bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Imaging blood flow inside highly scattering media using ultrasound modulated optical tomography
Authors: Hussain Altaf , Steenbergen Wiendelt , Vellekoop Ivo M. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe report the use of ultrasound modulated optical tomography (UOT) with heterodyne parallel detection to locally sense and image blood flow deep inside a highly scattering medium. We demonstrate that the UOT signal is sensitive to the speed of the blood flow in the ultrasound focus and present an analytical model that relates UOT signals to the optical properties (i. e. scattering coefficient, anisotropy, absorption, and flow speed) of the blood and the background medium. We found an excellent agreement between the experimental data and the analytical model. By varying the integration time of the camera in our setup, we were able to spatially resolve blood flow in a scattering medium with a lateral resolution of 1.5 mm.magnified image
Gendering Political Settlements: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: O'Rourke Catherine 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWhereas the political settlements research framework is garnering growing policy attention in development programming, including in fragile and conflict‐affected states, there are concerns that political settlements constitute yet another global policy development with which feminist and gender analysis must ‘catch up’. The article outlines four broad challenges to advancing gender analysis through the political settlements framework. The first isconceptual, that the focus on elites, and the reliance on public sphere dynamics to explain development outcomes, structurally excludes women. The second isepistemological, that the role of the scholar in designating certain groups to be ‘elites’ and others to be ‘non‐elites’ merits further interrogation. The third ismethodological, that because of other exclusions, gender is infrequently identified as a pertinent variable or category of analysis in seeking to explain development outcomes through the political settlements framework. The final ispolitical, that the avowedly non‐normative position of political settlements analysis risks overlooking norms implicit to the work, in particular implicit gender norms. Nevertheless, the article argues, in the prevailing context of technocratic approaches to global gender policy‐making, the political settlements framework may offer promise through its avowed focus on ‘doing politics’. Moreover, the political settlements framework may usefully counter the tendency of global gender policy to essentialise the state as a single domain of activity, and to instead utilise more fully the different constituencies within the state, and the relationships between them, in order to effect positive change. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancement of automated blood flow estimates (ENABLE) from arterial spin‐labeled MRI
Authors: Shirzadi Zahra , Stefanovic Bojana , Chappell Michael A. , Ramirez Joel , Schwindt Graeme , Masellis Mario , Black Sandra E. , MacIntosh Bradley J. 
Published: July 2017

PurposeTo validate a multiparametric automated algorithm—ENhancement of Automated Blood fLow Estimates (ENABLE)—that identifies useful and poor arterial spin‐labeled (ASL) difference images in multiple postlabeling delay (PLD) acquisitions and thereby improve clinical ASL.Materials and MethodsENABLE is a sort/check algorithm that uses a linear combination of ASL quality features. ENABLE uses simulations to determine quality weighting factors based on an unconstrained nonlinear optimization. We acquired a set of 6‐PLD ASL images with 1.5T or 3.0T systems among 98 healthy elderly and adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. We contrasted signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of cerebral blood flow (CBF) images obtained with ENABLE vs. conventional ASL analysis. In a subgroup, we validated our CBF estimates with single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) CBF images.ResultsENABLE produced significantly increased SNR compared to a conventional ASL analysis (Wilcoxon signed‐rank test, P < 0.0001). We also found the similarity between ASL and SPECT was greater when using ENABLE vs. conventional ASL analysis (n = 51, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test, P < 0.0001) and this similarity was strongly related to ASL SNR (t = 24, P < 0.0001).ConclusionThese findings suggest that ENABLE improves CBF image quality from multiple PLD ASL in dementia cohorts at either 1.5T or 3.0T, achieved by multiparametric quality features that guided postprocessing of dementia ASL.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:647–655.
