bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study on intracranial meningioma using PET ligand investigation during follow-up over years (SIMPLIFY)
Authors: Jeltema Hanne-Rinck , Jansen Marnix R. , Potgieser Adriaan R. E. , van Asselt Antoinette D. I. , Heesters Mart A. A. M. , van de Hoorn Anouk , Glaudemans Andor W. J. M. , van Dijk J. Marc C. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Radiologic follow-up of patients with a meningioma at the skull base or near the venous sinuses with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) and neurosurgical resection(s) can be difficult to interpret. This study evaluates the addition of 11C-methionine positron emission tomography (MET-PET) to the regular MRI follow-up.

Methods
This prospective pilot study included patients with predominantly WHO grade I meningiomas at the skull base or near large vascular structures. Previous SRT was part of their oncological treatment. A MET-PET in adjunct to their regular MRI follow-up was performed. The standardized uptake value (SUV) was determined for the tumor and the healthy brain, on the pre-SRT target delineation MET-PET and the follow-up MET-PET. Tumor-to-normal ratios were calculated, and 11C-methionine uptake over time was analyzed. Agreement between the combined MRI/MET-PET report and the MRI-only report was determined using Cohen’s κ.

Results
Twenty patients with stable disease underwent an additional MET-PET, with a median follow-up of 84 months after SRT. Post-SRT SUV T/N ratios ranged between 2.16 and 3.17. When comparing the pre-SRT and the post-SRT MET-PET, five categories of SUV T/N ratios did not change significantly. Only the SUVpeak T/Ncortex decreased significantly from 2.57 (SD 1.02) to 2.20 (SD 0.87) [p = 0.004]. A κ of 0.77 was found, when comparing the MRI/MET-PET report to the MRI-only report, indicating no major change in interpretation of follow-up data.

