bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reliability, reproducibility and validity of dynamic cerebral autoregulation in a large cohort with transient ischaemic attack or minor stroke
Authors: Lee Yun-Kai , Rothwell Peter M , Payne Stephen J , Webb Alastair J S 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective: Cerebral autoregulation (CA) is critical to maintenance of cerebral perfusion but its relevance to the risk of stroke and dementia has been under-studied due to small study sizes and a lack of consensus as to the optimal method of measurement. We determined the reliability and reproducibility of multiple CA indices and the effect of intensive data-processing in a large population with transient ischaemic attack or minor stroke. Approach: Consecutive, consenting patients in the population-based Oxford Vascular Study (OXVASC) Phenotyped cohort underwent up to 10-min supine continuous blood pressure monitoring (Finometer) with bilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) transcranial ultrasound (DWL-Dopplerbox). Un-processed waveforms (Un-A) were median-filtered, systematically reviewed, artefacts corrected and their quality blindly graded (optimal (A) to worst (E)). CA metrics were derived in time-domain (autoregulatory index (ARI), Pearson’s Mx, Sx, Dx) and in very-low (VLF) and low-frequency (LF) domains (WPS-SI: wavelet phase synchronisation, transfer function analysis), stratified by recording quality. Reliability and reproducibility (Cronbach’s alpha) were determined comparing MCA sides and the first vs. second 5-min of monitoring. Main results: In 453 patients, following manual data-cleaning, there was good reliability of indices when comparing MCA sides (Mx: 0.77; WPS-SI-VLF: 0.85; WPS-SI-LF 0.84), or repeated five minute epochs (Mx: 0.57; WPS-SI-VLF: 0.69; WPS-SI-LF 0.90), with persistently good reliability between sides even in lower quality Groups (Group D: Mx: 0.79; WPS-SI-VLF: 0.92; WPS-SI-LF: 0.91). Reliability was greatest for Pearson’s Mx and wavelet synchronisation index, with reasonable reliability of transfer function analyses, but ARI was prone to occasional, potentially defective, extreme estimates (left vs right MCA: 0.68). Significance: Resting-state measures of CA were valid, reproducible and robust to moderate noise, but require careful data-processing. Mx and wavelet synchronisation index were the most reliable indices for determining the prognostic value of CA in large epidemiological cohorts and its potential as a treatment target.
Effect of Nd on microstructure and properties of 6063 aluminum alloy
Authors: Ding Wanwu , Cheng Yan , Zhao Xiaoyan , Chen Taili , Zhang Haixia , Zhao Wenjun 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The microstructure of 6063 aluminum alloy has an important influence on its properties. In this paper, the effect of the composite addition of Nd (0, 0.1 wt%, 0.2 wt%, 0.4 wt%, 0.6 wt%) and Al–Ti–B master alloy on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 6063 aluminum alloy was studied. The results show that the composite modification of rare earth Nd and Al–Ti–B has great refinement effect on 6063 aluminum alloy. With the amount of rare earth Nd is 0.1 wt%, the grain boundary is mainly composite of a short rod or discontinuous granular AlFeSiMgNd complex compound. With the content of rare earth reaches 0.6 wt%, the enrichment of rare earth Nd occurs at the grain boundaries, and a grid-like AlSiNd phase is formed. After 180 days of natural aging on the basis of T6 heat treatment, with the increase in the amount of rare earth Nd added, the elongation of the 6063 aluminum alloy increased significantly, but the tensile strength and vickers hardness decreased. The alloy undergoes ductile fracture, and AlSiNd and AlFeSiMgNd particles are present on the fracture surface. This may also be the main reason for the effect of Nd on the mechanical properties of 6063 alloy.
Task syndromes: linking personality and task allocation in social animal groups
Authors: Loftus J C , Perez A A , Sih A 
Published: August 2020

