bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental and quantum chemical investigations on the oxidative stability of sesame oil base stock with synthetic antioxidant additives
Authors: Sabarinath Sankaran Nair , Prabhakaran Nair Kumarapillai , Rajendrakumar Perikinalil Krishnan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDepleting resources and increasing environmental pollution caused by the petroleum products made researchers to think about its biodegradable counterparts. Vegetable oils due to its characteristics such as availability, renewability, eco‐friendliness, and biodegradability are progressively encouraged as a replacement for mineral oils in lubricant industry, while enhancement of few properties like the oxidative stability aids in the efficient use of them as the base stock. A generous amount of unsaturation in vegetable oils decreases oxidative stability and improves the pour point. Hence, a compromise between these two properties (pour point and oxidative stability) is critical in vegetable oil‐based lubricant. In this regard, sesame oil (SESO) possesses high pour point, and presence of natural antioxidants in it imparts superior oxidative stability than any other vegetable oils with a higher level of unsaturation. The addition of certain synthetic antioxidants to the SESO helps in the further improvisation of its oxidative stability to suit it for lubricant purpose. In the present work, the oxidative stability of SESO blended with octyl gallate (OG), salicyl hydroxamic acid, 2,5‐di‐tert‐butyl hydroquinone (DTBHQ), and tertbutyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) are assessed using hot oil oxidation test (HOOT) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC, ASTM E2009‐08). The results are further compared with commercially available mineral oil‐based lubricant, SAE20W40. HOOT results show that a blend of SESO + 1.5%DTBHQ + 0.5%OG possesses higher oxidative stability than other antioxidant blends with SESO. In addition, from the DSC results, it is observed that the oxidative onset temperature (OOT) for abovementioned combination (268.10°C) shows an increase of 46.6% than the value of neat SESO (182.79°C) and is nearer to SAE20W40 (277.38°C). Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy results show that SESO + 1.5%DTBHQ + 0.5%OG combination subjected to HOOT hampers oxidation and hence increases the oxidative stability. The tribological properties of neat and antioxidant added SESO are studied using a four‐ball tester. Quantum chemical studies are also performed for antioxidant molecules on the basis of bond dissociation energies, ionisation potential, and HOMO‐LUMO energy gap to identify the dominant antioxidant mechanisms.
Evidences of the Effect of GO and rGO in PCL Membranes on the Differentiation and Maturation of Human Neural Progenitor Cells
Authors: Sánchez‐González Sandra , Diban Nazely , Bianchi Fabio , Ye Hua , Urtiaga Ane 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe effect of doping graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) into poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) membranes prepared by solvent induced phase separation is evaluated in terms of nanomaterial distribution and compatibility with neural stem cell growth and functional differentiation. Raman spectra analyses demonstrate the homogeneous distribution of GO on the membrane surface while rGO concentration increases gradually toward the center of the membrane thickness. This behavior is associated with electrostatic repulsion that PCL exerted toward the polar GO and its affinity for the non‐polar rGO. In vitro cell studies using human induced pluripotent cell derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) show that rGO increases marker expression of NPCs differentiation with respect to GO (significantly to tissue culture plate (TCP)). Moreover, the distinctive nanomaterials distribution defines the cell‐to‐nanomaterial interaction on the PCL membranes: GO nanomaterials on the membrane surface favor higher number of active matured neurons, while PCL/rGO membranes present cells with significantly higher magnitude of neural activity compared to TCP and PCL/GO despite there being no direct contact of rGO with the cells on the membrane surface. Overall, this work evidences the important role of rGO electrical properties on the stimulation of neural cell electro‐activity on PCL membrane scaffolds.
Preparation of Poly(Bulky N‐Heterocyclic Carbene) as the Self‐Supporting Catalyst toward Suzuki–Miyaura Reaction
Authors: Peng Liangyi , Zhang Weiqiang , Deng Chunyan , Wang Zhen , Zhang Yingxue , Qian Hao 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA novel self‐supporting palladium catalyst based on a polymer containing bulky N‐heterocyclic carbene [P(b‐NHC‐Pd)] is prepared successfully by a simple method, and its palladium content reaches 1.35 mmol g−1. Due to the bulky structure of NHC‐PdCl2‐3‐chloropyridine and high content of palladium active sites, this catalyst exhibits excellent catalytic activity for a wide variety of different substrates in Suzuki–Miyaura reaction in air atmosphere. Owing to its heterogeneous performance, the catalyst can be easily separated and reused. After six recycles, the catalytic activity decreases little. Hence, P(b‐NHC‐Pd) could be employed as a recoverable catalyst for cross‐coupling reactions.
