bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dose Optimization in Kidney Disease: Opportunities for PBPK Modeling and Simulation
Authors: Franchetti Yoko , Nolin Thomas D. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractKidney disease affects pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of not only renally cleared drugs but also nonrenally cleared drugs. The impact of kidney disease on drug disposition has not been fully elucidated, but describing the extent of such impact is essential for conducting dose optimization in kidney disease. Accurate evaluation of kidney function has been a clinical interest for dose optimization, and more scientists pay attention and conduct research for clarifying the role of drug transporters, metabolic enzymes, and their interplay in drug disposition as kidney disease progresses. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling and simulation can provide valuable insights for dose optimization in kidney disease. It is a powerful tool to integrate discrete knowledge from preclinical and clinical research and mechanistically investigate system‐ and drug‐dependent factors that may contribute to the changes in PK profiles. PBPK‐based prediction of drug exposures may be used a priori to adjust dosing regimens and thereby minimize the likelihood of drug‐related toxicity. With real‐time clinical studies, parameter estimation may be performed with PBPK approaches that can facilitate identification of sources of interindividual variability. PBPK modeling may also facilitate biomarker research that aids dose optimization in kidney disease. U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidances related to conduction of PK studies in kidney impairment and PBPK documentation provide the foundation for facilitating model‐based dose‐finding research in kidney disease.
Physical parameter‐based data‐driven modeling of small signal parameters of a metal‐semiconductor field‐effect transistor
Authors: Satılmış Gökhan , Güneş Filiz , Mahouti Peyman 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn this work, physical parameter‐based modeling of small signal parameters for a metal‐semiconductor field‐effect transistor (MESFET) has been carried out as continuous functions of drain voltage, gate voltage, frequency, and gate width. For this purpose, a device simulator has been used to generate a big dataset of which the physical device parameters included material type, doping concentration and profile, contact type, gate length, gate width, and work function. Five state‐of‐the‐art algorithms: multi‐layer perceptron (MLP), IBk, K*, Bagging, and REPTree have been used for creating a regression model. The symbolic regression algorithm has been used to obtain analytical expressions of the real and imaginary parts of the Scattering (S) parameters using the physics‐based generated dataset. The regression performances of all the benchmarks and the symbolic regression have been compared to references from the device simulator results. The results of the derived equations and the best algorithms have been then compared to the device simulator results, with case studies for validation. The DC performance characteristics of the MESFET have been also obtained. The proposed model can be used to predict the small signal parameters of new devices prior to development, and allows for both the device and circuit to be optimized for specific applications.
Connectivity in hydrology and sediment dynamics
Authors: Keesstra Saskia D. , Bagarello Vincenzo , Ferro Vito , Finger David , Parsons Anthony J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractConnectivity has emerged as a significant conceptual framework for understanding the transfer of surface water and sediment through landscapes. The concept has been widely adopted in the field of catchment hydrology but has also been valuable to investigate rates of soil erosion by water and sediment export across landscapes. To study connectivity, we gathered a group of scientists that worked on synthesizing and consolidating all theories and aspects of connectivity research. Within the EU‐funded ESSEM COST Action CONNECTEUR (ES1306), five working groups were established: (a) theory, (b) measuring, (c) modelling, (d) indices, and (e) society. One of the outputs of this COST Action is this Special Issue where we have assimilated research on connectivity around the globe. The papers of the Special Issue demonstrate the continued interest in the role of connectivity as a conceptual framework for understanding the transfer of surface water and sediment through landscapes. This Special Issue shows that the connectivity concept widens the view of a researcher by having to look at more parts of a system than is done in most studies in the field of hydrology and sediment dynamics. It addresses the connections among different parts of a catchment system: the hillslope with the channel, the soil column with vegetation effects on runoff, and channel process with ecology.
