bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prospective implementation of a standardized screening protocol for deep venous thrombosis in abdominal surgical oncology patients
Authors: Sinnamon Andrew J. , Tong Jason K. C. , Bailey Elizabeth A. , Brown Caitlin , Colbert Latesha , Murray Shannon , Jackson Benjamin M. , Roses Robert E. 
Published: August 2018

Background and ObjectivesVenous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a major cause of perioperative morbidity and mortality despite implementation of prophylaxis guidelines. We sought to identify risk factors for occult deep venous thrombosis (DVT) following abdominal surgery for cancer and measure the clinical impact of a prospectively implemented standardized postoperative DVT screening protocol.MethodsPatients undergoing abdominal surgery for malignant indication were screened with early postoperative lower extremity duplex to identify DVT. Clinical and pathologic factors associated with DVT were identified.ResultsAmong 255 patients meeting study criteria, 25 (9.8%) had occult lower extremity DVT on routine postoperative screening. Prior history of VTE and lower preoperative hemoglobin were independently associated with DVT (OR, 9.05; P = 0.004; and OR, 1.27; P = 0.025, respectively). Preoperative chemotherapy within 1 year and thrombocytopenia were associated with DVT in univariate analyses only. Five patients developed postoperative pulmonary emboli (2.0%); three following negative duplex and two following positive duplex for distal DVT for which the patients were not therapeutically anticoagulated due to a contraindication. There were no pulmonary emboli in duplex‐positive patients who were anticoagulated or who had vena cava filter placed.ConclusionDespite prophylaxis, the prevalence of occult DVT in abdominal oncologic surgery patients is considerable. Postoperative screening duplex can identify these events to guide management.
Robotic (super) microsurgery: Feasibility of a new master‐slave platform in an in vivo animal model and future directions
Authors: van Mulken Tom J. M. , Schols Rutger M. , Qiu Shan S. , Brouwers Kaj , Hoekstra Lisette T. , Booi Darren I. , Cau Raimondo , Schoenmakers Ferry , Scharmga Andrea M. J. , van der Hulst Rene R. W. J. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAdvanced microsurgical procedures are currently limited by human precision and manual dexterity. The potential of robotics in microsurgery is highlighted, including a general overview of applications of robotic assistance in microsurgery and its introduction in different surgical specialties. A new robotic platform especially designed for (super) microsurgery is presented. Results of an in vivo animal study underline its feasibility and encourage further development toward clinical studies. Future directions of robotic microsurgery are proposed.
Modeling golden eagle‐vehicle collisions to design mitigation strategies
Authors: Lonsdorf Eric , Sanders‐Reed Carol A. , Boal Clint , Allison Taber D. 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTThe incidental take of golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) as a result of wind energy development requires some form of compensatory mitigation. Although several options have been proposed, only one has been formerly accepted and implemented, and the lack of options can limit the permit process for wind facilities. We developed a model to estimate numbers of golden eagles that die when struck by vehicles when eagles scavenge road kill to evaluate removal of road‐killed carcasses as an additional mitigation option. Our model estimates vehicle collision rates as a function of eagle densities, road traffic volume, and animal carcass abundance at the scale of a Wyoming, USA, county during fall‐winter, and quantifies the effects of different mitigation strategies, including estimates of uncertainty. We evaluated the plausibility of our model estimates by predicting mortality rates for each county in Wyoming and comparing overall state mortality to current estimates of mortality using derived estimates from expert judgment. We also developed a context‐dependent analysis of potential mitigation credits controlling for carcass number, traffic volume, and background carcass removals. We found that mitigation credit should be highest in areas with greatest number of carcasses. Collision mitigation is a potentially useful addition to the mitigation toolbox for wind energy development or other activities that need to offset predicted golden eagle mortality and satisfy incidental take permit requirements. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Wildlife Management Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessing the severe eutrophication status and spatial trend in the coastal waters of Zhejiang province (China)
Authors: Jiang Q. , He J. , Wu J. , Hu X. , Ye G. , Christakos G. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe eutrophication of the coastal waters of Zhejiang Province has become one of the main contamination threats to the region's coastal marine ecosystems. Accordingly, the comprehensive characterization of the eutrophication status in terms of improved quantitative methods is valuable for local risk assessment and policy making. A novelty of this work is that the spatial distributions of chemical oxygen demand, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, and dissolved inorganic phosphorus were estimated across space by the Bayesian maximum entropy (BME) method. The BME estimates were found to have the best cross‐validation performance compared to ordinary kriging and inverse distance weighted techniques. Based on the BME maps, it was found that about 25.95%, 19.18%, 20.53%, and 34.34% of these coastal waters were oligotrophic, mesotrophic, eutrophic, and hypereutrophic. Another novelty of the present work is that comprehensive stochastic site indicators (SSI) were introduced in the quantitative characterization of the eutrophication risk in the Zhejiang coastal waters under conditions of in situ uncertainty. The results showed that the level of the eutrophication index (EI) increased almost linearly with increasing threshold values; and that 71%, 51%, and 19% of coastal locations separated by various spatial lags experience considerable mesotrophic, eutrophic, and hypereutrophic risks, respectively. The