bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical factors related to morbidity and mortality in high‐risk heart failure patients: the GUIDE‐IT predictive model and risk score
Authors: O'Connor Christopher , Fiuzat Mona , Mulder Hillary , Coles Adrian , Ahmad Tariq , Ezekowitz Justin A. , Adams Kirkwood F. , Piña Ileana L. , Anstrom Kevin J. , Cooper Lawton S. , Mark Daniel B. , Whellan David J. , Januzzi James L. , Leifer Eric S. , Felker G. Michael 
Published: March 2019

BackgroundMost heart failure (HF) risk scores have been derived from cohorts of stable HF patients and may not incorporate up to date treatment regimens or deep phenotype characterization that change baseline risk over the short‐ and long‐term follow‐up period. We undertook the current analysis of participants in the GUIDE‐IT (Guiding Evidence‐Based Therapy Using Biomarker Intensified Treatment) trial to address these limitations.Methods and resultsThe GUIDE‐IT study randomized 894 high‐risk patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (≤ 40%) to biomarker‐guided treatment strategy vs. usual care. We performed risk modelling using Cox proportional hazards models and analysed the relationship between 35 baseline clinical factors and the primary composite endpoint of cardiovascular (CV) death or HF hospitalization, the secondary endpoint of all‐cause mortality, and the exploratory endpoint of 90‐day HF hospitalization or death. Prognostic relationships for continuous variables were examined and key predictors were identified using a backward variable selection process. Predictive models and risk scores were developed. Over a median follow‐up of 15 months, the cumulative number of HF hospitalizations and CV deaths was 328 out of 894 patients (Kaplan–Meier event rate 34.5% at 12 months). Frequency of all‐cause deaths was 143 out of 894 patients (Kaplan–Meier event rate 12.2% at 12 months). Outcomes for the primary and secondary endpoints between strategy arms of the study were similar. The most important predictor that was present in all three models was the baseline natriuretic peptide level. Hispanic ethnicity, low sodium and high heart rate were present in two of the three models. Other important predictors included the presence or absence of a device, New York Heart Association class, HF duration, black race, co‐morbidities (sleep apnoea, elevated creatinine, ischaemic heart disease), low blood pressure, and a high congestion score.ConclusionRisk models using readily available clinical information are able to accurately predict short‐ and long‐term CV events and may be useful in optimizing care and enriching patients for clinical trials.Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID number NCT01685840.
Ultrasound Technology Parameters: Effects on Phenolics in Olive Paste and Oil in Relation to Enzymatic Activity
Authors: Yahyaoui Amira , Rigane Ghayth , Mnif Sami , Salem Ridha Ben , Acar Ayşenur , Arslan Derya 
Published: March 2019

In this paper, the occurrence of secoiridoid aglycones via degradation of phenolic glucosides which have strong effects on commercial, nutritional, and sensory properties of olive oil is studied. The experiment consists in the sonication treatment of Chemlali and Memecik cvs. olive paste three times for 4, 8, and 10 min. This kind of approach has never been used in determining the partition and degradation of phenolics during extraction. Concerning phenolic content present in Chemlali olive oil extracted from whole olives, no significant differences are found after 10 min of treatment using ultrasound apparatus, whereas a rise of more than 60% is detected if olive paste without stones is used. On the other hand, the total phenolic content of Memecik cv. increases positively with the increasing time of treatment. Throughout this report, it is noted that enzymatic activities are affected by ultrasound treatment.Practical Applications: The results of this study will be useful in modification of present processes or development of new processes with the aim of protecting and improving the phenolic composition of olive oil. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this kind of systematic approach has never been used in determining the partition and degradation of phenolics during extraction. It is believed that describing the effects of high‐power ultrasound applications on olive paste before malaxation will exhibit possible benefits for the future of olive processing technology. The optimization of olive oil extraction parameters with proper adjustments in such a way that the quality of the product is highly increased is an important issue.The effect of ultrasound technology parameters is investigated from the point of phenolic compounds by searching their relation to enzymes in Chemlali and Memecik cvs. olive paste. In addition, the effects of stone removal during extraction are also studied in terms of enzymes in Chemlali and Memecik cvs. olive paste and phenols in olive oil.
Physicochemical Characterization of Crocus serotinus Stigmas Indicates Their Potential as a Source of the Bioactive Apocarotenoid Crocetin
Authors: Ordoudi Stella A. , Pástor‐Férriz Maria Teresa , Kyriakoudi Anastasia , Molina Rosa Victoria , De‐Los‐Mozos‐Pascual Marcelino , Tsimidou Maria Z. 
Published: March 2019

