bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Digital count summing vs analog charge summing for photon counting detectors: A performance simulation study
Authors: Hsieh Scott S. , Sjolin Martin 
Published: July 2018

PurposeCharge sharing is a significant problem for CdTe‐based photon counting detectors (PCDs) and can cause high‐energy photons to be misclassified as one or more low‐energy events. Charge sharing is especially problematic in PCDs for CT because the high flux necessitates small pixels, which increase the magnitude of charge sharing. Analog charge summing (ACS) is a powerful solution to reduce spectral distortion arising from charge sharing but may be difficult to implement. We investigate correction of the signal after digitization by the comparator (“digital count summing”), which is only able to correct a subset of charge sharing events but may have implementation advantages. We compare and quantify the relative performance of digital and ACS in simulations.MethodsTransport of photons in CdTe was modeled using Monte Carlo simulations. Energy deposited in the CdTe substrate was converted to electrical charges of a predetermined shape, and all charges within the detector pixel are assumed to be perfectly collected. In ACS, the maximum charge received over any 2 × 2 block of pixels was grouped together prior to digitization. In digital count summing (DCS), the charge was digitized in each pixel, and subsequently, adjacent pixels that detected events grouped their charge to record a single, higher energy event. All simulations were performed at the limit of low flux (no pileup). The default tube voltage was 120 kVp, object thickness was 20 cm of water, pixel pitch was 250 μm, and charge cloud modeled as a Gaussian with σ = 40 μm. Variation of these parameters was examined in a sensitivity analysis.ResultsDetectors that used no correction, DCS, and ACS misclassified 51%, 39%, and 15% of incident photons, respectively. For iodine basis material imaging, DCS exhibited 100% greater dose efficiency compared to uncorrected, and ACS exhibited an additional 111% greater dose efficiency compared to digital charge summing. For a nonspectral task, the dose efficiency improvement as estimated by improvement of zero‐frequency detective quantum efficiency, DQE(0) was 10% for DCS compared to uncorrected and 10% for ACS compared to DCS. A sensitivity analysis showed that DCS generally achieved half the benefit of ACS over a range of conditions, although the benefit was markedly less if the charge cloud was instead modeled as a small sphere.ConclusionsSumming of counts after digitization may be a simpler alternative to summing of charge prior to digitization due to the relative complexity of analog circuit design. Over most conditions studied, it provides roughly half the benefit of ACS and may offer certain implementation advantages.
Regeneration of nerve crush injury using adipose‐derived stem cells: A multimodal comparison
Authors: Tremp Mathias , Sprenger Lima , Degrugillier Lucas , Schaefer Dirk Johannes , Madduri Srinivas , Schaeren Stefan , Kalbermatten Daniel Felix 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACT
Introduction: To restore full function following nerve crush injuries is critical but challenging. In an attempt to develop a viable therapy, we evaluated the effect of rat adipose‐derived stem cells (rASC) in 2 different settings of a sciatic crush injury model. Methods: In the first group, after 14 days of nerve crush injury, rASCs were injected distal to the lesion under ultrasound guidance. In the other group, alleviation of compression through clip removal (CR) was combined with epineural injection of rASCs. Gait analyses, MRI, gastrocnemius muscle weight ratio (MWR), and histomorphometry were performed for outcome analysis. Results: CR combined with rASC injection resulted in less muscle atrophy, as evidenced by MWR. These findings are further supported by better functional and anatomical outcomes. Discussion: Animals treated with CR and epineural stem cell injection showed enhanced anatomical and functional recovery. Muscle Nerve 58: 566–572, 2018
Deflazacort versus prednisone/prednisolone for maintaining motor function and delaying loss of ambulation: A post HOC analysis from the ACT DMD trial
Authors: Shieh Perry B. , Mcintosh Joseph , Jin Fengbin , Souza Marcio , Elfring Gary , Narayanan Siva , Trifillis Panayiota , Peltz Stuart W. , Mcdonald Craig M. , Darras Basil T. ,   AND THE ACT DMD STUDY GROUP
