bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Micrometer-resolution X-ray tomographic full-volume reconstruction of an intact post-mortem juvenile rat lung
Authors: Borisova Elena , Lovric Goran , Miettinen Arttu , Fardin Luca , Bayat Sam , Larsson Anders , Stampanoni Marco , Schittny Johannes C. , Schlepütz Christian M. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn this article, we present an X-ray tomographic imaging method that is well suited for pulmonary disease studies in animal models to resolve the full pathway from gas intake to gas exchange. Current state-of-the-art synchrotron-based tomographic phase-contrast imaging methods allow for three-dimensional microscopic imaging data to be acquired non-destructively in scan times of the order of seconds with good soft tissue contrast. However, when studying multi-scale hierarchically structured objects, such as the mammalian lung, the overall sample size typically exceeds the field of view illuminated by the X-rays in a single scan and the necessity for achieving a high spatial resolution conflicts with the need to image the whole sample. Several image stitching and calibration techniques to achieve extended high-resolution fields of view have been reported, but those approaches tend to fail when imaging non-stable samples, thus precluding tomographic measurements of large biological samples, which are prone to degradation and motion during extended scan times. In this work, we demonstrate a full-volume three-dimensional reconstruction of an intact rat lung under immediate post-mortem conditions and at an isotropic voxel size of (2.75 µm)3. We present the methodology for collecting multiple local tomographies with 360° extended field of view scans followed by locally non-rigid volumetric stitching. Applied to the lung, it allows to resolve the entire pulmonary structure from the trachea down to the parenchyma in a single dataset. The complete dataset is available online (https://doi.org/10.16907/7eb141d3-11f1-47a6-9d0e-76f8832ed1b2).
Adaptations to strength training differ between endurance-trained and untrained women
Authors: Vikmoen Olav , Raastad Truls , Ellefsen Stian , Rønnestad Bent R. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate if endurance athletes, sustaining their normal endurance training, experience attenuated adaptations to strength training compared to untrained individuals.

Methods
Eleven non-strength-trained female endurance athletes (E + S) added 11 weeks of strength training to their normal endurance training (5.1 ± 1.1 h per week), and 10 untrained women (S) performed the same strength training without any endurance training. The strength training consisted of four leg exercises [3 × 4 − 10 repetition maximum (RM)], performed twice a week for 11 weeks.

Results
E + S and S displayed similar increases in 1RM one-legged leg press (E + S 39 ± 19%, S 42 ± 17%, p < 0.05), maximal isometric torque in knee extension (E + S 12 ± 11%, S 8 ± 10%, p < 0.05) and lean mass in the legs (E + S 3 ± 4%, S 3 ± 3%, p < 0.05). However, S displayed superior increases in peak torque in knee extension at an angular velocity of 240° sec−1 (E + S 8 ± 5%, S 15 ± 7%, p < 0.05) and maximal squat jump height (E + S 8 ± 6%, S 14 ± 7%, p < 0.05).