Preparation of Polymer Microparticles through Nonaqueous Suspension Polycondensations. Part II—Effects of Operating Variables on Properties of Poly(butylene succinate)
Authors: Dutra Luciana , de Souza Márcio Nele , Pinto José Carlos 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPoly(butylene succinate) (PBS) is a biodegradable polyester that finds many applications in the fields of personal care and cosmetics due to its excellent properties, such as the easy processibility, good thermal resistance, and adequate rates of degradation in aqueous media. For this reason, in the present work PBS microparticles are produced through nonaqueous suspension polycondensations at different operation conditions for the first time. Particularly, the present work investigates the effects of operation variables on particle size and molar mass distributions of the final products. The obtained results indicate that both time and temperature affect the final characteristics of the produced material, although temperature is the most influential variable. Besides, it is shown that particle size distributions are controlled by the rates of particle coalescence, with the increase of average particle diameters with the increase of stirring speed in the analyzed experimental range.
Validation of pressure drop assessment using 4D flow MRI‐based turbulence production in various shapes of aortic stenoses
Authors: Ha H , Kvitting JP , Dyverfeldt P , Ebbers T 
Published: September 2018

PurposeTo validate pressure drop measurements using 4D flow MRI‐based turbulence production in various shapes of stenotic stenoses.MethodsIn vitro flow phantoms with seven different 3D‐printed aortic valve geometries were constructed and scanned with 4D flow MRI with six‐directional flow encoding (ICOSA6). The pressure drop through the valve was non‐invasively predicted based on the simplified Bernoulli, the extended Bernoulli, the turbulence production, and the shear‐scaling methods. Linear regression and agreement of the predictions with invasively measured pressure drop were analyzed.ResultsAll pressure drop predictions using 4D Flow MRI were linearly correlated to the true pressure drop but resulted in different regression slopes. The regression slope and 95% limits of agreement for the simplified Bernoulli method were 1.35 and 11.99 ± 21.72 mm Hg. The regression slope and 95% limits of agreement for the extended Bernoulli method were 1.02 and 0.74 ± 8.48 mm Hg. The regression slope and 95% limits of agreement for the turbulence production method were 0.89 and 0.96 ± 8.01 mm Hg. The shear‐scaling method presented good correlation with an invasively measured pressure drop, but the regression slope varied between 0.36 and 1.00 depending on the shear‐scaling coefficient.ConclusionThe pressure drop assessment based on the turbulence production method agrees well with the extended Bernoulli method and invasively measured pressure drop in various shapes of the aortic valve. Turbulence‐based pressure drop estimation can, as a complement to the conventional Bernoulli method, play a role in the assessment of valve diseases.
Zero‐gradient‐excitation ramped hybrid encoding (zGRF‐RHE) sodium MRI
Authors: Blunck Yasmin , Moffat Bradford A. , Kolbe Scott C. , Ordidge Roger J. , Cleary Jon O. , Johnston Leigh A. 
Published: September 2018

PurposeFast bi‐exponential transverse signal decay compounds sodium image quality. This work aims at enhancing image characteristics using a special case of ramped hybrid encoding (RHE). Zero‐gradient‐excitation (zGRF)‐RHE provides (1) gradient‐free excitation for high flip angle, artifact‐free excitation profiles and (2) gradient ramping during dead‐time for the optimization of encoding time (tenc) to reduce T2* signal decay influence during acquisition.MethodsRadial zGRF‐RHE and standard radial UTE were investigated over a range of receiver bandwidths in simulations, phantom and in vivo brain experiments. Central k‐space in zGRF‐RHE was acquired through single point measurements at the minimum achievable TE. T2* blurring artifacts and image SNR and CNR were assessed.ResultszGRF ‐RHE enabled 90° flip angle artifact‐free excitation, whereas gradient pre‐ramping provided greater tenc efficiency for any readout bandwidths. Experiments confirmed simulation results, revealing sharper edge characteristics particularly at short readout durations (TRO). Significant SNR improvements of up to 4.8% were observed for longer TRO.ConclusionzGRF ‐RHE allows for artifact‐free high flip angle excitation with time‐efficient encoding improving on image characteristics. This hybrid encoding concept with gradient pre‐ramping is trajectory independent and can be introduced in any center‐out UTE trajectory design.
