bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bronchodilator responsiveness assessed by forced oscillometry and multiple breath washout techniques in preschool children
Authors: Friedman Nicholas L. , McDonough Joseph M. , Zhang Xuemei , Hysinger Erik B. , Adams Kelly M. , Allen Julian L. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractImportanceThe forced oscillation (FOT) and multiple breath washout (MBW) techniques are passive tests of lung function, and are reliable for preschool‐age children. There has not been comparison testing to determine which test could more accurately differentiate between healthy controls and poorly controlled asthmatics, or differentiate a response to bronchodilator administration.ObjectiveTo determine whether the MBW and/or FOT could differentiate between healthy controls and poorly controlled asthmatics, and whether the two tests could detect a response to bronchodilator administration.MethodsTwenty‐eight healthy controls and 23 poorly controlled asthmatics 3–6 years of age participated. All subjects were administered the MBW followed by the FOT. A bronchodilator was then administered and testing was repeated. Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests were used to compare the difference between healthy controls and poorly controlled asthmatics. Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests were used to compare the pre‐ and post‐bronchodilator values.ResultsNeither MBW nor FOT differentiated healthy controls from poorly controlled asthmatics (pre‐bronchodilator data); both groups had similar baseline gas mixing and airway mechanics. There was no improvement in any MBW outcomes post‐bronchodilator administration. FOT detected a significant and similar degree of improvement in the airway mechanics in both groups.InterpretationNeither MBW nor FOT differentiated between poorly controlled asthmatics (when well) and healthy controls. MBW did not detect a significant bronchodilator response in either subject group, whereas FOT detected a similar degree of bronchodilator responsiveness in both groups. This discrepancy may reflect differential changes in airway mechanics and gas mixing properties in response to bronchodilators.
Encapsulation of hydrophobic vitamins by polylactide stereocomplexation and their release study
Authors: Wojtczak Edyta , Gadzinowski Mariusz , Makowski Tomasz , Maresz Katarzyna , Kubisa Przemysław , Bednarek Melania , Pluta Mirosław 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTAmong different drug‐containing formulations prepared from biodegradable polymers, those based on polylactide (PLA) (usually block copolymers with poly(ethylene glycol)) are the most frequently developed and improved. A new easy method of such drug delivery system preparation with the application of PLA stereocomplexation is presented. The encapsulation of hydrophobic vitamins such as D3, E and A by spontaneous precipitation of microparticles with an average diameter of 1–2 µm led to a loading of about 10 wt% and an encapsulation efficiency in the range 27%–45% when a vitamin:PLA weight ratio of 3:10 was applied. SEM, TEM, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and nitrogen absorption analysis of neat and vitamin‐loaded microparticles indicate a porous structure of the microparticles and confirm the presence of vitamins inside with an enriched surface layer. The release of vitamins into a phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) at 37 °C takes place at a low rate according to almost zero‐order kinetics (35%–60% of vitamin over 4 weeks). © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Synaptic Device Network Architecture with Feature Extraction for Unsupervised Image Classification
Authors: Kim Sungho , Choi Bongsik , Lim Meehyun , Kim Yeamin , Kim Hee‐Dong , Choi Sung‐Jin 
Published: July 2018

AbstractFor the efficient recognition and classification of numerous images, neuroinspired deep learning algorithms have demonstrated their substantial performance. Nevertheless, current deep learning algorithms that are performed on von Neumann machines face significant limitations due to their inherent inefficient energy consumption. Thus, alternative approaches (i.e., neuromorphic systems) are expected to provide more energy‐efficient computing units. However, the implementation of the neuromorphic system is still challenging due to the uncertain impacts of synaptic device specifications on system performance. Moreover, only few studies are reported how to implement feature extraction algorithms on the neuromorphic system. Here, a synaptic device network architecture with a feature extraction algorithm inspired by the convolutional neural network is demonstrated. Its pattern recognition efficacy is validated using a device‐to‐system level simulation. The network can classify handwritten digits at up to a 90% recognition rate despite using fewer synaptic devices than the architecture without feature extraction.
