bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MRI of plaque characteristics and relationship with downstream perfusion and cerebral infarction in patients with symptomatic middle cerebral artery stenosis
Authors: Lu Shan‐Shan , Ge Song , Su Chun‐Qiu , Xie Jun , Mao Jian , Shi Hai‐Bin , Hong Xun‐Ning 
Published: October 2017

BackgroundIntracranial plaque characteristics are associated with stroke events. Differences in plaque features may explain the disconnect between stenosis severity and the presence of ischemic stroke.PurposeTo investigate the relationship between plaque characteristics and downstream perfusion changes, and their contribution to the occurrence of cerebral infarction beyond luminal stenosis.Study TypeCase control.SubjectsForty‐six patients with symptomatic middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis (with acute cerebral infarction, n = 30; without acute cerebral infarction, n = 16).Field Strength/Sequence3.0T with 3D turbo spin echo sequence (3D‐SPACE).AssessmentLuminal stenosis grade, plaque features including lesion T2 and T1 hyperintense components, plaque enhancement grade, and plaque distribution were assessed. Brain perfusion was evaluated on mean transient time maps based on the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score (MTT‐ASPECTS).Statistical TestsPlaque features, grade of luminal stenosis, and MTT‐ASPECTS were compared between two groups. The association between plaque features and MTT‐ASPECTS were assessed using Spearman's correlation analysis. Multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to assess the effect of significant variables alone and their combination in determining the occurrence of cerebral infarction.ResultsStronger enhanced plaques were associated with downstream lower MTT‐ASPECTS (P = 0.010). Plaque enhancement grade (P = 0.039, odds ratio [OR] 5.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1–32) and MTT‐ASPECTS (P = 0.003, OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.4–4.7) were associated with a recent cerebral infarction, whereas luminal stenosis grade was not (P = 0.128). The combination of MTT‐ASPECTS and plaque enhancement grade provided incremental information beyond luminal stenosis grade alone. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) improved from 0.535 to 0.921 (P < 0.05).Data ConcusionStrongly enhanced plaques are associated with a higher likelihood of downstream perfusion impairment. Plaque enhancement and perfusion evaluation may play a complementary role to luminal stenosis in determining the occurrence of acute cerebral infarction.Level of Evidence: 4Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017.
Electric Charge Gaussian Gradation Method (ECGGM): A technique for improving material interface representations for the radial point interpolation method
Authors: de Oliveira Rodrigo M. S. , Brandão Marcelo B. S. , Sousa Washington C. B. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAn improved meshless discretization methodology, based on the Coulomb's law discretization method, is introduced. With the presented improvement, it is possible to naturally and controllably increase the density of nodes around edges and corners of scatterers immersed in analysis space. This is achieved by gradually modifying node's charges across space according to Gaussian functions. It is observed that higher concentration of nodes in the neighborhood of media interfaces substantially improves the precision of numerical solutions of Maxwell's equations obtained with the radial point interpolation method. This improvement is justified by refined calculation of intense spatial field variations near the boundaries. Several other relevant benefits resulting from the new technique are observed and highlighted.
