bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Naked‐Eye Heterogeneous Sensing of Fluoride Ions by Co‐Polymeric Nanosponge Systems Comprising Aromatic‐Imide‐Functionalized Nanocellulose and Branched Polyethyleneimine
Authors: Riva Laura , Fiorati Andrea , Sganappa Aurora , Melone Lucio , Punta Carlo , Cametti Massimo 
Published: August 2019

AbstractHeterogeneous colorimetric sensors for fluoride ions were obtained by cross‐linking TEMPO‐oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNF) with chemically modified branched polyethyleneimine 25 kDa (bPEI). Functionalization of bPEI primary amino groups with aromatic anhydrides led to the formation of the corresponding mono‐ and bis‐imides on the grafted polymers (f‐bPEI). A microwave‐assisted procedure allowed the optimization of the synthetic protocol by reducing reaction time from 17 h to 30 minutes. Hydrogels obtained by mixing different ratios of TOCNF, bPEI and f‐bPEI were lyophilized and thermally treated at about 100 °C to promote the formation of amide bonds between the amino groups of poly‐cationic polymers and the carboxylic groups of cellulose nanofibers. This approach generated a series of cellulose nanosponges S1‐S3 which were characterized by FT‐IR and by solid state 13C CPMAS NMR. These sponge materials can act as colorimetric sensors for the selective naked‐eye recognition of fluoride ions over chloride, phosphate and acetate ions at concentrations of up to 0.05 M in DMSO. Moreover, when the sponges were functionalized with perylene tetracarboxylic diimide, successful naked‐eye detection was achieved with only 0.02 % w/w of chromophore units per gram of material.
Catalytic One‐Pot Conversion of Renewable Platform Chemicals to Hydrocarbon and Ether Biofuels through Tandem Hf(OTf)4+Pd/C Catalysis
Authors: Liu Dong‐Huang , Marks Tobin J. , Li Zhi 
Published: August 2019

AbstractEfficient conversion of renewable biomass platform chemicals into high‐quality fuels remains challenging. A one‐pot catalytic approach has been developed to synthesize various structurally defined biofuels by using Hf(OTf)4 and Pd/C for selective tandem catalysis and 2‐methylfuran (2‐MF) as a renewable feedstock. 2‐MF first undergoes Lewis acid‐catalyzed hydroxyalkylation/alkylation (HAA) condensation with carbonyl compounds to afford intermediates containing the targeted carbon skeletons of hydrocarbon or ether products, and these intermediates then undergo hydrogenation or hydrodeoxygenation to afford the target products, catalyzed by metal triflate+Pd/C in the same pot. The present process can produce structurally defined alkanes and cyclic ethers under mild conditions.
Assessment of 50 kWp rooftop solar photovoltaic plant at The ICFAI University, Jaipur: A case study
Authors: Mukherji Rana , Mathur Vishal , Bhati Amit , Mukherji Manishita 
Published: August 2019

