bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Universal screening for social determinants of health in pediatric sickle cell disease: A quality‐improvement initiative
Authors: Power‐Hays Alexandra , Li Stephanie , Mensah Akosua , Sobota Amy 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundSocial determinants of health (SDoH) are socioeconomic factors that influence health outcomes. Guidelines recommend universal screening for SDoH at clinic visits; however, models that do not require additional resources are limited in subspecialty clinics. Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) face the burdens of chronic illness and often racial disparities, both of which may increase their vulnerability to adverse SDoH. Hematologists can impact both quality of life and clinical outcomes for their patients by implementing screening and referral programs addressing SDoH.MethodsThrough prospective, quality‐improvement methods, we introduced universal screening for SDoH into our pediatric hematology clinic. The intervention was a paper screener followed by a referral to local community organizations for the specific needs endorsed. The aims of this study were to determine the feasibility of universal screening for SDoH in a busy subspeciality clinic using pre‐existing resources to identify the needs of our patients and to facilitate referrals between our patients and community organizations via this low touch intervention.ResultsBetween August 2017 and November 2018, 156 screens were completed. Sixty‐six percent were positive for at least one unmet social need for which 80% were referred to a relevant community organization. Forty‐five percent of patients available via follow‐up phone call reached out to the community organization.ConclusionsThere is a high burden of SDoH in families of children with SCD. Universal screening at a pediatric hematology clinic with the subsequent connection of patients with SCD to community resources is feasible using existing clinic resources.
Reduced‐volume tumor‐bed boost is not associated with inferior local control and survival outcomes in high‐risk medulloblastoma
Authors: Tian Sibo , Sudmeier Lisa J. , Zhang Chao , Madden Nicholas A. , Buchwald Zachary S. , Shu Hui‐Kuo G. , Curran Walter J. , Eaton Bree R. , Esiashvili Natia 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundRadiotherapy boost to the entire posterior fossa (PF) is standard of care for high‐risk (H‐R) medulloblastoma patients; the utility of tumor bed (TB)‐only boost is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of PF versus TB boost volume on tumor control and survival in the H‐R medulloblastoma population.MethodsSingle‐institution records for patients with H‐R medulloblastoma were reviewed. The median craniospinal irradiation dose was 36 Gy (range, 23.4‐45 Gy), and boost doses to either PF or TB were 54 to 55.8 Gy. PF (local) failures were scored as in‐field, marginal (between 80% and 95% isodose lines), or distant. Kaplan‐Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards were used to assess the impact of radiation boost technique on local control (LC) and survival endpoints.ResultsThirty‐two patients with H‐R medulloblastoma were treated between 1990 and 2015, with a median follow‐up length of 5.12 years. Twenty‐two patients received PF boost, and 10 received TB boost. Patient and disease characteristic were comparable between groups. A total of 11 PF failures occurred, including 3 isolated LFs (2 in the PF and 1 in the TB group). Most PF failures were in‐field: three of four in the TB group and six of seven in the PF group; the remainder were marginal failures. TB boost was not associated with inferior LC (hazard ratio [HR] 0.86, log‐rank P = 0.81) or overall survival (HR 1.40, P = 0.56) compared with PF boost.ConclusionReduced‐volume radiotherapy boost to the TB does not appear to compromise LC or survival in patients with H‐R medulloblastoma; it may reduce the risk of ototoxicity.
