bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Important considerations in the derivation of background at sediment sites
Authors: Geiselbrecht Allison , Rouhani Shahrokh , Thorbjornsen Karen , Blue Douglas , Nadeau Steven , Gardner-Brown Tessa , Brown Steven 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

In the United States, there is an absence of federal guidance related to deriving and applying background concentrations at contaminated sediment sites. This absence has resulted in significant variability, uncertainty, and disagreement regarding how representative background concentrations of chemicals of concern should be derived for these sites. The present article discusses important considerations in the derivation of representative background concentrations to be used in the evaluation of contaminated sediment sites. Specifically, a thorough understanding of a site is critical to selecting the background reference areas from which representative background concentrations can be derived, representative background concentrations should account for contributions from those background chemical inputs (natural and anthropogenic sources) that will continue affecting the site even after remediation, perceived outliers should not be eliminated from the background data set just because they are the highest or lowest values, and geochemical evaluation of trace metals is a useful tool for deriving representative background concentrations. On a site-specific level, representative background concentrations are critical for putting site-related risk into context, developing a cost-effective and technically feasible remedial approach, understanding the potential for recontamination, and ensuring long-term remedy success. In a broader context, clear guidance from the United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for deriving and applying background concentrations for contaminated sediment sites would help promote national consistency in site assessment and remedy decision making. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;00:000–000. © 2019 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC)
Preoperative simulation by volume rendering image and intraoperative navigation by ultrasound for posterior urethroplasty: A report of initial three cases
Authors: Kanematsu Akihiro , Nakamura Kenji , Kotoura Noriko , Hashimoto Takahiko , Yamamoto Shingo 
Published: January 2019

IntroductionIn posterior urethroplasty, exposure of the proximal urethral stump is the most important step that determines surgical outcome. However, this is sometimes difficult due to deviation of the prostate or overlying scar tissue. We present a novel preoperative simulation and intraoperative navigation method for this step.Case presentationThree patients underwent excision and primary anastomosis for posterior urethral disruption after pelvic fracture. Preoperatively, volume‐rendering image of the posterior urethra was constructed from gadolinium‐enhanced magnetic resonance image, enabling simulation from the viewpoint of the operator in all three cases. Intraoperative navigation was performed in two patients by using transrectal ultrasound, visualizing the acoustic shadow of a cystoscope inserted into the prostatic urethra via the cystostomy tract. The overlying scar tissue was removed toward the urethral stumps identified by navigation. Urethroplasty was successful in all three patients.ConclusionThe present methods were useful for precise identification of the proximal urethral stump.
Controlling for ability using test scores
Authors: Williams Benjamin 
Published: January 2019

SummaryThis paper proposes a semiparametric method to control for ability using standardized test scores, or other item response assessments, in a regression model. The proposed method is based on a model in which the parameter of interest is invariant to monotonic transformations of ability. I show that the estimator is consistent as both the number of observations and the number of items on the test grow to infinity. I also derive conditions under which this estimator is root‐n consistent and asymptotically normal. The proposed method is easy to implement, does not impose a parametric item response model, and does not require item‐level data. I demonstrate the finite‐sample performance in a Monte Carlo study and implement the procedure for a wage regression using data from the NLSY1979.
Bayesian parametric and semiparametric factor models for large realized covariance matrices
Authors: Jin Xin , Maheu John M. , Yang Qiao 
Published: January 2019

SummaryThis paper introduces a new factor structure suitable for modeling large realized covariance matrices with full likelihood‐based estimation. Parametric and nonparametric versions are introduced. Because of the computational advantages of our approach, we can model the factor nonparametrically as a Dirichlet process mixture or as an infinite hidden Markov mixture, which leads to an infinite mixture of inverse‐Wishart distributions. Applications to 10 assets and 60 assets show that the models perform well. By exploiting parallel computing the models can be estimated in a matter of a few minutes.
“I didn’t take it too seriously because I’d just never heard of it”: Experiential knowledge and genetic screening for thalassaemia in the UK
Authors: Boardman Felicity K. , Hale Rachel 
Published: January 2019

