bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Liver histology and diffusion‐weighted MRI in children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A MAGNET study
Authors: Manning Paul , Murphy Paul , Wang Kang , Hooker Jonathan , Wolfson Tanya , Middleton Michael S. , Newton Kimberly P. , Behling Cynthia , Awai Hannah I. , Durelle Janis , Paiz Melissa N. , Angeles Jorge E. , De La Pena Diana , McCutchan J. Allen , Schwimmer Jeffrey B. , Sirlin Claude B. 
Published: February 2017

PurposeTo determine potential associations between histologic features of pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and estimated quantitative magnetic resonance diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) parameters.Materials and MethodsThis prospective, cross‐sectional study was performed as part of the Magnetic Resonance Assessment Guiding NAFLD Evaluation and Treatment (MAGNET) ancillary study to the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network (NASH CRN). Sixty‐four children underwent a 3T DWI scan (b‐values: 0, 100, and 500 s/mm2) within 180 days of a clinical liver biopsy of the right hepatic lobe. Three parameters were estimated in the right hepatic lobe: apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), diffusivity (D), and perfusion fraction (F); the first assuming exponential decay and the latter two assuming biexponential intravoxel incoherent motion. Grading and staging of liver histology were done using the NASH CRN scoring system. Associations between histologic scores and DWI‐estimated parameters were tested using multivariate linear regression.ResultsEstimated means ± standard deviations were: ADC: 1.3 (0.94–1.8) × 10−3 mm2/s; D: 0.82 (0.56–1.0) × 10−3 mm2/s; and F: 17 (6.0–28)%. Multivariate analyses showed ADC and D decreased with steatosis and F decreased with fibrosis (P < 0.05). Associations between DWI‐estimated parameters and other histologic features were not significant: ADC: fibrosis (P = 0.12), lobular inflammation (P = 0.20), portal inflammation (P = 0.27), hepatocellular inflammation (P = 0.29), NASH (P = 0.30); D: fibrosis (P = 0.34), lobular inflammation (P = 0.84), portal inflammation (P = 0.76), hepatocellular inflammation (P = 0.38), NASH (P = 0.81); F: steatosis (P = 0.57), lobular inflammation (P = 0.22), portal inflammation (P = 0.42), hepatocellular inflammation (P = 0.59), NASH (P = 0.07).ConclusionIn children with NAFLD, steatosis and fibrosis have independent effects on DWI‐estimated parameters ADC, D, and F. Further research is needed to determine the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications of these effects.Level of Evidence: 1Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1149–1158.
Hepatic Alanine Differentiates Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis From Simple Steatosis in Humans and Mice: A Proton MR Spectroscopy Study With Long Echo Time
Authors: Kim Tae‐Hoon , Jun Hong Young , Kim Ki‐Jong , Lee Young Hwan , Lee Myeung Su , Choi Keum Ha , Yun Ki Jung , Jeong Yong Yeon , Jun Chung Hwan , Cho Eun Young , Yoon Kwon‐Ha 
Published: February 2017

PurposeTo evaluate the hepatic metabolic alterations in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by using 1H‐MRS (proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy) with long echo time and to test the reproducibility of human study in an animal model. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing NAFLD but with practical constraints. 1H‐MRS allows in vivo assessment of hepatocellular metabolism and has shown potential for biochemical differentiation in diffuse liver disease.Materials and MethodsIn all, 32 subjects (11 patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH], 15 with simple steatosis [SS], and six healthy controls) were studied. For test reproducibility, 36 C57BL/6 mice, including 10 mice with streptozotocin‐induced NASH, 15 with SS, and 11 high‐fat diet controls, were studied. 1H‐MRS measurements at 3T and 4.7T MRI were performed on a localized voxel of the liver using PRESS sequence. Hepatic alanine (Ala), lactate+triglyceride (Lac+TG), and TG levels were compared between NASH, SS, and control groups using analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests. Diagnostic accuracy was determined by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. The associations between metabolite levels and pathologic grades or NAFLD activity scores (NAS) were assessed using Pearson's correlation.ResultsNASH patients had higher levels of Ala (P < 0.001), Lac+TG (P < 0.001), and TG (P < 0.05) than SS patients or controls. The AUROC curve to distinguish NASH from SS was 1.00 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–1.00) for Ala and 0.782 (95% CI 0.61–0.96) for Lac+TG. Ala and Lac+TG concentrations were positively correlated with steatosis grade (Ala Pearson's r = 0.723; Lac+TG r = 0.446), lobular inflammation (Ala r = 0.513), and NAS (Ala r = 0.743; Lac+TG r = 0.474).Conclusion1H‐MRS is potentially useful for noninvasive diagnosis of NASH and simple steatosis by hepatic metabolite quantification.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1298–1310.
