bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating Visual Quality from Wavefront Aberration Measurements
Authors: Cheng Xu , Thibos Larry N , Bradley Arthur 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Root mean square (RMS) wavefront error may not be the best metric for predicting a patient's visual function; other metrics should be considered. We describe the most important metrics of optical quality, which are being investigated to predict vision quality and visual performance.
METHODS: Optical quality can be described in two different ways. Pupil plane metrics describe variability of the wavefront error at the pupillary plane (eg, RMS wavefront error). Image plane metrics describe the retinal image and do so for either a point source of light (eg, point-spread function [PSFl) or sinusoidal gratings (optical transfer function [OTFl). Visual quality metrics, however, must also consider neural processing and subjective perception.

RESULTS: Since vision is more sensitive to rays coming from the center of the pupil, "pupil fraction" appears to be a better predictor of visual acuity (r
p 2
= 0.50) than RMS error (r
p 2
= 0.13). However, image plane metrics, such as the visual Strehl ratio (r
p 2
= 0.62) and the volume between the optical transfer function and neural contrast sensitivity function (r
p 2
= 0.80) appear to be even better.

CONCLUSION: Visual perception is highly subjective and involves many aspects of image quality. A single metric to describe all aspects of image quality may be unrealistic. Nevertheless, improved visual quality metrics need further investigation and will likely involve preferential weighing of light passing through the central area of the pupil and/or incorporating neural factors into image quality computation. [J Refract Surg 2003;19: S579-S584]
Does Contract Farming Enhance Income of Farmers? Evidence in Tea Production of Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Anh Tru 
Published: January 2020

Purpose: The theme of effects of contract farming on income of farmers has been strongly debated by scholars in recent years, especially in developing countries. This article attempts to investigate the influence of contract farming on the income of farmers in tea production in Phu Tho province of Vietnam. Research Method: Primary data for the study is gathered by a cross-sectional survey on 358 tea farmers in five districts of Phu Tho province between March and June 2016. Propensity score matching is employed to assess effects of contract participation on income of tea farmers in Phu Tho province, Vietnam. Findings: Our results suggest that contract farming can have a minor positive impact on farmers’ incomes. The average income of contracted farmers is found to be higher than that of their counterparts by about US$720 per year. Due to this small difference of income, contract farming plays an important role in procuring leaf tea, stabilising prices of leaf tea and generating employment rather than enhancing income for tea farmers. Originality/value: The research contributes to the empirical work by providing an evidence on influences of contract farming on income of tea farmers as well as re-examining the importance of contract farming to improving livelihood of tea farmers in Phu Tho province, Vietnam.
Allergin-1 Immunoreceptor Suppresses House Dust Mite–Induced Allergic Airway Inflammation
Authors: Miki Haruka , Tahara-Hanaoka Satoko , Almeida Mariana Silva , Hitomi Kaori , Shibagaki Shohei , Kanemaru Kazumasa , Lin Yu-Hsien , Iwata Kanako , Miyake Shota , Shibayama Shiro , Sumida Takayuki , Shibuya Kazuko , Shibuya Akira 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
House dust mite (HDM) allergens are leading causes of allergic asthma characterized by Th2 responses. The lung-resident CD11b+ dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in Th2 cell development in HDM-induced allergic asthma. However, the regulatory mechanism of HDM-induced CD11b+ DC activation remains incompletely understood. In this study, we demonstrate that mice deficient in an inhibitory immunoreceptor, Allergin-1, showed exacerbated HDM-induced airway eosinophilia and serum IgE elevation. By using bone marrow–chimeric mice that were sensitized with adoptively transferred HDM-stimulated wild-type or Allergin-1–deficient CD11b+ bone marrow–derived cultured DCs (BMDCs), followed by challenge with HDM, we show that Allergin-1 on the BMDCs suppressed HDM-induced allergic airway inflammation. We also show that Allergin-1 suppressed HDM-induced PGE2 production from CD11b+ BMDCs by inhibiting Syk tyrosine kinase activation through recruitment of SHP-1, subsequently leading to negative regulation of Th2 responses. These results suggest that Allergin-1 plays an important role in regulation of HDM-induced allergic airway inflammation.
