bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determining the Nominal Thickness and Variability of the Magnetodisc Current Sheet at Saturn
Authors: Staniland N. R. , Dougherty M. K. , Masters A. , Bunce E. J. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe thickness and variability of the Saturnian magnetodisc current sheet is investigated using the Cassini magnetometer data set. Cassini performed 66 fast, steep crossings of the equatorial current sheet where a clear signature in the magnetic field data allowed for a direct determination of its thickness and the offset of its center. The average, or nominal, current sheet half‐thickness is 1.3 RS, where RS is the equatorial radius of Saturn, equal to 60,268 km. This is thinner than previously calculated, but both spatial and temporal dependencies are identified. The current sheet is thicker and more variable by a factor ∼2 on the nightside compared to the dayside, ranging from 0.5–3 RS. The current sheet is on average 50% thicker in the nightside quasi‐dipolar region (≤15 RS) compared to the dayside. These results are consistent with the presence of a noon‐midnight electric field at Saturn that produces a hotter plasma population on the nightside compared to the dayside. It is also shown that the current sheet becomes significantly thinner in the outer region of the nightside, while staying approximately constant with radial distance on the dayside, reflecting the dayside compression of the magnetosphere by the solar wind. Some of the variability is well characterized by the planetary period oscillations (PPOs). However, we also find evidence for non‐PPO drivers of variability.
Machine learning identifies the dynamics and influencing factors in an auditory category learning experiment
Authors: Abolfazli Amir , Brechmann André , Wolff Susann , Spiliopoulou Myra 
Published: April 2020

AbstractHuman learning is one of the main topics in psychology and cognitive neuroscience. The analysis of experimental data, e.g. from category learning experiments, is a major challenge due to confounding factors related to perceptual processing, feedback value, response selection, as well as inter-individual differences in learning progress due to differing strategies or skills. We use machine learning to investigate (Q1) how participants of an auditory category-learning experiment evolve towards learning, (Q2) how participant performance saturates and (Q3) how early we can differentiate whether a participant has learned the categories or not. We found that a Gaussian Mixture Model describes well the evolution of participant performance and serves as basis for identifying influencing factors of task configuration (Q1). We found early saturation trends (Q2) and that CatBoost, an advanced classification algorithm, can separate between participants who learned the categories and those who did not, well before the end of the learning session, without much degradation of separation quality (Q3). Our results show that machine learning can model participant dynamics, identify influencing factors of task design and performance trends. This will help to improve computational models of auditory category learning and define suitable time points for interventions into learning, e.g. by tutorial systems.
High–temperature droplet epitaxy of symmetric GaAs/AlGaAs quantum dots
Authors: Bietti Sergio , Basset Francesco Basso , Tuktamyshev Artur , Bonera Emiliano , Fedorov Alexey , Sanguinetti Stefano 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWe introduce a high–temperature droplet epitaxy procedure, based on the control of the arsenization dynamics of nanoscale droplets of liquid Ga on GaAs(111)A surfaces. The use of high temperatures for the self-assembly of droplet epitaxy quantum dots solves major issues related to material defects, introduced during the droplet epitaxy fabrication process, which limited its use for single and entangled photon sources for quantum photonics applications. We identify the region in the parameter space which allows quantum dots to self–assemble with the desired emission wavelength and highly symmetric shape while maintaining a high optical quality. The role of the growth parameters during the droplet arsenization is discussed and modeled.
Mindfulness Meditation Activates Altruism
Authors: Iwamoto Sage K. , Alexander Marcus , Torres Mark , Irwin Michael R. , Christakis Nicholas A. , Nishi Akihiro 
Published: April 2020

AbstractClinical evidence suggests that mindfulness meditation reduces anxiety, depression, and stress, and improves emotion regulation due to modulation of activity in neural substrates linked to the regulation of emotions and social preferences. However, less was known about whether mindfulness meditation might alter pro-social behavior. Here we examined whether mindfulness meditation activates human altruism, a component of social cooperation. Using a simple donation game, which is a real-world version of the Dictator’s Game, we randomly assigned 326 subjects to a mindfulness meditation online session or control and measured their willingness to donate a portion of their payment for participation as a charitable donation. Subjects who underwent the meditation treatment donated at a 2.61 times higher rate than the control (p = 0.005), after controlling for socio-demographics. We also found a larger treatment effect of meditation among those who did not go to college (p < 0.001) and those who were under 25 years of age (p < 0.001), with both subject groups contributing virtually nothing in the control condition. Our results imply high context modularity of human altruism and the development of intervention approaches including mindfulness meditation to increase social cooperation, especially among subjects with low baseline willingness to contribute.