AbstractMembers of the public face particular challenges when undergoing reproductive genetic screening. Lack of family history with genetic disease has been identified as a key barrier affecting screening uptake and responses to genetic risk. This study explores this obstacle using beta thalassaemia as a case study. Fifteen in‐depth qualitative interviews were conducted exploring the reproductive views and decisions of people at risk of transmitting thalassaemia. Eleven participants had thalassaemia themselves and/or were members of an affected family. Four participants were identified as thalassaemia carriers through genetic screening programmes with no family history. Notable differences were observed between these two groups. For thalassaemic individuals and families, past experience clarified and facilitated their sense of reproductive responsibility, however carriers struggled to relate to, and incorporate the information into their lives. It was witnessing their child becoming symptomatic—rather than receiving a diagnosis or genetic risk information per se that had the most substantial influence on carriers’ subsequent views and decisions. Educational resources used to support genetic screening programmes would benefit from an engagement with the experiential accounts of life with genetic disease in order to more effectively bridge the chasm in knowledge and understanding between affected families and the general public, towards whom expansive genetic screening is aimed.
Online decision support for persons having a genetic predisposition to cancer and their partners during reproductive decision‐making
Authors: Reumkens Kelly , Tummers Marly H. E. , Gietel‐Habets Joyce J. G. , van Kuijk Sander M. J. , Aalfs Cora M. , van Asperen Christi J. , Ausems Margreet G. E. M. , Collée Margriet , Dommering Charlotte J. , Kets C. Marleen , van der Kolk Lizet E. , Oosterwijk Jan C. , Tjan‐Heijnen Vivianne C. G. , van der Weijden Trudy , de Die‐Smulders Christine E. M. , van Osch Liesbeth A. D. M. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractA nationwide pretest–posttest study was conducted in all clinical genetic centres in the Netherlands, to evaluate the effects of an online decision aid to support persons who have a genetic predisposition to cancer and their partners in making an informed decision regarding reproductive options. Main outcomes (decisional conflict, knowledge, realistic expectations, level of deliberation, and decision self‐efficacy) were measured before use (T0), immediately after use (T1), and at 2 weeks (T2) after use of the decision aid. Paired sample t tests were used to compute differences between the first and subsequent measurements. T0–T1 and T0–T2 comparisons indicate a significant reduction in mean decisional conflict scores with stronger effects for participants with high baseline decisional conflict. Furthermore, use of the decision aid resulted in increased knowledge levels and improved realistic expectations. Level of deliberation only increased for participants with lower baseline levels of deliberation. Decision self‐efficacy increased for those with low baseline scores, whereas those with high baseline scores showed a reduction at T2. It can be concluded that use of the decision aid resulted in several positive outcomes indicative of informed decision‐making. The decision aid is an appropriate and highly appreciated tool to be used in addition to reproductive counseling.
Examining modus operandi in stranger child abduction: A comparison of attempted and completed cases
Authors: Collie Craig J.R. , Shalev Greene Karen 
Published: January 2019

AbstractExisting inquiries purporting to study and describe offender behaviour in stranger child abduction (SCA) have utilised an overly narrow definition of modus operandi (MO), focusing only on very outset of the offence. The study aims to reflect changes that occur as the offence proceeds and to examine whether differentiating between attempted and completed cases can provide greater understanding of MO in SCA. The MO utilised by offenders in 78 cases of SCA retrieved from publicly available U.K. sources were examined. Descriptive analysis was used to determine which types of behaviour were present. Multidimensional scaling was used to categorise these behaviours and to establish whether any relationships existed between them, with view to ascertaining whether there were any clear patterns among strategies. Results found support for differentiating attempted and completed offences, with the analysis highlighting that offenders who utilised multiple means of control, who were more aggressive, and who shifted their MO from one theme to another, were more likely to complete the offence. The study concludes that more nuanced categorisations of SCA offending approaches, which reflect change over time, are required, and argues for additional, contextual information to be incorporated into future work.
Population net benefit of prostate MRI with high spatiotemporal resolution contrast‐enhanced imaging: A decision curve analysis
Authors: Prabhu Vinay , Rosenkrantz Andrew B. , Otazo Ricardo , Sodickson Daniel K. , Kang Stella K. 
Published: January 2019

BackgroundThe value of dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) sequences in prostate MRI compared with noncontrast MRI is controversial.PurposeTo evaluate the population net benefit of risk stratification using DCE‐MRI for detection of high‐grade prostate cancer (HGPCA), with or without high spatiotemporal resolution DCE imaging.Study TypeDecision curve analysis.PopulationPreviously published patient studies on MRI for HGPCA detection, one using DCE with golden‐angle radial sparse parallel (GRASP) images and the other using standard DCE‐MRI.Field Strength/SequenceGRASP or standard DCE‐MRI at 3 T.AssessmentEach study reported the proportion of lesions with HGPCA in each Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI‐RADS v2) category (1–5), before and after reclassification of peripheral zone lesions from PI‐RADS 3–4 based on contrast‐enhanced images. This additional risk stratifying information was translated to population net benefit, when biopsy was hypothetically performed for: all lesions, no lesions, PI‐RADS ≥3 (using NC‐MRI), and PI‐RADS ≥4 on DCE.Statistical TestsDecision curve analysis was performed for both GRASP and standard DCE‐MRI data, translating the avoidance of unnecessary biopsies and detection of HGPCA to population net benefit. We standardized net benefit values for HGPCA prevalence and graphically summarized the comparative net benefit of biopsy strategies.ResultsFor a clinically relevant range of risk thresholds for HGPCA (>11%), GRASP DCE‐MRI with biopsy of PI‐RADS ≥4 lesions provided the highest net benefit, while biopsy of PI‐RADS ≥3 lesions provided highest net benefit at low personal risk thresholds (2–11%). In the same range of risk thresholds using standard DCE‐MRI, the optimal strategy was biopsy for all lesions (0–15% risk threshold) or PI‐RADS ≥3 on NC‐MRI (16–33% risk threshold).Data ConclusionGRASP DCE‐MRI may potentially enable biopsy of PI‐RADS ≥4 lesions, providing relatively preserved detection of HGPCA and avoidance of unnecessary biopsies compared with biopsy of all PI‐RADS ≥3 lesions.J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:1400–1408.
Cross striation in human permanent and deciduous enamel measured with confocal Raman microscopy
Authors: Desoutter Alban , Slimani Amel , Al‐Obaidi Rand , Barthélemi Stephane , Cuisinier Frederic , Tassery Hervé , Salehi Hamideh 
Published: January 2019

AbstractDental enamel is the most mineralized tissue in the human body and has a very complex organization. The aim of the present study was to evaluate chemical composition and orientation of crystals in human enamel cross striation using confocal Raman microscope. Slices of teeth were prepared and scanned using a confocal Raman microscope. Cross striation spacing was calculated according to the variation of PO43− peak intensity. The measurements showed a characteristic length between two cross striations of 2.70 (SD 0.43) μm for permanent teeth and 1.75 (SD 0.37) for deciduous teeth. Ratios between OH and PO43− peaks, for 0 and 90 degrees angulation, are, respectively, 9.18 (SD 0.80) and 44.74 (SD 3.12) for decidual teeth, and 11.72 (SD 1.46) and 22.12 (SD 3.15) for adult teeth. This confirmed that the hydroxyapatite crystal is well oriented along the enamel prism, as reported in the literature, but with a significant increase in deciduous teeth. K‐mean cluster binary images were calculated to compare the ratio of the centroid peaks of the cross striation zone and inter cross striation material. The regions corresponding to inner prism, included cross striations, are more mineralized than the outer part of enamel prism. In the prism, the Pearson correlation test was performed based on the intensity of hydroxyapatite characteristic peaks (ν1 PO43−, ν1 CO32−, and OH). The variations were well correlated: These results indicated that cross striations corresponded to the variation of hydroxyapatite concentration and not to a variation of crystals orientation.
Quantitative second harmonic generation imaging of leporine, canine, and porcine vocal fold collagen
Authors: Devine Erin E. , Liu Yuming , Keikhosravi Adib , Eliceiri Kevin W. , Jiang Jack J. 
Published: January 2019

