bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tissue sampling for biliary strictures using novel elbow biopsy forceps
Authors: Zhang Huahui , Huo Chunyan , Guo Yongxin , Zhu Keyuan , Li Fengdong , Huang Jin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe aim to evaluate the safety and feasibility of novel elbow biopsy forceps with a prebent head for sampling biliary strictures in our institution. A total of 24 patients (15 males and 9 females) with biliary stricture who underwent biliary biopsy during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) using novel elbow biopsy forceps from June 2019 to August 2020 were retrospectively included. The novel biopsy forceps had a head angulation of 30 degrees and were able to cannulate the bile duct and approach the biliary strictures easily to obtain adequate samples. The technical success rate, incidence of adverse events, and consistency of pathological and surgical specimens were assessed. This device was used successfully in all patients. A total of 52 biopsy specimens were obtained from 24 patients, and all specimens could be used for histopathological examination. Seventeen patients were diagnosed with malignancy based on biopsies, and all of them underwent surgical treatment. The histopathological findings of the biopsy specimens were in accordance with the postoperative pathology diagnoses. One of the seven patients was diagnosed with a benign lesion that was proven to be malignant during surgical treatment in the follow-up period. Two patients experienced a single episode of acute pancreatitis and recovered shortly after appropriate treatment. No patients experienced biliary perforation or biliary bleeding. Biopsy using novel elbow forceps in patients with biliary stenosis is feasible and safe. The novel device and related biopsy technique may be widely applied for biliary disease differentiation.
Deciphering the scopolamine challenge rat model by preclinical functional MRI
Authors: Somogyi Gergely , Hlatky Dávid , Spisák Tamás , Spisák Zsófia , Nyitrai Gabriella , Czurkó András 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDuring preclinical drug testing, the systemic administration of scopolamine (SCO), a cholinergic antagonist, is widely used. However, it suffers important limitations, like non-specific behavioural effects partly due to its peripheral side-effects. Therefore, neuroimaging measures would enhance its translational value. To this end, in Wistar rats, we measured whisker-stimulation induced functional MRI activation after SCO, peripherally acting butylscopolamine (BSCO), or saline administration in a cross-over design. Besides the commonly used gradient-echo echo-planar imaging (GE EPI), we also used an arterial spin labeling method in isoflurane anesthesia. With the GE EPI measurement, SCO decreased the evoked BOLD response in the barrel cortex (BC), while BSCO increased it in the anterior cingulate cortex. In a second experiment, we used GE EPI and spin-echo (SE) EPI sequences in a combined (isoflurane + i.p. dexmedetomidine) anesthesia to account for anesthesia-effects. Here, we also examined the effect of donepezil. In the combined anesthesia, with the GE EPI, SCO decreased the activation in the BC and the inferior colliculus (IC). BSCO reduced the response merely in the IC. Our results revealed that SCO attenuated the evoked BOLD activation in the BC as a probable central effect in both experiments. The likely peripheral vascular actions of SCO with the given fMRI sequences depended on the type of anesthesia or its dose.
Holographic optical field recovery using a regularized untrained deep decoder network
Authors: Niknam Farhad , Qazvini Hamed , Latifi Hamid 
Published: May 2021

AbstractImage reconstruction using minimal measured information has been a long-standing open problem in many computational imaging approaches, in particular in-line holography. Many solutions are devised based on compressive sensing (CS) techniques with handcrafted image priors or supervised deep neural networks (DNN). However, the limited performance of CS methods due to lack of information about the image priors and the requirement of an enormous amount of per-sample-type training resources for DNNs has posed new challenges over the primary problem. In this study, we propose a single-shot lensless in-line holographic reconstruction method using an untrained deep neural network which is incorporated with a physical image formation algorithm. We demonstrate that by modifying a deep decoder network with simple regularizers, a Gabor hologram can be inversely reconstructed via a minimization process that is constrained by a deep image prior. The outcoming model allows to accurately recover the phase and amplitude images without any training dataset, excess measurements, or specific assumptions about the object’s or the measurement’s characteristics.
