bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiation dose reduction during adrenal vein sampling using a new angiographic imaging technology
Authors: Spink Clemens , Avanesov Maxim , Lenz Alexander , Henes Frank Oliver , Well Lennart , Schmidt Thomas , Adam Gerhard , Ittrich Harald , Bannas Peter 
Published: April 2022

AbstractTo compare the patient radiation doses during angiographic selective adrenal vein sampling (AVS) before and after an imaging technology upgrade. In this retrospective single-center-study, cumulative air kerma (AK), cumulative dose area product (DAP), fluoroscopy time and contrast agent dosage were recorded from 70 patients during AVS. 35 procedures were performed before and 35 after an imaging processing technology upgrade. Mean values were calculated and compared using an unpaired student’s t-test. DSA image quality was assessed independently by two blinded readers using a four-point Likert scale (1 = poor; 4 = excellent) and compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. After the technology upgrade we observed a significant reduction of 35% in AK (1.7 ± 0.7 vs. 1.1 ± 0.7 Gy, p = 0.01) and a significant reduction of 28% in DAP (235.1 ± 113 vs. 170.1 ± 94 Gy*cm2, p = 0.01) in comparison to procedures before the upgrade. There were no significant differences between the number of exposure frames (143 ± 86 vs. 132 ± 61 frames, p = 0.53), fluoroscopy time (42 ± 23 vs. 36 ± 18 min, p = 0.22), or the amount of contrast medium used (179.5 ± 84 vs. 198.1 ± 109 ml, p = 0.41). There was also no significant difference regarding image quality (3 (2–4) vs. 3 (2–4), p = 0.67). The angiographic imaging technology upgrade significantly decreases the radiation dose during adrenal vein sampling without increasing time of fluoroscopy or contrast volume and without compromising image quality.
Implicit modeling of narrow vein type ore bodies based on Boolean combination constraints
Authors: Zhong Deyun , Zhang Ju , Wang Liguan , Bi Lin 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIn this paper, we implement an automatic modeling method for narrow vein type ore bodies based on Boolean combination constraints. Different from the direct interpolation approach, we construct the implicit functions of the hanging wall and foot wall surfaces, respectively. And then the combined implicit function is formed to represent the complete ore body model using the Boolean combination constraints. Finally, the complete ore body is obtained by Boolean operation of the hanging wall and foot wall surfaces. To model complex vein surfaces, some modeling rules are developed to allow the geological engineers to specify vein thickness constraints and vein boundary constraints. The method works for narrow vein type ore bodies (e.g., vein gold deposits and mineral sand deposits) which are large in two dimensions and narrow in the third. Taking the implicit function of radial basis functions interpolation as an example, several experiments are carried out by using the real geological sampling data of the mines. The experimental results show that the method is suitable for the modeling of narrow vein type ore bodies.
Association of bleb formation with peri-aneurysmal contact in unruptured intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Satoh Toru , Yagi Takanobu , Sawada Yoichi , Sugiu Kenji , Sato Yu , Date Isao 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe mechanism of bleb formation in unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between peri-aneurysmal contact (PAC) and bleb formation. Forty-five aneurysms were classified depending on the presence of blebs and PAC using computed tomographic angiography and magnetic resonance imaging. Aneurysmal hemodynamics were assessed using computational fluid dynamics. The independent variables associated with bleb formation were statistically assessed. Fourteen aneurysms (31.1%) had blebs, all of which were located at the site of PAC (group A). Thirty-one aneurysms (68.9%) had no bleb, of which 13 had a PAC (group B) and 18 had no PAC (group C). PAC was the only independent variable associated with bleb formation (p < 0.05). Aneurysmal volumes were significantly higher in group A, followed by groups B and C in series. Aneurysmal wall shear stress (WSS) tended to be lowest in group A, followed by groups B and C in series. The maximum WSS at the blebs was only 17% of the maximum WSS at the aneurysmal domes. This study demonstrated that bleb formation in UIAs was associated with the establishment of PAC during their growth, which may have more detrimental effects on bleb formation than hemodynamics.
