bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic subthreshold cortical stimulation for adult drug-resistant focal epilepsy: safety, feasibility, and technique
Authors: Kerezoudis Panagiotis , Grewal Sanjeet S. , Stead Matthew , Lundstrom Brian Nils , Britton Jeffrey W. , Shin Cheolsu , Cascino Gregory D. , Brinkmann Benjamin H. , Worrell Gregory A. , Van Gompel Jamie J. 
Published: October 2017

OBJECTIVEEpilepsy surgery is effective for lesional epilepsy, but it can be associated with significant morbidity when seizures originate from eloquent cortex that is resected. Here, the objective was to describe chronic subthreshold cortical stimulation and evaluate its early surgical safety profile in adult patients with epilepsy originating from seizure foci in cortex that is not amenable to resection.METHODSAdult patients with focal drug-resistant epilepsy underwent intracranial electroencephalography monitoring for evaluation of resection. Those with seizure foci in eloquent cortex were not candidates for resection and were offered a short therapeutic trial of continuous subthreshold cortical stimulation via intracranial monitoring electrodes. After a successful trial, electrodes were explanted and permanent stimulation hardware was implanted.RESULTSTen patients (6 males) who underwent chronic subthreshold cortical stimulation between 2014 and 2016 were included. Based on radiographic imaging, intracranial pathologies included cortical dysplasia (n = 3), encephalomalacia (n = 3), cortical tubers (n = 1), Rasmussen encephalitis (n = 1), and linear migrational anomaly (n = 1). The duration of intracranial monitoring ranged from 3 to 20 days. All patients experienced an uneventful postoperative course and were discharged home with a median length of stay of 10 days. No postoperative surgical complications developed (median follow-up length 7.7 months). Seizure severity and seizure frequency improved in all patients.CONCLUSIONSThe authors’ institutional experience with this small group shows that chronic subthreshold cortical stimulation can be safely and effectively performed in appropriately selected patients without postoperative complications. Future investigation will provide further insight to recently published results regarding mechanism and efficacy of this novel and promising intervention.
Suprafloccular approach via the petrosal fissure and venous corridors for microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve: technique notes and clinical outcomes
Authors: Wang Hao , Ying Xiang , Yu Wen H. , Zhu Qiang , Dong Xiao Q. , Sheng Yong F. , Wang Ding 
Published: October 2017

OBJECTIVESurgical exposure and decompression of the entire trigeminal nerve in a conventional lateral supracerebellar approach can be challenging because of blockages from the superior petrosal vein complex, cerebellum, and vestibulocochlear nerve. The authors demonstrate a novel suprafloccular approach via the petrosal fissure and venous corridors that can be used as a substitute for the conventional route used to treat trigeminal neuralgia and present a consecutive series of patients and their clinical outcomes.METHODSPreoperative and postoperative clinical data from 420 patients who underwent this modified approach at Hangzhou First People’s Hospital between March 2012 and May 2014 were reviewed. The technique expands the working space by opening the petrosal fissure and dissecting adhesions between the vein of the cerebellopontine fissure and the simple lobule as needed. Via 3 surgical corridors, the entire trigeminal nerve is exposed and decompressed thoroughly with minimal retraction of the surrounding vital structures.RESULTSThe medial one-third of the trigeminal nerve accounted for the majority (275 [65.5%] cases) of neurovascular conflict sites. The lateral corridor was used in 219 (52.1%) cases, the medial corridor was used in 175 (41.7%) cases, and the intermediate corridor was used in 26 (6.2%) cases. The entire trigeminal nerve in each patient was accessed directly and decompressed properly. At the end of the 24-month follow-up period, the rate of excellent results (Kondo score of T0 or T1) was stable at approximately 90.5%. No complications were related directly to petrosal vein or vestibulocochlear nerve injury.CONCLUSIONSBased on data from the large patient series, the authors found this suprafloccular approach via the petrosal fissure and venous corridors provides full exposure and decompression of the entire trigeminal nerve, a high cure rate, and a low neurovascular morbidity rate.
Intradural spine surgery may not carry an increased risk of shunt revision compared with extradural spine surgery in pediatric patients with myelomeningocele
Authors: Kuhn Elizabeth N. , Hopson Betsy , Conklin Michael J. , Blount Jeffrey P. 
Published: October 2017

