bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temporal Discrimination is Altered in Patients With Isolated Asymmetric and Jerky Upper Limb Tremor
Authors: Gövert Felix , Becktepe Jos , Balint Bettina , Rocchi Lorenzo , Brugger Florian , Garrido Alicia , Walter Tim , Hannah Ricci , Rothwell John , Elble Rodger , Deuschl Günther , Bhatia Kailash 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundUnilateral or very asymmetric upper limb tremors with a jerky appearance are poorly investigated. Their clinical classification is an unsolved problem because their classification as essential tremor versus dystonic tremor is uncertain. To avoid misclassification as essential tremor or premature classification as dystonic tremor, the term indeterminate tremor was suggested.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to characterize this tremor subgroup electrophysiologically and evaluate whether diagnostically meaningful electrophysiological differences exist compared to patients with essential tremor and dystonic tremor.MethodsWe enrolled 29 healthy subjects and 64 patients with tremor: 26 with dystonic tremor, 23 with essential tremor, and 15 patients with upper limb tremor resembling essential tremor but was unusually asymmetric and jerky (indeterminate tremor). We investigated the somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold, the short‐interval intracortical inhibition, and the cortical plasticity by paired associative stimulation.ResultsSomatosensory temporal discrimination threshold was significantly increased in patients with dystonic tremor and indeterminate tremor, but it was normal in the essential tremor patients and healthy controls. Significant differences in short‐interval intracortical inhibition and paired associative stimulation were not found among the three patient groups and controls.ConclusionThese results indicate that indeterminate tremor, as defined in this study, shares electrophysiological similarities with dystonic tremor rather than essential tremor. Therefore, we propose that indeterminate tremor should be considered as a separate clinical entity from essential tremor and that it might be dystonic in nature. Somatosensory temporal discrimination appears to be a useful tool in tremor classification. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Use of a wearable device to assess sleep and motor function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Siegel Benjamin I. , Cakmak Ayse , Reinertsen Erik , Benoit Macarthur , Figueroa Janet , Clifford Gari D. , Phan Han C. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIntroductionRest‐activity disruption is an important feature of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). We sought to describe sleep impairment and its relationship to quality of life (QOL) and to evaluate associations between rest‐activity, sleep quality, and 6‐minute walk test (6MWT) in DMD.MethodsSleep impairment and its relationship to QOL was assessed by questionnaire in 54 children (33 ambulatory, 21 nonambulatory) with DMD. Rest‐activity characteristics were calculated for 23 of these children (14 ambulatory, nine nonambulatory) by actigraphy.ResultsPathologic sleep was reported in 11 (20%) participants and correlated with lower QOL but not with ambulatory status. In ambulatory participants who completed actigraphy, rest‐activity rhythm fragmentation was associated with subjective sleep impairment. Habitual daytime activity level was associated with 6MWT performance.DiscussionChildren with DMD experience substantial sleep impairment that is related to QOL. Wrist actigraphy may be a parsimonious tool for monitoring both sleep and motor impairment in ambulatory children with DMD.
Stability and change in family psychosocial risk over 6 months in pediatric cancer and its association with medical and psychosocial healthcare utilization
