bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using digital tools in the recruitment and retention in randomised controlled trials: survey of UK Clinical Trial Units and a qualitative study
Authors: Blatch-Jones Amanda , Nuttall Jacqueline , Bull Abby , Worswick Louise , Mullee Mark , Peveler Robert , Falk Stephen , Tape Neil , Hinks Jeremy , Lane Athene J. , Wyatt Jeremy C. , Griffiths Gareth 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Recruitment and retention of participants in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) is a key determinant of success but is challenging. Trialists and UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) Clinical Trials Units (CTUs) are increasingly exploring the use of digital tools to identify, recruit and retain participants. The aim of this UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) study was to identify what digital tools are currently used by CTUs and understand the performance characteristics required to be judged useful.

Methods
A scoping of searches (and a survey with NIHR funding staff), a survey with all 52 UKCRC CTUs and 16 qualitative interviews were conducted with five stakeholder groups including trialists within CTUs, funders and research participants. A purposive sampling approach was used to conduct the qualitative interviews during March–June 2018. Qualitative data were analysed using a content analysis and inductive approach.

Results
Responses from 24 (46%) CTUs identified that database-screening tools were the most widely used digital tool for recruitment, with the majority being considered effective. The reason (and to whom) these tools were considered effective was in identifying potential participants (for both Site staff and CTU staff) and reaching recruitment target (for CTU staff/CI). Fewer retention tools were used, with short message service (SMS) or email reminders to participants being the most reported. The qualitative interviews revealed five themes across all groups: ‘security and transparency’; ‘inclusivity and engagement’; ‘human interaction’; ‘obstacles and risks’; and ‘potential benefits’. There was a high level of stakeholder acceptance of the use of digital tools to support trials, despite the lack of evidence to support them over more traditional techniques. Certain differences and similarities between stakeholder groups demonstrated the complexity and challenges of using digital tools for recruiting and retaining research participants.

Conclusions
Our studies identified a range of digital tools in use in recruitment and retention of RCTs, despite the lack of high-quality evidence to support their use. Understanding the type of digital tools in use to support recruitment and retention will help to inform funders and the wider research community about their value and relevance for future RCTs. Consideration of further focused digital tool reviews and primary research will help to reduce gaps in the evidence base.
Short-term prognostic value of TAPSE, RVFAC and Tricuspid S’ wave peak systolic velocity after first acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Awad Engy Magdy Lewis , Mahmoud Adel Hamdy , Maghrby Khaled Sayed , Taha Nasser Mohamad , Ibrahim Alaa Mohamed 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Objectives
Right ventricular dysfunction impacts the prognosis of various heart diseases. We set-out to examine which right ventricular functional parameters after STEMI and NSTEMI have prognostic value. Of 297 eligible participants, 266 (149 STEMI and 117 NSTEMI) completed follow-up. All patients underwent Grace score and 2D-echocardiography within 24 h. Outcome was defined as occurrence of Major Adverse Cardiovascular events (MACE), such as death, recurrent ischaemia, arrhythmia, reinfarction, stroke or heart failure, within 30 days. Patients were categorized into patients with MACE and patients without MACE.

Results
In STEMI-patients, compared to those without MACE, patients with MACE experienced higher grace score, left ventricle (LV) end-systolic volume, LV end-systolic dimension and wall motion score index values, but lower tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, right ventricle (RV) fractional area change, Tricuspid S’ wave peak systolic velocity and LV ejection fraction. Nevertheless, in NSTEMI-patients, those with MACE exhibited higher left atrial volume index values, but lower tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, RV fractional area change, S’ wave peak systolic velocity and LVEF. Right ventricular fractional area change < 37.5%, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion < 15.8 mm and Tricuspid S’ peak systolic velocity < 9.67 cm/s are independent predictors of MACE within first 30 days after STEMI and NSTEMI.
Consensus about image quality assessment criteria of breast implants mammography using Delphi method with radiographers and radiologists
Authors: Sá dos Reis Cláudia , Gremion Isabelle , Richli Meystre Nicole 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Aims
To identify image quality criteria that can be applied to assess breast implant (BI) mammograms according to radiologists and radiographers’ perspectives and to explore the level of agreement about criteria priority.

