bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The treatment of osteoporotic thoraco‐lumbar burst fractures by unilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty: A prospective observation study
Authors: Yin Peng , Li Zhe , Zhu Shiqi , Zhang Yaoshen , Su Qingjun , Hai Yong 
Published: November 2019

AbstractObjectiveOsteoporotic thoraco‐lumbar burst fractures with serious pain are very common, and the optimal treatment of burst fractures without any neurological deficits has not yet been properly codified. The objective of this study was to evaluate prospectively the clinical effects and pain relief of unilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) on osteoporotic thoraco‐lumbar burst fractures.MethodsForty‐six patients with osteoporotic thoraco‐lumbar burst fractures were treated by PKP in our hospital from January 2016 to January 2017. The height of posterior wall (HPW), the height of anterior wall (HAW) and kyphotic angle (KA) were measured via x‐ray radiographs before surgery, one day after surgery and at final follow‐up. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score and the oswestry disability index (ODI) score were evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively and at final follow‐up. All the patients with osteoporotic thoraco‐lumbar burst fractures were treated by unilateral PKP. Radiological evaluation (anteroposterior and lateral x‐ray radiographs and CT) was performed.ResultsAll patients were followed‐up, and the mean follow‐up was 28.8 ± 7.0 months. The preoperative HAW was 20.1 ± 2.3 mm, and the HAW was significantly improved to 22.9 ± 2.4 mm after operation (p < .05), and at the final follow‐up, the HAW was 19.9 ± 2.1 mm, which was lower than the postoperative HAW. The HPW was also significantly corrected after surgery (p < .05). There were no significant differences between postoperative HPW and HPW at the final follow‐up (p > .05). The KA was significantly corrected after operation (p < .05), but relapse occurred at the final follow‐up, and at the final follow‐up, the average of KA was 19.4 ± 1.6 degree. The VAS and ODI were significantly improved at the final follow‐up compared to the preoperative period (p < .05). Cement leakage was found in eight patients, and adjacent vertebral fracture (VF) was found in two patients.ConclusionsOur results showed that unilateral PKP acquired satisfactory treatment effect and pain relief in the management of osteoporotic thoraco‐lumbar burst fractures. Meticulous evaluation of preoperative images and careful repetitious injection of cement are important to prevent cement leakage.SignificanceOur present results showed that unilateral PKP was an effective method to obtain satisfactory pain relief in the management of osteoporotic thoraco‐lumbar burst fractures. It may a good indication for the patients with osteoporotic thoraco‐lumbar burst fractures, and the patients could not tolerate the serious acute pain by conservative treatment.
Controlled Electrodeposition of Au‐Copper Oxide Nanocomposite on a Renewable Carbon Ceramic Electrode for Sensitive Determination of NADH in Serum Samples
Authors: Mohammad‐Rezaei Rahim , Golmohammadpour Mahdi 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn this study, a sensitive nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) biosensor based on Au‐Copper oxide nanocomposite modified carbon ceramic electrode (Au−CuO/CCE) was introduced. The developed NADH biosensor was prepared by controlled electrodeposition of copper and Au nanoparticles on the surface of a renewable CCE and was turned to Au−CuO/CCE by cycling the potential in alkaline media. The prepared electrode was carefully characterized with scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and cyclic voltammetry techniques. According to scan rate study, surface coverage (Γ) of the fabricated Au−CuO/CCE was calculated to be 1.54×10−8 mol cm−2 which was 3 time more than CuO/CCE. The fabricated electrode is well stable which could be reliably utilized for the determination of NADH with amperometry technique over the concentration range of 1–29 μM with sensitivity and detection limit (S/N=3) of 0.1025 μA μM−1 and 0.09 μM respectively. The prepared biosensor was used for NADH determination in serum samples with fast response time and satisfactory analytical results.
