bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of Individual Pharmacokinetics to Improve Time to Therapeutic Vancomycin Trough in Pediatric Oncology Patients
Authors: Miller Calvin L. , Winans S. Alexander , Veillette John J. , Forland Steven C. 
Published: April 2018

OBJECTIVE Optimization of vancomycin dosing is difficult in children, given rapid drug clearance and patient heterogeneity. We sought to evaluate the impact of dosing using individual pharmacokinetic parameters on time to goal trough concentration in pediatric oncology patients.METHODS A retrospective review was conducted to assess vancomycin dosing in the pediatric oncology unit at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital between January 2013 and August 2013 (standard dosing group [SDG]). These patients were compared to those in a prospective arm that used pharmacokinetic dosing (pharmacokinetic dosing group [PKG]) between March 2014 and May 2015. Outcomes included percent of patients reaching a target trough by the specified time points, number of dose adjustments, number of serum concentrations drawn, and number of patients with supratherapeutic troughs.RESULTS Of 35 patients meeting inclusion criteria for the SDG, 2 (5.7%) reached goal trough concentration by 48 hours, compared with 14 of 16 patients (87%) in the PKG (p = 0.0001). Significantly more patients reached their goal trough at each time point in the PKG. There was no difference in number of dose adjustments, but significantly more concentrations were drawn on average in the PKG (mean, 4.6 versus 3.1, p = 0.02). In the SDG and PKG, respectively, 1 patient and 3 patients had supratherapeutic trough concentrations (p = 0.09).CONCLUSIONS Dosing using individual pharmacokinetic parameters led to a significant reduction in time to attain the desired vancomycin trough concentration in our pediatric oncology patients. Given the wide variation in dose requirements in this and other studies, application of patient-specific pharmacokinetics is essential to optimize vancomycin dosing in pediatric patients.
Aerobic Fitness and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living in People with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Sebastião Emerson , Pilutti Lara A. , Motl Robert W. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Background:
There is ample evidence that aerobic fitness is reduced in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), and this may yield a reduction in independence in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). This study examined the association between aerobic fitness and self-reported IADLs in persons with MS.

Methods:
Sixty-two adults with MS completed an incremental exercise test as a measure of aerobic fitness (peak oxygen consumption), a demographic questionnaire, and an IADL scale and underwent a neurologic examination for characterization of disability level (ie, Expanded Disability Status Scale) in a single session.

Results:
The analysis revealed a weak but significant association between aerobic fitness and total IADL score (r = 0.28 [95% CI, 0.03–0.49], P = .033). Those reporting dependence in different IADL categories (eg, shopping, food preparation, housekeeping, laundry, and responsibility for own medication) presented with lower aerobic fitness compared with those reporting independence, although the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions:
These findings extend previous studies on activities of daily living in people with MS and underscore the need for studies examining the potential effect of aerobic exercise interventions on independence regarding IADLs in this population.
Religious Pluralism in Yan Martel’s Life of Pi: A Case of Intertextual Correspondence with Swami Vivekananda’s Religious Philosophy
Authors: Kuriakose John 
Published: April 2018

Yan Martel’s Life of Pi – the story as well as its religious ideology—exhibits apparent intertextual correspondence with the concept of “Universalism” the Indian mystic Swami Vivekananda preached to the world more than a century ago. Martel’s central character Pi represents this concept of religion, which finds the same set of universally valid principles in all religions of the world, and thus embraces all religions with the willingness to worship God in all places of worship, irrespective of whether they belong to Islam or Christianity or Buddhism or Hinduism. This perception of religiousness of Life of Pi comes as a solution to the concerns of the present religiously divided, material and greedy world that speaks a lot in vain about ecumenism, interfaith and constructive interaction among religions. The story of the shipwreck with the horrible experiences of Pi in the lifeboat in the presence of the Indian tiger Richard Parker and his eventual survival validates this concept of God and works out a formula for a harmonious coexistence of religions and other conflicting forces in the world. Thus the book becomes a great religious allegory in tune with the fundamentals of all religious traditions: a pilgrimage on the sea of Karma to be united with the Absolute, a metaphor of the Atman seeking to realize Brahman, and an allegory on the concept of retributive justice of God by which sins are punished and virtues rewarded.
