bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Manufacturing and characterization of ZnO and ZnO-doped frit crystal by physical and optical methods
Authors: Khodrog Osama , Kabir Norlaili , Gong Xue , Yuan Qinghai , Liu Jianhua 
Published: August 2019

This study was carried out to determine the physical and optical properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) and ZnO-doped Frit. Two groups of ZnO were prepared, namely, pure ZnO and ZnO-doped Frit. ZnO was prepared as ZnO disc and ZnO powder, and its high surface area and other characterized physical properties were expected to be the figure of merit in increasing the radiation interaction. Field emission scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) (FESEM) were utilized for analysis purposes. The particle size of pure ZnO was larger than ZnO-doped Frit in which ZnO-doped Frit particle size ranged in the scope of 260 nm, while pure ZnO was in the scope of 300 nm. The bond of the ZnO-doped Frit was better compared to pure ZnO. Raman spectroscopy characterization studies showed that the tops for both spectra displayed the same Raman shift. More top in ZnO-doped Frit was seen due to its bigger amount of impurities in the crystal. The energy gap for discs by UV of P338 was 3.37 eV, while the energy gap for ZnO-doped Frit was 3.26 eV. This study yielded impressive results in terms of the manufacture of ZnO, whereby the energy gap was proved by Ultraviolet–visible (UVV) device. In contrast, the ZnO-doped Frit generated inadequate result due to the small percentage used.
Reconstitution of autophagy ameliorates vascular function and arterial stiffening in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: McCarthy Cameron G. , Wenceslau Camilla F. , Calmasini Fabiano B. , Klee Nicole S. , Brands Michael W. , Joe Bina , Webb R. Clinton 
Published: August 2019

Insufficient autophagy has been proposed as a mechanism of cellular aging, as this leads to the accumulation of dysfunctional macromolecules and organelles. Premature vascular aging occurs in hypertension. In fact, many factors that contribute to the deterioration of vascular function as we age are accelerated in clinical and experimental hypertension. Previously, we have reported decreased autophagy in arteries from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs); however, the effects of restoring autophagic activity on blood pressure and vascular function are currently unknown. We hypothesized that reconstitution of arterial autophagy in SHRs would decrease blood pressure and improve endothelium-dependent relaxation. We treated 14- to 18-wk-old Wistar rats ( n = 7 vehicle and n = 8 trehalose) and SHRs ( n = 7/group) with autophagy activator trehalose (2% in drinking water) for 28 days. Blood pressure was measured by radiotelemetry, and vascular function and structure were measured in isolated mesenteric resistance arteries (MRAs) using wire and pressure myographs, respectively. Treatment with trehalose had no effect on blood pressure in SHRs; however, isolated MRAs presented enhanced relaxation to acetylcholine, in a cyclooxygenase- and reactive oxygen species-dependent manner. Similarly, trehalose treatment shifted the relaxation to the Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632 to the right, indicating reduced ROCK activity. Finally, trehalose treatment decreased arterial stiffness as indicated by the slope of the stress-strain curve. Overall these data indicate that reconstitution of arterial autophagy in SHRs improves endothelial and vascular smooth muscle function, which could synergize to prevent stiffening. As a result, restoration of autophagic activity could be a novel therapeutic for premature vascular aging in hypertension. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This work supports the concept that diminished arterial autophagy contributes to premature vascular aging in hypertension and that therapeutic reconstitution of autophagic activity can ameliorate this phenotype. As vascular age is a new clinically used index for cardiovascular risk, understanding this mechanism may assist in the development of new drugs to prevent premature vascular aging in hypertension. Listen to this article’s corresponding podcast at https://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/behind-the-bench-episode-one-cam-squared/ .
Phase I Study of the Novel Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) Inhibitor GSK2816126 in Patients with Advanced Hematologic and Solid Tumors
Authors: Yap Timothy A. , Winter Jane N. , Giulino-Roth Lisa , Longley Jemma , Lopez Juanita , Michot Jean-Marie , Leonard John P. , Ribrag Vincent , McCabe Michael T. , Creasy Caretha L. , Stern Melissa , Pene Dumitrescu Teodora , Wang Xiaowei , Frey Steve , Carver Jennifer , Horner Thierry , Oh Choon , Khaled Ahmed , Dhar Arindam , Johnson Peter W.M. 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Purpose:
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) activity is dysregulated in many cancers.

