bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Preterm Infants: Phase I Dose-Escalation Clinical Trial
Authors: Ahn So Yoon , Chang Yun Sil , Sung Se In , Park Won Soon 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
We previously demonstrated that transplanting mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) improved recovery from brain injury induced by severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in newborn rats. To assess the safety and feasibility of MSCs in preterm infants with severe IVH, we performed a phase I dose-escalation clinical trial. The first three patients received a low dose of MSCs (5 × 106 cells/kg), and the next six received a high dose (1 × 107 cells/kg). We assessed adverse outcomes, including mortality and the progress of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus. Intraventricular transplantation of MSCs was performed in nine premature infants with mean gestational age of 26.1 ± 0.7 weeks and birth weight of 808 ± 85 g at 11.6 ± 0.9 postnatal days. Treatment with MSCs was well tolerated, and no patients showed serious adverse effects or dose-limiting toxicities attributable to MSC transplantation. There was no mortality in IVH patients receiving MSCs. Infants who underwent shunt surgery showed a higher level of interleukin (IL)-6 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained before MSC transplantation in comparison with infants who did not receive a shunt. Levels of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in initially obtained CSF correlated significantly with baseline ventricular index. Intraventricular transplantation of allogeneic human UCB-derived MSCs into preterm infants with severe IVH is safe and feasible, and warrants a larger, and controlled, phase II study.
Magnetic Nanofibers: Unique Properties, Fabrication Techniques, and Emerging Applications
Authors: Chen Xiaoqing , Cheng Lisheng , Li Haoyi , Barhoum Ahmed , Zhang Youchen , He Xuetao , Yang Weinmin , Bubakir Mahmoud M , Chen Hongbo 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMagnetic nanofibers (MNFs) are integrated with a variety of properties, such as large surface area, high porosity, small size effect and apparent magnetism. This enables MNFs to possess excellent properties of both nanofibers (NFs) and magnetic materials, which greatly widens the application of the original magnetic materials. A brief review of the properties of MNFs, fabrication techniques, and their emerging applications which include biomedical application, sensing and electronic devices, wastewater treatment and microwave absorption is presented. Finally, the development trend and prospect of MNFs in future are summarized and discussed.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity and Biosensing of Gadolinium Substituted BiFeO3 Nanoparticles
Authors: Basavarajappa Patil S. , Seethya Bhojya Naik H. , Ganganagappa Nagaraju , Eshwaraswamy Kumaraswamy B. , Kakarla Raghava Reddy 
Published: August 2018

AbstractGadolinium (Gd3+) substituted bismuth ferrite (BF) photocatalysts were synthesized using sol‐gel method and the effect of Gd3+ substitution was investigated on the structural, optical and surface properties of Gd3+ substituted BF nanoparticles. Different techniques such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) with Selected area electron diffraction pattern (SAED), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), ultraviolet‐visible diffuse reflection spectra (UV‐DRS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET), and photoluminescence spectra (PL) were employed to characterize the nanoparticles. Compared to nascent BF, the Gd3+ substituted BF nanoparticles showed improved long‐range ordering, smaller pore diameter, higher porosity and redshift of the band gap. These properties were responsible for their improved photocatalytic activity, when tested for the photodegradation of organic dyes. It was found that 3 % Gd3+ substituted BF nanoparticles exhibited enhanced the photocatalytic activity of indigo carmine dye with a degradation ranging from 34 % to 69 %, while for Congo red dye the degradation varied from 37 % to 73 % under the visible light. Furthermore, bio‐sensing properties of BF materials were improved as detected by the uric acid using cyclic voltammogram technique.
Unsubstituted Oxacalix[n]arenes (n=4 and 8): A Conformational Study in Solution and Solid State and Interaction Studies with Aromatic Guests
Authors: Peterson Anna , Kaabel Sandra , Kahn Iiris , Pehk Tõnis , Aav Riina , Adamson Jasper 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe present single crystal structures of unsubstituted oxacalix[4]arene and oxacalix[8]arene macrocycles and investigate the weak supramolecular interactions that govern their packing in the solid state. We further show that the unsubstituted oxacalix[4]arene shows weak complexation with two aromatic guest species, benzoic acid and ferrocene, in CDCl3, whereas the oxacalix[8]arene host does not complex with these guest molecules. We also present NMR titration experiments with non‐aromatic acids and DFT calculations that signify the importance of π‐π interactions for complexation with benzoic acid. Weak complexation is also observed between electron‐rich aromatic guest molecules and the unsubstituted oxacalix[4]arene host.
