bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation of graphene/poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) – poly (styrene sulfonate) polyelectrolyte composites and their electrochemical performance
Authors: Areebumrungsuk Prapassorn , Sukhsuwan Pronteera , Pattananuwat Prasit 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Here, we successfully prepare graphene/poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) – poly (styrene sulfonate) (G/PDADMAC-PSS) polyelectrolyte composites by simple mixing method. The effect of NaCl adding at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 % wt. on the sizing of polyelectrolyte composites (PECs) is investigated. The concentration of NaCl ion plays an important role in size control by the formation of the primary polyelectrolyte composites and following by the agglomeration itself. The electrochemical properties are evaluated by cyclic voltammetry demonstrating that G/PDADMAC-PSS PECs at 8 %wt. can yield the highest specific capacitance of 68 m F.cm−2; at 10 mV sec−1
Fiction and indeterminate identity
Authors: Friedell David 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
In ‘Against fictional realism’ Anthony Everett argues that fictional realism leads to indeterminate identity. He concludes that we should reject fictional realism. Everett’s paper and much of the ensuing literature does not discuss what exactly fictional characters are. This is a mistake. I argue that some versions of abstract creationism about fictional characters lead to indeterminate identity, and that some versions of Platonism about fictional characters lead only to indeterminate reference. In doing so I show that Everett’s argument poses a more pressing problem for abstract creationism than for Platonism. The general lesson is that fictional realists should think more about the ontology of fictional characters in order to discern whether they are committed to indeterminate identity.
Karyotype evolution in Helianthemum (Cistaceae): dysploidy, achiasmate meiosis and ecological specialization in H. squamatum, a true gypsophile
Authors: Aparicio Abelardo , Escudero Marcial , Valdés-Florido Ana , Pachón Miguel , Rubio Encarnación , Albaladejo Rafael G , Martín-Hernanz Sara , Pradillo Mónica 
Published: August 2019

AbstractHelianthemum squamatum is a specialist gypsophile, the only species of a recently diverged lineage in subgenus Helianthemum characterized by having the lowest chromosome number in the genus (n = 5). With the hypothesis of great genome reorganization in the lineage of H. squamatum, we (1) modelled the evolution of the chromosome number in the genus Helianthemum, (2) analysed the karyotype and the nuclear DNA content of H. squamatum and its sister species H. syriacum (n = 10) and (3) studied in detail the meiotic process of H. squamatum. Our analyses show that: (1) the rate of chromosome losses in the lineage that gave rise to H. squamatum is 100 times higher than in the genus as a whole; (2) compared to its sister species, H. squamatum has a more symmetric karyotype composed of longer metacentric chromosomes and retains c. 80% of its nuclear DNA content and (3) achiasmatic behaviour of chromosomes occurs during microsporogenesis despite full synapsis. Our results are in agreement with previous knowledge showing that reduced chromosome numbers in determinate lineages are found in short-lived species adapted to stressful environments, and we suggest that a combination of fewer chromosomes, a smaller genome, a shorter life cycle and the suppression of meiotic recombination can together contribute to the maintenance of those advantageous allelic combinations that makes H. squamatum a true gypsophile, enabling the individual plants to cope with the harshness imposed by dry gypsum soils.
Oral Vancomycin as an Adjuvant Treatment in IBD
Authors: Ayers Travis D , Leonard-Puppa Elaine , Kader Howard A , Waddell Jaylyn , Watkins Runa D , Blanchard Samra S , Safta Anca M , Rawal Nidhi 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Objective
To study the efficacy of oral vancomycin (POV) treatment in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods
We conducted retrospective and prospective chart reviews, identifying patients using the Division’s Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) registry, ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes for IBD, and recall of patients receiving POV. Patients aged 2–21 years with active IBD at initiation of POV were included unless they had Clostridium difficile infection or primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Pre- and posttreatment analysis included a Physician Global Assessment (PGA), pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) activity index (PUCAI), and an abbreviated pediatric Crohn’s disease (CD) activity index (PCDAI). The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test, determined if pre- and post-POV rankings of symptom severity differed. Mann–Whitney U tests assessed improvement in presenting symptoms.