The first 300‐year streamflow reconstruction of a high‐elevation river in Chile using tree rings
Authors: Barria Pilar , Peel Murray C. , Walsh Kevin J. E. , Muñoz Ariel 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTIn central Chile, increasing demand for water and decreasing runoff volumes due to drier conditions have placed catchments in this zone under water stress. However, scarcity of observed data records increases the difficulty of planning future water supply. Instrumental records suggest a reduction in streamflow over the last 56 years. However, this change is not statistically significant and the lack of meteorological stations with long records in this mountainous region hampers a deeper analysis, motivating the use of tree rings to analyse whether these changes are part of a long‐term trend. This work represents the first high‐elevation runoff reconstruction in Chile using 300 years of tree ring chronologies of Araucaria araucana and Astroceudrus chilensis. The upper part of Biobío river melting season runoff (October–March) and pluvial season runoff (April–September) was reconstructed and analysed to investigate the influence of large‐scale climatic drivers on runoff generation, current drought trends and to improve the understanding of climate variability in this region. We obtained positive correlations between the 20‐year moving average of reconstructed pluvial season runoff and reconstructed Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), which is indicative of multi‐decadal variability. We also found a negative correlation between the 11‐year moving average of reconstructed melting season runoff and the PDO and positive correlations with the Southern Annular Mode (SAM). Important differences in the runoff variability of the upper and the lower part of the catchment were identified which are in part led by the influence of the large‐scale climatic features that drive runoff generation in both regions. We found that the changes observed in the instrumental records are part of multi‐decadal cycles led by the PDO and SAM for pluvial season runoff and melting season runoff, respectively.
Subharmonic and Endoscopic Contrast Imaging of Pancreatic Masses: A Pilot Study
Authors: Forsberg Flemming , Stanczak Maria , Lyshchik Andrej , Loren David , O'Kane Patrick , Siddiqui Ali , Kowalski Thomas E. , Miller Cynthia , Fox Traci , Liu Ji‐Bin , Eisenbrey John R. 
Published: July 2017

ObjectivesTo use subharmonic imaging (SHI) to depict the vascularity of pancreatic masses compared to contrast‐enhanced endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and pathologic results.MethodsSixteen patients scheduled for biopsy of a pancreatic mass were enrolled in an Institutional Review Board–approved study. Pulse‐inversion SHI (transmitting/receiving at 2.5/1.25 MHz) was performed on a LOGIQ 9 system (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI) with a 4C transducer, whereas contrast harmonic EUS (transmitting/receiving at 4.7/9.4 MHz) was performed with a radial endoscope (GF‐UTC180; Olympus Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) connected to a ProSound SSD α‐10 scanner (Hitachi Aloka, Tokyo, Japan). Two injections of the contrast agent Definity (Lantheus Medical Imaging, North Billerica, MA) were administrated (0.3–0.4 and 0.6–0.8 mL for EUS and SHI, respectively). Contrast‐to‐tissue ratios (CTRs) in the mass and an adjacent vessel were calculated. Four physicians independently scored the images (benign to malignant) for diagnostic accuracy and inter‐reader agreement.ResultsOne patient dropped out before imaging, leaving 11 adenocarcinomas, 1 gastrointestinal stromal tumor with pancreatic infiltration, and 3 benign masses. Marked subharmonic signals were obtained in all patients, with intratumoral blood flow clearly visualized with SHI. Significantly greater CTRs were obtained in the masses with SHI than with EUS (mean ± SD, 1.71 ± 1.63 versus 0.63 ± 0.89; P = .016). There were no differences in the CTR in the surrounding vessels or when grouped by pathologic results (P > .60). The accuracies for contrast EUS and SHI were low (<53%), albeit with a greater κ value for SHI (0.34) than for EUS (0.13).ConclusionsDiagnostic accuracy of contrast EUS and transabdominal SHI for assessment of pancreatic masses was quite low in this pilot study. However, SHI had improved tumoral CTRs relative to contrast EUS.
Improved transoral dissection of the tongue base with a next‐generation robotic surgical system
Authors: Chen Michelle M. , Orosco Ryan K. , Lim Gil Chai , Holsinger F. Christopher 
Published: July 2017

Objectives/HypothesisTo describe the application of a novel, flexible, single‐port robotic surgical system for transoral tongue base resection, and compare it to the current multiport, rigid‐arm robotic surgical system.Study DesignPreclinical anatomic study using four human cadavers.MethodsTransoral resection of the tongue base using the da Vinci Sp and the Si robotic surgical systems. A standardized operative procedure is outlined, and operative parameters were compared between robotic systems.ResultsSuccessful completion of tongue base resection was achieved in all cadavers using both the Sp and the Si systems. The optimal entry guide and instrument position for the Sp system was with the cannula rotated 180° from the standard position so that the camera was in the most inferior (caudal) channel. In the optimal configuration, no instrument exchanges were needed with the Sp system, but use of the Si system required one instrument exchange.ConclusionsThis is the first preclinical anatomic study of robotic tongue base resection that compares a novel single‐port robotic system to the current multiarm system. Surgical workflow was more streamlined with the da Vinci Sp system, and the new capabilities of simultaneous dissection, traction, and counter traction allowed for improved dissection and vessel control.Level of EvidenceNA. Laryngoscope, 128:78–83, 2018
PEGylated Dendritic Polyglycerol Conjugate Delivers Doxorubicin to the Parasitophorous Vacuole in Leishmania infantum Infections
Authors: Gutierrez‐Corbo Camino , Dominguez‐Asenjo Barbara , Vossen Laura I. , Pérez‐Pertejo Yolanda , Muñoz‐Fenández Maria A. , Balaña‐Fouce Rafael , Calderón Marcelo , Reguera Rosa M. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractMost drugs against visceral leishmaniasis must be administered parenterally. A controlled drug release at the target site can improve the efficacy and toxicity of antileishmanial drugs in clinical use. Amastigotes live and grow inside the parasitophorous vacuole of host resident macrophages. Therefore, antileishmanial drugs should accumulate in this compartment to kill the parasite and do not produce toxicity to the cell host. PEGylated dendritic polyglycerol conjugates (PG‐PEG) can ensure a controlled drug release and the immune activation efficiency of the host. A dendritic PG conjugate with doxorubicin (DOX) attached through a pH‐cleavable hydrazone linker (PG‐DOX(pH)‐PEG), is tested on murine macrophage cell lines and on ex vivo infected BALB/c splenocytes. As a control, a dendritic PG conjugate attached via a non‐cleavable linker (PG‐DOX(non)‐PEG) is used. DOX fluorescence is useful to monitor the fate of the drug inside the infected cells by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. The results show that PG‐DOX(pH)‐PEG slowly releases DOX inside the targeted macrophages, protecting the host of toxic drug concentrations. In addition, unlike free DOX, PG‐DOX(pH)‐PEG is actively internalized through the acidic endocytic pathway and colocalized surrounding the amastigotes. These results prove that PG‐DOX(pH)‐PEG is a promising candidate for releasing antileishmanial drugs in a controlled manner.
A deep feature fusion methodology for breast cancer diagnosis demonstrated on three imaging modality datasets
Authors: Antropova Natalia , Huynh Benjamin Q. , Giger Maryellen L. 
Published: July 2017

BackgroundDeep learning methods for radiomics/computer‐aided diagnosis (CADx) are often prohibited by small datasets, long computation time, and the need for extensive image preprocessing.AimsWe aim to develop a breast CADx methodology that addresses the aforementioned issues by exploiting the efficiency of pre‐trained convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and using pre‐existing handcrafted CADx features.Materials & MethodsWe present a methodology that extracts and pools low‐ to mid‐level features using a pretrained CNN and fuses them with handcrafted radiomic features computed using conventional CADx methods. Our methodology is tested on three different clinical imaging modalities (dynamic contrast enhanced‐MRI [690 cases], full‐field digital mammography [245 cases], and ultrasound [1125 cases]).ResultsFrom ROC analysis, our fusion‐based method demonstrates, on all three imaging modalities, statistically significant improvements in terms of AUC as compared to previous breast cancer CADx methods in the task of distinguishing between malignant and benign lesions. (DCE‐MRI [AUC = 0.89 (se = 0.01)], FFDM [AUC = 0.86 (se = 0.01)], and ultrasound [AUC = 0.90 (se = 0.01)]).Discussion/ConclusionWe proposed a novel breast CADx methodology that can be used to more effectively characterize breast lesions in comparison to existing methods. Furthermore, our proposed methodology is computationally efficient and circumvents the need for image preprocessing.