TiO2 Nanoparticle Catalyzed Rapid Synthesis of Spiroxindole‐Pyrrolidine in Aqueous Medium and Evaluation of their Antimicrobial Properties
Authors: Ramesh Pambala , Reddy Marri Sameer , Kumar Nandigama Satish , Rathod Balaji , Prakasham R. S. , Chowan L. Raju 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe report TiO2 nanoparticle as a reusable heterogeneous catalyst for rapid synthesis of Spiroxindole‐Pyrrolidine by reacting of 3‐aryl‐1‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐prop‐2‐en‐1‐one, isatins and benzylamines via 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction using water as reaction media. The reaction proceeded with excellent regio and diastereoselective product formation along with good yields within 30 minutes. Structure of the product was unambiguously confirmed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction study. Synthesized Spiroxindole‐Pyrrolidine derivatives were evaluated for antimicrobial activity and found that all the compounds performed well against standard streptomycin drug.
Enthalpy of Combustion on n‐Alkanes. Quantum Chemical Calculations up to n‐C60H122 and Power Law Distributions
Authors: Audran Gérard , Marque Sylvain R. A. , Siri Didier , Santelli Maurice 
Published: August 2018

AbstractHeats of combustion of n‐alkanes, ΔHn , from CH4 to C60H122 have been determined using quantum‐chemical calculations. We have observed a nearly perfect linear relationship between ΔHn(theo) and the experimental values of heats of combustion for methane to n‐eicosane. Then, we were able to extrapolate for 21 ≤ n ≤ 60. Interestingly, we showed that the variations of the increments H[n‐CnH(2n+2)]/n ‐H[n‐C(n–1)H2n]/(n–1) against n led to a characteristic power law distribution.
Pressure Welding of Silver Nanowires Networks at Room Temperature as Transparent Electrodes for Efficient Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Tseng Jiun‐Yi , Lee Ling , Huang Yu‐Chen , Chang Jung‐Hao , Su Teng‐Yu , Shih Yu‐Chuan , Lin Hao‐Wu , Chueh Yu‐Lun 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn this work, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) as a superior mediate for the pressure welding of silver nanowires (Ag NWs) networks as transparent electrodes without any thermal treatment is demonstrated. After a pressing of 200 kg cm−2, not only the sheet resistance but also the surface roughness of the PMMA‐mediated Ag NWs networks decreases from 2.6 kΩ sq−1 to 34.3 Ω sq−1 and from 76.1 to 12.6 nm, respectively. On the other hand, high transparency of an average transmittance in the visible wavelengths of 93.5% together with a low haze value of 2.58% can be achieved. In terms of optoelectronic applications, the promising potential of the PMMA‐mediated pressure‐welded Ag NWs networks used as a transparent electrode in a green organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) device is also demonstrated. In comparison with the OLED based on commercial tin‐doped indium oxide electrode, the increments of power efficiency and external quantum efficiency (EQE) from 80.1 to 85.9 lm w−1 and 19.2% to 19.9% are demonstrated. In addition, the PMMA‐mediated pressure welding succeeds in transferring Ag NWs networks to flexible polyethylene naphthalate and polyimide substrates with the sheet resistance of 42 and 91 Ω sq−1 after 10 000 times of bending, respectively.
