bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Entrepreneurial competencies and motivations to enhance marketing innovation in Europe
Authors: Cruz‐Ros Sonia , Garzón Dolores , Mas‐Tur Alicia 
Published: October 2017

AbstractGlobal Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) country profile variables were analyzed using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). This analysis identified which combinations of entrepreneurs’ competencies and motivations boost marketing innovation. Marketing innovation contributes to defining and reinforcing competitive advantages, goal setting, and business performance. The findings of this study can help policymakers design strategies to foster regional marketing innovation and economic growth.
A blind deconvolution method incorporated with anatomical‐based filtering for partial volume correction: Validations with 123I‐mIBG cardiac SPECT/CT
Authors: Wu Jing , Liu Hui , Hashemi Zonouz Taraneh , Sandoval Veronica M. , Mohy‐ud‐Din Hassan , Lampert Rachel J. , Sinusas Albert J. , Liu Chi , Liu Yi‐Hwa 
Published: October 2017

PurposeSegmentation of contrast‐enhanced CT and measurement of SPECT point spread function (PSF) are usually required for conventional partial volume correction (PVC). This study was to develop a segmentation‐free method with blind deconvolution (BD) and anatomical‐based filtering for SPECT PVC.MethodsThe proposed method was implemented using an iterative BD algorithm to estimate the restored image and the PSF simultaneously. An anatomical‐based filtering was implemented at each iteration to reduce Gibbs artifact and suppress noise amplification in the deconvolution process. The proposed method was validated with 123I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I‐mIBG) SPECT/CT imaging of NCAT phantoms with and without myocardial perfusion defect and a physical cardiac phantom. Fifteen heart‐to‐mediastinum ratios (HMRs) were configured in the NCAT and physical phantoms. Correlations between SPECT‐quantified and true HMRs were calculated from images without PVC as well as from BD restored images. The proposed method was also performed on a human 123I‐mIBG study.ResultsRelative bias and standard deviation images of NCAT phantoms showed that the proposed method reduced both bias and noise. Mean relative bias in the simulated normal myocardium was markedly improved (−16.8% ± 0.4% versus −0.8% ± 0.6% for low noise level; −16.7% ± 0.7% versus −2.3% ± 0.9% for high noise level). Mean relative bias in the simulated myocardial defect was also noticeably improved (−12.7% ± 1.2% versus 1.2% ± 1.6% for low noise level; −13.5% ± 2.4% versus −0.9% ± 2.8% for high noise level). The signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the defect was improved from 2.95 ± 0.09 to 4.07 ± 0.16 for low noise level (38% increase of mean), and from 2.56 ± 0.15 to 3.62 ± 0.22 for high noise level (41% increase of mean). For both NCAT and physical phantoms, HMRs calculated from images without PVC were underestimated (correlations between SPECT‐quantified and true HMRs: y = 0.81x + 0.1 for NCAT phantom; y = 0.82x + 0.14 for physical phantom). HMRs from BD restored images were markedly improved (correlations between SPECT‐quantified and true HMRs: y = x + 0.05 for NCAT phantom; y = 0.97x − 0.12 for physical phantom). After applying the proposed PVC method, the estimation error between the SPECT‐quantified and true HMRs was significantly reduced from −0.75 ± 0.57 to 0.04 ± 0.17 for NCAT phantom (P = 8e‐05), and from −0.68 ± 0.67 to −0.26 ± 0.42 for physical phantom (P = 0.005). The human study demonstrated that the HMR increased by 8% with PVC.ConclusionsThe proposed segmentation‐free PVC method has the potential of improving SPECT quantification accuracy and reducing noise without the need for premeasuring the image PSF.
