bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of benchmarking operating room efficiency within the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Lynn Marilyn , Bronson Douglas , Gunnar William 
Published: October 2018

Purpose: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides surgical care and services through a network of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Surgical Programs. This study examined the impact of benchmarking on improvements in VHA surgery program operating room efficiency.Methods: The VA National Surgery Office (NSO) developed the operating room (OR) Efficiency Matrix with four common metrics that characterize OR processes. The OR Efficiency Matrix assigned a performance level to each VHA Surgery Program identified in the NSO Quarterly Report. The NSO Quarterly Report provided ongoing and regular feedback allowing VHA Surgery Programs to develop action plans and improve performance.Results: Beginning with the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Quarter (Q) 2 NSO Quarterly Report, the NSO has been reporting to VHA Surgery Programs on the OR Efficiency Matrix through several tables and figures in the NSO Quarterly Report. Overall, raw metric rates have improved nationally, with most improvements coming in the metrics of OR first time starts and surgical case cancellation.Conclusions: The NSO developed and implemented the OR Efficiency Matrix, representing four well recognized metrics, to assess, track, and report OR efficiency at 137 VHA Surgery Programs. This internal benchmarking process and data reporting was associated with sustainable improvements in OR efficiency over time.
Soil respiration of a Moso bamboo forest significantly affected by gross ecosystem productivity and leaf area index in an extreme drought event
Authors: Liu Yuli , Zhou Guomo , Du Huaqiang , Berninger Frank , Mao Fangjie , Li Xuejian , Chen Liang , Cui Lu , Li Yangguang , Zhu Di’en 
Published: October 2018

Moso bamboo has large potential to alleviate global warming through carbon sequestration. Since soil respiration (Rs) is a major source of CO2 emissions, we analyzed the dynamics of soil respiration (Rs) and its relation to environmental factors in a Moso bamboo (Phllostachys heterocycla cv. pubescens) forest to identify the relative importance of biotic and abiotic drivers of respiration. Annual average Rs was 44.07 t CO2 ha−1 a−1. Rs correlated significantly with soil temperature (P < 0.01), which explained 69.7% of the variation in Rs at a diurnal scale. Soil moisture was correlated significantly with Rs on a daily scale except not during winter, indicating it affected Rs. A model including both soil temperature and soil moisture explained 93.6% of seasonal variations in Rs. The relationship between Rs and soil temperature during a day showed a clear hysteresis. Rs was significantly and positively (P < 0.01) related to gross ecosystem productivity and leaf area index, demonstrating the significance of biotic factors as crucial drivers of Rs.
Cancellous bone and theropod dinosaur locomotion. Part I—an examination of cancellous bone architecture in the hindlimb bones of theropods
Authors: Bishop Peter J. , Hocknull Scott A. , Clemente Christofer J. , Hutchinson John R. , Farke Andrew A. , Beck Belinda R. , Barrett Rod S. , Lloyd David G. 
Published: October 2018

This paper is the first of a three-part series that investigates the architecture of cancellous (‘spongy’) bone in the main hindlimb bones of theropod dinosaurs, and uses cancellous bone architectural patterns to infer locomotor biomechanics in extinct non-avian species. Cancellous bone is widely known to be highly sensitive to its mechanical environment, and has previously been used to infer locomotor biomechanics in extinct tetrapod vertebrates, especially primates. Despite great promise, cancellous bone architecture has remained little utilized for investigating locomotion in many other extinct vertebrate groups, such as dinosaurs. Documentation and quantification of architectural patterns across a whole bone, and across multiple bones, can provide much information on cancellous bone architectural patterns and variation across species. Additionally, this also lends itself to analysis of the musculoskeletal biomechanical factors involved in a direct, mechanistic fashion.On this premise, computed tomographic and image analysis techniques were used to describe and analyse the three-dimensional architecture of cancellous bone in the main hindlimb bones of theropod dinosaurs for the first time. A comprehensive survey across many extant and extinct species is produced, identifying several patterns of similarity and contrast between groups. For instance, more stemward non-avian theropods (e.g. ceratosaurs and tyrannosaurids) exhibit cancellous bone architectures more comparable to that present in humans, whereas species more closely related to birds (e.g. paravians) exhibit architectural patterns bearing greater similarity to those of extant birds. Many of the observed patterns may be linked to particular aspects of locomotor biomechanics, such as the degree of hip or knee flexion during stance and gait. A further important observation is the abundance of markedly oblique trabeculae in the diaphyses of the femur and tibia of birds, which in large species produces spiralling patterns along the endosteal surface. Not only do these observations provide new insight into theropod anatomy and behaviour, they also provide the foundation for mechanistic testing of locomotor hypotheses via musculoskeletal biomechanical modelling.
