bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased Mortality in Asians With Systemic Sclerosis in Northern California
Authors: Chung Melody P. , Dontsi Makdine , Postlethwaite Debbie , Kesh Sumana , Simard Julia F. , Fiorentino David , Zaba Lisa C. , Chung Lorinda 
Published: March 2020

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to evaluate racial/ethnic differences in disease manifestations and survival in a US cohort of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), with a focus on Asian patients.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted among Kaiser Permanente Northern California adults with an incident SSc diagnosis by a rheumatologist from 2007 to 2016, confirmed by a chart review to fulfill 2013 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification criteria. Self‐reported race/ethnicity was categorized as non‐Hispanic white, Asian, Hispanic, and black. Disease manifestations and survival were compared, using white patients as the reference.ResultsA total of 609 patients with incident SSc were identified: 89% were women, and 81% had limited cutaneous SSc, with a mean age at diagnosis of 55.4 ± 14.8 years. The racial/ethnic distribution was 51% non‐Hispanic white (n = 310), 25% Hispanic (n = 154), 16% Asian (n = 96), and 8% black (n = 49). Compared with white patients, black patients had a greater prevalence of diffuse disease (14.5% vs. 44.9%; P < 0.001), and Asians had higher rates of anti‐U1‐RNP antibodies (32.1% vs. 11.9%; P = 0.005). Nine‐year overall survival rates following SSc diagnosis were lower in Asian (52.3%), black (52.2%), and Hispanic patients (68.2%) compared with white patients (75.8%). Pulmonary hypertension and infections were the leading causes of death in Asian patients. Asian race was associated with higher mortality on univariable (hazard ratio [HR] 1.83 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08‐2.99]; P = 0.020) and multivariable analyses (HR 1.80 [95% CI 0.99‐3.16]; P = 0.047) when adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, cutaneous subtype, smoking status, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, renal crisis, and malabsorption syndrome.ConclusionAsian patients with SSc in this US cohort had increased mortality compared with white patients. These patients warrant close monitoring for disease progression.
Highly Reproducible, Bio‐Based Slab Photonic Crystals Grown by Diatoms
Authors: Goessling Johannes W. , Wardley William P. , Lopez‐Garcia Martin 
Published: March 2020

AbstractSlab photonic crystals (PhCs) are photonic structures used in many modern optical technologies. Fabrication of these components is costly and usually involves eco‐unfriendly methods, requiring modern nanofabrication techniques and cleanroom facilities. This work describes that diatom microalgae evolved elaborate and highly reproducible slab PhCs in the girdle, a part of their silicon dioxide exoskeletons. Under natural conditions in water, the girdle of the centric diatom Coscinodiscus granii shows a well‐defined optical pseudogap for modes in the near‐infrared (NIR). This pseudogap shows dispersion toward the visible spectral range when light is incident at larger angles, eventually facilitating in‐plane propagation for modes in the green spectral range. The optical features can be modulated with refractive index contrast. The unit cell period, a critical factor controlling the pseudogap, is highly preserved within individuals of a long‐term cultivated inbred line and between at least four different C. granii cell culture strains tested in this study. Other diatoms present similar unit cell morphologies with various periods. Diatoms thereby offer a wide range of PhC structures, reproducible and equipped with well‐defined properties, possibly covering the entire UV‐vis–NIR spectral range. Diatoms therefore offer an alternative as cost‐effective and environmentally friendly produced photonic materials.