Authors: Kazak Anne E. , Chen Fang Fang , Hwang Wei‐Ting , Askins Martha A. , Vega Gabriela , Kolb E. Anders , Reilly Anne , Barakat Lamia P. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractPurpose: Family psychosocial risk in pediatric oncology can be assessed using the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT), a brief parent report screener based on the Pediatric Psychosocial Preventative Health Model (PPPHM; universal, targeted, and clinical). However, little is known about risk over the course of treatment and its association with medical and psychosocial healthcare utilization. Methods: Primary caregivers of children with cancer participated in this prospective multisite investigation, completing the PAT at diagnosis (T1; n = 396) and 6 months later (T2; n = 304). Healthcare utilization data were extracted from electronic health records. Results: The distribution of PPPHM risk levels at T1 and T2 was highly consistent for the samples. Two‐thirds of families remained at the same level of risk, 18% decreased and 16% increased risk level. Risk was not related to sociodemographic or treatment variables. The PAT risk score correlated with psychosocial contacts over the 6‐month period. Conclusions: Although the majority of families reported universal (low) risk on the PAT and were stable in their risk level over 6 months, reassessing risk is helpful in identifying those families who report higher level of risk during treatment than at diagnosis. PAT scores were related to psychosocial services that are provided to most but not all families and could be tailored more specifically to match risk and delivery of evidence‐based care.
Phase 1/2 trial of talazoparib in combination with temozolomide in children and adolescents with refractory/recurrent solid tumors including Ewing sarcoma: A Children's Oncology Group Phase 1 Consortium study (ADVL1411)
Authors: Schafer Eric S. , Rau Rachel E. , Berg Stacey L. , Liu Xiaowei , Minard Charles G. , Bishop Alexander J.R. , Romero J. Carolina , Hicks M. John , Nelson Marvin D. , Voss Stephan , Reid Joel M. , Fox Elizabeth , Weigel Brenda J. , Blaney Susan M. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractPurposeWe conducted a phase 1/2 trial of the poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase 1/2 inhibitor talazoparib in combination with low‐dose temozolomide (TMZ) to determine the dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs), recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), and pharmacokinetics of this combination in children with recurrent/refractory solid tumors; and to explore clinical activity in Ewing sarcoma (EWS) (NCT02116777).MethodsTalazoparib (400‐600 µg/m2/dose, maximum daily dose 800‐1000 µg) was administered q.d. or b.i.d. orally on day 1 followed by q.d. dosing concomitant with q.d. dosing of oral TMZ (20‐55 mg/m2/day) on days 2 to 6, every 28 days.ResultsForty patients, aged 4 to 25 years, were enrolled. Talazoparib was increased to 600 µg/m2/dose b.i.d. on day 1, and q.d. thereafter, with 20 mg/m2/day of TMZ, without DLTs. TMZ was subsequently increased, during which dose‐limiting neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in two of three subjects at 55 mg/m2/day, two of six subjects at 40 mg/m2/day, and one of six subjects at 30 mg/m2/day. During dose‐finding, two of five EWS and four of 25 non‐EWS subjects experienced prolonged stable disease (SD), and one subject with malignant glioma experienced a partial response. In phase 2, 0 of 10 EWS subjects experienced an objective response; two experienced prolonged SD.ConclusionsTalazoparib and low‐dose TMZ are tolerated in children with recurrent/refractory solid tumors. Reversible neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were dose limiting. The RP2D is talazoparib 600 µg/m2 b.i.d. on day 1 followed by 600 µg/m2 q.d. on days 2 to 6 (daily maximum 1000 µg) in combination with temozolomide 30 mg/m2/day on days 2 to 6. Antitumor activity was not observed in EWS, and limited antitumor activity was observed in central nervous system tumors.
VCSEL Technology in the Data Communication Industry
Authors: Pozo Jose , Beletkaia Elena 
Published: November 2019

