bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Searchable encryption: A survey on privacy‐preserving search schemes on encrypted outsourced data
Authors: Handa Rohit , Krishna C. Rama , Aggarwal Naveen
Published: April 2019

Outsourcing confidential data to cloud storage leads to privacy challenges that can be reduced using encryption. However, with encryption in place, the utilization of the data is reduced, which leads to reduced quality of experience of the users. To overcome this, searchable encryption (SE) schemes are utilized, which allow the end users to retrieve the relevant documents from the cloud, for which various researchers have worked utilizing different techniques. Despite the popularity of the searchable encryption schemes, most of the surveys either do not provide or present an incomplete taxonomy of SE schemes. Hence, in this paper, we attempt to present a complete taxonomy/classification of the searchable encryption schemes in terms of the type of search, type of index, results retrieved, implementation type, multiplicity of users, and the technique used. From the literature, it is observed that inner product similarity is widely adopted by researchers to compute the similarity of the query and the document index as it provides both conjunctive and disjunctive searching (ie, have better search capability) but requires high search time (ie, have lower search efficiency). On the other hand, schemes based on binary comparisons exist, which require less search time (ie, have better search efficiency) but support only conjunctive searching (ie, have limited search capability). Thus, a major conclusion drawn from our work is that there is an imbalance between search capability and search efficiency, ie, in the existing schemes, search capability can be improved at the cost of search time only. Therefore, we suggest that one direction where researchers should work on is to provide a balance between search capability and search efficiency.
ETAS: Energy and thermal‐aware dynamic virtual machine consolidation in cloud data center with proactive hotspot mitigation
Authors: Ilager Shashikant , Ramamohanarao Kotagiri , Buyya Rajkumar
Published: April 2019

Data centers consume an enormous amount of energy to meet the ever‐increasing demand for cloud resources. Computing and Cooling are the two main subsystems that largely contribute to energy consumption in a data center. Dynamic Virtual Machine (VM) consolidation is a widely adopted technique to reduce the energy consumption of computing systems. However, aggressive consolidation leads to the creation of local hotspots that has adverse effects on energy consumption and reliability of the system. These issues can be addressed through efficient and thermal‐aware consolidation methods. We propose an Energy and Thermal‐Aware Scheduling (ETAS) algorithm that dynamically consolidates VMs to minimize the overall energy consumption while proactively preventing hotspots. ETAS is designed to address the trade‐off between time and the cost savings and it can be tuned based on the requirement. We perform extensive experiments by using the real‐world traces with precise power and thermal models. The experimental results and empirical studies demonstrate that ETAS outperforms other state‐of‐the‐art algorithms by reducing overall energy without any hotspot creation.
Impact of Er:YAG laser on wound healing following nonsurgical therapy: A pilot study
Authors: Klepper Kandice L. , Chun Yong‐Hee Patricia , Cochran David , Chen Shuo , McGuff Howard S. , Mealey Brian L.
Published: April 2019

The purpose is to examine early wound healing through histological analysis by characterizing connective tissue distribution and organization in the treated periodontium following nonsurgical therapy. Periodontal disease is a multifactorial pathological process that leads to the loss of the surrounding periodontium. Traditional periodontal therapies have proven beneficial in halting the progression of disease. The aim of this study is to investigate early wound healing in periodontal patients following hand/ultrasonic instrumentation alone, erbium‐doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser instrumentation alone, or a combination of hand/ultrasonic instrumentation and Er:YAG laser instrumentation for the nonsurgical treatment of periodontitis by histologic evaluation. Twenty‐one patients were randomized to receive nonsurgical therapy for the treatment of chronic periodontitis with three modalities prior to surgical therapy. Baseline clinical measurements were obtained prior to treatment. Wound healing was assessed by obtaining an otherwise discarded tissue sample following nonsurgical therapy of the selected study site. Samples were obtained at 2 or 6 weeks following initial therapy with a step‐back incision and fixated for histological and immunohistochemical analysis. There were minimal between‐group differences in the amount of collagen distribution when analyzing the Mallory–Heidenhain Azan trichrome, Picrosirus Red stain, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen at both time points. Descriptive analysis of baseline measurements showed no differences in probing depth change, bleeding on probing, and clinical attachment level following initial therapy between the three treatment groups at 2 or 6 weeks. Each treatment modality was effective in treating moderate to severe chronic periodontitis; however, the results of this study are inconclusive regarding superiority of any one treatment approach from a histologic and immunohistochemical perspective. Based on this assessment, there was increased fibroblast proliferation and collagen maturation between the 2‐ and 6‐week time point after treatment in all treatment groups, with few apparent differences between treatment groups. This pilot study qualitatively evaluated early wound healing in periodontal patients following non surgical therapy with various treatment modalities. When comparing descriptive outcomes of Er:YAG laser therapy and hand/ultrasonic instrumentation there were minimal differences in collagen distribution and density between groups. The evaluated modalities were each effective treating periodontal patients with non surgical therapy.
Efficiency and Health Economic Evaluations of BD OneFlow™ Flow Cytometry Reagents for Diagnosing Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia
Authors: Moloney Eoin , Watson Helen , Barge Dawn , Allen A. Joy , Carey Peter , Hislop Jennifer , Johnston Louise , Lorrison Kate , McGregor Andrew , O'Leary Rachel A. , Power Michael H. , Wallis Jonathan , Simpson A. John , Greystoke Brigit
Published: April 2019