Overview of Engineering Mathematics Education for STEM in Georgia
Authors: Natroshvili David 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe three-cycle higher education (HE) system has been introduced in Georgia in 2005, when Georgia became a member of the Bologna Process at the Bergen Summit. Bachelor, Master and Doctoral programs have already been introduced in all stately recognised higher education institutions (HEIs), as well as ECTS and Diploma Supplement. All students below doctoral level are enrolled in a two-cycle degree system (except for certain specific disciplines such as medicine and dental medicine education)—one cycle education and with its learning outcomes corresponding to the Master’s level.
Overview of Engineering Mathematics Education for STEM in Armenia
Authors: Hovhannisyan Ishkhan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe higher education system in Armenia consists of a number of higher education institutions (HEIs), both state and private. State higher education institutions operate under the responsibility of several ministries, but most of them are under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Science. At present there are 26 state and 41 private higher education institutions operating in the Republic of Armenia (RA), of which 35 are accredited institutions, 6 are non-accredited institutions, 3 are branches of state HEIs and 4 are branches of private HEIs from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Higher education is provided by many types of institutions: institutes, universities, academies and a conservatory.
The Prognostic Value of Preoperative Neutrophil‐to‐Lymphocyte Ratio in Resected Patients with Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Fang Le‐ping , Xu Xiao‐yan , Ji Yu , Huang Pu‐wen 
Published: July 2018

AbstractPurposeThis research aims to analyze neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients and reveal its predictive value.MethodsWe enrolled 389 pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients who had undergone curative surgery between January 1, 2008 and August 15, 2015 in Jiangsu Provincial People’s Hospital, and they were followed up until December 20, 2016. Among them, 219 patients had definite recurrence record in our hospital. The appropriate cutoff value for the NLR was obtained from X‐tile software. The association between qualitative variables and NLR was analyzed by Chi‐square test or Fisher’s exact test, and for quantitative values, the association was analyzed by independent Student’s t test. Additionally, survival analysis was performed by Kaplan–Meier plots. Independent prognostic factors were found according to Cox regression analysis.ResultsBased on univariate analysis, the elevated preoperative NLR had an important influence on the decreased recurrence‐free survival (RFS) (8.2 vs. 14.9 months) and overall survival (OS) (13.7 vs. 22 months), and this result also counted in the multivariate analysis. Regarding OS, both patients with or without postoperative chemotherapy can obtain benefits from low NLR according to subgroup analysis. Stage I and II pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients can get longer OS and RFS from low NLR, while patients with stage III cancer cannot. Regarding recurrence site, high NLR level was also related to distant metastasis (P = 0.02).ConclusionPreoperative NLR level could be a useful prognostic indication for resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients.
Postoperative Small Bowel Obstruction Following Laparoscopic or Open Fundoplication in Children: A Retrospective Analysis Using a Nationwide Database
Authors: Fujiogi Michimasa , Michihata Nobuaki , Matsui Hiroki , Fushimi Kiyohide , Yasunaga Hideo , Fujishiro Jun 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundPostoperative small bowel obstruction (SBO) is one of the most serious adverse events resulting in deteriorated quality of life in children. Numerous studies have shown that laparoscopic surgery significantly reduces the occurrence of SBO compared with open surgery in adults. However, evidence of the advantages of laparoscopic surgery over open surgery in terms of reducing SBO is lacking in children. Fundoplication is a common abdominal procedure in children. This study was performed to compare the occurrence of SBO after laparoscopic fundoplication (LF) versus open fundoplication (OF).MethodsUsing the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, a national inpatient database in Japan, we retrospectively identified patients aged 0–18 years who underwent LF or OF from July 2010 to March 2016. Propensity score adjustment was used to compare the occurrence of SBO between the groups.ResultsWe identified 1838 eligible patients who underwent LF (n = 1362) or OF (n = 476). The median age at surgery was 4.0 and 1.5 years in the LF and OF group, respectively (P < 0.001). The median weight at admission was 11.4 and 7.5 kg, respectively (P < 0.001). Nineteen (1.4%) patients in the LF group and 13 (2.7%) in the OF group had at least one episode of SBO (P = 0.11, log‐rank test). In the propensity score‐adjusted Cox regression analysis, SBO was significantly less likely to occur in the LF than OF group (hazard ratio, 0.36; 95% confidence interval 0.16–0.82; P = 0.01).ConclusionsIn this retrospective nationwide study, LF was significantly associated with a reduction in SBO compared with OF in children.