Wave‐LORAKS: Combining wave encoding with structured low‐rank matrix modeling for more highly accelerated 3D imaging
Authors: Kim Tae Hyung , Bilgic Berkin , Polak Daniel , Setsompop Kawin , Haldar Justin P. 
Published: September 2018

PurposeWave‐CAIPI is a novel acquisition approach that enables highly accelerated 3D imaging. This paper investigates the combination of Wave‐CAIPI with LORAKS‐based reconstruction (Wave‐LORAKS) to enable even further acceleration.MethodsLORAKS is a constrained image reconstruction framework that can impose spatial support, smooth phase, sparsity, and/or parallel imaging constraints. LORAKS requires minimal prior information, and instead uses the low‐rank subspace structure of the raw data to automatically learn which constraints to impose and how to impose them. Previous LORAKS implementations addressed 2D image reconstruction problems. In this work, several recent advances in structured low‐rank matrix recovery were combined to enable large‐scale 3D Wave‐LORAKS reconstruction with improved quality and computational efficiency. Wave‐LORAKS was investigated by retrospective subsampling of two fully sampled Wave‐encoded 3D MPRAGE datasets, and comparisons were made against existing Wave reconstruction approaches.ResultsResults show that Wave‐LORAKS can yield higher reconstruction quality with 16×‐accelerated data than is obtained by traditional Wave‐CAIPI with 9×‐accerated data.ConclusionsThere are strong synergies between Wave encoding and LORAKS, which enables Wave‐LORAKS to achieve higher acceleration and more flexible sampling compared to Wave‐CAIPI.
Body Composition with Dual‐Energy X‐Ray Absorptiometry and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Lee Kyuwan , Sami Nathalie , Sweeney Frank C. , Dieli‐Conwright Christina M. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundBecause obesity is an independent risk factor for breast cancer recurrence, assessment of body composition is crucial to guide weight management in breast cancer survivors (BCS). This study assessed whether dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) yield similar results for body composition in BCS.MethodsBody fat percentage, lean body mass, and fat mass were estimated using DXA and BIA under fasting conditions in 89 BCS. BMI categories included normal (18–24.99 kg/m2; n = 28), overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2; n = 21), obese (>30 kg/m2; n = 23), and severely obese BCS (>35 kg/m2; n = 17). Agreement between the devices was assessed by Bland–Altman analysis.ResultsThere was no agreement between the 2 devices for body fat percentage (DXA: 44.2 ± 6.2% vs BIA: 40.4 ± 7.8%), lean body mass (DXA: 39.1 ± 7.6 kg vs BIA: 42.9 ± 5.9 kg), and fat mass (DXA: 32.4 ± 10.8 kg vs BIA: 30.6 ± 11.0 kg; P < .001). These findings were consistent in normal, overweight, and obese BCS. There was agreement between the 2 devices for fat mass (DXA: 48.7 ± 7.2 kg vs BIA: 47.9 ± 5.7 kg) in severely obese BCS (P = .102), possibly due to small sample size.ConclusionsBIA may underestimate body fat percentage and fat mass and overestimate lean body mass, compared with DXA. Future studies are warranted to assess the use of these 2 devices in a larger cohort of BCS within BMI categories.
