bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Value of bowel preparation techniques for prostate MRI: a preliminary study
Authors: Schmidt Cynthia , Hötker Andreas M. , Muehlematter Urs J. , Burger Irene A. , Donati Olivio F. , Barth Borna K. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Bowel preparation before multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) of the prostate is performed widely, despite contradictory or no evidence for efficacy.

Purpose
To investigate the value of hyoscine N-butylbromide (HBB), microenema (ME) and ‘dietary restrictions’ (DR) for artifact reduction and image quality (IQ) in mpMRI of the prostate.

Study type
Retrospective.

Population
Between 10/2018 and 02/2020 treatment-naïve men (median age, 64.9; range 39.8–87.3) who underwent mpMRI of the prostate were included. The total patient sample comprised of n = 180 patients, who received either HBB, ME, were instructed to adhere to DR, or received a combination of those measures prior to the MR scan.

Field strength/sequence
T2-weighted imaging (T2w), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) scanned on two 3T systems.

Assessment
A radiologist specialized in urogenital imaging (R1) and a senior radiology resident (R2) visually assessed IQ parameters on transversal T2w, DWI and ADC maps on a 5-point Likert-like scale.

Statistical tests
Group comparison between IQ parameters was performed on reader level using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests. Binary univariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess independent predictors of IQ. Interrater agreement was assessed using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC).

Results
‘DWI geometric distortion’ was significantly more pronounced in the HBB+/ME−/DR− (R1, 3.6 and R2, 4.0) as compared to the HBB−/ME+/DR− (R1, 4.2 and R2, 4.6) and HBB+/ME+/DR− (R1, 4.3 and R2, 4.7) cohort, respectively. Parameters ‘DWI IQ’ and ‘Whole MRI IQ’ were rated similarly by both readers. ME was a significant independent predictor of ‘good IQ’ for the whole MRI for R1 [b = 1.09, OR 2.98 (95% CI 1.29, 6.87)] and R2 [b = 1.01, OR 2.73 (95% CI 1.24, 6.04)], respectively.

Data conclusion
ME seems to significantly improve image quality of DWI and the whole mpMRI image set of the prostate. HBB and DR did not have any benefit.
Total sacrectomy with a combined antero-posterior surgical approach for malignant sacral tumours
Authors: Pu Feifei , Zhang Zhicai , Wang Baichuan , Wu Qiang , Liu Jianxiang , Shao Zengwu 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To investigate the indications, approaches, resection methods, and complications of total sacrectomy with a combined antero-posterior approach for malignant sacral tumours.

Methods
Fourteen cases of primary malignant sacral tumours treated with total sacrectomy between January 2012 and 2018 were retrospectively analysed. All patients presented with pre-operative lumbosacral pain or constipation. A combined antero-posterior approach was used for tumour resection, and the spinal pedicle screw rod system was used to achieve ilio-lumbar stability. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scores were used to assess pain and lower limb function, respectively. The mean operative time and intra-operative blood loss were 6.54 hours and 2935 mL, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 62 months.

Results
None of the patients died peri-operatively. At the last follow-up, ten patients were continuously disease-free, three were alive with disease, and one died of disease from lung metastasis. Tumour recurrence occurred in three patients. The MSTS scores ranged from 6 to 28 (20.00–93.33%, 6/30–28/30) with an average of 20 (66.67%, 20/30). Seven patients could walk independently in public, five could only walk at home using a walking aid, and two could only lie down and stand for a short time. Thirteen patients developed post-operative complications such as skin necrosis, screw loosening, connecting rod fracture, neuropathic pain, sciatic nerve injury, dysuria, and urinary incontinence.

Conclusion
Total sacrectomy can effectively treat malignant sacral tumours with good resection boundaries and prognosis. However, the high incidence of post-operative complications may impact post-operative neurological function.
Skeletal muscle fat quantification by dual-energy computed tomography in comparison with 3T MR imaging
Authors: Molwitz I. , Leiderer M. , McDonough R. , Fischer R. , Ozga A-K. , Ozden C. , Tahir E. , Koehler D. , Adam G. , Yamamura J. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Objectives
To quantify the proportion of fat within the skeletal muscle as a measure of muscle quality using dual-energy CT (DECT) and to validate this methodology with MRI.

