bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Magnetic Properties of Strontium Hexaferrite Nanostructures Measured with Magnetic Force Microscopy
Authors: Li Qiang , Song Jie , Saura-Múzquiz Matilde , Besenbacher Flemming , Christensen Mogens , Dong Mingdong 
Published: May 2016

AbstractMagnetic property is one of the important properties of nanomaterials. Direct investigation of the magnetic property on the nanoscale is however challenging. Herein we present a quantitative measurement of the magnetic properties including the magnitude and the orientation of the magnetic moment of strontium hexaferrite (SrFe12O19) nanostructures using magnetic force microscopy (MFM) with nanoscale spatial resolution. The measured magnetic moments of the as-synthesized individual SrFe12O19 nanoplatelets are on the order of ~10−16 emu. The MFM measurements further confirm that the magnetic moment of SrFe12O19 nanoplatelets increases with increasing thickness of the nanoplatelet. In addition, the magnetization directions of nanoplatelets can be identified by the contrast of MFM frequency shift. Moreover, MFM frequency imaging clearly reveals the tiny magnetic structures of a compacted SrFe12O19 pellet. This work demonstrates the mesoscopic investigation of the intrinsic magnetic properties of materials has a potential in development of new magnetic nanomaterials in electrical and medical applications.
The vitamin D receptor gene ApaI polymorphism is associated with increased risk of renal cell carcinoma in Chinese population
Authors: Yang Chunming , LI Jia , Li Yan , Wu Di , Sui Chengguang , Jiang Youhong , Meng Fandong 
Published: May 2016

AbstractMolecular epidemiologic studies previously reported that 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2 D3) appears to influence cancer risk. It exerts its activity through the intracellular vitamin D receptor (VDR), which regulates the transcription of genes. This study aimed to investigate the genetic association of VDR polymorphisms with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) risk in the Chinese population. The genotypes of five VDR polymorphisms (TaqI, BsmI, Cdx-2, ApaI and FokI) were studied using polymerase chain reaction in 302 RCC patients and 302 healthy controls. ApaI variant AA and AC genotypes were found to be associated with a significantly increased risk of RCC compared with the CC genotype (OR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.39–4.85 for AA vs. CC and OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.08–2.13 for AC vs. CC). The AA genotype was also associated with a higher Fuhrman grade (OR = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.15–7.16 for AA vs. CC). No significant difference was found between the other four VDR polymorphisms and RCC risk. Our study suggests that VDR ApaI genotypes may be involved in the increased risk and progression of RCC in the Chinese Han population.
Germination biology of Hibiscus tridactylites in Australia and the implications for weed management
Authors: Chauhan Bhagirath Singh 
Published: May 2016

AbstractHibiscus tridactylites is a problematic broadleaf weed in many crops in Australia; however, very limited information is available on seed germination biology of Australian populations. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of environmental factors on germination and emergence of H. tridactylites. Germination was stimulated by seed scarification, suggesting the inhibition of germination in this species is mainly due to the hard seed coat. Germination was not affected by light conditions, suggesting that seeds of this species are not photoblastic. Germination was higher at alternating day/night temperatures of 30/20 °C (74%) and 35/25 °C (69%) than at 25/15 °C (63%). Moderate salinity and water stress did not inhibit germination of H. tridactylites. Seedling emergence of H. tridactylites was highest (57%) for the seeds buried at a 2 cm depth in the soil; 18% of seedlings emerged from seeds buried at 8 cm but no seedlings emerged below this depth. Soil inversion by tillage to bury weed seeds below their maximum depth of emergence could serve an important tool for managing H. tridactylites.
The proactive bilingual brain: Using interlocutor identity to generate predictions for language processing
Authors: Martin Clara D. , Molnar Monika , Carreiras Manuel 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe present study investigated the proactive nature of the human brain in language perception. Specifically, we examined whether early proficient bilinguals can use interlocutor identity as a cue for language prediction, using an event-related potentials (ERP) paradigm. Participants were first familiarized, through video segments, with six novel interlocutors who were either monolingual or bilingual. Then, the participants completed an audio-visual lexical decision task in which all the interlocutors uttered words and pseudo-words. Critically, the speech onset started about 350 ms after the beginning of the video. ERP waves between the onset of the visual presentation of the interlocutors and the onset of their speech significantly differed for trials where the language was not predictable (bilingual interlocutors) and trials where the language was predictable (monolingual interlocutors), revealing that visual interlocutor identity can in fact function as a cue for language prediction, even before the onset of the auditory-linguistic signal.
On Older Listeners' Ability to Perceive Dynamic Pitch
Authors: Shen Jing , Wright Richard , Souza Pamela E. 
Published: May 2016

