bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synoptic classification of the summer season for the Levant using an ‘environment to climate’ approach
Authors: Saaroni Hadas , Savir Amit , Ziv Baruch 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTThe Levant region is dominated in the summer by the persistent Persian Trough. Thus, the current synoptic classifications lack the ability to reflect inter‐diurnal variations in the local weather conditions. This study aims to overcome this weakness and has two objectives: to develop operative prediction equations for the local weather conditions based on synoptic‐scale data, and to propose a new synoptic classification, based on the environment to climate approach, to better reflect the local climatic stress. Prediction equations were derived for the national heat‐stress (NHS) and the height of the persistent marine inversion (inversion base, IB). The potential predictors are comprised of atmospheric variables found correlated with these weather attributes together with indices representing synoptic to large‐scale features. The indices were derived through a composite maps analysis of days with extreme values of these attributes. The Climatic Stress Index (CSI) developed is a combination of the heat‐stress and the inversion height, for which a separate prediction equation was derived. The spectrum of the calculated daily CSI values was divided into three parts of equal size, used as the basis of the new synoptic types, defined as: ‘comfort’, ‘medium’, and ‘discomfort’. The attribution of a certain day to one of these types is determined according to its calculated CSI. Our proposed classification was found to better delineate the NHS and the height of the IB in Israel. The downscaling schemes and the new synoptic classification are applicable for both operative weather prediction and climate prediction. The latter enables the assessment of future trends in the climatic stress, in general, and heat‐stress, in particular. This is due to being compatible with the output of operative weather prediction models as well as for the format of the disseminated output of climate models.
Quantification of regional variations in glenoid trabecular bone architecture and mineralization using clinical computed tomography images
Authors: Jun Bong‐Jae , Vasanji Amit , Ricchetti Eric T. , Rodriguez Eric , Subhas Naveen , Li Zong‐Ming , Iannotti Joseph P. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to demonstrate feasibility of a clinical CT imaging and analysis technique to quantify regional variations in trabecular bone architecture and mineralization of glenoid bones. Specifically, our objective was to determine to what extent clinical CT imaging of intact upper extremities can describe variations of trabecular bone architectures at anatomic and peri‐implant regions by comparing trabecular bone architectures as measured by high‐resolution, micro CT imaging of same excised glenoid bones. Bone volume fraction (BVF), trabecular bone thickness (TbTh), number of trabecular bone (TbN), spacing (TbS), pattern factor (TbPf), bone surface area (BSA), and skeletal connectivity (Conn.), in addition to bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD), were quantified from both clinical and micro CT images using whole bone, anatomic, and peri‐implant bone masks. Strong correlations of BVF, TbTh, TbSp, BMC, and BMD were found between clinical CT and micro CT imaging methods. The variations in BVF, TbTh, TbSp, TbN, BMC, and BMD at anatomical and peri‐implant regions were larger than those at whole bone regions. In this study, we have demonstrated that this clinical CT imaging methodology can be used to quantify variations of a patient's glenoid bone at anatomic and peri‐implant levels. Statement of Clinical Significance. An in vivo quantitative assessment of glenoid trabecular bone architecture in the anatomic and peri‐implant regions may improve our understanding on the role of bone quality on glenoid component loosening following total shoulder arthroplasty. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:85–96, 2018.
How did rivers in the wet tropics (NE Queensland, Australia) respond to climate changes over the past 30 000 years?
