bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combining X‐Ray Whole Powder Pattern Modeling, Rietveld and Pair Distribution Function Analyses as a Novel Bulk Approach to Study Interfaces in Heteronanostructures: Oxidation Front in FeO/Fe3O4 Core/Shell Nanoparticles as a Case Study
Authors: Ichikawa Rodrigo U. , Roca Alejandro G. , López‐Ortega Alberto , Estrader Marta , Peral Inma , Turrillas Xabier , Nogués Josep 
Published: June 2018

AbstractUnderstanding the microstructure in heterostructured nanoparticles is crucial to harnessing their properties. Although microscopy is ideal for this purpose, it allows for the analysis of only a few nanoparticles. Thus, there is a need for structural methods that take the whole sample into account. Here, a novel bulk‐approach based on the combined analysis of synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction with whole powder pattern modeling, Rietveld and pair distribution function is presented. The microstructural temporal evolution of FeO/Fe3O4 core/shell nanocubes is studied at different time intervals. The results indicate that a two‐phase approach (FeO and Fe3O4) is not sufficient to successfully fit the data and two additional interface phases (FeO and Fe3O4) are needed to obtain satisfactory fits, i.e., an onion‐type structure. The analysis shows that the Fe3O4 phases grow to some extent (≈1 nm) at the expense of the FeO core. Moreover, the FeO core progressively changes its stoichiometry to accommodate more oxygen. The temporal evolution of the parameters indicates that the structure of the FeO/Fe3O4 nanocubes is rather stable, although the exact interface structure slightly evolves with time. This approach paves the way for average studies of interfaces in different kinds of heterostructured nanoparticles, particularly in cases where spectroscopic methods have some limitations.
Advancement of Ag–Graphene Based Nanocomposites: An Overview of Synthesis and Its Applications
Authors: He Kai , Zeng Zhuotong , Chen Anwei , Zeng Guangming , Xiao Rong , Xu Piao , Huang Zhenzhen , Shi Jiangbo , Hu Liang , Chen Guiqiu 
Published: June 2018

AbstractGraphene has been employed as an excellent support for metal nanomaterials because of its unique structural and physicochemical properties. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with exceptional properties have received considerable attention in various fields; however, particle aggregation limits its application. Therefore, the combination of AgNPs and graphene based nanocomposites (Ag–graphene based nanocomposites) has been widely explored to improve their properties and applications. Excitingly, enhanced antimicrobial, catalytic, and surface enhanced Raman scattering properties are obtained after their combination. In order to have a comprehensive knowledge of these nanocomposites, this Review highlights the chemical and biological synthesis of Ag–graphene nanocomposites. In particular, their applications as antimicrobial agents, catalysts, and sensors in biomedicine, agricultural protection, and environmental remediation and detection are covered. Meanwhile, the factors that influence the synthesis and applications are also briefly discussed. Furthermore, several important issues on the challenges and new directions are also provided for further development of these nanocomposites.
Multifunctional Electrospun Nanofibers for Enhancing Localized Cancer Treatment
Authors: Fu Yike , Li Xiang , Ren Zhaohui , Mao Chuanbin , Han Gaorong 
Published: June 2018

