bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative vs. semiquantitative assessment of intratumoral susceptibility signals in patients with different grades of glioma
Authors: Bhattacharjee Rupsa , Gupta Rakesh Kumar , Patir Rana , Vaishya Sandeep , Ahlawat Suneeta , Singh Anup 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundSusceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) provides vascular information and plays an important role in improving the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative glioma grading. Intratumoral susceptibility signal intensities (ITSS) obtained from SWI has been used in glioma grading. However, the current method for estimation of ITSS is semiquantitative, manual count‐dependent, and includes hemorrhage as well as vasculature.PurposeTo develop a quantitative approach that calculates the vasculature volume within tumors by filtering out the hemorrhage from ITSS using R2* values and connected component analysis‐based segmentation algorithm; to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed ITSS vasculature volume (IVV) for differentiating various grades of glioma; and compare it with reported semiquantitative ITSS approach.Study TypeRetrospective.SubjectsHistopathologically confirmed 41 grade IV, 19 grade III, and 15 grade II glioma patients.Field Strength/Sequence: SWI (four echoes: 5.6, 11.8, 18, 24.2 msec) along with conventional MRI sequences (T2‐weighted, T1‐weighted, 3D‐fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery [FLAIR], and diffusion‐weighted imaging [DWI]) at 3.0T.AssessmentR2* relaxation maps were calculated from multiecho SWI. The R2* cutoff value for hemorrhage ITSS was determined. A segmentation algorithm was designed, based on this R2* hemorrhage combined with connected component shape analysis, to quantify the IVV from all slices containing tumor by filtering out hemorrhages. Semiquantitative ITSS scoring as well as total ITSS volume (TIV) including hemorrhages were also calculated.Statistical TestsOne‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey–Kramer post‐hoc tests were performed to see the difference among the three grades of the tumor (II, III, and IV) in terms of semiquantitative ITSS scoring, TIV, and IVV. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the performance of the three methods individually in discriminating between grades of glioma.ResultsOne‐way ANOVA showed that only the proposed IVV significantly differentiated different grades of gliomas having visible ITSS. ROC analysis showed that IVV provided the highest AUC for the discrimination of grade II vs. III (0.93), grade III vs. IV (0.98), and grade II vs. IV glioma (0.94). IVV also provided the highest sensitivity and specificity for differentiating grade II vs. III (87.44, 98.41), grade III vs. IV (97.15, 94.12), and grade II vs. IV (98.72, 92.31).Data ConclusionThe proposed quantitative method segregates hemorrhage from tumor vasculature. It scores above the existing semiquantitative method in terms of ITSS estimation and grading accuracy.Level of Evidence: 4Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:225–233.
Acute and one year outcome of premature ventricular contraction ablation guided by contact force and automated pacemapping software
Authors: Capulzini Lucio , Vergara Pasquale , Mugnai Giacomo , Salghetti Francesca , Abugattas Juan Pablo , El Bouchaibi Said , Iacopino Saverio , Sieira Juan , Enriquez Coutiño Hugo , Ströker Erwin , Brugada Pedro , Chierchia Gianbattista , de Asmundis Carlo 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundRadiofrequency (RF) ablation is a well‐established approach to treat premature ventricular contractions (PVC) and is associated with good outcomes.AimThe present study sought to analyze the acute efficacy and 1‐year outcomes of PVC ablation using RF technology with an approach based on automated pace‐mapping and contact force (CF) information.MethodsSixty‐one consecutive patients (52.4% males, age 45.9 ± 12.5) underwent catheter ablation for symptomatic monomorphic PVC. All procedures were guided by a 3‐dimensional mapping system; site of ablation was selected based on PASO™ aided pace‐mapping; RF was started on the selected location when stable catheter position with >10 g of CF were obtained.The procedure was defined as acutely effective if the PVC was eliminated and it did not recur during within 30 minutes. Long‐term efficacy was defined as a decrease by more than 95% at 1 year of the initial PVC burden at ECG Holter monitoring.ResultsThe PVC ablation was performed in the right ventricular outflow tract in 37 patients (60.7%), left ventricle in 15 patients (24.6%), coronary cusps in 6 patients (9.8%), right ventricle in 3 patients (4.9%); PVC ablation was acutely successful in 59 of patients (96.7%). At 1‐year efficacy was obtained in 57 patients (93.4%). No major complications occurred. Mean procedural and fluoroscopy time were 94.5 ± 20.9 and 4.3 ± 2.5 minutes respectively.ConclusionPremature ventricular contraction RF ablation mainly guided by PASO™ and CF showed high success rate in both acute and 1‐year follow‐up (96.7% and 93.4% respectively). The best efficacy cut‐off for RF ablation of PVCs has been identified in presence of both PASO™ ≥95% and CF >10 g.