AbstractCurrently, India is espousing nonconventional energy sources at an express rate owing to concerns about climate change, emission of harmful greenhouse gases (GHG), and exhausting conventional energy sources. The solar photovoltaic (SPV) plants are, hence, expected to play a noteworthy role to meet energy security and sustainability goals. Contemporary studies reveal substantial ecological concerns associated with installing the ground mounted SPV plants in urban locations. Further observations depict that aforementioned plants need additional land, transmission, and distribution infrastructures. Consequently, rooftop SPV plants are the best solution to produce energy in urban locations, owing to the availability of a large number of empty rooftop spaces with least capacity expenditure. The present article discusses the techno‐economic and ecological aspects of a 50 kWp rooftop SPV plant installed at ICFAI University, Jaipur. The plant has produced around 64.149 MWh in the year 2017. The technical assessment focuses on the effects of the meteorological parameters upon energy generation factors. The annual average final yield, reference yield, capacity utilization factor, and performance ratio found to be 106.9 kWh/kWp/month, 149.7 kWh/kWp/month, 14.64 and 70%, respectively. The economic parameters like net present value, internal rate of return, profitability index, and payback period are computed with 0–50% subsidy rates, which supports the financial viability of the plant. The plant contributed significantly to reducing GHG emissions by mitigating 102 t CO2, 128 kg SO2, 268 kg NOx, and 7,033 kg ash in the year 2017 as evident from the ecological investigation.Statement of industrial relevanceManufacturing industries are extremely power intensive, as they utilize a substantial amount of energy during the production process. The utilization of sustainable energy sources can considerably curtail the major overhead cost, that is, power, and at the same time minimize pollution. Solar energy utilization is a viable option as large spaces are available not only on rooftops but also allied spaces like parking lots of the industries for installation of rooftop SPV plants. The industries by virtue of location receive extended periods of unimpeded sunlight, as these setups are positioned in separate industrial areas away from residential clusters of buildings. Hence, the problems related to shading is eliminated. This makes solar plant setup more effective and functionally robust. The findings of the present work delineate a broad view on technical, economic, and ecological viability of the rooftop solar plant. The work, thus, emboldens industries to adopt strategies toward the installation of rooftop solar plant in their premises.
Novel study design to assess the efficacy and tolerability of antiseizure medications for focal‐onset seizures in infants and young children: A consensus document from the regulatory task force and the pediatric commission of the International League against Epilepsy (ILAE), in collaboration with the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium (PERC)
Authors: Auvin Stéphane , French Jacqueline , Dlugos Denis , Knupp Kelly G. , Perucca Emilio , Arzimanoglou Alexis , Whalen Ed , Shellhaas Renée A. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractHigh‐quality placebo‐controlled drug trials for focal‐onset seizures in infants and children younger than 4 years have become increasingly difficult to perform because of eligibility constraints and onerous study designs. Traditional designs used in these populations require a high baseline seizure frequency, two hospitalizations for video‐electroencephalography (video‐EEG) monitoring, and willingness to accept potential exposure to placebo when the drugs to be tested are usually already available for off‐label prescription. To address these constraints, the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) regulatory taskforce and the ILAE pediatric commission, in collaboration with the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium (PERC), propose a novel trial design which involves seizure counting by caregivers based on previous video‐EEG/video validation of specific seizure semiologies. We present a novel randomized placebo‐controlled trial design intended to be used for studying new antiseizure medications (ASMs) for focal‐onset seizures (FOS) in children aged one month to four years. This design uses “time to Nth seizure” as the primary outcome and incorporates a new element of variable baseline duration. This approach permits enrollment of infants with lower seizure burden, who might not have video‐EEG‐recorded seizures within 2‐3 days of monitoring. Repeated hospitalizations for video‐EEG recordings are avoided, and duration of baseline and exposure to placebo or ineffective treatment(s) are minimized. By broadening eligibility criteria, reducing risks from prolonged placebo exposure, and relying on validated recording of seizure counting by caregivers, clinical trials will be likely to be completed more efficiently than in the recent past.
A Prospective Trial of Withdrawal and Reinstitution of Ursodeoxycholic Acid in Pediatric Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Authors: Black Dennis D. , Mack Cara , Kerkar Nanda , Miloh Tamir , Sundaram Shikha S. , Anand Ravinder , Gupta Ashutosh , Alonso Estella , Arnon Ronen , Bulut Pinar , Karpen Saul , Lin Chuan‐Hao , Rosenthal Philip , Ryan Matthew , Squires Robert H. , Valentino Pamela , Elsea Sarah H. , Shneider Benjamin L. 
Published: August 2019