The Effect of Using Video Technology on Improving Reading Comprehension of Iranian Intermediate EFL Learners
Authors: Mohammadian Amir , Saed Amin , Shahi Younes 
Published: April 2018

With the development of educational technology, the concept of technology-enhanced multimedia instructions is using widely in the educational settings. Technology can be employed in teaching different skills such as listening, reading, speaking and writing. Among these skills, reading comprehension is the skill in which EFL learners have some problems to master. Regarding this issue, the present study aimed at investigating the effect of video materials on improving reading comprehension of Iranian intermediate EFL learners. A Longman Placement Test was administered to 30 EFL learners to ensure that learners are at the same level of proficiency. The students were chosen from the state high schools in Chabahar. The participants were regarded as intermediate learners and were divided into two groups (one experimental group and one control group). Then, a pre-test of reading comprehension was administered to assess the participants’ reading comprehension. The participants of experimental group used video files to improve their reading comprehension while the control group received conventional approaches of teaching reading comprehension. Finally, all the participants were assigned a 40-item multiple-choice reading comprehension post-test. The results of the study indicated that video materials had a significant effect on promoting reading comprehension of Iranian intermediate EFL learners (p = .000, <.05).
Exploring the Effect of Teaching Test-Taking Strategies on Intermediate Level Learners on Reading Section of Ielts; Learners’ Attitude in Focus
Authors: Khoshsima Hooshang , Saed Amin , Mousaei Fatemeh 
Published: April 2018

Language proficiency tests have become common instruments to judge people based on their performance. Thus, the scores on language proficiency tests, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), play a crucial role in the test-takers’ lives. Because of increasing demands on the part of students to get a good score on these tests, test preparatory courses have emerged. These preparatory courses, characteristically short and limited in terms of time, equip IELTS candidates with the skills required for passing the test, called test-taking strategies. The present study explored the effect of strategy teaching- namely wash-back effect on reading section of academic IELTS on intermediate learners in Iran. Besides, learners’ attitude toward the strategy teaching was investigated as well. According to the descriptive statistics and t-test results, those learners who received strategy teaching outperformed those who had not received strategy teaching in reading section of IELTS.According to t-test results, there was a significant difference between the mean scores of the two groups since the p value was lower than .05 (p < .001). Furthermore, the learners had positive attitudes toward receiving strategy teaching since there was a significant difference between the obtained mean score and the presupposed average because the p value was lower than .05.
Assessing the Impacts of Extreme Agricultural Droughts in China Under Climate and Socioeconomic Changes
Authors: Yu Chaoqing , Huang Xiao , Chen Han , Huang Guorui , Ni Shaoqiang , Wright Jonathon S. , Hall Jim , Ciais Philippe , Zhang Jie , Xiao Yuchen , Sun Zhanli , Wang Xuhui , Yu Le 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAgricultural food production in China is deeply vulnerable to extreme droughts. Although there are many studies to evaluate this issue from different aspects, comprehensive assessments with full consideration of climate change, crop rotations, irrigation effects, and socioeconomic factors in broad scales have not been well addressed. Considering both the probability of drought occurrence and the consequential yield losses, here we propose an integrated approach for assessing past and future agricultural drought risks that relies on multimodel ensemble simulations calibrated for rice, maize, and wheat (RMW) in China. Our results show that irrigation has reduced drought‐related yield losses by 31 ± 2%; the largest reductions in food production were primarily attributable to socioeconomic factors rather than droughts during 1955–2014. Unsustainable water management, especially groundwater management, could potentially cause disastrous consequences in both food production and water supply in extreme events. Our simulations project a rise of 2.5~3.3% in average rice, maize, and wheat productivity before 2050 but decrease thereafter if climate warming continues. The frequency of extreme agricultural droughts in China is projected to increase under all examined Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP). A current 100‐year drought is projected to occur once every 30 years under RCP 2.6, once every 13 years under RCP 4.5, and once every 5 years under RCP 8.5. This increased occurrence of severe droughts would double the rate of drought‐induced yield losses in the largest warming scenario. Policies for future food security should prioritize sustainable intensification and conservation of groundwater, as well as geographically balanced water resource and food production.