Radioanatomical study of the extended free nasal floor mucosal graft and its clinical applications
Authors: González‐García Jaime , Moreno‐Luna Ramón , Palacios‐García José , Del Cuvillo Bernal Alfonso , Maza‐Solano Juan M. , Santos Pérez Jaime , Pinheiro‐Neto Carlos D. , Sánchez‐Gómez Serafín , Ambrosiani Fernández Jesús 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo perform a radio‐anatomical evaluation of the nasal cavity floor free mucosal graft (endonasal extended mucoplasty, EEM) to repair mucosal defects after an extended ethmoid‐sphenoidotomy.MethodsA human cadaveric study (radiological and anatomical dissection) and an in vivo study in surgical patients with CRSwNP were performed. The EEM areas were compared between 3D reconstruction from CT scans and anatomical/surgical dissections, both in cadaver specimens and in patients. Feasibility was assessed by correlation between the EEM area on CT scans and when harvested in cadavers and when grafted in patients. Usefulness was assessed by the degree of coverage of the EEM in the surface exposed after an extended ethmoid‐sphenoidotomy. Both feasibility and usefulness were assessed in cadaveric specimens (n = 15) and patients (n = 4).ResultsFifteen cadaveric specimens and 4 patients with bilateral CRSwNP were included. The mean (SD) areas obtained in the cadaveric radiological and anatomical studies were 9.44 (2.07) cm2 and 8.03 (1.36) cm2, respectively (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.59, moderate correlation), and in 3D reconstruction for operated patients were 10.32 (0.98) cm2 and 11.27 (2.44) cm2, respectively. The coverage of the ethmoidal roof in the cadaveric dissection study was 100%, from the anterior ethmoidal artery to the posterior ethmoidal artery, covering the planun sphenoidale up to 75% in the case series. In 87.5% of the cases, up to 50% of the papiracea lamina was covered.ConclusionThe EEM have shown to be a feasible and useful grafting technique to repair skull base defects after performing an extended ethmoid‐sphenoidotomy during surgery for CRSwNP.Level of EvidenceNA.
Enabling Oxygen–Sulfur Exchange Reaction to Produce Semicrystalline Copolymers from Carbon Disulfide and Ethylene Oxide
Authors: Yang Jia‐Liang , Wang Ying , Cao Xiao‐Han , Zhang Cheng‐Jian , Chen Zheng , Zhang Xing‐Hong 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis work describes the first example of semicrystalline poly(thiocarbonate)s from carbon disulfide (CS2) and ethylene oxide (EO), two mass producible low‐cost monomers. Lewis acid/base pairs (LPs) exhibit high activity (EO conversion up to >99%, 8 h) in catalyzing the copolymerization under low Lewis pair/monomer ratio of 1:1500. Oxygen–sulfur exchange reaction (O–S ER) during the copolymerization of CS2 and EO, the generation and mutual copolymerization with COS, CO2, and episulfide, is harnessed to introduce crystallizable segments [SC(O)O and SC(S)S] in the copolymer. The type of Lewis base is found to have a great impact on the chain microstructure and the crystalline properties. The formed copolymers with melting point from 117.7 to 245.3 °C are obtained. The maximum crystallinity is estimated to be 78% based on the powder wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction pattern. This work provides a general method to prepare semicrystalline sulfur‐containing polymers.
Synthesis and Fluorescent Thermoresponsive Properties of Tetraphenylethylene‐Labeled Methylcellulose
Authors: Wang Haoying , Wang Fangyu , Deng Pengpeng , Zhou Jinping 
Published: November 2020

AbstractFunctional polymer, especially the one based on renewable and sustainable materials, has attracted increasing attention to satisfy the growing demand for the design of stimuli‐responsive devices. Methylcellulose (MC) is a water‐soluble derivative of cellulose, which has been widely used in many fields for its biocompatibility and biological inertness. In this work, MC is labeled by tetraphenylethylene (TPE) via azide–alkyne click reaction to obtain a fluorescent cellulose‐based derivative of MC‐TPE. The degree of substitution of MC‐TPE is determined to be 0.074, which can be self‐assembled into micelles in water with the size of 42 ± 6 nm. MC‐TPE shows thermoresponsivity and thermoreversibility in size, transmittance, and fluorescence, enabling it to work as a fluorescent thermosensor. Moreover, MC‐TPE exhibits nontoxicity and biocompatibility, allowing its application in MCF‐7 cell imaging. Therefore, this newly functional natural polymer shows promising potentials in the fields of sensing and bioimaging.
