bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of Life Post Breast Cancer Surgery: Comparison of Breast Conservation Surgery versus Modified Radical Mastectomy in a Developing Country
Authors: Cherian Kurian , Acharya Nitish Rajan , Bhargavan Rexeena V. , Augustine Paul , Krishnan Jagathnath K.M. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Introduction Breast cancer survivors are the largest group of female cancer survivors. Oncologic breast surgery can have a profound impact on a woman's body image and sense of self that can significantly affect their quality of life (QOL). The paucity of data about the effect of type of surgery on QOL of Indian breast cancer survivors has led to this study.
Materials and Methods This prospective study included consecutive female early breast cancer patients who underwent primary surgery, that is, breast conservation surgery (BCS) or modified radical mastectomy (MRM) from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015. The primary objective was the comparison of QOL using European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and EORTC QLQ-BR 23 between the two groups at 6 months and 1 year postsurgery with the baseline.
Results One hundred and thirty-eight patients were included of which 62 underwent BCS and 76 underwent MRM. BCS patients fared better with respect to physical functioning, dyspnea, fatigue, appetite loss, and body image at 6 months (p < 0.05) as compared with MRM. At 1 year postsurgery, BCS patients fared better with respect to physical functioning, role functioning, global health status, body image, sexual enjoyment, and dyspnea, while MRM patients fared better in emotional functioning and future prospectives (p < 0.05).
Conclusion Patients undergoing BCS have a better QOL with respect to various functional and symptom scales at 6 months and 1 year. However, patients undergoing MRM perform better in terms of future perspective and emotional functioning at 1 year.
Concurrent Weekly Cisplatin and Simultaneous Integrated Boost-IMRT in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma—An Institutional Experience
Authors: Ahmed Imtiaz , Krishnamurthy Sapna , Bhise Rohan , Vinchurkar Kumar , Kalloli Mahesh 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIntroduction Concurrent chemoradiation with weekly cisplatin in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC) is widely practiced in India. Radiation with simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy (SIB-IMRT) has the advantage of executing IMRT in single phase with better dose distribution.Material and Methods 150 patients with LA-HNSCC treated between April 2015 and December 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. All patients received 70Gy in 33 to 35 fractions with SIB-IMRT and concurrent weekly cisplatin at a dose of 40 mg/m2. Treatment compliance and toxicities were assessed. Overall survival (OS) was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier estimates; univariate and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors were also evaluated.Results Median age was 58.5 years. Forty-five percent had primary oropharyngeal cancer. Sixty-two percent had T3 disease, 41% had N2 disease, and 51% had stage IV disease. All patients received 70Gy dose of RT. Median chemotherapy cycles were six, 84.7% received 200 mg/m2. Acute grade 2 xerostomia was seen in 79%, grade 3 neutropenia, mucositis and pharyngitis were seen in 11, 15, and 21%, respectively. Complete response was seen in 66.6%. At median follow-up of 21.4 months (3–71) OS was 60% and median OS was 33.2 months. Estimated 2 and 3 year OS was 56 and 48%. On univariate analysis, absence of node, N0–N1, stage III, cisplatin use, dose per fraction 2.12Gy ,and complete response showed good OS (p <0.05). On multivariate analysis dose per fraction 2.12Gy and complete response showed good OS (p <0.05).Conclusion Definitive chemoradiation with weekly cisplatin and SIB-IMRT in LA-HNSCC is well tolerated with good clinical outcomes.
Diagnosis and Management of Preeclampsia: Suggested Guidance on the Use of Biomarkers
Authors: Costa Maria Laura , Cavalli Ricardo de Carvalho , Korkes Henri Augusto , Cunha Filho Edson Vieira da , Peraçoli José Carlos 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Objective It is a challenge to consider preeclampsia (PE) diagnosis and management in low and middle-income settings, where it represents a major public health concern. The placenta is the underlying cause of disease, and the plasma concentrations of proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors released by the placenta can reflect the risks of disease progression. Antiangiogenic proteins, such as soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), and proangiogenic, like placental growth factors (PlGF), are directly and inversely correlated with the disease onset, respectively.
Methods Narrative review on the use of biomarkers (sFlt-1 to PlGF ratio) with a suggested guidance protocol.
Results Key considerations on the use of biomarkers: the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio is mainly relevant to rule out PE between 20 and 36 6/7 weeks in cases of suspected PE; however, it should not replace the routine exams for the diagnosis of PE. The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio should not be performed after confirmed PE diagnosis (only in research settings). In women with suspected PE, sFlt-1/PlGF ratio < 38 can rule out the diagnosis of PE for 1 week (VPN = 99.3) and up to 4 weeks (VPN= 94.3); sFlt-1/PlGF ratio > 38 does not confirm the diagnosis of PE; however, it can assist clinical management. In cases of severe hypertension and/or symptoms (imminent eclampsia), hospitalization is imperative, regardless of the result of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio.
