bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study of long-term flux and photon index distributions of blazars using RXTE observations
Authors: Khatoon Rukaiya , Shah Zahir , Misra Ranjeev , Gogoi Rupjyoti 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACT
We present a detailed study of flux and index distributions of three blazars [one flat-spectrum radio quasar (FSRQ) and two BL Lacertae objects (BL Lacs)] by using 16 yr of Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) archival data. The three blazars were chosen such that their flux and index distributions have sufficient number of data points (≥90) with relatively less uncertainty $\left(\overline{\sigma _{\rm err}^{2}}/\sigma ^{2} &lt; 0.2\right)$ in light curves. Anderson–Darling (AD) test and histogram fitting show that flux distribution of FSRQ 3C 273 is lognormal, while its photon index distribution is Gaussian. This result is consistent with linear Gaussian perturbation in the particle acceleration time-scale, which produces lognormal distribution in flux. However, for two BL Lacs, viz. Mrk 501 and Mrk 421, AD test shows that their flux distributions are neither Gaussian nor lognormal, and their index distributions are non-normal. The histogram fitting of Mrk 501 and Mrk 421 suggests that their flux distributions are more likely to be a bimodal, and their index distributions are double Gaussian. Since, Sinha et al. had shown that Gaussian distribution of index produces a lognormal distribution in flux, double Gaussian distribution of index in Mrk 501 and Mrk 421 indicates that their flux distributions are probably double lognormal. Observation of double lognormal flux distribution with double Gaussian distribution in index reaffirms two flux states hypothesis. Further, the difference observed in the flux distribution of FSRQ (3C 273) and BL Lacs (Mrk 501 and Mrk 421) at X-rays suggests that the low-energy emitting electrons have a single lognormal flux distribution, while the high-energy ones have a double lognormal flux distribution.
Milky Way analogues in MaNGA: multiparameter homogeneity and comparison to the Milky Way
Authors: Boardman N , Zasowski G , Seth A , Newman J , Andrews B , Bershady M , Bird J , Chiappini C , Fielder C , Fraser-McKelvie A , Jones A , Licquia T , Masters K L , Minchev I , Schiavon R P , Brownstein J R , Drory N , Lane R R 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACT
The Milky Way provides an ideal laboratory to test our understanding of galaxy evolution, owing to our ability to observe our Galaxy over fine scales. However, connecting the Galaxy to the wider galaxy population remains difficult, due to the challenges posed by our internal perspective and to the different observational techniques employed. Here, we present a sample of galaxies identified as Milky Way analogues on the basis of their stellar masses and bulge-to-total ratios, observed as part of the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory survey. We analyse the galaxies in terms of their stellar kinematics and populations as well as their ionized gas contents. We find our sample to contain generally young stellar populations in their outskirts. However, we find a wide range of stellar ages in their central regions, and we detect central active galactic nucleus-like or composite-like activity in roughly half of the sample galaxies, with the other half consisting of galaxies with central star-forming emission or emission consistent with old stars. We measure gradients in gas metallicity and stellar metallicity that are generally flatter in physical units than those measured for the Milky Way; however, we find far better agreement with the Milky Way when scaling gradients by galaxies’ disc scale lengths. From this, we argue much of the discrepancy in metallicity gradients to be due to the relative compactness of the Milky Way, with differences in observing perspective also likely to be a factor.
Reionisation & Cosmic Dawn Astrophysics from the Square Kilometre Array: Impact of Observing Strategies
Authors: Greig Bradley , Mesinger Andrei , Koopmans Léon V E 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Interferometry of the cosmic 21-cm signal is set to revolutionise our understanding of the Epoch of Reionisation (EoR) and the Cosmic Dawn (CD). The culmination of ongoing efforts will be the upcoming Square Kilometre Array (SKA), which will provide tomography of the 21-cm signal from the first billion years of our Universe. Using a galaxy formation model informed by high-z luminosity functions, here we forecast the accuracy with which the first phase of SKA-low (SKA1-low) can constrain the properties of the unseen galaxies driving the astrophysics of the EoR and CD. We consider three observing strategies: (i) deep (1000h on a single field); (ii) medium-deep (100hr on 10 