bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A systematic review of the cost‐effectiveness of uterotonic agents for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage
Authors: Lawrie Theresa A. , Rogozińska Ewelina , Sobiesuo Pauline , Vogel Joshua P. , Ternent Laura , Oladapo Olufemi T. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundSeveral uterotonic options exist for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH); hence, cost‐effectiveness is an important decision‐making criterion affecting uterotonic choice.ObjectiveTo conduct a systematic review of cost‐effectiveness of uterotonics for PPH prevention to support a WHO guideline update.Search strategyWe searched major databases from 1980 to June 2018 and the National Health Services Economic Evaluation (NHS EED) database from inception (1995) to March 2015 for eligible studies.Selection criteriaWe included comparative economic evaluations, cost‐utility analyses, and resource‐utilization studies.Data collection and analysisTwo reviewers independently assessed studies and extracted data organized by birth mode and setting.Main resultsWe included 15 studies across all income categories that compared misoprostol versus no uterotonic (five studies) or versus oxytocin (one study), carbetocin versus oxytocin (eight studies), and one study comparing numerous uterotonics. In specific low‐resource contexts, we found reasonably good evidence that misoprostol was cost‐effective compared with no uterotonic. In the context of cesarean delivery, carbetocin was more cost favorable than oxytocin but certainty of this evidence was low.ConclusionsEvidence on the cost‐effectiveness of various uterotonic agents was not generalizable. As the number of competing uterotonics increases, rigorous economic evaluations including contextual factors are needed.
Understanding variants of uncertain significance in the era of multigene panels: Through the eyes of the patient
Authors: Reuter Chloe , Chun Nicolette , Pariani Mitchel , Hanson‐Kahn Andrea 
Published: May 2019

AbstractVariants of uncertain significance (VUSs) are often disclosed to patients despite ambiguous association with disease risk and lack of clinical actionability. It is important to understand how patients understand a VUS result, but few studies have assessed this. Our qualitative study explored patient recall, reaction to, and interpretation of a VUS in the context of multigene panels. We conducted 11 semi‐structured phone interviews with adults who had a VUS identified on multigene panel testing in a hereditary oncology clinic, with questions focusing on the VUS result, personal and family history, and motivations for and expectations of genetic testing. Transcripts were coded iteratively, using both deductive and inductive codes. Overall, participants usually recalled that they had a VUS, despite variation in the vocabulary used. Participants responded both emotionally and intellectually to receiving information about having a VUS, which was often a result of their expectations and motivations prior to testing. Overall, participants understood the lack of clinical significance of a VUS, yet often interpreted the etiologic significance of a VUS within the context of the personal and family history. Our study provides insight into a process by which patients translate uncertain genetic testing results into a construct that fits within their current belief framework and which may be facilitated by a genetic counselor.
Modeling and computation of double drift region transit time diode performance based on graphene‐SiC
Authors: Ghivela Girish Chandra , Sengupta Joydeep 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWe have proposed a double drift region (DDR) Impact Avalanche Transit Time (IMPATT) diode based on graphene‐silicon carbide (SiC) substrate. Due to attractive and extensive electronics properties of graphene materials, for the first time, we have modeled and designed the diode on epitaxially grown graphene deposited on the silicon face of SiC. The direct current (DC) characteristics and small signal performance of the modeled diode are computed with the help of COMSOL Multi Physics and MATLAB software tools. Performance is evaluated at the frequency regime of Ka band. The proposed diode is validated through the boundary conditions. Profiles of electric field distribution, density of mobile space charge, conversion efficiency, power density, susceptance‐conductance, and voltage drops at different zones are obtained. The graphene‐SiC–based DDR IMPATT is giving better DC and small signal performances.
