bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retrospective phase‐based gating for cardiac proton spectroscopy with fixed scan time
Authors: Gastl Mareike , Peereboom Sophie M. , Fuetterer Maximilian , Boenner Florian , Kelm Malte , Manka Robert , Kozerke Sebastian 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundRespiratory motion is a major limiting factor for spectral quality and duration of in vivo proton MR spectroscopy of the heart. Prospective navigator gating is frequently applied to minimize the effects of respiratory motion, but scan durations are subject‐dependent and hence difficult to predict.PurposeTo implement cardiac proton MRS with fixed scan time by employing retrospective phase‐based gating and to compare the proposed method to conventional navigator‐gated MRS.Study TypeProspective.SubjectsEighteen healthy volunteers (29.7 ± 7.8 years).Field Strength/Sequence1.5, navigator‐gated (16 averages without, 96 with water suppression [WS]) data acquisition as reference and navigator‐free data acquisition with a fixed scan time (48 without WS, 304 with WS), cardiac‐triggered point‐resolved spectroscopy (PRESS).AssessmentNavigator‐free data acquisition with retrospective phase‐based gating was compared with prospective navigator‐gating. Navigator‐free acquisition was repeated in 10 subjects to assess reproducibility. Scan time was assessed for prospective and retrospective gating. Retrospective phase‐based gating was performed using a threshold based on the standard deviation (SD) of individual water (W) and triglyceride (TG) phases.Statistical Tests
T‐tests and Bland–Altman analysis.ResultsThe duration of the prospective navigator‐gated scans ranged from 6:09 minutes to 21:50 minutes (mean 10:05 ± 3:46 min, gating efficiency 40.4 ± 10.5%), while data acquisition for retrospective phase‐based gating had a fixed scan time of 11:44 minutes. Retrospective phase‐based gating using a threshold of 1 × SD yielded a gating efficiency of 72.7 ± 4.3% and a coefficient of variation (CoV) of triglyceride‐to‐water ratios of 9.8% compared with the navigated reference. The intrasubject reproducibility of retrospective gating revealed a CoV of 9.5%.Data ConclusionCardiac proton MRS employing retrospective phase‐based gating is feasible and provides reproducible assessment of TG/W in a fixed scan time. Since scan time is independent of respiratory motion, retrospective phase‐based gating offers an approach to motion compensation with predictable exam time for proton MRS of the heart.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:1973–1981.
Raman spectroscopic vibrational analysis of the complex iron sulfates clairite, metavoltine, and voltaite from the burning coal dump Anna I, Alsdorf, Germany
Authors: Košek F. , Edwards H.G.M. , Jehlička J. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractVibrational spectroscopy has been used to characterize the three uncommon complex iron sulfates clairite, (NH4)2Fe3(SO4)4(OH)3 3H2O, metavoltine, Na6K2Fe2+Fe3+6(SO4)12O2·18H2O, and voltaite, K2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12 18H2O. The investigated specimens were formed at the burning coal dump Anna I (Alsdorf, Germany) due to alteration processes connected with the subsurface thermal activity. It is found that all three minerals display complex Raman spectra with an extensive proliferation of bands attributed to the sulfate vibrational modes. Both clairite and metavoltine show extraordinary strong Raman bands in the low‐wavenumber region, which can be attributed to the FeO stretching modes. Clairite and metavoltine show a very similar spectral shape; it can be concluded that both minerals can exhibit a similar crystal structure. In comparison, voltaite represents a different structural type; therefore, a distinct Raman spectrum is observed.