Methods
A two-round Delphi method using a questionnaire was applied to identify the level of agreement between experts, asking them to rank each image criteria available for mammography according to 4 possible answers (1 = need to have, 2 = nice to have, 3 = not pertinent/appropriate, 4 = do not know). Criteria for craniocaudal (CC), mediolateral-oblique (MLO) and lateral (ML), with and without Eklund manoeuvre, were included. This process was repeated after removing the less relevant criteria.

Results
Between first and second rounds, different results were obtained regarding the criteria to assess CC and MLO images. Details for anatomic areas were considered the most relevant by radiographers during the first round, while general criteria were prioritised during the second round. Radiologists focused more on analysis of the spread of the breast tissue, if the breast was aligned with detector’s centre and level of contrast. The analysis of implant flow, the BI anterior edge and the maximum retropulsion of BI when Eklund manoeuvre is performed were the specific aspects of BI imaging considered as relevant for assessment.

Conclusions
The importance of each criterion used to assess BI mammograms was not the same between radiographers and radiologists, suggesting the two groups of experts are looking for different requirements from the image. Further education and training is necessary to align strategies for assessing BI mammograms, and some criteria need to be adapted to reduce subjectivity.
Comprehensive analysis of skeletal muscle- and bone-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells in patients with osteoarthritis and femoral neck fracture
Authors: Čamernik Klemen , Mihelič Anže , Mihalič Rene , Haring Gregor , Herman Simon , Marolt Presen Darja , Janež Andrej , Trebše Rihard , Marc Janja , Zupan Janja 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) can replenish the aged cells of the musculoskeletal system in adult life. Stem cell exhaustion and decrease in their regenerative potential have been suggested to be hallmarks of aging. Here, we investigated whether muscle- and bone-derived MSCs of patients with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are affected by this exhaustion, compared to healthy donors.

Methods
Patients with primary osteoarthritis, femoral neck fractures due to osteoporosis, and healthy donors (controls) were included. MSCs were isolated from the skeletal muscle and subchondral bone from each patient and compared using ex vivo and in vitro analyses, including immunophenotyping, colony-forming unit fibroblast assays, growth kinetics, cell senescence, multilineage potential, and MSC marker gene expression profiling.

Results
Freshly isolated cells from muscle from patients with osteoarthritis showed a lower proportion of CD45/CD19/CD14/CD34-negative cells compared to patients with osteoporosis and healthy donors. Freshly isolated muscle cells from patients with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis also showed higher clonogenicity compared to healthy donors. MSCs from both tissues of osteoarthritis patients showed significantly reduced osteogenesis and MSCs from the bone also reduced adipogenesis. Chondrogenic pellet diameter was reduced in bone-derived MSCs from both patient groups compared to healthy donors. A significant positive correlation was observed between adipogenesis and CD271 expression in muscle-derived MSCs. CD73 was significantly lower in bone-derived MSCs from osteoarthritis patients, compared to osteoporosis patients. Gene expression profiling showed significantly lower expression of MSC marker gene leptin receptor, LEPR, previously identified as the major source of the bone and adipocytes in the adult bone marrow, in bone-derived MSCs from patients with osteoarthritis in comparison with osteoporotic patients and healthy donors.

Conclusions
Our results show deficient ex vivo and in vitro properties of both skeletal muscle- and bone-derived MSCs in osteoarthritis and osteoporosis patients, compared to healthy donors. In bone-derived MSCs from patients with osteoarthritis, we also identified a lower expression of the leptin receptor, a marker of MSCs that present a major source of MSCs in the adult bone marrow. This suggests that exhaustion of skeletal muscle- and bone-derived MSCs is a hallmark of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, which defines the need for further clinical trials of stem cell transplantation in these patients.
Remote Sensing approach to evaluate anthropogenic influences on Forest Cover of Palamau Tiger Reserve, Eastern India
Authors: Kumari Binita , Pandey Arvind Chandra , Kumar Amit 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Tropical forests have been experiencing remarkable rates of transformation over the past century as they are getting degraded or decimated to a great extent by anthropogenic activities. This study aims at investigating the long-term forest cover transformation in Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR), Jharkhand, India, using Landsat TM, ETM+, and OLI satellite images during 1975–2015. The forest cover was delineated utilizing various keys of visual interpretation techniques.

