bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distributed inexact dual consensus ADMM for network resource allocation
Authors: Jian Long , Hu Jiangping , Wang Jun , Shi Kaibo 
Published: September 2019

SummaryThis paper investigates two novel distributed algorithms based on alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) for network resource allocation of N agents. The main objective is to derive an optimal allocation that minimizes a global objective expressed as a sum of locally known separable convex objective functions. Based on a communication matrix, the dual resource allocation problem is changed into a consensus optimization problem, in which each agent broadcasts the outcome of its local processing to all his neighbors. In this paper, we first propose a new distributed dual consensus ADMM (DC‐ADMM) algorithm to address this consensus problem. Moreover, by applying an inexact step for each ADMM update, a distributed inexact DC‐ADMM (IDC‐ADMM) is also developed, which enables agents to perform cheap computation at each iteration. Finally, numerical simulations are delivered to illustrate and validate the proposed algorithm.
The effect of polylactic acid (PLA)/poly‐d‐lactidestereocomplex on the thermal and mechanical properties of various PLA/rubber blends
Authors: Phattarateera Supanut , Pattamaprom Cattaleeya 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of polylactic acid (PLA)/poly‐d‐lactide (PDLA) stereocomplex (ST) on the improvement of the mechanical and thermal properties of various rubber‐toughened PLAs. In this work, natural rubber (NR), synthetic polyisoprene rubber (IR), silicone rubber (SI), acrylic rubber (ACM), acrylic core–shell rubber (CSR), thermoplastic copolyester (TPE) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) were chosen as the toughening agents. 5 wt% PDLA was melt‐blended with PLA to form ST crystals in the presence of 15 wt% rubber in an internal mixer at 180 °C and 50 rpm. It was found that the melting temperature of ST crystal (Tm,sc) and the impact strength of ST/rubber blends were strongly correlated with the rubber domain size. For the blends of ST with compatible rubbers (ACM, CSR, TPE and TPU), the rubber domain sizes tended to be smaller with higher Tm,sc and higher impact strength than the blends with incompatible rubbers (NR, IR and SI). However, the presence of ST crystals in PLA/incompatible rubber blends, especially the blends with NR and IR, led to a significant increase in the rubber domain size and plunges in tensile toughness and impact strength. On the other hand, the presence of these crystals in PLA/compatible blends did not change the rubber size or the impact strength significantly compared with those without ST crystals except in the case of ST/ACM, which resulted in a large increase in the impact strength. Among all rubber types, CSR provided the highest impact strength for both the PLA and ST systems. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Subcutaneous mepolizumab in children aged 6 to 11 years with severe eosinophilic asthma
Authors: Gupta Atul , Pouliquen Isabelle , Austin Daren , Price Robert G. , Kempsford Rodger , Steinfeld Jonathan , Bradford Eric S. , Yancey Steven W. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractObjectivesThere are no published reports for anti‐interleukin‐5 therapy in children <12 years with asthma. The primary objective of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of mepolizumab following subcutaneous (SC) administration in children 6 to 11 years‐of‐age with severe eosinophilic asthma.HypothesisMepolizumab SC pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in children with severe eosinophilic asthma are comparable with adults.Study DesignMultinational, nonrandomised, open‐label (NCT02377427).Patient SelectionChildren 6 to 11 years‐of‐age with severe eosinophilic asthma (blood eosinophil count ≥150 cells/µL at screening or ≥300 cells/µL <12 months of screening) and ≥2 exacerbations in the prior year.MethodologyChildren received mepolizumab SC 40 mg (bodyweight <40 kg) or 100 mg (≥40 kg) every 4 weeks for 12 weeks.ResultsThirty‐six children received mepolizumab (40 mg, n = 26; 100 mg, n = 10). Mepolizumab exposures were higher and apparent clearance lower than predicted based on prior existing data. Derived mepolizumab exposures normalized to mean bodyweight for the 40 mg and 100 mg dose groups were 454 μg * day/mL and 675 μg * day/mL, respectively. At week 12, blood eosinophils were reduced by 89% and 83% from baseline to 42 and 55 cells/µL, respectively. Mepolizumab was well tolerated; no new safety signals were observed compared with previous adult/adolescent studies.ConclusionIn children 6 to 11 years‐of‐age with severe eosinophilic asthma, mepolizumab SC 40 or 100 mg provided bodyweight‐adjusted drug exposure within twofold of target adult exposure as well as marked reductions to blood eosinophil counts similar to adults, and although not designed to evaluate efficacy outcomes, demonstrated a positive clinical profile.
