bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unenhanced Velocity‐Selective MR Angiography (VS‐MRA): Initial Clinical Evaluation in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Shin Taehoon , Menon Rajiv G. , Thomas Rahul B. , Cavallo Armando U. , Sarkar Rajabraka , Crawford Robert S. , Rajagopalan Sanjay 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundSafe and accurate imaging of the peripheral arterial system is important for diagnosis and treatment planning of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).PurposeTo evaluate image quality and diagnostic performance of unenhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) based on velocity‐selective (VS) magnetization preparation (termed VS‐MRA).Study TypeProspective.PopulationThirty‐one symptomatic PAD patients underwent VS‐MRA. Twenty‐four of them underwent clinical digital subtraction angiography (DSA) examination, 18.8 ± 5.2 days after the MR scans.Field Strength/Sequence1.5T MRI that included VS‐MRA (homemade research sequence) and phase‐contrast flow imaging (clinical sequence).AssessmentImage quality (0: nondiagnostic, 3: excellent) and stenosis severity (0: normal, 3: occlusion) of VS‐MRA images were assessed independently by three reviewers. Arterial signal‐to‐noise‐ratio (SNR) and artery‐to‐muscle contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) were calculated.Statistical TestsThe sensitivity and specificity of VS‐MRA were calculated for the detection of significant stenosis (>50%) with DSA as the reference standard. Interobserver agreement among the three reviewers was evaluated by using Cohen κ‐statistics.ResultsThe image quality score of VS‐MRA was 2.7 ± 0.5 for Reader 1, 2.8 ± 0.5 for Reader 2, and 2.8 ± 0.4 for Reader 3; SNR and CNR were 37.8 ± 12.5 and 30.5 ± 11.8, respectively. Segment‐based analysis revealed that VS‐MRA had sensitivities of 85.3%, 74.5%, and 78.4%, respectively, for the three reviewers, and specificities of 93.5%, 96.8%, and 95.2%. The interobserver agreement for the stenosis grading was good, as demonstrated by Cohen κ values of 0.76 (Reader 1 vs. Reader 2), 0.82 (Reader 1 vs. Reader 3), and 0.79 (Reader 2 vs. Reader 3).Data ConclusionUnenhanced VS‐MRA allows clear depiction of the peripheral arteries and accurate stenosis grading, as evidenced by high image quality scores and strong agreement with DSA.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:744–751.
Mathematical models for the description of soil genesis
Authors: Hornig Winfried 
Published: September 2018

AbstractTo capture the development of soils and their properties mathematically or even predict the formation of soils for certain times and places is a tempting idea of science and has continued a subject of discussions for decades. Soil formation and soil properties depend on soil forming factors. In his Fundamental Equation, Jenny defines soil as a function of climate, organisms, topography, parent material and time. The equation should be used to determine the role of one single variable, when all other factors remain constant. However, the Fundamental Equation gives the impression that all processes are determined and soils as a whole can be calculated. But the factors influence the soil formation only indirectly via the effect on several soil forming processes. It seems to be impossible to understand every detail of soil development completely or to reduce such a complex system to only one considerable value. By this reason, several functions, based on different scientific theories, shall help to discover less or more isolated processes of soil formation. The so‐called Logistic Equation, created to calculate the development of animal populations, may help to describe soil formation as a whole. The combination of the Logistic Equation and the Fundamental Equation results in iterative series of equations with changing steps of soil genesis. They repeatedly take the place of parent material factor and so soil becomes a factor of its own development. Additionally, time can be eliminated as a factor to be considered, because it is taken into account by the series of equations. Important changes of the external factors of the Fundamental Equation result in a new equation series as a part of the whole equation system. Interactions and retroactive effects can be considered and the possibility of iterative computation may lead to a better simulation of the complex system soil. Thus, the presented approach can be a starting point for a modern mathematical model for calculating soil genesis in general.
Lymph node metastases in splenic flexure colon cancer: Is subtotal colectomy warranted?
Authors: Manceau Gilles , Mori Arnaud , Bardier Armelle , Augustin Jeremy , Breton Sylvie , Vaillant Jean‐Christophe , Karoui Mehdi 
Published: September 2018

