bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An efficient and combined placental ‐ADC acquisition in pregnancies with and without pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Hutter Jana , Ho Alison , Jackson Laurence H. , Slator Paddy J. , Chappell Lucy C. , Hajnal Joseph V. , Rutherford Mary A. 
Published: July 2021

PurposeTo provide a new approach to jointly assess microstructural and molecular properties of the human placenta in vivo fast and efficiently and to present initial evidence in cohorts of healthy pregnancies and those affected by pre‐eclampsia.MethodsSlice and diffusion preparation shuffling, built on the previously proposed ZEBRA method, is presented as a robust and fast way to obtain and apparent diffusivity coefficient (ADC) values. Joint modeling and evaluation is performed on a cohort of healthy and pre‐eclamptic participants at 3T.ResultsThe datasets show the ability to obtain robust and fast ‐ADC measurements. Significant decay over gestation in (−11 ms/week, ) and a trend toward significance in ADC (−0.23 mm//week, P = .08) values can be observed in a control cohort. Values for the pre‐eclamptic pregnancies show a negative trend for both ADC and .ConclusionsThe presented sequence allows the simultaneous acquisition of 2 of the most promising quantitative parameters to study placental insufficiency—identified individually as relevant in previous studies—in under 2 minutes. This allows dynamic assessment of physiological processes, reduced inconsistency in spatial comparisons due to reduced motion artefacts and opens novel avenues for analysis. Initial results in pre‐eclamptic placentas, with depicted changes in both ADC and , illustrate its potential to identify cases of placental insufficiency. Future work will focus on expanding the field‐of‐view using multi‐band acceleration techniques and the expansion to larger and more diverse patient groups.
Multicomponent T2 relaxometry reveals early myelin white matter changes induced by proton radiation treatment
Authors: Bontempi Pietro , Scartoni Daniele , Amelio Dante , Cianchetti Marco , Turkaj Ana , Amichetti Maurizio , Farace Paolo 
Published: July 2021

PurposeTo investigate MRI myelin water imaging (MWI) by multicomponent T2 relaxometry as a quantitative imaging biomarker for brain radiation‐induced changes and to compare it with DTI.MethodsSixteen patients underwent fractionated proton therapy (PT) receiving dose to the healthy tissue because of direct or indirect (base skull tumors) irradiation. MWI was performed by a multi‐echo sequence with 32 equally spaced echoes (10‐320 ms). Decay data were processed to identify 3 T2 compartments: myelin water (Mw) below 40 ms, intra‐extracellular water (IEw) between 40 and 250 ms, and free water (CSFw) above 250 ms. Both MWI and DTI scans were acquired pre (pre)‐treatment and immediately at the end (end) of PT. After image registration, voxel‐wise difference maps, obtained by subtracting MWI and DTI pre from those acquired at the end of PT, were compared with the corresponding biological equivalent dose (BED).ResultsMw difference showed a positive correlation and IEw difference showed a negative correlation with BED considering end–pre changes (P < .01). The changes in CSFw were not significantly correlated with the delivered BED. The changes in DTI data, considering end–pre acquisitions, showed a positive correlation between fractional anisotropy and the delivered BED.ConclusionMWI might detect early white matter radiation‐induced alterations, providing additional information to DTI, which might improve the understanding of the pathogenesis of the radiation damage.
Nurses' responsibilities and tasks in pharmaceutical care: A scoping review
Authors: De Baetselier Elyne , Dilles Tinne , Feyen Hilde , Haegdorens Filip , Mortelmans Laura , Van Rompaey Bart 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAimTo provide an overview of responsibilities and tasks of nurses in pharmaceutical care.DesignScoping review.MethodsTwo databases were systematically searched (MEDLINE and Scopus) for recent original research papers concerning nurses’ responsibilities and tasks in pharmaceutical care. The definition of responsibility was based on literature, moral and ethical discussions. Existing responsibilities and tasks beyond preparation and administration of medication were collected and synthesized. This main study outcome was extracted from titles and abstracts only. Results were reported in accordance with PRISMA‐ScR guidelines.ResultsOf the 3,805 titles and abstracts reviewed, 453 abstracts were included. A total of seven responsibilities were identified: (a) management of therapeutic and adverse effects of medication, (b) management of medication adherence, (c) management of patient medication self‐management, (d) management of patient education and information about medication, (e) prescription management, (f) medication safety management and (g) (transition of) care coordination. Within these responsibilities, all tasks performed by nurses were described.
