bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Critical number of lymph node involvement in esophageal and gastric cancer and its impact on long‐term survival—A single‐center 8‐year study
Authors: Askari Alan , Munster Alex B. , Jambulingam Periyathambi , Riaz Amjid 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundNodal disease in esophageal and gastric cancer is associated with poor survival.ObjectivesTo determine the critical level of lymph node involvement where survival becomes significantly compromised.MethodsSurvival analyses using multivariable Cox regression and receiver operator characteristics (ROC) were undertaken to determine what number of positive lymph nodes were most sensitive and specific in predicting survival.ResultsA total of 317 patients underwent esophagectomy (n = 190, 59.9%) and gastrectomy (n = 127, 40.1%) for adenocarcinoma. At multivariable analyses, four nodes positivity (irrespective of T‐category) was associated with nearly a fivefold increased risk of mortality when compared to node‐negative patients (hazard ratio [HR], 4.9; interquartile range 2.0‐11.5; P < .001). A positive ratio of up to 50.0% was not associated with worse survival than having four nodes positive (HR, 4.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.6‐8.1; P < .001). ROC analysis demonstrated four lymph nodes positive to have a sensitivity of 80.5%, a specificity of 60.1%, and an accuracy of 77.8 (P < .001).ConclusionThe absolute number of nodes positive for cancer is more important than the proportion of positive nodes in predicting survival in esophageal/gastric cancer. Four positive lymph nodes are associated with a fivefold increase in mortality. Beyond this, increasing numbers of positive lymph nodes make no appreciable difference to survival.
Innate inflammatory markers for predicting survival in retroperitoneal sarcoma
Authors: Netanyahu Yael , Gerstenhaber Fabian , Shamai Sivan , Sher Osnat , Merimsky Ofer , Klausner Joseph M. , Lahat Guy , Nizri Eran 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIntroductionExisting prognostic tools for retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS) utilize parameters that can be accurately determined only postoperatively. This study evaluated the application of the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels for predicting prognosis in primary RPS.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed our database of patients with primary RPS operated between 2008 and 2018. The NLR was calculated from preoperative blood tests and its association with outcomes was determined.ResultsThe NLR values of 78 suitable patients were analyzed. Patients were classified in the NLR‐high group if the NLR was ≥2.1. High‐grade tumors were more common in the NLR‐high group (71.6% vs 48%, P = .02). NLR‐high patients had impaired overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) compared to NLR‐low patients (median OS not reached vs 74 months 95% confidence interval [CI]: 21.6‐126.4, P = .03; median PFS not reached vs 48 months 95% CI: 6.5‐98.6, P = .06, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed statistical significance only for PFS but not for OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 4.1, P = .03; HR = 2.3, P = .3). Patients with low CRP levels had improved OS and PFS.ConclusionsThe NLR may serve as a preoperative, easily derived marker for prognosis in RPS. Serum biomarkers may prove useful in these large and spatially heterogeneous tumors.
Prevalence and Correlates of Mental Health Problems in Norwegian Peacekeepers 18–38 Years Postdeployment
Authors: Gjerstad Christer Lunde , Bøe Hans Jakob , Falkum Erik , Martinsen Egil Wilhelm , Nordstrand Andreas Espetvedt , Tønnesen Arnfinn , Reichelt Jon Gerhard , Lystad June Ullevoldsæter 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPeacekeeping missions involve experiences that may impact the mental health of participating soldiers. However, research on the long‐term mental health consequences of peacekeeping is sparse. The present study aimed to find the prevalence of mental health problems (MHPs), possible MHP predictors, and associations between predictors and MHPs in Norwegian peacekeepers 18–38 years after deployment to a United Nations peacekeeping mission. We used data from a cross‐sectional, postdeployment survey of Norwegian peacekeepers who served in Lebanon between 1978 and 1998 (N = 10,605). Participants were assessed for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); anxiety; depression; insomnia; alcohol misuse; drug misuse; and exposure to pre‐, peri‐, and postdeployment stressors. Logistic regressions were executed to explore key variables associated with MHPs. Total MHP prevalence was 15.1%, 95% CI [14.4, 15.8]. The estimates for specific disorders were 0.1% for drug misuse, 3.4% for alcohol misuse, 4.0% for depression, 6.2% for PTSD, 6.4% for anxiety, and 9.3% for insomnia. Postdeployment stressors, OR = 1.91, 95% CI [1.79, 2.04]; employment status, OR = 1.41, 95% CI [1.33, 1.48]; and traumatic exposure during deployment, OR = 1.11, 95% CI [1.09, 1.12], were positively related to PTSD, χ2(17, N = 8,568) = 1,791.299, p < .001. Similar patterns were found for the other MHPs. Considering that most participants (84.9%) reported low symptom levels, our findings challenge the widespread public perception that most peacekeepers have MHPs. Moreover, our results indicate that future peacekeepers should be prepared for challenges they may face not only during deployment but also in the years following their homecoming.