Sex Differences in Quality of Life in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Jolly Meenakshi , Sequeira Winston , Block Joel A. , Toloza Sergio , Bertoli Ana , Blazevic Ivanna , Vila Luis M. , Moldovan Ioana , Torralba Karina D. , Mazzoni Davide , Cicognani Elvira , Hasni Sarfaraz , Goker Berna , Haznedaroglu Seminur , Bourre‐Tessier Josiane , Navarra Sandra V. , Mok Chi Chiu , Weisman Michael , Clarke Ann E. , Wallace Daniel , Alarcón Graciela 
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) predominantly affects women. Clinical phenotype and outcomes in SLE may vary by sex and are further complicated by unique concerns that are dependent upon sex‐defined roles. We aimed to describe sex differences in disease‐specific quality of life (QoL) assessment scores using the Lupus Patient‐Reported Outcome (LupusPRO) tool in a large international study.MethodsCross‐sectional data from 1,803 patients with SLE on demographics, self‐identified sex status, LupusPRO, and disease activity were analyzed. The LupusPRO tool has 2 constructs: health‐related QoL (HRQoL) and non‐HRQoL. Disease activity and damage were evaluated using the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment version of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index and the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index, respectively. Nonparametric tests were used to compare QoL and disease activity by sex.ResultsA total of 122 men and 1,681 women with SLE participated. The mean age was similar by sex, but the damage scores were greater among men. Men fared worse on the non‐HRQoL social support domain than women (P = 0.02). When comparing disease and QoL among men and women ages ≤45 years, men were found to have greater damage and worse social support than women. However, women fared significantly worse on lupus symptoms, cognition, and procreation domains with trends for worse functioning on physical health and pain‐vitality domains.ConclusionIn the largest study of a diverse group of SLE patients, utilizing a disease‐specific QoL tool, sex differences in QoL were observed on both HRQoL and non‐HRQoL constructs. Although men performed worse in the social support domain, women (especially those in the reproductive age group) fared worse in other domains. These observations may assist physicians in appropriately addressing QoL issues in a sex‐focused manner.
Hybrid Paper–Plastic Microchip for Flexible and High‐Performance Point‐of‐Care Diagnostics
Authors: Draz Mohamed Shehata , Moazeni Maryam , Venkataramani Manasa , Lakshminarayanan Harini , Saygili Ecem , Lakshminaraasimulu Nivethitha Kota , Kochehbyoki Kamyar Mehrabi , Kanakasabapathy Manoj Kumar , Shabahang Shirin , Vasan Anish , Bijarchi Mohamad Ali , Memic Adnan , Shafiee Hadi 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA low‐cost and easy‐to‐fabricate microchip remains a key challenge for the development of true point‐of‐care (POC) diagnostics. Cellulose paper and plastic are thin, light, flexible, and abundant raw materials, which make them excellent substrates for mass production of POC devices. Herein, a hybrid paper–plastic microchip (PPMC) is developed, which can be used for both single and multiplexed detection of different targets, providing flexibility in the design and fabrication of the microchip. The developed PPMC with printed electronics is evaluated for sensitive and reliable detection of a broad range of targets, such as liver and colon cancer protein biomarkers, intact Zika virus, and human papillomavirus nucleic acid amplicons. The presented approach allows a highly specific detection of the tested targets with detection limits as low as 102 ng mL−1 for protein biomarkers, 103 particle per milliliter for virus particles, and 102 copies per microliter for a target nucleic acid. This approach can potentially be considered for the development of inexpensive and stable POC microchip diagnostics and is suitable for the detection of a wide range of microbial infections and cancer biomarkers.