Conclusion
In this pilot study, 11C-methionine uptake remained remarkably high in meningiomas with long-term follow-up after SRT. Adding MET-PET to the regular MRI follow-up had no impact on the interpretation of follow-up imaging.
The impact of Sjӧgren’s syndrome on the quality of sexual life of female patients in the UK: a controlled analysis
Authors: Al-Ezzi Minan , Tappuni Anwar R. , Khan Khalid Saeed 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMucosal dryness and dyspareunia are symptoms that may significantly affect women with primary Sjӧgren syndrome (pSS). We investigated whether vaginal dryness is correlated with sexual function, and the impact may have on the quality of life (QoL) and mental health well-being in pSS patients. Ethically approved comparative cross-sectional study was designed to assess sexual function using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in 65 pSS female patients vs 62 sex-matched controls. The effect of vaginal dryness and fatigue on sexual function was investigated. Vaginal dryness was correlated with oral dryness estimated by salivary flow rate and the Clinical Oral Dryness Score to investigate whether genital dryness is indicative of general mucosal dryness in pSS. Validated questionnaires were used to investigate the effect of sexual function on QoL and mental health well-being. The number of sexually active pSS participants was significantly less than in the control group (28/65 vs 42/62, p < 0.05). The sexual function was significantly impaired in the pSS group (mean FSFI = 19 vs 28.3, p < 0.05). There was no significant association between self-reported vaginal dryness and oral dryness or sexual function. The open-ended questions showed that the most troublesome symptom reported by pSS patients was oral dryness (43%, n = 28/65) followed by fatigue (31%, n = 20/65). Sexual dysfunction had a negative impact on QoL and the mental health well-being of pSS patients in all aspects, especially on the quality of social life (β = 0.7, p = 0.02). Addressing sexual dysfunction can potentially improve the QoL of pSS patients significantly, especially their social well-being.
Upgrading of methylammonium lead halide perovskite layers by thermal imprint
Authors: Mayer Andre , Pourdavoud Neda , Doukkali Zineb , Brinkmann Kai , Rond Johannes , Staabs Johannes , Swertz Ann-Christin , van gen Hassend Frederic , Görrn Patrick , Riedl Thomas , Scheer Hella-Christin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe manufacturing of devices from methylammonium-based perovskites asks for reliable and scalable processing. As solvent engineering is not the option of choice to obtain homogeneous layers on large areas, our idea is to ‘upgrade’ a non-perfect pristine layer by recrystallization in a thermal imprint step (called ‘planar hot pressing’) and thus to reduce the demands on the layer formation itself. Recently, imprint has proven both its capability to improve the crystal size of perovskite layers and its usability for large area manufacturing. We start with methylammonium lead bromide layers obtained from a conventional solution-based process. Acetate is used as a competitive lead source; even under perfect conditions the resulting perovskite layer then will contain side-products due to layer formation besides the desired perovskite. Based on the physical properties of the materials involved we discuss the impact of the temperature on the status of the layer both during soft-bake and during thermal imprint. By using a special imprint technique called ‘hot loading’ we are able to visualize the upgrade of the layer with time, namely a growth of the grains and an accumulation of the side-products at the grain boundaries. By means of a subsequent vacuum exposition we reveal the presence of non-perovskite components with a simple inspection of the morphology of the layer; all experiments are supported by X-ray and electron diffraction measurements. Besides degradation, we discuss recrystallization and propose post-crystallization to explain the experimental results. This physical approach towards perovskite layers with large grains by post-processing is a key step towards large-area preparation of high-quality layers for device manufacturing.
Redistribution, power sharing and inequality concern
Authors: Debowicz Dario , Saporiti Alejandro , Wang Yizhi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe analyze a political competition model of redistributive policies. We provide an equilibrium existence result and a full characterization of the net transfers to the different income groups. We also derive several testable predictions about the way in which the net group transfers and the after-tax Gini coefficient vary with the main parameters of the model. In accordance with the theory, the empirical evidence from a sample of developed and developing democracies supports a highly statistically significant association between: (i) the net group transfer and the gap between the population and the group mean initial income, and (ii) the net group transfer (and resp., the Gini coefficient) and power sharing disproportionality. In addition, the data also provide some empirical evidence confirming a significant relationship between the net transfers to the poor (and resp., the Gini) and the concern of the political parties with income inequality.
The weakly electric fish, Apteronotus albifrons, actively avoids experimentally induced hypoxia
Authors: Mucha Stefan , Chapman Lauren J. , Krahe Rüdiger 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAnthropogenic environmental degradation has led to an increase in the frequency and prevalence of aquatic hypoxia (low dissolved oxygen concentration, DO), which may affect habitat quality for water-breathing fishes. The weakly electric black ghost knifefish,Apteronotus albifrons, is typically found in well-oxygenated freshwater habitats in South America. Using a shuttle-box design, we exposed juvenileA. albifronsto a stepwise decline in DO from normoxia (> 95% air saturation) to extreme hypoxia (10% air saturation) in one compartment and chronic normoxia in the other. On average,A. albifronsactively avoided the hypoxic compartment below 22% air saturation. Hypoxia avoidance was correlated with upregulated swimming activity. Following avoidance, fish regularly ventured back briefly into deep hypoxia. Hypoxia did not affect the frequency of their electric organ discharges. Our results show thatA. albifronsis able to sense hypoxia at non-lethal levels and uses active avoidance to mitigate its adverse effects.
Serum NGAL, BNP, PTH, and albumin do not improve glomerular filtration rate estimating formulas in children
Authors: Mouron-Hryciuk Julie , Cachat François , Parvex Paloma , Perneger Thomas , Chehade Hassib 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGlomerular filtration rate (GFR) is difficult to measure, and estimating formulas are notorious for lacking precision. This study aims to assess if the inclusion of additional biomarkers improves the performance of eGFR formulas. A hundred and sixteen children with renal diseases were enrolled. Data for age, weight, height, inulin clearance (iGFR), serum creatinine, cystatin C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), parathyroid hormone (PTH), albumin, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were collected. These variables were added to the revised and combined (serum creatinine and cystatin C) Schwartz formulas, and the quadratic and combined quadratic formulas. We calculated the adjusted r-square (r2) in relation to iGFR and tested the improvement in variance explained by means of the likelihood ratio test. The combined Schwartz and the combined quadratic formulas yielded best results with an r2 of 0.676 and 0.730, respectively. The addition of BNP and PTH to the combined Schwartz and quadratic formulas improved the variance slightly. NGAL and albumin failed to improve the prediction of GFR further. These study results also confirm that the addition of cystatin C improves the performance of estimating GFR formulas, in particular the Schwartz formula.Conclusion: The addition of serum NGAL, BNP, PTH, and albumin to the combined Schwartz and quadratic formulas for estimating GFR did not improve GFR prediction in our population.