Improving extracellular vesicles visualization: From static to motion
Authors: Reclusa Pablo , Verstraelen Peter , Taverna Simona , Gunasekaran Muthukumar , Pucci Marzia , Pintelon Isabel , Claes Nathalie , de Miguel-Pérez Diego , Alessandro Riccardo , Bals Sara , Kaushal Sunjay , Rolfo Christian 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn the last decade, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have become a hot topic. The findings on EVs content and effects have made them a major field of interest in cancer research. EVs, are able to be internalized through integrins expressed in parental cells, in a tissue specific manner, as a key step of cancer progression and pre-metastatic niche formation. However, this specificity might lead to new opportunities in cancer treatment by using EVs as devices for drug delivery. For future applications of EVs in cancer, improved protocols and methods for EVs isolation and visualization are required. Our group has put efforts on developing a protocol able to track the EVs for in vivo internalization analysis. We showed, for the first time, the videos of labeled EVs uptake by living lung cancer cells.
The Clinical Course of Acute Kidney Disease after Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Matsuura Ryo , Iwagami Masao , Moriya Hidekazu , Ohtake Takayasu , Hamasaki Yoshifumi , Nangaku Masaomi , Doi Kent , Kobayashi Shuzo , Noiri Eisei 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAcute kidney disease (AKD), or renal dysfunction persisting >7 days after an initiating event of acute kidney injury, is a rising concern. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical course of AKD after cardiac surgery with data on post-cardiac surgery patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) at 18 Japanese hospitals during 2012–2014. Using multivariable logistic models, we evaluated the association of AKD with 90-day mortality and the 50% eGFR decline during 2-year follow-up compared to eGFR at 90 days. AKD was defined as an elevation in serum creatinine to at least 1.5-fold from baseline in >7 days after ICU admission. Of the 3,605 eligible patients undergoing cardiac surgery, 403 patients (11.2%) had AKD. Multivariable analysis revealed that the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of AKD for 90-day mortality was 63.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 27.9–180.6). In addition, the adjusted OR of AKD for 50% eGFR decline was 3.56 (95% CI, 2.24–5.57) among hospital survivors. In conclusion, AKD after cardiac surgery was associated with higher 90-day mortality and renal function decline after hospital discharge.
Modelling fundamental diagrams according to different water film depths from the perspective of the dynamic hydraulic pressure
Authors: Liu Mingwei , Chiaki Matunaga , Oeda Yoshinao , Sumi Tomonori 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we propose enhanced fundamental diagrams based on different water film depths by considering the effects of hydroplaning using a physical method. Various factors are calculated to describe the total safe distance headway of main vehicle components. These factors include the driver reaction times, reaction distances, vehicle braking times, and vehicle braking distances corresponding to different water film depths. An excellent match is found between the computed braking distance, the braking time calculated using the proposed numerical model, and the results published in other papers. These calculations are performed to estimate the distance headway and quantitatively analyse the relationships between the speed, density, and water film depth. By using three road-specific parameters estimated by our proposed model, namely, the free-flow speed, jam density, and capacity flow, a link transmission model is developed to analyse the dynamic impact of the water film depth.
