bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deep in the brain: Changes in subcortical function immediately preceding a migraine attack
Authors: Meylakh Noemi , Marciszewski Kasia K. , Di Pietro Flavia , Macefield Vaughan G. , Macey Paul M. , Henderson Luke A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe neural mechanism responsible for migraine remains unclear. While the role of an external trigger in migraine initiation remains vigorously debated, it is generally assumed that migraineurs display altered brain function between attacks. This idea stems from relatively few brain imaging studies with even fewer studies exploring changes in the 24 h period immediately prior to a migraine attack. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we measured infra‐slow oscillatory activity, regional homogeneity, and connectivity strengths of resting activity in migraineurs directly before (n = 8), after (n = 11), and between migraine attacks (n = 26) and in healthy control subjects (n = 78). Comparisons between controls and each migraine group and between migraine groups were made for each of these measures. Directly prior to a migraine, increased infra‐slow oscillatory activity occurred in brainstem and hypothalamic regions that also display altered activity during a migraine itself, that is, the spinal trigeminal nucleus, dorsal pons, and hypothalamus. Furthermore, these midbrain and hypothalamic sites displayed increased connectivity strengths and regional homogeneity directly prior to a migraine. Remarkably, these resting oscillatory and connectivity changes did not occur directly after or between migraine attacks and were significantly different to control subjects. These data provide evidence of altered brainstem and hypothalamic function in the period immediately before a migraine and raise the prospect that such changes contribute to the expression of a migraine attack.
Impact of perioperative hyperglycemia in patients undergoing microvascular reconstruction
Authors: Bollig Craig A. , Spradling Claire S. , Dooley Laura M. , Galloway Tabitha L. , Jorgensen Jeffrey B. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe effects of perioperative hyperglycemia on complications and outcomes in microvascular reconstruction have not been reported in the literature.MethodsA retrospective cohort of 203 patients undergoing microvascular reconstruction was generated. Perioperative glucose levels and clinical factors were tested for associations with complications using simple and multivariate analyses.ResultsHyperglycemia (blood glucose ≥ 180 mg/dL) occurred in 91 patients (44.8%) perioperatively, and was associated with increased rates of surgical complications, medical complications, surgical site infections, fistulas, and wound dehiscence. On univariate analysis, a more strict definition of hyperglycemia (blood glucose ≥ 165 mg/dL) was significantly associated with greater rates of venous thrombosis, although this lost statistical significance on multivariate analysis.ConclusionPerioperative hyperglycemia occurs commonly in patients undergoing microvascular reconstruction and is associated with higher rates of complications, independent of a preexisting diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Further research is needed to define the ideal glycemic target in this population.
Scaffolding Critical Questions: Learning to Read the World in a Middle School Civics Class in Mexico
Authors: Gibson Melissa Leigh 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis article shares the case of a student‐driven investigation into social issues from an eighth‐grade civics class at an American school in Mexico. Through vignettes about the teaching and learning process, the author argues that a focus on students’ inquiry into their social contexts rather than on specific social justice content is a key practice when teaching for critical democratic literacy, especially when teachers and students come from different social contexts. This article offers a concrete example of how foregrounding students’ critical questions can help move students toward social justice–oriented citizenship.
Frontloading HIV financing maximizes the achievable impact of HIV prevention
Authors: Anderson Sarah‐Jane , Ghys Peter D , Ombam Regina , Hallett Timothy B 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIntroductionDue to the nature of funding, national planners and international donors typically balance budgets over short time periods when designing HIV programmes (˜5‐year funding cycles). We aim to explicitly quantify the cost of short‐term funding arrangements on the success of future HIV prevention programmes.MethodsUsing mathematical models of HIV transmission in Kenya, we compare the impact of optimized combination prevention strategies under different constraints on investment over time. Each scenario has the same total budget for the 30‐year intervention period but the pattern of spending over time is allowed to vary. We look at the impact of programmes with decreasing, increasing or constant spending across 5‐year funding cycles for a 30‐year period. Interventions are optimized within each funding cycle such that strategies take a short‐term view of the epidemic. We compare these with two strategies with no spending pattern constraints: one with static intervention choices and another flexible strategy with interventions changed in year ten.Results and DiscussionFor the same total 30‐year budget, greatest impact is achieved if larger initial prevention spending is offset by later treatment savings which leads to accumulating benefits in reduced infections. The impact under funding cycle constraints is determined by the extent to which greater initial spending is permitted. Short‐term funding constraints and funds held back to later years may reduce impact by up to 18% relative to the flexible long‐term strategy.ConclusionsEnsuring that funding arrangements are in place to support long‐term prevention strategies will make spending most impactful. Greater prevention spending now will bring considerable returns through reductions in new infections, greater population health and reductions in the burden on health services in the future.
