bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measurements of cervical lymph nodes in children on computed tomography
Authors: Spijkers Suzanne , Littooij Annemieke S. , Nievelstein Rutger A. J. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
No normal measurements or specific size criteria have been described for cervical lymph nodes in children.

Objective
To determine the normal measurements of cervical lymph nodes in children on CT.

Materials and methods
We included 142 children (ages 1–17 years) who underwent cervical CT examination after high-energy trauma. We evaluated axial and coronal 2-mm reconstructions for lymph nodes at six cervical levels. For the largest lymph node at each level, we measured diameters in both the long and short axial axes and the long coronal axis.

Results
A total of 733 lymph nodes were measured in 142 children (62% boys, 38% girls). The greatest measured diameters were 14 mm for the short axis in the axial plane, 24 mm for the long axis in the axial plane and 28 mm for the long axis in the coronal plane. The Pearson correlation coefficient for age and lymph node size at Levels IV–VI was in the range of 0.19–0.47.

Conclusion
Lymph nodes with an axial short-axis diameter exceeding 15 mm for Level II and 10 mm for all other cervical levels are uncommon in otherwise healthy children.
Binding of [18F]AV1451 in post mortem brain slices of semantic variant primary progressive aphasia patients
Authors: Schaeverbeke Jolien , Celen Sofie , Cornelis Julie , Ronisz Alicja , Serdons Kim , Van Laere Koen , Thal Dietmar Rudolf , Tousseyn Thomas , Bormans Guy , Vandenberghe Rik 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Purpose
In vivo tau-PET tracer retention in the anterior temporal lobe of patients with semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (SV PPA) has consistently been reported. This is unexpected as the majority of these patients have frontotemporal lobar degeneration TDP (FTLD-TDP).

Methods
We conducted an in vitro [18F]AV1451 autoradiography binding study in five cases with a clinical diagnosis of SV PPA constituting the range of pathologies (i.e., three FTLD-TDP, one Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and one Pick’s disease (PiD)). Binding was compared with two controls without neurodegeneration, two typical AD, one corticobasal syndrome with underlying AD, and one frontotemporal dementia behavioral variant with FTLD-TDP. The effect of blocking with the authentic reference material and with the MAO-B inhibitor deprenyl was assessed. Immunohistochemistry was performed on adjacent cryosections.

Results
Absence of specific [18F]AV1451 binding was observed for all three SV PPA FTLD-TDP cases. The absence of binding in controls as well as the successful blocking with authentic AV1451 in cases with tauopathy demonstrated specificity of the [18F]AV1451 signal for tau. The specific [18F]AV1451 binding was highest in AD, followed by PiD. This binding colocalized with the respective tau lesions and could not be blocked by deprenyl. Similar pilot findings were obtained with [18F]THK5351.

Conclusion
In vitro autoradiography showed no [18F]AV1451 binding in SV PPA due to FTLD-TDP, while specific binding was present in SV PPA due to AD and PiD. The discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo findings remains to be explained. The discordance is not related to [18F]AV1451 idiosyncrasies as [18F]THK5351 findings were similar.
Micropuncture Access Set Use During Implantation of Totally Implantable Venous Access Device May Reduce Upper Extremity DVT Incidence Among Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Lee Chul Seung , Yoon Sung‐Hoon , Lee Seung‐Min , Lee In Kyu , Kim Jang Young , Cho Hyun Min , Kim Min Ki 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare the perioperative outcomes when using a micropuncture access set (MS) to those when using a conventional puncture set (CS) for implantation of totally implantable venous access device (TAVID).
MethodsA total of 314 patients undergoing chemotherapy for colorectal cancer were included between June 2015 and July 2018. Of these, 123 (39.2%) received TAVID implantation using MS and 191 patients (60.8%) received TAVID using CS. Perioperative outcomes and complications were compared between both groups.
ResultsBaseline characteristics, including body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia, were not significantly different between the groups. Postoperative complications occurred in 25 patients (8.0%), and the rate and incidence of venous thrombosis were significantly higher in the CS group. There were no significant differences between the groups in other complications such as the rate of port site infection, deep vein thrombosis, obstruction, catheter dislocation, and skin complications (exposure). No incidence of catheter infection, port rotation, intraoperative bleeding, or pneumothorax was observed in this cohort.ConclusionsMS is a safe and feasible procedure and results in less thrombosis. MS may play an important role in improving outcomes for the implantation of TAVID.
Proximity Curves for Potential-Based Clustering
Authors: Csenki Attila , Neagu Daniel , Torgunov Denis , Micic Natasha 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe concept of proximity curve and a new algorithm are proposed for obtaining clusters in a finite set of data points in the finite dimensional Euclidean space. Each point is endowed with a potential constructed by means of a multi-dimensional Cauchy density, contributing to an overall anisotropic potential function. Guided by the steepest descent algorithm, the data points are successively visited and removed one by one, and at each stage the overall potential is updated and the magnitude of its local gradient is calculated. The result is a finite sequence of tuples, the proximity curve, whose pattern is analysed to give rise to a deterministic clustering. The finite set of all such proximity curves in conjunction with a simulation study of their distribution results in a probabilistic clustering represented by a distribution on the set of dendrograms. A two-dimensional synthetic data set is used to illustrate the proposed potential-based clustering idea. It is shown that the results achieved are plausible since both the ‘geographic distribution’ of data points as well as the ‘topographic features’ imposed by the potential function are well reflected in the suggested clustering. Experiments using the Iris data set are conducted for validation purposes on classification and clustering benchmark data. The results are consistent with the proposed theoretical framework and data properties, and open new approaches and applications to consider data processing from different perspectives and interpret data attributes contribution to patterns.
Added value of post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) to clinical findings for cause of death determination in adult “natural deaths”
Authors: Vester M. E. M. , van Rijn R. R. , Duijst W. L. J. M. , Beenen L. F. M. , Clerkx M. , Oostra R. J. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to investigate whether post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) provides additional information regarding the cause of death and underlying diseases in a general practitioners’ (GP), out-of-hospital population.

