bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contrasting the risk factors of grief and burden in caregivers of persons with dementia: Multivariate analysis
Authors: Liew Tau Ming , Tai Bee Choo , Yap Philip , Koh Gerald Choon‐Huat
Published: October 2018

Background

Caregivers of persons with dementia (PWD) can experience loss and grief long before the death of the person. While such phenomenon of pre‐death grief (PDG) has been increasingly described, we are uncertain how it can be distinct from the well‐studied construct of caregiver burden.

Objective

To determine whether there are differences in the risk factors of PDG and caregiver burden to aid in our understanding of the relationship between the two constructs.

Methods

Spouses or children of community‐dwelling PWD were consecutively sampled from two tertiary hospitals. They completed questionnaires containing a PDG scale, a caregiver burden scale, and information related to the caregiver and PWD. Risk factors of PDG and caregiver burden were identified using multivariate regression, within which PDG and caregiver burden scores were jointly included as two separate dependent variables.

Results

We recruited 394 caregivers with a mean age of 53.0 years (SD 10.7), majority were Chinese (86.6%), children caregivers (86.3%), and primary caregivers (70.8%). In the regression analyses, we identified three risk factors which were shared by both PDG and caregiver burden (later stage of dementia, behavioral problems in PWD, and primary caregiving role) and three other risk factors which were unique to PDG alone (younger age of PWD, lower educational attainment of caregivers, and spousal caregiver).

Conclusions

The different risk factor profiles evidence a distinction between PDG and caregiver burden. They may possibly be distilled into a framework to direct our approach to PDG interventions, which may include using caregiver burden as an opportunity to initiate conversations on grief, exploring the various aspects of losses and encouraging adaptive coping.
Cognitive tests for the detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the prodromal stage of dementia: Meta‐analysis of diagnostic accuracy studies
Authors: Breton Alexandre , Casey Daniel , Arnaoutoglou Nikitas A.
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is regarded as a prodrome to dementia. Various cognitive tests can help with diagnosis; meta‐analysis of diagnostic accuracy studies would assist clinicians in choosing optimal tests.

Methods

We searched online databases for “mild cognitive impairment” and “diagnosis” or “screening” from 01/01/1999 to 01/07/2017. Articles assessing the diagnostic accuracy of a cognitive test compared with standard diagnostic criteria were extracted. Risk of bias was assessed. Bivariate random‐effects meta‐analysis was used to evaluate sensitivity and specificity.

Results

Eight cognitive tests (ACE‐R, CERAD, CDT‐Sunderland, IQCODE, Memory Alteration Test, MMSE, MoCA, and Qmci) were considered for meta‐analysis. ACE‐R, CERAD, MoCA, and Qmci were found to have similar diagnostic accuracy, while the MMSE had lower sensitivity. Memory Alteration Test had the highest sensitivity and equivalent specificity to the other tests.

Discussion

Multiple cognitive tests have comparable diagnostic accuracy. The Memory Alteration Test is short and has the highest sensitivity. New cognitive tests for MCI diagnosis should not be compared with the MMSE.
A short intervention targeting psychosomatic care in older adults with complex health care needs–results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wild Beate , Herzog Wolfgang , Schellberg Dieter , Böhlen Friederike , Brenner Hermann , Saum Kai‐Uwe , Maatouk Imad
Published: October 2018

Objective

The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to assess the efficacy of a short intervention targeting psychosomatic care in older adults with complex health care needs.

Methods

Participants were recruited in the frame of the 11‐year follow‐up of a large population‐based study by means of the INTERMED interview. The INTERMED interview is an integrative assessment method to identify bio‐psycho‐social health care needs. Persons with high health care needs (interview score ≥ 17) were invited to take part. Participants were randomized with a 1:1 ratio to a control and an intervention group. The intervention group received a home visit conducted by a doctor trained in psychosomatic medicine. The primary hypothesis stated that the intervention group would have a better outcome with respect to health related quality of life (HRQOL) measured by the 12‐item short‐form health survey (mental component score, MCS) 6 months after randomization (T1). Secondary outcomes were physical HRQOL, health care needs, depression, anxiety, and somatic symptom severity.

Results

In total, 175 participants were included. At the three‐year follow‐up (T2), 97 participants (55.4%) were included. At T1, we did not find a difference regarding MCS between the intervention and control groups. At T2, the intervention group showed significantly lower health care needs compared with the control group. Regarding HRQOL, depression, and somatic symptom severity the two groups did not differ at T2.

Conclusions

The primary hypothesis was not confirmed. However, results indicate that a short intervention with complex patients could lead to reduced bio‐psycho‐social health care needs.
Risk of dementia associated with cardiometabolic abnormalities and depressive symptoms: a longitudinal cohort study using the English longitudinal study of ageing
Authors: Kontari Panagiota , Smith Kimberley J.
Published: October 2018

Objectives

Depression and cardiometabolic abnormalities are independently associated with a high risk of dementia. This study aimed to examine the association of comorbid depressive symptoms and cardiometabolic abnormalities with risk of dementia.

