bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incorporation of antibiotics and systemic steroids by sinus surgeons: is there widespread consensus?
Authors: Arianpour Khashayar , Svider Peter F. , Guys Nicholas , Shenouda Kerolos , Folbe Elana , Hsueh Wayne D. , Eloy Jean Anderson , Folbe Adam J. 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundThe objective of this work was to evaluate factors associated with antibiotic and oral corticosteroid (OCS) prescription among otolaryngologists regularly performing sinus surgery.MethodsFellowship‐trained rhinologists, including fellowship directors, were identified via the American Rhinologic Society (ARS) website. Non–fellowship‐trained otolaryngologists performing ≥25 balloons (frontal/maxillary) or ≥25 functional endoscopic sinus surgeries (FESSs) (frontal/maxillary/ethmoids) were also included in “balloon surgeons” and “sinus surgeon” cohorts, respectively. Prescribing data for Medicare Part D beneficiaries was obtained for 2015.ResultsOtolaryngologists included in this analysis wrote a median of 54 scripts for antibiotics, with a 15.1% antibiotic prescription rate. The overall script length per antibiotic was 11.1 days. Of fellowship‐trained rhinologists, 90.2% wrote fewer than 100 scripts, compared to 25.6% and 32.5% of sinus surgeons and balloon surgeons, respectively. Fellowship‐trained rhinologists wrote lengthier antibiotic scripts (14.1 vs 10.3 days, p < 0.05). Clinicians who have been in practice longer prescribed antibiotics significantly more frequently. Fellowship‐trained rhinologists had a greater OCS rate (8.9%) than balloon and sinus surgeons (7.1%), also writing lengthier courses (15.0 vs 8.1 days). Early‐career otolaryngologists wrote lengthier steroid prescriptions than those with 11 to 20 years and >20 years in practice.ConclusionAntibiotic and OCS utilization varies by type of training, as non–fellowship‐trained sinus surgeons and balloon surgeons tend to utilize antibiotics more aggressively, and fellowship‐trained rhinologists utilize OCS more frequently. Otolaryngologists with more years in practice are more likely to incorporate antibiotics in the management of sinus disorders, although these conclusions must be considered in the context of this resource's limitations. Further clarification of guidelines may be helpful for minimizing divergent practices and maintaining a consensus.
A multi‐institutional review of outcomes in biopsy‐proven acute invasive fungal sinusitis
Authors: Wandell Grace M. , Miller Craig , Rathor Aakanksha , Wai Travis Hee , Guyer Richard A. , Schmidt Rodney A. , Turner Justin H. , Hwang Peter H. , Davis Greg E. , Humphreys Ian M. 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundAcute invasive fungal sinusitis (AIFS) is a rare, aggressive infection occurring in immunocompromised patients. In this study we examined factors that affect survival in AIFS, and whether immune‐stimulating therapies (IST) improve survival.MethodsPathology records of biopsy‐proven AIFS were reviewed from 3 academic institutions from 1995 to 2016. Univariate and multivariate Cox regressions were performed at 1 and 3 months from diagnosis.ResultsOne hundred fourteen patients were included; 45 received IST. In the univariate analysis, the following factors were associated with worse survival: hematologic malignancy (3‐month hazard ratio [HR], 3.7; p = 0.01); recent chemotherapy (within 1 month of AIFS diagnosis) (3‐month HR, 2.3; p = 0.02); recent bone marrow transplant (BMT) (3‐month HR, 2.5; p = 0.02); and infection with atypical fungi (1‐month HR, 3.1; p = 0.04). The following were associated with improved survival in univariate analysis: increasing A1c% (1‐month HR, 0.7; p = 0.01) and surgical debridement (1‐month HR, 0.1; p = 0.001). One third of patients with a hematologic malignancy had an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >1000 at the time of diagnosis. ANC was not associated with prognosis in these patients. The following were associated with worse survival in multivariate analyses: hematologic malignancy; recent chemotherapy; atypical organisms; and cavernous sinus extension. In multivariate analyses, IST was associated with a 70% reduction in mortality at 1 month (p = 0.02).ConclusionWe presented the largest series of AIFS. Further studies are needed to examine the importance of ANC in diagnosis and prognosis. Patients diagnosed with atypical organisms may be at higher risk of death. IST likely improves short‐term survival, but prospective studies are needed.