Type II but Not Type I IFN Signaling Is Indispensable for TLR7-Promoted Development of Autoreactive B Cells and Systemic Autoimmunity
Authors: Chodisetti Sathi Babu , Fike Adam J. , Domeier Phillip P. , Singh Harinder , Choi Nicholas M. , Corradetti Chelsea , Kawasawa Yuka Imamura , Cooper Timothy K. , Caricchio Roberto , Rahman Ziaur S. M. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
TLR7 is associated with development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Although TLRs are known to activate type I IFN (T1IFN) signaling, the role of T1IFN and IFN-γ signaling in differential regulation of TLR7-mediated Ab-forming cell (AFC) and germinal center (GC) responses, and SLE development has never been directly investigated. Using TLR7-induced and TLR7 overexpression models of SLE, we report in this study a previously unrecognized indispensable role of TLR7-induced IFN-γ signaling in promoting AFC and GC responses, leading to autoreactive B cell and SLE development. T1IFN signaling in contrast, only modestly contributed to autoimmune responses and the disease process in these mice. TLR7 ligand imiquimod treated IFN-γ reporter mice show that CD4+ effector T cells including follicular helper T (Tfh) cells are the major producers of TLR7-induced IFN-γ. Transcriptomic analysis of splenic tissues from imiquimod-treated autoimmune-prone B6.Sle1b mice sufficient and deficient for IFN-γR indicates that TLR7-induced IFN-γ activates multiple signaling pathways to regulate TLR7-promoted SLE. Conditional deletion of Ifngr1 gene in peripheral B cells further demonstrates that TLR7-driven autoimmune AFC, GC and Tfh responses and SLE development are dependent on IFN-γ signaling in B cells. Finally, we show crucial B cell-intrinsic roles of STAT1 and T-bet in TLR7-driven GC, Tfh and plasma cell differentiation. Altogether, we uncover a nonredundant role for IFN-γ and its downstream signaling molecules STAT1 and T-bet in B cells in promoting TLR7-driven AFC, GC, and SLE development whereas T1IFN signaling moderately contributes to these processes.
Therapeutic Targeting of Vasculature in the Premetastatic and Metastatic Niches Reduces Lung Metastasis
Authors: Ghouse Shanawaz M. , Vadrevu Surya K. , Manne Sasikanth , Reese Britney , Patel Jalpa , Patel Bhaumik , Silwal Ashok , Lodhi Niraj , Paterson Yvonne , Srivastava Sanjay K. , Karbowniczek Magdalena , Markiewski Maciej M. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
In the metastasis-targeted organs, angiogenesis is essential for the progression of dormant micrometastases to rapidly growing and clinically overt lesions. However, we observed changes suggesting angiogenic switching in the mouse lungs prior to arrival of tumor cells (i.e., in the premetastatic niche) in the models of breast carcinoma. This angiogenic switching appears to be caused by myeloid-derived suppressor cells recruited to the premetastatic lungs through complement C5a receptor 1 signaling. These myeloid cells are known to secrete several proangiogenic factors in tumors, including IL-1β and matrix metalloproteinase-9, and we found upregulation of these genes in the premetastatic lungs. Blockade of C5a receptor 1 synergized with antiangiogenic Listeria monocytogenes–based vaccines to decrease the lung metastatic burden by reducing vascular density and improving antitumor immunity in the lungs. This was mediated even when growth of primary breast tumors was not affected by these treatments. This work provides initial evidence that angiogenesis contributes to the premetastatic niche in rapidly progressing cancers and that inhibiting this process through immunotherapy is beneficial for reducing or even preventing metastasis.
Is MRI diffusion-weighted imaging a reliable tool for the diagnosis and posttherapeutic follow-up of extremity soft tissue neoplasms?