Spatial‐temporal characteristics of aerosol loading over the Yangtze River Basin during 2001–2015
Authors: Zhang Ming , Ma Yingying , Wang Lunche , Gong Wei , Hu Bo , Shi Yifan 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTThe spatial‐temporal characteristics of aerosol loading over the Yangtze River Basin, China during 2001–2015 were investigated using moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS), multi‐angle imaging spectroradiometer (MISR), and ground‐level particulate matter (PM) data. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) >0.8 occurs in the Yangtze River Delta, central China, and the Sichuan Basin, while AOD <0.3 occurs over higher‐elevation areas in the western Sichuan Plateau and the source regions of the Yangtze River. The western Sichuan Plateau is characterized by fine‐mode natural aerosols, while the source region of the Yangtze River is more influenced by dust aerosols. The Sichuan Basin, central China, and the Yangtze River Delta are dominated by anthropogenic aerosols. The spatial distribution of ground‐level PM2.5 and its ratio to PM10 confirm the high aerosol loading and dominance of small particles over the middle and lower Yangtze Basin. Over the Yangtze River Delta, central China, and the Sichuan Basin, AOD varies seasonally from low in the cold months to high in the warm months, being suppressed by rainfall and wind during the Asian summer monsoon. Precipitation increases aerosol loading in the western Sichuan Plateau but reduces dust particles in the source region of the Yangtze River. There is no significant AOD trend over most areas of the Yangtze River Basin during 2001–2015, while strong decreasing trends are found over most of the middle and lower Yangtze Basin during 2011–2015. These decreasing trends may relate to changes in annual precipitation, wind speed, and air‐pollution control policies. The NO2 and SO2 emissions decreased by 16.51 and 23.40% over major provinces and cities of the Yangtze River Basin from 2011 to 2015. An increase in rainfall over the middle and lower Yangtze Basin and a better pollutant diffusion condition in the Sichuan Basin also favour the decreasing AOD during this period.
Spatio‐temporal variations of nonlinear trends of precipitation over an arid region of northwest China according to the extreme‐point symmetric mode decomposition method
Authors: Qin Yanhua , Li Baofu , Chen Zhongsheng , Chen Yaning , Lian Lishu 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTClimate systems have both nonlinear and non‐stationary characteristics, and it is important to develop methods to reveal the nonlinear trends in these systems. Based on synthetic data with known signals and a precipitation anomaly time series from 74 meteorological stations in an arid region of northwest China (ARNC) from 1960 to 2015, the latest extreme‐point symmetric mode decomposition (ESMD) and ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) methods were employed to conduct multi‐scale mode decomposition. The results showed that both the ESMD and EEMD methods can separate synthetic signals and extract the nonlinear trends of precipitation in ARNC and can thus provide reliable decomposition results. This article employed the ESMD method to analyse the spatial and temporal variation features of nonlinear precipitation trends in ARNC from 1960 to 2015. The results indicated that over the past 50+ years, the overall precipitation in ARNC has exhibited an apparent nonlinear upwards trend. In addition, its changes have exhibited oscillation periods of 3, 6, and 11 years. The periods of the three components are significant (p < 0.05), and the variance contribution rate of the first intrinsic mode function (IMF1) is the largest, reaching 58%. Furthermore, there are obvious spatial differences in the nonlinear trends of average annual precipitation: northern Xinjiang has had a mainly rising trend; southern Xinjiang has had mainly rising and decreasing–rising trends; and the precipitation changes in the Hexi Corridor have been quite complicated. The ESMD method can reflect integrated changes in the nonlinear trends of precipitation over different time scales and has important practical significance and scientific value for revealing the complicated structural features of climate systems.
