bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficient Flame Retardancy, Smoke Suppression, and Mechanical Enhancement of β‐FeOOH@Metallo‐Supramolecular Polymer Core–Shell Nanorod Modified Epoxy Resin
Authors: Chen Ting , Wang Xiu , Peng Chaohua , Chen Guorong , Yuan Conghui , Xu Yiting , Zeng Birong , Luo Weiang , Balaji Krishnasamy , Petri Denise F. S. , Dai Lizong 
Published: August 2020

AbstractA metallo‐supramolecular polymer poly{4‐(((3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)(6‐oxidodibenzo[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphinin‐6‐yl)methyl)amino)phenyl‐2,2‐dimethylbutanoate} (HP) is synthesized through a Kabachnik–Fields reaction. Then HP is coated on the surface of β‐FeOOH by coordination interaction to generate organic–inorganic hybrid β‐FeOOH@HP (Fe@P) nanorods, which are used for preparing flame retardant epoxy resin (EP) nanocomposites. The structure of HP is characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the morphology and composition of β‐FeOOH and Fe@P nanorods are also studied by scanning electron micrograph and transmission electron microscope instruments. With the presence of 2 wt% of Fe@P, the limiting oxygen index value of EP nanocomposite increased to 32.8% with UL‐94 vertical burning V‐1 rating, and 31.4% of flexural strength enhancement, indicating the improvement of both flame retardant and mechanical properties with low loading amount. The reduction of total smoke production, average CO and CO2 yield for EP nanocomposites with 0.5 wt% of Fe@P reflected the good smoke suppression. The flame retardant mechanism of Fe@P is also discussed.
Rare deleterious variants of NOTCH1, GATA4, SMAD6, and ROBO4 are enriched in BAV with early onset complications but not in BAV with heritable thoracic aortic disease
Authors: Musfee Fadi I. , Guo Dongchuan , Pinard Amélie C. , Hostetler Ellen M. , Blue Elizabeth E. , Nickerson Deborah A. ,   University of Washington Center for Mendelian Genomics (UW‐CMG), Bamshad Michael J. , Milewicz Dianna M. , Prakash Siddharth K. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundBicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common cardiovascular malformation in adults, with a prevalence of 0.5%–2%. The prevalence of BAV in cohorts who were ascertained due to thoracic aortic aneurysms or acute aortic dissections (TAD) is as high as 20%. However, the contribution of causal BAV genes to TAD is not known. Therefore, we evaluated rare deleterious variants of GATA4, NOTCH1, SMAD6, or ROBO4 in patients with BAV who presented with TAD.MethodsOur cohort consisted of 487 probands with Heritable Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms or Dissections (HTAD, 12% BAV, 29% female) and 63 probands with Early onset complications of Bicuspid Aortic Valve disease (EBAV, 63% TAD, 34% female). After whole exome sequencing, we functionally annotated GATA4, NOTCH1, SMAD6, and ROBO4 variants and compared the prevalence of rare variants in these genes to controls without HTAD.ResultsWe identified 11 rare deleterious variants of GATA4, SMAD6, or ROBO4 in 12 (18%) EBAV cases. The burden of rare SMAD6 and GATA4 variants was significantly enriched in EBAV but not in HTAD cases, even among HTAD cases with BAV (p < .003).ConclusionRare variants of NOTCH1, ROBO4, SMAD6, or GATA4 do not significantly contribute to BAV in cohorts with HTAD. We conclude that BAV patients who present with HTAD are a genetically distinct subgroup with implications for genetic testing and prognosis.