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is commonly used to treat several liver disorders in adults and children, including primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) for which it is not U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved. UDCA treatment has an uncertain impact on disease outcomes and has been reported in high doses to be associated with worse outcome in adults with PSC. In this context, controlled withdrawal and reintroduction of UDCA in children with PSC were studied. Prior to study initiation, participants were required to have alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) <2 times the upper limit of normal on stable UDCA dosing. The study included four phases: I (stable dosing), II (50% UDCA reduction), III (UDCA discontinuation), IV (UDCA reintroduction), with a primary endpoint of change in ALT and GGT between phases I and III. We enrolled 27 participants (22 completed) between March 2011 and June 2016. Changes in mean ALT and GGT between phases I and III were ALT, +29.5 IU/L (P = 0.105) and GGT, +60.4 IU/L (P = 0.003). In 7 participants, ALT and GGT ≤29 IU/L did not rise above 29 IU/L (null response group). Eight participants had increases of ALT or GGT >100 IU/L (flare group). None developed elevated bilirubin. All flares responded to UDCA reinstitution. Serum GGT, interleukin‐8, and tumor necrosis factor α levels were higher in the flare group at baseline. Liver biochemistries increased in children with PSC during controlled UDCA withdrawal; one third increased above 100 IU/L and one third remained normal during UDCA withdrawal. Conclusion: The impact of prolonged UDCA use in childhood PSC and the significance of a biochemical flare are unclear. Further studies of the natural history and treatment of pediatric PSC and UDCA use are needed.
Deoxyfluorination of (Hetero)aryl Aldehydes Using Tetramethylammonium Fluoride and Perfluorobutanesulfonyl Fluoride or Trifluoromethanesulfonic Anhydride
Authors: Ferguson Devin M. , Melvin Patrick R. , Sanford Melanie S. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThis Communication describes the conversion of (hetero)aryl aldehydes into the corresponding (hetero)aryl difluoromethyl products using anhydrous NMe4F in combination with perfluorobutanesulfonyl fluoride or trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride.
Moving tissue spectral window to the deep‐ultraviolet via optical clearing
Authors: Carneiro Isa , Carvalho Sónia , Henrique Rui , Oliveira Luís , Tuchin Valery 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe optical immersion clearing technique has been successfully applied through the last 30 years in the visible to near infrared spectral range, and has proven to be a promising method to promote the application of optical technologies in clinical practice. To investigate its potential in the ultraviolet range, collimated transmittance spectra from 200 to 1000 nm were measured from colorectal muscle samples under treatment with glycerol‐water solutions. The treatments created two new optical windows with transmittance efficiency peaks at 230 and 300 nm, with magnitude increasing with glycerol concentration in the treating solution. Such discovery opens the opportunity to develop clinical procedures to perform diagnosis or treatments in the ultraviolet.
Interobserver agreement and diagnostic accuracy of shearwave elastography for the staging of hepatitis C virus‐associated liver fibrosis
Authors: Kaposi Pál N. , Unger Zsuzsanna , Fejér Bence , Kucsa András , Tóth Ambrus , Folhoffer Anikó , Szalay Ferenc , Bérczi Viktor 
Published: August 2019