The determination of the botanical origin in honeys with over‐represented pollen: combination of melissopalynological, sensory and physicochemical analysis
Authors: Rodopoulou Maria‐Anna , Tananaki Chrysoula , Dimou Maria , Liolios Vasilios , Kanelis Dimitrios , Goras Georgios , Thrasyvoulou Andreas 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDPollen analysis of honey is the basic method for the determination of its botanical origin. However, the presence of over‐represented pollen in honeys may lead the analysis to false results. This can be more severe if this pollen is present in unifloral under‐represented honeys of commercial importance (e.g. thyme honey). In the present study, we investigated the abundance of over‐represented pollen grains on several quality characteristics in honey samples. In particular, we mixed honeys characterised as over‐represented, specifically chestnut and eucalyptus, with thyme honeys in different analogies, and we also analysed the melissopalynological, organoleptic, physicochemical (water content, electrical conductivity, colour) and volatile characteristics of the blends.RESULTSThe most sensitive parameters were the microscopic characteristics, followed by the organoleptic ones. Blends of thyme honey with an originally low percentage of thyme pollen were the most influenced and could not be characterised as unifloral regarding their melissopalynological characteristics, even when they were mixed with small quantities of honeys with over‐represented pollen (i.e. 5%).CONCLUSIONThe present study confirms that, in the case of presence of over‐represented pollen in honeys, pollen analysis alone cannot give trustworthy results for the determination of the botanical origin, even though their exclusion during pollen analysis, when they are present in percentages of up to 30%, could provide more accurate results. Consequently, pollen analysis should also be combined with the other analyses, especially in honeys with under‐represented and over‐represented pollens, to give safer results for the botanical characterisation of honeys. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
A robust projector–camera interactive display system based on finger touch control by fusing finger and its shadow
Authors: Song Chengqun , Cheng Jun 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA robust projector–camera interactive display system consisting of one camera and one projector is proposed, which enables users to interact with computer by touching on arbitrary surfaces with bare hand. The system utilizes the camera to recover 3D information of fingertip for touch detection. Firstly, predicted image generated from geometric and photometric calibration matrix is used to segment hand and its shadow. Secondly, fusion degree of the hand and its shadow is detected using linear‐scanning method. Finally, a square tracking mask is used to determine the touch action on the projection surface. Experimental results show that the proposed system is robust to different lighting conditions. The touch detection accuracy is 93.0% and the average processing time of each frame is 36 ms.
Immediate chest wall reconstruction using an external oblique myocutaneous flap for large skin defects after mastectomy in advanced or recurrent breast cancer patients: A single center experience
Authors: Lee Seokwon , Jung Younglae , Bae Youngtae 
Published: October 2017

Background and ObjectivesWe report 75 single‐stage chest‐wall reconstructions using ipsilateral external oblique myocutaneous flap (EOMCF) to cover the extensive skin defects following resection of advanced or recurrent breast tumours at the Pusan National University Hospital.MethodsBetween January 2007 and October 2015, 75 women with advanced or recurred breast cancer who underwent extensive mastectomy with immediate chest wall reconstruction using EOMCF were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsMean age was 50.5 ± 9.8 years and mean follow‐up period was 36.7 ± 25.1 months. A total of 59 patients (78.7%) had stage III disease and the remaining 16 patients (21.3%) had stage IV. Mean excised breast tissue weight was 687.6 ± 416.5 g (range, 120.3‐2797.1 g). The mean chest wall skin defect covered with an EOMCF was 228.3 ± 168.1 cm2 and corresponded to an approximately 15 × 15 cm defect. Average operative time for reconstruction was <2 h. There were no major complications such as flap loss, full thickness skin necrosis, or surgical site infections. With respect to loco‐regional recurrence, nine patients (12%) experienced recurrence. Among the 59 non‐stage IV patients, loco‐regional relapse occurred in five patients (8.5%).ConclusionsEOMCF can effectively cover large chest wall defects with a few minor complications and reliable local disease control.
Ion‐pair‐based hollow‐fiber liquid‐phase microextraction combined with high‐performance liquid chromatography for the simultaneous determination of urinary benzene, toluene, and styrene metabolites
Authors: Bahrami Abdulrahman , Ghamari Farhad , Yamini Yadollah , Ghorbani Shahna Farshid , Koolivand Ali 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn the current study, a novel technique for extraction and determination of trans,trans‐muconic acid, hippuric acid, and mandelic acid was developed by means of ion‐pair‐based hollow fiber liquid‐phase microextraction in the three‐phase mode. Important factors affecting the extraction efficiency of the method were investigated and optimized. These metabolites were extracted from 10 mL of the source phase into a supported liquid membrane containing 1‐octanol and 10% w/v of Aliquat 336 as the ionic carrier followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis. The organic phase immobilized in the pores of a hollow fiber was back‐extracted into 24 μL of a solution containing 3.0 mol/L sodium chloride placed inside the lumen of the fiber. A very high preconcentration of 212‐ to 440‐fold, limit of detection of 0.1–7 μg/L, and relative recovery of 87–95% were obtained under the optimized conditions of this method. The relative standard deviation values for within‐day and between‐day precisions were calculated at 2.9–8.5 and 4.3–11.2%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to urine samples from volunteers at different work environments. The results demonstrated that the method can be used as a sensitive and effective technique for the determination of the metabolites in urine.