Synaptic metabolism: a new approach to inborn errors of neurotransmission
Authors: Tristán‐Noguero Alba , García‐Cazorla Àngels 
Published: July 2018

AbstractTo date, inborn errors of neurotransmitters have been defined based on the classic concept of inborn error of metabolism (IEM), and they include defects in synthesis, catabolism, and transport pathways. However, the omics era is bringing insights into new diseases and is leading to an extended definition of IEM including new categories and mechanisms. Neurotransmission takes place at the synapse, the most specialized tight junction in the brain. The concept of “synaptic metabolism” would point to the specific chemical composition and metabolic functions of the synapse. Based on these specialized functions, we aim to provide a tentative overview about the major categories of IEM susceptible to affect neurotransmission. Small molecule defects (biogenic amines and amino acids) and energy defects are amongst the most prevalent diseases reported to disturb the concentration of CSF neurotransmitters. In these IEM, the neurological phenotypes have been largely described. Disorders of complex molecules are not typically considered as diseases affecting neurotransmission. However, most of them have been recently discovered and are involved in intracellular vesiculation, trafficking, processing, and quality control mechanisms. In this large group, neurotransmission is affected in disorders of chaperones and autophagy, disorders of the synaptic vesicle, and diseases affecting pre‐synaptic membranes (synthesis and remodeling of complex lipids, defects of glycosylation). Disorders of the vesicle pools, receptor trafficking, and the chronobiology of neurotransmission are potentially emerging new categories. Finally, although not considered as IEM, channelopathies are a large group of diseases disturbing neurotransmitter homeostasis. New CSF biomarkers will probably contribute to improve the diagnosis of these disorders and find new therapeutic targets.
Sequence stratigraphy of the Berriassian–Lower Aptian deposits of West Siberia
Authors: Ershov S.V. 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
The geological structure and conditions of formation of a Lower Cretaceous clinoform complex in West Siberia are examined based on sequence stratigraphy. The regional Berriasian–Hauterivian clinoforms are interpreted as third-order sequences, and their formation should be considered in terms of the Depositional Sequence III model. Productive beds of both shallow and deep marine as well as continental genesis formed mostly in a regressive basin and belong to the highstand systems tracts.
Monolithic high-average-power linearly polarized nanosecond pulsed fiber laser with near-diffraction-limited beam quality
Authors: Huang Long , Ma Pengfei , Meng Daren , Li Lei , Tao Rumao , Su Rongtao , Ma Yanxing , Zhou Pu 
Published: July 2018

An all-fiberized high-average-power narrow linewidth ns pulsed laser with linear polarization is demonstrated. The laser system utilizes a typical master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) configuration. The stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) is effectively suppressed due to the short fiber length and large mode area in the main amplifier, combined with the narrow pulse duration smaller than the phonon lifetime of SBS effect. A maximal output power of 466 W is obtained with a narrow linewidth of ${\sim}$203.6 MHz, and the corresponding slope efficiency is ${\sim}$80.3%. The pulse duration is condensed to be ${\sim}$4 ns after the amplification, corresponding to the peak power of 8.8 kW and the pulse energy of $46.6~\unicode[STIX]{x03BC}\text{J}$. Near-diffraction-limited beam quality with an $M^{2}$ factor of 1.32 is obtained at the output power of 442 W and the mode instability (MI) is observed at the maximal output power. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest average output power of the all-fiberized narrow linewidth ns pulsed fiber laser with linear polarization and high beam quality, which is a promising source for the nonlinear frequency conversion, laser lidar, and so on.
Borderline personality disorder: resource utilisation costs in Ireland
Authors: Bourke J. , Murphy A. , Flynn D. , Kells M. , Joyce M. , Hurley J. 