The association between serum sodium level and tuberculous meningitis compared with viral and bacterial meningitis
Authors: Na Seunghee , Kim Taewon , Song In-Uk , Chung Sung-Woo , Kim Seong-Hoon , Oh Yoon-Sang , Oh Juhee , Kim Woojun 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe evaluated the association between hyponatremia and tuberculous meningitis (TBM) with the aim of providing additional information for differential diagnosis from other types of infectious meningitis, especially viral meningitis (VM). Cross-sectional and longitudinal data involving 5026 participants older than 18 years were analyzed in the total population and a propensity-matched population. The initial and lowest sodium levels and longitudinal changes in TBM, bacterial meningitis (BM), and VM patients were compared. Participants in the TBM group were enrolled when they were diagnosed as possible, probable, or definite TBM according to the Marais’ criteria. The initial serum sodium level was significantly lower in TBM patients than in BM and VM patients (136.9 ± 5.9 vs. 138.3 ± 4.7 mmol/L, p < 0.001 for TBM vs. BM, and 139.0 ± 3.1, p < 0.001 for TBM vs. VM), and it decreased significantly more steeply to lower levels in both the TBM and BM patients compared with VM patients. The lowest serum sodium level was in the order of TBM < BM < VM patients, and the change was statistically significant in all subgroups (131.8 ± 6.4, 133.1 ± 5.1, 137.4 ± 3.7, respectively, p < 0.001). Participants with lower serum sodium level were more likely to have a diagnosis of TBM rather than VM, and this association was more pronounced for the lowest sodium level than the initial sodium level [OR 4.6 (95% CI 2.4–8.8, p < 0.001)]. These findings indicate that baseline and longitudinal evaluation of serum sodium level can provide information for differential diagnosis of TBM from BM or VM.
Machine learning prediction of sleep stages in dairy cows from heart rate and muscle activity measures
Authors: Hunter Laura B. , Baten Abdul , Haskell Marie J. , Langford Fritha M. , O’Connor Cheryl , Webster James R. , Stafford Kevin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSleep is important for cow health and shows promise as a tool for assessing welfare, but methods to accurately distinguish between important sleep stages are difficult and impractical to use with cattle in typical farm environments. The objective of this study was to determine if data from more easily applied non-invasive devices assessing neck muscle activity and heart rate (HR) alone could be used to differentiate between sleep stages. We developed, trained, and compared two machine learning models using neural networks and random forest algorithms to predict sleep stages from 15 variables (features) of the muscle activity and HR data collected from 12 cows in two environments. Using k-fold cross validation we compared the success of the models to the gold standard, Polysomnography (PSG). Overall, both models learned from the data and were able to accurately predict sleep stages from HR and muscle activity alone with classification accuracy in the range of similar human models. Further research is required to validate the models with a larger sample size, but the proposed methodology appears to give an accurate representation of sleep stages in cattle and could consequentially enable future sleep research into conditions affecting cow sleep and welfare.
Trapped radical behavior of electron beam irradiated polytetrafluoroethylene fine powder at various temperatures
Authors: Oshima Akihiro , Horiuchi Hiroto , Nakamura Atsushi , Kobayashi Shun , Terui Ayana , Mino Ayano , Shimura Ryoya , Washio Masakazu 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fine powder with 93% crystallinity was irradiated by an electron beam (EB) at various temperatures under a nitrogen atmosphere. Trapped free radicals in PTFE were studied using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The observed spectra of the samples exposed to air after irradiation at various temperatures showed asymmetrical signals, which are middle-chain type peroxide macroradicals derived from fluoroalkyl radicals. The radical yields at each irradiation temperature increased with increasing absorbed dose, and eventually saturated. The higher irradiation temperature resulted in higher radical yields when compared at the same exposed dose. Furthermore, the G-value of the radicals (G(R·)) increases with increasing irradiation temperatures corresponding to each relaxation and transition temperature. It is concluded that the chain reaction by the fluorine extraction from the main chain due to the end-chain radical generated via β-scission after dissociative electron attachment (DEA) is enhanced by the synergistic effect of heat and radiation.
