bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non‐invasive monitoring of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure in heart failure
Authors: Martins Susana , Soares Rui M. , Branco Luísa , Salomão Spencer , Antunes A. Mata 
Published: July 2002

AbstractObjective:To evaluate the usefulness of pulsed Doppler (PD) mitral flow E wave deceleration time (EDcT) to detect and quantify changes of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) in patients (pt) with dilated chronic heart failure (CHF) submitted to tailored therapy.Methods:In 14 pt with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) (59.4 ± 10.0 years, 11 males, sinus rhythm), admitted to the ICU because of worsening CHF, serial simultaneous hemodynamic and echocardiographic studies were performed (3–5/pt; overall 49 evaluations). PD mitral flow register was used to measure EDcT and correlated with PCWP at each study.Results:PCWP ranged from 36 to 3 mmHg (17.6 ± 8.8) and EDcT from 271 to 52 ms (104.9 ± 42.4). The correlation between EDcT and PCWP was −0.65 (PCWP = 31.7–0.134EDcT). Using this equation to calculate PCWP, individual absolute values difference (identity error — IE) was 5.6 ± 3.5 mmHg (0.4–14.6). In 29 cases (59.2%) IE was > 5 mmHg, defined as major error. Considering EDcT percent change (Δ%EDcT) and PCWP variation (ΔPCWP) in serial evaluations, we found a correlation of −0.87 (ΔPCWP = −2.83–0.19 Δ%EDcT). Using this equation, the IE was 2.3 ± 1.6 mmHg (0–5.2) and there were only two (6%) major errors (P < 0.0001).Conclusions:In pt with DCM and advanced CHF, EDcT shows a reasonable correlation with PCWP, but when it is used to calculate PCWP the IE to hemodynamic values is often large. However, our results with EDcT percent change in serial evaluations using a first simultaneous invasive determination, suggest that this technique is reliable for monitoring PCWP and can be particularly useful for pt submitted to tailored therapy.
Experience of commencing Carvedilol in elderly patients with heart failure in a routine outpatient clinic
Authors: Owen Andrew 
Published: July 2002

AbstractCarvedilol has been shown to be beneficial for patients with heart failure, but it is not clear how it should be initiated in routine clinical practice, particularly in the elderly. This study is a retrospective review of 19 patients of age 80±4 years with heart failure, who had Carvedilol treatment initiated in a routine outpatient clinic. No patient experienced a worsening of their heart failure or required admission to hospital. There was a mean reduction in heart rate of 11 beats/min. Carvedilol was tolerated by 68% of the patients. Thus, Carvedilol can be safely initiated in a routine outpatient clinic in appropriately selected elderly patients.
Screening, endpoint classification, and safety monitoring in the Metoprolol CR/XL Randomised Intervention Trial in Congestive Heart Failure (MERIT‐HF)
Authors: Fagerberg Björn 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe MERIT‐HF study was designed to investigate the effect of once‐daily dosing of metoprolol succinate CR/XL added to standard therapy in patients with chronic heart failure. A screening programme, aiming at identifying eligible patients for the study was used by 231 out of 313 sites, resulting in 8912 screened patients. These patients were older, more often women, had marginally higher ejection fraction and were more often in NYHA class IV compared to the finally randomised patients. There was a positive correlation between the number of screened and randomised patients and due to the high inclusion rate the number of randomised patients was increased from 3200 to 3991 patients. The clinical events were defined by a manual and were based on identical classifications made independently by two members of an Independent Endpoint Committee. Data from the case report form and the classifications made by the Endpoint Committee were in accordance for hospitalisation due to worsening heart failure on 722 occasions. On 207 occasions the data from the case report forms and the classification made by the committee differed regarding this clinical event. The Independent Safety Committee monitored safety aspects of the study by using asymmetric group sequential procedures. The study was stopped early on recommendation from the Independent Safety Committee, when the second pre‐specified interim analysis (50% of total number of expected deaths) showed that the criterion for stopping due to benefit had been met and exceeded. In conclusion, a screening programme facilitated patient recruitment and showed the characteristics of the background population, the event classification was improved by using an independent endpoint committee, and the safety monitoring allowed an early closure of the study due to mortality benefit, without jeopardising the final analyses of the results.
