bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring Functional Status in Huntington's Disease
Authors: Gibson Jessie S. , Ridner Sheila H. , Dietrich Mary S. , Sohn Michael B. , Rhoten Bethany A. , Claassen Daniel O. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundNeuropsychiatric and cognitive symptoms account for substantial morbidity in Huntington's disease (HD), but their impact on functional status may not be captured using the Total Functional Capacity (TFC) scale. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of motor, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric symptoms on functional status in persons with HD, comparing two instruments.MethodsMultiple regression analyses assessed the relationship between neuropsychiatric, cognitive, and motor symptoms and functional status as measured using TFC and Adult Functional Adaptive Behavior (AFAB) scales.ResultsGreater burden of neuropsychiatric (P = 0.017), cognitive (P = 0.001), and motor (P = 0.001) symptoms was associated with greater impairments to functional status as measured by the AFAB scale. Only motor symptoms were associated with TFC scores (P = 0.002). The 3 symptom domains explained more of the variance in AFAB than TFC scores (P = 0.016).ConclusionsTFC may have limited applicability, particularly in early‐stage HD patients, as a measure of functional status. The AFAB scale can be used in HD studies as a more holistic measure of functional status. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Analysis of expression levels of markers associated with tumor proliferation and angiogenesis in familial adenomatous polyposis
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Wang Dan , Xu Chen , Li Yuwei , Yu Yongjun , Chen Chao , Li Mingsen , Zhang Xipeng 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundFamilial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease with colorectal adenomatous polyps as the main clinical manifestations. The objective of this study was to analyze and compare the expression levels of tumor proliferation and angiogenesis‐related genes in different tissue sections of FAP patients through qPCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis.MethodsSeventeen patients with FAP admitted to Tianjin Union Medical Center from January 2010 to June 2015 were selected, and then, normal intestinal mucosa, polyp tissue, or cancerous polyp tissue were collected. QPCR, western blot, and IHC were used to detect the expression level of genes or proteins correlated with tumor proliferation.ResultsThe mRNA expression of CD31 in large polyp tissue was significantly higher than that in normal tissue and small polyp tissue. Compared with normal tissue and polyp tissue, the expression level of KI67 mRNA in cancer tissue was remarkably increased. The VEGFA mRNA and CDH5 mRNA expression in both polyp and cancer tissues were prominently lower than those in normal tissue. The expression of CD31 protein in cancer tissue was lower than that in normal tissue and polyp tissue, whereas the expression levels of VEGF, CDH5, and KI67 protein were widely higher than that in normal tissue and polyp tissue.ConclusionAbnormal expressions of CD31, KI67, VEGF(A), and CDH5 were associated with the carcinogenesis of FAP.
Precision radiotherapy using monochromatic inverse Compton x‐ray sources
Authors: Simiele Eric A. , Breitkreutz Dylan Y. , Capaldi Dante P. I. , Liu Wu , Bush Karl K. , Skinner Lawrie B. 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThe dosimetric properties of inverse Compton (IC) x‐ray sources were investigated to determine their utility for stereotactic radiation therapy.MethodsMonte Carlo simulations were performed using the egs brachy user code of EGSnrc. Nominal IC source x‐ray energies of 80 and 150 keV were considered in this work. Depth‐dose and lateral dose profiles in water were calculated, as was dose enhancement in the bone. Further simulations were performed for brain and spine treatment sites. The impact of gold nanoparticle doping was also investigated for the brain treatment site. Analogous dose calculations were performed in a clinical treatment planning system using a clinical 6 MV photon beam model and were compared to the Monte Carlo simulations.ResultsBoth 80 and 150 keV IC beams were observed to have sharp 80–20 penumbra (i.e., < 0.1 mm) with broad low‐dose tails in water. For reference, the calculated penumbra for the 6 MV clinical beam was 3 mm. Maximum dose enhancement factors in bone of 3.1, 1.4, and 1.1 were observed for the 80, 150 keV, and clinical 6 MV beams, respectively. The plan quality for the single brain metastasis case was similar between the IC beams and the 6 MV beam without gold nanoparticles. As the concentration of gold within the target increased, the V12 Gy to the normal brain tissue and within the target volume significantly decreased and the conformity significantly improved, which resulted in superior plan quality over the clinical 6 MV beam plan. In the spine cases, the sharp penumbra and enhanced dose to bone of the IC beams produced superior plan quality (i.e., better conformity, normal tissue sparing, and spinal cord sparing) as compared to the clinical 6 MV beam plans.ConclusionsThe findings from this work indicate that inverse Compton x‐ray sources are well suited for stereotactic radiotherapy treatments due to their sharp penumbra and dose enhancement around high atomic number materials. Future work includes investigating the properties of intensity‐modulated inverse Compton x‐ray sources to improve the homogeneity within the target tissue.