Benchmark solution for the stability of plane Couette flow with net throughflow
Authors: Shankar B. M. , Shivakumara I. S. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis paper investigates the stability of an incompressible viscous fluid flow between relatively moving horizontal parallel plates in the presence of a uniform vertical throughflow. A linear stability analysis has been performed by employing the method of normal modes and the resulting stability equation is solved numerically using the Chebyshev collocation method. Contrary to the stability of plane Couette flow (PCF) to small disturbances for all values of the Reynolds number in the absence of vertical throughflow, it is found that PCF becomes unstable owing to the change in the sign of growth rate depending on the magnitude of throughflow. The critical Reynolds number triggering the instability is computed for different values of throughflow dependent Reynolds number and it is shown that throughflow instills both stabilizing and destabilizing effect on the base flow. It is seen that the direction of throughflow has no influence on the stability of fluid flow. A comparative study between plane Poiseuille flow and PCF has also been carried out and the similarities and differences are highlighted.
The Crohn’s disease-related bacterial strain LF82 assembles biofilm-like communities to protect itself from phagolysosomal attack
Authors: Prudent Victoria , Demarre Gaëlle , Vazeille Emilie , Wery Maxime , Quenech’Du Nicole , Ravet Antinéa , Dauverd - Girault Julie , van Dijk Erwin , Bringer Marie-Agnès , Descrimes Marc , Barnich Nicolas , Rimsky Sylvie , Morillon Antonin , Espéli Olivier 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPatients with Crohn’s disease exhibit abnormal colonization of the intestine by adherent invasive E. coli (AIEC). They adhere to epithelial cells, colonize them and survive inside macrophages. It appeared recently that AIEC LF82 adaptation to phagolysosomal stress involves a long lag phase in which many LF82 cells become antibiotic tolerant. Later during infection, they proliferate in vacuoles and form colonies harboring dozens of LF82 bacteria. In the present work, we investigated the mechanism sustaining this phase of growth. We found that intracellular LF82 produced an extrabacterial matrix that acts as a biofilm and controls the formation of LF82 intracellular bacterial communities (IBCs) for several days post infection. We revealed the crucial role played by the pathogenicity island encoding the yersiniabactin iron capture system to form IBCs and for optimal LF82 survival. These results illustrate that AIECs use original strategies to establish their replicative niche within macrophages.
Electrical characterisation of higher order spin wave modes in vortex-based magnetic tunnel junctions
Authors: Jenkins Alex. S. , Alvarez Lara San Emeterio , Memshawy Samh , Bortolotti Paolo , Cros Vincent , Freitas Paulo P. , Ferreira Ricardo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractNiFe-based vortex spin-torque nano-oscillators (STNO) have been shown to be rich dynamic systems which can operate as efficient frequency generators and detectors, but with a limitation in frequency determined by the gyrotropic frequency, typically sub-GHz. In this report, we present a detailed analysis of the nature of the higher order spin wave modes which exist in the Super High Frequency range (3–30 GHz). This is achieved via micromagnetic simulations and electrical characterisation in magnetic tunnel junctions, both directly via the spin-diode effect and indirectly via the measurement of the coupling with the gyrotropic critical current. The excitation mechanism and spatial profile of the modes are shown to have a complex dependence on the vortex core position. Additionally, the inter-mode coupling between the fundamental gyrotropic mode and the higher order modes is shown to reduce or enhance the effective damping depending upon the sense of propagation of the confined spin wave.
Generation of two‐dimensional electron gas to normally depleted AlGaN/GaN hetero‐interface by SiO2 deposition and subsequent high‐temperature annealing
Authors: Nanjo T. , Koyama H. , Imazawa T. , Kiyoi A. , Imai A. , Hayashida T. , Watahiki T. , Yamamoto Y. , Miura N. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSiO2 film deposition and subsequent high‐temperature annealing resulted in the generation of a two‐dimensional electron gas (2DEG) at Al(Ga)N/GaN hetero‐interfaces, of which the 2DEG was originally fully depleted. The obtained mobilities and sheet carrier concentrations were over 1100 cm2/Vs and 3.0 × 1012 cm–2, respectively. Surface energy lowering, which is proof of the generated 2DEG, was observed by electron state analysis using hard X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This damage‐less method that selectively generates a 2DEG can contribute not only toward improving some characteristics in existing devices but also toward creating entirely novel devices.
