bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wavelet-enhanced convolutional neural network: a new idea in a deep learning paradigm
Authors: Savareh Behrouz Alizadeh , Emami Hassan , Hajiabadi Mohamadreza , Azimi Seyed Majid , Ghafoori Mahyar 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Purpose:
Manual brain tumor segmentation is a challenging task that requires the use of machine learning techniques. One of the machine learning techniques that has been given much attention is the convolutional neural network (CNN). The performance of the CNN can be enhanced by combining other data analysis tools such as wavelet transform.

Materials and methods:
In this study, one of the famous implementations of CNN, a fully convolutional network (FCN), was used in brain tumor segmentation and its architecture was enhanced by wavelet transform. In this combination, a wavelet transform was used as a complementary and enhancing tool for CNN in brain tumor segmentation.

Results:
Comparing the performance of basic FCN architecture against the wavelet-enhanced form revealed a remarkable superiority of enhanced architecture in brain tumor segmentation tasks.

Conclusion:
Using mathematical functions and enhancing tools such as wavelet transform and other mathematical functions can improve the performance of CNN in any image processing task such as segmentation and classification.
External quality assessment programs in the context of ISO 15189 accreditation
Authors: Sciacovelli Laura , Secchiero Sandra , Padoan Andrea , Plebani Mario 
Published: May 2018

AbstractEffective management of clinical laboratories participating in external quality assessment schemes (EQAS) is of fundamental importance in ensuring reliable analytical results. The International Standard ISO 15189:2012 requires participation in interlaboratory comparison [e.g. external quality assessment (EQA)] for all tests provided by an individual laboratory. If EQAS is not commercially available, alternative approaches should be identified, although clinical laboratories may find it challenging to choose the EQAS that comply with the international standards and approved guidelines. Great competence is therefore required, as well as knowledge of the characteristics and key elements affecting the reliability of an EQAS, and the analytical quality specifications stated in approved documents. Another skill of fundamental importance is the ability to identify an alternative approach when the available EQAS are inadequate or missing. Yet the choice of the right EQA program alone does not guarantee its effectiveness. In fact, the fundamental steps of analysis of the information provided in EQA reports and the ability to identify improvement actions to be undertaken call for the involvement of all laboratory staff playing a role in the specific activity. The aim of this paper was to describe the critical aspects that EQA providers and laboratory professionals should control in order to guarantee effective EQAS management and compliance with ISO 15189 accreditation requirements.
Development and validation of a mass spectrometry-based assay for quantification of insulin-like factor 3 in human serum
Authors: Albrethsen Jakob , Frederiksen Hanne , Andersson Anna-Maria , Anand-Ivell Ravinder , Nordkap Loa , Bang Anne Kirstine , Jørgensen Niels , Juul Anders 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Background:
The circulating level of the peptide hormone insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) is a promising diagnostic marker reflecting Leydig cell function in the male. Few commercial immunoassays of varying quality exist. Therefore, we decided to develop and validate a precise method for quantification of INSL3 by mass spectrometry.

Methods:
We developed an assay in which the INSL3 A-chain is released from the INSL3 A-B heterodimer by chemical reduction and alkylation. The alkylated INSL3 A-chain is quantitated by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), as substitute for serum INSL3. The method was compared to a validated and sensitive in-house serum INSL3 immunoassay using 97 serum samples from 12 healthy boys during pubertal transition. Adult levels were determined based on sera from 72 adult healthy males aged 18–40 years.

Results:
An LC-MS/MS assay with limit of detection and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.06 and 0.15 ng/mL, respectively, and intra-assay CVs <9% in the relevant ranges was obtained. The LC-MS/MS compared well with the in-house immunoassay (Deming regression slope: 1.28; Pearson correlation: R=0.86). INSL3 concentrations increased with pubertal maturation in healthy boys. INSL3 concentrations were above the LOQ in all samples from the adult men. The mean (±2 SD range)for serum INSL3 concentrations in the adult men was 2.2 (0.5–3.9) ng/mL.

Conclusions:
We have developed a robust and sensitive method suitable for quantitation of serum INSL3 in a clinical setting using LC-MS/MS instrumentation available in modern clinical laboratories. The method paves the way for future studies into the clinical role of serum INSL3 measurements.
International consensus on antinuclear antibody patterns: definition of the AC-29 pattern associated with antibodies to DNA topoisomerase I
Authors: Andrade Luis E.C. , Klotz Werner , Herold Manfred , Conrad Karsten , Rönnelid Johan , Fritzler Marvin J. , von Mühlen Carlos A. , Satoh Minoru , Damoiseaux Jan , de Melo Cruvinel Wilson , Chan Edward K.L. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) on HEp-2 cells is the reference method for autoantibody screening. The HEp-2 IFA pattern provides useful information on the possible autoantibodies in the sample. The International Consensus on Antinuclear Antibody Patterns (ICAP) initiative seeks to define and harmonize the nomenclature of HEp-2 IFA patterns. The most relevant and usual patterns have been assigned an alphanumeric code from anti-cell (AC)-1 to AC-28 and were organized into a classification algorithm (www.ANApatterns.org). The systemic sclerosis-associated autoantibodies to DNA topoisomerase I (Topo I) produce a peculiar composite 5-element HEp-2 IFA pattern (Topo I-like pattern) comprising the staining of the nucleus, metaphase chromatin plate, nucleolar organizing region, cytoplasm and nucleolus. In a recent assessment of the European Consensus Finding Study Group on autoantibodies, a well-defined anti-Topo I sample was blindly analyzed and classified according to ICAP AC patterns by 43 participant laboratories across Europe. There were wide variations among these laboratories in reporting nuclear, nucleolar and cytoplasmic patterns, indicating the inadequacy of the existing AC patterns to report the Topo I-like pattern. Several ICAP member laboratories independently demonstrated the overall consistency of the HEp-2 IFA Topo I-like pattern using HEp-2 slides from different manufacturers. The ICAP committee reviewed 24 candidate images and selected the four most representative images to be available on the ICAP website. The proper recognition of the AC-29 pattern should trigger suspicion of the presence of anti-Topo I antibodies, which may engender appropriate analyte-specific reflex tests to confirm the autoantibody specificity.
Circular RNAs: a new class of biomarkers as a rising interest in laboratory medicine
Authors: Franz Antonia , Rabien Anja , Stephan Carsten , Ralla Bernhard , Fuchs Steffen , Jung Klaus , Fendler Annika 
Published: May 2018

AbstractCircular RNAs (circRNAs) are a distinct family of RNAs derived from the non-regular process of alternative splicing. CircRNAs have recently gained interest in transcriptome research due to their potential regulatory functions during gene expression. CircRNAs can act as microRNA sponges and affect transcription through their complex involvement in regular transcriptional processes. Some early studies also suggested significant roles for circRNAs in human diseases, especially cancer, as biomarkers and potential clinical targets. Therefore, there is a great need for laboratory scientists to translate these findings into clinical tools to advance testing for human diseases. To facilitate a better understanding of the promise of circRNAs, we focus this review on selected basic aspects of circRNA research, specifically biogenesis, function, analytical issues regarding identification and validation and examples of expression data in relation to human diseases. We further emphasize the unique challenges facing laboratory medicine with regard to circRNA research, particularly in the development of robust assays for circRNA detection in different body fluids and the need to collaborate with clinicians in the design of clinical studies.
Antiulcer Activity of Different Extracts of Anvillea garcinii and Isolation of Two New Secondary Metabolites
Authors: Perveen Shagufta , Fawzy Ghada Ahmed , Al-Taweel Areej Mohammad , Orfali Raha Saud , Yusufoglu Hasan Soliman , Abdel-Kader Maged Saad , Al-Sabbagh Ruba Mahmoud 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Anvillea garcinii (AG, Asteraceae) commonly called “nougd” in Arabic is traditionally used for the treatment of different gastrointestinal disorders. This study evaluates the effects of ethanol, chloroform and n-butanol extracts of AG on ulcerative colitis induced by various ulcerogens in rats and the isolation of new secondary metabolites. Ethanol extracts of the leaf of the AG demonstrated a powerful anti-ulcer activity which could be attributed to the synergistic effect of its constituents. Therefore, our results would be the first proof of traditional use of AG as an antiulcer ailment.
Validated thin-layer chromatographic method for alternative and simultaneous determination of two anti-gout agents in their fixed dose combinations
Authors: Mohamed Abdel-Maaboud I. , Omar Mahmoud A. , Derayea Sayed M. , Hammad Mohamed A. , Mohamed Abobakr A. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractA rapid, simple and sensitive thin-layer chromatography (TLC) spectrodensitometric method was developed for the simultaneous determination of colchicine and probenecid in their binary mixtures. The two drugs were quantitatively separated using silica gel 60 F254 as stationary phase and toluene–ethyl acetate–methanol–ammonia (30:20:20:0.1, v/v/v/v) as mobile phase with UV detection at 248 nm for both drugs and at 354 nm for colchicine alone. Both drugs were efficiently separated with Rf values of 0.33±0.03 and 0.60±0.03 for probenecid and colchicine, respectively. The linearity was found to be 16–320 and 120–2400 (ng/band) with quantitation limits of 17.59 and 225.82 ng/band for colchicine and probenecid, respectively, at 248 nm. At 354 nm, the linearity range of colchicine was found 16–240 ng/band with a quantitation limit of 54.03 ng/band. The experimental determination ranges were greatly extended with lower quantitation limits (15.60 and 116.13 ng/band for colchicine and probenecid, respectively at 248 nm, and 13.20 for colchicine at 354 nm) and correlation coefficients were improved when polynomial regression analysis was used. The quadratic model was found to be the best fit for all responses. The method has been validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines providing good correlation coefficients (0.9997-0.9999) for both drugs, and it has been successfully applied in the determination of both drugs in their commercial dosage form without interference from excipients.
Free vibration of functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composite cylindrical panels with general elastic supports
Authors: Xie Fei , Tang Jinyuan , Wang Ailun , Shuai Cijun , Wang Qingshan 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
In this paper, a unified solution for vibration analysis of the functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) cylindrical panels with general elastic supports is carried out via using the Ritz method. The excellent accuracy and reliability of the present method are compared with the results of the classical boundary cases found in the literature. New results are given for vibration characteristics of FG-CNTRC cylindrical panels with various boundary conditions. The effects of the elastic restraint parameters, thickness, subtended angle and volume fraction of carbon nanotubes on the free vibration characteristic of the cylindrical panels are also reported.
Iteration of Composition Operators on small Bergman spaces of Dirichlet series
Authors: Zhao Jing 
Published: May 2018

Abstract The Hilbert spaces ℋw consisiting of Dirichlet series $F(s) = \sum\nolimits_{n = 1}^\infty {{a_n}{n^{ - s}}}$ that satisfty ${\sum\nolimits_{n = 1}^\infty {\left| {{a_n}} \right|} ^2}/{w_n} < \infty $ with {wn}n of average order logj n (the j-fold logarithm of n), can be embedded into certain small Bergman spaces. Using this embedding, we study the Gordon–Hedenmalm theorem on such ℋw from an iterative point of view. By that theorem, the composition operators are generated by functions of the form Φ (s) = c0s +ϕ(s), where c0 is a nonnegative integer and ϕ is a Dirichlet series with certain convergence and mapping properties. The iterative phenomenon takes place when c0 = 0. It is verified for every integer j ⩾ 1, real α > 0 and {wn}n having average order ${(\log _j^ + n)^\alpha }$, that the composition operators map ℋw into a scale of ℋw’ with w’n having average order ${(\log _{j + 1}^ + n)^\alpha }$. The case j = 1 can be deduced from the proof of the main theorem of a recent paper of Bailleul and Brevig, and we adopt the same method to study the general iterative step.
Eveningness and its possibility of predicting burnout symptoms among physicians and nurses – preliminary results
Authors: Mokros Łukasz , Koprowicz Jacek , Nowakowska-Domagała Katarzyna , Rodak Juliusz , Pietras Tadeusz 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIntroduction.A sense of burnout may seriously impair one’s functioning and well-being. It may also hamper the quality of care over a patient. The present study therefore assesses sleep quality and chronotype as predictors of a sense of burnout in physicians and nurses of a district hospital.Material and methods.The study group comprised 16 physicians and 31 nurses of a district hospital in Central Poland. The participants completed the Link Burnout Questionnaire (LBQ), Chronotype Questionnaire, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory. A linear regression model was constructed for each LBQ dimension by means of stepwise elimination. Each model was adjusted to empirical data (p<0.05).Results.A rise in Psychophysical exhaustion was predicted by greater scores for Morningness-Eveningness (ME) and Distinctness (DI) of the rhythm. A higher ME score was associated with higher scores in Relationship deterioration and Sense of professional ineffectiveness, with the latter also associated with presence in the nurses group. The nurses group also demonstrated higher Disillusionment and Psychophysical exhaustion scores than the physicians group.Conclusions.Eveningness predicted greater burnout in the studied sample. Thus, chronotype should be considered an important burnout risk factor and it can act as a starting point for devising behavioural interventions.
Executive functions and memory in patients at risk of vascular brain pathology
Authors: Zawadzka Ewa , Domańska Łucja 
Published: May 2018

AbstractHypertension is a common problem in the elderly population. It is one of the factors determining the pattern of cognitive functioning of the patients, however the nature and severity of neuropsychological deficits are unclear. The main aim of the study was to assess effectiveness of cognitive task performance and the strategies of verbal material organization in patients with varying levels of productivity and control. The outpatients treated for hypertension (n = 46) were tested with the following neuropsychological tests and the experimental task: Ruff Figural Fluency Test (RFFT), California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), Semantic Verbal Fluency Task (VF). The level of productivity and control in older hypertensive patients appeared to be important variables differentiating the effectiveness of structured task performance involving the memory and learning of verbal material. Patients with weaker productivity and control show less efficiency in formulating and sustaining a learning plan expressed by the compatibility of responses in subsequent attempts. Weaker productivity and control are associated with high risk of memory problems, especially in situations characterized by a high degree of structure. It is advisable to include an evaluation of certain aspects of executive functions at the initial stage of assessment of patients at risk of brain dysfunction.
Approximations by multivariate sublinear and Max-product operators under convexity
Authors: Anastassiou George A. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Here we search quantitatively under convexity the approximation of multivariate function by general multivariate positive sublinear operators with applications to multivariate Max-product operators. These are of Bernstein type, of Favard-Szász-Mirakjan type, of Baskakov type, of sampling type, of Lagrange interpolation type and of Hermite-Fejér interpolation type. Our results are both: under the presence of smoothness and without any smoothness assumption on the function to be approximated which fulfills a convexity assumption.
On existence of the support of a Borel measure
Authors: Kozarzewski Piotr A. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
We present arguments showing that the standard notion of the support of a probabilistic Borel measure is not well defined in every topological space. Our goal is to create a “very inseparable” space and to show the existence of a family of closed sets such that each of them is of full measure, but their intersection is empty. The presented classic construction is credited to Jean Dieudonné and dates back to 1939. We also propose certain, up to our best knowledge, new simplifications.
Portfolio selection based on graphs: Does it align with Markowitz-optimal portfolios?
Authors: Hüttner Amelie , Mai Jan-Frederik , Mineo Stefano 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSome empirical studies suggest that the computation of certain graph structures from a (large) historical correlation matrix can be helpful in portfolio selection. In particular, a repeated finding is that information about the portfolio weights in the minimum variance portfolio (MVP) from classical Markowitz theory can be inferred from measurements of centrality in such graph structures. The present article compares the two concepts from a purely algebraic perspective. It is demonstrated that this heuristic relationship between graph centrality and the MVP does not originate from a structural similarity between the two portfolio selection mechanisms, but instead is due to specific features of observed correlation matrices. This means that empirically found relations between both concepts depend critically on the underlying historical data. Repeated empirical evidence for a strong relationship is hence shown to constitute a stylized fact of financial return time series.
Clinical laboratory: bigger is not always better
Authors: Plebani Mario 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Laboratory services around the world are undergoing substantial consolidation and changes through mechanisms ranging from mergers, acquisitions and outsourcing, primarily based on expectations to improve efficiency, increasing volumes and reducing the cost per test. However, the relationship between volume and costs is not linear and numerous variables influence the end cost per test. In particular, the relationship between volumes and costs does not span the entire platter of clinical laboratories: high costs are associated with low volumes up to a threshold of 1 million test per year. Over this threshold, there is no linear association between volumes and costs, as laboratory organization rather than test volume more significantly affects the final costs. Currently, data on laboratory errors and associated diagnostic errors and risk for patient harm emphasize the need for a paradigmatic shift: from a focus on volumes and efficiency to a patient-centered vision restoring the nature of laboratory services as an integral part of the diagnostic and therapy process. Process and outcome quality indicators are effective tools to measure and improve laboratory services, by stimulating a competition based on intra- and extra-analytical performance specifications, intermediate outcomes and customer satisfaction. Rather than competing with economic value, clinical laboratories should adopt a strategy based on a set of harmonized quality indicators and performance specifications, active laboratory stewardship, and improved patient safety.
A Compact and Vialess Vertical Microstrip-to-Microstrip Differential Transition
Authors: Cheng Wei , Li Lin , Du Jingjing , Yang Junxiu , Gu Xiaowei 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
In this paper, a new compact, vialess and vertical microstrip-to-microstrip differential transition is presented based on half-wavelength slotline structure. The equivalent-circuit model is constructed, and theoretical analyses based on equivalent circuit model reveal that good differential mode (DM) signal transmission between the top- and bottom-layer differential microstrip lines can be achieved over a wide frequency range determined while the common mode (CM) signal is rejected. Moreover, the systematic design method is presented to extract the values of electrical parameters from prescribed performance in terms of its operating bandwidth and ripple levels. In addition, owing to the employment of half-wavelength slot, the proposed differential transition has a compact size. Finally, the proposed differential transition and design theories are well vindicated by an exemplary circuit centered at 2.45 GHz with the measured relative frequency bandwidth (FBW) of 114 %.
A ‘turn-on’ fluorescent chemosensor for the detection of Zn2+ ion based on 2-(quinolin-2-yl)quinazolin-4(3H)-one
Authors: Bai Xue-Jiao , Ren Jing , Zhou Jia , Song Zhi-Bin 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
2-(Quinolin-2-yl)quinazolin-4(3H)-one (Q) was synthesized via the Brønsted acid-promoted tandem cyclization/dehydrogenation reaction with a good yield. Compound Q is a selective ‘turn-on’ fluorescent sensor for Zn2+ ion without interference by Cd2+. The 1:1 binding model of Q to Zn2+ was confirmed by the Benesi-Hildebrand analysis, Job’s plot analysis and a ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) titration experiment. Furthermore, the light-on fluorescent response can be observed by the naked eye under UV-lamp irradiation (365 nm).