Quantitative computational fluid dynamic analyses of oil droplets deposition on vaneless diffusor walls of a centrifugal compressor
Authors: Sun Liwei , Ma Chaochen , Song Panpan , Zhang Hang 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn the vehicle turbocharger operating process, the diffusor walls are susceptible to oil droplet deposition. This deposition may cause deterioration in the diffusor flow performance, consequently resulting in the deterioration of compressor performance. In this paper, a three‐dimensional steady computational fluid dynamic (CFD) numerical investigation was performed to study droplet deposition on the walls of a centrifugal compressor diffusor. Firstly, the theoretical basis of oil droplet distribution and formation on the diffusor were presented. On the basis of these, the distribution rules of the capture efficiency and particle concentration for the diffusor were investigated considering six different droplet diameters (0.25 μm, 0.5 μm, 0.75 μm, 1.00 μm, 1.25 μm, 1.5 μm). The results indicate that the particle mass concentration on the hub side increased gradually, and the concentration on the shroud side decreased inversely. Furthermore, the area of high particle mass concentration focused on the small radius area of the hub side or at the downstream of the channel in the direction of the streamline. And the particle mass concentration on the shroud is equally distributed. Finally, the combination of turbulent diffusion and inertial theory was proposed to analyze the mentioned phenomenon, and the droplet deposition mechanisms on the centrifugal compressor diffusor were summarized.
Efficient scheduling of video camera sensor networks for IoT systems in smart cities
Authors: Naeem Muhammad , Ejaz Waleed , Iqbal Muhammad , Iqbal Farkhund , Anpalagan Alagan , Rodrigues Joel J. P. C. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractVideo camera sensor networks (VCSN) has numerous applications in smart cities, including vehicular networks, environmental monitoring, and smart houses. Scheduling of video camera sensor networks (VCSN) can reduce the computational complexity, increase energy efficiency, and enhance throughput for the Internet of things (IoT) systems. In this paper, we apply the iterative low‐complexity probabilistic evolutionary method for scheduling video cameras to maximize throughput in VCSNs for IoT systems. Scheduling of video cameras in VCSNs to maximize throughput is a combinatorial optimization problem whose computational complexity increases exponentially with the increase in the number of video cameras. We propose an iterative probabilistic method named as cross‐entropy optimization (CEO), which is an evolutionary algorithm. The combinatorial optimization problems can be solved using the CEO which is a generalized Monte Carlo technique. The proposed method updates its selected population (video cameras) at each iteration based on the Kullback Leibler (KL) distance/divergence. The KL distance/divergence is minimized using the probability distribution obtained from the learned from the group of selected samples of better solutions found in the previous iterations. The effectiveness of the CEO is verified in terms of optimality and simplicity through simulations. In addition, the results of the CEO are better than the suboptimal algorithms (ie, best norm‐based algorithm, genetic algorithm, and capacity upper‐bound–based greedy algorithm) and maximum of 2%‐3% deviation from the exhaustive search (optimal) with less complexity. The trade‐off between CEO and optimal is the computational complexity.
Financial distress, free cash flow, and interfirm payment network: Evidence from an agent‐based model
Authors: Stellian Rémi , Danna‐Buitrago Jenny P. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis paper provides theoretical evidence about financial distress in the business sector in relation to firms' targeted free cash flow (FCF). An agent‐based model of a pure market economy is designed so that a population of firms interact with one another and with a bank. The model determines the interfirm payment network arising from supplier–customer relationships on the basis of a random graph with uniform attachment mechanisms. The interfirm payment network shapes both the liquidity available to each firm and the debts firms incur to finance these payments. Eventually, firms might not have sufficient liquidity to meet their debt requirements, hence their financial distress. Firms that target higher FCFs must reduce their payments to suppliers for the same amount of payments they expect to receive from customers. This influences the interfirm payment network and, therefore, firms' financial distress. On this basis, computational experiments introduce variations in FCF targets. The lowest FCF targets lead to the lowest levels of financial distress in the business sector. Our simplified case of interactions opens the way for further research that employs more complex agent‐based models.
Optimal investment and endogenous payout strategy with time inconsistency
Authors: Yang Yehong , Cao Guohua 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis study extends the classical model to focus on a firm's optimal investment and endogenous payout strategies when a manager has time‐inconsistent preferences, which we describe by a quasi‐hyperbolic discount function. We attempt to reveal the impacts of time‐inconsistency on liquidation, external financing, credit lines, and risk management. The extended model predicts that the time‐inconsistent manager tends to (a) pay out cash to shareholders earlier by lowering the dividend payment, which causes the firm to hold less cash reserves and raise less equity; (b) invest less in the high cash and engage in much less costly asset sales in the low cash; and (c) choose not to hedge earlier than a time‐consistent counterpart. In addition, our model also shows that the manager's time‐inconsistent preferences decrease firm value and the marginal value of cash. These results highlight that corporate decisions, including payouts, cash holdings, investment, external financing, and even risk management strategies, are highly dependent on the manager's time‐inconsistent preferences.