Combinatorial therapeutic drug delivery of riboflavin and dexamethasone for the treatment of keratoconus affected corneas of mice: Ex vivo permeation and hemolytic toxicity
Authors: Wo Na , Zhai Jiabin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe aim of this study was to formulate the thermoreversible gel containing riboflavin and dexamethasone to treat keratoconus. Gel was prepared by the cold method by mixing the poloxamer 407 as a thermosensitive polymer and HPMC as viscosity enhancing agent. The formulation was evaluated for pH, clarity, isotonicity, visual appearance. Also, gelation temperature, drug content, ex vivo permeation study, bioadhesive strength, hemolytic toxicity, rheological properties have also been evaluated. All results for this formulation were found to be in an acceptable range. Bioadhesive strength increased with HPMC concentration. The pH of the formulation was found to be 6.1 to 6.51. The gelation temperature was found to be in the range 30–38°C. F5 formulation showed maximum drug release of 99.77% and 98.8% for riboflavin and dexamethasone, respectively, within 8 h. Hemolytic study revealed no change in the shape or surface of blood cells. In vitro keratoconus model was developed in mice using keratoconus and corneal fibroblast cells. The results revealed the that increased thickness of cell lines. The formulated gel played important role in the increasing thickness of cells. Further, the overall study demonstrates the safe and effective use of riboflavin and dexamethasone in the treatment of keratoconus.
A modular and cost‐effective high‐temperature superconducting generator for large direct‐drive wind turbines
Authors: Kails Kevin , Li Quan , Mueller Markus 
Published: May 2021

AbstractHigh temperature superconductors (HTS) enable very compact electric machines with high power density. The aim of this paper is to study and improve an HTS power generator based on the authors' previous 10 MW double claw pole design. An additional stator was added to the machine, increasing the copper volume in the generator, resulting in a large increase in power density. Furthermore, with the additional inner stator, the overall current density in the individual stators can be reduced, leading to an increase in efficiency. The modularity of the generator is further improved through the addition of the third stator, further increasing its fault tolerance. The efficiency of the machine can be increased from 94.5% to 95% at a power output of 11.5 MW or through a further reduction of the current density in the stators, an efficiency of 95.6% can be reached while maintaining a power output of 10 MW. Hence, the newly proposed design offers a potential increase in power density, efficiency and modularity while maintaining the same machine diameter and low HTS tape requirements, making the design a very cost‐effective option to enable 10 MW direct‐drive wind turbines.
A systematic study of silicate absorption features in heavily obscured AGNs observed by Spitzer/IRS
Authors: Tsuchikawa T. , Kaneda H. , Oyabu S. , Kokusho T. , Kobayashi H. , Yamagishi M. , Toba Y. 
Published: May 2021

Context. Heavily obscured active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are known to show deep silicate absorption features in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) wavelength range of 10–20 μm. The detailed profiles of the features reflect the properties of silicate dust, which are likely to include information on AGN activities obscured by large amounts of dust.
Aims. We reveal AGN activities obscured by large amounts of dust through the silicate dust properties obtained from the mid-IR spectral bands.
Methods. We selected 115 mid-IR spectra of heavily obscured AGNs observed by Spitzer/IRS and systematically analyzed the composition of silicate dust by spectral fitting using the 10 μm amorphous and 23 μm crystalline bands.
Results. We find that the main component of the silicate dust obscuring AGNs is amorphous olivine, the median mass column density of which is one order of magnitude higher than those of the minor components of amorphous pyroxene and crystalline forsterite. The median mass fraction of the amorphous pyroxene, ∼2%, is significantly lower than that of the diffuse interstellar medium (ISM) dust in our Galaxy, while the median mass fraction of the crystalline forsterite, ∼6%, is higher than that of the diffuse ISM dust. We also find that the mass fractions of the amorphous pyroxene and the crystalline forsterite positively correlate with each other.
