bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phase‐based vascular input function: Improved quantitative DCE‐MRI of atherosclerotic plaques
Authors: van Hoof R. H. M. , Hermeling E. , Truijman M. T. B. , van Oostenbrugge R. J. , Daemen J. W. H. , van der Geest R. J. , van Orshoven N. P. , Schreuder A. H. , Backes W. H. , Daemen M. J. A. P. , Wildberger J. E. , Kooi M. E. 
Published: July 2015

Purpose:Quantitative pharmacokinetic modeling of dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE)‐MRI can be used to assess atherosclerotic plaque microvasculature, which is an important marker of plaque vulnerability. Purpose of the present study was (1) to compare magnitude‐ versus phase‐based vascular input functions (m‐VIF vs ph‐VIF) used in pharmacokinetic modeling and (2) to perform model calculations and flow phantom experiments to gain more insight into the differences between m‐VIF and ph‐VIF.Methods:Population averaged m‐VIF and ph‐VIFs were acquired from 11 patients with carotid plaques and used for pharmacokinetic analysis in another 17 patients. Simulations, using the Bloch equations and the MRI scan geometry, and flow phantom experiments were performed to determine the effect of local blood velocity on the magnitude and phase signal enhancement.Results:Simulations and flow phantom experiments revealed that flow within the lumen can lead to severe underestimation of m‐VIF, while this is not the case for the ph‐VIF. In line, the peak concentration of the m‐VIF is significantly lower than ph‐VIF (p < 0.001), in vivo. Quantitative model parameters for m‐ and ph‐VIF differed in absolute values but were moderate to strongly correlated with each other [Ktrans Spearman's ρ > 0.93 (p < 0.001) and vp Spearman's ρ > 0.58 (p < 0.05)].Conclusions:m‐VIF is strongly influenced by local blood velocity, which leads to underestimation of the contrast medium concentration. Therefore, it is advised to use ph‐VIF for DCE‐MRI analysis of carotid plaques for accurate quantification.
Separate and Combined Effects of Caffeine and Sodium-Bicarbonate Intake on Judo Performance
Authors: Felippe Leandro C. , Lopes-Silva João P. , Bertuzzi Rômulo , McGinley Cian , Lima-Silva Adriano E. 
Published: July 2015

The combined supplementation of caffeine (CAF) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) may have a potential ergogenic effect during intermittent-exercise tasks such as judo; however, its effect in this sport has not been tested.Purpose:To investigate the isolated and combined effects of CAF and NaHCO3 on judo performance.Methods:Ten judokas performed 4 supplementation protocols—NaHCO3, CAF, NaHCO3 + CAF, and placebo (PLA) (cellulose)—followed by 3 Special Judo Fitness Tests (SJFTs) interspaced with 5 min rest.Results:In the first SJFT, the combined supplement (NaHCO3 + CAF) resulted in a higher number of throws than with PLA (24.4 ± 0.9 and 23.2 ± 1.5 throws, respectively, P = .02). There was no significant difference between conditions for the 2nd SJFT (P = .11). In the 3rd SJFT, NaHCO3 and NaHCO3 + CAF resulted in more throws than with PLA (23.7 ± 1.6, 24.4 ± 1.0, and 22.0 ± 1.6 throws, P = .001 and P = .03, respectively). When the total throws performed in the 3 SJFTs were summed, they were higher than PLA only for NaHCO3 + CAF (68.8 ± 4.4 and 72.7 ± 3.1 throws, respectively, P = .003). Postexercise plasma lactate after each SJFT was higher in all experimental conditions than with PLA (P = .001). There was no significant difference in rating of perceived exertion across the conditions (P = .18).Conclusion:The results of the current study show that the combined supplementation of NaHCO3 + CAF increases judo performance compared with PLA.
Reliability of the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test in Semiprofessional Soccer Players
Authors: Thomas Christopher , Dos’Santos Thomas , Jones Paul A. , Comfort Paul 
Published: July 2015

