cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.10295861.v1
title: Evaluation of OFDM Channel Sounding Techniques with Three Modulation Sequences

description: Abstract This paper presents an evaluation of multicarrier channel sounding techniques using different random and pseudo-random sequences to modulate the OFDM sounding signal. The Random (Rand), Pseudo-Noise (PN) and Zadoff-Chu (ZC) were tested, both in laboratory simulations and in field measurements. For the laboratory simulations Matlab routines were used to generate OFDM signals modulated with each of the three sounding signals, that were then convoluted with a synthesized transfer function of a test channel with six multipath components and added Gaussian noise and Doppler fading. The resulting signals are then correlated with a copy of the original signal to provide the multipath power delay profiles. The root mean square deviation (RMSD) and the relationship between peak power and mean power (PAPR) were used as metrics for the comparison between the test transfer function and the simulation detected multipath delay profiles, showing slight advantages of the ZC sequence. The three sequences were then used in field measurements to characterize an urban channel at 700 MHz. In the field measurements, the ZC sequence showed the lowest detection threshold, allowing for the detection of a larger number of multipath components.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.10295870.v1
title: The Russian Conduit - Combining Bentall and Ozaki Procedures for Concomitant Ascending Aorta Replacement and Aortic Valve Neocuspidization

description: Abstract In aortic valve disease cases, prosthetic valves have been used for valve replacement, however, these prostheses have inherent problems, and their quality in some countries is lower comparing to new-generation models, causing shorter durability. Aortic valve neocuspidization (AVNeo) has emerged as an option, which can be applied to a wide spectrum of these diseases. Despite the promising results, this procedure is not widely spread among cardiac surgeons yet. We developed a surgical technique combining Bentall and Ozaki procedures to treat patients with concomitant ascending aorta replacement and AVNeo and we describe it in this paper.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.10295852
title: Replacement of the Native Mitral Valve Due to Endocarditis Caused by Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia

description: Abstract We report a case of a 59-year-old female patient with vegetative native mitral valve endocarditis caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (SM). She had hemodialysis-dependent chronic renal failure, but no immunosuppressive disease. Echocardiography showed mobile vegetation on her native mitral valve. Right femoral artery embolectomy and mitral valve replacement were performed simultaneously. She awakened from anesthesia, but she passed away due to septic shock complications. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first case in whom native mitral valve endocarditis caused by SM was observed (despite of absence of any immunosuppressive event) and needed to undergo valve replacement.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.10295855
title: In-Vitro Antibacterial and Antifungal Effects of High Levels of Chinese Star Anise

description: ABSTRACT This study investigated the in-vitro antibacterial and fungicidal activities of three crude extracts of Illicium verum (absolute methanol, 50% methanol and aqueous extracts) against two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes), two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella Arizona), and two fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger). The antibacterial action was measured using an agar disk diffusion test, and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were determined. The fungicidal activity of the star anise extracts was assessed by the agar disk diffusion test, and poisoned food techniques, and the MICs and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) were determined. The Chinese star anise extracts showed antibacterial and antifungal activities against A. fumigatus. The results of this study suggest that alcoholic extracts are more active than aqueous extracts and that star anise could be used as a natural antimicrobial agent.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.10295846
title: Aortic Valve Neocuspidization with Glutaraldehyde-Treated Autologous Pericardium (Ozaki Procedure) - A Promising Surgical Technique

description: Abstract In cases of aortic valve disease, prosthetic valves have been increasingly used for valve replacement, however, there are inherent problems with prostheses, and their quality in the so-called Third World countries is lower in comparison to new-generation models, which leads to shorter durability. Recently, transcatheter aortic valve replacement has been explored as a less invasive option for patients with high-risk surgical profile. In this scenario, aortic valve neocuspidization (AVNeo) has emerged as another option, which can be applied to a wide spectrum of aortic valve diseases. Despite the promising results, this procedure is not widely spread among cardiac surgeons yet. Spurred on by the last publications, we went on to write an overview of the current practice of state-of-the-art AVNeo and its results.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.10295849
title: Association of glutamate metabotropic receptor polymorphisms and sensorineural hearing loss in adults of different age groups