independent fields); and (iii) shallow (10hr on 100 independent fields). Using the 21-cm power spectrum as a summary statistic, and conservatively only using the 21-cm signal above the foreground wedge, we predict that all three observing strategies should recover astrophysical parameters to a fractional precision of ∼0.1 – 10 per cent. The reionisation history is recovered to an uncertainty of $\Delta z \mathrel {\lesssim}0.1$ (1σ) for the bulk of its duration. The medium-deep strategy, balancing thermal noise against cosmic variance, results in the tightest constraints, slightly outperforming the deep strategy. The shallow observational strategy performs the worst, with up to a ∼10 – 60 per cent increase in the recovered uncertainty. We note, however, that non-Gaussian summary statistics, tomography, as well as unbiased foreground removal would likely favour the deep strategy.
Clinopyroxene/Melt Trace Element Partitioning in Sodic Alkaline Magmas
Authors: Beard Charles D , van Hinsberg Vincent J , Stix John , Wilke Max 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Clinopyroxene is a key fractionating phase in alkaline magmatic systems, but its impact on metal enrichment processes, and the formation of REE + HFSE mineralisation in particular, is not well understood. To constrain the control of clinopyroxene on REE + HFSE behaviour in sodic (per)alkaline magmas, a series of internally heated pressure vessel experiments was performed to determine clinopyroxene–melt element partitioning systematics. Synthetic tephriphonolite to phonolite compositions were run H2O-saturated at 200 MPa, 650–825°C with oxygen fugacity buffered to log f O2 ≈ ΔFMQ + 1 or log f O2 ≈ ΔFMQ +5. Clinopyroxene–glass pairs from basanitic to phonolitic fall deposits from Tenerife, Canary Islands, were also measured to complement our experimentally-derived data set. The REE partition coefficients are 0·3–53, typically 2–6, with minima for high-aegirine clinopyroxene. Diopside-rich clinopyroxene (Aeg5–25) prefer the MREE and have high REE partition coefficients (DEu up to 53, DSm up to 47). As clinopyroxene becomes more Na- and less Ca-rich (Aeg25–50), REE incorporation becomes less favourable, and both the VIM1 and VIIIM2 sites expand (to 0·79 Å and 1·12 Å), increasing DLREE/DMREE. Above Aeg50 both M sites shrink slightly and HREE (VIri ≤ 0·9 Å ≈ Y) partition strongly onto the VIM1 site, consistent with a reduced charge penalty for REE3+ ↔ Fe3+ substitution. Our data, complemented with an extensive literature database, constrain an empirical model that predicts trace element partition coefficients between clinopyroxene and silicate melt using only mineral major element compositions, temperature and pressure as input. The model is calibrated for use over a wide compositional range and can be used to interrogate clinopyroxene from a variety of natural systems to determine the trace element concentrations in their source melts, or to forward model the trace element evolution of tholeiitic mafic to evolved peralkaline magmatic systems.
Hidden Nambu mechanics II: Quantum/semiclassical dynamics
Authors: Horikoshi Atsushi 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Nambu mechanics is a generalized Hamiltonian dynamics characterized by an extended phase space and multiple Hamiltonians. In a previous paper [Prog. Theor. Exp. Phys. 2013, 073A01 (2013)] we revealed that the Nambu mechanical structure is hidden in Hamiltonian dynamics, that is, the classical time evolution of variables including redundant degrees of freedom can be formulated as Nambu mechanics. In the present paper we show that the Nambu mechanical structure is also hidden in some quantum or semiclassical dynamics, that is, in some cases the quantum or semiclassical time evolution of expectation values of quantum mechanical operators, including composite operators, can be formulated as Nambu mechanics. We present a procedure to find hidden Nambu structures in quantum/semiclassical systems of one degree of freedom, and give two examples: the exact quantum dynamics of a harmonic oscillator, and semiclassical wave packet dynamics. Our formalism can be extended to many-degrees-of-freedom systems; however, there is a serious difficulty in this case due to interactions between degrees of freedom. To illustrate our formalism we present two sets of numerical results on semiclassical dynamics: from a one-dimensional metastable potential model and a simplified Henon–Heiles model of two interacting oscillators.
A Review of Techniques, Time Demand, Radiation Exposure, and Outcomes of Skin-anchored Intraoperative 3D Navigation in Minimally Invasive Lumbar Spinal Surgery
Authors: Vaishnav Avani S. , Merrill Robert K. , Sandhu Harvinder , McAnany Steven J. , Iyer Sravisht , Gang Catherine Himo , Albert Todd J. , Qureshi Sheeraz A. 
Published: November 2019

