bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Outcomes after Mitral Valve Repair with the Physio II Annuloplasty Ring
Authors: Noack Thilo , Sieg Franz , Cuartas Mateo Marin , Spampinato Ricardo , Holzhey David , Seeburger Joerg , Borger Michael Andrew 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background Mitral valve (MV) repair with annuloplasty is the standard of care in patients with primary degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR). Newer generations of annuloplasty rings have been developed with the goals of closer reproduction of native annular geometry and easier implantation. This study investigates the short-term and 5-year clinical outcomes of MV repair with the Carpentier-Edwards (CE) Physio II annuloplasty ring.
Methods This is an observational study including a total of 486 patients who underwent MV repair for DMR using the CE Physio II annuloplasty ring between 2011 and 2016.
Results Mean age was 54.8 ± 12.1 years, 364 patients (74.9%) were males, and 84 patients (17.3%) presented with atrial fibrillation. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 62.3 ± 7.3%. Mean logistic EuroSCORE was 2.7 ± 2.4%. New York Heart Association functional class III–IV symptoms were present in 134 (27.6%) patients preoperatively. Isolated MV repair was performed via a right-sided mini-thoracotomy in 479 patients (98.6%). Concomitant procedures included ablation for atrial fibrillation in 83 patients (17.1%) and closure of atrial septum defect in 88 patients (18.1%). Median size of implanted annuloplasty rings was 34 mm (interquartile range: 34–38 mm). Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 116 ± 34 minutes and mean cross-clamp time was 74 ± 25 minutes. Thirty-day mortality was 0.4%. The Kaplan–Meier 4-year survival was 98.5%. Freedom from MV reoperation was 96.2 and 94.0% at 1 and 4 years.
Conclusion MV repair with the CE Physio II annuloplasty ring is associated with excellent midterm clinical outcome.
Changes in the Options for Management of Prolactin Secreting Pituitary Adenomas
Authors: Iuliano Sherry L. , Bi Wenya Linda , Laws Edward R. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Objectives Initial therapy for the management of prolactinomas has long been maintained to be medical, consisting of a dopamine agonist. These therapies may have troublesome side effects, and some prolactinomas are resistant to medical therapy regarding lowering prolactin levels or shrinking the tumor. These issues have revived interest in surgery for prolactin-secreting adenomas as an early therapeutic option. We report our analysis of surgery for prolactin microadenomas in women, using the transsphenoidal endoscopic approach.
Design We reviewed a contemporary series of 33 women (mean age = 31.8 years) with microprolactinomas who underwent early surgical intervention, which was a three-dimensional transnasal transsphenoidal endoscopic operation.
Setting The study was conducted at a tertiary academic referral center for pituitary tumors.
Main Outcome Measures Preoperative and postoperative prolactin.
Results Overall, 28 patients had received preoperative dopamine agonists, 24 of these experienced a variety of drug-related side effects, and 4 had tumors that were resistant to lowering prolactin or tumor shrinkage. Preoperative prolactin levels averaged 90.3 ng/mL (range = 30.7–175.8 ng/mL). We observed a 94% normalization rate in postoperative prolactin (mean = 10.08 ng/mL, range = 0.3–63.1 ng/mL). During the follow-up (mean = 33.9 months), five patients had elevated prolactin; four required reinitiation of medical therapy, two had surgical reexploration, and none received radiation therapy. Complications included syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (n = 3), transient diabetes insipidus (n = 1), postoperative epistaxis (n = 1), and fat graft site infection (n = 1).
Conclusion This review supports the consideration of transsphenoidal surgery as an early intervention for some women with prolactin-secreting microadenoma. Indications include significant side effects of medical therapy and tumors that do not respond to standard medical management.