Patients and Methods:
This phase I study determined the safety, maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of the intravenously administered, highly selective EZH2 inhibitor, GSK2816126, (NCT02082977). Doses of GSK2816126 ranged from 50 to 3,000 mg twice weekly, and GSK2816126 was given 3-weeks-on/1-week-off in 28-day cycles. Eligible patients had solid tumors or B-cell lymphomas with no available standard treatment regimen.

Results:
Forty-one patients (21 solid tumors, 20 lymphoma) received treatment. All patients experienced ≥1 adverse event (AE). Fatigue [22 of 41 (53.7%)] and nausea [20 of 41 (48.8%)] were the most common toxicity. Twelve (32%) patients experienced a serious AE. Dose-limiting elevated liver transaminases occurred in 2 of 7 patients receiving 3,000 mg of GSK2816126; 2,400 mg was therefore established as the MTD. Following intravenous administration of 50 to 3,000 mg twice weekly, plasma GSK2816126 levels decreased biexponentially, with a mean terminal elimination half-life of approximately 27 hours. GSK2816126 exposure (maximum observed plasma concentration and area under the plasma-time curve) increased in a dose-proportional manner. No change from baseline in H3K27me3 was seen in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Fourteen of 41 (34%) patients had radiological best response of stable disease, 1 patient with lymphoma achieved a partial response, 21 of 41 (51%) patients had progressive disease, and 5 patients were unevaluable for antitumor response.

Conclusions:
The MTD of GSK2816126 was established at 2,400 mg, but the dosing method and relatively short half-life limited effective exposure, and modest anticancer activity was observed at tolerable doses.
Parcours, auteurs et sujets migrants: Fatou Diome et Abdourahman Waberi
Authors: Kanga Konan Arsène 
Published: August 2019

L’identité narrative se fait nouvelle naissance qui pourrait disposer l’auteur et le sujet migrants au menu de différentes réflexions sur la narration. Le déploiement de ses actions, de son parcours mémoriel pousse ainsi le sujet migrant à organiser le jeu narratif. Sa capacité à exposer les traces de sa mobilité et à montrer la réalité de son statut social en l’état, le connecte à différentes formes de l’expression, de l’écriture métafictionnelle à partir desquelles il déroule tout le tissu narratif. En le qualifiant de sujet migrant, le personnage devient ici d’abord un objet de regards. Il irradie, par son seul rapport au monde, les consciences sensibles à sa cause. Suivant les configurations de l’identité narrative, suggérées par Paul Ricœur[1], les écritures migrantes font figurer au cœur de la narration romanesque postmoderne des référents dans le texte mais en même temps dans un réseau culturel. Fatou Diome et Abdourahman Waberi interprètent ainsi cette catégorisation du personnage sous le sceau de leurs propres expériences.

[1] Paul Ricœur voit l’identité narrative comme une « interprétation de soi » qui devient récit. Ainsi, la connexion entre l’auteur et le personnage montre, par l’étroitesse du rapprochement, l’expression d’une même histoire. RICOEUR, P. Temps et récit. Paris : Seuil, 1985.
Entre vice et vertu: le double visage de la courtisane dans l’œuvre d’Alexandre Dumas fils
Authors: Traoré Soumaïla 
Published: August 2019

