bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Near-infrared-light pre-treatment attenuates noise-induced hearing loss in mice
Authors: Basta Dietmar , Gröschel Moritz , Strübing Ira , Boyle Patrick , Fröhlich Felix , Ernst Arne , Seidl Rainer 
Published: June 2020

Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is accompanied by a reduction of cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons. Different approaches have been applied to prevent noise induced apoptosis / necrosis. Physical intervention is one technique currently under investigation. Specific wavelengths within the near-infrared light (NIR)-spectrum are known to influence cytochrome-c-oxidase activity, which leads in turn to a decrease in apoptotic mechanisms. It has been shown recently that NIR can significantly decrease the cochlear hair cell loss if applied daily for 12 days after a noise exposure. However, it is still unclear if a single NIR-treatment, just before a noise exposure, could induce similar protective effects. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of a single NIR-pre-treatment aimed at preventing or limiting NIHL. The cochleae of adult NMRI-mice were pre-treated with NIR-light (808 nm, 120 mW) for 5, 10, 20, 30 or 40 minutes via the external ear canal. All animals were noised exposed immediately after the pre-treatment by broad band noise (5–20 kHz) for 30 minutes at 115 dB SPL. Frequency specific ABR-recordings to determine auditory threshold shift were carried out before the pre-treatment and two weeks after the noise exposure. The amplitude increase for wave IV and cochlear hair cell loss were determined. A further group of similar mice was noise exposed only and served as a control for the NIR pre-exposed groups. Two weeks after noise exposure, the ABR threshold shifts of NIR-treated animals were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those of the control animals. The significance was at three frequencies for the 5-minute pre-treatment group and across the entire frequency range for all other treatment groups. Due to NIR light, the amplitude of wave four deteriorates significantly less after noise exposure than in controls. The NIR pre-treatment had no effect on the loss of outer hair cells, which was just as high with or without NIR-light pre-exposure. Relative to the entire number of outer hair cells across the whole cochlea, outer hair cell loss was rather negligible. No inner hair cell loss whatever was detected. Our results suggest that a single NIR pre-treatment induces a very effective protection of cochlear structures from noise exposure. Pre-exposure of 10 min seems to emerge as the optimal dosage for our experimental setup. A saturated effect occurred with higher dosage-treatments. These results are relevant for protection of residual hearing in otoneurosurgery such as cochlear implantation.
Factors Affecting Productivity and Marketing Channel of Household Level Dairy Farming, Bangladesh
Authors: Antor Sabyasachi Chanda , Mahmud Asif , Das Kanon , Rahman Sufianur , Islam Tauhidul 
Published: June 2020

Aims: This study was conducted to explore the factors affecting dairy production and marketing value chain, value addition at a Household level in Mollahat upazila of Bagerhat District, Bangladesh.
Methodology: For the implication of the study cluster sampling technique was used and data was collected from 80 dairy households. A Cobb-Douglas production function was used to identify the factors affecting dairy production and marketing margin was used to measure value addition as well as deriving marketing channel.
Results: Marketing Channel of dairy farming showed that 50% of milk were channeled through by farmer-milkman-sweetshop-consumer and only 10% of milk directly channeled in both directly local market and home delivery. By analyzing data, the study got human labor, utilities, medicine have a positive correlation with milk yield of the milk cow. But it was found that straw and green grass have a negative correlation with the milk yield of the cow due to excessive use of it. The main observation was that all of the resources were not fully utilized by those households.
Conclusion: Despite being smallholder and subsistence, if the farmers increase the amount of resource use in dairy rearing then milk production will be increased and the smallholder’s socio-economic conditions will be better.
Primary Nutritional Guidance at Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Karnal Erika Mundin , Fabian Júlia , Carlesso Liziane Cássia , Gelinski Jane Mary L. N. 
Published: June 2020