Changes in daily temperature extremes relative to the mean in Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 models and observations
Authors: Gross Mia H. , Donat Markus G. , Alexander Lisa V. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractChanges in characteristics of the distribution of temperature, in addition to shifts towards warmer temperatures, can have substantial implications for society and the environment. A change in shape, for example, can be caused by differences in the rates of warming of cold and warm extremes relative to average temperatures. These rates of warming vary both spatially and temporally, with strong geographic and seasonal differences in how local extremes are changing relative to local average temperatures. In this paper, we investigate how seasonal warm and cold tails of both daily maximum and minimum temperatures are changing relative to corresponding seasonal mean temperatures. Analysing gridded observations over land areas and climate models from the CMIP5 archive, we show that in recent decades, the greatest differences between warming rates of extremes and the mean occur in the cold tails of the distribution for many regions in the Northern Hemisphere extratropics during all seasons except boreal summer. Globally, June through August show the smallest differences between extremes and mean warming rates. While the climate models show relatively low spatial correlations in their change patterns with each other as well as the observations for past decades, future simulated changes are shown to be systematic and robust, with a clear signal in the warming of extremes relative to the mean. The strongest differences between warming rates of extremes and the mean are projected for Northern Hemisphere mid‐ to high‐latitude regions, where the cold tails warm more than the average for all seasons except boreal summer. This is especially widespread in autumn and spring, where the models predict cold extremes to warm at least 3°C more than mean temperatures for much of the Northern Hemisphere extratropics. The results presented here highlight the importance of considering all aspects of the distribution when analysing changes in temperature.
The Furan Fatty Acid 9M5 Acts as a Partial Ligand to Peroxisome Proliferator‐Activated Receptor gamma and Enhances Adipogenesis in 3T3‐L1 Preadipocytes
Authors: Lauvai Judith , Becker Anna‐Karina , Lehnert Katja , Schumacher Monika , Hieronimus Bettina , Vetter Walter , Graeve Lutz 
Published: May 2019

AbstractA food that has been praised for its beneficial effects on overall health is fish, particularly its polyunsaturated n‐3 fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). However, it has recently been suggested that minor fatty acids such as furan fatty acids are needed in combination with DHA and EPA to exert these positive effects of fish and fish oils. Only recently have furan fatty acids become available in quantities that allow the investigation of their biofunctional properties. In this study, the uptake and effect of the furan fatty acid 9‐(3‐methyl‐5‐pentylfuran‐2‐yl)‐nonanoic acid (9M5) as a sole component and in combination with DHA and EPA on adipogenesis were analyzed using the 3T3‐L1 cell model. 9M5 is taken up and metabolized into 7M5, 5M5, and 3M5 in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes during a 24‐h period as shown with gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Furthermore, 9M5 significantly increased lipid accumulation during the differentiation process of 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes into adipocytes. In addition, the combinations of DHA + 9M5 and EPA + DHA + 9M5 also exerted a significant increase compared to control adipocytes. 3T3‐L1 cells incubated with 9M5 resulted in an increased protein expression of PPARγ, C/EBPα, FABP4, and adiponectin, although not to the extent that DHA as a sole component or DHA + 9M5 did. Earlier studies have shown that DHA is a natural ligand for PPARγ, thus being a potential alternative to the antidiabetic thiazolidinediones. We show that 9M5 activates a PPARγ‐responsive reporter gene and could therefore be a natural ligand for PPARγ.
