most abused illicit drug in the United States. To date, no study has examined the association between cocaine use and oral health with a nationally representative sample. Our study examined the association between cocaine use—singly and with other substances—and oral health outcomes, including periodontitis and untreated caries, among US adults.

Methods

Data for 11,753 individuals, aged ≥30 years, who completed a periodontal examination, in the 2009 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed. Descriptive analyses and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were conducted on weighted data.

Results

Overall, 17% (20.5 million) of US adults aged ≥30 years had ever used cocaine, with higher likelihood seen among males, non‐Hispanic whites, and those living in poverty. Current cocaine use prevalence was 2.6% (3.2 million). By number of co‐used substances, the odds of having any periodontitis were higher among cocaine users who consumed ≥3 other substances (adjusted OR = 2.47; 95% CI = 1.15 to 5.30) when compared with solely cocaine users. By type of substance co‐used, odds of having untreated caries were greater among those reporting cigarettes (adjusted OR = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.21 to 3.11) or methamphetamine (adjusted OR = 5.40; 95% CI = 1.92 to 15.14) usage. Odds of any periodontitis were higher among those reported ancillary cigarette use (adjusted OR = 2.84; 95% CI = 1.60 to 5.04) compared with cocaine‐only users.

Conclusions

In addition to a positive association between periodontal disease, dental caries, and cocaine use, select co‐usage elevated the risk of oral disease. Patients should be screened for and counseled regarding substance abuse to facilitate a successful quit.
Analysing domestic tourism flows at the provincial level in Spain by using spatial gravity models
Authors: Alvarez‐Diaz Marcos , D'Hombres Beatrice , Ghisetti Claudia , Pontarollo Nicola
Published: January 2020

Domestic tourism represents a large share of the total tourism volume in Spain, but it is still an under‐researched topic. This study focuses on the determinants of domestic flows in Spain at provincial level. The prior assumption is that domestic tourism demand may be affected by specific local conditions that previous studies, mostly based on more aggregate data, would hardly capture. A gravity model and various spatial econometric models are estimated assuming alternative spatial weighting matrices. Results suggest that income and relative prices affect tourism demand in Spanish provinces as well as weather, natural amenities, infrastructures, and recreational activities.
Validation and multidimensional analysis of the japanese penn acoustic neuroma quality‐of‐life scale
Authors: Nishiyama Takanori , Oishi Naoki , Kojima Takashi , Kasuya Kento , Noguchi Masaru , Ishikawa Toru , Hosoya Makoto , Ogawa Kaoru
Published: January 2020

Objectives

In the management of vestibular schwannoma (VS), patient‐perceived outcomes should be given as much attention as physician‐reported objective outcomes. Concomitant symptoms can be annoying for sufferers, lowering quality of life (QoL). However, it is difficult to determine the degree to which these symptoms lower QoL using only objective measures. The Penn Acoustic Neuroma Quality of Life Scale (PANQOL) is a validated disease‐specific questionnaire commonly used to assess QoL in VS patients. It was developed and published in English. In this study, we translated the PANQOL questionnaire into Japanese and validated its reliability and utility. We also evaluated patient factors that could influence PANQOL scores.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Seventy‐two VS patients monitored conservatively were included in this study. They were assessed using the Japanese versions of PANQOL (PANQOL‐J) and questionnaires about specific symptoms related to VS. The PANQOL questionnaire was translated into Japanese according to the accepted standards. The reliability and utility of the PANQOL‐J questionnaire, as well as the relationship with VS‐specific symptoms, were statistically analyzed.

Results

The mean total score was 78.7. Almost all of its domains had good internal consistency. Most PANQOL‐J domains were related to those of the Short Form‐36, with the exception of facial dysfunction domain. Scores of all PANQOL‐J domains were comparable to scores of other questionnaires related to the VS‐specific symptoms. Our analyses indicated tinnitus or facial palsy might affect the PANQOL‐J total score.