What is Known:• Estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) formulas include serum creatinine and/or cystatin C but lack precision when compared to measured GFR.• The serum concentrations of some biological parameters such as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), parathyroid hormone (PTH), albumin, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) vary with the level of renal function.

What is New:• The addition of BNP and PTH to the combined quadratic formula improved its performance only slightly. NGAL and albumin failed to improve the prediction of GFR further.
Endovascular embolization versus surgical clipping in a single surgeon series of basilar artery aneurysms: a complementary approach in the endovascular era
Authors: Winkler Ethan A. , Lee Anthony , Yue John K. , Raygor Kunal P. , Rutledge W. Caleb , Rubio Roberto R. , Josephson S. Andrew , Berger Mitchel S. , Raper Daniel M. S. , Abla Adib A. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Currently, most basilar artery aneurysms (BAAs) are treated endovascularly. Surgery remains an appropriate therapy for a subset of all intracranial aneurysms. Whether open microsurgery would be required or utilized, and to what extent, for BAAs treated by a surgeon who performs both endovascular and open procedures has not been reported.

Methods
Retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained, single-surgeon series of BAAs treated with endovascular or open surgery from the first 5 years of practice.

Results
Forty-two procedures were performed in 34 patients to treat BAAs—including aneurysms arising from basilar artery apex, trunk, and perforators. Unruptured BAAs accounted for 35/42 cases (83.3%), and the mean aneurysm diameter was 8.4 ± 5.4 mm. Endovascular coiling—including stent-assisted coiling—accounted for 26/42 (61.9%) treatments and led to complete obliteration in 76.9% of cases. Four patients in the endovascular cohort required re-treatment. Surgical clip reconstruction accounted for 16/42 (38.1%) treatments and led to complete obliteration in 88.5% of cases. Good neurologic outcome (mRS ≤ 2) was achieved in 88.5% and 75.0% of patients in endovascular and open surgical cohorts, respectively (p = 0.40). Univariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that advanced age (OR 1.11[95% CI 1.01–1.23]) or peri-procedural adverse event (OR 85.0 [95% CI 6.5–118.9]), but not treatment modality (OR 0.39[95% CI 0.08–2.04]), was the predictor of poor neurologic outcome.