Mode‐specific pressure effects on the relaxation of an excited nitromethane molecule in an argon bath
Authors: Rivera‐Rivera Luis A. , Wagner Albert F. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe vibrational and rotational mode‐specific relaxations of CH3NO2 with 50 kcal/mol of initial internal energy in an argon bath is computed at 300 K at pressures of 10‐400 atm. This work uses archived information from our previously published [J. Chem. Phys. 142, 014303 (2015)] molecular dynamics simulations and employs our previous published [J. Chem. Phys. 151, 034303 (2019)] method for projecting time‐dependent Cartesian velocities onto normal mode eigenvectors. The computed relaxations cover three types of energies: vibrational, rotational, and Coriolis. In general, rotational and Coriolis relaxations in all modes are initially fast followed by an orders of magnitude slower relaxation. For all modes, that slower relaxation rate is approximately comparable to the vibrational relaxation rate. For all three types of energies, there are small‐scale mode‐to‐mode variations. Of particular prominence is the exceptionally fast relaxation shared in common by the external rotation about the CN axis, the internal hindered rotation of the CH3 group relative to the NO2 group, and the symmetric stretch of the CH3 group.
Multifactorial Characteristics of Pediatric Dizziness and Imbalance
Authors: Wang Alicia , Zhou Guangwei , Lipson Sophie , Kawai Kosuke , Corcoran Meghan , Brodsky Jacob R. 
Published: August 2020

ObjectivesTo examine the relative prevalence of individual diagnoses in children and adolescents presenting with dizziness and/or imbalance, and to assess the proportion of patients assigned multiple contributing diagnoses.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed our internal database of all patients seen at our pediatric vestibular program between January 2012 and March 2019 to determine the incidence of common diagnoses and groups of diagnoses for patients ages 21 or younger.ResultsOne thousand twenty‐one patients were included with a mean age of 12.5 ± 4.9 years (range: 9 months–21 years). Of this total, 624 patients were female and 397 were male. Common diagnoses included vestibular migraine (VM; 35.0%), benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV; 21.6%), primary dysautonomia (15.7%), anxiety disorder (13.5%), and persistent postural perceptual dizziness (PPPD; 11.2%). A high proportion of patients (44.4%) received multiple contributing diagnoses. VM was frequently diagnosed with BPPV or PPPD, and 22 patients were diagnosed with all three concurrently.ConclusionThe causes of dizziness and imbalance in the pediatric population are diverse, and many patients have multiple diagnoses that are often interrelated. It is important that providers recognize that the causes of vestibular symptoms in children and adolescents may be multifactorial and may span across multiple specialties.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1308–E1314, 2021
Detecting the short term impact of soil and water conservation practices using stage as a proxy for discharge—A case‐study from the Tana sub‐basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Weldegebriel Liya , Kruskopf Mikaela , Thompson Sally Elizabeth , Tebeje Kibret 
Published: August 2020

AbstractEfforts to tackle land degradation worldwide have spurred the adoption of soil and water conservation (SWC) practices intended to reduce surface runoff and erosion. Despite their widespread implementation, missing or incomplete monitoring remains a pervasive problem preventing evaluation of how well SWC practices meet these aims. When using runoff and sediment loss as main parameters to evaluate SWC efficacy, the key metrics are the production of flow per unit rainfall (runoff ratio), and exported sediment (sediment concentration). We develop a method to assess changes in these metrics in the absence of a flow rating curve, using more complete and reliable measurements of stage (flow depth). We apply these methods to datasets with incomplete rating curve collected from five watersheds included in the Tana and Beles Integrated Water Resource Development Project (TBIWRDP) in the Abay (Blue Nile) basin, Ethiopia. Changes in runoff ratio and sediment concentration relative to the first year of treatment varied by season. In the long wet season (Kiremt) that generates most runoff and erosion, reductions in runoff ratio and in sediment concentration occurred in four watersheds. Reductions in the runoff ratio were directly proportional to the areal density of SWC treatments in the watersheds, suggesting that SWC treatments were effective in controlling runoff and erosion.We suggest that stage and sediment concentration information can be used to assess watershed responses to SWC treatments. Focusing on these measurements, may facilitate the design of reliable and affordable monitoring programs, and ultimately facilitate improved financing approaches based on reasonable estimates of likely SWC practice performance.