Aims: To propose a primary nutritional recommendation for patients in the early stage of SLE to contribute to a better quality of life for those affected by the disease.
Methodology: This is a theoretical study, with no direct approach or intervention to any patient. The research was carried out using a conceptual approach based on a narrative and explanatory literature review. The main key descriptors of health were: Lupus and skin lesions; butterfly wing or arthritis, nutrition and lupus. After that, a diet (with a menu) for primary nutritional guidance to patients with early symptoms was followed.
Results: The scientific literature evaluates that Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, autoimmune inflammatory disease, with no cure, which can have multiple causes (hormonal, infectious, genetic and environmental). The production of autoantibodies in tissues, generated from recognized apoptotic fragments, processed and associated with the Principal Human Histocompatibility Complex are also characteristic of SLE. In addition, SLE is mainly characterized by the involvement of the skin, joints, kidneys and serous membranes. The symptoms of SLE vary according to the stage of the disease, affecting different organs, tissues and, in more severe cases, the central and peripheral nervous system. The incidence of SLE is about ten times higher in females and affects more commonly Afro-American, Hispanic and Asian people. In addition, the individual's eating habits and nutritional status can influence the intensity and worsening of symptoms. Regarding nutritional guidance, it is of utmost importance to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant substances in the diet, avoiding the exaggeration of bad fats, refined carbohydrates, and proteins.
Conclusion: SLE patients should receive a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach, including follow-up by a nutritionist, who will prioritize the maintenance of the patient's adequate weight, avoiding overloading of his joints. This will contribute for a better quality of life for those affected.
Two‐Year Changes in Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features and Pain in Thumb Base Osteoarthritis
Authors: van Beest Sjoerd , Kroon Herman M. , Reijnierse Monique , Rosendaal Frits R. , Kloppenburg Margreet , Kroon Féline P. B. 
Published: June 2020

ObjectiveTo investigate the two‐year course of pain and osteoarthritic features on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the thumb base.MethodsPatients in the Hand Osteoarthritis in Secondary Care (HOSTAS) cohort who had received radiographic examination, MRI, and clinical examination of the right thumb base at baseline and who had a 2‐year follow‐up period were studied. Pain on palpation of the thumb base was assessed on a 0–3 scale. MRIs were analyzed with the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) thumb base osteoarthritis MRI scoring system for synovitis, bone marrow lesions (BMLs), subchondral bone defects, cartilage space loss, osteophytes, and subluxation. Radiographs were assessed for osteophytes and joint space narrowing. We studied the associations of changes in synovitis and BMLs with changes in pain using a logistic regression model adjusted for radiographic damage, with values expressed as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).ResultsOf 165 patients, 83% were women and the mean age was 60.7 years. At baseline, 65 patients had thumb base pain. At 2‐year follow‐up, pain had decreased in 32 patients and increased in 33 patients. MRI features remained stable in most patients. Structural MRI features generally deteriorated, while synovitis and BMLs improved in some individuals and deteriorated in others. Change in radiographic osteophytes rarely occurred (n = 10). Increased synovitis (odds ratio [OR] 3.4 [95% CI 1.3–9.3]) and increased BMLs (OR 5.1 [95% CI 2.1–12.6]) were associated with increased pain. Decreased BMLs appeared to be associated with decreased pain (OR 2.7 [95% CI 0.8–8.9]), and reductions in synovitis occurred too infrequently to calculate associations.ConclusionOver 2 years, thumb base pain fluctuated, while MRI features changed in a minority of patients with hand osteoarthritis. Changes in synovitis and BMLs were associated with changes in pain on palpation, even after adjustment for radiographic damage.
Treatment Sequences After Discontinuing a Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Comparison of Cycling Versus Swapping Strategies
Authors: Karpes Matusevich Aliza R. , Duan Zhigang , Zhao Hui , Lal Lincy S. , Chan Wenyaw , Suarez‐Almazor María E. , Giordano Sharon H. , Swint J. Michael , Lopez‐Olivo Maria A. 
Published: June 2020