A Social Systems Approach to Self‐assessed Health and Its Determinants in the Digital Era
Authors: Vătămănescu Elena‐Mădălina , Alexandru Vlad‐Andrei , Dincă Violeta Mihaela , Nistoreanu Bogdan Gabriel 
Published: August 2018

Placing self‐assessed health (SAH) and its determinants within a social systems framework, the current paper aims to investigate the influences of individual characteristics, environmental and socio‐economic factors on the way people rate their own health. The multiplexity and dynamics of social structures are examined through the lens of the digital era, which exerts a substantive impact on the individuals' appraisal of reality and capacity of adjusting to the unfolding of the world. Thus, given the digital‐centric environment contextualizing the activity of white‐collar workers, the study scrutinizes SAH and its determinants based on over 54 000 observations. The findings support the inferred relationships, supporting that SAH is determined by multifield variables to a great extent. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The new administration and international chemical issues
Authors: Bergeson Lynn L. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAs a candidate and now as president, President Trump has been uncharacteristically predictable in systematically dismantling signature environmental policies of prior administrations and ceding the United States’ leadership in combating climate change to other global powers. The administration's industrial chemicals management policy has been less transparent and predictable, however. Some may have interpreted candidate Trump's notable silence on the campaign trail as support for Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) reform, given the broad bipartisan support it enjoyed before its enactment on June 22, 2016. Others may have assumed that candidate Trump was simply unaware of the enactment of the most sweeping legislative changes to our domestic chemical management law in four decades and the significant commercial, legal, and trade implications occasioned by enactment of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (Lautenberg). President Trump has kept his TSCA cards close to his vest, and the administration's broader engagement in chemicals management on the world stage is similarly unclear. Some trends can be discerned, or at least inferred, as discussed below.
The IPCC and the new map of science and politics
Authors: Beck Silke , Mahony Martin 
Published: August 2018

In this study, we review work which seeks to understand and interpret the place of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) within the science and politics of climate change in the context of a post‐Paris polycentric governance regime and the culture of “post‐truth” politics. Focusing on studies of how the IPCC has sought to maintain a boundary between the scientific and the political, we offer an historical account of “boundary work” within the IPCC which is instructive for thinking, in an anticipative mode, about emerging and likely challenges to the IPCC's position as a science–policy boundary organization. We suggest that the relationships between climate science and policy are undergoing fundamental transformation in light of the Paris Agreement, and contend that the IPCC will need to be nimble and reflexive in meeting new challenges. Growing calls for more “solution‐oriented” assessment question the IPCC's positioning at the science—politics boundary, where it can function to put some policy options on the table, while obscuring others. Recent controversies over proposed mitigation solutions are indicative of likely future challenges. We suggest that by adopting a mode of “responsible assessment,” the IPCC can continue to exercise its world‐making power in a relevant and legitimate fashion.This article is categorized under:Social Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Climate Science and Decision Making
How Kaizen Brightens Africa’s Future
Authors: Sonobe Tetsushi 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis chapter addresses the question of why successful industrial development in Africa requires the dissemination of Kaizen. For this purpose, it begins with a simple definition of the approach. While detailed explanations are provided in subsequent chapters, this chapter briefly explains what characterizes Kaizen, how it was born in Japan and why it was accepted there, and how it has absorbed and assimilated those new ideas and practices that emerged later in Japan and other parts of the world to grow into the most widely and intensively used approach to management. The chapter discusses the challenges and opportunities for Africa as a late adopter of the approach, before concluding with a brief introduction of the other chapters.
Role of Kaizen in Japan’s Overseas Development Cooperation
Authors: Jin Kimiaki 
Published: August 2018

AbstractKaizen is one of the core systems of knowledge utilized in Technical Cooperation projects of the Japanese government. For the effective transfer of Kaizen, recipient country governments and their top leaders can play significant roles through a set of institutional arrangements. For sustainable improvement of quality and productivity of work, people’s core capacities need to receive due attention since they provide the bases for further technical capacity development. The Kaizen mind-set can create change and make proactive contributions to improvement. Since knowledge transfer is influenced by both technical and human aspects, the process of customizing Kaizen tools and methodologies in the local context while maintaining the core value of Kaizen is indispensable for long-lasting quality and productivity improvement activities.
Wilson surfaces in M5-branes
Authors: Agarwal Prarit , Kim Joonho , Kim Seok , Sciarappa Antonio 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe study Wilson surface defects in 6d$$ \mathcal{N}=\left(2,0\right) $$N=20superconformal field theories, engineered by semi-infinite M2-branes intersecting M5-branes. Two independent approaches are used to obtain the Wilson surface observables on theT2inside Ω-deformedR4×T2. One approach is to compute 5d$$ \mathcal{N}={1}^{*} $$N=1*instanton partition functions in the presence of Wilson lines, where the instanton corrections capture the 6d Kaluza-Klein momentum modes. The other approach is to study the elliptic genera of 2d$$ \mathcal{N}=\left(0,4\right) $$N=04gauge theories, which we propose as describing 6d self-dual strings in the presence of Wilson surface defects. We make a detailed comparison between these two independent computations, which precisely agree for Wilson surfaces in minuscule representations; for non-minuscule representations instead we only find partial agreement, due to technical problems which we comment about.