AbstractLocalized cancer treatment is one of the most effective strategies in clinical destruction of solid tumors at early stages as it can minimize the side effects of cancer therapeutics. Electrospun nanofibers have been demonstrated as a promising implantable platform in localized cancer treatment, enabling the on‐site delivery of therapeutic components and minimizing side effects to normal tissues. This Review discusses the recent cutting‐edge research with regard to electrospun nanofibers used for various therapeutic approaches, including gene therapy, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, thermal therapy, and combination therapy, in enhancing localized cancer treatment. Furthermore, it extensively analyzes the current challenges and potential breakthroughs in utilizing this novel platform for clinical transition in localized cancer treatment.
Single Nanoparticle Magnetic Spin Memristor
Authors: Al‐Bustami Hammam , Koplovitz Guy , Primc Darinka , Yochelis Shira , Capua Eyal , Porath Danny , Naaman Ron , Paltiel Yossi 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThere is an increasing demand for the development of a simple Si‐based universal memory device at the nanoscale that operates at high frequencies. Spin‐electronics (spintronics) can, in principle, increase the efficiency of devices and allow them to operate at high frequencies. A primary challenge for reducing the dimensions of spintronic devices is the requirement for high spin currents. To overcome this problem, a new approach is presented that uses helical chiral molecules exhibiting spin‐selective electron transport, which is called the chiral‐induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect. Using the CISS effect, the active memory device is miniaturized for the first time from the micrometer scale to 30 nm in size, and this device presents memristor‐like nonlinear logic operation at low voltages under ambient conditions and room temperature. A single nanoparticle, along with Au contacts and chiral molecules, is sufficient to function as a memory device. A single ferromagnetic nanoplatelet is used as a fixed hard magnet combined with Au contacts in which the gold contacts act as soft magnets due to the adsorbed chiral molecules.
Epidural Electrotherapy for Epilepsy
Authors: Park Sung‐Won , Kim Jejung , Kang Minpyo , Lee Wonho , Park Byong Seo , Kim Hansung , Choi Se‐Young , Yang Sungchil , Ahn Jong‐Hyun , Yang Sunggu 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPenetrating electronics have been used for treating epilepsy, yet their therapeutic effects are debated largely due to the lack of a large‐scale, real‐time, and safe recording/stimulation. Here, the proposed technology integrates ultrathin epidural electronics into an electrocorticography array, therein simultaneously sampling brain signals in a large area for diagnostic purposes and delivering electrical pulses for treatment. The system is empirically tested to record the ictal‐like activities of the thalamocortical network in vitro and in vivo using the epidural electronics. Also, it is newly demonstrated that the electronics selectively diminish epileptiform activities, but not normal signal transduction, in live animals. It is proposed that this technology heralds a new generation of diagnostic and therapeutic brain–machine interfaces. Such an electronic system can be applicable for several brain diseases such as tinnitus, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, depression, and schizophrenia.
What Is the Long-term Survival for Primary THA With Small-head Metal-on-metal Bearings?
Authors: de Steiger Richard , Peng Andrea , Lewis Peter , Graves Stephen 
Published: June 2018

Background
Large-head metal-on-metal (MoM) bearing hip replacements have been shown to have a much higher rate of revision than other bearing surfaces. However, small-head (≤ 32 mm) MoM bearing surfaces have been in use for many years with several reports of satisfactory mid- to long-term survivorship. It is unclear whether the long-term survival of small-head MoM devices will continue to be satisfactory or whether the same concerns seen with the large-head MoM devices will ultimately become more prevalent.

Questions/purposes
We analyzed a large national registry to ask: (1) What is the 15-year Kaplan-Meier survivorship of primary conventional THA using small-head (≤ 32 mm) MoM bearing surfaces compared with large-head MoM bearing surfaces in primary THA? (2) Is there an increased rate of revision for adverse reaction to metal debris (ARMD) in this group of patients over time?

Methods
The Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry longitudinally maintains data on all primary and revision joint arthroplasties with nearly 100% capture. We analyzed all conventional primary THAs performed from Registry inception in September 1999 until December 31, 2015, in patients with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis and using MoM bearing surfaces ≤ 32 mm in diameter, defined as small-head MoM. The study group included 4838 primary THA with ≤ 32-mm MoM bearing surfaces. There were 2506 (51.8%) male patients and the median age of patients undergoing THA with a small-head MoM bearing surface was 64 years (range, 20-92 years of age). The outcome measure was the cumulative percent revision defined as the time to first revision using Kaplan-Meier estimates of survivorship at 15 years; reasons for revision and type of revision were also examined. We specifically investigated whether there was an increased risk of revision for ARMD in this MoM group compared with all other bearing surfaces. We compared these results with large-head MoM THAs (femoral head size > 32 mm).