Implementation of an optical wireless communication system deploying a novel post‐equalization circuit for indoor application
Authors: Thao Adam , Kang Xinwei , Lee Ghang‐Ho 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis paper experimentally demonstrates an optical wireless communication (OWC) system with commercially available LED and PD for lighting purpose by optimizing the performance of the OWC system with a newly proposed post‐equalization circuit. We used non‐return to zero (NRZ) on‐off keying (OOK) modulating at 622 Mbps with operating carrier wavelength of 636 nm, which corresponds to red visible light. The free space transmission length of the system was set at 50 cm and the LED emitted 9.1 lx. Different post‐equalization gains were tested to optimize proposed post‐equalization circuit by using the frequency response characteristics at different modulating frequencies and the bit‐error rate (BER) of the OWC system. For the optimized case, we were able to achieve error‐free transmission at 622 Mbps and a maximum achievable data rate of 636.6 Mbps with a BER of 9.9 × 10−6.
Evaluation of the thermal sensitivity of porcine liver in CT‐guided cryoablation: an initial study
Authors: Hübner Frank , Schreiner Roland , Panahi Bita , Vogl Thomas Josef 
Published: August 2020

PurposeTo evaluate computed tomography (CT)‐based thermometry in cryoablation, the thermal sensitivity of an ex‐vivo porcine liver was determined in an initial study design.MethodsThe CT‐guided cryoablation was performed in three porcine liver samples over a period of 10 min. Fiber optic temperature probes were positioned parallel to the shaft of the cryoprobe in an axial slice orientation. During ablation, temperature measurements were performed simultaneously with CT imaging at 5 s intervals. On the CT images, the average CT number was calculated for a region of interest of 3 × 3 pixels just below the tip of each temperature probe. A linear regression analysis was performed using eleven data sets to determine the dependence of the CT number on the temperature.ResultsWith decreasing temperature, an increasing hypodense area around the tip of the cryoprobe was observed on the CT images and decreasing values of the CT number were determined. Starting at a temperature of − 40°C a linear relation between the CT number and the temperature was determined and a thermal sensitivity of 0.95 HU/°C (R2 = 0.73) was obtained. The thermal sensitivity was used to calculate color‐coded temperature maps. The calculated temperature distribution corresponds quantitatively to the increasing hypodense area.ConclusionsA noninvasive CT‐based temperature determination during cryoablation in a normal ex vivo porcine liver is feasible. A thermal sensitivity of 0.95 HU/°C was determined by linear regression analysis. A color‐coded map of the temperature distribution was presented.
Changes in porcine cauda epididymal fluid proteome by disrupting the HPT axis: Unveiling potential mechanisms of male infertility
Authors: Souza Ana P. B. , Lopes Tayná N. , da Silva Anna F. T. , Santi Lucélia , Beys‐da‐Silva Walter O. , Yates John R. , Bustamante‐Filho Ivan C. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMale infertility or subfertility is frequently associated with disruption of the hypothalamic–pituitary–testis axis events, like secondary hypogonadism. However, little is known how this condition affects the proteomic composition of the epididymal fluid. In the present study, we evaluated the proteomic changes in the cauda epididymal fluid (CEF) in a swine model of secondary hypogonadism induced by anti‐GnRH immunization using multidimensional protein identification technology. Seven hundred and eighteen proteins were identified in both GnRH‐immunized and control groups. GnRH immunization doubled the number of proteins in the CEF, with 417 proteins being found exclusively in samples from GnRH‐immunized boars. CEF from GnRH‐immunized boars presented an increase in the number of proteins related to cellular and metabolic processes, with affinity to organic cyclic compounds, small molecules, and heterocyclic compounds, as well changed the enzymatic profile of the CEF. Also, a significant increase in the number of proteins associated to the ubiquitin–proteasome system was identified in CEF from GnRH‐immunized animals. These results bring strong evidence of the impact of secondary hypogonadism on the epididymal environment, which is responsible for sperm maturation and storage prior ejaculation. Finally, the differently expressed proteins in the CEF are putative seminal biomarkers for testicular and epididymal disorders caused by secondary hypogonadism.