Conclusions

We confirmed the validity of the Japanese version of PANQOL questionnaire and its reliability and utility in the management of VS symptoms concerning facial function.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 2020
A new method to restore the impact of land‐use change on flood frequency based on the Hydrologic Engineering Center‐Hydrologic Modelling System model
Authors: Yan Xin , Lin Musheng , Chen Xingwei , Yao Huaxia , Liu Chuanming , Lin Bingqing
Published: January 2020

To reveal the impacts of land‐use change on flood frequency distribution, a method to contradiction restore the largest‐gauged annual flood series to current land‐use conditions was proposed, based on the Hydrologic Engineering Center‐Hydrologic Modelling System (HEC‐HMS), with a newly developed iterative asymptotic method to calibrate the model parameters. Using the Xixi Basin on the southeastern coast of China as a case‐study, the HEC‐HMS model was applied to forward restore the largest annual floods between 1956 and 2011 by using the land‐use conditions of 2010. The flood peak flow series derived from forward restoration were used for flood frequency analysis. The results showed that (a) the iterative asymptotic method could calibrate the initial loss ratio and wave velocity relatively well. The physical meaning of the parameter values obtained was clear. The overall model simulation result was satisfactory, with Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficients of 0.827 and 0.843 in the calibration and verification periods, respectively. (b) The calibration method effectively addressed the difficulty in determining the model parameters needed for resolving the restoration of the impacts of land‐use changes on the largest‐gauged annual flood peak flows and provided a newer HEC‐HMS‐based restoration approach for nonstationary flood frequency analysis. (c) Urbanization in the Xixi Basin caused a degradation in forested and arable lands, as well as in grasslands. Its main impact on the flood frequency distribution was that the average flood peak flow increased from 2,633.32 to 2,889.48 m3s−1and the changes in the coefficient of variation and coefficient of skewness were very small.
The mobility of arsenic from highly polluted farmlands to wheat: Soil–Plant transfer model and health risk assessment
Authors: Karimyan Kamaladdin , Alimohammadi Mahmood , Maleki Afshin , Yunesian Masud , Nodehi Ramin Nabizadeh , Foroushani Abbas Rahimi
Published: January 2020

Arsenic (As) can be transferred from soil and accumulated in food plants. So far, we have a knowledge gap about transference of As from agricultural soils to wheat plant in the natural polluted environment. The aim of present study was to investigate As transfer from soil to different tissues of wheat at a highly As polluted area. In this regard, the mobility indices were used to explain As transfer and accumulation from soil to wheat plant. Moreover, the relationships between soil properties including soil As content, pH, cation‐exchange capacity (CEC), electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), Fe, and Al percentage with As concentrations in wheat root, straw, and grain were investigated. Finally, the potential health risks of As exposure to humans through consumption of the local wheat crops were assessed. According to the results, harmful degree of As was accumulated in different parts of wheat plant. The impact of different soil properties on As accumulation in wheat was found to be as follows: soil As content > Al% > Fe% > OM > pH > CEC > EC. High carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks in all age groups of consumers were found. The minimum and maximum values for target hazard quotient and excess lifetime cancer risk were found to be 1.22, 102.97 and 0.000061, 0.33, respectively. These findings strongly support the notion that As can be entered to food chain through agricultural products cultivated in polluted soils.
A Comparative Study: Superficial Shaving Combined With Photodynamic Therapy Versus Cryotherapy in the Treatment of Recalcitrant Plantar Warts
Authors: Huang Kai , Xie Yang , Li Mingjia , Liu Dihui , Su Juan , Li Fangfang , Deng Bo , Li Jie , Shi Wei , Zhang Jianglin , Chen Xiang , Zhao Shuang , Wu Lisha
Published: January 2020

Background and Objectives

Plantar warts are a viral infectious lesion on the foot. The regression of plantar warts can be challenging despite the presence of a variety of available treatment modalities. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been recommended for the treatment of plantar warts. However, the effect of PDT in the treatment of plantar warts is not clear. Thus, we compared the efficacy of combining superficial shaving with PDT (SS‐PDT) with that of cryotherapy in the treatment of recalcitrant plantar warts.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Forty‐six patients with 271 warts received SS‐PDT, and 26 patients with 147 warts received cryotherapy. For the SS‐PDT group, the lesions were shaved in situ, and PDT was performed immediately. For the cryotherapy group, appropriate pressure was applied by freezing rod to fully freeze the lesion tissue. The overall clinical response effects, recurrence rates, adverse events, patient satisfaction and the quality of life were assessed.