Authors: Moustafa Amr Farouk Ibrahim , Eldaly Mai Maher , Zeitoun Rania , Shokry Ahmed 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of using quantitative diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping in the initial diagnosis and post-therapeutic follow-up of extremity soft tissue masses. Patients and Methods: This study included 90 patients with extremity soft tissue masses. The DWI was obtained with 3 b values, including 0, 400, and 800 s/mm2. Calculation of the ADC value of the lesion was done by placing the region of interest (ROI) to include the largest area of the lesion. ADC values were compared with the histopathology. Eighteen patients had posttherapeutic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: Benign masses, fibromatosis, and malignant soft tissue masses had mean ADC values of 1.18 ± 1.0191 × 10−3 mm2/s; 1.31 ± 0.245 × 10−3 mm2/sec; and 1.3 ± 0.7 × 10−3 mm2/s, respectively. Myxomatous malignant masses had an ADC value of 2.6 ± 0.55 × 10−3 mm2/s, while nonmyxomatous malignant masses had an ADC value of 1.1 ± 0.8 × 10−3 mm2/s. ADC cutoff value between benign and non-benign (including malignant and locally aggressive masses) was 0.6 × 10−3 mm2/sec with 98.3% sensitivity and 50% specificity (P = 0.5123). The statistical difference between malignant soft tissue masses (mean ADC 1.309 ± 0.723 × 10−3 mm2/s) and fibromatosis masses (mean ADC value 1.31 ± 0.245 × 10−3 mm2/s) using a comparative T-test proved to be of poor significance level (P value ~ 0.9757). Nine patients with soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) had pre and post-therapeutic MRI examinations showing a mean increase of the recorded ADC values by about 0.28 × 10−3 mm2/s in the post-therapy study as compared with the recorded initial pretreatment values. Analysis of the post-therapy follow-up studies of fibromatosis showed that lesions with favorable response to chemotherapy or radiotherapy (8/12) exhibited significantly lower ADC values than those showing progressive disease course. Conclusion: DWI with ADC mapping of extremity soft tissue tumors are so complicated that they alone may not be of much value in differentiating between benign and malignant tumors; however, it can be used as a tool for monitoring response to treatment.
Role of ADC values in assessing clinical response and identifying residual disease post-chemo radiation in uterine cervix cancer
Authors: Jajodia Ankush , Mahawar Vivek , Chaturvedi Arvind K , Rao Avinash , Singla Rishu , Mitra Swarupa , Goyal Sumit , Kesan Sikha , Pasricha Sunil , Maheshwari Udip , Tripathi Rupal , Koyyala Venkata Pradeep Babu 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the role of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in assessing response after chemo-radiotherapy in cervix cancer and investigate the utility of ADC as a tool to identify residual disease, after the treatment completion. Methods: A prospective study was done in 100 patients with histopathologically proven cancer of uterine cervix who were classified as either complete response (CR) or residual disease posttreatment. MRI was done pretreatment and after 6 weeks post-treatment with chemo-radiation. 53 patients among the cohort also underwent a fluoro-deoxy glucose positron-emission computed tomography (FDG-PET CT). ADC values, change in ADC values, and metabolic activity obtained from FDG-PET CT were correlated with clinical outcome, and statistical analysis was done to determine the better tool for assessing response evaluation between ADC and PET-CT. Results: Residual lesions have notably lower ADC value than that of posttreatment changes. The mean ADC values of residual tumors: 1.26 ± 0.238 × 10−3 mm2/s and mean ADC values of lesions due to posttreatment changes: 1.540 ± 0.218 × 10−3 mm2/s (statistically significant difference between malignant and posttreatment lesions, P < 0.05). ADC has 67% sensitivity, 83% specificity, 35% positive predictive values (PPV), 95% negative predictive values (NPV), and 81% accuracy in differentiating residual disease from post treatment changes. PPV, NPV, sensitivity, and specificity with PET-CT were 93%, 89%, 98%, and 73%, respectively. PPV, NPV, sensitivity, and specificity of contrast MRI were 16%, 91%, 58%, and 59%, respectively. Conclusion: Diffusion imaging differentiates residual cervix malignancies from post treatment changes based on ADC values and can be a promising and evocative biomarker. Complimentary use of ADC and PET/CT may increase diagnostic confidence.
Prenatally diagnosed case of tricuspid valve dysplasia: A case report with review of the literature
Authors: Agarwal Prateek , Agarwal Rajesh 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWe present a case of fetal tricuspid valve dysplasia (TVD) and pulmonary atresia, diagnosed during a routine obstetric ultrasound scan. Serial fetal echocardiographic evaluations revealed progressively augmented prodigious thickening of the tricuspid valvular and subvalvular structures, which eventually extensively obliterated the right ventricle cavity. Thickened dysplastic valve displayed a “cotton-wool” appearance. Unusual configurations of three vessels in the three-vessel view were also observed on a consecutive gray scale and color Doppler scans. During pregnancy, the fetus exhibited satisfactory growth parameters, and complications of progressive hemodynamic compromise associated with TVD and pulmonary atresia such as grievous hydrops or arrhythmia did not develop till 39 weeks of gravidity.