Conclusion The use of biomarkers can help support clinical decisions on the management of suspected PE cases, especially to rule out PE diagnosis, thus avoiding unnecessary interventions, especially hospitalizations and elective prematurity
Diagnosis and Management of Acute and Chronic Portomesenteric Venous Thrombosis
Authors: Ferral Hector 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThrombosis of the portal and mesenteric veins is relatively uncommon. Thrombosis can be acute or chronic. Management is dictated by symptoms on clinical presentation. Acute symptomatic mesenteric vein thrombosis may require aggressive endovascular intervention with mechanical thrombectomy, thromboaspiration, infusion of thrombolytic drugs, TIPS creation or surgery. Chronic, symptomatic portal and mesenteric vein thrombosis usually requires recanalization of occluded segments and stent placement. The three main catheterization techniques for access into the portal venous system are: transhepatic, transjugular and trans-splenic. Evidence-based therapeutic strategies for acute and chronic portal and mesenteric vein thrombosis have not been established. There are no prospective comparative studies to support superiority of any given technique in the management of these conditions. The purpose of this review is to present an overview of the etiology, physiopathology, clinical presentation, and management of acute and chronic portal and mesenteric vein thrombosis.
Temperature induced change of TMAO effects on hydrophobic hydration
Authors: Folberth Angelina , van der Vegt Nico F. A. 
Published: April 2022

The effect of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) on hydrophobic solvation and hydrophobic interactions of methane has been studied with Molecular Dynamics simulations in the temperature range between 280 and 370 K at 1 bar ambient pressure. We observe a temperature transition in the effect of TMAO on the aqueous solubility of methane. At low temperature (280 K), methane is preferentially hydrated, causing TMAO to reduce its solubility in water, while above 320 K, methane preferentially interacts with TMAO, causing TMAO to promote its solubility in water. Based on a statistical-mechanical analysis of the excess chemical potential of methane, we find that the reversible work of creating a repulsive methane cavity opposes the solubility of methane in TMAO/water solution more than in pure water. Below 320 K, this solvent-excluded volume effect overcompensates the contribution of methane–TMAO van der Waals interactions, which promote the solvation of methane and are observed at all temperatures. These van der Waals interactions with the methyl groups of TMAO tip the balance above 320 K where the effect of TMAO on solvent-excluded volume is smaller. We furthermore find that the effective attraction between dissolved methane solutes increases with the increasing TMAO concentration. This observation correlates with a reduction in the methane solubility below 320 K but with an increase in methane solubility at higher temperatures.
Altered brain functional connectivity in the frontoparietal network following an ice hockey season
Authors: DiFabio Melissa S. , Smith Daniel R. , Breedlove Katherine M. , Pohlig Ryan T. , Buckley Thomas A. , Johnson Curtis L. 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACTSustaining sports‐related head impacts has been reported to result in neurological changes that potentially lead to later‐life neurological disease. Advanced neuroimaging techniques have been used to detect subtle neurological effects resulting from head impacts, even after a single competitive season. The current study used resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging to assess changes in functional connectivity of the frontoparietal network, a brain network responsible for executive functioning, in collegiate club ice hockey players over one season. Each player was scanned before and after the season and wore accelerometers to measure head impacts at practices and home games throughout the season. We examined pre‐ to post‐season differences in connectivity within the frontoparietal and default mode networks, as well as the relationship between the total number of head impacts sustained and changes in connectivity. We found a significant interaction between network region of interest and time point (p = .016), in which connectivity between the left and right posterior parietal cortex seed regions increased over the season (p < .01). Number of impacts had a significant effect on frontoparietal network connectivity, such that more impacts were related to greater connectivity differences over the season (p = .042). Overall, functional connectivity increased in ice hockey athletes over a season between regions involved in executive functioning, and sensory integration, in particular. Furthermore, those who sustained more impacts had the greatest changes in connectivity. Consistent with prior findings in resting‐state sports‐related head impact literature, these findings have been suggested to represent brain injury.Highlights
Functional connectivity of the frontoparietal network significantly increased between the pre‐ and post‐season, which may be a compensatory mechanism driven by neural tissue injury caused by repetitive head impacts.
Changes in frontoparietal network connectivity are related to head impact exposure, measured as the number of head impacts sustained in a single season.
Functional connectivity of the default mode network did not change over an ice hockey season.