Conclusions
Complementary implementation of both endovascular and open surgery facilitates individualized treatment planning of BAAs. By leveraging strengths of both techniques, equivalent clinical outcomes and technical proficiency may be achieved with both modalities.
PU14, a Novel Matrix Protein, Participates in Pearl Oyster, Pinctada Fucata, Shell Formation
Authors: Ji Yinghui , Yang Xue , Yang Dong , Zhang Rongqing 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBiomineralization is a widespread biological process, involved in the formation of shells, teeth, and bones. Shell matrix proteins have been widely studied for their importance during shell formation. In 2015, our group identified 72 unique shell matrix proteins inPinctada fucata, among which PU14 is a matrix protein detected in the soluble fraction that solely exists in the prismatic layer. However, the function of PU14 is still unclear. In this study, the full-length cDNA sequence of PU14 was obtained and functional analyses of PU14 protein during shell formation were performed. The deduced protein has a molecular mass of 77.8 kDa and an isoelectric point of 11.34. The primary protein structure contains Gln-rich and random repeat units, which are typical characteristics of matrix protein and indicate its potential function during shell formation. In vivo and in vitro experiments indicated PU14 has prismatic layer functions during shell formation. The tissue expression patterns showed thatPU14was mainly expressed in the mantle tissue, which is consistent with prismatic layer formation. Notching experiments suggested thatPU14responded to repair and regenerate the injured shell. After inhibiting gene expression by injecting PU14-specific double-stranded RNA, the inner surface of the prismatic layer changed significantly and became rougher. Further, in vitro experiments showed that recombinant protein rPU14 impacted calcite crystal morphology. Taken together, characterization and functional analyses of a novel matrix protein, PU14, provide new insights about basic matrix proteins and their functions during shell formation.
Explanatory Styles of Counsellors in Training
Authors: Boyer Wanda , Jerry Paul , Rempel Gwen R. , Sanders James 
Published: March 2021

AbstractExplanatory style is based on how one explains good and bad events according to three dimensions: personalization, permanence, and pervasiveness. With an optimistic explanatory style, good events are explained as personal, permanent, and pervasive, whereas bad events are explained as external, temporary, and specific. For counsellors, an optimistic explanatory style creates positive expectancy judgments about the possibilities and opportunities for successful client outcomes. In this research study, we explored the explanatory styles expressed in 400 events (200 good events and 200 bad events) extracted from 38,013 writing samples of first year and final year graduate level counsellors in training. Across the three optimism dimensions and within good and bad events, there was one occurrence of a positive relationship between counsellor training time and the amount of expressed optimism. The implications of this study include the need to cultivate optimistic explanatory styles of counsellors in training and practicing counsellors.
Mediators of the Disparities in Depression Between Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Individuals: A Systematic Review
Authors: Argyriou Angeliki , Goldsmith Kimberley A. , Rimes Katharine A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEvidence suggests that sexual minorities (e.g., those identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual) experience increased rates of depression compared to heterosexual individuals. Minority stress theory suggests that this disparity is due to stigma experienced by sexual minorities. Stigma processes are proposed to contribute to reduced coping/support resources and increased vulnerability processes for mental health problems. This review provided a systematic examination of research assessing the evidence for mediating factors that help explain such disparities. A literature search was conducted using the databases PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. The review included 40 identified studies that examined mediators of sexual minority status and depressive outcomes using a between-group design (i.e., heterosexual versus sexual minority participants). Studies of adolescents and adult samples were both included. The most common findings were consistent with the suggestion that stressors such as victimization, harassment, abuse, and increased stress, as well as lower social and family support, may contribute to differing depression rates in sexual minority compared to heterosexual individuals. Differences in psychological processes such as self-esteem and rumination may also play a role but have had insufficient research attention so far. However, caution is needed because many papers had important methodological shortcomings such as the use of cross-sectional designs, inferior statistical analyses for mediation, or measures that had not been properly validated. Although firm conclusions cannot be drawn, the current evidence base highlights many factors potentially suitable for further exploration in high-quality longitudinal research or randomized studies intervening with the potential mediators.
Imitation learning-based framework for learning 6-D linear compliant motions
Authors: Suomalainen Markku , Abu-dakka Fares J. , Kyrki Ville 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe present a novel method for learning from demonstration 6-D tasks that can be modeled as a sequence of linear motions and compliances. The focus of this paper is the learning of a single linear primitive, many of which can be sequenced to perform more complex tasks. The presented method learns from demonstrations how to take advantage of mechanical gradients in in-contact tasks, such as assembly, both for translations and rotations, without any prior information. The method assumes there exists a desired linear direction in 6-D which, if followed by the manipulator, leads the robot’s end-effector to the goal area shown in the demonstration, either in free space or by leveraging contact through compliance. First, demonstrations are gathered where the teacher explicitly shows the robot how the mechanical gradients can be used as guidance towards the goal. From the demonstrations, a set of directions is computed which would result in the observed motion at each timestep during a demonstration of a single primitive. By observing which direction is included in all these sets, we find a single desired direction which can reproduce the demonstrated motion. Finding the number of compliant axes and their directions in both rotation and translation is based on the assumption that in the presence of a desired direction of motion, all other observed motion is caused by the contact force of the environment, signalling the need for compliance. We evaluate the method on a KUKA LWR4+ robot with test setups imitating typical tasks where a human would use compliance to cope with positional uncertainty. Results show that the method can successfully learn and reproduce compliant motions by taking advantage of the geometry of the task, therefore reducing the need for localization accuracy.
Variations in breast cancer surgical treatment and timing: determinants and disparities
Authors: Dankwa-Mullan Irene , George Judy , Roebuck M. Christopher , Tkacz Joseph , Willis Van C , Reyes Fredy , Arriaga Yull E. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To describe clinical and non-clinical factors associated with receipt of breast conserving surgery (BCS) versus mastectomy and time to surgical intervention.