description: Abstract Introduction: Sensorineural hearing loss is a common challenge all over the world, including a section of the young population. While there have been many published reports associating glutamate metabotropic receptor 7 with sensorineural hearing loss, there is no report, till date, about the association of glutamate metabotropic receptor 7 polymorphisms with sensorineural hearing loss at different ages. Objective: To test the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms rs11928865 and rs11920109 of the glutamate metabotropic receptor 7 with sensorineural hearing loss in adults of different age groups. Methods: A total of 1661 subjects were studied. The individuals aged between 30 and 50, and between 51 and 70 years with sensorineural hearing loss comprised group A and group B, respectively. Individuals aged between 30 and 50; and between 51 and 70 years without hearing loss comprised control groups C and D, respectively. The MassARRAY method was used to analyze the genotypes. Results: The difference in genotypes for the glutamate metabotropic receptor 7 rs11928865 single nucleotide polymorphism between patients in the groups B and D was statistically significant (p = 0.018). The distribution frequencies of genotypes in patients that were aged between 30 and 50 years were not significantly different. The difference in genotypes for the rs11920109 single nucleotide polymorphism between the sensorineural hearing loss groups and control groups showed no statistical significance. Conclusion: The rs11928865 single nucleotide polymorphism was associated with the susceptibility to hearing loss in patients in group B but not with those in group A.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.10295849.v1
title: Association of glutamate metabotropic receptor polymorphisms and sensorineural hearing loss in adults of different age groups

description: Abstract Introduction: Sensorineural hearing loss is a common challenge all over the world, including a section of the young population. While there have been many published reports associating glutamate metabotropic receptor 7 with sensorineural hearing loss, there is no report, till date, about the association of glutamate metabotropic receptor 7 polymorphisms with sensorineural hearing loss at different ages. Objective: To test the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms rs11928865 and rs11920109 of the glutamate metabotropic receptor 7 with sensorineural hearing loss in adults of different age groups. Methods: A total of 1661 subjects were studied. The individuals aged between 30 and 50, and between 51 and 70 years with sensorineural hearing loss comprised group A and group B, respectively. Individuals aged between 30 and 50; and between 51 and 70 years without hearing loss comprised control groups C and D, respectively. The MassARRAY method was used to analyze the genotypes. Results: The difference in genotypes for the glutamate metabotropic receptor 7 rs11928865 single nucleotide polymorphism between patients in the groups B and D was statistically significant (p = 0.018). The distribution frequencies of genotypes in patients that were aged between 30 and 50 years were not significantly different. The difference in genotypes for the rs11920109 single nucleotide polymorphism between the sensorineural hearing loss groups and control groups showed no statistical significance. Conclusion: The rs11928865 single nucleotide polymorphism was associated with the susceptibility to hearing loss in patients in group B but not with those in group A.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.10295864.v1
title: EFFECTS OF TRAINING LOAD CHANGES ON PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE AND EXERCISE-INDUCED MUSCLE DAMAGE

description: ABSTRACT Introduction There is no previous study examining muscle damage responses from training load changes in individuals trained exclusively with repeated sprint exercise. Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of training load changes on physical performance and exercise-induced muscle damage in male college athletes who were trained using a 30m repeated sprint protocol. Methods Twelve participants completed the 6-week training period (three sessions/week), which consisted of progressively increasing intensity training in the first 5 weeks. On the first day of the training period, all sprints were performed at 70–80% of maximum effort. In the first session of the 5th week (Maximal intensity training; MIT), all sprints (10×30m sprints) were performed at maximal speed. The sets (10 sprints at maximal speed in each set) were repeated until exhaustion (Exhaustive training; ET) in the first training session of the 6th week, followed by two sessions of the normal training. Isometric strength, 30m sprint performance, flexibility, serum creatine kinase (CK) and cortisol were measured periodically during the examination period. Results Isometric strength, 30m sprint performance, and flexibility were significantly decreased following the ET, and did not recover during the following 9-day period, which consisted of two training sessions and 6 days of recovery. Cortisol was significantly elevated immediately after the ET but was not changed after training on first day and during MIT. CK was significantly elevated after training every week, but the increase at 24 hours after ET was significantly higher than after the first day and MIT. Conclusions Dramatically increasing the volume of maximal intensity repeated sprint exercise results in greater relative muscle damage even in trained individuals, which will significantly limit their performance. Further training sessions, even at normal intensity and volume with insufficient time for muscle recovery, may prolong the duration of fatigue. Level of evidence II; Diagnostic Studies - Investigating a diagnostic test.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.10295846.v1
title: Aortic Valve Neocuspidization with Glutaraldehyde-Treated Autologous Pericardium (Ozaki Procedure) - A Promising Surgical Technique

