bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reliability of bedside ultrasound of limb and diaphragm muscle thickness in critically ill children
Authors: Ng Kay W. P. , DIETZ Alexander R. , Johnson Ryan , Shoykhet Michael , Zaidman Craig M. 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTIntroduction: We evaluated the reliability of measuring muscle thickness with ultrasound in limbs and diaphragms of critically ill children and determined the sensitivity of these measures to quantitate muscle atrophy over time. Methods: An expert and trained novice sonographers prospectively measured limb and diaphragm muscle thickness in 33 critically ill children. Results: Expert and novice intrarater and interrater reliability were similar. Intraclass correlations (ICC) and coefficients of variation (CoV) were better in limbs (ICC > 0.9; CoV 3.57%–5.40%) than in diaphragm (ICC > 0.8; CoV novice 11.88%, expert, 12.28%). Mean relative difference in all muscles was small (1%‐8%). Limits of agreement of the relative difference were smaller in limb (<13%–18%) than in diaphragm (<38%) muscles. Discussion: Muscle thickness is reliably measured with ultrasound by trained examiners in critically ill children. Our approach detects atrophy >13% in limb and >38% in diaphragm muscles. The smaller detectable change in limb muscles is likely due to their greater thickness. Muscle Nerve 59:88–94, 2019
Synthesis of urea‐containing ABA triblock copolymers: Influence of pendant hydrogen bonding on morphology and thermomechanical properties
Authors: Chen Mingtao , Inglefield David L. , Zhang Keren , Hudson Amanda G. , Talley Samantha J. , Moore Robert B. , Long Timothy E. 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTReversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization produced novel ABA triblock copolymers with associative urea sites within pendant groups in the external hard blocks. The ABA triblock copolymers served as models to study the influence of pendant hydrogen bonding on polymer physical properties and morphology. The triblock copolymers consisted of a soft central block of poly(di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (polyDEGMEMA, 58 kg/mol) and hard copolymer external blocks of poly(2‐(3‐hexylureido)ethyl methacrylate‐co‐2‐(3‐phenylureido)ethyl methacrylate) (polyUrMA, 18‐116 kg/mol). Copolymerization of 2‐(3‐hexylureido)ethyl methacrylate (HUrMA) and 2‐(3‐phenylureido)ethyl methacrylate (PhUrMA) imparted tunable hard block Tg's from 69 to 134 °C. Tunable hard block Tg's afforded versatile thermomechanical properties for diverse applications. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of the triblock copolymers exhibited high modulus plateau regions (∼100 MPa) over a wide temperature range (−10 to 90 °C), which was indicative of microphase separation. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed surface microphase separation with various morphologies. Variable temperature FTIR (VT‐FTIR) revealed the presence of both monodentate and bidentate hydrogen bonding, and pendant hydrogen bonding remained as an ordered structure to higher than expected temperatures. This study presents a fundamental understanding of the influence of hydrogen bonding on polymer physical properties and reveals the response of pendant urea hydrogen bonding as a function of temperature as compared to main chain polyureas. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1844–1852
Block copolymers derived from polyisobutylene oligomers
Authors: Fu Ying‐Hua , Madrahimov Sherzod T. , Bergbreiter David E. 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTThe synthesis of polyvalent functionalized polyisobutylene (PIB) oligomers containing multiple polar groups via radical polymerization is described. Polymerizations from PIB macroinitiators via alkylborane intermediates can form block copolymers but the polar block is consistently larger than the PIB block and unless a hydrophobic monomer is used, the products are insoluble in alkanes. Block copolymer products from ATRP macroinitiators are formed with more control over the degree of polymerization of a polar block from a 1000 Da PIB starting material but are still alkane insoluble because the degree of polymerization of the polar block was consistently equal to or greater than the degree of polymerization of the PIB block. RAFT polymerization using 5 mol % of azoisobutyronitrile relative to a PIB macroinitiator however was successful in producing acceptable yields of alkane soluble block copolymers using a 1000 Da PIB starting material and monomers like methyl methacrylacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, N,N‐dimethylacrylamide, and N‐isopropylacrylamide. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1860–1867
