bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated With Use of Telemedicine for Follow‐up of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Ferucci Elizabeth D. , Holck Peter , Day Gretchen M. , Choromanski Tammy L. , Freeman Sarah L. 
Published: August 2019

ObjectiveTelemedicine is increasingly being offered to patients for rheumatology care, but few studies have examined factors associated with telemedicine use or outcomes of telemedicine in rheumatology. The objective of this analysis was to determine factors associated with the use of video telemedicine when offered as part of usual care for follow‐up of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsIndividuals in the Alaska Tribal Health System with a diagnosis of RA were recruited when seeing a rheumatologist either in‐person or by video telemedicine, both of which were offered as part of usual care. At the study visit, participants completed the Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3) and a telemedicine perception survey and agreed to a medical record review for demographics and disease characteristics. Data from this visit were analyzed to determine factors associated with using telemedicine for RA, compared to being seen in‐person only.ResultsOf 122 participants enrolled in the study, 56 (46%) had been seen by telemedicine at least once. Factors associated with telemedicine use in univariate analysis included a higher RAPID3 score, a higher number of rheumatologist visits in the preceding year, more positive perceptions of telemedicine, and seeing a physician who used telemedicine more often. On multivariate analysis, these 4 factors all remained significant. Demographic and other disease‐related factors or comorbidities were not associated with telemedicine use.ConclusionWhen offered as an option for rheumatology care, video telemedicine was more likely to be used by RA patients with higher disease activity and more positive perceptions of telemedicine, and by patients whose physicians used telemedicine more often.
Efficacy, Safety, and Sample Quality of Ultrasound‐Guided Synovial Needle Biopsy in Clinical Practice and Research: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Romão Vasco C. , Polido‐Pereira Joaquim , Barros Rita , Luís Rita , Vidal Bruno , Vieira‐Sousa Elsa , Vitorino Emília , Humby Frances , Kelly Stephen , Pitzalis Costantino , Saraiva Fernando , Fonseca João Eurico 
Published: August 2019

ObjectiveTo study the efficacy, tolerability, safety, and sampling variation of ultrasound (US)–guided synovial biopsies performed in clinical practice and research.MethodsWe included all patients who had a US‐guided synovial needle biopsy from November 2013 to January 2018. Patients were evaluated for procedure safety and tolerability. Usefulness of synovial biopsy was considered based on contribution for achieving the proposed aims. We analyzed samples for presence and quality of synovial tissue, synovitis score/grade, and pathotype. Variation across patients, samples, section levels, and sampling order was assessed.ResultsA total of 64 US‐guided synovial biopsies were performed (n = 52 in clinical practice, n = 12 in research). Patient tolerability (70% no/mild discomfort) was remarkably high. There was no significant aggravation of symptoms or US synovitis in the biopsied joint. Procedures were overall safe, with few minor, 2 moderate, and no major adverse events. Usefulness of US‐guided synovial biopsies was high, both in clinical practice (37% direct diagnostic impact, 100% positive/95% negative predictive values for infection) and in research (92% success). Synovial tissue was retrieved in 88% of biopsies, with a median of 75% gradable samples. There was significant variation in sample quality and synovitis features across patients and samples, but not between different section levels. Samples collected later in the procedure had a lower frequency of synovial tissue and were poorly concordant in pathotype with those collected earlier.ConclusionUS‐guided synovial needle biopsy is an effective, safe, and well‐tolerated means to collect good quality synovial tissue for clinical and research purposes. Samples collected for different aims should be retrieved in parallel, rather than sequentially.
Association Between Participant Retention and the Proportion of Included Elderly People in Rheumatology Trials: Results From a Series of Exploratory Meta‐Regression Analyses
Authors: Palmowski Andriko , Nielsen Sabrina M. , Buttgereit Thomas , Palmowski Yannick , Boers Maarten , Christensen Robin , Buttgereit Frank 
Published: August 2019