À partir du XIXe siècle, certains romanciers vont tenter de débarrasser la courtisane des traits traditionnels. Elle n’est plus représentée sous un jour négatif, à savoir un personnage sans scrupule, sans morale, sans cœur, incapable de ressentir l’amour. Parmi ces auteurs qui vont tenter de réhabiliter l’image de la courtisane, Alexandre Dumas fils occupe une place de choix. À l’analyse de l’œuvre dumassienne, il ressort le diagnostic d’un double regard sur la catégorie sociale des courtisanes. Cette strate sociale revêt une ambigüité sous la plume d’Alexandre Dumas fils, en ce sens que la courtisane endosse tour à tour, au fil des péripéties, le manteau de la pécheresse et de la vertueuse au gré de la licence créatrice du romancier. Ainsi, si dans La Dame aux camélias, Dumas fils montre que la réhabilitation de la courtisane est possible, dans Le roman d’une femme, le romancier révèle qu’il est judicieux de la défendre et de condamner cette autre forme de prostitution pratiquée par les femmes mariées de la haute société appelées « femmes adultères ».
Diachrony and Second Isaiah: The Preposition את and Aramaisms
Authors: Arentsen Niek 
Published: August 2019

AbstractPoetry complicates the diachronic study of Second Isaiah. However, the possibility of such a study is demonstrated through a diachronic explanation of the distribution of the prepositions את and עם in the Hebrew Bible. On the other hand, the Aramaisms in Second Isaiah are shown to be conscious and for poetic purposes and therefore labeled as single-word switches that do not prove the lateness of Second Isaiah.
Paul’s Comparison of Himself with “the Abortion” (1 Cor 15:8): A Missing Link between the Qumran Book of Giants and the Manichaean Book of Giants
Authors: Scott James M. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractWhen Paul states in 1 Cor 15:8, “Last of all, as to the abortion, he [Christ] appeared also to me” (ἔσχατον δὲ πάντων ὡσπερεὶ τῷ ἐκτρώµατι ὤφθη κἀµοί), the article τῷ indicates that Paul is referring to the well-known “abortion”/giant, ʾOhyah, the one giant—uniquely in all of extant early Jewish literature—to whom God appeared in a dream-vision signifying theophanic judgment. This casts Paul in the role of a violent giant who, on trial before Christ, acknowledged his past crimes and pled for forgiveness. This understanding of 1 Cor 15:8 has important implications not only for the interpretation of Paul and his letters, but also for understanding the relationship between the Qumran Book of Giants and the Manichaean Book of Giants.
Church Branding and Self-Packaging: the Mass Media and African Pentecostal Missionary Strategy
Authors: Benyah Francis 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe use of the mass media has become a contemporary and fast-growing religious phenomenon within Pentecostal and charismatic churches. By drawing implications on the use of modern media technologies, this article presents a popular case of a Charismatic church in Ghana and shows how the idea of branding evolves around the use of the mass media. This article argues that the branding of the leaders’ personality and the church is a marketing strategy aimed at attracting more people into the church.
The Effect of an Innovative Vision Simulator (OrCam) on Quality of Life in Patients with Glaucoma
Authors: Waisbourd Michael , Ahmed Osama M. , Newman Joshua , Sahu Malya , Robinson Debbie , Siam Linda , Reamer Courtney B. , Zhan Tingting , Goldstein Michaella , Kurtz Shimon , Moster Marlene R. , Hark Lisa A. , Katz L. Jay 
Published: August 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of OrCam on vision-related quality of life of patients with legal blindness and end-stage glaucoma. OrCam is a device comprised of a camera and earpiece attached to the user’s eyeglass that translates written text to speech. Methods: In this prospective, observational study, a total of 27 participants were recruited and tested. All participants were legally blind. Participants were provided with the OrCam device during the study period and trained how to operate it. National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25) and other questionnaires were given to participants at the baseline visit and at the end of the 4-week study for comparison. Additional questions were surveyed weekly during the study to monitor progress. Results: At the final visit after 1 month, most participants, 74.1% ( n = 20/27), reported an increase in their overall quality of life. Participants were highly satisfied with the device; 88.9% ( n = 24/27) reported being “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the device. The NEI-VFQ-25 near vision subscale score improved from 29.9 to 37.2 ( p = .045). Discussion: OrCam allowed participants with legal blindness to read independently when in controlled settings, subsequently improving their quality of life. However, users had more difficulty using the device when the location of text was not readily apparent (e.g., street signs, billboards), and users with some degree of vision had an easier time aligning the device with the text. Implications for practitioners: This device may offer participants with visual impairments the opportunity to read independently.
Impact of different b-value combinations on radiomics features of apparent diffusion coefficient in cervical cancer
Authors: He Yaoyao , Rong Yi , Chen Hao , Zhang Zhaoxi , Qiu Jianfeng , Zheng Lili , Benedict Stanley , Niu Xiaohui , Pan Ning , Liu Yulin , Yuan Zilong 
Published: August 2019

