bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel Functional TPE Polymers: Aggregation‐Induced Emission, pH Response, and Solvatochromic Behavior
Authors: Huang Wei , Bender Markus , Seehafer Kai , Wacker Irene , Schröder Rasmus R. , Bunz Uwe H. F. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractFour tetraphenylethylene (TPE)‐based aryleneethynylene polymers with amino or nitro groups are reported. They display strong aggregation‐induced emission (AIE). The functional groups trigger acidochromic changes in the emission behavior of these polymers. Amino‐substituted P1–P3 exhibit pH response through protonation of the amino groups. The position of the amino groups (on TPE or the side chains) influences the fluorescence intensity or emission wavelength as a response to different pH values. Nitro‐P4 is solvatochromic due to its donor–acceptor structure. AIE, intramolecular charge transfer, and Förster resonance energy transfer define the fluorescence‐based performance of the polymers. The amino‐functionalized TPE polymers show excellent nitroarene‐sensing performance. P4 is less effective than the amino polymers. A sensor array based on P1–P3 identifies 12 different nitroarenes in water.
Complex abdominopelvic reconstruction by combined tensor fascia latae and superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flaps
Authors: Luca‐Pozner V , Boissiere F , Rodriguez T , Karra A , Herlin C , Chaput B 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundExtensive full thickness abdominopelvic defects pose a difficult challenge to surgeons. Autologous tissues are versatile and can provide a satisfying reconstructive option for this type of defects. The tensor fascia latae (TFL) and superficial circumflex iliac perforator (SCIP) flaps provide a large area of vascularized tissue and their use in reconstructive surgery is well‐known. In this report, the authors present the experience of using combined TFL and propeller SCIP flaps for covering large abdominal and pelvic defects.MethodsFour patients underwent reconstruction of soft‐tissue abdominopelvic defects by combined TFL and SCIP flaps. Three were men and one woman, aged from 52 to 76 years. The etiologies of the defects were tissue loss after tumor resection in 3 cases and necrotizing fasciitis in the fourth case. Defect dimensions ranged from 32 × 20 cm to 45 × 17 cm. An acoustic handheld Doppler was utilized to detect perforator vessels, then TFL and SCIP flaps were elevated at the same time by 2 surgical teams. Donor sites of the flaps were closed primary except for one TFL flap donor site. The latter one was treated with negative pressure therapy and finally with a split‐thick skin graft.ResultsThe size of the TFL flaps ranged from 25–38 × 10–14 cm. Concerning the SCIP flaps, the dimensions ranged from 18–32 × 12–18 cm. The average flap dimensions were 30.25 × 11.75 cm for the TFL and 26.75 × 14 cm for the SCIP. Two TFL flaps presented a necrosis of the distal tip. All the other flaps survived entirely. Complete healing was achieved in all patients. Patients were followed for an average of 4 months postoperatively (ranging between 2 and 8 months).ConclusionsCombined TFL and SCIP flaps may represent an alternative reconstructive procedure for large abdominopelvic defects in well‐selected cases.
Compact wideband transparent antenna for 5G communication systems
Authors: Desai Arpan , Upadhyaya Trushit , Patel Riki 
Published: December 2018

AbstractA compact wideband transparent antenna designed on plexiglass substrate (10 × 12 × 1.48 mm3) is presented. The optically transparent antenna consists of a radiation patch and a ground plane fabricated using AgHT‐8. The antenna design comprises of rectangular shaped branches optimized to attain the wideband characteristics. The proposed antenna design has impedance bandwidth of 58.71% covering the frequency range of 23.92‐43.8 GHz. The radiation pattern of the proposed antenna shows directional radiation pattern with electrical tilt. All calculated and measured results show that proposed compact transparent antenna is an excellent candidate for 5G communication systems and wideband code division multiple access applications.
A new type of planar 180° hybrid using intentional impedance mismatch for improved bandwidth and arbitrary power division ratio
Authors: Jang Youna , Koo Seo , Lee Daeung , Lim Jongsik , Ahn Dal 
Published: December 2018

AbstractA wideband planar 180 hybrid is proposed for arbitrary power division ratios and implementing cascaded planar structure. In addition, the proposed structure not only has the same function as the conventional ring hybrid, but also has a planar cascade connection when connecting other components because the output ports have same direction. The proposed planar 180 hybrid consists of two 3 dB couplers, and 4 transmission lines (TLs) with symmetrical TLs connected in series with different impedances of ZA and ZB. The design theory of the proposed structure is based on a cascaded multiport connection form, converged from transmission matrix to S‐parameter, and the ratio of ZA and ZB impedances is derived for wideband performance. The design equations are verified as the measurement results of the magnitude and phase characteristics. The proposed structure, regardless of whether 2 TLs are connected in cascaded form, has a 29% reduced area compared with the conventional ring hybrid.