ObjectiveThe elderly, a population defined by an age of ≥65 years, are underrepresented in rheumatology trials, possibly due to investigators’ concerns of increased premature discontinuations in higher age groups. The present study was undertaken to evaluate whether the proportion of included elderly individuals (PE) is independently associated with participant retention in rheumatology trials.MethodsMedline was searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) of any intervention (years 2016 and 2017). PE was either extracted from the research manuscript or estimated from an assumed (truncated) normal distribution. We used mixed‐effects meta‐regression models including several covariates to assess whether there is an independent association between PE and participant retention. Using sensitivity analyses, we evaluated whether associations were connected to attrition due to lack of efficacy (LoE) or adverse events (AE).ResultsIn total, 243 RCTs comprising >48,000 participants were included. Pooled participant retention was 88%. PE was not associated with retention in the unadjusted (P = 0.97) or adjusted (all: P ≥ 0.14) models. Of all covariates, only study duration and type of intervention were associated with retention (both: P < 0.001). Post hoc analyses allowing for interaction revealed a small but statistically significant positive association between PE and retention in pharmacologic interventions and a negative association in physical/physiotherapeutic interventions (overall P for interaction = 0.05). No associations were found for PE and attrition due to LoE or AE.ConclusionParticipant retention in RA and OA trials is high and not associated with PE. These findings should motivate investigators to include more elderly participants in rheumatology trials.
Longitudinal Study of Fatigue, Stress, and Depression: Role of Reduction in Stress Toward Improvement in Fatigue
Authors: Azizoddin Desiree R. , Jolly Meenakshi , Arora Shilpa , Yelin Edward , Katz Patricia 
Published: August 2019

ObjectiveFatigue is common among individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the causes are not well understood. Our objective was to examine perceived stress and depressive symptoms as predictors of fatigue in SLE.MethodsData from 2 years of the Lupus Outcomes Study (n = 650 patients), obtained through annual structured interviews, were used. Fatigue was measured with the Short Form 36 (SF‐36) vitality scale along with a variety of self‐report measures of disease, depression, and stress. Multivariate linear regression models examined predictors of changes in fatigue. Model 1 tested the association of time 1 (T1) depression with time 2 (T2) fatigue; model 2 added T1 perceived stress to model 1, and final models added T1‐to‐T2 decrease in stress. All analyses controlled for T1 fatigue, age, sex, self‐report of fibromyalgia, pain, and SLE duration, activity, and damage.ResultsMean ± SD age was 51 ± 12 years, 92% of participants were women, and 68% were white. The mean ± SD SF‐36 fatigue score was 55 ± 24. T1 depression significantly predicted T2 fatigue. When T1 stress was added, stress (β = 1.7 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.1, 2.2]; P < 0.0001) significantly predicted T2 fatigue, but depression was no longer significant. The addition of T1‐to‐T2 decrease in stress was associated with a clinically meaningful decline in fatigue (β = –11.8 [95% CI –15.6, –8.9]; P < 0.0001).ConclusionWhile depressive symptoms initially predicted subsequent fatigue, the effects were mediated by stress. A decrease in stress, in addition, was associated with a clinically meaningful decrease in fatigue. These results suggest that perceived stress plays an important role in SLE fatigue and may be an important focus of interventions for fatigue.
Can Patient‐Reported Symptoms Be Used to Measure Disease Activity in Systemic Sclerosis?
Authors: Ross Laura , Stevens Wendy , Wilson Michelle , Strickland Gemma , Walker Jennifer , Sahhar Joanne , Ngian Gene-Siew , Roddy Janet , Major Gabor , Proudman Susanna , Baron Murray , Nikpour Mandana 
Published: August 2019

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between patient‐reported symptoms and changes in disease activity over time in systemic sclerosis (SSc).MethodsUsing data from 1,636 patients enrolled in the Australian Scleroderma Cohort Study, we used generalized estimating equations to determine the relationship between patient‐reported worsening of Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP), skin involvement, and breathlessness in the month preceding each study visit and features of disease activity in the corresponding organ systems. The associations between the following parameters were analyzed: patient‐reported worsening RP and the presence of new‐onset digital pitting and digital ulcers; patient‐reported worsening skin involvement and increasing modified Rodnan skin thickness score (MRSS); new areas of skin involvement and new‐onset joint contractures; patient‐reported worsening breathlessness and deteriorating respiratory functions test (RFT) results, indicated by a 10% decrease in forced vital capacity (FVC) and a 15% decrease in diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco), new‐onset interstitial lung disease (ILD), and new‐onset pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).ResultsWe found a significant association between patient‐reported worsening RP and the presence of digital ulcers (odds ratio [OR] 1.53 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.60–0.93]), patient‐reported worsening skin involvement and increasing MRSS (OR 2.10 [95% CI 1.54–2.86]), and worsening patient breathlessness and deteriorating RFTs (FVC OR 2.12 [95% CI 1.70–2.65]; DLco OR 1.97 [95% CI 1.34–2.02]), new‐onset ILD (OR 1.91 [95% CI 1.40–2.61]), and new‐onset PAH (OR 5.08 [95% CI 3.59–7.19]).ConclusionThese results demonstrate that patient‐reported symptoms are associated with clinically meaningful changes in disease activity in patients with SSc. This suggests that when objective measures of change in disease status are unavailable, patient‐reported symptoms could be used to indicate a change in SSc disease activity.
Covalent Organic Framework‐Supported Molecularly Dispersed Near‐Infrared Dyes Boost Immunogenic Phototherapy against Tumors
Authors: Gan Shaoju , Tong Xiaoning , Zhang Yue , Wu Jinhui , Hu Yiqiao , Yuan Ahu 
Published: August 2019

AbstractPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) mediated by near‐infrared (NIR) dyes is a promising cancer treatment modality; however, its use is limited by significant challenges, such as hypoxic tumor microenvironments and self‐quenching of photosensitizers. These challenges hamper its utility in inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) and triggering potent systemic antitumor immune responses. This study demonstrates that molecular dispersion of NIR dyes in nanocarriers can significantly enhance their ability to produce reactive oxygen species and potentiate synergistic PDT and photothermal therapy against tumors. Specifically, NIR dye indocyanine green (ICG) can be spontaneously adsorbed to covalent organic frameworks (COFs) via π–π conjugations to prevent intermolecular stacking interactions. Then, ICG‐loaded COFs are ultrasonically exfoliated and coated with polydopamine (PDA) to construct a new phototherapeutic agent ICG@COF‐1@PDA with enhanced efficacy. In conjunction with ICG@COF‐1@PDA, a single round of NIR laser irradiation can induce obvious ICD, elicit antitumor immunity in colorectal cancer, and yield 62.9% inhibition of untreated distant tumors. ICG@COF‐1@PDA also exhibits notable phototherapeutic efficacy against 4T1 murine breast to lung metastasis, a spontaneous metastasis mode for triple‐negative breast cancers (TNBCs). Overall, this study reveals a novel nanodelivery system for molecular dispersion of NIR dyes, which may present new therapeutic opportunities against primary and metastatic tumors.
Graphdiyne: A New Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Cocatalyst
Authors: Xu Feiyan , Meng Kai , Zhu Bicheng , Liu Huibiao , Xu Jingsan , Yu Jiaguo 
Published: August 2019