AbstractA VCSEL – vertical‐cavity surface‐emitting laser – is a semiconductor laser diode with a monolithic laser resonator where the laser beam emission leaves the device in a direction perpendicular to the chip surface. VCSELs combine the high power density and simple packaging of an IRED with the spectral width and speed of a laser. Unlike laser diodes, VCSELs are much less sensitive to temperature fluctuations. The short resonator easily enables single‐frequency operation combined with some wavelength tunability. The wavelength of VCSELs may be tuned, within the gain band of the active region, by adjusting the thickness of the reflector layers.
A feasibility study of solar PV‐powered electric cars using an interdisciplinary modeling approach for the electricity balance, CO2 emissions, and economic aspects: The cases of The Netherlands, Norway, Brazil, and Australia
Authors: Sierra Rodriguez Alonzo , de Santana Tiago , MacGill Iain , Ekins‐Daukes N.J. , Reinders Angèle 
Published: November 2019

AbstractElectric vehicles (EVs) are becoming an increasingly attractive option to effectively and economically efficiently reduce global fossil fuel consumption as well as CO2 emissions associated with road transportation. In general, the grid provides the electricity required to charge an EV's battery. However, it could be worthwhile to consider EV charging by specific solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to further facilitate the use of renewable energy and to minimize CO2 emissions. Additional benefits could, for instance, be less overloaded local grids and additional grid flexibility. Because little information and experiences exist with so‐called solar PV‐powered EVs, this paper explores how well PV systems—with the possible combination of battery energy storage systems (BESSs)—might contribute to charging of EVs in four different countries, namely, The Netherlands, Norway, Brazil, and Australia. To this end, a model has been developed that calculates the interactions between PV‐BESS systems, EVs, and the grid in each country to determine the electricity balance, financial consequences, and avoided CO2 emissions of PV‐powered EVs, compared with EVs that are solely charged by the grid, as well as conventional passenger cars with an internal combustion engine (ICE‐V). It is logically found that in countries with a high irradiation, the whole year through, such as Brazil and Australia, solar PV‐powered EVs can be operated more effectively than in countries with a high variability of irradiation over the year such as The Netherlands and Norway. If the charging system's PV share is increased from 0% to 50%, the number of required grid charging events per year can be reduced from 104 to 34 in The Netherlands and from 123 to 55 in Norway. PV charging can also reduce CO2 emissions of EVs by 18% to 93% as compared with ICE‐Vs depending on the location. From a financial perspective, PV‐powered EVs are not yet financially feasible in all countries; however, in some nations, 100% PV charging is already a viable option. In general, it can be concluded that in contrast to driving an ICE‐V, the further PV‐powered EVs are driven, the more affordable they become—they might even generate financial revenues—and hence, the higher their positive environmental impact will be.On the basis of this study, it can therefore be concluded that solar PV‐powered EVs are a technically feasible and increasingly financially attractive option for transport sector emission reductions in most countries when compared with regular grid charging of EVs and certainly as compared with ICE‐Vs.
Benchmark approach to search of cost‐effective and accurate density functional for homolytic cleavage of C─Mg bond of Grignard reagent
Authors: Kosar Naveen , Ayub Khurshid , Gilani Mazhar A. , Shah Faheem , Mahmood Tariq 
Published: November 2019