Background and ObjectivesTumors of the splenic flexure (TSF) can be associated with metastatic lymph nodes (LN) along the left colic pedicle, but also along the superior mesenteric vessels. We aimed to detail the anatomical distribution of metastatic LNs in patients undergoing elective subtotal colectomy for TSF.MethodBetween 2000 and 2016, 65 patients were included. At pathological analysis, LNs were classified into two groups: locoregional LN (along the left colic artery) and distant LN (along the middle colic, right colic, and ileocolic arteries).ResultsThe median number of LNs examined was 20. Eighteen patients (27%) were pN+. Among them, six (33% of pN+ patients and 9% of the series) had at least one positive distant LN. All these patients had a positive distant LN along the right colic artery. These patients had a significantly advanced stage and more positive LNs than the others (stage III‐IV: 100% vs 22%, P = 0.0009 and 6 [3‐15] vs 0 [0‐15], P < 0.0001, respectively). The presence of synchronous metastases was predictor of metastatic distant LNs (P = 0.042).ConclusionElective subtotal colectomy for TSF allows to discover distant positive LNs in nearly 10% of patients. For those having TSF and synchronous metastatic disease enable to resection, subtotal colectomy should be recommended.
Introducing fluorescence guided surgery into orthopedic oncology: A systematic review of candidate protein targets for Ewing sarcoma
Authors: Bosma Sarah E , van Driel Pieter BAA , Hogendoorn Pancras CW , Dijkstra PD Sander , Sier Cornelis FM 
Published: September 2018

AbstractEwing sarcoma (ES), an aggressive bone and soft‐tissue tumor, is treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Intra‐operative distinction between healthy and tumorous tissue is of paramount importance but challenging, especially after chemotherapy and at complex anatomical locations. Near infrared (NIR) fluorescence‐guided surgery (FGS) is able to facilitate the determination of tumor boundaries intra‐operatively, improving complete resection and therefore survival. This review evaluates potential ES‐specific proteins from the literature as targets for NIR FGS.
The impact of Middle Eastern Origin, HIV, HCV, and HIV/HCV co‐infection in the development of hypovitaminosis D in adults
Authors: Warraich Saad , Sidhu Aven , Hou Michelle , Alenezi Osamah 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundA relationship between hypovitaminosis D and infection with HIV and HCV has been established in the scientific literature. Studies comparing these illnesses to other risk factors for development of hypovitaminosis D, such as being of Middle Eastern origin, have been lacking. The goals of this study were: (a) to document vitamin D levels in groups of individuals at high risk of developing its deficiency, (b) analyze the data collected to numerically determine which group had the lowest average vitamin D levels, and (c) discuss the impact of the findings and offer possible explanations.MethodsThis retrospective observational study involved reviewing medical charts and documenting recent vitamin D levels. Our subgroups were: (a) individuals infected with HIV, (b) individuals infected with HCV, (c) individuals co‐infected with HIV/HCV, and (d) people of Middle Eastern origin. The gathered data was subsequently subjected to statistical analysis.ResultsPeople of Middle Eastern origin were found more likely to be vitamin D deficient as compared to those infected with HIV, HCV, or co‐infected with both HIV and HCV.ConclusionThis suggests that genetic and environmental factors unique to otherwise healthy Middle Eastern people are more detrimental, in terms of developing hypovitaminosis D, than being chronically infected with the aforementioned illnesses.
A simple nonlinear H∞ control design method: Polynomial nonlinear control
Authors: Liu Lijun 
Published: September 2018