Conclusions
In this study, concurrent training did not impair the adaptations in the ability to develop force at low contraction velocities or muscle hypertrophy. However, concurrent training attenuated strength training-associated changes in the ability to develop force at higher muscular contraction velocities.
Tolerability of non-ergot oral and transdermal dopamine agonists in younger and older Parkinson’s disease patients: an European multicentre survey
Authors:   EUROPAR and the IPMDS Non-Motor PD Study Group, Rizos A. , Sauerbier A. , Falup-Pecurariu C. , Odin P. , Antonini A. , Martinez-Martin P. , Kessel B. , Henriksen T. , Silverdale M. , Durner G. , Ray Chaudhuri K. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn older patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), the use of dopamine agonists (DA) has been limited due to uncertainties related to their tolerability in spite of potential gains with the advent of longer acting or transdermal therapies. Comparative real-life data addressing the tolerability of DA therapy across age ranges are currently sparse. This study addressed the tolerability (Shulman criteria, continued intake of DA therapy for at least 6 months) in PD patients across several European centres treated with long-acting and transdermal DA (Rotigotine skin patch, Ropinirole extended release, or Pramipexole prolonged release) as part of routine clinical care in younger and older PD patients. A medical record-based retrospective data capture and clinical interview-based follow-up survey of patients initiating or initiated on DA treatment (short and long acting) in a real-life setting. 425 cases were included [mean age 68.3 years (range 37–90), mean duration of disease 7.5 years (range 0–37), 31.5% older age (≥ 75 years of age)]. Tolerability was above 90% irrespective of age, with no significant differences between younger and older patients. Based on our findings, we suggest that long-acting/transdermal DA are tolerated in non-demented older patients, as well as in younger patients, however, with lower daily dose in older patients.
Investigation of Silica-Based Shear Thickening Fluid in Enhancing Composite Impact Resistance
Authors: Rizzo F. , Pinto F. , Meo M. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractLaminated composite structures have attracted the interest of the modern industry due to their high performances and reduced weight when compared to traditional structural materials. However, they are very sensitive towards out-of-plane dynamic loading that can generate Barely Visible Impact Damage (BVID) within the structure and cause a drastic detriment of mechanical properties. One solution is proposed to overcome this problem by the hybridisation of the laminate stacking sequence using Shear Thickening Fluids (STFs) for absorption of large fractions of impact energy with a minimal damage generation. This work numerically investigated the impact response of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) when a silica-based STF is embedded within the lamination sequence utilising an innovative Ls-Dyna-based Finite-Element Model (FEM). This was developed using an Arbitrary Lagrangian Element (ALE) approach in a fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis and calibrated with an experimental impact campaign to determine the best impact resistance as a function of the STF position along the thickness of the laminate. The results showed an improvement in impact resistance for all the hybrid configurations identifying the optimal STF location in the upper portion of the laminate with a reduction in absorbed energy of ~ 42%, damaged area of ~ 35% alongside an increase in contact force (~ 36%) with respect to conventional laminate with same stacking sequence and number of plies. The results showed that STF/CFRP structures can be successfully employed for applications in several advanced sectors including aerospace, automotive and energy (wind blades) representing an important step-up in the development of high-impact resistant hybrid composite structures.
Length Polymorphisms in the Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme Gene and the Serotonin-Transporter-Linked Polymorphic Region Constitute a Risk Haplotype for Depression in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors:   for the SPIRR-CAD Investigators, Meyer Thomas , Rothe Isabel , Staab Julia , Deter Hans-Christian , Fangauf Stella V. , Hamacher Stefanie , Hellmich Martin , Jünger Jana , Ladwig Karl-Heinz , Michal Matthias , Petrowski Katja , Ronel Joram , Söllner Wolfgang , Weber Cora , de Zwaan Martina , Williams Redford B. , Albus Christian , Herrmann-Lingen Christoph 
Published: May 2020

