bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Paranasal Sinus Surgery in Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis: A Longitudinal Computed Tomography Study
Authors: Holme Sigrun S. , Moen Jon M. , Kilian Karin , Eggesbø Heidi B. , Molberg Øyvind 
Published: April 2020

Objectives/HypothesisSevere chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) failing medical therapies can be treated with paranasal sinus surgery. Whether this surgery protects from progressive sinonasal damage remains unknown. Here, we aimed to analyze time‐dependent relations between sinus surgeries and computed tomography (CT) imaging features in the CRS of GPA.Study DesignLongitudinal observational study.MethodsWe assessed CRS features including bone thickening by global osteitis scoring scale, bone erosions, and mucosal thickening by Lund‐Mackay scores in serial paranasal sinus CT scans (742 CT scans in total) from a cohort of 127 well‐characterized GPA patients. Data on sinonasal surgical procedures were from a mandatory national registry and from chart review. We defined the time from baseline CT to last CT as the study observation period in each patient. Datasets were analyzed by linear mixed models.ResultsWe found that 23/127 cohort patients had one or more paranasal sinus surgical procedures, and 96% of these (22/23) had osteitis by CT after surgery. In patients with nasal surgery alone or no surgery, we identified osteitis in 7/11 (64%) and 45/93 (48%), respectively. During the observation period of a median of 5 years, 38 patients had progression of their sinus osteitis, with the highest annual osteitis progression rates observed around the time of surgery.ConclusionsIn this cohort, paranasal sinus surgery was associated with prevalence, severity, and progression rate of sinus osteitis, indicating that sinus surgery does not reduce the bone damage development in the CRS of GPA.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 130: E460–E468, 2020
Chip‐Based Optical Isolator and Nonreciprocal Parity‐Time Symmetry Induced by Stimulated Brillouin Scattering
Authors: Ma Jiyang , Wen Jianming , Ding Shulin , Li Shengjun , Hu Yong , Jiang Xiaoshun , Jiang Liang , Xiao Min 
Published: April 2020

AbstractRealization of chip‐scale nonreciprocal optics such as isolators and circulators is highly demanding for all‐optical signal routing and protection with standard photonics foundry process. Owing to the significant challenge for incorporating magneto‐optical materials on chip, the exploration of magnetic‐free alternatives has become exceedingly imperative in integrated photonics. Here, a chip‐based, tunable all‐optical isolator at the telecommunication band is demonstrated, which is based upon bulk stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in a high‐Q silica microtoroid resonator. This device exhibits remarkable characteristics over most state‐of‐the‐art implements, including high isolation ratio, no insertion loss, and large working power range. Thanks to the guided acoustic wave and accompanying momentum‐conservation condition, bulk SBS also assist in realizing the nonreciprocal parity‐time symmetry in two directly coupled microresonators. The breach of time‐reversal symmetry further makes the design a versatile arena for developing many formidable ultra‐compact devices such as unidirectional single‐mode Brillouin lasers and supersensitive photonic sensors.
Impact of genetic variants of ABCB1, APOB, CAV1, and NAMPT on susceptibility to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in Chinese patients
Authors: Li Baohuan , Zhang Chuanzhen , Wang Jingjing , Zhang Meijuan , Liu Changhong , Chen Ziping 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundAmong the different types of cancer, pancreatic cancer, particularly pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), is the most lethal malignancy, with poor early detection rates and prognosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential genetic effects of the single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ABCB1 (rs1045642, rs3789243, rs4148737), APOB (rs693, rs1042031), CAV1 (rs12672038, rs1997623, rs3807987, rs7804372), and NAMPT (rs9034, rs2505568, rs61330082) on PDAC.MethodsA total of 273 patients with PDAC and 263 healthy controls were genotyped using PCR and direct Sanger sequencing. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to evaluate the potential effects of the genotypes, alleles, and haplotypes on the risk of developing PDAC.ResultsPatients with PDAC possessed a considerably lower frequency of genotypes AG, GG, and allele G at ABCB1 rs4148737 compared with controls. Based on age, sex, smoking status, drinking status, diabetes, and family history of cancer, stratified analyses showed a significant correlation between SNPs at rs4148737 and PDAC. According to specific SNPs, eight haplotypes were constructed along with ABCB1 rs4148737, rs1045642, and rs3789243. Carriers with haplotypes ACC and ATC were more susceptible to developing PDAC, whereas haplotypes GCC and GTC were associated with a reduced likelihood of developing PDAC. The distributions of the other SNPs in each group were not significantly associated with PDAC risk.ConclusionsThese results suggested that genetic polymorphisms of ABCB1 rs4148737 may influence an individual's risk of developing PDAC.
Terahertz signal generation based on a microwave photonic system with add‐drop microring resonator
Authors: Katti Rohan , Prince Shanthi 
Published: April 2020

