bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diffusion‐weighted MRI and intravoxel incoherent motion model for diagnosis of pediatric solid abdominal tumors
Authors: Meeus Emma M. , Zarinabad Niloufar , Manias Karen A. , Novak Jan , Rose Heather E.L. , Dehghani Hamid , Foster Katharine , Morland Bruce , Peet Andrew C. 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundPediatric retroperitoneal tumors in the renal bed are often large and heterogeneous, and their diagnosis based on conventional imaging alone is not possible. More advanced imaging methods, such as diffusion‐weighted (DW) MRI and the use of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), have the potential to provide additional biomarkers that could facilitate their noninvasive diagnosis.PurposeTo assess the use of an IVIM model for diagnosis of childhood malignant abdominal tumors and discrimination of benign from malignant lesions.Study TypeRetrospective.PopulationForty‐two pediatric patients with abdominal lesions (n = 32 malignant, n = 10 benign), verified by histopathology.Field Strength/Sequence1.5T MRI system and a DW‐MRI sequence with six b‐values (0, 50, 100, 150, 600, 1000 s/mm2).AssessmentParameter maps of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and IVIM maps of slow diffusion coefficient (D), fast diffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f) were computed using a segmented fitting model. Histograms were constructed for whole‐tumor regions of each parameter.Statistical TestsComparison of histogram parameters of and their diagnostic performance was determined using Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U, and receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.ResultsIVIM parameters D* and f were significantly higher in neuroblastoma compared to Wilms' tumors (P < 0.05). The ROC analysis showed that the best diagnostic performance was achieved with D* 90th percentile (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.935; P = 0.002; cutoff value = 32,376 × 10−6 mm2/s) and f mean values (AUC = 1.00; P < 0.001; cutoff value = 14.7) in discriminating between neuroblastoma (n = 11) and Wilms' tumors (n = 8). Discrimination between tumor types was not possible with IVIM D or ADC parameters. Malignant tumors revealed significantly lower ADC, D, and higher D* values than in benign lesions (all P < 0.05).Data ConclusionIVIM perfusion parameters could distinguish between malignant childhood tumor types, providing potential imaging biomarkers for their diagnosis.Level of Evidence: 4Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1475–1486.
Extracellular volume with bolus‐only technique in amyloidosis patients: Diagnostic accuracy, correlation with other clinical cardiac measures, and ability to track changes in amyloid load over time
Authors: Zumbo Giulia , Barton Sharon V. , Thompson Douglas , Sun Min , Abdel‐Gadir Amna , Treibel Thomas A. , Knight Daniel , Martinez‐Naharro Ana , Thirusha Lane , Gillmore Julian D. , Moon James C. , Hawkins Philip N. , Fontana Marianna 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundExtracellular volume (ECV) by T1 mapping requires the contrast agent distribution to be at equilibrium. This can be achieved either definitively with a primed contrast infusion (infusion ECV), or sufficiently with a delay postbolus (bolus‐only ECV). For large ECV, the bolus‐only approach measures higher than the infusion ECV, causing some uncertainty in diseases such as amyloidosis.PurposeTo characterize the relationship between the bolus‐only and current gold‐standard infusion ECV in patients with amyloidosis.Study TypeBolus‐only and infusion ECV were prospectively measured.PopulationIn all, 186 subjects with systemic amyloidosis attending our clinic and 23 subjects with systemic amyloidosis who were participating in an open‐label, two‐part, dose‐escalation, phase 1 trial.Field StrengthAvanto 1.5T, Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany.AssessmentBolus‐only and infusion ECV were measured in all subjects using shortened modified Look–Locker inversion recovery (ShMOLLI) T1 mapping sequence.Statistical TestsPearson correlation coefficient (r); Bland–Altman; receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Linear regression model with a fractional polynomial transformation.ResultsThe difference between the bolus‐only and infusion myocardial ECV increased as the average of the two measures increased, with the bolus‐ECV measuring higher. For an average ECV of 0.4, the difference was 0.013. The 95% limits of agreement for the two methods, after adjustment for the bias, were ±0.056. However, cardiac diagnostic accuracy was comparable (bolus‐only vs. infusion ECV area under the curve [AUC] = 0.839 vs. 0.836), as were correlations with other clinical cardiac measures, and, in the trial patients, the ability to track changes in the liver/spleen with therapy.Data ConclusionIn amyloidosis, with large ECVs, the bolus‐only technique reads higher than the infusion technique, but clinical performance by any measure is the same. Given the work‐flow advantages, these data suggest that the bolus‐only approach might be acceptable for amyloidosis, and might support its use as a surrogate endpoint in future clinical trials.Level of Evidence: 1Technical Efficacy: Stage 4J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1677–1684.