Background The impact of variable b-value combinations on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)-based radiomics features has not been fully addressed in literature. Purpose To investigate the correlation between radiomics features extracted from ADC maps and various b-value combinations in cervical cancer. Material and Methods Diffusion-weighted images (b-values: 0, 600, 800, and 1000 s/mm2) of 20 patients with cervical cancer were included. Tumors were identified with the largest transversal cross-section and manually segmented by radiologist. For each b-value combination, 92 radiomics features were extracted and coefficient of variance (CV) was used to evaluate the robustness of radiomics features with different b-value combinations. Features with CV > 5% were normalized by the mean feature variation across the group. Results Out of a total of 92 radiomics features, 18 were classified as robust features with CV ≤5%. Among the rest (CV > 5%), 11, 23, and 40 features demonstrated 5%< CV ≤10%, 10%< CV ≤20%, and CV > 20%, respectively. A subset of features in each category (CV > 5%) showed strong correlation with the b-value combination variation, including 44% (7/16) features in gray level co-occurrence matrix, 62% (8/13) features in gray level dependence matrix, 64% (9/14) features in first order, 50% (8/16) features in gray level run length matrix, 57% (8/14) features in gray level size matrix, and 20% (1/5) features in neighborhood gray-tone difference matrix. Conclusions Variations in b-value combinations demonstrated impact on radiomics features extracted from ADC maps for cervical cancer. The radiomics features with CV <5% can be considered as robust features and are recommended to be used in multicenter radiomics studies.
A combination of ultrasonic debridement and Shenghong wet dressing in patients with chronic ulcers of the lower limbs
Authors: Xiaolan Xie , Wujie Guan , Xiaoyan Tang , Wenlai Chang 
Published: August 2019

Objective This study aimed to examine the effects of ultrasonic debridement plus a wet dressing of Shenghong (SH) on chronic ulcer healing of the lower extremities in patients with diabetes. Methods Sixty cases of diabetes combined with chronic lower limb ulcers were randomly divided into control (n = 30) and experimental (n = 30) groups. The control group was treated with ultrasonic debridement plus recombinant human fibroblast growth factor (FGF) gel. The experimental group was treated with ultrasonic debridement plus SH wet dressing. Results The mean clinical efficacy in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (93.33% ± 6.32% versus 60.0% ± 5.87%). The mean ulcer area was significantly smaller and the mean ulcer healing rate was significantly shorter in the first 3 months, and the mean overall pain intensity score was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Moreover, the positive rates of bacterial culture on the 7th and 15th days were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusion The use of ultrasonic debridement plus SH wet dressing for treating ulcers can significantly improve clinical efficacy and promote healing.
Providing Data-Driven Equitable Palliative and End-of-Life Care for Structurally Vulnerable Populations: A Pilot Survey of Information Management Strategies
Authors: Rajaram Akshay , Morey Trevor , Shah Sonam , Dosani Naheed , Mamdani Muhammad 
Published: August 2019