Periodontitis and tooth loss have negative impact on dietary intake: A cross‐sectional study with stable coronary artery disease patients
Authors: Mendonça Dayana D. , Furtado Mariana V. , Sarmento Roberta A. , Nicoletto Bruna B. , Souza Gabriela C. , Wagner Tassiane P. , Christofoli Barbara R. , Polanczyk Carisi A. , Haas Alex N. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundDespite the association between cardiovascular diseases and periodontitis, there are scarce data on the impact of oral health in the dietary intake of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to assess the association between dietary intake with periodontitis and present teeth in individuals with stable CAD.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study included 115 patients with stable CAD (76 males, aged 61.0 ± 8.3 years) who were under cardiovascular care in an outpatient clinic for at least 3 months. Dietary intake was recorded applying a food frequency questionnaire previously validated. Periodontal examinations were performed by two calibrated examiners in six sites per tooth from all present teeth. Blood samples were collected to determine serum levels of lipids. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were fitted to evaluate the association between dietary outcomes and oral health variables.ResultsIndividuals with periodontitis had significantly higher percentage of total energy intake from fried foods, sweets, and beans, and also had lower consumption of fruits than those without periodontitis. Presence of periodontitis was associated with lower percentage of individuals who reached the nutritional recommendation of monounsaturated fatty acids and higher blood concentration of triglycerides. Having a greater number of present teeth (≥20 teeth) was associated with higher intake of fibers and total calories.ConclusionIn patients with stable CAD, the presence of periodontitis and tooth loss were associated with a poor dietary intake of nutrients and healthy foods, which are important for cardiovascular prevention.
An insight into chiral monolithic stationary phases for enantioselective high‐performance liquid chromatography applications
Authors: Fouad Ali , Ibrahim Diana , Adly Frady G. , Ghanem Ashraf 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn this review, three main classes of chiral monolithic stationary phases, namely silica‐, organic polymer‐, and hybrid‐based monolithic stationary phases, are covered. Their preparations, applications, and advantages compared with the conventional‐packed and open‐tubular capillary columns are discussed. A detailed description of the different types and techniques used for the introduction of chiral selectors into the monolithic matrices such as immobilization, functionalization, coating, encapsulation, and bonding. Special emphasis is given to the recent developments of chiral selectors in HPLC monolithic stationary phases during the past 18 years.
Lithium‐Rich Mineral Water is a Highly Bioavailable Lithium Source for Human Consumption
Authors: Seidel Ulrike , Baumhof Elena , Hägele Franziska A. , Bosy‐Westphal Anja , Birringer Marc , Rimbach Gerald 
Published: May 2019

ScopeLithium is an important trace element in human nutrition and medicine. Mineral and medicinal waters may represent a significant source of dietary lithium intake.Methods and resultsThe lithium concentration of 360 German mineral and 21 medicinal waters is determined. Based on a systematic screening, three different mineral waters exhibiting low (1.7 µg L−1), medium (171 µg L−1), and high lithium (1724 µg L−1) concentrations are chosen for an acute bioavailability study in male healthy volunteers. In Germany, a north‐east to south‐west gradient of analyzed lithium concentrations is observed in the 381 tested waters. The lithium concentration in the water is significantly correlated with its sodium (r = 0. 810), potassium (r = 0.716), and magnesium (r = 0.361), but not with its calcium concentration. In a randomized cross‐over trial, volunteers (n = 3×10 each) drink 1.5 L of the respective mineral waters, and lithium concentrations in serum and urine are monitored over 24 h. Consumption of the mineral waters with a medium and high lithium content results in a dose‐dependent response in serum lithium concentrations and total urinary lithium excretion.ConclusionLithium‐rich mineral and medicinal waters may be an important and highly bioavailable lithium source for human consumption.