Accelerated, untargeted metabolomics analysis of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma reveals metabolic shifts in plasma and tumor adjacent skins of xenograft mice
Authors: Le Yunchen , Shen Xiaoyan , Kang Hongyan , Wang Qizheng , Li Kejia , Zheng Jie , Yu Yunqiu 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a heterogeneous group of skin‐homing T‐cell neoplasms. Clinical management is stage based but diagnosis and prognosis could be extremely challenging. The presented study aims to explore the metabolic profiling of CTCL by an accelerated untargeted metabolomics data analysis tool “Mummichog” to facilitate the discoveries of potential biomarkers for clinical early stage diagnosis, prognosis, and treatments in CTCL. Ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time‐of‐flight–based untargeted metabolomics were conducted on the skin and plasma of CTCL mice. It showed that the metabolism of skin changed greatly versus control samples in the development of CTCL. Increased l‐glutamate and decreased adenosine monophosphate were the most essential metabolic features of CTCL tumor and tumor adjacent skins. Unique metabolism changes in tumor adjacent non‐involved skin tissues (ANIT) occurred in the progress of carcinogenesis, including upregulated cytidine‐5′‐triphosphate, aberrant biosynthesis of prostaglandins, pyrimidine, mevalonate pathway, and tryptophan degradation. Sharply elevated 5‐phospho‐α‐d‐ribose 1‐diphosphate (PRPP) marked the final state of tumor in CTCL. In the plasma, systematic shifts in corticosterone, sphingolipid, and ceramide metabolism were found. These uncovered aberrant metabolites and metabolic pathways suggested that the metabolic reprogramming of PRPP in tumor tissues may cause the disturbance of cytidine and uridine metabolic homeostasis in ANIT. Accumulative cytidine‐5′‐triphosphate in ANIT may exert positive feedback on the PRPP level and leads to CTCL further development. In addition, the accelerated data analysis tool “Mummichog” showed good practicability and can be widely used in high‐resolution liquid chromatography mass spectrometry–based untargeted metabolomics.
Threshold detection for visible light communication using parametric distribution fitting
Authors: Usman Mohammed , Al‐Rayif Mohammed Ibrahim 
Published: November 2017

AbstractVisible light communication has gained widespread attention in recent times and is expected to complement existing network infrastructure such as wireless local area networks, cellular networks as well as power line communications to provide high speed connectivity. The intensity of the received light depends on the intensity and wavelength of the transmitter, wavelength sensitivity range of the receiver, and also on the ambient light. Depending on the intensity of the received light, a photo‐sensor has to detect and decode the received data, with minimum probability of error. For binary transmission, this is achieved by choosing a decision threshold. In this paper, a threshold detection mechanism is presented by fitting parametric probability distributions to the sensed signal levels. It is shown that the threshold value obtained using this method yields error probability close to zero.
Learning from Gandhi: Addressing the current dilemmas in microfinance
Authors: Hannam Mark , Ashta Arvind 
Published: November 2017

AbstractGandhi would have argued that microfinance should focus on the poorest. Gandhism would require that microfinance revert to its initial objective of helping the poor to help themselves out of poverty. Social impacts should come before financial profits. The greater impact would require providing a wider panorama of financial services. Microfinance providers should be encouraged to experiment and learn.
Poverty scoring and financial inclusion of the poor
Authors: Bumacov Vitalie , Ashta Arvind , Singh Pritam 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe use of poverty scoring is associated with increased outreach towards poor borrowers only in nonprofit microfinance institutions while, in for‐profit microfinance institutions, poverty scoring is associated with increased availability of financing. Poverty scoring allows for‐profit microfinance institutions to borrow funds from social investors in addition to funds borrowed from the market. As long as these social funds do not substitute market funds used in financing poor microborrowers, the share of poor clients served increases, so does financial inclusion of the poor.
