bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Defects on Pyrazolate Based Metal Organic Frameworks
Authors: Navarro Jorge A. R. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe high strength of the metal‐pyrazolate coordination bond allows the deliberate introduction of defects on pyrazolate based metal‐organic frameworks without affecting the integrity of the porous crystalline network. Yet the presence of defects has a major impact on the properties of these systems which include higher pore accessibility and increased interactions with guest molecules, higher ion/electronic mobility and enhanced catalytic properties. In this review selected examples of the impact of the presence of defects in the capture of environmentally relevant gases, ion and electronic conductivity and catalytic properties of defective pyrazolate based metal organic frameworks are given.
Causal mechanisms and institutionalisation of open government data in Kenya
Authors: Mungai Paul W. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractOpen data—including open government data (OGD)—has become a topic of prominence during the last decade. However, most governments have not realised the desired value streams or outcomes from OGD. The Kenya Open Data Initiative (KODI), a Government of Kenya initiative, is no exception with some moments of success but also sustainability struggles. Therefore, the focus for this paper is to understand the causal mechanisms that either enable or constrain institutionalisation of OGD initiatives. Critical realism is ideally suited as a paradigm to identify such mechanisms, but guides to its operationalisation are few. This study uses the operational approach of Bygstad, Munkvold & Volkoff's six‐step framework, a hybrid approach that melds concepts from existing critical realism models with the idea of affordances. The findings suggest that data demand and supply mechanisms are critical in institutionalising KODI and that, underpinning basic data‐related affordances, are mechanisms engaging with institutional capacity, formal policy, and political support. It is the absence of such elements in the Kenya case which explains why it has experienced significant delays.
Design Features of a Professional Development Program in Digital Literacy
Authors: Hobbs Renee , Coiro Julie 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe authors introduce readers to three design features of the University of Rhode Island's Summer Institute in Digital Literacy, a 42‐hour, weeklong professional learning experience in digital literacy for educators, librarians, college faculty, and other adult learners. The program is explicitly designed to promote reflection on one's motivations for advancing digital literacy, deepen appreciation for collaborative inquiry, and focus on how educators and learners (not machines) personalize learning. Evidence of how these themes are developed through practice illustrates the design philosophy that is embedded in the program. Digital media platforms, texts, and technologies enable pedagogical practices that put learners and teachers at the center of an increasingly networked social world, but these approaches also require respect for diverse perspectives, deliberative dialogue, and collaborative inquiry to bring them into the mainstream educational practice of schools, libraries, universities, and communities.
First trimester expression of anorectal malformation: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Liberty Gad , Bardin Ron , Gilboa Yinon , Tover Ana , Mashiach Reuven , Mazaki Eyal , Shen Ori 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA 26‐years‐old woman, underwent an ultrasound examination at 13.4 weeks. A cystic structure was identified in the right lower abdomen. Gradually, the cystic mass was replaced by echogenic content and eventually attained the appearance of hyperechoic bowel. At 21.2 weeks, the anal sphincter could not be demonstrated which was consistent with the diagnosis of isolated anal agenesis. Amniocentesis revealed 46XY karyotype with normal comparative genomic hybridization. After termination of pregnancy at 23 weeks, an autopsy revealed an isolated high type anorectal malformation (ARM) without fistula. We reviewed all 14 cases reported in the literature of first trimester sonographic expression of ARM.