Oxidation of Volatile Organic Compounds by Highly Efficient Metal Zeolite Catalysts
Authors: Soares Olívia S. G. P. , Fonseca António M. , Parpot Pier , Órfão José J. M. , Pereira Manuel F. R. , Neves Isabel C. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe presence of two metals (M1M2) in a zeolite structure enhances the degradation of pollutants in liquid or gas phase comparing to monometallic catalysts. In this work, the complete oxidation of ethyl acetate into CO2 was achieved by metal catalysts based on NaY zeolite prepared by the ion‐exchange method. The metal zeolite catalysts were optimized by using several parameters: (i) the presence of a second metal in M1M2 catalysts; (ii) the presence or not of a noble metal in the pair CuM2 (M2=Pd, Zn or Ag); (iii) the order of introduction of the metals in M1M2 catalysts (CuPd or PdCu); (iv) particle size of NaY and NaYnano; and (v) the effect of simultaneously adding metal species (Cu and Pd). M1M2 catalysts presented the best results compared to the monometallic catalysts and the presence of a noble metal in M1M2 catalysts enhanced their acivity. Among the metal phases studied, the catalyst (CuPd)0.01‐Y has shown to be the most efficient for this application.
Separation of Methane and Carbon Dioxide Gas Mixtures Using Activated Carbon Modified with 2‐Methylimidazole
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Xin , Xiao Peng , Chen Guang-Jin , Sun Chang-Yu , Yang Lan-Ying 
Published: July 2018

AbstractActivated carbon was modified by loading 2‐methylimidazole (mIm), ethanol, and glycol onto its surface and adopted to capture CO2 using the absorption‐adsorption method. The modified activated carbon showed high selectivity for separating CH4+CO2 gas mixtures, compared with other methods to modify activated carbon given in the literature. The separation factor was 4.75 times higher than that for the fresh activated‐carbon system, and the separation performance of the activated carbon increased with increasing amount of mIm. The addition of glycol showed greater potential to enhance the selectivity of the activated carbon than ethanol. A recycling test verified the stability of the modified activated carbon for CH4+CO2 gas mixture separation.
Electronic Properties of Single Atom and Molecule Junctions
Authors: Aiba Akira , Iwane Madoka , Fujii Shintaro , Kiguchi Manabu 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSingle atom and molecule junctions are key components of future ultra‐small electronic devices. The novel properties and functionalities appear in the single atom and molecule junctions reflecting their unique structures. The conductance quantization and quantum interface effects have been reported. In this review, we discuss fabrication and electronic properties of the single atom and molecule junctions, including electrical conductance and thermopower. The single atom and molecule junctions are fabricated in a nanogap prepared by electron migration, self‐breaking and mechanical breaking of metal wires. The electric conductance of the single atom and molecule junctions depends not only the atom and molecule within the junctions, but also on their connectivity to the metal wires at the interface. The conductance fluctuation characteristic of single‐molecule junction reflects the character of the metal‐molecular bond at the interface, which enables us to study the molecular adsorption process during the formation of the junction.
Interactions of Gut Endocrine Cells with Epithelium and Neurons
Authors: Liddle Rodger A. 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTEven the simplest animals possess sophisticated systems for sensing and securing nutrients. After all, ensuring adequate nutrition is essential for sustaining life. Once multicellular animals grew too large to be nourished by simple diffusion of nutrients from their environment, they required a digestive system for the absorption and digestion of food. The majority of cells in the digestive tract are enterocytes that are designed to absorb nutrients. However, the digestive tracts of animals ranging from worms to humans contain specialized cells that discriminate between nutrients and nondigestible ingestants. These cells “sense” both the environment within the gut lumen and nutrients as they cross the gut epithelium. This dual sensing is then translated into local signals that regulate the gut epithelium or distant signals through hormones or nerves. This review will discuss how sensors of the gut interact with cells of the epithelium and neurons to regulate epithelial integrity and initiate neural transmission from the gut lumen. © 2017 American Physiological Society.Compr Physiol8:1019‐1030, 2018.
