bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A modified two dimensional Maliuzhinets' diffraction coefficient for modeling snow or vegetation covered dielectric wedges
Authors: Majumdar Shuvodip , Bhattacharya Amitabha 
Published: August 2020

AbstractA new diffraction coefficient, obtained by modifying the Maliuzhinets' diffraction coefficient, has been proposed here in this article for a double‐layered dielectric wedge which can be considered as an approximated version of a snow or vegetation‐covered dielectric wedge in a practical propagation channel modeling scenario. An experiment was conducted with an artificially created double‐layered wedge for validating the response from the proposed coefficient in a real‐life scenario. The same environment was modeled and simulated using gprMax simulator, which further verified the experimental result and the effectiveness of the newly developed coefficient.
Domestication modulates the expression of genes involved in neurogenesis in high‐quality eggs of Sander lucioperca
Authors: Żarski Daniel , Le Cam Aurelie , Nynca Joanna , Klopp Christophe , Ciesielski Sławomir , Sarosiek Beata , Montfort Jerome , Król Jarosław , Fontaine Pascal , Ciereszko Andrzej , Bobe Julien 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPikeperch, Sander lucioperca, is a species of high interest to the aquaculture. The expansion of its production can only be achieved by furthering domestication level. However, the mechanisms driving the domestication process in finfishes are poorly understood. Transcriptome profiling of eggs was found to be a useful tool allowing understanding of the domestication process in teleosts. In this study, using next‐generation sequencing, the first pikeperch transcriptome has been generated as well as pikeperch‐specific microarray comprising 35,343 unique probes. Next, we performed transcriptome profiling of eggs obtained from wild and domesticated populations. We found 710 differentially expressed genes that were linked mostly to nervous system development. These results provide new insights into processes that are directly involved in the domestication of finfishes. It can be suggested that all the identified processes were predetermined by the maternally derived set of genes contained in the unfertilized eggs. This allows us to suggest that fish behavior, along with many other processes, can be predetermined at the cellular level and may have significant implications on the adaptation of cultured fish to the natural environment. This also allows to suggest that fish behavior should be considered as a very important pikeperch aquaculture selection trait.
A novel method to measure T1‐relaxation times of macromolecules and quantification of the macromolecular resonances
Authors: Murali‐Manohar Saipavitra , Wright Andrew Martin , Borbath Tamas , Avdievich Nikolai I. , Henning Anke 
Published: August 2020

PurposeMacromolecular peaks underlying metabolite spectra influence the quantification of metabolites. Therefore, it is important to understand the extent of contribution from macromolecules (MMs) in metabolite quantification. However, to model MMs more accurately in spectral fitting, differences in T1 relaxation times among individual MM peaks must be considered. Characterization of T1‐relaxation times for all individual MM peaks using a single inversion recovery technique is difficult due to eventual contributions from metabolites. On the contrary, a double inversion recovery (DIR) technique provided flexibility to acquire MM spectra spanning a range of longitudinal magnetizations with minimal metabolite influence. Thus, a novel method to determine T1‐relaxation times of individual MM peaks is reported in this work.MethodsExtensive Bloch simulations were performed to determine inversion time combinations for a DIR technique that yielded adequate MM signal with varying longitudinal magnetizations while minimizing metabolite contributions. MM spectra were acquired using DIR‐metabolite‐cycled semi‐LASER sequence. LCModel concentrations were fitted to the DIR signal equation to calculate T1‐relaxation times.ResultsT1‐relaxation times of MMs range from 204 to 510 ms and 253 to 564 ms in gray‐ and white‐matter rich voxels respectively at 9.4T. Additionally, concentrations of 13 MM peaks are reported.ConclusionA novel DIR method is reported in this work to calculate T1‐relaxation times of MMs in the human brain. T1‐relaxation times and relaxation time corrected concentrations of individual MMs are reported in gray‐ and white‐matter rich voxels for the first time at 9.4T.