Controlled Synthesis of Block Copolymers by Mechanistic Transformation from Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization to Iniferter Process
Authors: Aydogan Cansu , Ciftci Mustafa , Yagci Yusuf 
Published: May 2019

AbstractA straightforward transformation protocol combining two distinct living polymerization methods for the controlled synthesis of block copolymers is described. In the first step, bromo‐terminated poly(methyl methacrylate) is prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Then, a bromide end group is substituted with a triphenylmethyl (trityl) functionality under visible light irradiation using dimanganese decacarbonyl (Mn2(CO)10) photochemistry. The resulting polymers with trityl end groups are used as macroiniferter for the polymerization of styrene and tert‐butyl acrylate (tBA) to yield desired block copolymers with narrow molecular weight distribution. Moreover, the amphiphilic copolymers with acrylic acid functionalities are obtained by the hydrolyzation of poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) containing block copolymers with trifluoroacetic acid.
Vascular pedicle division during free flap re‐inset in pharyngoesophageal reconstruction
Authors: Yegin Mehmet Emre , Chen Shih‐Heng , Chen Hung‐Chi 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundFree intestinal flaps for pharyngolaryngoesophagus reconstruction may require revision operations, including free flap re‐inset for functional improvement. This report aimed to present our experience on vascular pedicle division at the secondary procedure of free flap re‐inset for functional improvement in pharyngoesophageal reconstruction.Patients and MethodsEight male and seven female patients, with a mean age of 52 years old (range: 28–78 years), underwent pharyngoesophageal stricture (n = 7) and hypopharynx carcinoma reconstruction (n = 8) with three free jejunal and 12 free ileocolonic flaps. During revision procedure to shorten the flap for functional improvement, which was performed at 3 months after the initial operation, there were 11 venous and 4 arterial pedicle division cases. The intestinal flap circulation signs, such as presence of normoperistalsis, pink color, moderate secretion, and bleeding at puncture site, were observed for 1 hr.ResultsNo venous pedicle divisions required reanastomosis. However, all arterial pedicle division cases required immediate restoration with a vein graft because of immediate intestinal changes. No postoperative complications were seen, excluding a patient with anterior wall reconstruction who had arterial division and reanastomosis. Patients were followed up for a median duration of 28 months.ConclusionFor revision operations involving free intestinal flaps, the arterial pedicle must be protected or repaired if transected, whereas the venous pedicle does not necessitate such a maneuver.
Accurate colorectal tumor segmentation for CT scans based on the label assignment generative adversarial network
Authors: Liu Xiaoming , Guo Shuxu , Zhang Huimao , He Kan , Mu Shengnan , Guo Yu , Li Xueyan 
Published: May 2019

PurposeColorectal tumor segmentation is an important step in the analysis and diagnosis of colorectal cancer. This task is a time consuming one since it is often performed manually by radiologists. This paper presents an automatic postprocessing module to refine the segmentation of deep networks. The label assignment generative adversarial network (LAGAN) is improved from the generative adversarial network (GAN) and assigns labels to the outputs of deep networks. We apply the LAGAN to segment colorectal tumors in computed tomography (CT) scans and explore the performances of different combinations of deep networks.Material and methodsA total of 223 patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) are enrolled in the study. The CT scans of the colorectal tumors are first segmented by FCN32 and Unet separately, which output probabilistic maps. Then, the probabilistic maps are labeled by the LAGAN and finally, the binary segmentation results are obtained. The LAGAN consists of a generating model and a discriminating model. The generating model utilizes the probabilistic maps from deep networks to imitate the distribution of the ground truths, and the discriminating model attempts to distinguish generations and ground truths. Through competitive training, the generating model of the LAGAN can realize label assignments for the probabilistic maps.ResultsThe LAGAN increases the DSC of FCN32 from 81.83% ± 0.35% to 90.82% ± 0.36%. In the Unet‐based segmentation, the LAGAN increases the DSC from 86.67% ± 0.70% to 91.54% ± 0.53%. It takes approximately 10 ms to refine a single CT slice.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate that the LAGAN is a robust and flexible module, which can be used to refine the segmentation of diverse deep networks. Compared with other networks, the LAGAN can achieve desirable segmented accuracy for colorectal tumors.