Impact of PET/CT system, reconstruction protocol, data analysis method, and repositioning on PET/CT precision: An experimental evaluation using an oncology and brain phantom
Authors: Mansor Syahir , Pfaehler Elisabeth , Heijtel Dennis , Lodge Martin A. , Boellaard Ronald , Yaqub Maqsood 
Published: October 2017

PurposeIn longitudinal oncological and brain PET/CT studies, it is important to understand the repeatability of quantitative PET metrics in order to assess change in tracer uptake. The present studies were performed in order to assess precision as function of PET/CT system, reconstruction protocol, analysis method, scan duration (or image noise), and repositioning in the field of view.MethodsMultiple (repeated) scans have been performed using a NEMA image quality (IQ) phantom and a 3D Hoffman brain phantom filled with 18F solutions on two systems. Studies were performed with and without randomly (< 2 cm) repositioning the phantom and all scans (12 replicates for IQ phantom and 10 replicates for Hoffman brain phantom) were performed at equal count statistics. For the NEMA IQ phantom, we studied the recovery coefficients (RC) of the maximum (SUVmax), peak (SUVpeak), and mean (SUVmean) uptake in each sphere as a function of experimental conditions (noise level, reconstruction settings, and phantom repositioning). For the 3D Hoffman phantom, the mean activity concentration was determined within several volumes of interest and activity recovery and its precision was studied as function of experimental conditions.ResultsThe impact of phantom repositioning on RC precision was mainly seen on the Philips Ingenuity PET/CT, especially in the case of smaller spheres (< 17 mm diameter, P < 0.05). This effect was much smaller for the Siemens Biograph system. When exploring SUVmax, SUVpeak, or SUVmean of the spheres in the NEMA IQ phantom, it was observed that precision depended on phantom repositioning, reconstruction algorithm, and scan duration, with SUVmax being most and SUVpeak least sensitive to phantom repositioning. For the brain phantom, regional averaged SUVs were only minimally affected by phantom repositioning (< 2 cm).ConclusionThe precision of quantitative PET metrics depends on the combination of reconstruction protocol, data analysis methods and scan duration (scan statistics). Moreover, precision was also affected by phantom repositioning but its impact depended on the data analysis method in combination with the reconstructed voxel size (tissue fraction effect). This study suggests that for oncological PET studies the use of SUVpeak may be preferred over SUVmax because SUVpeak is less sensitive to patient repositioning/tumor sampling.
Mitigation of near‐band balanced steady‐state free precession through‐plane flow artifacts using partial dephasing
Authors: Datta Anjali , Cheng Joseph Y. , Hargreaves Brian A. , Baron Corey A. , Nishimura Dwight G. 
Published: October 2017

PurposeTo mitigate artifacts from through‐plane flow at the locations of steady‐state stopbands in balanced steady‐state free precession (SSFP) using partial dephasing.MethodsA
range in the phase accrual during a TR was created over the voxel by slightly unbalancing the slice‐select dephaser. The spectral profiles of SSFP with partial dephasing for various constant flow rates and during pulsatile flow were simulated to determine if partial dephasing decreases through‐plane flow artifacts originating near SSFP dark bands while maintaining on‐resonant signal. Simulations were then validated in a flow phantom. Lastly, phase‐cycled SSFP cardiac cine images were acquired with and without partial dephasing in six subjects.ResultsPartial dephasing decreased the strength and non‐linearity of the dependence of the signal at the stopbands on the through‐plane flow rate. It thus mitigated hyper‐enhancement from out‐of‐slice signal contributions and transient‐related artifacts caused by variable flow both in the phantom and in vivo. In six volunteers, partial dephasing noticeably decreased artifacts in all of the phase‐cycled cardiac cine datasets.ConclusionPartial dephasing can mitigate the flow artifacts seen at the stopbands in balanced SSFP while maintaining the sequence's desired signal. By mitigating hyper‐enhancement and transient‐related artifacts originating from the stopbands, partial dephasing facilitates robust multiple‐acquisition phase‐cycled SSFP in the heart. Magn Reson Med 79:2944–2953, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Instability criteria for quasi‐saturated viscous soils
Authors: Marinelli Ferdinando , Buscarnera Giuseppe 
Published: October 2017

SummaryThis paper presents a theoretical framework to interpret the inception of unstable undrained creep in quasi‐saturated soils. For this purpose, the effect of gas bubbles occluded in the fluid phase is embedded into an augmented compressibility of the fluid mixture, while the mechanical characteristics of the solid skeleton have been simulated through a viscoplastic strain‐hardening model. This constitutive framework has been been used to formulate a theoretical platform able to detect runaway failures resulting from extended stages of undrained creep. It is shown that the conditions identifying the onset of spontaneous accelerations are governed by the same stability index associated with the initiation of static liquefaction. At variance with soils saturated by incompressible fluids, the conditions for undrained instability are altered by the appearance of the Skempton coefficient B, thus reflecting the beneficial effect of the fluid compressibility and its ability to decrease the liquefaction potential. The capabilities of the theory are verified through a sequence of undrained creep simulations showing the transition from stable to unstable behavior resulting from an increase of the degree of saturation. The proposed findings provide a conceptual framework to interpret the effects of gas bubbles in loose soils, as well as to assess effectiveness and longevity of liquefaction mitigation strategies based on desaturation technologies.
