bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technical Note: Rapid multiexponential curve fitting algorithm for voxel‐based targeted radionuclide dosimetry
Authors: Jackson Price , McIntosh Lachlan , Hofman Michael S. , Kong Grace , Hicks Rodney J. 
Published: May 2020

BackgroundDosimetry in nuclear medicine often relies on estimating pharmacokinetics based on sparse temporal data. As analysis methods move toward image‐based three‐dimensional computation, it becomes important to interpolate and extrapolate these data without requiring manual intervention; that is, in a manner that is highly efficient and reproducible. Iterative least‐squares solvers are poorly suited to this task because of the computational overhead and potential to optimize to local minima without applying tight constraints at the outset.MethodologyThis work describes a fully analytical method for solving three‐phase exponential time‐activity curves based on three measured time points in a manner that may be readily employed by image‐based dosimetry tools. The methodology uses a series of conditional statements and a piecewise approach for solving exponential slope directly through measured values in most instances. The proposed algorithm is tested against a purpose‐designed iterative fitting technique and linear piecewise method followed by single exponential in a cohort of ten patients receiving 177Lu‐DOTA‐Octreotate therapy.ResultsTri‐exponential time‐integrated values are shown to be comparable to previously published methods with an average difference between organs when computed at the voxel level of 9.8 ± 14.2% and −3.6 ± 10.4% compared to iterative and interpolated methods, respectively. Of the three methods, the proposed tri‐exponential algorithm was most consistent when regional time‐integrated activity was evaluated at both voxel‐ and whole‐organ levels. For whole‐body SPECT imaging, it is possible to compute 3D time‐integrated activity maps in <5 min processing time. Furthermore, the technique is able to predictably and reproducibly handle artefactual measurements due to noise or spatial misalignment over multiple image times.ConclusionsAn efficient, analytical algorithm for solving multiphase exponential pharmacokinetics is reported. The method may be readily incorporated into voxel‐dose routines by combining with widely available image registration and radiation transport tools.
Methodological considerations for examining the relationship between sperm morphology and motility
Authors: Hook Kristin A. , Fisher Heidi S. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSperm cells of all taxa share a common goal to reach and fertilize an ovum, yet sperm are one of the most diverse cell types in nature. While the structural diversity of these cells is well recognized, the functional significance of variation in sperm design remains elusive. An important function of spermatozoa is a need to migrate toward the ova, often over long distances in a foreign environment, which may include a complex and hostile female reproductive tract. Several comparative and experimental studies have attempted to address the link between sperm morphology and motility, yet the conclusions drawn from these studies are often inconsistent, even within the same taxa. Much of what we know about the functional significance of sperm design in internally fertilizing species has been gleaned from in vitro studies, for which experimental parameters often vary among studies. We propose that discordant results from these studies are in part due to a lack of consistency of methods, conditions that do not replicate those of the female reproductive tract, and the overuse of simple linear measures of sperm shape. Within this review, we provide a toolkit for imaging, quantifying, and analyzing sperm morphology and movement patterns for in vitro studies and discuss emerging approaches. Results from studies linking morphology to motility enhance our understanding of the evolution of adaptive sperm traits and the mechanisms that regulate fertility, thus offering new insights into methods used in assisted reproductive technologies in animal science, conservation and public health.
A localizing gradient damage enhancement with micromorphic stress‐based anisotropic nonlocal interactions
Authors: Negi Alok , Kumar Sachin , Poh Leong Hien 
Published: May 2020

SummaryThis article presents a localizing gradient damage model with evolving micromorphic stress‐based anisotropic nonlocal interactions. The objective is to model mesh independent fracture behavior of quasi‐brittle materials, and to avoid the issues associated with the existing gradient‐enhanced damage models. In the proposed model, an evolving anisotropic nonlocal interaction domain governs the spatial diffusive behavior, which helps to maintain a localized damage bandwidth during the final stages of loading. The anisotropy in nonlocal interactions is captured through an anisotropic gradient tensor, which defines the orientation of the diffusive interaction domain based on the principal stresses at a given material point. In this article, a smooth micromorphic stress tensor is utilized for the determination of principal stress states, to enforce a properly oriented interaction across the bandwidth of the damage process zone throughout the loading process. The proposed approach also enables the usage of low order finite elements without any oscillatory micromorphic or nonlocal equivalent strain response in the later stages of deformation. The accuracy and performance of the proposed model are demonstrated numerically in plane strain/stress for mode‐I, mode‐II, and mixed‐mode loading conditions.
