bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of SARAhome, a New Video‐Based Tool for the Assessment of Ataxia at Home
Authors: Grobe‐Einsler Marcus , Taheri Amin Arian , Faber Jennifer , Schaprian Tamara , Jacobi Heike , Schmitz‐Hübsch Tanja , Diallo Alhassane , Tezenas du Montcel Sophie , Klockgether Thomas 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundClinical scales such as the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) cannot be used to study ataxia at home or to assess daily fluctuations. The objective of the current study was to develop a video‐based instrument, SARAhome, for measuring ataxia severity easily and independently at home.MethodsBased on feasibility of self‐application, we selected 5 SARA items (gait, stance, speech, nose‐finger test, fast alternating hand movements) for SARAhome (range, 0–28). We compared SARAhome items with total SARA scores in 526 patients with spinocerebellar ataxia types 1, 2, 3, and 6 from the EUROSCA natural history study. To prospectively validate the SARAhome, we directly compared the self‐applied SARAhome and the conventional SARA in 50 ataxia patients. To demonstrate feasibility of independent home recordings in a pilot study, 12 ataxia patients were instructed to obtain a video each morning and evening over a period of 14 days. All videos were rated offline by a trained rater.ResultsSARAhome extracted from the EUROSCA baseline data was highly correlated with conventional SARA (r = 0.9854, P < 0.0001). In the prospective validation study, the SARAhome was highly correlated with the conventional SARA (r = 0.9254, P < 0.0001). Five of 12 participants of the pilot study obtained a complete set of 28 evaluable videos. Seven participants obtained 13–27 videos. The intraindividual differences between the lowest and highest SARAhome scores ranged from 1 to 5.5.ConclusionThe SARAhome and the conventional SARA are highly correlated. Application at home is feasible. There was a considerable degree of intraindividual variability of the SARAhome scores. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Impaired Pre‐Motor Circuit Activity and Movement in a Drosophila Model of KCNMA1‐Linked Dyskinesia
Authors: Kratschmer Patrick , Lowe Simon A. , Buhl Edgar , Chen Ko‐Fan , Kullmann Dimitri M. , Pittman Alan , Hodge James J.L. , Jepson James E.C. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundParoxysmal dyskinesias (PxDs) are characterized by involuntary movements and altered pre‐motor circuit activity. Causative mutations provide a means to understand the molecular basis of PxDs. Yet in many cases, animal models harboring corresponding mutations are lacking. Here we utilize the fruit fly, Drosophila, to study a PxD linked to a gain‐of‐function (GOF) mutation in the KCNMA1/hSlo1 BK potassium channel.ObjectivesWe aimed to recreate the equivalent BK (big potassium) channel mutation in Drosophila. We sought to determine how this mutation altered action potentials (APs) and synaptic release in vivo; to test whether this mutation disrupted pre‐motor circuit function and locomotion; and to define neural circuits involved in locomotor disruption.MethodsWe generated a knock‐in Drosophila model using homologous recombination. We used electrophysiological recordings and calcium‐imaging to assess AP shape, neurotransmission, and the activity of the larval pre‐motor central pattern generator (CPG). We used video‐tracking and automated systems to measure movement, and developed a genetic method to limit BK channel expression to defined circuits.ResultsNeuronal APs exhibited reduced width and an enhanced afterhyperpolarization in the PxD model. We identified calcium‐dependent reductions in neurotransmitter release, dysfunction of the CPG, and corresponding alterations in movement, in model larvae. Finally, we observed aberrant locomotion and dyskinesia‐like movements in adult model flies, and partially mapped the impact of GOF BK channels on movement to cholinergic neurons.ConclusionOur model supports a link between BK channel GOF and hyperkinetic movements, and provides a platform to dissect the mechanistic basis of PxDs. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Lymphaticovenous anastomosis for advanced‐stage lower limb lymphedema