Methods
Twenty-one patients with abdominal contrast-enhanced DECT scans (100 kV/Sn 150 kV) underwent abdominal 3-T MRI. The fat fraction (DECT-FF), determined by material decomposition, and HU values on virtual non-contrast-enhanced (VNC) DECT images were measured in 126 regions of interest (≥ 6 cm2) within the posterior paraspinal muscle. For validation, the MR-based fat fraction (MR-FF) was assessed by chemical shift relaxometry. Patients were categorized into groups of high or low skeletal muscle mean radiation attenuation (SMRA) and classified as either sarcopenic or non-sarcopenic, according to the skeletal muscle index (SMI) and cut-off values from non-contrast-enhanced single-energy CT. Spearman’s and intraclass correlation, Bland-Altman analysis, and mixed linear models were employed.

Results
The correlation was excellent between DECT-FF and MR-FF (r = 0.91), DECT VNC HU and MR-FF (r = - 0.90), and DECT-FF and DECT VNC HU (r = − 0.98). Intraclass correlation between DECT-FF and MR-FF was good (r = 0.83 [95% CI 0.71–0.90]), with a mean difference of - 0.15% (SD 3.32 [95% CI 6.35 to − 6.66]). Categorization using the SMRA yielded an eightfold difference in DECT VNC HU values between both groups (5 HU [95% CI 23–11], 42 HU [95% CI 33–56], p = 0.05). No significant relationship between DECT-FF and SMI-based classifications was observed.

Conclusions
Fat quantification within the skeletal muscle using DECT is both feasible and reliable. DECT muscle analysis offers a new approach to determine muscle quality, which is important for the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of sarcopenia, as a comorbidity associated with poor clinical outcome.

Key Points
• Dual-energy CT (DECT) material decomposition and virtual non-contrast-enhanced DECT HU values assess muscle fat reliably.
• Virtual non-contrast-enhanced dual-energy CT HU values allow to differentiate between high and low native skeletal muscle mean radiation attenuation in contrast-enhanced DECT scans.
• Measuring muscle fat by dual-energy computed tomography is a new approach for the determination of muscle quality, an important parameter for the diagnostic confirmation of sarcopenia as a comorbidity associated with poor clinical outcome.
Computed Tomography Findings as Determinants of Local and Systemic Inflammation Biomarkers in Interstitial Lung Diseases: A Retrospective Registry-Based Descriptive Study
Authors: Lang David , Akbari Kaveh , Horner Andreas , Hepp Magdalena , Kaiser Bernhard , Pieringer Herwig , Lamprecht Bernd 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the association of peripheral blood (PBL) and broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) biomarkers with inflammatory versus fibrotic high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients.

Methods
HRCT findings of 127 consecutive ILD-board patients were semi-quantitatively evaluated: reticulation/honeycombing (RET), traction bronchiectasis (TBR) and emphysema (EMP) were classified as non-inflammatory/fibrotic; consolidations (CON), ground glass opacities (GGO), parenchymal nodules (NDL) and mosaic attenuation (MOS) as active inflammatory. Each HRCT finding was assessed in six distinct lung regions, resulting scores were graded as minimal (0–1 regions involved), medium (2–4) or extensive (5–6). Associations of routinely assessed PBL/BAL biomarkers with these HRCT scores were evaluated using Spearman correlation coefficients and graphical presentation; significance was tested by applying Kruskal–Wallis tests.

Results
Blood neutrophil, lymphocyte and eosinophil fraction, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and BAL lymphocyte fraction consistently showed opposite correlations with inflammatory versus non-inflammatory/fibrotic HRCT finding scores. Blood lymphocyte fraction significantly differed by graded GGO (p = 0.032) and CON (p = 0.027) extent, eosinophil fraction by TBR (p = 0.006) and NLR by CON (p = 0.009). C-reactive protein was significantly related to GGO (p = 0.023) and CON (p = 0.004), BAL lymphocyte fraction to GGO (p = 0.017) extent.