A low‐potential electrochemical method for fast development of latent fingerprints on brass cartridge cases by electrodeposition of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)
Authors: Costa Cristiane V. , Assis Alexandro M. L. , Freitas Johnnatan D. , Tonholo Josealdo , Ribeiro Adriana S. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe electrodeposition of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) for development of latent fingerprints on brass cartridge cases may be successfully performed, even though the simultaneous corrosion process of copper and zinc from the brass surface occurs. PEDOT is electrodeposited by direct oxidation of the monomer in aqueous LiClO4 solution using chronoamperometry (potentiostatic method) with experimental conditions set at 0.90 V versus Ag/AgCl and 180 seconds. Such strategy is interesting for application in forensic biometrics for development of latent fingerprints on brass cartridge cases, since it affords images with high definition, allowing a clear visualization of the ridge patterns and singular points, besides to be useful for confrontation in fingerprint databases. Therefore, this is a simple, efficient, fast, low‐potential, and low‐cost methodology for the processing of cartridge cases.
Intradetrusor botulinum toxin injections (300 units) for the treatment of poorly compliant bladders in patients with adult neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction
Authors: O'Connor R. Corey , Johnson Dane P. , Guralnick Michael L. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimsTo evaluate the therapeutic effects of intradetrusor onabotulinum toxin A (BTX) injections in patients with adult neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (ANLUTD) and medically refractory poorly compliant bladders.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated patients with urodynamic studies (UDS)‐proven, medically refractory impaired bladder compliance (≤20 mL/cm H2O) secondary to spinal myelopathy treated with 300 units of BTX cystoscopically injected into the detrusor muscle. Objective improvement in compliance was defined as an increase ≥5 mL/cm H2O on repeat urodynamics. Characteristics were compared between patients who demonstrated symptomatic and objective improvement following treatment versus those without.ResultsSeventy‐one individuals were included in the final analysis. Mean patient age was 37.2 years (range: 18‐78) and ANLUTD duration was 14.5 years (range: 1‐34). Average pre‐injection bladder compliance was 9.2 mL/cm H2O (range: 3.0‐16.7). After treatment with BTX, 37 of 71 (52%) patients reported subjective reductions in lower urinary tract symptoms. Repeat UDS demonstrated objective bladder compliance improvements in 22 of 71 (31%). Individuals with shorter time intervals since neurologic injury responded better to BTX than those with longer durations (P = .032).ConclusionBTX injections significantly improved symptoms and bladder compliance in 31% of ANLUTD patients with medical refractory poorly compliant bladders.
Reliability and validity of Turkish versions of the interstitial cystitis symptom index and interstitial cystitis problem index
Authors: Esen Barış , Obaid Khaled , Süer Evren , Gökçe Mehmet İlker , Gökmen Derya , Bedük Yaşar , Gülpınar Ömer 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimTo validate the Turkish versions of the interstitial cystitis symptom index (ICSI) and interstitial cystitis problem index (ICPI) for use in Turkish speaking patients with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC).MethodsAfter translation of the original ICSI and ICPI into the Turkish language, Turkish versions of ICSI and ICPI were self‐administered to all participants. Test‐retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient) was evaluated at 2 weeks intervals in the BPS/IC group. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha. Scores of ICSI and ICPI was compared between BPS/IC and control groups to examine discriminant validity. Criterion validity was examined via investigating the correlations between bladder diary data (24‐hour frequency and nocturia), visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, and results to the corresponding questions in ICSI and ICPI.ResultsResults of 79 patients with BPS/IC and 50 control patients were analyzed. Both indices showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's α for ICSI and ICPI was 0.879 and 0.923, respectively). The test‐retest reliability of ICSI and ICPI was high for total scores and subdomains of both indices (intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.722 for ICSI and 0.777 for ICPI). Scores of both indices were significantly higher in BPS/IC group than the control group (P < .001). Statistically significant correlations were found between 24‐hour frequency, nocturia, VAS scores, and corresponding questions in the indices. A statistically significant and strong correlation was observed between ICSI and ICPI scores (P < .001, rS = .632).ConclusionTurkish versions of ICSI and ICPI are reliable, consistent, and valid instruments to evaluate symptoms of Turkish speaking patients with BPS/IC.
