bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contour reconstruction of three-dimensional spiral CT damage image
Authors: Cui Ling-Ling , Zhang Hui 
Published: July 2018

In order to improve the diagnosis and analysis ability of 3D spiral CT and to reconstruct the contour of 3D spiral CT damage image, a contour reconstruction method based on sharpening template enhancement for 3D spiral CT damage image is proposed. This method uses the active contour LasSO model to extract the contour feature of the 3D spiral CT damage image and enhances the information by sharpening the template enhancement technique and makes the noise separation of the 3D spiral CT damage image. The spiral CT image was processed with ENT, and the statistical shape model of 3D spiral CT damage image was established. The gradient algorithm is used to decompose the feature to realize the analysis and reconstruction of the contour feature of the 3D spiral CT damage image, so as to improve the adaptive feature matching ability and the ability to locate the abnormal feature points. The simulation results show that in the 3D spiral CT damage image contour reconstruction, the proposed method performs well in the feature matching of the output pixels, shortens the contour reconstruction time by 20/ms, and provides a strong ability to express the image information. The normalized reconstruction error of CES is 30%, which improves the recognition ability of 3D spiral CT damage image, and increases the signal-to-noise ratio of peak output by 40 dB over other methods.
Electrical conductivity structure across the Parnaíba Basin, NE Brazil
Authors: Solon F. F. , Fontes S. L. , La Terra E. F. 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
Magnetotelluric (MT) data spanning from 0.001 to 50 000 s were acquired across the Parnaíba cratonic basin along an east–west profile approximately 1430 km long. Our preferred 3D resistivity inversion model revealed the presence of three distinct lithospheric blocks bounded by major electrical discontinuities. The western block is characterized by mainly resistive crust and upper mantle, comprising the Amazonian Craton and the western border of the Parnaíba Basin. The central block reveals a broad highly conductive anomaly extending to the upper mantle and is entirely within the basin limits. The eastern block extends from the eastern portion of the Parnaíba Basin towards the Borborema Province, and discloses two resistive profound vertical anomalies cutting through the crust and upper mantle, intercalated by a conductive zone. We associate this large conductive zone (>100 km long) with the signature of the Transbrazilian Lineament Shear Zone which appears to have served as palaeofluid pathways. The anomalous bulk conductivity increase in the crust beneath the central part of the Parnaíba Basin is credited to the impregnation of the lithosphere by conducting minerals related to tectonic events involving either Brazilian orogenic processes or dispersed magmatic residues associated with the continuous igneous intrusions that occurred during the Triassic and Cretaceous.

Supplementary material:
Additional forward modelling tests are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4157600
Hypothermia elongates the contraction-relaxation cycle in explanted human failing heart decreasing the time for ventricular filling during diastole
Authors: Hiis Halvard G. , Cosson Marie V. , Dahl Christen P. , Fiane Arnt E. , Levy Finn Olav , Andersen Geir Ø. , Krobert Kurt A. 
Published: July 2018

