bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a posaconazole‐sulfobutyl ether‐β‐cyclodextrin inclusion complex
Authors: Wang Miao , Jiang Juan , Cai Yi , Zhao Min , Wu Qijuan , Cui Yannan , Zhao Chunjie 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPosaconazole (PCZ) is a triazole antifungal agent with an extended spectrum of antifungal activity. It is approved for the prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections in patients with neutropenia or in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients undergoing high‐dose immunosuppressive therapy for graft‐vs‐host disease, and for the treatment of fungal infections. However, its pharmacological effects are severely limited owing to its poor solubility and low bioavailability. In order to solve these problems, a sulfobutyl ether‐β‐cyclodextrin compound was used to prepare an intramuscular injection to improve the bioavailability of posaconazole. The extracorporeal dissolution rate of posaconazole was markedly improved by this inclusion complex with >90% being released within 5 min, and the in vivo pharmacokinetics were studied using a HPLC/MS/MS method for quantifying posaconazole and the posaconazole–sulfobutyl ether‐β‐cyclodextrin inclusion complex in rat blood. Posaconazole and an internal standard, itraconazole, were extracted by protein precipitation using acetonitrile. The concentration range of posaconazole was 0.05–4.0 μg/mL with good linearity (r = 0.9980), the peak concentrations of pure posaconazole and the inclusion complex were 0.565 ± 0.102 μg/mL and 1.12 ± 0.091 μg/mL, the values for AUC0–t were 12.2 ± 2.5 and 19.9 ± 2.5 μg h/mL, and the values for AUC0–∞ were 16.4 ± 3.2 and 25.0 ± 3.5 μg h/mL, respectively. The main pharmacokinetics parameters showed significant differences (P < 0.01). Compared with pure posaconazole, the posaconazole–sulfobutyl ether‐β‐cyclodextrin inclusion complex markedly improved the bioavailability of posaconazole.
Histological investigation of human glaucomatous eyes: Extracellular fibrotic changes and galectin 3 expression in the trabecular meshwork and optic nerve head
Authors: BELMARES RICARDO , RAYCHAUDHURI URMIMALA , MAANSSON SANDRA , CLARK ABBOT F. 
Published: August 2018