Enhanced in situ H2O2 production explains synergy between an LPMO with a cellulose-binding domain and a single-domain LPMO
Authors: Stepnov Anton A. , Eijsink Vincent G. H. , Forsberg Zarah 
Published: April 2022

AbstractLytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are mono-copper enzymes that catalyze oxidative depolymerization of recalcitrant substrates such as chitin or cellulose. Recent work has shown that LPMOs catalyze fast peroxygenase reactions and that, under commonly used reaction set-ups, access to in situ generated H2O2 likely limits catalysis. Based on a hypothesis that the impact of a cellulose-binding module (CBM) on LPMO activity could relate to changes in in situ H2O2 production, we have assessed the interplay between CBM-containing ScLPMO10C and its truncated form comprising the catalytic domain only (ScLPMO10CTR). The results show that truncation of the linker and CBM leads to elevated H2O2 production and decreased enzyme stability. Most interestingly, combining the two enzyme forms yields strong synergistic effects, which are due to the combination of high H2O2 generation by ScLPMO10CTR and efficient productive use of H2O2 by the full-length enzyme. Thus, cellulose degradation becomes faster, while enzyme inactivation due to off-pathway reactions with excess H2O2 is reduced. These results underpin the complexity of ascorbic acid-driven LPMO reactions and reveal a potential mechanism for how LPMOs may interact synergistically during cellulose degradation.
Spatial–temporal changes in the degradation of marshes over the past 67 years
Authors: Tang Jing , Li Ying , Fu Bolin , Jin Xiaomin , Yang Gao , Zhang Xing 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAgricultural reclamation is widely regarded as a primary cause of marshes degradation. However, the process of marshes degradation on different geomorphology has rarely explored, which fail to explain the marshes degradation driven by natural restrictions in detail. The information deficiency unable propounded the targeted suggestions for the sustainable management of marshes. According to the development of China, we quantified the degradation rate of marshes on different geomorphic types from 1954 to 2020 in a typical transect in the Sanjiang Plain. The results indicated that (1) A total of 1633.92 km2 of marshes reduced from 1954 to 2020. And 97% (1582.35 km2) of marshes were converted to crop cultivation. The process of marshes degradation had obvious historical stages characteristics. The marshes degradation rate showed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing. The most serious period was 1995–2005 (6.29%) which was approximately 35 times of the period of before the reform and opening up (1954–1976) a minimal shrunk period. (2) The background of geological tectonic decided the whole trends in marshes degradation process. The degradation occurred first and worst in the meco-scale recent slow ascent region, and then extended to substantially recent slow subsidence region and the small-amplitude recent slow ascent region. (3) Significant location characteristics of marshes degradation reflected in this research. The spatial location of marshes degradation on the sub-regions sequentially consisted of alluvial plain, lower terrace, high floodplain, micro-knoll, low floodplain, and depressions. (4) Most of the existing marshes of the sub-Sanjiang Plain distribution in the national reserves. This study provides important scientific information for restoration and conservation of marshes.
Impact of weather parameters on Alternaria leaf spot of soybean incited by Alternaria alternata
Authors: Fagodiya R. K. , Trivedi Amit , Fagodia B. L. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractWeather attributes play a crucial role in the infection process and spread of pathogen. Alternaria leaf spot incited by Alternaria alternata is most destructive disease of soybean appeared in southern and eastern parts of Rajasthan as well as India. The effect of various weather parameters along with different date of sowing on the development of Alternaria leaf spot in susceptible soybean cultivar RKS-24 was investigated during Kharif season 2018 and 2019. The various weather factors viz., temperature, relative humidity and rainfall under inoculated conditions and with staggered dates of sowing were taken to observe effect on disease progression and their effect on seed yield. The maximum increase in disease severity (57.82 and 58.22%) and AUDPC (389.45 and 394.42) recorded in crop sown on 18th June (inoculated on 8th July). Lowest disease severity (39.80 and 38.50%) and AUDPC (266.18 and 259.18) were observed during 39–43th standard meteorological week (September, 24–October, 28) in year 2018 and 2019, respectively. Maximum seed yield (1699 kg ha−1) was recorded in plants sown on 9th July, while, lowest seed yield was recorded in plants sown on 18th June with 1441.20 kg ha−1. The trend of disease severity and AUDPC value decreased from early sowing to late sowing (18th June–9th July). Major reasons were fluctuations in temperature, rainfall and relative humidity. It was also observed that the soybean plants for Alternaria leaf spot disease in early sowing were predisposed and so farmers should be advised to practice delayed sowing of soybean crop.