Methods

The sample comprised 4859 participants aged 50 or older without baseline dementia who took part in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (waves 2‐7). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies‐Depression tool. Cardiometabolic abnormalities were defined as three or more cardiometabolic risk factors (inflammation, central obesity, raised triglycerides, low high‐density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol, hypertension, and hyperglycaemia or diabetes). Participants were classified into four groups based on presence of depressive symptoms and cardiometabolic abnormalities. Results were analysed using the Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for covariates.

Results

A total of 216 cases of incident dementia were reported over 10 years of follow‐up. The group with high depressive symptoms only had an increased hazard of developing incident dementia during follow‐up (HR = 2.68; 95%CI, 1.70‐4.23), which was attenuated after adjustment for baseline cognition. No evidence was found for an association of overall cardiometabolic abnormalities with incident dementia; though hyperglycaemia, hypertension, and abdominal obesity with depressive symptoms had an unadjusted association with incident dementia. Only low‐HDL cholesterol with depressive symptoms had an adjusted association with incident dementia (HR = 0.18; 95%CI, 0.04‐0.75).

Conclusions

This work confirms depressive symptoms as a risk factor for incident dementia. However, low HDL‐cholesterol with depressive symptoms may be protective against dementia, though more work is required to confirm this association.
In vitro compatibility testing of thiol‐ene/acrylate‐based shape memory polymers for use in implantable neural interfaces
Authors: Black Bryan J. , Ecker Melanie , Stiller Allison , Rihani Rashed , Danda Vindhya Reddy , Reed Isabella , Voit Walter E. , Pancrazio Joseph J.
Published: October 2018

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) based on thiol‐ene/acrylate formulations are an emerging class of materials with potential applications as structural and/or dielectric coatings for implantable neural interfaces. Here, we report in vitro compatibility studies of three novel thiol‐ene/acrylate‐based SMP formulations. In vivo cytotoxicity assays were carried out in accordance with International Organization for Standards (ISO) protocol 10993‐5, using NCTC clone 929 fibroblasts as well as embryonic cortical cultures. All three SMP formulations passed standardized cytotoxicity assays (>70% normalized cell viability) using both cell types. Functional neurotoxicity assays were carried out using primary cortical networks cultured on substrate‐integrated microelectrode arrays (MEAs). We observed significant reduction in cortical network activity in the case of positive control material, but no significant alterations in activity following incubation with SMP material extracts, indicating functional cytocompatibility. Finally, we assessed cell reactivity at the tissue‐material interface by performing an in vitro glial scarring assay. Through immunostaining, we observed similar astrocyte‐associated (GFAP) mean intensity ratios near nonsoftening SMP‐coated and uncoated stainless steel microwires (1.10 ± 0.06 vs. 1.19 ± 0.10), suggesting similar glial cell reactivity. However, we observed decreased mean intensity ratios in the presence of fully softening SMP‐coated microwires (1.02 ± 0.04) suggesting reduced glial cell reactivity. Overall, these results indicate that the thiol‐ene/acrylate SMP formulations presented here are neither cytotoxic nor neurotoxic, and suggest that fully softening SMP may reduce foreign body response in terms of glial cell reactivity. These findings support further consideration of this class of materials as backbone or insulating materials for implantable neural stimulating/recording devices. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 2891–2898, 2018.
Expression of myostatin in human hematopoietic cells unveils novel autocrine/paracrine actions for the hormone
Authors: Fernández‐Nocelo Susana , Gallego Rosalía , Costoya José A. , Arce Víctor M.
Published: October 2018

Myostatin is a member of the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily that has a well‐established role as a mediator of muscle growth and development. However, myostatin is now emerging as a pleiotropic hormone with multiple actions in the regulation of the metabolism as well as several aspects of both cardiac and smooth muscle cells physiology. In addition, myostatin is also expressed in several nonmuscular cells where its physiological role remains to be elucidated in most cases. In this report, we have shown that both myostatin and its receptor system are expressed in blood cells and in hematopoietic cell lines. Furthermore, myostatin treatment promotes differentiation of both HL60 and K562 cells through a mechanism that involves activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1/2 and p38‐mitogen‐activated protein kinase, thus leading to the possibility that myostatin may be a paracrine/autocrine factor involved in the control of haematopoiesis. In addition, the presence of myostatin expression in immune cells could envisage a novel role for the hormone in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases.
Microplastic surface properties affect bacterial colonization in freshwater
Authors: Hossain Mohammed R. , Jiang Miao , Wei QiHuo , Leff Laura G.
Published: October 2018