Methods and materials
Bodies donated to our anatomy department between January 2014 and January 2018, who consecutively underwent a total body PMCT and had given permission for retrieval of their medical records during life, were included. PMCT scans were assessed by a radiologist and compared with the cause of death as stated in the medical records. Discrepancies were analyzed with an adjusted Goldman classification.

Results
Ninety-three out of the 274 scanned donors during the inclusion period had given consent for the retrieval of their medical records, of which 79 GP’s responded to the request thereof (31 men, 48 women, average age 72.8 years, range 36–99). PMCT identified 49 (62%) cases of cancer, 10 (12.7%) cardiovascular diseases, 8 (10.1%) severe organ failures, 5 (6.3%) cases with signs of pneumonia, 2 (2.5%) other causes, and 7 (8.9%) cases without an (underlying) definitive cause of death. Eleven major discrepancies on the Goldman classification scale, with possible relevance to survival between PMCT and GP records, were identified.

Conclusion
PMCT can have added value for the detection of additional findings regarding the cause of death in an out-of-hospital, GP’s population, especially to identify or exclude major (previously non-diagnosed) underlying diseases.
Cognitive behavioural therapy interventions for insomnia among shift workers: RCT in an occupational health setting
Authors: Järnefelt Heli , Härmä Mikko , Sallinen Mikael , Virkkala Jussi , Paajanen Teemu , Martimo Kari-Pekka , Hublin Christer 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Introduction
The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy interventions for insomnia (CBT-I) to that of a sleep hygiene intervention in a randomized controlled design among shift workers. We also studied whether the features of shift work disorder (SWD) affected the results.

Methods
A total of 83 shift workers with insomnia disorder were partially randomized into a group-based CBT-I, self-help CBT-I, or sleep hygiene control intervention. The outcomes were assessed before and after the interventions and at 6-month follow-up using questionnaires, a sleep diary, and actigraphy.

Results
Perceived severity of insomnia, sleep-related dysfunctional beliefs, burnout symptoms, restedness, recovery after a shift, and actigraphy-based total sleep time improved after the interventions, but we found no significant differences between the interventions. Mood symptoms improved only among the group-based CBT-I intervention participants. Non-SWD participants had more mental diseases and symptoms, used more sleep-promoting medication, and had pronounced insomnia severity and more dysfunctional beliefs than those with SWD. After the interventions, non-SWD participants showed more prominent improvements than those with SWD.

Conclusions
Our results showed no significant differences between the sleep improvements of the shift workers in the CBT-I interventions and of those in the sleep hygiene control intervention. Alleviation of mood symptoms seemed to be the main added value of the group-based CBT-I intervention compared to the control intervention. The clinical condition of the non-SWD participants was more severe and these participants benefitted more from the interventions than the SWD participants did.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02523079.
Double-Distance Frameworks and Mixed Sparsity Graphs
Authors: Nixon Anthony , Power Stephen Charles 
Published: December 2019

