bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparing signal‐to‐noise ratio for prostate imaging at 7T and 3T
Authors: Steensma Bart R. , Luttje Mariska , Voogt Ingmar J. , Klomp Dennis W.J. , Luijten Peter R. , van den Berg Cornelis A.T. , Raaijmakers Alexander J.E. 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundIn MRI, the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) theoretically increases with B0 field strength. However, because of attenuation of the radiofrequency (RF) fields at 7T, it is not certain if this SNR gain can be realized for prostate imaging.Purpose/HypothesisTo investigate the SNR gain in prostate imaging at 7T as compared with 3T. It is expected that SNR will improve for prostate imaging at 7T compared with 3T.Study TypeProspective.SubjectsFour healthy volunteers and one prostate cancer patient.Field Strength/SequenceAll subjects were scanned at 3T and at 7T using optimal coil setups for both field strengths. For all volunteers, proton density‐weighted images were acquired for SNR analysis and actual flip angle imaging (AFI) maps were acquired for correction of measured SNR values. In the patient, a T2‐weighted (T2w) image was acquired at 3T and at 7T.AssessmentSNR was calculated in the prostate region for all volunteers. SNR was normalized for flip angle, receiver bandwidth, and voxel volume. SNR was also calculated for different sensitivity encoding (SENSE) acceleration factors.Statistical TestingSNR values are represented as the arithmetic mean of SNR values in the prostate. Estimated SNR in the T2w image is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the signal intensity (SI) divided by the standard deviation of the SI in a specified zone. Tumor‐to‐tissue contrast is calculated as (SItumor+SIzone)/( SItumor‐SIzone).ResultsAn increase in SNR ranging from 1.7‐fold to 2.8‐fold was measured in the prostate at 7T in comparison to 3T for four volunteers. At 7T, it is possible to achieve a 4‐fold SENSE acceleration in the left‐right direction with similar SNR to a nonaccelerated 3T image. T2w imaging was done at 3T and 7T in one patient, where improved tumor‐to‐tissue contrast was demonstrated at 7T.Data ConclusionSNR improves for prostate imaging at 7T as compared with 3T.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 1J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:1446–1455.
Measurement of magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) from cervical spinal cord: Multicenter reproducibility and variability
Authors: Combès Benoit , Monteau Laureline , Bannier Elise , Callot Virginie , Labauge Pierre , Ayrignac Xavier , Carra Dallière Clarisse , Pelletier Jean , Maarouf Adil , de Seze Jerome , Collongues Nicolas , Barillot Christian , Edan Gilles , Ferré Jean Christophe , Kerbrat Anne ,   EMISEP study group
Published: October 2018

BackgroundAssessing the multicenter variability of magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) measurements in the spinal cord of healthy controls is the first step toward investigating its clinical use as a biomarker.PurposeTo analyze the between‐session, between‐participant, and between‐scanner variability of MTR measurements in automatically extracted regions of interest in the cervical cord of healthy controls.Study TypeControl study.PopulationForty‐four participants, distributed across five MRI scanners (all from the same manufacturer). Ten participants were scanned twice in the same scanner, and 10 others were scanned twice in two different scanners.Field Strength/Sequence3D‐gradient echo images, centered on C5, without and with magnetization transfer prepulse at 3T.AssessmentWe calculated the mean MTR for different vertebral levels in the whole cord (WC), as well as in the white matter and gray matter, and determined the between‐session, between‐participant, and between‐scanner variabilities.Statistical TestsCoefficients of variation and intraclass correlations (ICCs) for the different variabilities and their associated confidence intervals.ResultsThe MTR measurements for Levels C4‐C6 (near the slab center) exhibited a mean value in WC of 34.6 pu and a pooled standard deviation of 0.9 pu. The between‐session coefficient of variation was estimated as 2.3% (ICC = 0.63), the between‐participant coefficient as 1.6% (ICC = 0.32), and the between‐scanner coefficient as 0.7% (ICC = 0.05). The resulting aggregate coefficient of variation was 2.9%, which was sufficiently low to detect an MTR reduction of 1 pu between groups of about 45 participants (Type‐I error rate: 0.05; Type‐II error rate: 0.10).Data ConclusionThe good between‐scanner reproducibility and low overall variability in cervical spinal cord MTR measurements in a control population might pave the way for multicenter analyses in various neurological diseases with moderate cohort sizes.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:1777–1785.