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTIntroduction: ACT DMD was a 48‐week trial of ataluren for nonsense mutation Duchenne muscular dystrophy (nmDMD). Patients received corticosteroids for ≥6 months at entry and stable regimens throughout study. This post hoc analysis compares efficacy and safety for deflazacort and prednisone/prednisolone in the placebo arm. Methods: Patients received deflazacort (n = 53) or prednisone/prednisolone (n = 61). Endpoints included change from baseline in 6‐minute walk distance (6MWD), timed function tests, estimated age at loss of ambulation (extrapolated from 6MWD). Results: Mean changes in 6MWD were ‐39.0 m (deflazacort; 95% confidence limit [CL], ‐68.85, ‐9.17) and ‐70.6 m (prednisone/prednisolone; 95% CL, ‐97.16, ‐44.02). Mean changes in 4‐stair climb were 3.79 s (deflazacort; 95% CL, 1.54, 6.03) and 6.67 s (prednisone/prednisolone; 95% CL, 4.69, 8.64). Conclusions: This analysis, limited by its post hoc nature, suggests greater preservation of 6MWD and 4‐stair climb with deflazacort vs. prednisone/prednisolone. A head‐to‐head comparison will better define these differences. Muscle Nerve 58: 639–645, 2018
A prospective study of benign fasciculation syndrome and anxiety
Authors: Filippakis Alexandra , Jara Jordan , Ventura Nicholas , Scala Stephanie , Scopa Caitlin , Ruthazer Robin , Karakis Ioannis , Srinivasan Jayashri , Russell James A. , Ho Doreen T. 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Benign fasciculations are common. Despite the favorable prognosis of benign fasciculation syndrome (BFS), patients are often anxious about their symptoms. In this study, we prospectively followed 35 patients with BFS over a 24‐month period. Methods: We conducted serial questionnaires to assess anxiety, associated symptoms, and duration. Results: 71.4% of patients were men, and 34.4% were employed in the medical field. Most reported anxiety, but only 14% were anxious as measured by the Zung self‐rating anxiety scale. Fasciculations were most common in the calves and persisted in 93% of patients. Anxiety levels did not change over time. Associated symptoms (subjective weakness, sensory symptoms, and cramps) were common and resolved to varying degrees. No patients developed motor neuron disease. Discussion: BFS is a benign disorder that usually persists over time. Commonly associated symptoms include subjective weakness, sensory symptoms, and cramps. BFS is usually not associated with pathologic anxiety. Muscle Nerve 58:852–854, 2018
Cancer phenotype in myotonic dystrophy patients: Results from a meta‐analysis
Authors: Emparanza Jose I. , López de Munain Adolfo , Greene Mark H. , Matheu Ander , Fernández‐Torrón Roberto , Gadalla Shahinaz M. 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Recent studies have provided evidence that patients with myotonic dystrophy (DM) are at excess risk of cancer. However, inconsistencies regarding affected anatomic sites persist. Methods: We performed a meta‐analysis of cancer risk in DM, searching among studies published between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 2016. Eligible studies were full reports of DM cohorts with site‐specific risks. Results: The analysis included 5 studies, comprising 2,779 patients. Risk estimates for cancers of the endometrium and cutaneous melanoma were reported in all studies. The pooled standardized incidence ratio (pSIRs) for endometrial cancer was 7.48 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.72–11.8) and for cutaneous melanoma was 2.45 (95% CI 1.31–4.58). Among cancers reported in 4 of 5 studies, elevated risks were observed for thyroid (pSIR = 8.52, 95% CI 3.62–20.1), ovarian (pSIR = 5.56, 95% CI 2.99–10.3), testicular (pSIR = 5.95, 95% CI 2.34–15.1), and colorectal (pSIR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.39–3.49) cancers. Discussion: Our data refine the DM cancer phenotype, which may guide patient clinical management and inform plans for molecular investigations to understand DM‐related carcinogenesis. Muscle Nerve 58: 517–522, 2018
Altered bone‐regulating myokine expression in skeletal muscle Of Duchenne muscular dystrophy mouse models
Authors: Zhou Shumin , Qian Baoli , Wang Ling , Zhang Changqing , Hogan Macalus V. , Li Hongshuai 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTIntroductionDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has been well characterized as a disease that affects both skeletal muscle and bone. The pathophysiology responsible for the deficits in bone tissue is still unclear.MethodsQuantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses of known myokines from skeletal muscle were performed on dystrophic mouse models and wild‐type (WT) controls to identify differentially expressed bone‐regulating myokines.ResultsTwenty‐four of 43 myokine genes demonstrated significantly different mRNA expression in the skeletal muscles of dystrophic mice when compared with muscles of WT mice. Several differently expressed bone‐regulating myokine genes were identified, and their protein levels were also verified by Western blot.ConclusionsDystrophic skeletal muscle demonstrated a significantly altered myokine gene expression profile. mRNA and protein levels of several bone‐regulating myokines were significantly altered in dystrophic skeletal muscle, which suggests pathological role of bone‐regulating myokines on bone homeostasis in DMD. Muscle Nerve 58: 573–582, 2018