Clinical features and outcomes associated with tracheostomy in congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Al Baroudi Sahar , Collaco Joseph M. , Lally Pamela A. , Harting Matthew T. , Jelin Eric B. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIntroductionThe purpose of this study was to examine the clinical features/outcomes associated with tracheostomy in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).MethodsThe study population consisted of liveborn infants reported to the CDH Study Group registry between 2007 and 2017. Subjects were identified as having a tracheostomy if they were discharged or transferred to another hospital with tracheostomy and/or on mechanical ventilation. Multivariate mixed models were used for analyses.ResultsThe registry population consisted of 5434 subjects, of whom 230 (4.2%) underwent tracheostomy placement. Only 3830 (70.5%) infants survived until discharge/transfer. The median age of tracheostomy placement was 3.3 months (range, 1.3‐13.4 when known; n = 58 out of 154 survivors). The mortality rate among subjects with tracheostomy was 32.8% with a median of 37 days (range, 8‐189 when known; n = 32 out of 75 deceased) ensuing between tracheostomy placement and death. The clinical features found to be associated with increased odds ratio of tracheostomy placement included male sex, birth weight, 5‐minute APGAR score, defect size, liver in chest, ECMO use, cardiac abnormality, other congenital abnormalities, pulmonary hypertension, and the presence of a feeding tube. There was center variation in the rate of tracheostomy placement, which may be partially accounted for by disease severity, but not center size.ConclusionThere are several clinical features that are associated with increased likelihood of tracheostomy placement. Most deaths in subjects with tracheostomies occurred outside the immediate postoperative period. The utility of a standardized protocol for tracheostomy in infants with CDH should be considered.
Aggregation of zinc‐free p53 is inhibited by Hsp90 but not other chaperones
Authors: Wu Huiwen , Dyson H. Jane 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe structured DNA‐binding domain (DBD) of p53 is a well‐known client protein of the chaperone Hsp90. The p53 DBD contains a single zinc ion, coordinated by the side chains of Cys176, His179, Cys238, and Cys242; zinc coordination plays a structural role to stabilize the DBD and is required for its DNA binding. The ambiguous nature of the p53‐Hsp90 interaction, together with the stabilizing role of the zinc in the structure of the DBD, prompted us to examine the interaction of Hsp90 with zinc‐free p53 DBD. NMR spectroscopy and native gel electrophoresis did not show any apparent preference for the interaction of the destabilized zinc‐free form of p53 DBD with Hsp90. Intriguingly, however, at lower protein concentrations, closer to physiological concentrations, the addition of Hsp90, but not other chaperones such as Hsp70, Hsp40, p23, and HOP, appears to slow or prevent the aggregation of zinc‐free p53 DBD. This result suggests that part of the function of the Hsp90‐p53 interaction in the cell may be to stabilize the apoprotein in the absence of zinc.