Reason for the study

To standardize the use of flow cytometry for classifying hematological malignancies and make the results reliable and reproducible across laboratories, the EuroFlow™ Consortium published a comprehensive specification of antibody‐fluorochrome conjugates, standard protocols, and algorithms for analysis. The BD OneFlow™ system builds on, and further standardizes, the EuroFlow protocols. We aimed to assess the effects on safety, efficiency, and costs for laboratories of adopting the BD OneFlow reagent tubes (LST and B‐CLPD T1) for diagnosing chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Methods

We compared in‐house laboratory processes and results with those using the LST and B‐CLPD T1 reagent tubes with, and without, blood film morphology. Outcome measures included concordance in classification results, and efficiency within the laboratory, that is, resource usage, staff time, unwanted events, and cost‐consequences.

Results

There was 100% concordance between the classifications made with in‐house flow cytometry and those with the BD OneFlow reagent tubes. Using BD OneFlow tubes required 13 hours less staff time per month (i.e. for 100 samples) than the in‐house process. Sensitivity analyses explored the effects of uncertainties in the price of the BD OneFlow tubes and the prevalence of CLL and identified the thresholds at which laboratories might expect cost‐savings from adopting the BD OneFlow system. Laboratory and clinical staff considered the BD OneFlow system to be safe and effective.

Conclusions

Laboratories adopting the BD OneFlow system for classifying patients with suspected CLL can expect safe, efficient processes that can be cost saving if the discount on the list price, and prevalence of CLL (which will both vary between sites and countries), is within the thresholds suggested by the health economics sensitivity analysis. © 2019 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Developmental trajectories of general and breathing movements in fetal twins
Authors: Tendais Iva , Figueiredo Bárbara , Mulder Eduard J.H. , Lopes Dulcina , Montenegro Nuno
Published: April 2019

This study examined the developmental trajectories of general and breathing movements in fetal twins. Fetal movement patterns were assessed from real‐time ultrasound recordings performed at 12‐15, 20‐23, and 28‐32 weeks of gestation in 42 twin pairs. Results indicated that both general movements and breathing movements followed a curvilinear, inverted U‐shaped curve. Developmental trajectories were unrelated within pairs of twins and were not associated with gestational age at birth and birth weight. However, sex differences were found for general movements with males displaying more time making general movements at 21 weeks and a steeper decline in time spent making general movements during the second half of pregnancy than females. These age‐related changes in fetal movements may reflect CNS development. These findings also suggest that twins’ behavioral development is largely independent of co‐twin development, gestational age at birth, and birth weight, but not of fetal sex.
Hypertriglyceridaemia predicts subsequent long‐term risk of cardiovascular events in Chinese adults: 23‐year follow‐up of the Daqing Diabetes Study
Authors: Wang Jinping , Shen Xiaoxia , He Siyao , An Yali , Gong Qiuhong , Li Hui , Zhang Bo , Shuai Ying , Chen Yanyan , Hu Yinghua , Li Guangwei
Published: April 2019

Background

Limited information is available on the long‐term risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) associated with hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG) in the Chinese population. We estimated this risk over a 23‐year period in participants recruited from among those included in the Da Qing Diabetes Study.

Methods

A total of 833 Chinese adults including 379 with normal glucose levels and 454 with hyperglycaemia were identified by their oral glucose tolerance in 1986 in Da Qing, China. CVD outcomes were monitored until 2009. Thirty‐four percent (280/833) of the participants had HTG, which was defined as a fasting plasma triglyceride (TG) level ≥ 1.7 mmol/L, at the baseline time point.

Results

Over the 23‐yearfollow‐up period, 149 subjects in the HTG group and 190 subjects in the non‐HTG group (NTG group) experienced their first CVD event, including fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke. The age and sex‐adjusted annual incidence of the first CVD event per 1000 person‐years was 30.23 for the HTG group vs 18.68 for the NTG group. The corresponding rates for MI and stroke were 7.71 vs 3.89 and 19.55 vs 13.98, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, the HTG group had a 28% higher risk of the first CVD event than the NTG group. This association was significant among only the subjects with a serum cholesterol level > 5.7 mmol/L and those with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

Conclusion

HGT predicted a substantially higher subsequent long‐term risk of the first CVD event in Chinese adults, especially in those with hypercholesterolaemia and hyperglycaemia.
In situ fabrication of microporous organic network coated capillary column for high resolution gas chromatographic separation of hydrocarbons
Authors: Cui Yuan‐Yuan , Yao Huan , Yang Cheng‐Xiong , Yan Xiu‐Ping
Published: April 2019

