bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Advanced Hemophilic Arthropathy: Sensitivity of Soft Tissue Discrimination With Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
Authors: von Drygalski Annette , Moore Randy E. , Nguyen Sonha , Barnes Richard F. W. , Volland Lena M. , Hughes Tudor H. , Du Jiang , Chang Eric Y. 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesPoint‐of‐care musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) is increasingly used by hemophilia providers to guide management; however, pathologic tissue differentiation with US is uncertain. We sought to determine the extent to which point‐of‐care musculoskeletal US can identify and discriminate pathologic soft tissue changes in hemophilic arthropathy.MethodsThirty‐six adult patients with hemophilia A/B were prospectively enrolled. Point‐of‐care musculoskeletal US examinations were performed on arthropathic joints (16 knees, 10 ankles, and 10 elbows) using standard views by a musculoskeletal US–trained and certified hematologist, who recorded abnormal intra‐articular soft tissue accumulation. Within 3 days, magnetic resonance imaging was performed using conventional and multiecho ultrashort echo time sequences. Soft tissue identification (synovial proliferation with or without hemosiderin, fat, and/or blood products) was performed by a musculoskeletal radiologist. Findings obtained with both imaging modalities were compared and correlated in a blinded fashion.ResultsThere was perfect agreement between the modalities on the presence of abnormal soft tissue (34 of 36 cases). However, musculoskeletal US was unable to discriminate between coagulated blood, synovium, intrasynovial or extrasynovial fat tissue, or hemosiderin deposits because of wide variations in echogenicity.ConclusionsMusculoskeletal US is valuable for point‐of‐care imaging to determine the presence of soft tissue accumulation in discrete areas. However, because of limitations of musculoskeletal US in discriminating the nature of pathologic soft tissues and detecting hemosiderin, magnetic resonance imaging will be required if such discrimination is clinically important.
Brachial Artery Wall Stiffness Assessment by Shear Wave Elastography: A Promising New Diagnostic Tool for Endothelial Dysfunction Detection
Authors: Gülşen Fatih , Samanci Cesur , Memis Durmaz Emine Sebnem , Durmaz Eser , Tel Cigdem , Gencturk Mert , Ağırman Aysegul 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesThis study was designed to measure the changes in brachial artery wall stiffness by shear wave elastography (SWE) and evaluate the accuracy of SWE changes for detection of endothelial dysfunction.MethodsSixty‐five consecutive participants (19 patients with atherosclerosis proven by coronary angiography, 16 healthy young adults, 15 patients with cardiovascular risk factors, and 15 healthy older adults between 50 and 60 years) were prospectively included in this study. They were examined in the same week by SWE, and flow‐mediated dilatation was evaluated for each patient.ResultsThe mean flow‐mediated dilatation values ± 2 SDs after forearm occlusion were 8.54% ± 1.4% in healthy young adults, 7.61% ± 1.4% in healthy older adults, 5.83% ± 0.7% in patients with risk factors (P < .001), and 3.81% ± 2.4% in patients with atherosclerosis (P < .001, with respect to the risk factor group). There was a significant decrease in stiffness measurements in parallel with the increase in flow‐mediated dilatation: 19.9% ± 6.3% in healthy young adults, 16.3% ± 5.1% in healthy older adults, 9.8% ± 5.4% in patients with risk factors (P < .05 with respect to the group with no risk factors), and 7.8% ± 6.4% in patients with atherosclerosis (P < .001 with respect to the healthy older adults).ConclusionsShear wave elastography in combination with flow‐mediated dilatation could be a promising, widely available noninvasive diagnostic tool for detecting endothelial dysfunction.