Thioxanthone–anthracene‐9‐carboxylic acid as radical photoinitiator in the presence of atmospheric air
Authors: Mutlu Saliha , Watanabe Kohei , Takahara Shigeru , Arsu Nergis 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTThioxanthone–anthracene‐9‐carboxylic acid (TX‐ANCA) namely 14‐oxo‐14H‐naphthol [2,3‐b]thioxanten‐12‐carboxylic acid, is synthesized and characterized as part of our continuing interest for syntheses of polyaromatic initiators. Photoinitiator, TX‐ANCA have good absorption properties in the UV and visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum (ɛ370: 9080 M−1cm−1, ɛ430: 6151 M−1 cm−1). The fluorescence quantum yield is calculated as 0.1 which is slightly higher than of the parent thioxanthone compound (φf: 0.07). The phosphorescence lifetime is found to be 39 ms. The possible initiating mechanism of TX‐ANCA is based on photoexcitation of TX‐ANCA and quenching of triplet excited states of TX‐ANCA by molecular oxygen generates singlet oxygen. Singlet oxygen reacts with the anthracene moiety of TX‐ANCA possibly forms an endoperoxide. The endoperoxides undergoes photochemical or thermal decomposition to form radicals which are able to initiate free radical polymerization. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1878–1883
A soft lithography method to generate arrays of microstructures onto hydrogel surfaces
Authors: Jayasinghe Hasani G. , Tormos Christian J. , Khan Mughees , Madihally Sundar , Vasquez Yolanda 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTMaterials bearing microscale patterns on the surface have important biomedical applications such as scaffolds in tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, sensors, and actuators. Hydrogels are an attractive class of materials that has excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and tunable mechanical properties that meet the requirements of the aforementioned applications. Generating patterns of intricate microstructures onto the hydrogel surfaces, however, is challenging due to properties such as the crosslinking density, low mechanical strength, adhesion, or chemical incompatibility of hydrogels with various molds. Here, we report the use of a soft lithography technique to successfully transfer arrays of micropillars onto a poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐based hydrogel. The swelling of the hydrogel in solvents, such as phosphate‐buffered saline, deionized water, 60% ethanol, and absolute ethanol, facilitates the reproducible replication of the pattern. Furthermore, the micropillar pattern promotes the attachment of HeLa cells onto this hydrogel which is not inherently adhesive when unpatterned. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 1144–1157
Metal Complexes with Zwitterionic Amino‐bis(methylcarboxyl) Group Expand Life‐Span of Aluminum Electrolyte Capacitor
Authors: Ozawa Masashi , Sugiue Ayako , Akiyama Kaori , Nishizaka Miki , Suzuki You , Sugaya Tomoaki , Seii Atsushi , Sakakura Masao , Kamebuchi Hajime , Tadokoro Makoto 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis paper investigates a new metal complex that expands the life‐span of an insulator thin‐film formed from anodically‐oxidized alumina in an aluminum electrolyte capacitor. The insulator thin‐film was generally unstable in an electrolytic water solution because of hydrate dissolution. However, in an electrolytic solution containing H2PO4– ions and the organic acid diethlenetriamine‐N,N,N',N',N̋,N̋‐pentaacetic acid (H5dtpa), the life‐span of the insulator thin‐film was remarkably expanded to more than 10000 h because the protective membrane on the anodic alumina electrode was stabilized. The stabilization effects of two complexes, [GaIII(H2dtpa)(H2O)] (1) and [InIII(Hdtpa)Na(H2O)3] (2), were investigated using leak current, 31P‐NMR, and ESI‐TOF‐mass measurements. In 1 only, the life‐span of the anodic alumina electrode expanded, while in 2, an electrical connection through the insulator thin‐film due to hydrate dissolution caused a rapid explosive release of hydrogen gas. The differences in these results were attributed to the free amino‐bis(methylcarboxyl) group in 1, which recognized H2PO4– to form a protective alumina membrane.
