bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technical Note: Alternating clinical usage of the integral quality monitor transmission detector
Authors: Kohler Götz , Hanauer Nicolas 
Published: June 2019

PurposeThe purpose of the study was the implementation of a method to use the integral quality monitor (IQM) transmission detector for occasional, alternating usage during patient treatment with intensity modulated radiotherapy. Due to attenuation, the transmission detector must be taken into account during the planning process. The proposed workflow is based on determining a dynamic transmission factor (dTF) required to scale the total number of MU of the original radiotherapy (RT) plan. Thus a very similar radiation therapy plan is obtained that can be used with the IQM detector.MethodsTen clinically applied volumetric modulated arc therapy plans were delivered at two beam qualities. A dTF is calculated from each RT plan for which a collapsed RT plan was created for verification using a two‐dimensional array with and without the IQM detector. The total number of MU of the original RT plan was scaled by the inverse of the dTF to obtain the modified RT plan for clinical use with the IQM detector. Validation was performed with an electronic three‐dimensional phantom and via gamma analysis using strict criteria of 1%/1 mm.ResultsExcept for one outlier, the gamma pass rate between the original RT plan without IQM and the modified RT plan with IQM was always above 99.5%. The variations of the dTF were smaller than 1% for all tested RT plans.ConclusionsThe results show that the proposed workflow can be used clinically. Thus the IQM transmission detector can also be used occasionally for online verification of RT plans.
Comparison of outcomes between single‐incision sling and transobturator sling for treating stress urinary incontinence: A 10‐year prospective study
Authors: Sun Zhijing , Wang Xiuqi , Lang Jinghe , Xu Tao , Zhang Ye , Kang Jia , Mao Meng , Zhu Lan 
Published: June 2019

Aims: To evaluate and compare the clinical outcomes of the transobturator sling with the single‐incision sling, for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence at a long‐term follow‐up.Methods: From October 2008 to October 2010, 94 patients who were enrolled and underwent either TVT‐O, one of standard mid‐urethral sling or TVT‐S, one of single‐incision mini‐sling (SIMS) procedure. The study population was followed until February 2019. Surgical outcomes were analyzed by subjective and objective evaluations and Chinese version questionnaires. Data were analyzed by IBM 23.0 SPSS Statistics. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.Results: At the 10‐year follow‐up, 31(64.6%) TVT‐O patients and 33(71.7%) TVT‐S patients were still available. Objective cure and subjective satisfaction rate were not significantly different for TVT‐O compared with TVT‐S (P >
0.05). However, TVT‐S showed a greater drop in success from the second to the tenth year compared with TVT‐O (15.1% vs 0% and 9.2% vs 3.2%, respectively). Both groups experienced significantly improved quality of life in the TVT‐O group and in the TVT‐S group (P < 0.05). The total PISQ‐12 scores at 10 years postoperatively of the TVT‐O and TVT‐S groups were 33.4(4.7) compared with 33.6(3.9) before surgery (P = 0.67 > 0.05) and 35.5(5.9) compared with 31.5(6.3) before surgery (P = 0.045 < 0.05).Conclusions: It is difficult to state that there is superiority of one sling over another sling without a significant difference. But TVT‐O showed superior objective cure and subjective satisfaction rates and a less decline in success during 10 years compared with TVT‐S.
Optimisation of artemisinin and scopoletin extraction from Artemisia annua with a new modern pressurised cyclic solid–liquid (PCSL) extraction technique
Authors: Zarrelli Armando , Pollio Antonino , Aceto Serena , Romanucci Valeria , Carella Francesca , Stefani Paolo , De Natale Antonino , De Vico Gionata 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIntroductionArtemisia annua is a small herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family declared therapeutic by the World Health Organisation, in particular for its artemisinin content, an active ingredient at the base of most antimalarial treatments, used every year by over 300 million people. In the last years, owing to low artemisinin content, research of new ways to increase the yield of the plant matrix has led to the use of the total extract taking advantage from the synergic and stabilising effects of the other components.ObjectiveIn this work we evaluated and compared the content of artemisinin and scopoletin in extracts of A. annua collected in the Campania Region (southern Italy), by two different extraction processes.MethodologyArtemisia annua plants were extracted by traditional maceration (TM) in hydroalcoholic solution as a mother tincture prepared according to the European Pharmacopeia and by pressurised cyclic solid–liquid (PCSL) extraction, a new generation method using the Naviglio extractor.ResultsThe results showed that the PCSL extraction technique is more effective than traditional methods in extracting both phytochemicals, up to 15 times more, reducing the extraction times, without using solvents or having risks for the operators, the environment and the users of the extracts.ConclusionThe Naviglio extractor provides extracts with an artemisinin and scopoletin content eight times higher than the daily therapeutic dose, which should be evaluated for its stability over time and biological properties for possible direct use for therapeutic purposes.
Isolated spina bifida aperta: prenatal ventriculomegaly as an ultrasound prognostic marker
Authors: Giardini Valentina , Verderio Maria , Cozzolino Sabrina , Vergani Patrizia 
Published: June 2019