The cost‐efficiency and reliability of two methods for soil organic C accounting
Authors: Viscarra Rossel Raphael A. , Brus Dick J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSequestering organic carbon (C) in soil can help to combat land degradation, improve food security, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. But we need reliable, cost‐efficient methods to assess, monitor, and verify the change. Here, we compared two methods for the direct measurement of soil organic C stocks and for monitoring the change. Our aims were to quantify the soil organic C stock in two carbon estimation areas, under cropping and grazing, using composite sampling with two designs and proximal sensing. We compared the two schemes in terms of the (a) accuracy of the estimated C stocks, the total cost, and the cost‐efficiency, calculated as the ratio of the accuracy of the estimate and the total cost, and (b) uncertainty of the estimated standard error of the estimated C stocks. We found that compositing was cheaper but more inaccurate than sensing. Sensing was 1.2 to 2.1 times more cost‐efficient than compositing. We also found that the uncertainty of the estimated standard errors from compositing was large and unreliable, which can hinder the quantification of a minimum detectable difference in organic C stocks. We show that the sensor‐derived spatially explicit data can also be used to map the C stocks, which can help to optimise the sampling design in subsequent monitoring rounds. Our findings have important implications for the development of C measurement and monitoring methodologies. Visible–near infrared and gamma attenuation sensing can accurately, cost‐efficiently, and reliably monitor and verify changes in soil C stocks.
Assessment of image quality and scatter and leakage radiation of an integrated MR‐LINAC system
Authors: Wang Jihong , Yung Joshua , Kadbi Mo , Hwang Ken , Ding Yao , Ibbott Geoffrey S. 
Published: January 2018

PurposeTo assess the image quality, scatter, and leakage radiation of an integrated magnetic resonance linear accelerator (MR‐LINAC or MRL) system.MethodsA large American College of Radiology (ACR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) accreditation phantom was used to evaluate the MRI capabilities of the integrated MRL system compared with those of other diagnostic MRI systems. Multiple sets of T1 and T2/PD images were acquired with the linear accelerator positioned at various angles and with the radiation beam on and off. Images also were acquired on three different occasions over a period of about 12 months. Scatter and leakage radiation were measured with a large (150 cm3) ion chamber recalibrated for MV energy. For scatter measurements, a 25‐cm stack of solid‐water materials was placed at the isocenter on the patient couch to simulate a patient. The head leakage was measured at 1 m from the linear accelerator head in directions determined to produce the maximum leakage. All measurements were repeated with the magnetic field turned off to study the effects of the magnetic field.ResultsThe geometric distortion, slice thickness accuracy, image uniformity, ghosting ratio, and high‐contrast detectability were comparable to other 1.5 T diagnostic MRI scanners. No observable changes in image quality and no appreciable differences were found between radiation beam‐on and beam‐off images. The measured leakage and scattered radiation changed by less than 5% when the magnetic field was on compared to measurements with the field off. The beam stopper leakage was approximately 0.3 R/1000 MU, and because there was no direct beam imparted on the walls, a vault designed for a modern‐day LINAC should have enough required radiation shielding to house the MRL.ConclusionsThe image quality generated by the MRI system of the integrated MRL was similar to that of a diagnostic MRI scanner. Interference from the MV radiation was minimal, and there was no measurable difference in image quality with the beam on and off. Scatter radiation and leakage radiation of the MRL system were within the expected range of a comparable MV‐LINAC.
Time separation technique: Accurate solution for 4D C‐Arm‐CT perfusion imaging using a temporal decomposition model
Authors: Bannasch Sebastian , Frysch Robert , Pfeiffer Tim , Warnecke Gerald , Rose Georg 
Published: January 2018

PurposeThe issue of perfusion imaging using a temporal decomposition model is to enable the reconstruction of undersampled measurements acquired with a slowly rotating x‐ray‐based imaging system, for example, a C‐arm‐based cone beam computed tomography (CB‐CT). The aim of this work is to integrate prior knowledge into the dynamic CT task in order to reduce the required number of views and the computational effort as well as to save dose. The prior knowledge comprises of a mathematical model and clinical perfusion data.MethodsIn case of model‐based perfusion imaging via superposition of specified orthogonal temporal basis functions, a priori knowledge is incorporated into the reconstructions. Instead of estimating the dynamic attenuation of each voxel by a weighting sum, the modeling approach is done as a preprocessing step in the projection space. This point of view provides a method that decomposes the temporal and spatial domain of dynamic CT data. The resulting projection set consists of spatial information that can be treated as individual static CT tasks. Consequently, the high‐dimensional model‐based CT system can be completely transformed, allowing for the use of an arbitrary reconstruction algorithm.ResultsFor CT, reconstructions of preprocessed dynamic in silico data are illustrated and evaluated by means of conventional clinical parameters for stroke diagnostics. The time separation technique presented here, provides the expected accuracy of model‐based CT perfusion imaging. Consequently, the model‐based handled 4D task can be solved approximately as fast as the corresponding static 3D task.ConclusionFor C‐arm‐based CB‐CT, the algorithm presented here provides a solution for resorting to model‐based perfusion reconstruction without its connected high computational cost. Thus, this algorithm is potentially able to have recourse to the benefit from model‐based perfusion imaging for practical application. This study is a proof of concept.