Authors: Hara Hisako , Mihara Makoto 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundEarly‐stage lymphedema patients are said to be candidates for lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA). The progressions in the preoperative examinations have made it possible to find the suitable lymphatic vessels even in advanced‐stage lymphedema. The aim of this study was to elucidate the surgical effect of LVA in cases of advanced‐stage lymphedema.MethodsWe evaluated 42 limbs of 34 patients with lymphoscintigraphic type 4 or 5. A mean disease duration was 7.5 ± 6.5 years. We performed multi‐lymphosome indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography preoperatively to detect the saphenous lymphatics, the lateral calf lymphatics, and the lateral thigh lymphatics. We also performed ultrasound to detect the subcutaneous veins and the dilated lymphatic vessels. The pre‐ and postoperative evaluation was made by the sum of circumference measurements at 6 points per limb.ResultsThe mean number of anastomosis per limb was 2.8 (range, 1–5). Of the 41 limbs for which we performed ICG lymphography, we found the saphenous lymphatics in 29 limbs (70.7%), lateral calf lymphatics in 28 limbs (68.3%), and lateral thigh lymphatics in 21 limbs (51.2%). We found at least 1 linear pattern in ICG lymphography for 39 limbs (95.1%). The mean pre‐ and postoperative circumference (sum of 6 points) were 221.7 ± 4.9 cm and 215.9 ± 4.9 cm, which was significantly reduced (p < .01).ConclusionsLVA was effective for advanced‐stage lymphedema patients. An adequate preoperative examination with plural imaging methods seems helpful for achieving a successful surgical result.
Maxillary reconstruction with scapular tip chimeric free flap
Authors: Ferri Andrea , Perlangeli Giuseppe , Bianchi Bernardo , Zito Francesca , Sesenna Enrico , Ferrari Silvano 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPurposePurpose of the article is to discuss the use of the scapular tip free flap (STFF) for the reconstruction of maxillary defects.MethodsA retrospective evaluation of patients who underwent maxillary reconstruction with STFF is presented. Patients were evaluated with respect to complications, function, and cosmesis.ResultsStudy population consisted of 53 patients. All flaps survived and partial bone resorption only occurred in a young patient. Minor complications included two instances of partial muscular necrosis. The donor site was primarily closed in all patients. Mouth opening was assessed as good (>3 cm) in 41 patients, partially limited (2–3 cm) in 9 patients, and limited (<2 cm) in 3 patients. Dental rehabilitation was achieved in 35 patients; esthetic results were assessed by patient as excellent in 19 patients, good in 28 patients, and poor in 6 patients.ConclusionsThe scapular tip chimeric free flap represents an indispensable tool for reconstructive head and neck microsurgery. The main advantages of this technique are very low donor site morbidity and a long pedicle, as well as the potential for harvesting multiple flaps in a chimeric design; STFF represents the first choice for treatment of small postero‐lateral defects of the maxilla, and of wide and complex through‐and‐through defects involving all components of the midface.
Digestion and Transport across the Intestinal Epithelium Affects the Allergenicity of Ara h 1 and 3 but Not of Ara h 2 and 6
Authors: Smits Mark , Nooijen Irene , Redegeld Frank , de Jong Aard , Le Thuy‐My , Knulst André , Houben Geert , Verhoeckx Kitty 
Published: January 2021

ScopeNo accepted and validated methods are currently available which can accurately predict protein allergenicity. In this study, the role of digestion and transport on protein allergenicity is investigated.Methods and resultsPeanut allergens (Ara h 1, 2, 3, and 6) and a milk allergen (β‐lactoglobulin) are transported across pig intestinal epithelium using the InTESTine model and afterward basophil activation is measured to assess the (remaining) functional properties. Additionally, allergens are digested by pepsin prior to epithelial transport and their allergenicity is assessed in a human mast cell activation assay. Remarkably, transported Ara h 1 and 3 are not able to activate basophils, in contrast to Ara h 2 and 6. Digestion prior to transport results in a significant increase in mast cell activation of Ara h 1 and 3 dependent on the length of digestion time. Activation of mast cells by Ara h 2 and 6 is unaffected by digestion prior to transport.ConclusionsDigestion and transport influences the allergenicity of Ara h 1 and 3, but not of Ara h 2 and 6. The influence of digestion and transport on protein allergenicity may explain why current in vitro assays are not predictive for allergenicity.