Soil biochemical and microbial response to wheat and corn stubble residue management in Louisiana
Authors: Acree Autumn , Fultz Lisa M. , Lofton Josh , Haggard Beatrix 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe effects of crop residue on soil conditions depend on the quality and management of the residue. Management practices that do not use physical disturbance (prescribed fire and no‐till) were investigated for their potential impacts on soil chemical and biological properties. Surface soil samples (0–5 cm) were collected across no‐till and prescribed fire treatments of wheat (Triticum spp.) in 2014 and 2015 and in 2014 in corn (Zea mays L.) stubble residue at 0 h (before management) and at 1 h, 6 h, 24 h, 7 d, 1 mo, and 6 mo after management. There was a lack of difference between prescribed fire and no‐till management responses in soil chemical and biological properties. However, similar responses in prescribed fire and no‐till management over sampling time of NO3––N, NH4+–N, enzyme activity, and absolute abundance of ester‐linked fatty acid methyl ester biomarkers suggest that abiotic factors and systems management (i.e., fertilizer applications, crop rotation) had a greater influence in these humid subtropical production systems. Additions of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] residue and N fertilizers in a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–soybean rotation increased NH4+–N concentrations by 153%, N‐acetyl‐β‐d‐glucosaminidase activity by 247%, and relative abundance of Gram‐negative bacteria and saprophytic fungi regardless of residue management. Nitrogen fertilizer applications in corn systems also increased NH4+–N concentrations (322%) along with relative abundance of actinomycetes and saprophytic fungi. These results suggest that no‐till and prescribed fire management are viable residue management options that maintained soil organic matter and inorganic N concentrations; however, further investigation is needed to evaluate the long‐term (>2 yr) impacts on soil health.
PIGW‐related glycosylphosphatidylinositol deficiency: Description of a new patient and review of the literature
Authors: Peron Angela , Iascone Maria , Salvatici Elisabetta , Cavirani Benedetta , Marchetti Daniela , Corno Silvia , Vignoli Aglaia 
Published: March 2020

AbstractInherited glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) deficiencies are a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous conditions belonging to the congenital disorders of glycosylation. PIGW is involved in GPI biosynthesis and modification, and biallelic pathogenic variants in this gene cause autosomal recessive GPI biosynthesis defect 11. Only five patients and two fetuses have been reported in the literature thus far. Here we describe a new patient with a novel homozygous missense variant in PIGW, who presented with hypotonia, severe intellectual disability, early‐onset epileptic seizures, brain abnormalities, nystagmus, hand stereotypies, recurrent respiratory infections, distinctive facial features, and hyperphosphatasia. Our report expands the phenotype of GPI biosynthesis defect 11 to include stereotypies and recurrent respiratory infections. A detailed and long‐term analysis of the electroclinical characteristics and review of the literature suggest that early‐onset epileptic seizures are a key manifestation of GPI biosynthesis defect 11. West syndrome and focal‐onset epileptic seizures are the most common seizure types, and the fronto‐temporal regions may be the most frequently involved areas in these patients.
A case of G1013R FBN1 mutation: A potential genotype–phenotype correlation in severe Marfan syndrome
Authors: Willis Brooke R. , Lee Mianne , Rethanavelu Kavitha , Fung Jasmine L. F. , Wong Rosanna M. S. , Hui Peter , Yeung Kit S. , Lo Ivan F. M. , Chung Brian H. Y. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMarfan Syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder with a wide range of severities. Ninety‐five percent of MFS probands have a mutation in the fibrillin‐1 gene (FBN1); however, there are a high number of unique mutations complicating attempts at establishing any phenotype–genotype correlations for this disease (Tiecke et al., European Journal of Human Genetics, 2001, 9, 13–21). One of the few extant genotype–phenotype correlations is in exon 24–32 which have been associated with a severe pediatric presentation of neonatal MFS with predominately cardiovascular symptoms. We present a 24‐year‐old male patient with a heterozygous de novo variant NM_000138.4: c.3037G>A (p.G1013R) located in exon 25 of the FBN1 gene. The patient was found to have dysplastic mitral and tricuspid valves with dilated aortic root at 9 months of age. This is a notable case in that the location of this patient's mutation and his age of symptom onset would indicate a guarded prognosis. Further, this mutation, FBN1 G1013R, has been reported in the literature in four other unrelated patients all of whom presented at a young age with cardiac involvement and all of whom had relative longevity when compared to other patients with mutations in this exon 24–32 hot spot. These findings may represent a more specific genotype–phenotype correlation within this mutational hot spot.