Exploring cellulose nanocrystals obtained from olive tree wastes as sustainable crop protection tool against bacterial diseases
Authors: Schiavi Daniele , Francesconi Sara , Taddei Anna Rita , Fortunati Elena , Balestra Giorgio M. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractNanomaterials in agriculture represent one of the most innovative method for protecting crops, due to possibility of being applied as nanopesticides or nanocarriers for active ingredients. Furthermore, nanotechnology could be combined with the concept of circular economy through the opportunity of obtaining highly technological nanometric materials starting from agro-industrial wastes. The present research evaluated the possibility of synthesizing cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from olive pruning wastes through chemical bleaching, reusing them as sustainable tool to control the causal agent of the olive knot disease (Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi). CNCs showed an interesting in vitro effect in inhibiting bacterial growth and bacterial biofilm formation, as well as the ability of reducing bacterial epiphytic survival in a comparable way to copper sulphate on leaf surfaces, when used at 1% w/v. CNCs were at the same time investigated for their interaction with olive tree seedlings, showing no negative effects on leaf development, and a promising root uptake, indicating that CNCs could be used also as nanocarriers for active ingredients. Obtained results highlight the innovative possibility of designing sustainable plant protection strategies capable of revalorise lignocellulosic wastes, meaning a simultaneous low environmental impact thanks to reduction of traditional agrochemicals input.
Proximity-induced superconductivity in (Bi1−xSbx)2Te3 topological-insulator nanowires
Authors: Bai Mengmeng , Wei Xian-Kui , Feng Junya , Luysberg Martina , Bliesener Andrea , Lippertz Gertjan , Uday Anjana , Taskin Alexey A. , Mayer Joachim , Ando Yoichi 
Published: April 2022

AbstractWhen a topological insulator is made into a nanowire, the interplay between topology and size quantization gives rise to peculiar one-dimensional states whose energy dispersion can be manipulated by external fields. In the presence of proximity-induced superconductivity, these 1D states offer a tunable platform for Majorana zero modes. While the existence of such peculiar 1D states has been experimentally confirmed, the realization of robust proximity-induced superconductivity in topological-insulator nanowires remains a challenge. Here, we report the realization of superconducting topological-insulator nanowires based on (Bi1−xSbx)2Te3 (BST) thin films. When two rectangular pads of palladium are deposited on a BST thin film with a separation of 100–200 nm, the BST beneath the pads is converted into a superconductor, leaving a nanowire of BST in-between. We found that the interface is epitaxial and has a high electronic transparency, leading to a robust superconductivity induced in the BST nanowire. Due to its suitable geometry for gate-tuning, this platform is promising for future studies of Majorana zero modes.
LessNet: Lightweight and efficient semantic segmentation for large‐scale point clouds
Authors: Feng Guoqiang , Li Weilong , Zhao Xiaolin , Yang Xuemeng , Kong Xin , Huang TianXin , Cui Jinhao 
Published: April 2022

AbstractWith a wide range of applications in autonomous driving and robotics, semantic segmentation for large‐scale outdoor point clouds is a critical and challenging issue. Due to the large number and irregular arrangement of point clouds, it is difficult to balance the efficiency and effectiveness. In this paper, we propose LessNet, a lightweight and efficient voxel‐based method for LiDAR‐only semantic segmentation, taking advantage of cylindrical partition and intra‐voxel feature fusion. Specifically, we use a cylindrical partition method to distribute the outdoor point clouds more evenly in voxels. To better encode the voxel features, we adopt an intra‐voxel aggregation method without querying neighbours. The voxel features are further input into a lightweight and effective 3D U‐net to aggregate local features and dilate the receptive field. Extensive experiments prove the satisfied semantic segmentation performance and the improvement of each component in our proposed framework. Our method is capable of processing more than one million point clouds at a time while retaining low latency and few parameters. Moreover, our method achieves comparable performance with state‐of‐the‐art approaches and outperforms all projection‐based methods on the SemanticKITTI benchmark.