OBJECTIVEPatients with myelomeningocele are often affected by scoliosis and tethered cord syndrome, and frequently require spine surgery. Intradural spine surgeries may carry an inherently higher risk of inducing shunt malfunction due to entry into the subarachnoid space. In this study, the authors sought to compare rates of shunt malfunction after intradural and extradural spine surgeries among pediatric patients with myelomeningocele.METHODSThe authors reviewed records of the National Spina Bifida Program Registry for Children’s Hospital of Alabama. The Exago reporting function was used to identify patients who had received at least one of the following procedures: shunt revision, tethered cord release (TCR), or spinal fusion for deformity. The registry records were reviewed for all identified patients to determine if a shunt revision was performed within the 1st year after TCR or spinal fusion.RESULTSFinal analyses included 117 patients, of whom 39 underwent spinal fusion and 78 underwent TCR. Among patients who underwent spinal fusion, shunt revision was performed within 30 days in 2 patients (5.1%), within 60 days in 2 (5.1%), within 90 days in 4 (10.3%), and within 1 year in 5 (12.8%). Among patients who underwent TCR, shunt revision was performed within 30 days in 7 patients (9.0%), within 60 days in 10 (12.8%), within 90 days in 11 (14.1%), and within 1 year in 17 (21.8%). Using the log-rank test, there was no significant difference in Kaplan-Meier curves between intradural and extradural groups (p = 0.59).CONCLUSIONSIn a review of single-institution registry data, the authors found no statistically significant difference in the risk of shunt malfunction after intradural and extradural spine surgeries.
Assessing the influence of life form and life cycle on the response of desert plants to past climate change: Genetic diversity patterns of an herbaceous lineage ofNolanaalong western South America
Authors: Ossa Paulina G. , Armesto Juan J. , Pérez Fernanda 
Published: October 2017

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:Plant responses to past climate change could have been shaped by life‐history traits. Here we explore the influence of life form on the response of xerophytic plants to Quaternary climate fluctuations, through a comparison of genetic patterns of codistributed herbaceous and shrubby lineages of the genusNolana.METHODS:We reconstructed the phylogeographic history of a herbaceous lineage of three species ofNolanadistributed from a northern arid zone (30°S) to a southern wet‐temperate (42°S) zone, by sequencing two cpDNA regions. Results were compared with similar data published earlier for a congeneric, codistributed shrubby lineage.KEY RESULTS:We detected significant genetic differentiation among populations. Divergence of all haplotypes occurred during the Pleistocene, between 245 and 62 kyr ago. For both the shrubby and herbaceous lineages, the greatest haplotype diversity was found in their northern range. However, herbs also retained some diversity at higher latitude. Herbaceous populations were less genetically structured and less differentiated than shrubby ones.CONCLUSION:Genetic evidence revealed that both lineages ofNolanasurvived climate change through the Quaternary, experiencing population collapses and recoveries. Phylogeographic histories present similarities between the two lineages, but also marked differences that can be explained by their differences in life form and life cycle. While the shrubby lineage followed the classical pattern of postglacial expansion toward higher latitudes, species in the herbaceous lineage showed evidence of long‐lasting persistence at the southern edge of their current range, suggesting for the first time multiple glacial refugia for a xerophytic plant in southern South America.
Percepción de estudiantes y docentes de e-posgrado sobre competencias en TIC de educandos
Authors: Arras-Vota Ana-María de Guadalupe , José-Luis Bordas-Beltrán José-Luis Bordas-Beltrán , Gutiérrez-Diez María-Del Carmen 
Published: October 2017

Actualmente las universidades ofrecen programas educativos a través de distintas modalidades; en una de ellas, la virtual, están involucradas las Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación (TIC), que demandan competencias para que los usuarios logren procesos de formación significativos. El caso del posgrado virtual de la Facultad de Contaduría y Administración de la Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua (México) requiere analizar la percepción de las competencias en TIC de los educandos versus la percepción de los docentes sobre aquellas y su quehacer académico. Metodología: estudio de caso, técnicas: encuestas, en forma de escala Likert, entrevistas y análisis de trabajos entregados. Resultados y discusión: Los datos revelan que la percepción de los educandos y su manifestación en tareas, así como la apreciación de los profesores difiere en lo concerniente a las capacidades éticas, de aplicación, profundización y aprendizaje permanente y coincide en cuanto a competencias básicas y de trabajo colaborativo.
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction: A case report and literature review
Authors: Singh Gurpreet , Cinicola Margaret M , Parva Naveen R , Cinicola John T , Muvva Venkat G , Nookala Vinod K 
Published: October 2017