Alterations in mitochondrial fission, fusion, and mitophagic protein expression in the gastrocnemius of mice after a sciatic nerve transection
Authors: Graham Zachary A. , Harlow Lauren , Bauman William A. , Cardozo Christopher P. 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTIntroductionParalysis and unloading of skeletal muscle leads to a rapid loss in muscle size, function and oxidative capacity. The reduction in metabolic capability after disuse leads to dysregulation and increased breakdown of mitochondria by mitophagy.MethodsEight‐week‐old C57BL/6 male mice were given a sham surgery or sciatic nerve transection. Animals were euthanized at 7, 14, 21, or 35 days postsurgery. Whole gastrocnemius muscles were isolated from the animal, weighed and used for Western blotting.ResultsMarkers of mitochondrial fusion were reduced while fission proteins were elevated following a sciatic nerve transection. There were elevations in phosphorylated unc‐51‐like kinase 1 (ULK1S555) and total expression of Beclin1, and of the mitophagy markers PINK1, p62, and microtubule‐associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3b (LC3‐II).ConclusionsParalysis of the gastrocnemius leads to a progressive elevation in expression of mitochondrial fission and mitophagic proteins. Rehabilitative or pharmaceutical interventions to limit excess mitophagy may be effective therapies to protect paralyzed muscle mass and function. Muscle Nerve 58: 592–599, 2018
Social participation of adult patients with spinal muscular atrophy: Frequency, restrictions, satisfaction, and correlates
Authors: Kruitwagen‐van Reenen Esther T. , van der Pol Ludo , Schröder Carin , Wadman Renske I. , van den Berg Leonard H. , Visser‐Meily Johanna M. A. , Post Marcel W. M. 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTIntroduction: In this study we assessed social participation in 62 adults with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) types 1c–4. Methods: The outcome measure used was the Utrecht Scale of Evaluation Rehabilitation–Participation (USER‐P) with Frequency, Restrictions, and Satisfaction scores, and a hierarchical regression analysis. Results: Early‐onset (types 1, 2, and 3a) and late‐onset (types 3b and 4) SMA patients reported similar frequency and satisfaction scores. “Age,” “motor skills,” “pain,” and “feelings of depression” correlated with frequency; “motor skills” and “feelings of depression” correlated with restrictions; and “level of education,” “fatigue,” and “feelings of depression” correlated with satisfaction. “Motor skills” and “feelings of depression” explained 33% of variance in frequency of participation. “Motor skills” explained 26% of variance of restrictions in participation. “Fatigue” and “feelings of depression” explained 50% of variance in satisfaction with participation. Discussion: Motor skills, feelings of depression and fatigue are correlates of participation in daily life. This knowledge can be used to optimize care for SMA patients. Muscle Nerve 58:805–811, 2018
A computational framework to predict the water‐leakage pressure of segmental joints in underwater shield tunnels using an advanced finite element method
Authors: Gong Chenjie , Ding Wenqi 
Published: July 2018

SummaryThe construction of shield tunnels under riverbeds and seabeds has considerably increased over the past decades. Due to the ultra‐high water head, water leakage through tunnel joints is a major concern during a tunnel's service life. One practical solution to prevent groundwater penetration is to implement ethylene‐propylene‐diene‐monomer gaskets at the segmental joints. However, numerical simulation of fluid pressure penetration into rubber materials remains a challenging problem in computational mechanics. Severe mesh distortions can occur due to large deformation. Consequently, a convergent solution is difficult to achieve. This paper presents an Abaqus‐based numerical framework to solve the previously mentioned problem using the implicit finite element solver. The key aspects of this framework are twofold: (1) a remesh and re‐map algorithm to overcome the excessive mesh distortion, and (2) simulation of fluid penetration into the contact interface of the gaskets to reproduce the water‐leakage process at the tunnel joints. The proposed framework is first tested to simulate the gasket‐in‐groove mechanical behavior and is then validated using experimental data and the solution produced by an explicit finite element solver. The developed framework is then adopted to predict the water‐leakage pressure at gasketed tunnel joints to illustrate the practical applications. Finally, the numerical results are compared with experimental data to demonstrate the accuracy and robustness of the proposed method and confirm its superiority and effectiveness over existing methods. This novel method can be used by tunnel designers to analyze and estimate the waterproof behavior of gasketed joints in shield tunnels without performing extensive experimental testing works.