Time‐intensive geoelectrical monitoring under winter wheat
Authors: Blanchy Guillaume , Virlet Nicolas , Sadeghi‐Tehran Pouria , Watts Christopher W. , Hawkesford Malcolm J. , Whalley William R. , Binley Andrew 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACTSeveral studies have explored the potential of electrical resistivity tomography to monitor changes in soil moisture associated with the root water uptake of different crops. Such studies usually use a set of limited below‐ground measurements throughout the growth season but are often unable to get a complete picture of the dynamics of the processes. With the development of high‐throughput phenotyping platforms, we now have the capability to collect more frequent above‐ground measurements, such as canopy cover, enabling the comparison with below‐ground data. In this study hourly direct‐current resistivity data were collected under the Field Scanalyzer platform at Rothamsted Research with different winter wheat varieties and nitrogen treatments in 2018 and 2019. Results from both years demonstrate the importance of applying the temperature correction to interpret hourly electrical conductivity data. Crops which received larger amounts of nitrogen showed larger canopy cover and more rapid changes in electrical conductivity, especially during large rainfall events. The varieties showed contrasted heights although this does not appear to have influenced electrical conductivity dynamics. The daily cyclic component of the electrical conductivity signal was extracted by decomposing the time series. A shift in this daily component was observed during the growth season. For crops with appreciable difference in canopy cover, high‐frequency direct‐current resistivity monitoring was able to distinguish the different below‐ground behaviours. The results also highlight how coarse temporal sampling may affect interpretation of resistivity data from crop monitoring studies.
Investigating wheat consumption based on multiple evidences: Stable isotope analysis on human bone and starch grain analysis on dental calculus of humans from the Laodaojing cemetery, Central Plains, China
Authors: Tao Dawei , Zhang Guowen , Zhou Yawei , Zhao Haizhou 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe introduction and spread of wheat contributed to the transformation of the tradition millets agriculture in North China. However, when and how wheat came to be a staple crop in China is still unclear. Stable isotope data from some archaeological sites suggested that the dietary change from C4 based diet to C3/C4 mixed diet occurred during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770–221 BC) on the Central Plains of China. However, the role of each C3 crop (wheat, rice and soybean) in human diet is not well understood in this key period. Some scholars have argued that wheat made the biggest contribution to human diet among the C3 crops. To further investigate the dietary role of wheat and agricultural economy in the Eastern Zhou on the Central Plains of China, combined methods of stable isotope analysis on human bones and starch grain analysis on human dental calculus were conducted at Laodaojing cemetery during the Warring States period.The mean δ13C values (−14.7 ± 2‰, n = 24) and mean δ15N values (9.1 ± 0.9‰, n = 24) of individuals from Laodaojing cemetery suggest that Laodaojing humans had a reliance on the mixture of C3/C4 foods and a certain proportion of animal protein was consumed. Given that the small elevation of δ15N values (<3‰) of Laodaojing humans, the contribution of domesticated animals to the mixed C3/C4 diet of Laodaojing population is relatively limited. Combined with starch grains extracted from human dental calculus, we argue that C3 and C4 foods at Laodaojing were mainly derived from wheat and millets respectively.Temporal investigations of stable isotope data and archaeobotanical evidences from the late Longshan period to Eastern Zhou Dynasty show the importance of wheat increased in agricultural economy slowly since its introduction into the Central Plains of China. Until the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, wheat as a C3 crop played an important dietary role in human diet of the Central Plains. A transformation from millet‐based to millets/wheat‐based agricultural economy occurred along with the shift of dietary pattern during this period.