3D‐Printed Biomimetic Scaffold Simulating Microfibril Muscle Structure
Authors: Kim WonJin , Kim Minseong , Kim Geun Hyung 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn the human body, microfibril structures can be found in several types of tissue, such as muscles, nerves, and even tendons. However, most micropatterned fabrication methods have focused on 2D surface patterned configurations, which imitate the alignment and fusion of cardiac and skeletal muscle cells. Despite the development of these 2D methods, it has continued to be a challenge to fabricate realistic 3D microfibril structures. The goal of this study is to develop a micropatterned polycaprolactone (PCL) microfiber strut. This process uses a microfibrillation/leaching process of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) from a PVA/PCL mixture to imitate skeletal muscle cell alignment and fusion in vitro. To attain the optimal processing conditions, a variety of parameters—including a mixture ratio, processing temperature, and pneumatic pressure—are considered. To increase biocompatibility of a microfibrous PCL bundle, the fabricated structure is supplemented with type‐I collagen. The myoblasts (C2C12 cells) are used to determine the cellular responses of the fabricated structure. By analyzing cell proliferation and myogenic differentiation, it can be confirmed that the hybrid microfibrillated structure can be an important potential platform to obtain efficient regeneration of muscle cells.
Tunable Molecular‐Scale Materials for Catalyzing the Low‐Overpotential Electrochemical Conversion of CO2
Authors: Rosen Brian A. , Hod Idan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractElectrochemical CO2 reduction provides a clean and viable alternative for mitigating the environmental aspects of global greenhouse gas emissions. To date, the simultaneous goals of CO2 reduction at high selectivity and activity have yet to be achieved. Here, the importance of engineering both sides of the electrode–electrolyte interface as a rational strategy for achieving this milestone is highlighted. An emphasis is placed on researchers contributing to the design of solid electrodes based on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and electrolytes based on room‐temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). Future research geared toward optimizing the electrode–electrolyte interface for efficient and selective CO2 reduction can be achieved by understanding the structure of newly designed RTILs at the electrified interface, as well as structure–activity relationships in highly tunable MOF platforms.
Evolution at the tips: Asclepias phylogenomics and new perspectives on leaf surfaces
Authors: Fishbein Mark , Straub Shannon C. K. , Boutte Julien , Hansen Kimberly , Cronn Richard C. , Liston Aaron 
Published: April 2018

Premise of the StudyLeaf surface traits, such as trichome density and wax production, mediate important ecological processes such as anti‐herbivory defense and water‐use efficiency. We present a phylogenetic analysis of Asclepias plastomes as a framework for analyzing the evolution of trichome density and presence of epicuticular waxes.MethodsWe produced a maximum‐likelihood phylogeny using plastomes of 103 species of Asclepias. We reconstructed ancestral states and used model comparisons in a likelihood framework to analyze character evolution across Asclepias.Key ResultsWe resolved the backbone of Asclepias, placing the Sonoran Desert clade and Incarnatae clade as successive sisters to the remaining species. We present novel findings about leaf surface evolution of Asclepias—the ancestor is reconstructed as waxless and sparsely hairy, a macroevolutionary optimal trichome density is supported, and the rate of evolution of trichome density has accelerated.ConclusionsIncreased sampling and selection of best‐fitting models of evolution provide more resolved and robust estimates of phylogeny and character evolution than obtained in previous studies. Evolutionary inferences are more sensitive to character coding than model selection.
Plastic breeding system response to day length in the California wildflowerMimulus douglasii
Authors: Barnett Laryssa L. , Troth Ashley , Willis John H. 
