bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigating patients with normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism: When is a parathyroid scintigraphy indicated?
Authors: Mazokopakis Elias E. , Skarakis Spyridon-Nikitas I. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn clinical practice, physicians often encounter patients with persistent elevated serum parathyroid hormone levels and normal serum calcium levels, a state known as normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism (NHPT). The investigation of NHPT cases can lead to unnecessary use of parathyroid scintigraphy (PS) and consequently unnecessary health-care costs. In this clinical review, the most common causes of NHPT and the possible indications for PS performance in such cases are mainly presented and discussed.
Performance characteristic evaluation of a bismuth germanate-based high-sensitivity 5-ring discovery image quality positron emission tomography/computed tomography system as per National Electrical Manufacturers Association NU 2-2012
Authors: Jha Ashish , Mithun Sneha , Puranik Ameya , Purandare Nilendu , Shah Sneha , Agrawal Archi , Rangarajan Venkatesh 
Published: April 2019

AbstractNational Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) provides guidelines to assess the performance of Positron Emission Tomography (PET). A PET/CT scanner, Discovery IQ, GE Medical systems, Milwaukee, USA was installed in our department which has high a sensitivity PET component. We have performed the NEMA NU-2 2012 quality control tests to evaluate this system on site before clinical use. Performance measurements of the PET scanner were made using the NEMA NU2-2012 procedures for spatial resolution, scatter fraction, sensitivity, count rate loss and random coincidence estimation, Noise Equivalent Count Rate (NECR) and image quality. As per NU2 2012, spatial resolution was measured at 1 cm, 10 cm and 20 cm vertically from the centre and at each of these points resolution was measured at tangential, radial and axial directions. Sensitivity was measured at centre and 10 cm off center vertically from the center. The system sensitivity is reported as an average of the two measured values. Scatter fraction and NECR measurements, Image quality test was also performed. The tangential, radial and axial FWHM were 4.99 mm, 4.20 mm and 4.79 mm at 1 cm off centre, 5.49 mm, 4.69 mm and 4.81 mm at 10 cm off centre and 7.99 mm, 5.07 mm and 4.95 mm at 20 cm off centre respectively. The absolute sensitivity of this scanner was found to be 20.1 cps/kBq. The scatter fraction calculated from the decay method was 37.94% and NECR was 125 kcps. The peak NECR was achieved at activity concentration of 8.7 KBq/ml and the count loss below the peak NECR was found to be 0.68%. Image quality test for, contrast recovery, background variability and lung error residual mean met all specifications. Overall PET performance of Discovery IQ whole-body scanner was satisfactory and the scanner met all the performance specifications required by NEMA 2012.
Quality control and GMP synthesis of 68Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen-11 for detection of low- and high-grade prostate cancer
Authors: Assadi Majid , Dadgar Habibollah 
Published: April 2019

AbstractProstate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) labeled with 68Ga routinely used with higher sensibility and specificity than other radiotracers for detection of low and high grades of prostate cancer using positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography. 68Ge/68Ga generators are generally used with automated modules for the syntheses of 68Ga radiopharmaceuticals. The aim of the current study is to describe the procedures for labeling PSMA with radiotracers and their standard QC tests. The automated synthesis method for 68Ga-PSMA-11 was taken and set of a quality control based on chromatographic and spectrometric methods used to determine radiochemical and radionuclide purity of the radiolabeled compound. Meanwhile, high-performance liquid chromatography and rainbow trail Lutheran camp are the best choices after stability tests for assessment of radiochemical purity at the optimized conditions. The clinical utility of the synthesized radiopharmaceuticals was ascertained by performing PET scans in human patients.