Results
The forest cover was primarily decreased in the north-eastern and north-western parts in PTR. In order to identify the anthropogenic disturbance in the forest reserve, human settlement density was mapped using high-resolution Google Earth imagery. The results showed a positive correlation between human population density and settlement density. Five major affected sites with an outer buffer of 2 km were demarcated in order to deduce the anthropogenic influences in major non-forested sites in PTR. It was observed that the forest change was maximum at site 3 (Ranidah, area 61.06 km2, − 6.47% change) followed by site 2 (Saidup, area 124.38 km2, − 7.65% change), where settlement units were also high (2638 and 2621 settlement units, respectively). At site 1 (Barkheta, area 81.59 km2), − 1.99% change was observed, and at site 4 (Samadh Tola, area 9.15 km2), 1.03% change was observed having moderate settlement units (2422 and 1892 settlement units, respectively). Areas with the low level of human settlements (1038 settlement units) observed the least change, i.e., at site 5 (Netarhat, area 48.52 km2), 0.58% change was observed mainly during the years.

Conclusions
The forest cover exhibited an overall decrease of 14.55 km2 (− 1.34% change) with episodic variation during 1975–2015 in PTR, Eastern India. A significant forest disturbance occurred primarily in the north-eastern and north-western parts of PTR along the forest fringe due to the high population and settlement density. The study highlighted the potential use of freely available multi-temporal satellite observations in forest management.
Emotion regulation group skills training: a pilot study of an add-on treatment for eating disorders in a clinical setting
Authors: Holmqvist Larsson Kristina , Lowén Anna , Hellerstedt Linda , Bergcrona Linn , Salerud Mimmi , Zetterqvist Maria 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundEmotion regulation difficulties appear to play a role in the development and maintenance of several eating disorders. This pilot study aimed at examining whether a short add-on group skills training in emotion regulation for young adults with different eating disorders was feasible in a psychiatric clinical setting. We also investigated if the treatment increased knowledge of emotions, and decreased self-reported difficulties with emotion regulation, alexithymia, symptoms of eating disorder, anxiety and depression, as well as clinical impairment.MethodsSix skills training groups were piloted with a total of 29 participants (M = 21.41 years,SD = 1.92). The treatment consisted of five sessions dealing with psychoeducation about emotions and emotion regulation skills training. Paired samplest-test was used to compare differences between before-and-after measures.ResultsThe primary outcomes measures difficulties in emotion regulation (p <  0.001) and alexithymia (p <  0.001) showed significant improvement after treatment. The total eating disorder score (p = 0.009) was also significantly reduced, as was clinical impairment (p <  0.001). Acceptance/valued direction, identifying primary emotions and learning about secondary emotions was rated as especially helpful.ConclusionsThis preliminary pilot study showed that group training targeting emotion regulation skills was feasible and appreciated by participants, as well as being potentially promising as an adjunctive treatment for different eating disorders. Further controlled studies are needed.Trial registrationThe study was retrospectively registeredNCT04148014on October 30th 2019.
Targeted Disruption of Lats1 and Lats2 in Mice Impairs Adrenal Cortex Development and Alters Adrenocortical Cell Fate
Authors: Ménard Amélie , Abou Nader Nour , Levasseur Adrien , St-Jean Guillaume , Le Gad-Le Roy Marie , Boerboom Derek , Benoit-Biancamano Marie-Odile , Boyer Alexandre 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
It has recently been shown that the loss of the Hippo signaling effectors Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) in adrenocortical steroidogenic cells impairs the postnatal maintenance of the adrenal gland. To further explore the role of Hippo signaling in mouse adrenocortical cells, we conditionally deleted the key Hippo kinases large tumor suppressor homolog kinases 1 and -2 (Lats1 and Lats2, two kinases that antagonize YAP and TAZ transcriptional co-regulatory activity) in steroidogenic cells using an Nr5a1-cre strain (Lats1flox/flox;Lats2flox/flox;Nr5a1-cre). We report here that developing adrenocortical cells adopt characteristics of myofibroblasts in both male and female Lats1flox/flox;Lats2flox/flox;Nr5a1-cre mice, resulting in a loss of steroidogenic gene expression, adrenal failure and death by 2 to 3 weeks of age. A marked accumulation of YAP and TAZ in the nuclei of the myofibroblast-like cell population with an accompanying increase in the expression of their transcriptional target genes in the adrenal glands of Lats1flox/flox;Lats2flox/flox;Nr5a1-cre animals suggested that the myofibroblastic differentiation could be attributed in part to YAP and TAZ. Taken together, our results suggest that Hippo signaling is required to maintain proper adrenocortical cell differentiation and suppresses their differentiation into myofibroblast-like cells.
Qualitative analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of small, TR3–5 benign and malignant thyroid nodules measuring ≤1 cm
Authors: Li Xin , Gao Feng , Li Fan , Han Xiao-xia , Shao Si-hui , Yao Ming-hua , Li Chun-xiao , Zheng Jun , Wu Rong , Du Lian-fang 
Published: April 2020