Purpose:The purpose of this investigation was to determine the reliability of the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT) in semiprofessional soccer players.Methods:Fourteen male semiprofessional soccer players performed the 30-15IFT on 2 occasions separated by 7 d. Reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), typical error of measurement expressed as a coefficient of variation (CV), and smallest worthwhile change (SWC) to determine any significant difference between testing sessions.Results:Maximal intermittent running velocity (VIFT) demonstrated good reliability (ICC = .80) for between-sessions reliability. The CV was 2.5% for between-sessions reliability of the 30-15IFT. As the SWC (0.70 km/h) falls within the range in which the individual’s true score is likely to lie (1.0 km/h), the usefulness of the VIFT was rated as marginal. Despite the usefulness of the 30-15IFT being deemed marginal, a change in performance as small as 1.0 km/h (2 stages) in VIFT could be considered substantial or real.Conclusion:This study demonstrates that VIFT in the 30-15IFT is reliable, resulting in a reliable assessment of team-sport-specific cardiorespiratory fitness, with changes as small as 1.0 km/h (2 stages) in VIFT considered meaningful.
Improvement of Sprint Performance in Wheelchair Sportsmen With Caffeine Supplementation
Authors: Graham-Paulson Terri S. , Perret Claudio , Watson Phil , Goosey-Tolfrey Victoria L. 
Published: July 2015

Purpose:Caffeine can be beneficial during endurance and repeated-sprint exercise in able-bodied individuals performing leg or wholebody exercise. However, little evidence exists regarding its effects during upper-body exercise. This study therefore aimed to investigate the effects of caffeine on sprint (SPR) and 4-min maximal-push (PUSH) performance in wheelchair sportsmen.Methods:Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design, 12 male wheelchair rugby players (age 30.0 ± 7.7 y, body mass 69.6 ± 15.3 kg, training 11.1 ± 3.5 h/wk) completed 2 exercise trials, separated by 7–14 d, 70 min after ingestion of 4 mg/kg caffeine (CAF) or dextrose placebo (PLA). Each trial consisted of four 4-min PUSHes and 3 sets of 3 × 20-m SPRs, each separated by 4 min rest. Participants responded to the Felt Arousal (a measure of perceived arousal), Feeling (a measure of the affective dimension of pleasure/displeasure), and rating-of-perceived-exertion (RPE) scales. Salivary caffeine secretion rates were measured.Results:Average SPR times were faster during CAF than PLA during SPR 1 and SPR 2 (P = .037 and .016). There was no influence of supplementation on PUSHes 2–4 (P > .099); however, participants pushed significantly farther during PUSH 1 after CAF than after PLA (mean ± SD 677 ± 107 and 653 ± 118 m, P = .047). There was no influence of CAF on arousal or RPE scores (P > .132). Feeling scores improved over the course of the CAF trial only (P = .017) but did not significantly differ between trials (P > .167). Pre-warm-up (45 min postingestion) salivary CAF secretion rates were 1.05 ± 0.94 and 0.08 ± 0.05 μg/min for CAF and PLA, respectively.Conclusion:Acute CAF supplementation can improve both 20-m-sprint performance and a 1-off bout of short-term endurance performance in wheelchair sportsmen.
Atrophy and Depigmentation After Pretibial Corticosteroid Injection for Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome: Two Case Reports
Authors: Loopik Miette F. , Winters Marinus , Moen Maarten H. 
Published: July 2015