What's already known about this topic?

Ventriculomegaly (VMG) is an indirect, variable, and often late cranial sign of spina bifida aperta (SBA). The exact incidence and pathogenesis are unknown: the association between the level of the spinal defect and VMG is controversial, and the incidence of postnatal shunt placement varies widely in the published literature. Prenatal surgery for SBA improves the outcome for children affected by this condition, but it is associated with maternal complications and prematurity which may impact negatively on cognitive outcome. For this reason, the benefit of in utero closure is still matter of debate, and the selection of optimal candidates remain controversial.
What does this study add?

Early onset ventriculomegaly (VMG) occurring before 24 weeks is significantly associated with high spinal defects and severe VMG at the end of pregnancy. Therefore, it could be an ultrasound prognostic marker for prenatal counselling and an additional criterion in triaging cases for fetal surgery.
Sonologist's characteristics related to a higher quality in fetal nuchal translucency measured in primary antenatal care centers
Authors: Torrent Anna , Manrique Gemma , Gómez‐Castelló Teresa , Baldrich Elisabeth , Cahuana Marc , Manresa Josep M. , Borrell Antoni 
Published: June 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the quality of nuchal translucency (NT) measurements in primary care and the sonologist's characteristics related with a higher quality.MethodsThe median NT expressed in multiples of the median (MoM) was calculated for each sonologist of 14 participating antenatal primary care centers of the Catalan Institute of Health. A survey to the sonologists was used to establish variables related to higher‐quality measurements.ResultsThe median NT MoM obtained in 16 448 NT measurements, performed by 102 sonologists, was 0.94 MoM. NT underestimation was observed in 46% of the sonologists. Underestimation were less frequent among professionals who performed more than 230 ultrasounds per year (26% vs 53%;p = .022), those who completed the online Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) course (22% vs 54%; p = .021), and those who were subject to periodic audits (24% vs 56%; p = .021). Underestimation rate decreased from 60%, to 33% and 14% with the increase of the years of experience from less than 5 years, to 6 to 15 years and more than 15 years of experience, respectively (p = .029).ConclusionsHigher‐quality measurements were demonstrated in sonologists who performed more ultrasounds per year, those with more years of scanning experience, those who completed the online FMF course, and those periodically audited.
Novel HMGCS2 pathogenic variants in a Chinese family with mitochondrial 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA synthase deficiency
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Hu Xuyun , Guo Ruolan , Guo Jun , Li Wei , Qian Suyun , Hao Chanjuan , Liu Jun 
Published: June 2019

