bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In‐office balloon sinus dilation versus medical therapy for recurrent acute rhinosinusitis: a randomized, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Sikand Ashley , Ehmer Dale R. , Stolovitzky J. Pablo , McDuffie Chad M. , Mehendale Neelesh , Albritton Ford D. 
Published: November 2018

BackgroundA limited number of studies have demonstrated symptomatic improvement for recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RARS) patients after endoscopic sinus surgery. In this randomized, controlled study we evaluated 24‐week outcomes for balloon sinus dilation (BSD) performed in‐office (IO) with medical management (MM) as compared with MM only for RARS patients.MethodsAdults diagnosed with RARS were randomized to groups with BSD plus MM (n = 29) or MM alone (n = 30). Patients who received MM alone also received a sham BSD‐IO procedure to blind them to group assignment. Patients were followed to 48 weeks posttreatment. The primary outcome was the difference between arms in change in Chronic Sinusitis Survey (CSS) score from baseline to 24 weeks. Secondary endpoints included comparisons of Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI) score, medication usage, medical care visits, and sinus infections.ResultsChange in patient‐reported quality of life (QOL), as measured by the CSS total score from baseline to 24 weeks, was significantly greater in the BSD plus MM group compared with the MM‐only group (37.3 ± 24.4 [n = 26] vs 21.8 ± 29.0 [n = 27]; p = 0.0424).ConclusionBSD plus MM proved superior to MM alone in enhancing QOL for RARS patients. BSD plus MM should be considered as a viable treatment option for properly diagnosed RARS patients.
A Highly Active Ylide‐Functionalized Phosphine for Palladium‐Catalyzed Aminations of Aryl Chlorides
Authors: Weber Philip , Scherpf Thorsten , Rodstein Ilja , Lichte Dominik , Scharf Lennart T. , Gooßen Lukas J. , Gessner Viktoria H. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractYlide‐functionalized phosphine ligands (YPhos) were rationally designed to fit the requirements of Buchwald–Hartwig aminations at room temperature. This ligand class combines a strong electron‐donating ability comparable to NHC ligands with high steric demand similar to biaryl phosphines. The active Pd species are stabilized by agostic C−H⋅⋅⋅Pd rather than by Pd–arene interactions. The practical advantage of YPhos ligands arises from their easy and scalable synthesis from widely available, inexpensive starting materials. Benchmark studies showed that YPhos‐Pd complexes are superior to the best‐known phosphine ligands in room‐temperature aminations of aryl chlorides. The utility of the catalysts was demonstrated by the synthesis of various arylamines in high yields within short reaction times.
Effects of Alternating Dissection with Peer Teaching and Faculty Prosected Cadaver Demonstrations in a Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Gross Anatomy Course
Authors: Kinirons Stacy A. , Reddin Vanessa M. , Maguffin Jeanann 
Published: November 2018