GAUSSIAN PROCESS MODELS FOR MORTALITY RATES AND IMPROVEMENT FACTORS
Authors: Ludkovski Mike , Risk Jimmy , Zail Howard 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe develop a Gaussian process (GP) framework for modeling mortality rates and mortality improvement factors. GP regression is a nonparametric, data-driven approach for determining the spatial dependence in mortality rates and jointly smoothing raw rates across dimensions, such as calendar year and age. The GP model quantifies uncertainty associated with smoothed historical experience and generates full stochastic trajectories for out-of-sample forecasts. Our framework is well suited for updating projections when newly available data arrives, and for dealing with “edge” issues where credibility is lower. We present a detailed analysis of GP model performance for US mortality experience based on the CDC (Center for Disease Control) datasets. We investigate the interaction between mean and residual modeling, Bayesian and non-Bayesian GP methodologies, accuracy of in-sample and out-of-sample forecasting, and stability of model parameters. We also document the general decline, along with strong age-dependency, in mortality improvement factors over the past few years, contrasting our findings with the Society of Actuaries (SOA) MP-2014 and -2015 models that do not fully reflect these recent trends.
A biomarker feasibility study in the South East Asia Community Observatory health and demographic surveillance system
Authors: Partap U. , Young E. H. , Allotey P. , Sandhu M. S. , Reidpath D. D. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundIntegration of biomarker data with information on health and lifestyle provides a powerful tool to enhance the scientific value of health research. Existing health and demographic surveillance systems (HDSSs) present an opportunity to create novel biodata resources for this purpose, but data and biological sample collection often presents challenges. We outline some of the challenges in developing these resources and present the outcomes of a biomarker feasibility study embedded within the South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO) HDSS.MethodsWe assessed study-related records to determine the pace of data collection, response from potential participants, and feedback following data and sample collection. Overall and stratified measures of data and sample availability were summarised. Crude prevalence of key risk factors was examined.ResultsApproximately half (49.5%) of invited individuals consented to participate in this study, for a final sample size of 203 (161 adults and 42 children). Women were more likely to consent to participate compared with men, whereas children, young adults and individuals of Malay ethnicity were less likely to consent compared with older individuals or those of any other ethnicity. At least one biological sample (blood from all participants – finger-prick and venous [for serum, plasma and whole blood samples], hair or urine for adults only) was successfully collected from all participants, with blood test data available from over 90% of individuals. Among adults, urine samples were most commonly collected (97.5%), followed by any blood samples (91.9%) and hair samples (83.2%). Cardiometabolic risk factor burden was high (prevalence of elevated HbA1c among adults: 23.8%; of elevated triglycerides among adults: 38.1%; of elevated total cholesterol among children: 19.5%).ConclusionsIn this study, we show that it is feasible to create biodata resources using existing HDSS frameworks, and identify a potentially high burden of cardiometabolic risk factors that requires further evaluation in this population.
Costs versus earnings in colon surgery and coronary artery bypass grafting under a prospective payment system: Sufficient financial incentives to reduce surgical site infections?
Authors: Juchler Fabrice , Roth Jan A. , Schweiger Alexander , Dangel Marc , Gugliotta Massimo , Battegay Manuel , Eckstein Friedrich S. , Kettelhack Christoph , Abshagen Christian , Hug Balthasar L. , Boyce John M. , Widmer Andreas F. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBased on a surgical site infection (SSI) cohort at an academic center, we showed a median potentially preventable loss per non-SSI case of $17,916 in colon surgery and of $34,741 in coronary artery bypass grafting.