Tezosentan (an intravenous endothelin receptor A/B antagonist) reduces peripheral resistance and increases cardiac power therefore preventing a steep decrease in blood pressure in patients with congestive heart failure
Authors: Gad Cotter , Wolfgang Kiowski , Edo Kaluski , Isaac Kobrin , Olga Milovanov , Alon Marmor , Jamal Jafari , Leonardo Reisin , Ricardo Krakover , Zvi Vered , Avi Caspi 
Published: July 2002

AbstractObjective:This study investigated the effect of tezosentan (an intravenous endothelin‐1 receptor antagonist) on vascular resistance and cardiac function and determined the dose response in patients with stable congestive heart failure (CHF) due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction.Methods:In a double‐blind fashion, tezosentan or placebo were administered in ascending doses (5, 20, 50, 100 mg h−1) to 38 CHF (NYHA class III) patients with ejection fraction ≤35%, cardiac index ≤2.7 l min−1 m−2 and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ≥ 15 mmHg. Systemic vascular resistance index (SVRi) was estimated as mean arterial blood pressure [(MAP‐right atrial pressure)÷cardiac index (CI)]. Cardiac function was assessed as cardiac power index (Cpi), calculated as pressure × flow (MAP × CI), where MAP represents pressure and CI represents cardiovascular flow.Results and discussion:Compared to the placebo, tezosentan induced a dose‐dependent decrease in SVRi (−32%), an increase in Cpi (+20%) and a small decrease in MAP (−9%). By contrast, patients treated with nitrate vasodilators or nesiritide (a natriuretic peptide) showed a decrease in SVRi not accompanied by a significant increase in Cpi leading to a steep decrease in MAP.Conclusions:The use of Cpi in the assessment of the hemodynamic effects of tezosentan, provides a useful alternative characterization of the complex influences of vasodilators on cardiac function in patients with CHF.
Evidence‐Based Care and the Breastfeeding Couple: Key Concerns
Authors: Auerbach Kathleen G. 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACTOptimal health care is based on evidence that a) no harm is done when that care is provided and that b) the care provided assists in the prevention of further problems or the resolution of the presenting problem. Too often, care provided to lactating mothers and their breastfeeding offspring lacks evidence supportive of the techniques used or care provided. This article addresses 10 common hospital‐based practices and reviews documented evidence related to their effect on breastfeeding success. Concepts pertaining to the breasts and breastfeeding that require incorporation into the educational offerings of current and future health care providers are also identified.
FOSTERING EVIDENCE‐BASED CARE IN CLINICAL TEACHING
Authors: Erickson‐Owens Debra A. , Kennedy Holly Powell 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACTUnderstanding scientific research evidence and applying it to clinical practice is a focus in today's health care arena. Fostering evidence‐based care (EBC) in clinical teaching is an effective way to help students learn to think critically, search for, evaluate, and incorporate the best research evidence into their clinical practice. For example, helping a student plan care for a woman creates a “teaching moment” for the application of scientific evidence to clinical practice. Essentially, EBC is a learned skill for both the student and the clinical teacher. It requires intellectual curiosity and a willingness to explore beyond “the way it has always been done.” This article presents a review of the goals of clinical teaching, strategies to foster EBC, and tools to assess the readiness of the teacher, the student, and the clinical setting for EBC. By aligning the goals of clinical teaching with evidence‐based strategies, both the educator and student strive together to provide midwifery care that is supported by available research.
FROM NURSING OUTPOSTS TO CONTEMPORARY MIDWIFERY IN 20TH CENTURY CANADA
Authors: Plummer Kate 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACTKnowledge of the history of one's profession is always related to the informed practice of the profession and can aid midwifery in its expansion and recognition. Understanding the long and diverse history of Canadian midwifery expands the appreciation by midwives in the United States of midwifery north of our border, which, although newly regulated, has much experience to share. This article documents the evolution of midwifery in Canada during the 20th century. Government‐sanctioned midwifery prior to 1991, the year when Ontario passed legislation to regulate midwifery for the first time in modern Canadian history, was limited to isolated, usually northern, frontier and outpost regions of Canada, but the providers who practiced it were well‐educated and important figures in the broader history of midwifery.