Climate change and precipitation variability over the western ‘Pampas’ in Argentina
Authors: Maenza Reinaldo A. , Agosta Eduardo A. , Bettolli María L. 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTThis work focuses on the analysis of spatial and temporal variability of precipitation in the central region of southern Central Argentina (SCA), a climate transition area which has experienced an important agricultural expansion. For this purpose, gauge station precipitation datasets available in the area were extensively used. The annual cycle shows a defined dry season (May–August) and wet season (September–April). Wet season represents over 85% of annual totals. A regionalization analysis of wet‐season precipitation suggests five subregions with spatially homogeneous precipitation variability in SCA. Three out the five subregions are located in central SCA. Conveniently devised precipitation indices for the latter subregions show the presence of significant precipitation jumps by the early 1970s, and to a minor extent, the mid‐1960s. Precipitation jumps are responsible for the observed long‐term trends in central SCA, which explain positive precipitation changes over 30–40% of regional averages in the period 1922–2012. The presence of stationary and non‐stationary components in SCA precipitation variability remotely connects the region mainly with variations in equatorial Pacific SSTs. The assessment of greenhouse gases concentration effects on future projections of wet‐season precipitation over central SCA is investigated by means of multi‐model analysis of historical experiment, and the representative concentration pathways 4.5 (RCP 4.5) and 8.5 (RCP 8.5), provided by the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5. Results suggest an overall increased precipitation, roughly 15% respect to present climate, under most severe future scenario.
Quality of experience measurement for light field 3D displays on multilayer LCDs
Authors: Wang Shizheng , Ong Kien Seng , Surman Phil , Yuan Junsong , Zheng Yuanjin , Sun Xiao Wei 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMulti‐layer light field displays (MLLFDs) are a promising computational display type that can not only display hologram‐like 3D content but will also be well compatible with normal 2D applications. However, the quality of experience measurement for MLLFDs is always an important yet challenging issue. Despite existing research works on MLLFDs, most of them only provide quality of experience results with qualitative evaluation, for example, software simulation of a few 3D images/videos, rather than rigorous quantitative evaluation. This work targets at building a unified software and hardware measurement platform for different MLLFD methods, and comprehensively measuring both objective and subjective performance based on virtual object models. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time that such performance has been measured for MLLFDs. In addition, to use the existing disclosed virtual object sequences, this paper further proposes three customized virtual models, which are the USAF‐E model, the view angle model, and the concave/convex object model for accurate measurement of spatial resolution, viewing angle, and depth resolution. A toolbox for MLLFD measurement with proposed models is also released in this paper. The experimental results demonstrate that our proposed measurement method, models, and toolbox can well measure MLLFDs in different configurations.
Monolithic stationary phases with a longitudinal gradient of porosity
Authors: Urban Jiří , Hájek Tomáš , Svec Frantisek 
Published: February 2017

The duration of the hypercrosslinking reaction has been used to control the extent of small pores formation in polymer‐based monolithic stationary phases. Segments of five columns hypercrosslinked for 30–360 min were coupled via zero‐volume unions to prepare columns with segmented porosity gradients. The steepness of the porosity gradient affected column efficiency, mass transfer resistance, and separation of both small‐molecule alkylbenzenes and high‐molar‐mass polystyrene standards. In addition, the segmented column with the steepest porosity gradient was prepared as a single column with a continuous porosity gradient. The steepness of porosity gradient in this type column was tuned. Compared to a completely hypercrosslinked column, the column with the shallower gradient produced comparable size‐exclusion separation of polystyrene standards but allowed higher column permeability. The completely hypercrosslinked column and the column with porosity gradient were successfully coupled in online two‐dimensional liquid chromatography of polymers.