The dynamic change of the anteroposterior diameter of the levator hiatus under Valsalva maneuver at term and labor outcome
Authors: Brunelli Elena , Del Prete Biancamaria , Casadio Paolo , Pilu Gianluigi , Youssef Aly 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between the proportional change of anteroposterior diameter (APD) of levator hiatus from rest to maximum Valsalva maneuver in nulliparous women at term and labor outcome.MethodsWe prospectively recruited nulliparous women at term before the onset of labor. Women underwent a two‐dimensional transperineal ultrasound, measuring the APD of the levator hiatus at rest and under maximum Valsalva's maneuver. APD change from rest to maximum Valsalva was described both in terms of absolute figures and proportional change. Correlation of APD change with the mode of delivery and with labor durations was assessed.ResultsOverall, 486 women were included in the analysis. No significant association between change in APD and the mode of delivery. We found a significant negative correlation between change of APD from rest to Valsalva and the duration of active second stage both in terms of absolute change (Pearson's r = −0.138, P = .009) and in terms of proportional change (Pearson's r = −0.154, P = .004). Survival outcomes based on Cox‐regression model showed that APD was independently associated with the duration of active second stage of labor after adjusting for epidural analgesia, maternal age and body mass index (hazard ratio, 1.008; 95% confidence interval, 1.001‐1.016; P = .04)ConclusionWomen with higher increase of the anteroposterior diameter of the levator hiatus from rest to Valsalva have a shorter active second stage of labor.
On undirected two‐commodity integral flow, disjoint paths and strict terminal connection problems
Authors: de Melo Alexsander A. , de Figueiredo Celina M. H. , Souza Uéverton dos Santos 
Published: August 2020

AbstractEven, Itai, and Shamir (1976) proved simple two‐commodity integral flow is NP‐complete both in the directed and undirected cases. In particular, the directed case was shown to be NP‐complete even if one demand is unitary, which was improved by Fortune, Hopcroft and Wyllie (1980) who proved the problem is still NP‐complete if both demands are unitary. The undirected case, on the other hand, was proved by Robertson and Seymour (1995) to be polynomial‐time solvable if both demands are constant. Nevertheless, the complexity of the undirected case with exactly one constant demand has remained unknown. We close this 40‐year complexity gap, by showing the undirected case is NP‐complete even if exactly one demand is unitary. As a by product, we obtain the NP‐completeness of determining whether a graph contains 1 + d pairwise vertex‐disjoint paths, such that one path is between a given pair of vertices and d paths are between a second given pair of vertices. Additionally, we investigate the complexity of another related network design problem called strict terminal connection.
Adherence trajectories in oral therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia: Overview of a research protocol
Authors: Yeager Katherine A. , Waldrop‐Valverde Drenna , Paul Sudeshna , Bruner Deborah Watkins , Klisovic Rebecca , Burns Emily , Mason Tamara A. , Patel Nisha , Jennings Bonnie Mowinski 
Published: August 2020

AbstractOver a quarter of chemotherapy regimens now include oral agents. Individuals living with cancer are now responsible for administering this lifesaving therapy at home by taking every dose as prescribed. One type of oral chemotherapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), is the current recommended treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia. This targeted therapy has markedly improved survival but comes with significant side effects and financial costs. In the study described in this protocol, the investigators seek to understand the dynamic nature of TKI adherence experienced by individuals diagnosed with CML. Using a mixed‐method approach in this prospective observational study, funded by the National Cancer Institute, we seek to describe subjects' adherence trajectories over 1 year. We aim to characterize adherence trajectories in individuals taking TKIs using model‐based cluster analysis. Next, we will determine how side effects and financial toxicity influence adherence trajectories. Then we will examine the influence of TKI adherence trajectories on disease outcomes. Additionally, we will explore the experience of patients taking TKIs by interviewing a subset of participants in different adherence trajectories. The projected sample includes 120 individuals taking TKIs who we will assess monthly for 12 months, measuring adherence with an objective measure (Medication Event Monitoring System). Identifying differential trajectories of adherence for TKIs is important for detecting subgroups at the highest risk of nonadherence and will support designing targeted interventions. Results from this study can potentially translate to other oral agents to improve care across different types of cancer.
