bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Porcine small intestine graft for reconstruction of oral defects
Authors: Membreno Petra V. , Eid Anas A. , Vanison Christopher C. , Gillespie M. Boyd , Gleysteen John P. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of porcine submucosal allograft (Biodesign Sinonasal Repair Graft [Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN]) in oral cavity and oropharynx reconstruction after ablative surgery.MethodsWe conducted a prospective and retrospective review of patients who underwent Biodesign Sinonasal Repair Graft reconstruction for oral and oropharyngeal surgical defects at a single institution between 2018 and 2020. A total of 11 patients were included in the study. Data points included their perioperative medical and demographic data, immediate postoperative course, and follow‐up visits at 10 days and at 2 months. The clinicopathologic characteristics of their disease, postoperative esthetic, and functional outcomes were recorded and analyzed.ResultsEleven procedures have been performed, and all patients received Biodesign reconstruction either immediately after ablation or after they failed a previous reconstruction. None of the patients had bone exposure. The subsites included oral tongue (n = 6), floor of the mouth (n = 3), buccal mucosa (n = 1), and soft palate (n = 1). In all cases, the operations and the postoperative course were uneventful. The mean defect size was 22 cm2. The median start of oral intake was at 2 days postoperatively. The Biodesign graft healed well in all patients with no total graft loss. There was one complication that required revision surgery due to obstruction of Wharton's duct by the Biodesign material.ConclusionsBiodesign can be a viable option for small and medium‐sized oral and oropharyngeal defects in patients who are medically unfit or do not want to undergo a free flap surgery.Level of Evidence4.
Convolutional neural network for quality of transmission prediction of unestablished lightpaths
Authors: Usmani Fehmida , Khan Ihtesham , Masood Muhammad Umar , Ahmad Arsalan , Shahzad Muhammad , Curri Vittorio 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWith the advancement in evolving concepts of software‐defined networks and elastic‐optical‐network, the number of design parameters is growing dramatically, making the lightpath (LP) deployment more complex. Typically, worst‐case assumptions are utilized to calculate the quality‐of‐transmission (QoT) with the provisioning of high‐margin requirements. To this aim, precise and advanced estimation of the QoT of the LP is essential for reducing this provisioning margin. In this investigation, we present convolutional‐neural‐networks (CNN) based architecture to accurately calculate QoT before the actual deployment of LP in an unseen network. The proposed model is trained on the data acquired from already established LP of a completely different network. The metric considered to evaluate the QoT of LP is the generalized signal‐to‐noise ratio (GSNR). The synthetic dataset is generated by utilizing well appraised GNPy simulation tool. Promising results are achieved, showing that the proposed CNN model considerably minimizes the GSNR uncertainty and, consequently, the provisioning margin.
DNA precipitation revisited: A quantitative analysis
Authors: He Shupeng , Cao Bozhi , Yi Yi , Huang Shenhao , Chen Xiao , Luo Sheng , Mou Xiaoyu , Guo Tong , Wang Yujie , Wang Yanwei , Yang Guangcan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe have quantitatively investigated the precipitation of DNA in different valence cations and in various ethanol concentration solution. In free ethanol condition, monovalent ion cannot induce DNA condensation and in turn to precipitation. Divalent ion can cause DNA precipitation as the concentrations of both Mg2+ (MgCl2) and Ca2+ (CaCl2) go up to a critical value of about 50 mM. After adding ethanol, monovalent ion and divalent ion can promote DNA precipitation significantly, but it has no effect on the process by trivalent ions. In monovalent ion solution of 100 mM, the critical volume ratio of ethanol is about 52% for DNA precipitation. However, the value decreases significantly to 4% in 25 mM divalent ion solution. Based on the precipitation curves, we quantitatively calculated the binding energies between the cations and phosphate group of DNA. For monovalent ions and in aqueous solution, the Na+‐DNA binding energy is about −5.52 KJ·Mol−1 (−2.63 kBT, the precipitation temperature is 253 Kelvin) and the K+‐DNA binding energy is about −4.77 KJ·Mol−1 (−2.27 kBT). For divalent ions and in the same condition, the Ca2+‐DNA binding energy is about −8.25 KJ·Mol−1 (−3.93 kBT) and the Mg2+‐DNA binding energy is about −8.67 KJ·Mol−1 (−4.13 kBT). The scenario of DNA precipitation modulation by ethanol and zwitterionic ions is demonstrated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging intuitively.
