bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Co‐morbid anxiety and depression in childhood asthma and its effect on symptom control: A cross sectional study
Authors: Saragondlu Lakshminarasappa Darshith , Chandrasekaran Venkatesh , Kandasamy Preeti 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundAnxiety and depression are co‐morbidities that affect symptom control in children with asthma and are often overlooked in busy practice.ObjectivesTo find out the proportion of children with asthma who have co‐morbid anxiety and depression, to study the association of co‐morbid anxiety and depression on symptom control and to study the clinic‐sociodemographic factors associated with anxiety and depression in children with asthma.MethodsAssuming 13% prevalence of anxiety and depression, with 95% confidence level and 5% absolute precision, a total of 176 children with asthma aged 6 years and above were enrolled from the asthma clinic. Clinical and sociodemographic details were collected for all. Symptom control was assessed using asthma control test questionnaire. Center for epidemiological studies–depression scale for children and screen for child anxiety related emotional disorders was used to assess depression and anxiety, respectively. Association of independent variables with outcome variables was assessed using χ2. Statistical tests were done using SPSS version 26.ResultsOut of the 176 children enrolled, 13.1%, 8%, and 16.5% had anxiety, depression, and combined anxiety and depression, respectively. A higher proportion of children with uncontrolled asthma had depression and combined anxiety and depression than children with controlled asthma.ConclusionCombined anxiety and depression was more common than either anxiety or depression alone and along with depression, was significantly associated with uncontrolled symptoms.
Quantitative Assessment of Levonorgestrel Binding Partner Interplay and Drug‐Drug Interactions Using Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling
Authors: Cicali Brian , Lingineni Karthik , Cristofoletti Rodrigo , Wendl Thomas , Hoechel Joachim , Wiesinger Herbert , Chaturvedula Ayyappa , Vozmediano Valvanera , Schmidt Stephan 
Published: November 2020

Levonorgestrel (LNG) is the active moiety in many hormonal contraceptive formulations. It is typically coformulated with ethinyl estradiol (EE) to decrease intermenstrual bleeding. Due to its widespread use and CYP3A4‐mediated metabolism, there is concern regarding drug‐drug interactions (DDIs), particularly a suboptimal LNG exposure when co‐administered with CYP3A4 inducers, potentially leading to unintended pregnancies. The goal of this analysis was to determine the impact of DDIs on the systemic exposure of LNG. To this end, we developed and verified a physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for LNG in PK‐Sim (version 8.0) accounting for the impact of EE and body mass index (BMI) on LNG’s binding to sex‐hormone binding globulin. Model parameters were optimized following intravenous and oral administration of 0.09 mg LNG. The combined LNG‐EE PBPK model was verified regarding CYP3A4‐mediated interaction by comparing to published clinical DDI study data with carbamazepine, rifampicin, and efavirenz (CYP3A4 inducers). Once verified, the model was applied to predict systemic LNG exposure in normal BMI and obese women (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) with and without co‐administration of itraconazole (competitive CYP3A4 inhibitor) and clarithromycin (mechanism‐based CYP3A4 inhibitor). Total and free LNG exposures, when co‐administered with EE, decreased 2‐fold in the presence of rifampin, whereas they increased 1.5‐fold in the presence of itraconazole. Although changes in total and unbound exposure were decreased in obese women compared with normal BMI women, the relative impact of DDIs on LNG exposure was similar between both groups.
Statistical inference on accelerated life testing with dependent competing failure model under progressively type‐II censored data based on copula theory
Authors: Wang Ying , Yan Zaizai 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we discuss the statistical analysis of a constant‐stress accelerated dependent competing failure model under progressively type‐II censoring based on a copula function. The dependence structure of lifetimes is constructed when the copula is a bivariate Clayton copula. The maximum likelihood estimations (MLEs) of the model parameters are derived. We also get the coverage probability of the 95% confidence intervals of the parameters based on MLEs and bootstrap confidence intervals. Finally, a real data set of some insulation system for electric motors was demonstrated for illustrative purpose.