Targeted temperature management is part of the standardized treatment for patients in cardiac arrest. Hypothermia decreases cerebral oxygen consumption and induces bradycardia; thus, increasing the heart rate may be considered to maintain cardiac output. We hypothesized that increasing heart rate during hypothermia would impair diastolic function. Human left ventricular trabeculae obtained from explanted hearts of patients with terminal heart failure were stimulated at 0.5 Hz, and contraction-relaxation cycles were recorded. Maximal developed force (Fmax), maximal rate of development of force [(dF/d t)max], time to peak force (TPF), time to 80% relaxation (TR80), and relaxation time (RT = TR80 − TPF) were measured at 37, 33, 31, and 29°C. At these temperatures, stimulation frequency was increased from 0.5 to 1.0 and to 1.5 Hz. At 1.5 Hz, concentration-response curves for the β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) agonist isoproterenol were performed. Fmax, TPF, and RT increased when temperature was lowered, whereas (dF/d t)max decreased. At all temperatures, increasing stimulation frequency increased Fmax and (dF/d t)max, whereas TPF and RT decreased. At 31 and 29°C, resting tension increased at 1.5 Hz, which was ameliorated by β-AR stimulation. At all temperatures, maximal β-AR stimulation increased Fmax, (dF/d t)max, and maximal systolic force, whereas resting tension decreased progressively with lowering temperature. β-AR stimulation reduced TPF and RT to the same extent at all temperatures, despite the more elongated contraction-relaxation cycle at lower temperatures. Diastolic dysfunction during hypothermia results from an elongation of the contraction-relaxation cycle, which decreases the time for ventricular filling. Hypothermic bradycardia protects the heart from diastolic dysfunction and increasing the heart rate during hypothermia should be avoided. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Decreasing temperature increases the duration of the contraction-relaxation cycle in the human ventricular myocardium, significantly reducing the time for ventricular filling during diastole. During hypothermia, increasing heart rate further reduces the time for ventricular filling and in some situations increases resting tension further impairing diastolic function. Modest β-adrenergic receptor stimulation can ameliorate these potentially detrimental changes during diastole while improving contractile force generation during targeted temperature management.
Role of the heart in blood pressure lowering during chronic baroreflex activation: insight from an in silico analysis
Authors: Clemmer John S. , Pruett W. Andrew , Hester Robert L. , Iliescu Radu , Lohmeier Thomas E. 
Published: July 2018

Electrical stimulation of the baroreflex chronically suppresses sympathetic activity and arterial pressure and is currently being evaluated for the treatment of resistant hypertension. The antihypertensive effects of baroreflex activation are often attributed to renal sympathoinhibition. However, baroreflex activation also decreases heart rate, and robust blood pressure lowering occurs even after renal denervation. Because controlling renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and cardiac autonomic activity cannot be achieved experimentally, we used an established mathematical model of human physiology (HumMod) to provide mechanistic insights into their relative and combined contributions to the cardiovascular responses during baroreflex activation. Three-week responses to baroreflex activation closely mimicked experimental observations in dogs including decreases in blood pressure, heart rate, and plasma norepinephrine and increases in plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), providing validation of the model. Simulations showed that baroreflex-induced alterations in cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic activity lead to a sustained depression of cardiac function and increased secretion of ANP. Increased ANP and suppression of RSNA both enhanced renal excretory function and accounted for most of the chronic blood pressure lowering during baroreflex activation. However, when suppression of RSNA was blocked, the blood pressure response to baroreflex activation was not appreciably impaired due to inordinate fluid accumulation and further increases in atrial pressure and ANP secretion. These simulations provide a mechanistic understanding of experimental and clinical observations showing that baroreflex activation effectively lowers blood pressure in subjects with previous renal denervation. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Both experimental and clinical studies have shown that the presence of renal nerves is not an obligate requirement for sustained reductions in blood pressure during chronic electrical stimulation of the carotid baroreflex. Simulations using HumMod, a mathematical model of integrative human physiology, indicated that both increased secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide and suppressed renal sympathetic nerve activity play key roles in mediating long-term reductions in blood pressure during chronic baroreflex activation.
Under Pressure: Examining Social Conformity With Computer and Robot Groups
Authors: Hertz Nicholas , Wiese Eva 
Published: July 2018

Objective: The authors investigate whether nonhuman agents, such as computers or robots, produce a social conformity effect in human operators and examine to what extent potential conformist behavior varies as a function of the human-likeness of the group members and the type of task that has to be performed. Background: People conform due to normative and/or informational motivations in human–human interactions, and conformist behavior is modulated by factors related to the individual as well as factors associated with the group, context, and culture. Studies have yet to examine whether nonhuman agents also induce social conformity. Method: Participants were assigned to a computer, robot, or human group and completed both a social and analytical task with the respective group. Results: Conformity measures (percentage of times participants answered in line with agents on critical trials) subjected to a 3 × 2 mixed ANOVA showed significantly higher conformity rates for the analytical versus the social task as well as a modulation of conformity depending of the perceived agent–task fit. Conclusion: Findings indicate that nonhuman agents were able to exert a social conformity effect, which was modulated further by the perceived match between agent and task type. Participants conformed to comparable degrees with agents during the analytical task but conformed significantly more strongly on the social task as the group’s human-likeness increased. Application: Results suggest that users may react differently to the influence of nonhuman agent groups with the potential for variability in conformity depending on the domain of the task.
Sensitivity and Positive Predictive Value of Death Certificate Data Among Deaths Caused by Legionnaires’ Disease in New York City, 2008-2013
Authors: Tran Olivia C. , Lucero David E. , Balter Sharon , Fitzhenry Robert , Huynh Mary , Varma Jay K. , Vora Neil M. 
Published: July 2018