Computer‐assisted pedicle screw trajectory planning using CT‐inferred bone density: A demonstration against surgical outcomes
Authors: Knez Dejan , Nahle Imad S. , Vrtovec Tomaž , Parent Stefan , Kadoury Samuel 
Published: May 2019

PurposeImage‐guided spine surgery and preoperative computer‐assisted planning provide spine surgeons with tools to improve the safety, accuracy, and reliability of pedicle screw placement. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate a computer‐assisted pedicle screw placement planning tool in comparison to screws as delivered by a spine surgeon.MethodsWe describe a novel computer‐assisted tool for preoperative pedicle screw placement planning in computed tomography (CT) images, designed with respect to the vertebral shape and structure, and augmented with respect to the considerations of surgical practice. The approach is based on three‐dimensional (3D) modeling of the vertebral body and pedicles, and planning of the pedicle screw size and insertion trajectory by maximizing the screw fastening strength, evaluated through CT‐inferred bone density maps. The approach is augmented by yielding screw plans consistent with the straight‐forward surgical technique of aligning screws parallel to vertebral endplates, and the screw entry points following the spinal curvature to facilitate rod attachment. For a cohort of 25 patients, placement plans were retrospectively obtained for 204 pedicle screws with the computer‐assisted tool from preoperative CT images, while reference trajectories of inserted pedicle screws were reconstructed in 3D from postoperative biplanar radiographs.ResultsThe best performing version of the computer‐assisted tool achieved clinically acceptable preoperative pedicle screw placement plans in 96.6% of the cases, while the comparison to the postoperative reconstructions resulted in 3.4 ± 2.5 mm for the screw entry point location, 2.7 ± 1.6 mm for the screw crossing point location, and 7.4 ± 5.3∘ for the screw sagittal inclination (mean absolute difference ± standard deviation).ConclusionQuantitative comparison revealed that the preoperative placement plans are consistent with the postoperative results, and that the computer‐assisted tool integrating bone density and surgical constraints can successfully incorporate important aspects of pedicle screw placement. The results therefore confirm the accuracy of the tool prior to being integrated in an image‐guidance system.
Results from the experimental evaluation of CeBr scintillators for He prompt gamma spectroscopy
Authors: Dal Bello Riccardo , Magalhaes Martins Paulo , Graça João , Hermann German , Kihm Thomas , Seco Joao 
Published: May 2019

PurposeThe presence of range uncertainties hinders the exploitation of the full potential of charged particle therapy. Several range verification techniques have been proposed to mitigate this limitation. Prompt gamma spectroscopy (PGS) is among the most promising solutions for online and in vivo range verification. In this work, we present the experimental results of the detection of prompt gamma radiation, induced by He beams at the Heidelberg Ion‐Beam Therapy Center (HIT). The results were obtained, using a spectroscopic unit of which the design has been optimized using Monte Carlo simulations.MethodsThe spectroscopic unit is composed by a primary cerium bromide (CeBr) crystal surrounded by a secondary bismuth germanate (BGO) crystal for anticoincidence detection (AC). The digitalization of the signals is performed with an advanced FADC/FPGA system. The He beams at clinical energies and intensities are delivered to multiple targets in the experimental cave at the HIT. We analyze the production of prompt gamma on oxygen and carbon targets, as well as high Z materials such as titanium and aluminum. The quantitative analysis includes a systematic comparison of the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) improvement for the spectral lines when introducing the AC detection. Moreover, the SNR improvement could provide a reduction of the number of events required to draw robust conclusions. We perform a statistic analysis to determine the magnitude of such an effect.ResultsWe present the energy spectra detected by the primary CeBr and the secondary BGO. The combination of these two detectors leads to an average increase of the signal‐to‐noise ratio by a factor 2.1, which confirms the Monte Carlo predictions. The spectroscopic unit is capable of detecting efficiently the discrete gamma emission over the full energy spectrum. We identify and analyze 19 independent spectral lines in an energy range spacing from MeV to MeV. Moreover, when introducing the AC detection, the number of events required to determine robustly the intensity of the discrete lines decreases. Finally, the analysis of the low‐energy reaction lines determines whether a thin metal insert is introduced in the beam direction.ConclusionsThis work provides the experimental characterization of the spectroscopy unit in development for range verification through PGS at the HIT. Excellent performances have been demonstrated over the full prompt gamma energy spectrum with He beams at clinical energies and intensities.