Voxel-based Three-dimensional Segmentation of the Capsulo-synovium from Contrast-enhanced MRI Can Represent Clinical Impairments in Adhesive Capsulitis
Authors: Lee Jung-Sang , Do Jong Geol , Yoon Kyung Jae , Chae Seoung Wan , Park Hee-Jin , Park Chul-Hyun , Lee Yong-Taek 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe purposes were to calculate total voxel volume of the entire capsulo-synovial enhanced portion on contrast-enhanced (CE) MRI in adhesive capsulitis, and to investigate its association with glenohumeral joint volume and passive range of motions (ROMs), which are a well-known diagnostic reference standard and clinical hallmark of this condition. Medical records of 169 consecutive patients who underwent ultrasound-guided intraarticular injection with adhesive capsulitis and CE-MRI to exclude other mimicking shoulder diseases were retrospectively reviewed. To calculate total voxel volume of entire capsulo-synovial enhanced portion on CE-MRI, voxel-based 3-dimensional (3D) segmentation was obtained semi-automatically using Fiji, an open-source image processing software. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were analyzed. Sixty patients who met eligibility criteria were included. Total voxel volume showed a significant inverse correlation with the glenohumeral joint volume (r = −0.528, P < 0.001), forward elevation, external rotation, and abduction (r = −0.407, P = 0.001; r = −0.342, P = 0.007; r = −0.275, P = 0.034, respectively). Intra-observer and inter-observer reliabilities, measured by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), were excellent (ICC = 0.87 and 0.77, respectively). This study’s results indicate that voxel-based 3D segmentation of entire capsulo-synovial enhanced portion from CE-MRI can represent the severity of clinical impairments, such as obliterated joint volume and limited passive ROMs in adhesive capsulitis.
Mechanical allodynia in mice with tenascin-X deficiency associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Authors: Okuda-Ashitaka Emiko , Kakuchi Yuka , Kakumoto Hiroaki , Yamanishi Shota , Kamada Hiroki , Yoshidu Takafumi , Matsukawa Satoshi , Ogura Naoya , Uto Sadahito , Minami Toshiaki , Ito Seiji , Matsumoto Ken-ichi 
Published: April 2020

AbstractTenascin-X (TNX) is a member of the extracellular matrix glycoprotein tenascin family, and TNX deficiency leads to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a heritable human disorder characterized mostly by skin hyperextensibility, joint hypermobility, and easy bruising. TNX-deficient patients complain of chronic joint pain, myalgia, paresthesia, and axonal polyneuropathy. However, the molecular mechanisms by which TNX deficiency complicates pain are unknown. Here, we examined the nociceptive behavioral responses of TNX-deficient mice. Compared with wild-type mice, TNX-deficient mice exhibited mechanical allodynia but not thermal hyperalgesia. TNX deficiency also increased pain sensitivity to chemical stimuli and aggravated early inflammatory pain elicited by formalin. TNX-deficient mice were significantly hypersensitive to transcutaneous sine wave stimuli at frequencies of 250 Hz (Aδ fiber responses) and 2000 Hz (Aβ fiber responses), but not to stimuli at frequency of 5 Hz (C fiber responses). In addition, the phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-related kinase, an active neuronal marker, and the activity of NADPH-diaphorase, a neuronal nitric oxide activation marker, were enhanced in the spinal dorsal horns of TNX-deficient mice. These results suggest that TNX deficiency contributes to the development of mechanical allodynia and hypersensitivity to chemical stimuli, and it induces hypersensitization of myelinated A fibers and activation of the spinal dorsal horn.
Longterm outcome of anal fistula – A retrospective study
Authors: Andreou Christos , Zeindler Jasmin , Oertli Daniel , Misteli Heidi 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis retrospective observational study analyses the outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for anal fistula at a single centre in order to assess recurrence and re-operation rates after different surgical techniques. During January 2005 and May 2013, all patients with anal fistula were included. Baseline characteristics, details of presentation, fistula anatomy, type of surgery, post-surgical outcomes and follow-up data were collected. The primary endpoints were long-term closure rate and recurrence rate after 2 years. Secondary endpoints were persistent pain, postoperative complications and continence status. A total of 65 patients were included. From a total amount of 93 operations, 65 were fistulotomies, 13 mucosal advancement flaps, 7 anal fistula plugs and 8 cutting-setons. The mean follow up was 80 months. Healing was achieved in 85%. The highest recurrence rate was seen in anal fistula plug with 42%. On the other hand, no recurrence was observed in the cutting-seton procedures. For all included operation no persistent postoperative pain nor incontinence was observed. In conclusion, despite all existing anal fistula operations up to date, the optimal technique with low recurrence rate and assured safety for the anal sphincter is still lacking. Nonetheless, according to our promising results for the cutting-seton technique, this technique, otherwise considered obsolete, should be further evaluated in a prospective study.