Classification of neurofibromatosis‐related dystrophic or nondystrophic scoliosis based on image features using Bilateral CNN
Authors: He Zhong , Wang Yimu , Qin Xiaodong , Yin Rui , Qiu Yong , He Kelei , Zhu Zezhang 
Published: January 2021

PurposeWe developed a system that can automatically classify cases of scoliosis secondary to neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1‐S) using deep learning algorithms (DLAs) and improve the accuracy and effectiveness of classification, thereby assisting surgeons with the auxiliary diagnosis.MethodsComprehensive experiments in NF1 classification were performed based on a dataset consisting 211 NF1‐S (131 dystrophic and 80 nondystrophic NF1‐S) patients. Additionally, 100 congenital scoliosis (CS), 100 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients, and 114 normal controls were used for experiments in primary classification. For identification of NF1‐S with nondystrophic or dystrophic curves, we devised a novel network (i.e., Bilateral convolutional neural network [CNN]) utilizing a bilinear‐like operation to discover the similar interest features between whole spine AP and lateral x‐ray images. The performance of Bilateral CNN was compared with spine surgeons, conventional DLAs (i.e., VGG‐16, ResNet‐50, and Bilinear CNN [BCNN]), recently proposed DLAs (i.e., ShuffleNet, MobileNet, and EfficientNet), and Two‐path BCNN which was the extension of BCNN using AP and lateral x‐ray images as inputs.ResultsIn NF1 classification, our proposed Bilateral CNN with 80.36% accuracy outperformed the other seven DLAs ranging from 61.90% to 76.19% with fivefold cross‐validation. It also outperformed the spine surgeons (with an average accuracy of 77.5% for the senior surgeons and 65.0% for the junior surgeons). Our method is highly generalizable due to the proposed methodology and data augmentation. Furthermore, the heatmaps extracted by Bilateral CNN showed curve pattern and morphology of ribs and vertebrae contributing most to the classification results. In primary classification, our proposed method with an accuracy of 87.92% also outperformed all the other methods with varied accuracies between 52.58% and 83.35% with fivefold cross‐validation.ConclusionsThe proposed Bilateral CNN can automatically capture representative features for classifying NF1‐S utilizing AP and lateral x‐ray images, leading to a relatively good performance. Moreover, the proposed method can identify other spine deformities for auxiliary diagnosis.
The impact of 4D flow displacement artifacts on wall shear stress estimation
Authors: Schmidt Simon , Flassbeck Sebastian , Schmelter Sonja , Schmeyer Ellen , Ladd Mark E. , Schmitter Sebastian 
Published: January 2021

PurposeTo investigate the amplitude and spatial distribution of errors in wall shear stress (WSS) values derived from 4D flow measurements caused by displacement artifacts intrinsic to the 4D flow acquisition.MethodsPhase‐contrast MRI velocimetry was performed in a model of a stenotic aorta using two different timing schemes, both of which are commonly applied in vivo but differ in their resulting displacement artifacts. Whereas one scheme is optimized to minimize the duration of the encoding gradients (herein called FAST), the other aims to specifically minimize displacement artifacts by synchronizing all three spatial‐encoding time points (called ECHO). WSS estimates were calculated and compared to unbiased WSS values obtained by a 5‐hour single‐point imaging acquisition. In addition, MRI simulations based on computational fluid dynamics data were carried out to investigate the impact of gradient timings corresponding to different spatial resolutions.Results4D flow displacement artifacts were found to have an impact on the quantified WSS peak values, spatial location, and overall WSS pattern. FAST leads to the underestimation of local WSS values in the phantom arch by up to 90%. Moreover, the corresponding WSS estimates depend on the image orientation. This effect was avoided using ECHO, which, however, results in biased WSS values within the stenosis, yielding an underestimation of peak WSS by up to 17%. Computational fluid dynamics‐based simulation results show that the bias in WSS due to displacement artifacts increases with increasing spatial resolution, thus counteracting the resolution benefit for WSS due to reduced partial volume effects and segmentation errors.Conclusions4D flow displacement artifacts can significantly impact the WSS estimates and depend on the timing scheme as well as potentially the image orientation. Whereas FAST might allow correct WSS estimation for lower resolutions, ECHO is recommended especially when spatial resolutions of 1 mm and smaller are used. Users need to be aware of this nonnegligible effect, particularly when conducting inter‐site studies or studies between vendors. The timing scheme should thus be explicitly mentioned in publications.