Alternative plant sources to the dried flower stigmas of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) are desirable for the recovery and industrial production of the potentially bioactive apocarotenoid crocetin (CRT). In the present study, the phytochemical profile of the orange‐red stigmas from several wild and cultivated accessions of Crocus serotinus Salisb, a Spanish autumn flowering Crocus plant, is characterized by chromatographic and spectroscopic fingerprinting methods. Saffron but also dried stigmas from two of its closest allies (C. cartwrightianus Herb. and C. thomasii Ten) are used for comparison. Among the studied accessions the cultivated ones present higher coloring strength values, up to fivefold lower than the minimum value of the corresponding ISO 3632 trade specification for saffron. Their polar extracts contain crocetin sugar esters (≈30 mg g−1 dw) with a different pattern than that prevailing in saffron or its closest allies but also simple phenolic and flavonoid constituents. The Fourier Transform Mid‐Infrared (FT‐MIR) spectra of C. serotinus flower stigmas are also assessed and CRT‐related diagnostic bands of potential use in the quality control of the plant material are identified. The results indicate that if successfully breeded, the C. serotinus plant may serve as an alternative source of CRT for food, pharmaceutical, and other applications.Practical Applications: The results of the study show that the red flower stigmas of the fertile C. serotinus plant that is natively grown in the Iberian Peninsula but also cultivated for gardening purposes may be an alternative source of the bioactive compound crocetin. Thus, apart from its morphological and physiological traits that are of interest for plant breeders, the particular natural product may have an added‐value that deserves further exploitation.The physicochemical characterization of stigmas from the non‐sterile Crocus serotinus plant indicates their potential as alternative sources of the bioactive crocetin, a lipophilic apocarotenoid that is primarily obtained from the secondary metabolites of C. sativus plant stigmas, known as saffron.
Development of a novel multiplex polymerase chain reaction system for forensic individual identification using insertion/deletion polymorphisms
Authors: Jin Xiao‐Ye , Wei Yuan‐Yuan , Cui Wei , Chen Chong , Guo Yu‐Xin , Zhang Wen‐Qing , Zhu Bo‐Feng 
Published: March 2019

AbstractInsertion/deletion (InDel) polymorphisms have been widely used in the fields of population genetics, genetic map constructions, and forensic investigations owing to the advantages of their low mutation rates, widespread distributions in the human genome, and small amplicon sizes. In order to provide more InDels with high discrimination power in Chinese populations, we selected and constructed one novel multiplex PCR‐InDel panel for forensic individual identification. Genetic distributions of these 35 InDels in five reference populations from East Asia showed low genetic differentiations among these populations. Forensic efficiency evaluations of these InDels revealed that these loci could perform well for forensic individual identifications in these reference populations. In the meantime, genetic diversities and forensic parameters of these InDels were further investigated in the studied Kazak group. Mean value of polymorphism information content for 35 InDels was 0.3611. Cumulative power of discrimination of 35 InDels was 0.99999999999999603 in Kazak group. Given these results, the panel is suitable for individual identifications in the studied Kazak and these reference populations.
Elliptical lithium‐ion batteries: Transverse and axial loadings under wet/dry conditions
Authors: Kermani Golriz , Dixon Brandy , Sahraei Elham 
Published: March 2019