AbstractPurposeOur study aimed to evaluate the technical success rate, interobserver reproducibility, and accuracy of shearwave elastography (SWE) in the staging of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐associated liver fibrosis.MethodsA total of 10 healthy controls and 49 patients with chronic liver disease were enrolled prospectively. Two examiners performed point shearwave elastography (pSWE) and two‐dimensional shearwave elastography (2D‐SWE) measurements with an RS85A ultrasound scanner using the S‐Shearwave application (Samsung Medison, Hongcheon, Korea). The performance of S‐Shearwave in the staging (METAVIR F0‐F4) of liver fibrosis was compared with prior transient elastography (TE) with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.ResultsThe interobserver reproducibility was excellent with pSWE (ICC = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86‐0.95, P < .001). A very good agreement was found between pSWE and TE measurements (ICC =0.85, 95% CI: 0.78‐0.89, P < .001). The ROC analysis determined the optimal cut‐off values of pSWE for the staging of chronic hepatitis C‐associated fibrosis (F2, 1.46 m/s; F3, 1.63 m/s; F4, 1.95 m/s). Both observers achieved excellent diagnostic accuracy (AUROC: 94% vs 97%) in the detection of significant (≥F2) liver fibrosis.ConclusionThe interobserver agreement is excellent with S‐Shearwave pSWE, and observers can diagnose significant liver fibrosis with a comparable accuracy to TE.
Transpancreatic mattress suture with Vicryl mesh around the stump decreases postoperative pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy
Authors: Yoshida Yuta , Matsumoto Ippei , Matsumoto Masataka , Kawaguchi Kohei , Murase Takaaki , Kamei Keiko , Satoi Shumpei , Takebe Atsushi , Nakai Takuya , Takeyama Yoshifumi 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundPostoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after distal pancreatectomy (DP) remains the most common surgical complication. We have developed a novel stump closure technique after DP using transpancreatic mattress suture with Vicryl mesh (TMV) and reported our initial findings. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of TMV compared to the conventional handsewn stump closure technique (CHS).MethodsThis retrospective single‐center study included 165 consecutive patients who underwent open DP from January 2010 to May 2018. Of these, 71 patients underwent DP using TMV after September 2014 and 94 patients underwent DP with CHS. The surgical outcomes were compared between the two groups.ResultsClinically relevant POPF rate in the TMV group was significantly lower than that in the CHS group (5.6% vs. 17.2%, P = 0.027). Morbidity rate was higher in the CHS group than that in the TMV group (16.9% vs. 27.7%, P = 0.104). In the multivariate analysis, absence of additional organ resection (OR 3.57; 95% CI 1.18–10.43; P = 0.025) and TMV (OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.07–0.73; P = 0.010) were identified as independent preventing factors for clinically relevant POPF.ConclusionTMV can be an effective stump closure technique for preventing POPF after DP.
Early Predictors of Enteral Autonomy in Pediatric Intestinal Failure Resulting From Short Bowel Syndrome: Development of a Disease Severity Scoring Tool
Authors: Belza Christina , Fitzgerald Kevin , de Silva Nicole , Avitzur Yaron , Wales Paul W. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIntroductionPatients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) are dependent on parenteral nutrition (PN) while their bowel attempts to compensate. Our objective was to create an SBS disease severity score to predict the probability of achieving enteral autonomy (EA).MethodsA retrospective cohort study of children with SBS managed by our Intestinal Rehabilitation Program was completed. Data abstracted included demographic, bowel anatomy, and outcome variables including conjugated bilirubin (CB) and enteral nutrition (EN) tolerated 6 months postoperatively. Univariate analysis and Cox proportional hazards (CPH) model were performed. A score was created based on weighting of coefficients. An α‐value of < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsOne hundred thirty‐nine patients were analyzed (61% males). Ninety‐five (68%) achieved EA. Patients possessing >50% residual small bowel (hazard ratio [HR] 2.68 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.60‐4.49], P < 0.001), ileocecal valve intact (HR 0.61 [95% CI 0.37‐1.01], P < 0.055), and >50% enteral tolerance at 6 months (HR 5.70 [95% CI 2.77‐11.74] P < 0.001) were positively associated with EA. CB >34 µmol/L (2 mg/dL) was negatively associated with EA (HR 0.42 [95% CI0.27‐0.66], P < 0.001). A severity score was created by weighting CPH parameter estimates (small bowel length >50%, ileocecal valve intact, CB <34 µmol/L, and EN >50% for a maximum score of 8), and disease severity strata were developed (severe [25.7% EA], moderate [52.9% EA], and mild [97.1% EA]).ConclusionWe propose a pediatric SBS disease severity score that predicts probability of EA. The score allows prognostication of individual patients and could assist research by adjusting outcome reporting or stratifying recruitment.
A retrospective analysis of 1,717 paranasal sinus fungus ball cases from 2008 to 2017
Authors: Liu Xin , Liu Chengyao , Wei Hongzheng , He Shuai , Dong Shouxiang , Zhou Bing , Zhang Luo , Li Yunchuan 
Published: August 2019