Determinants and functional impacts of diaphragmatic involvement in patients with inclusion body myositis
Authors: Lelièvre Marie‐Hélène , Hudson Marie , Botez Stephan A. , Dubé Bruno‐Pierre 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundWe evaluated the functional consequences of diaphragm involvement in patients with inclusion body myositis (IBM).MethodsUltrasound diaphragm thickening fraction (TFdi), lung function and dyspnea levels were compared between IBM patients and matched controls. Patients with IBM were grouped into “low” and “high” diaphragm activity based on TFdi values (with cutoff value being the lowest observed TFdi in the control group), and clinical characteristics were compared between groups.Results20 IBM patients were included. TFdi was significantly lower in patients and correlated with time since symptom onset (rho = 0.74, P < .001). Patients had significantly lower forced vital capacity and higher dyspnea scores than controls. IBM patients with “low” diaphragm activity (n = 9) had lower 6‐min walking distance, higher resting and exertional dyspnea and a larger positional decrease in vital capacity (all P ≤ .03) than patients with ‘high’ activity. Timed Up and Go time and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire were not different between groups.ConclusionsDiaphragm involvement in IBM is related to disease duration and has detrimental effects on lung function, dyspnea and exercise capacity. Further studies are required to investigate its potential as a therapeutic target.
Ultrafast spectroscopic investigation of the artificial photosynthetic activity of CuAlS2/ZnS quantum dots
Authors: Mukherjee Arpita , Dutta Pranab , Bhattacharyya Biswajit , Rajasekar Guru Pratheep , Simlandy Amit Kumar , Pandey Anshu 
Published: January 2021

AbstractCuAlS2/ZnS Quantum dots (QDs) are known to directly convert aqueous solutions of bicarbonate ions to oxygen and organic molecules such as formate with a remarkable efficiency even under sunlight. In cases, fairly complicated organic reaction products such as acetate and methanol have been observed when reactions are allowed to continue for longer periods of time. Here, we investigate the electron dynamics that occurs within CuAlS2/ZnS QDs and show that it is essentially dominated by ultrafast electron transfer (560 fs for 0.4 excitons per dot) to the surface. The electron dwell time in the conduction band increases exponentially (for example 872 fs for 1.4 excitons per dot) with the excitation fluence. This is reverse of the auger limited response of conventional QDs and is hypothesized to exhibit strong charge separation that lies at the root of the remarkable photocatalytic activity. We further investigate this system through multi‐pump experiments. We find that the system response to prior excitation changes over the period of nanoseconds, consistent with the charge reorganization in the system, well after the initial electron transfer. The results of these experiments are summarized in terms of a coulomb‐well interpretation.
A‐stable linear two‐step time integration methods with consistent starting and their equivalent single‐step methods in structural dynamics analysis
Authors: Zhang Jie 
Published: January 2021

AbstractA spectral consistent starting procedure is proposed for the first‐order‐type A‐stable linear two‐step (LTS) time integration methods in structural dynamics analysis. The accuracy analysis for the LTS methods in structural dynamics is presented based on the first‐order model, which enables the algorithms in first‐order transient systems to be extended to structural dynamics under the umbrella of a consistent framework. It is indicated that the approximation of the loads plays an essential role in the equivalence between the LTS methods and some single‐step methods. An algorithmic equivalence feature, which is stricter than the spectral equivalence, is revealed between the two‐leg generalized‐α methods in first‐order systems and the A‐stable LTS methods. The measures of the error constant in the LTS methods and the ultimate spectral radius are extended to optimize a class of single‐step methods of a given convergence order. The spectral consistent starting procedure for the A‐stable LTS methods is developed by utilizing the algorithmic equivalence of the single‐step methods, which results in an optimal A‐stable LTS (OALTS) method possessing a consistent spectral radius with controllable numerical dissipation in the starting step and the steps thereafter. Comparing with the equivalent single‐step methods, the present OALTS method does not need the auxiliary variables, and its displacement, velocity and acceleration can achieve second‐order accuracy simultaneously. The performance of the present OALTS method is verified by numerical examples including physical damping, external loads, and/or nonlinearity.
