bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A clinical trial of nicergoline to prevent temporary threshold shift
Authors: Klamkam Pana , Pagcharoenpol Rongrat , Treesaranuwattana Treewit , Silpsrikul Pichayen , Jaruchinda Pariyanan , Wasuwat Piyalarp , Suwannahitatorn Picha 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of nicergoline to prevent temporary threshold shift (TTS) in military personnel.Study DesignA randomized control trial.MethodsTwo hundred and twenty‐four participants were enrolled. Nicergoline 30 mg twice daily intake was prescribed to the study group (n = 119) for 3 weeks. The placebo was prescribed to the control group (n = 105) for 3 weeks, as well. Audiometric thresholds were measured at baseline and within 24 h after the participants attended a 1‐day weapons firing practice. During the firing practice, all participants had to wear foam earplugs. The TTS was assessed by using a variety of published significant threshold shift (STS) definitions. Additionally, the effects of the treatment group on the magnitude of pre‐ to postexposure threshold shifts were estimated. Tinnitus and other adverse effects of the medication were recorded.ResultsThe incidence of STS was 65.4% from the study group and 75% from the control group. The negative STS (thresholds improved) was 68.6% from the study group and 44.7% from the control group. The positive STS (thresholds worsened) from the study group and the control group was 31.4% and 55.3%, respectively. The effect of treatment in participants receiving nicergoline demonstrated significant coefficients (change in dB) in both ears (p = .001). The mean different threshold of participants receiving nicergoline showed negative STS in all tested frequencies without statistical significance. However, the mean different threshold of participants receiving a placebo showed positive STS with statistical significance. Additionally, there were 16 ears detecting a warning sign of permanent hearing loss. These participants from the control group presented a longer duration of tinnitus (p = .042). Moreover, the serious adverse effects of nicergoline were considerably low.ConclusionThe study results suggest that nicergoline may attenuate noise‐related TTS and tinnitus, and justify further investigation on the effectiveness of this drug as an otoprotectant.Level of Evidence2
THE FLUX SUPERPOWER OF SEEING WHAT’S INVISIBLE
Authors: Rinne April 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe author explains the concept of a Flux Mindset, which in her words “sees change as an opportunity, not a threat, by being clear and grounded in your values.” There are eight components (or Superpowers) in the Flux Mindset: Run Slower, See What's Invisible, Get Lost, Start with Trust, Know Your “Enough,” Create Your Portfolio Career, Be All the More Human, and Let Go of the Future. The article focuses on the Superpower See What's Invisible. She contends that “to thrive in this world in flux, we need to radically reshape our relationship to uncertainty and “flip the script” to sustain a healthy and productive outlook.” She describes her work and observations in various countries, such as Japan and South Africa, in terms of how people listen, communicate, and relate to each other. She further writes that “an upside‐down world gives everyone an opportunity to consider a new range of solutions and update our scripts. You deserve to see everything: what's visible and invisible. The more holistic your worldview, the greater your capacity to help, to serve, to innovate … and to thrive.” She also provides various methods for achieving the admittedly difficult ability to “see what's invisible.”
The potential of NO+ and O2+• in switchable reagent ion proton transfer reaction time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Hegen Oliver , Salazar Gómez Jorge I. , Schlögl Robert , Ruland Holger 
Published: January 2022

AbstractSelected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT‐MS) and proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry with switchable reagent ion capability (PTR+SRI‐MS) are analytical techniques for real‐time qualification and quantification of compounds in gas samples with trace level concentrations. In the detection process, neutral compounds—mainly volatile organic compounds—are ionized via chemical ionization with ionic reagents or primary ions. The most common reagent ions are H3O+, NO+ and O2+•. While ionization with H3O+ occurs by means of proton transfer, the ionization via NO+ and O2+• offers a larger variety on ionization pathways, as charge transfer, hydride abstraction and so on are possible. The distribution of the reactant into various reaction channels depends not only on the usage of either NO+ or O2+•, but also on the class of analyte compounds. Furthermore, the choice of the reaction conditions as well as the choice of either SIFT‐MS or PTR+SRI‐MS might have a large impact on the resulting products. Therefore, an overview of both NO+ and O2+• as reagent ions is given, showing differences between SIFT‐MS and PTR+SRI‐MS as used analytical methods revealing the potential how the knowledge obtained with H3O+ for different classes of compounds can be extended with the usage of NO+ and O2+•.