Background cortisol versus social anxiety as correlates of HPA‐axis recovery from stress in boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Bitsika Vicki , Sharpley Christopher F. , McMillan Mary E. , Agnew Linda L. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractChildren with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) show dysregulation of the expected Hypothalamus‐Pituitary‐Adrenal (HPA) axis and elevated cortisol responses to stress and response patterns, but little has been reported regarding their recovery from stress in terms of cortisol concentrations. This response was investigated in a sample of 32 young males with ASD aged between 9 and 18 years (M = 14.3 yr, SD = 2.7 yr), using a standardised experimental protocol combined with individualised stressor and non‐stressor tasks. Results indicated that about half of the sample demonstrated unexpected HPA axis response patterns, and that recovery from stress cortisol concentrations were significantly associated with a single symptom of Social Phobia and Morning cortisol. These findings suggest that one of the key diagnostic criteria for ASD may be strongly influential in the HPA axis responses of boys with ASD and that training regimesto assist them to form less fearful associations with their non‐ASD peers may be central to the academic and social progress of these boys.
Nonlinear Damping of Oblique Whistler Mode Waves Via Landau Resonance
Authors: Hsieh Yi‐Kai , Omura Yoshiharu 
Published: August 2018

AbstractNonlinear trapping of electrons via Landau resonance is an important mechanism of oblique whistler mode wave‐particle interactions. Electrons trapped by Landau resonance gain energies from waves. The Landau resonance velocity becomes very close to the group velocity of nearly parallel whistler mode waves at frequencies around half the electron gyrofrequency, resulting in a long interaction time and possible wave damping. We perform test particle simulations with parameters at L = 5 and a small wave normal angle 10° to study the wave‐particle interactions via the Landau resonance. Analyzing the wave electric fields and the resonant currents formed by electrons undergoing Landau and cyclotron resonances, we show that effective wave damping occurs near half the electron gyrofrequency. This nonlinear wave damping is contributed by Landau resonance rather than cyclotron resonance. Furthermore, we confirm that this damping is dominated by perpendicular components of the wave electric field and perpendicular resonant currents. The simulation results indicate that nonlinear damping via Landau resonance is one of the mechanisms dividing chorus emissions into the upper band and the lower band.
Frictional Mechanics of Slow Earthquakes
Authors: Leeman J. R. , Marone C. , Saffer D. M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTectonic faults slip in a wide range of modes that span from slow slip events to dynamic rupture. A growing body of observations document this spectrum of failure modes in many geologic settings. However, the physical mechanisms that dictate slow slip are not understood. Here we investigate the mechanics of slow slip using carefully controlled laboratory experiments that demonstrate a complete spectrum of slip modes: Laboratory stick‐slip event durations span from seconds to milliseconds, representing the equivalent of failure events that span the range from slow to dynamic earthquakes. The rheological critical stiffness kc is the primary control on the mode of slip, but higher‐order effects including velocity dependence of the frictional rate parameter and critical slip distance also play an important role. We also find that quasi‐dynamic instability results from negligible stress drop near the stability boundary, in tandem with negative feedback during slip acceleration rooted in the rate dependence of kc. Our work shows that a broad spectrum of slip behaviors can arise from a common frictional mechanism modulated by fault zone rheology and elastic properties.
Arctic Sea Ice Melt Onset Timing From Passive Microwave‐Based and Surface Air Temperature‐Based Methods
Authors: Bliss Angela C. , Anderson Mark R. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMelt onset (MO) on Arctic sea ice has been monitored using satellite‐based passive microwave (PMW) observations since 1979. In this work, surface air temperatures from the International Arctic Buoy Programme/Polar Exchange at the Sea Surface and NASA's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder are used to derive MO date estimates using three threshold methods which are then compared with a record of PMW‐based MO dates. Results from the PMW data indicate a shift toward increasingly early MO timing, with significant trends as large as −9.45 days/decade in the E. Siberian Sea and −5.69 days/decade for the entire Arctic, consistent with other studies highlighting the overall decline of Arctic sea ice. Results indicate that the surface air temperature‐based MO date estimates produced using a −1 °C threshold are ~11 days later than the PMW‐based MO date estimates Arctic wide. A statistical comparison of the Polar Exchange at the Sea Surface and PMW‐based MO dates indicate that despite the ~11‐day bias, correlations between the MO date time series are generally good (≥0.6) for most of the Arctic Ocean while the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder and PMW‐based MO dates are generally better at capturing the statistically similar long‐term trends in MO dates for the Arctic and several Arctic subregions. Application of these results can contribute to the development of new methods to monitor the sea ice melting state.