Purpose
Natural speech comes with variation in pitch, which serves as an important cue for speech recognition. The present study investigated older listeners' dynamic pitch perception with a focus on interindividual variability. In particular, we asked whether some of the older listeners' inability to perceive dynamic pitch stems from the higher susceptibility to the interference from formant changes.

Method
A total of 22 older listeners and 21 younger controls with at least near-typical hearing were tested on dynamic pitch identification and discrimination tasks using synthetic monophthong and diphthong vowels.

Results
The older listeners' ability to detect changes in pitch varied substantially, even when musical and linguistic experiences were controlled. The influence of formant patterns on dynamic pitch perception was evident in both groups of listeners. Overall, strong pitch contours (i.e., more dynamic) were perceived better than weak pitch contours (i.e., more monotonic), particularly with rising pitch patterns.

Conclusions
The findings are in accordance with the literature demonstrating some older individuals' difficulty perceiving dynamic pitch cues in speech. Moreover, they suggest that this problem may be prominent when the dynamic pitch is carried by natural speech and when the pitch contour is not strong.
Titanium Plate Fixation versus Conventional Closure for Sternal Dehiscence after Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Jongbloed Lisa , Sonker Uday , Kloppenburg Geoffrey , Vos Roemer 
Published: May 2016

Background Postoperative sternal dehiscence with or without mediastinitis is a complication of cardiac surgery leading to considerable disability. Titanium plate fixation can provide sternal stability in patients with a dehiscent sternum. The aim of this study is to compare clinical outcomes of titanium plate fixation with conventional treatment methods such as steel wire cerclage and pectoralis muscle reconstruction.
Patients and Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 42 patients who underwent sternal refixation after dehiscence or secondary wound closure after poststernotomy mediastinitis. Clinical outcomes during hospital stay and follow-up were determined.
Results Twenty patients were closed using sternal plates. Twenty-two patients were closed conventionally: 8 using pectoral muscle reconstruction and 14 using cerclage steel wires. There were no differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. Indications of sternal closure were similar. Sternal stability at hospital discharge was achieved more often using sternal plating (90 vs. 50%, p = 0.005), mainly in patients closed after treatment of poststernotomy mediastinitis (100 vs. 22%, p = 0.002). Hospital stay was similar in both groups (10 [5–23] vs. 12 (5–21) days, p = 0.527). There was no inhospital mortality.
Conclusion Titanium plate fixation is superior in stabilizing the sternal bone when compared with conventional refixation methods, especially in secondary closure after poststernotomy mediastinitis.
Pneumonectomy for Treatment of Destroyed Lung: A Retrospective Study of 137 Patients
Authors: Li Yuping , Jiang Gening , Chen Chang , Hu Xuefei 
Published: May 2016

