bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adjunctive levetiracetam in the treatment of Chinese and Japanese adults with generalized tonic–clonic seizures: A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Wu Liwen , Yagi Kazuichi , Hong Zhen , Liao Weiping , Wang Xuefeng , Zhou Dong , Inoue Yushi , Ohtsuka Yoko , Sasagawa Mutsuo , Terada Kiyohito , Du Xinlu , Muramoto Yoshihiro , Sano Tomonobu 
Published: August 2018

SummaryObjectiveTo assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of adjunctive levetiracetam (LEV) in Chinese and Japanese adults with generalized tonic–clonic (GTC) seizures (N01159; NCT01228747).MethodsThis double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, multicenter phase III trial comprised: 4‐week retrospective and 4‐week prospective baseline, 12‐week dose‐adjustment, and 16‐week evaluation periods. Chinese and Japanese patients ≥16 years old with idiopathic generalized, symptomatic generalized, or undetermined epilepsy with GTC seizures received a single‐blind placebo during the prospective baseline, and then were randomized 1:1 to placebo or LEV 1,000 mg/day administered twice daily. Patients reporting GTC seizures up to week 8 had the LEV dosage increased to 3,000 mg/day. The primary efficacy variable was percent reduction from combined baseline in GTC seizures/week during the 28‐week treatment period.ResultsOverall, 251 patients were randomized (208 from China; 43 from Japan); 141 (56.2%) completed the 28‐week treatment period. Least‐squares mean percent reduction from combined baseline in GTC seizures/week (treatment period) was placebo 12.6% versus LEV 68.8% (95% confidence interval, 44.0–68.2; p < 0.0001). GTC seizure frequency reduction occurred in both patients with idiopathic and symptomatic generalized epilepsy. The 50% responder rate (treatment period) was placebo 28.4% versus LEV 77.8%. Freedom from GTC seizures (evaluation period) was placebo 3.1% versus LEV 29.6%. Incidence of treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs; treatment period) was placebo 52.0% versus LEV 57.1%; most frequently nasopharyngitis, protein in urine, decreased platelet count, and pyrexia. Incidence of TEAEs leading to discontinuation was 4.8% versus 3.2%; incidence of serious TEAEs was 3.2% versus 0.8% for placebo and LEV, respectively; 3 patients taking placebo died versus none taking LEV.SignificanceIn this trial, adjunctive LEV 1,000–3,000 mg/day was effective in reducing GTC seizure frequency in Chinese and Japanese patients ≥16 years old with GTC seizures. Seizure reduction occurred in both patients with idiopathic and symptomatic generalized epilepsy. LEV was well tolerated in this population.
Introducing new design spectra derived from Italian recorded ground motions 1972 to 2017
Authors: Calvi G. Michele , Rodrigues Daniela , Silva Vitor 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThe shape of design spectra, traditionally based on regions characterized by constant displacement, constant velocity, and constant acceleration, has been discussed from a conceptual point of view by Calvi (2018). In the same study, a formulation for the definition of the design spectra relying on four parameters was proposed. Predictive models are proposed herein to calculate these four parameters, conditional on magnitude and distance. These models were developed using a large number of recorded ground motions in Italy, and they allow defining combined spectral acceleration versus spectral displacement plots. Such design spectra are shown to reasonably interpolate the experimental data, resulting in acceleration and displacement demand that approximate the response spectra resulting from +1σ results obtained from recorded ground motions.While it is recognized that numerous additional parameter should be considered (eg, focal depth and fault distance, site amplification), it is also concluded that this approach to define the seismic demand is promising toward a rationalization of seismic design. A thorough application of the approach developed and preliminary tested in this work may result in a re‐visitation of seismic design approaches and, ultimately, in a more efficient use of the available resources.