Myocardial T1 mapping using SMART1Map and MOLLI mapping in asymptomatic patients with recent extracardiac sarcoidosis
Authors: Panovský Roman , Doubková Martina , Holeček Tomáš , Máchal Jan , Feitová Věra , Masárová Lucia , Opatřil Lukáš , Mojica‐Pisciotti Mary Luz , Kincl Vladimír 
Published: August 2020

IntroductionSarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease affecting in particular the respiratory tract. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), including a measurement of T1 relaxation time, could potentially detect early stadia of sarcoidosis of the heart. The study aims to assess T1 mapping in the detection of early cardiac involvement in asymptomatic patients with sarcoidosis.MethodsOne hundred and twenty patients with extracardiac sarcoidosis and without any heart disease history were included. One hundred and thirteen of them underwent a CMR examination. The mean time from the diagnosis of sarcoidosis was 0.8 (0.2‐3.3) years. Cine images for the assessment of left ventricular (LV) functional parameters and pre‐ and post‐contrast saturation method using adaptive recovery times for cardiac T1 mapping (SMART1Map) and modified Look‐Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) images were acquired for the assessment of native T1 relaxation time and extracellular volume (ECV). The measured parameters were compared between sarcoidosis patients and 22 controls.ResultsThe sarcoidosis patients had normal global and regional systolic LV function—LV ejection fraction 65 ± 5% versus 66 ± 7% (p NS). The mean native T1 relaxation times were not prolonged—1465 ± 93 ms versus 1480 ± 88 ms (p NS) measured by SMART1Map and 1317 ± 60 ms versus 1313 ± 83 ms (p NS) measured using a MOLLI sequence. Similarly, the mean ECV values did not increase—16.9 ± 3.9% versus 17.9 ± 3.7% (p NS) measured by SMART1Map and 30.9 ± 2.9% versus 31.6 ± 8.3% (p NS) measured using a MOLLI sequence.ConclusionMyocardial native T1 relaxation times were not prolonged and ECV was not increased in asymptomatic patients with extracardiac sarcoidosis.
Computing the matrix geometric mean: Riemannian versus Euclidean conditioning, implementation techniques, and a Riemannian BFGS method
Authors: Yuan Xinru , Huang Wen , Absil P.‐A. , Gallivan Kyle A. 
Published: August 2020

SummaryThis paper addresses the problem of computing the Riemannian center of mass of a collection of symmetric positive definite matrices. We show in detail that the condition number of the Riemannian Hessian of the underlying optimization problem is never very ill conditioned in practice, which explains why the Riemannian steepest descent approach has been observed to perform well. We also show theoretically and empirically that this property is not shared by the Euclidean Hessian. We then present a limited‐memory Riemannian BFGS method to handle this computational task. We also provide methods to produce efficient numerical representations of geometric objects that are required for Riemannian optimization methods on the manifold of symmetric positive definite matrices. Through empirical results and a computational complexity analysis, we demonstrate the robust behavior of the limited‐memory Riemannian BFGS method and the efficiency of our implementation when compared to state‐of‐the‐art algorithms.
Mediating effect of coping style between empathy and burnout among Chinese nurses working in medical and surgical wards
Authors: Cheng Li , Yang Jiao , Li Mengyuan , Wang Wenru 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimThis study aimed to investigate burnout, coping style and empathy among Chinese nurses working in medical and surgical wards and to examine the mediating effect of coping style between empathy and burnout among this group of nurses.DesignA cross‐sectional questionnaire survey.MethodThe study recruited a convenience sample of 363 nurses from three university‐affiliated tertiary hospitals in Shiyan City, Hubei, China. A set of self‐administered questionnaires was used to measure the variables of burnout, coping style and empathy. Structural equation modelling was performed using AMOS 20.0.ResultsNurse burnout was prevalent among Chinese nurses in medical and surgical wards, and coping style and empathy were significantly associated with burnout. Positive coping strategies and high levels of empathy could reduce burnout in nurses. Coping strategies were found to play a partial mediating role between empathy and burnout among this group of nurses.