Results
The cumulative percent revision for small-head MoM designs at 15 years was 8.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.3-9.9). The cumulative percent revision for large-head MoM at 14 years was 27.4% (95% CI, 24.8-30.2). Prostheses with a large-head MoM articulation have a higher rate of revision than small-head MoM bearing surfaces (hazard ratio after 6 years, 5.14; 95% CI, 4.1-6.5; p < 0.001). Over time, there was a gradual increase in the diagnosis of ARMD for small-head MoM and the cumulative incidence of revision for ARMD was 0.8% at 15 years.

Conclusions
Despite survival that is substantially greater than that of large-head MoM THAs, there has been a marked decrease in the use of small-head MoM designs in our registry. Although the reasons for this are likely multifactorial, the increasing incidence of revisions for ARMD among small-head MoM THAs is concerning.

Level of Evidence:
Level III, therapeutic study.
Validity and Clinically Meaningful Changes in the Psychosexual Daily Questionnaire and Derogatis Interview for Sexual Function Assessment: Results From the Testosterone Trials
Authors: Wang Christina , Stephens-Shields Alisa J. , DeRogatis Leonard R. , Cunningham Glenn R. , Swerdloff Ronald S. , Preston Peter , Cella David , Snyder Peter J. , Gill Thomas M. , Bhasin Shalender , Matsumoto Alvin M. , Rosen Raymond C. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

Background
Limited information is available on the performance characteristics of 2 questionnaires commonly used in clinical research, the Psychosexual Daily Questionnaire (PDQ) and the Derogatis Interview for Sexual Function (DISF)-II Assessment, especially in older men with low testosterone (T) and impaired sexual function.

Aim
To determine reliability of PDQ and DISF-II by assessing the correlation within and between domains in the questionnaires and to define clinically meaningful changes in sexual activity (PDQ question 4 [Q4]) and desire (DISF-II sexual desire domain [SDD]) domains.

Methods
Data from 470 men participating in the T Trials were used to calculate Spearman correlation coefficients of individual items and total score among questionnaires to determine convergent and construct validity. Clinically meaningful changes for sexual desire and activity were determined by randomly dividing the sample into training and validation sets. Anchor- and distribution-based clinically meaningful change criteria were defined in the training set, and selected changes were evaluated in the validation set.

Outcomes
Validity of the PDQ and DISF-II and clinically meaningful changes in sexual desire and activity were determined in older men in T Trials.

Results
Moderate to strong correlations were shown within and between domains from different questionnaires. Using Patient Global Impression of Change as an anchor, clinically meaningful change in PDQ sexual activity was ≥0.6, and in DISF-SDD was ≥5.0. Applying these change cut-points to the validation set, a greater proportion of T-treated men achieved clinically meaningful improvement in their sexual desire and activity compared to placebo-treated men.

Clinical Implications
The PDQ-Q4 and DISF-II-SDD can be used to reliably assess clinically meaningful changes in sexual activity and sexual desire in hypogonadal men treated with T.

Strengths & Limitations
Strengths of this study include a large sample size, long trial duration, and inclusion of men with low libido and unequivocally low T levels. Limitations include using data from a single study that enrolled only older hypogonadal men, and only 1 anchor for both sexual desire and activity.

Conclusion
Moderate to strong correlations were demonstrated within and between different sexual domains of the PDQ and DISF-II confirming construct and convergent validity. Clinically meaningful improvement in elderly hypogonadal men was change of ≥0.6 score in the PDQ-Q4 and ≥5.0 in the DISF-SDD. Improvements in sexual activity and desire in the T Trials were modest but clinically meaningful.
Biomechanical Comparison of Inflatable Penile Implants: A Cadaveric Pilot Study
Authors: Wallen Jared J. , Barrera Enrique V. , Ge Liehui , Pastuszak Alexander W. , Carrion Rafael E. , Perito Paul E. , Hakky Tariq S. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

Background
Throughout the last decade there has been a growing interest in the biomechanical differences between inflatable penile prostheses (IPPs) and their significance with regard to the patient experience.