Long‐Term Nasogastric Versus Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Feeding in Older Asians With Dysphagia: A Pragmatic Study
Authors: Jaafar Mohamad Hasif , Mahadeva Sanjiv , Tan Kit Mun , Chin Ai‐Vyrn , Kamaruzzaman Shahrul B. , Khor Hui Min , Saedon Nor Izzati , Tan Maw Pin 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundA barrier to gastrostomy feeding exists among Asian clinicians and caregivers due to negative perceptions regarding complications. We compared clinical and nutrition outcomes in older dysphagic Asian patients with nasogastric (NG) or gastrostomy tube feeding using a pragmatic study design.MethodsThe choice of enteral tube access was determined by managing clinicians and patients/caregivers. Comparisons of tube feeding methods were made during a 4‐month period, adjusting statistically for inherent confounders.ResultsA total of 102 participants (NG: n = 52, gastrostomy: n = 50) were recruited over 2 years from 2013 to 2015. Subjects on long‐term NG tube feeding were older (82.67 ± 7.15 years vs 76.88 ± 7.37 years; P < .001) but both groups had similar clinical indications (stroke: 63.5% NG vs 54% gastrostomy; P = .33). After adjustment for confounders, gastrostomy feeding was associated with fewer tube‐related complications (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.19; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.06–0.60) and better complication‐free survival rate (aOR = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.12–0.89) at 4‐month follow‐up. Anthropometric and biochemical nutrition parameters improved significantly in both groups at 4 months, but no significant differences were observed at the end of the study.ConclusionGastrostomy feeding is associated with a greater 4‐month complication‐free survival and lower tube‐related complications compared with long‐term NG feeding in older Asians with dysphagia. However, no differences in nutrition outcomes were observed between NG and gastrostomy feeding at 4 months.
Impact of Hurricane Katrina on healthcare delivery for New Orleans patients, 2005–2014
Authors: Raulji Chittalsinh , Velez Maria C. , Prasad Pinki , Rousseau Cierra , Gardner Renee V. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackground and objectivesHematology/oncology patients have special health needs. To identify barriers to care, we surveyed patients/parents at Children's Hospital of New Orleans 1 year after Hurricane Katrina. We then implemented a “Hurricane Action Plan”—identification of families’ evacuation plans at each hurricane season's onset; of hospital(s) and pharmacies in the intended evacuation area; updating roadmaps/treatment plans; giving information to families requiring hematology/oncology services in evacuation areas. Administration of a second survey was initiated 7 years post Katrina to assess the efficacy of the “Hurricane Action Plan.”MethodsBoth surveys were conducted on random patients attending Children's Hospital. Survey #1 was performed in 2006, while survey #2 was conducted in 2013–2014.ResultsEighty‐nine percent of 124 families left New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina; only 50% had an evacuation plan. Twenty‐five percent of families had difficulty physically accessing care; others (13%) could not find a hematology/oncology provider for follow‐up and had difficulty reaching their primary provider or making appointments. An additional 25 percent did not have access to medical records. There was no access to mental health services. Eighty‐ two patients/representatives were surveyed in 2013/2014; 72% of families were evacuated during subsequent hurricane seasons with 78% of families having an evacuation plan. Thirty‐six percent of patients had a roadmap/treatment plan with them; 71% had a 2‐week medication supply. Ninety‐two percent found information given to them by providers helpful.ConclusionsInterventions instituted to allow greater access to care by our hematology/oncology patients after Hurricane Katrina resulted in better preparedness, easier acquisition of information, and possibly better continuity of care.
Feasibility of high‐dose chemotherapy protocols to treat infants with malignant central nervous system tumors: Experience from a middle‐income country
Authors: Elshahoubi Alya , Khattab Eman , Halalsheh Hadeel , Khaleifeh Kawther , Bouffet Eric , Amayiri Nisreen 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundResults of high‐dose chemotherapy (HDCT) protocols for the management of malignant central nervous system (CNS) tumors in infants are mostly reported in high‐income countries. We evaluated the feasibility and results of such protocols in a middle‐income country (Jordan).MethodsA retrospective study of infants’ charts with CNS tumors between 2006 and 2015 who were treated according to HeadStart (HS) protocols. Data included patients’ demographics, chemotherapy complications, and cost.ResultsWe identified 18 patients with median age 29 months (range, 9–62 months) at diagnosis (12 HS‐I and six HS‐II). Distribution according to pathology was: atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRT) (nine), primitive neuoroectodermal tumors (PNET)/pineoblastoma (five), and medulloblastoma (four). Six patients (33%) had metastatic disease, and 14 (78%) had an incomplete resection. Eleven patients achieved partial or complete remission, two stabilized, and five progressed. Ten patients did not proceed to HDCT due to progression (five), financial reasons (two), failure to collect stem cells (one), and undocumented reasons (two). Seventy‐eight chemotherapy cycles were administered (median interval 26 days). Main complications during induction and consolidation were febrile neutropenia (73% and 100%), documented infections (8% and 13%), and mucositis (12% and 88%), respectively. Three patients developed moderate hearing loss. No protocol‐related mortality was reported. At the last follow‐up, five patients were alive: three with medulloblastoma (19, 29, and 89 months) and two with ATRT (18 and 42 months). Three survivors received focal/craniospinal radiation. The median cost of a complete HS protocol, excluding surgery/radiotherapy, was $103 500 per patient; 39% of the median cost was related to pharmacy expenses.ConclusionsThese protocols were manageable in our context of limited health care resources. However, considering the significant costs and the modest survival rate, better selection criteria need to be used to identify patients likely to benefit from this approach.