Diagnosing nasal obstruction and its common causes using the nasal acoustic device: A pilot study
Authors: Li Chia‐Hung , Kaura Anika , Tan Calvin , Whitcroft Katherine L. , Leung Terence S. , Andrews Peter 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectivesThere is a need to develop a medical device which can accurately measure normal and abnormal nasal breathing which the patient can better understand in addition to being able to diagnose the cause for their nasal obstruction.The aim is to evaluate the accuracy of the nasal acoustic device (NAD) in diagnosing the common causes for nasal obstruction and diagnosing normal and abnormal (nasal obstruction) nasal breathing.MethodsThis pilot study recruited 27 patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and a deviated nasal septum (DNS) which represents the common causes for NO and 26 controls (with normal nasal breathing). Nasal breathing sounds were recorded by the NAD akin to two small stethoscopes placed over the left and right nasal ala. The novel outcome metrics for the NAD include inspiratory nasal acoustic score (INA) score, expiratory nasal acoustic (ENA) score and the inspiratory nasal obstruction balance index (NOBI). The change in acoustic score following decongestant is key in this diagnostic process.ResultsPre‐decongestant ENA score was used to detect the presence of nasal obstruction in patients compared to controls, with a sensitivity of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.66‐0.96) and a specificity of 0.77 (0.54‐1.00). Post‐decongestant percentage change in INA score was used to identify the presence of AR or CRS, with a sensitivity of 0.87 (0.69‐1.00) and specificity of 0.72 (0.55‐0.89) for AR; and a sensitivity of 0.92 (0.75‐1.00) and specificity of 0.69 (0.52‐0.86) for CRS. Post‐decongestant inspiratory NOBI was used to identify DNS, with a sensitivity of 0.77 (0.59‐0.95) and specificity of 0.94 (0.82‐1.00).ConclusionWe have demonstrated that the NAD can help distinguish between normal and abnormal nasal breathing and help diagnose AR, CRS, and DNS. Such a device has not been invented and could revolutionize COVID‐19 recovery telemedicine.Level of EvidenceDiagnostic accuracy study—Level III.
Study on lubrication state of cylinder liner‐piston ring based on resistance measurement method
Authors: Liu De‐Liang , Chen Wen‐Bin , Yan Zhi‐Jun , Zhang Shi‐Feng 
Published: August 2020

AbstractReal‐time measurement of the lubrication state is one of the critical problems in studying the lubrication state and its transformation characteristics. Based on the experimental results, shrinkage resistance principle and Greenwood's contact theory, a mathematical model for cylinder liner‐piston ring that can be used to measure the resistance of film thickness ratio is established. On this foundation, the correspondence between the film thickness ratio and the contact resistance for cylinder liner‐piston ring was presented and the technical possibility to characterise the real‐time lubrication state was provided. An experimental study for determining the lubrication state of cylinder liner‐piston ring based on resistance measurement method was conducted on a reciprocating friction and wear tester to verify the applicability of resistance measurement method in cylinder liner‐piston ring friction pair. Results show that the contact resistance method is reliable and practicable to determine the lubrication state of cylinder liner‐piston ring friction pair.