Formate Dehydrogenase from Rhodococcus jostii (RjFDH) – A High‐Performance Tool for NADH Regeneration
Authors: Boldt Alexander , Ansorge‐Schumacher Marion B. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe use of formate dehydrogenases (FDHs) for regeneration of the important cofactor NADH in enzyme‐catalysed synthetic reactions has several advantages over alternative systems. However, a major bottleneck for broad industrial applications is the low specific activity of the currently used FDHs. In this study, we introduce a novel NAD‐dependent formate dehydrogenase from Rhodococcus jostii (RjFDH) with both high specific activity and stability. The enzyme was identified in a targeted database research and recombinantly obtained from Escherichia coli. RjFDH is a homodimer with a monomeric molecular mass of 44.7 kDa. The homology model shows that all amino acid residues of the NAD‐dependent formate dehydrogenases are usually concerned with catalytic activity, substrate acceptance, and cofactor binding. The only substrate oxidised by these enzymes is formate. RjFDH had a specific activity of 19.9 U mg−1 at 22 °C along with unimpaired activity and high stability over a broad pH range. The Km values for formate and NAD+ were 7.3 and 0.098 mmol L−1, respectively. The optimum temperature was found to be 50 °C, at which the enzyme activity increased to about 318%. Both activity and thermal stability were higher than those of the FDH from Candida boidinii (CbFDH), which is the standard enzyme currently in use for cofactor regeneration. Different solvents roughly had the same impact on the activity and stability of both RjFDH and CbFDH. The superior performance of RjFDH over CbFDH as a regeneration system for NADH was demonstrated for the synthesis of L‐tert‐leucine as well as (S)‐1‐phenylethanol. In both systems, the concentration of RjFDH used was only one‐third of the concentration of CbFDH required to achieve comparable conversion rates. Rational designing provided a promising NADP‐accepting variant. Thus, RjFDH has a great potential to serve as an alternative system for NADH regeneration in enzyme‐catalysed synthetic reactions.magnified image
Merging Electrosynthesis and Bifunctional Squaramide Catalysis in the Asymmetric Detrifluoroacetylative Alkylation Reactions
Authors: Chang Xihao , Zhang Jiayin , Zhang Qinglin , Guo Chang 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAn enantioselective bifunctional squaramide‐catalyzed detrifluoroacetylative alkylation reaction has been developed under electrochemical conditions. The unified strategy based on this key tandem methodology has been divergently explored for the asymmetric synthesis of fluorine‐containing target molecules with good stereocontrol (up to 95 % ee). Furthermore, this asymmetric catalytic reaction combines the benefits of electrosynthesis and organocatalysis for the preparation of biologically relevant products containing C‐F tertiary stereogenic centers.
Guest‐Responsive Reversible Electron Transfer in a Crystalline Porous Framework Supported by a Dynamic Building Node
Authors: Sikdar Nivedita , Hazra Arpan , Samanta Debabrata , Haldar Ritesh , Maji Tapas Kumar 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe demonstrate a redox‐active, crystalline donor–acceptor (D‐A) assembly in which the electron transfer (ET) process can be reversibly switched. This ET process, induced by a guest‐responsive structural transformation at room temperature, is realized in a porous, metal–organic framework (MOF), having anthracene (D)–naphthalenediimide (A) as struts. A control MOF structure obtained by a solvent‐assisted linker exchange (SALE) method, replacing an acceptor strut with a neutral one, supported the switchable electronic states in the D‐A MOF. Combined investigations with X‐ray diffraction, spectroscopy, and theoretical analyses revealed the dynamic metal paddle‐wheel node as a critical unit for controlling structural flexibility and the corresponding unprecedented ET process.