Insights into the dynamics of conical breakdown modes in coaxial swirling flow field
Authors: Rajamanickam Kuppuraj , Basu Saptarshi 
Published: August 2018

The main idea of this paper is to understand the fundamental vortex breakdown mechanisms in the coaxial swirling flow field. In particular, the interaction dynamics of the flow field is meticulously addressed with the help of high fidelity laser diagnostic tools. Time-resolved particle image velocimetry (PIV) (${\sim}1500~\text{frames}~\text{s}^{-1}$) is employed in $y{-}r$ and multiple $r{-}\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}$ planes to precisely delineate the flow dynamics. Experiments are carried out for three sets of co-annular flow Reynolds number $Re_{a}=4896$, 10 545, 17 546. Furthermore, for each $Re_{a}$ condition, the swirl number ‘$S_{G}$’ is varied independently from $0\leqslant S_{G}\leqslant 3$. The global evolution of flow field across various swirl numbers is presented using the time-averaged PIV data. Three distinct forms of vortex breakdown namely, pre-vortex breakdown (PVB), central toroidal recirculation zone (CTRZ; axisymmetric toroidal bubble type breakdown) and sudden conical breakdown are witnessed. Among these, the conical form of vortex breakdown is less explored in the literature. In this paper, much attention is therefore focused on exploring the governing mechanism of conical breakdown. It is should be interesting to note that, unlike other vortex breakdown modes, conical breakdown persists only for a very short band of $S_{G}$. For any small increase/decrease in $S_{G}$ beyond a certain threshold, the flow spontaneously reverts back to the CTRZ state. Energy ranked and frequency-resolved/ranked robust structure identification methods – proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) respectively – are implemented over instantaneous time-resolved PIV data sets to extract the dynamics of the coherent structures associated with each vortex breakdown mode. The dominant structures obtained from POD analysis suggest the dominance of the Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) instability (axial $+$ azimuthal; accounts for ${\sim}80\,\%$ of total turbulent kinetic energy, TKE) for both PVB and CTRZ while the remaining energy is contributed by shedding modes. On the other hand, shedding modes contribute the majority of the TKE in conical breakdown. The frequency signatures quantified from POD temporal modes and DMD analysis reveal the occurrence of multiple dominant frequencies in the range of ${\sim}10{-}400~\text{Hz}$ with conical breakdown. This phenomenon may be a manifestation of high energy contribution by shedding eddies in the shear layer. Contrarily, with PVB and CTRZ, the dominant frequencies are observed in the range of ${\sim}20{-}40~\text{Hz}$ only. We have provided a detailed exposition of the mechanism through which conical breakdown occurs. In addition, the current work explores the hysteresis (path dependence) phenomena of conical breakdown as functions of the Reynolds and Rossby numbers. It has been observed that the conical mode is not reversible and highly dependent on the initial conditions.
Sources and pattern of protein intake and risk of overweight or obesity in young UK twins
Authors: Pimpin Laura , Jebb Susan A. , Johnson Laura , Llewellyn Clare , Ambrosini Gina L. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractHigh protein intake in young children is associated with excess gains in weight and body fat, but the specific role of different protein sources has yet to be described. The study aimed to investigate the role of different types of protein in the post-weaning stage on weight, BMI and overweight/obesity at 60 months. Intakes of animal, dairy and plant protein and a dietary pattern characterising variation in protein types at 21 months of age were estimated using a 3-d diet diary in a cohort of 2154 twins; weight and height were recorded every 3 months from birth to 60 months. Longitudinal mixed-effect models investigated the associations between sources of protein intake or dietary pattern scores and BMI, weight and overweight/obesity from 21 months up to 60 months. Adjusting for confounders, dairy protein intake at 21 months was positively associated with greater weight (46 (95 % CI 21, 71) g and BMI up to 60 months (0·04 (95 % CI 0·004, 0·070) kg/m2) and the odds of overweight/obesity at 3 years (OR 1·12; 95 % CI 1·00, 1·24). Milk showed associations of similar magnitude. A dietary pattern low in dairy protein and high in plant protein was associated with lower weight gain up to 60 months, but not overweight/obesity. Intake of dairy products in early childhood is most strongly associated with weight gain, compared with other protein sources. A dietary pattern characterised by lower protein intake and greater protein source diversity at 2 years may confer a lower risk of excess weight gain.