SummaryThe question of how to construct a noniterative analytical solution for nonlinear H∞ control is still an open challenge. This paper focuses on this challenge and proposes a novel simple approach, namely, polynomial nonlinear control, to design a nonlinear H∞ control law without any iteration. Moreover, the solution of PNC is transformed into solvable LMIs. The design of PNC can be carried out in three steps: firstly, expand nonlinear system matrices via Taylor series expansions; secondly, choose and compute design parameters according to the proposed explicit formulas; and thirdly, obtain an analytical control law of PNC by solving an LMI optimization problem. Thus, the algorithm and the computation of PNC are quite simple and straightforward in engineering. In addition, stability and L2 gain for the nonlinear closed‐loop system are also guaranteed by PNC. The numerical simulations show that PNC can improve the control performances including transient responses, disturbance rejection, control effort, and the domain of attraction.
Distributed optimization for a class of high‐order nonlinear multiagent systems with unknown dynamics
Authors: Tang Yutao 
Published: September 2018

SummaryIn this paper, we study a distributed optimization problem for a class of high‐order multiagent systems with unknown dynamics. In comparison with existing results for integrators or linear agents, we need to overcome the difficulties brought by the unknown nonlinearities and the optimization requirement. For this purpose, we employ an embedded control‐based design and first convert this problem into an output stabilization problem. Then, two kinds of adaptive controllers are given for these agents to drive their outputs to the global optimal solution under some mild conditions. Finally, we show that the estimated parameter vector converges to the true parameter vector under some well‐known persistence of excitation condition. The efficacy of these algorithms was verified by a simulation example.
Relative efficiency of unequal cluster sizes in stepped wedge and other trial designs under longitudinal or cross‐sectional sampling
Authors: Girling Alan J. 
Published: September 2018

Background: A cluster trial with unequal cluster sizes often has lower precision than one with equal clusters, with a corresponding inflation of the design effect. For parallel group trials, adjustments to the design effect are available under sampling models with a single intracluster correlation. Design effects for equal clusters under more complex scenarios have appeared recently (including stepped wedge trials under cross‐sectional or longitudinal sampling). We investigate the impact of unequal cluster size in these more general settings.Results: Assuming a linear mixed model with an exchangeable correlation structure that incorporates cluster and subject autocorrelation, we compute the relative efficiency (RE) of a trial with clusters of unequal size under a size‐stratified randomization scheme, as compared to an equal cluster trial with the same total number of observations. If there are no within‐cluster time effects, the RE exceeds that for a parallel trial. In general, the RE is a weighted average of the RE for a parallel trial and the RE for a crossover trial in the same clusters. Existing approximations for parallel designs are extended to the general setting. Increasing the cluster size by the factor (1 + CV2), where CV is the coefficient of variation of cluster size, leads to conservative sample sizes, as in a popular method for parallel trials.Conclusion: Methods to assess experimental precision for single‐period parallel trials with unequal cluster sizes can be extended to stepped wedge and other complete layouts under longitudinal or cross‐sectional sampling. In practice, the loss of precision due to unequal cluster sizes is unlikely to exceed 12%.
Investigations of Interfacial Electric Field on Reduced‐Graphene‐Oxide‐Supported Molybdenum Oxide @ Silver Phosphate Ternary Hybrid Composite: Highly Efficient Visible‐Light‐Driven Photocatalyst
Authors: Dhanabal Rengasamy , Shafi Parrasseri Muhammed , Arun Thirumurugan , Velmathi Sivan , Hussain Shamima , Bose Arumugam Chandra 
Published: September 2018