Learning‐based automatic segmentation of arteriovenous malformations on contrast CT images in brain stereotactic radiosurgery
Authors: Wang Tonghe , Lei Yang , Tian Sibo , Jiang Xiaojun , Zhou Jun , Liu Tian , Dresser Sean , Curran Walter J. , Shu Hui‐Kuo , Yang Xiaofeng 
Published: May 2019

PurposeStereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is widely used to obliterate arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Its performance relies on the accuracy of delineating the target AVM. Manual segmentation during a framed SRS procedure is time consuming and subject to inter‐ and intraobserver variation. To address these drawbacks, we proposed a deep learning‐based method to automatically segment AVMs on CT simulation image sets.MethodsWe developed a deep learning‐based method using a deeply supervised three‐dimensional (3D) V‐Net with a compound loss function. A 3D supervision mechanism was integrated into a residual network, V‐Net, to deal with the optimization difficulties when training deep networks with limited training data. The proposed compound loss function including logistic and Dice losses encouraged similarity and penalized discrepancy simultaneously between prediction and training dataset; this was utilized to supervise the 3D V‐Net at different stages. To evaluate the accuracy of segmentation, we retrospectively investigated 80 AVM patients who had CT simulation and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) acquired prior to treatment. The AVM target volume was segmented by our proposed method. They were compared with clinical contours approved by physicians with regard to Dice overlapping, difference in volume and centroid, and dose coverage changes on original plan.ResultsContours created by the proposed method demonstrated very good visual agreement to the ground truth contours. The mean Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), sensitivity and specificity of the contours delineated by our method were >0.85 among all patients. The mean centroid distance between our results and ground truth was 0.675 ± 0.401 mm, and was not significantly different in any of the three orthogonal directions. The correlation coefficient between ground truth and AVM volume resulting from the proposed method was 0.992 with statistical significance. The mean volume difference among all patients was 0.076 ± 0.728 cc; there was no statistically significant difference. The average differences in dose metrics were all less than 0.2 Gy, with standard deviation less than 1 Gy. No statistically significant differences were observed in any of the dose metrics.ConclusionWe developed a novel, deeply supervised, deep learning‐based approach to automatically segment the AVM volume on CT images. We demonstrated its clinical feasibility by validating the shape and positional accuracy, and dose coverage of the automatic volume. These results demonstrate the potential of a learning‐based segmentation method for delineating AVMs in the clinical setting.
Using bidirectional chemical exchange for improved hyperpolarized [13C]bicarbonate pH imaging
Authors: Korenchan David E. , Gordon Jeremy W. , Subramaniam Sukumar , Sriram Renuka , Baligand Celine , VanCriekinge Mark , Bok Robert , Vigneron Daniel B. , Wilson David M. , Larson Peder E.Z. , Kurhanewicz John , Flavell Robert R. 
Published: May 2019

PurposeRapid chemical exchange can affect SNR and pH measurement accuracy for hyperpolarized pH imaging with [13C]bicarbonate. The purpose of this work was to investigate chemical exchange effects on hyperpolarized imaging sequences to identify optimal sequence parameters for high SNR and pH accuracy.MethodsSimulations were performed under varying rates of bicarbonate–CO2 chemical exchange to analyze exchange effects on pH quantification accuracy and SNR under different sampling schemes. Four pulse sequences, including 1 new technique, a multiple‐excitation 2D EPI (multi‐EPI) sequence, were compared in phantoms using hyperpolarized [13C]bicarbonate, varying parameters such as tip angles, repetition time, order of metabolite excitation, and refocusing pulse design. In vivo hyperpolarized bicarbonate–CO2 exchange measurements were made in transgenic murine prostate tumors to select in vivo imaging parameters.ResultsModeling of bicarbonate–CO2 exchange identified a multiple‐excitation scheme for increasing CO2 SNR by up to a factor of 2.7. When implemented in phantom imaging experiments, these sampling schemes were confirmed to yield high pH accuracy and SNR gains. Based on measured bicarbonate–CO2 exchange in vivo, a 47% CO2 SNR gain is predicted.ConclusionThe novel multi‐EPI pulse sequence can boost CO2 imaging signal in hyperpolarized 13C bicarbonate imaging while introducing minimal pH bias, helping to surmount a major hurdle in hyperpolarized pH imaging.