B0 and B1 inhomogeneities in the liver at 1.5 T and 3.0 T
Authors: Roberts Nathan T. , Hinshaw Louis A. , Colgan Timothy J. , Ii Takanori , Hernando Diego , Reeder Scott B. 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this work is to characterize the magnitude and variability of B0 and B1 inhomogeneities in the liver in large cohorts of patients at both 1.5 T and 3.0 T.MethodsVolumetric B0 and B1 maps were acquired over the liver of patients presenting for routine abdominal MRI. Regions of interest were drawn in the nine Couinaud segments of the liver, and the average value was recorded. Magnitude and variation of measured averages in each segment were reported across all patients.ResultsA total of 316 B0 maps and 314 B1 maps, acquired at 1.5 T and 3.0 T on a variety of GE Healthcare MRI systems in 630 unique exams, were identified, analyzed, and, in the interest of reproducible research, de‐identified and made public. Measured B0 inhomogeneities ranged (5th‐95th percentiles) from −31.7 Hz to 164.0 Hz for 3.0 T (−14.5 Hz to 81.3 Hz at 1.5 T), while measured B1 inhomogeneities (ratio of actual over prescribed flip angle) ranged from 0.59 to 1.13 for 3.0 T (0.83 to 1.11 at 1.5 T).ConclusionThis study provides robust characterization of B0 and B1 inhomogeneities in the liver to guide the development of imaging applications and protocols. Field strength, bore diameter, and sex were determined to be statistically significant effects for both B0 and B1 uniformity. Typical clinical liver imaging at 3.0 T should expect B0 inhomogeneities ranging from approximately −100 Hz to 250 Hz (−50 Hz to 150 Hz at 1.5 T) and B1 inhomogeneities ranging from approximately 0.4 to 1.3 (0.7 to 1.2 at 1.5 T).
Highly accelerated aortic 4D flow MRI using compressed sensing: Performance at different acceleration factors in patients with aortic disease
Authors: Pathrose Ashitha , Ma Liliana , Berhane Haben , Scott Michael B. , Chow Kelvin , Forman Christoph , Jin Ning , Serhal Ali , Avery Ryan , Carr James , Markl Michael 
Published: October 2020

PurposeTo systematically assess the feasibility and performance of a highly accelerated compressed sensing (CS) 4D flow MRI framework at three different acceleration factors (R) for the quantification of aortic flow dynamics and wall shear stress (WSS) in patients with aortic disease.MethodsTwenty patients with aortic disease (58 ± 15 y old; 19 M) underwent four 4D flow scans: one conventional (GRAPPA, R = 2) and three CS 4D flows with R = 5.7, 7.7, and 10.2. All scans were acquired with otherwise equivalent imaging parameters on a 1.5T scanner. Peak‐systolic velocity (Vmax), peak flow (Qmax), and net flow (Qnet) were quantified at the ascending aorta (AAo), arch, and descending aorta (DAo). WSS was calculated at six regions within the AAo and arch.ResultsMean scan times for the conventional and CS 4D flows with R = 5.7, 7.7, and 10.2 were 9:58 ± 2:58 min, 3:40 ± 1:19 min, 2:50 ± 0:56 min, and 2:05 ± 0:42 min, respectively. Vmax, Qmax, and Qnetwere significantly underestimated by all CS protocols (underestimation ≤ −7%, −9%, and −10% by CS, R = 5.7, 7.7, and 10.2, respectively). WSS measurements showed the highest underestimation by all CS protocols (underestimation ≤ −9%, −12%, and −14% by CS, R = 5.7, 7.7, and 10.2).ConclusionsHighly accelerated aortic CS 4D flow at R = 5.7, 7.7, and 10.2 showed moderate agreement with the conventional 4D flow, despite systematically underestimating various hemodynamic parameters. The shortened scan time may enable the clinical translation of CS 4D flow, although potential hemodynamic underestimation should be considered when interpreting the results.