Multistage stereotactic radiosurgery for large cerebral arteriovenous malformations using the Gamma Knife platform
Authors: Ding Chuxiong , Hrycushko Brian , Whitworth Louis , Li Xiang , Nedzi Lucien , Weprin Bradley , Abdulrahman Ramzi , Welch Babu , Jiang Steve B. , Wardak Zabi , Timmerman Robert D. 
Published: July 2017

PurposeRadiosurgery is an established technique to treat cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Obliteration of larger AVMs (> 10–15 cm3 or diameter > 3 cm) in a single session is challenging with current radiosurgery platforms due to toxicity. We present a novel technique of multistage stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for large intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVM) using the Gamma Knife system.Materials/MethodsEighteen patients with large (> 10–15 cm3 or diameter > 3 cm) AVMs, which were previously treated using a staged SRS technique on the Cyberknife platform, were retrospectively selected for this study. The AVMs were contoured and divided into 3–8 subtargets to be treated sequentially in a staged approach at half to 4 week intervals. The prescription dose ranged from 15 Gy to 20 Gy, depending on the subtarget number, volume, and location. Gamma Knife plans using multiple collimator settings were generated and optimized. The coordinates of each shot from the initial plan covering the total AVM target were extracted based on their relative positions within the frame system. The shots were regrouped based on their location with respect to the subtarget contours to generate subplans for each stage. The delivery time of each shot for a subtarget was decay corrected with 60Co for staging the treatment course to generate the same dose distribution as that planned for the total AVM target. Conformality indices and dose–volume analysis were performed to evaluate treatment plans.ResultsWith the shot redistribution technique, the composite dose for the multistaged treatment of multiple subtargets is equivalent to the initial plan for total AVM target. Gamma Knife plans resulted in an average PTV coverage of 96.3 ± 0.9% and a PITV of 1.23 ± 0.1. The resulting Conformality indices, V12Gy and R50 dose spillage values were 0.76 ± 0.05, 3.4 ± 1.8, and 3.1 ± 0.5 respectively.ConclusionThe Gamma Knife system can deliver a multistaged conformal dose to treat large AVMs when correcting for translational setup errors of each shot at each staged treatment.
The structure of Plasmodium falciparum 3D7_0606800 reveals a bi‐lobed architecture that supports re‐annotation as a Venus Flytrap protein
Authors: Parker Michelle L. , Ramaswamy Raghavendran , van Gordon Kyle , Powell Cameron J. , Bosch Jürgen , Boulanger Martin J. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPlasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria, employs a diverse array of surface displayed proteins to promote dissemination and establish infection in the human host. Of these, Pf3D7_0606800 is highly immunogenic and has been designated a potential top 10 candidate for inclusion in a multicomponent malarial vaccine. The role of Pf3D7_0606800 in parasite biology, however, is unknown and its characterization has been complicated by a lack of sequence identity with proteins of known structure or function. Towards elucidating Pf3D7_0606800 function, we determined its structure to a resolution of 2.35 Å using selenium single wavelength anomalous dispersion. A bi‐lobed architecture displays the core structural hallmarks of Venus Flytrap (VFT) proteins prompting us to re‐annotate Pf3D7_0606800 as PfVFT1. Structural analysis further revealed an extended inter‐lobe groove that, when interrogated by molecular docking, appears well suited to bind peptide‐based ligands. Collectively, our structural characterization of the highly antigenic P. falciparum surface protein PfVFT1 provides intriguing functional insight and establishes a structural template that could prove valuable for malaria vaccine engineering studies.