Woodpile EBG waveguide as a DC electrical break for microwave ion sources
Authors: Mauro Giorgio S. , Locatelli Andrea , Torrisi Giuseppe , Celona Luigi , De Angelis Costantino , Sorbello Gino 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThis article presents a dielectric waveguide, operating at 18 GHz that can sustain 40 kV DC voltages and can be used to feed microwave ion sources. The metallic‐to‐woodpile waveguide transition optimization gives a very low maximum insertion loss of 0.3 dB over a 3.75% bandwidth.
Validation of an electronic version of the Self‐Awareness Questionnaire in English and Italian healthy samples
Authors: Hughes Laura , Betka Sophie , Longarzo Mariachiara 
Published: December 2018

AbstractObjectivesInteroception is a general sensitivity to bodily sensations that informs motivational processes and behaviours. Interoceptive abilities seem to be impaired in several clinical conditions, and the development of new pragmatic instruments to assess subjective components of interoception are crucially needed. An easy to use paper and pencil questionnaire measuring sensitivity to bodily sensations was validated in an Italian sample (Self‐Awareness Questionnaire; SAQ).MethodsIn the present study, we created and evaluated an electronic version of the SAQ in Italian and English language.ResultsPsychometric properties of both electronic versions of the SAQ were validated in an Italian (n = 206) and an English (n = 275) sample, using factorial analyses. Differences in factorial structures observed between the two samples were discussed in terms of cultural impact on emotional regulation and bodily sensations processing.ConclusionsThe electronic version of SAQ in English and Italian provides a pragmatic and validated tool to evaluate bodily signal sensitivity in clinical settings, informing the development of a new therapy targeting interoceptive processes, in a wide range of psychopathological conditions.
The choice of embedding media affects image quality, tissue R2*, and susceptibility behaviors in post‐mortem brain MR microscopy at 7.0T
Authors: Dusek Petr , Madai Vince Istvan , Huelnhagen Till , Bahn Erik , Matej Radoslav , Sobesky Jan , Niendorf Thoralf , Acosta‐Cabronero Julio , Wuerfel Jens 
Published: December 2018

PurposeThe quality and precision of post‐mortem MRI microscopy may vary depending on the embedding medium used. To investigate this, our study evaluated the impact of 5 widely used media on: (1) image quality, (2) contrast of high spatial resolution gradient‐echo (T1 and T2*‐weighted) MR images, (3) effective transverse relaxation rate (R2*), and (4) quantitative susceptibility measurements (QSM) of post‐mortem brain specimens.MethodsFive formaldehyde‐fixed brain slices were scanned using 7.0T MRI in: (1) formaldehyde solution (formalin), (2) phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS), (3) deuterium oxide (D2O), (4) perfluoropolyether (Galden), and (5) agarose gel. SNR and contrast‐to‐noise ratii (SNR/CNR) were calculated for cortex/white matter (WM) and basal ganglia/WM regions. In addition, median R2* and QSM values were extracted from caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, WM, and cortical regions.ResultsPBS, Galden, and agarose returned higher SNR/CNR compared to formalin and D2O. Formalin fixation, and its use as embedding medium for scanning, increased tissue R2*. Imaging with agarose, D2O, and Galden returned lower R2* values than PBS (and formalin). No major QSM offsets were observed, although spatial variance was increased (with respect to R2* behaviors) for formalin and agarose.ConclusionsEmbedding media affect gradient‐echo image quality, R2*, and QSM in differing ways. In this study, PBS embedding was identified as the most stable experimental setup, although by a small margin. Agarose and Galden were preferred to formalin or D2O embedding. Formalin significantly increased R2* causing noisier data and increased QSM variance.