Optimal decentralized control of a wind turbine and diesel generator system
Authors: Shojaee Milad , Azizi S. Mohsen 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis article presents a decentralized optimal controller design technique for the frequency and power control of a coupled wind turbine and diesel generator. The decentralized controller consists of two proportional‐integral (PI)‐lead controllers which are designed and optimized simultaneously using a quasi‐Newton based optimization technique, namely, Davidon–Fletcher–Powell algorithm. The optimal PI‐lead controllers are designed in such a way that there are no communication links between them. Simulation results show the superior performance of the proposed controller with a lower order structure compared to the benchmark decentralized linear‐quadratic Gaussian integral controllers of orders 4 and 11. It is also shown that the proposed controller demonstrates an effective performance in damping the disturbances from load and wind power, as well as a robust performance against the parameter changes of the power system.
Improved electrochemical performance of symmetric polyaniline/activated carbon hybrid for high supercapacitance: Comparison with indirect capacitance
Authors: Singh Gyan , Kumar Yogesh , Husain Samina 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPolyaniline (PANI) chains doped with very small amount of Activated Carbon (AC) as an electrode material in aqueous H2SO4 electrolyte was successfully employed in this work to enhance the electrochemical capacitive properties of PANI. The aim of this research is to improve overall specific capacitance of PANI by incorporating only minute amount of AC as a PANI dopant. There are many reports available on PANI/AC but the use of such a minute amount of AC in H2SO4 electrolyte which enhances the overall specific capacity of the composite has not been reported elsewhere. An improvement in the specific capacitance from 763.44 to 897.50 F g−1 in aqueous 0.1 M H2SO4 electrolyte solution is observed by adding mere 0.04 g of AC. It is envisaged that AC enhances SO4−2 ion transportation, forwards a stable and fast surface redox reactions, hence collectively improving the overall capacitive performance of supercapacitor electrode. The charge/discharge measurements shows that AC particles stops the PANI chains degradation during charge/discharge cycle. Also, the retention rate (54%) of PANI1.0/AC0.04 indicates approximately 11% more stability than pure PANI (43%) electrode alone. It was further observed that the electrochemical impedance parameters viz., that charge transfer resistance (Rct) (0.79 Ω), response frequency (0.26 Hz), response time (3.84 s) and knee frequency (9.16 Hz) of PANI1.0/AC0.04 electrode material shows excellent performance of the PANI doped AC. Considering its high specific capacitance, low‐cost and ease of synthesis, PANI1.0/AC0.04 seems to be a promising electrode material for next generation symmetric supercapacitors.
Physicochemical properties and bio‐interfacial interactions of surface modified PDLLA‐PAMAM linear dendritic block copolymers
Authors: Simms Briana L. , Ji Nan , Chandrasiri Indika , Zia Mohammad Farid , Udemgba Chinwe S. , Kaur Ravinder , Delcamp Jared H. , Flynt Alex , Tan Chalet , Watkins Davita L. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractHere, we demonstrate the applicability of self‐assembling linear‐dendritic block copolymers (LDBCs) and their nanoaggregates possessing varied surfaces as therapeutic nanocarriers. These LDBCs are comprised of a hydrophobic, linear polyester chemically coupled to a hydrophilic dendron polyamidoamine (PAMAM)—the latter of which acts as the surface of the self‐assembled nanoaggregate in aqueous media. To better understand how surface charge density affects the overall operability of these nanomaterials, we modified the nanoaggregate surface to yield cationic (NH3+), neutral (OH), and anionic (COO−) surfaces. The effect of these modifications on the physicochemical properties (i.e., size, morphology, and surface charge density), colloidal stability, and cellular uptake mechanism of the polymeric nanocarrier were investigated. This comparative study demonstrates the viability of nanoaggregates formed from PDLLA‐PAMAM LDBCs to serve as nanocarriers for applications in drug delivery.