The most effective method to teach gross anatomy is largely unknown. This study examined two teaching methods utilized in a physical therapy and occupational therapy gross anatomy course, (1) alternating dissection with peer teaching every other laboratory session and (2) faculty demonstrations during laboratory sessions. Student (n = 57) subgroup (A or B) academic performance was determined using written, laboratory practical, and palpation practical examinations. Subgroup A performed significantly better on laboratory practical examination questions pertaining to dissected, in comparison to peer‐taught structures (67.1% vs. 60.2%, P = 0.008). Subgroup B performed significantly better on laboratory practical examination questions pertaining to peer‐taught, in comparison to dissected structures (64.1% vs. 57.9%, P = 0.001). When Subgroup A was compared to Subgroup B, there were no statistically significant differences on laboratory practical examination question types, whether the subgroup learned the structure through dissection or peer teaching. Based on within and between subgroup comparisons, faculty demonstrations had no effect on written, laboratory practical, or palpation practical examination scores. Although limited, data suggest that the student roles when alternating dissection with peer teaching every other laboratory session appear to be equally effective for learning gross anatomy. The benefits of this method include decreased student/faculty ratio in laboratory sessions and increased time for independent study. Faculty demonstrations during laboratory sessions do not seem to improve student academic performance.
Algorithmic risk assessments and the double‐edged sword of youth
Authors: Stevenson Megan T. , Slobogin Christopher 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAt sentencing, youth can be considered both a mitigating circumstance because of its association with diminished culpability, and an aggravating circumstance because of its association with crime risk. In theory, judges and parole boards can recognize this double‐edged sword phenomenon and balance the mitigating and aggravating effects of youth. But when sentencing authorities rely on algorithmic risk assessments, a practice that is becoming increasingly common, this balancing process may never take place. Algorithmic risk assessments often place heavy weights on age in a manner that is not fully transparent – or, in the case of proprietary “black box” algorithms, not transparent at all. For instance, our analysis of one of the leading black‐box tools, the COMPAS Violent Recidivism Risk Score, shows that roughly 60% of the risk score it produces is attributable to age. We argue that this type of fact must be disclosed to sentencing authorities in an easily interpretable manner so that they understand the role an offender's age plays in the risk calculation. Failing to reveal that a stigmatic label such as “high risk of violent crime” is due primarily to a defendant's young age could lead to improper condemnation of a youthful offender, especially given the close association between risk labels and perceptions of character and moral blameworthiness.
Device design methodology and formulation of a protein therapeutic for sustained release intraocular delivery
Authors: Schlesinger Erica B. , Bernards Daniel A. , Chen Hunter H. , Feindt James , Cao Jingtai , Dix Daniel , Romano Carmelo , Bhisitkul Robert B. , Desai Tejal A. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractDespite years of effort, sustained delivery of protein therapeutics remains an unmet need due to three primary challenges – dose, duration, and stability. The work presented here provides a design methodology for polycaprolactone reservoir‐based thin film devices suitable for long‐acting protein delivery to the back of the eye. First, the challenge of formulating highly concentrated protein in a device reservoir was addressed by improving stability with solubility‐reducing excipients. Next, predictive correlations between design parameters and device performance were developed to provide a methodology to achieve a target product profile. Prototype devices were designed using this methodology to achieve desired device size, release rate, therapeutic payload, and protein stability, assessed by in vitro studies. Finally, prototype tolerability was established in a non‐human primate model. The design methodology presented here is widely applicable to reservoir‐based sustained delivery devices for proteins and provides a general device design framework.
Hypothyroidism is associated with worse outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma patients after liver transplantation
Authors: Zhang Ning , Jin Weidong , Zhou Shuangnan , Yang Ju Dong , Harmsen William S. , Giama Nasra H. , Wongjarupong Nicha , Heimbach Julie K. , Watt Kymberly D. , Malhi Harmeet , Therneau Terry M. , Roberts Lewis R. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackground/AimsHypothyroidism has been associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence; however, the relationship between hypothyroidism and HCC patient outcomes is unclear. We investigated the impact of hypothyroidism on outcomes after liver transplantation for HCC.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively studied HCC patients transplanted between January 2000 and December 2015. Hypothyroidism was defined as a thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) level continuously greater than 5 mIU/L, a documented history of hypothyroidism, or treatment with thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Multivariate Cox regression was used to assess the impact of hypothyroidism on overall survival (OS) and recurrence‐free survival (RFS) adjusting for potential confounders. Subgroup analyses and interaction tests were conducted to compare the impact of hypothyroidism in different subgroups and assess for possible synergistic effects. Sensitivity analyses were performed among different cohorts to verify the stability of the results.ResultsA total of 343 HCC patients who underwent liver transplantation were included in the analysis. The primary analysis was conducted among 288 patients diagnosed with HCC prior to transplantation. Hypothyroidism was independently associated with worse OS and RFS, as was elevated TSH. The adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) of hypothyroidism was 2.45 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44‐4.18) for OS and 5.54 (2.36, 13.01) for RFS. The AHR of TSH for OS was 1.05 (1.02, 1.09) and 1.08 (1.03, 1.13) for RFS. No interaction was found among different subgroups categorized by etiology and comorbidity. The results were stable to sensitivity analyses.ConclusionHypothyroidism is associated with poorer overall and recurrence‐free survival of HCC patients receiving liver transplantation. These results require validation.
Tracking Conformational Changes in Phosvitin throughout a Crowding‐Agent‐Based Titration
Authors: Van de Vondel Evelien , Herrebout Wouter , Johannessen Christian 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe sensitivity of Raman optical activity (ROA) towards small conformational changes is explored by tracking the structural changes in an intrinsically disordered protein—phosvitin—induced by different concentrations of crowding agent. It is shown that ROA is capable of tracking small conformational changes involving β‐sheet and α‐helical secondary structural properties of the protein. Furthermore, it is indicated that the influences of the crowding agents employed, Ficoll 70 and dextran 70, on the structural properties of phosvitin differ significantly, with the structural changes induced by the presence of Ficoll 70 being more pronounced and already being visible at a lower concentration. The data also suggest that some spectral changes do not arise from a change in the secondary structure of the protein, but are related to differences in interaction between the phosphorylated residues of the protein and the sugar‐based crowding agent.
Transfemoral PCI skill: Use it or lose it.….But #RadialFirst
Authors: Barman Nitin , Dangas George D. 
Published: November 2018