Published: July 2018

ObjectivesBorderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterised by recurring crises, hospitalisations, self-harm, suicide attempts, addictions, episodes of depression, anxiety and aggression and lost productivity. The objective of this study is to determine the use of direct health care resources by persons with BPD in Ireland and the corresponding costs.MethodsThis prevalence-based micro-costing study was undertaken on a sample of 196 individuals with BPD attending publicly funded mental health services in Ireland. All health care costs were assessed using a resource utilisation questionnaire completed by mental health practitioners. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis, using a Monte Carlo simulation, was performed to examine uncertainty.ResultsTotal direct healthcare cost per individual was €10 844 annually (ranging from 5228 to 20 609). Based on a prevalence of 1% and an adult population (18–65 years) of 2.87 million, we derived that there were 28 725 individuals with BPD in Ireland. Total yearly cost of illness was calculated to be up to €311.5 million.ConclusionsThere is a dearth of data on health care resource use and costs of community mental health services in Ireland. The absence of this data is a considerable constraint to research and decision-making in the area of community mental health services. This paper contributes to the limited literature on resource use and costs in community mental health services in Ireland. The absence of productivity loss data (e.g. absenteeism and presenteeism), non-health care costs (e.g. addiction treatment), and indirect costs (e.g. informal care) from study participants is a limitation of this study.
Older assistant nurses’ motivation for a full or extended working life
Authors: Gyllensten Kristina , Wentz Kerstin , Håkansson Carita , Hagberg Mats , Nilsson Kerstin 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to explore older workers’ motivation for a full or extended working life. With particular focus on assistant nurses aged 55–64 years, working in the elderly care sector. Focus group interviews were conducted with five different groups of assistant nurses. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the interviews and five main themes were developed from the data: ‘Organisational issues’, ‘Health-related problems’, ‘Private issues’, ‘Meaningfulness and appreciation’ and ‘Social support’. Several of the main themes concerned problems with too high work demands of the assistant nurses. These findings suggest that it is important to improve the working conditions of assistant nurses in order to create a more sustainable working life. Increasing the number of staff and improving recovery opportunities and work–life balance could be important steps to improving the working conditions for this group. Finally, upgrading the competency and professionalism of assistant nurses could help to increase the motivation for a full or extended working life.
Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity and the spectrum of gluten-related disorders: an updated overview
Authors: Dale Hanna Fjeldheim , Biesiekierski Jessica R. , Lied Gülen Arslan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe spectrum of gluten-related disorders includes coeliac disease (CD), wheat allergy (WA) and the suggested entity of non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). An increasing number of the world’s population are avoiding gluten due to the assumption of health benefits and self-diagnosed gastrointestinal and/or extra-intestinal symptoms. Unlike CD and WA, NCGS is a relatively new entity with an unknown prevalence and mechanisms, complicated by recent literature suggesting that gluten is not the only food component that may trigger symptoms experienced by this group of patients. The term ‘non-coeliac wheat sensitivity’ has been proposed as a more accurate term, allowing inclusion of other non-gluten wheat components such as fructans and amylase–trypsin inhibitors. There is inconsistent evidence when evaluating the effects of a gluten challenge in patients with suspected NCGS and there is a need for a standardised procedure to confirm the diagnosis, ultimately enabling the optimisation of clinical care. The present review will give an overview of the different gluten-related disorders and discuss the most recent scientific evidence investigating NCGS.
Association of direct and indirect aggression and victimization with self-harm in young adolescents: A person-oriented approach
Authors: Daukantaitė Daiva , Lundh Lars-Gunnar , Wångby-Lundh Margit 
Published: July 2018

AbstractWe sought to determine which patterns of direct and indirect aggression and victimization are most clearly associated with self-harm in adolescent girls and boys cross-sectionally at two time points, as well as prospectively over one year. A cluster analysis using the LICUR procedure (Bergman, 1998) was employed to identify stable patterns of aggression and victimization in a community cohort of 883 Swedish adolescents (51% girls; mean age 14.5). The results showed that a pattern combining high aggression with high victimization was consistently associated with high levels of self-harm in both genders, both cross-sectionally and prospectively. Additionally, this pattern of aggressive victims was a clear risk factor for the development of repetitive self-harm over a one-year period in both girls (odds ratio 13.58) and boys (odds ratio 5.72). We also found several gender differences: In girls, subgroups characterized by high victimization (aggressive victims and non-aggressive victims) had the highest levels of self-harm, whereas in boys the patterns characterized by high aggression (aggressive victims and aggressive non-victims) seemed more relevant. The findings concerning the aggressive victim cluster are clear warning signs of severe psychopathology and possible psychiatric diagnosis in this subgroup of girls and boys.