AbstractImportanceMitochondrial 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA (HMG‐CoA) synthase deficiency is a rare and underdiagnosed disorder with fewer than 30 patients reported worldwide. The application of whole‐exome sequencing in patients could improve our understanding of this disorder.ObjectiveTo identify the genetic causes and evaluate the phenotype of mitochondrial HMG‐CoA synthase deficiency in a pediatric patient with uncommon features that included ketosis and elevated lactate and ammonia.MethodsThe proband was referred to the pediatric intensive care unit of Beijing Children's Hospital and selected for molecular testing with whole‐exome sequencing. Her parents and sibling also underwent sequencing for segregation information.ResultsWe identified two novel mutations (c.1347_1351delAGCCT/p.Ala450Profs*7 and c.1201G>T/ p.Glu401*) in the HMG‐CoA synthase‐2 gene (HMGCS2, NM_005518.3) in the proband and her brother. Both variants were classified as pathogenic variants according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics/ Association for Molecular Pathology guidelines. Metabolic acidosis in the proband was corrected with continuous renal replacement therapy and she left hospital after 21 days of treatment.InterpretationOur results extend the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of HMGCS2 mutation in mitochondrial HMG‐CoA synthase deficiency patients and serve as a reminder for physicians to consider mitochondrial HMG‐CoA synthase deficiency in newborns and children with coma and hypoketotic hypoglycemia after fasting.
Quality improvement in pediatric intensive care: A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Kourtis Susan A. , Burns Jeffrey P. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractImportanceMeasuring and improving performance is an essential component of any high‐risk industry, including intensive care medicine. We undertook this systematic review to describe the current state of quality improvement efforts in pediatric intensive care medicine.ObjectiveTo evaluate the quality and rigor of all published literature on quality improvement efforts in the pediatric intensive care unit in the current era.MethodsWe conducted a literature search on MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane for studies that met two broad inclusion criteria: 1) the terms “pediatric critical care” and “quality improvement” and 2) they were completed in the past ten years. In the initial search, we also included academic and professional societies or organizations devoted to providing resources on quality improvement in intensive care medicine. We excluded studies that examined quality improvement processes exclusively for neonatal or adult patients receiving intensive care.ResultsForty‐nine of 332 identified articles were selected for final review by two reviewers who independently rated the quality of the methodology and rigor of the evidence reported for each study. Of these, 23 studies targeted structural issues, 14 studies targeted process issues, and 12 targeted an outcome as the focus of the intensive care quality improvement effort.InterpretationOur review of the published literature on quality improvement efforts in the pediatric intensive care unit in the current era found that 85% of studies were limited in methodology or analysis. Fifteen high‐quality studies are reported here and serve as helpful examples of rigorous research methodology in this domain going forward.
Synthesis of highly pure poly(aryleneethnylene)s using palladium supported on calcium carbonate as an eco‐friendly heterogeneous catalyst
Authors: Thavornsin Nopparat , Chamrasboon Pitchaporn , Kiatmongkolkul Pongsathorn , Sakthanasait Ryo , Sukwattanasinitt Mongkol , Wacharasindhu Sumrit 
Published: June 2019

ABSTRACTMetal catalyst contamination is a major concern in the preparation of polymeric materials. For conjugate polymers, trace amount of metal catalyst is detrimental to the optoelectronic properties. In this work, a method for synthesizing highly pure fluorescent polymers, poly(aryleneethynylene)s (PAEs), was developed using heterogeneous Pd/CaCO3 catalytic system. Polymerization between a variety of aryl diethynes and aryl diiodides or dibromides were achieved using a catalytic amount of Pd/CaCO3, CuI, and PPh3 at 80 °C in good to excellent yields (79–100%). Resulting polymers possess degree of polymerization ranging from 8 to 50 with polydispersity index of 1.5–3.6. Importantly, PAEs from Pd/CaCO3 catalytic system contain considerably lower level of Pd and Cu contamination (1.9 and 3.4 ppm, respectively) than those obtained from classical homogeneous catalyst, Pd(PPh3)4 and PdCl2(PPh3)2 or heterogeneous catalyst Pd/C. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 1556–1563
UV‐triggered CO2‐responsive behavior of nanofibers and their controlled drug release properties
Authors: Lin Shaojian , Huang Xia , Guo Ronghui , Chen Sheng , Lan Jianwu , Theato Patrick 
Published: June 2019