description: Abstract In cases of aortic valve disease, prosthetic valves have been increasingly used for valve replacement, however, there are inherent problems with prostheses, and their quality in the so-called Third World countries is lower in comparison to new-generation models, which leads to shorter durability. Recently, transcatheter aortic valve replacement has been explored as a less invasive option for patients with high-risk surgical profile. In this scenario, aortic valve neocuspidization (AVNeo) has emerged as another option, which can be applied to a wide spectrum of aortic valve diseases. Despite the promising results, this procedure is not widely spread among cardiac surgeons yet. Spurred on by the last publications, we went on to write an overview of the current practice of state-of-the-art AVNeo and its results.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.10295852.v1
title: Replacement of the Native Mitral Valve Due to Endocarditis Caused by Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia

description: Abstract We report a case of a 59-year-old female patient with vegetative native mitral valve endocarditis caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (SM). She had hemodialysis-dependent chronic renal failure, but no immunosuppressive disease. Echocardiography showed mobile vegetation on her native mitral valve. Right femoral artery embolectomy and mitral valve replacement were performed simultaneously. She awakened from anesthesia, but she passed away due to septic shock complications. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first case in whom native mitral valve endocarditis caused by SM was observed (despite of absence of any immunosuppressive event) and needed to undergo valve replacement.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.10295855.v1
title: In-Vitro Antibacterial and Antifungal Effects of High Levels of Chinese Star Anise

description: ABSTRACT This study investigated the in-vitro antibacterial and fungicidal activities of three crude extracts of Illicium verum (absolute methanol, 50% methanol and aqueous extracts) against two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes), two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella Arizona), and two fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger). The antibacterial action was measured using an agar disk diffusion test, and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were determined. The fungicidal activity of the star anise extracts was assessed by the agar disk diffusion test, and poisoned food techniques, and the MICs and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) were determined. The Chinese star anise extracts showed antibacterial and antifungal activities against A. fumigatus. The results of this study suggest that alcoholic extracts are more active than aqueous extracts and that star anise could be used as a natural antimicrobial agent.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.10295828
title: Recrystallization Kinetics of Fe-3%Si after Deformation at High Strain Rate and High Temperature

description: Recrystallization kinetics of Fe-3%Si with initial grain size 296~839µm at the temperature range 1223~1423K, strain range from 0.51 to 0.92, strain rate range 5~80s−1 was studied by isothermal compression test using Gleeble-2000. The effect of strain, strain rate, initial grain size and annealing temperature on the recrystallization kinetics were discussed. Avrami equation was used to describe the static recrystallization kinetics. Moreover, the effect of initial grain size and annealing temperature on the exponent in Avrami equation was discussed and the reason of the exponent deviating from the theory value is owed to the effect of static recovery. In all the experimental range the static recrystallization kinetics can be well predicted by Avrami equation.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.10295822
title: An augmented patient-specific approach to administration of contrast agent for CT renal angiography

description: ABSTRACT Purpose This hybrid retrospective and prospective study performed on 200 consecutive patients undergoing renal CTA, investigates the opacification of renal vasculature, radiation dose, and reader confidence. Materials and Methods 100 patients were assigned retrospectively to protocol A and the other 100 were allocated prospectively to protocol B. Both protocols implemented a contrast material and saline flow rate of 4.5 mL/sec. Protocol A utilized a 100 mL of low-osmolar nonionic IV contrast material (Ioversol 350 mg I/mL) while protocol B employed a patient-tailored contrast media formula using iso-osmolar non-ionic (Iodixanol 320 mg I/mL). Results Arterial opacification in the abdominal aorta and in the bilateral main proximal renal arteries demonstrated no statistical significance (p&gt;0.05). Only the main distal renal artery of the left kidney in protocol B was statistically significant (p&lt;0.046). In the venous circulation, the IVC demonstrated a significant reduction in opacification in protocol B (59.39 HU ± 19.39) compared to A (87.74 HU ± 34.06) (p&lt;0.001). Mean CNR for protocol A (22.68 HU ± 13.72) was significantly higher than that of protocol B (14.75 HU ± 5.76 p&lt; 0.0001). Effective dose was significantly reduced in protocol B (2.46 ± 0.74 mSv) compared to A (3.07 ± 0.68 mSv) (p&lt;0.001). Mean contrast media volume was reduced in protocol B (44.56 ± 14.32 mL) with lower iodine concentration. ROC analysis demonstrated significantly higher area under the ROC curve for protocol B (p&lt; 0.0001), with inter-reader agreement increasing from moderate to excellent in renal arterial visualization. Conclusion Employing a patient-tailored contrast media injection protocol shows a significant refinement in the visualization of renal vasculature and reader confidence during renal CTA.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.10295819
title: Images and narratives of the Bolsa Família Program: analysis of the rhetoric in mainstream press