The neuroprotective role of melatonin in neurological disorders
Authors: Alghamdi B. S. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMelatonin is a neurohormone secreted from the pineal gland and has a wide‐ranging regulatory and neuroprotective role. It has been reported that melatonin level is disturbed in some neurological conditions such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease, which indicates its involvement in the pathophysiology of these diseases. Its properties qualify it to be a promising potential therapeutic neuroprotective agent, with no side effects, for some neurological disorders. This review discusses and localizes the effect of melatonin in the pathophysiology of some diseases.
Glyphosate and AMPA concentrations in wind‐blown material under field conditions
Authors: Aparicio Virginia C. , Aimar Silvia , De Gerónimo Eduardo , Mendez Mariano J. , Costa José L. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAgricultural intensification in fragile arid and semiarid environments has led to an increase in soil degradation, mainly through wind erosion. Argentina is an agricultural and cattle‐farming country, which has increased its productivity in the last few decades, widening the boundaries of farm land and the use of herbicides to control weeds. Glyphosate, which accounts for 65% of the Argentinian pesticides market, is strongly retained in soil. The World Health Organization concluded that there was evidence to classify glyphosate as ‘probably carcinogenic to humans.’ In this context, the objective of this study was to determine the presence and concentration of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in wind‐blown material in 3 areas in Argentine semiarid regions (Chaco, La Pampa, and San Luis). In 1‐ha2 plots, left uncovered and levelled, the wind‐blown material was collected at heights of 13.5, 50, and 150 cm during 18 erosion events. The wind‐blown material carried by the wind at a height of 150 cm had concentrations of 247 and 218 μg kg−1 of glyphosate and AMPA, respectively. This material was enriched 60 times in glyphosate and 3 times in AMPA as compared with the original soil. This shows that the eroded material can, potentially, have a negative impact on the ecosystem and also on human health, depending on the proportion of this material released into the atmosphere in suspension as particulate matter. This study is, to our knowledge, the first to report concentrations of glyphosate and AMPA in wind‐blown material under field conditions.
Metabolically Healthy Obesity and Risk of Kidney Function Decline
Authors: Chang Alex R. , Surapaneni Aditya , Kirchner H. Lester , Young Amanda , Kramer Holly J. , Carey David J. , Appel Lawrence J. , Grams Morgan E. 
Published: March 2018

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the association between BMI categories, stratified by metabolic health status, and the risk of kidney function decline (KFD).MethodsIn this study, 42,128 adult patients with a stable BMI were classified over a 3‐year baseline window by BMI and metabolic health status (assessed by Adult Treatment Panel‐III criteria). KFD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline ≥ 30%, eGFR < 15 mL/min/1.73 m2, or receipt of dialysis and/or transplant.ResultsOver a median of 5.1 years (interquartile range 2.1‐8.9), 6,533 (15.5%) individuals developed KFD. Compared with the normal weight, metabolically healthy category, metabolically healthy obesity was associated with a higher risk of KFD (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.52; 95% CI: 1.22‐1.89). aHRs for KFD were 1.17 (95% CI: 0.89‐1.53), 2.21 (95% CI: 1.59‐3.08), and 2.20 (95% CI: 1.55‐3.11) for metabolically healthy obesity with BMI 30 to 34.9, BMI 35 to 39.9, and BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2. These associations were consistent among men and women, patients with eGFR ≥ or < 90 mL/min/1.73 m2, and age ≥ or < 55 years. The risk of KFD was highest among metabolically unhealthy individuals with BMI ≥ 40 (aHR 4.02; 95% CI: 3.40‐4.75 vs. metabolically healthy individuals with normal weight).ConclusionsObesity, whether in the presence or absence of metabolic health, is a risk factor for KFD.