Simultaneous analysis of carbohydrates, polyols and amines in urine samples using chemical ionization gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Kubinec Róbert , Kotora Peter , Ferenczy Viktória , Blaško Jaroslav , Podolec Peter , Hengerics Szabó Alexandra , Behúlová Darina , Bierhanzl Václav , Čabala Radomír , Stuchlík Stanislav , Filipiak Wojciech , Thắng Ngô Mạnh 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA simple method for the simultaneous derivatization of carbohydrates, polyols, amines and amino acids using hexamethyldisilazane and N,O‐bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide was developed. This method allows the direct derivatization of urine samples without sample pretreatment before derivatization. The method was successfully used for analysis of the selected metabolites in urine samples of healthy individuals and neonates suffering from galactosemia. The limits of detection by positive chemical ionization gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis were in the range of 1.0 mgL‐1 for mannitol to 4.7 mg/L for glucose.
Liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid ion trap time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry method for the determination of caulophine in rat bio‐samples and its pharmacokinetic study after intragastric and intraperitoneal administration
Authors: Lu Dan , Xu Xiao , Li Chunlei , Wang Sicen 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA rapid and precise liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid ion trap/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry method to detect and quantify caulophine and its possible active metabolites in rat plasma and urine was developed. Samples were prepared by plasma protein precipitation combined with a liquid‐liquid extraction method. The separation was carried out on an InertSustain® C18 column with a mobile phase comprising methanol and 0.1% aqueous formic acid solution. The analysis was complete in 20 min with a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. Taspine was used as the internal standard. Mass spectrometric detection was conducted with hybrid ion trap/time‐of‐flight equipped with electrospray ionization in the positive ion mode. The calibration curves of caulophine were linear over the concentration ranges of 0.002–0.20 μg/mL for plasma and 0.005–0.50 μg/mL for urine with the correlation coefficients greater than 0.998 in both cases. The method was successfully used to investigate the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability in rat plasma and urine samples after intragastric and intraperitoneal administration of caulophine sodium salt.
Electrophoretic Deposition (EPD) of Lectin in the Presence of New Glycopolymers Aiming at Facile Detection of Carbohydrate–Protein Interactions
Authors: Komura Tomomi , Takasu Akinori 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAtom transfer radical polymerization of allyl methacrylate followed by a thiol‐ene click reaction with 1‐thio‐β‐D‐glucose tetraacetate is performed to afford a new type of glycopolymers via deacetylation. Their interactions with a sugar‐binding protein are evaluated by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) procedures as well as fluorescence measurements. The deposition amount of concanavalin A (conA) in the presence of glucose or galactose measured by EPD is remarkably different from that in the presence of the synthesized glycopolymer, even though the concentration of sugar residue is the same. The deposition amount, as well as the electric current that flows during the EPD, is higher in the presence of the polymer, which confirms that interaction of conA with the glycopolymer is detected by the EPD procedure.
High Efficiency Conversion of Regenerated Cellulose Hydrogel Directly to Functionalized Cellulose Nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Han‐Qing , Tan Huang , Hua Sun , Liu Zheng‐Ying , Yang Wei , Yang Ming‐Bo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis article provides a novel and efficient method of “self‐assembly/modification/dispersion” for the preparation of functionalized cellulose nanoparticles (CNPs) based on regenerated cellulose hydrogel (RCH). The process of the preparation of CNPs is simplified greatly, which contributes to broadening the utilization of CNPs. Under the given conditions, cellulose chains self‐assemble into nanoparticles, which connect with each other to form strings and walls of nanoparticles inside RCH. Then, RCH acts as the hydrophilic precursor of the preparation of CNPs and is modified by oligo side chains to obtain functionalized RCH with imperfect cellulose II structures. After dispersing the functionalized RCH in dimethyl sulfoxide, individual CNPs are finally isolated from functionalized RCH as a result of the decline of the crystallinity of CNPs. Obtained CNPs possess uniform size and good thermal stability, and also exhibit excellent dispersibility in organic solvents. The particle size of CNPs can be adjusted easily by oligo content and particle size of the self‐assembled cellulose nanoparticles in RCH. Prepared CNPs are promising candidates for polymer modification in terms of fillers, and for biomedical fields with respect to drug delivery.