AbstractA rigidity theory is developed for frameworks in a metric space with two types of distance constraints. Mixed sparsity graph characterisations are obtained for the infinitesimal and continuous rigidity of completely regular bar-joint frameworks in a variety of such contexts. The main results are combinatorial characterisations for (i) frameworks restricted to surfaces with both Euclidean and geodesic distance constraints, (ii) frameworks in the plane with Euclidean and non-Euclidean distance constraints, and (iii) direction-length frameworks in the non-Euclidean plane.
Predict cognitive decline with clinical markers in Parkinson’s disease (PRECODE-1)
Authors: Wilson Heather , Pagano Gennaro , Yousaf Tayyabah , Polychronis Sotirios , De Micco Rosa , Giordano Beniamino , Niccolini Flavia , Politis Marios 
Published: December 2019

AbstractOver the course of the disease, about 80% of Parkinson’s disease patients will develop cognitive impairment. However, predictive factors associated with cognitive decline are still under investigation. Here, we investigated which clinically available markers are predictive of cognitive impairment in a cohort of early drug-naïve Parkinson’s disease patients. 294 drug-naïve Parkinson’s disease patients, who were cognitively normal at baseline, were recruited from the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative. At 36-month follow-up, patients were diagnosed with cognitive impairment according to two levels: Level 1 diagnosis was defined as MoCA < 26 and Level 2 diagnosis was defined as MoCA < 26, alongside an impaired score on at least two neuropsychological tests. Predictive variables with a validated cut-off were divided into normal or abnormal measures, whilst others were divided into normal or abnormal measures based on the decile with the highest power of prediction. At 3 years’ follow-up, 122/294 Parkinson’s disease (41.5%) patients had cognitive decline. We found that age at Parkinson’s disease onset, MDS-UPDRS Part-III, Hopkin’s Learning Verbal Test-Revised Recall, Semantic Fluency Test and Symbol Digit Modalities Test were all predictors of cognitive decline. Specifically, age at Parkinson’s disease onset, Semantic Fluency Test and symbol Digit Modalities Test were predictors of cognitive decline defined by Level 2. The combination of three abnormal tests, identified as the most significant predictors of cognitive decline, gave a 63.6–86.7% risk of developing cognitive impairment defined by Level 2 and Level 1 criteria, respectively, at 36-month follow-up. Our findings show that these clinically available measures encompass the ability to identify drug-naïve Parkinson’s disease patients with the highest risk of developing cognitive impairment at the earliest stages. Therefore, by implementing this in a clinical setting, we can better monitor and manage patients who are at risk of cognitive decline.
Assimilation of multiple linearly dependent data vectors
Authors: Mannseth Trond 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAssimilation of a sequence of linearly dependent data vectors, $\{d_{l}\}^{L}_{l=1}${dl}l=1L such that ${d_{l} = B_{l}d_{L}}^{L-1}_{ l=1}$dl=BldLl=1L−1, is considered for a parameter estimation problem. Such a data sequence can occur, for example, in the context of multilevel data assimilation. Since some information is used several times when linearly dependent data vectors are assimilated, the associated data-error covariances must be modified. I develop a condition that the modified covariances must satisfy in order to sample correctly from the posterior probability density function of the uncertain parameter in the linear-Gaussian case. It is shown that this condition is a generalization of the well-known condition that must be satisfied when assimilating the same data vector multiple times. I also briefly discuss some qualitative and computational issues related to practical use of the developed condition.
Plasma-based processes for planar and 3D surface patterning of functional nanoparticles
Authors: Askari S. , Machhadani H. , Benedikt J. , Helmersson U. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
We present a gas-phase process for surface patterning and 3D self-assembly of nanoparticles (NPs) of functional materials such as metals, oxides, and nitrides. The method relies on electrostatic assembly of free-flying NPs with unipolar charge produced in plasma sources. We demonstrate the capability of the process in self-assembly of NPs, with the size in the range 10–60 nm, into arrays of free-standing 3D microstructures with complex morphologies. Considering that the plasma nanoparticle sources are compatible with synthesis of a large library of material NPs, the process introduces a novel approach for 3D printing of various functional NPs, high-precision device integration of NPs on sub-micrometer scales, and large-area parallel surface patterning of NPs.
Are We All Predictably Irrational? An Experimental Analysis
Authors: Doces John A. , Wolaver Amy 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe examine the question of rationality, replicating two core experiments used to establish that people deviate from the rational actor model. Our analysis extends existing research to a developing country context. Based on our theoretical expectations, we test if respondents make decisions consistent with the rational actor framework. Experimental surveys were administered in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, two developing countries in West Africa, focusing on issues of risk aversion and framing. Findings indicate that respondents make decisions more consistent with the rational actor model than has been found in the developed world. Extending our analysis to test if the differences in responses are due to other demographic differences between the African samples and the United States, we replicated these experiments on a nationally representative analysis in the U.S., finding results primarily consistent with the seminal findings of irrationality. In the U.S. and Côte d’Ivoire, highly educated people make decisions that are less consistent with the rational model while low-income respondents make decisions more consistent with the rational model. The degree to which people are irrational thus is contextual, possibly western, and not nearly as universal as has been concluded.