Objectives: Death certificates are an important source of information for understanding life expectancy and mortality trends; however, misclassification and incompleteness are common. Although deaths caused by Legionnaires’ disease might be identified through routine surveillance, it is unclear whether Legionnaires’ disease is accurately recorded on death certificates. We evaluated the sensitivity and positive predictive value of death certificates for identifying deaths from confirmed or suspected Legionnaires’ disease among adults in New York City. Methods: We deterministically matched death certificate data from January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2013, on New York City residents aged ≥18 years to surveillance data on confirmed and suspected cases of Legionnaires’ disease from January 1, 2008, through October 31, 2013. We estimated sensitivity and positive predictive value by using surveillance data as the reference standard. Results: Of 294 755 deaths, 27 (<0.01%) had an underlying cause of death of Legionnaires’ disease and 33 (0.01%) had any mention of Legionnaires’ disease on the death certificate. Of 1211 confirmed or suspected cases of Legionnaires’ disease, 267 (22.0%) matched to a record in the death certificate data set. The sensitivity of death certificates that listed Legionnaires’ disease as the underlying cause of death was 17.3% and of death certificates with any mention of Legionnaires’ disease was 20.9%. The positive predictive value of death certificates that listed Legionnaires’ disease as the underlying cause of death was 70.4% and of death certificates with any mention of Legionnaires’ disease was 69.7%. Conclusions: Death certificates had limited ability to identify confirmed or suspected deaths with Legionnaires’ disease. Provider trainings on the diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease, particularly hospital settings, and proper completion of death certificates might improve the sensitivity of death certificates for people who die of Legionnaires’ disease.
Ethical Challenges of Early Identification of Advanced Chronic Patients in Need of Palliative Care
Authors: Gómez-Batiste Xavier , Blay Carles , Broggi Marc Antoni , Lasmarias Cristina , Vila Laura , Amblàs Jordi , Espaulella Joan , Costa Xavier , Martínez-Muñoz Marisa , Robles Bernabé , Quintana Salvador , Bertran Joan , Torralba Francesc , Benito Carmen , Terribas Nuria , Busquets Josep Maria , Constante Carles 
Published: July 2018

Palliative care must be early applied to all types of advanced chronic and life limited prognosis patients, present in all health and social services. Patients' early identification and registry allows introducing palliative care gradually concomitant with other measures. Patients undergo a systematic and integrated care process, meant to improve their life quality, which includes multidimensional assessment of their needs, recognition of their values and preferences for advance care planning purposes, treatments review, family care, and case management. Leaded by the National Department of Health, a program for the early identification of these patients has been implemented in Catalonia (Spain). Although the overall benefits expected, the program has raised some ethical issues. In order to address these challenges, diverse institutions, including bioethics and ethics committees, have elaborated a proposal for the program's advantages. This paper describes the process of evaluation, elaboration of recommendations, and actions done in Catalonia.
Results of Scarf Osteotomy Without Implant Fixation in the Treatment of Hallux Valgus
Authors: Liszka Henryk , Gądek Artur 
Published: July 2018