Microplastics are a global concern in aquatic ecology and are readily colonized by bacteria in the environment. There is a lack of information on bacterial colonization of eroded and un‐eroded microplastics in freshwater. In this study, six types of microplastics were incubated for 8 weeks in microcosms with water from Lake Erie. Microcosms were inoculated with one of three species: Acinetobacter (A.) calcoaceticus, Burkholderia (B.) cepacia, and Escherichia (E.) coli. These bacterial species are ubiquitous in water bodies associated with human populations. Bacterial surface coverage was determined using electron and fluorescent microscopy. Quantifications of EPS and surface roughness were performed by confocal microscopy and measuring contact angles (θw) of water droplets on microplastics, respectively. Analyses revealed surface coverage differed among bacterial species and plastic types after 8 weeks. As the study progressed, E. coli remained the most abundant while A. calcoaceticus gradually decreased on most surfaces. Analyses of microcosms revealed polypropylene disks had lower bacterial abundance. Conversely, eroded polypropylene disks had highest bacterial abundance, indicating importance of surface roughness (lower θw values) and surface physicochemical properties of microplastics in bacterial colonization. Our results demonstrated that bacterial colonization of microplastics is affected by both the physicochemical properties of microplastics and the physiological properties of colonizing bacteria.
Marine climate variability based on weather patterns for a complicated island setting: The New Zealand case
Authors: Rueda Ana , Cagigal Laura , Antolínez Jose A. A. , Albuquerque Joao C. , Castanedo Sonia , Coco Giovanni , Méndez Fernando J.
Published: October 2018

Understanding marine climate variability is important for coastal planning and marine operations. It is also particularly challenging for complicated settings (e.g., islands) and data‐poor regions. The aim of this work is to establish a relationship between daily synoptic atmospheric patterns, and wave and storm surge conditions around New Zealand waters, based on instrumental and reanalysis data. The daily predictor we developed is able to represent sea and swell wave conditions as well as storm surge variability over different temporal scales. However, when climate variability is analysed on a longer temporal period, based on the 20th century reanalysis, large inhomogeneities are found. This highlights the dangers related to assessing climate variability, especially in data‐poor regions (such as New Zealand), where inhomogeneities could be interpreted as actual changes.
Rare earth element geochemistry during weathering of S‐type granites from dry to humid climates of Brazil
Authors: da Silva Ygor Jacques Agra Bezerra , Araújo do Nascimento Clístenes Williams , Biondi Caroline Miranda , van Straaten Peter , da Silva Yuri Jacques Agra Bezerra
Published: October 2018

S‐type granites are igneous rock types that are widespread in all continental crust. These granites play a key role in global weathering patterns and can be important economic ores of rare earth elements (REEs). This study provides insights into the geochemical and mineralogical signatures of REEs in S‐type granites and their derived soil profiles along a climosequence from dry to humid climates of Brazil. Mineralogical, petrographic, geochemical and soil analyses (physical and chemical) were used to evaluate the geochemistry of REEs in rock and soil samples. The granites were characterized as strongly peraluminous, being classified as typical S‐types. Both the granites and their derived soils contained high contents of REEs, with monazite and apatite being the major source of REEs. The high enrichment of light REEs (LRREs) in monazite and apatite explained the REE fractionation evidenced in the S‐type granites. The normalized REE distribution patterns for soil profiles along the climosequence revealed the fractionation between light and heavy REEs (HREEs). The ratio of La/YbN > 1 also confirmed the LREEs/HREEs fractionation. The mineralogical composition of the parent material and the clay minerals (kaolintes) seemed to govern the fractionation between LREEs and HREEs in these soils. Chemical index of alteration (CIA) values, REE fractionation and kaolinite proportions in soil profiles increased from dry to humid climates. These results suggest that the degree of weathering plays an important role in the type and volume of secondary minerals, as well as the REE fractionation. Among the phyllosilicates, kaolinite seems to be the most important adsorbent of light REE. The higher positive Eu anomalies with advanced weathering are explained by the breakdown of plagioclase. The weathering of monazite and apatite was the main reason for the slight negative Ce anomalies in the soil profiles. This study can be used to comprehend the geochemistry of REEs in other parts of the tropics underlain by S‐type granites.
Pod‐wall proteomics provide novel insights into soybean seed‐filling process under chemical‐induced terminal drought stress
Authors: Sengupta Debashree , Kariyat Divya , Marriboina Sureshbabu , Reddy Attipalli R
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND

Drought is very detrimental when it occurs during the reproductive phase of soybeans, leading to considerable yield loss due to the disproportionate allocation of photo‐assimilates to competing sinks. As pod walls are known to play a crucial role in regulating carbon partitioning during seed filling under stress conditions, the present study aims to analyze the stage‐specific carbon allocation pattern during potassium iodide (KI)‐simulated terminal drought, and to provide an insight into the pod‐wall proteome responses during drought onset.

RESULTS

A comparative proteomics approach was adopted to visualize the differential protein expression in soybean pod‐wall at stage R5 (seed initiation). Sugar status was analyzed using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and biochemical methods. Potassium iodide‐simulated terminal drought during reproductive stages 4, 5 and 6 (R4, R5, and R6) caused a significant decline in starch, total carbohydrate, and reducing sugar in the leaves; however, the pod‐wall and seeds showed a reduction only in the total carbohydrate content, whereas starch and reducing sugar levels remained unchanged. A pod‐wall proteome at stage R5 showed immediate induction of proteins belonging to stress signaling / regulation, protein folding / stabilization, redox‐homeostasis, cellular energy, and carbon utilization and down‐regulation of negative regulators of drought stress and protein degradation‐related proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