Minocycline hydrochloride‐loaded graphene oxide films on implant abutments for peri‐implantitis treatment in beagle dogs
Authors: Qian Wenhao , Qiu Jiajun , Liu Xuanyong 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundDental implant failures still occur because of peri‐implant diseases such as peri‐implantitis. The objective of this study was to treat peri‐implantitis in beagle dogs by fabricating minocycline hydrochloride (MH)‐loaded graphene oxide (GO) films on implant abutment surfaces.MethodsBeagle dogs with silk ligature were used to establish the peri‐implantitis model. Modified sulcus bleeding index, peri‐implant probing pocket depth, radiographic evaluation, micro‐CT tomography analysis, and histological evaluation were determined to evaluate the therapeutic effect of MH‐loaded GO films on abutment surfaces for peri‐implantitis.ResultsRadiographic and micro‐CT analysis showed that lots of marginal bone loss could be found on Ti and MH/Ti groups, especially for Ti group. Little bone less could be seen on GO/Ti group while bone less on MH/GO/Ti group was negligible. Results of the histological analysis presented that lots of neutrophils could be found on Ti and MH/Ti groups. However, almost none of the neutrophils could be observed on GO/Ti and MH/GO/Ti while lots of osteocytes could be found.ConclusionMH‐loaded GO films on implant abutment surfaces could prevent the further development of peri‐implantitis and exhibit good therapeutic effect for peri‐implantitis in beagle dogs.
Origin and age of The Hillocks and implications for post‐glacial landscape development in the upper Lake Wakatipu catchment, New Zealand
Authors: McColl Samuel T. , Cook Simon J. , Stahl Timothy , Davies Timothy R. H. 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACTAmbiguous landscape histories can arise from equivocal or incomplete geomorphological, sedimentological or geochronological evidence. In this study, we apply quantitative analyses to robustly assess the origin and age of a field of rounded mounds, known as ‘The Hillocks’. Using clast analysis, the sediment is shown to be consistent with a landslide origin but inconsistent with other glacial sediments in the region. Cosmogenic 10Be exposure age dating suggests The Hillocks formed ~8 ka. Ground‐penetrating radar reveals that the deposit rests upon deltaic foreset beds; combined with topographical data, we calculate a deposit volume of ~15–27 M m3, consistent with the estimated volume of the proposed source area. Overall, our data support a rock avalanche origin, indicating that by 8 ka the valley was ice‐free at The Hillocks’ location, and the level of Lake Wakatipu was lower than 340 m asl by this time. The Dart River delta shoreline was situated somewhere between The Hillocks and the present day shoreline at that time, and has prograded at a maximum average rate of 1 m a−1 since ~8 ka. These findings are significant given the lack of landforms by which to constrain glacial or post‐glacial landscape histories in this region of New Zealand. Copyright © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinicopathological features and survival outcomes of rare histologic variants of gallbladder cancer
Authors: Akce Mehmet , Zakka Katerina , Penley McKenna , Jiang Renjian , Alese Olatunji B. , Shaib Walid L. , Wu Christina , Behera Madhusmita , El‐Rayes Bassel F. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundAdenocarcinoma (AC) is the most common histological type in gallbladder carcinoma (GBC). Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC), and papillary carcinoma (PC) are rare histologic variants of GBC.MethodsPatients with AC, SCC, ASC, and PC of the gallbladder between 2004 and 2013 were identified from the National Cancer Database. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed, and Kaplan‐Meier curves were used to compare overall survival (OS) based on histological subtype.ResultsA total of 5956 patients ≥18 years of age were included in the final analysis. Most patients (n = 5398; 90.6%) had AC compared with variant histologies. PC (n = 227; 3.8%) was the most common variant, followed by ASC (n = 216; 3.6%) and SCC (n = 115; 1.9%); 70.3% were female and 78.9% Caucasian. The median age was 70 (range, 25‐90) years. Surgical resection was performed in 77.7% of AC, 53.0% of SCC, 88.9% of ASC, and 96.9% of PC (P < .001). Systemic therapy after surgery was administered in 25.1% of AC, 18.3% of SCC, 35.7% of ASC, and 19.4% of PC (P = .001). In multivariate analysis, multiagent chemotherapy was associated with improved OS in all histologies except for SCC and PC (p < .001), and adjuvant systemic therapy was associated with improved OS in ASC and AC (P < .001).ConclusionSurvival differs between the gallbladder variants. Except for SCC, GBC variants underwent surgical resection more often than AC. Adjuvant systemic therapy was associated with improved OS in ASC and AC.