Scoping review: Awareness of neurotoxicity from anesthesia in children in otolaryngology literature
Authors: Earley Marisa A. , Pham Liem T. , April Max M. 
Published: February 2017

ObjectiveReview otolaryngology literature for awareness of neurotoxicity from general anesthesia in children. Recently, there has been increasing focus in anesthesia literature on the long‐term effects of general anesthesia on neurodevelopment. Multiple animal models have demonstrated evidence of neurotoxicity from both inhalational and intravenous anesthetics. Cohort studies also have revealed modestly increased risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in children exposed to a single episode of general anesthesia prior to 3 to 4 years of age, with stronger evidence for multiple exposures in this age range. Otolaryngologists may subject children to general anesthesia via procedures or tests, including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and auditory brainstem response.Data SourcesPubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science Review.MethodsA scoping review using the above databases was performed limited to January 2005 through December 2015. Articles were screened and reviewed based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.ResultsInitial search generated 3,909 articles. After 72 full text articles were reviewed, only seven articles mentioned neurotoxicity as a risk of general anesthesia in pediatric patients.ConclusionDespite the high volume of pediatric otolaryngologic procedures performed annually, there remains limited awareness in our literature discussing neurotoxicity as an outcome. Prospective data from anesthesia literature is still pending; therefore, specific recommendations cannot be made at this time. Otolaryngologists should be aware of the concerns and work toward defining elective procedures, combining surgical procedures with other procedures or imaging, and reassessing the timing and frequency of various interventions under general anesthesia in young children. Laryngoscope, 127:1930–1937, 2017
The feasibility of NBI in patients with suspected upper airway lesions: A multicenter study
Authors: Bäck Leif J.J. , Rekola Jami , Raittinen Lassi , Halme Elina , Pietarinen Petra , Keski‐Säntti Harri , Aaltonen Leena‐Maija , Mäkitie Antti A. , Raappana Antti , Tikanto Jukka , Schrey Aleksi , Grenman Reidar , Laranne Jussi , Koivunen Petri , Irjala Heikki 
Published: February 2017

ObjectiveNarrow band imaging (NBI) improves diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal cancer, but most reported NBI studies are from experienced centers. Feasibility reports on use at everyday outpatient departments are needed.Study DesignResearcher‐initiated, prospective, multicenter.MethodsParticipating physicians were instructed in NBI technique during a 4‐hour meeting. Patients underwent an examination that included endoscopy with white light (WL) high‐definition (HD) TV and NBI filter in the selected time period. All suspicious lesions were biopsied. The medical records of patients with NBI negative findings were evaluated 6 months after the visit to detect all possible malignant lesions coming into view at mucosal sites. These were considered as false‐negative cases, enabling long‐term assess to the positive predictive value (NPV) of the protocol.ResultsWe enrolled 125 patients. Of those, 84 (67.2%) were males and the median age was 65 years (range, 35–91). In analysis of the accuracy of WL HD TV and NBI against biopsy, the sensitivity and specificity of WL HD TV were 62% and 81%, respectively; and the sensitivity and specificity of NBI were 100% and 84%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of NBI was significantly better (P < 0.05). When analyzing medical records 6 months after the initial examination, we found three patients who had been diagnosed with a malignant lesion (NPV of NBI of 96.8%).ConclusionNarrow band imaging is readily implemented in an everyday outpatient practice, and there seems to be better detection rates of dysplastic/carcinoma lesions with HD NBI compared to HD WL.Level of Evidence2b. Laryngoscope, 127:1821–1825, 2017
Compound motor action potential duration and latency are markers of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury
Authors: Bhatt Neel K. , Park Andrea M. , Al‐Lozi Mohammad T. , Gale Derrick C. , Paniello Randal C. 