Key Points

Despite, earlier concerns, is the article by Badri et al., there was no apparent increase in the rate of vascular complications with transfemoral percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) associated with increasing levels of adoption of transradial PCI by individuals initially identified as primarily femoral operators (> 90% of PCI's via the femoral artery).
Compared with the 2010–2011 period, patients undergoing PCI in the United States in 2014–2015 tended to be generally sicker. This fact, coupled with a liberalization in bleeding definition, likely led to an overall increase in the observed rate of vascular complications post‐transfemoral PCI (from 1.3 to 1.64%) across the study time period.
Despite the extensive body of evidence supporting the use of transradial over transfemoral PCI access, the vast majority (>80%) of primarily femoral operators in the United States have remained low radial adopters and the overall proportion of PCIs performed transradially across this time period by primarily transfemoral operators increased significantly, yet modestly (from 1.3 to 17.8%).
Residual damage in previously instrumented radial arteries
Authors: Mazur Matylda M. , Gilchrist Ian C. 
Published: November 2018

Key Points

Pre‐procedural radial artery ultrasound may reduce both vascular access time and total procedure time in patients who previously had radial artery procedures.
Many radial arteries that were previously instrumented appear to have chronic changes that may make them unfavorable for future use.
Attention to best practice for radial artery catheterization and measurements of long‐term radial artery damage may be important metrics for sustainable, long‐term use of transradial access.
Pillar[5]‐bis‐thiacrown: An Adaptive Tricyclic Host Selectively Recognizing an Organic Guest by Dimetalation
Authors: Lee Eunji , Ryu Hyunsoo , Ju Huiyeong , Kim Seulgi , Lee Ji‐Eun , Jung Jong Hwa , Kuwahara Shunsuke , Ikeda Mari , Habata Yoichi , Lee Shim Sung 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSome biological receptors change their shapes and rigidity by metalation to recognize substrates precisely via adaptive guest binding process. Herein we present a semi‐flexible tricyclic host molecule whose conformation is rigidified by dimetalation to uptake organic guests selectively. Considering two metal binding sites and an empty space between them, pillar[5]‐bis‐thiacrown (L) was synthesized. The tricyclic host L forms a disilver(I) complex [Ag2L(NO3)2], with an Ag⋅⋅⋅Ag separation of 9.976 Å. Binding studies based on 1H NMR including 2D NOESY and DOSY experiments towards α,ω‐dicyanoalkanes [CN(CH2)nCN, n=2–6, shortly C2–C6] demonstrated that the dimetalated L, Ag2L preferentially recognizes C2 over other guests than that of free L. Furthermore, the dimetalated the host only uptakes C2 in the presence of other guests. Crystal structures support the idea that the space between two silver(I) centers plays a decisive role on the selective guest binding forming an Ag‐C2‐Ag@L arrangement via the length‐selective recognition. This work demonstrates the chemical example of the adaptive guest binding and presents a new perspective on the metallosupramolecules of pillararenes.
A Comprehensive Review on Emulsions and Emulsion Stability in Chemical and Energy Industries
Authors: Goodarzi Fatemeh , Zendehboudi Sohrab 
Published: November 2018