Aim
To present our findings assessing the biomechanical properties of IPPs with and without rear tip extenders (RTEs).

Methods
This is a biomechanical study of the 3 most commonly used IPPs (AMS CX, AMS LGX, and Coloplast Titan) as assessed by column compression, modified cantilever deflection, and 3-point bending methods. The IPPs were surgically placed into 3 fresh cadavers via an infrapubic technique by a single large-volume implanter. A biomechanical evaluation of the properties of each IPP inside the fibroelastic tunica albuginea was assessed in blinded testing, and analyses were based on industry standard methods for assessment.

Outcomes
Maximum axial load; kink formation; horizontal stiffness; and resistance to 3-point flexure testing were measured.

Results
At maximum inflation, all 3 implants had similar performance. Differences appear to be most affected by fill pressures. In fact, only the AMS LGX at less than maximum inflation (LTMI) was unable to consistently withstand the roughly 0.9 kg (2 lbs) of pressure for column load testing mimicking vaginal intromission. The Coloplast Titan showed slightly better rigidity than the AMS LGX and CX devices in horizontal load testing, and, with 3-point flexure testing, the CX showed the best rigidity in the shortest phallus (A). Overall, the Titan showed slightly better rigidity in the longest phallus (C) and the phallus with mild Peyronie's disease (B).

Clinical Translations
Penile implants with circumferential expansion had higher rigidity on biomechanical testing and should be considered in a patient's decision during selection of a penile implant.

Strengths and Limitations
Strengths include blinding of the biomechanical testing and analyses, surgical procedures performed by a highly experienced surgeon, and that this is the “closest to” in vivo evaluation (inside the tunica albuginea) of penile implant function and properties to date. Weaknesses are that this study was performed in cadavers and not in live patients. It also has a small sample size, including the use of only 3 cadavers, and there was no correlation of performance to patient satisfaction.

Conclusion
The results of this study support the conclusion that all devices are capable of functionally restoring erectile capacity. However, we observed that, in general, the 2 circumferentially expanding penile prosthesis showed greater resistance in biomechanical testing when compared with longitudinal and circumferential expanding devices. This should be considered as a guide during device selection for a patient undergoing penile prosthesis.
Legislative Policy and Effectiveness: A (Small) Contribution from Legal Theory
Authors: ZAMBONI Mauro 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to use legal theory to clarify the nature and the components of effectiveness in legislation, in particular when it comes to choosing legislative policy, ie the legislative model used to tackle a certain issue via legislation. Part II is devoted to revealing the true meaning of the idea of effectiveness, ie as a functional link helping legislative drafters to move among three elements (ideals, situation, results) rather than as an absolute value that drafters should pursue in their work. Part III continues by investigating the problems that such confusion has produced within legislative discourse and practice, in particular by focusing upon two types of effectiveness as external and internal to the legislative process. Finally, Part IV proposes how this idea of effectiveness as a functional element of legislative work (and the consequent distinction between an external and an internal version) can (and should) affect the work of legislative drafters. This idea becomes particularly relevant in relation to the optimal location of the non-legal experts in the legislative process as a means of increasing the effectiveness of legislative policy.
Wastewater drains: epidemiology and interventions in 23 carbapenem-resistant organism outbreaks
Authors: Carling Philip C. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractFor many years, patient-area wastewater drains (ie, sink and shower drains) have been considered a potential source of bacterial pathogens that can be transmitted to patients. Recently, evolving genomic epidemiology tools combined with new insights into the ecology of wastewater drain (WWD) biofilm have provided new perspectives on the clinical relevance and hospital-associated infection (HAI) transmission risks related to these fixtures. To further clarify the clinical relevance of WWD-associated pathogen transmission, reports of outbreaks attributed to WWDs were selected for review that (1) investigated the outbreak epidemiology of WWD-associated transmission of bacterial pathogens, (2) utilized advanced microbiologic methods to establish clonality of outbreak pathogens and/or resistance genes, or (3) described interventions implemented to mitigate transmission of the outbreak pathogens from WWDs. These reports were collated, compared, and analyzed, and the results are presented here.
Do Couple-Focused Cessation Messages Increase Motivation to Quit Among Dual-Smoker Couples?
Authors: vanDellen Michelle R. , Lewis Megan A. , Toll Benjamin A. , Lipkus Isaac M. 
Published: June 2018