Potential signaling pathways of acute endurance exercise-induced cardiac autophagy and mitophagy and its possible role in cardioprotection
Authors: Lee Youngil , Kwon Insu , Jang Yongchul , Song Wankeun , Cosio-Lima Ludmila M. , Roltsch Mark H. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractCardiac myocytes are terminally differentiated cells and possess extremely limited regenerative capacity; therefore, preservation of mature cardiac myocytes throughout the individual’s entire life span contributes substantially to healthy living. Autophagy, a lysosome-dependent cellular catabolic process, is essential for normal cardiac function and mitochondria maintenance. Therefore, it may be reasonable to hypothesize that if endurance exercise promotes cardiac autophagy and mitochondrial autophagy or mitophagy, exercise-induced cardiac autophagy (EICA) or exercise-induced cardiac mitophagy (EICM) may confer propitious cellular environment and thus protect the heart against detrimental stresses, such as an ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, although the body of evidence supporting EICA and EICM is growing, the molecular mechanisms of EICA and EICM and their possible roles in cardioprotection against an I/R injury are poorly understood. Here, we introduce the general mechanisms of autophagy in an attempt to integrate potential molecular pathways of EICA and EICM and also highlight a potential insight into EICA and EICM in cardioprotection against an I/R insult.
Mother‐child discrepancy in perceived parental control and adolescent filial piety in poor single‐mother families
Authors: Leung Janet T.Y. , Shek Daniel T.L. , Lin Li 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTBased on a sample of 432 poor Chinese single‐mother families (mean age of adolescents = 13.7 years; 51.2% girls; mean age of mothers = 43.5 years) in Hong Kong, the interaction effect of mother‐reported and adolescent‐reported maternal control on filial piety of Chinese adolescents was examined. Results of polynomial multiple regression analyses showed that the interaction between mother‐reported and adolescent‐reported maternal control predicted perceived filial piety in adolescents. At high levels of mother‐reported maternal control, high adolescent‐perceived parental control was associated with higher filial piety. At low levels of mother‐reported maternal control, filial piety increased initially and then decreased when adolescents reported higher levels of maternal control. Using multiple group analyses, these associations were found to be stable across gender and age. The present findings provide insights on how congruencies and discrepancies between mother‐reported and adolescent‐reported maternal control predict filial piety of Chinese adolescents growing up in poor single‐mother families.
High frequency oscillations after median nerve stimulations in healthy children and adolescents
Authors: Zanini Sergio , Del Piero Ivana , Martucci Lucia , Restuccia Domenico 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe aim of the present research was to address somatosensory high frequency oscillations (400–800 Hz) in healthy children and adolescents in comparison with healthy adults. We recorded somatosensory evoked potentials following median nerve stimulation in nineteen resting healthy children/adolescents and in nineteen resting healthy adults with eyes closed. We administered six consecutive stimulation blocks (500 sweeps each). The presynaptic component of high frequency oscillations amplitudes was smaller in healthy children/adolescents than in healthy adults (no difference between groups was found as far as the postsynaptic component was concerned). Healthy children/adolescents had smaller presynaptic component than the postsynaptic one (the postsynaptic component amplitude was 145% of the presynaptic one), while healthy adults showed the opposite (reduction of the postsynaptic component to 80% of the presynaptic one). No habituation phenomena concerning high frequency oscillation amplitudes were registered in neither healthy children/adolescents nor healthy adults. These findings suggest that healthy children/adolescents present with significantly different pattern of somatosensory high frequency oscillations compared with healthy adults’ ones. This different pattern is reasonably expression of higher cortical excitability of the developing brain cortex.
Computed tomography enterography and magnetic resonance enterography in small intestine of Crohn's disease
Authors: Azevedo Aida Cristina Correia Oliveira , Martins Sandra Fátima Fernandes 
Published: July 2017

AbstractCrohn disease is defined as a chronic inflammatory and idiopathic process that can affect any portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The small intestine is the most frequently affected place, so small bowel morphology investigation is often mandatory.For decades small bowel was almost inaccessible to endoscopies, and, studies like enteroclysis and bowel transit time test, were considered gold standard tests. Recently, innovative imaging techniques, improved diagnosis and follow-up of Crohn disease patients by allowing the exploration of this gut segment.Authors review literature, concerning the role of computed tomography enterography and magnetic resonance enterography in the evaluation of small bowel Crohn disease.Authors conclude that the choice of examination to be made should be weighted considering several factors such as the age of the patient, their tolerability, the Crohn's disease phenotype and the availability of hospital resources.