Background: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is loss of cognition especially in memory and executive function that can extend from a few days to a few weeks after surgery. It is more common in older adult patients. We present a case featuring a typical progression of POCD along with its associated preoperative risk factors.Case report: A 65-year-old male patient with an extensive past medical history including generalized anxiety disorder, hypertension and hyperlipidemia initially presented to the emergency department for chest pain. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) was performed under general anesthesia with Propofol, Fentanyl, Rocuronium and Midazolam. The patient tolerated the procedure well. After the procedure, his stay was complicated by delirium and altered mental status. All reversible causes were investigated and eliminated as likely causes. Later, the patient was sent home after a prolonged hospital stay. Following discharge, he had multiple admissions to the hospital for altered mental status, and his mental status has not reached baseline again. Family has been confident that the patient’s psychological and cognitive symptoms began following the CABG.Conclusion: We present this case to highlight the heightened incidence of postoperative cognitive decline in patients over sixty undergoing major surgery. We also present a comprehensive review of the current literature on the risk factors, clinical manifestations, and pathogenesis of POCD.
Physical and Transport Property Variations Within Carbonate‐Bearing Fault Zones: Insights From the Monte Maggio Fault (Central Italy)
Authors: Trippetta F. , Carpenter B. M. , Mollo S. , Scuderi M. M. , Scarlato P. , Collettini C. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe physical characterization of carbonate‐bearing normal faults is fundamental for resource development and seismic hazard. Here we report laboratory measurements of density, porosity, Vp, Vs, elastic moduli, and permeability for a range of effective confining pressures (0.1–100 MPa), conducted on samples representing different structural domains of a carbonate‐bearing fault. We find a reduction in porosity from the fault breccia (11.7% total and 6.2% connected) to the main fault plane (9% total and 3.5% connected), with both domains showing higher porosity compared to the protolith (6.8% total and 1.1% connected). With increasing confining pressure, P wave velocity evolves from 4.5 to 5.9 km/s in the fault breccia, is constant at 5.9 km/s approaching the fault plane and is low (4.9 km/s) in clay‐rich fault domains. We find that while the fault breccia shows pressure sensitive behavior (a reduction in permeability from 2 × 10−16 to 2 × 10−17 m2), the cemented cataclasite close to the fault plane is characterized by pressure‐independent behavior (permeability 4 × 10−17 m2). Our results indicate that the deformation processes occurring within the different fault structural domains influence the physical and transport properties of the fault zone. In situ Vp profiles match well the laboratory measurements demonstrating that laboratory data are valuable for implications at larger scale. Combining the experimental values of elastic moduli and frictional properties it results that at shallow crustal levels, M ≤ 1 earthquakes are less favored, in agreement with earthquake‐depth distribution during the L'Aquila 2009 seismic sequence that occurred on carbonates.
Elimination of the Reaction Rate “Scale Effect”: Application of the Lagrangian Reactive Particle‐Tracking Method to Simulate Mixing‐Limited, Field‐Scale Biodegradation at the Schoolcraft (MI, USA) Site
Authors: Ding Dong , Benson David A. , Fernàndez‐Garcia Daniel , Henri Christopher V. , Hyndman David W. , Phanikumar Mantha S. , Bolster Diogo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMeasured (or empirically fitted) reaction rates at groundwater remediation sites are typically much lower than those found in the same material at the batch or laboratory scale. The reduced rates are commonly attributed to poorer mixing at the larger scales. A variety of methods have been proposed to account for this scaling effect in reactive transport. In this study, we use the Lagrangian particle‐tracking and reaction (PTR) method to simulate a field bioremediation experiment at the Schoolcraft, MI site. A denitrifying bacterium, Pseudomonas Stutzeri strain KC (KC), was injected to the aquifer, along with sufficient substrate, to degrade the contaminant, carbon tetrachloride (CT), under anaerobic conditions. The PTR method simulates chemical reactions through probabilistic rules of particle collisions, interactions, and transformations to address the scale effect (lower apparent reaction rates for each level of upscaling, from batch to column to field scale). In contrast to a prior Eulerian reaction model, the PTR method is able to match the field‐scale experiment using the rate coefficients obtained from batch experiments.
Sex differences in LRRK2 G2019S and idiopathic Parkinson's Disease
Authors: San Luciano Marta , Wang Cuiling , Ortega Roberto A. , Giladi Nir , Marder Karen , Bressman Susan , Saunders‐Pullman Rachel ,   the Michael J Fox Foundation LRRK2 Consortium
Published: October 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate sex differences and the relative effect of G2019S LRRK2 mutations in Parkinson's disease (PD).Methods530 LRRK2 PD carriers and 759 noncarrier PD (idiopathic, IPD) evaluated as part of the Fox Foundation (MJFF) Consortium were included. All participants completed a study visit including information on clinical features, treatment, examination, and motor and nonmotor questionnaires. Clinical features were compared between men and women separately for IPD and LRRK2 PD; and features were compared between IPD and LRRK2 PD separately for men and women.ResultsAmong IPD: men had higher levodopa equivalency dose (LED), worse activities of daily living and motoric severity but lower complications of therapy (UPDRS‐IV). IPD women had higher olfaction and thermoregulatory scores and were more likely to report family history of PD. Among LRRK2 PD: Male predominance was not observed among G2019S LRRK2 cases. Women had worse UPDRS‐IV but better olfaction. Among same sex: LRRK2 men and women had better olfaction than IPD counterparts. LRRK2 men demonstrated lower motor and higher cognitive, RBD and thermoregulation scores than IPD men and LRRK2 women had greater UDPRS‐IV and rates of dyskinesia.InterpretationThere were clinical differences between sexes with a more severe phenotype in IPD men and more complications of therapy in women. The more severe male phenotype was moderated by LRRK2, with LRRK2 men and women showing less diversity of phenotype. Our study supports that both genetics and sex drive phenotype, and thus trials in LRRK2 and IPD should consider gender stratification in design or analysis.
Robust adaptive constrained boundary control for a suspension cable system of a helicopter
Authors: Ren Yong , Chen Mou , Shi Peng 
Published: October 2017