Introduction:No reports have been published on the results of corticosteroid injections for medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS).Case Presentation:The authors present 2 cases of women with MTSS who showed atrophy and depigmentation of the skin after pretibial corticosteroid injections. Case 1 is an 18-y-old woman presenting with pain in her lower leg for 12 mo. No improvement was noticed after conservative treatment, so she received local injections with corticosteroids. Five months later physical examination showed tissue atrophy and depigmentation around the injection sites. Case 2 is a 22-y-old woman who presented with pain in both lower legs for 24 mo. Several conservative treatment options failed, so she received local injections with corticosteroids. Physical examination revealed tissue atrophy and depigmentation around the injection sites.Conclusion:No positive effect of injections with corticosteroids was found in 2 cases of MTSS. Furthermore, considerable tissue atrophy and hypopigmentation of the skin was observed.
Thermally Induced Convective Circulation and Precipitation over an Isolated Volcano
Authors: Poulidis Alexandros P. , Renfrew Ian A. , Matthews Adrian J. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Intense rainfall over active volcanoes is known to trigger dangerous volcanic hazards, from remobilizing loose volcanic surface material into lahars or mudflows to initiating explosive activity including pyroclastic flows at certain dome-forming volcanoes. However, the effect of the heated volcanic surface on the atmospheric circulation, including any feedback with precipitation, is unknown. This is investigated here, using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. The recent activity at the Soufrière Hills Volcano (SHV), Montserrat, is a well-documented case of such rainfall–volcano interaction and is used as a template for these experiments. The volcano is represented in the model by an idealized Gaussian mountain, with an imposed realistic surface temperature anomaly on the volcano summit. A robust increase in precipitation over the volcano is simulated for surface temperature anomalies above approximately 40°C, an area-average value that is exceeded at the SHV. For wind speeds less than 4 m s−1 and a range of realistic atmospheric conditions, the precipitation increase is well above the threshold required to trigger volcanic hazards (5–10 mm h−1). Hence, the thermal atmospheric forcing due to an active, but nonerupting, volcano appears to be an important factor in rainfall–volcano interactions and should be taken account of in future hazard studies.
Predictors of Preference for Hospice Care Among Diverse Older Adults
Authors: Cagle John G. , LaMantia Michael A. , Williams Sharon W. , Pek Jolynn , Edwards Lloyd J. 
Published: July 2015

The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of preference for hospice care and explore whether the effect of these predictors on preference for hospice care were moderated by race. Methods: An analysis of the North Carolina AARP End of Life Survey (N = 3035) was conducted using multinomial logistic modeling to identify predictors of preference for hospice care. Response options included yes, no, or don’t know. Results: Fewer black respondents reported a preference for hospice (63.8% vs 79.2% for white respondents, P < .001). While the proportion of black and white respondents expressing a clear preference against hospice was nearly equal (4.5% and 4.0%, respectively), black individuals were nearly twice as likely to report a preference of “don’t know” (31.5% vs 16.8%). Gender, race, age, income, knowledge of Medicare coverage of hospice, presence of an advance directive, end-of-life care concerns, and religiosity/spirituality predicted hospice care preference. Religiosity/spirituality however, was moderated by race. Race interacted with religiosity/spirituality in predicting hospice care preference such that religiosity/spirituality promoted hospice care preference among White respondents, but not black respondents. Conclusions: Uncertainties about hospice among African Americans may contribute to disparities in utilization. Efforts to improve access to hospice should consider pre-existing preferences for end-of-life care and account for the complex demographic, social, and cultural factors that help shape these preferences.
An Initial Investigation of Do Not Resuscitate Acceptance in Egypt
Authors: Hassanin Fetouh S. , Schaalan Mona F. , Kamal Karim M. , Miller F. DeWolfe 
Published: July 2015

Background: The aim of this work was to obtain objective data on the extent of knowledge and attitudes of the do not resuscitate (DNR) concept in an Egyptian urban setting. Methods: This survey was conducted in Cairo, Egypt, using a structured questionnaire including 23 questions. Questions and questionnaire were developed from literature on DNR in the region and from pilot testing. Results: A total of 461 persons participated. In all, 48 participants (10.4%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.8-13.7) agreed on the concept of DNR, 226 (49%, 95% CI: 36.1-45.2) stated that it depends on the patient condition, and 187 (40.5%, 95% CI: 44.4-53.7) rejected DNR. Combining the first 2 categories, agree and depends on patient condition, over 60% of the respondents in effect supported DNR. Family members (35.6%, 95% CI: 31.4-40.3) and attending physicians (43.3%, 95% CI: 30.1-39.0) were selected over religious leaders (21%, 95% CI: 17.5-25.2) and representatives from state institutions (4.6%, 95% CI: 2.9-7.0) as to who should have authority for making a DNR decisions. Discussion: These and additional results provide objective evidence that DNR will not be rejected outright in Egypt. More formal surveys are justified and will provide needed guidance for implementing DNR and related end-of-life medical care in Egypt.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Glycol chitosan incorporated retinoic acid chlorochalcone (RACC) nanoparticles in the treatment of Osteosarcoma
Authors: Qin Yan-Guo , Zhu Lan-Yu , Wang Chen-Yu , Zhang Bo-Yan , Wang Qing-Yu , Li Rui-Yan , Liu Zhen 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Background
Osteosarcoma is the most common of all the bone malignancies and accounts for 30-80 % of the primary skeletal sarcomas. The overall survival rate of patients with osteosarcoma is < 20 % suggesting poor prognosis.