Reliability modeling and analysis for CNC machine tool based on meta‐action
Authors: Li Yulong , Zhang Xiaogang , Ran Yan , Zhang Genbao 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTraditional machine tool reliability modeling methods take static parts as the research object, ignoring the characteristic that the function and performance of computer numerical control (CNC) machine tool are ultimately driven by its most basic actions, and the traditional reliability modeling methods do not fully consider the randomness of machine tool failure. In view of this, this paper gave an improved four‐parameter nonhomogeneous Poisson process reliability modeling method based on meta‐action (MA), and a comprehensive method of system reliability was presented. A CNC machine tool made in China was taken as an example, and the reliability model of MA and the whole machine were built by the proposed method. The proposed method was compared with other methods by Akaike information criterion and Bayesian information criterion, and the method proposed in this paper was proved to be better. The reliability indexes of the system were simulated, and then the general trend of system reliability indexes was obtained by least squares support vector machines. The results verify the applicability and validity of this method, and lay a foundation for further research on the machine tool reliability based on metamotion.
Partitioning of the interaction‐induced polarizability of molecules in helium environments
Authors: Chołuj Marta , Błasiak Bartosz , Bartkowiak Wojciech 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn this study, we analyze the correspondence between the spatial confinement represented by the real chemical environment in the form of helium clusters and by the repulsive analytical potential. In doing so, we perform a decomposition of the interaction‐induced polarizability of the LiH and HF molecules in various helium environments into electrostatic, exchange, repulsion and polarization contributions. The obtained results show that in the low and medium orbital compression region the behavior of the repulsion contribution to the interaction‐induced polarizability of LiH and HF embedded in helium environments is in line with the behavior of the total polarizability of molecules entrapped within the repulsive confining potential.
Designing working standards for stable H, C, and O isotope measurements in CO2 and H2O
Authors: Hélie Jean‐François , Hillaire‐Marcel Claude 
Published: November 2020

RationaleWe address here the selection, preparation, calibration, storage, and use of carbonate and water working standards (WSs) for stable H, C, and O isotope measurements requiring the best possible precision and accuracy vs international reference materials (iRMs). This may be of interest for laboratories working intensively in the domains of the carbon and water cycles and of paleoclimate.MethodsDefining a WS for stable C and O isotope studies requires combining mineralogical, physical, chemical (low Mg‐ and trace‐carbonate), and isotopic measurements to select a carbonate fit for purpose; for water, two distinct deionized or distilled waters, with high and low δ2H and δ18O values, respectively, are normally used. In both cases, a strict protocol must be followed to properly qualify the WS vs the current international isotopic scales, and much attention must be paid to calculating rigorous estimates of final uncertainties on these scales.ResultsTwo specific protocols for the selection of carbonate and water WSs are detailed. Equations for a proper estimate of uncertainties are proposed.ConclusionsThe selection of WSs involves a preselection of potentially suitable materials based on initial estimates of their mineralogical, chemical, and isotopic properties and long‐term stability, based on literature or previous measurements. Their precise characterization vs international isotopic scales requires a thorough analytical work in a correct sequence. When properly carried out, the proposed protocols should permit WSs to be obtained, defined vs the VSMOW and VPDB scales, with uncertainties comparable with those achieved for the characterization of iRMs.