Study Design.
Retrospective cohort.

Objective.
To describe our technique for and evaluate the time demand, radiation exposure and outcomes of skin-anchored intraoperative three-dimensional navigation (ION) in minimally invasive (MIS) lumbar surgery, and to compare these parameters to 2D fluoroscopy for MI-TLIF.

Summary of Background Data.
Limited visualization of anatomic landmarks and narrow access corridor in MIS procedures result in greater reliance on image guidance. Although two-dimensional fluoroscopy has historically been used, ION is gaining traction.

Methods.
Patients who underwent MIS lumbar microdiscectomy, laminectomy, or MI-TLIF using skin-anchored ION and MI-TLIF by the same surgeon using 2D fluoroscopy were selected. Operative variables, radiation exposure, and short-term outcomes of all procedures were summarized. Time-demand and radiation exposure of fluoroscopy and ION for MI-TLIF were compared.

Results.
Of the 326 patients included, 232 were in the ION cohort (92 microdiscectomies, 65 laminectomies, and 75 MI-TLIFs) and 94 in the MI-TLIF using 2D fluoroscopy cohort. Time for ION setup and image acquisition was a median of 22 to 24 minutes. Total fluoroscopy time was a median of 10 seconds for microdiscectomy, 9 for laminectomy, and 26 for MI-TLIF. Radiation dose was a median of 15.2 mGy for microdiscectomy, 16.6 for laminectomy, and 44.6 for MI-TLIF, of this, 93%, 95%, and 37% for microdiscectomy, laminectomy, and MI-TLIF, respectively were for ION image acquisition, with the rest attributable to the procedure. There were no wrong-level surgeries. Compared with fluoroscopy, ION for MI-TLIF resulted in lower operative times (92 vs. 108 min, P < 0.0001), fluoroscopy time (26 vs. 144 s, P < 0.0001), and radiation dose (44.6 vs. 63.1 mGy, P = 0.002), with equivalent time-demand and length of stay. ION lowered the radiation dose by 29% for patients and 55% for operating room personnel.

Conclusion.
Skin-anchored ION does not increase time-demand compared with fluoroscopy, is feasible, safe and accurate, and results in low radiation exposure.

Level of Evidence: 3.
Risk Factors for Postsurgical Foot Complaints One Year Following Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Surgery
Authors: Jang Hae-Dong , Lee Jae Chul , Choi Sung-Woo , Shin Byung-Joon 
Published: November 2019

Mini
Postsurgical foot complaints occurred frequently in 853 degenerative lumbar surgeries (prevalence, 20.6%; n = 176). Risk factor analysis showed that the incidence of postsurgical foot complaint was significantly higher in patients with preoperative foot symptoms (adjusted odds ratio, 5.532) and in those with preoperative sensory deficits on the leg (adjusted odds ratio, 1.904).

Study Design.
Retrospective.

Objective.
To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of postsurgical foot complaints (PFCs) following spinal surgery by using a modified pain drawing (PD) instrument.

Summary of Background Data.
Although many patients report nonspecific foot symptoms with various clinical presentation, there is not a well defined diagnostic criterion. PDs are essential for measuring spinal surgery outcomes. We created a modified patient-physician communication-based PD instrument to overcome the limitations of the previous system.

Methods.
We included 853 consecutive patients who underwent decompression with or without fusion. PFCs were defined as sensory foot symptoms, including ambiguous sensations that were not clearly due to spinal pathology. Patients who complained of postoperative foot symptoms at more than two consecutive visits were assigned to the PFC group. The remaining patients were assigned to the asymptomatic group. We collected medical records using our PD instrument and compared variables between the two groups.