Adverse pathologic features in T1/2 oral squamous cell carcinoma classified by the American Joint Committee on Cancer eighth edition and implications for treatment
Authors: Subramaniam Narayana , Murthy Samskruthi , Balasubramanian Deepak , Low Tsu‐Hui (Hubert) , Vidhyadharan Sivakumar , Clark Jonathan R. , Thankappan Krishnakumar , Iyer Subramania 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) eighth edition has incorporated depth of invasion into TNM classification of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) due to the prognostic impact on recurrence and survival. After reclassifying our patients with T1 to T2 oral cavity SCC according to these recommendations, we intended to study the effect of adverse pathological features (perineural invasion [PNI], lymphovascular invasion, and differentiation) on overall survival (OS).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of 442 patients with T1 to T2 oral cavity SCC. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed for impact of adverse pathological features on OS.ResultsFor the newly reclassified T1 to T2 oral cavity tumors, on multivariate analysis, the prognostically relevant parameters were PNI (P = .032) and differentiation (P = .009). Increasing adverse pathological features resulted in worse survival (P = .005).ConclusionIncorporation of PNI and differentiation better reflect prognostic outcome in oral cavity tumors classified as T1 to T2 as per the new AJCC eighth edition. Increasing adverse pathological features resulted in worse survival.
Mindfulness, selfcompassion, and depressive symptoms in chronic pain: The role of pain acceptance
Authors: Carvalho Sérgio A. , Gillanders David , Palmeira Lara , Pinto‐Gouveia José , Castilho Paula 
Published: August 2018

AbstractObjective(S)The aim of this study was to test a theory driven model in which pain acceptance (both pain willingness [PW] and activity engagement [AE]) mediates the relationships of mindfulness and selfcompassion with depressive symptoms, while controlling for pain intensity.MethodsA path analysis was conducted using AMOS software to test a meditational model in a sample of women with chronic musculoskeletal pain (N = 231).ResultsParticipants with higher levels of mindful awareness and selfcompassion presented lower levels of pain intensity and depressive symptoms, and higher levels of AE. PW did not significantly correlate with any variable in study. The mediation analysis showed that AE mediated the relationship between selfcompassion and depressive symptoms, independently from pain intensity.ConclusionsThese findings seem to corroborate the hypothesis that selfcompassion is rooted in a motivational system, as it seems to correlate with less depressive symptoms through increasing the engagement with valued actions despite experiencing pain.
ChemFrag: Chemically meaningful annotation of fragment ion mass spectra
Authors: Schüler Jördis‐Ann , Neumann Steffen , Müller‐Hannemann Matthias , Brandt Wolfgang 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIdentification and structural determination of small molecules by mass spectrometry is an important step in chemistry and biochemistry. However, the chemically realistic annotation of a fragment ion spectrum can be a difficult challenge. We developed ChemFrag, for the detection of fragmentation pathways and the annotation of fragment ions with chemically reasonable structures. ChemFrag combines a quantum chemical with a rule‐based approach. For different doping substances as test instances, ChemFrag correctly annotates fragment ions. In most cases, the predicted fragments are chemically more realistic than those from purely combinatorial approaches, or approaches based on machine learning. The annotation generated by ChemFrag often coincides with spectra that have been manually annotated by experts. This is a major advance in peak annotation and allows a more precise automatic interpretation of mass spectra.
Tunable Interfacial Properties in Silk Ionomer Microcapsules with Tailored Multilayer Interactions
Authors: Geryak Ren , Quigley Elizabeth , Kim Sunghan , Korolovych Volodymyr F. , Calabrese Rossella , Kaplan David L. , Tsukruk Vladimir V. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMicroencapsulation techniques represent a critical step in realizing highly controlled transport of functional materials in multiphase systems. The first demonstration of microcapsules prepared from minimally grafted silk ionomers (silk fibroin modified with cationic/anionic charge groups) are presented here. These tailored biomacromolecules have shown significantly increased biocompatibility over traditional polyelectrolytes and heavily grafted silk ionomers, but the low grafting density had previously limited attempts to fabricate stable microcapsules. In addition, the first microcapsules from polyethylene‐glycol‐grafted silk ionomers are fabricated and the corresponding impact on microcapsule behavior is demonstrated. The materials are shown to exhibit pH‐responsive properties, with the microcapsules demonstrating an approx. tenfold decrease in stiffness and an approx. threefold change in diffusion coefficient when moving from acidic to basic buffer. Finally, the effect of assembly conditions of the microcapsules are shown to play a large role in determining final properties, with microcapsules prepared in acidic buffers showing lower roughness, stiffness, and an inversion in transport behavior (i.e., permeability decreases at higher pH).