AbstractGenetic variations affecting the course of depressive symptoms in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have not yet been well studied. Therefore, we set out to investigate whether distinct haplotypes of the two insertion/deletion polymorphisms in the serotonin-transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) and the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene located on chromosome 17 can be identified as risk factors for trajectories of depression. Clinical and genotyping data were derived from 507 depressed CAD patients participating in the randomized, controlled, multicenter Stepwise Psychotherapy Intervention for Reducing Risk in Coronary Artery Disease (SPIRR-CAD) trial, of whom the majority had an acute cardiac event before study inclusion. Depression scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were assessed at baseline and at five follow-up time points up to 2 years after study entrance. At baseline, depression scores did not significantly differ between patients carrying the risk haplotype ACE D/D, 5-HTTLPR I/I (n = 46) and the non-risk haplotypes (n = 461, 10.9 ± 2.7 versus 10.4 ± 2.5, p = 0.254). HADS-depression scores declined from study inclusion during the first year irrespective of the genotype. At each follow-up time point, HADS-depression scores were significantly higher in ACE D/D, 5-HTTLPR I/I carriers than in their counterparts. Two years after study inclusion, the mean HADS depression score remained 1.8 points higher in patients with the risk haplotype as compared to subjects not carrying this haplotype (9.9 ± 4.2 versus 8.1 ± 4.0, p = 0.009). In summary, the presence of the ACE D/D, 5-HTTLPR I/I haplotype may be a vulnerability factor for comorbid depressive symptoms in CAD patients.
Measuring crystal orientation from etched surfaces via directional reflectance microscopy
Authors: Wang Xiaogang , Gao Shubo , Jain Ekta , Gaskey Bernard , Seita Matteo 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMapping crystal orientation has always been the domain of diffraction-based techniques. However, these measurements have limited throughput and require specialized equipment. In this work, we demonstrate crystal orientation mapping on chemically etched aluminum samples using a simple and inexpensive optical technique called directional reflectance microscopy (DRM). DRM quantifies surface reflectance as a function of illumination angle. We identify directional reflectance characteristics of grains with (111) out-of-plane orientation and infer their surface topography to calculate their underlying crystal orientation. We confirm the surface topography using atomic force microscopy and validate DRM orientation measurements with electron backscatter diffraction.
Nanoparticle number concentration measurements by multi-angle dynamic light scattering
Authors: Austin Jake , Minelli Caterina , Hamilton Douglas , Wywijas Magdalena , Jones Hanna Jankevics 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe present the use of Multi-angle Dynamic Light Scattering (MADLS®) for the measurement of nanoparticle concentration. We describe the theory of the method and its application to nanoparticles made of gold, silica and polystyrene, with diameters ranging from 30 to 400 nm, and demonstrate some of the limitations with particles of sizes 500 nm and above. We evaluate the method accuracy, linearity and reproducibility, as well as the operational nanoparticle concentration and size range. We show that the concentration working range depends on the material’s optical properties, size and concentration. Here it is shown that the level of accuracy that can be expected for the concentration of particles is typically within 50% of the nominal value across a range of materials and sizes and, for some samples, within 20%. The repeatability of the measurements, in terms of relative standard deviation, is typically below 30%. A linearity of within 40% across a concentration range of 3·108to 2·1011 mL−1for concentration measurements was also demonstrated by using gold nanoparticles and gravimetric dilutions for method validation. Overall, we show that MADLS® is a rapid and straightforward method for the reproducible measurement of particle concentration, as well as size, requiring minimal sample preparation, without the need to calibrate using a pre-determined concentration series, and applicable to a broad range of materials. These features make it an ideal tool to support both development and quality control of particle materials for a broad range of applications.
Numerical simulation of TEM images for In(Ga)As/GaAs quantum dots with various shapes
Authors: Maltsi Anieza , Niermann Tore , Streckenbach Timo , Tabelow Karsten , Koprucki Thomas 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe present a mathematical model and a tool chain for the numerical simulation of TEM images of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). This includes elasticity theory to obtain the strain profile coupled with the Darwin–Howie–Whelan equations, describing the propagation of the electron wave through the sample. We perform a simulation study on indium gallium arsenide QDs with different shapes and compare the resulting TEM images to experimental ones. This tool chain can be applied to generate a database of simulated TEM images, which is a key element of a novel concept for model-based geometry reconstruction of semiconductor QDs, involving machine learning techniques.
Impact of D2O on the peptidization of L-alanine
Authors: Fulczyk Agnieszka , Łata Eliza , Talik Ewa , Dolnik Milos , Kowalska Teresa , Sajewicz Mieczysław 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis is our fifth consecutive study carried out in an order to collect experimental evidence on the impact of heavy water (D2O) on the spontaneous peptidization of proteinogenic α-amino acids and this time its subject matter is L-alanine (L-Ala). Our four earlier studies have been focused on the two sulfur-containing α-amino acids (i.e., L-cysteine (L-Cys) and L-methionine (L-Met)), and on two structurally related α-amino acids (i.e., L-proline (L-Pro) and L-hydroxyproline (L-Hyp)). It seemed interesting to assess the effect exerted by D2O on L-Ala, the simplest chiral (endogenous and proteinogenic) α-amino acid with as low molar weight, as 89.09 g mol−1only. As analytical techniques, we used high-performance liquid chromatography with the diode array detection (HPLC–DAD), mass spectrometry (MS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The obtained results make it clear that the impact of heavy water on the dynamics of the spontaneous peptidization of L-Ala is even stronger than with the four other α-amino acids discussed earlier (although in all five cases, heavy water significantly hampers spontaneous oscillatory peptidization). Unlike in the four previous cases, though, the solubility of L-Ala in pure D2O is quite low and it takes twice as much time to dissolve it in D2O than in MeOH + X, 70:30 (v/v). Consequently, the peptidization of L-Ala in heavy water is even more obstructed than it was the case with the other investigated α-amino acids and it results in considerable yields of the L-Ala crystals (most probably at least partially deuterated) at the expense of the L-Ala-derived peptides. Perhaps it might be interesting to add that out of five α-amino acids investigated so far, which can be divided into two groups of endogenous and exogenous species, two endogenous species (L-Cys and L-Pro) undergo spontaneous oscillatory peptidization in an aqueous-organic solvent (i.e., in the absence of D2O) following the circadian rhythm, whereas two exogenous ones (i.e., L-Met and L-Hyp) do not. The third endogenous species (L-Ala) first undergoes two initials oscillations which are damped (not periodic) and the oscillatory changes are on a scale of ca. 10 h (as estimated with use of the Fourier transform approach) and after that, the system reaches a steady state.
DeepSeg: deep neural network framework for automatic brain tumor segmentation using magnetic resonance FLAIR images
Authors: Zeineldin Ramy A. , Karar Mohamed E. , Coburger Jan , Wirtz Christian R. , Burgert Oliver 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Gliomas are the most common and aggressive type of brain tumors due to their infiltrative nature and rapid progression. The process of distinguishing tumor boundaries from healthy cells is still a challenging task in the clinical routine. Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MRI modality can provide the physician with information about tumor infiltration. Therefore, this paper proposes a new generic deep learning architecture, namely DeepSeg, for fully automated detection and segmentation of the brain lesion using FLAIR MRI data.