Adiponectin Regulation and Function
Authors: Fang Han , Judd Robert L. 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTAdipose tissue is now recognized as an important endocrine organ, capable of secreting a large number of endocrine factors which regulate a wide variety of physiological functions. Adiponectin is one such factor, secreted in large quantities primarily from adipose tissue. Adiponectin is posttranslationally modified from a 30‐kDa monomeric protein into different multimers (low molecular weight or trimer, middle molecular weight or hexamer, and high molecular weight) and secreted into the circulation. Upon binding to its receptors, AdipoR1 and R2, adiponectin initiates a series of tissue‐dependent signal transduction events, including phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate (AMPK) and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), and increased peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha (PPARα) ligand activity. These signal transduction events are regulated by adaptor protein containing a pleckstrin homology domain, phosphotyrosine binding domain, and leucine zipper motif (APPL1), which binds directly to the intracellular regions of AdipoR1 and R2. AdipoR1 and R2 also possesses inherent ceramidase activity, resulting in a decrease in intracellular ceramide, a sphingolipid that has been implicated in insulin resistance, cell death, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. Adiponectin stimulates fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle and inhibits glucose production in the liver, resulting in an improvement in whole‐body energy homeostasis. Adiponectin is also a classic anti‐inflammatory agent, reducing inflammation in various cell types through AdipoR1 and R2 signaling mechanisms. Adiponectin's anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic properties results in protection of the vasculature, heart, lung, and colon. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the discovery, protein structure, receptors, expression, regulation, and physiological functions of adiponectin. © 2017 American Physiological Society.Compr Physiol8:1031‐1063, 2018.
Oxidative damage and antioxidant defense are assay and tissue‐dependent both in captive and wild‐caught bank voles (Myodes glareolus) before and after reproduction
Authors: Ołdakowski Łukasz , Taylor Jan R. E. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractReproduction is costly and life‐history theory predicts that current parental investment will result in lower survival or decreased future reproduction. The physiological mechanisms mediating the link between reproduction and survival are still under debate and elevated oxidative damage during reproduction has been proposed as a plausible candidate. Previous studies of oxidative stress during reproduction in animals under natural conditions have been restricted to analyses of blood. Herein, we measured the level of oxidative damage to lipids (tiobarbituric‐acid‐reactive substances) and proteins (carbonyls) in the liver, kidneys, heart and skeletal muscles in free‐living bank vole females from spring and autumn generations, before and after reproduction. Antioxidant defense in the liver and kidneys was also determined. We expected oxidative damage to tissues and hypothesized that the damage would be more uniform between tissues in wild animals compared to those breeding under laboratory conditions. Considering all combinations of markers/tissues/generations, oxidative damage in females did not differ before and after reproduction in 12 comparisons, was lower after reproduction in three comparisons, and was higher after breeding in one comparison. The total glutathione was significantly increased after reproduction only in the liver of the autumn generation and there was no change in catalase activity. Our results confirm—for the first time in the field—previous observations from laboratory studies that there is no simple link between oxidative stress and reproduction and that patterns depend on the tissue and marker being studied. Overall, however, our study does not support the hypothesis that the cost of reproduction in bank voles is mediated by oxidative stress in these tissues.