Observer error in bone disease description: A cautionary note
Authors: Biehler‐Gomez Lucie , Indra Lara , Martino Federica , Campobasso Carlo Pietro , Cattaneo Cristina 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to examine the accuracy of pathological description on human bones. Ten participants (five forensic pathologists and five anthropologists) were asked to describe 30 bone lesions through observation of the real specimens and photographic images, including character of the lesion, the aspect of the margins and the presence of periosteal new bone, according to recognized and accepted pathological terminology on dry bone. Results were analysed using statistical analysis and interobserver and intraobserver agreements were tested. The anthropologists showed slightly more consistent and accurate results compared with the forensic pathologists, and overall results were better when assessed on the real specimens. Lesion descriptions showed important contradictions and inaccuracies, particularly in the evaluation of the character of the lesion and periosteal new bone, with dramatic potential consequences for the diagnosis of bone disease. This study shows the considerable pitfalls in the assessment of basic pathological bone manifestations and demonstrates the importance of continuing efforts in the standardization of pathological terminology on dry bone.
Registration of ‘Fritz’, a two‐row spring barley
Authors: Rustgi Sachin , Brouwer Brook , von Wettstein Diter , Reisenauer Patrick E. , Lyon Steve , Ankrah Nii , Jones Stephen , Guy Stephen O. , Chen Xianming 
Published: May 2020

Abstract‘Fritz’ (Reg. no. CV‐370, PI 678422), a two‐row spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar developed and tested as 2004NZ151, was released in 2016 by Washington State University (WSU). It was derived from a complex cross: ‘Apexant.499’/‘Alexis’ (Ca 803111)//‘Baronesse’ (2000NZ304)/3/‘Cellar’ and selected through the single‐seed descent method to F4. Fritz was tested in field trials in Pullman, WA, and in multi‐environment trials at 8 to 10 locations per year by the WSU Variety Testing Program from 2008–2012 in eastern Washington. Fritz was also tested in western Washington multi‐environment trials from 2010 to 2014. In all three eastern Washington rainfall zones during the 2011 and 2012 trial years, Fritz yielded more than or equivalent to the leading feed barley cultivars ‘Bob’, ‘Baronesse’, and ‘Champion’. Fritz yielded more than all other cultivars tested in the western Washington Mount Vernon Conventional Trial in 2013 and 2014. Fritz yielded more than the leading two‐row malting cultivars ‘AC Metcalfe’ and ‘CDC Copeland’ at all western Washington environments tested in 2013 and 2014. Fritz was found to have moderate resistance to the prevailing races of stripe rust and leaf rust, as well as resistance to powdery mildew. Fritz exhibited grain protein concentration and test weight similar to Baronesse, which testifies to its use as feed barley.
Current thermal state of permafrost in the southern Peruvian Andes and potential impact from El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
Authors: Yoshikawa Kenji , Úbeda Jose , Masías Pablo , Pari Walter , Apaza Fredy , Vasquez Pool , Ccallata Beto , Concha Ronald , Luna Gonzalo , Iparraguirre Joshua , Ramos Isabel , De la Cruz Gustavo , Cruz Rolando , Pellitero Ramón , Bonshoms Martí 
Published: May 2020

AbstractTropical high‐mountain permafrost has a unique thermal regime due to its exposure to strong solar radiation and to rough surface snow morphology, which reduce ground heat transfer from the surface. Latent heat transfer and higher albedo that occur during the snow‐covered season contribute to positive feedback that supports the presence of permafrost. This preliminary study reports on the thermal state characteristics of tropical mountain permafrost in Peru. This work also evaluates the potential combined impact of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the mountain permafrost of the Coropuna and Chachani volcanic complexes, both located at the western edge of the southern Peruvian Altiplano. Temperature monitoring boreholes were established at 5,217 m at Coropuna and 5,331 m at Chachani, and electrical resistivity was surveyed in both sites. This 7‐year discontinuous record of permafrost temperature data encompasses historically extreme El Niño/La Niña events. Our results show that the current lower‐altitude permafrost boundary (~5,100 m a.s.l.) is critically influenced by the balance of wet and dry seasons: permafrost tends to deplete during drought years. Typical permafrost thickness was 10–20 m and contained ice‐rich pore spaces. The presence of permafrost and its thermal resistance depends on ice content and on higher albedo, usually due to: (a) hydrothermal alteration, which transforms the volcanic rocks into surfaces with ideal albedo for permafrost resilience; and (b) sublimation of the snow cover, forming ice‐pinnacles named penitentes.