Alteration of insulin signaling to control insect pest by using transformed bacteria expressing dsRNA
Authors: Al Baki Abdullah , Jung Jin Kyo , Kim Yonggyun 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDInsulin/insulin‐like growth factor signaling (IIS) is known to mediate larval growth and adult reproduction in the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Four IIS components (InR, FOXO, Akt, and TOR) play crucial roles in the IIS pathway.RESULTSRNA interference (RNAi) against any of these four IIS component genes was effective in suppressing each target mRNA level by either hemocoelic injection or oral administration using gene‐specific double‐stranded RNAs (dsRNAs). These RNAi treatments interfered with larval growth, leading to small pupae or significant larval mortality. For massive production of dsRNA, transformed bacteria expressing dsRNAs of these four IIS components were prepared with L4440 expression vector and HT115 strain of Escherichia coli. The transformed bacteria killed the larvae in a dose‐dependent manner by feeding administration. An ultra‐sonication pretreatment was performed to impair bacterial membrane and increase dsRNA release from the bacteria in insect intestine. This pretreatment increased the insecticidal activity of these recombinant bacteria. To further increase dsRNA toxicity, its mixture with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) was prepared and showed significant increase of Bt insecticidal activity in the laboratory. The bacterial mixture also showed a high control efficacy (83.3%) in an adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) field infested by M. vitrata. Furthermore, such a dsRNA effect was specific for M. vitrata, but not for non‐target insects.CONCLUSIONThe bacteria expressing dsRNA specific to IIS components can be used to develop dsRNA insecticide. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Memory‐type multivariate charts with fixed and variable sampling intervals for process mean when covariance matrix is unknown
Authors: Haq Abdul , Khoo Michael B. C. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractMemory‐type multivariate charts have been widely recognized as a potentially powerful process monitoring tool because of their excellent speed in detecting small‐to‐moderate shifts in the mean vector of a multivariate normally distributed process, namely, the multivariate EWMA (MEWMA), double MEWMA, Crosier multivariate CUSUM (MCUSUM), and Pignatiello and Runger MCUSUM charts. These multivariate charts are based on the assumption that the covariance matrix is known in advance; but, it may not be known in practice. It is thus not possible to use these multivariate charts unless a large Phase I dataset is available from an in‐control process. In this paper, we propose multivariate charts with fixed and variable sampling intervals for the process mean vector when the covariance matrix is estimated from sample. Using the Monte Carlo simulation method, the run length characteristics of the multivariate charts are computed. It is shown that the in‐control and out‐of‐control run length performances of the proposed multivariate charts are robust to the changes in the process covariance matrix, while the existing multivariate charts are not. A real dataset is taken to explain the implementation of the proposed multivariate charts.
On the normalized Laplacian of Möbius phenylene chain and its applications
Authors: Lei Lan , Geng Xianya , Li Shuchao , Peng Yingjun , Yu Yuantian 
Published: September 2019

AbstractLet denote a molecular graph of linear [n] phenylene with n hexagons and n squares, and let the Möbius phenylene chain be the graph obtained from the by identifying the opposite lateral edges in reversed way. Utilizing the decomposition theorem of the normalized Laplacian characteristic polynomial, we study the normalized Laplacian spectrum of , which consists of the eigenvalues of two symmetric matrices ℒ
R and ℒ
Q of order 3n. By investigating the relationship between the roots and coefficients of the characteristic polynomials of the two matrices above, we obtain an explicit closed‐form formula of the multiplicative degree‐Kirchhoff index as well as the number of spanning trees of . Furthermore, we determine the limited value for the quotient of the multiplicative degree‐Kirchhoff index and the Gutman index of .
Comparison between the vascular control technique and conventional technique for reducing operative blood loss during robot‐assisted myomectomy
Authors: Song Taejong , Han Young Gi , Sung Ji‐Hee 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundThis retrospective study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes and morbidity of the vascular control technique in robotic myomectomy with the conventional technique.MethodsThirty‐two consecutive patients who underwent robotic myomectomy using laparoscopic vascular clamps in 2017 to 2019 (the practice change cohort) were retrospectively comparted with 32 case‐matched consecutive patients who underwent the conventional robotic myomectomy (the historical cohort). The primary outcome was the operative blood loss and hemoglobin change.ResultsThe two cohorts had similar baseline characteristics. The mean operative blood loss and hemoglobin changes were lower in the practice change cohort than in the historical cohort (P < .001 and P = .005, respectively). Other postoperative outcomes were similar between two cohorts.ConclusionThe vascular control technique in robotic myomectomy appears to be effective and safe in the management of selective patients with symptomatic myomas.