Organizational influences on the intimate partner violence and sexual violence screening practices of college health care providers
Authors: Sutherland Melissa A. , Hutchinson M. Katherine 
Published: May 2019

AbstractExperts and professional organizations in the U.S. have issued recommendations that health care providers (HCPs) should screen women for intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence (SV). Despite the high rates of IPV and SV experienced by female college students, investigators have found that providers are not screening for IPV and SV in college health centers. In this study, a cross‐sectional survey design was utilized to: (a) examine college HCPs’ reports of IPV/SV screening behaviors and (b) identify the individual‐level and organization‐level structure and process characteristics that promote or inhibit IPV/SV screening. A total of 773 college HCPs (physicians, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses) were invited to participate in the study using two separate sampling frames. The final sample included 210 college HCPs. Providers reported low rates of IPV/SV screening (median = 20%). Screening rates varied by provider type with nurse practitioners reporting the highest screening rates. Urban location was associated with a three and one‐half times greater likelihood of IPV/SV screening. Use of an electronic health record that included a prompt to screen was associated with a three‐fold increase in the likelihood that HCPs would screen for IPV/SV. Further study is needed to better understand how organizational factors influence providers’ screening behaviors in college health centers and how these influences are mediated. Future studies should include larger and more diverse samples of colleges and examine geographical variations in screening practices.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Graphene Aerogel‐Supported MnxFe3−xO4 for Oxygen Reduction in Urea/O2 Fuel Cells
Authors: Bejigo Keyru Serbara , Park Bang Ju , Kim Ji Hyeon , Yoon Hyon Hee 
Published: May 2019

AbstractGraphene aerogel‐supported manganese ferrite (MnxFe3−xO4/GAs) and reduced‐graphene oxide/manganese ferrite composite (MnFe2O4/rGO) were synthesized and studied as cathode catalysts for oxygen reduction reactions in urea/O2 fuel cells. MnFe2O4/GAs exhibited a 3D framework with a continuous macroporous structure. Among the investigated Fe/Mn ratios, the more positive oxygen reduction onset potential was observed with Fe/Mn=2/1. The half‐wave potential of MnFe2O4/GAs was considerably more positive than that of MnFe2O4/rGO and comparable with that of Pt/C, while the stability of MnFe2O4/GAs significantly higher than that of Pt/C. The best urea/O2 fuel cell performance was also observed with the MnFe2O4/GAs. The MnFe2O4/GAs exhibited an OCV of 0.713 V and a maximum power density of 1.7 mW cm−2 at 60 °C. Thus, this work shows that 3D structured graphene aerogel‐supported MnFe2O4 catalysts can be used as an efficient cathode material for alkaline fuel cells.
The relation between classroom management and mathematics achievement: A multilevel structural equation model
Authors: van Dijk Wilhelmina , Gage Nicholas A. , Grasley‐Boy Nicolette 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe impact of teachers on their students’ academic achievement continues to be an area of inquiry. One area not fully explored is the relation between teachers’ behavior and classroom management (CM) skills, student motivation, and student achievement. We examined these relations using a multi‐level structural equation model. Data included Behavior Management subscale scores of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System for 247 fourth and fifth grade teachers, indicators of academic motivation, and end‐of‐year state standardized mathematics assessment results for 4,847 students from the National Center of Teacher Effectiveness Main Study. The results indicate teachers’ CM skills have a significant direct effect on student motivation and a significant indirect effect on students’ math achievement, suggesting that students in classrooms of teachers with better CM are more motivated to learn math and have higher math achievement scores. This underscores the importance of helping teachers increase their use of evidence‐based classroom management techniques.