Effect of PCSK9 E670G and R46L Polymorphisms on Major Adverse Cardio-Cerebrovascular Events in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Santoso Anwar , Yulianto Yulianto , Simarmata Hendra , Putra Abhirama Nofandra , Listiyaningsih Erlin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMajor adverse cardio-cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are still high, although there have been advances in pharmacology and interventional procedures. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/Kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease regulating lipid metabolism associated with inflammation in acute coronary syndrome. The MACCE is possibly related to polymorphisms in PCSK9. A prospective cohort observational study was designed to confirm the association between polymorphism of E670G and R46L in the PCSK9 gene with MACCE in STEMI. The Cox proportional hazards model and Spearman correlation were utilized in the study. The Genotyping of PCSK9 and ELISA was assayed.Sixty-five of 423 STEMI patients experienced MACCE in 6 months. The E670G polymorphism in PCSK9 was associated with MACCE (hazard ratio = 45.40; 95% confidence interval: 5.30–390.30; p = 0.00). There was a significant difference of PCSK9 plasma levels in patients with previous statin consumption (310 [220–1,220] pg/mL) versus those free of any statins (280 [190–1,520] pg/mL) (p = 0.001).E670G polymorphism of PCSK9 was associated with MACCE in STEMI within a 6-month follow-up. The plasma PCSK9 level was higher in statin users.
Sinonasal Symptoms and Self-Reported Health before and after Endoscopic Pituitary Surgery—A Prospective Study
Authors: Hallén Tobias , Olsson Daniel S , Farahmand Dan , Esposito Daniela , Olofsson Ann-Charlotte , Jakobsson Sofie , Jakobsson Ung Eva , Sahlstrand-Johnson Pernilla , Johannsson Gudmundur , Skoglund Thomas , Bergquist Henrik 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Objectives Despite the limited invasiveness of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETSS), some degree of nasal structure destruction is unavoidable. Our objective was to evaluate sinonasal morbidity and self-reported health before and 6 months after ETSS for pituitary tumors, and to identify possible predictive factors for deterioration in sinonasal health.
Design Prospective observational cohort study.
Setting University tertiary referral hospital.
Participants Totally 109 consecutive adult patients undergoing ETSS for pituitary tumors between 2015 and 2019.
Main Outcome Measures Sinonasal symptoms and self-reported health before and 6 months after ETSS, assessed by the Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and the EQ-5D questionnaire. Predictive factors for postoperative deterioration in sinonasal symptoms.
Results The overall SNOT-22 score did not change, but the score of the rhinologic domain of SNOT-22 worsened from 6.0 ± 5.9 before to 8.0 ± 7.4 6 months after surgery (p = 0.011). The EQ-5D visual analog scale improved from 64.0 ± 22.9 before to 71.1 ± 18.7 6 months after surgery (p = 0.00088). Univariate and multivariable regression analyses showed that prior sinonasal surgery was associated with a significant worsening in rhinologic symptoms 6 months after surgery (p = 0.046 and p = 0.020, respectively).
Conclusions Although self-reported overall health improved, significant deterioration of rhinologic symptoms was seen 6 months after ETSS. This information is important for preoperative patient counselling. Further refinement of the surgical technique and follow-up strategies to reduce postoperative sinonasal morbidity could be of value, especially in patients who have undergone prior sinonasal surgery.
Aortic Root Replacement with Reimplantation of the Aortic Valve: A Low-Volume Center Experience
Authors: Ntinopoulos Vasileios , Papadopoulos Nestoras , Odavic Dragan , Haeussler Achim , Loeblein Helen , Dzemali Omer 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background Most data after root replacement with reimplantation of the aortic valve originate from high-volume centers. This raises concerns about the generalizability of these data and the reproducibility of this complex procedure. Aim of this study is to assess the perioperative and midterm outcomes of this procedure in a low-volume center.
Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of the data of 72 patients, who underwent root replacement with reimplantation of the aortic valve in a single center between 2011 and 2020. Time to event analysis was performed with Kaplan–Meier curves. Longitudinal analysis of serial echocardiographic data was performed with a mixed-effects ordinal logistic regression model.