ObjectiveTo evaluate the sequences of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) and non‐TNFi used by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients whose initial TNFi therapy has failed, and to evaluate effectiveness and costs.MethodsUsing the Truven Health MarketScan Research database, we analyzed claims of commercially insured adult patients with RA who switched to their second biologic or targeted disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug between January 2008 and December 2015. Our primary outcome was the frequency of treatment sequences. Our secondary outcomes were the time to therapy discontinuation, drug adherence, and drug and other health care costs.ResultsAmong 10,442 RA patients identified, 36.5% swapped to a non‐TNFi drug, most commonly abatacept (54.2%). The remaining 63.5% cycled to a second TNFi, most commonly adalimumab (41.2%). For subsequent switches of therapy, non‐TNFi were more common. Patients who swapped to a non‐TNFi were significantly older and had more comorbidities than those who cycled to a TNFi (P < 0.001). Survival analysis showed a longer time to discontinuation for non‐TNFi than for TNFi (median 605 days compared with 489 days; P < 0.001) when used after initial TNFi discontinuation, but no difference in subsequent switches of therapy. Although non‐TNFi were less expensive for adherent patients, cycling to a TNFi was associated with lower costs overall.ConclusionEven though patients are more likely to cycle to a second TNFi than swap to a non‐TNFi, those who swap to a non‐TNFi are more likely to persist with the therapy. However, cycling to a TNFi is the less costly strategy.
Filtered adaptive constrained sampled‐data control for uncertain multivariable nonlinear systems
Authors: Ma Tong 
Published: June 2020

AbstractA filtered adaptive constrained sampled‐data controller for uncertain multivariable nonlinear systems in the presence of various constraints is synthesized in this paper. A piecewise constant adaptive law drives that estimation error dynamics to zero at each sampling time instant yields adaptive parameters. The filtered control scheme consists of two components. Based on an estimation/cancellation strategy, a disturbance rejection control law is designed to compensate the nonlinear uncertainties within the bandwidth of low‐pass filters, whereas a constraint violation avoidance control law is designed to solve an online constrained optimization problem. Although a reduced sampling time helps to minimize the estimation error caused by the neglect of unknowns, the resulting aggressive signals put more restrictions on the control law. Greater sacrifice of tracking performance is required to satisfy the constraints. The constraints violation avoidance control law is in favor of a larger sampling time. Sufficient conditions are given to guarantee the stability of the closed‐loop system with the sampled‐data controller, where the input/output signals are held constant over the sampling period. Numerical examples are provided to validate the theoretical results, comparisons between the constrained sampled‐data controller and unconstrained adaptive controller with the implementation of different sampling times are carried
out.
3D Printing Silicone Elastomer for Patient‐Specific Wearable Pulse Oximeter
Authors: Abdollahi Sara , Markvicka Eric J. , Majidi Carmel , Feinberg Adam W. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCommercial pulse oximeters are used clinically to measure heart rate and blood oxygen saturation and traditionally made from rigid materials. However, these devices are unsuitable for continuous monitoring due to poor fit and mechanical mismatch. Soft materials that match the elastic properties of biological tissue provide improved comfort and signal‐to‐noise but typically require molding to manufacture, limiting the speed and ease of customizing for patient‐specific anatomy. Here, freeform reversible embedding (FRE) 3D printing is used to create polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer cuffs for use on the hand and foot. FRE enables printing liquid PDMS prepolymer in 3D geometries within a sacrificial hydrogel bath that provides support during cure. This serves as proof‐of‐concept for fabricating patient‐specific pulse oximeters with pressure sensing, termed P3‐wearable. A sizing analysis establishes dimensional accuracy of FRE‐printed PDMS compared to anatomical computer‐aided design models. The P3‐wearable successfully outputs photoplethysmography (PPG) and pressure amplitude signals wirelessly to a tablet in real time and the PPG is used to calculate heart rate, blood oxygen content, and activity state. The results establish that FRE printing of PDMS can be used to fabricate patient‐specific wearable devices and measure heart rate and blood oxygenation on par with commercial devices.
Controlling the Release of Neurotrophin‐3 and Chondroitinase ABC Enhances the Efficacy of Nerve Guidance Conduits
Authors: Donsante Anthony , Xue Jiajia , Poth Kelly M. , Hardcastle Nathan S. , Diniz Bruna , O'Connor Deirdre M. , Xia Younan , Boulis Nicholas M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractNerve guidance conduits (NGCs) have the potential to replace autografts in repairing peripheral nerve injuries, but their efficacy still needs to be improved. The efficacy of NGCs is augmented by neurotrophic factors that promote axon growth and by enzymes capable of degrading molecules that inhibit axon growth. In the current study, two types of NGCs loaded with factors (both neurotrophin‐3 and chondroitinase ABC) are constructed and their abilities to repair an 8 mm gap in the rat sciatic nerve are examined. The factors are encapsulated in microparticles made of a phase‐change material (PCM) or collagen and then sandwiched between two layers of electrospun fibers. The use of PCM allows to achieve pulsed release of the factors upon irradiation with a near‐infrared laser. The use of collagen enables slow, continuous release via diffusion. The efficacy is evaluated by measuring compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) in the gastrocnemius muscle and analyzing the nerve histology. Continuous release of the factors from collagen results in enhanced CMAP amplitude and increased axon counts in the distal nerve relative to the plain conduit. In contrast, pulsed release of the same factors from PCM shows a markedly adverse impact on the efficacy, possibly by inhibiting axon growth.
Bioactive MOFs Based Theranostic Agent for Highly Effective Combination of Multimodal Imaging and Chemo‐Phototherapy
Authors: Zhu Yuda , Xin Nini , Qiao Zi , Chen Suping , Zeng Lingwan , Zhang Yusheng , Wei Dan , Sun Jing , Fan Hongsong 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBioactive metal–organic frameworks (bio‐MOFs) built from biofunctional metal ions and linkers show a new strategy to construct multifunctional theranostic platforms. Herein, a bio‐MOF is synthetized via the self‐assembling of Fe3+ ions and doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) molecules. Then, through a stepwise assembly strategy, another bio‐MOFs structure consisting of Gd3+ ions and 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid (H3BTC) is wrapped on the surfaces of Fe‐DOX nanoparticles, followed by adsorbing photosensitizer indocyanine green (ICG). Specifically, the Gd‐MOF shell structure can not only act as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but also provides protection for Fe‐DOX cores, controlling the release of DOX. The photoacoustic and photothermal imaging (PAI and PTI) methods are successfully introduced to the platform by loading ICG, providing potential applications for multimodal biological imaging. The in vitro and in vivo outcomes indicate that the Fe‐DOX@Gd‐MOF‐ICG nanoplatform exhibits outstanding synergistic antitumor performance via MR/PA/PT imaging guided chemotherapy, photothermal and photodynamic combination therapy. The work may encourage further exploration of bio‐MOFs based multifunctional theranostic platforms for multimodal imaging guided compound antitumor therapy, which will open an avenue of MOFs toward biological applications.
Decoupled pH‐ and Thermo‐Responsive Injectable Chitosan/PNIPAM Hydrogel via Thiol‐Ene Click Chemistry for Potential Applications in Tissue Engineering
Authors: Ding Haichang , Li Baoqiang , Liu Zonglin , Liu Gang , Pu Shouzhi , Feng Yujie , Jia Dechang , Zhou Yu 
Published: June 2020