AbstractA microwave photonic system based on a silicon add‐drop microring resonator is proposed and analyzed in simulation environment. It is observed that when a pulsed laser source (PLS) of repetition rate of 100 Gbps is fed to input port of MRR and a PLS with repetition rate of 50 Gbps is fed at the add port of the MRR, THz signals in the frequency band of 0.1‐1.5 THz are generated with a spacing of 0.05 THz. The power of the highest frequency component (1.5 THz) is ‐65.1 dBm when the pulse width of PLS is 0.1 ps. This generation of THz signals is a result of interference between two optical signals of different repetition rates which are evanescently coupled into the ring cavity at the input ports of MRR. It is found that power of THz signal is higher when the pulse width of PLS is smaller.
Relayed nuclear Overhauser enhancement sensitivity to membrane Cho phospholipids
Authors: Zu Zhongliang , Lin Eugene C. , Louie Elizabeth A. , Xu Junzhong , Li Hua , Xie Jingping , Lankford Christopher L. , Chekmenev Eduard Y. , Swanson Scott D. , Does Mark D. , Gore John C. , Gochberg Daniel F. 
Published: April 2020

PurposePhospholipids are key constituents of cell membranes and serve vital functions in the regulation of cellular processes; thus, a method for in vivo detection and characterization could be valuable for detecting changes in cell membranes that are consequences of either normal or pathological processes. Here, we describe a new method to map the distribution of partially restricted phospholipids in tissues.MethodsThe phospholipids were measured by signal changes caused by relayed nuclear Overhauser enhancement‐mediated CEST between the phospholipid Cho headgroup methyl protons and water at around −1.6 ppm from the water resonance. The biophysical basis of this effect was examined by controlled manipulation of head group, chain length, temperature, degree of saturation, and presence of cholesterol. Additional experiments were performed on animal tumor models to evaluate potential applications of this novel signal while correcting for confounding contributions.ResultsNegative relayed nuclear Overhauser dips in Z‐spectra were measured from reconstituted Cho phospholipids with cholesterol but not for other Cho‐containing metabolites or proteins. Significant contrast was found between tumor and contralateral normal tissue signals in animals when comparing both the measured saturation transfer signal and a more specific imaging metric.ConclusionWe demonstrated specific relayed nuclear Overhauser effects in partially restricted phospholipid phantoms and similar effects in solid brain tumors after correcting for confounding signal contributions, suggesting possible translational applications of this novel molecular imaging method, which we name restricted phospholipid transfer.
Motion‐robust, high‐SNR liver fat quantification using a 2D sequential acquisition with a variable flip angle approach
Authors: Zhao Ruiyang , Zhang Yuxin , Wang Xiaoke , Colgan Timothy J. , Rehm Jennifer L. , Reeder Scott B. , Johnson Kevin M. , Hernando Diego 
Published: April 2020