Methods
Cross-sectional retrospective study of January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2018 data from the IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounter and Medicare Supplemental Databases. Area Health Resource Files provided non-clinical characteristics and sociodemographic data. Eligibility: Female sex, claim(s) with ICD-9-CM or ICD-10-CM diagnosis of non-metastatic invasive breast cancer, > 6 months of continuous insurance pre- and post-diagnosis, evidence of BCS or mastectomy following initial ICD9/10 code diagnosis. Logistic and quantile multivariable regression models assessed the association between clinical and non-clinical factors and the outcome of BCS and time to surgery, respectively.

Results
A total of 53,060 women were included in the study. Compared to mastectomy, BCS was significantly associated with older age (ORs: 1.54 to 2.99, 95% CIs 1.45 to 3.38; ps < .0001) and higher community density of medical genetics (OR: 5.88, 95% CIs 1.38 to 25.00; p = 0.02) or obstetrics and gynecology (OR: 1.13, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.25; p = .02) physicians. Shorter time-to-BCS was associated with living in the South (−2.96, 95% CI −4.39 to −1.33; p < .0001). Longer time-to-BCS was associated with residence in more urban (4.18, 95% CI 0.08 to 8.29; p = 0. 05), educated (9.02, 95% CI 0.13 to 17.91; p = 0.05), or plastic-surgeon-dense (4.62, 95% CI 0.50 to 8.73; p = 0.03) communities.

Conclusions
Clinical and non-clinical factors are associated with adoption of BCS and time to treatment, suggesting opportunities to ensure equitable and timely care.
Impact of Parenting Styles on Psychological Flexibility Among Adolescents of Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bibi Akhtar , Hayat Raheela , Hayat Nadia , Zulfiqar Sadia , Shafique Nadia , Khalid Muhammad Adnan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe parenting styles and psychological flexibility have been significant variables; however, little empirical work has addressed the impact of parenting in terms of the expansion of psychological flexibility. The present study investigated the impact of different parenting styles as a predictor of psychological flexibility in the adolescent population. A total sample of 100 adolescents (50 boys and 50 girls) whose ages ranged between 12 and 18 years without any previous psychiatric and medical history were recruited from different educational institutes of Pakistan. Results revealed that parenting styles are positively associated with psychological flexibility (r = 0.75, p < 0.05). Moreover, parenting styles significantly predict psychological flexibility among adolescents (p < 0.05). However, no gender differences were found across both variables among adolescents. These findings have highlighted the significance of parenting styles and psychological flexibility with respect to the mental health of adolescents.