An equal‐TE ultrafast 3D gradient‐echo imaging method with high tolerance to magnetic susceptibility artifacts: Application to BOLD functional MRI
Authors: Ryu Jae‐Kyun , Jung Won Beom , Yu Jaeyong , Son Jeong Pyo , Lee Seung‐Kyun , Kim Seong‐Gi , Park Jang‐Yeon 
Published: October 2020

PurposeTo develop an ultrafast 3D gradient echo–based MRI method with constant TE and high tolerance to B0 inhomogeneity, dubbed ERASE (equal‐TE rapid acquisition with sequential excitation), and to introduce its use in BOLD functional MRI (fMRI).Theory and MethodsEssential features of ERASE, including spin behavior, were characterized, and a comparison study was conducted with conventional EPI. To demonstrate high tolerance to B0 inhomogeneity, in vivo imaging of the mouse brain with a fiber‐optic implant was performed at 9.4 T, and human brain imaging (including the orbitofrontal cortex) was performed at 3 T and 7 T. To evaluate the performance of ERASE in BOLD‐fMRI, the characteristics of SNR and temporal SNR were analyzed for in vivo rat brains at 9.4 T in comparison with multislice gradient‐echo EPI. Percent signal changes and t‐scores are also presented.ResultsFor both mouse brain and human brain imaging, ERASE exhibited a high tolerance to magnetic susceptibility artifacts, showing much lower distortion and signal dropout, especially in the regions involving large magnetic susceptibility effects. For BOLD‐fMRI, ERASE provided higher temporal SNR and t‐scores than EPI, but exhibited similar percent signal changes in in vivo rat brains at 9.4 T.ConclusionWhen compared with conventional EPI, ERASE is much less sensitive, not only to EPI‐related artifacts such as Nyquist ghosting, but also to B0 inhomogeneity including magnetic susceptibility effects. It is promising for use in BOLD‐fMRI, providing higher temporal SNR and t‐scores with constant TE when compared with EPI, although further optimization is needed for human fMRI.
Deep learning reconstruction for cardiac magnetic resonance fingerprinting T1 and T2 mapping
Authors: Hamilton Jesse I. , Currey Danielle , Rajagopalan Sanjay , Seiberlich Nicole 
Published: October 2020

PurposeTo develop a deep learning method for rapidly reconstructing T1 and T2 maps from undersampled electrocardiogram (ECG) triggered cardiac magnetic resonance fingerprinting (cMRF) images.MethodsA neural network was developed that outputs T1 and T2 values when given a measured cMRF signal time course and cardiac RR interval times recorded by an ECG. Over 8 million cMRF signals, corresponding to 4000 random cardiac rhythms, were simulated for training. The training signals were corrupted by simulated k‐space undersampling artifacts and random phase shifts to promote robust learning. The deep learning reconstruction was evaluated in Monte Carlo simulations for a variety of cardiac rhythms and compared with dictionary‐based pattern matching in 58 healthy subjects at 1.5T.ResultsIn simulations, the normalized root‐mean‐square error (nRMSE) for T1 was below 1% in myocardium, blood, and liver for all tested heart rates. For T2, the nRMSE was below 4% for myocardium and liver and below 6% for blood for all heart rates. The difference in the mean myocardial T1 or T2 observed in vivo between dictionary matching and deep learning was 3.6 ms for T1 and −0.2 ms for T2. Whereas dictionary generation and pattern matching required more than 4 min per slice, the deep learning reconstruction only required 336 ms.ConclusionA neural network is introduced for reconstructing cMRF T1 and T2 maps directly from undersampled spiral images in under 400 ms and is robust to arbitrary cardiac rhythms, which paves the way for rapid online display of cMRF maps.