Background: The main goal of the study was to evaluate the costs, clinical and radiologic results, and complications of hallux valgus surgery using scarf osteotomy, depending on the type of fixation (with or without screws). Methods: We evaluated 169 patients who underwent scarf osteotomy between January 2013 and August 2016. The patients were separated into 3 groups depending on the type of stabilization: A, 2 screws (50 patients); B, modified with 1 screw (55 patients); C, modified without implant (64 patients). We assessed duration of surgery, additional procedures, pre- and postoperative hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA) on anteroposterior and lateral foot weightbearing radiographs, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hallux-metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale for the clinical assessment preoperatively and at the 12-month follow-up. We recorded all the complications and compared the costs between the groups. Results: Both the average HVA (A: from 33.7 to 12.6 degrees, B: 35.0 to 13.2 degrees, C: 34.7 to 12.4 degrees) and IMA (A: from 14.9 to 7.5 degrees, B: 15.2 to 6.9 degrees, C: 15.5 to 7.8 degrees) decreased in all groups without significant intergroup differences. The average AOFAS score improved in all the groups (A: from 40 to 88 points, B: 38 to 89 points, C: 42 to 91 points). A similar complication rate was observed (A: 9%, B: 10%, C: 11%). In group C, we noted a shorter time of surgery, and the procedure was the most cost-effective. Conclusion: Scarf osteotomy without implant stabilization was faster and cost-effective and gave comparable results. It was technically demanding and required patient compliance. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Biomechanical Comparison of Syndesmotic Repair Techniques During External Rotation Stress
Authors: Goetz Jessica E. , Davidson Nathan P. , Rudert M. James , Szabo Nicole , Karam Matthew D. , Phisitkul Phinit 
Published: July 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare mechanical behavior of conventional syndesmosis fixation devices with new anatomic repair techniques incorporating various repair augmentations to determine which approach would return rotational ankle mechanics closer to those of an intact ankle. Methods: Ten pairs of fresh-frozen through-the-knee cadaveric lower limbs were subjected to 7.5 Nm of external rotation torque while under 750 N of axial compression. After testing specimens intact and with the deltoid and syndesmotic ligament complexes completely destabilized, specimens underwent syndesmotic fixation using a screw, a suture button construct, a prototype structurally augmented flexible trans-syndesmotic fixation device, or the prototype device plus suture repairs of the anterior-inferior tibiofibular ligament and deep deltoid ligament. Syndesmotic repair devices were exchanged between tests so that each specimen was tested with 2 different fixation techniques. Whole-foot rotation angles at 7.5 Nm of applied torque were measured for comparison of the different repair strategies, and reflective markers mounted on the tibia, fibula, and talus were used to track translations and rotations of the talus and the fibula relative to the tibia during testing. Results: Syndesmotic destabilization significantly ( P < .001) increased whole-foot, talus, and fibula rotation in an axial plane and posterior fibula translation under 7.5 Nm of torque. Neither the suture button nor the augmented flexible trans-syndesmotic fixation device reduced those increases. Screw fixation or addition of anatomic ligament repairs to the augmented flexible fixation device successfully reduced axial plane rotations and sagittal plane translations to near intact levels. Conclusion: Flexible trans-syndesmotic fixation alone was found to be insufficient for restoring rotational stability to the ankle/talus or preventing sagittal plane displacement of the fibula. Clinical Relevance: Repairs to simulate anatomic structures disrupted during a syndesmosis injury were required to restore rotational stability to the foot when using flexible trans-syndesmotic fixation that may have clinical applicability.
Usability, Satisfaction, and Usefulness of an Illustrated Eczema Action Plan
Authors: Shelley Amanda J. , McDonald Katherine A. , McEvoy Alana , Sauder Maxwell , Kanigsberg Nordau , Zemek Roger , Vaillancourt Regis , Pouliot Annie , Ramien Michele L. 
Published: July 2018