Authors: Hughes Kate , Croke Jacky 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTThe nature and timing of fluvial response and coincident changes in climate as inferred from multiple, independent proxies are examined in the wet tropics of north‐eastern Australia. Chronostratigraphic data provide evidence for regionally synchronous fluvial aggradation at 30–13 ka, 8–5 ka and again from 1 ka. Terrace incision and removal occurred at 13–8 ka and 5–1 ka. A new synthesis of regional palaeoenvironmental proxy records spanning the last 30 ka highlights key periods of environmental change. Comparison of the records of fluvial and environmental change reveals the relationship is complex with no clear relationship between river aggradation/incision and wetter/drier conditions. The nature and timing of fluvial response in the wet tropics also shows broad similarities with coastal valleys in south‐eastern New South Wales, suggesting continental‐scale controls on fluvial response to changing climate during the Late Quaternary in Australia. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Barriers to generating PDX models of HPV‐related head and neck cancer
Authors: Facompre Nicole D. , Sahu Varun , Montone Kathleen T. , Harmeyer Kayla M. , Nakagawa Hiroshi , Rustgi Anil K. , Weinstein Gregory S. , Gimotty Phyllis A. , Basu Devraj 
Published: May 2017

Objectives/HypothesisDelineate factors impacting the creation and use of patient‐derived xenografts (PDXs) of human papilloma virus‐related (HPV+) head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs).Study DesignLaboratory‐based translational study.MethodsFifty‐one surgically resected HNSCCs, including 31 HPV + cancers, were implanted into NOD/SCID/IL‐2Rγ‐/‐ (NSG) mice using standardized methodology. Clinical and pathologic factors were tested for association with engraftment. The gross, histologic, and molecular features of established HPV + PDXs were analyzed in comparison to their tumors of origin.ResultsNegative HPV status and perineural invasion (PNI) were independent, additive factors associated with increased PDX formation. Epstein‐Barr virus–positive (EBV+) human large B‐cell lymphomas grew from 32% of HPV + HNSCC cases that failed to engraft. Successfully established HPV + PDXs retained basaloid histology and often developed cystic growth patterns typical of HPV + nodal metastases. They also maintained elevated p16INK4A levels and expression of E6/E7 viral oncogene transcripts.ConclusionReduced engraftment by HPV + tumors lacking PNI likely results in selection biases in HNSCC PDX models. Formation of EBV + lymphomas in NSG mice further reduces the generation of HPV + models and must be ruled out before long‐term use of PDXs. Nevertheless, the retention of distinctive pathologic traits and viral oncogene expression by HPV + PDXs provides a viable in vivo platform for basic and translational studies as well as a resource for generating advanced in vitro models.Level of EvidenceNA. Laryngoscope, 127:2777–2783, 2017
Assessment and improvement of sound quality in cochlear implant users
Authors: Caldwell Meredith T. , Jiam Nicole T. , Limb Charles J. 
Published: May 2017

ObjectivesCochlear implants (CIs) have successfully provided speech perception to individuals with sensorineural hearing loss. Recent research has focused on more challenging acoustic stimuli such as music and voice emotion. The purpose of this review is to evaluate and describe sound quality in CI users with the purposes of summarizing novel findings and crucial information about how CI users experience complex sounds.Data SourcesHere we review the existing literature on PubMed and Scopus to present what is known about perceptual sound quality in CI users, discuss existing measures of sound quality, explore how sound quality may be effectively studied, and examine potential strategies of improving sound quality in the CI population.ResultsSound quality, defined here as the perceived richness of an auditory stimulus, is an attribute of implant‐mediated listening that remains poorly studied. Sound quality is distinct from appraisal, which is generally defined as the subjective likability or pleasantness of a sound. Existing studies suggest that sound quality perception in the CI population is limited by a range of factors, most notably pitch distortion and dynamic range compression. Although there are currently very few objective measures of sound quality, the CI‐MUSHRA has been used as a means of evaluating sound quality. There exist a number of promising strategies to improve sound quality perception in the CI population including apical cochlear stimulation, pitch tuning, and noise reduction processing strategies.ConclusionsIn the published literature, sound quality perception is severely limited among CI users. Future research should focus on developing systematic, objective, and quantitative sound quality metrics and designing therapies to mitigate poor sound quality perception in CI users.Level of EvidenceNA
The effect of tinnitus retraining therapy on chronic tinnitus: A controlled trial
Authors: Bauer Carol A. , Berry Jennifer L. , Brozoski Thomas J. 