AbstractStimuli‐responsive chitosan (CS) hydrogels exhibit great potential for drug delivery and tissue engineering; however, the structure of these stimuli‐responsive CS hydrogels, such as dual pH‐ and thermo‐responsive hydrogels, is difficult to control or needs additional crosslinking agents. Here, a new dual pH‐ and thermo‐responsive hydrogel system is developed by combining pH‐responsive C6‐OH allyl‐modified CS (OAL‐CS) with thermo‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM). The thiol groups in PNIPAM and the allyl groups in OAL‐CS can rapidly form crosslinking hydrogel network by “thiol‐ene” click chemistry under UV irradiation. As expected, the swelling ratio of the OAL‐CS/PNIPAM hydrogel can be controlled by changing pH and temperature. Moreover, the hydrogel displays non‐cytotoxic nature toward human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, and the histological analyses reveal the subcutaneous tissue with no signs of inflammation after 5 days of injection in vivo. The results indicate that the new OAL‐CS/PNIPAM hydrogel has potential to serve as a smart injectable platform for application in drug delivery and tissue engineering.
A Manually Reconfigurable Reflective Spatial Sound Modulator for Ultrasonic Waves in Air
Authors: Prat‐Camps Jordi , Christopoulos Giorgos , Hardwick James , Subramanian Sriram 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPrecise control of ultrasonic acoustic waves with frequencies f ≳ 20 kHz is useful in a range of applications from ultrasonic scanners to nondestructive testing and consumer haptic devices. A spatial sound modulator (SSM) is the acoustic analogy to the spatial light modulator (SLM) in optics and is highly sought after by acoustics researchers. A spatial sound modulator is constrained by very distinct practical conditions. Namely, it must be a reconfigurable device which modulates sound arbitrarily from a decoupled source. Here a reflective phase modulating device is realized, whose local units can be tuned to imprint a phase signature to an incoming wave. It is manually reconfigurable and consists of 1024 rigidly ended square waveguides with sliding bottom surfaces to provide variable phase delays. Experiments demonstrate the ability of this device to focus ultrasonic waves in air at different points in space, generate accurate pressure landscapes, and perform multiplane holography. Moreover, thanks to the subwavelength nature of the unit cells, this device outperforms state‐of‐the‐art phased‐array transducers of the same size in the quality and energy distribution of generated acoustic holographic images. These results pave the way for the construction of electronically controlled reflective SSMs.
Towards a Chipless and Wireless Passive System for Real‐Time Encoding of the Bladder Volume
Authors: Melloni Filippo , Bonacchini Giorgio E. , Lanzani Guglielmo , Caironi Mario 
Published: June 2020