Prediction of a Nine−Membered Aromatic Heterocyclic 1,4,7−triazacyclononatetraenyl anion and its Sandwich Complexes with Divalent Lanthanides
Authors: Joshi Meenakshi , Ghanty Tapan K. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe sandwich complexes of heterocyclic ligands have attracted immense attention of scientists because of their applications in anticancer, antibacterial and antitumor activities. Moreover, lanthanide sandwich complexes possess wide range of applications as single molecule magnet, optical materials, and in spintronics and catalysis. Designing a new aromatic ring is very important for the creation of magnetically coupled one−dimensional sandwich molecular wires, which are of significant recent interests. In the present work for the first time we have theoretically proposed a nine−membered novel aromatic heterocyclic anionic ligand, 1,4,7−triazacyclononatetraenyl ion, C6H6N3− (tacn), associated with three hetero atoms and 10 π delocalized electrons. The aromaticity of tacn has been analyzed using NICS, HOMA and Hückel rule. Subsequently, sandwich complexes of divalent lanthanides with the tacn ligand, Ln(C6H6N3)2 (Ln=Nd(II), Pm(II), Sm(II), Eu(II), Tm(II) and Yb(II)) have been investigated. The structural properties, nature of bonding and thermodynamic stability of the predicted Ln(C6H6N3)2 complexes have been investigated using dispersion corrected density functional theory. One to one correspondence in the various properties of the predicted C6H6N3− ligand and Ln(C6H6N3)2 complexes with the experimentally observed corresponding C9H9− ligand and Ln(C9H9)2 complexes shows the feasibility of formation of the predicted Ln(C6H6N3)2 complexes.
pH‐Responsive Studies of Bacterial Cellulose /Chitosan Hydrogels Crosslinked with Genipin: Swelling and Drug Release Behaviour
Authors: Arikibe Joachim E. , Lata Roselyn , Kuboyama Keiichi , Ougizawa Toshiaki , Rohindra David 
Published: September 2019

AbstractSemi interpenetrating hydrogels (semi‐IPN) of bacterial cellulose (BC) and chitosan (Ch) crosslinked with genipin were prepared and characterised using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Infrared spectra showed amide I and II absorption peaks at 1632 and 1554 cm−1 and C−N stretching absorptions at 1250 and 1020 cm−1, respectively, for crosslinked hydrogels. The fibrous structure of BC and the porosity in the hydrogels were revealed by SEM. Swelling of hydrogels was sensitive to pH, and maximum at pH 1.0. Swelling of non‐crosslinked samples decreased as the pH increased. However, with crosslinked hydrogels, swelling increased as chitosan ratio increased at low pH, as well as with increase in BC ratio at high pH. Free, bound and intermediate water types in hydrogels were revealed by DSC. The release kinetics of Quetiapine fumarate (QF), an antipsychotic drug used for the treatment of Schizophrenia was studied using UV spectrometry, followed predominantly, the Higuchi model at all pH for crosslinked hydrogels. The transport mechanism of hydrogels was a combination of non‐Fickian and Super Case II. Crosslinked hydrogels showed controlled drug release behaviour. These hydrogel systems possess potential application in pharmaceutical field as all chemicals used in the development of the hydrogels are non‐toxic, with BC−Ch 60:40 showing most promising potential.
The Dehydrogenation Mechanism and Cycling Property of MgH2 Modified by CoB/CNTs Addition
Authors: Gao Shichao , Wang Xinhua , Liu Haizhen , He Ting , Li Shouquan , Yan Mi 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn this paper, the dehydrogenation process of MgH2+10 wt% CoB/CNTs was studied by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) at various temperatures. The results indicated that a part of CoB/CNTs might react with MgH2 to form the new phase Co3MgC as the temperature increases from room temperature to 500 °C. Furthermore, it was found that the hydrogen desorption processes of the MgH2+10 wt% CoB/CNTs and as‐milled MgH2 were controlled by the three‐dimensional phase boundary and the one‐dimensional diffusion kinetic mechanism, respectively. This difference is attributed to the fact that the in‐situ formed Co3MgC can provide many pathways and act as “hydrogen pumps” for accelerating the hydrogen dissociation and association. Moreover, the cycling property of the MgH2+10 wt% CoB/CNTs composite was also studied. The hydrogen storage capacity and the hydrogen de/absorption kinetics can remain stable over 6 cycles. MgH2+10 wt% CoB/CNTs can steadily release about 6.3 wt% of H2 within about 40 min at 300 °C, and hydrogen absorption can be completed rapidly. XRD measurements show that Co3MgC remains unchanged after 6 cycles, which has positive effect on the cycling stability.