Published: May 2017

ObjectivesThe goal of this study was to compare treatment outcomes for chronic bothersome tinnitus after Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) versus standard of care treatment (SC) and to determine the longevity of the effect over an 18‐month period.Study DesignA randomized controlled trial comparing TRT to SC for chronic tinnitus.MethodsAdults with subjective, stable, bothersome chronic tinnitus associated with hearing loss amenable to aural rehabilitation with hearing aids were recruited. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) was the primary outcome measure and the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) the secondary outcome measure of tinnitus severity and impact. Data were collected at screening, entry (0 months), and 6, 12, and 18 months after the beginning of treatment, using an integrated digitized suite of evaluation modules. TRT consisted of directive counseling and acoustic enrichment using combination hearing aids and sound generators; SC consisted of general aural rehabilitation counseling and hearing aids.ResultsSignificant improvement in tinnitus impact occurred after both TRT and SC therapy, with a larger treatment effect obtained in the TRT group. Lasting therapeutic benefit was evident at 18 months in both groups. THI initial scores were unstable in 10% of enrolled participants, showing moderate bidirectional fluctuation between screening and baseline (0 month) assessment.ConclusionAdults with moderate to severe tinnitus and hearing loss amenable to amplification, benefit from either TRT or SC treatment when combined with hearing aid use. TRT benefit may exceed that of SC. The global improvement in tinnitus severity that accrued over an 18‐month period appeared to be robust and clinically significant.Level of EvidenceI
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP)–time for a reckoning?
Authors: Kin Cho Goon Peter , Scholtz Lars‐Uwe , Sudhoff Holger 
Published: May 2017

ObjectivesRecurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a rare disease, but one with severe morbidity and occasional mortality. The aetiological agent is human papillomavirus (HPV), and HPV types 6 and 11 account for over 90% of all cases. In the active phase of the disease, patients require multiple hospital admissions for surgical removal or ablation of these benign tumors, which are likely to obstruct the airways if left unchecked. Long‐term sequelae include scarring of the vocal cords, change in voice timbre, or even muteness if a tracheostomy is required. The aim of this study was to determine if adjuvant vaccination with the quadrivalent HPV L1 vaccine (Gardasil™) would decrease numbers of surgical treatments post‐vaccination.MethodsA prospective pilot study following a cohort of 12 RRP patients, all of whom gave fully informed consent to participate. All patients had their papillomas typed and if they were found to have types 6 or 11, were vaccinated at the time of first surgical treatment in the hospital, according to the manufacturer's protocols. Patients were followed up closely with 3 or 6 month follow‐up visits. Standard surgical treatments were given and were not affected by whether they participated in the study.ResultsWe found a >7‐fold decrease in the incidence rates of papillomatosis requiring surgical intervention from the pre‐vaccination period (47.44/1000 patient‐months) compared to the post‐vaccination period (6.71/1000 patient‐months).DiscussionSurgical treatments for RRP are robust markers for papillomata which require treatment because of the dangers of obstruction of the airway. Despite the small size of this cohort (due to the rarity of this disease), the data suggests that adjuvant use of quadrivalent HPV L1 vaccine imparts significant benefit to this group of patients. A large multi‐center randomized placebo controlled trial is required to definitively establish whether this hypothesis is true and can become the new standard of therapy.Level of Evidence3b
Requirements and validation of a prototype learning health system for clinical diagnosis
Authors: Corrigan Derek , Munnelly Gary , Kazienko Przemysław , Kajdanowicz Tomasz , Soler Jean‐Karl , Mahmoud Samhar , Porat Talya , Kostopoulou Olga , Curcin Vasa , Delaney Brendan 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIntroductionDiagnostic error is a major threat to patient safety in the context of family practice. The patient safety implications are severe for both patient and clinician. Traditional approaches to diagnostic decision support have lacked broad acceptance for a number of well‐documented reasons: poor integration with electronic health records and clinician workflow, static evidence that lacks transparency and trust, and use of proprietary technical standards hindering wider interoperability. The learning health system (LHS) provides a suitable infrastructure for development of a new breed of learning decision support tools. These tools exploit the potential for appropriate use of the growing volumes of aggregated sources of electronic health records.MethodsWe describe the experiences of the TRANSFoRm project developing a diagnostic decision support infrastructure consistent with the wider goals of the LHS. We describe an architecture that is model driven, service oriented, constructed using open standards, and supports evidence derived from electronic sources of patient data. We describe the architecture and implementation of 2 critical aspects for a successful LHS: the model representation and translation of clinical evidence into effective practice and the generation of curated clinical evidence that can be used to populate those models, thus closing the LHS loop.Results/ConclusionsSix core design requirements for implementing a diagnostic LHS are identified and successfully implemented as part of this research work. A number of significant technical and policy challenges are identified for the LHS community to consider, and these are discussed in the context of evaluating this work: medico‐legal responsibility for generated diagnostic evidence, developing trust in the LHS (particularly important from the perspective of decision support), and constraints imposed by clinical terminologies on evidence generation.