AbstractNeurogenic bladder and other lower urinary tract dysfunctions represent a significant health hazard and life‐quality impairment in individuals suffering from neurological disorders. A few implantable and wearable technologies have been proposed to partially recover bladder functionality, mostly based on resistive and capacitive strain gauges designed to be surgically placed inside the pelvic cavity. In this work, an alternative proof‐of‐concept device for monitoring the volumetric changes of the bladder is presented, where the sensing element is based on a capacitive linear encoder integrated with a passive wireless radio‐frequency resonator, which can be remotely interrogated. The sliding mechanism at the core of the proposed system allows a wide sensing range without stringent requirements on materials properties and overall device stability.
Microtrench‐Patterned Elastomeric Substrate for Stretchable Electronics with Minimal Interference by Bodily Motion
Authors: Lee Jaedeuk , Roh Eun , Lee Nae‐Eung 
Published: June 2020

AbstractChallenges associated with local stress concentration on layers in stretchable devices under mechanical deformation by bodily motions, which causes strain‐induced signal interference and generates cracks, constitute one of the remaining issues for realization of skin‐attachable stretchable electronics. Herein, a new structural engineering approach is introduced for an elastomeric substrate, a microtrench‐patterned stretchable substrate, in which microtrenches are formed on the substrate backside, effectively mitigating local stress on the surface layers under stretching. Combining the microtrench pattern on the backside and 3D stress‐absorbing microstructured surface on the frontside of the elastomeric substrate for stress engineering results in effective suppression of stress concentration on the crack‐prone carbon paste electrode and piezoresistive pressure sensing layer on the frontside surface due to stress‐concentration on microtrench pattern and, in turn, minimal change in their resistance with deformation. This approach using a simple and facile method to minimize stress in device layers under motion‐induced deformation has great potential for applications of diverse materials for body‐attachable stretchable electronics with minimal strain‐responsiveness.
Exploring the Possibility of β‐Phase Arsenic‐Phosphorus Polymorph Monolayer as Anode Materials for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Khossossi Nabil , Shukla Vivekanand , Benhouria Younes , Essaoudi Ismail , Ainane Abdelmajid , Ahuja Rajeev , Babu Ganguli , Ajayan Pulickel M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractGraphite anode have shown commercial success for over two decades, since the start of their use in commercial Li‐ion batteries, due to their high practical specific capacity, conductivity, and low lithiation potential. Graphite is to a large extent thermodynamically unfavorable for sodium‐ion intercalation and thus limits advancement in Na‐ion batteries. In this work, a β‐phase arsenic‐phosphorus monolayer is studied, which has recently been predicted to have semiconducting behavior and to be dynamically stable. First‐principles calculations based on density functional theory are used to explore the role of β‐AsP monolayer as a negative electrode for Na‐ion batteries. Cohesive energy, phonon spectrum, and molecule dynamics simulations confirm the thermodynamic stability and the possibility of experimentally synthesizing this material. The Na‐ion adsorption‐energies are found to be high (>−1.2 eV) on both sides (As‐ and P‐side). The ultra‐fast energy barriers for Na (0.046/0.053 V) over both sides imply high diffusion of Na‐ions on the surfaces of β‐AsP. During the evaluation of Na‐ion anode performance, the fully sodiated state is found to be Na2AsP, which yields a high theoretical‐specific capacity of 506.16 mAh g−1 and low average sodiation potential of 0.43 V versus Na/Na+.