A KI spray effectively simulated terminal drought stress and caused around 50% yield loss when compared to controls. Our results indicate that, at the very onset of desiccation stress, the pod wall (stage R5) activates strong protective responses to maintain the carbon allocation to the surviving seeds. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Electromembrane extraction of verapamil and riluzole from urine and wastewater samples using a mixture of organic solvents as a supported liquid membrane: Study on electric current variations
Authors: Rahimi Atyeh , Nojavan Saeed
Published: October 2018

In this study, the application of a mixture of organic solvents as a supported liquid membrane for improving the efficiency of the electromembrane extraction procedure was investigated. The extraction process was followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis of two model drugs (verapamil and riluzole). In this research, four organic solvents, including 1‐heptanol, 1‐octanol, 2‐nitrophenyl octyl ether, and 2‐ethyl hexanol, were selected as model solvents and different binary mixtures (v/v 2:1, 1:1 and 1:2) were used as the supported liquid membrane. The mixture of 2‐ethyl hexanol and 1‐otanol (v/v, 2:1) improved the extraction efficiency of model drugs by 1.5 to 12 times. It was found that extraction efficiency is greatly influenced by the level of electric current. In this study, for various mixtures of organic solvents, the electric current fluctuated between 50 and 2500 μA, and the highest extraction efficiencies were obtained with low and stable electric currents. Finally, the optimized extraction condition was validated and applied for the determination of model drugs in urine and wastewater samples.
Simultaneous analysis of 2‐methylimidazole, 4‐methylimidazole, and 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural potentially formed in fermented soy sauce by “quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe” purification and UHPLC with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Ling , Li Chunhai
Published: October 2018

2‐Methylimidazole, 4‐methylimidazole and 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural are harmful by‐products potentially formed via Maillard reaction in fermented soy sauce. The present study proposed a new method based on “quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe” purification and ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry for the simultaneous analysis of 2‐methylimidazole, 4‐methylimidazole and 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural in fermented soy sauce. The sample was dissolved in water after addition of internal standard 4‐methylimidazole‐d6 and extracted with acetonitrile. After dehydration, it was centrifuged and the supernatant was subsequently purified using two sorbents namely primary‐secondary amine and multi‐walled carbon nanotube. Three target analytes were separated by gradient elution and determined under multiple reactions monitoring mode. The limit of detection, matrix effect, recovery and precision of the developed method were investigated. Results found that three target analytes displayed excellent linearity in concentration range of 1–250 μg/L. Limit of detection was in the range of 0.3–1 μg/kg for three target analytes. The mean recoveries for fermented soy sauce samples at three spiked concentrations were in the range of 91.2–112.5%, and the intra‐ and interday precision were in the ranges of 3.6–9.2 and 7.1–10.8%, respectively. This validated method was successfully applied to determine 2‐methylimidazole, 4‐methylimidazole and 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural concentrations in fermented soy sauce.
Efficacy of common reagents for killing ticks in the ear canal
Authors: Orobello Nicklas C. , Dirain Carolyn O. , Kaufman Phillip E. , Antonelli Patrick J.
Published: October 2018

Objective

To determine if widely available solutions can effectively kill ticks that may be found in the human ear canal.

Methods

This study was prospective, controlled and blinded animal study. Lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum), both nymphal and adult, were submerged in one of four preparations (acetone, isopropyl alcohol 70%, ethanol 95%, or 4% lidocaine) in test tubes (n = 20 per group) for 20 minutes. Ticks were agitated by intermittent probing. Activity of the nymphal ticks was directly observed while those of the adult ticks was video‐recorded during the exposure period. Two blinded investigators viewed the videos of adult ticks and during the exposure period to determine the time until death (ie, movement cessation). Mortality was assessed immediately after exposure, and confirmed 24 and 48 hours after exposure.

Results

Acetone killed ticks most rapidly (nymph mean time = 185.1 s; adult mean time = 562.9 s). Isopropyl alcohol 70% (nymphs, 328.9 s; adults, 1128.4 s) and ethanol 95% (nymphs, 294 s; adults, 1129.4 s) took longer to kill the ticks. All ticks treated with 4% lidocaine survived. These differences were significant (nymphs, P < .0001; adults, P < .0001).

Conclusions

Acetone was the fastest acting and most effective reagent, followed by ethanol and isopropyl alcohol. These solutions may prove useful in otoacariasis with an intact tympanic membrane.

Level of Evidence

N/A
A comparison of commercially available compression feedback devices in novice and experienced healthcare practitioners: A prospective randomized simulation study
Authors: Davis Terri L. , Hoffman Adam , Vahedian‐Azimi Amir , Brewer Kori L. , Miller Andrew C.
Published: October 2018

Background

Guidelines note the importance of chest compression components including rate, depth, no‐flow time and chest recoil. Audio‐visual feedback (AVF) technologies are included in the American Heart Association's training videos and loosely recommended by the 2015 guidelines.

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of 3 compression AVF devices compared to standard compressions.