SummaryIn this article, the problems of modeling and controlling are investigated for a suspension cable system of a helicopter with input saturation, system parameter uncertainties, and external disturbances by using the boundary control method. In accordance with the Hamilton's principle, the model of the suspension cable system of a helicopter is established by using a set of partial differential and ordinary differential equations. Considering nonsymmetric saturation constraint, the auxiliary systems are designed to handle with the effect of input saturation. Considering Lyapunov's direct method and the designed auxiliary systems, two robust adaptive boundary controllers are provided by the actuators at the helicopter and the box. Under the proposed controllers, the error between the bottom payload and the target location and the vibration range are uniformly ultimately bounded. Moreover, they will converge to a small neighborhood of zero by selecting the suitable parameters. Meanwhile, to guarantee the validity of the proposed adaptive boundary control laws, some sufficient conditions are raised. Simulation results are provided to verify that the effectiveness of the designed controllers in this paper.
Hematite Photoanodes: Synergetic Enhancement of Light Harvesting and Charge Management by Sandwiched with Fe2TiO5/Fe2O3/Pt Structures
Authors: Wang Lei , Nguyen Nhat Truong , Huang Xiaojuan , Schmuki Patrik , Bi Yingpu 
Published: October 2017

AbstractEfficient charge separation and transport as well as high light absorption are key factors that determine the efficiency of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting devices. Here, a PEC device consisting of a hematite nanoporous film deposited on Pt nanopillars, followed by the decoration with an Fe2TiO5 passivation layer, is designed and fabricated. This structure can largely improve the light absorption in the composite materials, and significantly enhance the water oxidation performance of hematite photoanodes. The Fe2TiO5 thin shell and Pt underlayer significantly improve the interfacial charge transfer while minimizing the hole‐migration length in Fe2O3 photoanodes, leading to a drastically increased photocurrent density. Specially, the Fe2TiO5/Fe2O3/Pt photoanode yields an excellent photoresponse for PEC water splitting reactions with 1.0 and 2.4 mA cm−2 obtained at 1.23 and 1.6 VRHE under AM 1.5G illumination in 1 m KOH. The resulting photocurrents are 2.5 times enhanced compared to a pristine Fe2O3 photoanode of the same geometry. These results demonstrate a synergistic charge transfer effect of Fe2TiO5 and Pt layers on hematite for the improvement of PEC water oxidation.
Multiscale Nanoparticle Assembly: From Particulate Precise Manufacturing to Colloidal Processing
Authors: Niederberger Markus 
Published: October 2017