Atrial fibrillation risk factors in patients with ischemic stroke
Authors: Wańkowicz Paweł , Nowacki Przemysław , Gołąb-Janowska Monika 
Published: April 2019

IntroductionAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart arrhythmia. The condition is known to increase the risk of ischemic stroke (IS). Classical risk factors for the development of AF include advanced age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease and lipid metabolism disorders. Importantly, these are also recognized risk factors for ischemic stroke. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate AF risk factors in patients with IS.Material and methodsThis is single-centre retrospective study which included 696 patients with acute ischemic stroke and nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and 1678 patients with acute ischemic stroke without atrial fibrillation.ResultsIn this study we found – based on a univariable and multivariable logistic regression model – that compared to the patients with IS without AF, the group of patients which suffered from IS with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) had a higher proportion of patients who smoked cigarettes (OR = 15.742, p < 0.01; OR = 41.1, p < 0.01), had hypertension (OR = 5.161, p < 0.01; OR = 5.666, p < 0.01), history of previous stroke (OR = 3.951, p < 0.01; OR = 4.792, p < 0.01), dyslipidemia (OR = 2.312, p < 0.01; OR = 1.592, p < 0.01), coronary heart disease (OR = 2.306, p < 0.01; OR = 1.988, p < 0.01), a greater proportion of female patients (OR = 1.717, p < 0.01; OR = 2.095, p < 0.01), higher incidence of diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.341, p < 0.01; OR = 1.261, p = 0.106) and more patients in old age (OR = 1.084, p < 0.01; OR = 1.101, p < 0.01).ConclusionsOur study demonstrates a need for thorough and systematic monitoring of post-ischemic stroke patients in whom AF has not been detected and who display other important risk factors. Regardless of the stroke, these factors may be responsible for development of AF.
Differentiation between non-hypervascular pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma on dynamic computed tomography and non-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Ohki Kazuyoshi , Igarashi Takao , Ashida Hirokazu , Shiraishi Megumi , Nozawa Yosuke , Ojiri Hiroya 
Published: April 2019

PurposeTo determine the differentiating features between non-hypervascular pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (PNET) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) on dynamic computed tomography (CT) and non-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Material and methodsWe enrolled 102 patients with non-hypervascular PNET (n = 15) or PDAC (n = 87), who had undergone dynamic CT and non-enhanced MRI. One radiologist evaluated all images, and the results were subjected to univariate and multivariate analyses. To investigate reproducibility, a second radiologist re-evaluated features that were significantly different between PNET and PDAC on multivariate analysis.ResultsTumour margin (well-defined or ill-defined) and enhancement ratio of tumour (ERT) showed significant differences in univariate and multivariate analyses. Multivariate analysis revealed a predominance of well-defined tumour margins in non-hypervascular PNET, with an odds ratio of 168.86 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.62-2685.29; p < 0.001). Furthermore, ERT was significantly lower in non-hypervascular PNET than in PDAC, with an odds ratio of 85.80 (95% CI: 2.57-2860.95; p = 0.01). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 86.7%, 96.6%, and 95.1%, respectively, when the tumour margin was used as the criteria. The values for ERT were 66.7%, 98.9%, and 94.1%, respectively. In reproducibility tests, both tumour margin and ERT showed substantial agreement (margin of tumour, κ = 0.6356; ERT, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) = 0.6155).ConclusionsNon-hypervascular PNET showed well-defined margins and lower ERT compared to PDAC, with significant differences. Our results showed that non-hypervascular PNET can be differentiated from PDAC via dynamic CT and non-enhanced MRI.