Local and parallel finite element method for solving the biharmonic eigenvalue problem of plate vibration
Authors: Zhao Ruilin , Yang Yidu , Bi Hai 
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we establish a new local and parallel finite element discrete scheme based on the shifted‐inverse power method for solving the biharmonic eigenvalue problem of plate vibration. We prove the local error estimation of finite element solution for the biharmonic equation/eigenvalue problem and prove the error estimation of approximate solution obtained by the local and parallel scheme. When the diameters of three grids satisfy H4 = ϑ(w2) = ϑ(h), the approximate solutions obtained by our schemes can achieve the asymptotically optimal accuracy. The numerical experiments show that the computational schemes proposed in this paper are effective to solve the biharmonic eigenvalue problem of plate vibration.
Extracellular traps derived from macrophages, mast cells, eosinophils and neutrophils are generated in a time‐dependent manner during atherothrombosis
Authors: Pertiwi Kartika R , de Boer Onno J , Mackaaij Claire , Pabittei Dara R , de Winter Robbert J , Li Xiaofei , van der Wal Allard C 
Published: December 2018

AbstractExtracellular traps generated by neutrophils contribute to thrombus progression in coronary atherosclerotic plaques. It is not known whether other inflammatory cell types in coronary atherosclerotic plaque or thrombus also release extracellular traps. We investigated their formation by macrophages, mast cells, and eosinophils in human coronary atherosclerosis, and in relation to the age of thrombus of myocardial infarction patients. Coronary arteries with thrombosed or intact plaques were retrieved from patients who died from myocardial infarction. In addition, thrombectomy specimens from patients with myocardial infarction were classified histologically as fresh, lytic or organised. Neutrophil and macrophage extracellular traps were identified using sequential triple immunostaining of CD68, myeloperoxidase, and citrullinated histone H3. Eosinophil and mast cell extracellular traps were visualised using double immunostaining for eosinophil major basic protein or tryptase, respectively, and citrullinated histone H3. Single‐ and double‐stained immunopositive cells in the plaque, adjacent adventitia, and thrombus were counted. All types of leucocyte‐derived extracellular traps were present in all thrombosed plaques, and in all types of the in vivo‐derived thrombi, but only to a much lower extent in intact plaques. Neutrophil traps, followed by macrophage traps, were the most prominent types in the autopsy series of atherothrombotic plaques, including the adventitia adjacent to thrombosed plaques. In contrast, macrophage traps were more numerous than neutrophil traps in intact plaques (lipid cores) and organised thrombi. Mast cell and eosinophil extracellular traps were also present, but sparse in all instances. In conclusion, not only neutrophils but also macrophages, eosinophils, and mast cells are sources of etosis involved in evolving coronary thrombosis. Neutrophil traps dominate numerically in early thrombosis and macrophage traps in late (organising) thrombosis, implying that together they span all the stages of thrombus progression and maturation. © 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Duration of Exposure to Antipseudomonal β‐Lactam Antibiotics in the Critically Ill and Development of New Resistance
Authors: Teshome Besu F. , Vouri Scott Martin , Hampton Nicholas , Kollef Marin H. , Micek Scott T. 
Published: December 2018

Study ObjectiveMinimizing the duration of broad‐spectrum antimicrobial exposure in the critically ill is a commonly used strategy aimed at preventing resistance. Our objective was to correlate the duration of exposure to antipseudomonal β‐lactam antibiotics with the development of new resistance in critically ill patients.DesignSingle‐center, retrospective cohort study.SettingA large, academic, tertiary care hospital.PatientsA total of 7118 adults with a discharge diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock who received at least one dose of cefepime, meropenem, or piperacillin‐tazobactam during their hospitalization between 2010 and 2015.Measurements and Main ResultsCohort entry was defined as the first day of any antipseudomonal β‐lactam initiation, and exposure was defined as the cumulative days of any antipseudomonal β‐lactam exposure during the 60‐day follow‐up period. The primary outcome was development of new resistance to any antipseudomonal β‐lactam > 3 days after cohort entry. New resistance was defined as detection of resistance to any antipseudomonal β‐lactam not identified within 180 days before cohort entry. Patients without an outcome (i.e., did not develop new resistance) or who died by day 60 were censored. Cox proportional hazards models were performed to assess the risk of development of new resistance to any antipseudomonal β‐lactam with each additional day of exposure. Analyses of each individual antipseudomonal β‐lactam were evaluated as secondary outcomes. Each additional day of exposure to any antipseudomonal β‐lactam resulted in an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1.04 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.05) for new resistance development. The risk of developing new resistance to cefepime, meropenem, and piperacillin‐tazobactam for each additional day of exposure resulted in an aHR of 1.08 (95% CI 1.07–1.09), 1.02 (95% CI 1.01–1.03), and 1.08 (95% CI 1.06–1.09), respectively.ConclusionAmong critically ill patients who receive antipseudomonal β‐lactam antibiotics, each additional day of exposure to cefepime, meropenem, and piperacillin‐tazobactam is associated with an increased risk of new resistance development.