AbstractEmulsion refers to a mixture that includes two or more liquid phases. The uses of emulsions are found in several chemical, energy, and environmental industries such as the food, health care, chemical synthesis, and firefighting sectors. Water‐in‐oil emulsions are formed spontaneously during oil production when oil and water are mixed together and in the presence of asphaltene as a naturally occurring surfactant. For operational and economic reasons, oil emulsions need to be treated to recover both oil and water phases. To develop more efficient emulsion treatments, it is essential to have a better understanding of the factors that affect emulsion formation and stability. The droplet size variation is an important parameter that influences the stability and rheological characteristics of the emulsions. In addition, the available interfacial area for any possible chemical reactions might affect the behaviours and properties of the emulsions in various transport phenomena systems. The adequate knowledge of the factors and mechanisms affecting the droplet size and emulsion stability still needs further engineering and research activities. This study is aimed to provide a comprehensive literature review on the formation of water/oil emulsions and their stability in various physical systems (e.g., pipeline networks and porous media). In this review, fundamental aspects of emulsions, emulsion formation mechanisms, analytical models, and numerical solutions for the description and characterization of the behaviours of emulsions in porous media and/or separators are discussed. The effects of different fluid properties, physical model characteristics, and operational conditions on emulsion behaviours are studied. This paper also summarizes the previous experimental and modelling studies and methodologies with a focus on reliable laboratory equipment/tools and simulation and modelling packages/strategies for the investigation of emulsion stability and droplet size distribution where a systematic parametric sensitivity analysis to study various effects of important thermodynamic, process, and medium properties on the targeted variables is conducted. This review manuscript provides useful guidelines to characterize and model emulsions and their behaviours in different industrial sectors, which will considerably help to conduct better design and optimal operation of corresponding equipment.
Shedding light on the colours of medieval alabaster sculptures: Scientific analysis and digital reconstruction of their original polychromy
Authors: Pereira‐Pardo Lucía , Tamburini Diego , Dyer Joanne 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAlthough medieval alabaster sculptures might appear white at present, they were colourful once, because painting and gilding the stone was an integral part of their production. This work presents the study of polychrome remnants on a selection of fourteenth century English alabasters, using multiple scientific methods (microscopy, spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques). The range of pigments identified include vermilion, red ochre, red lead, kermes, verdigris, copper resinate, azurite, lead white and carbon black. Some sophisticated decorative techniques were also observed, namely the application of translucent glazes on top of raised gilded motifs. The analysis was useful in understanding the degradation processes undergone by some materials, such as verdigris. The use of oil as binding medium for the application of the paint layers and a mordant gilding technique were determined. These findings yielded important clues towards the digital reconstruction of the original appearance of the polychrome surface, which is also presented here.
A new improved FSVM algorithm based on SVDD
Authors: Xie Wenhao , Liang Gongqian , Guo Qiao 
Published: November 2018

SummarySVM (Support Vector Machine) is a popular machine‐based learning method, with wide applicability and excellent generalization performance in a large number of real‐time classification problems. However, SVM is sensitive to the noise and outliers. As an improved algorithm based on SVM, FSVM (Fuzzy Support Vector Machine) gives the training samples different fuzzy membership values in order to reduce the interference of the noise and outliers. However, like the normal SVM algorithm, the FSVM algorithm still needs to solve the problems such as how to improve the accuracy of classification and how to accurately recognize the noise and outliers. In this paper, an improved FSVM of data classification algorithm (IFSVM) has been proposed. Firstly, this algorithm deletes the outliers or noise based on the average density algorithm and removes them from the samples, thus avoiding the influence of the noise to the classification accuracy. Secondly, the centers and radiuses of the two minimum hyperspheres are extracted based on the SVDD algorithm. Finally, this algorithm sets the membership function values by comparing the distance between each sample and the center of the sample's hypersphere, the distance between the sample and the opposite hypersphere center, and the distance between the two hypersphere centers. In this way, this algorithm highlights the importance of the boundary vectors, which could be support vectors for classification, and improves the classification accuracy. The experimental results show that this algorithm has improved the anti‐noise ability and the accuracy of classification when compared with the normal SVM algorithm and three other FSVM algorithms.
A novel design of multiplexer based on nano‐scale quantum‐dot cellular automata
Authors: Mosleh Mohammad 
Published: November 2018