Enhanced Electrocatalytic Performance through Body Enrichment of Co‐Based Bimetallic Nanoparticles In Situ Embedded Porous N‐Doped Carbon Spheres
Authors: Song Qianqian , Li Junqi , Wang Shaolan , Liu Junli , Liu Xiaoxu , Pang Lingyan , Li Hu , Liu Hui 
Published: September 2019

AbstractExtending available body space loading active species and controllably tailoring the d‐band center to Fermi level of catalysts are of paramount importance but extremely challenging for the enhancement of electrocatalytic performance. Herein, a melamine‐bridged self‐construction strategy is proposed to in situ embed Co‐based bimetallic nanoparticles in the body of N‐doped porous carbon spheres (CoM‐e‐PNC), and achieve the controllable tailoring of the d‐band center position by alloying of Co and another transition metal M (M = Ni, Fe, Mn, and Cu). The enrichment and exposure of the active sites in the body interior of porous carbon spheres, and the best balance between the adsorption of OH species and the desorption of O2 induced by optimizing the d‐band center position, collectively enhance the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. Meanwhile, the relationship of d‐band center position and OER activity is found to exhibit the volcano curve rule, where the CoNi‐e‐PNC catalyst shows optimal OER performance with an overpotential of 0.24 V at 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline media, outperforming those of the ever‐reported CoNi‐based catalysts. Besides, CoNi‐e‐PNC catalyst also demonstrates high OER stability with slight current decrease after 100 h.
Intracervical lakes as sonographic marker of placenta accreta spectrum disorder in patients with placenta previa or low‐lying placenta
Authors: di Pasquo E. , Ghi T. , Calì G. , D'Antonio F. , Fratelli N. , Forlani F. , Prefumo F. , Kaihura C. T. , Volpe N. , Dall'Asta A. , Frusca T. 
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a new ultrasound sign, intracervical lakes (ICL), in predicting the presence of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder and delivery outcome in patients with placenta previa or low‐lying placenta.MethodsThis was a retrospective multicenter study of women with placenta previa or low‐lying placenta at ≥ 26 weeks' gestation, who were referred to three Italian tertiary units from January 2015 to September 2018. The presence of ICL, defined as tortuous anechoic spaces within the cervix which appeared to be hypervascular on color Doppler, was evaluated on ultrasound images obtained at the time of referral. The primary aim was to explore the diagnostic accuracy of ICL in detecting the presence and depth of PAS disorder. The secondary aim was to explore the accuracy of this sign in predicting total estimated blood loss, antepartum bleeding, major postpartum hemorrhage at the time of Cesarean section and need for Cesarean hysterectomy. The diagnostic accuracy of ICL in combination with typical sonographic signs of PAS disorder, was assessed by computing summary estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, positive and negative likelihood ratios and diagnostic odds ratios (DOR).ResultsA total of 332 women with placenta previa or low‐lying placenta were included in the analysis, with a median maternal age of 33.0 (interquartile range, 29.0–37.0) years. ICL were noted in 15.1% of patients. On logistic regression analysis, the presence of ICL was associated independently with major postpartum hemorrhage (odds ratio (OR), 3.3 (95% CI, 1.6–6.5); P < 0.001), Cesarean hysterectomy (OR, 7.0 (95% CI, 2.1–23.9); P < 0.001) and placenta percreta (OR, 2.8 (95% CI, 1.3–5.8); P ≤ 0.01), but not with the presence of any PAS disorder (OR, 1.6 (95% CI, 0.7–3.5); P = 0.2). Compared with the group of patients without ultrasound signs of PAS disorder, the presence of at least one typical sonographic sign of PAS disorder in combination with ICL had a DOR of 217.2 (95% CI, 27.7–1703.4; P < 0.001) for placenta percreta and of 687.4 (95% CI, 121.4–3893.0; P < 0.001) for Cesarean hysterectomy.ConclusionICL may represent a marker of deep villus invasion in women with suspected PAS disorder on antenatal sonography and anticipate the occurrence of severe maternal morbidity. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.