Aliphatic Polyester/polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes Hybrid Networks via Copper‐free 1,3‐dipolar Cycloaddition Click Reaction
Authors: Ozdogan Reyhan , Daglar Ozgun , Durmaz Hakan , Tasdelen Mehmet Atilla 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTIn this study, we describe the preparation and characterization of a new class of thermoset hybrid networks containing aliphatic polyester and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS). The copper‐free 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition click reaction of internal alkyne functionalized aliphatic polyester and multifunctional azido POSS with different concentrations led to highly crosslinked thermoset networks. The click reactions performed under ambient conditions (i.e., in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature for 1 day) in the absence of any catalyst. The chemical composition of hybrid networks and homogenous distribution of POSS molecules were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy. The swelling ratios of hybrid networks were commonly decreased by increasing POSS‐N3 content and by changing polar solvents to apolar solvents. Thermogravimetric analysis results demonstrated that the thermal stability of hybrid networks increased with higher POSS feeding ratio. Tensile tests were applied to evaluate the mechanical properties of hybrid networks. Compared to neat aliphatic polyester, the mechanical properties of hybrid networks significantly improved. For instance, the tensile strength were enhanced from 5 MPa to 19 MPa by increasing the concentration of azido functionalized POSS from 10 to 40. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2222–2227
Enhancing the mechanical performance of 3D‐printed basalt fiber‐reinforced composites using in‐line atmospheric plasma pretreatments
Authors: Dowling Denis P. , Abourayana Hisham M. , Brantseva Tatiana , Antonov Andrey , Dobbyn Peter J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe objective of this study is to investigate the use of an air atmospheric plasma jet for the treatment of sized basalt fibers, used in the fabrication of continuous fiber‐reinforced polypropylene filaments. The plasma treatments were carried out both at a laboratory scale, as well as in‐line during the production of fiber‐reinforced filaments. The latter was carried out at a fiber processing speeds of approximately 15 m/s, just immediately before the polymer coating of the fiber by extrusion. After the air plasma treatment, the water contact angle of the sized basalt fiber decreased from 86° to <10°. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis demonstrated that the treatment yielded enhanced levels of oxygen functionality on the fiber surface. After coating with polypropylene, it was observed that there was consistently more homogeneous polymer layer deposited onto the plasma‐activated fiber, compared with that on the unactivated control fiber. The resulting polymer filament with embedded basalt fiber was used to fabricate mechanical test specimens by three‐dimensional printing (fused filament fabrication method). Both three‐point bending tests and short beam strength tests were performed. A comparison study was carried out between test specimens fabricated using sized basalt fiber, with and without the plasma pretreatment. The flexural modulus and maximum shear stress were found to increase by 12% and 13%, respectively, for composite's fabricated using the plasma pretreated basalt fibers. This increased mechanical strength is likely to be due to an increase in interfacial bond strength between the polymer and fiber, with an associated reduction in the level of air incorporation around the basalt filaments as demonstrated using computed tomography analysis.
Dynamics of sting‐jet storm Egon over continental Europe: Impact of surface properties and model resolution
Authors: Eisenstein Lea , Pantillon Florian , Knippertz Peter 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIntense Shapiro–Keyser cyclones are often accompanied by a sting jet (SJ), an air stream that descends from the cloud head into the frontal‐fracture region and can cause extreme surface gusts. Previous case‐studies have concentrated on the North Atlantic and the British Isles. Here we present the first‐ever detailed analysis of an SJ over continental Europe and investigate the influence of topography on its dynamical evolution based on observations and high‐resolution simulations using the ICOsahedral Nonhydrostatic model (ICON). Windstorm Egon intensified over the English Channel and then tracked from northern France to Poland on 12–13 January 2017, causing gusts of almost 150 km·h−1 and important damage. ICON reproduces the storm dynamics, although it delays the explosive deepening, shifts the track southward over Belgium and Germany and underestimates gusts over land. Storm characteristics show weak sensitivity to varying grid spacing between 1.6 and 6.5 km, while switching off the convection parametrization at 3.3 km grid spacing improves correlations with surface observations but deteriorates the mean error. Trajectories reveal typical SJ characteristics such as mid‐level descent, strong acceleration and conditional symmetric and other mesoscale instabilities, while evaporative cooling is stronger than in previous cases from the literature, preventing drying during descent. The SJ identification and the occurrence of mesoscale instabilities depend considerably on model resolution, convective parametrization, output frequency and employed thresholds for trajectory selection. Sensitivity experiments with modified surface characteristics show that the combined effects of warm‐air blocking by the Alps, higher roughness over land and reduced surface fluxes cause Egon to fill more quickly and to move on a faster, more northern track across Germany. While the SJ response is complex, showing some compensating effects, surface gusts strongly increase when roughness is reduced. These results suggest that weather forecasters in continental Europe should be more aware of the potential risks associated with SJs.