Access to Safe, Timely, and Affordable Surgical Care in Uganda: A Stratified Randomized Evaluation of Nationwide Public Sector Surgical Capacity and Core Surgical Indicators
Authors: Albutt Katherine , Punchak Maria , Kayima Peter , Namanya Didacus B. , Anderson Geoffrey A. , Shrime Mark G. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundAccess to safe surgery is critical to health, welfare, and economic development. In 2015, the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery recommended that all countries collect surgical indicators to lend insight into improving surgical care. No nationwide high‐quality data exist for these metrics in Uganda.MethodsA standardized quantitative hospital assessment and a semi‐structured interview were administered to key stakeholders at 17 randomly selected public hospitals. Hospital walk‐throughs and retrospective reviews of operative logbooks were completed.ResultsThis study captured information for public hospitals serving 64.0% of Uganda’s population. On average, <25% of the population had 2 h access to a surgically capable facility. Hospitals averaged 257 beds/facilities and there were 0.2 operating rooms per 100,000 people. Annual surgical volume was 144.5 cases per 100,000 people per year. Surgical, anesthetic, and obstetrician physician workforce density was 0.3 per 100,000 people. Most hospitals reported having electricity, oxygen, and blood available more than half the time and running water available at least three quarters of the time. In total, 93.8% of facilities never had access to a CT scan. Sterile gloves, nasogastric tubes, and Foley catheters were frequently unavailable. Uniform outcome reporting does not exist, and the WHO safe surgery checklist is not utilized.ConclusionThe Ugandan public hospital system does not meet LCoGS targets for surgical access, workforce, or surgical volume. Critical policy and programmatic developments are essential to build surgical capacity and facilitate provision of safe, timely, and affordable surgical care. Surgery must become a public health priority in Uganda and other low resource settings.
Morphological evolution of the bivalvePtychomyathrough the Lower Cretaceous of Argentina
Authors: Milla Carmona Pablo S. , Lazo Darío G. , Soto Ignacio M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe complex morphological evolution of the bivalvePtychomyathroughout the well-studied Agrio Formation in the Neuquén Basin (west-central Argentina, lower/upper Valanginian–lowest Barremian) constitutes an ideal opportunity to study evolutionary patterns and processes occurring at geological timescales. Ptychomyais represented in this unit by four species, the morphological variation of which needs to be temporally assessed to obtain a thorough picture of the evolution of the group. Here we use geometric morphometrics to measure variation in shell outline, ribbing pattern, and shell size in these species. We bracket the ages of our samples using a combination of ammonoid biostratigraphy and absolute ages and study the anagenetic pattern of evolution of each trait by means of paleontological time-series analysis and change tracking. We find that evolution inPtychomyais mostly speciational, as the majority of traits show stasis, with the exceptions of shell size inP. coihuicoensisand shell outline inP. windhauseni, which seem to evolve directionally toward larger and higher shells, respectively.Ptychomyadisplays changes in its average morphology and disparity, which are the result of a mixture of taxonomic turnover and mosaic evolution of traits. Pulses of speciation would have been triggered by ecological opportunity, as they occur during the recovery of shallow-burrowing bivalve faunas after dysoxic events affecting the basin. On the other hand, the presence of directional patterns of evolution inP. coihuicoensisandP. windhauseniseems to be the result of a general shallowing-upward trend observed in the basin during the upper Hauterivian–lowest Barremian, as opposed to the cyclical paleoenvironmental stability inferred for the early/late Valanginian–early Hauterivian, which would have prompted stasis inP. koeneniandP. esbelta.