Growth patterns in fetuses with isolated cardiac defects
Authors: Haveman Ilse , Fleurke‐Rozema Johanna H. , Mulder Eduard J.H. , Benders Manon , du Marchie Sarvaas Gideon , ter Heide Henriette , de Heus Roel H. , Bilardo Caterina M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectivesThere is evidence that in fetuses with congenital heart defects (CHDs), head growth is affected. However, scanty data are available on longitudinal growth patterns of other biometric parameters such as abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL). The aim was to evaluate growth patterns in fetuses with isolated CHD diagnosed prenatally in different categories of lesions.MethodsFetuses with isolated CHD seen between 2008 and 2013 at the Fetal Medicine Unit of 2 tertiary referral centers were retrospectively included in the study. CHD was classified into 7 categories. Fetal biometry parameters were assessed at 4 variable time points between 18 and 35 weeks' gestation and transformed into Z scores. Linear mixed modeling was performed to analyze repeated measurements and construction of growth models.ResultsTwo hundred forty‐six live births with CHD were analyzed. Linear growth modeling showed a slight decrease in head circumference (HC) in the second half of pregnancy, whereas AC and FL growth were not significantly affected. The model predicted a significantly smaller HC at 36 weeks' gestation in fetuses with conotruncal heart defects.ConclusionsFetuses with CHD showed a modest but significant linear decrease in HC growth, whereas AC and FL growth trajectories remained stable.
Electrospun fiber membranes from blends of poly(vinylidene fluoride) with fouling‐resistant zwitterionic copolymers
Authors: Govinna Nelaka , Kaner Papatya , Ceasar Davette , Dhungana Anita , Moers Cody , Son Katherine , Asatekin Ayse , Cebe Peggy 
Published: March 2018

AbstractNonwoven super‐hydrophobic fiber membranes have potential applications in oil–water separation and membrane distillation, but fouling negatively impacts both applications. Membranes were prepared from blends comprising poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and random zwitterionic copolymers of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) or with sulfobetaine‐2‐vinylpyridine (SB2VP). PVDF imparts mechanical strength to the membrane, while the copolymers enhance fouling resistance. Blend composition was varied by controlling the PVDF‐to‐copolymer ratio. Nonwoven fiber membranes were obtained by electrospinning solutions of PVDF and the copolymers in a mixed solvent of N,N‐dimethylacetamide and acetone. The PVDF crystal phases and crystallinities of the blends were studied using wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). PVDF crystallized preferentially into its polar β‐phase, though its degree of crystallinity was reduced with increased addition of the random copolymers. Thermogravimetry (TG) showed that the degradation temperatures varied systematically with blend composition. PVDF blends with either copolymer showed significant increase of fouling resistance. Membranes prepared from blends containing 10% P(MMA‐ran‐SB2VP) had the highest fouling resistance, with a fivefold decrease in protein adsorption on the surface, compared to homopolymer PVDF. They also exhibited higher pure water flux, and better oil removal in oil–water separation experiments. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Preparation of porous polymer materials using water‐in‐oil gel emulsions as templates
Authors: Hori Koichi , Sano Mayu , Suzuki Masahiro , Hanabusa Kenji 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWater‐in‐oil gel emulsions consisting of water and n‐butyl acrylate were successfully prepared using N‐3‐hydroxybutylcarbonyl‐l‐isoleucylaminooctadecane and sorbitan monooleate (Span 80) as gelator and surfactant, respectively. Stable gel emulsions were formed using aqueous phase fractions (APFs) ranging from 10 to 90 vol%. Creaming, flocculation and coalescence were not observed. Low‐temperature polymerization of the gel emulsions with a redox initiator gave the corresponding low‐density, highly porous poly(n‐butyl acrylate)s (PBAs). The microstructures of the PBAs were observed using scanning electron microscopy. All the porous PBAs comprised numerous spherical structures whose sizes could be controlled by adjusting the gel emulsion APF. The densities and porosities of