description: Abstract This article analyzes the production of narratives, images, and causal stories constructed by the mainstream press (Folha de S. Paulo and O Estado de S. Paulo newspapers) on the Bolsa Família Program (PBF). These narratives are derived from theoretical orientations for public policies that are still underdeveloped in Brazil: the post-positivist and cognitive theories, which characterizes this article as an innovative analytical effort. The study assessed the dispute over image monopoly using quantitative and qualitative analysis of journalistic materials published between 2003 and 2017. As a result, categories of images were formulated (handouts, insufficiency, electoral marketing, and populism), interpreted by Albert Hirschman’s “theses” and John Campbell’s typologies. The study concluded that there is a disconnection between the narratives created by the mainstream press on the one hand, and the public sentiment favorable to the program and its impacts on the other. This is mainly derived from evaluative studies elaborated by different epistemic communities related to public policies, nationally and internationally. This research corroborated the hypothesis that the mainstream press acted as a political/ideological actor who did the conservative resistance challenging the advancement of the social rights agenda in Brazil, by repeatedly reproducing conservative theses listed in Hirschman in their arguments and causative stories.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.10295828.v1
title: Recrystallization Kinetics of Fe-3%Si after Deformation at High Strain Rate and High Temperature

description: Recrystallization kinetics of Fe-3%Si with initial grain size 296~839µm at the temperature range 1223~1423K, strain range from 0.51 to 0.92, strain rate range 5~80s−1 was studied by isothermal compression test using Gleeble-2000. The effect of strain, strain rate, initial grain size and annealing temperature on the recrystallization kinetics were discussed. Avrami equation was used to describe the static recrystallization kinetics. Moreover, the effect of initial grain size and annealing temperature on the exponent in Avrami equation was discussed and the reason of the exponent deviating from the theory value is owed to the effect of static recovery. In all the experimental range the static recrystallization kinetics can be well predicted by Avrami equation.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.10295816
title: Measurement of attitudes in masculine organizational contexts

description: Abstract Organizations developing equality plans must understand the persistence of workers’ asymmetric conceptions based on gender stereotype. This study was conducted in Portugal and aimed to identify whether there are more gender stereotypes in highly masculinized organizational contexts. A questionnaire “Men’s Polarized Gender Thinking Questionnaire (MPGQ)” was applied to a sample of 160 workers from two organizations: Águas Limpas and SOS. In the labor market, men with higher levels of education tend to present more equalitarian attitudes, while less educated men are less likely to recognize inequalities. Individuals’ schooling and education are crucial, as these aspects stand out as important vectors for the acquisition of a more equalitarian system of beliefs and social values on the theme of gender relations. The results show that the attitudes of men towards gender equality are not distributed randomly. These findings corroborate the warningsmade in research adopting intersectionality approaches.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.10295819.v1
title: Images and narratives of the Bolsa Família Program: analysis of the rhetoric in mainstream press

description: Abstract This article analyzes the production of narratives, images, and causal stories constructed by the mainstream press (Folha de S. Paulo and O Estado de S. Paulo newspapers) on the Bolsa Família Program (PBF). These narratives are derived from theoretical orientations for public policies that are still underdeveloped in Brazil: the post-positivist and cognitive theories, which characterizes this article as an innovative analytical effort. The study assessed the dispute over image monopoly using quantitative and qualitative analysis of journalistic materials published between 2003 and 2017. As a result, categories of images were formulated (handouts, insufficiency, electoral marketing, and populism), interpreted by Albert Hirschman’s “theses” and John Campbell’s typologies. The study concluded that there is a disconnection between the narratives created by the mainstream press on the one hand, and the public sentiment favorable to the program and its impacts on the other. This is mainly derived from evaluative studies elaborated by different epistemic communities related to public policies, nationally and internationally. This research corroborated the hypothesis that the mainstream press acted as a political/ideological actor who did the conservative resistance challenging the advancement of the social rights agenda in Brazil, by repeatedly reproducing conservative theses listed in Hirschman in their arguments and causative stories.