PurposeChemical shift encoded (CSE)‐MRI enables quantification of proton‐density fat fraction (PDFF) as a biomarker of liver fat content. However, conventional 3D Cartesian CSE‐MRI methods require breath‐holding. A motion‐robust 2D Cartesian sequential method addresses this limitation but suffers from low SNR. In this work, a novel free breathing 2D Cartesian sequential CSE‐MRI method using a variable flip angle approach with centric phase encoding (VFA‐centric) is developed to achieve fat quantification with low bias, high SNR, and minimal blurring.MethodsNumerical simulation was performed for variable flip angle schedule design and preliminary evaluation of VFA‐centric method, along with several alternative flip angle designs. Phantom, adults (n = 8), and children (n = 27) were imaged at 3T. Multi‐echo images were acquired and PDFF maps were estimated. PDFF standard deviation was used as a surrogate for SNR.ResultsIn both simulation and phantom experiments, the VFA‐centric method enabled higher SNR imaging with minimal bias and blurring artifacts. High correlation (slope = 1.00, intercept = 0.04, = 0.998) was observed in vivo between the proposed VFA‐centric method obtained PDFF and reference PDFF (free breathing low‐flip angle 2D sequential acquisition). Further, the proposed VFA‐centric method (PDFF standard deviation = 1.5%) had a better SNR performance than the reference acquisition (PDFF standard deviation = 3.3%) with P < .001.ConclusionsThe proposed free breathing 2D Cartesian sequential CSE‐MRI method with variable flip angle approach and centric‐ordered phase encoding achieved motion robustness, low bias, high SNR compared to previous 2D sequential methods, and low blurring in liver fat quantification.
Prevalence of female urinary incontinence in the developing world: A systematic review and meta‐analysis—A Report from the Developing World Committee of the International Continence Society and Iranian Research Center for Evidence Based Medicine
Authors: Mostafaei Hadi , Sadeghi‐Bazargani Homayoun , Hajebrahimi Sakineh , Salehi‐Pourmehr Hanieh , Ghojazadeh Morteza , Onur Rahmi , Al Mousa Riyad T. , Oelke Matthias 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAimsThe prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in the developing world varies widely. Factors influencing prevalence rates are a key area of interest, and knowledge of these would provide appropriate planning for preventive primary and secondary health care programs. The objective of this report was to synthesize the best available evidence to determine UI prevalence rates in adult women in a population setting.MethodsA comprehensive search strategy was employed to find published and unpublished studies. Databases searched included PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. We used the standardized Joanna Briggs Institute Meta‐Analysis of Statistics, Assessment, and Review Instrument to appraise the included studies.ResultsIn total, 54 studies with 138,722 women aged 10 to 90 years were included in this meta‐analysis. Prevalence of UI ranged from 2.8% in Nigeria to 57.7% in Iran. The total prevalence of UI was 25.7% (95% CI: 22.3‐29.5) and the prevalence rates for stress, urgency, and mixed UI were 12.6% (95% CI: 10.3‐15.4), 5.3% (95% CI: 3.4‐8.3), and 9.1% (95% CI: 7.0‐11.8), respectively. When we excluded the elderly population, UI prevalence only slightly changed (26.2%; 95% CI: 22.6‐30.2). Prevalence rates varied considerably during different recall periods, ranging from 15.6% for UI during the last 12 months to 41.2% for UI during the last 3 months. However, the study quality and use of validated vs nonvalidated questionnaires only had a minor impact on the prevalence rates.ConclusionsThe prevalence, methodology, and definition of UI vary widely. A large‐scale multinational study with a homogeneous methodology is necessary to correctly calculate and compare the prevalence rates to improve health policies in the developing world.
Salts of Picramic Acid – Nearly Forgotten Temperature‐Resistant Energetic Materials
Authors: Wurzenberger Maximilian H. H. , Lechner Jasmin T. , Lommel Marcus , Klapötke Thomas M. , Stierstorfer Jörg 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThermally stable explosives are becoming more and more important nowadays due to their important role in the oil and mining industry. The requirements of these explosives are constantly changing. Picramate‐based compounds are poorly investigated towards their energetic properties as well as sensitivities. In this work, 13 different salts of picramic acid were synthesized as potential energetic materials with high thermal stability in a simple one‐step reaction and compared with commercially used lead picramate. The obtained compounds were extensively characterized by e. g. XRD, IR, EA, DTA, and TGA. In addition, the sensitivities towards impact and friction were determined with the BAM drop hammer and the BAM friction tester. Also, the electrostatic discharge sensitivity was explored. Calculations of the energetic performance of selected compounds were carried out with the current version of EXPLO5 code. Therefore, heats of formation were computed and X‐ray densities were converted to room temperature. Some of the synthesized salts show promising characteristics with high exothermic decomposition temperatures. Especially, the water‐free rubidium, cesium, and barium salts 5, 6 and 10 with decomposition temperatures of almost 300 °C could be promising candidates for future applications.
Preparation of Desensitizing CL‐20/rGO Composites by in‐situ Reduction
Authors: Song Xiaomin , Huang Qi , Jin Bo , Peng Rufang 
Published: April 2020