Self-similarity of low-frequency earthquakes
Authors: Supino M. , Poiata N. , Festa G. , Vilotte J. P. , Satriano C. , Obara K. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractLow-frequency earthquakes are a particular class of slow earthquakes that provide a unique source of information on the physical processes along a subduction zone during the preparation of large earthquakes. Despite increasing detection of these events in recent years, their source mechanisms are still poorly characterised, and the relation between their magnitude and size remains controversial. Here, we present the source characterisation of more than 10,000 low-frequency earthquakes that occurred during tremor sequences in 2012–2016 along the Nankai subduction zone in western Shikoku, Japan. We show that the scaling of seismic moment versus corner frequency for these events is compatible with an inverse of the cube law, as widely observed for regular earthquakes. Their radiation, however, appears depleted in high-frequency content when compared to regular earthquakes. The displacement spectrum decays beyond the corner frequency with an omega-cube power law. Our result is consistent with shear rupture as the source mechanism for low-frequency earthquakes, and suggests a self-similar rupture process and constant stress drop. When investigating the dependence of the stress drop value on the rupture speed, we found that low-frequency earthquakes might propagate at lower rupture velocity than regular earthquakes, releasing smaller stress drop.
Robotic- versus laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy for advanced gastric cancer based on propensity score matching: short-term outcomes at a high-capacity center
Authors: Ye Shan-ping , Shi Jun , Liu Dong-ning , Jiang Qun-guang , Lei Xiong , Tang Bo , He Peng-hui , Zhu Wei-quan , Tang He-chun , Li Tai-yuan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractReports in the field of robotic surgery for gastric cancer are increasing. However, studies only on patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) are lacking. This retrospective study was to compare the short-term outcomes of robotic-assisted distal gastrectomy (RADG) and laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) with D2 lymphadenectomy for AGC. From December 2014 to November 2019, 683 consecutive patients with AGC underwent mini-invasive assisted distal gastrectomy. Propensity-score matching (PSM) analysis was conducted to reduce patient selection bias. Short-term outcomes were compared between the two groups. The clinical features were well matched in the PSM cohort. Compared with the LADG group, the RADG group was associated with less operative blood loss, a lower rate of postoperative blood transfusion, less volume of abdominal drainage, less time to remove abdominal drainage tube, retrieved more lymph node, and lower rates of surgical complications and pancreatic fistula (P <0.05). However, the time to recovery bowel function, the length of postoperative stay, the rates of other subgroups of complications and unplanned readmission were similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). This study suggests that RADG is a safe and feasible technique with better short-term outcomes than LADG for AGC.
The DIEP Flap as Well-established Method of Choice for Autologous Breast Reconstruction with a Low Complication Rate – Retrospective Single-centre 10-Year Experience
Authors: Munder Beatrix , Andree Christoph , Witzel Christian , Fertsch Sonia , Stambera Peter , Schulz Tino , Fleischer Olaf , Hagouan Mazen , Grüter Lukas , Aufmesser Birgit , Staemmler Katinka , Kornetka Julia , Aldeeri Mohammed , Seidenstücker Katrin , Abu-Ghazaleh Alina , Wolter Andreas 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in Germany. Despite breast-conserving therapy (BCT) being carried out in almost 70% of cases, a high number of women still require complete mastectomy. Prophylactic mastectomy is also indicated for women with a BRCA 1/2 gene mutation. In addition to implant-based heterologous breast reconstruction, autologous breast reconstruction using a DIEP flap has been found to be beneficial, particularly for patients who had prior radiotherapy. This study aims to show that DIEP flap reconstruction surgery is the method of choice for autologous breast reconstruction with a low rate of complications.
