bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The geographic distribution of the otolaryngology workforce in the United States
Authors: Lango Miriam N. , Handorf Elizabeth , Arjmand Ellis 
Published: October 2016

ObjectivesTo describe the deployment of otolaryngologists and evaluate factors associated with the geographic distribution of otolaryngologists in the United States.Study DesignCross‐sectional study.MethodsThe otolaryngology physician supply was defined as the number of otolaryngologists per 100,000 in the hospital referral region (HRR). The otolaryngology physician supply was derived from the American Medical Association Masterfile or from the Medicare Enrollment and Provider Utilization Files. Multiple linear regression tested the association of population, physician, and hospital factors on the supply of Medicare‐enrolled otolaryngologists/HRR.ResultsTwo methods of measuring the otolaryngology workforce were moderately correlated across hospital referral regions (Pearson coefficient 0.513, P = .0001); regardless, the supply of otolaryngology providers varies greatly over different geographic regions. Otolaryngologists concentrate in regions with many other physicians, particularly specialist physicians. The otolaryngology supply also increases with regional population income and education levels. Using AMA‐derived data, there was no association between the supply of otolaryngologists and staffed acute‐care hospital beds and the presence of an otolaryngology residency‐training program. In contrast, the supply of otolaryngology providers enrolled in Medicare independently increases for each HRR by 0.8 per 100,000 for each unit increase in supply of hospital beds (P < .0001) and by 0.49 per 100,000 in regions with an otolaryngology residency‐training program (P = .006), accounting for all other factors.ConclusionIrrespective of methodology, the supply of otolaryngologists varies widely across geographic regions in the United States. For Medicare beneficiaries, regional hospital factors—including the presence of an otolaryngology residency program—may improve access to otolaryngology services.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 127:95–101, 2017
Stabilization of a type III thermoelastic Timoshenko system in the presence of a time‐distributed delay
Authors: Fareh Abdelfeteh , Messaoudi Salim A. 
Published: October 2016

In this paper, we investigate a Timoshenko‐type system of thermoelasticity of type III in the presence of a distributed delay. We prove the well‐posedness and two exponential stability results in the presence as well as in the absence of an extra frictional damping.In case of absence of the frictional damping, our stability result is obtained under the equal‐speed of propagation and a smallness condition on the weight of delay.
Robust water fat separated dual‐echo MRI by phase‐sensitive reconstruction
Authors: Romu Thobias , Dahlström Nils , Leinhard Olof Dahlqvist , Borga Magnus 
Published: October 2016

PurposeThe purpose of this work was to develop and evaluate a robust water‐fat separation method for T1‐weighted symmetric two‐point Dixon data.Theory and MethodsA method for water‐fat separation by phase unwrapping of the opposite‐phase images by phase‐sensitive reconstruction (PSR) is introduced. PSR consists of three steps; (1), identification of clusters of tissue voxels; (2), unwrapping of the phase in each cluster by solving Poisson's equation; and (3), finding the correct sign of each unwrapped opposite‐phase cluster, so that the water‐fat images are assigned the correct identities. Robustness was evaluated by counting the number of water‐fat swap artifacts in a total of 733 image volumes. The method was also compared to commercial software.ResultsIn the water‐fat separated image volumes, the PSR method failed to unwrap the phase of one cluster and misclassified 10. One swap was observed in areas affected by motion and was constricted to the affected area. Twenty swaps were observed surrounding susceptibility artifacts, none of which spread outside the artifact affected regions. The PSR method had fewer swaps when compared to commercial software.ConclusionThe PSR method can robustly produce water‐fat separated whole‐body images based on symmetric two‐echo spoiled gradient echo images, under both ideal conditions and in the presence of common artifacts. Magn Reson Med 78:1208–1216, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
In vivo demonstration of whole‐brain multislice multispoke parallel transmit radiofrequency pulse design in the small and large flip angle regimes at 7 Tesla
Authors: Gras Vincent , Vignaud Alexandre , Amadon Alexis , Mauconduit Franck , Le Bihan Denis , Boulant Nicolas 
Published: October 2016

PurposeA multispoke specific absorption rate (SAR) ‐aware pulse design approach for homogeneous multiple‐slice small and large flip angle (FA) excitations with parallel transmission is proposed. The approach aims at optimizing in a slice‐specific manner the spokes locations and radiofrequency pulses.MethodsThe problem is posed as a set of slice‐specific magnitude‐least‐squares problems, linked together by hardware and SAR constraints, and solved jointly using an active‐set algorithm. Average Hamiltonian theory is exploited in the large FA case to greatly reduce the computational burden. The approach is validated numerically by means of simulations and experimentally on two volunteers at 7 Tesla through application of a high‐resolution
‐weighted brain imaging protocol.ResultsThe optimization of up to 1300 variables under 745 explicit constraints could be performed in less than 1 and 4 min for the small and large FA cases, respectively. The joint design proves valuable for SAR demanding protocols. Compared with the conventional circularly polarized mode, the designed pulses increased the signal by more than 40% in 70% of the voxels.ConclusionThe
inhomogeneity problem was mitigated efficiently in a multislice near whole‐brain coverage protocol in the small and large FA regimes using a rapid slice‐specific pulse design algorithm where the pulses were optimized jointly. Magn Reson Med 78:1009–1019, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Three‐dimensional ultrashort echo‐time imaging using a FLORET trajectory
Authors: Robison Ryan K. , Anderson Ashley G. , Pipe James G. 
Published: October 2016

PurposeThree‐dimensional ultrashort echo‐time (UTE) imaging commonly makes use of an isotropic 3D radial projection acquisition. The FLORET sequence is proposed and evaluated as a more efficient alternative. Methods: The properties of the FLORET trajectory are contrasted with those of a 3D radial projection trajectory. The theoretical advantages of FLORET, including greater sampling and SNR efficiency, are evaluated based upon experimental data. The effect of
decay on FLORET is analyzed in comparison to the 3D radial, Cones, and Density Adapted Radial trajectories. FLORET UTE image quality is compared with 3D radial UTE image quality.ResultsFLORET is shown to have several advantages over 3D radial acquisitions with respect to image quality, scan time, signal‐to‐noise, and off‐resonance blurring for UTE data. The signal and resolution losses from
decay for a FLORET acquisition are shown to be comparable to those of Density Adapted Radial and Density Compensated Cones trajectories.ConclusionThe FLORET sequence is recommended as an alternative to 3D radial projection sequences for musculoskeletal UTE imaging as well as other UTE applications that accommodate modest to long per shot sampling times. FLORET is not recommended for imaging extremely short T2 species such as dentin. Magn Reson Med 78:1038–1049, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Reduced expression of chemerin in visceral adipose tissue associates with hepatic steatosis in patients with obesity
Authors: Bekaert Marlies , Ouwens D. Margriet , Hörbelt Tina , Van de Velde Frederique , Fahlbusch Pia , Herzfeld de Wiza Daniella , Van Nieuwenhove Yves , Calders Patrick , Praet Marleen , Hoorens Anne , Geerts Anja , Verhelst Xavier , Kaufman Jean‐Marc , Lapauw Bruno 
Published: October 2016

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate whether circulating levels and/or visceral adipose tissue (VAT) expression of recently described adipokines associate with histopathological severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), independent of obesity and insulin resistance.MethodsSerum levels of adiponectin, omentin, chemerin, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1, and secreted frizzled‐related protein 4 were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 81 patients with obesity and NAFLD and 18 lean control subjects. Expression in VAT was measured using real‐time PCR and histopathological grading was scored using the NAFLD activity score (NAS).ResultsWhen NAFLD patients were subdivided into groups with simple steatosis, borderline nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and NASH, adiponectin serum levels and omentin expression were lower in NASH versus simple steatosis patients. Serum adiponectin was generally lower with higher histopathological grading. Chemerin VAT expression was negatively associated with NAS (r = −0.331, P = 0.022) and steatosis score (r = −0.335, P = 0.020), independent of age, BMI, and HOMA‐IR. In addition, adjusting for chemerin VAT expression in a multivariate model explained part of the association between NAS and HOMA‐IR.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that lower VAT expression of chemerin in patients with obesity may be involved in the pathophysiology of hepatic steatosis, potentially by modulating the link between insulin resistance and NAFLD.
The macro domain as fusion tag for carrier‐driven crystallization
Authors: Wild Rebekka , Hothorn Michael 
Published: October 2016

AbstractObtaining well‐ordered crystals remains a significant challenge in protein X‐ray crystallography. Carrier‐driven crystallization can facilitate crystal formation and structure solution of difficult target proteins. We obtained crystals of the small and highly flexible SPX domain from the yeast vacuolar transporter chaperone 4 (Vtc4) when fused to a C‐terminal, non‐cleavable macro tag derived from human histone macroH2A1.1. Initial crystals diffracted to 3.3 Å resolution. Reductive protein methylation of the fusion protein yielded a new crystal form diffracting to 2.1 Å. The structures were solved by molecular replacement, using isolated macro domain structures as search models. Our findings suggest that macro domain tags can be employed in recombinant protein expression in E. coli, and in carrier‐driven crystallization.
The Effectiveness of Discharge Training for Patients After Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Coskun Halise , Senture Cicek , Ustunsoz Ayfer 
Published: October 2016

Abstract

Purpose:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of written and verbal discharge training given to patients who underwent cardiac surgery.

Design and Methods:
It was conducted on 180 patients between November 2011 and June 2012. The patients were divided into two groups. The first 90 patients were given verbal discharge training, whereas the others were provided with both written and verbal trainings. Using pretest and posttest questionnaires, knowledge levels of the patients were evaluated before training and 1 month after discharge. Patients given verbal discharge training had a success rate of 10.2% pretest, 48.1% posttest, whereas the success rate of patients who received both written and verbal discharge training was 6.35% pretest, 90.7% posttest.

Findings:
The findings show that both written and verbal discharge training increased the knowledge levels.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance:
The findings imply that written–verbal discharge training may help patients to solve the problems after discharge, which may reduce the number of patients presenting at hospital and, in turn, related healthcare costs.
A Systems Design Exploration Approach that Illuminates Tradespaces Using Statistical Experimental Designs
Authors: MacCalman Alex D. , Beery Paul T. , Paulo Eugene P. 
Published: October 2016

ABSTRACTThis paper describes an approach that leverages computer simulation models and statistical experimental designs for exploration studies during the early conceptual design of a system. We apply the approach to a naval ship design problem and demonstrate how we can illuminate trade decisions among multiple design decisions and evaluation measures using a dynamic dashboard. After performing experimental designs on a collection of simulation models, we can fit statistical models that act as surrogates to these simulations. These surrogate models allow us to explore a wider variety of system alternatives rather than fixating on a narrow set of alternatives. The purpose of the approach is to simultaneously explore the operational and physical domains using statistical surrogate models in order to illuminate trade decisions between the system's operational effectiveness and physical design considerations.
Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of cystathionine beta‐synthase deficiency
Authors: Morris Andrew A. M. , Kožich Viktor , Santra Saikat , Andria Generoso , Ben‐Omran Tawfeg I. M. , Chakrapani Anupam B. , Crushell Ellen , Henderson Mick J. , Hochuli Michel , Huemer Martina , Janssen Miriam C. H. , Maillot Francois , Mayne Philip D. , McNulty Jenny , Morrison Tara M. , Ogier Helene , O'Sullivan Siobhan , Pavlíková Markéta , de Almeida Isabel Tavares , Terry Allyson , Yap Sufin , Blom Henk J. , Chapman Kimberly A. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractCystathionine beta‐synthase (CBS) deficiency is a rare inherited disorder in the methionine catabolic pathway, in which the impaired synthesis of cystathionine leads to accumulation of homocysteine. Patients can present to many different specialists and diagnosis is often delayed. Severely affected patients usually present in childhood with ectopia lentis, learning difficulties and skeletal abnormalities. These patients generally require treatment with a low‐methionine diet and/or betaine. In contrast, mildly affected patients are likely to present as adults with thromboembolism and to respond to treatment with pyridoxine. In this article, we present recommendations for the diagnosis and management of CBS deficiency, based on a systematic review of the literature. Unfortunately, the quality of the evidence is poor, as it often is for rare diseases. We strongly recommend measuring the plasma total homocysteine concentrations in any patient whose clinical features suggest the diagnosis. Our recommendations may help to standardise testing for pyridoxine responsiveness. Current evidence suggests that patients are unlikely to develop complications if the plasma total homocysteine concentration is maintained below 120 μmol/L. Nevertheless, we recommend keeping the concentration below 100 μmol/L because levels fluctuate and the complications associated with high levels are so serious.
Spatial synchrony of wader populations in inland lakes of the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Gonçalves M. S. S. , Gil‐Delgado J. A. , Gosálvez R. U. , López‐Iborra G. M. , Ponz A. , Velasco A. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractSpatial synchronization refers to similarity in temporal variations between spatially separated populations. Three mechanisms have been associated with the spatial synchrony of populations: Moran effect, dispersal and trophic interactions. In this study, we explored the degree of spatial synchrony of three wader species populations (Pied Avocet, Black‐winged Stilt and Kentish Plover) using monthly estimates of their abundance in inland lakes of the Iberian Peninsula. The effect of several types of wetland variables (structural, hydroperiod and landscape) on spatial synchronization was explored. Groups of lakes with significant synchronization were identified for all three species. The lakes with wastewater input presented longer hydroperiods than those that did not receive these effluents, and this factor was positively related to the spatial synchrony of the Pied Avocet and Kentish Plover populations. The distance between lakes (used as an indicator of the dispersal effect on synchronization) was significant only in Pied Avocet. No structural or landscape variables were related to spatial synchronization in any species. It was impossible to identify any variable related to the spatial synchronization of Black‐winged Stilt abundance as a possible result of the high ecological plasticity of this species. Our data provides the first evidence for mechanisms that act on the spatial synchronizing of wader populations in temporary continental lakes in central Spain, and show that the hydroperiod of lakes acts as an important factor in the spatial synchronization of aquatic species and that its effect is mediated by the reception of urban wastewater.
Scheduled maturation in low colorectal and coloanal anastomoses
Authors: Fernandes Rubens Henrique Oleques 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
Introduction Anastomotic dehiscence is the main complication after low colorectal and coloanal anastomoses. The techniques commonly used are the double-stapling and hand-sewn anastomoses, both are made with immediate maturation. These techniques do not prevent pelvic sepsis in many patients and are not feasible in all cases.
Objective The study aim is to report the technical details and results with the use of scheduled maturation anastomosis in ten patients.
Surgical technique The scheduled maturation anastomosis is done in two steps. The first step is the closure of colonic stump in a way that keeps the mucosa layer in everted position. The second step is the union of the colon and rectum ends by transanal access. All the sutures are made with 2/0 polyglactin. A diverting stoma must be done in all cases. After 30 days, begins spontaneous opening of the anastomosis.
Results Ten patients underwent this technique. There were two cases of stenosis that were treated with digital dilatation in office. All patients had their diverting ostomy closed.
Conclusion The scheduled maturation anastomosis is feasible in difficult cases and may prevent pelvic sepsis in low colorectal and coloanal anastomoses.
Panel of Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Biomarkers in ALS: A Pilot Study
Authors: Blasco Hélène , Garcon Guillaume , Patin Franck , Veyrat-Durebex Charlotte , Boyer Judith , Devos David , Vourc’h Patrick , Andres Christian R. , Corcia Philippe 
Published: October 2016

AbstractBackground: Pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to neurodegeneration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) include oxidative stress and inflammation. We conducted a preliminary study to explore these mechanisms, to discuss their link in ALS, and to determine the feasibility of incorporating this combined analysis into current biomarkers research. Methods: We enrolled 10 ALS patients and 10 controls. We measured the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxyde dismutase (SOD), and the levels of serum total antioxidant status (TAS), malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and glutathione status (e.g. glutathione disulfide, GSSG/reduced glutathione, GSH). We analysed the concentrations of homocysteine, several cytokines, vitamins and metals by standard methods used in routine practice. Results: There was a significant decrease in TAS levels (p=0.027) and increase in 8-OHdG (p=0.014) and MDA (p=0.011) levels in ALS patients. We also observed a significantly higher GSSG/GSH ratio (p=0.022), and IL-6 (p=0.0079) and IL-8 (p=0.009) concentrations in ALS patients. Correlations were found between biological and clinical markers (homosysteine vs. clinical status at diagnosis, p=0.02) and between some biological markers such as IL-6 vs. GSSG/GSH (p=0.045) or SOD activity (p=0.017). Conclusion: We confirmed the systemic alteration of both the redox and the inflammation status in ALS patients, and we observed a link with some clinical parameters. These promising results encourage us to pursue this study with collection of combined oxidative stress and inflammatory markers.
On a class of reflected AR(1) processes
Authors: Boxma Onno , Mandjes Michel , Reed Josh 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIn this paper we study a reflected AR(1) process, i.e. a process (Zn)n obeying the recursion Zn+1= max{aZn+Xn,0}, with (Xn)n a sequence of independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) random variables. We find explicit results for the distribution of Zn (in terms of transforms) in case Xn can be written as Yn−Bn, with (Bn)n being a sequence of independent random variables which are all Exp(λ) distributed, and (Yn)n i.i.d.; when |a|<1 we can also perform the corresponding stationary analysis. Extensions are possible to the case that (Bn)n are of phase-type. Under a heavy-traffic scaling, it is shown that the process converges to a reflected Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process; the corresponding steady-state distribution converges to the distribution of a normal random variable conditioned on being positive.
Bounded-hop percolation and wireless communication
Authors: Hirsch Christian 
Published: October 2016

AbstractMotivated by an application in wireless telecommunication networks, we consider a two-type continuum-percolation problem involving a homogeneous Poisson point process of users and a stationary and ergodic point process of base stations. Starting from a randomly chosen point of the Poisson point process, we investigate the distribution of the minimum number of hops that are needed to reach some point of the base station process. In the supercritical regime of continuum percolation, we use the close relationship between Euclidean and chemical distance to identify the distributional limit of the rescaled minimum number of hops that are needed to connect a typical Poisson point to a point of the base station process as its intensity tends to 0. In particular, we obtain an explicit expression for the asymptotic probability that a typical Poisson point connects to a point of the base station process in a given number of hops.
Central limit theorems for a hypergeometric randomly reinforced urn
Authors: Crimaldi Irene 
Published: October 2016

AbstractWe consider a variant of the randomly reinforced urn where more balls can be simultaneously drawn out and balls of different colors can be simultaneously added. More precisely, at each time-step, the conditional distribution of the number of extracted balls of a certain color, given the past, is assumed to be hypergeometric. We prove some central limit theorems in the sense of stable convergence and of almost sure conditional convergence, which are stronger than convergence in distribution. The proven results provide asymptotic confidence intervals for the limit proportion, whose distribution is generally unknown. Moreover, we also consider the case of more urns subjected to some random common factors.
An extension of a convergence theorem for Markov chains arising in population genetics
Authors: Möhle Martin , Notohara Morihiro 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAn extension of a convergence theorem for sequences of Markov chains is derived. For every positive integer N let (XN(r))r be a Markov chain with the same finite state space S and transition matrix ΠN=I+dNBN, where I is the unit matrix, Q a generator matrix, (BN)N a sequence of matrices, limN℩∞cN= limN→∞dN=0 and limN→∞cN∕dN=0. Suppose that the limits P≔limm→∞(I+dNQ)m and G≔limN→∞PBNP exist. If the sequence of initial distributions PXN(0) converges weakly to some probability measure μ, then the finite-dimensional distributions of (XN([t∕cN))t≥0 converge to those of the Markov process (Xt)t≥0 with initial distribution μ, transition matrix PetG and limN→∞(I+dNQ+cNBN)[t∕cN]