High‐order ADE scheme for solving the fluid diffusion equation in non‐uniform grids and its application in coupled hydro‐mechanical simulation
Authors: Prassetyo Simon Heru , Gutierrez Marte 
Published: July 2018

SummaryTo improve the stability and efficiency of explicit technique, one proposed method is to use an unconditionally stable alternating direction explicit (ADE) scheme. However, the standard ADE scheme is only moderately accurate and restricted to uniform grids. This paper derives a novel high‐order ADE scheme capable of solving the fluid diffusion equation in non‐uniform grids. The new scheme is derived by performing a fourth‐order finite difference approximation to the spatial derivatives of the diffusion equation in non‐uniform grid. The implicit Crank‐Nicolson technique is then applied to the resulting approximation, and the subsequent equation is split into two alternating direction sweeps, giving rise to a new high‐order ADE scheme. Because the new scheme can be potentially applied in coupled hydro‐mechanical (H‐M) simulation, the pore pressure solutions from the new scheme are then sequentially coupled with an existing geomechanical simulator in the computer program Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua. This coupling procedure is called the sequentially explicit coupling technique based on the fourth‐order ADE scheme (SEA‐4). Verifications of well‐known consolidation problems showed that the new ADE scheme and SEA‐4 can reduce computer runtime by 46% to 75% to that of Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua's basic scheme. At the same time, the techniques still maintained average percentage error of 1.6% to 3.5% for pore pressure and 0.2% to 1.5% for displacement solutions and were still accurate under typical grid non‐uniformities. This result suggests that the new high‐order ADE scheme can provide an efficient explicit technique for solving the flow equation of a coupled H‐M problem, which will be beneficial for large‐scale and long‐term H‐M problems in geoengineering.
Clonal distribution and intratumour heterogeneity of the B‐cell repertoire in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Chaoting , Huang Hongying , Miao Yu , Xiong Hongchao , Lu Zheming 
Published: July 2018

AbstractRecent successes in tumour immunotherapies have highlighted the importance of tumour immunity. However, most previous studies to date have focused on T‐cell immune response, although B cells are key players in the core immune network and are associated with T‐cell immune response. Based on our previous study delineating T‐cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in seven patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), this study profiled the B‐cell receptor (BCR) repertoire of multiple tumour regions, adjacent normal tissue, and blood from the same seven patients to reveal the characteristics of B‐cell immunity and the relationship to TCR repertoire in ESCC patients. We found that intratumour BCR repertoire was significantly more oligoclonal than matched adjacent normal tissue or peripheral blood and, moreover, clonal amplification of B cells in multiple tumour regions was significantly heterogeneous, although clonal amplification of the TCR repertoire across different tissue compartments and regions of the same tumour was similar. However, both BCR and TCR repertoires in the tumour microenvironment were distinct from those in adjacent normal tissues and blood, and thus represented a group of B and T cells that were spatially confined to the tumour microenvironment and could react to tumour antigens. Additionally, B‐ and T‐cell clones varying between different tumour regions showed intratumour heterogeneity of B‐ and T‐cell immune response. Thus, multiple tumour biopsies could be essential to comprehensively delineate the adaptive immune response to an individual ESCC. These findings expand our understanding of adaptive anti‐tumour immunity and shed more light on ESCC immunotherapy. This study provides insights into the intratumour heterogeneity of the BCR repertoire as well as the difference and relationship between the BCR and TCR repertoire in ESCC, expanding our understanding of adaptive anti‐tumour immunity and ESCC immunotherapy. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation of poly(ethylene oxide) brush‐grafted multiwall carbon nanotubes and their effect on morphology and mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane foam