Effect of silicone gel versus Contractubex or corticosteroid phonophoresis for post-burn hypertrophic scars: a single-blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wahba Ereny S. , Hamada Hamada Ahmed , Khatib Ayman El 
Published: April 2019

IntroductionHypertrophic scars and keloids are physically and mentally disturbing, and can cause pain and itching. Various treatment is utilized to diminish or counteract scarring. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of silicone gel, Contractubex gel, and corticosteroid phonophoresis for post-burn hypertrophic scars.MethodsA prospective, single-blind, randomized, controlled study with pretest-posttest design was performed; 45 patients aged 20–45 years with hypertrophic scars, 2–4 months post thermal burn were involved. They were randomly assigned to 3 groups: group A (15 patients, 8 males and 7 females) received phonophoresis with silicone gel, group B (15 patients, 8 males and 7 females) received phonophoresis with Contractubex gel, and group C (15 patients, 9 males and 6 females) received corticosteroid phonophoresis. All treatment interventions were applied at the frequency of 3 sessions/week for 24 weeks. The participants were recruited from the Kasr El-Ani hospital outpatient clinic to be treated in the outpatient clinic, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University.ResultsOutcome measures were taken with the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) before the treatment, and 12 and 24 weeks after the intervention. The comparison among the 3 groups revealed a highly significant decrease in modified VSS total score in group A compared with group B and group C (<i>p</i> < 0.01), as well as in group B compared with group C (<i>p</i> < 0.001).ConclusionsSilicone gel phonophoresis is a more effective method for post-burn hypertrophic scar management than Contractubex gel phonophoresis or corticosteroid phonophoresis.
The effectiveness of two individualized physical interventions on the upper limb condition after radical mastectomy
Authors: Odynets Tetiana , Briskin Yuriy , Yefremova Anzhelika , Goncharenko Ievgen 
Published: April 2019

IntroductionThe aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of two individualized physical interventions on the upper limb condition after radical mastectomy.MethodsOverall, 68 patients after breast cancer surgery participated in 12-week outpatient rehabilitation. They were randomly enrolled for water individualized physical intervention (water exercise group, <i>n</i> = 34) and Pilates physical intervention (Pilates group, <i>n</i> = 34). Upper limb force (dynamometry), size of upper limb lymphedema (circumference), and active range of motion (goniometry) on the affected side were determined before and after 36 individualized physical rehabilitation sessions.ResultsAfter 12-week physical rehabilitation, the average values of active range of flexion and abduction were statistically significantly higher in the water exercise group compared with the Pilates group by 8.73 degrees (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and 6.87 degrees (<i>p</i> < 0.01), respectively. The size of lymphedema in the area of forearm and hand was significantly lower in the water exercise group compared with the Pilates group by 0.46 cm (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and 0.44 cm (<i>p</i> < 0.05), respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in upper limb force between the studied groups at the end of the 12-week intervention.ConclusionsThe results have confirmed that elaborated individualized physical interventions might be considered as effective methods for range of motion improvement and decrease in breast cancer-related lymphedema in patients with post-mastectomy syndrome. The 3-month water exercises were more effective in improving mobility and muscle force of the upper limb and decreasing lymphedema than Pilates exercises.
The technique of physical rehabilitation in clubfoot
Authors: Nesterchuk Natalia , Grygus Igor , Prusik Krzysztof , Zukow Walery 
Published: April 2019

IntroductionTo develop the technique for physical rehabilitation of children with congenital clubfoot. To prove the positive influence of physical rehabilitation available to correct disorders in children with congenital clubfoot.MethodsThe pedagogical experiment involved 68 preschool children aged 4–5 years with congenital clubfoot, who were divided into the control 1 (<i>n</i> = 34) and main (<i>n</i> = 34) groups. At the beginning of the study, the children were treated and were classified in the ‘D’ register by the children’s orthopaedist. Peers without developmental disorders (<i>n</i> = 34) constituted the control group 2.ResultsThe physical rehabilitation technique based on the methods of functional status diagnosis, purpose, content, and physical rehabilitation program included 3 stages of implementation. The basic technique components of physical rehabilitation experimentally verified its effect on correcting the basic disease and functional status of children with congenital clubfoot. The emphasis was placed on the active involvement of parents, establishing close and trusting relationships with them. Parents are taught to correctly apply physical rehabilitation. They have mastered the skills required for the organization of physical rehabilitation at home.ConclusionsThe technique was based on physical rehabilitation purpose, objectives, and adequate principles. It also discloses the specific organization and methodology of physical rehabilitation in congenital clubfoot. The guiding direction is to achieve physical rehabilitation of motor activity and functional status of children with congenital clubfoot to the level of their peers without disabilities.