SummaryQuantum‐dot Cellular Automata (QCA) is known as one of best alternative technologies for CMOS, on nano‐scale dimensions, which allows digital circuits to be designed with high speed and density. In this paper, a novel 2:1 multiplexer in QCA technology is proposed. This proposed QCA multiplexer uses a new formulation based on an introduced MV32 gate. The MV32 gate has three inputs and two outputs and operates based on cell interactions. A multi‐layer design for proposed 2:1 QCA multiplexer is provided. The simulation results obtained by the software, QCADesigner 2.0.3, confirm that the proposed multiplexer works well and can be applied as a high performance design, in QCA technology. Moreover, the 2:1 QCA multiplexer is used to create 4:1 and 8:1 QCA multiplexers. The results of comparisons show that the proposed structures have so better performance than many previous designs.
Fast and Quantitative Evaluation of Human Leukocyte Interaction with Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia by Flow Cytometry
Authors: Hartung Susann , Rauh Christopher , Hoang Thi Ngoc Mai , Jahreis Susanne , Wagner Kathleen , Macheleidt Juliane , Brakhage Axel A. , Rummler Silke , Hochhaus Andreas , von Lilienfeld‐Toal Marie 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSystemic infections with the opportunistic mold Aspergillus fumigatus are a great threat to immunocompromised patients such as transplant recipients. Immunological research on A. fumigatus involves the measurement of phagocytosis of fungal conidia (spores) by human phagocytes. Here, we present a fast and flexible way to analyze phagocytosis by flow cytometry using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeling of conidia prior to co‐incubation with human leukocytes and an anti‐FITC counterstaining step postincubation to allow the discrimination of internalized and adherent conidia. In contrast to many other protocols, this method can be combined with further surface marker analyses. We sought to determine phagocytosis rates of A. fumigatus conidia in different stages and after several incubation times using this method. Moreover, we provide an example of application by comparing phagocytosis of A. fumigatus mutants to the wild type. © 2018 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
A Flow Cytometric Study of ER Stress and Autophagy
Authors: Popat A , Patel AA , Warnes G 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe mechanistic link between ER stress, autophagy, and resultant cell death was investigated by the use of drugs Thapsigargin (Tg) and Chloroquine (CQ) with prior induction and or blockade of autophagy and apoptosis which modulated the ER stress response and resultant form of cell death. All these biological processes can be measured flow cytometrically allowing the determination of the type of cell death, G1 cell cycle arrest, cell cycle dependent measurement of ER stress transducer PERK, misfolded proteins, reticulophagy, and autophagy marker LC3B. Jurkat cells after Tg or CQ treatment became necrotic and apoptotic, showed G1 cell cycle arrest, autophagy, and ER stress. Prior induction of autophagy before ER stress increased levels of necrotic and apoptotic cell death. Autophagy was further up‐regulated, while PERK was reduced or abrogated. CQ showed reduced levels of misfolded proteins and reticulophagy, while Tg showed no change in misfolded protein levels but increased reticulophagy and thus displayed more ER stress. Prior blockade of apoptosis before induction of ER stress resulted in cell survival except with high Tg levels which induced necrosis. Autophagy was up‐regulated with modulation of PERK and reticulophagy levels with an abrogation of the misfolded protein response. Blockade of apoptosis with induction of autophagy before ER stress showed death by necrosis with high dose drugs and cell survival with low doses of drugs. CQ induced reduced levels G1 cell cycle arrest while it was maintained with Tg. Autophagy was also maintained with reduced levels of ER stress. These data demonstrates a profound link between the processes of ER stress, autophagy, and the resultant form of cell death all of which can be modulated depending upon the sequence and concentration of drugs employed. © 2018 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry