bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retinal vascular segmentation using superpixel‐based line operator and its application to vascular topology estimation
Authors: Na Tong , Xie Jianyang , Zhao Yitian , Zhao Yifan , Liu Yue , Wang Yongtian , Liu Jiang 
Published: May 2018

PurposeAutomatic methods of analyzing of retinal vascular networks, such as retinal blood vessel detection, vascular network topology estimation, and arteries/veins classification are of great assistance to the ophthalmologist in terms of diagnosis and treatment of a wide spectrum of diseases.MethodsWe propose a new framework for precisely segmenting retinal vasculatures, constructing retinal vascular network topology, and separating the arteries and veins. A nonlocal total variation inspired Retinex model is employed to remove the image intensity inhomogeneities and relatively poor contrast. For better generalizability and segmentation performance, a superpixel‐based line operator is proposed as to distinguish between lines and the edges, thus allowing more tolerance in the position of the respective contours. The concept of dominant sets clustering is adopted to estimate retinal vessel topology and classify the vessel network into arteries and veins.ResultsThe proposed segmentation method yields competitive results on three public data sets (STARE, DRIVE, and IOSTAR), and it has superior performance when compared with unsupervised segmentation methods, with accuracy of 0.954, 0.957, and 0.964, respectively. The topology estimation approach has been applied to five public databases (DRIVE,STARE, INSPIRE, IOSTAR, and VICAVR) and achieved high accuracy of 0.830, 0.910, 0.915, 0.928, and 0.889, respectively. The accuracies of arteries/veins classification based on the estimated vascular topology on three public databases (INSPIRE, DRIVE and VICAVR) are 0.90.9, 0.910, and 0.907, respectively.ConclusionsThe experimental results show that the proposed framework has effectively addressed crossover problem, a bottleneck issue in segmentation and vascular topology reconstruction. The vascular topology information significantly improves the accuracy on arteries/veins classification.
DNA double‐strand breaks as a method of radiation measurements for therapeutic beams
Authors: Obeidat Mohammad , McConnell Kristen A. , Li Xiaolei , Bui Brian , Stathakis Sotirios , Papanikolaou Niko , Rasmussen Karl , Ha Chul Soo , Lee Sang Eun , Shim Eun Yong , Kirby Neil 
Published: May 2018

PurposeMany types of dosimeters are used to measure radiation dose and calibrate radiotherapy equipment, but none directly measure the biological effect of this dose. The purpose here is to create a dosimeter that can measure the probability of double‐strand breaks (DSB) for DNA, which is directly related to the biological effect of radiation.MethodsA DNA dosimeter, consisting of magnetic streptavidin beads attached to four kilobase pair DNA strands labeled with biotin and fluorescein amidite (FAM) on opposing ends, was suspended in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS). Fifty microliter samples were placed in plastic tubes inside a water tank setup and irradiated at the dose levels of 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 Gy. After irradiation, the dosimeters were mechanically separated into beads (intact DNA) and supernatant (broken DNA/FAM) using a magnet. The fluorescence was read and the probability of DSB was calculated. This DNA dosimeter response was benchmarked against a Southern blot analysis technique for the measurement of DSB probability.ResultsFor the DNA dosimeter, the probabilities of DSB at the dose levels of 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 Gy were 0.043, 0.081, 0.149, 0.196, and 0.242, respectively, and the standard errors of the mean were 0.002, 0.003, 0.006, 0.005, and 0.011, respectively. For the Southern blot method, the probabilities of DSB at the dose levels of 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 Gy were 0.053, 0.105, 0.198, 0.235, and 0.264, respectively, and the standard errors of the mean were 0.013, 0.024, 0.040, 0.044, and 0.063, respectively.ConclusionsA DNA dosimeter can accurately determine the probability of DNA double‐strand break (DSB), one of the most toxic effects of radiotherapy, for absorbed radiation doses from 25 to 200 Gy. This is an important step in demonstrating the viability of DNA dosimeters as a measurement technique for radiation.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of appendiceal carcinoid tumors in children
Authors: Njere Ike , Smith Lisa Linnéa , Thurairasa Dushanthi , Malik Rubina , Jeffrey Iona , Okoye Bruce , Sinha Chandrasen 
Published: May 2018

AbstractObjectiveThe study's aim was to review the literature regarding past and current practices in managing incidental appendiceal carcinoid tumors and need for more procedures.MethodA search of MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases of systematic reviews was undertaken of the English language literature. The mesh terms used were “carcinoid” or “neuroendocrine,” “tumour” or “tumor,” “appendix,” “appendicectomy,” or “appendectomy,” and “child,” “pediatric,” or “paediatric.” Of the 369 articles found, 37 met the inclusion criteria. Our hospital records and pathology database identified 11 patients with confirmed histological diagnosis of appendicular carcinoids from January 1996 to December 2016. Those cases were also included in this study.ResultsA total of 958 cases were identified from the literature and our own experience. There were 566 females and 343 males giving us a ratio of 1.65:1. The frequency was 0.3% of appendicectomies. There was a 28‐fold increase in the risk of having a positive lymph node if the tumor size was >2 cm compared with the risk of having a positive lymph node if the tumor size was ≤2 cm. There was no recurrence or mortality for those with criteria for secondary surgery, who were observed after appendicectomy compared to those that had secondary surgery. Mean follow‐up was 58.6 months (4.8 years) with a range of 0–396 months (33 years).ConclusionAppendicectomy alone is an adequate treatment for an appendicular carcinoid in children irrespective of size, position, lymph node, or mesenteric involvement. Post‐appendicectomy investigations were found to be not helpful in this study.
Posttransplant cyclophosphamide for haploidentical stem cell transplantation in children with Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome
Authors: Yue Yan , Shi Xiaodong , Song Zeliang , Qin Jiayue , Li Junhui , Feng Shunqiao , Liu Rong 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundHematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the curative treatment for Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS). However, it is difficult to find a matched donor for patients. Therefore, haploidentical donors should be considered for patients lacking a suitable donor. Our pilot study evaluated whether HSCT with posttransplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is an effective treatment for WAS.MethodsHaploidentical family donors were selected as donor sources for a total of five patients without a suitable donor between March 2015 and March 2017. A modified transplant protocol using PTCy (50 mg/kg/day on days +3 and +4) was performed, including busulfan (16 mg/kg), fludarabine (150 mg/m2), and rabbit antihuman thymocyte globulin (7.5 mg/kg).ResultsThe median time for neutrophil recovery over 1,000 × 103/mm3 was 15 days (range, 12–18 days), and that for keeping platelets counts over 50,000/mm3 was 27.5 days (range, 20–35 days). The median follow‐up was 2.1 years (range, 1.4–2.5 years). Two patients developed grade I acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD), and one patient had limited chronic GVHD. All five patients are alive and independent of platelet infusion with 100% donor chimerism.ConclusionOur pilot study suggests that HSCT with modified PTCy is a safe and effective treatment for WAS, which needs further clinical practice and research.
Interstitial brachytherapy for pediatric soft tissue sarcoma: Evolving practice over three decades and long‐term outcomes
Authors: Laskar Siddhartha , Pilar Avinash , Khanna Nehal , Puri Ajay , Gulia Ashish , Qureshi Sajid , Chinnaswamy Girish , Vora Tushar , Ramadwar Mukta 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPurposeEvaluate long‐term clinical outcomes, adverse effects, and evolving practice of interstitial brachytherapy (BT) for pediatric soft tissue sarcomas (STS).MethodsFrom September 1984 to December 2014, 105 children (median age 10 years) were included. There were 60 males and 45 females. The majority (74%) had primary lesions. Synovial sarcoma (22%) was the most frequent histology. Treatment included wide local excision and BT with or without external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Eighty‐five (81%) received BT alone.ResultsAfter a median follow‐up of 65 months, local control (LC), disease‐free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) at 10 years were 83, 66, and 73%, respectively. On univariate analysis, LC was superior with tumors <5 cm versus >5 cm (93% vs. 75%, P = 0.10), Grade I/II versus Grade III tumors (97% vs. 73%, P = 0.01), nonround cell versus round cell histology (89% vs. 72%, P = 0.03), and trunk/extremity versus head and neck/genitourinary sites (87% vs. 57%, P = 0.0001). On multivariate analysis tumor size (P = 0.03) and location (P = 0.002) retained significance. Children receiving BT alone had comparable LC to those receiving BT and EBRT (84% vs. 80%, P = 0.43). There was no difference in LC between LDR versus HDR BT (86% vs. 83%, P = 0.30). Wound complications were seen in 6%. Subcutaneous fibrosis (25%), limb edema (6%), skeletal abnormalities (3%), and neuropathy (1%) were the late complications. One child (0.9%) developed a second malignancy after 7 years.ConclusionInterstitial BT with or without EBRT results in excellent outcomes. Radical BT alone, when used judiciously, results in excellent local control and function with minimal treatment‐related morbidity.
Chemical Proteomics of Host–Microbe Interactions
Authors: Wright Megan H. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe dynamic proteome plays numerous roles in the interactions of microbes—whether they are invading pathogens or symbiotic organisms—and their hosts. Host and microbe sense, respond, and manipulate each other's biology via a multitude of mechanisms, resulting in alterations in protein expression or posttranslational modification that influence protein localization, activity, or binding partners. The intrinsic, temporal, and spatial complexity of multispecies systems makes identifying the molecular players challenging. Chemical proteomic approaches apply small molecule chemical tools to interrogate protein function, interactions or modifications. This review highlights recent advances in the application of these methods at the host–microbe interface.
The effects of Self‐Book© art therapy on cancer‐related distress in female cancer patients during active treatment: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Radl Donna , Vita Maureen , Gerber Nancy , Gracely Edward J. , Bradt Joke 
Published: May 2018

AbstractObjectiveNational attention on patients' cancer‐related emotional distress produced a need for evidence‐based, psychosocial interventions in oncology care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Self‐Book© art therapy for emotional distress and psychological well‐being of female oncology patients during active oncology treatment.MethodsSixty consenting women with cancer were randomly assigned to either a 6‐session Self‐Book© art therapy program or standard care. A repeated measures randomized controlled trial design was employed. Data were collected by using the Distress Thermometer, Perceived Emotional Distress Inventory, Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Brief Psychological Well‐being test, and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Spiritual Well‐being. Measurements were obtained at baseline, week 3, week 6, and 1 to 2 months post intervention.ResultsForty participants were included in the final analysis. No significant differences between groups were found for the primary outcome measures: emotional distress and psychological well‐being. Greater improvements in Self‐Book© art therapy participants' spiritual well‐being were found compared with the standard care control participants (P = .02).ConclusionsAlthough no statistically significant differences were present between the groups for the primary outcomes, several positive trends were noted. Thirty percent of Self‐Book© art therapy participants reported postintervention emotional distress scores that were below the abnormal range for emotional distress, compared with only 5% of standard care control participants, suggesting that Self‐Book© art therapy may have clinical value. Further studies are recommended to better understand the therapeutic mechanisms of Self‐Book© art therapy for enhancing psychological well‐being.
Copula‐based reliability and safety analysis of safety‐critical systems with dependent failures
Authors: Jia Xujie , Xing Liudong , Li Gang 
Published: May 2018

AbstractA safety‐critical system (SCS) is a system whose failure could result in a certain serious consequence, such as loss of life and significant damage to property or environment. Examples of SCSs abound in real‐world applications, such as medical instruments, emergency shutdown systems, and fire/gas detection systems. An SCS can assume 1 of 3 states: working, safe failure, and dangerous (or unsafe) failure. To analyze reliability and safety of SCSs accurately, we build multi‐state models of an SCS and its constituent units. The dependent relationships (nonlinear correlation) of different parts within a safety‐critical unit as well as across the units are modeled using the Copula method. Formulas computing reliability and safety indexes of a safety‐critical unit and of safety‐critical series or parallel systems are derived. Numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the application of the proposed methodology.
New GWMA‐CUSUM control chart for monitoring the process dispersion
Authors: Ali Rizwan , Haq Abdul 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe cumulative sum (CUSUM) and exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control charts have been widely accepted because of their fantastic speed in identifying small‐to‐moderate unusual variations in the process parameter(s). Recently, a new CUSUM chart has been proposed that uses the EWMA statistic, called the CS‐EWMA chart, for monitoring the process variability. On similar lines, in order to further improve the detection ability of the CS‐EWMA chart, we propose a CUSUM chart using the generally weighted moving average (GWMA) statistic, named the GWMA‐CUSUM chart, for monitoring the process dispersion. Monte Carlo simulations are used to compute the run length profiles of the GWMA‐CUSUM chart. On the basis of the run length comparisons, it turns out that the GWMA‐CUSUM chart outperforms the CUSUM and CS‐EWMA charts when identifying small variations in the process variability. A simulated dataset is also used to explain the working and implementation of the CS‐EWMA and GWMA‐CUSUM charts.
B−Hb←:X (X= N, O, P, S, F, Cl, Br) interactions: A density functional study
Authors: Saha Bapan , Bhattacharyya Pradip Kr. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDensity functional theory calculation on BHb←:X interaction (X= N, O, P, S, F, Cl, Br) is performed. HOMO energy predicts the feasibility of such complexation. Steric and electronic effects play significant role on geometry of the complexes. Interaction energy suggests that the interaction is moderately strong (< 5.00 kcal mol−1) in nature and the complexes are stable in both gas and solvent phase. Electron donating group on: X facilitates the interaction whereas electron withdrawing group impedes the same. MP2 and CCSD(T) calculations further confirm the suitability of ωB97X‐D and M06‐2X functional for studying such interactions. Dispersive interaction is the primary mode of interaction in stabilizing the complexes. 1H NMR and IR study are also performed. Thermochemical analysis advocates exothermic nature of complexation.
Peering into the HIV reservoir
Authors: García Marcial , Buzón María J. , Benito José M. , Rallón Norma 
Published: May 2018

SummaryThe main obstacle to HIV eradication is the establishment of a long‐term persistent HIV reservoir. Although several therapeutic approaches have been developed to reduce and eventually eliminate the HIV reservoir, only a few have achieved promising results. A better knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the establishment and maintenance of HIV reservoir is of utmost relevance for the design of new therapeutic strategies aimed at purging it with the ultimate goal of achieving HIV eradication or alternatively a functional cure. In this regard, it is also important to take a close look into the cellular HIV reservoirs other than resting memory CD4 T‐cells with key roles in reservoir maintenance that have been recently described. Unraveling the special characteristics of these HIV cellular compartments could aid us in designing new therapeutic strategies to deplete the latent HIV reservoir.
Monitoring daily events, coping strategies, and emotion during a desert expedition in the Middle East
Authors: Smith N. , Barrett E. , Sandal G. M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPersonnel operating in extreme environmental conditions are exposed to a variety of stressors. Whether a person adjusts to the conditions and is able to cope has implications for their psychological health. In previous extreme‐environment work, temporal changes in stress, coping, and emotion have been reported. Building on previous studies, we used a diary methodology to explore temporal changes in and associations between daily events, coping strategies, and affect during a unique hyperarid desert expedition. Four participants undertaking a crossing of the Empty Quarter desert were recruited to the study. Participants completed pre‐expedition, postexpedition, and 4‐month follow‐up questionnaires. A daily self‐report diary was used to collect situational data. Time‐based changes were analysed before testing predictive models linking events and coping strategies with affective responses. Findings suggest that participants had an overall positive experience. There were changes in both the events experienced and coping strategies used during the expedition. Variation in events and coping strategies significantly predicted fluctuations in positive and negative affect. Results offer valuable mechanistic information that could inform monitoring systems aimed at tracking psychological variables during operations in extreme environments. Results are discussed in relation to the novel context, diary methodology, and implications for those operating in extremes.
Fabrication of a 3D Hierarchical Sandwich Co9S8/α‐MnS@N–C@MoS2 Nanowire Architectures as Advanced Electrode Material for High Performance Hybrid Supercapacitors
Authors: Kandula Syam , Shrestha Khem Raj , Kim Nam Hoon , Lee Joong Hee 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSupercapacitors suffer from lack of energy density and impulse the energy density limit, so a new class of hybrid electrode materials with promising architectures is strongly desirable. Here, the rational design of a 3D hierarchical sandwich Co9S8/α‐MnS@N–C@MoS2 nanowire architecture is achieved during the hydrothermal sulphurization reaction by the conversion of binary mesoporous metal oxide core to corresponding individual metal sulphides core along with the formation of outer metal sulphide shell at the same time. Benefiting from the 3D hierarchical sandwich architecture, Co9S8/α‐MnS@N–C@MoS2 electrode exhibits enhanced electrochemical performance with high specific capacity/capacitance of 306 mA h g−1/1938 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, and excellent cycling stability with a specific capacity retention of 86.9% after 10 000 cycles at 10 A g−1. Moreover, the fabricated asymmetric supercapacitor device using Co9S8/α‐MnS@N–C@MoS2 as the positive electrode and nitrogen doped graphene as the negative electrode demonstrates high energy density of 64.2 Wh kg−1 at 729.2 W kg−1, and a promising energy density of 23.5 Wh kg−1 is still attained at a high power density of 11 300 W kg−1. The hybrid electrode with 3D hierarchical sandwich architecture promotes enhanced energy density with excellent cyclic stability for energy storage.
Walleye Population Responses to Experimental Exploitation in a Northern Wisconsin Lake
Authors: Sass Greg G. , Shaw Stephanie L. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractUnderstanding how fish populations respond to exploitation is critical for sustainable fisheries management. Walleye Sander vitreus have been exploited by tribal spear and angling fisheries in the Ceded Territory of Wisconsin (CTWI) since 1985, and harvest in individual lakes has been regulated using a 35% adult exploitation limit reference point since 1990. We conducted a 35% annual adult Walleye exploitation experiment (1993–1997: baseline exploitation at ~13%; 1998–2008: 35% exploitation) on Big Crooked Lake, Wisconsin, to test for responses in adult, male, female, age‐0, and age‐1 density and sex‐specific mean length at age and proportional size distribution (PSD) indices. Adjacent Wolf Lake was used as the reference system. Adult Walleye density in Big Crooked Lake declined significantly between exploitation periods and was due to the experiment. Adult Walleye density declined from about 16 to 10 fish/ha and was about 7 fish/ha during 2001–2008. Male density declined significantly between exploitation periods, whereas female density did not change. Age‐0 and age‐1 density did not change as a result of the experiment. Male and female mean length at age across several age‐classes increased significantly over time. The PSD indices did not change over time for males, but female PSD‐Quality and PSD‐Preferred increased significantly. Our results suggest that sustained 35% annual exploitation on the Big Crooked Lake Walleye population led to an undesirable adult density (≤7.4/ha) but improved growth. Walleye recruitment did not change in Big Crooked Lake under sustained exploitation; however, we caution that other CTWI populations may respond differently to this level of targeted exploitation. Based on our results, long‐term declines in CTWI Walleye natural recruitment and productivity, and as suggested by other independent studies, we recommend that the limit reference point be lowered to reduce exploitation and be protective of all Walleye populations in the CTWI.