AbstractUse of lithium‐ion batteries in mobile applications requires understanding of their response in the case of an impact and mechanical damage. Several studies have investigated the properties of pouch and cylindrical cells. However, the mechanical response of the third common form factor of batteries, namely prismatic cells, has not been fully studied. In this paper, extensive experiments were used to investigate the material properties of small commercial prismatic cells with round corners, in transverse and axial directions. Also, the effects of liquid electrolyte on deformation and failure patterns of cells were studied. Results showed that in quasi‐static tests, the wet and dry cells exhibited similar response in terms of load displacement curves. However, the wet cells showed lower failure points and different fracture patterns. Additionally, the type of separator used in the cells affected the peak load. An analytical approach was proposed to extract material properties from full cell crush testing. Then, finite element models were developed and calibrated using the extracted parameters. The models successfully predicted the load‐displacement response of the cells and the onset of short circuit. Additionally, it was shown that consideration of anisotropic material response has a significant effect on proper prediction of axial loading behavior.
Promoting health through housing improvements, education and advocacy: Lessons from staff involved in Wellington's Healthy Housing Initiative
Authors: Chisholm Elinor , Pierse Nevil , Davies Cheryl , Howden‐Chapman Philippa 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIssue addressedImproving the conditions of housing through programs that trigger when children are hospitalised has the potential to prevent further ill‐health and re‐hospitalisations. Exploring the attitudes and beliefs of staff involved in such a program assists in understanding the advantages and challenges of this approach.MethodsWe interviewed 21 people involved in a regional initiative to improve the health outcomes of children through referral to a housing program. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were subsequently subjected to qualitative thematic analysis.ResultsParticipants identified a number of factors that were key to the success of the program, such as: visiting the home, having health and energy organisations work together, and an integrated approach that includes interventions as well as education and advocacy. Key challenges to the program's aim of improving health outcomes for children were landlords’ reluctance to implement improvements, homeowners’ inability to afford improvements, limitations to staff resources, and client stress and income constraints, which meant that some interventions did not necessarily lead to housing improvements.ConclusionsEfforts to improve health outcomes through housing interventions should be supported by funding and regulatory initiatives that encourage property owners to implement recommended interventions.So what?This program represents an encouraging step towards health promotion through housing interventions and education. However, the initiative cannot fully counter structural challenges such as poor quality housing, and lack of housing and energy affordability. This study highlights the potential for a holistic approach to health promotion in housing, which integrates health initiatives with advocacy for regulatory support.
Noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging stratifies injury severity in a rodent model of male juvenile traumatic brain injury
Authors: Badaut Jerome , Adami Arash , Huang Lei , Obenaus André 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAge and severity are significant predictors of traumatic brain injury (TBI) outcomes in the immature brain. TBI studies have segregated TBI injury into three severity groups: mild, moderate, and severe. While mild TBI is most frequent form in children and adults, there is debate over the indicators used to denote mild injury. Clinically, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) are used to diagnose the TBI severity when medically warranted. Herein, we induced mild, moderate, and severe TBI in juvenile rats (jTBI) using the controlled cortical impact model. We characterized the temporal and spatial injury after graded jTBI in vivo using high‐field MRI at 0.25 (6 hr), 1 and 3 days post‐injury (dpi) with comparative histology. Susceptibility‐weighted imaging (SWI) for blood and T2‐weighted imaging (T2WI) for edema were quantified over the 0.25–3 dpi. Edema volumes increased linearly with severity at 0.25 dpi that slowly continued to decrease over the 3 dpi. In contrast, blood volumes did not decrease over time. Mild TBI had the least amount of blood visible on SWI. Fluoro‐jade B (FJB) staining for cell death confirmed increased cellular death with increasing severity and increased FJB + cells in the corpus callosum (CC). Interestingly, the strongest correlation was observed for cell death and the presence of extravascular blood. A clear understanding of acute brain injury (jTBI) and how blood/edema contribute to mild, moderate, and severe jTBI is needed prior to embarking on therapeutic interventions. Noninvasive imaging should be used in mild jTBI to verify lack of overt injury.
Stretchable, flexible, and adherable polarization volume grating film for waveguide‐based augmented reality displays
Authors: Yin Kun , Lee Yun‐Han , He Ziqian , Wu Shin‐Tson 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe report a stretchable, flexible, and adherable polarization volume grating (PVG) film and propose a compact optical system for augmented reality displays based on it. The Bragg reflection band shift, deflection angle change, and the mechanical robustness under stretch‐release cycles of the PVG film are also investigated.
Evaluation of Ovarian Vascularity in Children by Using the “Superb Microvascular Imaging” Ultrasound Technique in Comparison With Conventional Doppler Ultrasound Techniques
Authors: Ayaz Ercan , Aslan Ahmet , İnan İbrahim , Yıkılmaz Ali 
Published: March 2019