Drivers underpinning the malignant transformation of giant cell tumour of bone
Authors: Fittall Matthew W , Lyskjær Iben , Ellery Peter , Lombard Patrick , Ijaz Jannat , Strobl Anna‐Christina , Oukrif Dahmane , Tarabichi Maxime , Sill Martin , Koelsche Christian , Mechtersheimer Gunhild , Demeulemeester Jonas , Tirabosco Roberto , Amary Fernanda , Campbell Peter J , Pfister Stefan M , Jones David TW , Pillay Nischalan , Van Loo Peter , Behjati Sam , Flanagan Adrienne M 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe rare benign giant cell tumour of bone (GCTB) is defined by an almost unique mutation in the H3.3 family of histone genes H3‐3A or H3‐3B; however, the same mutation is occasionally found in primary malignant bone tumours which share many features with the benign variant. Moreover, lung metastases can occur despite the absence of malignant histological features in either the primary or metastatic lesions. Herein we investigated the genetic events of 17 GCTBs including benign and malignant variants and the methylation profiles of 122 bone tumour samples including GCTBs. Benign GCTBs possessed few somatic alterations and no other known drivers besides the H3.3 mutation, whereas all malignant tumours harboured at least one additional driver mutation and exhibited genomic features resembling osteosarcomas, including high mutational burden, additional driver event(s), and a high degree of aneuploidy. The H3.3 mutation was found to predate the development of aneuploidy. In contrast to osteosarcomas, malignant H3.3‐mutated tumours were enriched for a variety of alterations involving TERT, other than amplification, suggesting telomere dysfunction in the transformation of benign to malignant GCTB. DNA sequencing of the benign metastasising GCTB revealed no additional driver alterations; polyclonal seeding in the lung was identified, implying that the metastatic lesions represent an embolic event. Unsupervised clustering of DNA methylation profiles revealed that malignant H3.3‐mutated tumours are distinct from their benign counterpart, and other bone tumours. Differential methylation analysis identified CCND1, encoding cyclin D1, as a plausible cancer driver gene in these tumours because hypermethylation of the CCND1 promoter was specific for GCTBs. We report here the genomic and methylation patterns underlying the rare clinical phenomena of benign metastasising and malignant transformation of GCTB and show how the combination of genomic and epigenomic findings could potentially distinguish benign from malignant GCTBs, thereby predicting aggressive behaviour in challenging diagnostic cases. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Increased toxicities in children with Burkitt lymphoma treated with rituximab: Experience from a tertiary cancer center in India
Authors: Srinivasan Shyam , Roy Moulik Nirmalya , KC Anand , Narula Gaurav , Sankaran Hari , Prasad Maya , Dhamne Chetan , Cheriyalinkal Parambil Badira , Shah Sneha , Shet Tanuja , Sridhar Epari , Gujral Sumeet , Banavali Shripad 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundEven though rituximab has emerged as standard of care for the management of high‐risk pediatric Burkitt lymphoma (BL), its safety in children from the low–middle‐income countries (LMICs) remains to be proven. We herein report our experience of using rituximab in children with BL.MethodsAll patients diagnosed with BL between January 2015 and December 2017 were treated in a risk‐stratified manner with either the modified MCP‐842 or modified LMB protocol. Patients with poor response to MCP‐842 were switched to the LMB‐salvage regimen. In addition, rituximab was given to selected high‐risk patients.ResultForty‐two (49.4%) of 85 patients with BL received rituximab. The incidence of febrile neutropenia (90.5% vs 67.4%; P = 0.02), pneumonia (38.1% vs 11.6%; P = 0.005), intensive care unit admissions (54.5% vs 17.6%; P = 0.002), and toxic deaths (26.2% vs 9.3%; P = 0.04) was higher among BL patients who received rituximab. Pneumonia was fatal in 11 of 16 (69%) patients who received rituximab. On multivariate analysis, rituximab continued to be significantly associated with toxic deaths ( OR: 11.45 [95% CI: 1.87‐70.07; P = 0.008]). The addition of rituximab to intensive chemotherapy resulted in an inferior one‐year event‐free survival (49.4% ± 8.1% vs 79.3% ± 6.5%; P = 0.025) and one‐year overall survival (63.1% ± 8.5% vs 91.8% ± 4.5%; P = 0.007) with no improvement in one‐year relapse‐free survival (78.3% ± 7.3% vs 83.9% ± 6.0%; P = 0.817).ConclusionRituximab was associated with increased toxicities and toxic deaths in our patients. The potential immunomodulatory effect of rituximab and increased susceptibility to infections in patients from LMICs have to be carefully considered while choosing this drug in the treatment of BL in resource‐constrained settings.