Photometric Variability of the mCP Star CS Vir: Evolution of the Rotation Period
Authors: Ozuyar D. , Sener H. T. , Stevens I. R. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study is to accurately calculate the rotational period of CS Vir by using STEREO observations and investigate a possible period variation of the star with the help of all accessible data. The STEREO data that cover 5-yr time interval between 2007 and 2011 are analysed by means of the Lomb–Scargle and Phase Dispersion Minimization methods. In order to obtain a reliable rotation period and its error value, computational algorithms such as the Levenberg–Marquardt and Monte Carlo simulation algorithms are applied to the data sets. Thus, the rotation period of CS Vir is improved to be 9.29572(12) d by using the 5-yr of combined data set. Also, the light elements are calculated as HJDmax = 2454715.975(11) + 9d· 29572(12) × E + 9d· 78(1.13) × 10 − 8 × E2 by means of the extremum times derived from the STEREO light curves and archives. Moreover, with this study, a period variation is revealed for the first time, and it is found that the period has lengthened by 0.66(8) s y−1, equivalent to 66 s per century. Additionally, a time-scale for a possible spin-down is calculated around τSD ~ 106 yr. The differential rotation and magnetic braking are thought to be responsible of the mentioned rotational deceleration. It is deduced that the spin-down time-scale of the star is nearly three orders of magnitude shorter than its main-sequence lifetime (τMS ~ 109 yr). It is, in return, suggested that the process of increase in the period might be reversible.
Use of central composite design to optimize working conditions ofStreptomyces griseusenzymatic method in estimatingin vitrorumen undegraded crude protein of feedstuffs
Authors: Gallo A. , Fortunati P. , Bruschi S. , Giuberti G. , Masoero F. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe aim was to identify optimized combinations ofStreptomyces griseusprotease concentration (CONC), incubation length (TIME), or amount of crude protein (CP) incubated in buffered enzymatic solution (CPW) to predict thein vitrorumen-undegraded feed CP (RUP) of 26 different feeds (soybean, rapeseed or sunflower meals, wheat bran, distillers dried grains with solubles, maize co-products and alfalfa hay). Different levels of CONC (0.08, 0.19, 0.44, 0.69 and 0.80 enzymatic units [U] ofS. griseusprotease/ml), TIME (6, 10, 18, 26 and 30 h) and CPW (69, 118, 235, 353 and 401 mg CP) were tested in agreement with a central composite design (CCD) with four replications of the central point to calculate second-order polynomial equations of main tested effects. The RUP was estimated by incubating samples in a buffered rumen fluid for 16 h or by adopting different enzymatic approaches as planneda prioriin CCD. Differences between rumen and enzymatic RUP (ΔRUP) were estimated and regression terms of second-order polynomial equations for estimating ΔRUP were calculated between and within feeds. These equations were optimized using the non-linear generalized reduced gradient method with the objective set at ΔRUP equal to 0. The adoption of CCD permitted identification of optimized enzymatic combinations of CONC (0.12 U ofS. griseusprotease/ml), TIME (18 h) and CPW (from 233 to 458 mg CP for distillers dried grains with solubles and soft white wheat bran, respectively) to predict RUP accurately in all feed categories except for soybean meal, where optimized combinations were 0.47 U ofS. griseusprotease/ml, 18 h and 435 mg CP.
A morphological and molecular study of adults and metacercariae ofHysteromorpha triloba(Rudolpi, 1819), Lutz 1931 (Diplostomidae) from the Neotropical region
Authors: Sereno-Uribe A.L. , López-Jimenez A. , Andrade-Gómez L. , García-Varela M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAdults ofHysteromorpha triloba(Rudolpi, 1819), Lutz, 1931 inhabit primarily the intestine of cormorants across the globe, whereas metacercariae have been found in the body cavity of freshwater fishes of the families Cyprinidae, Ictaluridae, Ariidae, Pimelodidae and Catostomidae. In this study, adults and metacercariae identified asH. trilobawere collected from the Neotropical cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianus) and from the Mexican tetra fish (Astyanax mexicanus) from the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean slopes in the Neotropical region. Partial DNA sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochromecoxidase subunit I (cox1) and the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA were generated for both developmental stages, and were compared with available sequences ofH. trilobafrom the Nearctic region. The genetic divergence between metacercariae and adults ofH. trilobafrom the Neotropical and Nearctic region (Canada) associated with the double-crested cormorant (Nannopterum auritus), ranged from 0 to 5.5% forcox1 and from 0 to 0.2% for ITS. Phylogenetic analyses inferred with both molecular markers using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference placed the adults and metacercariae in a single clade, confirming that both stages are conspecific. Our data confirmed thatH. trilobais a widely distributed species across the Americas, parasitizing both the Neotropical and Nearctic cormorants in Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, USA and Canada.