AbstractGrignard reactions are of importance in organic chemistry for the synthesis β‐keto esters and diethyl malonate, alcohols, aldehydes or ketones, monocarboxylic acids, and other organometallic compounds. Generally, the heterolytic dissociation of C─Mg bond in Grignard reagent is the key step in these reactions. Recently, homolytic cleavage of the C─Mg bond in Grignard reagents has been reported in the preparation of stable radicals. These reactive species react with other compounds, which result in the formation of hydrocarbons and their derivatives. Therefore, the study of homolytic cleavage of C─Mg bonds is quite vital to better understand the kinetics and thermodynamics of these reactions. In the current study, a benchmark approach is adopted to find a cost‐effective and accurate density functional (DF) for bond dissociation energies measurement of the C─Mg bond of Grignard reagents. Twenty‐nine DFs from 13 density functional theory (DFT) classes with three types of basis sets (Pople' 6‐31G(d) and 6‐311G(d), Dunning's aug‐cc‐pVDZ, and Karlsruhe' def2‐SVP basis sets) are implemented for the measurement of dissociation energies of the C─Mg bond. Theoretical dissociation energy values are compared with experimental reported values of the C─Mg bond of selected Grignard reagents. TPSSTPSS of the meta‐GGA class with 6‐31G (d) basis set gave accurate results, and its Pearson's correlation is 0.95. SD, root mean square deviation, and mean unsigned error of this method are 2.36 kcal mol−1, 2.33 kcal mol−1, and −0.46 kcal mol−1, respectively. TPSSTPSS of the meta‐GGA class is a one‐electron, self‐interaction, error‐free Tao‐Perdew‐Staroverov‐Scuseria functional that performed better with the 6‐31G(d) basis set.
p,p′‐Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane promotes aerobic glycolysis via reactive oxygen species–mediated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase/M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase (PKM2) signaling in colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Song Li , Dong Ningning , Li Zhuoyu 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAerobic glycolysis is crucial to tumor cells to acquire energy for proliferation and metastasis. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), which is a persistent organic pollutant, has been associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) progressions, but the influence of p,p′‐DDT on CRC cell metabolism remains unclear. This study showed that exposure to low concentrations of p,p′‐DDT from 10−11 to 10−7M for 48 hours significantly increased glucose uptake and lactate production in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells, which were accompanied by the upregulation of proteins associated with aerobic glycolysis including glucose transporter1, lactate dehydrogenase A, and PDH kinase. We found p,p′‐DDT elevated the expression and nucleus translocation of M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase (PKM2), which was responsible for p,p′‐DDT–induced enhancement of aerobic glycolysis. Moreover, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK1/2) activation by p,p′‐DDT modulated the impacts of p,p′‐DDT on PKM2 and aerobic glycolysis. Treatment of p,p′‐DDT increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine, an ROS inhibitor, prevented p,p′‐DDT–induced promotion of aerobic glycolysis, ERK1/2 activation, upregulation, and nucleus translocation of PKM2. Taken together, these results demonstrated that p,p′‐DDT promotes aerobic glycolysis via ROS‐mediated ERK/PKM2 signaling.
Regional variation in the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) revisited: Morphology of wild and captive populations
Authors: Meachen Julie , Schmidt‐Küntzel Anne , Marker Laurie 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is listed as a vulnerable species by the International union for the conservation of nature (IUCN), including two critically endangered subspecies, the Saharan cheetah, and the Iranian cheetah, so it is imperative that we understand variation in cheetah morphology to make good decisions regarding the conservation of this species. Here, we aim to determine whether northeastern African cheetahs have smaller body sizes than southern African cheetahs. This study also adds to our knowledge of cheetah morphology from two cheetah populations that do not yet have comprehensive published data: Kenya, and northeastern Africa, including captive individuals. We calculated means and standard deviations on cranial and body measurements of live or in few cases, freshly dead, cheetahs from the aforementioned populations, plus previously published data on Namibian and Botswanan cheetahs and compared them to one another using multivariate analysis of variance. Results show that northeastern African cheetahs have smaller body sizes than southern and eastern African populations. We also found that captive cheetahs retain the morphological characteristics of their ancestral population‐ captive cheetahs from southern Africa have similar body sizes to wild southern African cheetahs and larger body sizes than captives from northeastern Africa. Other analyses regarding cheetah growth agree with previous studies on Namibian and Botswanan cheetah populations rates. As such, this study can serve as a baseline for the care of captive cheetah populations to maintain healthy weights and body proportions.
Mathematical modelling of telomere length dynamics
Authors: Wattis Jonathan A. D. , Qi Qi , Byrne Helen M 
Published: November 2019

AbstractTelomeres are repetitive DNA sequences located at the ends of chromosomes. During cell division, an incomplete copy of each chromosome’s DNA is made, causing telomeres to shorten on successive generations. When a threshold length is reached replication ceases and the cell becomes ‘senescent’. In this paper, we consider populations of telomeres and, from discrete models, we derive partial differential equations which describe how the distribution of telomere lengths evolves over many generations. We initially consider a population of cells each containing just a single telomere. We use continuum models to compare the effects of various mechanisms of telomere shortening and rates of cell division during normal ageing. For example, the rate (or probability) of cell replication may be fixed or it may decrease as the telomeres shorten. Furthermore, the length of telomere lost on each replication may be constant, or may decrease as the telomeres shorten. Where possible, explicit solutions for the evolution of the distribution of telomere lengths are presented. In other cases, expressions for the mean of the distribution are derived. We extend the models to describe cell populations in which each cell contains a distinct subpopulation of chromosomes. As for the simpler models, constant telomere shortening leads to a linear reduction in telomere length over time, whereas length-dependent shortening results in initially rapid telomere length reduction, slowing at later times. Our analysis also reveals that constant telomere loss leads to a Gaussian (normal) distribution of telomere lengths, whereas length-dependent loss leads to a log-normal distribution. We show that stochastic models, which include a replication probability, also lead to telomere length distributions which are skewed.
Evaluation of an AI-based, automatic coronary artery calcium scoring software
Authors: Sandstedt Mårten , Henriksson Lilian , Janzon Magnus , Nyberg Gusten , Engvall Jan , De Geer Jakob , Alfredsson Joakim , Persson Anders 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Objectives
To evaluate an artificial intelligence (AI)–based, automatic coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring software, using a semi-automatic software as a reference.