Dynamic changes of gut and lung microorganisms during chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations
Authors: Sun Zhe , Zhu Qiu‐Li , Shen Yun , Yan Tao , Zhou Xin 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIncreasing evidence has indicated the intimate relationship between the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract. The microbial ecosystem has been confirmed to share key conceptual features with gut‐lung microbiome disorder and dysregulation during chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. However, the dynamic changes of the gut‐lung microbiome during COPD exacerbations and its potential role in disease etiology remain poorly understood. The present study investigated the dynamic changes of gut and lung microorganisms during acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). A longitudinal 16S ribosomal DNA survey of the gut and lung microbiome was completed on 90 feces and sputum samples collected from 15 subjects with AECOPD at three visits, which were defined as exacerbation, seven‐day stable state. The present analysis revealed a dynamic gut‐lung microbiota, where changes appeared to be associated with exacerbation events indicative of specific exacerbation phenotypes. Antibiotic and steroid treatments appeared to have differential effects on the gut‐lung microbiome, and the microbiome was associated with disease progression, but not with severity. The abundance and diversity of the microbiome was strongly influenced by the disease progression and therapy. Using culture‐independent methods to impact the gut and lung microbiota on AECOPD may be the key to understanding the interactions between the gut and lung, highlighting its potential as a biomarker, and possibly a target for future respiratory therapeutics.
Targeting the gut microbiota for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Herndon Charles C. , Wang Yen‐Po , Lu Ching‐Liang 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that affects an estimated 11% of people across the world. IBS patients are one of the largest subgroups seen in gastroenterology clinics, exhibit a lesser quality of life, and take greater use of the healthcare system. The exact etiology of IBS remains uncertain. Alterations in the gut microbiome may characterize apotential mechanism in the pathogenesis of IBS. This hypothesis is paralleled by rodent models in which manipulation of the gut microbiota leads to disturbed physiological functions along the brain‐gut axis. Recent research in IBS treatments has redirected its focus towards gu microbiome based therapeutics. In this review, we discuss potential roles of enteric bacteria in the pathogenesis of IBS and its comorbidities. We then explore the manipulation of the enteric microbiota by prebiotics, probiotics, antibiotics, dietary changes, and fecal microbiota transfer. We also discuss the positive and negative effects of these therapeutics on IBS symptoms.