Methods

Prospective simulation study of 118 subjects randomized into 4 groups: TrueCPR™, Pocket CPR™, CPR RsQ Assist® and Control. The SimMan® 3G simulator recorded compression total, rate, depth, recoil, no‐flow time and flow fraction during 6 min of continuous compressions.

Results

Compression number and rate were similar, and depth was poor across all groups, but TrueCPR™ and PocketCPR™ demonstrated statically (not clinically) significant improvements compared to control (p = 0.024) and CPR RsQ Assist® groups (p < 0.001). PocketCPR™ had the greatest % compressions with sufficient depth, while TrueCPR™ had the greatest % with adequate rate. Controls outperformed all devices in no‐flow time (p < 0.001) and flow fraction (p < 0.001). Full recoil was not improved by device use (p = 0.31).

Conclusion

In this simulation study, PocketCPR™ was the highest performing AVF device. AVF use improved mean compression depth and per cent compressions with adequate rate or depth. Devices underperformed for recoil, no‐flow time and flow fraction. Metronome components most benefited novice providers. Further study is warranted before recommending AVF use in routine clinical practice.
Responsibility, identity, and genomic sequencing: A comparison of published recommendations and patient perspectives on accepting or declining incidental findings
Authors: Boardman Felicity , Hale Rachel
Published: October 2018

Background

The use of genomic sequencing techniques is increasingly being incorporated into mainstream health care. However, there is a lack of agreement on how “incidental findings” (IFs) should be managed and a dearth of research on patient perspectives.

Methods

In‐depth qualitative interviews were carried out with 31 patients undergoing genomic sequencing at a regional genetics service in England. Interviews explored decisions around IFs and were comparatively analyzed with published recommendations from the literature.

Results

Thirteen participants opted to receive all IFs from their sequence, 12 accepted some and rejected others, while six participants refused all IFs. The key areas from the literature, (a) genotype/phenotype correlation, (b) seriousness of the condition, and (c) implications for biological relatives, were all significant; however, patients drew on a broader range of social and cultural information to make their decisions.

Conclusion

This study highlights the range of costs and benefits for patients of receiving IFs from a genomic sequence. While largely positive views toward the dissemination of genomic data were reported, ambivalence surrounding genetic responsibility and its associated behaviors (e.g., duty to inform relatives) was reported by both IF decliners and accepters, suggesting a need to further explore patient perspectives on this highly complex topic area.
Early evidence of improvements for clients in Pennsylvania CCBHC effort
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: October 2018

Now that the Pennsylvania care providers operating as certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs) under a federal demonstration program have largely adjusted to numerous new ways of doing business, state officials look forward to receiving voluminous data they believe will confirm the benefits of integrated behavioral and physical care at the CCBHC sites.
Predicting image properties in penalized‐likelihood reconstructions of flat‐panel CBCT
Authors: Wang Wenying , Gang Grace J. , Siewerdsen Jeffrey H. , Stayman J. Webster
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Model‐based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) algorithms such as penalized‐likelihood (PL) methods exhibit data‐dependent and shift‐variant properties. Image quality predictors have been derived to prospectively estimate local noise and spatial resolution, facilitating both system hardware design and tuning of reconstruction methods. However, current MBIR image quality predictors rely on idealized system models, ignoring physical blurring effects and noise correlations found in real systems. In this work, we develop and validate a new set of predictors using a physical system model specific to flat‐panel cone‐beam CT (FP‐CBCT).

Methods

Physical models appropriate for integration with MBIR analysis are developed and parameterized to represent nonidealities in FP projection data including focal spot blur, scintillator blur, detector aperture effect, and noise correlations. Flat‐panel‐specific predictors for local spatial resolution and local noise properties in PL reconstructions are developed based on these realistic physical models. Estimation accuracy of conventional (idealized) and FP‐specific predictors is investigated and validated against experimental CBCT measurements using specialized phantoms.

Results

Validation studies show that flat‐panel‐specific predictors can accurately estimate the local spatial resolution and noise properties, while conventional predictors show significant deviations in the magnitude and scale of the spatial resolution and local noise. The proposed predictors show accurate estimations over a range of imaging conditions including varying x‐ray technique and regularization strength. The conventional spatial resolution prediction is sharper than ground truth. Using conventional spatial resolution predictor, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of local point spread function (PSF) is underestimated by 0.2 mm. This mismatch is mostly eliminated in FP‐specific prediction. The general shape and amplitude of local noise power spectrum (NPS) FP‐specific predictions are consistent with measurement, while the conventional predictions underestimated the noise level by 70%.

Conclusion

The proposed image quality predictors permit accurate estimation of local spatial resolution and noise properties for PL reconstruction, accounting for dependencies on the system geometry, x‐ray technique, and patient‐specific anatomy in real FP‐CBCT. Such tools enable prospective analysis of image quality for a range of goals including novel system and acquisition design, adaptive and task‐driven imaging, and tuning of MBIR for robust and reliable behavior.
Estimating the spectrum in computed tomography via Kullback–Leibler divergence constrained optimization
Authors: Ha Wooseok , Sidky Emil Y. , Barber Rina Foygel , Schmidt Taly Gilat , Pan Xiaochuan
Published: October 2018

Purpose

We study the problem of spectrum estimation from transmission data of a known phantom. The goal is to reconstruct an x‐ray spectrum that can accurately model the x‐ray transmission curves and reflects a realistic shape of the typical energy spectra of the CT system.