Objectives Whether pneumonectomy is needed for the treatment of destroyed lungs is still controversial and unresolved in the clinic. Pneumonectomy is destructive and is associated with a significant incidence of postoperative complications. The purpose of this study is to analyze the operative techniques, postoperative morbidity, mortality, and long-term outcomes of patients with destroyed lungs who underwent pneumonectomy.
Patients and Methods We retrospectively analyzed 137 patients with destroyed lungs who underwent pneumonectomy. The data were queried for the details of operative technique, development of perioperative complications, mortality, and long-term survival. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate the risk factors of pneumonectomy among the patients.
Results A total of 77 male and 60 female patients were reviewed. The youngest patient was 18 years, and the oldest was 75 years, with a mean age of 40.1 years. Postoperative complications were observed in 25 patients (18.2%). The rate of bronchopleural fistula (BPF) was 5.1% (7/137). Two perioperative deaths (1.5%) were noted. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated the blood loss (hazard ratio [HR], 5.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27–18.50; p = 0.021) was the independent risk factor of postoperative complications, and the type of the disease (HR, 4.50; 95% CI, 1.19–9.69; p = 0.034) was the independent risk factor of the BPF, for the patients with destroyed lung after pneumonectomy.
Conclusion Pneumonectomy for destroyed lung is a high risk for postoperative complications. Our findings suggested that pneumonectomy in destroyed lung was satisfactory with strict surgical indications, adequate preoperative preparation, and careful operative technique, and the long-term outcomes can be especially satisfactory. Pneumonectomy for destroyed lung is still a treatment option.
Comparison of Conductive and Convective Warming in Patients Undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Franke Robert , Brandes Ivo , Hinterthaner Marc , Danner Bernhard , Bauer Martin , Bräuer Anselm , Emmert Alexander 
Published: May 2016

Background Perioperative hypothermia is frequent during thoracic surgery. After approval by the local ethics committee and written informed consent from patients, we examined the efficiency of prewarming and intraoperative warming with a convective warming system and conductive warming system to prevent perioperative hypothermia during video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).
Methods We randomized 60 patients with indication for VATS in two groups (convective warming with an underbody blanket vs. conductive warming with an underbody mattress and additional warming of the legs). All patients were prewarmed before induction of anesthesia with the corresponding system. Core temperature was measured sublingual and in the nasopharynx.
Results Both groups were not significantly different in regard to clinical parameter, prewarming, and initial core temperature. The patients in conduction group had lower intraoperative core temperatures and a higher incidence of intraoperative (73.9 vs. 24%) and postoperative hypothermia (56.5 vs. 8%) compared with convective warming.
Conclusions Pre- and intraoperative convective warming with an underbody blanket prevents perioperative hypothermia during VATS better than conductive warming. The inferior prevention in conductive warming group may be caused by reduced body contact to the warming mattresses in lateral position.
Urgent Coronary Revascularization with Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Grafting: Is the Risk Justified?
Authors: Maschietto Luca , Benussi Bernardo , Dreas Lorella , Forti Gabriella , Sinagra Gianfranco , Pappalardo Aniello , Gatti Giuseppe 
Published: May 2016