Bestimmung des Hydratationsstatus bei ambulanten Hämodialysepatienten mittels Bioimpedanzspektroskopie
Authors: Pfeifer Simone 
Published: April 2022

ZUSAMMENFASSUNGFür das nephrologische Ärzteteam gehört es zum Praxisalltag, das optimale Sollgewicht (SG) für einen Dialysepatienten festzulegen. Das Ziel dieser Forschungsarbeit war die Überprüfung des SG, indem der Hydratationsstatus (Flüssigkeitsstatus) von Hämodialysepatienten mittels Body Composition Monitor (BCM) unter Zuhilfenahme der Bioimpedanzspektroskopie (BIS) ermittelt wurde. Folgender Forschungsfrage wurde nachgegangen: Stimmt das ärztlich verordnete SG mit der BCM-Messung bei Hämodialysepatienten überein? Der Vergleich fand an einem Stichtag statt. Im quantitativen Forschungsdesign wurde das Projekt mit ärztlicher Zustimmung in der Dialyseabteilung der Alb Fils Kliniken GmbH in Göppingen durchgeführt. Mit der BCM-Messung wurde die Überwässerung bei 10 ambulanten Hämodialysepatienten vor der Dialysebehandlung und bei 2 Kontrollpersonen ermittelt. Für 70 % der Probanden war die BCM-Messung eine sehr hilfreiche Methode für den ärztlichen Entscheidungsprozess, das SG teilweise anzupassen. Regelmäßige BCM-Messungen könnten durch die litergenauen Werte über den Hydratationsstatus und zusätzlicher Auskunft über die Fett -und Muskelmasse bei Dialysepatienten eine Bereicherung für die Therapieplanung darstellen.
Diagnostic Utility of Procalcitonin for Sporadic Medullary Thyroid
Carcinoma in Patients with Nodular Disease and Mild or Moderate
Hypercalcitoninemia
Authors: Rosario Pedro Weslley , Mourão Gabriela Franco 
Published: April 2022

AbstractMany authors recommend the measurement of serum calcitonin (Ctn) to screen for
sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in patients with thyroid nodules. In
this situation, procalcitonin (pro-Ctn) would have greater utility in patients
with hypercalcitoninemia<100 pg/ml. The aim of this
study was to evaluate the utility of pro-Ctn in patients with thyroid nodules
and without a suspicion of familial MTC or type 2 multiple endocrine neoplasia
who had mild or moderate hypercalcitoninemia without an apparent cause.
Consecutive patients with nodular thyroid disease assessed routinely by Ctn
measurement were selected. Sixty patients with basal
Ctn>10 pg/ml but<100 pg/ml were
included. Nine patients (15%) had MTC, with cytology being diagnostic in
only four. Among the 51 patients without MTC, pro-Ctn
was<0.1 ng/ml in 46 (90.2%). All patients with
MTC had pro-Ctn>0.1 ng/ml. Basal Ctn
was>24.6 pg/ml in all patients with MTC and in 42
patients (82.3%) without MTC. It is noteworthy that among patients with
basal Ctn>24.6 pg/ml (n=18)
pro-Ctn>0.1 ng/ml identified all patients with MTC and
64.2% of subjects with these pro-Ctn concentrations had this tumor. In
conclusion, we did not find superiority of pro-Ctn over Ctn for the diagnosis of
sporadic MTC in patients with nodular disease and mild or moderate
hypercalcitoninemia. However, in the case of patients with hypercalcitoninemia
in the gray zone, pro-Ctn has an excellent negative predictive value while the
data regarding its positive predictive value are not uniform.
FGF21: A Novel Regulator of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism and
Whole-Body Energy Balance
Authors: Szczepańska Ewa , Gietka-Czernel Małgorzata 
Published: April 2022

AbstractFibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 is a recently recognized metabolic regulator
that evokes interest due to its beneficial action of maintaining whole-body
energy balance and protecting the liver from excessive triglyceride production
and storage. Together with FGF19 and FGF23, FGF21 belongs to the FGF family with
hormone-like activity. Serum FGF21 is generated primarily in the liver under
nutritional stress stimuli like prolonged fasting or the lipotoxic diet, but
also during increased mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stress. FGF21
exerts its endocrine action in the central nervous system and adipose tissue.
Acting in the ventromedial hypothalamus, FGF21 diminishes simple sugar intake.
In adipose tissue, FGF21 promotes glucose utilization and increases energy
expenditure by enhancing adipose tissue insulin sensitivity and brown adipose
tissue thermogenesis. Therefore, FGF21 favors glucose consumption for heat
production instead of energy storage. Furthermore, FGF21 specifically acts in
the liver, where it protects hepatocytes from metabolic stress caused by lipid
overload. FGF21 stimulates hepatic fatty acid oxidation and reduces lipid flux
into the liver by increasing peripheral lipoprotein catabolism and reducing
adipocyte lipolysis. Paradoxically, and despite its beneficial action, FGF21 is
elevated in insulin resistance states, that is, fatty liver, obesity, and type 2
diabetes.