Prognosis of congenital idiopathic abductor laryngeal paralysis with laryngeal electromyography
Authors: Giotakis A.I. , Pototschnig C. 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveTo assess if laryngeal electromyography could provide additional information in the prognosis of congenital bilateral idiopathic abductor vocal cord paralysis (abCBILP).MethodsWe performed a retrospective review over a 23‐year period (1995–2018) of all children younger than 13 years old in the Medical University of Innsbruck.ResultsWe identified five infants with abCBILP. Fiberoptic laryngeal endoscopy revealed bilateral vocal cord immobility in adduction without accompanying laryngeal findings. Tracheostomy rate was 100%. Tracheostomy was performed after minimum 3 weeks of non‐improvement with continuous positive airway pressure treatment or intubation. In all patients, repeated laryngeal electromyography revealed volitional activity. All patients showed excellent full late recovery in the second quinquennium of life.ConclusionPresence of volitional activity in laryngeal electromyography could identify patients with excellent prognosis. Prospective laryngeal electromyography studies are required in more patients with abCBILP in order to document laryngeal electromyography findings also by patients with poor late recovery. Patients with poor prognosis could be selected for early laryngeal intervention to avoid tracheostomy‐dependent issues.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 130:E252–E257, 2020
Runoff and soil erosion responses to rainfall and vegetation cover under various afforestation management regimes in subtropical montane forest
Authors: Xu Chao , Yang Zhijie , Qian Wei , Chen Shidong , Liu Xiaofei , Lin Weisheng , Xiong Decheng , Jiang Miaohua , Chang Chung‐Te , Huang Jr‐Chuan , Yang Yusheng 
Published: May 2019

AbstractSoil erosion and runoff generation are a major concern in forest and agricultural ecosystem management. However, the tangled coeffects of rainfall and vegetation on runoff and erosion generation are regionally dependent and remain unclear in regions with high erosivity, such as Southeast China where the large‐scale afforestation is being implemented. Here, we present the 4‐year observations of runoff and erosion responses to various storms following three afforestation (assisted natural regeneration [ANR; windrowing harvest residues on surface]; Chinese fir cultivation [YCF]; andCastanopsis carlesiicultivation [YCP] after slash‐and‐burn) since 2012. Stepwise power‐law regressions were used to identify the key variables and formulate the responses. Results show that the YCF and YCP following slash and burn have extremely high erosion rates, over 20 t ha−1 yr−1(twofold higher than the global tolerable threshold), during the first year. In contrast, the erosion rate is only approximately 1.3 t ha−1 yr−1in the ANR. The high erosion rates reveal the environmental vulnerability and the necessity of management in this region. Stepwise regressions suggest total rainfall rather than rainfall intensity as key variable probably because the forest canopy substantially offsets raindrop kinetics. The nonlinear runoff and erosion responses indicate that the risk of soil erosion is extremely high when vegetation cover is less than 40% and rainfall is greater than 80 mm. This study, therefore, suggests that windrowing harvest residues into strips or maintaining a vegetation cover greater than 40% is a sound management practice for mitigating land degradation in this region.
Overview of Protein‐Based Biopolymers for Biomedical Application
Authors: Nagarajan Sakthivel , Radhakrishnan Socrates , Kalkura S. Narayana , Balme Sebastien , Miele Philippe , Bechelany Mikhael 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBiopolymers are playing a vital role in biomedical applications. Among them, protein‐based biopolymers are utilized for the fabrication of tissue‐engineering constructs, therapeutic molecule delivery carriers, emulsifiers, and food packaging materials. Wide ranges of proteins are extracted from animal or plant sources and are being utilized for the fabrication of scaffolds for regenerative tissue‐engineering application. Here, an overview about the protein structure, extraction procedure, solubility, and various formulation‐based proteins found in the literature are discussed. Biopolymers display several advantages such as biocompatibility and degradability by enzymes. Methods to overcome the disadvantages of these proteins such as immunogenicity, antigenicity, and solubility are reported. Various crosslinking reagents specific to protein chemistry are discussed as well.
NeuroEvolution of Augmenting Topologies for predicting financial distress: A multicriteria decision analysis
Authors: Belhaj Slimene Senda , Mamoghli Chokri 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis paper introduces a novel approach based on NeuroEvolution of Augmenting Topologies to early predict financial distress of Tunisian companies using an important number of inputs. Our sample covers the period of the Jasmin Revolution that led to an increase of the number of bankruptcies, making early previsions even more difficult.Furthermore, we aim to identify the factors that explain financial distress as our approach does not need a process of preselection. All the financial ratios will be used as inputs for the model, and only the ratios with the highest threshold value will remain in the final classifier.To test the accuracy of our model, we will compute a linear discriminant analysis to compare the previsions of the two approaches. Results show that our approach outperforms the traditional one.