Combining cross‐section images and modeling tools to create high‐resolution root system hydraulic atlases inZea mays
Authors: Heymans Adrien , Couvreur Valentin , Lobet Guillaume 
Published: July 2021

AbstractRoot hydraulic properties play a central role in the global water cycle, in agricultural systems productivity, and in ecosystem survival as they impact the canopy water supply. However, the existing experimental methods to quantify root hydraulic conductivities, such as the root pressure probing, are particularly challenging, and their applicability to thin roots and small root segments is limited. Therefore, there is a gap in methods enabling easy estimations of root hydraulic conductivities in diverse root types. Here, we present a new pipeline to quickly estimate root hydraulic conductivities across different root types, at high resolution along root axes. Shortly, free‐hand root cross‐sections were used to extract a selected number of key anatomical traits. We used these traits to parametrize the Generator of Root Anatomy in R (GRANAR) model to simulate root anatomical networks. Finally, we used these generated anatomical networks within the Model of Explicit Cross‐section Hydraulic Anatomy (MECHA) to compute an estimation of the root axial and radial hydraulic conductivities (kxandkr, respectively). Using this combination of anatomical data and computational models, we were able to create a root hydraulic conductivity atlas at the root system level, for 14‐day‐old pot‐grownZea mays(maize) plants of the var.B73. The altas highlights the significant functional variations along and between different root types. For instance, predicted variations of radial conductivity along the root axis were strongly dependent on the maturation stage of hydrophobic barriers. The same was also true for the maturation rates of the metaxylem vessels. Differences in anatomical traits along and across root types generated substantial variations in radial and axial conductivities estimated with our novel approach. Our methodological pipeline combines anatomical data and computational models to turn root cross‐section images into a detailed hydraulic atlas. It is an inexpensive, fast, and easily applicable investigation tool for root hydraulics that complements existing complex experimental methods. It opens the way to high‐throughput studies on the functional importance of root types in plant hydraulics, especially if combined with novel phenotyping techniques such as laser ablation tomography.
Gaps in toxic industrial chemical model systems: Improvements and changes over past 10 years
Authors: Hanna Steven , Mazzola Thomas , Chang Joseph , Spicer Thomas , Gant Simon , Batt Rachel 
Published: July 2021

AbstractTo assess the hazards of the releases of toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) to the atmosphere, comprehensive model systems are often used, which begin with the scenario definition and end with an estimate of health risk. In 2008 and 2010, the US Department of Homeland Security and Defense Threat Reduction Agency sponsored reports that identified knowledge gaps in TIC modeling. The current paper discusses which of the knowledge gaps were satisfactorily resolved in the past 10 years by new theoretical and experimental research, such as the 2010 and 2015–2016 Jack Rabbit field experiments. For example, the linked source emissions and transport and dispersion (T&D) models have been shown, in comparisons with Jack Rabbit II observations, to not have large mean biases. Consequently, the T&D models are less likely to be the cause of model system overpredictions of casualties observed after large TIC accidental releases, such as the Festus, Macdona, and Graniteville chlorine railcar incidents. It may be that the deposition models and/or the health effects models still need improvement. In addition to comments on the knowledge gaps identified 10 years ago, a few new knowledge gaps are addressed, such as indoor T&D and deposition, and estimating the magnitude of the saturation deposition value for various substrates and chemicals.