Background: An eczema action plan (EAP) is an individualized tool to help caregivers and patients self-manage eczema. While novel illustrated EAPs have been developed and validated, there is limited literature examining the value of EAPs from patient and caregiver perspectives. Objectives: The objective of this study was to test the usability, satisfaction, and usefulness of our validated EAP from the perspective of patients and caregivers. Methods: Consecutive patients from the pediatric dermatology clinic of a tertiary children’s hospital from July 2016 to July 2017 were offered enrolment in a prospective survey study; informed consent was obtained from participants. The illustrated EAP was explained to the participant by a trained research assistant. Participants were sent electronic postvisit surveys using Likert scale questions via REDCap on EAP usability and satisfaction (9 items) as well as on usefulness (3 items). Results: Of 233 consecutive clinic patients, 192 participants (82%) were enrolled, and 112 (58%; 85 caregivers and 22 patients) completed the postvisit surveys. Characteristics were similar between responders and nonresponders. Overall, participants rated the usability (96%), satisfaction (85%), and usefulness (78%) of the EAP positively. Education level, experience with eczema, previous dermatology consultation, and participant type (caregiver vs patient) did not significantly affect the usability or usefulness ratings. However, caregivers’ overall EAP ratings were significantly higher ( P = .02) than the patients’. Conclusion: The caregivers and participants demonstrate that the EAP is a useful and highly usable tool. Future research should examine the effectiveness of EAP use on objective atopic dermatitis outcomes using a pragmatic clinical trial design.
Microsurgical clipping and endovascular flow diversion of ruptured anterior circulation blood blister-like aneurysms
Authors: Hellstern V , Aguilar-Pérez M , AlMatter M , Bhogal P , Henkes E , Ganslandt O , Henkes H 
Published: July 2018

Background Detection and treatment of blister-like intracranial aneurysms as a source of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) can be challenging. In the past the results of both microsurgical and endovascular treatment were difficult. We present our experience with the treatment of blister-like aneurysms in the acute phase of SAH using microsurgical clipping, endovascular parent vessel occlusion or flow diversion. Methods A retrospective analysis of the cases of eight consecutive patients presenting in the acute phase after SAH from an intracranial blister aneurysm was performed. The demographic data of the patients, aneurysm characteristics, the clinical results of the treatment and the follow-up examinations were recorded. Procedural safety margins and aneurysm occlusion on follow-up digital subtraction angiography were the main interest of this evaluation. Results Between January 2012 and November 2017 a total of eight ruptured blister aneurysms were treated in our center, six patients endovascularly. Five patients were treated in the acute phase of SAH, four by flow diversion. All endovascular procedures were feasible and no procedure-related complications were observed, especially no recurrent hemorrhage. In the first angiographic follow-up all blood blister-like aneurysms were completely occluded; two of the six patients treated by flow diverter implantation showed mild, transient intimal hyperplasia without clinical symptoms or the need for treatment. Conclusions Endovascular flow diversion is a viable option in the acute phase after SAH due to the rupture of a blister aneurysm. Implants with reduced thrombogenicity, obviating dual-platelet function inhibition, and flow diverters for vessel bifurcations would extend the indications for this treatment modality.
What makes coaches burn out in their job? Prevalance and correlates of coaches’ burnout in Poland
Authors: Sas-Nowosielski Krzysztof , Szóstak Wioletta , Herman Ewa 
Published: July 2018

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the range of burnout among sport coaches in Poland and identify its personal (especially psychological) and situational correlates. Methods The sample consisted of 174 male and 70 female coaches from 21 sports disciplines, aged from 23 to 82 ( M = 39.00, SD = 10.93). Coaching experience ranged from 1 to 40 years ( M = 12.00, SD = 9.99). Participants filled in four questionnaires: Maslach Burnout Inventory, Coaching Efficacy Scale. The questionnaire of adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism, and Preferred Management Style Questionnaire. Results Coaches reported experiencing low levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation, but high level of reduced sense of personal accomplishments. The latter was observed in 61.06% of respondents. The correlates of individual dimensions of burnout turned out to be: (a) emotional exhaustion – gender, age, deriving financial satisfaction from one’s job, motivation efficacy, maladaptive perfectionism, democratic management style, and the nature of competition; (b) depersonalisation – deriving financial satisfaction from one’s job, building character efficacy, maladaptive perfectionism, democratic, autocratic and liberal management styles; (c) reduced sense of personal accomplishments – deriving financial satisfaction from one’s job, motivation efficacy, game strategy efficacy, maladaptive perfectionism, and democratic management style. Conclusions Our study suggests that sport coaches are not emotionally exhausted and do not depersonalise their charges, but are professionally undervalued. This phenomenon is related to several personal and situational variables.