Results
Nineteen patients met inclusion criteria (12 CD and 7 UC). POV improved the PGA score in 16 of 19 patients (P < 0.001). Mean PGA score pretreatment was 3 ± 0.471; posttreatment mean of 1.58 ± 0.769. Abdominal pain (P < 0.001), diarrhea (P < 0.002), anemia (P < 0.002), and blood in stool (P < 0.001) showed significant improvement. PUCAI and PCDAI scores, pretreatment means of 50 ± 17 and 33 ± 9, respectively, also improved with mean score reduction of 23 in CD and 38 in UC patients after POV initiation (P-value < 0.0001). This improvement was noted for both IBD subtypes.

Conclusions
POV may be an effective adjuvant treatment for pediatric IBD. Its effectiveness is likely due to a combination of its anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha-α activity and its influence on the gut microbiome. Further controlled studies of POV in IBD are warranted to determine the most efficacious use of POV in pediatric IBD.

Aim
This study attempts to expand on the current literature to determine efficacy of POV as an adjuvant therapy in treating active IBD in children.
Comparative psychopharmacology of autism and psychotic-affective disorders suggests new targets for treatment
Authors: Crespi Bernard J 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe first treatments showing effectiveness for some psychiatric disorders, such as lithium for bipolar disorder and chlorpromazine for schizophrenia, were discovered by accident. Currently, psychiatric drug design is seen as a scientific enterprise, limited though it remains by the complexity of brain development and function. Relatively few novel and effective drugs have, however, been developed for many years. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how evolutionary biology can provide a useful framework for psychiatric drug development. The framework is based on a diametrical nature of autism, compared with psychotic-affective disorders (mainly schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression). This paradigm follows from two inferences: (i) risks and phenotypes of human psychiatric disorders derive from phenotypes that have evolved along the human lineage and (ii) biological variation is bidirectional (e.g. higher vs lower, faster vs slower, etc.), such that dysregulation of psychological traits varies in two opposite ways. In this context, the author review the evidence salient to the hypothesis that autism and psychotic-affective disorders represent diametrical disorders in terms of current, proposed and potential psychopharmacological treatments. Studies of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, the PI3K pathway, the NMDA receptor, kynurenic acid metabolism, agmatine metabolism, levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and other treatments, demonstrate evidence of diametric effects in autism spectrum disorders and phenotypes compared with psychotic-affective disorders and phenotypes. These findings yield insights into treatment mechanisms and the development of new pharmacological therapies, as well as providing an explanation for the longstanding puzzle of antagonism between epilepsy and psychosis.Lay Summary: Consideration of autism and schizophrenia as caused by opposite alterations to brain development and function leads to novel suggestions for pharmacological treatments.
Aspartic acid racemization constrains long-term viability and longevity of endospores
Authors: Liang Renxing , Lau Maggie C Y , Baars Oliver , Robb Frank T , Onstott Tullis C 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT
Certain microorganisms survive long periods of time as endospores to cope with adverse conditions. Since endospores are metabolically inactive, the extent of aspartic acid (Asp) racemization will increase over time and might kill the spores by preventing their germination. Therefore, understanding the relationship between endospore survivability and Asp racemization is important for constraining the long-term survivability and global dispersion of spore-forming bacteria in nature. Geobacillus stearothermophilus was selected as a model organism to investigate racemization kinetics and survivability of its endospores at 65°C, 75°C and 98°C. This study found that the Asp racemization rates of spores and autoclaved spores were similar at all temperatures. The Asp racemization rate of spores was not significantly different from that of vegetative cells at 65°C. The Asp racemization rate of G. stearothermophilus spores was not significantly different from that of Bacillus subtilis spores at 98°C. The viability of spores and vegetative cells decreased dramatically over time, and the mortality of spores correlated exponentially with the degree of racemization (R2 = 0.9). This latter correlation predicts spore half-lives on the order of hundreds of years for temperatures typical of shallow marine sediments, a result consistent with studies about the survivability of thermophilic spores found in these environments.
Efficacy and safety of vedolizumab in elderly patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a matched case–control study
Authors: Shashi Preeti , Gopalakrishnan Dharmesh , Parikh Malav P , Shen Bo , Kochhar Gursimran 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Background
Vedolizumab was demonstrated to be safe and effective in adults with moderately to severely active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in clinical trials. However, there are limited data regarding its efficacy and safety in elderly patients.