Associations between polymorphisms of the ACYP2 gene and Liver cancer risk: A case‐control study and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhao Wenhui , Liu Xu , Yu Zhendong , Xiong Zichao , Wu Jiamin , Sun Yao , Niu Fanglin , Liu Jikui , Jin Tianbo 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundACYP2 gene may be involved in the process of telomere shortening which may be involved in the liver cancer. So, this research was to examine whether the ACYP2 gene polymorphism has impact on the risk of liver cancer in Chinese population.MethodsTwo hundred and fifty cirrhosis patients and 248 liver cancer patients were selected. Unconditional logistic regression was to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Analyze the relationship between ACYP2 gene polymorphism and tumor using meta‐analysis. Analyze the expression of ACYP2 gene in liver cancer and its influence on the prognosis of liver cancer by databases (Ualcan, GTEX and Kaplan–Meier plotter).ResultsIn the allele model, ACYP2 rs843720 was protection against the occurrence of cirrhosis developed into liver cancer (OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.58–0.99, p = 0.04). Rs1682111 and rs843720 play a protective role in the additive model (rs1682111: OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.52–0.93, p = 0.01; rs843720: OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.54–0.98, p = 0.04).While rs843645 G allele increased the risk of cirrhosis developed into liver cancer under the additive model (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.02–2.00, p = 0.04).The haplotype analysis detected that “ATATCGCC” decreased the risk of cirrhosis developed into liver cancer (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.51–0.92, 95% CI: p = 0.013); however, “TGAGCGTC” increased the risk of cirrhosis developed into liver cancer (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.04–2.10, p = 0.027). Meta‐analysis shown that ACYP2 rs1682111 was associated with the risk of cancer (OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.78–1.05, p = 0.02). ACYP2 gene high expression was found to be associated with better OS for all liver patients.ConclusionBased on this research, we surmised that ACYP2 gene may be involved in the occurrence of liver cancer in Chinese populations.
Dietary Intake of Pleurotus eryngii Ameliorated Dextran‐Sodium‐Sulfate‐Induced Colitis in Mice
Authors: Hu Qiuhui , Yuan Biao , Wu Xian , Du Hengjun , Gu Min , Han Yanhui , Yang Wenjian , Song Mingyue , Xiao Hang 
Published: May 2019

ScopePleurotus eryngii, an edible mushroom, is widely consumed as a functional food for various health benefits due to its multiple bioactive components. There are growing interests in using whole‐food‐based strategies to prevent colonic inflammation via potential synergistic interactions among different components within the whole foods. However, limited research is focused on the inhibitory effects of the whole P. eryngii mushroom against inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Methods and resultsThe protective effects of P. eryngii mushroom against IBD are determined in the dextran‐sodium‐sulfate‐induced colitis model in mice. Dietary administration of P. eryngii (1 and 3% w/w) alleviates colonic inflammation, which is evidenced by decreased disease index, increased colon length, and reduced pro‐inflammatory cytokines in the colonic mucosa. Sequencing the 16S rRNA genes of fecal microbiota demonstrates that P. eryngii mushroom significantly alters the structure of microbiota and partially reverses the shifts of fecal microbiota induced by DSS treatment. The levels of SCFAs in the cecum are increased by P. eryngii mushroom.ConclusionOverall, the results demonstrate the anti‐inflammatory and microbiota‐modulating effects of P. eryngii mushroom as a whole‐food‐based ingredient against IBD, and its potential as a prebiotic agent to prevent inflammation‐related disorders in humans.