Mechanochemical Activation of Fluorogenic CuAAC “Click” Reactions for Stress‐Sensing Applications
Authors: Michael Philipp , Biewend Michel , Binder Wolfgang H. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractStrategies for visualizing stress within polymeric materials are of growing interest during the past decade. In this paper, stress‐sensing materials, triggered by a mechanoresponsive catalytic system based on latent copper(I)bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) mechanophores, are reported, which can be activated by compression force to trigger a fluorogenic copper(I)‐catalyzed alkyne/azide “click” cycloaddition reaction, activating a fluorescent dye useful for stress‐sensing applications in bulk polymeric materials. The focus is placed on the polymeric architecture, which is responsible for an efficient stress transmission, revealing the greatest activation for network‐based mechanocatalysts, observing “click” conversions up to 44%, while chain‐extended and linear mechanocatalysts activate either in a less efficient manner or are not completely latent in the initial state. The developed catalysts enable “irreversible” mechanochromic systems for stress‐sensing devices.
A multigroup SEIR epidemic model with age‐dependent latency and relapse
Authors: Liu Lili , Feng Xiaomei 
Published: August 2018

Different multigroup epidemic models have been proposed, but few models include the latent class that becomes infectious at different rates and the fact that the removed class may relapse into an infectious class at different rates. In this paper, a multigroup SEIR epidemic model is constructed to study the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases with age‐dependent latency and relapse. The model is realistic for some infectious diseases, such as TB and herpes virus. The sharp threshold condition, which corresponds to the well‐known basic reproduction number
, is derived, and it determines the global stability of each equilibrium. In particular, if
, then the disease‐free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable, whereas if
, the endemic equilibrium exists uniquely and is globally asymptotically stable. We utilize appropriate Lyapunov functionals, graph‐theoretical results, and the LaSalle's invariance principle to prove these results. Two specific examples and their corresponding numerical simulations are provided to explain the obtained results.
Application of the finite element submodeling technique in a single point contact and wear problem
Authors: Curreli Cristina , Di Puccio Francesca , Mattei Lorenza 
Published: August 2018

SummaryFinite element simulation is a powerful tool to study and predict the wear behavior of different mechanical systems. However, the high computational cost required to obtain accurate numerical solutions is a crucial aspect especially for large and complex models. The present study proposes a possible solution to overcome this limitation by exploiting the potentiality of the submodeling technique, whose application to wear problem is still rare in the literature. A global‐local approach for wear analysis is presented and validated for a simple pin‐on‐disk wear test. In a preliminary step, different submodeling techniques were implemented and compared. They differed for the quantity (nodal forces and/or displacements) transferred from the global model to the local one. Numerical models have been developed in Ansys® mechanical APDL using its new wear simulation and mesh smoothing routines. Results suggest that the proposed strategy can significantly reduce the computational cost of finite element wear models. Some interesting points on the use of submodeling in contact problems are also discussed.