Background: Considerable gains are being made in data-driven efforts to advance quality improvement in health care. However, organizations providing hospice-oriented palliative care for structurally vulnerable persons with terminal illnesses may not have the enabling data infrastructure or framework to derive such benefits. Methods: We conducted a pilot cross-sectional qualitative study involving a convenience sample of hospice organizations across North America providing palliative care services for structurally vulnerable patients. Through semistructured interviews, we surveyed organizations on the types of data collected, the information systems used, and the challenges they faced. Results: We contacted 13 organizations across North America and interviewed 9. All organizations served structurally vulnerable populations, including the homeless and vulnerably housed, socially isolated, and HIV-positive patients. Common examples of collected data included the number of referrals, the number of admissions, length of stay, and diagnosis. More than half of the organizations (n = 5) used an electronic medical record, although none of the record systems were specifically designed for palliative care. All (n = 9) the organizations used the built-in reporting capacity of their information management systems and more than half (n = 6) augmented this capacity with chart reviews. Discussion: A number of themes emerged from our discussions. Present data collection is heterogeneous, and storage of these data is highly fragmented within and across organizations. Funding appeared to be a key enabler of more robust data collection and use. Future work should address these gaps and examine opportunities for innovative ways of analysis and reporting to improve care for structurally vulnerable populations.
Beyond clinical changes: Rehabilitation-induced neuroplasticity in MS
Authors: Prosperini Luca , Di Filippo Massimiliano 
Published: August 2019

Background: Neural plasticity represents the substrate by which the damaged central nervous system (CNS) re-learns lost behaviors in response to rehabilitation. In persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), rehabilitation can therefore exploit the potential of neural plasticity to restore CNS functions beyond the spontaneous mechanisms of recovery from MS-related damage. Methods: Here, we reviewed the currently available evidence on the occurrence of mechanisms of structural and functional plasticity following rehabilitation, motor, and/or cognitive training. We presented both data gained from basic laboratory research on animal models and data on persons with MS obtained by advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. Results: Studies on physical and environmental enrichment in experimental MS models showed beneficial effects mediated by both immune modulation and activity-dependent plasticity, lowering tissue destruction and restoring of CNS network function. Translational researches in MS people demonstrated structural and/or functional MRI changes after various interventions, but their heterogeneity and small sample sizes (5–42 patients) raise concerns about the interpretation and generalization of the obtained results. Discussion: We highlighted the limitations of published studies, focusing on the knowledge gaps to be filled in terms of neuropathological correlations between changes detected in animal models and changes detected in vivo by neuroimaging.
Stroke-related complications in large hemisphere infarction: incidence and influence on unfavorable outcome
Authors: Li Jie , Zhang Ping , Wu Simiao , Wang Yanfen , Zhou Ju , Yi Xingyang , Wang Chun 
Published: August 2019

Objective: Neurological and medical complications are major causes of morbidity and mortality after ischemic stroke. This study aimed to identify the incidence of stroke-related complications following large hemisphere infarction (LHI) and to explore their influence on unfavorable outcome in LHI patients. Methods: We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients with LHI. The unfavorable outcome was defined as an modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 4–6 at 3 months. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the stroke-related complications associated with unfavorable outcome. Results: Of the 256 cases with LHI included, 41 (16.0%) died during hospitalization, 94 (36.7%) died and 140 (55.3%) patients had unfavorable outcome at 3 months. A total of 194 (75.8%) had at least one complication. The three most common medical complications were pneumonia (53.5%), electrolyte disorder (30.9%), and urinary incontinence (18.4%), and the three most common neurological complications were malignant brain edema (31.2%), hemorrhagic transformation (27.7%), and poststroke seizures (7.0%). Overall, LHI patients with unfavorable outcome had more frequent stroke-related complications (91.4% versus 55.8%, p < 0.001) than patients with favorable outcome. After adjusting for age, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, and other confounders, only malignant brain edema [odds ratios (OR) 19.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.73–82.45] and pneumonia (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.11–5.40) were independently associated with 3-month unfavorable outcome in patients with LHI. Conclusions: More than three-quarters of LHI patients have at least one stroke-related complication. LHI patients with the unfavorable outcome had stroke-related complications more frequently, whereas only malignant brain edema and pneumonia are independently associated with 3-month unfavorable outcome.