Tough transitions: Family caregiver experiences with a pediatric long‐term ventilation discharge pathway
Authors: Chiang Jackie , Karim Allia , Hoffman Andrea , Dryden‐Palmer Karen , Keilty Krista , Syed Faiza , Janevski Joanna , Dutta Tilak , Fellin Maryanne , Lindsay Sally , Beaune Laura , Amin Reshma 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectivesDischarging a child home on long‐term ventilation (LTV) via tracheostomy is complex and involves multiple healthcare providers across healthcare sectors. To date, there has been a paucity of data with respect to the experiences of families transitioning a child home on LTV. Our objective was to explore the perceptions of family caregivers (FCs) who have completed a newly developed LTV discharge pathway as they transitioned home.MethodsWe conducted 11 semi‐structured interviews with FCs. Interviews focused on FC's experience with the training process, perception of competency from a knowledge and skill perspective, and opportunities for improvement. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach.ResultsEight mothers and three fathers of ten children participated. Six primary themes were identified: (1) making an informed decision, (2) transitioning to rehabilitation, (3) building capacity for self‐care, (4) coordinating case management, (5) readying for discharge home, and (6) experiencing home care.ConclusionOverall, FCs felt that the preparation and transition support obtained through the application of a standardized LTV discharge pathway allowed successful attainment of new knowledge and skills necessary to care for their child with LTV at home.
The asthma predictive index as a surrogate diagnostic tool in preschoolers: Analysis of a longitudinal birth cohort
Authors: Castro‐Rodriguez Jose A. , Forno Erick , Padilla Oslando , Casanello Paola , Krause Bernardo J. , Borzutzky Arturo 
Published: July 2021

AbstractDiagnosing asthma in preschool children remains an unsolved challenge, at a time when early identification would allow for better education and treatment to prevent morbidity and lung function deterioration.ObjectiveTo evaluate if the asthma predictive index (API) can be used as surrogate for asthma diagnosis in preschoolers.MethodsBirth cohort of 339 pregnant women enrolled at delivery and their offspring, who were followed for atopy, wheezing, and other respiratory illnesses through 30 months of age. The API was determined at 30 months of age by the researchers; and examined its association with physician‐diagnosed asthma during the first 30 months, made independently by the primary care physician not involved in the study.ResultsAmong 307 offspring with complete follow‐up, 44 (14.3%) were API+. Maternal body mass index, maternal education, past oral contraceptive use, birthweight, placenta weight, age of daycare at 12 m, gastroesophageal reflux disease at 12 m, acute otitis media at 18 m, bronchiolitis, croup and pneumonia, cord blood adiponectin were all associated with API+. In the multivariable analysis, API+ was associated with almost sixfold odds of asthma diagnosis (adjusted OR = 5.7, 95% CI [2.6–12.3]), after adjusting for the relevant covariates above including respiratory infections like bronchiolitis and pneumonia. The API sensitivity was 48%, specificity 92%, 61% PPV, 88% NPV, 6.4 LR+, 0.56 LR−, 0.84 diagnosis accuracy. The adjusted odds for asthma was 11.4.ConclusionsThis longitudinal birth cohort suggests, for first time, that API (a structured definition for asthma), could be used as a diagnostic tool, not only as a prognostic tool, in toddlers and preschoolers.