AbstractExploring new and efficient cocatalysts to boost photocatalytic CO2 reduction is of critical importance for solar‐to‐fuel conversion. As an emerging carbon allotrope, graphdiyne (GDY) features 2D characteristics and unique carbon–carbon bonds. Herein, a novel GDY cocatalyst coupled TiO2 nanofibers for boosted photocatalytic CO2 reduction, synthesized by an electrostatic self‐assembly approach is reported. First‐principle calculation and in situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement reveal that the delocalized electrons in GDY can hybrid with the empty orbitals in TiO2 within the TiO2/GDY network, leading to the formation of an internal electric field at the interfaces, pointing from GDY to TiO2. The theoretical simulation further implies strong chemisorption and deformation of CO2 molecules upon GDY, which can be verified by in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. These effects, in combination with the photothermal effect of GDY, result in enhanced charge separation and directed electron transfer, enhanced CO2 adsorption and activation as well as accelerated catalytic reactions over the TiO2/GDY heterostructure, thereby resulting in significantly improved CO2 photoreduction efficiency and meanwhile with remarkable selectivity. This work demonstrates that GYD can function as a highly effective cocatalyst for solar energy harvesting and may be used in other catalysis processes.
Efficient Cesium Lead Halide Perovskite Solar Cells through Alternative Thousand‐Layer Rapid Deposition
Authors: Lin Hung‐Yu , Chen Chien‐Yu , Hsu Bo‐Wei , Cheng Yu‐Lun , Tsai Wei‐Lun , Huang Yu‐Ching , Tsao Cheng‐Si , Lin Hao‐Wu 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe novel growth of cesium lead halide perovskite thin films, which are prepared through thousand‐layer rapid alternative deposition, is performed by developing an active perovskite film consisting of a layer‐by‐layer structure. This method is considerably more difficult to be implemented from the solution process. The obtained thin film morphology and characteristics are distinguished from that of the traditional a few layers and two‐material codeposition. These alternative deposited perovskites are integrated with vacuum‐deposited carrier‐transporting layers and electrodes, and all vacuum‐sublimed perovskite solar cells exhibit an outstanding power conversion efficiency of 13.0%. The use of these devices for environmental light energy harvesting provides a power conversion efficiency of 33.9% under fluorescent light illumination of 1000 lux.
Hole Transport Bilayer Structure for Quasi‐2D Perovskite Based Blue Light‐Emitting Diodes with High Brightness and Good Spectral Stability
Authors: Ren Zhenwei , Xiao Xiangtian , Ma Ruiman , Lin Hong , Wang Kai , Sun Xiao Wei , Choy Wallace C. H. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractSubstantial achievements have been made in green and red perovskite light emitting diodes (PeLEDs) recently. However, blue PeLEDs still lag behind with much lower performances. One of the main reasons is the mass undesirable nonradiative recombination at interfaces and within the perovskite films. In this work, an efficient hole transport bi‐layer structure composed of PSSNa and NiOx is demonstrated to simultaneously inhibit the nonradiative decays between NiOx and perovskite films by reducing NiOx surface defects and improving quasi‐2D perovskite thin film quality by minimizing its pin‐holes and reducing the film roughness. The results show that the dipole feature of PSSNa improves the hole transportation and thus PeLED performances. Moreover, by introducing KBr into the perovskite, its film quality improves and trap states reduce. Eventually, the blue PeLEDs is achieved with a very low turn‐on voltage of 3.31 V accompanied with an external quantum efficiency of 1.45% and a remarkable luminance of 4359 cd m‐2. With further optimization of the perovskite precursor concentration, the highest luminance reaches 5737 cd m‐2, which represents the brightest blue PeLEDs reported to date as far as it is known. Furthermore, the devices also show better spectral stability and operation lifetime as compared to other blue PeLEDs.
Breaking Reciprocity with Space‐Time‐Coding Digital Metasurfaces
Authors: Zhang Lei , Chen Xiao Qing , Shao Rui Wen , Dai Jun Yan , Cheng Qiang , Castaldi Giuseppe , Galdi Vincenzo , Cui Tie Jun 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMetasurfaces are artificially engineered ultrathin structures that can finely tailor and control electromagnetic wavefronts. There is currently a strong interest in exploring their capability to lift some fundamental limitations dictated by Lorentz reciprocity, which have strong implications in communication, heat management, and energy harvesting. Time‐varying approaches have emerged as attractive alternatives to conventional schemes relying on magnetic or nonlinear materials, but experimental evidence is currently limited to devices such as circulators and antennas. Here, the recently proposed concept of space‐time‐coding digital metasurfaces is leveraged to break reciprocity. Moreover, it is shown that such nonreciprocal effects can be controlled dynamically. This approach relies on inducing suitable spatiotemporal phase gradients in a programmable way via digital modulation of the metasurface‐elements' phase repsonse, which enable anomalous reflections accompanied by frequency conversions. A prototype operating at microwave frequencies is designed and fabricated for proof‐of‐concept validation. Measured results are in good agreement with theory, hence providing the first experimental evidence of nonreciprocal reflection effects enabled by space‐time‐modulated digital metasurfaces. The proposed concept and platform set the stage for “on‐demand” realization of nonreciprocal effects, in programmable or reconfigurable fashions, which may find several promising applications, including frequency conversion, Doppler frequency illusion, optical isolation, and unidirectional transmission.
Two in One: Light as a Tool for 3D Printing and Erasing at the Microscale
Authors: Batchelor Rhiannon , Messer Tobias , Hippler Marc , Wegener Martin , Barner‐Kowollik Christopher , Blasco Eva 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe ability to selectively remove sections from 3D‐printed structures with high resolution remains a current challenge in 3D laser lithography. A novel photoresist is introduced to enable the additive fabrication of 3D microstructures at one wavelength and subsequent spatially controlled cleavage of the printed resist at another wavelength. The photoresist is composed of a difunctional acrylate cross‐linker containing a photolabile o‐nitrobenzyl ether moiety. 3D microstructures are written by photoinduced radical polymerization of acrylates using Ivocerin as photoinitiator upon exposure to 900 nm laser light. Subsequent scanning using a laser at 700 nm wavelength allows for the selective removal of the resist by photocleaving the o‐nitrobenzyl group. Both steps rely on two‐photon absorption. The fabricated and erased features are imaged using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser scanning microscopy (LSM). In addition, a single wire bond is successfully eliminated from an array, proving the possibility of complete or partial removal of structures on demand.
Elemental Nanoanalysis of Interfacial Alumina–Aryl Fluoride Interactions in Fullerene‐Free Organic Tandem Solar Cells
Authors: Hoefler Sebastian F. , Haberfehlner Georg , Rath Thomas , Canteri Roberto , Barozzi Mario , Hofer Ferdinand , Trimmel Gregor 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe choice of the optimum combination of materials for the absorber layers, electrodes, as well as interfacial layers is highly important to enhance further advances in the field of organic photovoltaics. Usually, these materials are assumed to be stable under the applied processing steps for the fabrication of the solar cells. Herein, organic tandem solar cells are examined with fluorine‐containing absorber layers consisting of the fluorinated polymer donor PTB7‐Th and the indacenodithiophene‐type small molecule acceptor O‐IDTBR and MoO3/Al/PFN‐Br as recombination layer. Although both subcells comprise the same low bandgap absorber materials, the tandem solar cells reveal high open‐circuit voltage values approaching 2 V. However, using a combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy nanoanalysis techniques and secondary ion mass spectrometry with depth profiling, an unexpected phenomenon is disclosed. It is found that significant amounts of fluorine are accumulated in the recombination layer region which originates very likely from alumina–aryl fluoride interactions responsible for a partial defluorination of the conjugated polymer in the absorber layer.
Silver‐Nanoparticle‐Modified Polyimide for Multiple Artificial Skin‐Sensing Applications
Authors: Bi Peng , Liu Xiaowei , Yang Yang , Wang Ziyu , Shi Jing , Liu Gaomin , Kong Fangfang , Zhu Benpeng , Xiong Rui 
Published: August 2019