Conclusion
Blood lymphocyte and eosinophil fraction, NLR, CRP and BAL lymphocyte fraction may aid to differentiate inflammatory from non-inflammatory/fibrotic ILD patterns.

Trial registration
This evaluation was based on data from the ILD registry of Kepler University Hospital Linz, as approved by the ethics committee of the Federal State of Upper-Austria (EK Number. I-26-17).
Parvovirus B19 and mumps virus antibodies are major constituents of the intrathecal immune response in European patients with MS and increase the diagnostic sensitivity and discriminatory power of the MRZ reaction
Authors: Jarius S. , Wilken D. , Haas J. , Ruprecht K. , Komorowski L. , Wildemann B. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
A positive MRZ reaction, as defined by intrathecal IgG production against at least two of its constituents, measles virus (M), rubella virus (R) and varicella zoster virus (Z), is detectable in ~ 63% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and is currently considered the laboratory marker with the highest specificity and positive likelihood ratio for MS. However, M, R and Z are only the most well-established constituents of a broader intrathecal humoral immune response in MS.

Objective
To identify additional anti-microbial antibodies inclusion of which in the classical MRZ panel may result in increased sensitivity without compromising the marker’s high specificity for MS.

Methods
We determined the antibody indices (AIs) for 11 viral and bacterial agents (M, R, Z, herpes simplex virus, Epstein–Barr virus, mumps virus, cytomegalovirus, parvovirus B19, Bordetella pertussis, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and Clostridium tetani) in paired cerebrospinal fluid and serum samples from patients with MS and disease controls.

Results
A positive ‘classical’ MRZ reaction was found in 17/26 (65.4%) MS patients. The five most frequently positive AIs among patients with MS were M (76.9%), Z (61.5%), R (57.7%), parvovirus B19 (42.3%), and mumps (28%). Addition of parvovirus B19 and mumps virus to the MRZ panel resulted in an increase in sensitivity in the MS group from 65.4% to 73.1%, with 22% of the initially MRZ-negative patients exhibiting a de novo-positive response. The extended MRZ panel (‘MRZplus’) distinguished sharply between MS (≥ 3 AIs in 90% of all positives) and controls (varying diagnoses, from migraine to vasculitis; 0-1 AIs; p < 0.000001). The highest median AI in the MS group was found for parvovirus B19 (3.97), followed by measles virus (2.79).

Conclusion
Inclusion of parvovirus B19 and mumps virus in the test panel resulted in an increase in the sensitivity and discriminatory power of MRZ. Our results provide a strong rational for prospective studies investigating the role of extended MRZ panels in the differential diagnosis of MS.
Targeted adjustment of residual stresses in hot-formed components by means of process design based on finite element simulation
Authors: Behrens B.‐A. , Brunotte K. , Wester H. , Kock C. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe aim of this work is to generate an advantageous compressive residual stress distribution in the surface area of hot-formed components by intelligent process control with tailored cooling. Adapted cooling is achieved by partial or temporal instationary exposure of the specimens to a water–air spray. In this way, macroscopic effects such as local plastification caused by inhomogeneous strains due to thermal and transformation-induced loads can be controlled in order to finally customise the surface-near residual stress distribution. Applications for hot-formed components often require special microstructural properties, which guarantee a certain hardness or ductility. For this reason, the scientific challenge of this work is to generate different residual stress distributions on components surfaces, while the geometric as well as microstructural properties of AISI 52100 alloy stay the same. The changes in the residual stresses should therefore not result from the mentioned changed component properties, but solely from the targeted process control. Within the scope of preliminary experimental studies, tensile residual stresses in a martensitic microstructure were determined on reference components, which had undergone a simple cooling in water (from the forming heat), or low compressive stresses in pearlitic microstructures were determined after simple cooling in atmospheric air. Numerical studies are used to design two tailored cooling strategies capable of generating compressive stresses in the same components. The developed processes with tailored cooling are experimentally realised, and their properties are compared to those of components manufactured involving simple cooling. Based on the numerical and experimental analyses, this work demonstrates that it is possible to influence and even invert the sign of the residual stresses within a component by controlling the macroscopic effects mentioned above.
Methodological approach for measuring the effects of organisational-level interventions on employee withdrawal behaviour
Authors: Akerstrom M. , Severin J. , Imberg H. , Jonsdottir I. H. , Björk L. , Corin L. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background
Theoretical frameworks have recommended organisational-level interventions to decrease employee withdrawal behaviours such as sickness absence and employee turnover. However, evaluation of such interventions has produced inconclusive results. The aim of this study was to investigate if mixed-effects models in combination with time series analysis, process evaluation, and reference group comparisons could be used for evaluating the effects of an organisational-level intervention on employee withdrawal behaviour.