Phase I monitoring of serially correlated nonparametric profiles by mixed‐effects modeling
Authors: Zhou Qin , Qiu Peihua 
Published: July 2021

AbstractProfile monitoring is an active research area in statistical process control (SPC) because it has many important applications in manufacturing and other industries. Early profile monitoring methods often impose model assumptions that the mean profile function has a parametric form (e.g., linear), profile observations have a parametric distribution (e.g., normal), and within‐profile observations are independent of each other. These assumptions have been lifted in some recent profile monitoring research, making the related methods more reliable to use in various applications. One notoriously challenging task in profile monitoring research is to properly accommodate serial data correlation among profiles observed at different time points, and this task has not been properly addressed in the SPC literature yet. Serial data correlation is common in practice, and it has been well demonstrated in the literature that control charts are unreliable to use if the serial data correlation is ignored. In this paper, we suggest a novel mixed‐effects model for describing serially correlated univariate profile data. Based on this model, a Phase I profile monitoring chart is developed. This chart is flexible in the sense that it does not require any parametric forms for describing the mean profile function and the profile data distribution. It can accommodate both the within‐profile and between‐profile data correlation. Numerical studies show that it works well in different cases.
Arboreal camera trapping: a reliable tool to monitor plant‐frugivore interactions in the trees on large scales
Authors: Zhu Chen , Li Wande , Gregory Tremaine , Wang Duorun , Ren Peng , Zeng Di , Kang Yi , Ding Ping , Si Xingfeng 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAlthough arboreal camera trapping is a growing field, it has rarely been used for monitoring plant‐frugivore interactions in the trees. Frugivore foraging behavior generally occurs in trees, hence arboreal camera trapping can be a potentially useful tool for frugivory research. We developed a camera trap sampling method to monitor plant‐frugivore interactions during mature fruiting periods. We used this method to monitor 318 individuals (camera sites) of 18 fleshy‐fruit plant species on 22 subtropical land‐bridge islands in the Thousand Island Lake, China. We recorded a total of at least 52 frugivorous animals, including a ground‐foraging bird species (Lophura nycthemera) and several mammals with foraging behaviors in the trees. We also recorded 4399 independent interaction events, including 275 unique plant‐bird interactions. We proposed a framework to classify interaction types and performed a sampling completeness test. We found that a sampling strategy that covered approximately a third of the fruit maturation period when most fruits were ripe was sufficient to sample plant‐frugivore interactions. Our results demonstrated that our sampling method with camera transects is reliable to monitor plant‐frugivore interactions in a fragmented landscape. This study helps to lay the methodological foundation for building networks of plant‐frugivore interactions with arboreal camera trapping on large spatial/temporal scales. As a non‐invasive, labor‐saving, and largely unbiased sampling method, the field application of arboreal camera trapping in different regions can advance the technology of biodiversity monitoring and lead to more accurate biodiversity inventories in arboreal environments.
Challenges facing indicators to become a universal language for sustainable urban development
Authors: Ruan Fang‐Li , Yan Liang 
Published: July 2021

AbstractUrban development plays a role in global progress, but its sustainability is still a pressing issue. Indicators are a kind of powerful tool for addressing issues about urban sustainability and have gained increasing attention. However, making them become a universal “language” to solve this global issue is still challenging and controversial. This paper firstly summarizes 1442 indicators in the previous 47 urban sustainability studies. Then, based on the discussion of deficiencies in framing, conceptualizing, labeling, and digitalizing urban sustainability, we propose challenges facing indicators to become a universal language for sustainable urban development. Accordingly, this paper calls for an indicator dictionary, established by a particular global organization, constructed standardized and applied localized.
Nanoparticle Assembly in High Polymer Concentration Solutions Increases Superlattice Stability
Authors: Lee Margaret S. , Alexander‐Katz Alfredo , Macfarlane Robert J. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPolymer nanocomposites are made by combining a nanoscale filler with a polymer matrix, where polymer‐particle interactions can enhance matrix properties and introduce behaviors distinct from either component. Manipulating particle organization within a composite potentially allows for better control over polymer‐particle interactions, and the formation of ordered arrays can introduce new, emergent properties not observed in random composites. However, self‐assembly of ordered particle arrays typically requires weak interparticle interactions to prevent kinetic traps, making these assemblies incompatible with most conventional processing techniques. As a result, more fundamental investigations are needed into methods to provide additional stability to these lattices without disrupting their internal organization. The authors show that the addition of free polymer chains to the assembly solution is a simple means to increase the stability of nanoparticle superlattices against thermal dissociation. By adding high concentrations (>50 mg mL−1) of free polymer to nanoparticle superlattices, it is possible to significantly elevate their thermal stability without adversely affecting ordering. Moreover, polymer topology, molecular weight, and concentration can also be used as independent design handles to tune this behavior. Collectively, this work allows for a wider range of processing conditions for generating future nanocomposites with complete control over particle organization within the material.