average EI values over the subregions of the Zhejiang coastal waters graded as “oligotrophic or higher,” “eutrophic or higher,” and “hypereutrophic” were about 11.14, 14.28, and 25.34, respectively. Our results also revealed that the joint eutrophication strength between coastal locations in the Zhejiang region was consistently greater than the combined strength of independent eutrophications at these locations (we termed this situation “positive quadrant eutrophication dependency”). It was found that a critical eutrophication threshold ζcr ≈ 8.38 exists so that below ζcr the spatial eutrophication dependency in the Zhejiang coastal waters increases with ζ, whereas above ζcr the opposite is true. Moreover, the eutrophication dependency decreases as the separation distance δs increases. Interestingly, at distances δs smaller than a critical distance δscr ≈ 15  km, the eutrophication locations are concentrated in the coastal waters of the Zhejiang province rather than being dispersed (this observation holds even for large thresholds ζ). Elasticity analysis of eutrophication indicators offered a quantitative measure of the excess eutrophication change in the Zhejiang coastal waters caused by a threshold change (the larger the elasticity is, the more sensitive eutrophication is to threshold changes). The above findings can contribute to an improved understanding of seawater quality and provide a practical approach for the identification of critical coastal water regions.
Influences of experimental parameters on chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) metrics of brain tumors using animal models at 4.7T
Authors: Heo Hye‐Young , Zhang Yi , Jiang Shanshan , Zhou Jinyuan 
Published: August 2018

PurposeTo investigate the dependence of magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry at 3.5 ppm (MTRasym(3.5 ppm)), quantitative amide proton transfer (APT#), and nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE#) signals or contrasts on experimental imaging parameters.MethodsModified Bloch equation‐based simulations using 2‐pool and 5‐pool exchange models and in vivo rat brain tumor experiments at 4.7T were performed with varied RF saturation power levels, saturation lengths, and relaxation delays. The MTRasym(3.5 ppm), APT#, and NOE# contrasts between tumor and normal tissues were compared among different experimental parameters.ResultsThe MTRasym(3.5 ppm) image contrasts between tumor and normal tissues initially increased with the RF saturation length, and the maxima occurred at 1.6−2 s under relatively high RF saturation powers (>2.1 μT) and at a longer saturation length under relatively low RF saturation powers (<1.3 μT). The APT# contrasts also increased with the RF saturation length but peaked at longer RF saturation lengths relative to MTRasym(3.5 ppm). The NOE# contrasts were either positive or negative, depending on the experimental parameters applied.ConclusionTumor MTRasym(3.5 ppm), APT#, and NOE# contrasts can be maximized at different saturation parameters. The maximum MTRasym(3.5 ppm) contrast can be obtained with a relatively longer RF saturation length (several seconds) at a relatively lower RF saturation power.
Vangl2, a planar cell polarity molecule, is implicated in irreversible and reversible kidney glomerular injury
Authors: Papakrivopoulou Eugenia , Vasilopoulou Elisavet , Lindenmeyer Maja T , Pacheco Sabrina , Brzóska Hortensja Ł , Price Karen L , Kolatsi‐Joannou Maria , White Kathryn E , Henderson Deborah J , Dean Charlotte H , Cohen Clemens D , Salama Alan D , Woolf Adrian S , Long David A 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPlanar cell polarity (PCP) pathways control the orientation and alignment of epithelial cells within tissues. Van Gogh‐like 2 (Vangl2) is a key PCP protein that is required for the normal differentiation of kidney glomeruli and tubules. Vangl2 has also been implicated in modifying the course of acquired glomerular disease, and here, we further explored how Vangl2 impacts on glomerular pathobiology in this context. Targeted genetic deletion of Vangl2 in mouse glomerular epithelial podocytes enhanced the severity of not only irreversible accelerated nephrotoxic nephritis but also lipopolysaccharide‐induced reversible glomerular damage. In each proteinuric model, genetic deletion of Vangl2 in podocytes was associated with an increased ratio of active‐MMP9 to inactive MMP9, an enzyme involved in tissue remodelling. In addition, by interrogating microarray data from two cohorts of renal patients, we report increased VANGL2 transcript levels in the glomeruli of individuals with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, suggesting that the molecule may also be involved in certain human glomerular diseases. These observations support the conclusion that Vangl2 modulates glomerular injury, at least in part by acting as a brake on MMP9, a potentially harmful endogenous enzyme. © 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Quantitative Characterization of Mixing in Multicomponent Nanoparticle Aggregates
Authors: Baric Valentin , Grossmann Henrike Katharina , Koch Wolfgang , Mädler Lutz 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe application of nanosized multicomponent particles often requires tailored mixing characteristics. This involves mixing on primary particle level, on cluster level, or on aggregate level. This mixing is often evaluated qualitatively in 2D, based on image analyses. This work presents an approach to utilize the cluster size in combination with the heterogeneous coordination number as a quantitative measure for the mixing of clusters of more than three primary particles within nanosized aggregates in 3D. Therefore, nanoparticle aggregates formed by differently sized clusters are simulated and evaluated with respect to cluster size and coordination number. Subsequently, a method is introduced to generate 2D projections and mimic image analysis based on transmission electron microscopy images from flame‐made nanoparticles. This also includes the evaluation of the necessary visible area for each particle to be identified in the 2D image analysis. This leads to a correlation of the 2D projections and 3D simulations including a calibration to experimental data and enables the determination of a 3D heterogeneous coordination number and cluster size from 2D image analysis.