Introduction: Dual-smoker couples are a highly prevalent group who report low motivation to quit smoking.Aims: This study tested the effect of a messaging intervention (couples- vs. individual-focused smoking outcomes) on motivation to quit among dual-smoker couples and examined the moderating effect of perceived support.Methods: A total of 202 individuals in 101 dual-smoker couples were randomized by dyad using a 2 (frame: gain/loss) by 2 (outcome focus: individual/couple) factorial design. Participants reviewed scenarios of either positive or negative outcomes of quitting versus not quitting as they applied to either the individual or the couple. Participants then reported their own motivation to quit and motivation for their partner to quit. The main outcome was motivation to quit smoking.Results: No main effects of framing or message focus emerged. Significant interactions between message focus and negative support predicted motivation for self and partner to quit. Individuals who reported lower negative support reported greater motivation for self to quit and less motivation for partner to quit after reviewing couple- (vs. individual-) focused messages.Conclusions: Individuals in dual-smoker couples typically report low motivation to quit smoking. Couple-focused messages may increase motivation to quit among individuals who are not receiving negative support from their partners.
Who Was “Hitler” Before Hitler? Historical Analogies and the Struggle to Understand Nazism, 1930–1945
Authors: Rosenfeld Gavriel D. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSince the turn of the millennium, major political figures around the world have been routinely compared to Adolf Hitler. These comparisons have increasingly been investigated by scholars, who have sought to explain their origins and assess their legitimacy. This article sheds light on this ongoing debate by examining an earlier, but strikingly similar, discussion that transpired during the Nazi era itself. Whereas commentators today argue about whether Hitler should be used as a historical analogy, observers in the 1930s and 1940s debated which historical analogies should be used to explain Hitler. During this period, Anglophone and German writers identified a diverse group of historical villains who, they believed, explained the Nazi threat. The figures spanned a wide range of tyrants, revolutionaries, and conquerors. But, by the end of World War II, the revelation of the Nazis' unprecedented crimes exposed these analogies as insufficient and led many commentators to flee from secular history to religious mythology. In the process, they identified Hitler as Western civilization's new archetype of evil and turned him into a hegemonic analogy for the postwar period. By explaining how earlier analogies struggled to make sense of Hitler, we can better understand whether Hitler analogies today are helping or hindering our effort to understand contemporary political challenges.
Performance of the commercially available SERION ELISA classic Echinococcus IgG test for the detection of cystic echinococcosis in clinical practice
Authors: Sarink M.J. , Koelewijn R. , Slingerland B.C.G.C. , Tielens A.G.M. , van Genderen P.J.J. , van Hellemond J.J. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractDiagnosis of cystic echinococcosis (CE) is at present mainly based on imaging techniques. Serology has a complementary role, partly due to the small number of standardized and commercially available assays. Therefore we examined the clinical performance of the SERION ELISA classic Echinococcus IgG test. Using 10 U/ml as a cut-off point, and serum samples from 50 CE patients and 105 healthy controls, the sensitivity and specificity were 98.0% and 96.2%, respectively. If patients with other infectious diseases were used as negative controls, the specificity decreased to 76.9%, which causes poor positive predictive values. However, if results between 10 and 15 U/ml are classified as indecisive, the specificity of positive results (≥15 U/ml) increased to 92.5% without greatly affecting the sensitivity (92.0%). Using this approach in combination with imaging studies, the SERION ELISA classic Echinococcosis IgG test can be a useful aid in the diagnosis of CE.