Neurofilament light chain serum levels correlate with 10‐year MRI outcomes in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Chitnis Tanuja , Gonzalez Cindy , Healy Brian C. , Saxena Shrishti , Rosso Mattia , Barro Christian , Michalak Zuzanna , Paul Anu , Kivisakk Pia , Diaz‐Cruz Camilo , Sattarnezhad Neda , Pierre Isabelle V. , Glanz Bonnie I. , Tomic Davorka , Kropshofer Harald , Häring Dieter , Leppert David , Kappos Ludwig , Bakshi Rohit , Weiner Howard L. , Kuhle Jens 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the value of annual serum neurofilament light (NfL) measures in predicting 10‐year clinical and MRI outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS).MethodsWe identified patients in our center's Comprehensive Longitudinal Investigations in MS at Brigham and Women's Hospital (CLIMB) study enrolled within 5 years of disease onset, and with annual blood samples up to 10 years (n = 122). Serum NfL was measured using a single molecule array (SIMOA) assay. An automated pipeline quantified brain T2 hyperintense lesion volume (T2LV) and brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) from year 10 high‐resolution 3T MRI scans. Correlations between averaged annual NfL and 10‐year clinical/MRI outcomes were assessed using Spearman's correlation, univariate, and multivariate linear regression models.ResultsAveraged annual NfL values were negatively associated with year 10 BPF, which included averaged year 1–5 NfL values (unadjusted P < 0.01; adjusted analysis P < 0.01), and averaged values through year 10. Linear regression analyses of averaged annual NfL values showed multiple associations with T2LV, specifically averaged year 1–5 NfL (unadjusted P < 0.01; adjusted analysis P < 0.01). Approximately 15–20% of the BPF variance and T2LV could be predicted from early averaged annual NfL levels. Also, averaged annual NfL levels with fatigue score worsening between years 1 and 10 showed statistically significant associations. However, averaged NfL measurements were not associated with year 10 EDSS, SDMT or T25FW in this cohort.InterpretationSerum NfL measured during the first few years after the clinical onset of MS contributed to the prediction of 10‐year MRI brain lesion load and atrophy.
Qualitative Exploration of Triangulated, Shared Decision‐Making in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Binder‐Finnema Pauline , Dzurilla Kathryn , Hsiao Betty , Fraenkel Liana 
Published: October 2018

ObjectiveTreat‐to‐target implementation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) requires a shared decision‐making (SDM) process. However, ability to pay is a major determinant of patient choice, but how this factor affects SDM is under‐explored.MethodsVisits at 4 RA clinics during which patients faced a decision to change their treatment were audiotaped between May 2016 and June 2017. Audiotapes were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative framework analysis.ResultsA total of 156 visits were analyzed. Most patients with RA, except those with effective insurance coverage, had deliberations disrupted or sidelined by third‐party insurance providers having power to authorize the preferred disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug choice. This triangulated SDM complicated efficiency in deliberations and timely treatment and was a barrier to shared engagement about health risks and symptom improvement typically found in patient‐provider dyads.ConclusionRheumatology care providers should aim to incorporate treatment costs and ability to pay into their deliberations so that individualized out‐of‐pocket estimates can be considered during triangulated SDM at the point‐of‐care.