An amphipathic cyclic tetrapeptide scaffold containing halogenated β2,2‐amino acids with activity against multiresistant bacteria
Authors: Paulsen Marianne H. , Karlsen Eskil André , Ausbacher Dominik , Anderssen Trude , Bayer Annette , Ochtrop Philipp , Hedberg Christian , Haug Tor , Ericson Sollid Johanna U. , Strøm Morten B. 
Published: August 2018

The present study describes the synthesis and biological studies of a small series of head‐to‐tail cyclic tetrapeptides of the general structure c(Lys‐β2,2‐Xaa‐Lys) containing one lipophilic β2,2‐amino acid and Lys, Gly, Ala, or Phe as the Xaa residue in the sequence. The peptides were investigated for antimicrobial activity against gram‐positive and gram‐negative reference strains and 30 multiresistant clinical isolates including strains with extended spectrum β‐lactamase—carbapenemase (ESBL‐CARBA) production. Toxicity was determined against human red blood cells. The most potent peptides showed high activity against the gram‐positive clinical isolates with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 4–8 μg/mL and low haemolytic activity. The combination of high antimicrobial activity and low toxicity shows that these cyclic tetrapeptides containing lipophilic β2,2‐amino acids form a valuable scaffold for designing novel antimicrobial agents.
A machine learning technique toward generating minimum energy structures of small boron clusters
Authors: Mitikiri Praveen , Jana Gourhari , Sural Shamik , Chattaraj Pratim K. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe search for a global minimum related to molecular electronic structure and chemical bonding has received wide attention based on some theoretical calculations at various levels of theory. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm and modified PSO have been used to predict the energetically stable/metastable states associated with a given chemical composition. Out of a variety of techniques such as genetic algorithm, basin hopping, simulated annealing, PSO, and so on, PSO is considered to be one of the most suitable methods due to its various advantages over others. We use a swarm‐intelligence based parallel code to improve a PSO algorithm in a multidimensional search space augmented by quantum chemical calculations on gas phase structures at 0 K without any symmetry constraint to obtain an optimal solution. Our currently employed code is interfaced with Gaussian software for single point energy calculations. The code developed here is shown to be efficient. Small population size (small cluster) in the multidimensional space is actually good enough to get better results with low computational cost than the typical larger population. But for larger systems also the analysis is possible. One can try with a large number of particles as well. We have also analyzed how arbitrary and random structures and the local minimum energy structures gravitate toward the target global minimum structure. At the same time, we compare our results with that obtained from other evolutionary techniques.
Robust H∞ control for uncertain switched nonlinear polynomial systems: Parameterization of controller approach
Authors: Zhu Huawei , Hou Xiaorong 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThis paper considers the global feedback exponential stabilization and L2 gain disturbance attenuation problems of the switched nonlinear polynomial systems with passive and nonpassive subsystems for any given average dwell time. In the existing result, it needs that there exists at least one open loop passive subsystem in the switched nonlinear system, which is unnecessary for the switched nonlinear polynomial system in this paper because the passivity of the subsystem can be obtained according to the passivity‐based feedback dissipative Hamiltonian realization. In addition, a parameterization of controller approach–based feedback exponential stabilization method of nonlinear polynomial system is described and utilized such that the Lyapunov function of the passive subsystem possesses the required decay rate to exponentially stabilize the switched nonlinear polynomial system. Comparing with the controller designed with the existing method, the obtained controller in this paper has much simpler structure and better performance. An example simulation is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Distributed flocking for disturbed multiple unicycle systems under directed topologies
Authors: Li Ping , Xu Shengyuan , Zhang Baoyong , Chen Weimin , Zhang Zhengqiang 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThis paper investigates the flocking problem for multiple unicycle systems in the presence of heterogenous input disturbances under directed topologies. Adaptive compensators are employed to eliminate the effect of disturbances. Based on the constructed potential functions, a class of novel distributed dynamic control algorithms are designed to implement flocking with connectivity preservation and collision avoidance with strongly connected directed graphs. It is noted that the proposed controller has released the constraints for connectivity preservation by only maintaining a minimum strongly connected directed graph in the initial topology. With the proposed methodology, the initial graph is allowed to contain those edges at boundary distances. Two illustrative examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the actuator involved in this paper.