AbstractReduced graphene oxide supported molybdenum oxide @ silver phosphate (RGO‐MoO3@Ag3PO4) ternary hybrid composite was prepared by simple mixing of RGO supported MoO3 nanorods into Ag3PO4 nanosphere. Upon visible light exposure, the photocatalytic degradation of MB revealed that the 30 wt.% RGO‐MoO3@Ag3PO4 photocatalyst led to 2.9 times higher activities than pure Ag3PO4, 6.2 and 8.7 times compared to RGO‐MoO3 and pure MoO3, respectively. Degradation of MB using 30 wt.% RGO‐MoO3@Ag3PO4 is 2.9 and 15 times higher compared to RhB and MO respectively. The downward band bending of Ag3PO4 at the interface of RGO‐MoO3@Ag3PO4 was investigated based on the electric field formed. The formed electric field at the interface of RGO‐MoO3@Ag3PO4 is found to be 50 mV which avoids the recombination rate of electron‐hole pairs at the interfaces. This formed electric field promotes the higher separation efficiency of electrons‐holes pairs and longer life time of photoexcited electrons in the RGO‐MoO3@Ag3PO4 resulting higher efficiency and stability. RGO act as an electron acceptor and transporter during charge transfer process between MoO3 and Ag3PO4.
Cloud‐based video analytics using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Yaseen Muhammad Usman , Anjum Ashiq , Farid Mohsen , Antonopoulos Nick 
Published: September 2018

SummaryObject classification is a vital part of any video analytics system, which could aid in complex applications such as object monitoring and management. Traditional video analytics systems work on shallow networks and are unable to harness the power of distributed processing for training and inference. We propose a cloud‐based video analytics system based on an optimally tuned convolutional neural network to classify objects from video streams. The tuning of convolutional neural network is empowered by in‐memory distributed computing. The object classification is performed by comparing the target object with the prestored trained patterns, generating a set of matching scores. The matching scores greater than an empirically determined threshold reveal the classification of the target object. The proposed system proved to be robust to classification errors with an accuracy and precision of 97% and 96%, respectively, and can be used as a general‐purpose video analytics system.
Development and validation of a HPLC with fluorescence detection method to quantify the peanut allergen Ara h 2 in peanut extract and sublingual films
Authors: Jiang Bowen , Ibrahim Ahmed , Martin Russell , Keet Corinne , Mao Hai‐Quan , Hoag Stephen W. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA rapid and selective reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection was developed for quantitation of the peanut allergen Ara h 2 in peanut extracts and dissolving sublingual films containing peanut extracts. The separation of Ara h 2 from other proteins in the peanut extracts and dosage matrix is a challenging problem, and the separation was optimized using DryLab® software. The high‐performance liquid chromatography method involved a BEH C4 Column running at 52°C for 25 min, with a gradient elution of acetonitrile and water containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. Fluorescence detection was used at an excitation wavelength of 261 nm and emission wavelength of 310 nm. The linearity range was 7.5 to 30 μg/mL, with a calculated detection limit of 1.61 μg/mL and a quantitation limit of 4.89 μg/mL. The validated method was applied to quantitate the amount of Ara h 2 in the sublingual films containing peanut extract, which was designed to desensitize children with peanut allergy. This method was also used to evaluate the accelerated stability of five different formulations of sublingual films and was able to distinguish differences among formulations.
Monitoring of polyphenol mangiferin by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in rat and its comparative pharmacokinetic study of a single compound, a single botanic extract and multiple botanic extract
Authors: Chang Hsing‐Yi , Hsueh Thomas Y. , Tsai Tung‐Hu 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study is to develop a sensitive, validated specific performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method to analysis of spinosin, jujuboside A, jujuboside B, mangiferin, pachymic acid, ferulic aid, and glycyrrhizic acid in herbal preparations. This validated method was further applied to a comparative study on the pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of mangiferin following administration of mangiferin (a single compound),Anemarrhenae Rhizomaextracts (a single‐herb extract), and a multiple botanicAnemarrhenae Rhizomaextract. A conscious and freely moving rat model was used for pharmacokinetic study of mangiferin. A parallel study was divided into four treatments to investigate the oral bioavailability of mangiferin, single compound of mangiferin (3 mg/kg, i.v.), mangiferin (38 mg/kg, p.o.), and a single botanicAnemarrhenae Rhizomaextracts (2.85 g/kg, p.o.), and a multiple botanicAnemarrhenae Rhizomaextract (10 g/kg, p.o.). The above oral doses of botanic extract were equivalently to mangiferin (38 mg/kg, p.o.). The pharmacokinetic results demonstrated that the oral bioavailability of mangiferin for the single compound administration (0.6%) was significantly lower than that of both the singleAnemarrhenae Rhizomaextracts (6.2%) and a multiple botanicAnemarrhenae Rhizomaextract (3.0%). This phenomenon may be due to herbal ingredient‐ingredient or botanic‐botanic interactions.
WTO REGULATION OF TRANSNATIONAL PRIVATE AUTHORITY IN GLOBAL GOVERNANCE
Authors: Du Ming 
Published: September 2018