Design and Synthesis of PET‐Based Copolyesters with Flame‐Retardant and Antidripping Performance
Authors: Zhao Hai‐Bo , Wang Yu‐Zhong 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPoly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is a fiber‐forming polymer with the largest output and widest usage. Its flame retardation is well‐achieved via a mechanism of promoting the melt dripping while ignited. However, the melt dripping leads to secondary damage and an immediate empyrosis during fire. How to address the contradiction between the flame retardation and the melt‐dripping behavior of PET via an inherent flame‐retardant approach becomes a real challenge. This feature article highlights the design and synthesis of novel PET‐based copolyesters with flame‐retardant and antidripping performance. Three approaches are used to design these copolyesters: “ionic aggregation,” “smart self‐cross‐linking,” and “rearrangement at high temperatures.” Some new conceptions are proposed accordingly. The synthesis, structure characterization, and properties of those copolyesters are discussed together with the ongoing challenges and limitations at this frontier.
11C‐PE2I and 18F‐Dopa PET for assessing progression rate in Parkinson's: A longitudinal study
Authors: Li Weihua , Lao‐Kaim Nick P. , Roussakis Andreas A. , Martín‐Bastida Antonio , Valle‐Guzman Natalie , Paul Gesine , Loane Clare , Widner Håkan , Politis Marios , Foltynie Tom , Barker Roger A. , Piccini Paola 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackground18F‐dopa PET measuring aromatic l‐amino acid decarboxylase activity is regarded as the gold standard for evaluating dopaminergic function in Parkinson's disease. Radioligands for dopamine transporters are also used in clinical trials and for confirming PD diagnosis. Currently, it is not clear which imaging marker is more reliable for assessing clinical severity and rate of progression. The objective of this study was to directly compare 18F‐dopa with the highly selective dopamine transporter radioligand 11C‐PE2I for the assessment of motor severity and rate of progression in PD.MethodsThirty‐three mild‐moderate PD patients underwent 18F‐dopa and 11C‐PE2I PET at baseline. Twenty‐three were followed up for 18.8 ± 3.4 months.ResultsStandard multiple regression at baseline indicated that 11C‐PE2I BPND predicted UPDRS‐III and bradykinesia‐rigidity scores (P < 0.05), whereas 18F‐dopa Ki did not make significant unique explanatory contributions. Voxel‐wise analysis showed negative correlations between 11C‐PE2I BPND and motor severity across the whole striatum bilaterally. 18F‐Dopa Ki clusters were restricted to the most affected putamen and caudate. Longitudinally, negative correlations were found between striatal Δ11C‐PE2I BPND, ΔUPDRS‐III, and Δbradykinesia‐rigidity, whereas no significant associations were found for Δ18F‐dopa Ki. One cluster in the most affected putamen was identified in the longitudinal voxel‐wise analysis showing a negative relationship between Δ11C‐PE2I BPND and Δbradykinesia‐rigidity.ConclusionsStriatal 11C‐PE2I appears to show greater sensitivity for detecting differences in motor severity than 18F‐dopa. Furthermore, dopamine transporter decline is closely associated with motor progression over time, whereas no such relationship was found with aromatic l‐amino acid decarboxylase. 11C‐PE2I may be more effective for evaluating the efficacy of neuroprotective treatments in PD. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society