Test–retest repeatability and reproducibility of ADC measures by breast DWI: Results from the ACRIN 6698 trial
Authors: Newitt David C. , Zhang Zheng , Gibbs Jessica E. , Partridge Savannah C. , Chenevert Thomas L. , Rosen Mark A. , Bolan Patrick J. , Marques Helga S. , Aliu Sheye , Li Wen , Cimino Lisa , Joe Bonnie N. , Umphrey Heidi , Ojeda‐Fournier Haydee , Dogan Basak , Oh Karen , Abe Hiroyuki , Drukteinis Jennifer , Esserman Laura J. , Hylton Nola M. ,   for the ACRIN Trial Team and I‐SPY 2 TRIAL Investigators
Published: October 2018

BackgroundQuantitative diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) MRI is a promising technique for cancer characterization and treatment monitoring. Knowledge of the reproducibility of DWI metrics in breast tumors is necessary to apply DWI as a clinical biomarker.PurposeTo evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of breast tumor apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in a multi‐institution clinical trial setting, using standardized DWI protocols and quality assurance (QA) procedures.Study TypeProspective.SubjectsIn all, 89 women from nine institutions undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy for invasive breast cancer.Field Strength/SequenceDWI was acquired before and after patient repositioning using a four b‐value, single‐shot echo‐planar sequence at 1.5T or 3.0T.AssessmentA QA procedure by trained operators assessed artifacts, fat suppression, and signal‐to‐noise ratio, and determine study analyzability. Mean tumor ADC was measured via manual segmentation of the multislice tumor region referencing DWI and contrast‐enhanced images. Twenty cases were evaluated multiple times to assess intra‐ and interoperator variability. Segmentation similarity was assessed via the Sørenson–Dice similarity coefficient.Statistical TestsRepeatability and reproducibility were evaluated using within‐subject coefficient of variation (wCV), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), agreement index (AI), and repeatability coefficient (RC). Correlations were measured by Pearson's correlation coefficients.ResultsIn all, 71 cases (80%) passed QA evaluation: 44 at 1.5T, 27 at 3.0T; 60 pretreatment, 11 after 3 weeks of taxane‐based treatment. ADC repeatability was excellent: wCV = 4.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.0, 5.7%), ICC = 0.97 (95% CI 0.95, 0.98), AI = 0.83 (95% CI 0.76, 0.87), and RC = 0.16 * 10−3 mm2/sec (95% CI 0.13, 0.19). The results were similar across field strengths and timepoint subgroups. Reproducibility was excellent: interreader ICC = 0.92 (95% CI 0.80, 0.97) and intrareader ICC = 0.91 (95% CI 0.78, 0.96).Data ConclusionBreast tumor ADC can be measured with excellent repeatability and reproducibility in a multi‐institution setting using a standardized protocol and QA procedure. Improvements to DWI image quality could reduce loss of data in clinical trials.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 1J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:1617–1628.
Demographic and seasonal characteristics of respiratory pathogens in neonates and infants aged 0 to 12 months in the Central‐East region of Tunisia
Authors: Brini Khalifa Ines , Hannachi Naila , Guerrero Aida , Orth‐Höller Dorothea , Bhiri Sana , Bougila Jihene , Boughamoura Lamia , Merchaoui Sonia Nouri , Sboui Hassen , Mahdhaoui Nabiha , Schiela Britta , Laer Dorothee Holm‐von , Boukadida Jalel , Stoiber Heribert 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundThis study aimed to characterize the epidemiology of pathogenic respiratory agents in patients aged 0 to 12 months and hospitalized for acute respiratory infections in Tunisia between 2013 and 2014.MethodsA total of 20 pathogens, including viruses, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and
Streptococcus pneumoniae, were detected using molecular sensitive assays, and their associations with the patient’s demographic data and season were analyzed.ResultsViral infectious agents were found in 449 (87.2%) of 515 specimens. Dual and multiple infectious agents were detected in 31.4% and 18.6% of the samples, respectively. Viral infection was predominant in the pediatric environment (90.8%, P < 0.001), male patients (88.0%), and spring (93.8%).
