bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly efficient white electroluminescence from dual-core star-shaped single polymer: performance improved by changing the non-emissive core
Authors: Zhao Yan , Liu Zhengde , Wang Jingwei , Chen Yunxiang , Cui Guoxing , Xiao Wangchuan , Lin Zhenghuan , Ling Qidan
Published: March 2018

Highly efficient white electroluminescence is obtained from dual-core star-shaped polymers constructed by employing 9,9-spirobifluorene (SBF) as the non-emissive cores, phenylmaleimide (PM) as the green-emissive core.
Studies of black silicon and black diamond as materials for antibacterial surfaces
Authors: Hazell G. , May P. W. , Taylor P. , Nobbs A. H. , Welch C. C. , Su B.
Published: March 2018

‘Black silicon’ (bSi) samples with surfaces covered in nanoneedles of varying length, areal density and sharpness, have been fabricated using a plasma etching process and coated in a conformal layer of CVD diamond. These nanostructures are found to exhibit antibacterial propertiesversusGram negative bacteria.
Mechanism, selectivity, and reactivity of iridium- and rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular ketone α-alkylation with unactivated olefinsviaan enamide directing strategy
Authors: Li Xiaojie , Wu Hongli , Lang Yanmin , Huang Genping
Published: March 2018

DFT calculations were performed to investigate the title reaction, focusing on detailed reaction mechanism and origins of selectivity and reactivity.
Reversible modulation of the redox characteristics of acid-sensitive molybdenum and tungsten scorpionate complexes
Authors: Heyer Alexander J. , Shivokevich Philip J. , Hooe Shelby L. , Welch Kevin D. , Harman W. Dean , Machan Charles W.
Published: March 2018

The large-scale synthesis of the scorpionate ligand Ttz (hydrotris(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)borate) is reported, as well as syntheses of Group VI complexes K[M(L)(CO)3] and M(L)(NO)(CO)2, (M = Mo or W).
Reduction of ormaplatin by an extended series of thiols unravels a remarkable correlation
Authors: Dong Jingran , Tian Hongwu , Song Changying , Shi Tiesheng , Elding Lars I.
Published: March 2018

Reduction of the Pt(iv) anticancer active prodrug ormaplatin by an extended series of thiols has been studied, revealing a remarkable linear free-energy correlation.
Effect of isouronium/guanidinium substitution on the efficacy of a series of novel anti-cancer agents
Authors: Previtali Viola , Trujillo Cristina , Amet Rebecca , Zisterer Daniela M. , Rozas Isabel
Published: March 2018

Considering our hypothesis that the guanidinium moiety in the protein kinase type III inhibitor1interacts with a phosphate of ATP within the hinge region, the similar isouronium moiety was computationally, synthetically and biologically studied indicating that an isouronium derivative of1will interact in a similar manner with ATP.
Readily functionalized AAA–DDD triply hydrogen-bonded motifs
Authors: Tong Feng , Linares-Mendez Iamnica J. , Han Yi-Fei , Wisner James A. , Wang Hong-Bo
Published: March 2018

Herein we present a new, readily functionalized AAA–DDD hydrogen bond array.
High definition polyphosphoesters: between nucleic acids and plastics
Authors: Appukutti Nadeema , Serpell Christopher J.
Published: March 2018

Nucleic acids and synthetic polyphosphoester materials have been distinct fields – this review shows how these areas now comprise a continuum.
A single palladium site catalyst as a bridge for converting homogeneous to heterogeneous in dimerization of terminal aryl acetylenes
Authors: Zhao Chao , Yu Haizhu , Wang Jing , Che Wei , Li Zhijun , Yao Tao , Yan Wensheng , Chen Min , Yang Jian , Wei Shiqiang , Wu Yuen , Li Yadong
Published: March 2018

Herein, we utilize the surface dangling bond of MOFs as anchoring sites to access single Pd sites embedded on a hollow MOF nanobox.
Visible-light-induced methylsulfonylation/bicyclization of C(sp3)-tethered 1,7-enynes using a DMSO/H2O system
Authors: Huang Min-Hua , Zhu Chi-Fan , He Chun-Lan , Zhu Yi-Long , Hao Wen-Juan , Wang De-Cai , Tu Shu-Jiang , Jiang Bo
Published: March 2018

A visible light photocatalytic methylsulfonylation/bicyclization of C(sp3)-tethered 1,7-enynes has been established using a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/H2O system as the methylsulfonyl source.
Photo-induced C–H bond activation of N,N′-dialkylethylenediamine upon aza-Michael addition to 1,8-pyrenedione: facile synthesis of fluorescent pyrene derivatives
Authors: Yao Wei , Sun Mingtai , Zhang Yuannian , Yang Hui , Liang Dong , Wu Haixia , Ni Runyan , Wong Ming Wah , Huang Dejian
Published: March 2018

We discovered a reaction between 1,8-pyrenedione and N,N′-dialkylethylenediamine to form highly fluorescent products, via aza-Michael addition followed by double C–H activation facilitated by visible light.
Photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B catalyzed by TiO2films on a capillary column
Authors: Yang Huaitao , Yang Junjiao
Published: March 2018