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of the novel “superb microvascular imaging” (SMI) Doppler ultrasound technique to detect ovarian vascularity in healthy children and to compare it with the conventional Doppler ultrasound techniques.MethodsThis prospective study included 140 girls, aged 3 to 18 years, for which an abdominal ultrasound study was requested in the pediatrics outpatient clinics for suspicion of nonovarian pathologies. Nineteen individuals were excluded from the study due to incomplete ultrasound scanning. For the remaining 121 cases, gray scale ultrasound evaluation was performed followed by color Doppler imaging, power Doppler imaging, advanced dynamic flow, color SMI, and monochrome SMI to detect the presence and degree of vascularity in the ovaries. Ultrasound scanning was performed for all participants by the same doctor by using curvilinear probe via the suprapubic approach, and the images were independently evaluated by 3 different observers. The images were assessed with regard to the degree of vascularity and the presence of artifacts.ResultsA total of 146 ovaries (42 right, 54 left, and 25 bilateral) were examined by sonography. The mean interrater agreement regarding the detection of vascularity was moderate for the color Doppler imaging, power Doppler imaging, advanced dynamic flow, and monochrome SMI techniques (κ = 0.514–0.551) and substantial for the color SMI technique (κ = 0.636) (P < .001). The techniques were found to be statistically significant for detecting vascularity: monochrome SMI > color SMI > power Doppler imaging > color Doppler imaging > advanced dynamic flow (P < .001).ConclusionSMI is a promising tool that can detect ovarian vascularity more effectively than the conventional Doppler ultrasound techniques.
Usefulness of Strain Elastography, ARFI Imaging, and Point Shear Wave Elastography for the Assessment of Crohn Disease Strictures
Authors: Ding Shi‐si , Fang Yan , Wan Jing , Zhao Chong‐Ke , Xiang Li‐Hua , Liu Hui , Pu Huan , Xu Guang , Zhang Kun , Xu Xiao‐Rong , Sun Xiao‐Min , Liu Chang , Wu Rong 
Published: March 2019

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of strain elastography, acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging and point shear wave elastography (p‐SWE) for assessment of the predominant types of intestinal stenosis in Crohn disease.MethodsTwenty‐five patients were enrolled in this study, among whom 25 suspicious stenoses in 25 intestinal segments were studied using gray scale ultrasonography. All 3 elastography methods were performed, and all patients underwent endoscopy within 24 hours with pathologic biopsy. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), Youden index, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) were calculated. Pathologic findings were regarded as the gold standard.ResultsFor SE, the optimal cutoff value was a score of 4 or greater (sensitivity, 75%; specificity, 66.7%; accuracy, 68%; PPV, 30%; NPV, 93.3%; AUROC, 0.708; however, P > .05). The results of ARFI imaging were similar: the optimal cutoff value was a score of 4 or greater (sensitivity, 50%; specificity, 81%; accuracy, 76%; PPV, 33.3%; NPV, 89.4%; AUROC, 0.669; P < .05). However, for p‐SWE, the optimal cutoff value was reached when the shear wave velocity exceeded 2.73 m/s (sensitivity, 75%; specificity, 100%; accuracy, 96%; PPV, 100%; NPV, 95.5%; AUROC, 0.833; P < .05).Conclusionsp‐SWE had the best performance for evaluating and differentiating intestinal stenosis in Crohn disease, while neither SE nor ARFI imaging achieved satisfactory outcomes for evaluating inflammatory stenosis and fibrotic stenosis of Crohn disease.
Investigation of the Rheological Behaviors of Polymeric Materials in the Film Casting Process through Multiscale Modeling and Simulation Method
Authors: Mu Yue , Li Na , Hang Lianqiang , Zhao Guoqun , Gao Jiacheng , Niu Zhiyuan 
Published: March 2019