Insight into Morphology Change of Chitin Microspheres using Tertiary Butyl Alcohol/H2O Binary System Freeze‐Drying Method
Authors: Ying Daofa , Wang Zhenggang , Zheng Yiran , Cai Jie , Zhang Lina 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe morphology of materials usually plays a significant role in their applications; the mechanical properties of the materials and characteristics such as specific surface area, surface energy, adsorbability, and wettability are dependent on the morphology. This study is focused on studying the effects of different tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) aqueous solutions on the freeze‐dried morphologies of chitin microspheres (CMs). By constructing a TBA/H2O phase diagram, the underlying mechanisms of morphology change are explored. It is found that by freeze drying the CMs with 20 and 100 wt% TBA, a fine nanofiber weaved pore structure can be obtained. Away from these two ratios, the nanofibers are oppressed by the large crystals formed during the precool process or bind together due to the existence of water in the secondary drying stage, poor morphology and pore characteristics appearing. Moreover, the 20 wt% TBA freeze‐drying route is conducive to split the CMs and other polysaccharide (PS) microspheres. The split method is also helpful for exploring the internal structure of the microspheres. Therefore, this study makes it possible to simplify the morphology control of CMs, which helps in the characterization of porous PS‐based microspheres.
Aqueous Polymer Modification of Cellulose Nanofibrils by Grafting‐Through a Reactive Methacrylate Group
Authors: Kelly Peter V. , Cheng Peng , Gardner Douglas J. , Gramlich William M. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractModifying the surface of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) produced by mechanical refinement with a variety of polymer functional groups in an entirely water‐based system is challenging because only surface hydroxyl groups are accessible. To address this limitation, an entirely water‐based, polymer modification scheme is developed. CNFs are functionalized with a reactive methacrylate functional group followed by subsequent grafting‐through polymerization. This modification worked with a variety of water‐soluble and water‐insoluble (meth)acrylates and (meth)acrylamides, grafting up to 45 wt% polymer on to the CNFs. The reaction conditions introducing the methacrylate functional group are adjusted to vary the degree of functionality. Soxhlet extraction of modified samples demonstrates that the reactive methacrylate group is necessary to facilitate polymer grafting. The degree of functionalization of the polymers is studied via quantitative transmission IR spectroscopy and the morphology of the resulting cellulose nanofibrils is studied via a combination of optical, scanning electron, and atomic force microscopy. High levels of polymer modification do not significantly affect the micrometer‐scale fibril morphology.
FDG‐PET Patterns Predict Amyloid Deposition and Clinical Profile in Corticobasal Syndrome
Authors: Parmera Jacy Bezerra , Coutinho Artur Martins , Aranha Mateus Rozalem , Studart‐Neto Adalberto , de Godoi Carneiro Camila , de Almeida Isabel Junqueira , Fontoura Solla Davi J. , Ono Carla Rachel , Barbosa Egberto Reis , Nitrini Ricardo , Buchpiguel Carlos Alberto , Brucki Sonia Maria Dozzi 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundCorticobasal syndrome (CBS) is an atypical parkinsonian syndrome related to multiple underlying pathologies.ObjectiveTo investigate if individual brain [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) patterns could distinguish CBS due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) from other pathologies based on [11C]Pittsburgh Compound‐B (PIB)‐PET.MethodsForty‐five patients with probable CBS were prospectively evaluated regarding cognitive and movement disorders profile. They underwent FDG‐PET and were distributed into groups: likely related to AD (CBS FDG‐AD) or likely non‐AD (CBS FDG‐nonAD) pathology. Thirty patients underwent PIB‐PET on a hybrid PET‐magnetic resonance imaging equipment to assess their amyloid status. FDG and PIB‐PET images were classified individually based on visual and semi‐quantitative analysis, blinded to each other. Quantitative group analyses were also performed.ResultsCBS FDG‐AD group demonstrated worse cognitive performances, mostly concerning attention, memory, visuospatial domains, and displayed more myoclonus and hallucinations. The non‐AD metabolic group presented more often limb dystonia, ocular motor dysfunction, motor perseveration, and dysarthria. All patients classified as CBS FDG‐AD tested positive at PIB‐PET compared to 3 of 20 in the non‐AD group. The individual FDG‐PET classification demonstrated 76.92% of sensitivity, 100% of specificity and positive predictive value and 88.5% of balanced accuracy to detect positive PIB‐PET scans. Individuals with positive and negative PIB‐PET showed hypometabolism in posterior temporoparietal areas and in thalamus and brainstem, respectively, mainly contralateral to most affected side, disclosing possible metabolic signatures of CBS variants.ConclusionFDG‐PET was useful to predict AD and non‐AD CBS variants depicting their specific degeneration patterns, different clinical features, and brain amyloid deposition. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
The Duke myasthenia gravis clinic registry: I. Description and demographics
Authors: Sanders Donald B. , Raja Shruti M. , Guptill Jeffrey T. , Hobson‐Webb Lisa D. , Juel Vern C. , Massey Janice M. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe Duke Myasthenia Gravis (MG) Clinic Registry is a disease‐specific database containing physician‐derived data from patients seen in the Duke MG Clinic since 1980.MethodsData from 1060 MG patients initially seen between 1980 and 2008 were reviewed.ResultsFifty‐four percent were male. Symptoms began after age 50 in 66% of males and 42% of females. Peak onset age in males was in their 60's; females had no predominant onset age. Onset age for both sexes increased from 1980 to 2008. Thymoma was present in 8.5%. Weakness was limited to ocular muscles for at least 2 y in 22% and became generalized later in 8.3% of these. Acetylcholine receptor antibodies were present in 78% overall, 82% with generalized MG and 52% with ocular MG (OMG). The distribution of MG disease class was similar in males and females, except that a greater proportion of women experienced myasthenic crisis and men were more likely to have OMG.DiscussionData in the Registry permit comprehensive and longitudinal analysis of a validated MG population. Analysis of Registry data shows that the frequency of AChR antibody negative MG, ocular MG, and thymoma are similar to other reports, but the onset age and proportion of males have progressively increased compared to studies published more than 20 y ago. These observations demonstrate the value of collecting comprehensive clinical information and comparing historic and contemporary populations. Other potential uses of Registry data include comparison of outcome measures in different disease subgroups and the response to specific treatments.
Impact of a 1‐day urodynamic course on knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of urology residents
Authors: Gomes Cristiano M. , de Bessa Jose , Nunes Ricardo V. , Prezotti Jose , Bruschini Homero , Gomes Marcio M. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAimsNo evidence‐informed educational curriculum is available for designing urodynamics (UDS) courses. We evaluated the learning outcomes of a short‐lasting urodynamic course for urology residents.MethodsUrology residents of postgraduate years 4 and 5 (n = 13 and n = 1316, respectively) attended a 1‐day urodynamic course. Learning objectives included patient preparation, indication and technique, terminology, trace interpretation, and impact on patient management. Instructional methods consisted of short lectures (3 h) and case‐based discussions (7.5 h). Learners’ reactions, modifications of perceptions and attitudes, and acquisition of knowledge and skills were assessed by three written tests with a single group, pretest, posttest 1, and posttest 2 design. Tests were conducted precourse, 1 week after, and 4 months after the course.ResultsAll participants felt more confident in several urodynamic competencies after the course, including patient preparation, urodynamic indication and technique, terminology, trace interpretation, and impact for patient management. These perceptions remained unchanged after 4 months. Most became stricter in the indication of UDS, including 20 (87.0%) at posttest 1 and 8 (66.7%) at posttest 2. The mean number of correct answers in the knowledge evaluation was 52.2% versus 61.4% versus 56.7%, respectively at pretest, posttest 1, and posttest 2; p = 0.535). All participants rated the course as very useful or useful in both posttest evaluations.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that a 1‐day urodynamic course can promote lasting improvements in self‐reported perceptions, attitudes, and urodynamic‐related competencies of urology residents. Further studies using evidence‐informed educational principles are needed to determine the effect of specific educational interventions on urodynamic competencies in different contexts.