TiO2films on a capillary column were prepared using tetrabutoxytitanium as a source of TiO2viathe sol–gel method.
Computer-aided drug design, synthesis and identification of disulfide compounds as novel and potential allosteric PAK1 inhibitors
Authors: Huang Hanwei , Jiang Hailun , Zhang Xiangyu , Li Wei , Wang Pengliang , Liu Funan , Wang Jian , Bai Mingfeng , Cheng Maosheng
Published: March 2018

p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine protein kinase, which has been considered as one of the key regulatory factors in signaling network of tumor cells.
Green emission of indium oxide via hydrogen treatment
Authors: Arooj Syeda , Xu TingTing , Hou Xudong , Wang Yang , Tong Jing , Chu Runrun , Liu Bo
Published: March 2018

H2-treated In2O3 gives rise to photoemission ranging from blue to green-yellow, while air-calcined In2O3 shows only blue emission. EPR and optical spectroscopies reveal singly ionized oxygen vacancies induced by H2 treatment responsible for the green-yellow emission.
Effect of pretreatment atmosphere of WOx/SiO2catalysts on metathesis of ethylene and 2-butene to propylene
Authors: Gayapan Krittidech , Sripinun Sirada , Panpranot Joongjai , Praserthdam Piyasan , Assabumrungrat Suttichai
Published: March 2018

Effect of H2pretreatment on the non-calcined and air-calcined WO3/SiO2catalysts.
Novel Eu2+-activated thiogallate phosphors for white LED applications: structural and spectroscopic analysis
Authors: Lee Szu-Ping , Chan Ting-Shan , Dutta Somrita , Chen Teng-Ming
Published: March 2018

BaGa2SiS6:Eu2+ (a) emits a green light upon excitation at 405 nm, whereas Ba2Ga8SiS16:xEu2+ (b) can be tuned to emit cyan to green with increasing Eu2+ content when excited at 365 nm.
Purification, structure and anti-oxidation of polysaccharides from the fruit of Nitraria tangutorum Bobr.
Authors: Zhao Baotang , Liu Jing , Chen Xin , Zhang Ji , Wang Junlong
Published: March 2018

Antioxidant activity of NTWP-II, evaluated in vitro, indicates that NTWP-II has good potential as a natural antioxidant used in the food industry.
Adsorption of tetrakis(4-sulfophenyl)porphyrin onto liposomal surfaces composed of neutral diacylphosphatidylcholine and release by cyclodextrin
Authors: Tsuchiya Yuki , Nakaya Toshimi , Kakigi Tomoyuki , Sugikawa Kouta , Ikeda Atsushi
Published: March 2018

Interactions between tetrakis(4-sulfophenyl)porphyrin and liposomal surfaces with neutral diacylphosphatidylcholine occurred and can be controlled by the addition of cyclodextrin.
Introduction of stereocomplex crystallites of PLA for the solid and microcellular poly(lactide)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) blends
Authors: Shi Xuetao , Qin Jianbin , Wang Long , Ren Liucheng , Rong Fan , Li Daiheng , Wang Ryan , Zhang Guangcheng
Published: March 2018

The introduced PLA stereocomplex could enhance the melting strength of PLLA/PBAT blends efficiently. The microcellular morphology of PLLA/PBAT foams with PDLA exhibited decreased average cell size and increased cell density.
Functionalization of α-hydroxyphosphonates as a convenient route toN-tosyl-α-aminophosphonates
Authors: Cytlak Tomasz , Skibińska Monika , Kaczmarek Patrycja , Kaźmierczak Marcin , Rapp Magdalena , Kubicki Maciej , Koroniak Henryk
Published: March 2018

The reaction mechanism and diastereoselectivity of the direct transformation of α-hydroxyphosphonates6a,b–21a,bbypara-toluenesulfonamide, yielding α-(N-tosyl)aminophosphonates23a,b–37a,bunder K2CO3conditions are presented.
Phosphonium acidic ionic liquid: an efficient and recyclable homogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of 2-arylbenzoxazoles, 2-arylbenzimidazoles, and 2-arylbenzothiazoles
Authors: Nguyen Quang The , Thi Hang Anh-Hung , Ho Nguyen Thuy-Linh , Nguyen Chau Duy-Khiem , Tran Phuong Hoang
Published: March 2018

A green, straightforward, and efficient synthesis of 2-arylbenzoxazoles, 2-arylbenzimidazoles, and 2-arylbenzothiazoles catalyzed by phosphonium acidic ionic liquid has been developed.
Stabilized fabrication of anatase-TiO2/FeS2 (pyrite) semiconductor composite nanocrystals for enhanced solar light-mediated photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue
Authors: Rashid Jamshaid , Saleem Sahar , Awan Saif Ullah , Iqbal A. , Kumar Rajeev , Barakat M. A. , Arshad Muhammad , Zaheer Muhammad , Rafique Mohsin , Awad M.
Published: March 2018

A novel visible light active TiO2/FeS2 semiconductor photocatalyst was synthesized by a simple wet chemical process.
Pd(ii)-catalyzed synthesis of bifunctionalized carboranesviacage B–H activation of 1-CH2NH2-o-carboranes
Authors: Zhang Xiaolei , Yan Hong
Published: March 2018

Pd-catalyzed, transient group-directed diarylation of cage B(4,5)–H bonds in 1-CH2NH2-o-carboranes was reported, including the isolation and structural characterization of key intermediates.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of graphene-like cobalt sulfide freestanding sheets as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting
Authors: Souleymen Rafai , Wang Zhitao , Qiao Chen , Naveed Muhammad , Cao Chuanbao
Published: March 2018