An eigenvector‐based iterative procedure for the free‐interface component modal synthesis method
Authors: Cui Jie , Wang Xing , Xing Jianwei , Zheng Gangtie 
Published: August 2018

SummaryA novel eigenvector‐based iteration procedure is developed for the free‐interface component modal synthesis (CMS) method. To derive the iteration formula, Kron's substructuring is employed to distribute the computations of subspace iteration, and the free‐interface component modes are chosen as the initial guess. Then, the modal transformation matrix of the first‐order approximated Kron's CMS method is proved to be the free‐interface component modes with one step of Kron's inverse iteration. The proposed CMS method has the advantages of both free‐interface CMS approximation and subspace iteration: on one hand, the CMS approximation provides a high‐quality initial guess and distributes the computational cost of the subspace iteration; on the other hand, the subspace iteration provides a more efficient way for truncation compensation and is compatible with using deflation, shifting, and restarting for further enhancements on the efficiency. Numerical examples show that the efficiency of the proposed method is higher than that of the conventional simultaneous iterative Kron's CMS method, especially for obtaining a large number of high‐precision modes. Moreover, the proposed method is as efficient as the global Lanczos method for first‐time analysis without parallelization while retaining the advantages of CMS methods for reanalysis tasks, parallelization, etc.
Microcellular polyetherimide/graphene‐polysiloxane composite foam: intercalation structure, mechanical and thermal properties
Authors: Sun Xuejie , Ye Lin 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBased on the industrialized reduced graphene oxide (RGO) product, polyetherimide (PEI)/RGO composite foam was prepared by a water‐vapor‐induced phase separation process by incorporation of polysiloxane (SI) as a compatibilizer. It was found that PEI/SI molecules were intercalated into the RGO layers through strong interfacial interaction and RGO with increased layer thickness was uniformly distributed in the PEI matrix. The composite foam possessed a homogeneous spherical‐like cell structure with narrow cell size distribution and low apparent density. In the range of 0–1 wt% RGO‐SI content, the area under the stress–strain curves increased dramatically, indicating the significantly increased toughness of the composite foam, while the tensile strength reached a maximum of 14.5 MPa at 1 wt% RGO‐SI as a result of the reinforcing effect of RGO‐SI on the foam. The addition of RGO‐SI led to a remarkable increase in Tg. Compared with neat PEI foam, the thermal degradation temperature and char yield of the composite foam clearly increased, while in the range of 0.5–3 wt% RGO‐SI a high storage modulus was maintained at high temperature, reaching about 300 MPa at 200 °C, indicating a remarkable improvement of the thermal mechanical stability of the foam. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
What are urban teachers thinking and feeling?
Authors: Camacho Daniel A. , Vera Elizabeth , Scardamalia Kristin , Phalen Peter Lee 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTeachers in urban schools experience significant stressors that can impact their effectiveness, well‐being, retention, and ability to meet the needs of their students. The current mixed methods study explored 160 urban teachers’ thoughts and feelings in response to challenging classroom situations, factors that predicted the prevalence of these reactions, and teachers’ help‐seeking attitudes. Results revealed the most prevalent thoughts that emerged were inability to resolve the situation, problem‐solving, factors beyond the classroom, wanting a break, and personal locus of control. The most prevalent feelings that emerged were anger, anxiety, sadness, emotional exhaustion, incompetence, positivity, and confusion. The amount of professional and social–emotional support teachers received predicted a greater prevalence of productive thoughts and fewer negative emotions. Additionally, teachers related a relative openness to pursuing professional psychological services. Taken altogether, the findings suggest that urban teachers can be supported via forms of professional and social–emotional support in managing stressors in their workplace. Implications for professional development and teacher education programs are discussed.
Investigations on the Capability of the Statistical Extinction Method for the Determination of Mean Particle Sizes in Concentrated Particle Systems
Authors: Schwarz Nico , Ripperger Siegfried , Antonyuk Sergiy 
Published: August 2018

AbstractDue to the fast growing number of processes involving particulate systems, simple and robust measurement techniques which enable an inline monitoring of the particle size and their concentration are urgently required, since this ensures control but also process optimization. In this work, an inline measurement technique based on the statistical extinction method is developed that provides a process monitoring for a wide range of particulate processes, such as dispersion processes and spray processes. The method allows the determination of the mean size and concentration for particle systems with the size larger than 1 µm. For this purpose, a light beam illuminates the particle system, whereby the fluctuating light intensity due to the particle movement through the light beam is detected. The statistical fluctuation of the signal can be related to a mean particle size and a particle concentration. Since concentrated particle systems cause effects that additionally influence the signal, such as multiple scattering, approaches are needed to reduce or eliminate these effects. In this work, an approach using a spatial frequency filter is applied. The experimental investigations reveal that the effects can be significantly reduced with the spatial frequency filter.