Authors: Chen Keping , Cao Fen , Liang Shuen , Wang Jianhua , Tian Chunrong 
Published: July 2018

AbstractPoly(ethylene oxide)‐grafted multiwall carbon nanotubes (PEO‐graft‐MWCNT) were successfully prepared by a ring‐opening polymerization of ethylene oxide. Thermogravimetric analysis results indicated that the amount of the grafted PEO polymer was about 40.0 wt%. Rigid polyurethane foams (PUFs) filled with MWCNTs and PEO‐graft‐MWCNT were also fabricated to investigate the influence of grafted PEO interfacial layer on the foaming process, morphology and mechanical properties of PUF. The results indicated that PEO‐graft‐MWCNT had a limited impact on the viscosity and viscoelastic properties of polyol. Meanwhile, the addition of PEO‐graft‐MWCNT was beneficial for decreasing the pore size of PUF. The glass transition temperature and mechanical properties of PEO‐graft‐MWCNT/PUF composites increase gradually with filler content, which can be attributed to the good compatibility and strong interaction between PEO‐graft‐MWCNT and PUF. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
A two‐drug combination simulation study for metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Root Alex , Ebhardt H. Alexander 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundProstate cancer often evolves resistance to androgen deprivation therapy leading to a lethal metastatic castrate‐resistant form. Besides androgen independence, subpopulations of the tumor are genetically heterogeneous. With the advent of tumor genome sequencing we asked which has the greater influence on reducing tumor size: genetic background, heterogeneity, or drug potency?MethodsA previously developed theoretical evolutionary dynamics model of stochastic branching processes is applied to compute the probability of tumor eradication with two targeted drugs. Publicly available data sets were surveyed to parameterize the model.ResultsOur calculations reveal that the greatest influence on successful treatment is the genetic background including the number of mutations overcoming resistance. Another important criteria is the tumor size at which it is still possible to achieve tumor eradication, for example, 2‐4 cm large tumors have at best a 10% probability to be eradicated when 50 mutations can confer resistance to each drug.ConclusionOverall, this study finds that genetic background and tumor heterogeneity are more important than drug potency in treating mCRPC. It also points toward identifying metastatic sites early using biochemical assays and/or dPET.
Analysis of profiles for monitoring of modern ship performance via partial least squares methods
Authors: Lepore Antonio , Palumbo Biagio , Capezza Christian 
Published: July 2018

AbstractShipping operators are nowadays facing the challenge of monitoring ship performance based on operational data. This is triggered by the compelling air pollution regulation EU 2015/757 of the European Parliament, which aims from January 2018 to monitoring, reporting, and verification of all harmful emissions of ships operating in the European Economic Area. On the other hand, the continuous acquisition of operational data, which is performed on most of the modern ships, urgently calls for the application of new and opportune statistical methods able to deal with high‐dimensional data. Ship operating conditions can be in fact described by sensor signals collected throughout each voyage and stored as profiles. In this paper, the latter are analyzed through multiway partial least squares regression of the average fuel consumption per hour over each voyage, which is chosen as scalar performance response, being proportional to harmful emissions. The proposed approach is able to monitor profiles with different length at different voyages. Nevertheless, it is capable of indicating at which instant anomalies may have occurred in ship operating conditions. The proposed approach is shown to be able to furnish clear indications for supporting prognosis of faults. By means of real data acquired from a Ro‐Pax cruise ship owned by the shipping company Grimaldi Group, a different multilinear version that explicitly takes into account the 3‐way structure of the data is also compared with the proposed approach.