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss and is associated with fibrotic changes in two ocular tissues‐the optic nerve head (ONH) and trabecular meshwork (TM). We investigated the differences in extracellular matrix components (ECM) including collagen, elastin, transforming growth factor beta‐2, type‐II receptor (TGFβRII) and Galectin3 (Gal3) in the glaucomatous human eyes to quantify fibrotic changes in ONH and TM.Glaucomatous and control human donor eyes were prepared for chemical and immunological staining to quantify ECM protein expression in the TM and ONH. Chemical staining included: Trichrome (collagen), Vernhoeff‐Van Giesen (elastin) and Sirius Red (collagen). Immunohistochemistry was used to determine levels of Gal3 and TGFβ2RII. Quantitative analyses were performed using Image J software. Student's t‐test was used to compare groups and Pearson's test was used to determine correlations P‐values of 0.05 (or less) were considered statistically significant.Deposition of ECM proteins was elevated in glaucomatous tissues. There was increased collagen (P = 0.0469), Gal3 (P < 0.0001) and TGFβ2RII (P = 0.0005) in the TM of glaucomatous eyes. Likewise, collagen (P = 0.0517) and Galectin3 (P = 0.041) were increased in the ONH glaucomatous eyes. There was a correlation of TGFβRII with Gal3 in the TM (P < 0.0001) and optic nerve (P = 0.0003).The TM and ONH of glaucomatous eyes showed increased expression of ECM proteins supporting a fibrotic pathology. Galectin3 and TGFβ‐2R II showed a positive correlation in TM and optic nerve supporting co‐localization and suggesting their potential role in the glaucoma fibrotic process. Clin. Anat. 31:1031–1049, 2018. © 2018 The Authors. Clinical Anatomy published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Clinical Anatomists.
Fluorographene and Graphane as an Excellent Platform for Enzyme Biocatalysis
Authors: Hermanová Soňa , Bouša Daniel , Mazánek Vlastimil , Sedmidubský David , Plutnar Jan , Pumera Martin , Sofer Zdeněk 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe application of enzymes is a crucial issue for current biotechnological application in pharmaceutical, as well as food and cosmetic industry. Effective platforms for enzyme immobilization are necessary for their industrial use in various biosynthesis procedures. Such platforms must provide high yield of immobilization and retain high activity at various conditions for their large‐scale applications. Graphene derivatives such as hydrogenated graphene (graphane) and fluorographene can be applied for enzyme immobilization with close to 100 % yield that can result to activities of the composites significantly exceeding activity of free enzymes. The hydrophobic properties of graphene stoichiometric derivatives allowed for excellent non‐covalent bonding of enzymes and their use in various organic solvents. The immobilized enzymes retain their high activities even at elevated temperatures. These findings show excellent application potential of enzyme biocatalysts immobilized on graphene stoichiometric derivatives.
Smart hydrogels: Network design and emerging applications
Authors: Liu Zhuang , Wei Jie , Faraj Yousef , Ju Xiao‐Jie , Xie Rui , Wang Wei , Chu Liang‐Yin 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTHydrogels are capable of adsorbing large quantities of water due to their hydrophilic three‐dimensional polymeric networks; thus, their physical properties are similar to soft tissues such as cartilage and muscle. Stimuli‐responsive smart hydrogels are particularly interesting because of their ability to respond to various exogenous and/or endogenous stimuli such as pH, thermal, light, magnetism, etc. Because of their versatile and unique properties, smart hydrogels show great potential in controlled drug release, tissue engineering scaffolds, solid/water stabilization, etc., wherein a rapid responsive property and outstanding mechanical properties are highly desired. The degree of responsiveness and mechanical properties of hydrogels are highly dependent on their polymeric network structures. Thus, the network structure design strategies are of great interest and particular importance for various applications. In this paper, we review various network design strategies to build smart hydrogel networks with rapid responsiveness and/or high mechanical properties, as well as the emerging applications of smart hydrogels such as controlled release systems, detection sensors, soft valves, and responsive actuators. The perspectives as well as current challenges facing the applications of such innovative stimuli‐responsive polymeric materials are also addressed.
Adaptive mechanism for distributed query processing and data loading using the RDF data in the cloud
Authors: Ranichandra Dharmaraj Chandrasekaran , Tripathy BalaKrushna 
Published: August 2018

SummaryWith the development of semantic web, the Resource Description Framework (RDF) data management has gained more importance in the recent years. The RDF data management involves processing the large datasets. The existing mechanism had performance issues with respect to data loading and query response time. In this paper, we developed an efficient mechanism for handling the RDF data using the data partitioning approach. The proposed approach follows the low‐level indexing and runtime indexing for the statements in the query to reduce the data loading time as well as to reduce the communication overhead over the nodes. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated using the Amazon web services. The proposed achieved faster loading time and better query response time compared to the RDF‐3X and SHARD models.
Suitability evaluation of new endogenous biomarkers for the identification of nitrite‐based urine adulteration in mass spectrometry methods
Authors: Steuer Andrea E. , Arnold Kim , Kamber Dominique , Kraemer Thomas 
Published: August 2018