Organometallic‐Mediated Alternating Radical Copolymerization of tert‐Butyl‐2‐Trifluoromethacrylate with Vinyl Acetate and Synthesis of Block Copolymers Thereof
Authors: Banerjee Sanjib , Ladmiral Vincent , Debuigne Antoine , Detrembleur Christophe , Rahaman S. M. Wahidur , Poli Rinaldo , Ameduri Bruno 
Published: May 2017

Organometallic‐mediated radical polymerization (OMRP) has given access to well‐defined poly(vinyl acetate‐alt‐tert‐butyl‐2‐trifluoromethacrylate)‐b‐poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(VAc‐alt‐MAF‐TBE) copolymers composed of two electronically distinct monomers: vinyl acetate (VAc, donor, D) and tert‐butyl‐2‐trifluoromethacrylate (MAF‐TBE, acceptor, A), with low dispersity (≤1.24) and molar masses up to 57 000 g mol−1. These copolymers have a precise 1:1 alternating structure over a wide range of comonomer feed compositions. The reactivity ratios are determined as rVAc = 0.01 ± 0.01 and rMAF‐TBE = 0 at 40 °C. Remarkably, from a feed containing >50% molar VAc content, poly(VAc‐alt‐MAF‐TBE)‐b‐PVAc block copolymers are produced via a one‐pot synthesis. Such diblock copolymers exhibit two glass transition temperatures attributed to the alternating and homopolymer sequences. The OMRP of this fluorine‐containing alternating monomer system may provide access to a wide range of new polymer materials.
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Design of a Tri‐PET collimator for high‐resolution whole‐body mouse imaging
Authors: DiFilippo Frank P. 
Published: May 2017

PurposeTri‐PET refers to high‐resolution 511‐keV emission tomography using a multipinhole collimator in conjunction with lower resolution PET detectors operating in coincidence mode. Tri‐PET is unique in that three spatial locations are associated with each event (two detector coordinates and one pinhole location). Spatial resolution and sensitivity are similar to that of 511‐keV SPECT and are governed mainly by the collimator design. However because of a third spatial location in Tri‐PET, the line‐of‐response is overdetermined. This feature permits new opportunities in data processing which impact collimator design. In particular, multiplexing can be avoided since the coincidence data identify the pinhole through which the photon passed. In this paper, the principles of Tri‐PET collimator design are reviewed and then applied to the case of high‐resolution imaging of a small animal in a clinical PET scanner.MethodsThe design of a 148‐pinhole collimator for whole‐body imaging of a mouse is presented. Two pinhole designs were investigated: knife‐edge pinholes with 1.1 mm aperture and novel hyperboloidal pinholes with 1.2 mm aperture, both having 18° cone angle. The pinhole configuration is unfocused, covering a whole‐body mouse field of view with nearly uniform sensitivity. Computer simulations were performed of a micro hot rods phantom imaged with this collimator in a clinical PET scanner. Sensitivity was estimated by simulating a point source centered on‐axis at locations spanning a 70‐mm axial range, similar to the NEMA NU‐4 standard for whole‐body mouse imaging.ResultsReconstructed images of the hot rods phantom demonstrated the ability to resolve 1.1 mm structures with the knife‐edge pinholes and 1.0 mm structures with the hyperboloidal pinholes. Sensitivity was found to be 0.093% and 0.054% for the knife‐edge and hyperboloidal pinholes, respectively.ConclusionsWith a properly designed multipinhole collimator, high‐resolution and acceptable sensitivity are achievable with Tri‐PET using ordinary clinical PET detectors.