Consensus control of second‐order delayed multiagent systems with intrinsic dynamics and measurement noises
Authors: Zong Xiaofeng , Li Tao , Zhang Ji‐Feng 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThis paper studies the consensus control of second‐order multiagent systems with intrinsic dynamics based on delayed and noisy measurements, where the delays in the position and velocity measurements are allowed to be different. The nonlinear and linear intrinsic dynamics are considered, respectively. For the case with nonlinear dynamics, mean square and almost sure consensus conditions are established by applying the degenerate Lyapunov functional and stochastic stability theorems. For the delay‐free case with linear dynamics, appropriate Lyapunov functions are established to get some simple sufficient conditions for mean square and almost sure consensus, and necessary conditions for mean square consensus. It is shown that, with respect to the weighted average type control protocols, second‐order multiagent systems are kept mean square consentable under multiplicative measurement noises alone or intrinsic dynamics alone, but may become unconsentable due to the coexistence of multiplicative noises and intrinsic dynamics. These results are further extended to leader‐following multiagent systems.
Global finite‐time output stabilization of nonlinear systems with unknown measurement sensitivity
Authors: Zhang Jin‐Xi , Yang Guang‐Hong 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThis paper focuses on the output stabilization problem for a class of strict‐feedback systems with unknown nonlinear dynamics and unknown measurement sensitivity. The imprecise sensor measurements render the existing robust control approaches such as neuro or fuzzy control infeasible. A solution is provided in this paper by a feat of the concept of tuning functions and barrier Lyapunov functions (BLFs). Utilizing the modification capability of tuning functions, global stability is preserved. Exploiting the potential robustness of BLFs, the effect of unmodeled dynamics is counteracted under sensitivity errors. The combination of tuning functions with BLFs further leads to a distinct property that the real system output converges to an adjustable region in finite time. Compared with the existing results, the need for prior knowledge of system nonlinearities and measurement sensitivity is removed in this paper. Finally, simulation results illustrate the established theoretical findings.
Green Synthesis and Theoretical Study of β‐Amino Esters via PPh3‐Catalyzed Mannich Reaction
Authors: Hussain Mustafa , Liu Jianhui , Zhang Zhipeng , Hu Mengwei , Li Yang , Min Xiangting 
Published: August 2018

AbstractA new, efficient and simple method was designed for the synthesis of novel β‐carbonyl ester derivatives by using the PPh3‐catalyzed one‐pot method, three‐component condensation from aryl amines, aryl aldehydes and dicarbonyl ester under solvent‐free conditions. The comparative results from syntheses under these conditions provide a very simple reaction procedure that produces excellent yields and high stereoselectivity, avoids column chromatographic separation and provides an easy aqueous work‐up compared with the conventional reaction. DFT calculations were utilized to confirm and understand the mechanism of the PPh3‐catalyzed Mannich reaction. Detailed analysis of the two‐reaction pathway and their energy difference proves the stereo‐selectivity effect of the Mannich reaction, favouring anti‐isomer formation.
Tert‐Butoxycarbonyl Protecting Group Location Induces Different Reactive Behaviors in the Five Possible Isoforms of Tri‐Boc‐Arginine
Authors: Castellaro Sara , Catena Silvia , Alfei Silvana 
Published: August 2018

AbstractL‐arginine is often used to decorate several scaffolds in order to obtain biomedical devices with increased efficiency and reduced toxicity, so nitrogen atoms need protection for example with BOC group. It has recently been reported that following three protocols which assured the achievement of the widely described (E)‐αN,ωN,ω’N‐Tri‐BOC‐arginine as pure isoform, additional four isoforms were obtained. As a rational consequence, further investigations about their reactivity were performed and in this work the results that showed as it is influenced by BOC location, isoforms structure and double bond position and geometry were reported. Only one isoform, i. e. rotamer E, shown appreciable reactivity highlighting that only the procedure which provides it is actually valid. From rotamer E, two new first generation arginine dendrons were prepared. These fragments, exploitable for decorating dendrimer, polymer or lipid scaffolds are very appealing for preparing synthetic arginine materials potentially suitable for biomedical application. Their spectral characterization as well as that of three other unreported isolated compounds were also provided.