A review of the development of maternity leave policy in China over the past 70 years
Authors: Liu Hongyan , Yu Dian , Wang Hui 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis study analyzes the changes in maternity leave policy in China during the past 70 years by reviewing the documents issued since 1949. During these years, the length of maternity leave increased from 56 days initially to 98 days, and finally to as much as 128 to 365 days. The sums paid to women taking maternity leave gradually increased and an insurance mechanism was introduced. There were changes in the intent and focus of policies: (1) A change in the intention of maternity leave policy from protecting the rights and interests of women only to protecting those of both women and children. (2) A change in focus from one of implementing national family planning policy to one of protecting the rights of individuals. (3) A change in the focus point of policies from the home only to the workplace and the home. (4) An increased focus on gender equity evidenced by gradual introduction of paternity leave policy. Although maternity leave policy has improved over the years, challenges still exist including significant differences in the policy environment at the provincial level, and difficulties in implementing policy in some regions and enterprises.
Using Multistaged Magnetic Survey and Excavation to Assess Community Settlement Organization: A Case Study from the Central Peninsular Gulf Coast of Florida
Authors: Sampson Christina Perry , Horsley Timothy J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIntegrating geophysical survey with the study of community settlement patterns can be challenging because of cultural and environmental factors including (1) site formation and house preservation, (2) the coordination of domestic tasks at extra-household scales, and (3) the survey environment of the study area. In this article, we present the results of a program of geophysical survey comprising magnetic susceptibility and magnetometry at Weeden Island (8Pi1)—a shell-bearing, wooded site with nearly pure sand soils on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Combining remote sensing techniques mitigated some of the challenges of surveying forested terrain while providing insight into community organization at a site with minimal preserved structural remains. Compared with previous traditional surveys of the area, the geophysical survey extended the recognized boundaries of occupational activity, provided additional definition to the spatial structure of deposits, and allowed us to identify specific domestic features. Excavations at each area of intensive occupation provided evidence about the organization of the domestic economy at the site and showed the potential of this approach to reveal significant patterns of community settlement.
The application of critical realism as a basis for agency in environmental education: The case of Roy Bhaskar
Authors: Mirzaei Rafe Mehri , Bagheri Noaparast Khosrow , Sadat Hosseini Afzal , Sajadieh Narges 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis article will investigate the philosophy of science of Roy Bhaskar (1944–2014) as a coherent basis for environmental education. The work of Bhaskar serves as an in-depth approach to understanding how to apply critical realism (the critical and the realist) to matters such as environmental education, because he concretely theorises the connections between science, social change and metaphysics. By mobilising key Bhaskarian motifs — that is, the primacy of ontology over epistemology, the laminated system as a means to understand reality, the ways in which inquiry may be organised through the real, actual and the empirical, and the positive application of dialectics — this article constructs a new approach to environmental education and positions it in the field of environmental education by comparing it to posthumanism and the new materialisms. This article contains inquiry-based study outlines for enhanced thinking around: (1) climate change and social justice; (2) movements towards a carbon-free economy; (3) water, food and population; and (4) the future of human habitation.
Sexual activity by marital status and age: a comparative perspective
Authors: Ueffing Philipp , Dasgupta Aisha N. Z. , Kantorová Vladimíra 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis paper presents an analysis of trends in sexual activity by marital status and age, and their associations with contraceptive use. Understanding levels of, and trends in, sexual activity is important for assessing the needs for family planning services and for analysing commonly used family planning indicators. Data were taken from 220 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHSs) and 62 Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICSs) to provide insights into sexual activity by marital status and age in a total of 94 countries in different regions of the world. The results show the sensitivity of the indicator with respect to the definition of currently sexually active, based on the timing of last sexual intercourse (during the last 4 weeks, 3 months, or 1 year). Substantial diversity in sexual activity by marital status and age was demonstrated across countries. The proportion of married women reporting recent sexual activity (sexual intercourse during the last 4 weeks) ranged from 50% to 90%. The proportion of unmarried women reporting recent sexual activity did not exceed 50% in any of the 94 countries with available data, but showed substantial regional differences: it appeared to be rare in Asia and extremely varied within Africa, Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean. Among married women, sexual activity did not vary much by age group, while for unmarried women, there was an inverted U-pattern by age, with the youngest age group (15–19 years old) having the lowest proportion sexually active. The proportion of women who reported currently using contraception and reported not being sexually active varied by the contraceptive method used and was overall much greater among unmarried women. The evidence presented in this paper can be used to improve family planning policies and programmes to serve the diverse needs, for example regarding method choice and service provision, of unmarried women.