ABSTRACTA novel nanofibrous mat featuring an ultraviolet (UV)‐induced CO2‐responsive behavior was fabricated via electrospinning and used as a controlled drug release system. First, a random copolymer for electrospinning, poly(N,N‐diethylaminoethyl acrylamide‐co‐N‐benzylacrylamide‐co‐N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐(2‐nitrobenzyl)‐ethaneamine acrylamide‐co‐4‐acryloyloxy benzophenone) [P(DEEA‐co‐BA‐co‐DMNOBA‐co‐ABP)], was prepared based on pentafluorophenyl esters via an “active ester‐amine” chemistry reaction. Subsequently, doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX)‐loaded P(DEEA‐co‐BA‐co‐DMNOBA‐co‐ABP) nanofibers were fabricated, yielding a new drug‐loaded nanofibrous mat as a potential wound dressing. These DOX‐loaded nanofibers can respond to UV irradiation and CO2 stimulation. Interestingly, without UV irradiation, the fabricated nanofibers cannot exhibit any responsiveness. Therefore, the majority of the DOX was steadily stored in the nanofibers, even in the presence of CO2. However, upon UV irradiation, the CO2‐responsive behavior of the nanofibers was activated and the prepared nanofibers swelled slightly, resulting in the release of around 42% DOX from the nanofibers. Upon further purging with CO2, the release amount of DOX from the nanofibers could reach up to approximately 85%, followed by the morphological transition from a nanofibrous mat to a porous hydrogel film. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 1580–1586
Dwarf‐cashew resistance to whitefly (Aleurodicus cocois) linked to morphological and histochemical characteristics of leaves
Authors: Goiana Elaine SS , Dias‐Pini Nivia S , Muniz Celli R , Soares Arlete A , Alves James C , Vidal‐Neto Francisco C , Bezerra Da Silva Cherre S 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe cashew whitefly (CW), Aleurodicus cocois, is an important pest of cashew in Brazil. The use of resistant plants may be an effective strategy for the control of this pest. In a preliminary assay, we found that dwarf‐cashew clones show different levels of resistance to CW. Here, we hypothesized that such resistance is associated with morphological characteristics of cashew leaves and their content of phenolic compounds.RESULTSWe determined (i) the attractiveness and suitability for oviposition of five dwarf‐cashew clones towards CW, (ii) the leaf morphology and chemistry of those clones, and (iii) the relationship between leaf characteristics and resistance to CW. In greenhouse multiple‐choice assays, PRO143/7 and CCP76 showed, respectively, the lowest and highest counts of both CW adults and eggs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that PRO143/7 and EMBRAPA51 have, respectively, the highest and lowest numbers of leaf glandular trichomes. We found a negative correlation between number of trichomes in the abaxial surface of cashew leaves and CW oviposition. In addition, confocal microscopy analysis and histochemical tests with ferrous sulfate indicated a higher accumulation of phenolic compounds in the resistant clone PRO143/7 relative to the other clones. Dwarf‐cashew clones did not significantly differ based on the number of leaf epicuticular striations, and the thickness of both leaf lamina and the epidermal layer.CONCLUSIONThe resistance of dwarf‐cashew plants to CW is associated with an elevated number of trichomes and accumulation of high levels of phenolics in leaves. Additionally, the contribution of epicuticular striation density and thickness of leaf lamina/epidermal layer are insignificant. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
A double exponentially weighted moving average control chart for monitoring COM‐Poisson attributes
Authors: Alevizakos Vasileios , Koukouvinos Christos 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe Conway‐Maxwell‐Poisson (COM‐Poisson) distribution is a two‐parameter generalization of the Poisson distribution, which can be used for overdispersed or underdispersed count data and also contains the geometric and Bernoulli distributions as special cases. This article presents a double exponentially weighted moving average control chart with steady‐state control limits to monitor COM‐Poisson attributes (regarded as CMP‐DEWMA chart). The performance of the proposed control chart has been evaluated in terms of the average, the median, and the standard deviation of the run‐length distribution. The CMP‐DEWMA control chart is studied not only to detect shifts in each parameter individually but also in both parameters simultaneously. The design parameters of the proposed chart are provided, and through a simulation study, it is shown that the CMP‐DEWMA chart is more effective than the EWMA chart at detecting downward shifts of the process mean. Finally, a real data set is presented to demonstrate the application of the proposed chart.
Human reliability analysis for manned submersible diving process based on CREAM and Bayesian network
Authors: Chen Dengkai , Fan Yu , Ye Cong , Zhang Shuai 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe diving mission of manned submersibles is a long‐term, high‐intensity work that is affected by many factors and is in a narrow confined space. In order to improve the reliability of oceanauts' safe operations, this paper is based on the cognitive reliability and error analysis method (CREAM) and the Bayesian network method to study the human errors of the diving mission. First, we construct a Bayesian network framework of the diving process by analyzing the diving steps. Second, the CREAM is applied to calculate the prior probability of each root node's error. Then, the backward reasoning ability of the Bayesian network is used to calculate the posterior probabilities and identify the top few risk nodes. Finally, we obtained the top few risk factors. Among them, we find that the light distribution design in the risk nodes is the more influential risk factor, so a brief design is made on them.
Theoretical and experimental investigation of geometry and stability of small potassium‐iodide KnI (n = 2–6) clusters
Authors: Milovanović Branislav , Milovanović Milan , Veličković Suzana , Veljković Filip , Perić‐Grujić Aleksandra , Jerosimić Stanka 
Published: June 2019