Understanding microfinance institutions and commercial banks’ relationships and innovations in the Cameroon financial environment
Authors: Messomo Elle Serge 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe relationships between microfinance institutions (MFIs) and commercial banks in Cameroon are dominated by competition and innovations in products, processes, and markets. The supply of microfinance services by commercial banks and the lack of a competitive government‐controlled body are two key factors that spur the competition between commercial banks and MFIs. The two types of financial institutions increase their cooperation as a result of technology and high supply of microfinance services by commercial banks. Regulation can lead to a positive integration of the two sectors.
Proposed typology of different publics of Austrian crowdfunding platforms
Authors: Attuel‐Mendès Laurence , Caseau Cornelia , Bonescu Mihaela 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCrowdfunding, as a social media, benefits from an audience of different types of publics which can be categorized according to relational proximity and degree of expertise. Different publics interact in the field of crowdfunding. From the perspective of strategic management, “direct expert” must be mobilized in the short term when “indirect expert” should continue to be mobilized in the long term. From a theoretical point of view, this new typology raises the question of the relevance of segmentation criteria.
The Effect of Sleep Disorders, Sedating Medications, and Depression on Cognitive Processing Therapy Outcomes: A Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis
Authors: Haynes Patricia L. , Emert Sarah E. , Epstein Dana , Perkins Suzanne , Parthasarathy Sairam , Wilcox James 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCognitive processing therapy (CPT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an effortful process requiring engagement in cognitive restructuring. Sleep disorders may lead to avoidance of effortful tasks and cognitive performance deficits. We explored whether sleep disorders, as assessed by polysomnography, were consistently associated with treatment response in combination with other factors. This study included 32 U.S. veterans who were examined both before and after CPT for combat‐related PTSD. We employed a novel, case‐comparative technique, fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), to identify combinations of fuzzy and crisp factors (recipes) that achieve a clinically significant outcome. Approximately one‐quarter of cases experiencing clinically significant change were either (a) Vietnam era veterans without sedating medications, moderate sleep disordered breathing, and severe depression; or (b) non–Vietnam era veterans with sedating medications and without severe periodic limb movements (or significant periodic limb movement arousals). Recipes involving the absence of the relevant sleep disorder were associated with the highest coverage values. These results using fsQCA (a) provide valuable information about the heterogeneity of CPT response and (b) suggest that sleep disorders are important factors to consider in theoretical discussions of who responds to CPT for PTSD.
A Functional Near‐Infrared Spectroscopy Study of Trauma‐Related Auditory and Olfactory Cues: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or Combat Experience?
Authors: Gramlich Michael A. , Neer Sandra M. , Beidel Deborah C. , Bohil Corey J. , Bowers Clint A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among U.S. veterans deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan necessitates the need for comprehensive assessment and treatment strategies. This study investigated the utility of a combat‐related PTSD symptom provocation paradigm to elicit unique neurological responses across three groups: combat veterans with PTSD, combat veterans without PTSD, and nonmilitary participants without PTSD. Using functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) the results indicated that combat veterans with PTSD demonstrated significant activation to a trauma‐related sound compared with nonmilitary personnel, channel 14: d = 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.28, 1.76]; channel 15: d = 1.30, 95% CI [0.53, 2.06]; and combat veterans without PTSD, channel 14: d = 0.87, 95% CI [0.14, 1.59]. Specifically, this increased neural activation was approximately located in the right medial superior prefrontal cortex (Brodmann areas 9/10), an area associated with experiencing negative or threatening stimuli and emotional detachment. There were no differences across the groups for nontrauma‐related sounds. Results were less clear with respect to a combat‐related odor. These results suggest a specific neurophysiological response to trauma‐related cues and, if replicated, may offer a biomarker for combat‐related PTSD. Such a response could provide incremental validity over diagnostic assessments alone and assist in planning and monitoring of treatment outcome.