Rheological Properties of Coordinated Physical Gelation and Chemical Crosslinking in Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMA) Hydrogels
Authors: Young Ashlyn T. , White Olivia C. , Daniele Michael A. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSynthetically modified proteins, such as gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), are growing in popularity for bioprinting and biofabrication. GelMA is a photocurable macromer that can rapidly form hydrogels, while also presenting bioactive peptide sequences for cellular adhesion and proliferation. The mechanical properties of GelMA are highly tunable by modifying the degree of substitution via synthesis conditions, though the effects of source material and thermal gelation have not been comprehensively characterized for lower concentration gels. Herein, the effects of animal source and processing sequence are investigated on scaffold mechanical properties. Hydrogels of 4–6 wt% are characterized. Depending on the temperature at crosslinking, the storage moduli for GelMA derived from pigs, cows, and cold‐water fish range from 723 to 7340 Pa, 516 to 3484 Pa, and 294 to 464 Pa, respectively. The maximum storage moduli are achieved only by coordinated physical gelation and chemical crosslinking. In this method, the classic thermo‐reversible gelation of gelatin occurs when GelMA is cooled below a thermal transition temperature, which is subsequently “locked in” by chemical crosslinking via photocuring. The effects of coordinated physical gelation and chemical crosslinking are demonstrated by precise photopatterning of cell‐laden microstructures, inducing different cellular behavior depending on the selected mechanical properties of GelMA.
Highly Swellable and Stretchable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels Enabled by Functionalized Boron Nitride Nanosheets
Authors: Guo Meiling , Du Jin , Zhang Junyao , Wu Yuanpeng , Xue Shishan , Yang Xi , Li Zhenyu , Zhou Hongwei , Lei Weiwei 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThermoresponsive hydrogels with high stretchability and large swelling ratio are promising materials for fabricating soft devices, sensors, artificial muscles, etc. However, it remains a challenge to achieve these properties simultaneously within one hydrogel. Herein, highly swellable and stretchable thermoresponsive hydrogels are developed by incorporating functionalized boron nitride nanosheets (f‐BNNSs) into poly(maleic anhydride functionalized β‐cyclodextrin‐co‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel. In such hydrogels, the dynamic host–guest interactions between f‐BNNSs and polymer matrix act as sacrificial bonds to efficiently dissipate energy, and the homogeneous covalent cross‐linking network of polymer leads to a smooth stress propagation, which enables the hydrogels to obtain excellent mechanical properties, such as remarkable strength (up to 0.15 MPa) and outstanding stretchability (up to 1457%). What is more, the resultant hydrogel also exhibits excellent thermoresponsive properties (swelling rate up to 5000% at 25 °C and deswelling rate down to 6% at 50 °C). Thus, this work offers a promising strategy to fabricate highly swellable and stretchable thermoresponsive hydrogels for potential soft actuators and bionic robotics applications.
Solvent Polarity and Environment Sensitive Behavior of Coumarin Derivative
Authors: Koppal Varsha V. , Hebsur Rekha K. , Melavanki Raveendra. M. , Kusanure Raviraj , Patil N. R. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis paper reports an investigation on ground and excited state preferential solvation index (i.e., δs2) and relative quantum yield of 2‐acetyl‐3H‐benzo[f]chromen‐3‐one (2AHBC) molecule. The title molecule shows negative values of preferential solvation index in the ground state in different binary solvent mixtures, this confirms that molecule under study is preferentially solvated by 1,4‐dioxane (DXN) rather than acetonitrile (ACN). The excited state preferential solvation index is found to be positive which signifies strong predomination of solute–solvent interaction. Synergistic effect is confirmed by the higher values of fluorescence wave maximum in DXN and ACN solvents for 2AHBC. Further, quantum yield of 2AHBC molecule is estimated in solvents of different polarities. It is found that, non‐radiative decay constant is more than the radiative decay constant in all the solvents. This is attributed due to intermolecular forces between hydrogen atoms. Relative quantum yield of 2AHBC is found to be inversely proportional to the polarity of the solvents. This is due to the intermolecular charge transfer and bathochromic effect. Whereas, the influence of viscosity of the solvents on quantum yield of 2AHBC is studied and it is confirmed by the Forster–Hoffmann equation.