AbstractUrine adulteration to circumvent positive drug testing is a fundamental challenge for toxicological laboratories all over the world. Untargeted mass spectrometry (MS) methods used in metabolomics had previously revealed uric acid (UA), histidine, methylhistidine, and their oxidation products, for example 5‐hydroxyisourate (HIU) as potential biomarkers for urine adulteration using potassium nitrite (KNO2). These markers should be further evaluated for their reliability, stability, and routine applicability. Influence of KNO2 concentration, urinary pH, reaction time, and stability at room temperature, 4°C, and − 20°C was determined in urine under varying conditions. Analysis was performed after protein precipitation with acetonitrile by liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was applied for cut‐off evaluation after biomarker quantification (n = 100 per group). Blinded measurements (n = 50) were performed to check the general applicability to identify adulterated samples under routine conditions. The higher the adulterant concentration, the lower the concentrations of histidine, methylhistidine, and UA. In return, amounts of their oxidation products increased. Highest changes were observed under weak acid conditions (pH 4–5). Storage at −20°C ensured sufficient stability for all oxidative markers over one month. ROC evaluated biomarker performance and application to unknown samples revealed satisfying results, with HIU as the most suitable biomarker (positive predictive value (PPV) 100%), followed by UA (PPV 93%). HIU and UA proved suitable markers to identify urine adulteration using KNO2 and are ready for implementation into routine MS procedures.
Macroinvertebrate drift response to hydropeaking: An experimental approach to assess the effect of varying ramping velocities
Authors: Schülting Lisa , Feld Christian K. , Zeiringer Bernhard , Huđek Helena , Graf Wolfram 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIntermittent storage hydropower production is the only renewable source offering both a sufficient storage potential and a high temporal flexibility in production to ensure grid stability. However, hydropeaking (generation of peak discharges by hydroelectric operation) causes fluctuations in the wetted width, water depth, flow velocity, and bottom shear stress downstream of a hydroelectric facility. River biota are known to be affected by these changes, which leads for example to increased drift. Correspondingly, abundance and biomass of macroinvertebrates are frequently found to be reduced in impacted river stretches. Although there is sufficient evidence for increasing drift proportions due to hydropeaking, only few studies have highlighted the role of the rapidity of flow increase before and flow decrease after a peak event (ramping velocity). Here, we present the outcome of experimental hydropeaking in artificial flumes, mimicking two ramping velocity treatments (T1: 0.5 cm/min, T2: 1 cm/min water table change) in early and late spring (June '14, March '15). Macroinvertebrate drift was significantly higher in treatments as compared with control flumes. Drift proportions peaked during the up‐ramping phase and were slightly lower during the peak discharge phase. Drift proportions of T2 treatments were significantly higher than those of T1 in June but not in March. Our findings suggest that hydropeaking requires thoughtful ramping management, to allow macroinvertebrates to seek for refugia on the stream bottom during the peak event. However, the evidence of daytime‐dependent and seasonal drift patterns also plea for adaptive management, to account for the temporal variability of macroinvertebrate drift.
Nanosilver-Enabled Food Storage Container Tradeoffs: Environmental Impacts Versus Food Savings Benefit, Informed by Literature
Authors: Westerband Edward I , Hicks Andrea L 
Published: August 2018

Abstract

Globally, thousands of tons of food are lost each year due to spoilage and degraded quality. This loss is a current critical issue that must be addressed to ensure adequate food supply for the growing world population; the use of technology and regulatory practices are avenues to a solution. One considered approach is the reduction of the microorganism population on the surface of food products to delay spoilage through the use of antimicrobials. One current method is the use of the antimicrobial properties of nanoscale silver (nAg) particles to prolong the freshness of stored food by reducing the bacteria present. Nanoscale silver-enabled food storage containers present a potential solution to the food loss problem; nevertheless, their environmental and human health effects have been questioned by the scientific community. Literature is used to generate data for the life cycle impact assessment of these types of products and their corresponding environmental effects. The benefits of nAg-enabled food storage containers are considered with respect to their potential to extend the shelf life of stored food and prevent food spoilage. The results illustrate that the environmental effects of nano-enabling food storage containers with silver is small (when the initial silver concentration is relatively low, less than 1% by mass) compared with the overall environmental effects of food storage containers and also relatively small compared with the environmental effects of producing the stored food. This finding suggests that the added environmental burden of nano-enabling food storage containers may be small when compared with the environmental burden of food losses. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2018;14:769–776. © 2018 SETAC