Signed sequential rank Shiryaev–Roberts schemes
Authors: van Zyl Corli , Lombard Fred 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe develop Shiryaev–Roberts schemes based on signed sequential ranks to detect a persistent change in location of a continuous symmetric distribution with known median. The in‐control properties of these schemes are distribution‐free, hence they do not require a parametric specification of an underlying density function or the existence of any moments. Tables of control limits are provided. The out‐of‐control average run length properties of the schemes are gauged via theory‐based calculations and Monte Carlo simulation. Comparisons are made with two existing distribution‐free schemes. We conclude that the newly proposed scheme has much to recommend its use in practice. Implementation of the methodology is illustrated in an application to a data set from an industrial environment.
Photonic Jet Writing of Quantum Dots Self‐Aligned to Dielectric Microspheres
Authors: Ristori Andrea , Hamilton Travis , Toliopoulos Dimosthenis , Felici Marco , Pettinari Giorgio , Sanguinetti Stefano , Gurioli Massimo , Mohseni Hooman , Biccari Francesco 
Published: July 2021

AbstractOwing to their ability to generate non‐classical light states, quantum dots (QDs) are very promising candidates for the large‐scale implementation of quantum information technologies. However, the high photon collection efficiency demanded by these technologies may be impossible to reach for “standalone” semiconductor QDs, embedded in a high‐refractive index medium. In this work a novel laser writing technique is presented, enabling the direct fabrication of a QD self‐aligned—with a precision of ±30 nm—to a dielectric microsphere. The presence of the microsphere leads to an enhancement of the QD luminescence collection by a factor 7.3 ± 0.7 when an objective with 0.7 numerical aperture is employed. This technique exploits the possibility of breaking the N−H bonds in GaAsNx:H by a laser light, obtaining a lower‐bandgap material, GaAsNx. The microsphere, deposited on top of a GaAsNx:H/GaAs quantum well, is used to generate a photonic nanojet, which removes hydrogen exactly below the microsphere, creating a GaAsNx QD at a predefined distance from the sample surface. Second‐order autocorrelation measurements confirm the ability of the QDs obtained with this technique to emit single photons.
Performance of low‐cost stainless‐steel beverage kegs for long‐term storage integrity and easy dispensing of water isotope (δ18O, δ2H) reference materials
Authors: Terzer‐Wassmuth Stefan , Wassenaar Leonard I. 
Published: July 2021

RationaleA widespread problem observed in global water isotope (δ18O, δ2H) proficiency tests is compromised working reference materials due to storage‐dispensing evaporation effects. Proper storage requires no evaporation or leakage, which causes isotopic drift and bias. Surveys by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) show most isotope laboratories use glass or plastic bottles to store working reference materials, with frequent opening and closings that pose evaporation risks. Practical small (ca. 2–5 L) storage‐dispensing solutions free of air exposure, evaporation, and leakage are needed. We also tested several smaller‐scale bottles for day‐to‐day aliquots.MethodsWe tested low‐cost, conveniently sized (4 L) adaptations of a common stainless‐steel beverage keg with a liquid dispenser, with minor modifications to facilitate low‐flow dispensing and pressurization (1–2 bar) with Ar or N2. We tested three kegs (100%, 75%, 50% initial fills) for a 2‐year period along with monthly dispensing to assess long‐term storage viability for maintaining δ18O and δ2H integrity and dispensing, and day‐to‐day aliquot bottles for 6 months.ResultsTest results showed these small keg storage systems fully maintained the isotopic integrity of water over the 2‐year testing period with no trend in the isotopic data that would reveal evaporative loss or leakage (e.g., pressure or mass loss) regardless of starting fill level. However, evaporated water in the outlet tube assembly must be eliminated by discarding 15–20 mL before dispensing into appropriate daily‐use laboratory standard bottles (30–100 mL). Glass bottles for daily aliquots showed good integrity properties, but only if their fill level was >50%.ConclusionsThe use of a low‐cost pressurized metal beverage keg dispensing system provides a robust solution to enable laboratories to maintain the integrity of their water isotope working reference materials over several years.