Total water splitting provides an appealing pathway for clean and sustainable energy conversion and storage.
Low turn-on voltage and highly bright Ag–In–Zn–S quantum dot light-emitting diodes
Authors: Zhu Bingyan , Ji Wenyu , Duan Zongquan , Sheng Yang , Wang Ting , Yuan Qilin , Zhang Han , Tang Xiaosheng , Zhang Hanzhuang
Published: March 2018

Highly efficient QLEDs based on Ag–In–Zn–S QDs were achieved by managing the charge carrier distribution and the effect of hole transport layers on the device performance was investigated systematically.
Puzzling out the coexistence of terrestrial planets and giant exoplanets
Authors: Antoniadou Kyriaki I. , Libert Anne-Sophie
Published: March 2018

Aims. Hundreds of giant planets have been discovered so far and the quest of exo-Earths in giant planet systems has become intriguing. In this work, we aim to address the question of the possible long-term coexistence of a terrestrial companion on an orbit interior to a giant planet, and explore the extent of the stability regions for both non-resonant and resonant configurations.

Methods. Our study focuses on the restricted three-body problem, where an inner terrestrial planet (massless body) moves under the gravitational attraction of a star and an outer massive planet on a circular or elliptic orbit. Using the detrended fast Lyapunov indicator as a chaotic indicator, we constructed maps of dynamical stability by varying both the eccentricity of the outer giant planet and the semi-major axis of the inner terrestrial planet, and identify the boundaries of the stability domains. Guided by the computation of families of periodic orbits, the phase space is unravelled by meticulously chosen stable periodic orbits, which buttress the stability domains.

Results. We provide all possible stability domains for coplanar symmetric configurations and show that a terrestrial planet, either in mean-motion resonance or not, can coexist with a giant planet, when the latter moves on either a circular or an (even highly) eccentric orbit. New families of symmetric and asymmetric periodic orbits are presented for the 2/1 resonance. It is shown that an inner terrestrial planet can survive long time spans with a giant eccentric outer planet on resonant symmetric orbits, even when both orbits are highly eccentric. For 22 detected single-planet systems consisting of a giant planet with high eccentricity, we discuss the possible existence of a terrestrial planet. This study is particularly suitable for the research of companions among the detected systems with giant planets, and could assist with refining observational data.
Supernovae-generated high-velocity compact clouds
Authors: Yalinewich A. , Beniamini P.
Published: March 2018

Context. A previous study claimed the discovery of an intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH). This hypothetical black hole was invoked in order to explain the high-velocity dispersion in one of several dense molecular clouds near the Galactic center. The same study considered the possibility that this cloud was due to a supernova explosion, but disqualified this scenario because no X-rays were detected.

Aims. We here check whether a supernova explosion could have produced that cloud, and whether this explanation is more likely than an IMBH. More specifically, we wish to determine whether a supernova inside a dense molecular cloud would emit in the X-rays.

Methods. We have approached this problem from two different directions. First, we performed an analytic calculation to determine the cooling rate by thermal bremsstrahlung and compared this time to the lifetime of the cloud. Second, we estimated the creation rate of these dense clouds in the central molecular zone (CMZ) region near the Galactic center, where they were observed. Based on this rate, we can place lower bounds on the total mass of IMBHs and clouds and compare this to the masses of the components of the CMZ.

Results. We find that the cooling time of the supernova remnant inside a molecular cloud is shorter than its dynamical time. This means that the temperature in such a remnant would be much lower than that of a typical supernova remnant. At such a low temperature, the remnant is not expected to emit in the X-rays. We also find that to explain the rate at which such dense clouds are created requires fine-tuning the number of IMBHs.

Conclusions. We find the supernova model to be a more likely explanation for the formation of high-velocity compact clouds than an IMBH.
Faire étalonner son audiomètre. Quand, pourquoi et comment ?
Authors: Meyer-Bisch Christian
Published: March 2018

L’étalonnage d’un audiomètre doit être contrôlé régulièrement ainsi que cela se fait pour la plupart des instruments de mesure. Le
vieillissement de certains composants de l’appareil lui-même ou de ses transducteurs, son transport éventuel ou, tout simplement,
l’infl uence de son environnement sont à tout moment susceptibles de modifi er les caractéristiques de la chaîne de mesure. Pour
harmoniser ces contrôles, on se réfère à des normes internationales, qui peuvent être matérielles (CEI) ou méthodologiques (ISO). Ces
normes sont adoptées dans la quasi-totalité des pays du monde et sont réexaminées au plus tard tous les cinq ans. Certains contrôles
de routine sont à effectuer avant chaque utilisation, mais les contrôles d’étalonnage qui demandent l’intervention de techniciens
spécialisés devraient être réalisés chaque année. Dans une première partie, nous aborderons les aspects techniques, et dans la seconde,
les procédures mises en oeuvre.
Numerical model of A.C. glow discharge plasma anemometer via the coupling of gas flow and plasma model
Authors: Yu Bing , Yuan Pei , Shen Enyu , Shen Huaxu
Published: March 2018