Qualitative exploration of Japanese rural citizens’ consideration of terminal home care through an educational forum
Authors: Ohta Ryuichi , Ryu Yoshinori , Katsube Takuji 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe need for home care services for older adults is gradually increasing in many countries. In the past, Japanese older adults typically died at home, but the current trend is toward hospital death. Few studies in Japan have explored peoples’ viewpoint on home care, however, especially in rural areas. Therefore, we clarified Japanese rural residents’ views of terminal home care.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study of 152 participants who are current or potential caregivers of older adults and who live in the city of Unnan, Shimane Prefecture, which has a large elderly population. An educational forum consisting of presentations and a workshop were used to provide information on terminal home care to rural citizens. A thematic analysis of the workshop's content regarding participants’ perceived difficulties related to terminal home care was conducted.ResultsParticipants described four themes regarding problems of terminal home care: medical aspects, care burden, health care system, and patient problems. Besides the need for more knowledge of the medical and health system, participants were anxious about the burden of care on their lives and the perceptions of others in their community.ConclusionThis study is the first report on Japanese rural citizens’ views of terminal home care. The findings suggest that the limited use of home care in Japanese rural areas might relate to a lack of understanding of terminal home care and health care systems, a substantial care burden for caregivers, and conflicts between patients and families.
Ultrastructure of vegetative cells and resting cysts, and live observations of the encystation and excystation processes in Diophrys oligothrix Borror, 1965 (Protista, Ciliophora)
Authors: Gong Zhi‐Wei , Fan Xin‐Peng , Ma Rui , Ni Bing 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCiliated protists can form cysts to resist unfavorable environmental conditions and then excyst when environmental conditions become favorable. This study used electron and light microscopy to investigate the structure of vegetative cells and resting cysts, as well as the encysting and excysting processes of Diophrys oligothrix. For the first time, ampules were revealed beneath the pellicle in the genus Diophrys, and their extrusome types differed between Diophrys species. Membrane‐packed discs of diverse shapes were found in the cytoplasm just beneath the pellicle around the cytopharynx and were separated by rows of microtubule units. Beneath the discs, some double‐layer microtubule structures were detected as well. During encystment, the ventral ciliature was folded in a ventral cavity of the cell, and the caudal cirri were retracted directly into the cyst in a separate cavity on the dorsal side. In the resting cysts, high autophagic activity occurred, possibly including digestion of membrane‐packed discs and ampules. Two macronuclear nodules kept their basic shape, although the chromatin aggregation and fusion region were observed in ultrathin sections. The cyst wall contained two layers, namely, the ectocyst, and endocyst. In mature cysts, basal bodies and ciliary shafts were observed, demonstrating that D. oligothrix forms non‐kinetosome‐resorbing cysts. The process of excystment occurred in two modes, either with or without participation of a contractile vacuole.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Calf Muscles in Subjects With and Without Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Edalati Masoud , Hastings Mary K. , Sorensen Christopher J. , Zayed Mohamed , Mueller Michael J. , Hildebolt Charles F. , Zheng Jie 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundDiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has been used to characterize calf skeletal muscle architecture.PurposeTo assess the diffusional properties of the calf muscles of subjects with and without diabetes, at rest and during isometric plantarflexion exercise.Study TypeProspective.SubjectsTwenty‐six subjects in two groups: 13 healthy and 13 subjects with type 2 diabetes (DM); each group consisted of seven females and six males.Field Strength/Sequence3T/2D single‐shot spin echo planar imaging.AssessmentFractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), diffusion eigenvalues, and fiber tracking indices were obtained from the medial gastrocnemius (MG), lateral gastrocnemius (LG), and soleus (SOL) muscles of the calf at rest and during isometric plantarflexion exercise.Statistical TestsWe used a combination of nonparametric (Wilcoxon) and parametric (t‐test) statistical assessments.ResultsThe medial gastrocnemius muscle had more indices with significant differences between the two groups (six indices with P < 0.05) than did the lateral gastrocnemius (three indices with P < 0.05) and soleus muscles (only one index with P < 0.05). While the healthy group showed elevated MD values from rest to exercise (MG = 5.83%, LG = 13.45%, and SOL = 11.68%), the diabetic MD showed higher increases (MG = 19.74%, LG = 29.31%, and SOL = 20.84%) that were different between groups (MG: P = 0.009, LG: P = 0.037, and SOL: P = 0.049).Data ConclusionOur results indicate considerable diffusional changes between healthy subjects and subjects with diabetes at rest and during isometric plantarflexion exercise in the calf muscles. The medial gastrocnemius muscle displayed the most diffusion sensitivity to diabetes‐related microstructural changes.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:1285–1295.