Myocardial T1, T2, T2*, and fat fraction quantification via low‐rank motion‐corrected cardiac MR fingerprinting
Authors: Lima da Cruz Gastao José , Velasco Carlos , Lavin Begoña , Jaubert Olivier , Botnar Rene Michael , Prieto Claudia 
Published: January 2022

PurposeDevelop a novel 2D cardiac MR fingerprinting (MRF) approach to enable simultaneous T1, T2, T2*, and fat fraction (FF) myocardial tissue characterization in a single breath‐hold scan.MethodsSimultaneous, co‐registered, multi‐parametric mapping of T1, T2, and FF has been recently achieved with cardiac MRF. Here, we further incorporate T2* quantification within this approach, enabling simultaneous T1, T2, T2*, and FF myocardial tissue characterization in a single breath‐hold scan. T2* quantification is achieved with an eight‐echo readout that requires a long cardiac acquisition window. A novel low‐rank motion‐corrected (LRMC) reconstruction is exploited to correct for cardiac motion within the long acquisition window. The proposed T1/T2/T2*/FF cardiac MRF was evaluated in phantom and in 10 healthy subjects in comparison to conventional mapping techniques.ResultsThe proposed approach achieved high quality parametric mapping of T1, T2, T2*, and FF with corresponding normalized RMS error (RMSE) T1 = 5.9%, T2 = 9.6% (T2 values <100 ms), T2* = 3.3% (T2* values <100 ms), and FF = 0.8% observed in phantom scans. In vivo, the proposed approach produced higher left‐ventricular myocardial T1 values than MOLLI (1148 vs 1056 ms), lower T2 values than T2‐GraSE (42.8 vs 50.6 ms), lower T2* values than eight‐echo gradient echo (GRE) (35.0 vs 39.4 ms), and higher FF values than six‐echo GRE (0.8 vs 0.3 %) reference techniques. The proposed approach achieved considerable reduction in motion artifacts compared to cardiac MRF without motion correction, improved spatial uniformity, and statistically higher apparent precision relative to conventional mapping for all parameters.ConclusionThe proposed cardiac MRF approach enables simultaneous, co‐registered mapping of T1, T2, T2*, and FF in a single breath‐hold for comprehensive myocardial tissue characterization, achieving higher apparent precision than conventional methods.
Does aging affect the elastic properties of the bladder and the urethra in nulliparous women: An ultrasound shear‐wave elastography study
Authors: Baumfeld Yael , Wei Qi , Chitnis Paraq , Marroquin Joanna , Shobeiri S. Abbas , Alshiek Jonia 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate how aging and menopausal status in absence of pregnancy and childbirth affect the elasticity of the bladder and urethra.Study DesignA single‐center prospective observational study including nulliparous 10 pre‐ and 12 postmenopausal women. Data collection included baseline characteristics, physical examination data, questionnaire scores, PDFI and the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, and pelvic floor sonographic measurements as well as elastography measurements. The shear wave elastography (SWE) of tissue was measured using Kilopascal (kPa). The elastography measurements were taken over the rhabdosphincter, the suburethra smooth muscle, and the trigonal areas.ResultsA total of 22 nulliparous subjects were enrolled in the study. The cohort's mean age was 43.5 years, the mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.8, and 86% were of Caucasian ethnicity. The postmenopausal group was older and with higher BMI (p < 0.001 and p = 0.05). They also had higher scores in all the questionnaires (p < 0.05 for all) and did not demonstrate prolapse in any compartments. The SWE results for the whole group were 35.2 kPa in the rhabdosphincter measuring point, 40.2 kPa in the sub‐urethra point, and 20.6 kPa in the trigone point. Comparing the premenopause and postmenopause groups, we found lower measurements in the rhabdosphincter area and equivocal measurements for the suburethral zone. No statistically significant differences were found between the groupsConclusionsThe elastic properties of the different bladder components and the urethra change with age and menopause. Using elastic properties of the tissues, we can further explore both stress urinary incontinence and overactive bladder.