The Importance of DHEA-S Levels in Cushing’s Syndrome; Is
There a Cut-off Value in the Differential Diagnosis?
Authors: Ciftci Sema , Soyluk Ozlem , Selek Alev , Erol Selvinaz , Hekimsoy Zeliha , Esen Ayse , Dursun Huseyin , Sahin Serdar , Oruk Gonca , Mert Meral , Soylu Huseyin , Yurekli Banu Sarer , Ertorer Melek Eda , Omma Tulay , Evran Mehtap , Adas Mine , Tanrikulu Seher , Aydin Kadriye , Pekkolay Zafer , Can Bülent , Karakilic Ersen , Karaca Zuleyha , Bilen Habib , Canturk Zeynep , Cetinarslan Berrin , Kadioglu Pinar , Yarman Sema 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine possible cut-off levels of basal
DHEA-S percentile rank in the differential diagnosis of patients with
Cushing’s syndrome (CS) with ACTH levels in the gray zone and normal
DHEA-S levels. In this retrospective study including 623 pathologically confirmed CS, the
DHEA-S percentile rank was calculated in 389 patients with DHEA-S levels within
reference interval. The patients were classified as group 1 (n=265
Cushing’s disease; CD), group 2 (n=104 adrenal CS) and group 3
(n=20 ectopic ACTH syndrome).ROC-curve analyses were used to calculate
the optimal cut-off level of DHEA-S percentile rank in the reference interval in
the differential diagnosis of CS, and the effectiveness of this cut-off level in
the identification of the accurate etiology of CS was assessed in patients who
were in gray zone according to their ACTH levels. The DHEA-S percentile rank in the reference interval were significantly
lower in group 2 compared to the other two groups (p<0.001), while group
1 and group 3 had similar levels. The optimal cut-off level of DHEA-S percentile
rank in the reference interval providing differential diagnosis between group 1
and group 2 was calculated as 19.5th percentile (80.8% sensitivity,
81.5% specificity) and the level demonstrated the accurate etiology in
100% of CD and 76% of adrenal CS patients who were in the gray
zone. This study showed that the cut-off value of DHEA-S level less than
20% of the reference interval could be used for differential diagnosis
of CD and adrenal CS with high sensitivity and specificity, and it should be
taken into the initial evaluation.
The Role of Skin Substitutes in Acute Burn and Reconstructive Burn Surgery: An Updated Comprehensive Review
Authors: Palackic Alen , Duggan Robert P. , Campbell Matthew S. , Walters Elliot , Branski Ludwik K. , Ayadi Amina El , Wolf Steven E. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBurns disrupt the protective skin barrier with consequent loss of cutaneous temperature regulation, infection prevention, evaporative losses, and other vital functions. Chronically, burns lead to scarring, contractures, pain, and impaired psychosocial well-being. Several skin substitutes are available and replace the skin and partially restore functional outcomes and improve cosmesis. We performed a literature review to update readers on biologic and synthetic skin substitutes to date applied in acute and reconstructive burn surgery. Improvement has been rapid in the development of skin substitutes in the last decade; however, no available skin substitute fulfills criteria as a perfect replacement for damaged skin.
Musical Backgrounds, Listening Habits, and Aesthetic Enjoyment of Adult Cochlear Implant Recipients
Authors: Gfeller Kate , Christ Aaron , Knutson John F. , Witt Shelley , Murray Kathleen T. , Tyler Richard S. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThis paper describes the listening habits and musical enjoyment of postlingually deafened adults who use cochlear implants. Sixty-five implant recipients (35 females, 30 males) participated in a survey containing questions about musical background, prior involvement in music, and audiologic success with the implant in various listening circumstances. Responses were correlated with measures of cognition and speech recognition. Sixty-seven implant recipients completed daily diaries (7 consecutive days) in which they reported hours spent in specific music activities. Results indicate a wide range of success with music. In general, people enjoy music less postimplantation than prior to hearing loss. Musical enjoyment is influenced by the listening environment (e.g., a quiet room) and features of the music.
Abbreviations: HIGH = high school, POST = adult education, PRIM = primary school, SCT = Sequence Completion Test, SE = standard error, TERT = tertiary, VMT = Visual Monitoring Task, VMT1 = Visual Monitoring Task one per second rate, VMT2 = Visual Monitoring Task two per second rate.