bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic Performance of Ultrasound Elastography and Serologic Fibrosis Indices for Evaluation of Hepatic Involvement in Wilson Disease
Authors: Hwang Jisun , Yoon Hee Mang , Jung Ah Young , Lee Jin Seong , Kim Kyung Mo , Oh Seak Hee , Cho Young Ah 
Published: May 2020

ObjectivesTo investigate the diagnostic value of transient elastography (TE), 2‐dimensional (2D) shear wave elastography (SWE), and the serologic fibrosis indices aspartate transaminase–to–platelet ratio index (APRI) and Fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) score for Wilson disease (WD).MethodsWe retrospectively identified patients with a diagnosis of WD who underwent TE and 2D SWE on the same day. Their APRI and FIB‐4 scores were calculated. Hepatic involvement was classified into 5 clinical categories (I–V) based on the laboratory findings, hepatic morphologic characteristics on ultrasound (US) imaging, and clinical symptoms of cirrhosis: I, normal (n = 17); II, only biochemical abnormality (n = 15); III, altered hepatic morphologic characteristics (n = 10); IV, compensated liver cirrhosis (n = 3); and V, decompensated liver cirrhosis (n = 0). We compared the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) data for TE, 2D SWE, the APRI, and the FIB‐4 score. A combined assessment of the serologic markers and US elastography was performed, and the AUROCs of the combinations were compared.ResultsForty‐five patients were included in the study (median age, 16.0 years; range, 3–35 years). Transient elastography, 2D SWE, and APRI were comparable in distinguishing the clinical categories (AUROC, 0.799–0.928). The FIB‐4 score showed lower diagnostic value in distinguishing clinical category I from the other categories (AUROC, 0.647). Combining the serologic markers and US elastography significantly increased the AUROC value of the FIB‐4 score (with TE and 2D SWE, P = .01 and .02).ConclusionsTransient elastography and 2D SWE showed excellent diagnostic accuracy for differentiating the clinical categories of hepatic involvement. The APRI showed better diagnostic performance than the FIB‐4 score. The assessment of hepatic manifestations in WD can be improved by combining US elastography with serologic indices.
Do Postoperative Antibiotics Affect Outcomes in Mohs Reconstructive Surgery?
Authors: Miller Matthew Q. , Stevens Jacqueline S. , Park Stephen S. , Christophel J. Jared 
Published: May 2020

Objectives/HypothesisThe prescribing of postoperative antibiotics for patients undergoing Mohs reconstructive surgery has increased in the last decade, while antibiotic resistance has been increasing. We hypothesized that routine prescribing of postoperative antibiotics after Mohs reconstruction does not decrease the risk of surgical site infection.Study DesignRetrospective, single‐institution cohort study.MethodsThis study assessed patients who underwent Mohs reconstructive surgery from January 1, 2012, to January 29, 2019. The main outcomes assessed included postoperative surgical site infections, partial or full flap/graft necrosis, hematoma, and dehiscence.ResultsA total of 900 defects in 800 patients (mean age [range] = 65.3 [21–96], 54.60% female) were identified over the 7‐year period. Patient‐specific variables reviewed included comorbidities, age, and smoking status. Surgery‐specific variables analyzed included defect characteristics, time interval between Mohs micrographic surgery and reconstruction, reconstructive modalities, and use of postoperative antibiotics. All patients received peri‐incisional antibiotics. On regression analysis, use of cartilage grafts (odds ratio [OR]: 6.53; 95% CI: 2.1‐20.6; P = .001), current smoking status (OR: 6.67; 95% CI: 2.09‐21.30; P = .001), full‐thickness defects (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0‐3.4; P = .045), and interpolated flap reconstruction (OR: 3.4; 95% CI: 1.0‐11.5; P = .049) were associated with an increased risk of postoperative infections. Smoking and cartilage grafting remained significant on bivariable regression modeling. Use of perioperative antibiotics was not associated with a decreased risk of infection (OR: 1.82; 95% CI: 0.23‐14.21; P = .568).ConclusionsWe found no association between postoperative infections after Mohs reconstructive surgery and the use of postoperative antibiotics. These data support a more targeted approach to antibiotic prescribing in Mohs reconstructive surgery.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 131:E434–E439, 2021