Objectives/HypothesisTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics, clinical features, and the outcomes of histopathology and microbiology for fungus ball (FB) in the last 10 years in our department.Study DesignDatabase review.MethodsIn total, 1,717 cases of FB were reviewed from the case database of Beijing Tongren Hospital (between 2008 and 2017). Epidemiologic data, clinical manifestations, histopathology, and microbiology were analyzed.ResultsIn the past 10 years, there has been a significant increase in patients with FB presenting at our department (P < .05). The mean age of patients with paranasal sinus FB was 54 years, and 67% of patients were female (1,156/1,717). The average age and female predominance were consistent with previous reports. In total, 1,626 cases (94.7%) were unilateral, and the most common location was the maxillary sinus (76.6%). Aspergillus spp. (72.8%) was the most abundant fungal species in our study. The direct smear positive rate was 68.6%, and the fungal culture rate was 22.6%. All cases were treated with functional endoscopic sinus surgery, with a very low rate of postoperative complications and reoperation (20/1,717).ConclusionsHistopathological and microbiological analyses are essential for the diagnosis of FB. Surgery is the most effective method of treatment. Direct smear after surgery is not necessary. Oral or topical antimycotic treatments are not recommended after surgery or during the perioperative period.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 130:75–79, 2020
1H PFG‐NMR Diffusion Study on a Sequence‐Defined Macromolecule: Confirming Monodispersity
Authors: Guo Xiaoai , Wetzel Katharina S. , Solleder Susanne C. , Spann Sebastian , Meier Michael A. R. , Wilhelm Manfred , Luy Burkhard , Guthausen Gisela 
Published: August 2019

AbstractA monodisperse decamer bearing ten different side chains, obtained via the iterative Passerini three‐component reaction and subsequent deprotection, is investigated by 1H pulsed field gradient (PFG) NMR. Both the stimulated echo (PFG‐STE) and a fast spin‐echo pulse sequence (β‐PFG‐SE) are applied to explore the translational diffusion properties of the sequence‐defined decamer in solution at different concentrations with the aim of establishing an independent and new method to confirm its monodispersity. The signals decay according to the expectation of monodisperse molecules in solution with a high experimental accuracy, indeed verifying the monodispersity of these decamers. The diffusion coefficients can further be interpreted in terms of molecular weight. Both NMR methods result in comparable diffusion coefficients, while the β‐PFG‐SE reduces the experimental time by a factor of about 18.
Notes on bilinear multipliers on Orlicz spaces
Authors: Blasco Oscar , Osançlıol Alen 
Published: August 2019

AbstractLet and Φ3 be Young functions and let , and be the corresponding Orlicz spaces. We say that a function defined on is a bilinear multiplier of type if
defines a bounded bilinear operator from to . We denote by the space of all bilinear multipliers of type and investigate some properties of such a class. Under some conditions on the triple we give some examples of bilinear multipliers of type . We will focus on the case and get necessary conditions on to get non‐trivial multipliers in this class. In particular we recover some of the known results for Lebesgue spaces.
Adjusting catastrophe model ensembles using importance sampling, with application to damage estimation for varying levels of hurricane activity
Authors: Jewson Stephen , Barnes Clair , Cusack Stephen , Bellone Enrica 
Published: August 2019

AbstractRisk modellers in the insurance industry use catastrophe models to estimate the distribution of possible damage from natural catastrophes. The output from catastrophe models is often adjusted to create alternative risk scenarios. These adjustments are made for many reasons, such as to reflect different scientific hypotheses, different interpretations of historical data or different scenarios related to climate variability and climate change. Models that present the output in a list of simulated synthetic events with their associated damage (so‐called event loss tables) can be adjusted rather easily, since information about desired adjustments is typically expressed in terms of changes in the properties of events. Models that present the output in a list of simulated synthetic years (so‐called year loss tables) are harder to adjust, however, because the occurrences of the events are hard‐wired into the simulated years. A method is described that allows the adjustment of the results in a year loss table by the application of weights to the years. The weights are calculated in such a way as to capture the specified changes in properties of the underlying events. The method is demonstrated by applying it to output from a catastrophe model and using it to quantify the changes in US hurricane wind damage due to shifts between long‐term average, active and inactive levels of hurricane activity. It is shown that the method works well by comparing the results with more accurate results derived directly from the underlying event loss table.