Modeling exposures of medications used episodically during pregnancy: Triptans as a motivating example
Authors: Harris Gerd‐Marie Eskerud , Wood Mollie , Nordeng Hedvig 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPurposeTo assess the validity of dispensed prescription to classify exposure to medications used episodically during pregnancy, and to explore individual trajectories of episodic medication use across pregnancy, using triptans for migraine as the motivating example.MethodsWe compared self‐reported triptan use during pregnancy in The Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) to dispensed prescriptions in The Norwegian Prescription Database and calculated Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ), sensitivity, specificity and predictive values using MoBa as reference standard. We used group‐based trajectory modeling to estimate exposure trajectories in MoBa according to probability of triptan use across pregnancy.ResultsWe identified 6051 pregnancies where mothers filled at least one triptan prescription or reported migraine or triptan use in the 6 months before or during pregnancy. Sensitivity of prescribed triptans during pregnancy was low (39.1%), but specificity was quite high (95.4%). Agreement between the two data sources was fair (κ 0.36). We identified three trajectory groups in MoBa including constant‐high, decreasing‐medium and decreasing‐low probability of triptan use across pregnancy.ConclusionsUsing dispensed prescriptions rather than self‐report to classify exposure to triptans during pregnancy is likely to result in substantial under‐estimation of exposure. In this study, traditional definitions of ever‐exposed vs never‐exposed failed to capture variations in drug utilization during pregnancy.
Photocatalytic degradation of basic blue dye using zinc nanoparticles decorated graphene oxide nanosheet
Authors: Al Aqad Khaled M. , Basheer Chanbasha 
Published: August 2020

AbstractReduced graphene oxide nanosheets were prepared by a modified hummer method and decorated with zinc nanoparticles to form nanocomposite (ZnO/RGO). The nanostructure surface materials of RGO with ZnO consist of different functional groups such as carboxyl, carbonyl, and hydroxyl groups, which facilitate the oxidation process of dye. Various techniques characterized the synthesized nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed good surface morphology of ZnO/RGO, and X‐ray diffraction illustrated a high crystal structure of the surface. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) shows the functional groups of nanocomposites ZnO/RGO. The Raman and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectroscopies illustrate the surface and functional properties of ZnO/RGO catalyst. Moreover, the optical characterization achieved good value around 3.29 eV because of the decoration of ZnO on the surface of graphene oxide. Optimized conditions show up to 98% photocatalytic degradation of basic blue dye. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry was used for the analysis of degradation and intermediate identification. The proposed degradation mechanism of basic blue by the following steps, cleavage of C–C bonds in the benzene ring, and N‐N bond during the attack of OH• radicals, (iii) cleavage of aniline and C–C bonds of the benzene group.
A prevalence and psychometric study on fear of cancer in women with abnormal cervical cytology undergoing colposcopy
Authors: Uner Fatma Ozlem , Korukcu Oznur 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the levels of fear of cancer in women who were referred for colposcopy and to determine validity and reliability of the Cancer Worry Scale (CWS) in gynaecology patients.MethodsThe study was conducted between March‐November 2017 with 200 women at the Gynaecologic Oncology Clinic at Akdeniz University Hospital in Turkey. Reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analyzes, and multidimensional sum‐score estimation were used for psychometric analyzes. One‐way ANOVA and independent samplest‐test were also used.ResultsTotal score for the CWS of the participants was determined as 20.05 ± 7.87 in colposcopy patients. Marital status, information about the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear test and colposcopy, and fear of colposcopy were strongly associated with fear of cancer. We determined that a one‐factor structure emerged for the scale and that the total contribution of this factor to the explained variance was 53.35%. CFA was applied to obtain additional evidence of structural validity in line with the scores obtained from the scale. The overall Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the scale was 0.87.ConclusionsOur study revealed that levels of fear of cancer were high in women who were referred for colposcopy. Furthermore, the CWS was determined as a valid and reliable tool to measure the fear of cancer in women undergoing cervical screening/follow‐up for abnormal cytology.