Physical dynamics structures and oxygen budget of summer hypoxia in the Pearl River Estuary
Authors: Cui Yongsheng , Wu Jiaxue , Ren Jie , Xu Jie 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA summertime hypoxia sporadically occurred in the lower Pearl River Estuary (PRE) for more than three decades. Although its mechanism has already been extensively studied, the topic on why seasonal hypoxia is persistent in patchy waters is still an open question. Here, we presented the investigation of physical dynamics structures and dissolved oxygen (DO) processes for controlling the spatial distribution and maintenance of coastal hypoxia. Field observations were conducted in the 2015 summer in the PRE and adjacent shelf sea. High river discharge forms intense haloclines in the river plume, while salinity intrusion of shelf benthic waters results in a notable pycnocline at the top of salt wedge. A mid‐depth transitional layer with the weakest mixing over water column functions as a barrier for DO vertical exchange between river plume and shelf salt wedge. A benthic hypoxia in the 2015 summer appears at the overlapping zone between river plume and shelf salt wedge. Based on physical and biological processes, a DO budget for the hypoxic system was established. The DO advection by gravitational circulation from shelf benthic waters is roughly balanced by bacterial respiration in water column. The DO diffusion from river plume to benthic hypoxia is completely inhibited by the barrier layer. The patchy distribution of benthic hypoxia for the 30‐yr period in the PRE can be satisfactorily predicted by the numerical simulations of the overlapping zones between river plume and shelf salt wedge. These findings will have an important implication for predicting and mitigating coastal hypoxia.Physical structures and processes of DO dynamics were investigated to understand the spatial distribution and maintenance of coastal hypoxia. Summertime hypoxia appear near the head of shelf salinity intrusion, where a mid‐depth barrier layer inhibits the vertical exchange between river plume and shelf salt wedge. DO advection by gravitational circulation from DO‐rich shelf benthic waters is roughly balanced by bacterial respiration in water column. The spatial distribution of coastal hypoxia can be well predicted by the overlapping zone between river plume and shelf salt wedge.
Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) Polyphenols Modulate the Microbial Community in a Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME) and Decrease Secretion of Proinflammatory Markers in a Caco‐2/endothelial Cell Coculture Model
Authors: Wu Ting , Grootaert Charlotte , Pitart Judit , Vidovic Nevena Kardum , Kamiloglu Senem , Possemiers Sam , Glibetic Maria , Smagghe Guy , Raes Katleen , Van de Wiele Tom , Van Camp John 
Published: September 2018

ScopeTo explore the mechanisms behind the health effects of Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa), the microbial community modulating and anti‐inflammatory effects of Aronia polyphenols are investigated by combining the similutor of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (SHIME) with a coculture of intestinal and endothelial cells.ResultsAdministration of Aronia juice (6.5g L–1) to the SHIME for 2 weeks increases the abundance of firmicutes to 92% in the ascending colon (AC), 85% in the transverse colon (TC), and 82% in the descending colon (DC; p < 0.001), proteobacteria (6.7% in AC, p < 0.001), and Akkermansia (14% in TC and 18% in DC, p < 0.001) and decreases the abundance of Bifidobacterium species, associated with a decrease of acetate and increase of propionate and butyrate, whereas no significant difference is observed upon placebo juice treatment. After addition of the digests to TNF‐α challenged Caco‐2/endothelial cocultures, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1, IL‐8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 levels are significantly downregulated. Interestingly, Aronia juice treats digests from each colon compartment resulting in a stronger decrease of the ICAM‐1 secretion (up to 73%, p < 0.001) compared to their corresponding placebo treated digests, thereby pointing to a polyphenol‐dependent effect.ConclusionsAronia polyphenols modulate intestinal microbial composition, induce beneficial short chain fatty acid production, and prevent inflammatory stress in endothelial cells. This opens perspectives for the use of Aronia polyphenols as prebiotics in the context of intestinal and cardiovascular health.