Towards cross‐regional sustainable development: The nexus between information and communication technology, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions
Authors: Danish  , Zhang Jianwu , Wang Bo , Latif Zahid 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe environmental impact of information and communication technology (ICT) has drawn increasing attention for two decades. The behaviour of ICT is positive towards economic growth; however, its environmental implications cannot be ignored. This empirical research explores the roles of ICT, economic growth, and energy consumption in environmental pollution across different regions from 1990 to 2015. Robust long‐run panel data estimation methods fully modified ordinary least square and dynamic ordinary least square and Driscoll–Kraay regression are applied. To summarise the results, ICT reduces the level of CO2 emissions across high‐ and middle‐income countries; however, contrary to this, ICT increases CO2 emissions in low‐income countries. Also, energy consumption is responsible for the increase in CO2 emissions in all income groups as expected. Finally, the environmental Kuznets curve is proved in all income groups. It is inferred that high‐ and middle‐income regions of the world have achieved a level of environmental sustainability in the significance of ICT, but this is not the case in low‐income countries.
The performance effects of creative imitation on original products: Evidence from lab and field experiments
Authors: Wang Liangyan , Wu Brian , Pechmann Cornelia , Wang Yitong 
Published: October 2019

AbstractResearch SummaryA market entrant often challenges the incumbent using creative imitation: The entrant creatively combines imitated aspects of the original with its own innovative characteristics to create a distinct offering. Using lab and field experiments to examine creative imitation in China, we find the effects of creative imitations on the originals depend on the creative imitation's quality. We explore the underlying mechanisms, and show that including a low‐quality creative imitation in the retail choice set increases satisfaction with and choice of the original, while a moderate‐quality creative imitation does the opposite. Moreover, creative imitation affects consumers' satisfaction with the original by influencing whether their experience with the original verifies their expectations. Our paper reveals creative imitation effects to help incumbent firms effectively address them.Managerial SummaryWhen the incumbent is challenged by an entrant using creative imitation, consumers may react differently to the incumbent, and understanding consumers' reactions allows the incumbent to make better strategic decisions about how to address the challenge. Using lab and field experiments, we investigate creative imitations with two quality levels common in our empirical context, low quality and moderate quality, and examine how and why they differentially affect the originals. We find the presence of a low‐quality creative imitation actually increased choice of the original by enhancing consumers' satisfaction with it, while a moderate‐quality creative imitation reduced choice of the original by undermining satisfaction with it. Our research suggests the incumbent should address moderate‐quality creative imitations' challenges to customer satisfaction, while temporarily tolerating low‐quality creative imitations.
Luminescence Lifetime–Based In Vivo Detection with Responsive Rare Earth–Dye Nanocomposite
Authors: Kong Mengya , Gu Yuyang , Liu Yulai , Shi Yibing , Wu Na , Feng Wei , Li Fuyou 
Published: October 2019

AbstractFor years, luminescence lifetime imaging has served as a quantitative tool in indicating intracellular components and activities. However, very few studies involve the in vivo study of animals, especially in vivo stimuli‐responsive activities of animals, as both excitation and emission wavelengths should fall into the near‐infrared (NIR) optical transparent window (660–950 and 1000–1500 nm). Herein, this work reports a lifetime‐responsive nanocomposite with both excitation and emission in the NIR I window (800 nm) and lifetime in the microsecond region. The incorporation of Tm3+‐doped rare‐earth nanocrystals and NIR dye builds an efficient energy transfer pathway that enables a tunable luminescence lifetime range. The NaYF4:Tm nanocrystal, which absorbs and emits photons at the same energy level, is found to be 33 times brighter than optimized core–shell upconversion nanocrystals, and proved to be an effective donor for NIR luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET). The anti‐interference capability of luminescence lifetime signals is further confirmed by luminescence and lifetime imaging. In vivo studies also verify the lifetime response upon stimulation generated in an arthritis mouse model. This work introduces an intriguing tool for luminescence lifetime–based sensing in the microsecond region.