An Improved Iterative Algorithm for Ionospheric Tomography Reconstruction by Using the Automatic Search Technology of Relaxation Factor
Authors: Zheng Dunyong , Yao Yibin , Wenfeng Nie , Yang Wentao , Hu Wusheng , Ao Minsi , Zheng Hongwei 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAn improved ionospheric tomography algorithm is developed for the tomographic reconstruction of the ionospheric electron density distribution based on the automatic search technology of relaxation factor, in which the automatic search technology is a training process to optimize the relaxation factors of the iterative algorithm. In comparison with some classical tomography algorithms, the proposed algorithm can not only greatly improve the efficiency of inversion but also obtain ionospheric electron density images with high fidelity. A careful validation of the proposed algorithm is performed by conducting numerical experiments with Global Positioning System simulation and real data, and according to the results of the quantitative comparison and statistical analysis, compared with other classical ionospheric tomography algorithms, the proposed algorithm exhibits significantly reconstruction accuracy.
Dynamic modeling of transcriptional gene regulatory network uncovers distinct pathways during the onset of Arabidopsis leaf senescence
Authors: Mishra Bharat , Sun Yali , Howton TC , Kumar Nilesh , Mukhtar M. Shahid 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAge-dependent senescence is a multifaceted and highly coordinated developmental phase in the life of plants that is manifested with genetic, biochemical and phenotypic continuum. Thus, elucidating the dynamic network modeling and simulation of molecular events, in particular gene regulatory network during the onset of senescence is essential. Here, we constructed a computational pipeline that integrates senescence-related co-expression networks with transcription factor (TF)-promoter relationships and microRNA (miR)-target interactions. Network structural and functional analyses revealed important nodes within each module of these co-expression networks. Subsequently, we inferred significant dynamic transcriptional regulatory models in leaf senescence using time-course gene expression datasets. Dynamic simulations and predictive network perturbation analyses followed by experimental dataset illustrated the kinetic relationships among TFs and their downstream targets. In conclusion, our network science framework discovers cohorts of TFs and their paths with previously unrecognized roles in leaf senescence and provides a comprehensive landscape of dynamic transcriptional circuitry.
Das Kleinhirn und sein Brückenwinkel
Authors: Magga Corts HP 
Published: August 2018

SummaryAn der Außenseite des Kleinhirns befindet sich eine Nische, der Kleinhirnbrückenwinkel, durch den mehrere Nerven verlaufen. In diesem Bereich können sich gutartige Tumoren bilden, zum Beispiel das Akustikusneurinom. Der Tumor kann je nach Größe Bereiche des Kleinhirnbrückenwinkels einengen und die dort verlaufenden Nerven komprimieren. Je nach betroffenem Nerv löst er verschiedene Symptome aus.
Accelerated Decline in Javelin Throwing Performance in Master Athletes 70 Years and Older – Do Changes in Technique Play a Role?
Authors: Ganse Bergita , Degens Hans 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWhile many older adults are immobile and frail, others still participate in competitive sports. World records of javelin throw decrease with increasing age. It is, however, unknown 1) whether the decline is linear or, as in sprint performance, accelerates beyond the age of 69; and 2) to what extent frailty-related changes in throwing technique contribute to decreasing performance. We plotted current world records against age and assessed the performance of 27 male javelin throwers 69 years and older during three master athletics championships. Three to six throws were filmed, and the best throw of each athlete selected. A step-wise linear regression was applied to assess contributions of age, angle of release, angle of attitude, angle of attack and elbow angle just before the pull to performance. The ageing-related decline in javelin-throw performance accelerated after age 69. Age was the main predictor of performance (adjusted R2=0.68), with a small contribution of elbow angle (adjusted R2 increased to 0.76) and angle of attack (R2=0.82; all P<0.001) in the older athletes. None of the technique-related parameters correlated with age. Although the technique had some influence on javelin-throwing performance, the accelerated decline was not associated with a characteristic ageing-related change in technique.