A new approach to build the numerical modeling of AC (alternating current) plasma anemometer is proposed. Firstly, the plasma model and gas flow model utilized in the proposed method are introduced. The plasma model (xpdp2) is built by PIC/MCC modeling method, while gas flow field model is the fluid model. By combining the flow field model and plasma model, the proposed anemometer model could be obtained. Then the effects of flow velocity on the ion density distribution, electron density distribution and electric potential distribution are studied from micro perspective, and the results show that charged particles move towards the direction of flow velocity. Another facts can also be observed, the movement of electron is not obvious, and flow velocity has no effect on the electronic potential. Finally, the effects of supply voltage, discharge frequency and electrode spacing on the discharge characteristics are investigated from macro perspective, and the results show that there is a nearly linear relationship between flow velocity and gap voltage, which indicate that the plasma anemometer could be applied for flow velocity measurement. The simulation result shows that linear relationships are pretty good when the frequencies are 2 MHz and 3.65 MHz. In addition, the result also shows that, within our chosen distance, small spacing is more suitable for high frequency plasma anemometer.
Preliminary Studies on Antimicrobial Activity of Extracts from Aloe Vera Leaf, Citrus Hystrix Leaf, Zingiber Officinale and Sabah Snake Grass Against Bacillus Subtilis
Authors: Uda M.N.A. , Gopinath Subash C.B. , Ibrahim Nur Hulwani , Rabani Hashim Mohd Khairul , Nuradibah M.A. , Salimi M.N. , Shen Tan Ewe , Fen Ong Yee , Akhir Maisara A. M. , Hashim U.
Published: March 2018

Herbal plants have several potential antimicrobial activities either as antifungal or antibacterial to fight against the disease and pathogen that attack the plants. The extractions of the Aloe vera leaf, Citrus hystrix leaf, Zingiber officinale rhizome and Sabah snake grass were selected in this study to fight against Bacillus subtilis. B. subtilis is a Gram-positive bacterium, rodshaped and catalase-positive that lives on decayed organic material. It is known as Gram-positive bacteria because of its thick peptidoglycan and would appear purple when subjected to Gram test. This species is commonly found in the upper layers of the soil, in meat or vegetables, in pastry, cooked meat, in bread or poultry products. The extracts of Sabah Snake Grass found to be most effective than A.vera leaf, Z. officinale, and C. hystrix against the B. subtilis.
Probing molecular orientations in thin films by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Li Y. , Li P. , Lu Z.-H.
Published: March 2018

A great number of functional organic molecules in active thin-film layers of optoelectronic devices have highly asymmetric structures, such as plate-like, rod-like, etc. This makes molecular orientation an important aspect in thin-films as it can significantly affect both the optical and electrical performance of optoelectronic devices. With a combination of in-situ ultra violet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) investigations for organic molecules having a broad range of structural properties, we discovered a rigid connection of core levels and frontier highest occupied molecular orbital levels at organic interfaces. This finding opens up opportunities of using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy as an alternative tool to UPS for providing an easy and unambiguous data interpretation in probing molecular orientations.
Response to “Comment on ‘Water-processed carbon nanotube/graphene hybrids with enhanced field emission properties’” [AIP Advances 8, 039101 (2018)]
Authors: Song Meng , Xu Peng , Song Yenan , Wang Xu , Li Zhenhua , Shang Xuefu , Wu Huizhen , Zhao Pei , Wang Miao
Published: March 2018

In this response, we explain the points mentioned by R. Rani and R. Bhatia in their Comment for our previous paper [AIP Advances 5, 097130 (2015)], that the high value of β obtained in Song et al. [AIP Advances 5, 097130 (2015)] is misleading because it does not corroborate with the obtained Jmax, and the obtained value of Jmax is “low” in the mentioned study as compared to the reported values [J. Appl. Phys. 111, 044307 (2012) & Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 033102 (2013)]. For the high value of β, the obtained current Jmax is corroborated but such high value is mainly due to the multistage effect when CNTs are deposited on the rough surface of reduced graphene. For the “low” Jmax, although this is true when compared with Sameera et al. [J. Appl. Phys. 111, 044307 (2012) and Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 033102 (2013)], but we believe that our value is a generally common value when compared with other reports [Diam. Relat. Mater. 47, 1 (2014); J. Alloys Compd. 610, 659 (2014); J. Nanomater. 2013, 5239 (2013)] using the similar method as described in our paper. Therefore, the conclusions from the experimental results on field emission performance of CNT/graphene composite materials in our paper are reliable.
Microfluidic device directs zebrafish to swim to imaging platform
Authors: Fellet Melissae
Published: March 2018

A microfluidic device can be integrated with existing microscope equipment to transport zebrafish larvae to an area for microscope imaging without mechanical pumps that can damage their bodies.
Effect of water on fracture of rocks under diametral compression
Authors: Kalachev VA , Zaitsev DV , Kochanov AN , Kostandov YuA , Panfilov PE
Published: March 2018

The researchers study the effect of water on the strength of small-size specimens made of metamorphic rocks (carbonaceous quartzite, serpentine) and an analog of sedimentary rocks (sand-and-cement mixture, or artificial sandstone) exposed to diametral compression. It is found that the specimens exhibit the same brittle deformation behavior after water storage for a day. All specimens show reduced strength while quartzite and serpentine feature a decrease in deformability down to failure. Microscopic fracturing is viscoelastic and independent of water. It is suggested that the influence of water on the deformation behavior of the specimens can be explained by the Rebinder effect.
Monitoring for change: the role of family and friends in helping older adults manage personal health information
Authors: Taylor Jean O , Hartzler Andrea L , Osterhage Katie P , Demiris George , Turner Anne M
Published: March 2018

Objective

Although family and friends (FF) often play a significant support role in the health of older adults (OA), we know little about their role in personal health information management (PHIM). To address this gap and inform the design of PHIM tools, we describe the work, needs, and barriers of FF in the context of PHIM for OAs.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with 52 FF identified by OA as being important in their health and PHIM. We analyzed interview transcripts for themes about FF information work, barriers, and support needs.

Results

FF play a supportive role in OA health maintenance, medical encounters, decision making, and daily activities. Monitoring, the ongoing process of seeking information related to the OA status, emerged as a key activity comprised of 3 phases: detection, interpretation, and action. Barriers to monitoring included OA choices and constraints, FF constraints, and difficulty with technological tools, resources, health information exchange between providers, social network dynamics, and physical distance.

Conclusions

FF frequently monitor for change in OA well-being, seeking up-to-date information to facilitate support of OA PHIM. Health information technology tools designed for FF can support all phases of monitoring by providing: (1) timely and granular levels of access to OA health information as the OA ages; (2) tailored health education for FF that is based on OA clinical data; and (3) networking platforms that integrate delegation, volunteering, and relevant resources, along with tools to facilitate support of OA appointment calendars and medication management. Such tools could reduce the burden of PHIM for OA and their loved ones.
An Exploration of the Transition to the Full-Time Faculty Role Among Associate Degree Nurse Educators
Authors: Shapiro Sandra
Published: March 2018

AIM

The purpose of this study was to examine the experience of transition into the full-time faculty role among nurse educators who teach in associate degree nursing (ADN) programs.

BACKROUND

As the nursing profession responds to both the nursing and faculty shortages, understanding the experience of the transition at the ADN level becomes important. Faculty roles and responsibilities differ among program types.

METHOD

A qualitative research design was used to explore the transition experience of 14 participants, identified through purposive sampling, who taught in ADN programs in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

RESULTS

Themes that emerged include: a) difficulties, b) learning the role, c) embracing the role, d) the need for support, and e) personal experience of confidence and love of teaching.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that role-specific orientation programs with a strong mentoring component are needed to ease the transition into the full-time faculty role at the ADN level of education.
Academic Partnerships: Preparing Nurse Practitioners for Underserved Populations
Authors: Creech Constance , Paulson Janet , Andrews Margaret , Cooper Denise
Published: March 2018

Medically underserved populations suffer disproportionately from disease and poor health, and nursing schools are challenged to prepare nurse practitioner students to effectively care for underserved patients. This article describes one university’s endeavor to create and evaluate academic partnerships with HIV/hepatitis C virus primary care clinics in underserved settings. Designated preceptorships and specific preparation of students tailored for this population via online modules were strategies created to increase students’ readiness to practice as primary care providers and increase clinical placements for nurse practitioner students. Outcomes include student readiness to practice and student satisfaction with clinics and preceptors.
Exploring Parent Experience of Communication About Therapeutic Hypothermia in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Craig Alexa K. , Gerwin Roslyn , Bainter Janelle , Evans Scott , James Christine
Published: March 2018

Background:

The unique communication challenges faced by parents of infants undergoing therapeutic hypothermia have not been well characterized.

Purpose:

To develop awareness of communication challenges experienced by families of infants treated with therapeutic hypothermia.

Methods:

Semistructured interviews were conducted in a group setting with parents matched into groups according to the severity of the infant's presenting encephalopathy. The interviews were transcribed and coded into principal and additional subthemes.

Results:

Thirty adults were interviewed including 15 mothers, 12 fathers, 2 grandmothers, and 1 grandfather. The 15 infants were between 2 and 24 months of age at the time of the interviews. The principal theme of communication included the following 3 subthemes; transparency, consistency, and delivery style. Parents reported a strong desire for improved early and transparent communication about therapeutic hypothermia, particularly during transfer from an outside hospital. Parents also reported a preference for consistent communication and highlighted parental touch of the hypothermic infant, obstetrical nurse-to-neonatal intensive care unit nurse communication, and parent and visitor presence in the infant's room as areas in need of greater communication consistency. Parents valued direct and compassionate communication styles that excluded medical jargon.

Implications for Practice:

All providers can implement recommendations for communication to parents of infants treated with therapeutic hypothermia by increasing transparency, developing greater consistency in the communication delivered, and employing a direct and compassionate style to improve the parental experience of therapeutic hypothermia.

Implications for Research:

Further investigation is needed into the specific challenges parents face with a lack of transparent communication prior to the transfer of an infant for therapeutic hypothermia.
Supports and Barriers to the Provision of Human Milk by Mothers of African American Preterm Infants
Authors: LoVerde Bianca , Falck Alison , Donohue Pamela , Hussey-Gardener Brenda
Published: March 2018

Background:

Mother's own milk (MOM) provides significant health benefits to very low birth-weight infants (VLBW, ≤1500 g). However, 60% of African American (AA) women initiate lactation, and less than 35% provide MOM 6 months following the birth of their infant. Previous research focuses on term infants and is not specific to AA mothers of VLBW infants.

Purpose:

To qualitatively describe supports and barriers experienced by AA mothers while providing MOM for their VLBW infants.

Methods:

In this qualitative, descriptive study, we conducted semistructured interviews with AA mothers who provided MOM for their VLBW infant. Interviews were transcribed and manually coded concurrently with enrollment until theoretical saturation was achieved. Infant charts were reviewed for demographics, and triangulation with notes from the medical record by bedside nurse lactation consultants and other providers was performed to increase validity. Member checks were completed to ensure true meaning of responses.

Results:

Theoretical saturation was achieved after 9 interviews. Themes perceived to support provision of MOM included (1) Being a Mother; (2) Neonatal intensive care unit environment; (3) Community support; and (4) Useful resources. Themes that emerged as barriers to the provision of MOM were: (1) Maternal illness; (2) Milk expression; (3) Challenging home environment; and (4) Emotional distress.

Implications for Practice:

African American mothers report supports similar to published data but faced challenges not previously reported. These factors warrant attention by professionals who support lactation in this population.

Implications for Research:

Future research will address perceived barriers to improve provision of MOM and the quality of the lactation journey of AA mothers of preterm infants.
Effect of Administration of Ramelteon, a Melatonin Receptor Agonist, on the Duration of Stay in the ICU: A Single-Center Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial*
Authors: Nishikimi Mitsuaki , Numaguchi Atsushi , Takahashi Kunihiko , Miyagawa Yasuhiro , Matsui Kota , Higashi Michiko , Makishi Go , Matsui Shigeyuki , Matsuda Naoyuki
Published: March 2018

Objectives:

Occurrence of delirium in the ICU is associated with a longer stay in the ICU. To examine whether the use of ramelteon, a melatonin agonist, can prevent delirium and shorten the duration of ICU stay of critically ill patients.

Design:

A single-center, triple-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Setting:

ICU of an academic hospital.

Patients:

Eligible patients were ICU patients who could take medicines orally or through a nasogastric tube during the first 48 hours of admission.

Interventions:

The intervention group received ramelteon (8 mg/d), and the control group received placebo (1 g/d of lactose powder) at 20:00 hours every day until discharge from the ICU.

Measurements and Main Results:

A total of 88 subjects were randomized to the ramelteon group (45 subjects) or the placebo group (43 subjects). As the primary endpoint, there was a trend toward decrease in the duration of ICU stay (4.56 d) in the ramelteon group compared with the placebo group (5.86 d) (p = 0.082 and p = 0.028 before and after adjustments). As the secondary endpoints, statistically significant decreases in the occurrence rate (24.4% vs 46.5%; p = 0.044) and duration (0.78 vs 1.40 d; p = 0.048) of delirium were observed in the ramelteon group. The nonintubated patients of the ramelteon group showed statistically significantly fewer awakenings per night and a higher proportion of nights without awakenings.

Conclusions:

Ramelteon tended to decrease the duration of ICU stay as well as decreased the occurrence rate and duration of delirium statistically significantly.
Tobacco smoking and gastric cancer: meta-analyses of published data versus pooled analyses of individual participant data (StoP Project)
Authors: Ferro Ana , Morais Samantha , Rota Matteo , Pelucchi Claudio , Bertuccio Paola , Bonzi Rossella , Galeone Carlotta , Zhang Zuo-Feng , Matsuo Keitaro , Ito Hidemi , Hu Jinfu , Johnson Kenneth C. , Yu Guo-Pei , Palli Domenico , Ferraroni Monica , Muscat Joshua , Malekzadeh Reza , Ye Weimin , Song Huan , Zaridze David , Maximovitch Dmitry , Aragonés Nuria , Castaño-Vinyals Gemma , Vioque Jesus , Navarrete-Muñoz Eva M. , Pakseresht Mohammadreza , Pourfarzi Farhad , Wolk Alicja , Orsini Nicola , Bellavia Andrea , Håkansson Niclas , Mu Lina , Pastorino Roberta , Kurtz Robert C. , Derakhshan Mohammad H. , Lagiou Areti , Lagiou Pagona , Boffetta Paolo , Boccia Stefania , Negri Eva , La Vecchia Carlo , Peleteiro Bárbara , Lunet Nuno
Published: March 2018

Tobacco smoking is one of the main risk factors for gastric cancer, but the magnitude of the association estimated by conventional systematic reviews and meta-analyses might be inaccurate, due to heterogeneous reporting of data and publication bias. We aimed to quantify the combined impact of publication-related biases, and heterogeneity in data analysis or presentation, in the summary estimates obtained from conventional meta-analyses. We compared results from individual participant data pooled-analyses, including the studies in the Stomach Cancer Pooling (StoP) Project, with conventional meta-analyses carried out using only data available in previously published reports from the same studies. From the 23 studies in the StoP Project, 20 had published reports with information on smoking and gastric cancer, but only six had specific data for gastric cardia cancer and seven had data on the daily number of cigarettes smoked. Compared to the results obtained with the StoP database, conventional meta-analyses overvalued the relation between ever smoking (summary odds ratios ranging from 7% higher for all studies to 22% higher for the risk of gastric cardia cancer) and yielded less precise summary estimates (SE ≤2.4 times higher). Additionally, funnel plot asymmetry and corresponding hypotheses tests were suggestive of publication bias. Conventional meta-analyses and individual participant data pooled-analyses reached similar conclusions on the direction of the association between smoking and gastric cancer. However, published data tended to overestimate the magnitude of the effects, possibly due to publication biases and limited the analyses by different levels of exposure or cancer subtypes.
Automated Deterioration Detection Using Electronic Medical Record Data in Intensive Care Unit Patients
Authors: Despins Laurel A.
Published: March 2018

Timely detection of deterioration in status for intensive care unit patients can be problematic due to variation in data availability and the necessity of integrating data from multiple sources. This can lead to opaqueness of clinical trends and failure to rescue. Automated deterioration detection using electronic medical record data can reduce the risk of failure to rescue. This review describes the automated use of electronic medical record data in identifying deterioration in intensive care unit patients. PubMed and Google Scholar were used to retrieve publications between January 1, 2006, and March 31, 2016. Six studies met inclusion criteria: intensive care unit patient focus, description of electronic medical record data use in automated patient deterioration detection, and presence of predictive, sensitivity, and/or specificity values. Detection focused on specific clinical events such as infection; data sources were electronic medical record–populated databases. Detection algorithms incorporated laboratory results, vital signs, medication orders, and respiratory therapy and radiology documentation. Positive and negative predictive values and sensitivity and specificity measures varied across studies. Three systems generated clinician alerts. Automated deterioration detection using electronic medical record data may be an important aid in caring for intensive care unit patients, but its usefulness is limited by variable electronic medical record detection approaches and performance.
Use of Primary Anastomosis With Diverting Ileostomy in Patients With Acute Diverticulitis Requiring Urgent Operative Intervention
Authors: Cauley Christy E. , Patel Ruchin , Bordeianou Liliana
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND:

Previous studies suggest that urgent colectomy and primary anastomosis with diversion is safe for perforated diverticulitis. Current guidelines support this approach.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to describe the use of urgent or emergent primary anastomosis with diversion in diverticulitis before the 2014 American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons guidelines and compare national outcomes of primary anastomosis with diversion to the Hartmann procedure.

DESIGN:

This was a national retrospective cohort study.

SETTINGS:

The study was conducted with a national all-payer US sample from 1998 to 2011.

PATIENTS:

Patients included those admitted and treated with urgent or emergent colectomy for diverticulitis. Exclusion criteria were age <18 years, concurrent diagnosis of colorectal cancer or IBD, no fecal diversion performed, and operations >24 hours after admission.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

In-hospital mortality was measured.

RESULTS:

A total of 124,198 patients underwent emergent or urgent colectomy for acute diverticulitis; 67,721 underwent concurrent fecal diversion, including 65,084 (96.1%) who underwent end colostomy and 2637 (3.9%) who underwent anastomosis with ileostomy. The rate of primary anastomosis with diverting ileostomy increased from 30 to 60 diverting ileostomy cases per 1000 operative diverticulitis cases in 1998 versus 2011 (incidence rate ratio = 2.04 (95% CI, 1.70–2.50). However, overall use remained low, with >90% of patients undergoing end colostomy. Complication rates were higher (32.1% vs 23.3%; p < 0.001) and in-hospital mortality rates were higher (16.0% vs 6.4%; p < 0.001) for primary anastomosis with diversion patients compared with end colostomy. These findings were consistent on multivariable logistic regression. Other factors that contributed to in-hospital mortality included increasing age, increasing comorbid disease burden, and socioeconomic status.

LIMITATIONS:

Billing data can be inaccurate or biased because of nonmedically trained professional data entry. Selection bias could have affected the results of this retrospective study.

CONCLUSIONS:

The use of primary anastomosis with proximal diversion for urgent colectomy in diverticulitis increased over our study period; however, overall use remained low. Poor national outcomes after primary anastomosis with proximal diversion might affect compliance with new guidelines. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A600.
Sex-specific differences in cannabinoid-induced extracellular-signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation in the cingulate cortex, prefrontal cortex, and nucleus accumbens of Lister Hooded rats
Authors: Rosas Michela , Porru Simona , Giugliano Valentina , Antinori Silvia , Scheggi Simona , Fadda Paola , Fratta Walter , Acquas Elio , Fattore Liana
Published: March 2018

Sex-dependent differences have been consistently described in cannabinoid addiction research. In particular, we recently reported that female Lister Hooded rats display greater self-administration of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist WIN55,212-2 (WIN) and stronger reinstatement of cannabinoid-seeking behavior than males. Cannabinoids modulate the phosphorylation of the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, leading to various forms of plasticity-related learning that likely affect operant behavior. However, whether or not the reported sex-dependent differences in cannabinoid-taking and cannabinoid-seeking behaviors may be related to a sexual dimorphic activation of the ERK pathway remains still to be determined. In the present study, we measured the level of phosphoERK-positive cells in the cingulate cortex (CG1), prefrontal cortex (PFCx), and nucleus accumbens of male and of intact (i.e. sham-operated) and ovariectomized female Lister Hooded rats 30 and 60 min after an acute, intravenous, injection of a dose of WIN (0.3 mg/kg) resembling the mean amount of drug daily self-administered by trained rats. We found that WIN significantly increased ERK activation in the CG1, PFCx, and nucleus accumbens in a sex time and, restricted to the cortical areas, layer-specific manner. Moreover, the comparison between intact and ovariectomized female rats revealed a significant role played by estrogens in WIN-elicited ERK activation. These results indicate, for the first time, the existence of a sexually dimorphic cannabinoid receptor-dependent ERK activation that, restricted to the CG1 and PFCx, is ovarian hormone-dependent.
Risk Factors for Invasive Fungal Infection in Children and Adolescents With Hematologic and Malignant Diseases
Authors: Kobayashi Ryoji , Hori Daiki , Sano Hirozumi , Suzuki Daisuke , Kishimoto Kenji , Kobayashi Kunihiko
Published: March 2018