Microporous organic networks (MONs) are a new class of porous materials synthesized via Sonogashira coupling reactions between organic building blocks. Here we report an in situ synthesis approach to fabricate MONs coated capillary column for high resolution GC separation of hydrocarbons. The McReynolds constant evaluation reveals the MONs coated capillary is a non‐polar column. The MONs coated capillary column shows good resolution for GC separation of diverse important industrial hydrocarbons such as linear and branched alkanes, alkylbenzenes, pinene isomers, ethylbenzene and styrene, cyclohexane and benzene. The MONs coated capillary column gave a high column efficiency of 1542 plates per meter for hexane and good precision for replicate separations of the selected hydrocarbons with the RSDs of 0.2–0.3, 1.5–3.1, and 1.9–3.3% for retention time, peak height and peak area, respectively. The MONs coated capillary also offered better resolution than commercial Inert Cap‐1 and Inert Cap‐5 capillary columns for hexane and heptane isomers. These results reveal the potential of MONs as novel stationary phases in GC.
The respiratory tract microbiome and its relationship to lung cancer and environmental exposures found in rural china
Authors: Hosgood H. Dean , Mongodin Emmanuel F. , Wan Yunhu , Hua Xing , Rothman Nathaniel , Hu Wei , Vermeulen Roel , Seow Wei Jie , Rohan Thomas , Xu Jun , Li Jihua , He Jun , Huang Yunchao , Yang Kaiyun , Wu Guoping , Wei Fusheng , Shi Jianxin , Sapkota Amy R. , Lan Qing
Published: April 2019

We previously reported that bacterial diversity in sputum samples from never‐smoking women in rural China varied by lung cancer status and household air pollution (HAP) exposure type. Here, we expand on our associations between environmental exposures and respiratory tract microbiota with an additional 90 never‐smoking women from Xuanwei, China. DNA from sputum samples of cases (n = 45) and controls (n = 45) was extracted using a multistep enzymatic and physical lysis, followed by a standardized clean up. V1–V2 regions of 16S rRNA genes were Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified. Purified amplicons were sequenced by 454 FLX Titanium pyrosequencing and high‐quality sequences were evaluated for diversity and taxonomic membership. In our population of never‐smokers, increased risk of lung cancer was associated with lower alpha diversity compared to higher alpha diversity (Shannon: ORhigh = 1.00 [reference], ORmedium = 3.84 [1.02–14.48], ORlow = 3.78 [1.03–13.82]; observed species: ORhigh = 1.00 [reference], ORmedium = 2.37 [0.67–8.48], ORlow = 2.01 [0.58–6.97]; Phylogenetic Diversity (PD) whole tree: ORhigh = 1.00 [reference], ORmedium = 3.04 [0.85–10.92], ORlow = 2.53 [0.72–8.96]), as well as a decreased relative abundance of Fusobacteria (ORhigh = 1.00 [reference], ORmedium = 1.24 [0.42–3.66], ORlow = 2.01 [0.63–6.44], ptrend = 0.03). Increasing alpha diversity was associated with smoky coal use compared to clean fuel use among all subjects (observed species, P = 0.001; PD whole tree, P = 0.006; Shannon, P = 0.0002), as well as cases (observed species, P = 0.02; PD whole tree, P = 0.03; Shannon, P = 0.03) and controls (observed species, P = 0.01; PD whole tree, P = 0.05; Shannon, P = 0.002). Increased diversity was also associated with presence of livestock (observed species, P = 0.02; PD whole tree, P = 0.02; Shannon, P = 0.03) in the home for cases. Our study is the first to report that decreased microbial diversity is associated with risk of lung cancer. Larger studies are necessary to elucidate the direct and indirect effects attributed to the disease‐specific, HAP‐specific, and animal‐specific associations. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Yumen conglomerate ages in the South Ningxia Basin, north‐eastern Tibetan Plateau, as constrained by cosmogenic dating
Authors: Shi Wei , Hu Jianmin , Chen Peng , Chen Hong , Wang Yongchao , Qin Xiang , Zhang Yu , Yang Yong
Published: April 2019

The South Ningxia Basin, as the outermost Cenozoic basin on the north‐eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, is characterized by a series of convex to the north‐east arcuate structural belts. Constraining the final formation time of the belt has been an ongoing focus in geologic research of the Tibetan Plateau. A set of early Pleistocene conglomerates, the Yumen conglomerate, overlying the folded pre‐Quaternary formations are widely distributed throughout the whole basin, and the latest folded formation is the upper Pliocene Ganhegou Formation, marking the termination of folding uplift in the north‐eastern Tibetan Plateau. Based on 1:50,000 geological mapping, a set of early Pleistocene alluvial fan conglomerates overlying the folded Palaeogene–Neogene strata were recognized and agree well with the Yumen conglomerate. Here, the Yumen conglomerate formation ages were determined to be 0.6–1.04 Ma using cosmic nuclide burial dating. Combined with the upper limit age of the latest strata beneath the unconformity with the latest palaeomagnetic age of 2.77 Ma, the crustal shortening event is restricted to the period 2.77–1.04 Ma, indicating that it is the most intense tectonic shortening event along the north‐eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau.
The role of the T‐N tract in advanced stage tongue cancer
Authors: Tagliabue Marta , Gandini Sara , Maffini Fausto , Navach Valeria , Bruschini Roberto , Giugliano Gioacchino , Lombardi Francesca , Chiocca Susanna , Rebecchi Elisabetta , Sica Eleonora , Tommasino Massimo , Calabrese Luca , Ansarin Mohssen
Published: April 2019

Background

We investigated the role of the soft tissue tract between the primary tumor and the neck lymph nodes, the “T‐N tract,” in patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma at an advanced stage.

Methods

We performed a compartmental tongue surgery in 233 patients. Cumulative incidence of relapses and overall survival curves were compared by T‐N tract involvement. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the independent role of T‐N tract.