Technical Note: Virtual CT for reducing CT dose in targeted radionuclide therapy dosimetry
Authors: Li Tiantian , Mok Greta S. P. 
Published: September 2018

PurposePreviously we have shown that using sequential CT images is superior to sequential SPECT for nonrigid registration in three‐dimensional (3D) targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) dosimetry. However, sequential CTs are often not available due to radiation concerns. In this paper, we propose a virtual CT (vCT) method for attenuation and scatter correction, image registration, and segmentation for improved dosimetric accuracy with single CT acquisition.MethodsWe used a population of nine XCAT phantoms with different In‐111 Zevalin biokinetics and anatomical variations for the simulations. An analytical projector was used to simulate sequential SPECT/CT acquisitions for a medium energy general purpose collimator at 1, 12, 24, 72, and 144 h postinjection, modeling attenuation, scatter, and geometric collimator‐detector response. The corresponding sequential attenuation maps of the phantoms served as real CT (rCT) images. For vCT generation, we investigated three registration methods, that is, (a) SPECT to SPECT; (b) SPECT to CT, and (c) CT to SPECT, and the optimal time point for single CT acquisition. Difference images and average normalized mean square errors (NMSE) were calculated between different vCTs and their corresponding rCTs. Absorbed dose and dose‐volume histograms (DVHs) for critical organs were computed for the rCT, optimized vCT, and conventional single CT (1CT) protocols, respectively, for dosimetric analyses.ResultsFor vCT generation, SPECT to SPECT registration with a single CT acquired at the first time point shows the smallest difference and NMSE. For organ absorbed doses, the results of vCT were similar to those of rCT and were superior to 1CT, that is, −0.24 ± 1.56% vs −0.49 ± 1.76% vs −6.37 ± 5.63% for the liver, −1.05 ± 2.89% vs −0.69 ± 2.74% vs −4.87 ± 4.35% for kidneys, respectively. The results of DVHs also showed improvement for all organs using vCTs as compared to the conventional 1CT protocol.ConclusionThe optimized vCT method can effectively increase the TRT dosimetric results if there is only a single CT available in the sequential imaging protocol, reducing the substantial increase in radiation burden from repeated CT scans.
Identification of optimal mother wavelets in survival prediction of lung cancer patients using wavelet decomposition‐based radiomic features
Authors: Soufi Mazen , Arimura Hidetaka , Nagami Noriyuki 
Published: September 2018

PurposeTo identify the optimal mother wavelets in survival prediction of lung cancer patients using wavelet decomposition‐based (WDB) radiomic features in CT images.Materials and methodsThe CT images of patients with histologically confirmed nonsmall cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs) in training (Dataset T; n = 162) and validation (Dataset V; n = 143) datasets were analyzed for this study. The optimal mother wavelets were identified based on the impacts of the WDB radiomic features on the patient survival times. Four hundred and thirty‐two three‐dimensional WDB radiomic features were calculated from regions of interest (ROI) of 162 tumor contours. A Coxnet algorithm was used to select a subset of radiomic features (signature) based on the prediction of survival times with a fivefold cross validation. The impacts of the radiomic features on the patients’ survival times were assessed by using a multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression (MCPHR) model. The major contribution of this study was to identify optimal mother wavelets based on a maximization of a novel ranking index (RI) incorporating the Coxnet cross‐validated partial log‐likelihood and the summation of theP‐values of the radiomic features in the MCPHR model on Dataset T. The prognostic performance of the optimal mother wavelets was validated based on the concordance index (CI) of the MCPHR models when applied to Dataset V. The proposed approach was tested by using 31 mother wavelets from 6 wavelet families that were available in a commercially available software (Matlab®2016b).ResultsThe optimal mother wavelets were Symlet 5 and Biorthogonal 2.6 at 128 requantization levels, which yielded RIs of 4.27 ± 0.29 (3 features) and 6.50 ± 0.50 (5 features), respectively. The CIs of the MCPHR models of Symlet 5 were 0.66 ± 0.03 (Dataset T) and 0.64 ± 0.00 (Dataset V), whereas those of Biorthogonal 2.6 were 0.68 ± 0.03 (Dataset T) and 0.62 ± 0.02 (Dataset V). The radiomic signatures included the GLRLM‐based LHL gray level nonuniformity feature that demonstrated statistically significant differences in stratifying patients with better and worse prognoses in Datasets T and V.ConclusionThis study has revealed the potential of Symlet and Biorthogonal mother wavelets in the survival prediction of lung cancer patients by using WDB radiomic features in CT images.