Results In-hospital mortality was 1.4%, with absence of any neurological events during the perioperative period. At midterm follow-up, two further patients died. Overall survival rates at 1 and 5 years were 98.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 97–100%) and 96.3% (95% CI: 93.8–98.8%), respectively. During follow-up, five patients (6.9%) required reoperation on the aortic valve. The incidence of moderate and severe aortic regurgitation at 5 years was 6.6% (95% CI: 2.4–13.6%) and 0.6% (95% CI: 0.1–3.2%), respectively. Mild aortic regurgitation at hospital discharge (p < 0.001) and cusp plication (p = 0.0121) were associated with a higher incidence of moderate or severe aortic regurgitation at follow-up.
Conclusion Reimplantation of the aortic valve is safe and feasible even in a low-volume center. Mortality, freedom from reoperation, and incidence of moderate or severe aortic regurgitation at follow-up are comparable to those of high-volume centers.
The Heartguard: A Humanitarian Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Program in Rural China
Authors: Zhang Xun E. , Geng Zhi , Shao Jun , Yao Hao , Wang Lu , Li Xiaobo , Li Qingguo 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background Congenital heart disease (CHD) accounts for the most common birth defects in China, pressuring both the physical and mental health in children. The inaccessibility of CHD children in rural China due to financial difficulties is demanding inputs from both the government and society. The Heartguard project is a program developed to improve the delivery of CHD care in rural China.
Methods The Heartguard project partners with county hospitals and performs CHD screening to diagnose patients with CHD in rural China. Diagnosed children with CHD who are unable to afford therapy will subsequently receive treatment sponsored by the financial partners. All patients are followed up by the local partner and visiting surgical team members.
Results More than 10,000 children across 9 provinces underwent CHD screening. A total of 240 (accounting for an incidence of 2.4%) was treated by the program, of which 226 patients were managed invasively, the other 14 patients conservatively. Open surgery was performed in 162 patients, while endovascular procedures were applied in another 64. No mortality or significant complications occurred during the transfer. There was no perioperative or late death.
Conclusion This humanitarian cardiac surgery program is able to promote accessibility of care for CHD children in rural China. The quality of life of these patients can be improved with continuous input from the society.
Advances in the Management of Acute Venous Thromboembolism and New Therapeutic Agents
Authors: Stevens Hannah , McFadyen James , Chan Noel 
Published: February 2021

AbstractImportant advances in the understanding and management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) have enhanced our ability to diagnose, prevent, and treat VTE. In this narrative review, we discuss how recent advances in the understanding and management of VTE are changing practice, highlight ongoing unmet needs in VTE management, and outline how novel therapeutic targets with little or no influence on hemostasis may help address these unmet needs.
Nonreciprocity of spin waves in the conical helix state
Authors: Ogawa N. , Köhler L. , Garst M. , Toyoda S. , Seki S. , Tokura Y. 
Published: February 2021

Significance
While spin waves in conventional ferromagnets are well understood, those in more complicated magnets hosting spatially textured magnetization, such as helical/conical and skyrmion/hedgehog configurations, are less explored. We investigate experimentally and theoretically the spin waves of the conical spin helix in a chiral magnet with the help of Brillouin light scattering. We discovered that the dynamics of the conical spin helix is characterized by a distinct nonreciprocity with spin waves preferentially propagating in a specific direction controlled by the orientation of the magnetic field. Our work therefore demonstrates that all the spin phases of bulk chiral magnets allow, in principle, the realization of a switchable spin wave diode functionality.
The monolingual approach in American linguistic fieldwork
Authors: Thomas Margaret 
Published: February 2021

SummaryIn the first decades of the 20th century, fieldwork — collection of language data through direct interaction with a native speaker — was foundational to American linguistics. After a mid-century period of neglect, fieldwork has recently been revived as a means to address the increasing rate of language endangerment worldwide. Twenty-first century American fieldwork inherits some, but not all, of the traits of earlier fieldwork. This article examines the history of one controversial issue, whether a field worker should adopt a monolingual approach, learning and using the target language as a medium of exchange with native speakers, as opposed to relying on interpreters or a lingua franca. Although the monolingual approach is not widely practiced, modern proponents argue strongly for its value. The method has been popularized though ‘monolingual demonstrations’ to audiences of linguists, which, curiously, are not wholly consistent with the character of 21st-century fieldwork.