Evidence that climate sets the lower elevation range limit in a high‐elevation endemic salamander
Authors: Grant Evan H. Campbell , Brand Adrianne B. , De Wekker Stephan F. J. , Lee Temple R. , Wofford John E. B. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractA frequent assumption in ecology is that biotic interactions are more important than abiotic factors in determining lower elevational range limits (i.e., the “warm edge” of a species distribution). However, for species with narrow environmental tolerances, theory suggests the presence of a strong environmental gradient can lead to persistence, even in the presence of competition. The relative importance of biotic and abiotic factors is rarely considered together, although understanding when one exerts a dominant influence on controlling range limits may be crucial to predicting extinction risk under future climate conditions. We sampled multiple transects spanning the elevational range limit of Plethodon shenandoah and site and climate covariates were recorded. A two‐species conditional occupancy model, accommodating heterogeneity in detection probability, was used to relate variation in occupancy with environmental and habitat conditions. Regional climate data were combined with datalogger observations to estimate the cloud base heights and to project future climate change impacts on cloud elevations across the survey area. By simultaneously accounting for species’ interactions and habitat variables, we find that elevation, not competition, is strongly correlated with the lower elevation range boundary, which had been presumed to be restricted mainly as a result of competitive interactions with a congener. Because the lower elevational range limit is sensitive to climate variables, projected climate change across its high‐elevation habitats will directly affect the species’ distribution. Testing assumptions of factors that set species range limits should use models which accommodate detection biases.
Microbial larvicides for mosquito control: Impact of long lasting formulations ofBacillus thuringiensisvar.israelensisandBacillus sphaericuson non‐target organisms in western Kenya highlands
Authors: Derua Yahya A. , Kahindi Samuel C. , Mosha Franklin W. , Kweka Eliningaya J. , Atieli Harrysone E. , Wang Xiaoming , Zhou Guofa , Lee Ming‐Chieh , Githeko Andrew K. , Yan Guiyun 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe microbial larvicidesBacillus thuringiensisvar.israelensisandBacillus sphaericushave been used extensively for mosquito control and have been found to be effective and safe to non‐target organisms cohabiting with mosquito larvae. Recently developed long lasting microbial larvicides (LLML), although evading the previous challenge of short duration of activity, increase the risk of persistence of toxins in the treated larval habitats. This study monitored the impact ofLLMLFourStar®andLL3 on non‐target organisms cohabiting with mosquito larvae in an operational study to control malaria vectors in western Kenya highlands. A total of 300 larval habitats were selected in three highland villages. The habitats were first monitored for 5 weeks to collect baseline data on non‐target organisms cohabiting with mosquito larvae and then randomized into two treatment arms (respective FourStar®andLL3) and one control arm. Non‐target organisms were sampled weekly for 5 months after treatment to assess the impact ofLLMLintervention. Before treatment, the mean density of all non‐target organisms combined in the control,LL3 and FourStar®treated habitats was 1.42, 1.39 and 1.49 individuals per habitat per sampling occasion, respectively. Following treatment, this density remained fairly unchanged for 21 weeks at which time it was 1.82, 2.11, and 2.05 for the respective control,LL3 and FourStar®treated habitats. Statistical analysis revealed thatLL3 and FourStar®did not significantly alter abundance, richness or diversity of the 11 taxa studied, when comparing the intervention and control larval habitats. However, both FourStar®andLL3 significantly reduced the density of malaria vectors. In conclusion, one round of label rate application of FourStar®orLL3 in natural larval habitats did not alter richness, abundance or diversity of the monitored aquatic non‐target organisms cohabiting with mosquito larvae to an ecologically significant level.