The Flint Food Store Survey: combining spatial analysis with a modified Nutrition Environment Measures Survey in Stores (NEMS-S) to measure the community and consumer nutrition environments
Authors: Shaver Erika R , Sadler Richard C , Hill Alex B , Bell Kendall , Ray Myah , Choy-Shin Jennifer , Lerner Joy , Soldner Teresa , Jones Andrew D 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectiveThe goal of the present study was to use a methodology that accurately and reliably describes the availability, price and quality of healthy foods at both the store and community levels using the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey in Stores (NEMS-S), to propose a spatial methodology for integrating these store and community data into measures for defining objective food access.SettingTwo hundred and sixty-five retail food stores in and within 2 miles (3·2 km) of Flint, Michigan, USA, were mapped using ArcGIS mapping software.DesignA survey based on the validated NEMS-S was conducted at each retail food store. Scores were assigned to each store based on a modified version of the NEMS-S scoring system and linked to the mapped locations of stores. Neighbourhood characteristics (race and socio-economic distress) were appended to each store. Finally, spatial and kernel density analyses were run on the mapped store scores to obtain healthy food density metrics.ResultsRegression analyses revealed that neighbourhoods with higher socio-economic distress had significantly lower dairy sub-scores compared with their lower-distress counterparts (βcoefficient=−1·3;P=0·04). Additionally, supermarkets were present only in neighbourhoods with <60 % African-American population and low socio-economic distress. Two areas in Flint had an overall NEMS-S score of 0.ConclusionsBy identifying areas with poor access to healthy foods via a validated metric, this research can be used help local government and organizations target interventions to high-need areas. Furthermore, the methodology used for the survey and the mapping exercise can be replicated in other cities to provide comparable results.
Processing methods of organic liquid fertilizers affect nutrient availability and yield of greenhouse grown parsley
Authors: Pokhrel Bhaniswor , Sorensen Jorn Nygaard , Moller Henrik Bjarne , Petersen Karen Koefoed 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe demand for organic foods is increasing globally, but a key limiting factor to the production of organic greenhouse produce is the lack of certified liquid fertilizers. In this experiment, four organic fertilizers were produced using either acidic extraction, anaerobic digestion or both of ensiled biomass of organic red clover and white mustard. The resulting fertilizers were applied to greenhouse-grown parsley either alone, or in combination with nitrogen (N)-enriched water produced by flushing acidic water with ammonia, to determine their effect on plant growth and the nutrient concentrations of parsley. Six combinations of fertilizer treatments were included in the greenhouse experiment. Three treatments received either fertilizers derived from acidic extraction, anaerobic digestion or both and three treatments received fertilizers derived from acidic extraction combined with N-enriched water. Conventional inorganic liquid fertilizer, chicken manure extract and no liquid fertilizer (only water) were added as control treatments. A higher N-min (ammonium and nitrate) to potassium (K) ratio was found in fertilizers after anaerobic digestion compared to acidic extraction. All organic fertigation treatments resulted in high pH, high K and chloride concentrations and high NH4/NO3 ratios in the root zone. In addition, high electrical conductivity (EC), P, K and Mg concentrations were found when only acidic extracted fertilizers were applied. Application of plant-based organic fertilizers without amending with N-enriched water resulted in biomass yields that were 21–26% lower than the inorganic fertigation control. However, fertigation with chicken manure extract, or a combination of fertilizer derived from acidic extraction and N-enriched water, resulted in similar plant growth as inorganic fertilizer. The lower yield from fertilizer derived from acidic extraction was due to elevated EC levels in the growing medium. Our results suggest that yield of greenhouse-grown parsley using either organic fertilizers combined with N-enriched water or chicken manure extract is similar to conventional fertilizer.