Results

At 4 years of follow‐up, patients with disease in the T‐N tract experienced a significantly more distant recurrence (40%) than did patients without T‐N tract involvement (22%; P = .02). Multivariate Cox models indicate a significant almost triple risk of distant metastases (hazard ratio [HR], 2.70; 95% CI, 1.01‐7.19; P = .05) and double risk of death (HR, 2.09; 95%CI, 1.13‐3.85; P = .02) in patients with “T‐N tract involvement.”

Conclusions

Our data show that the T‐N tract plays an important role in prognosis and survival in patients with tongue cancer.
Personal growth initiative as a predictor of psychological empowerment: The mediating role of job crafting
Authors: Matsuo Makoto
Published: April 2019

Previous research has investigated the effects of socio‐organizational factors on psychological empowerment (PE), whereas only a limited number of studies have examined the influence of individual characteristics on PE. Drawing on self‐determination theory and social capital theory, this study hypothesized that personal growth initiative (PGI), a set of skills that facilitate self‐change, has an indirect and positive influence on PE as mediated by three types of job crafting. The results of a two‐wave longitudinal survey of 320 employees in the US indicate that PGI had an indirect positive influence on PE that was mediated by the following: (a) increasing structural job resources; (b) increasing challenging job demands; and (c) increasing social job resources, which subsequently leads to increasing challenging job demands. These findings contribute to the existing literature by elucidating the importance of self‐initiated change processes at work.
“Ditch the Study Guide”: Creating Short Films to Analyze Literature Circle Texts
Authors: Marlatt Rick
Published: April 2019

Implementation of digital literacies in secondary literature study can result in increased textual engagement and explorations of identity. The author describes the results of practitioner research at a Midwestern U.S. high school in which seniorAPstudents created short films as a way to analyze literature circle texts. The purpose of the study was to understand how video storytelling can support young adult readers’ literary analysis. The author used qualitative content analysis to analyze a focal participant's screenplay and film, as well as his transcribed commentary and interviews. Findings showed that his film reflected analyses that demonstrated engagement with literature, increased appetite for reading, and text‐driven social interaction.
Sodium butyrate suppresses NOD1‐mediated inflammatory molecules expressed in bovine hepatocytes during iE‐DAP and LPS treatment
Authors: Roy Animesh Chandra , Chang Guangjun , Ma Nana , Wang Yan , Roy Shipra , Liu Jing , Aabdin Zain‐Ul , Shen Xiangzhen
Published: April 2019

Nucleotide oligomerization domain protein‐1 (NOD1), a cytosolic pattern recognition receptor for the γ‐D‐glutamyl‐meso‐diaminopimelic acid (iE‐DAP) is associated with the inflammatory diseases. Very little is known how bovine hepatocytes respond to specific ligands of NOD1 and sodium butyrate (SB). Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the role of bovine hepatocytes in NOD1‐mediated inflammation during iE‐DAP or LPS treatment or SB pretreatment. To achieve this aim, hepatocytes separated from cows at ∼160 days in milk (DIM) were divided into six groups: The nontreated control group (CON), the iE‐DAP‐treated group (DAP), the lipopolysaccharide‐treated group (LPS), iE‐DAP with SB group (DSB), LPS with SB group (LSB), and the SB group. Both iE‐DAP and LPS highly increased the expression of both NOD1 and RIPK2, the two key factors for the immune response in hepatocytes. IκBα, NF‐κB/p65, and MAP kinases (ERK, JNK, and p38) were activated through phosphorylation. The activation of NF‐κB and MAPK pathway consequently increased the proinflammatory cytokines, IL‐6, TNF‐α, IL‐8, and IFN‐γ and the chemokines CCL5, CCL20, and CXCL‐10. Both treatments improved iNOS/NOS2 expression. However, iE‐DAP was failed to express acute phase protein SAA3, but HP and LPS HP but SAA3. These ligands also increased LRRK2, TAK1, TAB1, and β‐defensins expression. The SB pretreatment at lower dose restored the function of hepatocytes by suppressing these increased molecules, as HDAC3 was inhibited. The activated NOD1 negatively regulated the expression of FOXA2. Altogether these data suggest an important role of bovine hepatocytes to promote immune responses via NOD1 expression during infection in the liver and a key role of SB to attenuate inflammation.
Conflict, compensation, and plasticity: Sex‐specific, individual‐level trade‐offs in green anole (Anolis carolinensis) performance
Authors: Lailvaux Simon P. , Cespedes Ann M. , Houslay Thomas M.
Published: April 2019

Trade‐offs in performance expression occur because animals must perform multiple whole‐organism performance tasks that place conflicting demands on shared underlying morphology. Although not always detectable within populations, such trade‐offs may be apparent when analyzed at the level of the individual, particularly when all of the available data are taken into account as opposed to only maximum values. Detection of performance trade‐offs is further complicated in species where sexual dimorphism drives performance differences between males and females, leading potentially to differing patterns of trade‐offs within each sex. We tested for within‐ and between‐individual trade‐offs among three whole‐organism performance traits (sprint speed, endurance, and bite force) in adult male and female Anolis carolinensis lizards using all of the measured performance data. Sprinting and endurance did not trade‐off among individuals in either sex, but we found a significant negative among‐individual relationship between sprint speed and bite force in females only, likely driven by the mechanical burden of larger than optimal heads imposed on females through intralocus sexual conflict. We also found evidence for marked within‐individual plasticity in male bite force, but no within‐individual trade‐offs between any traits in either sex. These data offer new insight into the sex‐specific nature of performance trade‐offs and plasticity and, ultimately, into the constraints on multivariate performance evolution.
Neutrophil GM-CSF receptor dynamics in acute lung injury
Authors: De Alessandris Silvia , Ferguson G John , Dodd Alison J , Juss Jatinder K , Devaprasad Abhinandan , Piper Siân , Wyatt Owen , Killick Helen , Corkill Dominic J , Cohen E Suzanne , Pandit Aridaman , Radstake Timothy R D J , Simmonds Rosalind , Condliffe Alison M , Sleeman Matthew A , Cowburn Andrew S , Finch Donna K , Chilvers Edwin R
Published: April 2019