Published: February 2017

ObjectiveCompound motor action potential (CMAP) can quantitatively evaluate innervation following injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in canines. CMAP duration (the total time of CMAP) and latency (the time between the nerve impulse and the onset of action potentials) have not been assessed following RLN injury.Study DesignAnimal study.MethodsTwelve canine hemilaryngeal preparations were investigated. Baseline CMAP duration and latency were derived. Group A (n = 5) underwent RLN stretch injury, and group B (n = 7) underwent RLN transection/repair. The change in CMAP duration and latency was assessed between the baseline and 6‐month measurements using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves for each group individually and combined.ResultsSix months following injury, transection/repair injuries had the most significant increase in CMAP duration (2.8 ± 0.6 ms vs. 4.2 ± 0.8 ms, difference 1.4 ms 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.43 to 2.40) and latency (2.6 ± 0.5 ms vs. 5.6 ± 1.5 ms, difference 3.0 ms 95% CI: 1.65 to 4.38). Stretch injuries also caused an increase in CMAP duration (2.3 ± 0.8 ms vs. 3.0 ± 0.6 ms, difference 0.7 ms 95% CI: −0.49 to 1.77) and latency (2.5 ± 0.8 ms vs. 4.7 ± 1.5 ms, difference 2.3 95% CI: 0.76 to 3.80). Using ROC curves, CMAP duration and latency differentiated between the baseline control and RLN injury at 6 months (area under the curve = 0.78 and 0.98, respectively).ConclusionCMAP duration and latency are both quantitative measures that may have clinical utility as markers of RLN injury. CMAP latency had superior discrimination between injured and uninjured RLNs. Increased CMAP duration and latency may be explained by incomplete myelination and focal conduction block.Level of EvidenceNA. Laryngoscope, 127:1855–1860, 2017
Washless Method Enables Multilayer Coating of an Aggregation‐Prone Nanoparticulate Drug Delivery System with Enhanced Yields, Colloidal Stability, and Scalability
Authors: Nayef Lamees , Castiello Rafael , Tabrizian Maryam 
Published: February 2017

Aggregation is frequently encountered during coating nanoparticles, especially when the core is not solid and the coating polyelectrolytes are weak. Here, the coating of a nanoliposome with two weak polyelectrolytes, alginate and chitosan, is investigated. First, quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses confirm the feasibility of firm adsorption of up to 16 layers of weak polyelectrolytes to the liposomal surface. Titrations are then performed to identify the lowest amounts of polyelectrolytes required to make eight saturated coating layers using the washless method. Significantly improved yields and reproducibility (almost 100%) are achieved, in addition to control over layer thickness. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies confirm the success of layering. This is special since scientists always attempt to reduce nanoparticle aggregation by substituting the soft core, using one strong polyelectrolyte, or contending with lower yields or numbers of coating layers.
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Towards a Best Practice for the Use of Active Non‐contact Surface Scanning to Record Human Skeletal Remains from Archaeological Contexts
Authors: Errickson D. , Grueso I. , Griffith S. J. , Setchell J. M. , Thompson T. J. U. , Thompson C. E. L. , Gowland R. L. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractActive surface scanners emit light or a laser stripe to record the exterior surface of an object or landscape, providing results in three dimensions. The use of active surface scanners to record anthropological and archaeological contexts has increased within the last few years, creating a number of sub‐contexts within these disciplines and allowing a further development of certain applications, such as quantitative analysis, the use of replicas in education and museums and the creation of digital databases archived in institutions. However, with guidance, this paper aims to assess the advantages and disadvantages of active surface scanning and the potential for research with regard to the recording and analysis of human skeletal remains. The key advantages and uses identified include quantitative digitisation, geometric morphometric studies, conservation, preservation, documentation and reconstruction. However, surface scanning also has some limitations, including cost, technological expertise, the need for a power source, computing requirements and data size. Overall, the application of active surface scanning technology to archaeological skeletal remains will provide a vital digital archive that will serve to preserve the integrity of this fragile and finite resource for future generations. This is particularly important within the current developer‐funded environment in which many skeletal collections, including those yielding unique or unusual pathological or morphological features, are re‐buried, with only very limited time for analysis. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