Rhinovirus was the most detected virus (51.8%) followed by
respiratory syncytial virus A/B (34.4%),
coronavirus group (18.5%),
adenovirus (17.9%), and
parainfluenza viruses 1‐4 (10.9%). Respiratory Syncytial virus A/B was significantly associated with gender (38.0% male cases vs 28.3% female cases,
P = 0.02). Infections by
Adenovirus,
Bocavirus, and
Metapneumovirus A/B increased with increasing age of patients (predominated cases aged 6‐12 months,
P < 0.001).
S. pneumoniae was detected in 30.9% of th tested samples. In 18.2% of the negative viral infections, only
S. pneumoniae was identified.ConclusionA predominance of the rhinovirus infection was observed in this study. Coronavirus subtypes were described for the first time in Tunisia. The observed different pathogenic profiles across age groups could be helpful to avoid the misclassification of patients presenting with ARIs at the triage level when no standardized protocol is available. This study will provide clues for physicians informing decisions regarding preventive strategies and medication in Tunisia.
Differential block frequency compensation for low‐power multistage amplifiers
Authors: Asiyabi Tayebeh , Torfifard Jafar 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA new power‐efficient frequency compensation structure is presented, named the differential block frequency compensation (DBFC) topology. The new compensation technique employs a fully differential stage to organize feedforward and feedback paths. The DBFC technique relieves feedforward and able to amplify feedback currents to move poles and zeros accordingly, which leads to pole‐zero cancelation scenario. Initially, the proposed structure uses only small compensation capacitance, which means very compact and refined design. The proposed circuit along with several state‐of‐the‐art designs from the literature have been extensively analyzed and compared together. The results reveal the improvement regarding to figure of merit factors, which highlight size of compensation circuits, stability, and power dissipation issues. Moreover, the gain‐bandwidth product increases more than 30 times than of other compared circuits.
A comparison of physicochemical characteristics, texture, and structure of meat analogue and meats
Authors: Samard Sasimaporn , Ryu Gi‐Hyung 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe continuous increase of global consumer's dietary behaviors towards reducing meat consumption due to health benefits, ecological, ethical, and social aspects. Texturized vegetable protein (TVP) transformed from plant protein‐based ingredient can impart fibrous structure like muscle meat. However, there is limited information on a comparison of product properties of TVP and meats. In this study, the comparison of physicochemical properties, texture, and structure of TVP and different types of meats (beef, pork, and chicken) were investigated.RESULTSThe nitrogen solubility and integrity index, chewiness and cutting strength of TVP were similar to that of the chicken sample compared to other meats. However, water absorption capacity of TVP (2173.84 g kg−1) was significantly higher than all meat samples (1095.37 to 1653.52 g kg−1). The color and amino acids of TVP were different from meat samples due to the difference in protein types. TVP showed a fibrous structure with non‐uniform air cells.CONCLUSIONThe study demonstrated that some textural and chemical characteristics of texturized vegetable protein under intermediate moisture extrusion exhibited the most similarity to chicken meat. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Application of antimicrobial active packaging film made of semolina flour, nano zinc oxide and nano‐kaolin to maintain the quality of low‐moisture mozzarella cheese during low‐temperature storage
Authors: Jafarzadeh Shima , Rhim Jong‐Whan , Alias Abd Karim , Ariffin Fazilah , Mahmud Shahrom 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDActive food packaging films with improved properties and strong antimicrobial activity were prepared by blending mixed nanomaterials with different ratio [1:4 (40 mg:160 mg), 3:2 (120 mg: 80 mg), 0:5 (0 mg: 200 mg) and 5:0 (200 mg:0 mg)] of ZnO and kaolin with semolina using a solvent casting method and used for the packaging of low moisture mozzarella cheese to test the effect of packaging on the quality change of the cheese for long‐term (up to 72 days) refrigerated storage.RESULTSCompared with the neat semolina film, mechanical strength (TS) of the nanocomposite films increased significantly (increase in 21–65%) and water vapor barrier (WVP) and O2 gas barrier (OP) properties decreased significantly (decrease in 43–50% and 60–65%, respectively) depending on the blending ratio of ZnO and kaolin nanoclay. The nanocomposite films also exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against bacteria (E. coli and S. aureus), yeast (C. albicans), and mold (A. niger). The nanocomposite packaging films were effectively prevented the growth of microorganisms (coliforms, total microbial, and fungi) of the cheese during storage at low‐temperature and showed microbial growth of less than 2.5 log CFU/g after 72 days of storage compared to the control group, and the quality of the packaged cheese was still acceptable.CONCLUSIONThe semolina‐based nanocomposite films, especially Sem/Z3K2 film, were effective for packaging of low moisture mozzarella cheese to maintain the physicochemical properties (pH, moisture, and fat content) and quality (color, taste, texture, and overall acceptability) of the cheese as well as preventing microbial growth (coliforms, total microbial, and fungi). © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Vegetation and prescribed fire: Implications for Stone's sheep and elk