Vocal Fold Reconstruction Using an Autologous Pedicled Fat Flap in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Lee Seungwon , Seon Sangwoo , Park Kinam , Ryu Junsun 
Published: November 2019

Objectives/HypothesisWe evaluated the efficacy of a vocal fold reconstruction technique using a vascularized autologous pedicled fat (PEFA) flap in a rabbit model of vocal fold paralysis.Study DesignAnimal model.MethodsThe study included 30 male New Zealand White rabbits; 20 received vocal fold reconstructions (PEFA group) and 10 served as normal controls (control group). The right recurrent laryngeal nerve was resected, and simultaneous PEFA flap reconstruction was performed. The PEFA flap, including a pre‐epiglottic fat and thyroid perichondrium, was elevated and implanted through a window at the inferior border of the thyroid cartilage. Histological and high‐speed video analyses of vocal fold vibration were performed 1 month after PEFA reconstruction. The maximum amplitude of vocal fold vibration and the dynamic glottal gap were used to assess vocal fold vibration.ResultsThe histological findings showed that the lamina propria ratio (lamina propria pixels/total vocal fold pixels) and the total number of vocal fold pixels were similar between the PEFA and control groups. Vocal fold vibration analyses indicated that the maximum amplitude differences in the vibration were slightly lower in the PEFA group. However, the dynamic glottal gap of the vocal fold was not significantly different between the PEFA group and the control group.ConclusionsThe PEFA flap vocal fold reconstruction technique maintained the vocal fold area without a significant reduction in vocal fold vibration in a rabbit model.Level of EvidenceNALaryngoscope, 130:1770–1774, 2020
The Generalizability of the Clinical Assessment Score‐15 for Pediatric Sleep‐Disordered Breathing
Authors: Goldstein Nira A. , Friedman Norman R. , Nardone Heather C. , Aljasser Abdullah , Tobey Allison B.J. , Don Debra , Baroody Fuad M. , Lam Derek J. , Goudy Steven , Ishman Stacey L. , Arganbright Jill M. , Baldassari Cristina , Schreinemakers J.B.S. , Wine Todd M. , Ruszkay Nicole J. , Alammar Ahmed , Shaffer Amber D. , Koempel Jeffrey A. , Weedon Jeremy 
Published: November 2019

ObjectiveThe Clinical Assessment Score‐15 (CAS‐15) has been validated as an office‐based assessment for pediatric sleep‐disordered breathing in otherwise healthy children. Our objective was to determine the generalizability of the CAS‐15 in a multi‐institutional fashion.MethodsFive hundred and thirty children from 13 sites with suspected sleep‐disordered breathing were recruited, and the investigators completed the CAS‐15. Based on decisions made in the course of clinical care, investigators recommended overnight polysomnography, observation, medical therapy, and/or surgery. Two hundred and forty‐seven subjects had a follow‐up CAS‐15.ResultsMean age was 5.1 (2.6) years; 54.2% were male; 39.1% were white; and 37.0% were African American. Initial mean (standard deviation [SD]) CAS‐15 was 37.3 (12.7), n = 508. Spearman correlation between the initial CAS‐15 and the initial apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) was 0.41 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29, 0.51), n = 212, P < .001. A receiver‐operating characteristic curve predicting positive polysomnography (AHI > 2) had an area under the curve of 0.71 (95% CI, 0.63, 0.80). A score ≥ 32 had a sensitivity of 69.0% (95% CI, 61.7, 75.5), a specificity of 63.4% (95% CI, 47.9, 76.6), a positive predictive value of 88.7% (95% CI, 82.1, 93.1), and a negative predictive value of 32.9% (95% CI, 23.5, 44.0) in predicting positive polysomnography. Among children who underwent surgery, the mean change (SD) score was 30.5 (12.6), n = 201, t = 36.85, P < .001, effect size = 3.1.ConclusionThis study establishes the generalizability of the CAS‐15 as a useful office tool for the evaluation of pediatric sleep‐disordered breathing.Level of Evidence2B Laryngoscope, 130:2256–2262, 2020
Interlaboratory Assessment of Dried Blood Spot Fatty Acid Compositions
Authors: Metherel Adam H. , Harris William S. , Ge Liu , Gibson Robert A. , Chouinard‐Watkins Raphaël , Bazinet Richard P. , Liu Lei , Brenna J. Thomas , Aristizabal‐Henao Juan J. , Stark Ken D. , Block Robert C. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractDried blood spots for fatty acid profiling are increasing in popularity; however, variability in results between laboratories has not been characterized. Whole blood from two subjects (low and high n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid [PUFA] status) was collected, 25 μL applied to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)‐treated chromatography strips, dried in air, and shipped to five laboratories. Results were reported as “routine” (typical fatty acids for each laboratory) or “standardized” (a set of 19 fatty acids), and outliers and variability (%CV) were determined. Five and eight outliers of a possible 91 measures each were identified by routine and standardized reporting, respectively, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n‐3) in the low n‐3 PUFA sample and arachidonic acid in the high n‐3 PUFA sample. By standardized reporting, no outliers were identified for EPA or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n‐3), and %CV decreased from 8.6% to 6.0% and 9.1% to 6.6% for EPA and 10.5% to 7.2% and 10.5% to 6.6% for DHA in the low and high n‐3 PUFA sample, respectively. In conclusion, fatty acid profiles yielded few outliers, and standardization of reporting reduced the variability between laboratories.