Evaluation of the right and left ventricles: An integrated approach measuring the area, length, and width of the chambers in normal fetuses
Authors: DeVore Greggory R. , Klas Berthold , Satou Gary , Sklansky Mark 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIntroductionThe purpose of this study was to simultaneously measure with speckle tracking software the end‐diastolic ventricular area (A), basal transverse width (BW), mid‐chamber transverse width (MW), and basal‐apical length (BAL) in normal fetuses and those with pathology.MethodsThe 4‐chamber view of the fetal heart was obtained in 200 control fetuses between 20 and 40 weeks of gestation and in 9 third‐trimester fetuses with heart malformations. The mean and standard deviation for the A, BW, MW, and BAL were computed from the control fetuses and Z scores computed from the 9 fetuses with cardiac malformations.ResultsThe A, BAL, BW, and MW were correlated with 7 somatic and age‐independent variables (R2 = .63‐.85). The highest R2 values occurred for the head circumference, estimated fetal weight, and ultrasound mean gestational age (.82‐.85). Z‐score values and centiles from the 9 fetuses with cardiac malformations suggested that the A, BW, MW, and BAL were below or above the 5th and 95th centiles as expected for the corresponding ventricular pathology.ConclusionsThis study reports an integrated approach to evaluate the end‐diastolic size of the right and left ventricular chambers and demonstrated clinical utility in fetuses with cardiac malformations.
Thickness dependent penetrant gas transport properties and separation performance within ultrathin polysulfone membrane: Insights from atomistic molecular simulation
Authors: Lock Serene Sow Mun , Lau Kok Keong , Shariff Azmi Mohd , Yeong Yin Fong , Bustam Mohamad Azmi 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTSimulation technique has been employed to elucidate the effect of thickness upon confinement to gas transport properties in pure and binary mixtures within ultrathin polysulfone membranes. It is found that the gas diffusivity, solubility, and permeability are improved with increment in membrane thickness, which can be rationalized through bigger free volume in thicker polymeric membranes attributed to diminishing chains relaxation. The effect is found to be exceptionally perceptible in thinner polymeric films beneath 400 Å. Accuracy of the simulation methodology has been validated by demonstrating good accordance with actual gas permeability data. As for binary condition, the gas transport properties are demonstrated to be comparatively lower than its pure counterpart due to competitive sorption and barrier for diffusion in the presence of secondary gas molecules. In addition, quantitative re‐evaluation of published correlations and establishment of new empirical models have been conducted to associate membrane thickness effect to gas transport characteristics. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 131–158
Modified risk stratification grouping using standard clinical and biopsy information for patients undergoing radical prostatectomy: Results from SEARCH
Authors: Zumsteg Zachary S. , Chen Zinan , Howard Lauren E. , Amling Christopher L. , Aronson William J. , Cooperberg Matthew R. , Kane Christopher J. , Terris Martha K. , Spratt Daniel E. , Sandler Howard M. , Freedland Stephen J. 