AbstractStudies of eusocial insects have extensively investigated two components of task allocation: how individuals distribute themselves among different tasks in a colony and how the distribution of labor changes to meet fluctuating task demand. While discrete age- and morphologically-based task allocation systems explain much of the social order in these colonies, the basis for task allocation in non-eusocial organisms and within eusocial castes remains unknown. Building from recent advances in the study of among-individual variation in behavior (i.e., animal personalities), we explore a potential mechanism by which individuality in behaviors unrelated to tasks can guide the developmental trajectories that lead to task specialization. We refer to the task-based behavioral syndrome that results from the correlation between the antecedent behavioral tendencies and task participation as a task syndrome. In this review, we present a framework that integrates concepts from a long history of task allocation research in eusocial organisms with recent findings from animal personality research to elucidate how task syndromes and resulting task allocation might manifest in animal groups. By drawing upon an extensive and diverse literature to evaluate the hypothesized framework, this review identifies future areas for study at the intersection of social behavior and animal personality.
A Comprehensive HPLC–MS-MS Screening Method for 77 New Psychoactive Substances, 24 Classic Drugs and 18 Related Metabolites in Blood, Urine and Oral Fluid
Authors: Trana Annagiulia Di , Mannocchi Giulio , Pirani Filippo , Maida Nunzia La , Gottardi Massimo , Pichini Simona , Busardò Francesco Paolo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractTo date, more than 800 molecules are classified as New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), and it is reported that this number increases every year. Whereas several cases of polydrug consumption that led to acute intoxication and death are reported, a lack of effective analytical screening method to detect NPS and classical drug of abuse in human matrices affects the prompt identification of the probable cause of intoxication in emergency department of hospitals. In this concern, a fast, simple and comprehensive high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS-MS) screening method to detect and quantify 77 NPS, 24 classic drugs and 18 related metabolites has been successfully developed and validated in blood, urine and oral fluid. A small volume (100 µL) of whole blood samples spiked with internal standard deuterated mixture was added to 70 µL of M3® buffer, and after precipitation of blood proteins, the supernatant was evaporated to dryness and reconstituted in 1 mL of mobile phase. Same volume (100 µL) of urine and oral fluid samples spiked with internal standard deuterated mix were only diluted with 500 µL of M3® reagent. One microliter of samples of each matrix was injected into HPLC–MS-MS equipment. The run time lasted 10 min with a gradient mobile phase. Mass spectrometric analysis was performed in positive ion multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method was linear for all analytes under investigation with a determination coefficient always better than 0.99. The calibration range for blood and oral fluid was from limits of quantification (LOQs) to 200 ng/mL, whereas that for urine was LOQs to 1000 ng/mL. Recovery and matrix effect were always higher than 80%, whereas intra-assay and inter-assay precision were always better than 19% and accuracy was always within 19% of target in every matrix. Applicability of the method was verified by analysis of samples from real cases.