Authors: Sittler Krista L. , Parker Katherine L. , Gillingham Michael P. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTFire is the dominant single natural disturbance influencing northern mountain and boreal landscapes. We evaluated fire‐induced changes in forage resources for 2 focal ungulates, Stone's sheep (Ovis dalli stonei) and elk (Cervus canadensis), in northern British Columbia, Canada. We implemented 4 prescribed fires and monitored short‐term vegetation (quantity and quality) and ungulate (Stone's sheep and elk) responses. We took measurements prior to burning, the year of burning, and 1 year after burning in treatment areas and adjacent unburned control areas in winter and summer at 2 scales. At a fine scale, we used vegetation transects and pellet counts; at the landscape scale, we used Landsat imagery for vegetation and aerial survey flights for animals. Following prescribed fire, shrub cover declined and burned communities increased in herbaceous cover. Plant species diversity also declined but increased to almost that of unburned areas by 1 year after burning. Burning increased quality of forage most (2–7 percentage points more digestibility and 0.3–6.3 percentage points more crude protein than unburned areas) in the summer of the burn. In winter, forage biomass and available digestible dry matter increased to pre‐burn levels by 1 year after burning. Stone's sheep and elk always used burned areas more than unburned control areas in winter at both scales. Whereas elk used sites with higher forage quantity, Stone's sheep appeared to respond to forage quality at the fine scale. Ungulate grazing during the 2 years of this study did not alter forage quantity on burned or unburned sites, as determined from range exclosures. Based on our findings in this area, maximum benefits to elk would be achieved from large prescribed fires on south‐aspect slopes that result in the greatest amounts of forage biomass. Smaller prescribed fires at high burn intensities on west‐aspect slopes intermixed with rocky outcrops and talus scree (less frequented by elk) would most benefit Stone's sheep requirements for high‐quality forage and escape terrain. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Dietary Oat Bran Increases Some Proinflammatory Polyunsaturated Fatty‐Acid Oxidation Products and Reduces Anti‐Inflammatory Products in Apolipoprotein E−/− Mice
Authors: Lee Jetty Chung‐Yung , AlGhawas Dalal Samir , Poutanen Kaisa , Leung Kin Sum , Oger Camille , Galano Jean‐Marie , Durand Thierry , El‐Nezami Hani 
Published: October 2018

AbstractOat bran is suggested to attenuate atherosclerotic conditions by regulating dyslipidemia, endothelial function, and oxidative damage. Through the measurement of oxidized polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), oxidative stress, and inflammation status in liver and heart tissues of apolipoprotein E−/− (ApoE
−/−), mice fed with high fat diet (HFD) or HFD with oat bran (HFD + Oat) were investigated. Using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), PUFA and over 40 types of its oxidized products were assessed. The HFD + Oat group had augmented adrenic acid (ADA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and suppressed n‐3 docosapentaenoic acid levels in the liver tissues compared to the HFD group. Arachidonic acid (ARA) and α‐linolenic acid (ALA) levels were elevated and ADA was suppressed in the heart tissues of the HFD + Oat group compared to the HFD group. Furthermore, enzymatically mediated oxidized ARA product levels (9‐, 11‐ and 20‐HETE [hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid], and PGF2α) were augmented and those of the oxidized DHA products (4‐, 7‐, 10‐, 11‐, 13‐, and 14‐HDHA [hydroxy‐docosahexaenoic acid]) were reduced in the liver tissues of the HFD + Oat group. It also increased 17‐F2t‐dihomo‐isoprostane and 7‐F2t‐dihomo‐isofuran derived from nonenzymatic oxidation of ADA in the heart and liver tissues, and those from ALA namely 16‐F1t‐phytoprostane and 16(RS)‐13‐epi‐STΔ14‐9‐phytofuran. Our study showed oat bran to be a weak antioxidant and lacked anti‐inflammatory properties in atherosclerotic mice. Elevation of oxidized PUFA products that are potentially proinflammatory and vasoconstrictors (HETE, PGF2α) with simultaneous reduction of those that are anti‐inflammatory (HDHA) may not be desirable in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
Preparation of Polyester PolyMIPEs by Polycondensation of Low‐Molecular Weight Polyol and Divinyl Ester Using Microwave Activation
Authors: Barbara Imane , Dourges Marie‐Anne , Deleuze Hervé 
Published: October 2018

AbstractSeveral stable non‐aqueous apolar‐in‐polar medium internal phase emulsions (MIPEs) containing divinyl adipate and pentaerythritol in the continuous phase are formulated by varying the nature of the hydrocarbon. Polycondensation is then conducted either under conventional heating or microwave irradiation after addition of a commercially available organocatalyst. Solvent elimination and drying lead to the corresponding polyester polyMIPEs. A tremendous morphological difference between materials is observed according to the heating method employed. The particular efficiency of microwave activation in the polycondensation of the continuous phase of a non‐aqueous emulsion is discussed.