‘If This Was a Normal Situation’: Challenges and Potentials for Deliberative Democratic Peacebuilding in Kosovo's Emerging Governance Networks
Authors: Delaney Aogán , Van Der Haar Gemma , Van Tatenhove Jan 
Published: February 2017

SummaryThe link between public administration and conflict resolution is traditionally understood through the ‘democratic peace’ thesis, which holds that war is less likely in democracies than in non‐democracies. Limited success with post‐conflict democratisation missions has opened space for renewed research on three strands of ‘deeper democracy’: decentralisation, participation and deliberation. This article reports on the study of deliberative democratic practices in emerging governance networks in Prishtina. Through an investigation of three contentious issues in Prishtina's public spaces, research combines documentary sources with field interviews with governance actors to identify factors that enable and constrain the scope for deliberative decision‐making in governance networks. Case studies point to six main influences: ‘securitisation’, trust building, ‘mandate parallelism’, structural patterns of inclusion and exclusion, network structures and the properties of governed public spaces. In addition, two frames are found to be particularly resistant to deliberative engagement: Kosovo's status and ethnic identities. We formulate a tentative conclusion to be further investigated: in contexts where distrust is high, deliberative governance requires a rigid adherence to an overarching reference framework that can create discursive space within which relative deliberation can take place. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new high‐performance blue to transmissive electrochromic material and use of silver nanowire network electrodes as substrates
Authors: Yuksel Recep , Ataoglu Emre , Turan Janset , Alpugan Ece , Ozdemir Hacioglu Serife , Toppare Levent , Cirpan Ali , Emrah Unalan Husnu , Gunbas Gorkem 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTSynthesis of a novel, high‐performance blue to transmissive switching electrochromic material is described. The polymer (P1) was prepared by both electrochemical (P1E) and chemical (P1C) means from the corresponding monomer. The electrochemically synthesized polymer (P1E) revealed 64% optical contrast change (on ITO) in the visible region and very fast switching times of 0.32 s (coloration) and 0.90 s (bleaching). On the other hand, the chemically synthesized, solution processable polymer (P1C) also showed a high optical contrast value (49%, on ITO) with very fast switching times of 0.86 s for coloration and 0.57 s for bleaching. These high optical contrast values coupled with fast switching times place these materials along with high‐performance blue to transmissive electrochromic polymers. Significantly, these improved characteristics were achieved by side chain engineering of a known, inferior blue to transmissive polymer, PBEBT. Towards fabrication of flexible electrochromic devices, the performance of P1C was also tested on silver nanowire network electrodes. Even though the full potential of the material could not be demonstrated, a good optical contrast of 24% was achieved using these electrodes. Under the same potential range allowed by silver nanowire network electrodes, P1C on ITO showed an optical contrast of 30%. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 1680–1686
Facile Preparation of AP/Cu(OH)2 Core‐Shell Nanocomposites and Its Thermal Decomposition Behavior
Authors: Hao Gazi , Liu Jie , Liu Qiaoe , Xiao Lei , Ke Xiang , Gao Han , Du Ping , Jiang Wei , Zhao Fengqi , Gao Hongxu 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAmmonium perchlorate (AP)/Cu(OH)2 core‐shell nanocomposites were successfully synthesized using a facile ultrasonic assisted‐coprecipitation synthesis route. The obtained AP/Cu(OH)2 nanocomposites were characterized by means of powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Its thermal decomposition was studied under the non‐isothermal conditions with thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimeter (TG‐DSC) techniques. In this procedure, SEM and TEM observations revealed that Cu(OH)2 nanoparticles with an average size of 10–15 nm were uniformly deposited on the surface of AP particles. Detailed characterization results indicated that the existence of evidence of Cu(OH)2. As expected, it was found that the AP/Cu(OH)2 nanocomposites with mass fraction of 2 wt % Cu(OH)2 remarkably decreased the peak temperature of high temperature decomposition of AP by 80.2 °C from approximately 441.3 °C to 361.1 °C. As compared with pure AP, the AP/Cu(OH)2 nanocomposites show lower impact and friction sensitivity. These results may lead to potential applications of the AP/Cu(OH)2 nanocomposites in the composite solid propellants for accelerating the thermal decomposition of AP.