A negotiation analysis of risk assessment in community correction from the perspective of exchange structure
Authors: Yuan Chuanyou , Luo Xing 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCommunity correction, as a new form of crime punishment towards restorative justice, is being widely practiced in China. This paper, adopting an ethnographic method, explores the exchange structure of risk assessment in community correction by analyzing a dataset of 12 assessments. The study finds that the risk assessment discourse is replete with the informing exchange (formulized as K1^(K2f)) and eliciting exchange (formulized as K2^K1). It further discusses how the canonical structures are invalidated and what variant structures could address the issue. These findings suggest that judicial social workers need to raise their linguistic awareness and offenders need more effective linguistic choices in order to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of risk assessment.
Legal translation into a non-mother tongue
Authors: Duběda Tomáš 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The article reflects on the problem of L2 legal translation, paying specific attention to the role of L1 revision and its impact on the overall quality of the final product. Twenty non-native translations (Czech–French) of a legal text were subjected to a two-stage assessment procedure: First, by two native revisers without legal training (revision stage), and second, by two native experts (metarevision stage). In the revision stage, the average quality of the translations was rated between B (good) and C (borderline). During the metarevision stage, the experts identified a higher number or errors, especially in the domain of legal meaning. No less than 84% of the revisions made by the non-expert revisers were confirmed by the expert revisers, while the remaining cases were mostly under-revisions (12%), and, less frequently, over-revisions (4%). In situations where L2 translation is inevitable, L1 revision, even when carried out by professional revisers with little or no legal background, seems to be a viable option. However, all stakeholders should be aware of the risks associated with this practice, bearing in mind the specific nature of legal translation.
Improvement of electrical properties of ITO thin films by melt-free ultra-short laser crystallization
Authors: Farid N , Sharif A , Vijayaraghavan R K , Wang M , Chan H , Brunton A , McNally P J , Choy K L , O’Connor G M 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
We describe a novel solid state crystallisation method for optimising a thin film transparent conductive oxide when deposited on flexible polymer substrates. The method is based on ultra-short non-thermal laser sintering of indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films. In this study, we used commercial ITO thin films deposited on a flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrate with a relatively low melting temperature compared with ITO on glass. We demonstrate the use of laser scanning with high pulse overlapping at fluences seven times less than the threshold required for melting/damage of ITO. The results confirm greater than four times enhancement in the mobility of charge carriers of ITO thin films after laser scanning and sheet resistance can be reduced up to 25%. There is no reduction in optical transparency observed in laser treated samples. Surface morphology and x-ray diffraction analyses confirm the improvement in crystallite sizes by laser sintering, resulting in a greater than 37% increase in grain size due to enhanced crystallization. Comparison of experimental and simulation based on a delayed two temperature model confirms that ITO thin film crystallization occurred at about one-third of the melting temperature of ITO.
Electrical resistor and capacitor using carbon- based papers for creative thinking to deepen and extend learning
Authors: Shintsuruta Michiya , Okubo Hirokazu , Iwayama Tsutomu 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
We developed new teaching materials, electrical resistors and capacitors, using carbon nanotube (CNT) paper and carbon fibre (CF) paper to foster students’ creative thinking, thereby deepening and extending learning. Using a CNT-paper electrical resistor, it is possible to elucidate the dependence of the resistance value on the length and width. The resistance value is proportional to the length and inversely proportional to the width of the paper. In the case of the CF-paper capacitor, it is also possible to clarify the dependence of the capacitance value on the area and the distance between papers. The capacitance value is proportional to the areas of the papers and inversely proportional to the distance between them. Based on the results of our experiments using the new teaching materials, we confirmed that the measured values were in good agreement with the values predicted by theoretical calculations. Using these materials, it becomes possible for students to visually and actively learn about electrical resistance and capacitance through experiments by themselves and in discussion with other students, in contrast to the traditional teaching methods practiced in many schools worldwide. We found that teaching methods using these materials are a useful and easy way to teach the basic concepts of resistance and capacitance with geometric factors in classrooms.