Characterization of the analytical performance of δ15N and δ18O measurements by the silver nitrate method in the framework of nitrate source apportioning
Authors: Marzaioli Fabio , Di Rienzo Brunella , Stellato Luisa , Di Fusco Egidio , Rubino Mauro , D'Onofrio Antonio , Terrasi Filippo 
Published: November 2020

RationaleNitrate pollution represents one of the most important issues for ground and surface water quality and source identification is essential for developing effective mitigation practices. Nitrate isotopic fingerprinting can be utilized to identify the sources of nitrate pollution in aquifers. However, it is crucial to assess the performances (precision and accuracy) of the analytical procedure applied to measure the δ15N and δ18O values of nitrates from field samples to correctly apply this tool.MethodsNitrates were extracted from a large number of KNO3 samples using the AgNO3 method, and the δ15N and δ18O values of these nitrate extracts were measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The availability of this dataset, comprising 693 unprocessed quality control (QC) KNO3 samples and 618 processed samples, allowed us to rigorously quantify the performance of the procedures employed. A salt doping experiment was also performed from which the effects of contaminants on the performance of the method could be ascertained.ResultsThe overall instrumental reproducibility for the analysis of unprocessed QC samples was 0.5‰ and 2‰ for δ15N and δ18O values, respectively, and a strict dependence on signal amplitude was observed. No isotope fractionation was reported for reference samples that were processed according to the “identical treatment” principle (ITP) but normalized by unprocessed reference materials. A significant increase in the standard deviation (SD) was, however, observed compared with that for unprocessed samples. The SD of the processed QC samples allowed us to quantify the reproducibility of the entire procedure as 0.6‰ and 1.0‰ for δ15N and δ18O values, respectively. This was comparable with the system reproducibility when normalization using processed reference materials was applied according to the ITP.ConclusionsNormalization with processed standards is essential to achieve high‐precision measurements of the δ15N and δ18O values of nitrates extracted from unknown samples. This procedure allowed good accuracy to be guaranteed, and precision levels comparable with the observed instrumental performance to be achieved. A salt doping experiment showed a significant influence of the SO42− content on the δ15N values.
Rhinovirus and asthma: Challenges and opportunities
Authors: Ortega Hector , Nickle David , Carter Laura 
Published: November 2020

SummaryHuman rhinoviruses (RVs) are the primary aetiological agent of the common cold. Generally, the associated infection is mild and self‐limiting, but may also be associated with bronchiolitis in infants, pneumonia in the immunocompromised and exacerbation in patients with pulmonary conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Viral infection accounts for as many as two thirds of asthma exacerbations in children and more than half in adults. Allergy and asthma are major risk factors for more frequent and severe RV‐related illnesses. The prevalence of RV‐induced wheezing will likely continue to increase given that asthma affects a significant proportion of the population, with allergic asthma accounting for the majority. Several new respiratory viruses and their subgroups have been discovered, with various degrees of relevance. This review will focus on RV infection in the context of the epidemiologic evidence, genetic variability, pathobiology, clinical studies in the context of asthma, differences with other viruses including COVID‐19 and current treatment interventions.
Monitoring spring phenology of individual tree crowns using drone‐acquired NDVI data
Authors: Fawcett Dominic , Bennie Jonathan , Anderson Karen 
Published: November 2020

AbstractQuantifying the timing of vegetation phenology is critical for monitoring and modelling ecosystem responses to environmental change. Phenological processes have been studied from landscape to global scales using Earth observing satellite data, and at local scale by in situ surveys of individual plants. Now, data acquired from multi‐spectral sensors on drone platforms provide flexible opportunities for monitoring phenology from individual plants to small ecosystem scales efficiently, allowing community and species level information to be derived. We captured a time‐series of drone‐acquired normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data with a multi‐spectral sensor (Parrot Sequoia, (Parrot, France)) over a highly heterogeneous ecosystem in Cornwall, UK, during a period of spring green‐up. We monitored NDVI trajectories at the individual crown and species’ level. For deciduous crowns, we derived metrics representative of spring phenological stages: Start‐of‐spring (SOS), middle‐of‐spring green‐up (MOG) and start‐of‐peak greenness (SOP) using a logistic function. While the exact timing of SOS, MOG and SOP appeared susceptible to understorey effects and saturation of the NDVI, relative timing of green‐up for a subset of species was plausible in relation to phenological observations from an extended geographic region and in situ plant area index (PAI) measurements. In evergreen vegetation (Pinus spp.) subtle changes were also detected through the growing season. The impact of illumination differences was analysed for image pairs during leaf‐off and leaf‐on conditions. While significant, these effects were small (mean absolute NDVI deviation of up to 0.034 for leaf‐off, 0.013 for leaf‐on conditions), meaning that data captured under both constant direct and diffuse irradiance conditions can be used together and that cloudy conditions should not lead to data gaps. We conclude that the capability of drone‐mounted multi‐spectral instruments for spatio‐temporal characterization of crown‐level phenology shows great promise for improving the understanding of intra‐ and inter‐species differences in strategy, and offers an efficient means of doing so over areas of a few hectares.