Methods
Monthly data on employee withdrawal behaviours (sickness absence, employee turnover, employment rate, and unpaid leave) were collected for 58 consecutive months (before and after the intervention) for intervention and reference groups. In total, eight intervention groups with a total of 1600 employees participated in the intervention. Process evaluation data were collected by process facilitators from the intervention team. Overall intervention effects were assessed using mixed-effects models with an AR (1) covariance structure for the repeated measurements and time as fixed effect. Intervention effects for each intervention group were assessed using time series analysis. Finally, results were compared descriptively with data from process evaluation and reference groups to disentangle the organisational-level intervention effects from other simultaneous effects.

Results
All measures of employee withdrawal behaviour indicated statistically significant time trends and seasonal variability. Applying these methods to an organisational-level intervention resulted in an overall decrease in employee withdrawal behaviour. Meanwhile, the intervention effects varied greatly between intervention groups, highlighting the need to perform analyses at multiple levels to obtain a full understanding. Results also indicated that possible delayed intervention effects must be considered and that data from process evaluation and reference group comparisons were vital for disentangling the intervention effects from other simultaneous effects.

Conclusions
When analysing the effects of an intervention, time trends, seasonal variability, and other changes in the work environment must be considered. The use of mixed-effects models in combination with time series analysis, process evaluation, and reference groups is a promising way to improve the evaluation of organisational-level interventions that can easily be adopted by others.
Scoliosis and Prognosis—a systematic review regarding patient-specific and radiological predictive factors for curve progression
Authors: Lenz Maximilian , Oikonomidis Stavros , Harland Arne , Fürnstahl Philipp , Farshad Mazda , Bredow Jan , Eysel Peer , Scheyerer Max Joseph 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Introduction
Idiopathic scoliosis, defined as a > 10° curvature of the spine in the frontal plane, is one of the most common spinal deformities. Age, initial curve magnitude and other parameters define whether a scoliotic deformity will progress or not. Still, their interactions and amounts of individual contribution are not fully elaborated and were the aim of this systematic review.

Methods
A systematic literature search was conducted in the common databases using MESH terms, searching for predictive factors of curve progression in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (“adolescent idiopathic scoliosis” OR “ais” OR “idiopathic scoliosis”) AND (“predictive factors” OR “progression” OR “curve progression” OR “prediction” OR “prognosis”). The identified and analysed factors of each study were rated to design a top five scale of the most relevant factors.

Results
Twenty-eight investigations with 8255 patients were identified by literature search. Patient-specific risk factors for curve progression from initial curve were age (at diagnosis < 13 years), family history, bone mineral status (< 110 mg/cm3 in quantitative CT) and height velocity (7–8 cm/year, peak 11.6 ± 1.4 years). Relevant radiological criteria indicating curve progression included skeletal maturity, marked by Risser stages (Risser < 1) or Sanders Maturity Scale (SMS < 5), the initial extent of the Cobb angle (> 25° progression) and curve location (thoracic single or double curve).