Metal–organic framework polymer composite enhancement via acyl chloride modification
Authors: Peterson Gregory W , Wang Hui , Au Kathleen , Epps Thomas H 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIdeal mixed‐matrix composites fabricated from metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and polymers should exhibit good compatibility between components, high adsorptivity, and fast and efficient reactivity. Often, poor compatibility between MOFs and polymers results in interfacial defects, which lead to underperforming materials. In this work the MOF UiO‐66‐NH2 was modified using various acyl chlorides to tailor MOF compatibility and dispersion within mixed‐matrix composites and electrospun fibers to enable better protective suits and filters. MOF crystal structures were unaffected and high surface areas were present after acyl chloride treatment. Most treated MOFs had increased reactivity towards soman (GD) and the simulant dimethyl p‐nitrophenylphosphate relative to the baseline MOF, and this enhanced reactivity was probably because of better wetting behavior towards the agents. Chlorine and 2‐chloroethyl ethyl sulfide uptake of modified MOFs was similar to uptake in the baseline MOF, while nitrogen dioxide and GD sorption capacity decreased for all modified MOFs due to exhaustion of amine sites and pore blockage, respectively. Overall, modification of the MOF with acyl chlorides resulted in better polymer compatibility, retained adsorption capacity for multiple chemicals and even increased reactivity towards GD. The structure–activity processing insights gained from this work will lead to the design of more effective protection equipment such as filters, clothing/suits and membranes. Published 2020. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA
A bottom‐up cost analysis of silicon–perovskite tandem photovoltaics
Authors: Chang Nathan L. , Zheng Jianghui , Wu Yiliang , Shen Heping , Qi Fred , Catchpole Kylie , Ho‐Baillie Anita , Egan Renate J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractStacking two photovoltaic (PV) cells to form a tandem structure can improve the efficiency of PV modules, and if achieved at sufficiently low cost, could dominate the PV market in the future. Rapid progress in silicon–perovskite tandem (SPT) cell efficiency has been made, so cost modelling is becoming important in analysing the commercial attractiveness of this approach. While previous cost modelling assumed idealised production processes, this work focuses first on six demonstrated SPT sequences using both homojunction and heterojunction bottom silicon cells, analysed in detail using a bottom‐up cost and uncertainty model and then compared with other reported SPT high‐efficiency cells. This identifies cost barriers in the perovskite cell, including high‐cost hole transport material (HTM) and electron transport layer (ETL) materials such as (2,2′,7,7′‐tetrakis[N,N‐di(4‐methoxyphenyl)amino]‐9,9′‐spirobifluorene [SPIRO] and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester [PCBM]), and the use of spin coating which has a high wastage rate. Once these cost issues are solved, the silicon cell cost becomes important, and the use of lower cost homojunction cells with p‐type wafers can further reduce costs. A hypothetical medium term low‐cost sequence that combines the lowest cost parts of the analysed sequences and an improved perovskite deposition process has a projected likely cost of $1.50/cell, which if combined with 25% efficiency would give a favourable levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) compared with industry standard c‐Si cells. This analysis guides research directions to address cost issues in parallel with higher efficiencies in this technology area.
Unraveling the effect of fluorine substitution on the hydrogen bonding interaction in the complexes of fluorosubstituted pyridines and acetic acid
Authors: Li Chaozheng , Cao Yonghua , Hu Bo , Li Yongfeng 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe effect of fluorine substitution on the hydrogen bonding interaction in the complexes of fluorosubstituted pyridines and acetic acid was examined through theoretical method. Two types of double hydrogen bonding cyclic structures have been predicted, one with O–H···N and C–H···O interactions and the other with O–H···F and C–H···O interactions. The changes of the hydrogen bonding interactions are visualized by the reduced density gradient (RDG) and bond critical point (BCP) parameters analysis. With increasing in fluorination, the C–H···O bond strength increases, and the O–H···N and O–H···F bond strengths decrease. Although the O–H···N and O–H···F hydrogen bond energies decrease, the bond type has not changed in all of the fluorinated complexes. For the same degree of fluorination complexes, fluorine favors the C–H···O hydrogen bonding interaction through the cooperating of O–H···F and C–H···O hydrogen bonds, although fluorine is a weak hydrogen bond acceptor. The natural population analysis (NPA) and molecular electrostatic potentials (ESP) were adopted to further explore the variation characteristics of hydrogen bond strength. We found that the substituent fluorine atom acts as a role of electron withdrawing. The pyridine ring nitrogen atom and 2‐position fluorine atom become less negative, and the remaining H atom(s) become more electropositive with increasing degree of fluorination. The hydrogen bond strength is correlated with the charge redistribution of the proton H and acceptor (N and F) atoms.