Cyclic Stiffness Modulation of Cell‐Laden Protein–Polymer Hydrogels in Response to User‐Specified Stimuli Including Light
Authors: Liu Luman , Shadish Jared A. , Arakawa Christopher K. , Shi Kevin , Davis Jennifer , DeForest Cole A. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAlthough mechanical signals presented by the extracellular matrix are known to regulate many essential cell functions, the specific effects of these interactions, particularly in response to dynamic and heterogeneous cues, remain largely unknown. Here, a modular semisynthetic approach is introduced to create protein–polymer hydrogel biomaterials that undergo reversible stiffening in response to user‐specified inputs. Employing a novel dual‐chemoenzymatic modification strategy, fusion protein‐based gel crosslinkers are created that exhibit stimuli‐dependent intramolecular association. Linkers based on calmodulin yield calcium‐sensitive materials, while those containing the photosensitive light, oxygen, and voltage sensing domain 2 (LOV2) protein give phototunable constructs whose moduli can be cycled on demand with spatiotemporal control about living cells. These unique materials are exploited to demonstrate the significant role that cyclic mechanical loading plays on fibroblast‐to‐myofibroblast transdifferentiation in 3D space. The moduli‐switchable materials should prove useful for studies in mechanobiology, providing new avenues to probe and direct matrix‐driven changes in 4D cell physiology.
Manipulation of Single Cells Using a Ferromagnetic Nanorod Cluster Actuated by Weak AC Magnetic Fields
Authors: Zhu Lu , Huang Weijie , Yang Fengchang , Yin Lei , Liang Shenxuan , Zhao Wujun , Mao Leidong , Yu Xiaozhong (John) , Qiao Rui , Zhao Yiping 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA unique noncontact single cell manipulation technique based on the actuation of magnetic nanorods (MNRs) or clusters (MCs) by nonuniform alternating magnetic fields (nuAMFs) is demonstrated. Compared to the actuation of MNRs/MCs by conventional magnetophoresis, the motion of MNRs/MCs actuated by nuAMFs can be tuned by additional parameters including the shape of MNRs/MCs and the frequency of the applied magnetic fields. The manipulation of a single cell by an actuated MNR/MC are divided into five stages, i.e., approaching, pushing, carrying, dragging, and releasing. The interactions between the MNR/MC and the cell in these stages are investigated in detail both experimentally and numerically. Other applications of cell manipulation, such as concentrating cells at target locations and accumulating MNRs/MCs onto a single cell, are also demonstrated. The single cell manipulation system is simple, low‐cost, and low‐power consumption, and helps advance the state‐of‐the‐art of single‐particle manipulation.
Gas Humidification Impact on the Properties and Performance of Perovskite‐Type Functional Materials in Proton‐Conducting Solid Oxide Cells
Authors: Wang Wei , Medvedev Dmitry , Shao Zongping 
Published: October 2018

AbstractFuel cells and electrolysis cells as important types of energy conversion devices can be divided into groups based on the electrolyte material. However, solid oxide cells (SOCs) based on conventional oxygen‐ion conductors are limited by several issues, such as high operating temperature, the difficulty of hydrogen purification from water, and inferior stability. To avoid these problems, proton‐conducting oxides are proposed as electrolytes for SOCs in electrolysis and fuel cell modes. Since water vapor partial pressure (pH2O) is one of the main parameters determining the proton concentration in proton‐conducting oxides (characteristics of which can be either improved or deteriorated), the pH2O control is extremely important for the optimization of the devices' performance and stability. This review provides an overview of the research progresses made for proton‐conducting SOCs, especially for the impact of gas humidification on the operability and performance. Fundamental understanding of the main processes in proton‐conducting SOCs and design principles for the key components are summarized and discussed. The trends, challenges, and future directions that exist in this dynamic field are also pointed out. This review will inspire interest from various disciplines and provide some useful guidelines for future development of proton‐conductor‐based energy storage and conversion systems.