Coupling toxicokinetic–toxicodynamic and population models for assessing aquatic ecological risks to time-varying pesticide exposures
Authors: Thursby Glen , Sappington Keith , Etterson Matthew 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Population modeling evaluations of pesticide exposure time series were compared with aspects of a currently used risk assessment process. The US Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Pesticide Programs models daily aquatic 30-yr pesticide exposure distributions in its risk assessments, but does not routinely make full use of the information in such time series. We used mysid shrimp Americamysis bahia toxicity and demographic data to demonstrate the value of a toxicokinetic–toxicodynamic model coupled with a series of matrix population models in risk assessment refinements. This species is a small epibenthic marine crustacean routinely used in regulatory toxicity tests. We demonstrate how the model coupling can refine current risk assessments using only existing standard regulatory toxicity test results. Several exposure scenarios (each with the same initial risk characterization as determined by a more traditional organism-based approach) were created within which population modeling documented risks different from those of assessments based on the traditional approach. We also present different acute and chronic toxicity data scenarios by which toxicokinetic–toxicodynamic coupled with population modeling can distinguish responses that traditional risk evaluations are not designed to detect. Our results reinforce the benefits of this type of modeling in risk evaluations, especially related to time-varying exposure concentrations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2633–2644. Published 2018 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
High‐reliability and low‐complexity resource allocation for future multicarrier spread spectrum systems
Authors: Shi Jia , Xiao Pei , Liang Wei , Pan Gaofeng , Li Zan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn this paper, we investigate resource allocation in the multicarrier spread spectrum systems, especially in the multicell downlink multicarrier direct‐sequence code division multiple‐access systems. The allocation of resources including subcarriers and spreading codes aims to maximize the system reliability, thereby resulting in the high‐reliability mutlicarrier systems. For the sake of achieving low complexity, we develop the novel resource allocation framework. We propose two resource allocation algorithms, which are the simplified heuristic subcarrier‐ and code‐allocation (SHSC) algorithm and the enhanced heuristic subcarrier‐ and code‐allocation (EHSC) algorithm. The two proposed algorithms can find the promising suboptimum solutions to the mixed integer nonconvex resource allocation problem. The SHSC algorithm has lower complexity and demands less backhaul resources than the EHSC algorithm. In return, the EHSC algorithm performs better than the SHSC algorithm. Nevertheless, we show that both algorithms significantly outperform the existing algorithms while approaching the optimal algorithm of high complexity.
Using Agile Systems Engineering Workshops and Model‐Based Systems Engineering to Drive Agile Development
Authors: Koehnemann Harry 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTIn agile development, backlogs drive the work teams perform. To make systems engineering relevant in agile contexts, their efforts must continually influence and guide the work in those backlogs. In this article, we discuss a collaborative method, the Agile Systems Engineering Workshop, which puts traditional systems engineering and model‐based systems engineering practices into an agile context. This method creates engineering specifications in a face‐to‐face, collaborative environment and puts engineering activities into the context of Lean‐Agile flow.
Determination of maximum loading capacity of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers and evaluation of Cu55 dendrimer‐encapsulated nanoparticles for catalytic activity
Authors: Patala Rapelang , Noh Ji‐Hyang , Meijboom Reinout 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSpectrophotometric titrations provide information about the interior of the polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers, and therefore how nanoparticles are encapsulated. In this work, binding studies were performed to determine maximum loading capacities (N) of hydroxyl terminated G4, G5, and G6 PAMAM dendrimers with Cu2+ ions. The values of N found via spectrophotometric titrations were 16.22, 31.86, and 57.36 for G4‐OH, G5‐OH, and G6‐OH, respectively. The determination of loading capacity was also done using Viva spin filtration, and the results were found to be in agreement with those found via spectrophotometric titrations. From the binding isotherm, the values of equilibrium constant (K′) were determined and found to be 0.0488 (G4‐OH), 0.0291 (G5‐OH), and 0.0158 (G6‐OH). Owing to instability of G4‐OH (Cu16), G5‐OH (Cu32), and G6‐OH (Cu57) dendrimer‐encapsulated nanoparticles (DENs) synthesized, G6‐OH (Cu55) DENs of average size 2.6 ± 0.3 nm were prepared and were found to be relatively stable. Thus G6‐OH (Cu55) catalyst was evaluated for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol and was found to be catalytically active toward reduction of 4‐nitrophenol. Reaction kinetics of 4NP reduction was thoroughly studied in light of the Langmuir‐Hinshelwood kinetic model, and surface rate k, and the adsorption rates K4NP, and KBH4 were determined. The reaction was performed at different temperatures, which further expanded the study into determination of thermodynamic (ΔH‡, ΔS‡, ΔG‡, and EA) parameters.