Comparison of the characteristics of patients with invasive infections and noninvasive infections caused byTrichosporon asahii
Authors: Kim Jinyeong , Kim Min Jae , Chong Yong Pil , Kim Sung-Han , Choi Sang-Ho , Lee Sang-Oh , Woo Jun Hee , Kim Yang Soo , Jung Jiwon 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe performed retrospective study to identify the characteristics of invasive Trichosporon asahii infection. A total of 102 patients with T. asahii were identified including 18 (18%) with invasive infection. Invasive infection was associated with indwelling central venous catheter (94% vs 54%, P = .001), prior antifungal agent use (50% vs 18%, P = .01), hematologic malignancy (33% vs 7%, P = .006), and end-stage renal disease (28% vs 7%, P = .02). Patients with invasive infections had higher in-hospital mortality than patients with noninvasive infections (61% vs 27%, P = .006). Those with the above risk factors should be monitored for the development of invasive T. asahii infection.Lay summaryPatients with indwelling central venous catheter, prior antifungal agent use, hematologic malignancy, and end-stage renal disease were associated with invasive Trichosporon asahii infection. Patients with invasive infections had higher in-hospital mortality than patients without invasive infection.
A multiwavelength search for black widow and redback counterparts of candidate γ-ray millisecond pulsars
Authors: Braglia C , Mignani R P , Belfiore A , Marelli M , Israel G L , Novara G , De Luca A , Tiengo A , Saz Parkinson P M 
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACT
The wealth of detections of millisecond pulsars (MSPs) in γ-rays by Fermi has spurred searches for these objects among the several unidentified γ-ray sources. Interesting targets are a sub-class of binary MSPs, dubbed ‘black widows’ (BWs) and ‘redbacks’ (RBs), which are in orbit with low-mass non-degenerate companions fully or partially ablated by irradiation from the MSP wind. These systems can be easily missed in radio pulsar surveys owing to the eclipse of the radio signal by the intra-binary plasma from the ablated companion star photosphere, making them better targets for multiwavelength observations. We used optical and X-ray data from public data bases to carry out a systematic investigation of all the unidentified γ-ray sources from the Fermi Large Area Telescope Third Source Catalog, which have been pre-selected as likely MSP candidates according to a machine-learning technique analysis. We tested our procedure by recovering known binary BW/RB identifications and searched for new ones, finding two possible candidates. At the same time, we investigated previously proposed BW/RB identifications and we ruled out one of them based upon the updated γ-ray source coordinates.
Dynamic 18F-FDOPA-PET/MRI for the preoperative evaluation of gliomas: correlation with stereotactic histopathology
Authors: Ponisio Maria R , McConathy Jonathan E , Dahiya Sonika M , Miller-Thomas Michelle M , Rich Keith M , Salter Amber , Wang Qing , LaMontagne Pamela J , Guzmán Pérez-Carrillo Gloria J , Benzinger Tammie L S 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
MRI alone has limited accuracy for delineating tumor margins and poorly predicts the aggressiveness of gliomas, especially when tumors do not enhance. This study evaluated simultaneous 3,4-dihydroxy-6-[18F]fluoro-L-phenylalanine (FDOPA)-PET/MRI to define tumor volumes compared to MRI alone more accurately, assessed its role in patient management, and correlated PET findings with histopathology.