AbstractTo improve the safety of CL‐20, rGO was integrated into CL‐20 (CL‐20/rGO) by in‐situ reduction. The prepared composites were characterized by Scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, High‐performance liquid chromatography and Power X‐ray diffraction, which proves that the presence/encapsulation of rGO on CL‐20 surface would not change the molecular structure, amount and crystal form of raw CL‐20. In addition, the thermal stability of the composites has improved, while the mechanical sensitivity was desensitized compared to raw CL‐20, suggesting this in‐situ reduction could be utilized to improve the safety of CL‐20.
Nuclear Mechanics within Intact Cells Is Regulated by Cytoskeletal Network and Internal Nanostructures
Authors: Zhang Jitao , Alisafaei Farid , Nikolić Miloš , Nou Xuefei A. , Kim Hanyoup , Shenoy Vivek B. , Scarcelli Giuliano 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe mechanical properties of the cellular nucleus are extensively studied as they play a critical role in important processes, such as cell migration, gene transcription, and stem cell differentiation. While the mechanical properties of the isolated nucleus have been tested, there is a lack of measurements about the mechanical behavior of the nucleus within intact cells and specifically about the interplay of internal nuclear components with the intracellular microenvironment, because current testing methods are based on contact and only allow studying the nucleus after isolation from a cell or disruption of cytoskeleton. Here, all‐optical Brillouin microscopy and 3D chemomechanical modeling are used to investigate the regulation of nuclear mechanics in physiological conditions. It is observed that the nuclear modulus can be modulated by epigenetic regulation targeting internal nuclear nanostructures such as lamin A/C and chromatin. It is also found that nuclear modulus is strongly regulated by cytoskeletal behavior through a robust mechanism conserved in different culturing conditions. Given the active role of cytoskeletal modulation in nearly all cell functions, this work will enable to reveal highly relevant mechanisms of nuclear mechanical regulations in physiological and pathological conditions.
Post-operative monitoring of free flaps using a low-cost thermal camera: a pilot study
Authors: Hummelink S. , Kruit A. S. , van Vlaenderen A. R. W. , Schreinemachers M. J. M. , Steenbergen W. , Ulrich D. J. O. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Careful post-operative monitoring of free flaps is important in flap survival; immediate action increases flap salvage rate. Although various methods are available, room for improvement remains. Thermal cameras have proven their value in medicine and are nowadays readily available at low costs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of an affordable infrared thermal camera and software in the detection of failing free flaps during post-operative monitoring.

Methods
Free myocutaneous rectus abdominis flaps were harvested in 16 female landrace pigs and replanted after several hours of storage. All flaps were assessed with indocyanine green fluorescence angiography as well as hourly clinical assessment of skin colour, turgor and capillary refill. Furthermore, thermal photographs were taken simultaneously with the FLIR One thermal camera smartphone module. These photographs were processed in MATLAB and evaluated on their additional value as an indicator for flap failure.

Results
Out of 16 flaps, three flaps failed due to arterial failure and one flap developed venous congestion. The mean flap temperature compared to adjacent control skin proved to be most indicative for flap failure. All unsuccessful flaps showed lower temperatures after failure compared to the uncompromised free flaps.