Rediscovering Surlyn: A Supramolecular Thermoset Capable of Healing and Recycling
Authors: Zhan Shengnan , Wang Xiaohan , Sun Junqi 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSurlyn consists of ionomers of poly(ethylene‐co‐methacrylic acid) (PEMA) partially neutralized with metal ions. Considering its huge consumption every year, it is highly desirable to realize efficient healing and recycling of Surlyn through an easily available method. Herein, healable and recyclable Surlyn materials are fabricated by complexation of PEMA with Zn2+ ions followed by a hot‐pressing process. The PEMA/Zn composites exhibit a tensile strength of ≈37 MPa, Young's modulus of ≈343 MPa, and toughness of ≈95 MJ m−3. Structural analysis discloses that the PEMA/Zn composites are dynamically cross‐linked with coordination interactions and reinforced with polyethylene nanocrystals, and have the typical structure of supramolecular thermosets. As supramolecular thermosets, the reversibility of coordination interactions endows the PEMA/Zn composites with good healing and recycling capacities. The PEMA/Zn composites can fully heal mechanical damage to restore their original mechanical strength when heated at 90 °C. Under a pressure of 3 MPa at 100 °C, the PEMA/Zn composites can be recycled multiple times to regain their structural integrity and mechanical properties.
Antimicrobial Hyperbranched Polymer–Usnic Acid Complexes through a Combined ROP‐RAFT Strategy
Authors: Rauschenbach Moritz , Lawrenson Stefan B. , Taresco Vincenzo , Pearce Amanda K. , O'Reilly Rachel K. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPolymer–drug conjugates have received considerable attention over the last decades due to their potential for improving the clinical outcomes for a range of diseases. It is of importance to develop methods for their preparation that have simple synthesis and purification requirements but maintain high therapeutic efficacy and utilize macromolecules that can be cleared via natural excretory pathways upon breakdown. Herein, the combination of ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) and reversible addition−fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) polymerization is described for the straightforward synthesis of amphiphilic, stimuli‐responsive, biodegradable, and highly functionalizable hyperbranched polymers. These unimolecular nanoparticles demonstrate a versatile platform for the synthesis of polymer–drug conjugates owing to the inclusion of a Boc‐protected polycarbonate moiety in either a block or random copolymer formation. A proof‐of‐concept study on the complexation of the poorly water‐soluble antimicrobial drug usnic acid results in polymer‐drug complexes with powerful antimicrobial properties against gram‐positive bacteria. Therefore, this work highlights the potential of amphiphilic and biodegradable hyperbranched polymers for antimicrobial applications.
On the influence of nanoparticles as addition to the A356 aluminum‐alloy: Is it acting as a refining or strengthening mechanism?
Authors: El‐Mahallawi I.S. , Mohamed O. , Shash A.Y. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe effect induced by adding nanoparticles to cast hypo‐eutectic aluminum 7 % silicon alloys (A356) is continually reported to show enhanced mechanical properties. The experimental results show a strengthening effect associated with an increase in ductility and/or toughness, induced by adding nanoparticles. The aim of this work is to add a contribution towards understanding the strengthening effect observed in the nanoparticles‐reinforced A356 alloy. This is done by calculating the conventional incremental summation of several strengthening mechanisms contributing to strengthening and reinforcement in composites. The results obtained by applying the mathematical calculations are compared with the experimental results reported in literature. Based on the mathematical approach, this work shows that the main strengthening mechanisms acting for metal matrix nano composites (MMNCs) are those contributing to the strengthening of the matrix. These result from contributions by Orowan strengthening and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and elastic modulus (EM) mismatch.