Ultrasound Microbubbles Enhance the Activity of Vancomycin Against Staphylococcus epidermidis Biofilms In Vivo
Authors: Dong Ying , Li Junshuai , Li Pan , Yu Jialin 
Published: November 2017

ObjectivesStaphylococcus epidermidis is the predominant pathogen of device‐associated infections. By forming biofilms on the device surface, S epidermidis has substantial resistance to antibiotics and is difficult to eradicate. This study aimed to explore the synergistic effect of ultrasound (US)‐mediated microbubbles combined with vancomycin on S epidermidis biofilms in a rabbit model.MethodsTwo polytetrafluoroethene catheters with preformed S epidermidis biofilms were implanted subcutaneously in a rabbit, one on either side of the spine. Animals were randomized into different treatment groups, with each rabbit acting as its own control and treatment. Ultrasound was applied from 24 to 72 hours after surgery 2 times a day. The parameters were 300 kHz and 0.5 W/cm2 in a 50% duty cycle, with or without microbubbles injected subcutaneously into the implantation site. After treatments, animals were euthanized, and implants were removed for a scanning electron microscopic examination and bacterial counting. The hearts, kidneys, livers, and subcutaneous tissues were sent for histopathologic examinations.ResultsUltrasound + microbubbles increased the bactericidal action of vancomycin by decreasing biofilm viability from a mean ± SD of 6.44 ± 0.03 log10 colony‐forming units per catheter in the control group to 3.49 ± 0.02 log10 colony‐forming units per catheter in US + microbubble + vancomycin group (P < .001). The antibacterial effect of US + microbubbles + vancomycin was more pronounced than that of US + vancomycin (P < .001). Under scanning electron microscopy, biofilms exposed to US + microbubbles + vancomycin showed a greater reduction in thickness and bacterial density than other treatments. Histopathologic examinations showed no abnormalities in organs and skins.ConclusionsUltrasound microbubbles enhanced the antibacterial effect of vancomycin against S epidermidis biofilms in vivo without exerting obvious harms to the animals.
General phase regularized reconstruction using phase cycling
Authors: Ong Frank , Cheng Joseph Y. , Lustig Michael 
Published: November 2017

PurposeTo develop a general phase regularized image reconstruction method, with applications to partial Fourier imaging, water–fat imaging and flow imaging.Theory and MethodsThe problem of enforcing phase constraints in reconstruction was studied under a regularized inverse problem framework. A general phase regularized reconstruction algorithm was proposed to enable various joint reconstruction of partial Fourier imaging, water–fat imaging and flow imaging, along with parallel imaging (PI) and compressed sensing (CS). Since phase regularized reconstruction is inherently non‐convex and sensitive to phase wraps in the initial solution, a reconstruction technique, named phase cycling, was proposed to render the overall algorithm invariant to phase wraps. The proposed method was applied to retrospectively under‐sampled in vivo datasets and compared with state of the art reconstruction methods.ResultsPhase cycling reconstructions showed reduction of artifacts compared to reconstructions without phase cycling and achieved similar performances as state of the art results in partial Fourier, water–fat and divergence‐free regularized flow reconstruction. Joint reconstruction of partial Fourier + water–fat imaging + PI + CS, and partial Fourier + divergence‐free regularized flow imaging + PI + CS were demonstrated.ConclusionThe proposed phase cycling reconstruction provides an alternative way to perform phase regularized reconstruction, without the need to perform phase unwrapping. It is robust to the choice of initial solutions and encourages the joint reconstruction of phase imaging applications. Magn Reson Med 80:112–125, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Reconstruction of bladder function and prevention of renal deterioration by means of end‐to‐side neurorrhaphy in rats with neurogenic bladder
Authors: Li Yun Long , Wen Jian Jun , Wen Yi Bo , He Xiang Fei , Wu Jun Wei , Li Yan Wei , Han Zhong Jiang , Feng Jin Jin , Yan Shao Hua , Li Shou Lin , Heesakkers John PFA , Gao Wan Sheng , Wen Jian Guo 
Published: November 2017

AimsTo investigate the feasibility of restoring bladder function and prevention of renal deterioration by neurorrhaphy in rats with neurogenic bladder (NB).MethodsForty‐two rats were assigned to the end‐to‐side nerve coaptation group (ECG, n = 16), no nerve coaptation group (NCG, n = 16), and control group (CG, n = 10). In the ECG, the left ventral root (VR) and dorsal root (DR) of L6 and S1 were transected, and the distal stump of L6VR was sutured to the lateral face of L4VR. In the NCG, the left VR and DR of L6 and S1 were transected, but coaptation was not performed. In the CG, no operation was performed. Nerve regeneration, bladder function, and renal function were evaluated by FluoroGold (FG) retrograde tract tracing, cystometry, electrical stimulation, MRI, histology and biochemical assays.ResultsIn the ECG, FG‐labeled neurons were observed in the left ventral horn of L4 spinal cord. There was a significant increase in intravesical pressure upon stimulation of the left L4VR proximal to the coaptation. Maximum cystometric capacity, post‐void residual urine, bladder compliance and weight, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and fibrotic area of bladder and kidney were lower in the ECG than in the NCG, but higher than the CG. Hydronephrosis was noticed in ECG and NCG rats. Maximum detrusor voiding pressure was higher in the ECG and CG than in the NCG.ConclusionsEnd‐to‐side neurorrhaphy is a useful method for restoring bladder function and preventing renal injury in rats with NB.