Formalin tissue fixation biases myelin‐sensitive MRI
Authors: Seifert Alan C. , Umphlett Melissa , Hefti Marco , Fowkes Mary , Xu Junqian 
Published: May 2019

PurposeChemical fixatives such as formalin form cross‐links between proteins and affect the relaxation times and diffusion properties of tissue. These fixation‐induced changes likely also affect myelin density measurements produced by quantitative magnetization transfer and myelin water imaging. In this work, we evaluate these myelin‐sensitive MRI methods for fixation‐induced biases.MethodsWe perform quantitative magnetization transfer, myelin water imaging, and deuterium oxide‐exchanged zero TE imaging on unfixed human spinal cord tissue at 9.4 Tesla and repeat these measurements after 1 day and 31 days of formalin fixation.ResultsThe quantitative magnetization‐transfer bound pool fraction increased by 30.7% ± 21.1% after 1 day of fixation and by 42.6% ± 33.9% after 31 days of fixation. Myelin water fraction increased by 39.7% ± 15.5% and 37.0% ± 15.9% at these same time points, and mean T2 of the myelin water pool nearly doubled. Reference‐normalized deuterium oxide‐exchanged zero TE signal intensity increased by 8.17% ± 6.03% after 31 days of fixation but did not change significantly after 1 day of fixation. After fixation, specimen cross‐sectional area decreased by approximately 5%; after correction for shrinkage, changes in deuterium oxide‐exchanged zero TE intensity were nearly eliminated.ConclusionBound pool fraction and myelin water fraction are significantly increased by formalin fixation, whereas deuterium oxide‐exchanged zero TE intensity is minimally affected. Changes in quantitative magnetization transfer and myelin water imaging may be due in part to delamination and formation of vacuoles in the myelin sheath. Deuterium oxide‐exchanged signal intensity may be altered by fixation‐induced changes in myelin lipid solid‐state 1H T1. We urge caution in the comparison of these measurements across subjects or specimens in different states, especially unfixed versus fixed tissue.
Trend in overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age in Uganda: 1995–2016
Authors: Yaya S. , Ghose B. 
Published: May 2019

SummaryCountries in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) are experiencing rising burdens of overweight/obesity and associated non‐communicable diseases. As in other developing regions, this epidemiological transition in African countries is believed to be resulting from changes in dietary, sociodemographic structure and lifestyle factors. To date, not much is known about the prevalence and sociodemographic patterns of overweight/obesity in Uganda, especially among women of reproductive age. Therefore, this study aimed to address this research gap by using nationally representative data on women of this age group in Uganda.MethodsThis study involved analysis of cross‐sectional data on 19,395 women aged between 15 and 49 years from Uganda Demographic and Health Survey for the years 1995–2016. Overweight/obesity was measured using body mass index as per World Health Organization guidelines, and logistic regression methods were used to identify the sociodemographic predictors.ResultsThere has a been significant rise in the prevalence of overweight (9.77% in 1995 vs. 16.21% in 2016) and obesity (1.99% in 1995 vs. 6.21% in 2016) since the first survey in 1995, with the most noticeable increase occurring in the central region that accounted for a combined prevalence of 17.22% in 1995 compared with 37. 21% in 2016. Multivariate analysis showed an increased likelihood of having overweight/obesity among women who live in the urban areas, have primary and above primary education, from non‐poor households and users of radio and TV.ConclusionDuring the last two decades, there has been a slow but steady rise in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age in Uganda. The present findings highlight the need for an enhanced attention on growing overweight/obesity within the broader goal improving maternal and child health in the country.
Effect of tool temperature on dimensional fidelity and strength of thermoformed polyetheretherketone composites
Authors: Fortin Gabriel Y. , Fernlund Göran 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis article presents an experimental study of the effect of tool/consolidation temperature on dimensional fidelity and curved beam strength of thermoformed carbon/PEEK composites made of continuous fibers and random oriented strands (ROS). When processing continuous fiber carbon/PEEK composites, higher tool/consolidation temperatures give higher curved beam and inter‐ply strength and more repeatable process induced deformations. Spring‐in increases with tool temperature but the spring‐in is repeatable and flange warpage is reduced because of lower resin viscosity and increased material flow during consolidation. For the ROS material form, no increase in curved beam strength was observed with higher consolidation temperatures and failure was not governed by the inter‐ply strength of the laminate because of the shorter fibers. Lower tool/consolidation temperatures gave less spring‐in and flange warpage was not dependent on consolidation temperature. Spring‐in for both material forms was found to be thermo‐elastic with no effects from crystallization shrinkage.