Objective:
To evaluate the performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of small, solid, TR3–5 benign and malignant thyroid nodules (≤1 cm).

Methods:
From January 2016 to March 2018, 185 thyroid nodules from 154 patients who underwent contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and fine-needle aspiration or thyroidectomy in Shanghai General Hospital were included. The χ2 test was used to compare the CEUS characteristics of benign and malignant thyroid nodules, and the CEUS features of malignant nodules assigned scores. The total score of the CEUS features and the scores of the above nodules were evaluated according to the latest 2017 version of the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS). The diagnostic performance of the two were compared based on the receiver operating characteristic curves generated for benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Results:
The degree, enhancement patterns, boundary, shape, and homogeneity of enhancement in thyroid small solid nodules were significantly different (p＜0.05). No significant differences were seen between benign and malignant thyroid nodules regarding completeness of enhancement and size of enhanced lesions (p＞0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the TI-RADS classification TR5 in diagnosis of malignant nodules were 90.10%, 55.95%, 74.59%, 72.22%, and 82.46%, respectively (area under the curve [AUC]=0.738; 95% confidence interval[CI], 0.663–0.813). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the total score of CEUS qualitative analysis indicators were 86.13%, 89.29%, 87.57%, 90.63%, and 84.27% respectively (AUC = 0.916; 95% CI, 0.871–0.961).

Conclusion:
CEUS qualitative analysis is superior to TI-RADS in evaluating the diagnostic performance of small, solid thyroid nodules. Qualitative analysis of CEUS has a significantly higher specificity for diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules than TI-RADS.

Advances in knowledge:
The 2017 version of TI-RADS has recently suggested the malignant stratification of thyroid nodules by ultrasound. In this paper we applied this system and CEUS to evaluate 185 nodules and compare the results with pathological findings to access the diagnostic performance.
Marketing Agencies and Collusive Bidding in Online Ad Auctions
Authors: Decarolis Francesco , Goldmanis Maris , Penta Antonio 
Published: April 2020

The transition of the advertising market from traditional media to the internet has induced a proliferation of marketing agencies specialized in bidding in the auctions that are used to sell ad space on the web. We analyze how collusive bidding can emerge from bid delegation to a common marketing agency and how this can undermine the revenues and allocative efficiency of both the generalized second-price auction (GSP, used by Google, Microsoft Bing, and Yahoo!) and the Vickrey–Clarke–Groves (VCG) mechanism (used by Facebook). We find that despite its well-known susceptibility to collusion, the VCG mechanism outperforms the GSP auction in terms of both revenues and efficiency. This paper was accepted by Gabriel Weintraub, revenue management and market analytics.
Bilateral giant parathyroid adenoma in the absence of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1
Authors: Liu P , Vakharia N , Zacharia A , Rogers M , Tanweer F 
Published: April 2020