Quantitative and Qualitative Pathogenetic Indices for Review of Data Derived from Homeopathic Pathogenetic Trials
Authors: Shah Rajesh 
Published: August 2018

Introduction Analysis of data derived from homeopathic pathogenetic trials (HPTs, homeopathic drug provings) has been a challenge. Most parts of the homeopathic pharmacopeia were sourced from Hahnemann's Materia Medica Pura (1825–1833), TF Allen's Encyclopedia (1874) and Constantine Hering's Materia Medica (1879–1891), well before randomised controlled trials were in use. As a result, such studies and their outcomes harbour a large risk of inclusion of unreliable symptoms.
Aims and Objective The main purpose of this article is to introduce Quantitative and Qualitative Pathogenetic Indices to improve the method of analysis of symptoms.
Materials and Methods The data from HPTs for human immunodeficiency virus nosode, hepatitis C nosode, capsaicin alkaloids (capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin) and hydroquinone (HQ) were extracted and analysed in terms of novel Qualitative and Quantitative Pathogenetic Indices. Taken into the consideration were the qualitative aspect of a symptom (i.e. its intensity), and the quantitative aspect by calculating the number of symptoms per volunteer per day. The pathogenetic effects and data evaluation indices were calculated for each HPT. A comparison was made of symptoms of verum versus placebo provers in terms of their quantity and quality.
Results Four HPTs involving 81 volunteers (56 on verum and 25 on placebo) generated 555 symptoms or pathogenetic effects (excluding run-in phase symptoms), of which 448 (81%) were reported by volunteers who were in the verum arm, and 107 (19%) were reported by volunteers on placebo. The overall mean incidence of pathogenetic effects for the four HPTs was thus 8 per verum prover and 4.28 per placebo prover. The corresponding mean Quantitative Pathogenetic Index was 0.23 symptoms per volunteer per day for the verum arm and 0.12 symptoms per volunteer per day for the placebo arm. The overall mean incidence of pathogenetic effects in the run-in phase was less. The overall mean Qualitative Pathogenetic Index (number of symptoms, of a given intensity, per volunteer per day) for the verum arm was 0.09 versus 0.05 for the placebo arm.
Conclusion The symptoms exhibited by volunteers in the verum arm were more numerous and more intense than those in the placebo arm. An innovative and logical method of reporting of symptoms and analysis has been introduced by the use of these pathogenetic indices, which can be used in future as measurement tools for analysis of data from HPTs.
Case Report on a Rare Disease in Lithuania: Congenital Chloride Diarrhea
Authors: Liaugaudiene Olga , Stoniene Dalia , Kucinskiene Ruta , Buffat Christophe , Asmoniene Virginija 
Published: August 2018

AbstractCongenital chloride diarrhea (CCD) is a rare disease, manifesting with secretory diarrhea and life-threatening electrolyte imbalance during infancy. The early diagnosis of CCD is therefore necessary for the adequate treatment. The long-term prognosis of properly managed CCD is favorable. We present a case of complicated CCD with necrotizing enterocolitis. The child was born to nonconsanguineous parents of Lithuanian origin. CCD was suspected due to watery diarrhea, progressive hypochloremia, and high fecal chlorides. Despite oral electrolytes being prescribed, volvulus of small intestine developed requiring several surgical interventions. The clinical diagnosis of CCD was confirmed by molecular genetic testing of SLC26A3, which revealed two Polish founder mutations in the DNA of the patient. The prevalence of CCD in Lithuanian neighbor Poland is approximately 1 in 200,000 live births. This is the first described case of CCD in Lithuania to our knowledge, leading to the suggestion that this disease may be underdiagnosed.