Results

The SS‐PDT group achieved a 91.3% success rate (defined as >50% on clearance) after treatment for 6 months, whereas only 23.1% of treatment in the cryotherapy group was successful. After 6 months of follow‐up, the recurrence rate in the SS‐PDT group was significantly lower than that in the cryotherapy group (8.7% vs. 76.9%, P < 0.001). The patients with SS‐PDT were more satisfied with the treatment than the patients with cryotherapy (8.8 ± 1.4 vs. 4.9 ± 1.4, P < 0.001). Moderate pain was the main adverse event in SS‐PDT, and cryotherapy may cause severe pain and blistering.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that superficial shaving combined with PDT is promising as a safe and effective therapy for patients with plantar warts, especially for patients with multiple recalcitrant warts. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nonlinear dynamics of potassium iodide adsorption on the interface of carbon steel in acidic medium
Authors: Garcia‐Ochoa Esteban , Maldonado Pablo , Corvo Francisco
Published: January 2020

The development of inhibitors for hydrochloric acidic media is very common. Potassium iodide, in combination with some organic inhibitors, may transform a mediocre inhibitor into an excellent corrosion inhibitor based on a synergetic effect. There is a need to study what happens at the interface in the presence of this compound. The dynamics of the metal electrolyte interface when KI concentration increases has been characterized. The present study has been carried out based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electrochemical noise analysis in the light of nonlinear phenomena by applying recurrence plots and fractal geometry. The fractal dimension of the current–time series shows a direct relationship with the fractal dimension of the surface of steel. The phenomenon of self‐organization has been observed on the metal surface. The nonlinear analysis carried out by means of recurrence plots showed that the iodide ions' inhibitory effect is not only simple adsorption but also a nonlinear phenomenon that auto‐organizes. The degree of complexity increases, consequently causing an interaction between the microcells and resulting in a lower charge‐transfer rate.
Long‐term corrosion of rebars submitted to concrete carbonation
Authors: L'Hostis Valérie
Published: January 2020

This paper describes a programme dedicated to understand and model the corrosion phenomena that take place in carbonation conditions of concrete structures. The originality of the programme is including short‐term (laboratory) experiments and long‐term characterisations (ancient artifacts).
Effects of Al content on the corrosion properties of Mg–4Y–xAl alloys
Authors: Liu Zili , Wu Xinchen , Liu Xiqin , Xie Huanjian , Li Jian
Published: January 2020

The corrosion performances of Mg–4Y–xAl (x = 1, 2, 3, and 4 wt%) alloys in the 3.5% NaCl electrolyte solution are investigated by electrochemical tests, weight loss measurement and corrosion morphology observation. The results indicate that corrosion modes for the alloys are localized corrosion and the filiform type of attack. With Al concentration increasing from 1 to 4 wt%, the corrosion rate of Mg–4Y–xAl alloys decreases firstly and then increases, and WA42 alloy shows the best corrosion resistance. The addition of Al element to Mg–4Y alloys leads to the formation of Al2Y and Al11Y3 intermetallic compounds and reduces the proportion of Mg24Y5 phase. Corrosion resistance of the Mg–4Y–xAl alloys mainly depends on the size and distribution of the second phases. Besides, the addition of excessive Al can greatly consumes the Y element in the matrix, thus leading to a less protective film on the alloys. The effect of the relative Volta potential changes between the second phases and α‐Mg on corrosion resistance of Mg–4Y–xAl alloys is insignificant. The main corrosion products of the Mg–4Y–xAl alloys are Mg(OH)2, Mg3(OH)5Cl·4H2O, Mg0.72Al0.28(CO3)0.15(OH)1.98(H2O)0.48, and Mg4Al2(OH)12CO3·3H2O.
Pallidal Deep Brain Stimulation Reduces Sensorimotor Cortex Activation in Focal/Segmental Dystonia
Authors: Greuel Andrea , Pauls K. Amande M. , Koy Anne , Südmeyer Martin , Schnitzler Alfons , Timmermann Lars , Fink Gereon R. , Eggers Carsten
Published: January 2020

Background

Although deep brain stimulation of the globus pallidus internus (GPi‐DBS) is an established treatment for many forms of dystonia, including generalized as well as focal forms, its effects on brain (dys‐)function remain to be elucidated, particularly for focal and segmental dystonia. Clinical response to GPi‐DBS typically comes with some delay and lasts up to several days, sometimes even weeks, once stimulation is discontinued.