Moulded pulp products manufacturing with thermoforming
Authors: Didone Mattia , Tosello Guido 
Published: October 2020

AbstractFor an effective optimization of pulp thermoforming and of the moulded pulp products manufactured by this process, a full understanding of the process physics combined with full knowledge of the pressing equipment is necessary. For this reason, in this Addendum, we clarify how the process parameters “Holding time,” “Vacuum time,” “Cycle time,” and “Temperature” were interpreted and subsequently defined for the analysis of the process and product‐related outputs of the thermoforming experiments.
New technology‐based assistive techniques in total knee arthroplasty: A Bayesian network meta‐analysis and systematic review
Authors: Gao Jiaxiang , Dong Shengjie , Li Jiao Jiao , Ge Long , Xing Dan , Lin Jianhao 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe radiological and clinical efficiency among robot‐assisted surgery (RAS), computer‐assisted navigation system (CAS) and conventional (CON) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains controversial.MethodsBayesian network meta‐analysis (NMA) and systematic review were performed to investigate radiological and clinical efficiency, respectively. The certainty of the evidence was evaluated using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation and Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative tools.ResultsThirty‐four RCTs (7289 patients and 7424 knees) were included. The NMA showed that RAS‐TKA had the highest probability for mechanical axis restoration (odds ratio for RAS vs. CAS 3.79, credible interval [CrI] 1.14–20.54, very low certainty), followed by CAS‐TKA (odds ratio for CAS vs. CON 2.55, CrI 1.67–4.01, very low certainty) and then CON‐TKA, without significant differences in other radiological parameters. No differences were found in clinical outcomes after qualitative systematic review (overall low certainty).ConclusionsTechnology‐based assistive techniques (CAS and RAS) may surpass the CON‐TKA, when considering higher radiological accuracy and comparable clinical outcomes.
Soil microbial community characteristics in a vineyard ten years after fumigation
Authors: Dangi Sadikshya , Wang Dong 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCalifornia is the number one producer of grapes in the United States. Soil fumigation has been used to control soilborne pests and pathogens. However, fumigants can potentially have a negative impact on native soil microbial populations. Given the roles of microorganisms in the soil system, it is important to assess the long‐term impact of fumigation on soil microbial communities, which is currently lacking. The objective of this research was to study the long‐term impact of microbial communities in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) replanting situations after fumigation. Soil treatments included methyl bromide (MeBr), Telone C35, InLine, a nonfumigated control, and a mustard (Sinapis alba L.) cover crop in two side‐by‐side field experiments fumigated in 2007 and 2008. Microbial community biomass in 2017 and 2018 did not differ between fumigated and nonfumigated plots at the 0‐ to 30‐cm depth. However, plots with shank‐injected MeBr and Telone C35 applied in 2008 showed significantly reduced microbial biomass in 2018 at deeper depths than subsurface drip‐applied InLine plots. The results show the impact of fumigation on bacterial communities; however, the impact on fungal and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) communities was not evident after 10 years. Furthermore, the effect of depth was apparent on bacterial communities compared with fungal and AMF communities. The data suggest that deep‐rooted grapevines influenced fungal populations, which probably supplied labile C in fumigated and nonfumigated plots. Future research needs to focus collectively on the long‐term effects of fumigation on fruit quality and yield in vineyards, and on soil microbial communities.