Objectives/HypothesisVocal fold collagen composition is an important determinant of material properties and mucosal wave propagation. Collagen alignment and straightness are quantitatively characterized by second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging. We examined leporine, canined and porcine vocal folds showing collagen composition variation that is species, location, and strain specific.Study DesignAnimal model.MethodsLeporine (n = 5), canine (n = 5), and porcine (n = 5) larynges were harvested and fixed in situ. Samples were transversely sectioned, and SHG images were collected for two inferior–superior sections along five anterior–posterior locations. Additional porcine samples were fixed and imaged under tensile strain (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, n = 5 per group). Two‐way repeated measures (RM) analysis of variance (ANOVA) tested for section and location differences in each species. Multiway RM‐ANOVA tested for section, location, and strain differences in porcine samples.ResultsAlignment and straightness were higher inferiorly in the porcine (P = .0047, P = .002) and canine (P = .0011, P < .001) vocal folds, but not in leporine samples (P = .67652, P = .4831). There were significant interactions between elongation and superior–inferior section for both alignment (P = .0047) and straightness (P = .0371).ConclusionsOur results correspond well to findings in the literature that the inferior vocal fold lip is stiffer in porcine and canine larynges. The absence of a collagen gradient in the leporine vocal fold is notable because rabbits are less vocal animals, indicating the collagen gradient may be a result of voice use and an important consideration in model selection when extracellular matrix is of interest. Strain results were also consistent with the role of collagen in strain stiffening behavior of vocal fold tissue.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 129:2549–2556, 2019
Excessive inflammation portends complications: Wound cytokines and head and neck surgery outcomes
Authors: Lassig Amy Anne D. , Lindgren Bruce R. , Itabiyi Ridwan , Joseph Anne M. , Gupta Kalpna 
Published: January 2019

Objectives/HypothesisPostoperative wound‐healing complications can be devastating after head and neck surgery. Whereas many patients are expected to have more complications, few objective indicators predict these poorer outcomes. We evaluated wound healing in this population by studying the association between biomarkers and surgical outcomes.Study DesignProspective cohort study.MethodsA study was performed of head and neck surgery patients at our tertiary care center, from 2012 to 2015. Postsurgical drain fluid was collected 24 hours postoperatively. Biomarkers of wound healing were assayed. These included interleukin (IL)‐1, ‐6, and ‐8; tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α; transforming growth factor β; epidermal growth factor; fibroblast growth factor; C‐reactive protein (CRP); vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1; and placental growth factor. Patient characteristics and clinical outcomes were recorded. Two‐sample, two‐sided t tests evaluated differences in cytokine levels by clinical outcomes.ResultsTwenty‐eight patients were enrolled with drain fluid collection. IL‐1β, IL‐8, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 were significantly higher in the wound fluid of subjects with complications. Patients with longer length of stay in days had statistically higher levels of TNF‐α (P = .011), IL‐6 (P = .021), IL‐8 (P = .004), IL‐1β (P = .004), MMP‐1 (P = .002), MMP‐2 (P = .022), VEGF‐A (P = .038), and CRP (P < .001), and longer length of stay was associated with malignancy. There were no statistically significant associations between baseline clinical characteristics and post‐operative complications.ConclusionsIn this head and neck surgical cohort, higher IL‐1β, IL‐8, and MMP‐9 levels in wound fluid were associated with postoperative complications, and elevation of multiple proinflammatory cytokines was associated with longer length of stay. These findings suggest excessive inflammation in early wound healing may portend poorer clinical outcomes after head and neck surgery.Level of Evidence2bLaryngoscope, 129:E238–E246, 2019
Smartphone capture of flexible laryngoscopy: Optics, subsite visualization, and patient satisfaction
Authors: Maurrasse Sarah E. , Schwanke Theresa W. , Tabaee Abtin 
Published: January 2019