Objective

This study investigated how neural activity during rest and motor activation is affected by GPi‐DBS while excluding the potential confound of altered feedback as a result of therapy‐induced differences in dystonic muscle contractions.

Methods

Two groups of patients with focal or segmental dystonia were included in the study: 6 patients with GPi‐DBS and 8 without DBS (control group). All 14 patients had cervical dystonia. Using H215O PET, regional cerebral blood flow was measured at rest and during a motor task performed with a nondystonic hand.

Results

In patients with GPi‐DBS (stimulation ON and OFF), activity at rest was reduced in a prefrontal network, and during the motor task, sensorimotor cortex activity was lower than in patients without DBS. Within‐group contrasts (tapping > rest) showed less extensive task‐induced motor network activation in GPi‐DBS patients than in non‐DBS controls. Reduced sensorimotor activation amounted to a significant group‐by‐task interaction only in the stimulation ON state.

Conclusions

These findings support previous observations in generalized dystonia that suggested that GPi‐DBS normalizes dystonia‐associated sensorimotor and prefrontal hyperactivity, indicating similar mechanisms in generalized and focal or segmental dystonia. Evidence is provided that these effects extend into the OFF state, which was not previously demonstrated by neuroimaging. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Early‐Motor Phenotype Relates to Neuropsychiatric and Cognitive Disorders in Huntington's Disease
Authors: Julayanont Parunyou , Heilman Kenneth M. , McFarland Nikolaus R.
Published: January 2020

Objective

To determine the relationships between the motor phenotype and the presence of specific neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological disorders in patients with early motor‐manifest Huntington's disease (HD).

Methods

From the Enroll‐HD study, 3,505 individuals with HD who had ≤5 years of motor symptoms were classified based on the predefined parkinsonism/chorea index into chorea‐dominant (n = 1125), parkinsonism‐dominant (n = 867), and mixed‐motor phenotype (n = 1513) groups. An analysis was performed on the results of the short Problem Behaviors Assessment. This test assesses patients for neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, irritability/aggression, apathy, obsessive‐compulsive behaviors, and psychosis as well as cognitive disorders by using neuropsychological tests such as the Stroop Interference test, Trail Making Test Part A and B, letter fluency, Symbol Digit Modality test, and animal fluency test.

Results

In these early motor–manifest HD individuals, motor phenotype was associated with neuropsychiatric and cognitive changes. Independent of the age of motor onset, motor duration and severity, CAG repeat expansion, and medication use, the parkinsonism‐dominant group had more severe neuropsychiatric disorders (depression, apathy, obsessive‐compulsive behaviors, and psychosis) and poorer performance on all cognitive tests than those patients in the mixed‐motor phenotype and chorea‐dominant groups. The patients in the chorea‐dominant group had less apathy and depression than those in the mixed‐motor phenotype group.

Conclusions

In the early stage of motor‐manifest HD, parkinsonism‐dominant patients appear to have more severe neuropsychiatric disturbances and more cognitive impairments than those HD patients with chorea‐dominant and mixed‐motor phenotypes. Future studies should explore the brain mechanisms of these disorders and the possible treatments. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Identification of a novel protein truncating mutation p.Asp98* in XPC associated with xeroderma pigmentosum in a consanguineous Pakistani family
Authors: Ali Muhammad Z. , Blatterer Jasmin , Khan Muzammil A. , Schaflinger Erich , Petek Erwin , Ahmad Safeer , Khan Ejazullah , Windpassinger Christian
Published: January 2020

Background

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare genetic disorder, which is characterized by hyper‐sensitivity to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Clinical consequences of sun exposure are skin lesions and an increased risk of developing skin cancer. Genetic studies have identified eight genes associated with xeroderma pigmentosum. The proteins encoded by these genes are mainly involved in DNA repair mechanisms.