Methods
This was a case–control study comparing the efficacy (measured by rates of mucosal healing and need for IBD surgery) and safety of vedolizumab in IBD among patients ≥65 years of age (the elderly group) vs those &lt;65 years (the control group). The two groups were matched individually on a 1:4 ratio based on gender and type of IBD. Conditional logistic regression was used for stratified analysis to calculate odds ratios and confidence intervals.

Results
We included 25 IBD patients in the elderly group and 100 matched patients in the comparison group. Eighty patients had Crohn’s disease and 45 had ulcerative colitis. At baseline, the groups were comparable with regard to duration of IBD, prior anti-TNF therapy, and prior IBD surgery. The rate of mucosal healing on follow-up endoscopy was comparable between the elderly and control groups (50% vs 53%, P = 0.507). Although more patients in the elderly group required IBD-related surgery while on vedolizumab, the difference did not reach statistical significance (40% vs 19%, P = 0.282). Rates of vedolizumab-related adverse effects—rash, arthralgia, infections, infusion reactions, and dyspnea—were comparable between the two groups (all P &gt; 0.05).

Conclusions
In a real-world setting, vedolizumab was demonstrated to have an efficacy and safety profile among elderly IBD patients that were comparable to younger controls.
The draft genome sequence of the spider Dysdera silvatica (Araneae, Dysderidae): A valuable resource for functional and evolutionary genomic studies in chelicerates
Authors: Sánchez-Herrero Jose Francisco , Frías-López Cristina , Escuer Paula , Hinojosa-Alvarez Silvia , Arnedo Miquel A , Sánchez-Gracia Alejandro , Rozas Julio 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Background
We present the draft genome sequence of Dysdera silvatica, a nocturnal ground-dwelling spider from a genus that has undergone a remarkable adaptive radiation in the Canary Islands.

Results
The draft assembly was obtained using short (Illumina) and long (PaciBio and Nanopore) sequencing reads. Our de novo assembly (1.36 Gb), which represents 80% of the genome size estimated by flow cytometry (1.7 Gb), is constituted by a high fraction of interspersed repetitive elements (53.8%). The assembly completeness, using BUSCO and core eukaryotic genes, ranges from 90% to 96%. Functional annotations based on both ab initio and evidence-based information (including D. silvatica RNA sequencing) yielded a total of 48,619 protein-coding sequences, of which 36,398 (74.9%) have the molecular hallmark of known protein domains, or sequence similarity with Swiss-Prot sequences. The D. silvatica assembly is the first representative of the superfamily Dysderoidea, and just the second available genome of Synspermiata, one of the major evolutionary lineages of the “true spiders” (Araneomorphae).

Conclusions
Dysderoids, which are known for their numerous instances of adaptation to underground environments, include some of the few examples of trophic specialization within spiders and are excellent models for the study of cryptic female choice. This resource will be therefore useful as a starting point to study fundamental evolutionary and functional questions, including the molecular bases of the adaptation to extreme environments and ecological shifts, as well of the origin and evolution of relevant spider traits, such as the venom and silk.
Clinical outcomes of oesophagectomy in elderly versus relatively younger patients: a meta-analysis
Authors: Han Yu , Liu Shengjun , Guo Wei , Zhang Yajie , Li Hecheng 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The surgical efficacy of oesophagectomy for elderly patients (>80 years old) is still unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the clinical outcomes of oesophagectomy between elderly and relatively younger patients.