Numerical implementation and validation of a porous approach for fluid–structure interaction applied to pressurized water reactors fuel assemblies under axial water flow and dynamic excitation
Authors: Faucher Vincent , Ricciardi Guilllaume , Boccaccio Romain , Cruz Kevin , Lohez Thibaud , Clément Simon A. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe proposed contribution is dedicated to numerical methods for solving strongly coupled fluid–structure dynamic problems where the complexity of the structures and the reduced remaining fluid volume do not allow to handle their exact geometry. Porous approaches are preferred instead but it is mandatory to go beyond classical techniques to account for inertial and convective components of the flow, as explicitly required by the application of the methods to the dynamics of a set of pressurized water reactors fuel assemblies under axial flow and seismic‐like loading. A new computational framework is thus introduced with special care given to stability, robustness, and computational efficiency of the coupled solver. Comparisons with well‐chosen experimental results provide some valuable validation of the numerical methods and demonstrate the ability of the model to reproduce the hydraulic coupling between several fuel assemblies.
A refinement indicator for adaptive quasicontinuum approaches for structural lattices
Authors: Chen Li , Berke Péter Z. , Massart Thierry J. , Beex Lars A.A. , Magliulo Marco , Bordas Stéphane P.A. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe quasicontinuum (QC) method is a concurrent multiscale approach in which lattice models are fully resolved in small regions of interest and coarse‐grained elsewhere. Since the method was originally proposed to accelerate atomistic lattice simulations, its refinement criteria—that drive refining coarse‐grained regions and/or increasing fully‐resolved regions—are generally associated with quantities relevant to the atomistic scale. In this contribution, a new refinement indicator is presented, based on the energies of dedicated cells at coarse‐grained domain surfaces. This indicator is incorporated in an adaptive scheme of a generalization of the QC method able to consider periodic representative volume elements, like the ones employed in most computational homogenization approaches. However, this indicator can also be used for conventional QC frameworks. Illustrative numerical examples of elastic indentation and scratch of different lattices demonstrate the capabilities of the refinement indicator and its impact on adaptive QC simulations.
Mental health as a prerequisite for functioning as optimally as possible in old age: A phenomenological approach
Authors: Al Gilani Samal , Tingö Lina , Kihlgren Annica , Schröder Agneta 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAimTo describe the impact of mental health on the ability to function optimally among older adults experiencing mental health issues.DesignThis study had a descriptive qualitative design.MethodsSix older females with a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score of ≥8 on either of the subscales (depression or anxiety) participated in individual interviews. All data were analysed using a phenomenological approach influenced by Giorgi.ResultsThe phenomenological analysis led to a structured synthesis comprising the following three themes: (a) life situations affecting mental health, (b) consequences of mental health in everyday life and (c) strategies for maintaining mental health.
Effect of educational‐ counseling program based on precede‐proceed model during Pregnancy on postpartum depression
Authors: Beydokhti Tahereh Baloochi , Dehnoalian Atefeh , Moshki Mahdi , Akbary Ali 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAimTo explore the effects of an educational‐ counselling programme based on the precede–proceed model during pregnancy on preventing post‐partum depression.DesignA randomized clinical trial (RCT) study.Method130 pregnant women were selected and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Data collection was carried out using questionnaires of predisposing, reinforcing and enabling factors, GHQ and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The Education programme was designed and performed in each group in a given weekday through four 60‐minute sessions. The whole intervention lasted for one month in all groups. The participants in the control group were given routine pregnancy care. Data were gathered before and after the intervention in both groups.ResultsIndependent t test showed a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the mean score of predisposing, reinforcing, enabling factors and post‐partum depression (p < .05). Regression tests indicated predisposing, reinforcing, enabling factors and general health as the most important factors associated with post‐partum depression (p < .05). The results supported the effectiveness of the educational intervention on reducing post‐partum depression and showed that implementing these training during pregnancy leads to a reduced level of post‐partum depression.