Methods
Ten patients with known or suspected gliomas underwent standard of care surgical resection and/or stereotactic biopsy. FDOPA-PET/MRI was performed prior to surgery, allowing for precise co-registration of PET, MR, and biopsies. The biopsy sites were modeled as 5-mm spheres, and the local FDOPA uptake at each site was determined. Correlations were performed between measures of tumor histopathology, and static and dynamic PET values: standardized uptake values (SUVs), tumor to brain ratios, metabolic tumor volumes, and tracer kinetics at volumes of interest (VOIs) and biopsy sites.

Results
Tumor FDOPA-PET uptake was visualized in 8 patients. In 2 patients, tracer uptake was similar to normal brain reference with no histological findings of malignancy. Eight biopsy sites confirmed for glioma had FDOPA uptake without T1 contrast enhancement. The PET parameters were highly correlated only with the cell proliferation marker, Ki-67 (SUVmax: r = 0.985, P = .002). In this study, no statistically significant difference between high-grade and low-grade tumors was demonstrated. The dynamic PET analysis of VOIs and biopsy sites showed decreasing time-activity curves patterns. FDOPA-PET imaging directly influenced patient management.

Conclusions
Simultaneous FDOPA-PET/MRI allowed for more accurate visualization and delineation of gliomas, enabling more appropriate patient management and simplified validation of PET findings with histopathology.
PrEP Nonadherence, White Coat Dosing, and HIV Risk Among a Cohort of MSM
Authors: Blair Cheríe S , Beymer Matthew R , Kofron Ryan M , Bolan Robert K , Jordan Wilbert C , Haubrich Richard H , Wohl Amy R , Landovitz Raphael J 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Among a cohort of men who have sex with men in a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) adherence trial, syphilis requiring treatment was associated with white coat dosing (increased PrEP adherence immediately preceding study visits) when compared with participants with optimal drug concentrations. The findings highlight the need for identifying and reducing barriers to PrEP adherence.
Osteomyelitis of the Distal Phalanx of the Thumb due to Parvimonas micra and Fusobacterium nucleatum: A Case Report
Authors: Tanaka Kazuhiro , Iwasaki Tatsuya , Kawano Masanori , Kubota Yuta , Itonaga Ichiro , Tsumura Hiroshi 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
We herein report a case of osteomyelitis of the distal phalanx of the thumb of a 55-year-old man caused by Parvimonas micra and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Osteomyelitis often occurs in long bones and rarely occurs in the bones of the fingers. In addition, osteomyelitis of the finger frequently occurs after trauma or surgery, and blood-borne infection is very rare. P. micra and F. nucleatum, normal flora of the oral cavity, are very rare pathogenic bacteria of osteomyelitis except in periodontal disease, and there are no previous reports regarding the occurrence of osteomyelitis due to P. micra and F. nucleatum in the finger bones.
Evaluation of radon adsorption efficiency values in xenon with activated carbon fibers
Authors: Nakano Y , Ichimura K , Ito H , Okada T , Sekiya H , Takeuchi Y , Tasaka S , Yamashita M 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The radioactive noble gas radon-222 ($\mathrm{^{222}Rn}$) produced in the uranium series is a crucial background source in many underground experiments. We have estimated the adsorption property of Rn with activated carbon fibers (ACFs) in air, argon, and xenon gas. We evaluated six ACFs, named A-7, A-10, A-15, A-20, A-25, and S-25, provided by Unitika Ltd. We measured the intrinsic radioactivity of these ACF samples, and found A-20’s radioactivity of the uranium series to be $&lt;5.5$ $\mathrm{mBq/kg}$ with $90\%$ confidence level. In air and Ar gas, we found that ACF A-15 has an adsorption efficiency of $1/10000$ reduction at maximum before saturation of Rn adsorption, and more than $97\%$ adsorption efficiency after the saturation. In Xe gas, we found that ACF A-20 has the best Rn adsorption ability among the tested ACFs. We also found that S-25, A-25, and A-15 have similar Rn adsorption performance.
Effect of Therapeutic Hypothermia on the Outcome in Term Neonates with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy—A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Catherine R Christina , Ballambattu Vishnu Bhat , Adhisivam Bethou , Bharadwaj Shruthi K , Palanivel Chinnakali 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective
To assess the effect of therapeutic hypothermia on the outcome in term neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Methods
A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital in south India. Term infants with moderate to severe HIE were randomized to be treated with normothermia or hypothermia. Mortality, neurological abnormality or normal outcome was recorded at hospital discharge or 28 days of age, whichever was earlier, and at 18 months of age.

Results
The baseline maternal and neonatal characteristics in the two groups were similar. The 78 infants in the hypothermia group had more normal survivors at discharge (38%) than the 84 infants in the normothermia group (30%), ratio 1.29 (95% confidence interval 0.84–1.99), and at 18 months of age (65% vs. 42%), ratio 1.54 (1.13–2.10). When these results were combined with those of a previous randomized trial in the same neonatal unit, there were significantly more normal survivors with hypothermia compared to normothermia at discharge, ratio 1.49 (1.18–1.88) and at 6–18 months of age, ratio 1.37 (1.17–1.60).

Conclusion
In term infants with HIE, therapeutic hypothermia reduced mortality and neurological abnormalities, and resulted in more normal survivors.

LAY SUMMARY
Babies who do not breathe immediately after they are born are likely to die or have brain damage. Previous studies have suggested that cooling these babies after birth might reduce the number who die or have brain damage. In this resource-limited setting, babies who were cooled were less likely to die or survive with brain damage.
Intra-genome variability in the dinucleotide composition of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Digard Paul , Lee Hui Min , Sharp Colin , Grey Finn , Gaunt Eleanor 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
CpG dinucleotides are under-represented in the genomes of single-stranded RNA viruses, and SARS-CoV-2 is no exception to this. Artificial modification of CpG frequency is a valid approach for live attenuated vaccine development; if this is to be applied to SARS-CoV-2, we must first understand the role CpG motifs play in regulating SARS-CoV-2 replication. Accordingly, the CpG composition of the SARS-CoV-2 genome was characterised. CpG suppression among coronaviruses does not differ between virus genera but does vary with host species and primary replication site (a proxy for tissue tropism), supporting the hypothesis that viral CpG content may influence cross-species transmission. Although SARS-CoV-2 exhibits overall strong CpG suppression, this varies considerably across the genome, and the Envelope (E) open reading frame (ORF) and ORF10 demonstrate an absence of CpG suppression. Across the Coronaviridae, E genes display remarkably high variation in CpG composition, with those of SARS and SARS-CoV-2 having much higher CpG content than other coronaviruses isolated from humans. This is an ancestrally derived trait reflecting their bat origins. Conservation of CpG motifs in these regions suggests that they have a functionality which over-rides the need to suppress CpG; an observation relevant to future strategies towards a rationally attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.
Shared Mental Models Among Clinical Competency Committees in the Context of Time-Variable, Competency-Based Advancement to Residency
Authors: Schwartz Alan , Balmer Dorene F. , Borman-Shoap Emily , Chin Alan , Henry Duncan , Herman Bruce E. , Hobday Patricia , Lee James H. , Multerer Sara , Myers Ross E. , Ponitz Keith , Rosenberg Adam , Soep Jennifer B. , West Daniel C. , Englander Robert 
Published: August 2020

Purpose
To evaluate response process validity evidence for clinical competency committee (CCC) assessments of first-year residents on a subset of General Pediatrics Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) and milestones in the context of a national pilot of competency-based, time-variable (CBTV) advancement from undergraduate to graduate medical education.

Method
Assessments of 2 EPAs and 8 milestones made by the trainees’ actual CCCs and 2 different blinded “virtual” CCCs for 48 first-year pediatrics residents at 4 residency programs between 2016 and 2018 were compared. Residents had 3 different training paths from medical school to residency: time-variable graduation at the same institution as their residency, time-fixed graduation at the same institution, or time-fixed graduation from a different institution. Assessments were compared using ordinal mixed-effects models.

Results
Actual CCCs assigned residents higher scores than virtual CCCs on milestones and one EPA’s supervision levels. Residents who graduated from a different institution than their residency received lower milestone ratings than either group from the same institution; CBTV residents received higher ratings on one milestone (ICS4) and similar ratings on all others compared with non-CBTV residents who completed medical school at the same institution.

Conclusions
First-year residents who graduated from CBTV medical school programs were assessed as having the same level of competence as residents who graduated from traditional medical school programs, but response process evidence suggests that members of CCCs may also draw on undocumented personal knowledge of the learner to draw conclusions about resident competence.
Three Decades Later: A Scoping Review of the Literature Related to the United States Medical Licensing Examination
Authors: Rashid Hanin , Coppola Kristen M. , Lebeau Robert 
Published: August 2020

Purpose
To conduct a scoping review of the timing, scope, and purpose of literature related to the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) given the recent impetus to revise USMLE scoring.

Method
The authors searched PubMed, PsycInfo, and ERIC for relevant articles published from 1990 to 2019. Articles selected for review were labeled as research or commentaries and coded by USMLE Step level, sample characteristics (e.g., year(s), single/multiple institutions), how scores were used (e.g., predictor/outcome/descriptor), and purpose (e.g., clarification/justification/description).

Results
Of the 741 articles meeting inclusion criteria, 636 were research and 105 were commentaries. Publication totals in the past 5 years exceeded those of the first 20 years.Step 1 was the sole focus of 38%, and included in 84%, of all publications. Approximately half of all research articles used scores as a predictor or outcome measure related to other curricular/assessment efforts, with a marked increase in the use of scores as predictors in the past 10 years. The overwhelming majority of studies were classified as descriptive in purpose.

Conclusions
Nearly 30 years after the inception of the USMLE, aspirations for its predictive utility are rising faster than evidence supporting the manner in which the scores are used. A closer look is warranted to systematically review and analyze the contexts and purposes for which USMLE scores can productively be used. Future research should explore cognitive and noncognitive factors that can be used in conjunction with constrained use of USMLE results to inform evaluation of medical students and schools and to support the residency selection process.