NIR‐Light‐Activated Ratiometric Fluorescent Hybrid Micelles for High Spatiotemporally Controlled Biological Imaging and Chemotherapy
Authors: Chen Yu , Ma Teng , Liu Pei , Ren Jingli , Li Yuce , Jiang Hao , Zhang Lianbin , Zhu Jintao 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIntelligent‐responsive imaging‐therapy strategy has shown great significance for biomedicine. However, it is still a challenge to construct spatiotemporally controlled imaging‐therapy systems triggered by near infrared (NIR) light. In this work, NIR‐light‐activated ratiometric fluorescent hybrid micelles (RFHM) are prepared via the co‐assembly of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), doxorubicin (DOX), and UV‐light‐responsive amphiphilic block copolymer for the spatiotemporally controlled imaging and chemotherapy. Upon NIR light irradiation, UCNPs can convert NIR light to UV light. The emitted UV light induces the photoreaction of copolymer to further trigger ratiometric fluorescence imaging and degradation of hybrid micelles, resulting in rapid DOX release from hybrid micelles for antitumor therapy. The animal experiments reveal that NIR light can not only remotely regulate the ratiometric fluorescence imaging of RFHM in tumor tissue, but also trigger DOX release from RFHM to inhibit tumor growth. Therefore, this study provides a new strategy to achieve high spatial‐temporal‐controlled biological imaging and chemotherapy.
Transperineal ultrasound assessment of fetal head elevation by maneuvers used for managing umbilical cord prolapse
Authors: Kwan A. H. W. , Chaemsaithong P. , Wong L. , Tse W. T. , Hui A. S. Y. , Poon L. C. , Leung T. Y. 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo assess objectively the degree of fetal head elevation achieved by different maneuvers commonly used for managing umbilical cord prolapse.MethodsThis was a prospective observational study of pregnant women at term before elective Cesarean delivery. A baseline assessment of fetal head station was performed with the woman in the supine position, using transperineal ultrasound for measuring the parasagittal angle of progression (psAOP), head–symphysis distance (HSD) and head–perineum distance (HPD). The ultrasonographic measurements of fetal head station were repeated during different maneuvers, including elevation of the maternal buttocks using a wedge, knee‐chest position, Trendelenburg position with a 15° tilt and filling the maternal urinary bladder with 100 mL, 300 mL and 500 mL of normal saline. The measurements obtained during the maneuvers were compared with the baseline measurements.ResultsTwenty pregnant women scheduled for elective Cesarean section at term were included in the study. When compared with baseline (median psAOP, 103.6°), the knee‐chest position gave the strongest elevation effect, with the greatest reduction in psAOP (psAOP, 80.7°; P < 0.001), followed by filling the bladder with 500 mL (psAOP, 89.9°; P < 0.001) and 300 mL (psAOP, 94.4°; P < 0.001) of normal saline. Filling the maternal bladder with 100 mL of normal saline (psAOP, 96.1°; P = 0.001), the Trendelenburg position (psAOP, 96.8°; P = 0.014) and elevating the maternal buttocks (psAOP, 98.3°; P = 0.033) gave modest elevation effects. Similar findings were reported for HSD and HPD. The fetal head elevation effects of the knee‐chest position, Trendelenburg position and elevation of the maternal buttocks were independent of the initial fetal head station, but that of bladder filling was greater when the initial head station was low.ConclusionsTo elevate the fetal presenting part, the knee‐chest position provides the best effect, followed by filling the maternal urinary bladder with 500 mL then 300 mL of fluid, respectively. Filling the bladder with 100 mL of fluid, the Trendelenburg position and elevation of the maternal buttocks have modest effects. © 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
A conjugated polymer‐liposome complex: A contiguous water‐stable, electronic, and optical interface
Authors: Jephcott Lilli , Eslami Minoo , Travaglini Lorenzo , Lauto Antonio , Mawad Damia 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe electronic and optical properties of conjugated polymers and conjugated polyelectrolytes have attracted considerable research interest across a broad range of applications. Interfacing them with the lipid bilayer enables the engineering of interfaces with unique characteristics, facilitated by accessing the properties of each constituent material. Research done on these interfaces tap into a broad range of applications. Fundamental studies have been conducted to gain insight into the polymer interaction with a lipid membrane that mimics the biological cell. Bioimaging and biosensing devices have been developed, exploiting optical and superquenching properties of the polymer. Delivery systems based on these complexes were applied in photothermal therapy using the polymer high thermal conversion efficiency. This minireview presents a summary of this research, highlighting that while the field remains in its early development, conjugated polymer/polyelectrolyte interfaces hold huge potential for biomedical applications.