Methods

Spectrum estimation is posed as an optimization problem with x‐ray spectrum as unknown variables, and a Kullback–Leibler (KL)‐divergence constraint is employed to incorporate prior knowledge of the spectrum and enhance numerical stability of the estimation process. The formulated constrained optimization problem is convex and can be solved efficiently by use of the exponentiated‐gradient (EG) algorithm. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach on the simulated and experimental data. The comparison to the expectation–maximization (EM) method is also discussed.

Results

In simulations, the proposed algorithm is seen to yield x‐ray spectra that closely match the ground truth and represent the attenuation process of x‐ray photons in materials, both included and not included in the estimation process. In experiments, the calculated transmission curve is in good agreement with the measured transmission curve, and the estimated spectra exhibits physically realistic looking shapes. The results further show the comparable performance between the proposed optimization‐based approach and EM.

Conclusions

Our formulation of a constrained optimization provides an interpretable and flexible framework for spectrum estimation. Moreover, a KL‐divergence constraint can include a prior spectrum and appears to capture important features of x‐ray spectrum, allowing accurate and robust estimation of x‐ray spectrum in CT imaging.
Muscle contractility dysfunction precedes loss of motor unit connectivity in SOD1(G93A) mice
Authors: Wier Christopher G. , Crum Alexander E. , Reynolds Anthony B. , Iyer Chitra C. , Chugh Deepti , Palettas Marilly S. , Heilman Patrick L. , Kline David M. , Arnold W. David , Kolb Stephen J.
Published: October 2018

Introduction: Electrophysiological measurements are used in longitudinal clinical studies to provide insight into the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the relationship between muscle weakness and motor unit (MU) degeneration. Here, we used a similar longitudinal approach in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1[G93A]) mouse model of ALS.Methods: In vivomuscle contractility and MU connectivity assays were assessed longitudinally in SOD1(G93A) and wild type mice from postnatal days 35 to 119.Results: In SOD1(G93A) males, muscle contractility was reduced by day 35 and preceded MU loss. Muscle contractility and motor unit reduction were delayed in SOD1(G93A) females compared with males, but, just as with males, muscle contractility reduction preceded MU loss.Discussion: The longitudinal contractility and connectivity paradigm employed here provides additional insight into the SOD1(G93A) mouse model and suggests that loss of muscle contractility is an early finding that may precede loss of MUs and motor neuron death.Muscle Nerve59:254–262, 2019
Scalable parallel scheme for sampling of Gaussian random fields over very large domains
Authors: de Carvalho Paludo L. , Bouvier V. , Cottereau R.
Published: October 2018

This paper proposes a new scheme for the generation of Gaussian random fields over large domains (domain size much larger than the correlation length). The scheme decomposes the simulation domain into overlapping subdomains and essentially generates independent random fields over each of them before merging them on the overlaps. It is naturally suited for simulation over clusters of computers. With this approach, the number of operations for each processor depends only on the number of local degrees of freedom and not on the total number over all processors. Hence, weak scalability is perfectly met. This paper describes the general scheme and introduces two error estimates for comparison with classical sampling schemes. Improvements in terms of scalability are demonstrated both theoretically and through numerical examples. The behavior in the overlap is studied in detail. Simulations using the localized approach were performed in up to 512 processors and allowed to generate in 41 seconds a realization of a random field over a cube of side 300 correlation lengths (close to 2‐billion sampling points), much more efficiently and rapidly than with classical methods.
Grafting hyperbranched polymer with terminal hydroxyl groups onto carbon fiber surface in two‐step polycondensation for improving the interfacial properties of carbon fiber/epoxy resin composite
Authors: Ma Lichun , Wang Gang , Li Xiaoru , Yang Chao , Zheng Hao , Yu Chaoyong , Li Quanjiang , Xin Jianpeng , Lv Baokang , Shen Yuehang , Song Guojun
Published: October 2018

Hyperbranched polymer with terminal hydroxyl groups (HBPH) was grafted successfully onto carbon fiber (CFs) surface in two‐step polycondensation to improve the interfacial properties of CFs‐reinforced epoxy resin composites. The microstructure and interfacial properties of CFs before and after modification were investigated systematically. Experimental results indicated that HBPH were grafted uniformly onto CFs using γ‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane as the coupling agent. The polarity, roughness and wettability of the grafted fiber (CF‐HBPH) were enhanced distinctly in comparison with those of untreated CF. The CF‐HBPH composites displayed remarkable enhancement in interfacial shear strength, flexural strength and modulus (52.9, 29.1, and 42.6%) with no deteriorating fiber tensile strength, which was ascribed to the augment in fiber–epoxy interface through improved chemical interactions and mechanical interlocking. This was in accordance with scanning electron microscopy observations from the fracture surface morphologies of the composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E1378–E1387, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Fraud in Medical Crowdfunding: A Typology of Publicized Cases and Policy Recommendations
Authors: Zenone Marco , Snyder Jeremy
Published: October 2018