Conclusions
An affordable thermal camera module can potentially contribute to post-operative free flap monitoring. Vascular compromise in free flaps can be distinguished by investigating relative temperature differences between the flap and reference skin. Until the FLIR One camera has been extensively investigated in a human population, it should be used in conjunction with conventional monitoring techniques.
Level of evidence: Level IV, diagnostic study
Key processes regulating the early life history of Barents Sea polar cod
Authors: Gjøsæter Harald , Huserbråten Mats , Vikebø Frode , Eriksen Elena 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe polar cod (Boreogadus saida) in the Barents Sea is one of the main stocks of this species in the Arctic, reaching a total biomass of almost 2 million tonnes in some years. It has been fluctuating considerably in abundance, and in recent years, it has been at a low level. Only small catches have been taken from the stock over the last four decades, and consequently, the observed variation in abundance must be caused by natural (environmental and/or biological) changes in the ecosystem. Sea temperatures have been rising in the Barents Sea in recent years, possibly causing changes to the living conditions of this true Arctic stock. Consequently, there is a need for investigating how the observed changes might affect polar cod in this area. One important aspect of the environmental impact on the stock is possible effect on the recruitment, which has been varying considerably from year to year. In this modelling study, we thus recreate and analyse the environmental and developmental histories of the observed 0-group individuals in the Barents Sea (young of the year), with emphasis on the importance of ice cover, ice breakup time, maximum temperature, and spawning stock biomass. Our simulations indicate that the environmental conditions experienced by individuals successfully “recruited” to the 0-group are characterized by high ice concentration well into summer, and low temperatures throughout the pelagic juvenile phase, and any perturbations from the Arctic ocean climate typically found in the northern and eastern Barents Sea appears to be detrimental to stock recruitment. In light of the projected warming of the Barents Sea in the next decades and the potential reduction in ice cover, this will entail, the mechanisms investigated herein might lead to future marginalization of polar cod in the Barents Sea.
Oral therapies for treatment of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis in Austria: a 2-year comparison using an inverse probability weighting method
Authors:   the Austrian MS Treatment Registry (AMSTR), Guger Michael , Enzinger Christian , Leutmezer Fritz , Kraus Jörg , Kalcher Stefan , Kvas Erich , Berger Thomas 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Objectives
To compare the efficacies, frequencies and reasons for treatment interruption of fingolimod (FTY), dimethyl fumarate (DMF) or teriflunomide (TERI) in a nationwide observational cohort.

Materials and methods
Two cohorts of patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) having started treatment with FTY, DMF or TERI documented in the Austrian MS Treatment Registry (AMSTR) since 2014 and either staying on therapy for at least 24 months (24 m cohort) or with at least one follow-up visit after start of treatment (total cohort). The 24 m cohort included 629 RRMS patients: 295 in the FTY, 227 in the DMF and 107 in the TERI group. We used multinomial propensity scores for inverse probability weighting in generalized linear and Cox proportional hazards models to correct for the bias of this non-randomised registry study.

Results
Estimated mean annualized relapse rates (ARR) over 24 months were 0.13 for FTY, 0.09 for DMF and 0.11 for TERI treatment. For TERI in comparison with DMF, we observed higher probability for treatment interruption (p = 0.023) and reduced sustained EDSS regression for 12 (p = 0.016) and 24 weeks (p = 0.031) and, for the comparison of DMF versus FTY, a reduced sustained EDSS progression for 12 weeks (p = 0.02).

Conclusions
Relapse rates with treatment with FTY, DMF and TERI were similar. Patients treated with DMF showed less sustained disability progression for 12 weeks than FTY-treated patients. However, FTY and DMF treatment was associated with more likely EDSS regression for 12 and 24 weeks and a lower probability for treatment interruption as compared to TERI-treated patients.
Compression of Dynamic Graphs Generated by a Duplication Model
Authors: Turowski Krzysztof , Magner Abram , Szpankowski Wojciech 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWe continue building up the information theory of non-sequential data structures such as trees, sets, and graphs. In this paper, we consider dynamic graphs generated by a full duplication model in which a new vertex selects an existing vertex and copies all of its neighbors. We ask how many bits are needed to describe the labeled and unlabeled versions of such graphs. We first estimate entropies of both versions and then present asymptotically optimal compression algorithms up to two bits. Interestingly, for the full duplication model the labeled version needs$$\Theta (n)$$Θ(n)bits while its unlabeled version (structure) can be described by$$\Theta (\log n)$$Θ(logn)bits due to significant amount of symmetry (i.e. large average size of the automorphism group of sample graphs).