Tracheal resection: the team brief in multi‐stage airway surgery
Authors: Cervi E. , Ong C. 
Published: March 2020

SummaryThe multidisciplinary team brief and effective clinical decision‐making are critical to airway surgery. To illustrate this, we present the case of a 58‐year‐old female with papillary thyroid cancer invading the trachea. We describe a basic framework that was used to aid planning the management of this patient. Tracheal resection is a complex airway operation requiring the evaluation of airway obstruction risk, the formulation of strategies for complex airway management and lung ventilation during complete resection of the tracheal segment and a handover plan for safe tracheal extubation. We suggest that team performance is facilitated by a standardised structure for consideration of anticipated events and important decisions to be made before the operation. Furthermore, it can provide a platform to engage the team when unanticipated events occur and alternate plans have to be made in a time‐critical manner.
High‐temperature char gasification of anthracite/petroleum coke: using biomass leachate as cheap‐effective additive
Authors: Wei Juntao , Ding Lu , Gong Yan , Guo Qinghua , Wang Yifei , Yu Guangsuo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractRice straw leachate (RSL) was employed as cheap‐effective biomass‐based additive for anthracite/petroleum coke (JM/PC) gasification. The influence of RSL on high‐temperature (1,000–1,300°C) char gasification reactivity and kinetics was analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis. The results demonstrate that for PC char, catalytic effect of RSL on its gasification reactivity existed within the whole temperature range and was initially weakened and then enhanced as gasification temperature increased (turning‐point temperature, 1,200°C). For JM char, as gasification temperature increased, the influencing form of RSL on its gasification reactivity was initially presented as the weakened catalytic effect and turned into the reduced inhibition effect within 1,200–1,300°C. These phenomena were mainly attributed to the concentration and activity variations of alkali/alkaline earth metal species derived from RSL during JM/PC char gasification at different temperatures. Kinetics analysis based on conventional models indicates that random pore model (RPM) was more suitable to describe char gasification. Moreover, RSL additive could reduce the activation energy of JM char and PC char gasification by 12.71 and 43.39 kJ·mol−1, respectively, which implied that RSL help to improve char gasification kinetics and exhibited more positive effect on PC char. Kinetics analysis based on free‐model method verified the reliability and accuracy of RPM.
High performance Nylon12/clay nanocomposites for potential packaging applications
Authors: Gill Yasir Qayyum , Abid Umer , Song Mo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe barrier property enhancement of polymers is presently a matter of great concern for the manufacturing of food packaging and films with excellency in moisture and gas resistance. The objective of this work was to enhance the barrier performance of Nylon12/kaolin clay nanocomposites against water vapors and oxygen. Kaolin clays of different aspect ratios were utilized for nanocomposites manufacturing. Nanocomposites were prepared in twin screw extruder operating at 160–200°C, with an increment of 10°C, and at 110 rev/min. The loading of clay was varied from 1 to 5 wt%. Scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction characterizations were used to investigate the morphological properties of nanocomposites. The transmission electron microscopy analysis was used to confirm the dispersion of clays in Nylon12 matrix. Enhancement in barrier performance of nanocomposite was noticed at 5 wt% clay loading. Oxygen barrier of nanocomposites was observed to be more prominent than water vapors owing to the presence of hydrogen bonding in Nylon12 structure which restricted oxygen passage. Experimental barrier values of nanocomposites were also fitted on barrier models namely Nielsen, Cussler model, and Gusev‐Lutsi model.