Background The frequent need of immediate institution of cardiopulmonary bypass because of ischemia and increased risk of bleeding and longer duration of surgery limit the use of bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting in urgency.
Patients and Methods Of 4,525 consecutive patients with multivessel coronary artery disease who underwent isolated coronary bypass surgery at the authors' institution (1999–September 2015), 121 (2.7%) patients had an operation before the beginning of the next working day after decision to operate, which is the definition for emergency according to the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II. BITA and single internal thoracic artery (SITA) grafting were used in 52 and 46 of these patients, respectively; venous grafts alone were used in the remaining cases. BITA and SITA patients were compared as risk profiles, operative data, and outcomes. A propensity score (PS)-matched analysis was also performed.
Results Between BITA and SITA patients, there was no significant difference as hospital mortality, both in the overall (3.8 vs. 6.5%; p = 0.66) and the PS-matched series (0 vs. 4.3%; p = 1). Among the postoperative complications, only bleeding (but not blood transfusion nor mediastinal re-exploration) was increased both in the overall (p = 0.037) and the PS-matched series of BITA patients (p = 0.092); duration of surgery was increased but not quite significantly (p = 0.12). Freedom from cardiac and cerebrovascular deaths, and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events were higher in PS-matched BITA patients, even though not quite significantly (p = 0.11 for both).
Conclusion BITA grafting may be performed even in urgency. With respect to SITA grafting, hospital mortality and postoperative complications other than bleeding are not increased; late outcomes seem to be better.
Nanomechanics of phospholipid bilayer failure under strip biaxial stretching using molecular dynamics
Authors: Murphy M A , Horstemeyer M F , Gwaltney Steven R , Stone Tonya , LaPlaca Michelle , Liao Jun , Williams Lakiesha , Prabhu R 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The current study presents a nanoscale in silico investigation of strain rate dependency of membrane (phospholipid bilayer) failure when placed under strip biaxial tension with two planar areas. The nanoscale simulations were conducted in the context of a multiscale modelling framework in which the macroscale damage (pore volume fraction) progression is delineated into pore nucleation (number density of pores), pore growth (size of pores), and pore coalescence (inverse of nearest neighbor distance) mechanisms. As such, the number density, area fraction, and nearest neighbor distances were quantified in association with the stress–strain behavior. Deformations of a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) bilayer were performed using molecular dynamics to simulate mechanoporation of a neuronal cell membrane due to injury, which in turn can result in long-term detrimental effects that could ultimately lead to cell death. Structures with 72 and 144 phospholipids were subjected to strip biaxial tensile deformations at multiple strain rates. Formation of a water bridge through the phospholipid bilayer was the metric to indicate structural failure. Both the larger and smaller bilayers had similar behavior regarding pore nucleation and the strain rate effect on pore growth post water penetration. The applied strain rates, planar area, and cross-sectional area had no effect on the von Mises strains at which pores greater than 0.1 nm2 were detected (0.509  ±  7.8%) or the von Mises strain at failure (ε
failure  =  0.68  ±  4.8%). Additionally, changes in bilayer planar and cross-sectional areas did not affect the stress response. However, as the strain rate increased from 2.0  ×  108 s−1 to 1.0  ×  109 s−1, the yield stress increased from 26.5 MPa to 66.7 MPa and the yield strain increased from 0.056 to 0.226.
Learning statistical models of phenotypes using noisy labeled training data
Authors: Agarwal Vibhu , Podchiyska Tanya , Banda Juan M , Goel Veena , Leung Tiffany I , Minty Evan P , Sweeney Timothy E , Gyang Elsie , Shah Nigam H 
Published: May 2016

AbstractObjective Traditionally, patient groups with a phenotype are selected through rule-based definitions whose creation and validation are time-consuming. Machine learning approaches to electronic phenotyping are limited by the paucity of labeled training datasets. We demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing semi-automatically labeled training sets to create phenotype models via machine learning, using a comprehensive representation of the patient medical record.Methods We use a list of keywords specific to the phenotype of interest to generate noisy labeled training data. We train L1 penalized logistic regression models for a chronic and an acute disease and evaluate the performance of the models against a gold standard.Results Our models for Type 2 diabetes mellitus and myocardial infarction achieve precision and accuracy of 0.90, 0.89, and 0.86, 0.89, respectively. Local implementations of the previously validated rule-based definitions for Type 2 diabetes mellitus and myocardial infarction achieve precision and accuracy of 0.96, 0.92 and 0.84, 0.87, respectively.We have demonstrated feasibility of learning phenotype models using imperfectly labeled data for a chronic and acute phenotype. Further research in feature engineering and in specification of the keyword list can improve the performance of the models and the scalability of the approach.Conclusions Our method provides an alternative to manual labeling for creating training sets for statistical models of phenotypes. Such an approach can accelerate research with large observational healthcare datasets and may also be used to create local phenotype models.
Restoration of Blood Flow to the Proximal Femoral Epiphysis in Unstable Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis by Modified Dunn Procedure: A Preliminary Angiographic and Intracranial Pressure Monitoring Study
Authors: Jackson J. Benjamin , Frick Steven L. , Brighton Brian K. , Broadwell Scott R. , Wang Eric A. , Casey Virginia F. 
Published: May 2016

Background:
The major complication of unstable slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head. The purpose of this study was to document by angiography the preoperative and postoperative perfusion to the proximal femoral epiphysis following an unstable SCFE. A specific aim was to determine whether blood flow could be restored. A secondary aim was to determine the efficacy of an intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor to assess blood flow within the femoral head intraoperatively.