The effect of stochastic barrier fluctuation on semiclassical transmission probability and Shannon entropy of a symmetric double well potential
Authors: Naskar Pulak , Talukder Srijeeta , Chaudhury Pinaki , Ghosh Subhasree 
Published: August 2018

AbstractStochastic fluctuation of barrier height and width of a symmetric double well plays a very significant role in the corresponding dynamics by increasing the semiclassical transmission probability and Shannon entropy of the system. The population of the system has been observed to be spread into several under barrier states starting from the or [, where and are the wave functions describing the two lowest degenerate states] in presence of the stochastic fluctuation. This distribution over several states is manifested by steady increase in Shannon entropy. However, any arbitrary value of the stochastic fluctuation cannot increase the populations of the upper energy states and consequently no gain in the net value of Shannon entropy results. There is an optimum frequency for which the Shannon entropy passes through a maximum, which is also found out in this work. We have also calculated the semiclassical WKB like transmission probability as a function of time and it is clear that the random fluctuation of barrier causes the transmission probability to increase to a significant amount. As the total energy of the system remains below the potential barrier, this transmission probability is equivalent to tunneling probability. It has been clearly shown that if the fluctuation is made to be periodic (without changing the frequency and magnitude of the fluctuation) it cannot effect any significant change in the overall dynamics.
Juvenile stress causes reduced locomotor behavior and dendritic spine density in the prefrontal cortex and basolateral amygdala in Sprague–Dawley rats
Authors: Pinzón‐Parra Cesar , Vidal‐Jiménez Blanca , Camacho‐Abrego Israel , Flores‐Gómez Alejandra A. , Rodríguez‐Moreno Antonio , Flores Gonzalo 
Published: August 2018

AbstractLittle has been investigated about the effects of stress on synaptic communication at prepubertal age, a stage considered as juvenile. This period of development is related to socialization through play. Our group has studied the changes of neuronal morphology in limbic structures caused by stress at prenatal and at early postnatal ages (before weaning) in the rat. In the present study, we assessed the effect of restraint stress at juvenile ages. Male Sprague–Dawley rats from postnatal day (PD) 21 to PD35 were restrained (from movement) for 2 hrs. Locomotor activity in a novel environment was evaluated at three different ages, prepubertal PD38, pubertal PD50, and postpubertal PD68. Using the Golgi–Cox procedure, the dendritic morphology was evaluated in the pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus, and basolateral amygdala (BLA). Juvenile stress caused a reduced locomotor activity at PD38 and PD68 together with reduction in dendritic spines after puberty in the PFC and at all the studied ages in the BLA. In addition, dendritic length was also reduced in the PFC at PD38 and PD68 and CA1 of the ventral hippocampus at PD50 and PD68. Our results suggest that stress in the juvenile stage can cause changes at the level of behavior and synaptic communication with an effect that remains until adulthood.
A Classification of Barriers that Influence Intention Achievement in MOOCs
Authors: Henderikx Maartje , Kreijns Karel , Kalz Marco 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
MOOC-learning can be challenging as barriers which prevent or hinder acting out MOOC-takers’ individual learning intentions may be encountered. The aim of this research was to elicit and to empirically classify barriers that influence this intention achievement in MOOCs. The best fit model of our factor-analytical approach resulted in 4 distinctive components; 1. Technical and online-learning related skills, 2. Social context, 3. Course design/expectations management, 4. Time, support and motivation. The main finding of our study is that the experienced barriers by MOOC-takers are predominantly non-MOOC related. This knowledge can be of value for MOOC-designers and providers. It may guide them in finding suitable re-design solutions or interventions to support MOOC-takers in their learning, even if it concerns non-MOOC related issues. Furthermore, it makes a valuable contribution to the expanding empirical research on MOOCs.