Biochemical Gradients to Generate 3D Heterotypic‐Like Tissues with Isotropic and Anisotropic Architectures
Authors: Canadas Raphaël F. , Ren Tanchen , Marques Alexandra P. , Oliveira Joaquim M. , Reis Rui L. , Demirci Utkan 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAnisotropic 3D tissue interfaces with functional gradients found in nature are replicated in vitro for drug development and tissue engineering. Even though different fabrication techniques, based on material science engineering and microfluidics, are used to generate such microenvironments, mimicking the native tissue gradient is still a challenge. Here, the fabrication of 3D structures are described with linear/random porosity and gradient distribution of hydroxyapatite microparticles which are combined with a gradient of growth factors generated by a dual chamber for the development of heterotypic‐like tissues. The hydroxyapatite gradient is formed by applying a thermal ramp from the first to the second gel layer, and the porous architecture is controlled through ice templating. A 3D osteochondral (OC) tissue model is developed by codifferentiating fat pad adipose‐derived stem cells. Osteogenic and chondrogenic markers expression is spatially controlled, as it occurs in the native osteochondral unit. Additionally, a prevasculature is spatially induced by the perfusion of proangiogenic medium in the bone‐like region, as observed in the native subchondral bone. Thus, in this study, precise spatial control is developed over cell/tissue phenotype and formation of prevasculature which opens up possibilities for the study of complex tissues interfaces, with broader applications in drug testing and regenerative medicine.
Super Charge Separation and High Voltage Phase in NaxMnO2
Authors: Chen Xi , Wang Yichao , Wiaderek Kamila , Sang Xiahan , Borkiewicz Olaf , Chapman Karena , LeBeau James , Lynn Jeffrey , Li Xin 
Published: October 2018

AbstractNaxMnO2 shows Mn3+ and Mn4+ charge separation with the charge stripe ordering upon Na deintercalation at x = 5/8. In this paper it is shown that, surprisingly, at lower Na compositions of 5/8 > x ≥ 1/18 the phase evolution pathway of NaxMnO2 upon Na deintercalation shows a unique phenomenon of super charge separation, where the Mn3+ and Mn4+ ions fully charge‐separate into charge superplanes formed by succession of charge stripes in the third dimension. The Mn3+ superplanes attract Na ions electronically, and dominate the antiferromagnetic interactions in NaMnO2. Na ions in Mn3+ superplanes also naturally pillar the MnO2 layers to form the unusual O1 phases with large interlayer distances at x < 1/3, which dominates the unique electrochemical behavior of NaMnO2.
Energy Storage in Metallic Glasses via Flash Annealing
Authors: Küchemann Stefan , Derlet Peter M. , Liu Chaoyang , Rosenthal Daniel , Sparks Gregory , Larson William S. , Maaß Robert 
Published: October 2018

AbstractWhen the temperature rises in a kinetically frozen and out‐of‐equilibrium system, such as a structural glass, thermal activation usually drives a relaxation to a lower enthalpy state. This is the essence of the ubiquitous thermal ageing of glassy materials below the glass transition temperature. Here, it is shown that an ultrafast temperature rise without subsequent quenching can elevate the system to a higher enthalpy state, thereby erasing the relaxation history. The key of this temperature‐driven rejuvenation is a fast‐heating rate (flash annealing) that brings the glass into a temperature regime above the glass transition within less than a millisecond. Here, the structure is entropically driven towards the liquid state, lowering its free energy, but raising its enthalpy. Subsequent cooling freezes the increased enthalpy before the liquid state is reached, thereby leading to a global energy storage. This ultrafast rejuvenation process is demonstrated for a Zr‐based metallic glass, combining calorimetry, fast in‐situ X‐ray diffraction, and atomistic simulations, showing a tenfold increase in stored enthalpy via flash annealing.
A Microfluidic‐Based Model for Spatially Constrained Culture of Intestinal Microbiota
Authors: Pajoumshariati Seyed Ramin , Azizi Morteza , Zhang Shiying , Dogan Belgin , Simpson Kenneth W. , Abbaspourrad Alireza 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPerturbation of the microbiome is implicated in the pathogenesis of many human ailments, including inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease (CD). Recapitulating the microbiome associated with health and disease necessitates controlling the composition of multiple bacterial species. This is difficult to achieve in vitro due to the overgrowth of bacterial species over time. Here, a microfluidic‐based model incorporating bacteria‐embedded hydrogel microfibers for the coculture of human enteric bacteria is introduced. Employing bacterial species and strains associated with CD, it is shown that the hydrogel‐based bacteria‐embedded microfiber model is physically and mechanically robust, and tunable. Metabolite analysis of the medium in both mono‐ and coculture revealed the interfiber exchange of soluble mediators and their impact on the growth of different bacterial species. This novel approach should enhance the ability to decipher contact‐independent cross‐talk within the polymicrobial intestinal luminal environment, and its impact on the intestinal epithelium.