Published: April 2018

Premise of the StudyAngiosperms have evolved multiple breeding systems that allow reproductive success under varied conditions. Striking among these are cleistogamous breeding systems, where individuals can produce alternative flower types specialized for distinct mating strategies. Cleistogamy is thought to be environmentally‐dependent, but little is known about environmental triggers. If production of alternate flowers is environmentally induced, populations may evolve locally adapted responses.Mimulus douglasii, exhibits a cleistogamous breeding system, and ranges across temperature and day‐length gradients, providing an ideal system to investigate environmental parameters that control cleistogamy.MethodsWe compared flowering responses acrossMimulus douglasiipopulation accessions that produce distinct outcrossing and self‐pollinating flower morphs. Under controlled conditions, we determined time to flower, and number and type of flowers produced under different temperatures and day lengths.Key ResultsTemperature and day length both affect onset of flowering. Long days shift flower type from predominantly chasmogamous to cleistogamous. The strength of the response to day length varies across accessions whether temperature varies or is held constant.ConclusionsCleistogamy is an environmentally sensitive polyphenism inMimulus douglasii, allowing transition from one mating strategy to another. Longer days induce flowering and production of cleistogamous flowers. Shorter days induce chasmogamous flowers. Population origin has a small effect on response to environmental cues.
Does Natural Mentoring Matter? A Multilevel Meta‐analysis on the Association Between Natural Mentoring and Youth Outcomes
Authors: Van Dam L. , Smit D. , Wildschut B. , Branje S.J.T. , Rhodes J.E. , Assink M. , Stams G.J.J.M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn this meta‐analytic review, we examined the relation between natural mentoring and youth outcomes in four domains: academic and vocational functioning, social‐emotional development, physical health, and psychosocial problems. Natural mentoring relationships are thought to foster positive youth development and buffer against the risks associated with the tumultuous years of adolescence. Two separate meta‐analyses were conducted on the presence of a natural mentor and the quality of the natural mentoring relationship, including thirty studies from 1992 to present. The findings indicated that the presence of a natural mentor was significantly associated with positive youth outcomes (r = .106). A larger effect size was found for the quality of the natural mentoring relationship in terms of relatedness, social support, and autonomy support (r = .208). The largest effect sizes were found for social‐emotional development and academic and vocational functioning. Risk‐status (e.g., teenage mothers, homeless youth, youth in foster care, and youth of alcoholic parents) did not moderate the relation between presence and quality of natural mentoring relationships and youth outcomes, which may indicate that natural mentors are generally beneficial for all youth regardless of risk‐status. Implications for theory and practice concerning the quality of the natural mentoring relationship are discussed.
Lorentz Violation and Topologically Trapped Fermions in 2+1 Dimensions
Authors: Correa Rafael A. C. , de Paula Wayne , de Souza Dutra Alvaro , Frederico Tobias 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe full spectrum of two‐dimensional fermion states in a scalar soliton trap with a Lorentz breaking background is investigated in the context of graphene, where the Lorentz symmetry should not be strictly valid. The field theoretical model with Lorentz breaking terms represents Dirac electrons in one valley and in a scalar field background. The Lorentz violation comes from the difference between the Dirac electron and scalar mode velocities, which should be expected when modelling the electronic and lattice excitations in graphene. Here, only one Lorentz‐violating parameter is considered, belonging to the scalar sector. The analytical methods developed in the context of 1+1 field theories are extended to explore the effect of the Lorentz symmetry breaking in the charge carrier density of two‐dimensional materials in the presence of a domain wall with a kink profile. The width and the depth of the trapping potential from the kink is controlled by the Lorentz violating term, which is reflected analytically in the band structure and properties of the trapped states. These findings enlarge previous studies of the edge states obtained with domain wall and in strained graphene nanoribbon in a chiral gauge theory.