Neonatal hypoxic encephalopathy: Correlation between post-cooling brain MRI findings and 2 years neurodevelopmental outcome
Authors: Mohammed Rusli Emilia Rosniza , Ismail Juriza , Wei Wong Saw , Ishak Shareena , Jaafar Rohana , Zaki Faizah Mohd 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Objective: This study aims to evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain patterns among hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) babies who underwent post-cooling MRI brain as well as to correlate the post-cooling brain scoring with patient’s neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years. Subjects and Methods: It was a retrospective cross sectional study carried out at a tertiary university hospital. Record of patients diagnosed with neonatal HIE from 2007 until 2016 who completed 72 h of cooling therapy and had MRI brain within 2 weeks of life were included in this study. A new scoring system by Trivedi et al. that emphasizes on subcortical deep gray matter and posterior limb internal capsule injury were utilized upon MRI assessment, using TW, T2W, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences. Cumulative MRI brain score was obtained and graded as none, mild, moderate, and severe brain injury. The MRI brain scoring was then correlated with patient’s 2 years neurodevelopmental outcome using Fisher’s Exact Test. Results: A total of 23 patients were eligible of which 19 term neonates were included. 13% of these neonates (n = 3) had mild MRI brain injury grading with 52.2% (n = 12) moderate and 34.8% (n = 8) severe. There was no significant correlation seen between MRI brain grading and developmental outcome at 2 years old (P > 0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant correlation between neonatal MRI brain injury grading and 2 years neurodevelopmental outcome. Nevertheless, the new MRI brain scoring by Trivedi et al. is reproducible and comprehensive as it involves various important brain structures, assessed from different MRI sequences.
Interannual variability and trends of combustion aerosol and dust in major continental outflows revealed by MODIS retrievals and CAM5 simulations during 2003–2017
Authors: Yu Hongbin , Yang Yang , Wang Hailong , Tan Qian , Chin Mian , Levy Robert C. , Remer Lorraine A. , Smith Steven J. , Yuan Tianle , Shi Yingxi 
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Emissions and long-range transport of mineral dust and
combustion-related aerosol from burning fossil fuels and biomass vary from
year to year, driven by the evolution of the economy and changes in
meteorological conditions and environmental regulations. This study offers
both satellite and model perspectives on the interannual variability and
possible trends of combustion aerosol and dust in major continental outflow
regions over the past 15 years (2003–2017). The decade-long record of
aerosol optical depth (AOD, denoted as τ), separately for combustion
aerosol (τc) and dust (τd), over global oceans is
derived from the Collection 6 aerosol products of the Moderate Resolution
Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard both Terra and Aqua. These
MODIS Aqua datasets, complemented by aerosol source-tagged simulations using
the Community Atmospheric Model version 5 (CAM5), are then analyzed to
understand the interannual variability and potential trends of τc
and τd in the major continental outflows. Both MODIS and CAM5
consistently yield a similar decreasing trend of −0.017 to −0.020 per decade for τc over the North Atlantic Ocean and the
Mediterranean Sea that is attributable to reduced emissions from North
America and Europe, respectively. On the contrary, both MODIS and CAM5
display an increasing trend of +0.017 to +0.036 per decade for
τc over the tropical Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, and the
Arabian Sea, which reflects the influence of increased anthropogenic
emissions from South Asia and the Middle East in the last 2 decades. Over the
northwestern Pacific Ocean, which is often affected by East Asian emissions of
pollution and dust, the MODIS retrievals show a decreasing trend of −0.021 per decade for τc and −0.012 per decade for τd, which is, however, not reproduced by the CAM5 model. In other outflow
regions strongly influenced by biomass burning smoke or dust, both MODIS
retrievals and CAM5 simulations show no statistically significant trends;
the MODIS-observed interannual variability is usually larger than that
of the CAM5 simulation.