GM-CSF is important in regulating acute, persistent neutrophilic inflammation in certain settings, including lung injury. Ligand binding induces rapid internalization of the GM-CSF receptor (GM-CSFRα) complex, a process essential for signaling. Whereas GM-CSF controls many aspects of neutrophil biology, regulation of GM-CSFRα expression is poorly understood, particularly the role of GM-CSFRα in ligand clearance and whether signaling is sustained despite major down-regulation of GM-CSFRα surface expression. We established a quantitative assay of GM-CSFRα surface expression and used this, together with selective anti-GM-CSFR antibodies, to define GM-CSFRα kinetics in human neutrophils, and in murine blood and alveolar neutrophils in a lung injury model. Despite rapid sustained ligand-induced GM-CSFRα loss from the neutrophil surface, which persisted even following ligand removal, pro-survival effects of GM-CSF required ongoing ligand-receptor interaction. Neutrophils recruited to the lungs following LPS challenge showed initially high mGM-CSFRα expression, which along with mGM-CSFRβ declined over 24 hr; this was associated with a transient increase in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) mGM-CSF concentration. Treating mice in an LPS challenge model with CAM-3003, an anti-mGM-CSFRα mAb, inhibited inflammatory cell influx into the lung and maintained the level of BALF mGM-CSF. Consistent with neutrophil consumption of GM-CSF, human neutrophils depleted exogenous GM-CSF, independent of protease activity. These data show that loss of membrane GM-CSFRα following GM-CSF exposure does not preclude sustained GM-CSF/GM-CSFRα signaling and that this receptor plays a key role in ligand clearance. Hence neutrophilic activation via GM-CSFR may play an important role in neutrophilic lung inflammation even in the absence of high GM-CSF levels or GM-CSFRα expression.
Humanism’s Revival in Third‐Wave Behaviorism
Authors: McLAUGHLIN JERRY E.
Published: April 2019

Humanistic counseling therapies have fallen from grace in an age of manualized care. However, the behaviorists’ embrace of key humanistic ideas may signal a revival. In this article, the author reviews 10 of these key ideas, examining what a revival of humanism could mean for counseling theory, practice, and research.
Radial‐Biased Tracking Method to Assess Tissue Displacement in Intravascular Ultrasound Sequences: A Phantom Framework Evaluation
Authors: Grinet Marco A. V. M. , Moraes Matheus Cardoso
Published: April 2019

Objectives

We created and evaluated a pixel‐tracking method capable of accurately identify the displacement of tissue in intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images.

Methods

Our proposed pixel‐tracking method assessed the horizontal and vertical displacement of tissue from a numerical phantom of IVUS sequences. The proposed tracking method is based on a block‐matching framework, comparing 2 distinct frames within a selected region by normalized cross‐correlation. Our method, specialized for IVUS applications, reduced the tracking area by implementing a limiting radius and a radial bias during the search.

Results

The method was evaluated by using 54 numerical phantom image sequences from 9 distinct arterial models, resulting in different arteries with atherosclerotic plaques under a range of pressures. The ground truth reference coordinates of the tracked tissue were extracted from each numerical phantom sequence. Our results were compared to 8 other methods present in the literature. The mean absolute tracking errors ± SD for our method were 15.56 ± 19.46 and 13.04 ± 13.82 μm for the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively, between 2 subsequent frames, and 162.58 ± 305.93 and 102.22 ± 130.61 μm from lower to higher pressures in the range of 6 frames (n = 42,036).

Conclusions

Our application‐specific pixel‐tracking method showed promising results and no statistically significant tracking error (P = .954), comparable to state‐of‐the‐art methods present in the literature. Application‐specific tracking methods have advantages over general methods by turning tissue‐specific behavior into a directional bias in the tracking algorithm.
Oscillating Swelling–Shrinking Dynamics and Diffusive Properties of Weakly Cationic Poly(Aminoalkyl Methacrylate)‐Based Cryogels: Quantifying the Influence of Polymer Network Parameters
Authors: Tanc Beril , Orakdogen Nermin
Published: April 2019