Time–space variations of temperature in the nocturnal boundary layer
Authors: Mahrt L. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis study examines nocturnal temperature changes on time‐scales of 5–60 min over gentle terrain. Such temperature variations are often important after the early evening period of rapid cooling and can lead to large temporary warming or enhanced cooling. The time–space structure of temperature changes is examined statistically with a network of flux stations over gentle topography. Large temperature changes are often associated with coherent propagating modes and associated temporary reduction or elimination of the valley cold pool, local drainage flows, and lee turbulence. The largest variations of temperature with time occur for intermediate wind speeds. Low wind speeds correspond to greater spatial variability of temperature but less time dependence. Two nondimensional ratios are developed to represent the relative importance of temporal and spatial variability.
A comparison of isotope ratio mass spectrometry and cavity ring‐down spectroscopy techniques for isotope analysis of fluid inclusion water
Authors: de Graaf Stefan , Vonhof Hubert B. , Weissbach Therese , Wassenburg Jasper A. , Levy Elan J. , Kluge Tobias , Haug Gerald H. 
Published: May 2020

RationaleOnline oxygen (δ18O) and hydrogen (δ2H) isotope analysis of fluid inclusion water entrapped in minerals is widely applied in paleo‐fluid studies. In the state of the art of fluid inclusion isotope research, however, there is a scarcity of reported inter‐technique comparisons to account for possible analytical offsets. Along with improving analytical precisions and sample size limitations, interlaboratory comparisons can lead to a more robust application of fluid inclusion isotope records.MethodsMineral samples—including speleothem, travertine, and vein material—were analyzed on two newly setup systems for fluid inclusion isotope analysis to provide an inter‐platform comparison. One setup uses a crusher unit connected online to a continuous‐flow pyrolysis furnace and an isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) instrument. In the other setup, a crusher unit is lined up with a cavity ring‐down spectroscopy (CRDS) system, and water samples are analyzed on a continuous standard water background to achieve precisions on water injections better than 0.1‰ for δ18O values and 0.4‰ for δ2H values for amounts down to 0.2 μL.ResultsFluid inclusion isotope analyses on the IRMS setup have an average 1σ reproducibility of 0.4‰ and 2.0‰ for δ18O and δ2H values, respectively. The CRDS setup has a better 1σ reproducibility (0.3‰ for δ18O values and 1.1‰ for δ2H values) and also a more rapid sample throughput (<30 min per sample). Fluid inclusion isotope analyses are reproducible at these uncertainties for water amounts down to 0.1 μL on both setups. Fluid inclusion isotope data show no systematic offsets between the setups.ConclusionsThe close match in fluid inclusion isotope results between the two setups demonstrates the high accuracy of the presented continuous‐flow techniques for fluid inclusion isotope analysis. Ideally, experiments such as the one presented in this study will lead to further interlaboratory comparison efforts and the selection of suitable reference materials for fluid inclusion isotopes studies.