Methods:
Nine patients with an unstable SCFE underwent superselective angiogram of the medial circumflex femoral artery preoperatively, followed by operative fixation with an open reduction using a modified Dunn approach. Femoral head blood flow was evaluated with an ICP monitor. Angiography was repeated postoperatively. Patients were followed radiographically to assess for AVN.

Results:
Follow-up averaged 22 months. Six patients did not have arterial flow to the femoral head on the preoperative angiogram. Flow was restored postoperatively on angiogram in 4 of the 6 patients. Two patients developed AVN. One had no flow to the femoral head preoperatively or postoperatively on angiogram and complete tearing of the periosteum was noted. In 1 patient, there was no ICP waveform after the initial reduction. After removing more callous and repeating reduction, the waveform returned. Of the 2 patients with AVN, 1 had an ICP waveform after reduction.

Conclusions:
This study documents that some patients with unstable SCFE present with reduced femoral head blood supply due to SCFE. It also demonstrates blood flow restoration in 4 patients by angiogram and 5 by ICP monitor after surgical treatment. No patient immediately lost blood flow due to surgery. ICP monitor is a safe intraoperative tool for real-time assessment of femoral head blood flow during open reduction of unstable SCFE. Presence of flow by ICP is not a guarantee that AVN will not develop, but absence of flow was predictive of AVN.

Level of Evidence:
Therapeutic level I—prognostic. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
A Novel Technique of a Transcorneal Suture to Manage an Iris Tuck into the Tube of a Glaucoma Drainage Device
Authors: Kataria Pankaj , Kaushik Sushmita , Singh Simar R. , Pandav Surinder S. 
Published: May 2016

Backgrounds:
Glaucoma drainage devices create an alternative pathway of aqueous drainage from the anterior chamber by channelling aqueous out of the eye through a tube to a subconjunctival bleb or the suprachoroidal space. They may be associated with a number of potential complications including tube malpositioning. This malpositioning may have serious sequelae such as corneal endothelial damage, chronic iritis, tube iris touch, cataract formation, or tube occlusion. Occlusion of the mouth of the tube by the iris impedes aqueous drainage and results in the failure of intraocular pressure (IOP) control. Tube repositioning in cases of occlusion of the mouth of the tube by the iris often involves extensive and potentially complicated surgery requiring tube removal and reinsertion.

Observation:
We describe a new minimally invasive surgical technique for correcting posterior tube malposition resulting in tube occlusion by the iris. The iris had occluded the tube of a Baerveldt prototype glaucoma drainage devices and caused an intractable increased IOP. After our tube sling suture, the tube was free, and the IOP normalized. The procedure entailed no difficult dissection or major surgical intervention. The technique is illustrated by a surgical video.

Conclusions:
This novel technique is a simple method that relieved the occlusion successfully, and avoided the need to redissect the conjunctiva or shorten the tube.
Ocular Decompression Retinopathy After Uncomplicated Cataract Surgery in a Patient With a History of Narrow-Angle Glaucoma
Authors: Dohlman Thomas H. , Chee Ru-ik , Seidman Carly , Rafla-Demetrious Leila , Gupta Mrinali P. 
Published: May 2016

Purpose:
To describe a case of ocular decompression retinopathy following uncomplicated cataract surgery in a patient with phacomorphic narrow-angle glaucoma.

Methods:
Case report with wide-field fundus imaging.

Results:
A 57-year-old woman with a history of phacomorphic narrow-angle glaucoma presented 1 day after uncomplicated cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion of the left eye with hand motion vision. She was found to have decompression retinopathy with large prefoveal subhyaloid hemorrhage. The hemorrhages gradually improved over time with observation.

Conclusions:
We report a case of decompression retinopathy after uncomplicated cataract extraction in a patient with phacomorphic narrow-angle glaucoma. This report expands upon the procedures after which decompression retinopathy has been diagnosed and suggests a need for careful perioperative management in patients with glaucoma.