METHODS
PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies comparing the clinical outcomes of oesophagectomy for elderly and relatively younger patients. Odds ratios were extracted to obtain pooled estimates of the perioperative effect, and hazard ratios were extracted to compare survival outcomes between the 2 cohorts.

RESULTS
Nine studies involving 4946 patients were included in this meta-analysis. For patients older than 80 years of age, in-hospital mortality [odds ratio (OR) 2.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28–3.13; P = 0.002] and the incidence rates of cardiac (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.10–2.20; P = 0.01) and pulmonary (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.11–2.22; P = 0.01) complications were higher than those of relatively younger patients. The overall postoperative complication rate (OR 1.40, 95% CI 0.82–2.40; P = 0.22) and the incidence of anastomotic leak (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.58–1.47; P = 0.73) were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Elderly patients had a worse overall 5-year survival rate (HR 2.66, 95% CI 1.65–4.28; P < 0.001) than that of relatively younger patients. The cancer-related 5-year survival rate of elderly patients was also lower than that of relatively younger patients (HR 3.37, 95% CI 2.36–4.82; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
Compared with relatively younger patients, elderly patients with oesophageal cancer undergoing oesophagectomy are at higher risk of in-hospital mortality and have lower survival rates. However, there is no conclusive evidence that the overall rate of complications is elevated in elderly patients.
Optimizing nursing time in a day care unit: Quality improvement using Lean Six Sigma methodology
Authors: Davies Carmel , Lyons Caroline , Whyte Regina 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Objective
This study applies Lean Six Sigma (LSS) to improve the efficiency of a private hospital day care unit and generate a positive impact on optimizing nursing time and improving personalized patient care and staff satisfaction.

Design
A prospective interventional study using pre- and post-evaluation.

Setting
A day care unit at a private hospital.

Participants
Nurses and patients from the day unit.

Intervention(s)
Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control was used as an overarching problem-solving framework. All front line staff, clinical leaders and managers were supported as active change agents in the quality improvement (QI) initiative. Multiple interventions were adopted across the service that aimed to de-implement non-value added activities and enhance processes with activities that added value.

Main outcome measures
Patient turnaround times (PTTs), nursing time, nurse-patient ratio, nurse and patient survey.

Results
A post-implementation evaluation highlighted significant improvements in service performance and patient and staff satisfaction. Significant added value includes a reduction in PTTs, an increase in nursing care time and improvement in the nurse-patient ratio.