The role of propofol on mouse oocyte meiotic maturation and early embryo development
Authors: Duan Xia-Guang , Huang Zai-Qing , Hao Chun-Guang , Zhi Xiao-Jun , Qi Xiao-Bing , Ren Ling , Luan Sheng-Hui , Liang Cheng-Guang 
Published: July 2018

SummaryPropofol is a intravenous anaesthetic most commonly used in ultrasound oocyte retrieval. We studied if the use of propofol had an effect on mouse oocyte maturation, pregnancy, childbirth and progeny and investigated the correlation between propofol side effects and reproductive performance in mice. There was no statistical difference in mating, pregnancy, childbirth, litter size, the number of stillbirths and survival between each group (P>0.05). Propofol also had no effect on polar body extrusion in oocyte maturation as well as on pronucleus formation and, subsequently, early embryo development (P>0.05). An increased concentration of propofol had no effect on this result, although propofol at more than 0.01 mg/ml reduced polar body extrusion. Different concentrations of propofol had no effect on oocyte culture in vitro, pronucleus formation and early embryo development.
Quality assurance of volumetric-modulated arc therapy head and neck cancer treatment using PRESAGE® dosimeter
Authors: ur Rehman Jalil , Isa Muhammad , Ahmad Nisar , Noor ul Huda Khan Asghar H. M. , Gilani Zaheer A. , Chow James C. L. , Afzal Muhammad , Ibbott Geoffrey S. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundAccurate three-dimensional dosimetry is essential in modern radiotherapy techniques such as volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). In this research work, the PRESAGE® dosimeter was used as quality assurance (QA) tool for VMAT planning for head and neck (H&N) cancer.Material and methodComputer tomography (CT) scans of an Image Radiation Oncology Core (IROC) H&N anthropomorphic phantom with both IROC standard insert and PRESAGE® insert were acquired separately. Both CT scans were imported into the Pinnacle (9.4 version) TPS for treatment planning, where the structures [planning target volume (PTV), organs at risk) and thermoluminescent detectors (TLDs) were manually contoured and used to optimise a VMAT plan. Treatment planning was done using VMAT (dual arc: 182°–178°, 178°–182°). Beam profile comparisons and gamma analysis were used to quantify agreement with film, PRESAGE® measurement and treatment planning system (TPS) calculated dose distribution.ResultsThe average ratio of TLD measured to calculated doses at the four PTV locations in the H&N phantom were between 0·95 to 0·99 for all three VMAT deliveries. Dose profiles were taken along the left–right, the anterior–posterior and superior–inferior axes, and good agreement was found between the PRESAGE® and Pinnacle profile. The mean value of gamma results for three VMAT deliveries in axial and sagittal planes were found to be 94·24 and 93·16% when compared with film and Pinnacle, respectively. The average values comparing the PRESAGE® results and dose values calculated on Pinnacle were observed to be 95·29 and 94·38% in the said planes, respectively, using a 5%/3 mm gamma criteria.ConclusionThe PRESAGE® dose measurements and calculated dose of pinnacle show reasonable agreement in both axial and sagittal planes for complex dual arc VMAT treatment plans. In general, the PRESAGE® dosimeter is found to be a feasible QA tool of VMAT plan for H&N cancer treatment.
SMA, VLA and VLBA observations in a 105 L⊙ high mass star formation region IRAS 18360-0537
Authors: Wu Gang , Qiu Keping , Esimbek Jarken , Zheng Xingwu 
Published: July 2018

AbstractWe have observed a young stellar object, IRAS 18360-0537, with a far-infrared luminosity of 1.2 × 105 L⊙. It is perhaps the most promising candidate of a high-mass protostar associated with a Keplerian disk and a jet/outflow system in the regime of L > 105L⊙. We are conducting the SMA, VLA, and VLBA studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of this interesting high mass star formation scenario.