Ice stress‐strain curve prediction in uniaxial compression loading in the objective of atmospheric icing risk evaluation
Authors: Seifaddini M. , Saeidi A. , Farzaneh M. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAtmospheric icing is a major cause of damage to electric power networks. During ice storms, “ice shedding off” cables and conductors can lead to major damage to power systems, mostly by mechanical failure. The brittleness of ice might be its most important and critical property possibly leading to hazardous events in urban regions, and involving equipment such as electrical power lines. To avoid or reduce the risks from this phenomenon, it is necessary to understand the mechanical behavior of ice, including ice strain, as well as its maximal strength and residual strength. The behavior of ice depends mainly on the applied stress and strain rate, as well as temperature, salinity, porosity, and particle size. As a fundamental subject on the deformation behavior of ice, the simple case of polycrystalline isotropic ice was chosen in this study. A methodology is developed to determine the stress‐strain curve for ice as a function of temperature and several uniaxial compression loading conditions. Mathematical relations are developed for several loading conditions and temperature. The results of this research allow to predict the maximal and residual strength of ice, as functions of strain rate and temperature.
The Head Retraction Reflex in Niemann‐Pick Type C: A Novel Diagnostic Clue
Authors: Martin Andrew J. , Morales‐Briceño Hugo , Tchan Michel , Fung Victor S.C. 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe head retraction reflex (HRR) is characterized by the extension of the neck after percussion stimulation of the central facial region. It is either absent or habituates in normal individuals and can become exaggerated and persistent in certain pathological conditions, having been most commonly reported in hyperekplexia and stiff‐person syndrome disorders. It has not, however, been reported in Niemann‐Pick type C (NPC), a lipid storage disorder with a variety of neurologic and systemic manifestations. The diagnosis of NPC is often delayed because of the rarity of the condition and the subtlety of clinical signs.CasesWe present 3 consecutive cases of genetically confirmed NPC with a pathological HRR, which was not present in controls. Neurophysiological analysis showed findings suggestive of myoclonus of brainstem origin.ConclusionWe propose that the presence of a pathological HRR, an easily performed clinical test, may provide a clue to the diagnosis of NPC.
Pedunculopontine Nucleus Microstructure Predicts Postural and Gait Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Craig Chesney E. , Jenkinson Ned J. , Brittain John‐Stuart , Grothe Michel J. , Rochester Lynn , Silverdale Monty , Alho Ana T.D.L. , Alho Eduardo J.L. , Holmes Paul S. , Ray Nicola J. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundThere is an urgent need to identify individuals at risk of postural instability and gait difficulties, and the resulting propensity for falls, in Parkinson's disease.ObjectivesGiven known relationships between posture and gait and degeneration of the cholinergic pedunculopontine nucleus, we investigated whether metrics of pedunculopontine nucleus microstructural integrity hold independent utility for predicting future postural instability and gait difficulties and whether they could be combined with other candidate biomarkers to improve prognostication of these symptoms.MethodsWe used stereotactic mapping of the pedunculopontine nucleus and diffusion tensor imaging to extract baseline pedunculopontine nucleus diffusivity metrics in 147 participants with Parkinson's disease and 65 controls enrolled in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative. We also recorded known candidate markers of posture and gait changes: loss of caudate dopamine and CSF β‐amyloid 1‐42 levels at baseline; as well as longitudinal progression motor symptoms over 72‐months.ResultsSurvival analyses revealed that reduced dopamine in the caudate and increased axial diffusivity in the pedunculopontine nucleus incurred independent risk of postural instability and gait difficulties. Binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristics analysis in 117 participants with complete follow‐up data at 60 months revealed that only pedunculopontine nucleus microstructure provided more accurate discriminative ability for predicting future postural instability and gait difficulties than clinical and demographic variables alone.ConclusionDopaminergic and cholinergic loss incur independent risk for future postural instability and gait difficulties, and pedunculopontine nucleus microstructure can be used to prognosticate these symptoms from early Parkinson's disease stages. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Novel mutations in the PITX2 gene in Pakistani and Mexican families with Axenfeld‐Rieger syndrome