Enhanced electrical insulating properties of polyethylene by incorporating polyethylene‐g‐polystyrene graft copolymers
Authors: Sun Xiaopeng , Yang Fanghong , Yao Zhanhai 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAiming at utilizing the electron energy absorption characteristic of the benzene ring in polystyrene (PS) to enhance the electrical properties of insulation, here linear low density polyethylene grafted PS graft copolymers (LLDPE‐g‐PS) have been synthesized by pre‐irradiation and suspension grafting technology. Then, LLDPE‐g‐PS was added in LLDPE to prepare LLDPE/LLDPE‐g‐PS blends, of which the microstructure and thermal, rheological, electrical and mechanical properties were systematically investigated. Scanning electron microscopy showed that no interfacial debonding occurred in the blends. Rheological measurements showed that the viscoelastic properties of the blends were roughly the same as those of LLDPE. In terms of electrical properties, as LLDPE‐g‐PS was added, the injection of space charges was markedly suppressed. Meanwhile, all blends presented higher DC breakdown strength and the maximum was 1.45 times higher than that of LLDPE. Besides, blends exhibited little change in mechanical properties compared with LLDPE when PS contents were lower than 10 wt%. This investigation proposes an efficient method to improve the electrical properties of insulating materials. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry
Perspectives of patients with multiple myeloma on accepting their prognosis—A qualitative interview study
Authors: Hermann Myriel , Kühne Franziska , Rohrmoser Amy , Preisler Martina , Goerling Ute , Letsch Anne 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectivePrognostic awareness is essential for making treatment decisions in malignant diseases. Being confronted with a poor prognosis, however, can affect patients' mental health. Therefore, it is important to study coping in the context of malignant diseases. Acceptance is an adaptive coping strategy associated with less psychological distress. This study sought to explore the facilitators and barriers for prognostic acceptance in a sample in which both hope and uncertainty regarding prognosis are pronounced: multiple myeloma patients.MethodsIn a German university hospital, 20 multiple myeloma patients participated in semistructured interviews. Following thematic content analysis by Kuckartz, the interview transcripts were coded for facilitators and barriers for prognostic acceptance. Additionally, patients completed questionnaires on prognostic awareness and sociodemographic characteristics.ResultsPatients described the following facilitators for prognostic acceptance: social support, positive thinking, focusing on the Here and Now, proactive confrontation, having little to no symptoms, and being there for others. The indicated barriers were distressing physical symptoms and restricted functioning, social distress, and additional distress from other areas of life.ConclusionsPatients reported a variety of factors—related to the social realm, symptom burden, and specific attitudes—that help or hinder them in accepting their prognosis. Oncologists and psycho‐oncologists may support prognostic acceptance by encouraging patients to both actively deal with realistic information as well as enjoy pleasant and meaningful moments in the present during which the disease and its prognosis recedes into the background.