Hearing loss in children with sickle cell disease: A prospective French cohort study
Authors: Bois Emilie , Francois Martine , Benkerrou Malika , Van Den Abbeele Thierry , Teissier Natacha 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundSickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common genetic disease in France. In developing countries, it is associated with a high incidence of hearing loss. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hearing loss in French children with SCD in order to determine if they need a close audiological follow‐up.MethodsWe performed a single‐center prospective cross‐sectional study of children with SCD. The children, without specific hearing symptom, underwent an ear, nose and throat examination with a hearing assessment between 2015 and 2016.ResultsEighty‐nine children were included, aged from 5 to 19 years, with 73% of SS or Sβ0 genotype and 27% of SC or Sβ+ genotype. Ten children (11.2%) had hearing thresholds higher than 20 dB in at least one ear: one child with subnormal hearing, six otitis media with effusion (OME), and three sensorineural hearing loss. Late age at diagnosis of SCD, a high platelet count and a low hematocrit level were significantly associated with OME; moreover, children with OME had more severe clinical and biological characteristics than children with normal hearing. Furthermore, 12.4% of the children complained of tinnitus. The rate of sudden hearing loss was 2.2%. Finally, 7.1% of patients with normal hearing showed a speech discrimination disorder.ConclusionsSeveral causes were identified for hearing loss in children with SCD. They therefore need a close audiological follow‐up in order to avoid complications due to curable phenomena and to enable appropriate management for progressive complications.
Positive expiratory pressure breathing speeds recovery of postexercise dyspnea in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Ubolsakka‐Jones Chulee , Pongpanit Khajonsak , Boonsawat Watchara , Jones David A. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectivesFaster recovery of postexertional dyspnea might enable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients to undertake more physical activity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether breathing with a positive expiratory load to reduce dynamic hyperinflation (DH) would hasten recovery.MethodsThirteen male COPD patients (59 ± 7 years; Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease Stages II and III) took part in a randomized cross‐over trial in which they exercised by self‐paced spot marching. Interventions at the end of exercise consisted of six breaths against either a 5‐cm H2O expiratory load (positive expiratory pressure [PEP]) or no load (Sham), with 3‐hr rest between interventions. Recovery was followed for the next 10 min. Primary outcome measures were dyspnea during recovery and inspiratory capacity (IC), measured at rest, at the end of exercise and after the intervention; oxygen saturation, end‐tidal CO2, heart rate, and breathing frequency were also monitored.ResultsPatients exercised for 5 min reaching a heart rate of 70% age‐predicted maximum and developed dyspnea of 3–4 on the Modified Borg CR10 scale. Dyspnea recovered significantly faster after the PEP intervention in all patients, taking 2.8 ± 0.4 min to return to baseline compared with 5.1 ± 0.6 min for Sham (p < 0.01). IC declined at the end of exercise and was improved by PEP (+270 220–460 ml, median, interquartile range) more than Sham (+100, 40–160 ml). However, PEP was equally effective in reducing dyspnea in all patients irrespective of the degree of DH. Changes in oxygen saturation, end‐tidal CO2, heart rate, and breathing frequency were similar in PEP and Sham.ConclusionsPositive expiratory pressure breathing is an effective means of reducing postexercise dyspnea and DH in COPD. The benefits were not limited to patients with high DH suggesting PEP may be used to speed recovery and increase the volume of exercise during pulmonary rehabilitation sessions and physical activity at home or work.