A novel adaptive mesh refinement scheme for the simulation of phase‐field fracture using trimmed hexahedral meshes
Authors: Kim Ho‐Young , Kim Hyun‐Gyu 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn this article, a novel adaptive mesh refinement scheme based on trimmed hexahedral (TH) meshes is proposed to simulate phase‐field fracture in brittle materials. A regular hexahedral background mesh is adaptively refined using a balanced octree algorithm to resolve the length scale in phase‐field fracture models. Adaptively refined TH meshes are created by cutting octree background meshes with the boundary of an analysis domain. A multithreshold criterion for mesh refinement is proposed to accurately capture the evolution of the damage phase field. Shape functions for transition TH elements are developed to satisfy the compatibility across the interelement boundaries between TH elements with different refinement levels. Numerical results show that the present scheme is very efficient and effective to trace arbitrary evolving phase‐field cracks in three dimensions.
Workplace violence among Registered Nurses in Saudi Arabia: A qualitative study
Authors: Salvador Jordan Tovera , Alqahtani Friyal Mubarak , Al‐Madani Maha Mohammed , Jarrar Mu’taman Khalil , Dorgham Sherien Ragab , Victoria Reyes Lilibeth Dela , Alzaid Mohammed 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAimThe primary aim of this qualitative inquiry is to explore the experiences of Registered Nurses working in Saudi Arabia, which was a guide to answer the question, “what are the lived experiences of Registered Nurses working in a selected government hospital in Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia towards workplace violence?”BackgroundWorkplace violence is a social phenomenon that needs a widespread campaign to eradicate. Incidence from all over the world continues to grow in number, especially among Registered Nurses in Saudi Arabia.MethodsDescriptive phenomenology. Purposive‐convenience sampling was used in selecting 21 Registered Nurses as participants for individual in‐depth interviews. Data were gathered over an 11 month's period from September 2017 to August 2018. We used Colaizzi's method for analysing the data. COREQ criteria were adapted in reporting the results of the study.ResultsThree themes had emerged from the experiences of the participants:“co‐workers becomeunjust and violent”; “socio‐cultural divergence towards healthcare workers”; and “violence from outside influences affecting the workplace.”
New insight into the thermal‐oxidative stability of polyamide 6: A comparison investigation on the effect of hindered amine and CuI/KI
Authors: Qi Shunxin , Wen Xiangning , Li Shaofan , Li Xungang , Mao Chenxi , Dong Xia , Zhao Ying , Su Yunlan , Wang Kezhi , Wang Dujin 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPolyamide 6 (PA6) and stabilized PA6 with two different thermal stabilizers, (ie, metal salts CuI/KI and hindered amine KYN818 [1,3‐benzendicarboxamide,N,N'‐bis(2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐4‐piperidinyl)]) were separately prepared by melt blending and then aged for different time. The effects of aging temperature and aging time on crystallization behaviors of PA6 and stabilized PA6 were systematically investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction. The variations of melting temperature, crystallinity and 2θ values suggest that aging under high temperature will accelerate the formation of crystals initially and then the degradation of molecular chains. The yellowness index and maximum decomposition temperature of stabilized PA6 are higher than that of PA6, which is dominated by different aging mechanisms and properties of stabilizers. In addition, the viscosity of all systems is increased at the preliminary stage, which is caused by the crosslinking network and the post‐polycondensation. The results of dynamic mechanical analysis showed that the glass transition temperature (Tg) decreases because the degradation of molecular chains during the aging process. Moreover, the carbonyl index for stabilized PA6 is lower than PA6, indicating the degradation is hindered by stabilizers. A comparison of the stabilization performance between CuI/KI and KYN818 was investigated to differentiate the long‐term stabilizing efficiency.