Methods
The present study demonstrates the effect of retinoic acid chlorochalcone (RACC) incorporated glycol chitosan (GC) nanoparticle transfection in osteosarcoma cells. MG-63 and Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells were transfected with various concentrations of RACC-incorporated GC nanoparticle for 24 h. The effect on cell proliferation, Ezh2 expression, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, cell migration and invasiveness, Akt phosphorylation and local tumour growth and metastases were studied.

Results
MG-63 and Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells on RACC-incorporated GC nanoparticle transfection for 24 h showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation. Of the various concentrations of RACC tested, the effective concentration started from 5 μM with an IC50 of 20 μM. Wound healing assay also showed that RACC-incorporated GC nanoparticles inhibited migration of tumor cells more effectively compared to the parent RA. RACC transfection resulted in inhibition of cell proliferation, Ezh2 expression inhibition, apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway by decrease in membrane potential and release of cytochrome c and cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. The invasiveness of cells treated with 5 and 20 μM RACC was decreased by 49 and 76 % respectively, compared to the control. RACC-treated mice showed significantly lower number of metastases compared to that in the control mice.

Conclusions
Thus, RACC-incorporated glycol chitosan nanoparticle strategy can be promising for the treatment of osteosarcoma.
A combined approach for concern identification in KDM models
Authors: Martín Santibáñez Daniel San , Durelli Rafael Serapilha , de Camargo Valter Vieira 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Background
Systems are considered legacy when their maintenance costs raise to unmanageable levels, but they still deliver valuable benefits for companies. One intrinsic problem of this kind of system is the presence of crosscutting concerns in their architecture, hindering its comprehension and evolution. Architecture-driven modernization (ADM) is the new generation of reengineering in which models are used as main artifacts during the whole process. Using ADM, it is possible to modernize legacy systems by remodularizing their concerns in a more modular shape. In this sense, the first step is the identification of source code elements that contribute to the implementation of those concerns, a process known as concern mining. Although there exist a number of concern mining approaches in the literature, none of them are devoted to ADM, leading individual groups to create their own ad hoc proprietary solutions. In this paper, we propose an approach called crosscutting-concern knowledge discovery meta-model (CCKDM) whose goal is to mine crosscutting concerns in ADM context. Our approach employs a combination of a concern library and a K-means clustering algorithm.

Methods
We have conducted an experimental study composed of two analyses. The first one aimed to identify the most suitable levenshtein values to apply the clustering algorithm. The second one aimed to check the recall and precision of our approach when compared to oracles and also to two other existing mining techniques (XScan and Timna) found in literature.

Results
The main result of this work is a combined mining approach for KDM that enables a concern-oriented modernization to be performed. As a secondary and more general result, this work shows that it is possible to adapt existing concern mining code-level approaches for being used in ADM processes and maintain the same level of precision and recall.