Conclusion
This project identified that utilizing LSS that relies on collaborative team effort is effective in creating a positive organizational culture for improvement and change. The Six Sigma tools and techniques provide evidence-based approaches that support QI in practice.
The Analysis of Aerosolized Methamphetamine From E-cigarettes Using High Resolution Mass Spectrometry and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Krakowiak Rose I , Poklis Justin L , Peace Michelle R 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) has expanded from a nicotine delivery system to a general drug delivery system. The internet is rife with websites, blogs and forums informing users how to modify e-cigs to deliver illicit drugs while maintaining optimal drug delivery of their device. The goal of this study was to qualitatively identify the presence of methamphetamine in the aerosol produced by an e-cig and to quantitatively assess the effect voltage on the concentration of aerosolized methamphetamine. A KangerTech AeroTank electronic cigarette containing a 30, 60 or 120 mg/mL of methamphetamine in 50:50 propylene glycol: vegetable glycerin formulation was used to produce the aerosol. To qualitatively identify aerosolized methamphetamine, the aerosol was generated at 4.3 V, trapped in a simple glass trapping system, extracted using solid-phase microextraction (SPME), and analyzed by high-resolution Direct Analysis in Real Time AccuTOF™ Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS). To assess the effect of voltage on the concentration of aerosolized methamphetamine, the aerosol was generated at 3.9, 4.3 and 4.7 V, trapped and quantified using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). SPME-DART-MS and SPME-GC-MS demonstrated the aerosolization of methamphetamine. The concentration of aerosolized methamphetamine at 3.9, 4.3 and 4.7 V was not statistically different at 800 ± 600 ng/mL, 800 ± 600 ng/mL and 1,000 ± 800 ng/mL, respectively. The characterization of the vapors produced from e-liquids containing methamphetamine provides an understanding of the dose delivery dynamics of e-cigarettes.
‘Ceci n’est pas un Berceau’: The Majestic Cradle of Napoleon’s Son
Authors: Ventura Gal 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
This article explores the significance of the cradle given on March 1811, by the citizens of Paris for the birth of Napoleon’s son—the King of Rome—by addressing the object, its designers, its user, and its socio-cultural environment. Through the inspection of the etymology and the history of the cradle, the configuration, material and aesthetics of the King of Rome’s other cradles, and the ‘economy of the gift’, this article claims that the citizens’ cradle was in fact not a throne-shaped cradle, but rather a cradle-shaped throne, representing a materialized contract between the inhabitants of Paris and their sovereign.
Pure and mixed plantations of Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) for high quality timber production in Chile, South America
Authors: Loewe-Muñoz Verónica , Balzarini Mónica , Ortega González Marta 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAimsPersian walnut (Juglans regia L.), an interesting forest species for the veneering industry, requires adequate management to produce valuable high-quality logs. Since species associations and management level can improve stand productivity, the novelty of this work was to assess Persian walnut performance in different planting mixtures and in pure plantations conditioned to management intensity.MethodsGrowth, straightness and survival measurements were taken annually for 7 years after planting pure and mixed plantations under two contrasting management scenarios. Diseases were recorded at Age 7 in all plantations. Under each management intensity, besides the monoculture, three mixtures were tested: a mixture of only main forest species, main forest species plus one arboreal companion species, Black alder (Alnus glutinosa L.) and main species plus the shrub Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) as nurse species. A test of interaction between plantation type and management scenario was conducted using repeated growth data.Important FindingsThe interaction was significant, indicating the presence of different mechanisms underlying plantation effects under high and low management level. Compared with pure plantations, Persian walnut associated with the nurse shrub exhibited 78% higher height and 53% higher diameter growth in plantations under low management. Health benefits (lower presence of walnut blight than in the monoculture) and better straightness were also found in the association including the shrub when the management intensity was not high. These beneficial effects in the presence of Russian olive were not present under high management intensity (irrigation, fertilization, tutoring and frequent pruning). Site-specific designs for Persian walnut plantations would depend on the foreseen management intensity.
Persistent Changes in Child Behavior After Early Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Gagner Charlotte , Dégeilh Fanny , Bernier Annie , Beauchamp Miriam H 
Published: August 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo document longitudinal changes in internalizing and externalizing behavioral symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) sustained in early childhood (i.e., between 18 and 60 months of age).MethodsParticipants (N = 226) were recruited to one of three groups: children with mTBI, typically developing children and orthopedic injured children. The Child Behavior Checklist was used to document the presence of internalizing and externalizing behaviors at 6, 18, and 30 months postinjury. Linear mixed-model analyses were used to examine group effects on the trajectory of internalizing and externalizing behavioral manifestations over 30 months postinjury.ResultsChildren who sustain mTBI during the preschool period have higher rates of internalizing and externalizing behavioral symptoms at the initial assessment time point and these symptoms persist up to 30 months postinjury. Moreover, results indicate that for up to 18 months postinjury, significantly more children with mTBI present behavioral difficulties that may require some form of clinical attention (i.e., scores in the borderline or clinical range), than do their orthopedically injured and noninjured peers.ConclusionsSustaining mTBI early in life may lead to long-lasting behavioral changes in young children (i.e., at least 30 months). These changes are likely the product of a complex interplay between neurological and non-neurological factors, both contributing to generating and maintaining behavioral difficulties.