AbstractNanoparticle assembly and colloidal processing are two techniques with the goal to fabricate materials and devices from preformed particles. While colloidal processing has become an integral part of ceramic processing, nanoparticle assembly is still mainly limited to academic interests. It typically starts with the precise synthesis of building blocks, which are generally not only considerably smaller than those used for colloidal processing, but also better defined in terms of size, shape, and size distribution. Their arrangement into 1D, 2D, and 3D architectures is performed with great accuracy well beyond what is achieved by colloidal processing. At the same time, the final assembly is not sintered such that the intrinsic, nanospecific properties of the initial building blocks are preserved or even lead to collective behavior. However, in contrast to colloidal processing the structures accessible by nanoparticle assembly are often limited to a small length scale. The review presents selected examples of nanoparticle assembly and colloidal processing with the goal to reveal the capabilities of these two techniques to fabricate novel materials from preformed building blocks, and also to demonstrate the immense opportunities that would arise if the two methods could be combined with each other.
Glutathione‐Activatable and O2/Mn2+‐Evolving Nanocomposite for Highly Efficient and Selective Photodynamic and Gene‐Silencing Dual Therapy
Authors: He Dinggeng , Hai Luo , He Xing , Yang Xue , Li Hung‐Wing 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) has been applied in cancer treatment by converting O2 into reactive singlet oxygen (1O2) to kill cancer cells. However, the effectiveness of PDT is limited by the fact that tumor hypoxia causes an inadequate O2 supply, and the overexpressed glutathione (GSH) in cancer cells consumes reactive oxygen species. Herein, a multifunctional hybrid system is developed for selective and highly efficient PDT as well as gene‐silencing therapy using a novel GSH‐activatable and O2/Mn2+‐evolving nanocomposite (GAOME NC). This system consists of honeycomb MnO2 (hMnO2) nanocarrier loaded with catalase, Ce6, and DNAzyme with folate label, which can specifically deliver payloads into cancer cells. Once endocytosed, hMnO2 carriers are reduced by the overexpressed GSH to Mn2+ ions, resulting in the reduction of GSH level and disintegration of GAOME NC. The released catalases then trigger the breakdown of endogenous H2O2 to generate O2, which is converted by the excited Ce6 into 1O2. The self‐sufficiency of O2 and consumption of GSH effectively enhance the PDT efficacy. Moreover, DNAzyme is freed for gene silencing in the presence of self‐generated Mn2+ ions as cofactors. The rational synergy of enhanced PDT and gene‐silencing therapy remarkably improve the in vitro and in vivo therapeutic efficacy of cancers.
Roll‐to‐Roll Fabrication of Flexible Orientated Graphene Transparent Electrodes by Shear Force and One‐Step Reducing Post‐Treatment
Authors: Hu Xiaotian , Meng Xiangchuan , Xiong Jian , Huang Zengqi , Yang Xia , Tan Licheng , Chen Yiwang 
Published: October 2017

AbstractFlexible transparent electrodes (FTEs) are core sections for wearable photoelectric devices. However, the inevitable poor mechanical stability and expensive cost limit that the indium tin oxide FTEs are ineligible for future devices. In this work, the shear force of slot‐die printing during roll‐to‐roll process is creatively applied to form thin layer of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) for fabricating oriented poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate:RGO composite. The hydroiodic acid post‐treatment can remove insulating content of conductive polymer as well as reduce the graphene oxide to enhance the conductivity of FTEs to 1949 S cm−1 with a sheet resistance of 51 Ω □−1 and 82% transmittance. In addition, these FTEs demonstrate remarkable flexural endurance even under extreme bending situation. The FTEs possess a low cost of only 2.8 $ for per square meter due to the carbon materials and roll‐to‐roll technologies. Finally, the FTEs are faultlessly employed in polymer solar cells with a power conversion efficiency of 8.32% based on 1.01 cm2 effective area.