Methods
The developed DeepSeg is a modular decoupling framework. It consists of two connected core parts based on an encoding and decoding relationship. The encoder part is a convolutional neural network (CNN) responsible for spatial information extraction. The resulting semantic map is inserted into the decoder part to get the full-resolution probability map. Based on modified U-Net architecture, different CNN models such as residual neural network (ResNet), dense convolutional network (DenseNet), and NASNet have been utilized in this study.

Results
The proposed deep learning architectures have been successfully tested and evaluated on-line based on MRI datasets of brain tumor segmentation (BraTS 2019) challenge, including s336 cases as training data and 125 cases for validation data. The dice and Hausdorff distance scores of obtained segmentation results are about 0.81 to 0.84 and 9.8 to 19.7 correspondingly.

Conclusion
This study showed successful feasibility and comparative performance of applying different deep learning models in a new DeepSeg framework for automated brain tumor segmentation in FLAIR MR images. The proposed DeepSeg is open source and freely available at https://github.com/razeineldin/DeepSeg/.
Preventive effect of low-dose landiolol on postoperative atrial fibrillation study (PELTA study)
Authors: Sasaki Konosuke , Kumagai Kiichiro , Maeda Kay , Akiyama Masatoshi , Ito Koki , Matsuo Satoshi , Katahira Shintaro , Suzuki Tomoyuki , Suzuki Yusuke , Kaiho Yu , Sugawara Yumi , Tsuji Ichiro , Saiki Yoshikatsu 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Objective
To investigate the efficacy of prophylactic administration of low-dose landiolol on postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in patients after cardiovascular surgery.

Methods
Consecutive 150 patients over 70 years of age who underwent cardiovascular surgery for valvular, ischemic heart, and aortic diseases were enrolled in this single-center prospective randomized control study from 2010 to 2014. They were assigned to three treatment groups: 1γ group (landiolol at 1 μg/kg/min), 2γ group (landiolol at 2 μg/kg/min), or control group (no landiolol). In the two landiolol groups, landiolol hydrochloride was intravenously administered for a period of 4 days postoperatively. Electrocardiography was continuously monitored during the study period, and cardiologists eventually assessed whether POAF occurred or not.