CRISPR/Cas9-Based Dystrophin Restoration Reveals a Novel Role for Dystrophin in Bioenergetics and Stress Resistance of Muscle Progenitors
Authors: Matre Polina R. , Mu Xiaodong , Wu Jianbo , Danila Delia , Hall Mary A. , Kolonin Mikhail G. , Darabi Radbod , Huard Johnny 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Although the lack of dystrophin expression in muscle myofibers is the central cause of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), accumulating evidence suggests that DMD may also be a stem cell disease. Recent studies have revealed dystrophin expression in satellite cells and demonstrated that dystrophin deficiency is directly related to abnormalities in satellite cell polarity, asymmetric division, and epigenetic regulation, thus contributing to the manifestation of the DMD phenotype. Although metabolic and mitochondrial dysfunctions have also been associated with the DMD pathophysiology profile, interestingly, the role of dystrophin with respect to stem cells dysfunction has not been elucidated. In the past few years, editing of the gene that encodes dystrophin has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for DMD, although the effects of dystrophin restoration in stem cells have not been addressed. Herein, we describe our use of a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9-based system to correct the dystrophin mutation in dystrophic (mdx) muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) and show that the expression of dystrophin significantly improved cellular properties of the mdx MPCs in vitro. Our findings reveal that dystrophin-restored mdx MPCs demonstrated improvements in cell proliferation, differentiation, bioenergetics, and resistance to oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Furthermore, our in vivo studies demonstrated improved transplantation efficiency of the corrected MPCs in the muscles of mdx mice. Our results indicate that changes in cellular energetics and stress resistance via dystrophin restoration enhance muscle progenitor cell function, further validating that dystrophin plays a role in stem cell function and demonstrating the potential for new therapeutic approaches for DMD. Stem Cells 2019;37:1615–1628
Effects of key parameters on fluidity and compressive strength of ultra‐high performance concrete
Authors: Chang Wei , Zheng Wenzhong 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe compositions and curing regimes have significant effects on the compressive strength and the fluidity of ultra‐high performance concrete (UHPC). Fifty‐eight mixtures were examined to determine the effects of key factors on the fluidity and the compressive strength of UHPC. These parameters include water‐binder ratio, cement strength, steel fiber content, fly ash content, nanoparticles content, silica fume grade, and curing regimes. The fluidity of UHPC was in the ranges 122–237 mm, while the 28d compressive strength on 70.7 mm cube specimens of UHPC were in the ranges 77–211 MPa. The results showed that fly ash and nanoparticles had significant effects on the fluidity and slight effects on the compressive strength; silica fume grade had slight effects on both the compressive strength and the fluidity; the water to binder ratio, curing regimes, and steel fiber had noticeable effects on the compressive strength. Based on results, the influence coefficients of the investigated key parameters were obtained by regression analysis. Furthermore, the prediction models of the fluidity and the compressive strength of UHPC were proposed by combining the influence coefficients of the investigated key parameters. Therefore, the prediction models can be utilized to optimize the proportions of UHPC mixtures within the ranges of the investigated parameters.
Protective effects of galangin against H2O2‐induced aging via the IGF‐1 signaling pathway in human dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Wen Su‐Ying , Chen Jia‐Yi , Chen Chih‐Jung , Huang Chih‐Yang , Kuo Wei‐Wen 
Published: October 2019

AbstractGalangin, a natural flavonol, has anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative potential. However, the cytoprotective effects of galangin against oxidative‐induced aging in human fibroblasts have not been well studied. IGF‐1 signaling pathway is associated with the control of aging and longevity in human. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of galangin on human skin fibroblast HS68 cells under H2O2 exposure to induce aging. In this study, we demonstrate that galangin could decrease the levels of pro‐inflammatory proteins and enhanced collagen formation through promoting the IGF‐1R pathway. Furthermore, aging markers such as senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase p53, p21Cip1/WAF1, and p16INK4A were upregulated under H2O2 exposure and galangin could reverse its effects. Taken together, these data indicated that anti‐inflammatory and antiaging activities of galangin may be mediated through the IGF‐1R signaling pathway. These findings may provide the evidence for galangin to develop as an antiwrinkle product on human skin.