ObjectiveTo determine whether a smartphone adaptor can record laryngoscopic videos of adequate quality for clinical diagnosis and communication among otolaryngologists and assess the impact of recorded exams on patient satisfaction.MethodsTwenty adult inpatients undergoing flexible laryngoscopy in a tertiary care medical center were prospectively enrolled. Each subject's larynx was visualized with the standard laryngoscope eyepiece and with an attached mobile phone adaptor with video recording capabilities. A 5‐point Likert scale was used by the resident performing the scope to grade the adaptor and eyepiece exams. The same scale was used by an offsite otolaryngology attending to grade the adaptor video. Patients were shown the video, and a satisfaction survey was administered.ResultsIn all patients, the adaptor was easy to use and required minimal setup. Ninety percent of patients reported an increase in satisfaction after watching the video of their exam. The eyepiece was superior to the adaptor in resolution, focus, color fidelity, brightness, and optical fluidity (P < 0.05). The video recording was deemed sufficient for clinical assessment in 90% of cases. The offsite reviewer determined that there would be “little” (15%) or “no value” (65%) in repeating the scope exam in the majority of patients. The laryngeal subsites were equally visible with the eyepiece and the adaptor (“full view,” 85%–100%).ConclusionLaryngoscopy videos recorded by a portable smartphone adaptor are sufficient for clinical evaluation in the majority of cases. This technology may improve patient satisfaction and communication among clinicians.Level of Evidence4Laryngoscope, 129:2147–2152, 2019
Spare roof technique in reduction rhinoplasty: Prospective study of the first one hundred patients
Authors: Santos Mariline , Rego Ângela Reis , Coutinho Miguel , Sousa Cecília Almeida e , Ferreira Miguel Gonçalves 
Published: January 2019

ObjectiveAssess the aesthetic and functional outcomes of the first 100 patients who underwent reduction rhinoplasty with the spare roof technique (SRT).MethodsProspective, interventional, and longitudinal study performed on consecutive patients undergoing primary rhinoplasty by SRT. All the surgical procedures were performed by the surgeon who first described this technique. The validated Portuguese version of the Utrecht Questionnaire for Outcome Assessment in Aesthetic Rhinoplasty was used. Patients completed the questionnaire presurgery and again 3 and 12 months postsurgery. In addition, a visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to score nasal patency for both sides.ResultsThe study population included 100 Caucasian Mediterranean patients (33 males; 67 females). Mean age at surgery was 32.8 years. Analysis of the preoperative and postoperative mean aesthetic VAS scores showed a significant improvement from 3.67 to 8.1 (P < 0.001) and 8.44 (P < 0.001), respectively, 3 and 12 months postsurgery. Analysis of the five aesthetic Likert scale questions all showed a highly significant improvement after rhinoplasty. The mean preoperative aesthetic sum score was 13.9, which improved to 8.26 and 7.08, respectively, 3 and 12 months postsurgery (P < 0.001), indicating a significant improvement of subjective body image in relation to nasal appearance. Analysis of the preoperative and postoperative mean functional VAS score showed a significant improvement on both sides.ConclusionThis prospective statistical study confirms that SRT significantly improved patient quality of life regarding nose function and appearance. It is a reliable technique that can help deliver consistently good results in reduction rhinoplasty in Caucasian patients with dorsal hump seeking rhinoplasty.Level of Evidence2 Laryngoscope, 129:2702–2706, 2019