Medical crowdfunding is an increasingly popular means of leveraging social networks to raise money for health‐related expenses. While providing crucial access to care for many, it is also accompanied by increased risks of fraudulent activity. While many such cases of fraud have been publicized by the news media, and research articles mention the potential for increased risk of fraud, little is known about the types of fraud that occur within medical crowdfunding. This article develops of a typology of fraud cases described in the news media by retrieving 52 cases of medical crowdfunding fraud through a search of news media and an online aggregator of crowdfunding fraud. We identified the following categories of fraud: faking/exaggerating one's own illness (n = 29), faking/exaggerating another's illness (n = 7), impersonation (n = 8), and misapplication of funds (n = 8). Building on these findings, we identify several limitations to existing anti fraud policies, and offer five policy recommendations to identify instances of medical crowdfunding fraud, prevent such fraud, and offer better outcomes to its victims.
Clinical effectiveness of docetaxel for castration‐sensitive prostate cancer in a real‐world population‐based analysis
Authors: Lavoie Jean‐Michel , Zou Kevin , Khalaf Daniel , Eigl Bernhard J. , Kollmannsberger Christian K. , Vergidis Joanna , Noonan Krista , Zulfiqar Muhammad , Finch Daygen , Chi Kim N.
Published: October 2018

Background

Adding docetaxel to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for the treatment of metastatic castration‐sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) has known efficacy, with an overall survival benefit in Phase III clinical trials. The effectiveness of docetaxel with ADT in the general patient population remains undefined.

Patients and Methods

We conducted a population‐based retrospective review using the British Columbia Provincial Pharmacy Database. To be included, patients had to have castration‐sensitive prostate cancer not previously treated (except in the adjuvant setting) and have received at least one cycle of docetaxel, with complete records available for review. Safety and clinical effectiveness were evaluated.

Results

From April 2015 to February 2017, we identified 183 cases; 156 met inclusion criteria. Most patients had high‐volume disease (80%). All 6 planned docetaxel cycles were delivered in 126 cases (81%). Dose reductions and delays were required in 39% and 16% of cases. Grade 3‐4 adverse events were noted in 40%, with no treatment‐related deaths. The rate of febrile neutropenia was 18% and was significantly associated with the presence of high‐volume disease (P = 0.038). PSA ≤ 0.2 ng/L was achieved in 27% of patients after 6 months of ADT and maintained in 16% after 12 months. Patients with over 20 bone metastases had worse time to castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and time to treatment for CRPC, and a trend toward worse overall survival. CRPC developed in 41% within 1 year, with a median time to CRPC of 14.4 months. Treatment for CRPC was given in 84 cases, with 90% receiving either abiraterone or enzalutamide in the first‐line, with a PSA decline ≥50% occurring in 47%.

Conclusions

The effectiveness of docetaxel with ADT in a general population of patients with mCSPC was associated with poorer outcomes and high rates of toxicity compared to the published studies. Response rates to first‐line treatment for mCRPC with abiraterone or enzalutamide appear similar to reported outcomes.
Formation of SiO2 Dendritic Structures During Annealing of Silicon on Insulator Wafers
Authors: Korobova Natalia , Zhigalov Vlad , Novikov Sergey , Timoshenkov Sergey
Published: October 2018

Silicon‐based sensors and actuators are the most prominent applications of silicon‐on‐insulator (SOI) microelectronic devices. The main reason for defects of these products is the low mechanical properties of the plates, due to their surface defects. To find out the causes of defects, studies are carried out by methods of measuring electron work function, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force, and secondary ion microscopy. It shows that in the case of defective SOI samples (doped by boron) on the silicon surface, there are silica fiber structures formed in zones having copper impurities. It is suggested that the fibrous SiO2 structure appeares as a result of the catalytic copper action on the process of silicon oxidation, causing the formation of polymeric fibers, at the end of which there are “caps” of copper. Presence of silica fibrous structure on the surface causes abnormally low electron work function values (<4.0 eV). Study of the heat treatment effect (room temperature ÷ 900 °C) of silicon wafers doped with boron and antimony impurities on the surface morphology made it possible to identify the changes that occur, to determine the roughness and the size of surface micro‐roughness, and to optimize the technological routes for MEMS manufacturing.
Fractional‐Calculus‐Based Electromagnetic Tool to Study Pulse Propagation in Arbitrary Dispersive Dielectrics
Authors: Mescia Luciano , Bia Pietro , Caratelli Diego
Published: October 2018

Fractional calculus is a fruitful field of research in science and engineering. The concept of fractional exponents is an outgrowth of exponents with integer value. In the same way, fractional order of integration is a generalization of the mathematical operations of differentiation and integration to arbitrary, general, noninteger order. Although it better models the higher complexity by nature, it is still fairly easy to physically represent its meaning. However, taking in consideration that the study of fractional calculus theory opens the mind to entirely new branches of thought, in this feature article the authors illustrate as such concept can be an interesting and useful tools in electromagnetic theory to solve specific electromagnetic problems regarding the wave propagation and radiation in arbitrary dispersive dielectric materials. In particular, time fractional Maxwell's equations for media with power‐law frequency dispersions are illustrated focusing the attention on the mathematical and computational topics. Moreover, practical examples highlighting their usefulness for understanding a variety of electromagnetic phenomena are provided.
The random k‐matching‐free process
Authors: Krivelevich Michael , Kwan Matthew , Loh Po‐Shen , Sudakov Benny
Published: October 2018