Thermodynamic properties of swelling equilibria and variability of dynamic response of pH‐sensitive polybases are examined. Poly(aminoalkyl methacrylate)‐based cryogels and hydrogels are prepared in a facile way by crosslinking polymerization of amine functional monomer N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) in the presence of diethyleneglycol dimethacrylate as crosslinker at temperatures below and above freezing point of polymerization solvent, water, via cryogelation and conventional crosslinking polymerization. The effect of polymerization temperature on swelling characteristics of the prepared polybasic gels is investigated as a function of the gel‐preparation concentration. The overshooting effect is observed during pH‐dependent swelling of poly(N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) hydrogels in acidic medium. Protonation/deprotonation of tertiary amine groups in network‐forming polymer demonstrates critical swelling behavior as pH of the swelling medium increases. Oscillating swelling–shrinking studies are performed and effective diffusion coefficient of water within PDMAEMA cryogel and hydrogel matrices is estimated using the dynamic swelling profiles. The mechanism of cyclic swelling–shrinking process of PDMAEMA cryogels and hydrogels are analyzed to control their pulsatile output patterns in metabolic oscillations. Considering the swelling process occurs through Fickian diffusion mechanism in acidic solutions, polybasic cryogels and hydrogels prepared in this study are thus proposed as good candidates for delivery applications.
Efficient Preparation of Cyclic Olefin Copolymers with Unreacted Double Bonds by Using Thermal Stable Non‐Metallocene Vanadium Catalytic System
Authors: Liu Yi , Xiang Hong‐Xia , Wang Kai‐Ti , Wu Gang , Li You‐Bing
Published: April 2019

Five β‐ketoimine vanadium(III) catalysts with promising thermal stability are employed to promote efficient ethylene/dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), ethylene/5‐ethylidene‐2‐norbornene (ENB), and ethylene/5‐vinyl‐2‐norbornene (VNB) copolymerizations, respectively. These vanadium catalysts show high activities toward ethylene/DCPD and ethylene/ENB copolymerization, producing copolymers with high molecular weight and co‐monomer incorporations. By contrast, they exhibit moderate activities toward ethylene/VNB copolymerization and afford copolymers with much lower molecular weight and co‐monomer incorporation. This can be ascribed to less steric hindrance around the pendant vinyl group in VNB. All of the selected catalysts exhibit a single‐site catalytic behavior during the copolymerization. These dienes enchained by vinyl‐type addition via the intra cyclic CC bonds of norbornene and the extra CC bonds are totally maintained as unreacted. Besides, the conversion rates of the monomer, as well as the molecular weight and co‐monomer contents of the copolymers can be effectively regulated by varying the structure of catalysts and the processing parameters.
Rapid Synthesis of Poly(methyl methacrylate) Particles with High Molecular Weight by Soap‐Free Emulsion Polymerization Using Water‐in‐Oil Slug Flow
Authors: Watanabe Takaichi , Karita Kengo , Tawara Koki , Soga Takuya , Ono Tsutomu
Published: April 2019

A flow process for the production of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles is proposed by soap‐free emulsion polymerization using a water‐in‐oil (W/O) slug flow in a microreactor. Thin oil films generated around the dispersed aqueous phase of the W/O slug prevent the prepared particles from adhesion to the microchannel wall, enabling the continuous production of PMMA particles without clogging. The effects of the linear flow rate of the slug flow and the addition of ethanol in the dispersed aqueous phase on the polymerization are evaluated. It is found that increasing the linear flow rate of the slug flow or the addition of ethanol in the dispersed aqueous phase results in PMMA particles with high molecular weight (≈1500 kg mol−1) in 20 min reaction time. It is believed that this process would be a promising way to prepare polymer particles with high molecular weight in a short reaction time.
A Highly Crystalline Fluorene‐Based Porous Organic Framework with High Photoluminescence Quantum Yield
Authors: Li Jiawen , Sun Fuxing , Shi Xinli , Ren Hao , Li Meiping , Zhu Guangshan
Published: April 2019

Using 4‐connected pyrene‐based building blocks with D2h
symmetry and 2‐connected fluorene‐based linker with C2v
symmetry, a 2D porous organic framework is obtained via imine condensation, PAF‐130. PAF‐130 has high crystallinity, permanent, and a high photoluminescence quantum yield, which is as high as 29.5% when dispersed in acetonitrile.
Mathematical modelling of an experimental‐analytical method for friction coefficient determination in deep drawing
Authors: Lela B. , Krolo J. , Mirić T.
Published: April 2019

The main aim of this paper is to determine the friction coefficient μ and maximum drawing force in deep drawing process of aluminum alloy EN AW 1050 utilizing strip drawing method. Influence and interaction between lubrication condition, blank holder force and strip surface roughness on maximum drawing force and friction coefficient are investigated. Response surface methodology and D‐Optimal design are utilized in order to create an experimental plan. According to the design, 23 strip drawings experiments are performed and statistical analysis was done. The regression and variance analysis results with 18 significant mathematical models which are derived in order to describe influence of mentioned parameters on friction coefficient and maximum drawing force. Results are discussed according to previous research. Finally, the optimization of processing parameters is performed aiming for lower friction coefficient and maximal drawing force.
Effect of ageing temperature on reverse austenite content in AISI 630 stainless steel
Authors: Burja J. , Šuler B. , Nagode A.
Published: April 2019

The alloy AISI 630 (ASTM A564‐89 17‐4 PH) is a precipitation hardening stainless steel with good mechanical and corrosion properties. Mechanical properties strongly depend on the microstructure. Namely, the formation of the reversed austenite and coarsening of copper rich precipitates cause a substantial drop of hardness. Thus, the evolution of the microstructure during ageing was thoroughly investigated in order to explain the processes that have effect on formation of the reversed autenite. The reaustenitization was analyzed with a dilatometer, while the coarsening of copper rich precipitates was observed by transmission electron microscope. The amount of austenite was measured with x‐ray diffraction and the impact of austenite on the fracture appearance transition temperature was observed. It was found that the amount of the so called reverse austenite does not only depend on the amount of transformed austenite but also on its chemistry, as it dictates its ability to transform into martensite during cooling.
Numerical simulation of carbon dioxide corrosion under flow conditions in an elbow
Authors: Chen J. , Wang X. , Wang Y. , Huang H.
Published: April 2019