Production of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐g‐poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanofibers by electrospinning and evaluation of the properties of the obtained nanofibers
Authors: Gün Gök Zehra , İnal Murat , Bozkaya Ogün , Yiğitoğlu Mustafa , Vargel İbrahim 
Published: March 2020

AbstractNanofiber production was investigated from poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) polymers functionalized with hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) by grafting of HEMA monomers onto the PET fibers. HEMA grafted PET (PET‐g‐HEMA) copolymers were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. PET and PET‐g‐HEMA were dissolved in trifluoroacetic acid and nanofibers were obtained by electrospinning. It was found that the PET and PET‐g‐HEMA polymers having grafting yield 20 and 55% could be converted to continuous, smooth, and beadles nanofibers. For characterization of the nanofiber membranes, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimeter analysis, surface contact angle measurement, porosity analysis, and mechanical tests were applied. When compared with the original PET nanofibers, the thermal properties and degradation process of PET‐g‐HEMA nanofibers changed according to the amount of HEMA present in the structure of nanofibers. The contact angles of the nanofibers obtained from PET‐g‐HEMA polymers decreased whereas the water retention ability of the nanofibers increased compared to original PET nanofibers. The porosity of PET‐g‐HEMA nanofibers was found be high compared to PET nanofibers and whereas the mechanical properties of PET was higher than PET‐g‐HEMA nanofibers. The obtained nanofibers can be used in many fields such as biomaterial applications.
Biodegradable porous polylactic acid film as a separator for supercapacitors
Authors: Vargun Elif , Ozaltin Kadir , Fei Haojie , Harea Evghenii , Vilčáková Jarmila , Kazantseva Natalia , Saha Petr 
Published: March 2020

AbstractA porous polylactic acid (PLA) film was investigated as a separator for supercapacitors (SCs) and compared with commercial separators, for example, NKK‐MPF30AC and Celgard 2400. The porous PLA film was fabricated via a facile phase inversion method, and the cross‐sectional scanning electron microscope images of the PLA separator film exhibited highly porous interconnected morphology for ion diffusion. The surface modification of separators was performed by radio frequency (RF) air plasma to improve wettability. The plasma modification enhanced the water uptake and swelling properties of the separators and decreased the water contact angles of PLA and Celgard 2400 films. The mechanical and dielectric properties of separators were also studied. The ionic conductivities of RF‐PLA in 1 M H2SO4 and 1 M Na2SO4 were found to be 1.1 × 10−1 S/cm and 0.6 × 10−2 S/cm at room temperature, respectively. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the RF‐PLA SCs showed the lowest solution resistance and internal resistance.
Tunable stress transfer efficiency of polyurethane to spiropyran by multi‐functionalization and its effects on mechano‐chromic response
Authors: Zhang Fangfang , Ji Rong , Sun Nannan , Xu Jian , Zhang Xu , Song Xiaoli , Liu Junliang , Zhang Ming , Zhang Shiping , Niu Longlong 
Published: March 2020

AbstractSpiropyran (SP) derivatives with different hydroxyl groups have been synthesized and incorporated with polyurethane (PU) to prepare mechano‐chromic composites. With the content of hydroxyl groups in SP increasing, the stress transfer along PU molecular chain to SP have been effectively enhanced, resulting in the refined mechano‐chromic response. The correlation coefficient between mechano‐chromic efficiency and effective stress has been defined, which increased by using bishydroxyspiropyran (SP2) instead of SP. With an optimized SP2 content of 1.5 wt%, the composites demonstrated the improved mechano‐chromic effect and mechanical properties. The double hydroxyl groups in SP2 grasped the PU chain in form of chemical bonding, leading to construction of micro‐phase structures in PU matrix.