Results.
In total, 176 (20.6%) of the 853 patients had PFCs. The duration of preoperative leg pain was significantly longer in the PFC group than in the asymptomatic group (2.8 vs. 2.2 years; P = 0.048). The proportions of preoperative foot symptoms (82.9% vs. 43.3%) and sensory deficits on the leg (48.6% vs. 27%) were significantly greater in the PFC group than in the asymptomatic group (P < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed two independent risk factors: the presence of preoperative foot symptoms (adjusted odds ratio, 5.532) and preoperative sensory deficits on the leg (adjusted odds ratio, 1.904).

Conclusion.
PFCs occurred frequently after degenerative lumbar spinal surgery (prevalence, 20.6%). Based on our data using PD instrument, it can help reduce the incidence of PFCs if patients are informed and educated that preoperatively existing foot symptom and sensory deficits on the leg are significant risk factors for PFC development.

Level of Evidence: 4
A Standardized Approach to Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Marking
Authors: Xue Erica Y. , Cen Nicholas , Reece Edward , Chu Carrie K. , Winocour Sebastian 
Published: November 2019

Summary:
The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is the most commonly utilized flap in autologous breast reconstruction. This perforator-based free flap includes the lower abdominal wall adipocutaneous layers while sparing the abdominal musculature. Several studies have looked at preoperative planning for DIEP flap reconstruction using CT angiography; however, no study to date has proposed a standardized approach to DIEP flap markings. We propose a novel technique to standardize DIEP flap marking that leads to greater symmetry and consistency in the donor site.
Nurse practitioner interventions for smokers with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Reid Carol , Fenech Mary , Jones Lee , Salehi Nasim 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACT

Background:
Smoking is a grossly overlooked risk factor for people with chronic hepatitis C with regard to disease progression. It is unclear whether current smoking cessation interventions are effective for this population.

Purpose:
The purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of a telephone counseling and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) intervention for smokers with chronic hepatitis C to quit or reduce rates of smoking.

Methods:
A randomized controlled trial was conducted with participants randomized and stratified according to heaviness of smoking. Ninety-two eligible adults who smoked cigarettes and attended hepatology outpatient clinics were recruited. The intervention included NRT and telephone counseling compared with telephone counseling alone. Data collection occurred from December 2010 to November 2011. Data were collected at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks to assess smoking cessation. Change scores were analyzed using analysis of variance to examine the differences between smoking interventions.

Results:
At 6 weeks, both control and intervention groups had quit or reduced the number of cigarettes smoked daily. However, over 12 weeks, the intervention group showed sustained quitting or reduced smoking, with 5.8 (confidence interval [CI]: 2.4, 9.3) fewer cigarettes smoked per day from baseline. The control group maintained an average reduction of 1.6 (CI: −1.9, 5.2) fewer cigarettes per day.

Implications for practice:
Nicotine replacement therapy and individualized telephone counseling interventions increase the prospects of smoking cessation. Interventions such as these, introduced at routine clinic appointments in the outpatients' setting, by a nurse practitioner (hepatology) showed clinically important results for smoking cessation in this population.
APRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis determining the association of miRNA polymorphisms and risk of congenital heart disease
Authors: Li Xing-Yan , Chen Kun , Lv Zheng-Tao 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Purpose:
Recent genetic association studies showed conflicting results on the relationship of miRNA single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and congenital heart disease (CHD) risk. The purpose of the present systematic review was to collect the current available evidences to evaluate the association between miRNA polymorphisms and CHD risk.

Methods:
Four electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, and CENTRAL were extensively searched for relevant studies published before February, 2019. Observational studies determining the association between miRNA polymorphisms and risk of CHD were included. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale by 2 independent researchers. Major characteristics of each study and estimation of effect size of individual locus polymorphism were summarized. In addition, meta-analysis was performed to quantify the associations between miRNA polymorphisms and CHD risk.