Infection, especially invasive fungal infection (IFI), is an important complication of chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation. It is also a well-known risk factor in pediatric hematologic malignancy, acute myelogenous leukemia, recurrent disease and allogeneic stem cell transplantation. We previously revealed that a diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia, recurrent disease and >10 years of age were risk factors for IFI in patients with pediatric hematologic malignancies. We examined and compared the incidence, risk factors and mortality rate from IFI between 276 patients from 2007 to 2016 and patients in our past report. The cumulative incidence of IFI was 10.5%; this comprised cases of probable and possible IFI at rates of 5.1% and 5.4%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that age >9 years at admission, recurrent disease and acute myelogenous leukemia diagnosis were risk factors for IFI. Similar to the results of the previous study, multivariate analysis showed that each of these 3 variables was an independent predictor of IFI. The survival rate was lower in patients with IFI than in those without IFI (38.8% versus 69.9%; P < 0.001). However, IFI was a direct cause of death in only 2 patients. Although 11 patients received stem cell transplantation after IFI treatment, only 2 patients have survived, and the other 9 patients died of other complications.
Clozapine Titration for People in Early Psychosis
Authors: Ballon Jacob S. , Ashfaq Hera , Noordsy Douglas L.
Published: March 2018

Purpose/Background

The use of clozapine, particularly in young people, is often limited by early treatment-emergent adverse effects including drowsiness and lethargy. Concerns about adverse effects, medication adherence, and the need for blood monitoring often impede the use of clozapine in this population, leading to repeated trials of less effective medications. Current clozapine dosing recommendations are based on people further in the course of their illness and thus reflect different responsiveness and sensitivities to antipsychotic medication. As such, there is a need for evidence-based guidelines for titration and dosing of clozapine among people in early psychosis.

Methods/Procedures

We performed a chart review of 14 people treated with clozapine within our early psychosis team. Data regarding dose titration, response, time to discontinuation, symptom severity, weight gain, and other adverse effects were gathered at clozapine initiation, 3 months, and last available visit on clozapine.

Findings/Results

People treated with slow titration within their first year of psychosis onset achieved sustained response at very low maintenance doses (mean dose = 81 mg/d, mean duration of treatment = 200 weeks) compared with slow titration with longer duration of illness (mean dose = 350 mg/d, mean duration of treatment = 68 weeks) or standard dose titration in early psychosis (mean dose = 112 mg/d, mean duration of treatment = 38 weeks). The most common adverse effects in all groups were weight gain and sedation, with the groups requiring higher mean doses reporting a broader range of adverse effects. There was no apparent difference in the clinical global impression for severity or improvement between the slow titration and standard titration groups in people with early psychosis. These observations are synthesized into a proposed treatment guideline for use of clozapine among people in early psychosis.

Implications/Conclusions

We describe development of a slow titration approach to initiating clozapine among people in early psychosis. This approach resulted in clinical response at remarkably low maintenance doses of clozapine among people within their first year of illness, but not in those with longer duration of symptoms. Slow titration also led to good tolerability and acceptance of clozapine treatment for some patients.
Protective Effect of Scopoletin Against Cerulein-Induced Acute Pancreatitis and Associated Lung Injury in Mice
Authors: Leema George , Tamizhselvi Ramasamy
Published: March 2018

Objective

The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of scopoletin (SC) on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis (AP) and associated lung injury in mice.

Methods

Acute pancreatitis was induced in male Swiss mice by 6 consecutive hourly intraperitoneal injections of cerulein (50 μg/kg). Scopoletin was administered 1 hour (intraperitoneal, 10 mg/kg) after the first cerulein injection.

Results

Administration of SC attenuated the severity of AP and associated lung injury as shown by histology, reduced myeloperoxidase, and serum amylase activity. Further, the anti-inflammatory effect of SC was associated with a reduction of pancreatic and pulmonary proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor α) and hydrogen sulfide. Moreover, SC inhibited cerulein-induced nuclear factor κB activation in both pancreas and lung. Also, SC treatment further enhances the beneficial effect by reducing cerulein-induced mast cell activation as shown by reduced monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, interleukin 33, and preprotachykinin A expression (encodes neuropeptide substance P) in the pancreas and lungs.

Conclusions

The present findings show for the first time that in AP SC may exhibit an anti-inflammatory effect by down-regulating substance P and hydrogen sulfide signaling via nuclear factor κB pathway.
Kent County Health Department: Using an Agency Strategic Plan to Drive Improvement
Authors: Saari Chelsey K.
Published: March 2018

The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) was accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) in September 2014. Although Michigan has had a state-level accreditation process for local health departments since the late 1990s, the PHAB accreditation process presented a unique opportunity for KCHD to build on successes achieved through state accreditation and enhance performance in all areas of KCHD programs, services, and operations. PHAB's standards, measures, and peer-review process provided a standardized and structured way to identify meaningful opportunities for improvement and to plan and implement strategies for enhanced performance and established a platform for being recognized nationally as a high-performing local health department. The current case report highlights the way in which KCHD has developed and implemented its strategic plan to guide efforts aimed at addressing gaps identified through the accreditation process and to drive overall improvement within our agency.