Methods

Molecular genetic characterization of patients with xeroderma pigmentosum involved positional cloning methods such as homozygosity mapping and subsequent candidate gene analysis. Mutation screening was performed through Sanger DNA sequencing.

Results and Discussion

In this case study, we report a novel protein truncating mutation in XPC associated with autosomal recessive xeroderma pigmentosum in a consanguineous Pakistani family. Genetic mapping revealed a novel single base insertion of a thymine nucleotide NM_004628.4: c.291dupT (c.291_292insT) in the second exon of XPC. The identified mutation leads to a premature stop codon (TGA) at amino acid position 98 (p.Asp98*) and thus presumably results in a truncated protein. The Xeroderma pigmentosum, complementation group C (XPC) is located on 3p25.1 and encodes a protein involved in nucleotide excision repair. The identified mutation presumably truncates all functional domains of the XPC protein, which likely results in the loss of protein function.

Conclusion

The study expands the knowledge of the mutational spectrum of XPC and is valuable for genetic counseling of affected individuals and their families.
Nodal solutions for fractional elliptic equations involving exponential critical growth
Authors: de Souza Manassés , Batista Severo Uberlandio , Luiz do Rêgo Thiago
Published: January 2020

In the present paper, we study the existence of least energy nodal solution for a Dirichlet problem driven by the
Laplacian operator of the following type:

where
is a continuous potential and
is a nonlinearity that grows like
as
. By using the constraint variational method and quantitative deformation lemma, we obtain a least energy nodal solution
for the given problem. Moreover, we show that the energy of
is strictly larger than twice the ground state energy.
Prediction of the individual multileaf collimator positional deviations during dynamic IMRT delivery priori with artificial neural network
Authors: Osman Alexander F. I. , Maalej Nabil M. , Jayesh Kunnanchath
Published: January 2020

Purposes

Multileaf collimator (MLC) positional accuracy during dynamic intensity modulation radiotherapy (IMRT) delivery is crucial for safe and accurate patient treatment. The deviations of individual leaf positions from its intended positions can lead to errors in the dose delivered to the patient and hence may adversely affect the treatment outcome. In this study, we propose a state‐of‐the‐art machine learning (ML) method based on an artificial neural network (ANN) for accurately predicting the MLC leaf positional deviations during the dynamic IMRT treatment delivery priori using log file data.

Methods

Data of ten patients treated with sliding window dynamic IMRT delivery were retrospectively retrieved from a single‐institution database. The patients' plans were redelivered with no patient on the couch using a Varian linear accelerator equipped with a Millennium 120 HD MLC system. Then the machine recorded log files data, a total of over 400 files containing 360 800 control points, were collected. A total of 14 parameters were extracted from the planning data in the log files such as leaf planned positions, dose fraction, leaf velocity, leaf moving status, leaf gap, and others. Next, we developed a feed‐forward ANN architecture mapping the input parameters with the output to predict the MLC leaf positional deviations during the delivery priori. The proposed model was trained on 70% of the total data using the delivered leaf positional data as a target response. The trained model was then validated and tested on 30% of the available data. The model accuracy was evaluated using the mean squared error (MSE), regression plot, and error histogram.

Results

The deviations between the individual MLC planned and delivered positions can reach up to a few millimeters, with a maximum deviation of 1.2 mm. The predicted leaf positions at control points closely matched the delivered positions for all MLC leaves during the treatment delivery. The ANN model achieved a maximum MSE of 0.0001 mm2 (root MSE of 0.0097 mm) in predicting the leaf positions at control points of test data for each leaf. The correlation coefficient, that measures the goodness of fit, was perfect (R = 0.999) in all plots indicating an excellent agreement between the predicted and delivered MLC positions for the training, validation, and test data.