AbstractWearable devices have become very important for collecting health information and monitoring the condition of seriously ill patients. However, most recently developed wearable devices can only monitor limited signals within a very small range of values. A novel sensor is fabricated by modifying the surface of polyimide nanowires with silver nanoparticles. These nanowire sensors can sense both pressure and temperature changes and have antimicrobial properties. The fabricated sensor can detect a wide range of pressure variation from 5 KPa to 100 KPa. A theoretical model is developed to explain the sensing mechanism of the silver‐nanoparticle‐modified polyimide nanowires. The experimental and theoretical results for the nanowires are in good agreement. By attaching these sensors to human joints and fingers, real‐time information can be detected for human motion, such as walking or holding a hot cup of water. The excellent performance of this device shows that it has great potential for use in artificial skins for detecting temperature and human motion.
Soft Material‐Enabled, Active Wireless, Thin‐Film Bioelectronics for Quantitative Diagnostics of Cervical Dystonia
Authors: Kwon Young‐Tae , Lee Yongkuk , Berkmen Gamze Kilic , Lim Hyo‐Ryoung , Scorr Laura , Jinnah Hyder A. , Yeo Woon‐Hong 
Published: August 2019

AbstractRecent advances in flexible materials, nanomanufacturing, and system integration have provided a great opportunity to develop wearable flexible hybrid electronics for human healthcare, diagnostics, and therapeutics. However, existing medical devices still rely on rigid electronics with many wires and separate components, which hinders wireless, comfortable, continuous monitoring of health‐related human motions. Advanced materials and system integration technologies are introduced that enable soft, active wireless, thin‐film bioelectronics. This low‐modulus, highly flexible wearable electronic system incorporates a nanomembrane wireless circuit and functional chip components enclosed by a soft elastomeric membrane. It can be gently and seamlessly mounted on the skin, while offering comfortable, highly sensitive and accurate detection of head movements. The wireless, skin‐like bioelectronic system (SKINTRONICS) is utilized for quantitative diagnostics of cervical dystonia (CD), which is characterized by involuntary abnormal head postures and repetitive head movements, sometimes with neck muscle pain. A set of analytical and experimental studies shows a soft system packaging, hard–soft materials integration, and quantitative assessment of physiological signals detected by the SKINTRONICS. In vivo demonstration, involving 10 human subjects, finds the device feasible for use in CD measurement.