Results
POAF occurred in 24.4% of patients in the control group, 18.2% in 1γ group, and 11.1% in 2γ group (p = 0.256). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the incidence of POAF tended to decrease depending on the dose of landiolol (trend-p = 0.120; 1γ group: OR = 0.786, 95% CI 0.257–2.404; 2γ group: OR = 0.379, 95% CI 0.112–1.287). Subgroup analysis showed a significant dose-dependent reduction in POAF among categories of female sex, non-use of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) before surgery, and valve surgery (each trend-p = 0.02, 0.03, and 0.004).

Conclusions
These findings indicate that prophylactic administration of low-dose landiolol may not be effective for preventing the occurrence of POAF in overall patients after cardiovascular surgery, but the administration could be beneficial to female patients, patients not using ARBs preoperatively, and those after valvular surgery.
Red Blood Cells Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and Red Blood Distribution Width (RDW) Parameters as Potential Indicators of Regenerative Potential in Older Patients and Predictors of Acute Mortality – Preliminary Report
Authors: Brzeźniakiewicz-Janus Katarzyna , Rupa-Matysek Joanna , Tukiendorf Andrzej , Janus Tomasz , Franków Mirosław , Lancé Marcus Daniel , Gil Lidia 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis study presents the statistical results of patients who had been recently discharged from hospital within one month after their treatment in the emergency department (ED). Using routine (14,881) MCV and RDW measurements and statistical tools, we could predict acute mortality in these patients (N = 1158), adjusted for age. It is likely that an increase in the MCV and RDW parameters may correlate in some of our older patients with a poor prognosis with an increased level of circulating IGF–I, which affects red blood cell parameters. The research presents the prognostic statistics of the analyzed clinical factors as well as speculates on the potential correlation of these parameters with the regenerative potential of stem-cell compartment. Analysis shows that both MCV and RDW are statistically significant (Area Under Curve [AUC], lower CI 95% >50%) predictors of acute mortality in ED patients. The classification of patients based on their MCV threshold (= 92.2 units) indicates a proper clinical prognosis in nearly 6 of 10 subjects (AUC >58%), whereas taking into account RDW (=13.8%) indicates a proper clinical prognosis in no more than 7 of 10 individuals. The report concludes that by employing strongly fitting (95%) quadratic modeling of the ORs against the biomarkers studied, one can notice a similar relationship between MCV and RDW as diagnostic tools to predict regenerative potential and clinical outcomes in older patients. Although RDW alone had a 10% higher diagnostic value in terms of predicting early death in the emergency department in patients that were admitted to the ED and subsequently hospitalized, also taking the MCV measurement improved accuracy in predicting clinical outcomes by 2.5% compared to RDW alone.
The Effect of an Increase of the Retirement Age on the Health, Well-Being, and Labor Force Participation of Older Workers: a Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Pilipiec Patrick , Groot Wim , Pavlova Milena 
Published: May 2020

AbstractTo sustain a viable public pension system, many governments have increased the statutory retirement age and delayed the age of entitlement to public pension benefits. This systematic literature review investigates the empirical evidence on the effects of increasing the retirement age on the health, well-being, and labor force participation of older workers. Optimized and broad search queries were used to search for empirical evidence in four databases: EconLit, PsycINFO, PubMed, and SocINDEX. The systematic literature search was conducted in May 2019. Snowballing was performed on the reference lists of the publications to find additional studies. The quality of the included studies was also examined. The PRISMA guidelines were used to guide this systematic literature review. Nineteen studies were included in this review. Twelve studies estimated the effect of an increase in the statutory retirement age, and seven studies examined working beyond the retirement age. The reported findings were classified into health-related outcomes, well-being, and the effects on labor force participation and the perception of the retirement age. The reported findings regarding health-related outcomes and well-being were not comparable. The increase of the retirement age has increased labor force participation among older workers and has increased the preferred and expected retirement age in the direction of the public pension reform. However, evidence on the effects of an increase of the retirement age on the health and well-being of older workers remains scarce and inconclusive.