Large‐Area, Semitransparent, and Flexible All‐Polymer Photodetectors
Authors: Xu Xiaofeng , Zhou Xiaobo , Zhou Ke , Xia Yuxin , Ma Wei , Inganäs Olle 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPhotodetectors, converting optical signals from specific wavelengths to electrical signals, have many applications on photoimaging, optical communication, and environmental monitoring. Solution‐processed organic photodetectors (OPDs) based on organic materials emerge promise especially for wearable electronics and smart buildings. In this work, new all‐polymer photodetectors (all‐PPDs) are developed based on bulk‐heterojunction active layers which incorporate a donor polymer and an acceptor polymer. The inverted all‐PPDs exhibit outstanding external quantum efficiency over 70%, low dark current density (J
d) of 1.1 × 10−8 A cm−2, and high detectivity (D*) over 3.0 × 1012 Jones with planar response over the entire visible range. It is one of the best‐performing all‐PPDs reported so far and is also comparable with many organic and inorganic photodetectors. By using lamination technique, large‐area, semitransparent, flexible, and “fully” polymeric photodetectors are successfully fabricated for the first time, with D* over 1011 Jones for double‐side light detection. The results highlight the great potential for producing high‐performance all‐PPDs by taking advantages of various device architecture and solution‐processing techniques.
An Unusual Red Carbon Nitride to Boost the Photoelectrochemical Performance of Wide Bandgap Photoanodes
Authors: Yang Yilong , Wang Songcan , Jiao Yalong , Wang Zhiliang , Xiao Mu , Du Aijun , Li Yongli , Wang Jinshu , Wang Lianzhou 
Published: October 2018

AbstractTuning the bandgap of a semiconductor to achieve strong band‐to‐band visible light absorption is highly desirable but challenging for photocatalysis. This work presents a facile molten‐salt‐assisted route to prepare red‐colored polymerized carbon nitride (RPCN) nanosheets with a remarkable redshifted absorption and narrowed bandgap of 1.9 eV. Both experimental findings and theoretical calculations reveal that alkali heteroatoms are effective to tune the surface and electronic structures of carbon nitride, resulting in significantly reduced bandgap and excellent solubility. The RPCN‐sensitized TiO2 nanorod‐based photoanode generates an impressive photocurrent density of ≈2.33 mA cm−1 at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode under Air Mass 1.5 G illumination without any cocatalyst, which is 2.6 folds higher than that of the bare TiO2 photoanode. The new findings in this work could inspire the electronic structure engineering of semiconductor photocatalysts to greatly enhance the visible light absorption and provide a generic strategy to enhance the photoelectrochemical performance of wide‐bandgap semiconductor photoelectrodes.
The Role of Dielectric Screening in Organic Shortwave Infrared Photodiodes for Spectroscopic Image Sensing
Authors: Wu Zhenghui , Zhai Yichen , Yao Weichuan , Eedugurala Naresh , Zhang Song , Huang Lifeng , Gu Xiaodan , Azoulay Jason D. , Ng Tse Nga 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis work examines an additive approach that increases dielectric screening to overcome performance challenges in organic shortwave infrared (SWIR) photodiodes. The role of the high‐permittivity additive, camphoric anhydride, in the exciton dissociation and charge collection processes is revealed through measurements of transient photoconductivity and electrochemical impedance. Dielectric screening reduces the exciton binding energy to increase exciton dissociation efficiency and lowers trap‐assisted recombination loss, in the absence of any morphological changes for two polymer variants. In the best devices, the peak internal quantum efficiency at 1100 nm is increased up to 66%, and the photoresponse extends to 1400 nm. The SWIR photodiodes are integrated into a 4 × 4 pixel imager to demonstrate tissue differentiation and estimate the fat‐to‐muscle ratio through noninvasive spectroscopic analysis.