Key Points
Nanosilver-enabled food storage containers can decrease food losses because of their antimicrobial nature. The environmental effects of these containers are greater than their conventional counterparts because of the environmental effects of mining, refining, and synthesizing nanoscale silver. The relative environmental benefit cost of the nanosilver-enabled food storage products is a function of the increased lifespan of the food stored in the containers and the environmental effects of producing the stored food.
Metal‐organic Frameworks Incorporating Multiple Metal Elements
Authors: Castillo‐Blas Celia , Gándara Felipe 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe obtaining of materials incorporating multiple metal elements is of interest because the combination of various metal cations results in the achievement of new and enhanced properties. Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) offer a suitable platform to combine multiple metal elements due to their modular nature and highly controllable structure. The incorporation of various metal elements into MOFs might be accomplished by following different synthetic approaches, which in turn determine the way in which the various metal elements are arranged in the framework. In this contribution, we will overview the formation of multi‐metal MOFs by the introduction of new metal sites in the organic linkers, or in the inorganic secondary building units through cation exchange process, or one‐pot synthesis.
Reducing Project Cost Growth Through Early Implementation of Interface Management
Authors: Nilsen Magnus André , Falk Kristin , Haugen Tom Arnfinn 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis paper presents and analyzes quantitative data on Interface Management in the oil and gas domain from a subsea contractor point of view. To develop subsea oil and gas fields four to seventeen contractors collaborate via Interface Management to ensure that the technical parts fit prior to implementation and integration. This research has both analyzed quantitative data from seven large projects, and investigated the topic in depth using interviews. The results prove that late involvement of contractors contribute to project cost growth during project execution. The detailed analysis of a reference project showed that almost one third of the contractor's contractual changes were due to supply gaps toward other contractors. Early implementation of Interface Management could help mitigating this, and ensure project execution within predicted cost and schedule parameters.
Reading Further Between The Lines – Recent Developments in the UK MOD Acquisition Requirements & Acceptance Tube Map
Authors: Gibson Ian , Blake Ian , Williams Samantha , Price Andrew 
Published: August 2018

AbstractHow do you visualise a very large complicated problem? With a very large complicated diagram obviously! But what if the diagram used a familiar notation that needed little or no explanation? What if the subject matter could be carved up into distinct interwoven threads that would be easily recognised by the reader? Welcome to the MOD Acquisition Requirements & Acceptance Tube Map. The authors have been engaged in a task to rewrite the UK Ministry Of Defence (MOD) Acquisition System Guidance intranet site for Requirements, Test, Evaluation and Acceptance. Whilst the task has resulted in a major overhaul of the guidance, it has been underpinned by a novel depiction of parallel threads of Requirements; Test, Evaluation & Acceptance; Portfolio, Programme and Project Management (P3M); and Solution Development ‐ running through the parallel interrelated lifecycles of Programme Management (based on the Generic Capability Model) and Project Management (based upon the CADMID lifecycle – Concept, Assessment, Demonstration, Manufacture, In‐Service, Disposal). This has taken the form of an underground “tube map” with lines representing stakeholder communities, minor stations representing technical activities, callout boxes for work products, and interchange stations representing review points.
Property Model Methodology: A Landing Gear Operational Use Case
Authors: Micouin Patrice , Fabre Louis , Becquet Roland , Paper Pascal , Razafimahefa Thomas , Guérin François 
Published: August 2018