Pediatric Psychosocial Standards of Care in action: Research that bridges the gap from need to implementation
Authors: Wiener Lori , Canter Kimberly , Long Kristin , Psihogios Alexandra M. , Thompson Amanda L. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo describe innovative models of psychosocial care delivery that align with published Standards of Psychosocial Care of Children with Cancer and their Families, in efforts to bridge the divide between research and practice.MethodsThe Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation, in partnership with the American Psychosocial Oncology Society reviewed 22 letters of intent and 13 full grants and awarded small grants to researchers with high quality projects that aimed to implement any of the published 15 Standards of Care. For three of the highest rated funded research projects, we describe the Standard implemented, the novel research design and implementation strategies, and how the research findings might inform the development, implementation, and dissemination of effective solutions for bridging Standard‐to‐practice gaps.ResultsThe first study presented is an innovative eHealth intervention for parents of children with cancer designed to improve family functioning and decrease symptoms of acute distress, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. The second study addresses the acceptability and feasibility of using daily text message assessments of oral chemotherapy adherence in adolescents and young adults with leukemia, and the third creates a blueprint for providing psychosocial services to siblings, including ways to overcome common implementation barriers.ConclusionsSeveral themes emerged from the studies presented, including (1) attention to barriers to previous attempts at implementation; (2) technology's role in delivering care; (3) the need for stakeholder involvement; and (4) consideration for multi‐pronged solutions that address heterogeneity in care settings. Next steps for integrating the Standards of Psychosocial Care into clinical practice are discussed.
Topology delimited radical‐scavenging propensity of monohydroxycinnamic acids
Authors: Borislavov Lyuben , Velkov Zhivko , Tadjer Alia 
Published: August 2020

AbstractHydroxyl derivatives of cinnamic acid, both natural and synthetic, are well‐known radical scavengers. However, not all of them feature the same radical‐scavenging propensity. Establishing the relationship between the structure of those species and their reactivity toward radicals plays a crucial role in the design of novel antioxidant pharmaceuticals founded on the same parent structure. This study aims to clarify, in a systematic and comprehensive way, the relationship between topology, geometry, and electron and spin density distribution on the one hand and the radical‐scavenging activity on the other. Different mechanisms are discussed based on the enthalpies of the possible structures generated in the process of dissociation of the OH bonds. All structures are modeled utilizing the first principles methods and accounting for the polar medium (water) at neutral pH (B3LYP/6‐311++G**/PCM). A hybrid mechanism is suggested, applicable not only to hydroxylated cinnamic acids but to phenolic acids in a polar environment in general.
pysisyphus: Exploring potential energy surfaces in ground and excited states
Authors: Steinmetzer Johannes , Kupfer Stephan , Gräfe Stefanie 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPredicting the energetics of chemical transformations requires localizing stationary points on a potential energy surface. While educts and products of a chemical reaction may be known, transition state optimization is challenging as good guesses may be unavailable. Extending stationary point searches to the excited state leads to additional difficulties as several states may be close in energy, requiring efficient state tracking. Here, we report the implementation of pysisyphus, an external optimizer, that allows localization of stationary points not only in the ground state but also for excited state by providing several state‐tracking algorithms. pysisyphus offers all necessary tools for calculating reaction paths, starting from the optimization of the reactants, running chain‐of‐states methods such as the nudged elastic band or the growing string method with subsequent transition state optimization, and a concluding intrinsic reaction coordinate calculation.
Measurement error and precision medicine: Error‐prone tailoring covariates in dynamic treatment regimes
Authors: Spicker Dylan , Wallace Michael P. 
Published: August 2020

SummaryPrecision medicine incorporates patient‐level covariates to tailor treatment decisions, seeking to improve outcomes. In longitudinal studies with time‐varying covariates and sequential treatment decisions, precision medicine can be formalized with dynamic treatment regimes (DTRs): sequences of covariate‐dependent treatment rules. To date, the precision medicine literature has not addressed a ubiquitous concern in health research—measurement error—where observed data deviate from the truth. We discuss the consequences of ignoring measurement error in the context of DTRs, focusing on challenges unique to precision medicine. We show—through simulation and theoretical results—that relatively simple measurement error correction techniques can lead to substantial improvements over uncorrected analyses, and apply these findings to the sequenced treatment alternatives to relieve depression study.