Authors: Lo Faro Valeria , Siddiqui Sorath N. , Khan Muhammad I. , Villanueva‐Mendoza Cristina , Cortés‐González Vianney , Jansonius Nomdo , Bergen Arthur A. B. , Micheal Shazia 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPurposeAxenfeld‐Rieger syndrome (ARS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder that affects the anterior segment of the eye. The aim of this study was to examine the PITX2 gene to identify possible novel mutations in Pakistani and Mexican families affected by the ARS phenotype.MethodsThree unrelated probands with a diagnosis of ARS were recruited for this study. Genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood of the probands and their family members. Polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing were used for the analysis of coding exons and the flanking intronic regions of the PITX2 gene. Bioinformatics tools and database (VarSome, Provean, and MutationTaster, SIFT, PolyPhen‐2, and HOPE) were evaluated to explore missense variants.ResultsWe identified novel heterozygous variations in the PITX2 gene that segregated with the ARS phenotype within the families. The variant NM_153426.2(PITX2):c.226G > T or p.(Ala76Ser) and the mutation NM_153426.2(PITX2):c.455G > A or p.(Cys152Tyr) were identified in two Pakistani pedigrees, and the mutation NM_153426.2(PITX2):c.242_265del or p.(Lys81_Gln88del), segregated in a Mexican family.ConclusionOur study extends the spectrum of PITX2 mutations in individuals with ARS, enabling an improved diagnosis of this rare but serious syndrome.
A 0.5 to 6 GHz wideband cascode LNA with enhanced linearity by employing resistive shunt‐shuntfeedback and derivative superposition
Authors: Li Zhenrong , Wang Simin , Li Zhen , Tang Hualian , Zhuang Yiqi 
Published: May 2020

AbstractA wideband bipolar low‐noise amplifier (LNA) with enhanced linearity operating in 0.5 to 6 GHz frequency range is proposed in this letter. The LNA design is based on a cascode amplifier with an emitter degeneration RC parallel network and a resistive shunt‐shunt feedback which can improve linearity. The cascode topology in conjunction with the preceding series inductor L is utilized to achieve good wideband input impedance matching, while the wideband output impedance matching is realized by using an emitter follower as a buffer. And the third‐order input intercept point (IIP3) has been improved due to the derivative superposition technique. The wideband LNA presented in this letter was designed and implemented in a JAZZ 0.18 μm SiGe BiCMOS process. The measured results show that from 500 MHz to 6 GHz, the power gain (S21) is 16.5 to 17.1 dB, the noise factor (NF) is 2.7 to 3.3 dB, the current consumption without buffer stage is 12.4 mA at a 3.3 V supply voltage, and the IIP3 is −0.834 dBm at 2 GHz. The chip size is 1.06 × 0.64 mm2.
Adult Sockeye Salmon Assessment in a Tidal, Turbid River: A Comparison of Sonar and Test Fishing Methods
Authors: Faulkner April V. , Maxwell Suzanne L. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The feasibility of using sonar in Alaska's lower Kvichak River, a region with a 3.8 m tidal flux, to assess the abundance of adult Sockeye Salmon Oncorhynchus nerka was evaluated as a replacement for an in-river gill-net test fishery. Test fish indices are one tool that is used to manage commercial and subsistence fisheries in Bristol Bay. On this river, an observation tower project near the clear headwaters provides accurate abundance estimates for this species, but fishery managers require timelier estimates for in-season daily management. The lower-river test fish index is timelier, but it is less precise than tower estimates are. We had to determine whether to replace the test fish project with sonar based on how well each compared with tower estimates and an assessment of their cost and effort. Two dual-frequency identification sonars (DIDSONs) were deployed along one bank of the lower river (one pointed toward shore and one away from shore) to assess salmon passage across all tidal stages in an attempt to produce an index with higher precision. Compared with the tower estimates, the test fish index showed a slightly stronger correlation in each of the three study years than the sonar index did, despite the stronger sampling power of the sonar. The test fish and sonar indices were strongly correlated. In the lower river, upriver salmon migration (85–98%) occurred primarily during ebb tides and downriver passage (97–100%) during flood tides, indicating that salmon do not use selective tidal stream transport to minimize their energy expenditures in this river. We were able to successfully use fixed-location sonar in a tidal nearshore region to produce an index of fish abundance. Our recommendation was to continue the test fishing project rather than to replace it with sonar because of the similarity between their indices and the higher cost of the sonar project.
