bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unbiased zero-count correction method in low-dose high-resolution photon counting detector CT
Authors: Bushe Daniel , Zhang Ran , Chen Guang-Hong , Li Ke 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Objective. To address the zero-count problem in low-dose, high-spatial-resolution photon counting detector CT (PCD-CT) without introducing statistical biases or degrading spatial resolution. Approach. The classical approach to generate the sinogram projection data for estimating the line integrals of the linear attenuation coefficients of the image object is to take a log transform of detector counts, which requires zero counts to be replaced by positive numbers. Both the log transform and the zero-count replacement introduce biases. After analyzing the statistical properties of the zero-count replaced pre-log and post-log data, a formula for the statistical sinogram bias was derived, based on which a new sinogram estimator was empirically constructed to cancel the statistical biases. Dose- and object-independent free parameters in the proposed estimator were learned from simulated data, and then the estimator was applied to experimental low-dose PCD-CT data of physical phantoms for validation and generalizability testing. Both bias and noise performances of the proposed method were evaluated and compared with those of previous zero-count correction methods, including zero-weighting, zero-replacement, and adaptive filtration-based methods. The impact of these correction methods on spatial resolution was also quantified using line-pair patterns. Main Results. For all objects and reduced-dose levels, the proposed method reduces the statistical CT number biases to be within ± 10 HU, which is significantly lower than the biases given by the classical zero-count correction methods. The Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated that the proposed correction led to negligible sinogram biases at all attenuation levels, whereas the other correction methods did not. Additionally, the proposed method was found to have no discernible impact on image noise and spatial resolution. Significance. The proposed zero-count correction scheme allows the CT numbers of low-dose, high-spatial-resolution PCD-CT images to match those of standard-dose and standard-resolution PCD-CT images.
Effect of zirconium and niobium on the microstructure and mechanical properties of high-strength low-alloy cast steels
Authors: Makeshkumar M , Anburaj J , Kumar M Sasi , Santhosh A Johnson 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The aim of this work is to study the effect of zirconium and niobium on the refinement of grain size and mechanical properties of micro-alloyed cast steels in heat treated conditions. Five micro-alloyed cast steels with different compositions, as steel without microalloying elements and micro-alloyed steel with (i) 0.05% Zirconium (Zr), (ii) 0.05% Zirconium (Zr) and 0.05% Niobium (Nb), (iii) 0.10% Zirconium (Zr), and (iv) 0.10% Zirconium (Zr) and 0.10% Niobium (Nb) were investigated. The heat treated samples are normalized at 1000 °C followed by air cooling and were characterized to study the characteristics of carbide precipitates by SEM and TEM and mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile test as per ASTM A370. Among these five cast steels, steel containing 0.10% Zr and 0.10% Nb showed a higher tensile strength of 1184 MPa and yield strength of 740 MPa with reasonable impact energy of 42 J compared to other steels under the same heat treated conditions. Due to the combined addition of Zr and Nb elements in the micro-alloyed steel, a remarkable improvement of mechanical properties particularly strength and impact energy was observed. As evident from microstructure investigation, these improved mechanical properties in the present steel could be attributed due to the effective refinement of ferritic grain size in the normalized condition.
Recyclable luminescent carbon dots nanopaper for flexible electronics
Authors: Abulikemu Mutalifu , Tabrizi Bita E A , Mofarah Hamed M , Shad Kimia Rezaei , Jabbour Ghassan E 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The use of sustainable materials in high-tech devices is one way to decrease the carbon footprint and tackle global climate change. We first synthesized blue-emissive carbon dots (CDs) from biocompatible onion inner epidermal cells using solvothermal method. Then, cellulose nanofiber was prepared by TEMPO oxidization, followed by homogenization from soft wood source. Finally, the blue emissive CDs-cellulose nanofibers-based nanopaper was fabricated by simple roller-coating approach, and its optical and morphological properties were investigated by transmittance, photoluminescence, fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The results indicate that nanopapers have a high light emission, and that their transparency may be easily adjusted by varying the proportion of CDs content. These nanopapers can be incorporated into flexible and stretchable electronics and optical sensor platforms.
Equilibrium steps for adsorption of nitrogen compounds : examining the potential of silica application as adsorbent
Authors: de Souza Wallace Carvalho , Baia Luana , Costa André Luiz Hemerly , de Oliveira Veloso Cláudia , de Figueiredo Marco Antonio Gaya , Chiaro Sandra Ximeno , Corrêa Harrison Lourenço 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The hydrotreating (HDT) process currently used to reduce the sulphur content in fuels requires high energy consumption and hydrogen. Furthermore, the presence of nitrogen compounds makes them more severe. This work studies the removal of nitrogen compounds present in a sample of heavy diesel using a commercial silica sample. Adsorption tests were performed in a stirring bath to generate the equilibrium data. Three test conditions were used at temperatures of 40, 80 and 100 °C. In adsorption studies in a fixed bed, the influence of temperature and liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) was observed . In the regeneration test of the adsorbent, adsorption was achieved at 80 °C and desorption at 60 °C. Ethanol was used as the solvent and fourteen adsorption tests and thirteen desorption tests were performed. The removal of sulphur compounds in the stirring bath tests were checked. From a comparative perspective, the silica adsorbent used showed a higher affinity to the removal of nitrogen compounds than those related to sulphur in the stirring bath tests. The recovery test showed a reduction of approximately 20% in adsorption capacity of the adsorbent treated after the adsorption cycle in relation to the fresh adsorbent. This result indicates that the silica sample can be reused.