AbstractRelevant for engineering a wide range of technological systems, Property Model Methodology (PMM) is applied in this paper to the development process of a helicopter function in the frame of the ARP4754A/ED79A. After a short presentation of the method, the case study is presented: “to retract and to extend airborne the landing gear system”. Then, each stage of the PMM development process is illustrated by examples from the case study: (1) Modeling the top level requirements specification, (2) Validating the requirements specification by proof and simulation, (3) Modeling the architectural design, Refining the top level requirements into requirements specified to the different subsystems contributing to the function and Modeling the terminal subsystems detailed designs (4) Validating the requirements specified to the contributing subsystems by proof or simulation, (5) Verifying the design models by simulation and finally (6–8) Verifying physical implementations by test on the basis of all validation and verification scenarios accumulated throughout the development. At end, lessons learnt and industrial perspectives are summarized highlighting how PMM is a methodology adapted to the challenges facing to systems engineering by the globalization of development processes and showing how PMM can provide a powerful conceptual framework to support digital continuity within globalized Design Organizations. Modeling, simulation, proof and test generation activities are supported by the MATLAB and Simulink products.
Model‐based Assessment of the Submarine Support System
Authors: Elsawah Sondoss , Ryan Michael J , Gordon Lindsay , Harris Rod 
Published: August 2018

AbstractSubmarine support systems are large‐scale, geographically‐distributed, and complex. In this paper, we describe the development and use of a modular system dynamics modelling approach for analyzing the dynamic behavior of submarine support systems, exploring decision options, and assessing their long‐term effects on the system's performance. We present a proof‐of‐concept model to demonstrate the utility and flexibility of the methodological approach we have undertaken. The proof‐of‐concept is developed using a class of the Australian submarine support system. It is constructed and validated based on expert knowledge and historical data about the fleet performance. The paper gives an overview of the modelling approach, model design, selected sample investigations, and a discussion of the benefits of such a strategic analysis tool.
Breaking Casandra's Curse: Understanding Unsafe Mental Models to Build a Safe Systems Engineering Culture
Authors: Kemp Duncan , O'Neil Meaghan 
Published: August 2018

AbstractModern safety management practice is a robust and generally effective discipline. Most modern accidents in complex systems are due to poor safety culture undermining a robust safety management approach.This paper examines the challenge of improving safety culture in the design, development and operation of complex systems. Based upon the authors’ experience in defence, aerospace, transportation, information services and healthcare, this paper describes 18 mental models that can undermine the organisations safety management system.The paper describes 5 underpinning factors that lead to these incorrect mental models. It also describes an approach to persuading key decision makers to adopt a safer approach.
Mitigating Integration Risks in Complex Systems
Authors: Austin Marc F. , Doolittle Erin , Polacek George A. , Ahalt Virginia , Homberger Cheyne , York Donald M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn the Age of Globalization, integration is one of the primary areas of risk for today's complex system development programs. Integration failures continue to be one of the main reasons for unsuccessful system deployments. The Integration Readiness Level (IRL) is a new system metric developed to measure the integration maturity between two system components. IRLs, in conjunction with Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), form the basis for determining the readiness of a system for deployment. The IRL represents the systematic analysis of the interactions between system components and provides a consistent comparison of the maturity between integration points. IRLs provide a means to reduce the risk involved in maturing and integrating system components in complex environments. We first present a methodology for determining the integration readiness of a system and its components and then describe the construction of a Bayesian network model for assessing IRLs. The IRL Bayesian network model provides a mathematical method to consistently combine and validate the judgment of experts assessing integration and increase the confidence in the determination of the integration readiness of a system and its components.
Barrier Analysis of an Aviation Safety Assessment Model
Authors: Noh Seungwon , Shortle John 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn a highly reliable system, barriers can be used to reduce the risk of high consequence events. This paper identifies and evaluates barriers within a large safety model of the National Airspace System. The model contains thousands of nodes, so a heuristic procedure is proposed to automatically identify candidate barriers in the model. A case study of a single accident scenario is presented to show how the heuristic works and then subsequently how component elements of each barrier function are identified. An overall analysis is presented showing the distribution of barriers throughout the model and their overall effectiveness. No obvious trend is identified relating the number of barriers to the rarity of a given accident scenario.