the porous PBAs decreased and increased, respectively, with increasing APF. The absorption capacities of the porous PBAs in organic solvents were studied. The porous PBAs selectively absorbed kerosene from water instantly and the kerosene could then be recovered by physical compression of the PBAs. Further porous polymers were prepared from gel emulsions containing styrene, methyl methacrylate (MMA) or 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA) as continuous oil phases. The order of absorption capacity and swelling ratio in kerosene was poly(EHA) > PBA ≫ poly(MMA). Porous copolymers were also prepared from gel emulsions containing a mixture of EHA and MMA as the oil phase. Their absorption and swelling in liquids could be controlled by changing the ratio of EHA and MMA in the gel emulsions. poly(EHA‐co‐MMA) (6:4) was the best polymer when absorption capacity, swelling ratio and durability were simultaneously considered. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Processing polyamides with superheated water
Authors: Evans Gregory Connor , Lesser Alan James 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTSuperheated water (shH2O) is investigated as a process aid in conventional aliphatic polyamide (PA) systems. The polymers investigated include PA 6 (PA6), PA 6,6 (PA66), PA 6,12 (PA612), and PA 12 (PA12). It is shown that the PA melting and crystallization temperatures are significantly reduced when exposed to shH2O. For example, the melting temperature of PA6 is depressed from 206 to 153 °C in the presence of shH2O. A relationship between amide group density and thermal transition temperature reduction is observed. Processing these materials in shH2O has led to a variety of materials ranging from low‐density foams to higher density locally anisotropic foamed morphologies. In situ observations of PAs melting in the presence of shH2O are performed using a specially designed reactor. Results from these experiments are used to estimate the diffusion coefficient of shH2O in PA6. Finally, low‐temperature extrusion is performed with PA6 and shH2O at temperatures as low as 180 °C and mixture viscosity is estimated. A 20‐fold depression in the melt viscosity of PA6 is observed at 240 °C with shH2O. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 803–813
Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator as a Multivariate Calibration Tool for Simultaneous Determination of Diphenylamine and its Nitro Derivatives in Propellants
Authors: Mani‐Varnosfaderani Ahmad , Soleimani Masoud , Alizadeh Naader 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDetermination of diphenylamine (DPA) and its nitro derivatives received great attention for storing, deposition and on‐time usage of propellants. Herein, we present a novel and simple method for simultaneous determination of DPA and its nitro derivatives in solid propellants using UV‐Vis spectroscopy and chemometrics techniques. The UV‐Vis spectra of the analytes revealed strong overlap and it was difficult to determine them individually in their mixture without any separation and purification. To tackle the overlapping problem in collected spectra, analysis of first‐order UV‐Vis data was performed using multivariate calibration techniques. In this way, principle component regression (PCR), different modes of partial least square (PLS) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) have been used for correlating the collected spectra to the concentration of DPAs in synthetic and real samples. The important variables were selected by confining the L1‐norm of the regression coefficients in multivariate model via the shrinkage and selection operator in LASSO approach. The results obtained by LASSO regression technique in this work were superior to those obtained by different modes of PLS algorithm. Moreover, it is shown that LASSO can be used as a reliable variable selection and modeling technique in multivariate calibration studies. Generally, the proposed strategy in this work is simple, non‐destructive, low‐cost and rapid and can be effectively applied for simultaneous determination of DPA and its nitro derivatives in solid propellants.
Synthesis and characterization of Ti and N binary‐doped ɑ‐C films deposited by pulse cathode arc with ionic source assistant
Authors: Zhou Bing , Wang Zhifeng , Liu Zhubo , Piliptsou D.G. , Xu Bin , Yu Shengwang , Wu Yanxia , Rogachev A.V. 