Demographic noise in complex ecological communities
Authors: Larroya Ferran , Galla Tobias 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
We introduce an individual-based model of a complex ecological community with random interactions. The model contains a large number of species, each with a finite population of individuals, subject to discrete reproduction and death events. The interaction coefficients determining the rates of these events is chosen from an ensemble of random matrices, and is kept fixed in time. The set-up is such that the model reduces to the known generalised Lotka–Volterra equations with random interaction coefficients in the limit of an infinite population for each species. Demographic noise in the individual-based model means that species which would survive in the Lotka–Volterra model can become extinct. These noise-driven extinctions are the focus of the paper. We find that, for increasing complexity of interactions, ecological communities generally become less prone to extinctions induced by demographic noise. An exception are systems composed entirely of predator-prey pairs. These systems are known to be stable in deterministic Lotka–Volterra models with random interactions, but, as we show, they are nevertheless particularly vulnerable to fluctuations.
Signed Distance Correlation (SiDCo): an online implementation of distance correlation and partial distance correlation for data-driven network analysis
Authors: Monti Francesco , Stewart David , Surendra Anuradha , Alecu Irina , Nguyen-Tran Thao , Bennett Steffany A L , Čuperlović-Culf Miroslava 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMotivationThere is a need for easily accessible implementations that measure the strength of both linear and non-linear relationships between metabolites in biological systems as an approach for data-driven network development. While multiple tools implement linear Pearson and Spearman methods, there are no such tools that assess distance correlation.ResultsWe present here SIgned Distance COrrelation (SiDCo). SiDCo is a GUI platform for calculation of distance correlation in omics data, measuring linear and non-linear dependencies between variables, as well as correlation between vectors of different lengths, e.g. different sample sizes. By combining the sign of the overall trend from Pearson’s correlation with distance correlation values, we further provide a novel “signed distance correlation” of particular use in metabolomic and lipidomic analyses. Distance correlations can be selected as one-to-one or one-to-all correlations, showing relationships between each feature and all other features one at a time or in combination. Additionally, we implement “partial distance correlation,” calculated using the Gaussian Graphical model approach adapted to distance covariance. Our platform provides an easy-to-use software implementation that can be applied to the investigation of any dataset.Availability and implementationThe SiDCo software application is freely available at https://complimet.ca/sidco. Supplementary help pages are provided at https://complimet.ca/sidco. Supplementary Material shows an example of an application of SiDCo in metabolomics.
Ginseng mediates its anticancer activity by inhibiting the expression of DNMTs and reactivating methylation-silenced genes in colorectal cancer
Authors: Okuno Keisuke , Pratama Muhammad Yogi , Li Jiang , Tokunaga Masanori , Wang Xin , Kinugasa Yusuke , Goel Ajay 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Developing safe and effective therapeutic modalities remains a critical challenge for improving the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). In this regard, targeting epigenetic regulation in cancers has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic approach. Since several natural compounds have recently been shown to be important epigenetic modulators, we hypothesized that Ginseng might exert its anticancer activity by regulating DNA methylation alterations in CRC. In this study, a series of cell culture studies were conducted, followed by their interrogation in patient-derived 3D organoid models to evaluate Ginseng’s anticancer activity in CRC. Genome-wide methylation alterations were interrogated by undertaking MethylationEpic BeadChip microarrays. First, 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were determined by cell viability assays, and subsequent Ginseng treatment demonstrated a significant anticancer effect on clonogenicity and cellular migration in CRC cells. Treatment with Ginseng potentiated cellular apoptosis through regulation of apoptosis-related genes in CRC cells. Furthermore, Ginseng treatment downregulated the expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and decreased the global DNA methylation levels in CRC cells. The genome-wide methylation profiling identified Ginseng-induced hypomethylation of transcriptionally silenced tumor suppressor genes. Finally, cell culture-based findings were successfully validated in patient-derived 3D organoids. In conclusion, we demonstrate that Ginseng exerts its antitumorigenic potential by regulating cellular apoptosis via the downregulation of DNMTs and reversing the methylation status of transcriptionally silenced genes in CRC.
Accelerated Infliximab Infusion Safety and Tolerability Is Non-inferior to Standard Infusion Protocol in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Abushamma Suha , Walker Ted , Garza Kevin , Chen Ling , Nix Darren , Chen Chien-Huan 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Background and Aim
Infliximab is typically given over an infusion time of 2 hours, leading to a significant burden in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. We aimed to determine the safety and cost-effectiveness of an accelerated infliximab infusion of 1 hour, compared with the standard 2-hour infusion.

Methods
Open-label randomized trial where IBD patients receiving maintenance infliximab infusions were randomly assigned to 1- and 2-hour infusion groups, corresponding to study and control groups, respectively. The primary outcome was the rate of infusion reactions. Secondary outcomes were assessment of the effect of premedications and immunomodulators on the rate of infusion reactions, and cost-effectiveness analysis. The cost-effectiveness analysis was based on direct nursing costs for the infusion time, indirect infusion center costs, and cost of productivity loss for patients. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05340764.

Results
From November 2020 to November 2021, 96 patients were randomly assigned: 51 (53%) to the 1-hour infusion group and 45 (47%) to the 2-hour infusion group. Over a median time of 1 year, 309 infusions were administered in the control group, and 376 in the study group. Fifty-seven (18%) infusions in the control group and 45 (12%) infusions in the study group experienced an infusion reaction. The only infusion reaction was asymptomatic hypotension not requiring infusion discontinuation. No other infusion reactions (mild or moderate/severe) were seen. Diphenhydramine was associated with an increased rate of infusion reactions (OR 2.04 [95% CI 1.18–3.52], P = .01). The average costs were estimated to reduce by 37% in the accelerated infusion group.

Conclusions
Accelerated 1-hour infusions are non-inferior in safety and superior in cost-effectiveness compared with standard 2-hour infusions in IBD patients receiving maintenance infliximab infusions.

Trial Identification Number
Registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05340764.
Left atrial area as a simple predictor of paroxysmal AF in patient with acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Wilk A , Krol W , Zarek-Starzewska A , Guzik W , Ziemska-Gorczyca M , Franczuk-Gwiazda M , Braksator W 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction
The most important cardiogenic reason of acute Ischemic stroke (AIS) is atrial fibrillation (AF). Left atrial (LA) enlargement (atriopathy) is one of the risk factors of atrial fibrillation. Basic bio-metric measurements (height , weight and BSA) in patients with AIS can be challenging due to immobilization, therefor estimation of LA size using recommended parameter (left atrial volume index) is often not possible in every day practice.

Aim
To assess the discriminant value of different LA size parameters for detection of known paroxysmal AF in patients with acute ischemic stroke. To estimate best cut-off value of LA size parameters which predict presence of paroxysmal AF in patients with AIS.

Materials and methods
A database of 663 consecutive patients admitted to a neurology department with the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) were analysed. After exclusion of 117 patient with persistent or permanent AF (present during TTE) the examined group comprised of 546 patients. Average age was 70,1years (20-97yrs), 53% were women. From the examined group 56 (10,3%) had known (from past medical history or diagnosed during the hospitalization in ecg, telemetry or holter monitoring) paroxysmal AF. 35,6% of examined patients required bedside echocardiography due to immobilization. The predictive values for the presence of paroxysmal AF were assessed for: LA antero-posterior diameter (LAd) in parasternal long axis , LA area in four chamber diameter (LAA), as well as LAd and LAA indexed to aorta diameter(Ao) (innere-to-inner method on the level of sinus of Valsalvy). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the curve (AUC), specificity and sensitivity were analysed, Younden index was used for the estimation of cut-off values.

Results
ROC – curves of all examined parameters are presented in fig. 1. The AUC of LAd, LAA, LAd/Ao and LAA/Ao were: 0,60; 0,73 0,72; 0,81 respectively. Differences in AUC were statistically significant (p&lt;0,05). The best cut of value for LAA/Ao was 7,2cm2/cm , with sensitivity of 0,90 and specificity of 0,59. 112 of 490 (23%) patient without known paroxysmal AF exceeded the estimated cut-off point.

Conclusions
1. In 1/3 of patients with AIS the assessment of recommended parameter of LA size (LAVI) can be difficult in clinical practice.
2. A simple, widely available parameter of left atrial size (LAA/Ao) has the best predictive value for the detection of patients with known paroxysmal AF.
3. Nearly ¼ of patients without known AF presenting with AIS have atriopathy which can be connected to not recognized arrhythmia.
4. LAA/Ao can be used as a simple, widely available parameter for the selection of patient for more profound prospective screening for AF in patients with AIS.
Performance of APACHE, SOFA and SAPS-2 score in predicting good neurological outcome at discharge from ICU in patient admitted after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Bagliani A , Fasolino A , Quilico F , Gentile F R , Ambrosini E , Baldi E , Compagnoni S , Primi R , Bendotti S , Currao A , Vecchione A , Lamastra R , Colombo C N J , Savastano S , Tavazzi G 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE), Sequential (sepsis-related) Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Simplified Acute Physiologic Score-2 (SAPS-2) are common predictive scoring systems in the intensive care unit (ICU) used all around the world to predict outcomes in general or specific population (eg. sepsis and septic shock). However, these scores were found to have mixed performance in several subgroups of critically ill patients.

Purpose
Few and conflicting data are available on patients admitted in the ICU after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) regarding these prognostic scores. We sought to evaluate the performance of these scores obtained on admission in predicting good neurological outcome at ICU discharge.

Methods
We enrolled 171 consecutive patients admitted to ICU at our center after being resuscitated from an OHCA from September 2017 to April 2021. APACHE, SOFA and SAPS-2 were available for 133 patients [77% male, mean age 60 (18-90) years, 54% with first shockable rhythm, median number of shocks delivered 1 (0-14), median value of adrenaline administered 3 mg (0-12), 26% received amiodarone, median cardiac arrest duration 38 min (IQR 22-74)]. Worst values collected during the first 24 hours were considered for APACHE and SAPS-2 calculations, whereas SOFA was assessed at 24 hours from admission.
The median values of each one of the three scores of patients with and without good neurological outcome (cognitive performance category 1-2) at ICU discharge were compared with Mann-Whitney U-test. For each one of the scores the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was analysed and the corresponding area under the curve AUC with its 95%CI was calculated, with the endpoint of survival with good neurological outcome at ICU discharge.

Results
patients with good neurological outcome had lower values of APACHE [22 (IQR 19-25) vs 24 (IQR 21-28)(p=0.01], SOFA [9 (IQR 7-10) vs 10 (IQR 8-12)(p&lt;0.01] and SAPS-2 [56 (IQR 44-64) vs 72 (IQR 61-83)(p&lt;0.01] . APACHE and SOFA scores showed similar AUC [0.616 (95% CI 0.528-0.699) vs 0.652 (95%CI 0,564-0,732), p=0.54]. SAPS-2 score performed significantly better than the other two [AUC 0.784 (95% CI 0.705-0.851, p&lt;0.0001)].

Conclusion
SAPS-2 score discriminates survival with good neurological outcome at ICU discharge significantly better than APACHE and SOFA in patients resuscitated from an OHCA and admitted to the ICU. These results could help clinicians in identifying which patients yield a better prognosis after 24 hours of clinical observation in the ICU and could therefore be safely and rapidly discharged to the ward.
An alternative to transvenous lead extraction in selected patients with CIED infections: a retrospective outcome study
Authors: Meda G , Llewellyn J , Rao A 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) implants are rising in an older, more co-morbid population [1]. The prevalence of CIED infection ranges from 1-4% [2, 3]. Whilst complete extraction of all transvenous hardware is recommended for infected, eroded or pre-eroding CIEDs [4], this approach is not without risk [5] and may be unacceptable to some patients [6]. Long term data on a more conservative strategy is lacking. We report on our experience of conservative management with pocket revision as a primary strategy in carefully selected patients.

Method
A retrospective review of all CIED revision procedures at a large tertiary centre, over a 7-year period was undertaken with a mean follow up of 39 months.

Results
86 patients underwent 96 revision procedures. 7 patients required further revisions and 13 went on to undergo CIED extraction by the end of follow up. There was no in hospital mortality and all patients were alive at 30 days. Overall mortality at 12 months was 8.1% (7 deaths), increasing to 24.4% (21 deaths) at end of follow up.

Conclusion
Our data provides important outcome information on an alternative strategy to lead extraction in carefully selected patients where the risk of extraction is perceived to be unacceptable. The absence of systemic infection appears to predict better outcomes than previously reported, and over two-thirds of patients remained complication free at 12 months.
Impact of pre-existing history of heart failure on patient profile, therapeutic management and prognosis in cardiogenic shock: Insights from the FRENSHOCK registry
Authors: Schurtz G , Delmas C , Fenouillet M , Roubille F , Puymirat E , Leurent G , Ternacle J , Harbaoui B , Combaret N , Lattuca B , Bruel C , Bourenne J , Henry P , Lamblin N , Lemesle G 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Emergency and Acute Cardiovascular Care Working Group from the French Society of Cardiology

Aims
There is a large heterogeneity in patients presenting with cardiogenic shock (CS). To better apprehend this heterogeneity is crucial to adapt treatment and improve prognosis in these severe patients. Of note the presence (or absence) of a pre-existing history of chronic heart failure (CHF) at time of CS onset may be entire part of this heterogeneity and data focusing on this aspect are lacking.

Methods
We aimed to compare CS patients with new-onset HF to those with worsening CHF in the multicenter FRENSHOCK registry. Altogether, 772 CS patients were prospectively included: 433 with a previous history of CHF and 339 without. Worsening CHF patients were older (68 +/- 13.4 vs. 62.7 +/- 16.2, p&lt;0.001) and had a greater burden of extra-cardiac co-morbidities. At admission, acute myocardial infarction was predominantly observed in the new-onset HF group (49.9% vs. 25.6%, p&lt;0.001). When focusing on hemodynamic parameters, worsening CHF patients showed more congestion and higher ventricular filling pressures. Worsening CHF patients experienced higher in-hospital all-cause mortality (31.3% vs. 24.2%, p=0.029).

Conclusions
Our results emphasize the great heterogeneity of the patients presenting with CS. Worsening CHF patients had higher risk profile and this translated in a 30% increase in in-hospital all-cause mortality. The heterogeneity of this population prompts us to better determine the phenotype of CS patients to adapt their management.