Conclusions

We successfully demonstrated a proposed ANN‐based method capable of accurately predicting the individual MLC leaf positional deviations during the dynamic IMRT delivery priori. Our ML model based on ANN outperformed the reported accuracy in the literature of various ML models. The results of this study could be extended to actual application in the dose calculation/optimization, hence enhancing the gamma passing rate for patient‐specific IMRT quality assurance.
Technical Note: Long‐term stability of Hounsfield unit calibration for cone beam computed tomography
Authors: Schröder Lukas , Stankovic Uros , Sonke Jan‐Jakob
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The goal of this study was to investigate the stability of a phantom‐based Hounsfield unit (HU) calibration for cone beam CT (CBCT).

Methods

Three consecutive scans of a large phantom configuration and a small phantom configuration were acquired and reconstructed with a uniform scatter correction method. The CBCT gray values of the phantom inserts were measured and the three values of each insert averaged. The linear calibration curve was determined and its slope and intercept were evaluated. This procedure was performed for three CBCT scanners (Elekta Synergy) over a period of 10 months with 1, 2, or 4 weeks between measurements. A dosimetric estimation of the HU fluctuations was carried out.

Results

The CBCT HUs were stable over time with only small variations in slope and intercept resulting in HU differences on the water level, that is, intercepts, of less than 7 HU (standard deviation). Therefore, the dosimetric influence of these HU differences was limited. The inter‐scanner disparities (up to ~ 16 HU) were larger than the intra‐scanner ones (up to ~ 7 HU).

Conclusions

Stable HUs were observed over a period of 10 months. Due to the differences between the CBCT scanners, scanner‐specific calibration curves are necessary.
Rituximab in refractory chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Authors: Muley Suraj A. , Jacobsen Bill , Parry Gareth , Usman Uzma , Ortega Erik , Walk David , Allen Jeff , Pasnoor Mamatha , Varon Matthew , Dimachkie Mazen M.
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a disorder in which early effective treatment is important to minimize disability from axonal degeneration. It has been suggested that some patients with CIDP may benefit from rituximab therapy, but there is no definitive evidence for this.

Methods

Baseline and post–rituximab‐therapy neuromuscular Medical Research Council (MRC) sum scores, Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) disability score, and functional status were assessed in 11 patients with refactory CIDP.

Results

The MRC sum score, INCAT disability score, and functional status improved in all patients after rituximab therapy.

Discussion

Our study provides evidence of the efficacy of rituximab therapy in at least some patients with CIDP. A placebo‐controlled study to assess the effectiveness of rituximab therapy in CIDP with and without nodal antibodies is required to identify disease markers that predict responsiveness.
Optimal production ramp‐up in the smartphone manufacturing industry
Authors: Wang Lu , Ai Wenqing , Deng Tianhu , Shen Zuo‐Jun M. , Hong Changjing
Published: January 2020

Motivated by challenges in the smartphone manufacturing industry, we develop a dynamic production ramp‐up model that can be applied to economically satisfy nonstationary demand for short‐life‐cycle products by high‐tech companies. Due to shorter life cycles and more rapid evolution of smartphones, production ramp‐up has been increasingly critical to the success of a new smartphone. In the production ramp‐up, the key challenge is to match the increasing capacity to nonstationary demand. The high‐tech smartphone manufacturers are urged to jointly consider the effect of increasing capacity and decreasing demand. We study the production planning problem using a high‐dimensional Markov decision process (MDP) model to characterize the production ramp‐up. To address the curse of dimensionality, we refine Monte Carlo tree search (MCTS) algorithm and theoretically analyze its convergence and computational complexity. In a real case study, we find that the MDP model achieves revenue improvement by stopping producing the existing product earlier than the benchmark policy. In synthetic instances, we validate that the proposed MCTS algorithm saves computation time without loss of solution quality compared with traditional value iteration algorithm. As part of the Lenovo production solution, our MDP model enables high‐tech smartphone manufacturers to better plan the production ramp‐up.
High‐order cubature rules for tetrahedra
Authors: Jaśkowiec Jan , Sukumar N.
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we construct new high‐order numerical integration schemes for tetrahedra, with positive weights and integration points that are in the interior of the domain. The construction of cubature rules is a challenging problem, which requires the solution of strongly nonlinear algebraic (moment) equations with side conditions given by affine inequality constraints. We present a robust algorithm based on a sequence of three modified Newton procedures to solve the constrained minimization problem. In the literature, numerical integration rules for the tetrahedron are available up to order p=15. We obtain integration rules for the tetrahedron from p=2 to p=20, which are computed using multiprecision arithmetic. For p≤15, our approach provides integration rules that have the same or fewer number of integration points than existing rules; for p=16 to p=20, our rules are new. Numerical tests are presented that verify the polynomial‐precision of the cubature rules. Convergence studies are performed for the integration of exponential, rational, weakly singular and trigonometric test functions over tetrahedra with flat and curved faces. In all tests, improvements in accuracy is realized as p is increased, though in some cases nonmonotonic convergence is observed.
Characterization of seabed properties from Scholte waves acquired on floating ice on shallow water
Authors: Johansen Tor Arne , Ruud Bent Ole
Published: January 2020

Seismic surveying of the coastal areas in the Arctic is best facilitated during wintertime when the sea ice is land‐fast. This eases the logistics of the operation and assures that there is no damage made to the vulnerable tundra. Seismic experiments on floating ice on shallow water performed in a fjord in Svalbard in the Norwegian Arctic show prominent Scholte waves. The dispersion relation of Scholte waves can provide the shear wave velocities of the seabed sediments. Scholte wave data can potentially be obtained when the seismic source and geophone receivers are both placed on top of the floating ice. However, the Scholte wave data become more distinct by using an air gun lowered some metres below the ice. A rock physics model based on a two‐step differential effective medium scheme has been tuned to predict seismic properties found for very loose sediments, among these very high P‐wave to S‐wave velocity ratios. The rock physics model enables us to convert seismic velocities obtained from Scholte wave data to quantitative estimates of the sediment composition.
Montmorillonite‐lecithin‐heparin/PDMS films with enhanced mechanical and antithrombogenic properties
Authors: Meng Na , Zhang Ming , Ge Man Qing , Zhou Ninglin , Chi Cheng , Chu Xiaohong , Sun Baohong , Gao Xiaojun
Published: January 2020

This study developed a polymer/layered silicate film as blood‐contacting devices. First, the lecithin‐heparin (LEC‐HEP) was used to modify pristine montmorillonite (MMT). LEC‐HEP was successfully exchanged in the MMT. The organically modified MMT was used for the synthesis of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)/MMT‐LEC‐HEP films by intercalation solution technique. The morphological, structural of the prepared film were evaluated using X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy. LEC‐HEP‐MMT concentration of 0.5 wt% in PDMS systems enhanced mechanical properties. The hemocompatibility of PDMS/LEC‐HEP‐MMT films was evaluated by hemolysis assay, dynamic coagulation time, and plasma recalcification time (PRT). PDMS/0.5 wt% LEC‐HEP‐MMT films also exhibited higher blood anticoagulant indexes, longer the PRT and lower hemolysis rate than the corresponding PDMS film.
Changes in emergency department visits for zolpidem‐attributed adverse drug reactions after FDA Drug Safety Communications
Authors: Geller Andrew I. , Zhou Esther H. , Budnitz Daniel S. , Lovegrove Maribeth C. , Dal Pan Gerald J.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

To identify possible changes in the U.S. emergency department (ED) visits from zolpidem‐attributed adverse drug reactions (ADRs) after 2013 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Drug Safety Communications (DSCs), which notified the public about FDA's new dosing recommendations for zolpidem.

Methods

We estimated the occurrence of ED visits from zolpidem‐attributed ADRs using nationally representative, public health surveillance of medication harms (National Electronic Injury Surveillance System‐Cooperative Adverse Drug Event Surveillance project, 2010‐2017). We estimated the number of zolpidem prescriptions using IQVIA National Prescription Audit, 2010‐2017. We calculated rates of ED visits for zolpidem‐attributed ADRs per 10 000 dispensed zolpidem prescriptions and identified time trends and potential inflection points using the joinpoint regression. For comparison, we repeated these analyses for sedating antidepressants commonly used to treat disordered sleep (trazodone, doxepin, and mirtazapine).