Facile Thermally Impacted Water‐Induced Phase Separation Approach for the Fabrication of Skin‐Free Thermoplastic Polyurethane Foam and Its Recyclable Counterpart for Oil–Water Separation
Authors: Wang Xiaolong , Pan Yamin , Shen Changyu , Liu Chuntai , Liu Xianhu 
Published: October 2018

AbstractDeveloping a facile large‐scale strategy to fabricate polymer foams with excellent wettability and recycling its counterpart for oil–water separation is in urgent demand. Here, a facile template‐free thermally impacted water‐induced phase separation approach for the fabrication of skin‐free thermoplastic polyurethane foam with a water contact angle of 147°, porosity more than 90%, density less than 14 mg cm−3, and excellent compressibility (>1000 cycles) is proposed. The foams show high efficiency of oil recovery (>98%) during the squeezing and pumping oil–water separation test. Moreover, the used foams could be recycled and reused to form refresh foams without sacrificing their high performance, which makes this method a promising prospect for environmental applications.
High‐Performance Nonfullerene Polymer Solar Cells Based on a Wide‐Bandgap Polymer without Extra Treatment
Authors: Li Guangda , Xu Qingqing , Chang Chunmei , Fan Qunping , Zhu Xiaoqian , Li Wanbin , Guo Xia , Zhang Maojie , Wong Wai‐Yeung 
Published: October 2018

AbstractNonfullerene polymer solar cells (PSCs) are developed based on a fluorinated thienyl‐based wide‐bandgap (WBG) polymer PBBF as the electron donor and nonfullerene small molecule IDIC as the electron acceptor. PBBF exhibits a strong absorption in the range of 300–605 nm with a wide optical bandgap of 2.05 eV, which is complementary with that of IDIC. Meanwhile, it possesses a deeper highest occupied molecular orbital energy level of −5.52 eV and a higher hole mobility of 7.3 × 10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1 compared to the nonfluorinated polymer PBDTT. The PSCs based on PBBF:IDIC without extra treatment show a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.5% with a V
oc of 0.95 V, a J
sc of 15.3 mA cm−2, and an FF of 58.8%, which is much higher than that of the devices based on PBDTT:IDIC (a PCE of 5.3% with a V
oc of 0.88 V, a J
sc of 13.7 mA cm−2, and an FF of 43.9%). These results indicate that PBBF is a promising WBG polymer donor material for the photovoltaic applications in nonfullerene PSCs.
Non‐self‐adjoint singular second‐order dynamic operators on time scale
Authors: Allahverdiev Bilender P. 
Published: October 2018

In this study, maximal dissipative second‐order dynamic operators on semi‐infinite time scale are studied in the Hilbert space
, that the extensions of a minimal symmetric operator in limit‐point case. We construct a self‐adjoint dilation of the dissipative operator together with its incoming and outgoing spectral representations so that we can determine the scattering function of the dilation as stated in the scheme of Lax‐Phillips. Moreover, we construct a functional model of the dissipative operator and identify its characteristic function in terms of the Weyl‐Titchmarsh function of a self‐adjoint second‐order dynamic operator. Finally, we prove the theorems on completeness of the system of root functions of the dissipative and accumulative dynamic operators.