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD)‐based method combined with water chemistry and electrochemical reaction calculation is developed to investigate the effect of fluid flow on carbon dioxide corrosion in an elbow. The mass transfer of reactants and products influenced by flow during corrosion is revealed visually by distribution of main species concentration. The results show that the distributions of main species concentration and corrosion rate on the bare steel surface are in good accordance with the distribution of flow velocity. The maximum corrosion rate appears at the entrance on inner side wall of the elbow, and the corrosion rate decreases along the flow direction. Near the exit of the elbow, the secondary flow arises and enhances the mass transfer as well as the corrosion rate. According to the saturation value, the iron carbonate is more likely to precipitate at the inner side wall near the exit of the elbow. The model is validated by the good agreement between simulation results and published experimental data in prediction of hazardous corrosion region and the regional corrosion rate of the elbow.
Effect of electromagnetic stirring and solution treatment on microstructure and properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy
Authors: Bian J.C. , Yu B.Y. , Zheng L. , Wang B. , Shi W.J. , Guo C.F. , Wang S.C. , Li R.X.
Published: April 2019

Effect of electromagnetic stirring and solution treatment on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of AZ31 alloy are investigated in this study. Results show that the mechanical properties of AZ31 alloy are substantially increased after electromagnetic stirring and solution treatment. The tensile strength and elongation are 178 MPa and 19.6 % for AZ31 alloy prepared by electromagnetic stirring after solution treatment. A large number of twins and low angle boundaries are observed in the specimen after heat treatment, since the compressive stress on (
) crystal plane become larger during quenching. The dislocation arrays, which produced by slip or climbing of dislocations, join together to form low angle boundaries.
To feel emotional concern: A qualitative interview study to explore telephone nurses’ experiences of difficult calls
Authors: Eriksson Irene , Ek Kristina , Jansson Sofie , Sjöström Ulrika , Larsson Margaretha
Published: April 2019

Aim

To describe telenurses’ experiences of difficult calls.

Design

A qualitative approach with a descriptive design was used to gain a deeper understanding of the telenurses’ experiences.

Methods

The data were collected in spring 2017 through semi‐structured interviews with 19 telenurses at call centres and primary healthcare centres and were analysed with qualitative content analysis.

Results

Becoming emotionally concerned is central to the telenurse’s experiences of difficult calls. Difficult calls are accompanied by feelings such as inadequacy, uncertainty and anxiety, which can be described as emotional tension. Emotional tension refers to situations when the caller’s expressed emotions were conveyed to the telenurses and altered their state of mind. The telenurses stated that difficult calls that cause them to become anxious remain in their thoughts and go through their minds repeatedly, making a deep impression.
Cybersecurity: Where Are We Now?
Authors: George Robert
Published: April 2019

As we put another winter behind us, it's time to ask some hard questions about how well we've spent our time preparing for the brave new world of ubiquitous communications and computing.
Conflicting Goals May Have Unintended Consequences for Legionella Growth
Authors: David Krause J. , Deem Steve , Grace Jang H.
Published: April 2019

Stakeholders must recognize the potential impact energy and water conservation measures can have on the growth of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens.
Pump Station Optimization: Use Analytics to Find the Needle in a Moving Haystack
Authors: Peterson Daniel , Pierce David
Published: April 2019

There are millions of ways to run a pump station equipped with variable‐frequency drives, but intelligent pump management analytics can pinpoint the single optimal way.
Time‐delayed photo‐induced depolymerization of poly(phthalaldehyde) self‐immolative polymer via in situ formation of weak conjugate acid
Authors: Jiang Jisu , Phillips Oluwadamilola , Engler Anthony , Vong Man Hou , Kohl Paul A.
Published: April 2019

Poly(phthalaldehyde) (PPHA) can be used as a structural material in transient devices and photo‐catalytically depolymerized at the end of device life by the use of a photo‐acid generator (PAG). However, device degradation requires the presence of a radiation source at the end of device mission. It has been found that the onset of PPHA depolymerization after PAG photo‐exposure can be delayed by incorporation of a particular weak bases in the PPHA/PAG mixture. This method of delayed PPHA depolymerization allows for PAG activation prior to or during device deployment when the device is under full user control. The basicity of specific lactams and amides was found to slow the PPHA depolymerization, giving the transient device a longer but finite mission lifetime. The weak base reacts with the photo‐generated strong acid to form a weak conjugate acid, which reacts more slowly with PPHA to extend the onset of PPHA depolymerization. The addition of a molar excess of specific lactams or amides, with respect to PAG, maintains PPHA stability and mechanical properties for more than 80 minutes after photo‐exposure at room temperature. The amide or lactam mediated acid activation of PPHA follows first‐order kinetics. The time delay of PPHA depolymerization can allow for prelaunch photo‐exposure and eliminates the need for postmission photo‐exposure where reliable light‐sources may not be available.
Health literacy and knowledge of chronic transfusion therapy in adolescents with sickle cell disease and caregivers
Authors: Yee Marianne E. McPherson , Meyer Erin K. , Fasano Ross M. , Lane Peter A. , Josephson Cassandra D. , Brega Angela G.
Published: April 2019

Background

Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) may require chronic transfusion therapy (CTT) for prevention of stroke or other complications. Limited health literacy (HL) is common and is associated with poor health‐related knowledge and outcomes in chronic disease. We sought to assess HL and transfusion knowledge in patients with SCD on CTT and their caregivers.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study of patients was conducted in outpatient hematology clinics. Forty‐five pairs of adolescent patients and caregivers and 20 caregivers of pre‐adolescent patients completed the Newest Vital Sign HL assessment and answered questions assessing SCD and transfusion knowledge. Community‐level median income and unemployment rates were estimated from Census data. We computed the correlation of HL with knowledge and compared each to Census variables, payor status, educational attainment, and stroke.