Cross Linking Between the Baffling Effect and Phase Inversion During Liquid–Liquid Monomer Mixing
Authors: Cocke Jared , Maaß Sebastian 
Published: May 2017

Recent studies have revealed unexpected developments in drop size by only small changes in the geometrical constraints of batch vessels used for suspension polymerization. The effect of the dispersed phase fraction, surfactant concentration, as well as baffle length on the evolving drop size distribution in different low viscous liquid–liquid systems is investigated. The analysis is focused on the drop‐dominated systems by hindering the coalescence by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) concentrations up to three times higher than the critical micelle concentration. The influence of PVA on drop size in breakage‐dominated systems is well reproduced with population balance equation simulations. The drops are measured using a photo‐optical system with automated image analysis. The measured drop sizes increase with increasing dispersed phase fraction. As coalescence is completely hindered, all observed coalescence effects are connected to phase inversion, a catastrophic phenomenon during suspension polymerization for industrial production processes. Phase inversion can be reproduced for all studied solvents with and without the use of surfactants. In particular, the influence of the baffles can be reproduced. The system is adapted and trained to detect phase inversion as a warning system to make the suspension polymerization process more stable and robust.
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Quantification and characterization of grouped type I myofibers in human aging
Authors: Kelly Neil A. , Hammond Kelley G. , Stec Michael J. , Bickel C. Scott , Windham Samuel T. , Tuggle S. Craig , Bamman Marcas M. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTIntroductionMyofiber type grouping is a histological hallmark of age‐related motor unit remodeling. Despite the accepted concept that denervation–reinnervation events lead to myofiber type grouping, the completeness of those conversions remains unknown.MethodsType I myofiber grouping was assessed in vastus lateralis biopsies from Young (26 ± 4 years; n = 27) and Older (66 ± 4 years; n = 91) adults. Grouped and ungrouped type I myofibers were evaluated for phenotypic differences.ResultsHigher type I grouping in Older versus Young was driven by more myofibers per group (i.e., larger group size) (P < 0.05). In Older only, grouped type I myofibers displayed larger cross‐sectional area, more myonuclei, lower capillary supply, and more sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum calcium ATPase I (SERCA I) expression (P < 0.05) than ungrouped type I myofibers.DiscussionGrouped type I myofibers retain type II characteristics suggesting that conversion during denervation–reinnervation events is either progressive or incomplete. Muscle Nerve 57: E52–E59, 2018
(BEDT‐TTF)2Cu2(HCOO)5: An Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Conducting Magnet
Authors: Zhang Bin , Zhang Yan , Wang Zheming , Gao Zengqiang , Yang Deliang , Wang Dongwei , Guo Yanjun , Zhu Daoben 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis month's cover picture results from Professor Bin Zhang's collaborative work between Chinese Academy of Sciences and Peking University (China). Since the discovery of high‐temperature superconductors for hole doping on parent antiferromagnetic compound La2CuO4, the antiferromagnetic molecular crystal with a (4,4) grid copper‐formate framework Cu(HCOO)2(H2O)4 and its deuterated compound (Cu(DCOO)2(D2O)4) have been studied extensively for supposed dual‐functional molecular crystals. The cover picture shows the ideal situation by replacing intercalated H2O with an organic donor. The organic–inorganic hybrid (BEDT‐TTF)2Cu2(HCOO)5 is obtained through the electrochemical oxidation of neutral BEDT‐TTF in the presence of an ammonium salt of the 1D copper‐formate framework [(C2H5)3NH]2Cu2(HCOO)5 in a C6H5Cl‐C2H5OH solution. For more details, read the full text of the Communication at 10.1002/open.201700041.