Vaginal laxity: which measure of levator ani distensibility is most predictive?
Authors: Manzini C. , Friedman T. , Turel F. , Dietz H. P. 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo assess the predictive value of measures of levator hiatal distension at rest and on maximum Valsalva maneuver for symptoms of vaginal laxity.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of women seen at a tertiary urogynecological unit. All women underwent a standardized interview, clinical examination and four‐dimensional translabial ultrasound examination. Area, anteroposterior diameter (APD) and coronal diameter (CD) of the levator hiatus were measured at rest and on maximum Valsalva maneuver in the plane of minimal hiatal dimensions using the rendered volume technique, by an operator blinded to all clinical data. The association between levator hiatal measurements and vaginal laxity was assessed, and receiver‐operating‐characteristics (ROC)‐curve analysis was used to determine their predictive value.ResultsData from 490 patients were analyzed. Mean age was 58 (range, 18–88) years, and vaginal laxity was reported by 111 (23%) women. Measurements obtained on maximum Valsalva were significantly larger in women who reported vaginal laxity than in those who did not, with mean levator hiatal area, APD and CD of 30.45 ± 8.74 cm2, 7.24 ± 1.16 cm and 5.60 ± 0.89 cm, respectively, in the vaginal‐laxity group, compared with 24.84 ± 8.63 cm2, 6.64 ± 1.22 cm and 5.01 ± 0.97 cm in the no‐laxity group (P < 0.001 for all). Measurements obtained at rest were not significantly different between the groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis controlling for age, body mass index, vaginal parity and levator avulsion confirmed these results. The best regression model for the prediction of vaginal laxity included age, vaginal parity and levator hiatal area on maximum Valsalva. ROC‐curve analysis of levator hiatal measurements on maximum Valsalva in the prediction of vaginal laxity demonstrated areas under the curve of 0.68 (95% CI, 0.63–0.73) for area, 0.63 (95% CI, 0.57–0.68) for APD and 0.68 (95% CI, 0.62–0.73) for
CD.ConclusionsLevator hiatal area on maximum Valsalva seems to be the measure of levator ani distensibility that is most predictive of symptoms of vaginal laxity. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
How dark is a river? Artificial light at night in aquatic systems and the need for comprehensive night‐time light measurements
Authors: Jechow Andreas , Hölker Franz 
Published: October 2019

AbstractFreshwater ecosystems are hotspots of biodiversity. They are of major importance for humans because they provide vital ecosystem services. However, as humans tend to settle near freshwaters and coastal areas, these ecosystems are also over‐proportionally affected by anthropogenic stressors. Artificial light at night can occur as a form of environmental pollution, light pollution. Light pollution affects large areas on a worldwide scale, is growing exponentially in radiance and extent and can have diverse negative effects on flora, fauna and on human health. While the majority of ecological studies on artificial light at night covered terrestrial systems, the studies on aquatic light pollution have unraveled impact on aquatic organisms, ecosystem functions as well as land‐water‐interactions. Although monitoring of light pollution is routinely performed from space and supported by ground‐based measurements, the extent and the amount of artificial light at night affecting water bodies is still largely unknown. This information, however, is essential for the design of future laboratory and field experiments, to guide light planners and to give recommendations for light pollution regulations. We analyze this knowledge gap by reviewing night‐time light measurement techniques and discuss their current obstacles in the context of water bodies. We also provide an overview of light pollution studies in the aquatic context. Finally, we give recommendations on how comprehensive night‐time light measurements in aquatic systems, specifically in freshwater systems, should be designed in the future.This article is categorized under:
Water and Life > Stresses and Pressures on Ecosystems
Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness
Water and Life > Methods