AbstractSmall heterogeneous potassium‐iodide clusters are investigated by means of ab initio electronic structural methods together with experimental production and detection in mass spectrometry. Experiments were done by using Knudsen cell mass spectrometry (KCMS) modification method, which provided simultaneous generating of all KnI0,+1 (n = 2–6) clusters at once. Clusters with more than two potassium atoms are produced for the first time. The lowest lying isomers of those KnI0,+1 (n = 2–6) clusters were found by using a random‐kick procedure. The best description of growth of these clusters is the addition of one potassium atom to a smaller‐neighbor cluster. Subsequently, stability of these species was examined. In spite of general trend of decreasing of binding energies, the closed‐shell species have slightly larger stability with respect to the open‐shell species. Alternation of dissociation energies between closed‐shell and open‐shell clusters is presented. Experimental setup also allows determination of ionization energies of clusters: the obtained values are in the range of 3.46–3.98 eV, which classify these clusters as “superalkali.” For closed‐shell clusters, the theoretical adiabatic ionization energies are close to experimental values, whereas in the case of open‐shell clusters, the vertical ionization energies are those that are close to experimental values.
Simultaneous total analysis of core and polar membrane lipids in archaea by high‐performance liquid chromatography/high‐resolution mass spectrometry coupled with heated electrospray ionization
Authors: Horai Shunsuke , Yamauchi Noriaki , Naraoka Hiroshi 
Published: June 2019

RationaleArchaea have characteristic membrane lipids including diether and/or tetraether isoprenoidal core lipids with various polar head groups. Since the polar group is removed soon after the end of archaeal activity, the occurrences of core and polar lipids are regarded as dead and active signals, respectively. The core and polar lipids have generally been analyzed separately using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray ionization (ESI), respectively, coupled with mass spectrometry.MethodsIn this study, simultaneous analyses of core and polar archaeal lipids have been examined using heated electrospray ionization (HESI) by high‐performance liquid chromatography/high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC/HRMS).ResultsBoth core and intact polar lipids can be analyzed simultaneously by HESI with good sensitivity (sub ng to 100 ng) and separation using a semi‐bore diol column by normal‐phase chromatography. The core lipids eluted firstly to separate archeaol, then glycerol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs), followed by the polar lipids with glycosides and glycophosphates. The relative GDGT composition is identical between HESI and APCI methods.ConclusionsThe simultaneous analysis has the benefit of minimizing sample amount and elution solvent as well as preparation work. The method can also be applied to a compound class fractionation for compound‐specific carbon and hydrogen isotope analysis.
Photocatalytic Behaviors of TiO2 Nanoblets Coated with MoS2 Nanosheets for Solar‐Driven Photocatalysis
Authors: Zhou Fang , Liu Wenjun , Miao Zhilei , Wang Qiang 
Published: June 2019

AbstractTiO2 nanoblets coated with MoS2 nanosheets, donated as T@M, were successfully prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. In comparison with pristine TiO2 nanoblets, the composite of MoS2 nanosheets could enlarge the spectral response of sunlight. The surface heterostructures of T@M nanocomposite could effectively separate the photogenerated electron‐hole pairs, and greatly inhibit the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. The photocatalytic performances of the as‐synthesized products were investigated in contrast by photodegradation of methylene blue, methyl orange, rhodamine B and levofloxacin. Under 350 W Xe lamp irradiating for 2 h, T@M exhibited excellent degradation performance. Interestingly, blue shifts of the dyes’ absorption peaks were observed, which probably attributed to the incomplete products decomposed by as‐absorbed dye molecules on the surface of TiO2 nanoblets. Compared with pure TiO2 nanoblets, T@M has less amount TiO2, higher separation efficiency of photogenerated electron‐hole pairs and better inhibition efficiency of photogenerated carriers’ recombination, leading less blue shift and higher degradation efficiency.