Efficacy of da Vinci robot‐assisted lymph node surgery than conventional axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer – A comparative study
Authors: Chen Kuo , M. Beeraka Narasimha , Zhang Jin , Reshetov Igor V. , Nikolenko Vladimir N. , Sinelnikov Mikhail Y. , Mikhaleva Liudmila M. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundda Vinci robot‐assisted axillary lymph node dissection (dVALND) can be a minimally invasive technique to minimize post‐operative complications.ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy of dVALND in breast cancer (BC) patients for mitigating the postoperative complications than conventional ALND.MethodsTotal 60 female patients with BC were admitted to our hospitals since September 2018, and these patients segregated into two groups of 30 patients each. Modified radical mastectomy for BC was performed to the patients in both groups. In Group 1 (control group), ALND was performed using conventional mode of axillary lymph node surgery. In Group 2 (Test group), the dVALND was performed using da Vinci robot‐assisted surgery. Wound healing, aesthetic effect and patient's satisfaction were evaluated after conventional method and dVALND.ResultsPostoperative complications viz., wound infection (1/30 (3.33%), p < 0.05), fat necrosis (3/30 (10%), p < 0.05) and lymphedema of upper limbs (2/30 (6.67%), p < 0.05) were observed in dVALND than conventional surgery. Local recurrence or metastasis was minimized and overall aesthetic effect not observed during follow‐up.ConclusiondVALND improved the overall patient's quality of life by mitigating postoperative complications than ALND.
Robotic surgery costs: Revealing the real villains
Authors: Rodrigues Martins Yves Melo , Romanelli de Castro Pedro , Drummond Lage Ana Paula , Alves Wainstein Alberto Julius , de Vasconcellos Santos Fernando Augusto 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the main drivers of robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) hospitalization costs, in addition to assess perioperative predictors that impact costs.MethodsOverall, 474 RARP were analyzed between February 2018 and December 2019. The association between perioperative variables and total direct costs was analyzed by simple and multiple linear regression.DiscussionThe main drivers of RARP hospitalization costs were robotic surgical supplies. Costs increased with American Society of Anesthesiologists score 3, a one‐hour increase in OR time, increased utilization of polymeric clip packs and longer length of hospital stay. There was a 11.5% reduction in costs with the use of four robotic instruments instead of five.ConclusionCosts of hospitalization were mainly influenced by the OR time, use of surgical supplies and length of hospital stay. Reducing the number of robotic instruments used in RARP represented the potentially modifiable factor with the greatest impact on cost reduction.
Adaptive neural event‐triggered control for nonlinear uncertain system with input constraint based on auxiliary system
Authors: Wang Jianhui , Chen Wenli , Ma Kemao , Liu Zhi , Philip Chen Chun Lung 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis article is concerned with the issue of event‐triggered based adaptive tracking control for a class of nonlinear uncertain system with input hysteresis. The radial basis function of neural networks (RBFNNs) is utilized to compensate the uncertain parts, where approximation errors are combined into the approximation system. Then, consider such method may extend the developed the weight vector of RBFNNs' dimension, such that computing burdens are increased while the considered system is subjected to network resource constraint. Thus, an adaptive neural event‐triggered scheme is designed. Furthermore, aiming to compensate the hysteresis effect, an auxiliary system is incorporated into the control design process. In virtue of backstepping technique, an adaptive neural event‐triggered control approach is determined for the considered system, such that all close‐loop system signals boundedness is remaining bounded. Theoretical results are verified through the given simulation cases.