Factor structure of borderline personality disorder and response to Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving
Authors: Black Donald W. , Blum Nancee , Allen Jeff 
Published: January 2022

AbstractDifferential response to the Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS) program was compared in subgroups identified through latent class analysis (LCA). STEPPS is an evidence‐based group treatment program for patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). A reanalysis of data was conducted using data from a 20‐week randomized controlled trial and 1‐year follow‐up. Subjects (n = 164) with DSM‐IV BPD were assessed for comorbid Axis I and II disorders and selected clinical variables. Severity was assessed using the Zanarini Rating Scale for BPD (ZAN‐BPD) and the Borderline Evaluation of Severity Over Time (BEST). Three‐ and four‐class models were identified with the four‐class model having the better fit. The latter included a high severity (HS) class (26%), an affective instability/substance abuse (AISA) class (16%), an empty/dissociation/identity disturbance (EDID) class (27%), and a low severity (LS) class (30%). High impulsiveness predicted membership in the HS class. Improvement was determined using a linear mixed‐effects model. Those most likely to benefit were those in the HS group characterized by high symptom severity, Axis I and II comorbidity, problem relationships, abandonment fears, and intense anger. This work should help further efforts to match patients with treatments based on sociodemographic, diagnostic, and other illness characteristics.
A case of recurrent pneumothoraces in a newborn
Authors: George Ashish , Ortenberg Robin , Pinto Swaroop 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPneumothoraces are not an uncommon finding in the newborn period. Recurrent pneumothoraces can be associated with complications of prematurity or use of ventilators but can be seen in rapidly progressive cystic lung disease. We report a case of recurrent pneumothoraces in an infant with the rapidly progressive cystic disease in the setting of an absent right pulmonary artery. The patient ultimately underwent pneumonectomy for definitive management of the recurrent unilateral pneumothoraces.
Humidified rapid‐insufflation ventilatory exchange is a means of oxygenation during rigid bronchoscopy: A case series
Authors: Kornafeld Anna , Fernandez‐Bussy Sebastian , Abia‐Trujillo David , Garcia Juan C. , Chadha Ryan M. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractHumidified rapid‐insufflation ventilatory exchange (HRIVE) is an option for maintenance of oxygenation. This technique allows for oxygenation while the patient is apnoeic due to continuous positive airway pressure and gas exchange through flow‐dependent dead space flushing. There is no study about the usage of HRIVE during rigid bronchoscopy. This retrospective study looked at rigid bronchoscopy cases utilizing HRIVE. Data points assessing adequacy of oxygenation and ventilation were recorded at time points: oxygen saturation (SpO2), partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2). Our nine cases had an average baseline SpO2 of 99.26%, 95.56% at 10 min into HRIVE and 95.27% at the end of HRIVE. The average baseline PaO2 was 309.01 mmHg, 124.99 mmHg at 10 min into HRIVE and 128.17 mmHg at the end of HRIVE. The average baseline PaCO2 was 43.26 mmHg, 68.76 mmHg at 10 min into HRIVE and 75.52 mmHg at the end of HRIVE. The average pre‐HRIVE end‐tidal CO2 (ETCO2) was 38.56 mmHg and the average post‐HRIVE ETCO2 was 61.22 mmHg. The average baseline pH was 7.36, 7.22 at 10 min into HRIVE and 7.19 at the end of HRIVE. In this small cohort study, HRIVE was able to maintain adequate oxygenation via the rigid bronchoscope in a select group of patients. Hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis did result after 10 min, which may predispose certain patient populations to complications. HRIVE potentially offers an additional option of oxygenation via the rigid bronchoscope.