Impact of aggregate content and tube thickness on semi‐lightweight aggregate concrete filled steel tube subjected to uniaxial compression
Authors: Du Bin , Zhao Lin‐Ru , Xiang Tian‐Yu , Zhao Fu‐Chao 
Published: July 2021

AbstractArtificial lightweight aggregates (LWA) generally can be more deformable in lateral expansion than that of natural crushed stone. Therefore, concrete made of LWA can exhibit a higher Poisson effect, and this characteristic could be advantageously used in the confined elements. In the present study, experimental research on behaviors of semi‐lightweight aggregate concrete filled steel tube (LWACFT) under axial compression is performed, in which the key parameters such as the volume content of LWA and the thickness of steel tube are involved. The results showed that the bearing capacity of LWACFT columns is influenced by the compressive strength and Poisson effect of LWAC in dual‐facets. With a rational LWA volume fraction, the bearing capacity of LWACFT columns is not less than that of traditional CFT. Furthermore, the experimental results of bearing capacity are compared with the results by current design codes. With the volume content of LWA and the steel thickness as the variable, the modified and simplified models have been proposed to predict the axial load versus strain curves and the bearing capacity of LWACFT columns. The research results have demonstrated that the predicted results by the model proposed in this study agree well with the experimental ones.
Effect of routine first‐trimester combined screening for pre‐eclampsia on small‐for‐gestational‐age birth: secondary interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Guy G. P. , Leslie K. , Diaz Gomez D. , Forenc K. , Buck E. , Bhide A. , Thilaganathan B. 
Published: July 2021

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of a first‐trimester combined screening program for pre‐eclampsia, based on the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) algorithm, on the rate of small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) at birth and adverse pregnancy outcome.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of data obtained from a London tertiary hospital between January 2017 and March 2019. The data were derived from a secondary analysis of the cohort evaluated in a clinical‐effectiveness study on the implementation of a first‐trimester screening program for pre‐eclampsia. The cohort included 7720 women screened according to the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) risk‐based approach and 4841 women screened by the FMF multimodal approach, which combines maternal risk factors, blood pressure, pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A and uterine artery Doppler indices. The care package for the FMF‐screened group included 150‐mg aspirin prophylaxis, ultrasound scans at 28 and 36 weeks' gestation and scheduled delivery at 40 weeks. Outcome measures included the rates of SGA neonates at birth, admission to the neonatal unit, intrauterine demise, neonatal death and hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy assessed by interrupted time series analysis (ITSA).ResultsThere was no significant difference in the rates of intrauterine demise, neonatal death and hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy between the FMF‐screened and NICE‐screened cohorts. ITSA showed a significant reduction in the rate of term SGA birth < 10th percentile at 21 months following implementation of the FMF screening program, with a relative effect reduction of 45.1% (P = 0.004). However, there was no significant relative effect reduction in term SGA birth < 5th or < 3rd percentile.ConclusionsFirst‐trimester combined screening for pre‐eclampsia based on the FMF algorithm accompanied by a care package including serial ultrasound scans for growth evaluation and elective birth from 40 weeks' gestation resulted in a significant 45% relative effect reduction in term SGA birth < 10th percentile but did not affect term SGA birth < 5th or < 3rd percentile. Further screening strategies to detect and improve the outcome of cases with SGA birth < 5th percentile need to be considered. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.