Contribution and uncertainty of sectorial and regional emissions to regional and global PM2.5 health impacts
Authors: Crippa Monica , Janssens-Maenhout Greet , Guizzardi Diego , Van Dingenen Rita , Dentener Frank 
Published: April 2019

Abstract. In this work we couple the HTAP_v2.2 global air pollutant
emission inventory with the global source receptor model TM5-FASST to
evaluate the relative contributions of the major anthropogenic emission
sources (power generation, industry, ground transport, residential,
agriculture and international shipping) to air quality and human health in
2010. We focus on particulate matter (PM) concentrations because of the
relative importance of PM2.5 emissions in populated areas and the
well-documented cumulative negative effects on human health. We estimate
that in 2010, depending on the region, annual averaged anthropogenic
PM2.5 concentrations varied between ca. 1 and 40 µg m−3,
with the highest concentrations observed in China and India, and lower
concentrations in Europe and North America. The relative contribution of
anthropogenic emission sources to PM2.5 concentrations varies between
the regions. European PM pollution is mainly influenced by the agricultural
and residential sectors, while the major contributing sectors to PM
pollution in Asia and the emerging economies are the power generation,
industrial and residential sectors. We also evaluate the emission sectors
and emission regions in which pollution reduction measures would lead to the
largest improvement on the overall air quality. We show that air quality
improvements would require regional policies, in addition to local- and urban-scale measures, due to the transboundary features of PM pollution. We
investigate emission inventory uncertainties and their propagation to
PM2.5 concentrations, in order to identify the most effective
strategies to be implemented at sector and regional level to improve
emission inventories, knowledge and air quality modelling. We show that the
uncertainty of PM concentrations depends not only on the uncertainty of
local emission inventories, but also on that of the surrounding regions.
Countries with high emission uncertainties are often impacted by the
uncertainty of pollution coming from surrounding regions, highlighting the
need for effective efforts in improving emissions not only within a region but
also from extra-regional sources. Finally, we propagate emission inventory uncertainty to PM concentrations and health impacts. We estimate 2.1 million
premature deaths per year with an uncertainty of more than 1 million premature
deaths per year due to the uncertainty associated only with the emissions.
Deep-seated gravitational slope deformation scaling on Mars and Earth: same fate for different initial conditions and structural evolutions
Authors: Kromuszczyńska Olga , Mège Daniel , Dębniak Krzysztof , Gurgurewicz Joanna , Makowska Magdalena , Lucas Antoine 
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Some of the most spectacular instances of deep-seated
gravitational slope deformation (DSGSD) are found on Mars in the Valles
Marineris region. They provide an excellent opportunity to study DSGSD
phenomenology using a scaling approach. The topography of selected DSGSD
scarps in Valles Marineris and in the Tatra Mountains is investigated after
their likely similar postglacial origin is established. The deformed Martian
ridges are larger than the deformed terrestrial ridges by 1 to 2 orders
of magnitude with, however, a similar height-to-width ratio of ∼0.24. The measured horizontal spreading perpendicular to the ridges is
proportionally 1.8 to 2.6 times larger for the Valles Marineris ridges than
the Tatra Mountains and vertically 2.9 to 5.1 times larger, suggesting that
starting from two different initial conditions, with steeper slopes in
Valles Marineris, the final ridge geometry is now similar. Because DSGSD is
expected to now be inactive in both regions, their comparison suggests that
whatever the initial ridge morphology, DSGSD proceeds until a mature profile
is attained. Fault displacements are therefore much larger on Mars. The
large offsets imply reactivation of the DSGSD fault scarps in Valles
Marineris, whereas single seismic events would be enough to generate DSGSD
fault scarps in the Tatra Mountains. The required longer activity of the
Martian faults may be correlated with a long succession of climate cycles
generated by the unstable Martian obliquity.