Terahertz bremsstrahlung and frequency comb induced by variable motion of an antiferromagnetic domain wall
Authors: Ge Xu , Chen Yangyi , Cao Yue , Li Can , Li Tailin , Li Ziquan , You Long , Liang Shiheng , Yang Xiaofei , Zhang Yue 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
We numerically investigate the emission of spin wave (SW) packets from an antiferromagnetic (AFM) domain wall (DW) moving at a varying velocity. This SW is analogous to the bremsstrahlung of a charge with variable motion. The SW packets are emitted towards both sides of DW in the DW acceleration/deceleration process. The frequency of this bremsstrahlung-type SW is at sub-terahertz (THz), which is one magnitude lower than that of SW emitted by the Lorentz contraction of DW. Based on the bremsstrahlung-type SW, we proposed a frequency comb with a sub-THz central frequency and a GHz frequency interval by exploiting the back-and-forth DW variable motion. Our work paves a way for developing a spin–orbit-torque -based AFM THz device with a tunable frequency band.
Sub-nanometer-sized carbon nanoparticle shows higher biocompatibility to DNA than nanometer-sized nanoparticles
Authors: Lin Shujing , Wang Xiuxiu , Yang Yanmei , Meng Xuanyu , Qu Yuanyuan , Li Yong-Qiang , Zhao Mingwen , Liu Xiangdong , Li Weifeng 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Nanomaterials have been extensively studied for their potential applications in biomedical research, but the concerns of nanotoxicity still remain. A systematic understanding of how the geometrical factors of nanomaterials, especially the dimensional size, regulating the toxicity is critical for the development of biomedical materials, which has yet to be documented. In this work, we have studied how the ultra-small-sized C28 nanoparticles bind to and regulate the structure of double stranded (dsDNA) by molecular dynamics simulations. Our results show that the C28 molecule can strongly bind to the nucleic acid terminal or the minor groove. It is interesting to observe a high sequence preference for C28 binding which prefers to bind to GC-rich than AT-rich segments. The C28 binding does not cause evident structural distortion and has little effect on the global motion of dsDNA, showing relatively higher biocompatibility than most reported nanomaterials that are usually at the nanometer size. These results reveal a fact that the nanomaterials toxicity is highly correlated to their size where sub-nanometer sized materials may have higher biocompatibility. This could provide deep understanding of how to control the biomaterials effects and might further extend applications of nanomaterials in biomedical research.
Uncertainty evaluation of thermodynamic properties estimated with online data tools: vapor pressure as case study
Authors: Lecuna Maricarmen , Sassi Guido 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Online databanks are a convenient source of information whenever thermodynamic properties are required for calculations, in both scientific and engineering environment. The data listed in these repositories is usually reported along with a range of validity and their sources. The values of the thermodynamic properties can usually be retrieved from databases and handbooks, in the form of tables, curves or correlations with regression parameters. Most of the times, little to no information is given on the uncertainty of the reported estimates, let alone regression parameters uncertainty. Evaluating the sources of uncertainty in any model is fundamental to verify the significance of the results for a specific application. Knowing the uncertainty, makes the difference between trusted values and random values. Depending on the model where the property is required and its application (the use of results), the contribution to the total uncertainty of thermodynamic properties and constants can surpass the contributions of other experimental input quantities. In this work, the methods described in the ‘Guide for the expression of uncertainty in measurement’ are used to evaluate the uncertainty of a thermodynamic property of a pure substance, calculated based on the constants and references reported in two important online data banks (NIST and Dortmund Databank). The vapor pressure is considered as case study and several definitions with their relevant sources of uncertainty are presented. The aim of the work is to highlight the limitations of properties data commonly used in engineering estimations, as well as the importance of accounting for their uncertainty. Following established metrological guidelines, a full procedure has been developed, with specific considerations aimed to account for the ‘quality’ of the realization of the definition of the measurand as a source of uncertainty of the property.
Primary measurement method for the characterisation of impedance standard in the mΩ range
Authors: Rusanto Benyamin H , Seitz Steffen , Funck Torsten , Heinrich Marco 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Impedance standards having impedance values in the low mΩ range, with non-zero reactances, and operable with alternating current-currents of a few Amps and up to a few kHz are needed for appropriate impedance meter calibration. These challenging operation parameters are most relevant for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of high energy Li-ion battery cells. We present a primary measurement method that can be used for the characterisation of respective impedance standards traceable to the SI. Basically, two calibrated high precision DC voltage meters are used to sample the voltages across a characterised reference resistor and the impedance standard under test, while both are excited with the same ac current. The measured voltages are fitted with sin waves and the complex impedance value is calculated from the amplitudes and phase difference of the voltage curves. We present the measurement results of a test impedance in mΩ range, including a full uncertainty budget. Moduli of the measured impedances are compared with those of another method that has been presented recently. The results are equivalent up to 1 kHz and within a relative expanded uncertainty of around 0.47%.