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Pterocarpus santalinus Leaf Broth and Their Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities
Authors: V Vaishnavi , Sadasivuni Kishor Kumar , Ponnamma Deepalekshmi , Golla Narasimha 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn this study, metallic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are synthesized through a simplistic, single‐step method, which is a green and eco‐friendly process, as it includes medicinal plant aqueous leaf extracts of Pterocarpus santalinus L. The formation of AgNPs in the filtrate is evaluated by its brown color and the peak appearance at 420 nm in the UV spectrophotometer. Peak formation in FTIR spectrum is an indication of the presence of functional groups and their role in the formation of nanoparticles from the aqueous leaf extract. Zeta potential studies are performed for determining the surface potential of AgNPs. The nanoparticles size (5–15 nm) and shape (spherical) are confirmed by transmission electron microscope. The AgNPs show good bactericidal and antioxidant activity against both gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria. The results suggest that the AgNPs can be used as antimicrobial agents in current nanomedicine, and also to improve the antibacterial performance of their polymer composites.
AIE Emission of SDS Capped Diphenylanthracene Nanoparticles for Selective Recognition and Estimation of Al3+ Ion in Aqueous Medium Based on Enhancement Effect and Analytical Application
Authors: Suryawanshi Sonali B. , Deshmukh Gunvant R. , Bodake Anita J. , Patil Shivajirao R. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe sodium dodecyl sulfate capped 9,10 Diphenylanthracene nanoparticles is prepared by using reprecipitation method. The average particle size of NPs obtained from DLS examination is 67 nm. The aqueous suspension of NPs exhibits red shifted aggregation induces enhanced emission. The zeta potential value—42.9 mV indicates stability of NPs and generation of expected negative surface charge over the NPs to attract and adsorb cations from the solution on the surface. The cation recognition test based on fluorescence shows that the presence of Al3+ ion significantly enhances the fluorescence of NPs. Furthermore, the proposed system is successfully applied for the detection of Al3+ ion from environmental water samples and Digene table available in the market. The advantage of developed analytical method is lower value of LOD and even in presence of interfering ion Mg2+ the Al3+ is estimated with no need of their separation prior to analysis.
Estimation of the Surface Free Energy of Hydrophobic Monolithic Silica Aerogels
Authors: Kavale Mahendra S. , Karande Subhash S. , Pushpanjali Gurubasappa M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAerogels are prepared by quantifying the sol–gel process of the organo‐metallic precursors. The objective of the present article is to synthesize ultralow density, low index of refraction, and monolithic silica aerogels. The quantification of hydrophobicity of the silica aerogels using water drop contact angle is not only crucial but also the estimation of the surface free energy is an important parameter to understand the interfacial behavior of the aerogel surface and liquid. To provide insight on this behavior, calculation of the surface free energy is done by using Neumann's equation of state. These synthesized aerogels emerged with ultralow density 24 kg m−3 and low thermal conductivity ∼0.091 W m−1 K−1.
Nanostructured CuO Thin Films Prepared by Aqueous Based Novel Reflux Method
Authors: Desai Pooja A. , Admuthe Aishwarya A. , Chougule Prajkta D. , Patil Shrutika G. , Dhole Indrajeet A. , Tonape Mallikarjun M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractCopper oxide (CuO) thin films have been deposited on glass and steel substrates but here work is done on steel substrate by novel aqueous based Reflux method whereas deposition of CuO thin film uses copper sulfate as copper ion source from an aqueous alkaline medium. The effects of copper ion concentration, temperature, and deposition time are studied for deposition of thin films. The CuO thin films are characterized by XRD, UV, SEM, and contact angle. The X‐Ray diffraction results reveal that CuO is monoclinic in nature. Optical band gap is observed from UV–visible spectrophotometer which is 1.9 eV. The surface morphological studies obtained from SEM micrograph show rice shape of exterior. While wettability test shows hydrophobic nature of CuO. This material characterization of CuO thin film clearly indicates that these films can be widely used in various applications such as gas sensor, transducers such as thermocouple to measure thermo e.m.f, solar cells, and super capacitor.