IAPSO: tales from the ocean frontier
Authors: Smythe-Wright Denise , Gould W. John , McDougall Trevor J. , Sparnocchia Stefania , Woodworth Philip L. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Our 21st century perspective on the oceans is due to the realization that
knowledge of them and specifically their role in earth's climate are central
to determining the future health of our planet. This present knowledge of the
oceans builds on the farsighted work of people who, over the past century,
worked to address seemingly intractable problems. The International
Association for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans (IAPSO) has, over that
long time span, promoted and supported the international approach that is now
commonplace and has championed the provision of cross-cutting activities, the
value of which we now fully recognize. This paper describes the key events in
IAPSO's history and the roles played by the scientists involved.
The evolution of snow bedforms in the Colorado Front Range and the processes that shape them
Authors: Kochanski Kelly , Anderson Robert S. , Tucker Gregory E. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract. When wind blows over dry snow, the snow surface self-organizes
into bedforms such as dunes, ripples, snow waves, and sastrugi. These
bedforms govern the interaction between wind, heat, and the snowpack, but
thus far they have attracted few scientific studies.
We present the first time-lapse documentation of snow bedform movement and evolution, as part of a series of detailed observations of snow bedform movement in the Colorado Front Range.
We show examples of the movement of snow ripples, snow waves, barchan dunes,
snow steps, and sastrugi. We also introduce a previously undocumented
bedform: the stealth dune. These observations show that (1) snow dunes
accelerate minute-by-minute in response to gusts, (2) sastrugi and snow steps
present steep edges to the wind and migrate downwind as those edges erode,
(3) snow waves and dunes deposit layers of cohesive snow in their wake, and
(4) bedforms evolve along complex cyclic trajectories. These observations
provide the basis for new conceptual models of bedform evolution, based on
the relative fluxes of snowfall, aeolian transport, erosion, and snow
sintering across and into the surface. We find that many snow bedforms are
generated by complex interactions between these processes. The prototypical
example is the snow wave, in which deposition, sintering, and erosion occur
in transverse stripes across the snowscape.
Antenna Theory
Authors: Davis William A. , Stutzman Warren L. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Antenna theory provides the backbone of analysis for antennas and allows the system designer to identify basic properties of antennas to complete a system design. This article provides the foundation concepts of antennas and focuses on the radiation properties and methods for characterizing antennas. Critical components include impedance, gain, beamwidth, and bandwidth as needed for communications systems. In order to predict the limits of antenna size and bandwidth, the fundamental limits of antennas are summarized. A short introduction to the concepts of ultrawideband antennas is also provided. A system designer must incorporate the parameters of the antennas developed in this work into a full analysis of a communication system to complete the design.
Phase Shifters
Authors: De Flaviis Franco 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
A microwave phase shifter is a two‐port device capable of producing a true delay of a microwave signal flowing through it. The produced time delay can be fixed or adjustable, and the phase shifter is accordingly called fixed phase shifter or tunable phase shifter. The geometry of the phase shifter is intimately related to the guiding structure that is used to design it and is also related to the operational frequency. Most phase shifters are realized in waveguides or in planar structures. Electrically, a phase shifter can be characterized by its scattering parameters matrix.
Radio Broadcast Studio Equipment
Authors: Lowery Walt 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
This article attempts to describe the state of the art in equipment and standards of engineering practice. Broadcasting technology now provide a digital signal path from the audio source to the transmitter.
The broadcast engineer can now build a studio using source material from digital audio storage devices mixed on a totally digital console. The console could become a
touch‐screen controlled computer. The all‐digital processing system has arrived.
Retooling to provide the new technology in hardware challenges the equipment industry. New names are emerging and some of the industry leaders are fading from vogue as they fall behind the pace of changing technology. Pressure will be on broadcast engineers also to educate themselves in order to provide competitive product to their listeners and viewers.
Coplanar Waveguide Components
Authors: Simons Rainee N. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Hybrid couplers and magic TS form the basic building blocks of balanced amplifiers, up/downconverters, frequency multipliers, and feed network of printed‐circuit antennas. The manufacturing of these components will be tremendously simplified if they are realized using uniplanar transmission lines such as coplanar waveguides. This article presents the design considerations for reduced‐size uniplanar hybrid coupler, magic‐T, and aperture‐coupled printed antennas.