Influence of Lignin units on the properties of Lignin/PAN‐derived carbon fibers
Authors: Zhang Xiaxiang , Dong Silin , Wu Wei , Yang Jianxiao , Li Jun , Shi Kui , Liu Hongbo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractLignin was proposed to an attractive precursor for making carbon fibers (CFs) owing to its high carbon yield, low‐cost, and renewable sourcing. In this work, Lignin/polyacrylonitrile (PAN)‐derived CFs were prepared and characterized to investigate the effects of Lignin units on their porous texture and surface chemistry. The results showed that the LP20‐CF prepared from PAN with 20% Lignin had higher surface areas than that of the pristine LP0‐CF, and it possessed interconnected multidimensional network with fiber bonding. Moreover, Lignin/PAN‐derived CFs contained more oxygen functional groups of CO, COOR, and nitrogen functional groups of N‐6, NQ than the pristine CFs. These results indicated that the Lignin could be beneficial to achieve CFs with special structure, developed porosity and rich surface chemistry without activation. Therefore, the utilization of Lignin to produce pores and improve surface chemistry of CFs was a simple and effective strategy for preparing the low‐cost and high‐performance functional carbon materials.
Hydroxyapatite/ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene nanocomposites fabricated by in situ hydrothermal synthesis for wear‐resistance and friction reduction
Authors: Shi Guojun , Yan Xiaotian , Wang Qiuyi , Cao Zhen , Min Linfeng , Ji Lijun 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn situ filling raises a possibility to restrain the agglomeration of nanomaterials in macromolecule matrices, which usually is encountered in the nanocomposites prepared by a mechanical mixing method. In this work, the nanocomposites of ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) filled with nanosized hydroxyapatite (HAP) were fabricated by an in situ hydrothermal method. The fabricated HAP/UHMWPE nanocomposites exhibited a high dispersion degree of HAP nanoparticles (NPs) and a marked improvement in stiffness, strength, toughness, glass‐transition temperature, and hydrophilicity compared with the matrix and the reference composites prepared by mechanical mixing. Furthermore, pronouncedly decreased coefficients of friction and volume wear rates were observed on the in situ fabricated HAP/UHMWPE nanocomposites under dry friction, the lubrications of water, or cell culture fluid against a steel ring. The in situ fabricating strategy suggests a way to prepare highly dispersed nanocomposites, and the resulting HAP/UHMWPE nanocomposites might indicate a significant clinical prospect.
Constrained by aliens, shifting landscape, or poor water quality? Factors affecting the persistence of amphibians in an urban pond network
Authors: Bounas Anastasios , Keroglidou Maria , Toli Elisavet‐Aspasia , Chousidis Ieremias , Tsaparis Dimitris , Leonardos Ioannis , Sotiropoulos Konstantinos 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Freshwater communities and especially pond‐breeding amphibians are extremely vulnerable to land‐use change, alien species introductions and the use of pesticides or other toxic chemicals, as reflected in their worldwide decline. Effective conservation and management of ponds requires a better understanding of the biotic and abiotic factors that shape diversity patterns and species distribution, especially in cases of habitat loss
The present study aimed to reveal and classify which pond and landscape characteristics are the most important determinants for the occurrence patterns of amphibian species as well as for the overall amphibian species richness in an urban pond network. To achieve this aim, 17 biotic and abiotic variables were measured for 61 ponds and the dataset was analysed by means of a machine‐learning approach, suitability indices and co‐occurrence modelling
The highest probability of Triturus macedonicus occurrence was found at fishless artificial and semi‐natural ponds. The persistence of Lissotriton graecus in ponds was predicted by high pond connectivity and the absence of fish reflecting the species dispersive potential. Pelophylax kurtmuelleri showed a higher probability of occurrence with increased pond connectivity and macrophyte cover.
Amphibian species richness was higher in fishless ponds with well‐oxygenated waters located in sites with a low to intermediate road density network. Ponds categorized as ‘average’ in terms of newt suitability were more frequently inhabited by fish than Triturus macedonicus. Alien fish species showed negative associations with both newt species, while both newt species showed a positive association between them.
The results support the view that conserving a greater number of water bodies with increased landscape connectivity and without any fish presence could provide amphibian species with alternative habitat choices, especially in sites with human pressure where pond stability is at stake owing to continuous landscape changes.