Results:
Nine studies containing 6502 CHD patients and 6969 healthy controls were included in this systematic review. Ten loci in 9 miRNAs were reported. Only rs11614913 in miR-196a2 was determined to have significant associations with CHD susceptibility, which was supported by meta-analysis (CC vs CT+TT: odds ratio 1.54, 95% confidence interval 1.30, 1.82; P < .00001). A strong evidence indicated lack of association between rs2910164 in miR-146a and CHD. Limited or conflicting evidences were found for the associations of the other variants (rs11134527, rs139365823, rs76987351, rs3746444, rs4938723, rs2292832, rs41291957, rs895819) and risk of CHD.

Conclusions:
Locus polymorphisms in miRNAs are not generally associated with CHD. Only rs11614913 was found to have significant associations with CHD. Further studies will be needed, using larger populations of different ethnicities, to obtain a better understanding of these associations.
Effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for insomnia
Authors: Zhang Mingming , Zhao Jingwei , Li Xiao , Chen Xinwang , Xie Jin , Meng Lingyan , Gao Xiyan 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Background:
Insomnia is one of the most common diseases in modern society, the main characteristics of the patients were difficulty in falling asleep at night and/or failure to maintain effective sleep after falling asleep. It can lead to early awakening, short sleep, heavy sleeplessness, dreaming, poor sleep quality, and working hours after waking up, causes a series of negative emotions, such as fatigue, inefficiency, cognitive decline, social interaction, tension, and anxiety, which affect social harmony and stability. So Insomnia has gained more and more attention. At present, acupuncture has been proved effective in the treatment of insomnia by many studies. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of insomnia, and to provide the latest evidence for clinical application.

Methods and analysis:
We collected the qualified literature on acupuncture treatment of insomnia by electronic retrieval of Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biomedical Disc (CBMDISC), PubMed, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP) and Wanfang Database, and manual retrieval of papers and internal reports. We will select the eligible studies published up to September 30, 2019. We use Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) as the main outcome of insomnia and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) as secondary indicators to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment of insomnia, we will use Revman v.5.3 software to calculate data synthesis, and if the results are appropriate, meta-analysis can also be carried out.

Results:
This study will provide comprehensive evidence of high quality of acupuncture treatment for insomnia from ISI, PSQI, HAMD, SAS, and adverse reactions.

Conclusion:
The systematic review will provide a basis for evaluating the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of insomnia.

Trial registration number:
PROSPERO CRD42019131957.
Botulinum toxin injection for internal anal sphincter achalasia after pull-through surgery in Hirschsprung disease
Authors: Youn Joong Kee , Han Ji-Won , Oh Chaeyoun , Kim So-Young , Jung Sung-Eun , Kim Hyun-Young 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Botulinum toxin (Botox) was introduced for the management of internal anal sphincter (IAS) achalasia after a pull-through procedure in Hirschsprung disease (HD). We conducted a prospective evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this Botox treatment.
Our study group included 15 patients with HD (median age, 4.8 years; range, 1.7–7.4 years) who experienced persistent constipation after pull-through surgery. Rectal biopsy and colon study were performed before Botox injection to exclude agangliosis. Intersphincteric Botox injections (dose, 4 IU/kg) were performed at 3 sites, (3, 6, and 9 o’clock) under general anesthesia. Measured outcomes of efficacy included anorectal manometry, Wexner constipation score and the quality of life score for defecation, measured at baseline and at 2 weeks and 3 months after injection. The Holschneider incontinence score and an assessment of pain, bleeding, heating sensation, and swelling were also performed at follow-up as outcomes of safety.
There was no significant change in measured outcomes with Botox treatment. Botox did decrease the number of patients who experienced abdominal distension at 3 months, compared to 2-weeks, post-injection. No major complications were identified, with only 2 cases of anal bleeding that resolved spontaneously. Local tenderness at the injection site was reported by 4 patients, recovering without treatment.
The efficacy of Botox, injected into the IAS, for the treatment of achalasia is questionable on short-term follow-up. Larger studies with a longer follow-up period and the use of repeated injections are required to evaluate the evidence for this treatment.