The characteristics and structure of extra-tropical cyclones in a warmer climate
Authors: Sinclair Victoria A. , Rantanen Mika , Haapanala Päivi , Räisänen Jouni , Järvinen Heikki 
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Little is known about how the structure of extra-tropical cyclones will change in the future. In this study aqua-planet simulations are performed with a full-complexity atmospheric model. These experiments can be considered an intermediate step towards increasing knowledge of how, and why, extra-tropical cyclones respond to warming. A control simulation and a warm simulation in which the sea surface temperatures are increased uniformly by 4 K are run for 11 years. Extra-tropical cyclones are tracked, cyclone composites created, and the omega equation applied to assess causes of changes in vertical motion. Warming leads to a 3.3 % decrease in the number of extra-tropical cyclones, with no change to the median intensity or lifetime of extra-tropical cyclones but to a broadening of the intensity distribution resulting in both more stronger and more weaker storms. Composites of the strongest extra-tropical cyclones show that total column water vapour increases everywhere relative to the cyclone centre and that precipitation increases by up to 50 % with the 4 K warming. The spatial structure of the composite cyclone changes with warming: the 900–700 hPa layer averaged potential vorticity, 700 hPa ascent, and precipitation maximums associated with the warm front all move polewards and downstream, and the area of ascent expands in the downstream direction. Increases in ascent forced by diabatic heating and thermal advection are responsible for the displacement, whereas increases in ascent due to vorticity advection lead to the downstream expansion. Finally, maximum values of ascent due to vorticity advection and thermal advection weaken slightly with warming, whereas those attributed to diabatic heating increase. Thus, cyclones in warmer climates are more diabatically driven.
Onafhankelijk onderzoek in positie, oordeelsvorming en beeldvorming
Authors: van der Knaap Peter , Bokhorst Meike , Kleistra Yvonne 
Published: January 2020

Independent research in position, judgement, and perception Institutional and professional dimensions of ‘speaking truth to power’
Regularly, doubts about the independence of research leads to heated discussion. This is especially true if things have gone wrong. This issue explores the question how research organizations and researchers can defend themselves against improper influence: the conscious and active pursuit of too positive research results by commissioners or government officials. This article outlines a number of dimensions of how establishing good, independent research can be structured in a systematic and sensible manner. Independent inquiry manifests itself in position, judgment, and appearance or image. Institutional safeguards form the basis for professional roles and responsibilities that can fulfill the requirements of independent research in the political arena.
De stikstofcrisis: van falend overheidsbeleid naar een lonkend toekomstperspectief?
Authors: Candel Jeroen 
Published: January 2020

The Dutch nitrogen crisis: from policy failure to resonating future perspective?
On 29 May, the highest court in the Netherlands, the Council of State, ruled that the government’s Nitrogen Emissions Program (PAS) did not comply with the European Habitats Directive. The PAS arranged permit applications for economic activities that caused extra nitrogen oxide emissions. According to the Council of State, the PAS proved to be insufficiently capable of protecting the ‘natural characteristics’ of Natura2000-protected areas against damage caused by nitrogen depositions. The ruling has led to a situation in which all pending license applications in construction and agriculture have been rejected or put on hold. This political ‘nitrogen crisis’ that resulted from this ruling has been characterized by major disagreements between the government coalition parties, large farmers’ protests, and a faltering coordination between the central government and provinces. This essay analyzes the root causes of the nitrogen crisis and presents some ideas about how to overcome the current deadlock. I argue that the PAS debacle symbolizes a failing, reactive agricultural and nature policy. More than ever, strong leadership and a clear future perspective for the Dutch food system are needed.
Havens en georganiseerde criminaliteit: een historische bespiegeling
Authors: Fijnaut Cyrille 
Published: January 2020

Ports and organized crime: a historical reflection
The structural vulnerability of the port of Rotterdam to organized crime is dealt with in this article from a broader, historical perspective. Using examples from ports in Italy and the United States, among others, the author shows how at the end of the last century local criminal groups managed to gain a dominant position in the handling of good flows. The author discusses various research reports that have been published over the years on the import of drugs into the port of Rotterdam and other European ports. Drug traffickers turn out to respond very flexible to stricter controls by simply moving to alternative ports or opting for transferring drug loads to small fast boats in open water. The author emphasizes that ports should not be studied as isolated transition points, but must be considered as nodes in networks that extend far inland and abroad. This is the only way to see the broader strategic and tactical options for stopping or reducing drug trafficking. In addition, attention must be paid to the problem of corruption among port workers, police and customs officers.