Published: March 2018

Using ionic source assistant, Ti and N co‐doped amorphous C (α‐C:N:Ti) thin films were prepared by pulse cathode arc technique. Microstructure, composition, elemental distribution, morphology, and mechanical properties of α‐C:N:Ti films were investigated in dependence of nitrogen source, pulse frequency, and target current by Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, nanoindentation, and surface profilometer. The results show the presence of titanium carbide and nitride in a‐C:N:Ti films. The α‐C:N+:Ti film (6 Hz, 60 A) shows the smaller size and the higher disordering degree of Csp2 clusters. The α‐C:N+:Ti films present smoother surface and smaller particle size than for α‐C:N2:Ti films. N ions facilitate the formation of N‐sp3C bonds in the α‐C:N+:Ti films, and α‐C:N+:Ti (10 Hz, 80 A) film possesses the more graphite‐like N bonds. Higher hardness and lower residual stress present in the α‐C:N2:Ti (10 Hz, 80 A) film.
Supramolecular Complexation of Biologically Important Thioflavin‐T with p‐Sulfonatocalix[4]arene
Authors: Saravanan Chokalingam , Ashwin Bosco Christin Maria Arputham , Senthilkumaran Marimuthu , Mareeswaran Paulpandian Muthu 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe inclusion of thioflavin T (ThT) with p‐sulfonatocalix[4]arene (p‐SC4) is briefly discussed in solution as well as solid state. The restricted rotation of C−C single bond between indole and benzene ring system is the reason for emission property of ThT. The encapsulation of ThT using a flexible charged host molecule exploit the correlation between the C−C single bond rotation and emission enhancement. The binding of ThT with p‐SC4 in solution state is studied using absorption, emission, electrochemical, 1H NMR and rotating frame nuclear overhauser effect spectroscopy (ROESY) techniques. A stable water insoluble supramolecular complex is synthesized from water soluble ThT and p‐SC4. The structural features of the prepared solid complex is established from infrared (FT‐IR), powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Mass, 1H NMR and nuclear overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) analyses.
Exploring β‐FeOOH Nanorods as an Efficient Adsorbent for Arsenic and Organic Dyes
Authors: Samanta Arnab , Das Sankar , Jana Subhra 
Published: March 2018

AbstractExploring a light‐assisted solution chemistry route, we have demonstrated the synthesis of iron oxide nanorods in a large scale from an iron precursor under alkaline condition for the adsorption of toxic metals and organic contaminants from waste‐water. β‐FeOOH nanorods demonstrate an excellent binding capacity for As(III), As(V), and organic dyes, which are toxic and cause severe effect to the mankind if present in the drinking water beyond the permissible limit. The as‐prepared β‐FeOOH nanorods exhibit a monolayer molecular adsorption for As(III), As(V), and organic dyes and their adsorption follows pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. The exceptional adsorption capacity of β‐FeOOH nanorods, accompanied by the convenient synthetic approach, represents an alternative and environmentally friendly approach to develop adsorbents for the extraction of toxic metals as well as organic dyes. Thus, these new insights will shed light in the societal needs of an adsorbent for cleaning‐up of both industrial effluents and ground water in a greener approach, which in turn will protect the environment and human being from several toxic effects.
Carbon Dioxide Capturing for Purifying Hydrogen Generated by Formic Acid Decomposition
Authors: Treigerman Ziv , Sasson Yoel 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHydrogen is recognized as an ultimate fuel due to its clean burning and its capacity to convert chemical energy to electricity and vice versa. Nonetheless, hydrogen is also known as a hazardous material which entails strict compliance with safety regulations. Consequently, numerous research laboratories are seeking for safe chemical and physical methods for hydrogen storage. Formic acid which is evidently an attractive hydrogen carrier can be decomposed to hydrogen and carbon dioxide in a catalytic reaction. The main disadvantage of this reaction is the carbon dioxide emission. In this study, we present an alternative method to capture carbon dioxide from the gas stream. Furthermore, we suggest a pathway for storing the hydrogen that was produced.