Conclusions
By using the approach herein presented, it was possible to conclude the following: (i) it is possible to automate the identification of crosscutting concerns in KDM models and (ii) the results are similar or equal to other approaches.
Hypoxic preconditioning enhances mesenchymal stromal cell lung repair capacity
Authors: Cruz Fernanda Ferreira , Rocco Patricia Rieken Macedo 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive, irreversible, debilitating, and fatal lung disease, characterized by parenchymal fibrosis with reduced lung volumes and respiratory failure. No lasting option for therapy is available other than transplantation. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells home to sites of injury, decrease inflammation, have antifibrotic properties, and promote epithelial tissue repair, so their use has been suggested as potential therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Despite reported benefits, the amount of mesenchymal stromal cells engrafting to the lung decreases substantially soon after administration. New strategies, such as hypoxia preconditioning, have thus been investigated in an attempt to optimize the engraftment, survival, and paracrine properties of stem cells. Hypoxia induces the expression of prosurvival mediators, chemoattractants, and growth factors involved in cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and antifibrotic properties in mesenchymal stromal cells, optimizing their lung repair capability in an animal model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.See related research by Lan et al., http://www.stemcellres.com/content/6/1/97
Vehicular optical ranging and communication system
Authors: Li Zening , Liao Linchao , Wang Albert , Chen Gang 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
In this paper, we developed a ranging and communication system for vehicular safety applications. The light-emitting diode (LED) array and photodetector (PD) array serve as the transceiver. The imaging technique is applied to the receiver, which can detect the angle of incident light and imaged different lights to corresponding PDs. Benefiting from this structure, this system is able to detect distance as well as location, and work between multiple users simultaneously. While keeping a low cost and compact size, it can still provide high lateral resolution, high frame rate, and interference rejection performance.
Viscosity approximation methods for multivalued nonexpansive mappings in geodesic spaces
Authors: Panyanak Bancha , Suantai Suthep 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWe prove strong convergence of the viscosity approximation method for multivalued nonexpansive mappings in $\operatorname{CAT}(0)$
CAT
(
0
)
spaces. Our results generalize the results of Dhompongsa et al. (2012), Wangkeeree and Preechasilp (2013) and many others. Some related results in $\mathbb{R}$
R
-trees are also given.
Poly(vinylalcohol)-borate hydrogels with improved features for the cleaning of cultural heritage surfaces
Authors: Riedo Chiara , Caldera Fabrizio , Poli Tommaso , Chiantore Oscar 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Poly(vinylacohol) (PVA) is a versatile polymer capable of forming hydrogels useful in a wide range of applications. Hydrogels based on cross-linking of PVA with borax, and able to incorporate organic solvents, have been used in the field of cultural heritage as tool for cleaning the surfaces. Poly(ethylenoxide) (PEO) has been introduced in the formulations of PVA-borax, with the aim of increasing the gel compatibility with organic solvents and of improving the mechanical properties of the materials. The formulations were investigated with rheological characterization, solvent loss measurements and study of the free water through the determination of the Free Water Index. The PEO molecules do not participate in the formation of the network but have been found to be responsible for a decrement of the storage moduli, explained by a spacing between crosslinks and the partial disentanglement of the PVA chains. At the same time PEO produces in the gel an increase of the apparent relaxation time, thus stabilizing the dispersions and enhancing their ability to maintain the shape. Cleaning tests for removal of an acrylic coating on limestone have been also successfully performed.
Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Physicochemical Properties of Brown Rice
Authors: Mir Shabir Ahmad , Bosco Sowriappan John Don , Shah Manzoor Ahmad , Mir Mohammad Maqbool , Sunooj Kappat Valiyapeediyekkal 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Brown rice was exposed to 60Co source at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 kGy doses and the effect of gamma irradiation treatment on physicochemical properties were investigated. L* value of brown rice was decreased with increase of irradiation dose, whereas a* and b* values increased. The results showed the decrease of kernel hardness, amylose content and pasting properties considerably with irradiation treatment. A-type diffraction pattern was observed in non-irradiated and irradiated rice samples and crystallinity was decreased with irradiation dose. Raman spectrometry showed the decrease of Raman band intensity at higher irradiation doses. Thermal properties of rice samples were decreased slightly after irradiation treatment. Pearson’s correlation studies revealed that irradiation dose was positively correlated with b* value and negatively correlated with amylose content and pasting properties.
All-Optical NAND Gate Based on Nonlinear Photonic Crystal Ring Resonators
Authors: Serajmohammadi Somaye 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIn this paper we proposed a new design for all-optical NAND gate. By combining nonlinear Kerr effect with photonic crystal ring resonators first we designed a structure, whose optical behavior can be controlled via input power intensity. The switching power threshold obtained for this structure equal to 1 kW/μm