Let be a graph property which is preserved by removal of edges, and consider the random graph process that starts with the empty n‐vertex graph and then adds edges one‐by‐one, each chosen uniformly at random subject to the constraint that is not violated. These types of random processes have been the subject of extensive research over the last 20 years, having striking applications in extremal combinatorics, and leading to the discovery of important probabilistic tools. In this paper we consider the k‐matching‐free process where is the property of not containing a matching of size k. We are able to analyze the behavior of this process for a wide range of values of k; in particular we prove that if k = o(n) or if then this process is likely to terminate in a k‐matching‐free graph with the maximum possible number of edges, as characterized by Erdős and Gallai. We also show that these bounds on k are essentially best possible, and we make a first step towards understanding the behavior of the process in the intermediate regime.
Local resilience of an almost spanning k‐cycle in random graphs
Authors: Škorić Nemanja , Steger Angelika , Trujić Miloš
Published: October 2018

The famous Pósa‐Seymour conjecture, confirmed in 1998 by Komlós, Sárközy, and Szemerédi, states that for any k ≥ 2, every graph on n vertices with minimum degree kn/(k + 1) contains the kth power of a Hamilton cycle. We extend this result to a sparse random setting. We show that for every k ≥ 2 there exists C > 0 such that if then w.h.p. every subgraph of a random graph Gn,p with minimum degree at least (k/(k + 1) + o(1))np, contains the kth power of a cycle on at least (1 − o(1))n vertices, improving upon the recent results of Noever and Steger for k = 2, as well as Allen, Böttcher, Ehrenmüller, and Taraz for k ≥ 3. Our result is almost best possible in three ways: for p ≪ n−1/k the random graph Gn,p w.h.p. does not contain the kth power of any long cycle; there exist subgraphs of Gn,p with minimum degree (k/(k + 1) + o(1))np and Ω(p−2) vertices not belonging to triangles; there exist subgraphs of Gn,p with minimum degree (k/(k + 1) − o(1))np which do not contain the kth power of a cycle on (1 − o(1))n vertices.
Dispersion processes
Authors: Cooper Colin , McDowell Andrew , Radzik Tomasz , Rivera Nicolás , Shiraga Takeharu
Published: October 2018

We study a synchronous process called dispersion. Initially M particles are placed at a distinguished origin vertex of a graph G. At each time step, at each vertex v occupied by more than one particle at the beginning of this step, each of these particles moves to a neighbor of v chosen independently and uniformly at random. The process ends at the first step when no vertex is occupied by more than one particle. For the complete graph Kn, for any constant δ > 1, with high probability, if M ≤ n/2(1 − δ), the dispersion process finishes in steps, whereas if M ≥ n/2(1 + δ), the process needs eΩ(n) steps to complete, if ever. A lazy variant of the process exhibits analogous behavior but at a higher threshold, thus allowing faster dispersion of more particles. For paths, trees, grids, hypercubes, and Abelian Cayley graphs of large enough size, we give bounds on the time to finish and the maximum distance traveled from the origin as a function of M.
Who owns the data – and is it secure?
Authors: Raben Finn
Published: October 2018

Earlier this year the GDPR launched to a flurry of activity as marketing teams across Europe and beyond endeavoured to become compliant with the new legislation. This manifested itself in not only a flood of emails in everyone's inbox, as I'm sure you noticed, but when deadline day clicked over, a number of websites in the US, such as USA Today and Los Angeles Times, even temporarily blocked all EU visitors. Even though organisations had a two year window in which to ensure they complied with the law, it was not entirely a surprise that some were left backfooted.
The First Nudge Building in Paris
Authors: Singler Eric
Published: October 2018

How the collaboration of design and behavioural economics, created a transformative eco‐friendly living environment for the future.
Fifty Fifty
Authors: Kearon John
Published: October 2018

John Wanamaker was an interesting chap. An American merchant and a religious, civic and political figure; he was a retail innovator, a merchandising genius, and an early proponent of the power of advertising. If you have spent any time in Philadelphia you will have probably seen the iconic Wanamaker Building, the site of Philadelphia's first department store. The store was wildly successful in the late 19th century due to the revolutionary principle of “returnable goods”.
Research to the rescue
Authors: Meijer Wander , Liang Anny
Published: October 2018

How market research can guide behavior change and ivory demand reduction strategies in China, saving elephants from imminent extinction.
What we can take away from GDPR's first months in force
Authors: Smouter Kim
Published: October 2018

No record fines yet, but they're coming
Listening With Influence
Authors: Guy Nick
Published: October 2018

Why influencers are the new most powerful tool for market research