Managing employee performance in transition economies: A study of Vietnamese public organizations
Authors: Vu Tai Anh , Plimmer Geoff , Berman Evan , Sabharwal Meghna 
Published: May 2019

SummaryEmployee performance management (PM) is a public sector reform that furthers development objectives by increasing employee performance, aligning employee efforts with organizational goals, and addressing poor performance. This study discusses employee PM in development contexts. Based on varied employee PM efforts in Vietnamese public organizations, it finds that (a) advanced employee PM practices significantly increase perceived organizational and employee outcomes compared with less advanced employee PM practices, and that (b) executive accountability, Human resource (HR) autonomy and entrepreneurial leadership are strongly associated with successful implementation of employee PM. This article provides detailed description of employee PM practices and suggests implications for implementing public sector reforms in transitional settings.
Characterization of CNPY5 and its family members
Authors: Schildknegt Danny , Lodder Naomi , Pandey Abhinav , Egmond Maarten , Pena Florentina , Braakman Ineke , van der Sluijs Peter 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe Canopy (CNPY) family consists of four members predicted to be soluble proteins localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). They are involved in a wide array of processes, including angiogenesis, cell adhesion, and host defense. CNPYs are thought to do so via regulation of secretory transport of a diverse group of proteins, such as immunoglobulin M, growth factor receptors, toll‐like receptors, and the low‐density lipoprotein receptor. Thus far, a comparative analysis of the mammalian CNPY family is missing. Bioinformatic analysis shows that mammalian CNPYs, except the CNPY1 homolog, have N‐terminal signal sequences and C‐terminal ER‐retention signals and that mammals have an additional member CNPY5, also known as plasma cell‐induced ER protein 1/marginal zone B cell‐specific protein 1. Canopy proteins are particularly homologous in four hydrophobic alpha‐helical regions and contain three conserved disulfide bonds. This sequence signature is characteristic for the saposin‐like superfamily and strongly argues that CNPYs share this common saposin fold. We showed that CNPY2, 3, 4, and 5 (termed CNPYs) localize to the ER. In radioactive pulse‐chase experiments, we found that CNPYs rapidly form disulfide bonds and fold within minutes into their native forms. Disulfide bonds in native CNPYs remain sensitive to low concentrations of dithiothreitol (DTT) suggesting that the cysteine residues forming them are relatively accessible to solutes. Possible roles of CNPYs in the folding of secretory proteins in the ER are discussed.
Depressive disorders: Treatment failures and poor prognosis over the last 50 years
Authors: Blackburn Thomas P. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDepression like many diseases is pleiotropic but unlike cancer and Alzheimer's disease for example, is still largely stigmatized and falls into the dark shadows of human illness. The failure of depression to be in the spotlight for successful treatment options is inherent in the complexity of the disease(s), flawed clinical diagnosis, overgeneralization of the illness, inadequate and biased clinical trial design, restrictive and biased inclusion/exclusion criteria, lack of approved/robust biomarkers, expensive imaging technology along with few advances in neurobiological hypotheses in decades. Clinical trial studies summitted to the regulatory agencies (FDA/EMA) for approval, have continually failed to show significant differences between active and placebo. For decades, we have acknowledged this failure, despite vigorous debated by all stakeholders to provide adequate answers to this escalating problem, with only a few new antidepressants approved in the last 20 years with equivocal efficacy, little improvement in side effects or onset of efficacy. It is also clear that funding and initiatives for mental illness lags far behind other life‐treating diseases. Thus, it is no surprise we have not achieved much success in the last 50 years in treating depression, but we are accountable for the many failures and suboptimal treatment. This review will therefore critically address where we have failed and how future advances in medical science offers a glimmer of light for the patient and aid our future understanding of the neurobiology and pathophysiology of the disease, enabling transformative therapies for the treatment of depressive disorders.