Universal Access to Two‐Dimensional Mesoporous Heterostructures by Micelle‐Directed Interfacial Assembly
Authors: Wang Jie , Chang Zhi , Ding Bing , Li Tao , Yang Gaoliang , Pang Zhibin , Nakato Teruyuki , Eguchi Miharu , Kang Yong‐Mook , Na Jongbeom , Guan Bu Yuan , Yamauchi Yusuke 
Published: July 2020

AbstractTwo‐dimensional (2D) mesoporous heterostructures combining ultrathin nanosheet morphology, periodic porous surface structures, and diverse hybrid compositions have become increasingly important for renewable energy storage and electronics. However, it remains a great challenge to develop a universal method to prepare 2D mesoporous heterostructures. Herein, we report a composite‐micelle‐directed interfacial assembly method to synthesize heterostructures of an ultrathin 2D material covered with mesoporous monolayers assembled on both sides. To demonstrate the concept, we first fabricated a new sandwichlike carbon@MXene@carbon mesoporous heterostructure through the self‐assembly of exfoliated MXene nanosheets and block copolymer F127/melamine‐formaldehyde resin composite micelles and subsequent thermal treatment. Finally, we demonstrate that the carbon@MXene@carbon mesoporous heterostructured nanosheets manifest remarkably enhanced electrochemical performance as a cathode material for lithium–sulfur batteries.
Coupling a Wireless Bipolar Ultramicroelectrode with Nano‐electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry: Insights into the Ultrafast Initial Step of Electrochemical Reactions
Authors: Hu Jun , Zhang Nan , Zhang Pan‐Ke , Chen Yun , Xia Xing‐Hua , Chen Hong‐Yuan , Xu Jing‐Juan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe report a new mass spectrometric method for detecting electrogenerated intermediates. This approach is based on simultaneous activation of electrospray ionization and redox reaction on a wireless bipolar ultramicroelectrode, which is fabricated in the tip of a quartz nanopipette. The hollow structure of the ultramicroelectrode permits rapid transferring the transient species from electrode–electrolyte interfaces into the gas phase for mass spectrometric identification on the time scale of microseconds. The long‐sought fleeting intermediates including TPrA.+, whose lifetime in solution is only 200 μs, and catecholamine o‐semiquinone radicals, the second‐order rate constant of which is typically 109 m−1 s−1, were successfully identified, helping clarify the previously hidden reaction pathways. Accordingly, our method may have wide applicability in exploring the dynamics of many electrochemical reactions, especially their ultrafast initial steps.
Raman imaging for measuring homogeneity of dry binary blend: Combining microscopy with spectroscopy for technologists
Authors: Gupta Vivek , Pathak Devesh K. , Chaudhary Sandeep , Kumar Rajesh 
Published: July 2020

AbstractExpanding the capabilities of Raman scattering as an analytical tool for engineering applications can optimize the technological output immensely. Understanding the homogeneity of any blended mix is one such significant parameter in the family of composite building construction materials that needs an appropriate tool for its measurement. Raman spectromicroscopy has been established here for the purpose of studying the chemical homogeneity at the microscopic scale of a dry binary blend used in the building constructions as an example. In this study, two waste stone powdered materials, obtained from western Indian stone fields, have been characterized in their respective unmixed forms using Raman spectroscopy up to an extent so that the same can be developed as a microscopic tool to clearly “see” the chemical homogeneity of a mixture. A step‐by‐step study has been carried out by first, simply making a physically separated and identifiable boundary of the two materials followed by obtaining a Raman line image. The Raman line map could clearly identify the boundary, which otherwise was not possible to appreciate visibly. The same recipe has been extended to study the homogeneity of a binary mixture (blended in 1:1 ratio), using a Raman area map. The novelty of the work lies in the advancement in the analytical tool's family to see the chemical homogeneity of building construction materials at the microscopic level. Chemical imaging using Raman spectroscopy has been demonstrated as a simple tool to understand the homogeneity of the dry binary blend, which was not possible by other simple techniques. Using Raman area mapping proves to be a quick, valuable, and effective tool for measuring the homogeneity of the blended mixes at the microscopic scale and important for application in building construction materials.