Published: October 2017

IntroductionProstate cancer is a heterogeneous disease, and risk stratification systems have been proposed to guide treatment decisions. However, significant heterogeneity remains for those with unfavorable‐risk disease.MethodsThis study included 3335 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy without adjuvant radiotherapy in the SEARCH database. High‐risk patients were dichotomized into standard and very high‐risk (VHR) groups based on primary Gleason pattern, percentage of positive biopsy cores (PPBC), number of NCCN high‐risk factors, and stage T3b‐T4 disease. Similarly, intermediate‐risk prostate cancer was separated into favorable and unfavorable groups based on primary Gleason pattern, PPBC, and number of NCCN intermediate‐risk factors.ResultsMedian follow‐up was 78 months. Patients with VHR prostate cancer had significantly worse PSA relapse‐free survival (PSA‐RFS, P < 0.001), distant metastasis (DM, P = 0.004), and prostate cancer‐specific mortality (PCSM, P = 0.015) in comparison to standard high‐risk (SHR) patients in multivariable analyses. By contrast, there was no significant difference in PSA‐RFS, DM, or PCSM between SHR and unfavorable intermediate‐risk (UIR) patients. Therefore, we propose a novel risk stratification system: Group 1 (low‐risk), Group 2 (favorable intermediate‐risk), Group 3 (UIR and SHR), and Group 4 (VHR). The c‐index of this new grouping was 0.683 for PSA‐RFS and 0.800 for metastases, compared to NCCN‐risk groups which yield 0.666 for PSA‐RFS and 0.764 for metastases.ConclusionsPatients classified as VHR have markedly increased rates of PSA relapse, DM, and PCSM in comparison to SHR patients, whereas UIR and SHR patients have similar prognosis. Novel therapeutic strategies are needed for patients with VHR, likely involving multimodality therapy.
Measuring the effectiveness of management interventions at regional scales by integrating ecological monitoring and modelling
Authors: Freckleton Robert P , Hicks Helen L , Comont David , Crook Laura , Hull Richard , Neve Paul , Childs Dylan Z 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDBecause of site‐specific effects and outcomes, it is often difficult to know whether a management strategy for the control of pests has worked or not. Population dynamics of pests are typically spatially and temporally variable. Moreover, interventions at the scale of individual fields or farms are essentially unreplicated experiments; a decrease in a target population following management cannot safely be interpreted as success because, for example, it might simply be a poor year for that species. Here, we argue that if large‐scale data are available, population models can be used to measure outcomes against the prevailing mean and variance. We apply this approach to the problem of rotational management of the weed Alopecurus myosuroides.RESULTSWe derived density‐structured population models for a set of fields that were not subject to rotational management (continuous winter wheat) and another group that were (rotated into spring barley to control A. myosuroides). We used these models to construct means and variances of the outcomes of management for given starting conditions, and to conduct transient growth analysis. We show that, overall, this management strategy is successful in reducing densities of weeds, albeit with considerable variance. However, we also show that one variant (rotation to spring barley along with variable sowing) shows little evidence for additional control.CONCLUSIONOur results suggest that rotational strategies can be effective in the control of this weed, but also that strategies require careful evaluation against a background of spatiotemporal variation. © 2017 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Effects of Vernonia cinerea Compounds on Drug‐metabolizing Cytochrome P450s in Human Liver Microsomes
Authors: Pouyfung Phisit , Sarapusit Songklod , Rongnoparut Pornpimol 
Published: October 2017

Vernonia cinerea has been widely used in traditional medicines for various diseases and shown to aid in smoking abstinence and has anticancer properties. V. cinerea bioactive compounds, including flavonoids and hirsutinolide‐type sesquiterpene lactones, have shown an inhibition effect on the nicotine‐metabolizing cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6) enzyme and hirsutinolides reported suppressing cancer growth. In this study, V. cinerea ethanol extract and its bioactive compounds, including four flavonoids and four hirsutinolides, were investigated for an inhibitory effect on human liver microsomal CYPs 1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4 using cocktail inhibition assays combined with LC‐MS/MS analysis. Among tested flavonoids, chrysoeriol was more potent in inhibition on CYP2A6 and CYP1A2 than other liver CYPs, with better binding efficiency toward CYP2A6 than CYP1A2 (Ki values in competitive mode of 1.93 ± 0.05 versus 3.39 ± 0.21 μM, respectively). Hirsutinolides were prominent inhibitors of CYP2A6 and CYP2D6, with IC50 values of 12–23 and 15–41 μM, respectively. These hirsutinolides demonstrated time‐dependent inhibition, an indication of mechanism‐based inactivation, toward CYP2A6. Quantitative prediction of microsomal metabolism of these flavonoids and hirsutinolides, including half‐lives and hepatic clearance rate, was examined. These findings may have implications for further in vivo studies of V. cinerea. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modified covariance intersection for data fusion in distributed nonhomogeneous monitoring systems network
Authors: Daeichian Abolghasem , Honarvar Elham 
Published: October 2017

SummaryMonitoring networks contain monitoring nodes that observe an area of interest to detect any possible existing object and estimate its states. Each node has characteristics such as probability of detection and clutter density that may have different values for distinct nodes in nonhomogeneous monitoring networks. This paper proposes a modified covariance intersection method for data fusion in such networks. It is derived by formulating a mixed game model between neighbor monitoring nodes as players and considering the inverse of the trace of fused covariance matrix as players' utility function. Monitoring nodes estimate the states of any possible existing object by applying joint target detection and tracking filter on their own observations. Processing nodes fuse the estimated states received from neighbor monitoring nodes by the proposed modified covariance intersection. It is validated by simulating target detection and tracking problem in 2 situations: 1 target and unknown number of targets.