AbstractPolymeric materials show the features of different lengths and time scales. In order to achieve optimized applications in practical forming process, it is of significance to understand the evolution of integrated structure–property relationship. In the study, the rheological behaviors of polymeric materials in film casting process are investigated by means of a multiscale modeling and simulation method based on the coarse‐grained molecular dynamic (CGMD) method, the primitive path analysis, and the finite element method. The macroscopic properties of the polymeric system are predicted from the microstructure by using a bottom‐up method. Based on the entanglement network of macromolecular chains predicted with CGMD simulation, the primitive path analysis method is adopted to evaluate main conformational parameters according to the tube theory, which realizes a bridge from nano to micro scale. The viscoelastic properties of polymeric materials are characterized by using a continuum Phan‐Thien–Tanner (PTT) constitutive model, whose rheological parameters are obtained by fitting the distributions of material functions predicted from the tube model. The mathematical model of film casting process is further established based on a membrane model and the corresponding finite element model and details of numerical schemes are introduced. The characteristics of macroscopic rheological behaviors of polymeric melts can hence be investigated from the evolution of microscopic structure, and the phenomena in practical film casting process like the neck‐in and the edge bead defects in engineering are successfully predicted.
Morphometric MRI profiles of multiple system atrophy variants and implications for differential diagnosis
Authors: Krismer Florian , Seppi Klaus , Göbel Georg , Steiger Ruth , Zucal Isabel , Boesch Sylvia , Gizewski Elke R. , Wenning Gregor K. , Poewe Werner , Scherfler Christoph 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundManual width measurements of the middle cerebellar peduncle on MRI were shown to improve the accuracy of an imaging‐guided diagnosis of multiple system atrophy (MSA). Recently, automated volume segmentation algorithms were able to reliably differentiate patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and the parkinsonian variant of MSA. The objective of the current study was to integrate probabilistic information of the middle cerebellar peduncle into an existing MRI atlas for automated subcortical segmentation and to evaluate the diagnostic properties of the novel atlas for the differential diagnosis of MSA (parkinsonian and cerebellar variant) versus PD.MethodsThree Tesla MRI scans of 48 healthy individuals were used to establish an automated whole‐brain segmentation procedure that includes the volumes of the putamen, cerebellar gray and white matter, and the middle cerebellar peduncles. Classification accuracy of segmented volumes were tested in early‐stage MSA patients (18 MSA‐parkinsonism, 13 MSA‐cerebellar) and 19 PD patients using a C4.5 classifier.ResultsPutaminal and infratentorial atrophy were present in 77.8% and 61.1% of MSA‐parkinsonian patients, respectively. Four of 18 MSA‐parkinsonian patients (22.2%) had infratentorial atrophy without evidence of putaminal atrophy. Infratentorial atrophy was present in all MSA‐cerebellar patients, with concomitant putaminal atrophy in 46.2% of these cases. The diagnostic algorithm using putaminal and infratentorial volumetric information correctly classified all PD patients and 96.8% of MSA patients.ConclusionsThe middle cerebellar peduncle was successfully integrated into a subcortical segmentation atlas, and its excellent diagnostic accuracy outperformed existing volumetric MRI processing strategies in differentiating MSA patients with variable atrophy patterns from PD patients. © 2019 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Tuning the Photophysical and Excited State Properties of Phosphorescent Iridium(III) Complexes by Polycyclic Unit Substitution
Authors: Wu Cuicui , Li Qiuxia , Zhang Xinghua , Shi Chao , Li Gang , Wang Mingjie , Li Kang , Yuan Aihua 
Published: March 2019

AbstractTwo novel N‐embedded polycyclic units functionalized phosphorescent iridium(III) complexes (Ir‐1 and Ir‐2) with substituents in different positions have been prepared. Complex Ir‐1 bearing the substituent at the 3‐position shows a distinct blue shift single‐peak emission (524 nm) with a higher luminescence efficiency (ΦPL=42 %) and shorter emission lifetime (τ=282 ns) by comparison with 4‐position substitution based complex Ir‐2 (ΦPL=23 %, τ=562 ns), which exhibits a dual‐peak emission (564 nm and 602 nm), and phosphorescence color can be tuned from green to yellow. In addition, DFT calculations demonstrate that unusual ligand‐to‐metal charge transfer (3LMCT) excited state property can be found in Ir‐2, which is in contrast to metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (3MLCT) excited state character in Ir‐1. This result can be attribute to strong electron‐donating character and 4‐position substitution effect of the unit.