First imaging demonstration of a crosshair light-sharing PET detector
Authors: Yoshida Eiji , Akamatsu Go , Tashima Hideaki , Kamada Kei , Yoshikawa Akira , Yamaya Taiga 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The crosshair light-sharing (CLS) PET detector is our original depth-of-interaction (DOI) detector, which is based on a single-ended readout scheme with quadrisected crystals comparable in size to a photo-sensor. In this work, we developed 32 CLS PET detectors, each of which consisted of a multi-pixel photon counter (MPPC) array and gadolinium fine aluminum garnet (GFAG) crystals, and we developed a benchtop prototype of a small animal size PET. Each GFAG crystal was 1.45 × 1.45 × 15 mm3. The MPPC had a surface area of 3.0 × 3.0 mm2. The benchtop prototype had two detector rings of 16 detector blocks. The ring diameter and axial field-of-view were 14.2 cm and 4.9 cm, respectively. The data acquisition system used was the PETsys silicon photomultiplier readout system. The continuous DOI information was binned into three DOI layers by applying a look-up-table to a 2D position histogram. Also, energy and timing information was corrected using DOI information. After the calibration procedure, the energy resolution and the coincidence time resolution were 14.6% and 531 ps, respectively. Imaging test results of a small rod phantom obtained by an iterative reconstruction method showed clear separation of 1.6 mm rods with the help of DOI information.
You shall not pass: Ti nanospike-based sterilizer in fluid flow reactor
Authors: Saraeva Irina N , Tolordava Eteri R , Sozaev Islam V , Nastulyavichus Alyona A , Kudryashov Sergey I , Rudenko Andrey A , Ionin Andrey A , Gonchukov Sergey A 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
We report the laser-ablative fabrication of antibacterial nanostructures, combining mechanical and chemotoxic effects, by femto- and nanosecond laser ablation and their testing on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. A Ti surface, covered with nanospikes and periodical surface ripples, provides a strong anti-biofilm effect, and the addition of cytotoxic nanoparticles (NPs) (Ag, Se) enhances the overall bactericidal activities. A flow reactor, including Ti nanospike-covered wafers as a through-flow sterilizer, allowed reduction of the bacterial population by two orders. Several types of nanostructures with/without biofilms were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Their antibacterial properties were demonstrated by standard live/dead tests and were suggested to originate from the combined chemical toxicity of NPs and mechanical damage caused by sharp nanoscale relief on Ti.
On Fuzzy BRK Topological Action
Authors: Sivakumar S. , Kousalya S. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we consider fuzzy BRK topological group in a fuzzy action. We discuss some properties of a fuzzy BRK topological action and also some of their fuzzy relations on a group. Fuzzy BRK topological orbit of a fuzzy action also discuss.
e-continuous and Somewhat e-continuity in Nnc-Topological Spaces
Authors: Vadivel A. , Thangaraja P. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA new class of mapping functions calledNnce-continuous map, somewhatNnce-continuous map, somewhatNnce-open maps has been established and defined by making use ofNnce-open sets. Some Characterizations and properties ofNnce-continuous mappings and somewhatNnce-continuous mapping functions are presented.
Several generalizations of Is*g
-Continuous Functions in Ideal Topological Spaces
Authors: Powar P. L. , Narayan Mishra Vishnu , Bhadauria Shikha 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Khan and Noiri( Khan M. and Noiri T., On Is*g
-continuous functions in the Ideal Topological spaces, Eur. J. Pure Appl. Math., 4(3)(2011), 237 – 243.) have initiated the notion of Is*g
-continuous functions in ideal Topological spaces. In addition to this, they have also defined the strong and weak versions of Is*g
-continuous functions along with their mutual relationships and studied certain properties of these functions. By considering the definition of β-open sets, the authors have proposed the generalization of Is*g
-continuous functions viz. Is*g
-β-continuous functions in the present paper. Moreover, the generalization of weak I-continuous functions and weakly Is*g
-continuous functions have been defined in the context of β-open and regular open sets. The relationships amongst these continuities have been also established and the generalization has been justified by several illustrative examples.