Application of the state‐dependent Riccati equation for flexible‐joint arms: Controller and estimator design
Authors: Korayem M. H. , Lademakhi N. Y. , Nekoo S. R. 
Published: November 2017

SummaryFull feedback data is mostly essential in control design. Measuring the links' variation of a flexible‐joint robot (FJR) is easy but not for its actuators. The measurement of states and workspace are also affected by noise and disturbance, respectively; hence, a state observer or a nonlinear estimator is very helpful to improve the control performance of a dynamic system. The state‐dependent Riccati equation (SDRE) is one of the most promising methods in the field of nonlinear optimal observers for estimating variables of multiple‐input–multiple‐output systems. Systematic procedure, simple structure, and incorporation of a wide range of systems (under an observability condition) are some of the advantages of the method. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compose the SDRE controller and estimator simultaneously to reduce the state error of the system in the presence of external disturbance and noise. The application of this method is shown for FJRs in the estimation of changes in motion behind the connection of the motor and link where there is no easy way to measure. The proposed composition of the SDRE controller and estimator was implemented on a 6R robot to examine the various aspects of FJR systems.
Do pregnancy characteristics contribute to rising childhood cancer incidence rates in the United States?
Authors: Kehm Rebecca D. , Osypuk Theresa L. , Poynter Jenny N. , Vock David M. , Spector Logan G. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundSince 1975, childhood cancer incidence rates have gradually increased in the United States; however, few studies have conducted analyses across time to unpack this temporal rise. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that increasing cancer incidence rates are due to secular trends in pregnancy characteristics that are established risk factors for childhood cancer incidence including older maternal age, higher birthweight, and lower birth order. We also considered temporal trends in sociodemographic characteristics including race/ethnicity and poverty.ProcedureWe conducted a time series county‐level ecologic analysis using linked population‐based data from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registries (1975–2013), birth data from the National Center for Health Statistics (1970–2013), and sociodemographic data from the US Census (1970–2010). We estimated unadjusted and adjusted average annual percent changes (AAPCs) in incidence of combined (all diagnoses) and individual types of cancer among children, ages 0–4 years, from Poisson mixed models.ResultsThere was a statistically significant unadjusted temporal rise in incidence of combined childhood cancers (AAPC = 0.71%; 95% CI = 0.55–0.86), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (0.78%; 0.49–1.07), acute myeloid leukemia (1.86%; 1.13–2.59), central nervous system tumors (1.31%; 0.94–1.67), and hepatoblastoma (2.70%; 1.68–3.72). Adjustment for county‐level maternal age reduced estimated AAPCs between 8% (hepatoblastoma) and 55% (combined). However, adjustment for other county characteristics did not attenuate AAPCs, and AAPCs remained significantly above 0% in models fully adjusted for county‐level characteristics.ConclusionAlthough rising maternal age may account for some of the increase in childhood cancer incidence over time, other factors, not considered in this analysis, may also contribute to temporal trends.