Long‐Term Follow‐Up of Retromuscular Incisional Hernia Repairs: Recurrence and Quality of Life
Authors: Rogmark Peder , Smedberg Sam , Montgomery Agneta 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPurposeIncisional hernia repair (IHR) with a mesh is necessary to achieve low recurrence rates and pain relief. In the short term, quality of life (QoL) is restored by IHR. Two centers pioneered the IHR in Sweden with the highly standardized Rives–Stoppa technique using a retromuscular mesh. We assessed long‐term follow‐up of recurrence rate and QoL.MethodsMedical records were searched for IHRs performed from 1998 to 2006 and included living patients with midline repairs. Questionnaires about physical status, complaints, and QoL (SF‐36) were mailed, offering a clinical examination. Assessment of medical records of later surgery was performed in 2015.ResultsThree hundred and one patients with midline incisional repairs were identified, and 217 accepted participation. Of these, 103 attended a clinical examination. Follow‐up was 7 years until examination and 11 years to reassessment of medical records. In 26%, recurrent hernias were repaired. Postoperative complications were 26% Clavien–Dindo grade I–II and 1% grade III–IV. Mesh infections occurred in 1.4% without mesh removals, and 4% were reoperated because of complications. Overall recurrence rate was 8.1% and two‐third of which were diagnosed at clinical examination. Recurrence after primary and recurrent hernia repair was 7.1 and 10.9%, respectively. Of all patients, 80% were satisfied; dissatisfaction was primarily caused by recurrence and chronic pain. SF‐36 scores were 0.2 SD lower than the norm in all subscales, similar to those with 1–2 chronic conditions.ConclusionsMidline retromuscular mesh IHR has a low long‐term recurrence rate even after recurrent repair. Patient satisfaction was high although QoL was reduced.
The Effect of a Surgery Residency Program and Enhanced Educational Activities on Trauma Mortality in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Grudziak Joana , Gallaher Jared , Banza Leonard , Cairns Bruce , Varela Carlos , Young Sven , Charles Anthony 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIntroductionTo address the need for more surgical providers in low‐resource settings, a collaboration to create a surgical residency‐training program for local Malawian physicians was established in 2009. This study sought to describe the short‐term independent effect of a surgical residency program on trauma mortality at a tertiary trauma center in sub‐Saharan Africa.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients recorded in the trauma surveillance registry of Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi, from 2009 (three residents) through 2014 (11 residents). Log‐binominal regression modeling was used to compare the risk ratio of death compared to the referent year of 2009, when the program was started, after adjusting for relevant covariates. Primary injury type was used as a surrogate for injury severity.ResultsIn total, 82,534 patients were recorded into the KCH Trauma Registry during the study period. Mean age was 23.1 years (SD 15.7) with a male preponderance (72.1%). Trauma patient volume increased from 8725 patients in 2009 to 15,998 patients in 2014. Each year had a significantly decreased risk of death compared to 2009 when adjusted for primary injury type, age, and gender, with an adjusted risk ratio of 0.73 (95% CI 0.58, 0.90) in 2010 and 0.52 (95% CI 0.43, 0.62) in 2014.ConclusionThe global burden of surgical diseases cannot be attenuated in the presence of an inadequate surgical workforce. After institution of a surgery residency program, adjusted injury‐associated mortality decreased each year despite substantial increases in trauma patient volume. In low‐resource settings, establishment of a surgical residency program significantly improves trauma‐associated outcomes.