Ex situ treatment and residual management of PFAS contaminated environmental media
Authors: Grieco Scott A. , Koenigsberg Stephen , Claffey Jim , Cooper Ivan , Dewitt AnnieLu , Naidu Ravi , Wymore Ryan 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis paper focuses on both commercially available and developing ex situ technologies for treating per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). To date, conventional treatment technologies for PFAS removal from aqueous matrices involves the use of granular activated carbon, anion ion exchange resins, or reverse osmosis. Currently, the environmental industry is being flooded with new ex situ technologies designed to treat PFAS in both liquid and solid matrices. For more complex media, such as municipal wastewater and landfill leachate, significant pretreatment is generally required. Ex situ treatment/disposal methods for PFAS‐contaminated solid wastes are generally limited to landfill disposal and incineration. The paper begins with a regulatory overview applicable to ex situ PFAS treatment technologies and then summarizes commercially available and developing ex situ technologies for drinking water and groundwater, wastewater, landfill leachate, and solid wastes. New technologies that have been developed but are less widely applied are also discussed. In addition, the paper provides a summary of the decision‐making process for managing PFAS‐containing wastes.
Reciprocal Reading for struggling readers: An exemplar of evidence implementation in schools
Authors: Cockerill Maria , O'Keeffe Joanne , Thurston Allen , Taylor Andy 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThere continue to be challenges of transfer from research evidence to practice in education. This paper reports on the implementation of a well‐evidenced Reciprocal Reading approach in 35 schools across a high poverty region in England, working cooperatively at transition between primary and secondary. The purpose of the research reported here was not to test children to establish whether Reciprocal Reading improves student outcomes, as randomised controlled trial evidence from studies in England has already established the positive impact of this approach in primary and secondary schools. Instead, a process evaluation was undertaken using naturally occurring data and staff survey data, to understand whether it is possible to implement this approach across a region with high fidelity. The theory of change exemplified in previous randomised controlled trial evaluations was used to interrogate the data in respect of teacher behaviours and attitudes, and student behaviours as reported by school staff during implementation. Findings suggest high levels of adherence to programme design and resources by schools was present across the sample during implementation, together with staff competence and positive relational factors during programme delivery. These findings are in line with health‐based research where high fidelity of implementation is used as an indicator of transfer to practice.
Constrained fast finite‐time exact tracking for disturbed nonlinear systems
Authors: Chen Xiang , Zheng Shiqi , Ahn Choon Ki , Xie Yuanlong , Shi Peng 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis article investigates the fast finite‐time exact tracking problem for nonlinear systems with time‐varying disturbances. A new composite controller with a finite‐time disturbance observer is proposed to achieve fast finite‐time exact tracking. Furthermore, a new time‐varying barrier power integrator technique is developed to design the controller. This can ensure not only asymmetric/symmetric time‐varying full‐state constraints but also singular‐free continuous control effort. To reduce the complexity of computation, fuzzy logic systems are adopted to approximate complex nonlinearities. Finally, an example of single‐link robot systems subject to time‐varying disturbances is presented to show the validity of the proposed method.
Slash pine growth and nitrogen leaching potential following fertilization and pinestraw removal
Authors: Osiecka Anna , Minogue Patrick J. , Lauer Dwight K. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractCommercial pine plantations in the southern United States are commonly fertilized to enhance growth and to replenish nutrients following timber harvests or repetitive raking of pinestraw, an important secondary product. We examined the effects of pinestraw removal and fertilization on pine growth and N leaching potential in an 8‐yr‐old slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) plantation in North Florida. Raking treatments (raked or nonraked) were applied annually in February 2014–2017. Fertilization treatments (controlled‐release polymer‐coated urea at 0, 28, 56, 140, or urea at 56 kg N ha–1 yr–1) were applied annually in June 2014–2016. Pinestraw removal had no effect on stand growth. Fertilization did not enhance pine growth and increased mortality at the highest application rate. All fertilized treatments raised ammonium N (NH4–N) and nitrate–nitrite N (NOx–N) concentrations in soil solution at 30‐cm depth, indicating increased leaching potential. The period of elevated NH4–N concentrations occurred from 1 to 4 wk after fertilization, and the period of elevated NOx–N concentrations occurred from 1 to 13 or 26 wk following fertilization, with NOx–N concentration peaks (up to 98 mg L–1) at 4 or 8 wk. Soil solution NH4–N and NOx–N concentrations increased with increasing N application rate and with consecutive fertilizations. Polymer‐coated urea had no advantage over urea in terms of pine growth but resulted in slightly lower soil solution NOx–N concentrations in raked plots.