A spatially varying robin interface condition for fluid‐structure coupled simulations
Authors: Cao Shunxiang , Wang Guangyao , Wang Kevin G. 
Published: May 2020

SummaryWe present a spatially varying Robin interface condition for solving fluid‐structure interaction problems involving incompressible fluid flows and nonuniform flexible structures. Recent studies have shown that for uniform structures with constant material and geometric properties, a constant one‐parameter Robin interface condition can improve the stability and accuracy of partitioned numerical solution procedures. In this work, we generalize the parameter to a spatially varying function that depends on the structure's local material and geometric properties, without varying the exact solution of the coupled fluid‐structure system. We present an algorithm to implement the Robin interface condition in an embedded boundary method for coupling a projection‐based incompressible viscous flow solver with a nonlinear finite element structural solver. We demonstrate the numerical effects of the spatially varying Robin interface condition using two example problems: a simplified model problem featuring a nonuniform Euler‐Bernoulli beam interacting with an inviscid flow and a generalized Turek‐Hron problem featuring a nonuniform, highly flexible beam interacting with a viscous laminar flow. Both cases show that a spatially varying Robin interface condition can clearly improve numerical accuracy (by up to two orders of magnitude in one instance) for the same computational cost. Using the second example problem, we also demonstrate and compare two models for determining the local value of the combination function in the Robin interface condition.
Robust topology optimization of optical cloaks under uncertainties in wave number and angle of incident wave
Authors: Sato Yuki , Izui Kazuhiro , Yamada Takayuki , Nishiwaki Shinji 
Published: May 2020

SummaryThis article presents a robust topology optimization method for optical cloaks under uncertainties in the wave number and angle in the incident wave. We first discuss the governing equation derived from Maxwell's equation, and extend it to the entire domain including the dielectric material and air, based on the level set‐based topology optimization method. Next, a robust optimization problem is formulated as a minimization problem of the weighted sum of the scattered wave norm and its standard deviation with respect to the wave number and angle of the incident wave. The standard deviation is mathematically expressed by the Taylor series approximation and the use of the adjoint variable method. The design sensitivity of the objective functional is also derived by the adjoint variable method. An optimization algorithm is then constructed, based on the proposed formulation for robust designs of optical cloaks. Several numerical examples are finally provided to demonstrate the validity and utility of the proposed method.
Investigating fine motor deficits during maintenance therapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Hanna Silvia , Elshennawy Shorouk , El‐Ayadi Moatasem , Abdelazeim Faten 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectivesChildren diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in their early childhood are more susceptible to neuromuscular and musculoskeletal impairments. This cross‐sectional study was designed to address different types of fine motor impairments in Egyptian children diagnosed with ALL.MethodsFifty‐four children treated for ALL in maintenance phase aged from four to seven years were compared with an age‐ and sex‐matched control group. Fine motor performance was assessed using the total fine motor form of the Bruininks‐Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency‐second edition (BOT‐2). Sex‐ and age‐specific norms of BOT‐2 were used to calculate scale and standard scores in both groups.ResultsChildren with ALL had significantly impaired fine motor skills in all subtests and composites of BOT‐2 compared with the typically developing group (P < 0.00001). Cumulative doses of vincristine, methotrexate, and dexamethasone revealed no significant correlation with any BOT‐2 measure. Males performed significantly better than females in all BOT‐2 scores except for the fine motor integration subtest and the total fine motor control composite as no significant differences were observed. The protocol risk stratum, duration of maintenance treatment, and the age at assessment did not significantly affect the BOT‐2 measures.ConclusionAbout 67% of children with ALL on maintenance treatment experienced fine motor difficulties. Periodic evaluation along the course of chemotherapy could identify specific impaired fine motor domains providing the base for a successful rehabilitation program.