Discussion
This systematic review summarised the current state of knowledge as the basis for creation of patient-specific algorithms regarding a risk calculation for a progressive scoliotic deformity. Curve magnitude is the most relevant predictive factor, followed by status of skeletal maturity and curve location.
Fragility assessment of existing low-rise steel moment-resisting frames with masonry infills under mainshock-aftershock earthquake sequences
Authors: Di Sarno Luigi , Wu Jing-Ren 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis paper presents the fragility assessment of non-seismically designed steel moment frames with masonry infills. The assessment considered the effects of multiple earthquakes on the damage accumulation of steel frames, which is an essential part of modern performance-based earthquake engineering. Effects of aftershocks are particularly important when examining damaged buildings and making post-quake decisions, such as tagging and retrofit strategy. The procedure proposed in the present work includes two phase assessment, which is based on incremental dynamic analyses of two refined numerical models of the case-study steel frame, i.e. with and without masonry infills, and utilises mainshock-aftershock sequences of natural earthquake records. The first phase focuses on the undamaged structure subjected to single and multiple earthquakes; the effects of masonry infills on the seismic vulnerability of the steel frame were also considered. In the second phase, aftershock fragility curves were derived to investigate the seismic vulnerability of infilled steel frames with post-mainshock damage caused by mainshocks. Comparative analyses were conducted among the mainshock-damaged structures considering three post-mainshock damage levels, including no damage. The impact of aftershocks was then discussed for each mainshock-damage level in terms of the breakpoint that marks the onset of exceeding post-mainshock damage level, as well as the probability of exceeding of superior damage level due to more significant aftershocks. The evaluation of the efficiency of commonly used intensity measures of aftershocks was also carried out as part of the second phase of assessment.
Energetic boundary element method for accurate solution of damped waves hard scattering problems
Authors: Aimi Alessandra , Diligenti Mauro , Guardasoni Chiara 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe paper deals with the numerical solution of 2D wave propagation exterior problems including viscous and material damping coefficients and equipped by Neumann boundary condition, hence modeling the hard scattering of damped waves. The differential problem, which includes, besides diffusion, advection and reaction terms, is written as a space–time boundary integral equation (BIE) whose kernel is given by the hypersingular fundamental solution of the 2D damped waves operator. The resulting BIE is solved by a modified Energetic Boundary Element Method, where a suitable kernel treatment is introduced for the evaluation of the discretization linear system matrix entries represented by space–time quadruple integrals with hypersingular kernel in space variables. A wide variety of numerical results, obtained varying both damping coefficients and discretization parameters, is presented and shows accuracy and stability of the proposed technique, confirming what was theoretically proved for the simpler undamped case. Post-processing phase is also taken into account, giving the approximate solution of the exterior differential problem involving damped waves propagation around disconnected obstacles and bounded domains.
The impact of metakaolin, silica fume and fly ash on the temperature resistance of high strength cement paste
Authors: Abdelmelek Nabil , Lubloy Eva 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe effects of elevated temperatures on the properties of high-strength cement paste (HSCP) based on metakaolin (MK), silica fume (SF), and fly ash (FA) were studied in the current experimental research. The resistance of HSCP against elevated temperatures was evaluated as well. The new method is expressed by the total area under each curve of strength, known as “temperature resistance”, is adopted. Results of the HSCP mixtures containing MK, SF, and FA with replacements ratios of 9%, 6% and 15% have shown excellent temperature resistance at all levels of maximum temperatures, respectively. Properties added to HSCP by these supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) such as decreasing the amount of CaO and increasing the amounts of SiO2 and Al2O3 have minimized the harmful effects of the use of pure ordinary Portland cement (OPC) at elevated temperatures. The results have shown also that the grinding fineness of OPC influences the amount of optimum replacement of the used SCM on HSCP at elevated temperatures. Hence, the amount of optimum replacement of MK blended with CEM I 42.5 N was 9% whereas, the amount of optimum replacement of MK blended with CEM I 52.5 N shifted to 3%. Finally, the fineness of cement of 4500 cm2 g−1 has shown a better-elevated temperature resistance compared to the cement with a fineness of 4000 cm2 g−1 in case of using pure OPC.