Results

The best‐fit regression model for rates of ED visits for zolpidem‐attributed ADRs by 6‐month intervals identified a single inflection point in the second half of 2014 (P = .024) with a 6.7% biannual decrease from 2010 to 2014 ([−13.1%, 0.3%], P = .059) and a 13.9% biannual increase from the second half of 2014 through 2017 ([−1.1%, 31.3%], P = .068). No change or inflection points were identified for rates of ED visits for sedating antidepressant‐attributed ADRs.

Conclusions

While there was a nominal decline in the rate of ED visits for ADRs in the time period before and for 18 months after FDA's 2013 zolpidem DSCs, the decrease was not sustained, and thus questions remain concerning the long‐term impact of the zolpidem DSCs on ADRs.
The Two Dimensions of Narcissistic Personality and Support for the Radical Right: The Role of Right–Wing Authoritarianism, Social Dominance Orientation and Anti–Immigrant Sentiment
Authors: Mayer Sabrina J. , Berning Carl C. , Johann David
Published: January 2020

This paper offers an explanation of the link between grandiose narcissism and support for radical right parties. Drawing on representative data of the GESIS Panel ( N = 2827), focusing on support for the German radical right populist party Alternative for Germany in 2016 and treating grandiose narcissism as a two–dimensional concept, it is shown that the effects of grandiose narcissism are indirect rather than direct. The paper also reveals that it is mainly narcissistic rivalry that accounts for radical right party support, whereas narcissistic admiration has a protecting relationship. Finally, our results indicate that the indirect effects of narcissistic rivalry on radical right party support via right–wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation, respectively, are mediated by anti–immigrant sentiment. All in all, our results suggest that in studies on ideological orientations and voting behaviour, both dimensions of grandiose narcissism should be considered due to their contradictory relationship. Moreover, our findings indicate that the success of radical right parties might be the expression of personality dispositions of some parts of the electorate. © 2020 The Authors. European Journal of Personality published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Association of Personality Psychology
Loneliness and the Big Five Personality Traits: A Meta–Analysis
Authors: Buecker Susanne , Maes Marlies , Denissen Jaap J. A. , Luhmann Maike
Published: January 2020

This preregistered meta–analysis ( k = 113, total n = 93 668) addressed how the Big Five dimensions of personality (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness) are related to loneliness. Robust variance estimation accounting for the dependency of effect sizes was used to compute meta–analytic bivariate correlations between loneliness and personality. Extraversion ( r = −.370), agreeableness ( r = −.243), conscientiousness ( r = −.202), and openness ( r = −.107) were negatively related to loneliness. Neuroticism ( r = .358) was positively related to loneliness. These associations differed meaningfully in strength depending on how loneliness was assessed. Additionally, meta–analytic structural equation modelling was used to investigate the unique association between each personality trait and loneliness while controlling for the other four personality traits. All personality traits except openness remained statistically significantly associated with loneliness when controlling for the other personality traits. Our results show the importance of stable personality factors in explaining individual differences in loneliness. © 2020 European Association of Personality Psychology
Synthesis of crosslinked PEG/IL blend membrane via one‐pot thiol–ene/epoxy chemistry
Authors: Deng Jing , Dai Zhongde , Deng Liyuan
Published: January 2020

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐based membranes have obtained considerable attentions for CO2 separation for their promising CO2 separation performance and excellent thermal/chemical resistance. In this work, a one‐pot thiol–ene/epoxy reaction was used to prepare crosslinked PEG‐based and PEG/ionic liquids (ILs) blend membranes. Four ILs of the same cation [Bmim]+ with different anions ([BF4]−, [PF6]−, [NTf2]−, and [TCM]−) were chosen as the additives. The chemical structure, thermal properties, hydrophilicity, and permeation performance of the resultant membranes were investigated to study the ILs' effects. An increment in CO2 permeability (~34%) was obtained by optimizing monomer ratios and thus crosslinking network structures. Adding ILs into optimized PEG matrix shows distinct influences in CO2 separation performance depending on the anions' types, due to the different CO2 affinities and compatibilities with PEG matrix. Among these ILs, [Bmim][NTf2] was found the most effective in enhancing CO2 transport by simultaneously increasing the solubility and diffusivity of CO2. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Polymer Science published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. J. Polym. Sci. 2020, 58, 2575‐2585