Chirped Pulse Amplification
Authors: Arrigoni Marco , Tapié Jean‐Luc 
Published: May 2019

AbstractGerard Mourou and Donna Strickland were jointly awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics for inventing the use of chirped pulse amplification (CPA) as a means to raise ultrafast laser pulses to extreme power levels without destroying the gain material or other optics. They first demonstrated CPA more than thirty years ago. The fundamental importance of CPA is reflected in the fact that today all the commercial ultrafast lasers that produce energy per pulse in the µJ to mJ range rely on CPA. In this article, we briefly review the importance of CPA and take a look at three very different amplifiers that enable applications in fields as diverse as femtochemistry, terahertz imaging, attosecond physics, 2D spectroscopy, biology, and materials processing.
Laser Beam Polishing of Polymers
Authors: Layher Michel , Hopf Andreas , Eckhardt Lukas , Bliedtner Jens 
Published: May 2019

AbstractFused layer manufacturing (FLM) is an additive manufacturing process in which parts are built in layers by localized extrusion of molten polymer through a nozzle. It offers a high degree of geometrical flexibility as well as a wide range of suitable materials. Unfortunately, a characteristically high surface roughness is limiting the number of possible applications. The following article provides investigations regarding the remelting of FLM surfaces via laser beam polishing as an effective method for achieving a reduced roughness.
Thickness Determination of Transparent Coatings
Authors: Quinten Michael 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThickness determination of transparent objects or thick transparent layers can be carried out rather simpy using a chromatic confocal sensor. One obtains the thickness as the difference between two distance peaks multiplied with the refractive index of the object's material. A more detailed analysis however reveals that this result should be corrected by a factor that considers the refraction in detail. In this paper we derive and discuss this correction factor and give tabulated values for different refractive indices and aperture angles of the chromatic probe.
Multiline Lasers for Fluorescence Microscopy
Authors: Haahr Melissa 
Published: May 2019

AbstractFluorescence microscopy instrumentation relies on illumination sources to excite fluorophores. Common illumination sources are LEDs, super‐continuum white‐light sources, or single‐wavelength lasers. Lasers are primarily used for high‐resolution and high‐throughput imaging techniques, and each wavelength excites a different set of fluorophores. In order to efficiently excite multiple fluorophores, it is necessary to use many single‐wavelength lasers in one instrument or experiment. This strengthens the content and quality of results. Along with the advantage of activating more fluorophores comes the challenge of integrating each of the individual wavelengths required.
Motor performance improvement through virtual reality task is related to fatigue and cognition in people with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Al‐Sharman Alham , Khalil Hanan , El‐Salem Khalid , Alghwiri Alia A. , Khazaaleh Shada , Khraim Mohammad 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackground and PurposePeople with multiple sclerosis (MS) who undergo rehabilitation need to perform new motor skills or relearn old motor skills. It is not clear whether people with MS retain the ability to improve motor performance or learning. Furthermore, factors that influence motor performance in people with MS need to be investigated. This study explored motor performance in people with MS using virtual reality (VR). The effect of fatigue and cognitive function on motor performance improvement in people with MS was investigated.MethodsTwenty MS participants and 20 controls were recruited into the study. To assess motor performance, each participant was asked to perform a VR game for five times (blocks). The main outcome was time to complete the VR game and number of recorded errors. To assess fatigue level and cognitive function, participants were asked to complete the Arabic versions of the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and the Montréal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), respectively.ResultsMS participants and controls demonstrated a practice‐related improvement in performance as shown by the main effect of block for each of the outcome measures (p < .001, time required to complete VR game; p < .001, errors recorded). Strong and significant negative correlations between recorded errors and MOCA (r = .75, p < .001) and between recorded errors and MFIS (r = .55, p = .011) were found in people with MS.ConclusionsAbility to improve motor performance in people with MS is preserved and related to cognitive function and fatigue impact. Health‐care professionals should be made aware of the negative impact of cognitive function and fatigue on motor performance. A multicomponent intervention that targets these factors is advisable. Future research, however, is required to determine the content and potential benefits of such an intervention in the MS population.