Results

HL was inadequate in 22 (34%) caregivers and 31 (69%) adolescents. Adequate caregiver HL was associated with higher educational attainment but not community‐level socioeconomics or payor status. Mean knowledge score was lower in adolescents than in caregivers and correlated with age in adolescents (r = 0.42, P = .004). HL correlated with knowledge (r = 0.46, P < .0001). There were no significant correlations of HL or knowledge between adolescents and their caregivers. Neither HL nor knowledge was associated with prior stroke. The greatest knowledge was demonstrated for iron overload and SCD genotype, whereas knowledge gaps existed in alloimmunization, indication for CTT, and SCD curative therapy.

Conclusions

Enhanced educational resources in transfusion therapy, alloimmunization, and curative therapy are needed for patients with SCD and caregivers of all HL levels.
Cell‐free DNA next‐generation sequencing successfully detects infectious pathogens in pediatric oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients at risk for invasive fungal disease
Authors: Armstrong Amy E. , Rossoff Jenna , Hollemon Desiree , Hong David K. , Muller William J. , Chaudhury Sonali
Published: April 2019

Background

We sought to determine if next‐generation sequencing (NGS) of microbial cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) in plasma would detect pathogens in pediatric patients at risk for invasive fungal disease (IFD).

Procedures

Pediatric hematology, oncology, and stem cell transplant patients deemed at risk for new IFD had blood samples drawn at three time‐points separated by 1‐month intervals. The primary outcome measure was detection of fungal pathogens compared to standard clinical testing. Secondary outcomes included identification of other infectious pathogens, relationship to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer's Invasive Fungal Infections Cooperative Group and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases’ Mycoses Study Group (EORTC/MSG) guidelines, and assessment of antifungal therapy.

Results

NGS identified fungal pathogens in seven of 40 at‐risk patients for IFD and results were identical in four of six proven cases, including Aspergillus fumigatus by lung biopsy, Candida albicans by blood or pancreatic pseudocyst cultures, and Rhizopus delemar by skin biopsy. Rhizopus oryzae identified on skin biopsy and A. fumigatus isolated on day 27 of 28 of culture from lung biopsy were not detected by cfDNA NGS, possibly due to lack of bloodstream penetration and questionable pathogenicity, respectively. Numerous DNA viruses were detected in patients with prolonged febrile neutropenia or abnormal imaging. Extended antifungal therapy was used in 73% of patients. Follow‐up cfDNA sequencing in patients who were positive at enrollment was negative at 1 and 2 months.

Conclusions

cfDNA NGS detected fungal pathogens from blood confirming its potential to guide treatment decisions in pediatric patients at risk for IFD and limit excessive empiric antifungal use. Future studies are needed to better understand the sensitivity and specificity of this approach.
Greater number of perceived barriers to hydroxyurea associated with poorer health‐related quality of life in youth with sickle cell disease
Authors: Smaldone Arlene , Manwani Deepa , Green Nancy S.
Published: April 2019

Background

Despite medical benefits, hydroxyurea adherence in adolescents is often poor. As part of a baseline assessment of 28 youth (10–18 years) parent dyads who participated in a 6‐month feasibility trial to improve hydroxyurea adherence, we measured the relationship between greater barriers to adherence and health‐related quality of life (HRQL) from youth and parent perspectives.

Procedure

Barriers were measured using the Adolescent and Parent Medication Barriers Scales with nine hydroxyurea items added. Barriers reported by ≥25% of the sample were considered common. Generic and disease‐specific HRQL were measured by PedsQL and PedsQL Sickle Cell Disease modules. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha, Spearman correlation coefficients, and paired t tests.

Results

Fifty‐six subjects (28 dyads) participated. Youth reported greater barriers compared with parents (5.0 ± 3.9 and 3.5 ± 3.2; P = 0.03), with >80% of respondents reporting ≥1 barriers. Twelve barriers were reported by ≥25% of adolescents, whereas six were reported by ≥25% of parents. Of these, only two were common to both dyad members. Approximately one‐third of youth had generic and disease‐specific HRQL scores that fell at or below cutoff scores, suggesting being at risk for impaired HRQL. Greater barriers were inversely associated with poorer generic (parent r = −0.43, P = 0.03; youth r = −0.44, P < 0.001) and disease‐specific HRQL (parent r = −0.53, P = 0.005; youth r = −0.53, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Hydroxyurea barriers were frequently reported but differed by dyad members’ perspective. Greater barriers were associated with poorer generic and disease‐specific HRQL. To reduce barriers to hydroxyurea in youth with sickle cell disease, perspectives of both dyad members should be addressed.