DFOS measurements for strain analysis of anchorage zone in 57‐year‐old posttensioned precast girder using static and high‐frequency approach
Authors: Derkowski Wit , Sieńko Rafał , Walczak Rafał , Howiacki Tomasz , Bednarski Łukasz 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe aging engineering infrastructure is a growing problem in many countries and thus a challenge to make optimal decisions for their further safe operation. Therefore, effective diagnostic solutions are being sought to enable a reliable assessment of their technical condition. The article presents the results of static and high‐frequency strain measurements of a 57‐year‐old posttensioned crane girder, dismantled from one of the production halls. In particular, the anchorage zone and transmission length of the tendon related to the quality of cement injection around the prestressing tendon were analyzed. For this purpose, a distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) technique was applied, which allows performing strain measurements with a spatial resolution starting from 2.6 mm (almost 385 measuring points per 1 m of the optical fiber). The application of such an approach allowed for detailed analysis in both longitudinal and transverse directions, including crack detection and estimation of their widths. The article describes in detail the sensing fibers and applied methodology, as well as the results of both static and high‐frequency tests performed under laboratory conditions during cutting one of the tendon's anchorage off.
Porosity and phase lags response of thick circular plate in modified couple stress thermoelastic medium
Authors: Kumar Rajneesh , Kaushal Sachin , Dahiya Vikram 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe problem of thick circular plate in modified couple stress thermoelastic with voids (MCTV) is examined to study response of porosity, phase lags, one relaxation time and couple stress parameter. Governing equations are formulated for the new model and are solved by using Laplace and Hankel transform techniques. Normal load, thermal source and source over volume fraction field of voids (SVFV) of specific types are taken to solve the problem analytically. Numerical results are calculated for displacements, stresses, temperature change and volume fraction field. The comparisons are established to depict the effects of voids, phase lags, one relaxation time and couple stress parameter in form of graphs. Some particular cases are also deduced.
Efficient SMT-Based Analysis of Failure Propagation
Authors: Bozzano Marco , Cimatti Alessandro , Fernandes Pires Anthony , Griggio Alberto , Jonáš Martin , Kimberly Greg 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe process of developing civil aircraft and their related systems includes multiple phases of Preliminary Safety Assessment (PSA). An objective of PSA is to link the classification of failure conditions and effects (produced in the functional hazard analysis phases) to appropriate safety requirements for elements in the aircraft architecture. A complete and correct preliminary safety assessment phase avoids potentially costly revisions to the design late in the design process. Hence, automated ways to support PSA are an important challenge in modern aircraft design. A modern approach to conducting PSAs is via the use of abstract propagation models, that are basically hyper-graphs where arcs model the dependency among components, e.g. how the degradation of one component may lead to the degraded or failed operation of another. Such models are used for computingfailure propagations: the fault of a component may have multiple ramifications within the system, causing the malfunction of several interconnected components. A central aspect of this problem is that of identifying the minimal fault combinations, also referred to asminimal cut sets, that cause overall failures.In this paper we propose an expressive framework to model failure propagation, catering for multiple levels of degradation as well as cyclic and nondeterministic dependencies. We define a formal sequential semantics, and present an efficient SMT-based method for the analysis of failure propagation, able to enumerate cut sets that are minimal with respect to the order between levels of degradation. In contrast with the state of the art, the proposed approach is provably more expressive, and dramatically outperforms other systems when a comparison is possible.
ddSMT 2.0: Better Delta Debugging for the SMT-LIBv2 Language and Friends
Authors: Kremer Gereon , Niemetz Aina , Preiner Mathias 
Published: July 2021

AbstractErroneous behavior of verification back ends such as SMT solvers require effective and efficient techniques to identify, locate and fix failures of any kind. Manual analysis of large real-world inputs usually becomes infeasible due to the complex nature of these tools. Delta Debugging has emerged as a valuable technique to automatically reduce failure-inducing inputs while preserving the original erroneous behavior. We present , the successor of the delta debugger . is the current de-facto standard delta debugger for the SMT-LIBv2 language. Our tool improves and extends core concepts of and extends input language support to the entire family of SMT-LIBv2 language dialects. In addition to its ddmin-based main minimization strategy, it implements an alternative, orthogonal strategy based on hierarchical input minimization. We combine both strategies into a hybrid strategy and show that significantly improves over and other delta debugging tools for SMT-LIBv2 on real-world examples.