Introduction Bilateral giant parathyroid adenoma in the absence of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 1 is extremely rare and literature on this subject is limited. Case history A 79-year-old man presented with acute kidney injury secondary to hypercalcaemia. Blood test results indicated primary hyperparathyroidism. Ultrasonography revealed bilateral parathyroid adenomas measuring 19.4mm x 19.5mm x 18.8mm (left) and 15.2mm x 18.3mm x 19.6mm (left) whereas on computed tomography, the measurements were 31mm x 20mm (left) and 30mm x 14mm (right). Intraoperatively, giant adenomas measuring 50mm x 25mm x 12mm (left, weighing 8.101g) and 48mm x 22mm x 10mm (right, weighing 7.339g) were identified and excised. Parathyroid hormone level dropped from 44.6pmol/l preoperatively to 8.9pmol/l postoperatively (normal range 1.3–7.6pmol/l). The patient was discharged with no complications. Conclusions We report a rare phenomenon where bilateral giant parathyroid adenoma occurred in the absence of MEN type 1. It highlights the importance of cross-sectional imaging in delineating the anatomy of adenomas as their size can be grossly underestimated by ultrasonography alone.
Detection technique effect on rotational Doppler measurements
Authors: Anderson Alexander Q. , Strong Elizabeth F. , Heffernan Brendan M. , Siemens Mark E. , Rieker Gregory B. , Gopinath Juliet T. 
Published: April 2020

There are two established methods for measuring rotational Doppler shift: (1) heterodyne and (2) fringe. We identify a key distinction, that only the heterodyne method is sensitive to the rotating object’s phase, which results in significant differences in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) when measuring multiple rotating particles. When used to measure randomly distributed rotating particles, the fringe method produces its strongest SNR when a single particle is present and its SNR tends to zero as the number of particles increases, whereas the heterodyne method’s SNR increases proportionally to the number of particles in the beam.
All-fiber frequency comb at 2  µm providing 1.4-cycle pulses
Authors: Xing Sida , Kowligy Abijith S. , Lesko Daniel M. B. , Lind Alexander J. , Diddams Scott A. 
Published: April 2020

We report an all-fiber approach to generating sub-2-cycle pulses at 2 µm and a corresponding octave-spanning optical frequency comb. Our configuration leverages mature erbium:fiber laser technology at 1.5 µm to provide a seed pulse for a thulium-doped fiber amplifier that outputs 330 mW average power at a 100 MHz repetition rate. Following amplification, nonlinear self-compression in fiber decreases the pulse duration to 9.5 fs, or 1.4 optical cycles. The spectrum of the ultrashort pulse spans from 1 to beyond 2.4 µm and enables direct measurement of the carrier-envelope offset frequency. Our approach employs only commercially available fiber components, resulting in a design that is easy to reproduce in the larger community. As such, this system should be useful as a robust frequency comb source in the near-infrared or as a pump source to generate mid-infrared frequency combs.
Towards on-chip photonic-assisted radio-frequency spectral measurement and monitoring
Authors: Romero Cortés Luis , Onori Daniel , Guillet de Chatellus Hugues , Burla Maurizio , Azaña José 
Published: April 2020

Precise detection and monitoring of the frequency spectrum of microwave signals are essential to myriad scientific and technological disciplines, including both civil and defense areas, such as telecommunications, radar, biomedical instrumentation, radio astronomy, etc. Historically, microwave engineering has provided solutions for these tasks. However, current radio-frequency (RF) technologies suffer from inherent shortcomings that limit their capability to provide agile (e.g., real-time) measurements over a large operation bandwidth in energy-efficient and compact (e.g., integrated) formats. Overcoming these limitations is key to fulfilling pressing performance requirements in the above-mentioned application fields, as well as for compatibility with platforms that require chip-scale integration and/or low weight and dimensions, such as satellites and drones. Integrated microwave photonics is an emerging field that leverages the advantages of optical technologies for realization of microwave operations with high bandwidth, low power consumption, and increased agility and flexibility in on-chip platforms, offering an alternative path for integration of advanced RF processing and analysis methods in mature semiconductor technologies. This mini review surveys some of the latest advances in microwave spectral measurement and monitoring techniques realized through photonic approaches, with a special focus on methods suitable for on-chip integration.