Convergence analysis of a viscosity parameter recovery algorithm for the 2D Navier–Stokes equations
Authors: Martinez Vincent R 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
In this paper, the convergence of an algorithm for recovering the unknown kinematic viscosity of a two-dimensional incompressible, viscous fluid is studied. The algorithm of interest is a recursive feedback control-based algorithm that leverages observations that are received continuously-in-time, then dynamically provides updated values of the viscosity at judicious moments. It is shown that in an idealized setup, convergence to the true value of the viscosity can indeed be achieved under a natural and practically verifiable non-degeneracy condition. This appears to be first such result of its kind for parameter estimation of nonlinear partial differential equations. Analysis for two parameter update rules is provided: one which involves instantaneous evaluation in time and the other, averaging in time. The proof of convergence for either rule exploits sensitivity-type bounds in higher-order Sobolev topologies, while the instantaneous version particularly requires delicate energy estimates involving the time-derivative of the sensitivity-type variable. Indeed, a crucial component in the analysis is the identification of a dissipative structure for the time-derivative of the sensitivity-type variable, which ultimately ensures a favorable dependence on the tuning parameter of the algorithm.
Spatially resolved study of spokes in reactive HiPIMS discharge
Authors: Šlapanská Marta , Kroker Michael , Klein Peter , Hnilica Jaroslav , Vašina Petr 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Understanding mechanisms behind the formation and propagation of ionisation zones, so-called spokes, have been highly important since the first observations in high power impulse magnetron sputtering discharges. To this day, however, a complete description is still lacking. This contribution gives an insight into the spokes in reactive Ar–N2 atmosphere using titanium target. The aim of this study is to describe not only global parameters of spokes such as their shape, length and propagation velocity but also provide a description of parameters evolving over the spoke, such as floating potential and spectral emission. The measurements of the latter clearly showed which species emission is most prominent and how it changes with transition from non-reactive argon discharge towards the discharge driven in a pure nitrogen atmosphere. Implications on the gas dynamics and discharge transitions are discussed.
Investigating CO2 streamer inception in repetitive pulsed discharges
Authors: Mirpour S , Nijdam S 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
In this study, we investigate the responsible species and processes involved in repetitive pulsed streamer inception in CO2. We applied a 10 kV high-voltage (HV) pulse with a repetition frequency of 10 Hz and pulse width of 1 ms to a pin electrode which is placed 160 mm apart from the grounded plane electrode. We measured the inception times by a photo-multiplier tube (delay between the rising edge of the HV pulse and the rising edge of the photo-multiplier waveform) for 600 high voltage cycles. We observed one peak in the histogram of inception times with a median of 1.2 μs. To identify the source of this peak, we applied a negative or positive low-voltage (LV) pulse before the main HV pulse to manipulate the leftover space charges. Three different phenomena are observed: (1) drift, (2) neutralization, and (3) ionization in the LV pulse. At low LV amplitude and pulse width, the peak starts to drift toward the faster and slower inception times under a positive and negative LV pulse, respectively. However, under the same LV pulse configuration for positive and negative LV pulse, the observed shift in inception times is not the same. We present a hypothesis to explain this asymmetry based on the difference of the detachment processes between air and CO2.
One-loop amplitudes in the worldline formalism
Authors: Edwards James P , Mata C Moctezuma , Schubert Christian 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
We summarize recent progress in applying the worldline formalism to the analytic calculation of one-loop N-point amplitudes. This string-inspired approach is well-adapted to avoiding some of the calculational inefficiencies of the standard Feynman diagram approach, most notably by providing master formulas that sum over diagrams differing only by the position of external legs and/or internal propagators. We illustrate the mathematical challenge involved with the low-energy limit of the N-photon amplitudes in scalar and spinor QED, and then present an algorithm that, in principle, solves this problem for the much more difficult case of the N-point amplitudes at full momentum in ϕ
3 theory. The method is based on the algebra of inverse derivatives in the Hilbert space of periodic functions orthogonal to the constant ones, in which the Bernoulli numbers and polynomials play a central role.
Effects of hydrostatic pressure and temperature on refractive index changes in tuned quantum dots under magnetic field
Authors: Chang Ceng , Li Xuechao , Duan Yiming , Zhao Zhuang , Zhang Liangcheng 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The effects of external magnetic field, hydrostatic pressure, temperature and radius of the quantum dots (QDs) on refractive index changes (RICs) of tuned QDs are studied in detail theoretically. In the framework of effective mass approximation, energy levels and wave functions are derived. Simultaneously, the nonlinear RICs are obtained by compact-density-matrix approach and iterative method. Then, the numerical simulations show that under various constraint factors, the resonant peak position of RICs moves to high energy or low energy, that is, blue shift or red shift, and the peak value of RICs will also alter with the change of parameters.