Advances in statistical modeling of spatial extremes
Authors: Huser Raphaël , Wadsworth Jennifer L. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe classical modeling of spatial extremes relies on asymptotic models (i.e., max‐stable orr‐Pareto processes) for block maxima or peaks over high thresholds, respectively. However, at finite levels, empirical evidence often suggests that such asymptotic models are too rigidly constrained, and that they do not adequately capture the frequent situation where more severe events tend to be spatially more localized. In other words, these asymptotic models have a strong tail dependence that persists at increasingly high levels, while data usually suggest that it should weaken instead. Another well‐known limitation of classical spatial extremes models is that they are either computationally prohibitive to fit in high dimensions, or they need to be fitted using less efficient techniques. In this review paper, we describe recent progress in the modeling and inference for spatial extremes, focusing on new models that have more flexible tail structures that can bridge asymptotic dependence classes, and that are more easily amenable to likelihood‐based inference for large datasets. In particular, we discuss various types of random scale constructions, as well as the conditional spatial extremes model, which have recently been getting increasing attention within the statistics of extremes community. We illustrate some of these new spatial models on two different environmental applications.This article is categorized under:Data: Types and Structure > Image and Spatial DataData: Types and Structure > Time Series, Stochastic Processes, and Functional DataStatistical Learning and Exploratory Methods of the Data Sciences > Modeling Methods
Phosphorescence Afterglow and Thermal Properties of [ScCl3(ptpy)] (ptpy: 4'‐phenyl‐2,2',6',2''‐terpyridine)
Authors: Sedykh Alexander E. , Kurth Dirk G. , Müller‐Buschbaum Klaus 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA trivalent scandium complex with 4′‐phenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine [ScCl3(ptpy)] has been synthesized and characterized. At low temperatures, [ScCl3(ptpy)] shows a luminescence afterglow of green color in the crystalline form and of cyan color in a glass matrix, caused by phosphorescence of long triplet state emission lifetime (1.63(2) s in a glass matrix, 0.56(3) s in the crystalline form). In addition, the complex is thermally remarkably stable up to 495 °C, especially in comparison with previously reported similar lanthanide and group 3 metal chloride complexes containing ptpy.
A note on the exact closed form solution for coupled Hill equations
Authors: Watanabe Kazumi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAn exact closed form solution for coupled (simultaneous) Hill equations is found. The Hill equations are derived from the displacement equations for the 2D orthotropic elastic solid by introducing polar coordinate variables to the Cartesian components of the displacement, and a solution method for a little bit generalized form of the Hill equations is presented.
Piloting the TEFCE Community Engagement Toolbox at the University of Twente
Authors: Farnell Thomas , Veidemane Anete , Westerheijden Don 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA new community engagement review tool is being developed in an European context, in the TEFCE project (Towards a European Framework for Community Engagement in Higher Education). This chapter details the design principles of its methodology, in comparison to previous tools such as the Carnegie Foundation’s Elective Classification for Community Engagement, and it illustrates its use on one of the four pilot reviews undertaken to date, at the University of Twente (the Netherlands). The seven dimensions of the TEFCE tool proved to be effective to analyze all aspects of community engagement, focusing on narratives of initiatives. The narrative approach’s flexibility proved effective to allow attention to unique elements in community engagement initiatives. The chapter ends in lessons drawn for further development of the tool and for those interested in using TEFCE or similar approaches.