3D task‐transfer function representation of the signal transfer properties of low‐contrast lesions in FBP‐ and iterative‐reconstructed CT
Authors: Robins Marthony , Solomon Justin , Richards Taylor , Samei Ehsan 
Published: September 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate how accurately the task‐transfer function (TTF) models the signal transfer properties of low‐contrast features in a non‐linear commercial CT system.MethodsA cylindrical phantom containing 24 anthropomorphic “physical” lesions was 3D printed. Lesions had two sizes (523, 2145 mm3), and two nominal radio‐densities (80 and 100 HU at 120 kV). CT images were acquired on a commercial CT system (Siemens Flash scanner) at four dose levels (CTDIvol, 32 cm phantom:1.5, 3.0, 6.0, 22.0 mGy) and reconstructed using FBP and IR kernels (B31f, B45f, I31f\2, I44f\2). Low‐contrast rod inserts (in‐plane) and a slanted edge (z‐direction) were used to estimate 3D‐TTFs. CAD versions of lesions were blurred by the 3D‐TTFs, virtually superimposed into corresponding phantom images, and compared to the physical lesions in terms of (a) a 4AFC visual assessment, (b) edge gradient, (c) size, and (d) shape similarity. Assessments 2 and 3 were based on an equivalence criterion to determine if the natural variability in the physical lesions was greater or equal to the difference between physical and simulated. Shape similarity was quantified via Sorensen‐Dice coefficient (SDC). Comparisons were done for each lesion and for all imaging conditions.ResultsThe readers detected simulated lesions at a rate of 37.9 ± 3.1% (25% implies random guessing). Lesion edge blur and volume differences were on average less than physical lesions’ natural variability . The SDC (average ± SD) was 0.80 ± 0.13 (max of 1 possible).ConclusionsThe visual appearance, edge blur, size, and shape of simulated lesions were similar to the physical lesions, which suggests 3D‐TTF models the low‐contrast signal transfer properties of this non‐linear CT system reasonably well.
White matter intercompartmental water exchange rates determined from detailed modeling of the myelin sheath
Authors: van Gelderen Peter , Duyn Jeff H 
Published: September 2018

Purpose: Magnetization exchange (ME) between hydrogen protons of water and large molecules (semisolids [SS]) in lipid bilayers is an important factor in MRI signal generation and can be exploited to study white matter pathology. Current models used to quantify ME in white matter generally consider water to reside in 1 or 2 distinct compartments, ignoring the complexities of the myelin sheath’s multicompartment structure of alternating myelin SS and myelin water (MW) layers. Here, we investigated the effect of this by fitting ME data obtained from human brain at 7 T with a multilayer model of myelin.Methods: A multi‐echo acquisition for a T2*‐based separation of MW from other water signals was combined with various preparation pulses to change the (relative) state of the SS and water pools and analyzed by fitting with a multilayer exchange model.Results: The estimated lifetime within a single MW layer was 260 µs, corresponding to a lipid bilayer permeability of 6.7 µm/s. The magnetization lifetime of the aggregate of all MW was estimated at 13 ms, shorter than previously reported values in the range of 40 to 140 ms.Conclusion: Contrary to expectations and previous reports, ME between protons in myelin SS and water is not limited by the myelin sheath but rather by the exchange between SS and water protons. The analysis of ME contrast should account for the relatively short MW lifetime and affects the interpretation of tissue compartmentalization from MRI contrasts such as T1‐ and diffusion‐weighting.