Conclusions. The low mass fraction of the amorphous pyroxene suggests that the obscuring silicate dust is newly formed, originating from starburst activities. The relatively high mass fraction of crystalline forsterite implies that the silicate dust is processed in the high temperature environment close to the nucleus and transported to outer cooler regions by molecular outflows. The positive correlation between the mass fractions can be naturally explained considering that amorphous pyroxene is transformed from crystalline forsterite by ion bombardments. We also find that spectra with high ratios of the H2O ice absorption to silicate mass column density tend to indicate low mass fractions of amorphous pyroxene and crystalline forsterite, which is consistent with the scenario of the thermal dust processing close to the nucleus.
Transorbital Penetrating Brain Injury from Pressure Cooker Blast: An Unusual Case Report
Authors: Gupta Pankaj , Vaish Rajeev , Vishwakarma Bindu , Tiwari Sanjay 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe incidence of a penetrating brain injury due to a pressure cooker blast is quite rare. We are presenting this case of a 24-year-old female who sustained anterior skull base injury, with the nozzle of the pressure cooker penetrating through left orbit on account of the blast. A combined multidisciplinary approach was utilized and the patient recovered uneventfully.
Protocol Adherence in the Intensive Care Unit for the Management of Adult Patients Admitted with Acute Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Taylor Lily , Lane Andrew S. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackground There are recognized protocols that exist for management with minimal data regarding protocol adherence. We conducted a retrospective analysis of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) to determine whether the level of protocol adherence varied based on patient demographics or specific aspects of management.Materials and Methods All cases of aSAH admitted to a tertiary-level intensive care unit (ICU) from 2014 to 2016 were identified from the Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Core Database as well as the clinical records system. ICU demographic and descriptive data for protocol adherence, were collected from admission to discharge up to 22 days, or until death whichever was earlier.Results A total of 58 cases of aSAH were registered; mean age was 56.7 years, 70.7% of patients were female, and mean length of stay was 12.6 days. World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) scale was documented more than Fisher grading. Of the 58 cases, 63.7% (37) underwent surgical clipping, with 83.7% (30) patients having this surgery within 48 hours. SBP/MAP were the most consistently recorded observations within protocol ranges, with adherence of 82.4% and 82.1%, respectively. Thirty-two percent of temperature measurements were outside of the normothermic range of 36.5 to 37.5°C with a mean adherence of 47.5% (standard deviation = ±0.24, median = 40). There was no correlation between adherence and patient, disease, or admission factors.Conclusion This study demonstrated that there was no association between variation in protocol adherence based on age, admission dates, or disease factors including WFNS grade and Fisher scale. Best protocol adherence protocol for the management of aSAH within the ICU was blood pressure control. Areas for improvement were documentation of the WFNS and Fisher grading, and temperature measurement and management.
Calcaneal Plate for Medial Femoral Condyle Fractures—Is This It? A Clinical Case
Authors: Silva Rómulo , Moreira Elsa , Branco Ricardo , Ferreira Filomena , Areias Margarida , Oliveira Carolina , Alpoim Bruno 
Published: May 2021

AbstractManagement of unicondylar femoral fractures is mainly done by open reduction and internal fixation. Anatomic reduction in the articular surface is paramount in this type of lesion. Medial condyle fractures lack specific osteosynthesis material for fixation.We report a case resolved with the sparsely documented technique using calcaneal plate fixation.
Clinical Radiology Case Presentation: Do’s and Don’ts
Authors: Punnen Geethu E. , Keshava Shyamkumar N. , Gibikote Sridhar 
Published: May 2021

AbstractClinical case presentation is part of daily routine for doctors to communicate with each other to facilitate learning, and ultimately patient management. Hence, the art of good clinical case presentation is a skill that needs to be mastered. Case presentations are a part of most undergraduate and postgraduate training programs aimed at nurturing oratory and presentation design skills. This article is an attempt at providing a trainee in radiology a guideline to good case presentation skills.