Patients and Methods Autologous breast reconstruction using a DIEP flap was performed in 1124 patients between July 2004 and December 2014. Retrospective study criteria included potential risk factors such as age, BMI, smoking, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, and comorbidities as well as outcome parameters such as postoperative complications. Outcomes were evaluated with a mean follow-up of 24 months.
Results A total of 1124 patients underwent 1274 free DIEP flap breast reconstructions, of which 150 were bilateral reconstructions. The primary indication was previous mastectomy in 785 cases, followed by prior implant-based reconstruction in 265 cases. The total flap loss rate was 0.6%. Postoperative surgical revision for abdominal wall hernia was required in 0.2% of cases. The group with a higher BMI and the group of smokers had significantly higher complication rates. Elderly patients (> 65 years), patients who had undergone chemo-/radiotherapy and patients with diabetes did not have higher complication rates.
Conclusion DIEP flap surgery is an excellent option for autologous breast reconstruction, with a low rate of donor site morbidity and low complication rates. DIEP flap surgery carried out in a specialised interdisciplinary breast centre in a standardised clinical setting after prior careful patient selection to take account of risk factors such as high BMI and smoking is a reliable method with a low complication rate and satisfactory long-term reconstruction results.
Identification of Novel Variants in MEN1: A Study Conducted with Four Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 Patients
Authors: Hu Wen-mu , Zhang Qin , Huang Li-hua , Mo Zhao-hui , Long Xiao-dan , Yang You-bo , Yang Wen-jun , Liu Jun , Jin Ping 
Published: April 2020

AbstractMultiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant inherited endocrine tumor syndrome caused by inactivating variants of the MEN1 gene. The aim of this study is to explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of four MEN1 patients. We isolated genomic deoxyribonucleic acid from lymphocytes, parathyroid, and thymic tumoral tissue specimens from the MEN1 patients. All exons of the MEN1 and CDNK1B genes and adjacent exon-intron sequences were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and subsequently sequenced. Further, the splice alterations were studied by sequencing the amplified RT-PCR products for MEN1 cDNA. We identified four heterozygous MEN1 germline variants: c.564delC, c.1268G>A, IVS5+5delG, and c.1546_1547insC. Both c.564delC and IVS5+5delG were novel variants. The impact of the MEN1 splice variant, IVS5+5delG, was evaluated using bioinformatics and in vitro analyses. The analyses indicated that this variant resulted in skipping of the neighboring exon and was disease-causing. Two novel somatic variants, c.249_252delGTCT and c.313_314insC, were found. Additionally, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) for the MEN1 locus (IVS5+5delG and c.564delC) was found in tumor tissue samples from the MEN1 patients, consistent with Knudson’s two-hit mechanism. We identified four MEN1 germline variants and two novel somatic variants. Early recognition of the phenotype coupled with variant screening of the MEN1 gene is the key to diagnosing and treating MEN1 effectively at an early stage.
Features of multilayer mirror application for focusing and collimating X-rays from inverse Compton scattering sources
Authors: Barysheva M.M. , Malyshev I.V. , Polkovnikov V.N. , Salashchenko N.N. , Svechnikov M.V. , Chkhalo N.I. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWe have analysed the use of X-ray interference multilayer mirrors as the elements of a focusing scheme for a compact source based on inverse Compton scattering. An algorithm is proposed for selecting mirror parameters, which takes into account the properties of the radiation source. The dependence of wavelength on the viewing angle and the energy line broadening for a fixed viewing angle are found to be the main limitations in the use of multilayer mirrors. Efficient radiation collection calls for the application of broadband mirrors. It is shown that the efficiency of multilayer mirrors in a Kirkpatrick – Baez X-ray focusing setup exceeds that of total external reflection mirrors by an order of magnitude, and that stack multilayer mirrors offer a small advantage over the periodic ones. The overall efficiency of source radiation collection in the photon energy range ΔE= 10 – 12 keV amounts to 12 % for the two-mirror Kirkpatrick – Baez setup. For a spectral region with a bandwidth ΔE/E= 3 %, the efficiency ranges up to 69 %.