Innovative approaches to exploit host plant metabolites in malaria control
Authors: Torto Baldwyn 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMalaria is the most important vector‐borne disease in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). Recent reports indicate that the levels of malaria‐associated mortality and morbidity in SSA have remained the same. Malaria vectors have modified their feeding behavior in response to the selective pressure from indoor‐based interventions, and there is emerging malaria parasite resistance to artemisinin‐based combination therapies. These challenges have created an altered malaria landscape, especially within local scales in some malaria‐endemic countries in SSA. To address these challenges, complementary new strategies are urgently required for malaria control. This paper argues that to develop the next generation of vector and chemotherapeutic tools for malaria control, especially based on natural products with novel modes of action, a better understanding of mosquito bioecology and, more importantly, plant sugar feeding is needed. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Promising sensitizers for dye sensitized solar cells: A comparison of Ru(II) with other earth's scarce and abundant metal polypyridine complexes
Authors: Sen Anik , Groß Axel 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThere has recently been a growing interest in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on ruthenium metal, but due to the scarcity and high price of ruthenium, design of better and cheaper light adsorbent dyes based on more abundant metal ions is one of the key issues for future development of the DSSCs. Using density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT we have studied the properties of new and abundant metal ion‐based polypyridyl dyes for p‐type DSSCs and compared with ruthenium and other scarce metal ions. Molecular geometries, electronic structures, and optical absorption spectra have been calculated using an implicit solvent corresponding to acetonitrile. The calculated fair light harvesting efficiency, high hole injection efficiency and Gibbs free energy for the hole injection and longer excited state lifetime (important for reflecting the efficiency of solar cells) for the new abundant metal ions (V3+ and Cr2+) based dyes could provide promising sensitizers for efficient next generation DSSC's for p‐SC.
Robust precision attitude tracking of an uncertain rigid spacecraft based on regulation theory
Authors: He Jiafan , Sheng Andong , Xu Dabo , Chen Zhiyong , Wang Dan 
Published: May 2019

SummaryThis paper explores regulation theory for the design of robust precision attitude tracking of an uncertain rigid spacecraft with external disturbances. Focusing on the attitude system in terms of unit quaternions with an unknown inertia matrix and unmodeled input disturbances, we first introduce specific nonlinear logic such that the resultant error‐quaternion system has an input‐to‐state stability property. Then, we establish an attitude deviation system with an output feedback normal form that has a strict vector relative degree of unity. This enables us to achieve robust output regulation based on an internal model. In particular, we can construct a high‐gain stabilizer for the relevant augmented system. As a major consequence, our study achieves not only precision attitude tracking with exponential convergence but also the input‐to‐state stability disturbance attenuation for the closed‐loop system. Finally, we show extensive simulation and experimental results to illustrate the approach.
Generalized extended state observer–based repetitive control for systems with mismatched disturbances
Authors: Zhou Lan , Cheng Lei , She Jinhua , Zhang Zhu 
Published: May 2019

SummaryA generalized extended state observer (GESO) is devised to improve the disturbances rejection performance in a repetitive‐control system (RCS) for a class of single‐input, single‐output nonlinear plants with nonintegral chain form and mismatched disturbances. By appropriately choosing a disturbance compensation gain and incorporating the disturbance estimate into a repetitive control law, a GESO‐based RCS is established. In this system, the repetitive controller ensures tracking of a periodic reference input, and the incorporation of the disturbance compensation into the control input enables attenuating the lumped disturbance from the system output. Stability criteria and design algorithms have been developed for the system. A case study on the speed control of a rotational control system exhibits that the GESO‐based RCS delivers not only a promising disturbance rejection performance but also a superior property of tracking performance.
Seismic behavior of reinforced engineered cementitious composite members and reinforced concrete/engineered cementitious composite members: A review
Authors: Hou Lijun , Xu Ran , Chen Da , Xu Shilang , Aslani Farhad 
Published: May 2019

AbstractSeismic performance is of paramount importance for structures in regions with high seismic risk. Engineered cementitious composite (ECC) exhibits tensile strain hardening behavior and excellent crack dispersion capacity, as well as good workability. The application of ECC material may be a feasible way to improve the seismic behavior of engineering structures. This paper presents a comprehensive review of experimental and simulation studies concerning seismic behavior of reinforced ECC members and reinforced concrete/ECC composite members. The review is mainly focused on design programs for structural members and their seismic response behavior. The effectiveness of the application of ECC for seismic improvement is discussed. Several design recommendations are provided, based on comparison of the related studies.