A nonparametric Bayesian method for dose finding in drug combinations cancer trials
Authors: Razaee Zahra S. , Cook‐Wiens Galen , Tighiouart Mourad 
Published: January 2022

AbstractWe propose an adaptive design for early‐phase drug‐combination cancer trials with the goal of estimating the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). A nonparametric Bayesian model, using beta priors truncated to the set of partially ordered dose combinations, is used to describe the probability of dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Dose allocation between successive cohorts of patients is estimated using a modified continual reassessment scheme. The updated probabilities of DLT are calculated with a Gibbs sampler that employs a weighting mechanism to calibrate the influence of data vs the prior. At the end of the trial, we recommend one or more dose combinations as the MTD based on our proposed algorithm. We apply our method to a Phase I clinical trial of CB‐839 and Gemcitabine that motivated this nonparametric design. The design operating characteristics indicate that our method is comparable with existing methods.
Two‐step hypothesis testing to detect gene‐environment interactions in a genome‐wide scan with a survival endpoint
Authors: Kawaguchi Eric S. , Li Gang , Lewinger Juan Pablo , Gauderman W. James 
Published: January 2022

AbstractDefined by their genetic profile, individuals may exhibit differential clinical outcomes due to an environmental exposure. Identifying subgroups based on specific exposure‐modifying genes can lead to targeted interventions and focused studies. Genome‐wide interaction scans (GWIS) can be performed to identify such genes, but these scans typically suffer from low power due to the large multiple testing burden. We provide a novel framework for powerful two‐step hypothesis tests for GWIS with a time‐to‐event endpoint under the Cox proportional hazards model. In the Cox regression setting, we develop an approach that prioritizes genes for Step‐2 testing based on a carefully constructed Step‐1 screening procedure. Simulation results demonstrate this two‐step approach can lead to substantially higher power for identifying gene‐environment () interactions compared to the standard GWIS while preserving the family wise error rate over a range of scenarios. In a taxane‐anthracycline chemotherapy study for breast cancer patients, the two‐step approach identifies several gene expression by treatment interactions that would not be detected using the standard GWIS.
Micro‐structural Analysis and Photocatalytic Properties of Green Synthesized t‐ZrO2 Nanoparticles
Authors: Sikdar Suranjan , Banu Afroja , Ali Salim , Barman Subhodeep , Kalar Pankaj Lal , Das Rahul 
Published: January 2022

AbstractTetragonal zirconia (t‐ZrO2) nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully synthesized by a green method using β‐cyclodextrin as stabilizer. The structural characterization of the prepared nanoparticles was done by X‐ray diffraction (XRD).The tetragonal crystalline structure of ZrO2 NPs was confirmed by XRD analysis. We employed the Rietveld method to refine the XRD data and the refinement result leads to specify the tetragonal phase of ZrO2 NPs with space group P 42/n m c. The FTIR spectrum gives the information about the presence of Zr−O bonding at 501 cm−1. Particle size and morphological properties were demonstrated by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and elemental compositions were analysed using EDAX spectrum. The band gap energy was estimated using optical absorption spectroscopy and the value was found to be 3.99 eV. The UV (310 nm) and visible (401, 420 and 560 nm) emissions were observed from PL spectrum. Brunauer‐Emmet‐Teller (BET) surface analysis was used for determining the surface area and average pore size of ZrO2 NPs.The photocatalytic degradation of the prepared ZrO2 NPs for organic dyes had been studied under visible light irradiation. Results showed that 68 % degradation was achieved within 135 min for Methylene Blue (MB) dye but other dyes almost remains unchanged during the same reaction times.