Exploring sustainability cross‐culturally: Employees' beliefs on green behaviors
Authors: Yuriev Alexander , Sierra‐Barón Willian 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis study explores antecedent beliefs associated with green workplace behaviors within various cultures. Semi‐directed interviews were conducted with non‐academic employees of Canadian and Colombian universities in order to identify their beliefs towards two studied behaviors, such as using alternative transportation on the way to the university and making eco‐suggestions at work. Two researchers, applying the fundamentals of the theory of planned behavior, analyzed the interviews and identified pertinent behavioral, normative and control beliefs. Results of the study indicate that cultural and contextual specificities have a non‐negligible effect on intentions to engage in pro‐environmental workplace behaviors. Certain factors that impeded or facilitated the intention to engage in the studied behaviors were present only in transcripts from one country. Moreover, participants from Canada mentioned various beliefs significantly, more frequently, in comparison with Colombian respondents. Findings of this research indicate the necessity to differentiate practical recommendations depending on the behavior and the cultural context.
Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy as a potential method for nonmelanoma skin cancer margin assessment
Authors: Zhang Yao , Moy Austin J. , Feng Xu , Nguyen Hieu T. M. , Sebastian Katherine R. , Reichenberg Jason S. , Markey Mia K. , Tunnell James W. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe standard‐of‐care for nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), is surgical excision of the tumor. To ensure removal of the entire tumor and minimize removal of healthy tissue, a tool for quick discrimination between cancerous and normal skin is needed. We propose using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) to assess tumor margins. We collected two independent clinical datasets. Using a clinical study of 31 patients with 50 NMSC lesions, we trained models including DRS data normalization, a physiological model, parameter selection and logistic regression classifiers. We tested our models on a second clinical dataset of 56 patients with 68 NMSC lesions. Our test results showed the area under the ROC curve of 0.94 for BCC vs normal and 0.90 for SCC vs normal. When applying a threshold selected using the training dataset to the test dataset, for BCC vs normal, specificity is 89% and sensitivity is 87%; for SCC vs normal, specificity is 65% and sensitivity is 97%. This study indicates that DRS can be potentially used to map the tumor margin prior to surgery and monitor margins during the surgery on the surface of the skin.
Informed Consent, Familism, and the Nature of Autonomy
Authors: Akabayashi Akira 
Published: May 2020

AbstractInformed consent is one of the central themes of medical and research ethics. In this chapter, I would like to introduce the reader to three significant cases in the discussion of informed consent from the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. Here, I wish to (1) explore the concept of autonomy and the diversity of this term as influenced by the culture and region, (2) explore further the idea of “something close to autonomy” as described by the American bioethicist Edmund Pellegrino in 1992, and (3) articulate to the extent possible the concept of autonomy in Japan. I propose a “family-facilitated approach” to informed consent, which contrasts with the first-person approach used in many Western countries. This family-facilitated model balances respect for patient autonomy with the cultural importance of the family in decision-making, and more clearly characterizes “something close to autonomy” in the Japanese context. I then extend this discussion to the global context.In the last part of the chapter, I tackle the topic of prognosis disclosure. Although a modern North American concept of autonomy will dictate that physicians inform patients of their prognosis, regardless of patient preference, I argue that disclosing the prognosis at the terminal stage is situation-dependent, and should be decided on a case-by-case basis with consideration of the specific context, based on physicians’ virtue, and will open this topic to global dialogue.
Gesundheitsaufklärung über digitale audiovisuelle Medien: Strategien der Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA)
Authors: Schwarz Uta 
Published: May 2020

ZusammenfassungDie Digitalisierung hat die medialen Rahmen- und Kommunikationsbedingungen auch für die gesundheitliche Aufklärung revolutioniert. Die Produktion und der Konsum audiovisueller Darstellungsformen nehmen stetig zu. In diesem Beitrag werden die Funktion und Bedeutung audiovisueller Elemente im Internet für bevölkerungsbezogene Public-Health-Interventionen herausgearbeitet. An neueren Beispielen aus der Filmpraxis der Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) wird ein Spektrum audiovisueller Formate zur Gesundheitsaufklärung im Internet mit den damit verbundenen Zielstellungen und Botschaftsstrategien vorgestellt. Zukünftig sollten die Rezeptions- und Wirkungsprozesse von Internetvideos noch besser erforscht werden, u. a. auch die Frage, ob Bewegtbildformate im Internet dazu beitragen können, benachteiligte Zielgruppen besser zu erreichen.