Methods
This observational study included 315 consecutive, non-contrast-enhanced calcium scoring computed tomography (CSCT) scans. A semi-automatic and an automatic software obtained the Agatston score (AS), the volume score (VS), the mass score (MS), and the number of calcified coronary lesions. Semi-automatic and automatic analysis time were registered, including a manual double-check of the automatic results. Statistical analyses were Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (⍴), intra-class correlation (ICC), Bland Altman plots, weighted kappa analysis (κ), and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results
The correlation and agreement for the AS, VS, and MS were ⍴ = 0.935, 0.932, 0.934 (p < 0.001), and ICC = 0.996, 0.996, 0.991, respectively (p < 0.001). The correlation and agreement for the number of calcified lesions were ⍴ = 0.903 and ICC = 0.977 (p < 0.001), respectively. The Bland Altman mean difference and 1.96 SD upper and lower limits of agreements for the AS, VS, and MS were − 8.2 (− 115.1 to 98.2), − 7.4 (− 93.9 to 79.1), and − 3.8 (− 33.6 to 25.9), respectively. Agreement in risk category assignment was 89.5% and κ = 0.919 (p < 0.001). The median time for the semi-automatic and automatic method was 59 s (IQR 35–100) and 36 s (IQR 29–49), respectively (p < 0.001).

Conclusions
There was an excellent correlation and agreement between the automatic software and the semi-automatic software for three CAC scores and the number of calcified lesions. Risk category classification was accurate but showing an overestimation bias tendency. Also, the automatic method was less time-demanding.

Key Points
• Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring is an excellent candidate for artificial intelligence (AI) development in a clinical setting.
• An AI-based, automatic software obtained CAC scores with excellent correlation and agreement compared with a conventional method but was less time-consuming.
Pulmonary embolism during pregnancy: a 17-year single-center retrospective MDCT pulmonary angiography study
Authors: Rotzinger David C. , Dunet Vincent , Ilic Vesna , Hugli Olivier W. , Meuli Reto A. , Schmidt Sabine 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Objectives
To determine the prevalence of pulmonary embolism (PE) and alternative diagnoses detected by computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in pregnant women; and to assess changes over time regarding radiation dose, technical quality, and examination frequency.

Materials and methods
This retrospective study included all pregnant women referred for CTPA due to clinically suspected PE over 17 years. Two blinded radiologists reviewed the CTPAs in consensus with regard to PE, alternative diagnoses, and technical quality. We retrieved patient data regarding radiation dose metrics and associated clinical and laboratory parameters. Subgroup comparisons were performed (Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests).

Results
Of the 237 identified patients, 8 (3.3%) were excluded due to inadequate technical CTPA quality, and 229 patients were analyzed (mean age, 31.7 years; mean gestational age, 28 ± 7 weeks). The four different CT systems used over the study period had similar technical quality (p = 0.28). Of 229 patients 16 (7%) patients had PE, 144 (62.9%) had no abnormal findings, and 69 (30.1%) had an alternative diagnosis (consolidation, other pulmonary opacities, pleural effusion, and basal atelectasis). Gestational age, symptoms, and D-dimer levels were not significantly different between patients with or without PE (p > 0.05). Over time, radiation dose exposure decreased by 30% (p < 0.001), while the number of annual examinations increased by > 4-folds.

Conclusions
In pregnant women, CTPA rarely indicates PE and more often shows alternative diagnoses. Over 17 years, the use of CTPA in pregnancy has notably increased, while the radiation dose exposure has decreased by one third.

Key Points
• The use of CTPA in pregnancy has steadily risen over the last 17 years
• In pregnant women, CTPA rarely reveals PE and more often shows alternative diagnoses
• Recent technical improvements have substantially decreased the radiation dose exposure inherent in CTPA without reducing diagnostic image quality