AbstractFollowing the proliferation of private standards in the global supply chain trade, it has become clear that these can have adverse effects on international commerce and world welfare in the same way that government-imposed mandatory regulations do. However, the scope of the obligation of WTO Members in relation to the regulation of private standards remains vague and open to divergent interpretations under WTO law. This article starts from the premise that the debate should move beyond the search for a reasonable interpretation of relevant WTO disciplines and instead begin to consider normative questions concerning the legitimacy and accountability of transnational private regulation in global governance and the potential role of the WTO in regulating such private authority. The article explores what justifies the role of the WTO, a multilateral intergovernmental organization, in regulating transnational private standards and how a regulatory mechanism might be designed and implemented in practice.
Streamlining grommet pathways for otitis media with effusion and hearing loss in children: our experience
Authors: McLaren O , Toll E C , Easto R , Willis E , Harris S , Rainsbury J 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundGrommet insertion is a common surgical procedure in children. Long waiting times for grommet insertion are not unusual. This project aimed to streamline the process by introducing a pathway for audiologists to directly schedule children meeting National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Clinical Guideline 60 (‘CG60’) for grommet insertion.Method and resultsA period from June to November 2014 was retrospectively audited. Mean duration between the first audiology appointment and grommet insertion was 294.5 days (median = 310 days). Implementing the direct-listing pathway reduced the duration between first audiology appointment and grommet insertion (mean = 232 days; median = 231 days). There has been a reduction in the time between the first audiology appointment and surgery (mean difference of 62.5 days; p = 0.024), and a reduction in the time between second audiology appointment and surgery (28 days; p = 0.009).ConclusionDirect-listing pathways for grommet insertion can reduce waiting times and expedite surgery. Implementation involves a simple alteration of current practice, adhering to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Clinical Guideline 60. The ultimate decision regarding surgery still rests with ENT specialists.
Finite-Larmor-radius equilibrium and currents of the Earth’s flank magnetopause
Authors: Cerri S. S. 
Published: September 2018

We consider the one-dimensional equilibrium problem of a shear-flow boundary layer within an ‘extended-fluid model’ of a plasma that includes the Hall and the electron pressure terms in Ohm’s law, as well as dynamic equations for anisotropic pressure for each species and first-order finite-Larmor-radius (FLR) corrections to the ion dynamics. We provide a generalized version of the analytic expressions for the equilibrium configuration given in Cerri et al., (Phys. Plasmas, vol. 20 (11), 2013, 112112), highlighting their intrinsic asymmetry due to the relative orientation of the magnetic field $\boldsymbol{B}$, $\boldsymbol{b}=\boldsymbol{B}/|\boldsymbol{B}|$, and the fluid vorticity $\unicode[STIX]{x1D74E}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\times \boldsymbol{u}$ (‘$\unicode[STIX]{x1D74E}\boldsymbol{b}$ asymmetry’). Finally, we show that FLR effects can modify the Chapman–Ferraro current layer at the flank magnetopause in a way that is consistent with the observed structure reported by Haaland et al., (J. Geophys. Res. (Space Phys.), vol. 119, 2014, pp. 9019–9037). In particular, we are able to qualitatively reproduce the following key features: (i) the dusk–dawn asymmetry of the current layer, (ii) a double-peak feature in the current profiles and (iii) adjacent current sheets having thicknesses of several ion Larmor radii and with different current directions.