Water based blowing agents for rubber extrusion
Authors: Hopmann Christian , Kammer Sebastian , Facklam Martin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPhysiologically hazardous chemical blowing agents are state of the art for the foaming of extruded rubber profiles. Water is a potential alternative to these blowing agents and is incorporated into rubber compounds in the form of water‐leaded hygroscopic substances such as carbon blacks, silica, or hydrates. To achieve an optimum foaming result, the water desorption and cross‐linking reaction has to be coordinated. In thermogravimetric investigations it is found that the inertia of the evaporation process plays an important role in water desorption mechanisms. It turned out that manual conditioning of the hygroscopic fillers with water is not reproducible. As a consequence, measurement uncertainties in characterization resulted, so that statistical proof of the expected effects on water desorption due to the specific properties of the fillers (e.g., silanol group density, specific surface area) could not be provided. However, carbon blacks are less suitable than silica due to the lower desorption temperature. The precipitated silica Ultrasil 360 with a relatively high pH‐value showed higher water desorption rates than the other silica. The desorption temperature can reproducibly be adjusted as required by a suitable choice of hydrate. Since the absolute amount of water in the rubber compound is crucial to the foaming behavior during vulcanization Karl Fischer titration is used to determine the water content of a polar and a nonpolar rubber compound is determined over several weeks. Depending on the climatic conditions during storage, large deviations from the amount of incorporated water occur especially for polar rubber compounds such as nitrile butadiene rubber.
Polylactic acid and high‐density polyethylene blend: Characterization and application in additive manufacturing
Authors: Harris Muhammad , Potgieter Johan , Ray Sudip , Archer Richard , Arif Khalid Mahmood 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis research reports a novel polylactic acid (PLA) blend with high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyethylene graft maleic anhydride (PE‐g‐MAH) to mitigate the PLA degradation issues associated with high temperatures, soil and water exposure. The blend was prepared with a melt blending process and directly printed with a custom‐built pellet printer to maintain the “as prepared” properties. Thermal stability was analyzed in terms of mechanical strength at different bed temperatures and postprinting aging for 10 days. Soil burial degradation and water absorption were investigated in terms of mechanical strength and effects on mass at three intervals (15, 30, 45 days). The proposed blend revealed high stability to all three degradation mechanisms due to the chemical grafting along with physical interlocking. Finally, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to confirm the enhancement in molecular interactions, melt crystallization, onset temperatures and phase distribution, respectively.
Nitrogen‐Rich Hierarchical Porous Carbon Prepared by Sol‐Gel Assisted Inorganic Template Methods for Supercapacitors
Authors: Jin Yan , Qian Meng , Lin Gaoxin , Zhang Shaoning , Dong Wujie , Huang Fuqiang 
Published: July 2020

AbstractNitrogen‐rich and porous carbon materials have attracted great attention for supercapacitors due to the relatively large specific surface area, highly active N species and good electrical conductivity. However, it is still a challenge to precisely regulate the above characteristics simultaneously. Here artful sol‐gel‐assisted inorganic template methods are proposed by using melamine and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as complement and magnesium nitrate as inorganic salt to prepare nitrogen‐rich hierarchical porous carbon with three different pore structure (1.75 nm, 3.8 nm and 9.07 nm), giving the opportunity to regulate the specific surface area and pore size distribution of the carbon materials. The designer porous carbon possesses more than 9 at. % of the pyridinic nitrogen (N‐6) and pyrrolic nitrogen (N‐5), a high specific surface area of 917.0 m2 g−1 and good electrical conductivity (1.28 S cm−1). All these factors result in a specific capacitance up to 371 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and excellent cycle stability (retain 98.3 % capacitance after 10000 cycles).
The transition from objectively structured practical examination (OSPE) to electronic OSPE in the era of COVID‐19
Authors: Dutta Atanu Kumar , Goswami Kalyan , Murugaiyan Sathishbabu , Sahoo Sibasish , Pal Amit , Paul Chandramallika , Thallapaneni Sasikala , Biswas Soham 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic is forcing the medical educators to innovate and embrace online education and assessment platform. One of the most significant challenges we are facing is the formative assessment of practical skills in the undergraduate medical biochemistry education. We have designed the electronic objectively structured practical examination to facilitate the formative assessment.