Patient‐Level Medication Regimen Complexity in an Adolescent and Adult Population with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Barnette Debra J. , Hanks Christopher , Li Weiyi , Porter Kyle 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundAdults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently experience polypharmacy. However, there is limited understanding of how to quantify medication complexity in this vulnerable population.ObjectivesThis study examined medication administration difficulty using the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI) tool in adolescents and adults with ASD. The outcomes compared the mean total MRCI score with the medication count, described MRCI contributions for over‐the‐counter medication (OTC), and compared MRCI scores by patient characteristics.MethodsThis was a retrospective chart review of patients aged 7–45 years (mean = 20.1) enrolled in a primary care ASD transitions program. Each patient's listed medications were counted and then scored using the validated MRCI tool.ResultsFor the 142 patients studied, mean total MRCI was 14.6 ± 14.6 (range 0–89) and mean medication count was 6.3 ± 5.4 (range 0–38). For patients on 0–4 medications (66 of 142; 46.5%), the mean MRCI was 5.5 ± 4.2, 5–9 medications (50 of 142; 35.2%) the mean MRCI was 15.2 ± 6.8, and 10–38 medications (26 of 142; 18.3%) the mean MRCI was 36.5 ± 18.9 (p<0.001). Sixty percent (85 of 142) reported OTC use, which contributed 26.6% to the mean total MRCI. Reported benzodiazepine (mean MRCI 25.8 ± 17.2), antiepileptic (mean MRCI 23.7 ± 16.9), antipsychotic (mean MRCI 19.7 ± 15.9), or antidepressant (mean MRCI 17.0 ± 14.8) use received higher MRCI scores compared to nonuse (p<0.001 for all except antidepressants [p=0.004]). Total MRCI did not differ significantly by age group, sex, or attention‐deficit‐hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication use (stimulant or nonstimulant).ConclusionsMedication regimen complexity in adolescents and adults with ASD was increased significantly for individuals taking ≥ 5 medications. Central nervous system agent use, other than ADHD therapy, identified patients with higher regimen complexity. The related clinical effects of these findings warrant further investigation.
Amikacin target achievement in adult cystic fibrosis patients utilizing Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Nolt Valerie D. , Pijut Kyle D. , Autry Elizabeth B. , Williams Whitney C. , Burgess David S. , Burgess Donna R. , Arora Vaneet , Kuhn Robert J. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAimPseudomonas aeruginosa (PsA) is a common pathogen in cystic fibrosis (CF). Management of an acute pulmonary exacerbation (APE) caused by PsA is dual anti‐pseudomonal antibiotics, a beta‐lactam plus aminoglycoside. Aminoglycoside dosing in CF differs from the general population due to altered pharmacokinetics. The primary objective of this study was to utilize pharmacokinetic data from adult CF patients that received amikacin to determine the probability of target attainment for APEs caused by PsA.MethodsThis was a single‐center, non‐randomized, retrospective cohort study of patients >18 years with CF that received intravenous amikacin between January 2010 and July 2016. Amikacin dose, frequency, and serum concentrations were used to calculate pharmacokinetic parameters assuming a one‐compartment model. Monte Carlo simulation was conducted with MIC values from CF patients with a PsA positive sputum culture between January 2014 and September 2016 to predict concentration‐time profiles for different doses of amikacin.ResultsThis study included pharmacokinetic parameters for 14 amikacin courses administered to six unique patients. The average empiric dose of amikacin was 24.3 ± 14.6 mg/kg, achieving a peak:MIC ratio ≥8 at a rate of 37% (median 5.87; IQR 3.05‐10.96). A dose of 45 mg/kg/day was needed to achieve target peak:MIC ratios 90% of the time for a PsA MIC of 8 mg/L.ConclusionOur data suggests it may not be clinically feasible to utilize amikacin for PsA isolates with a MIC of 16 mg/L. Current guideline dosing recommendations of amikacin 30‐35 mg/kg/day are only adequate for PsA with a MIC ≤4 mg/L.
Crystal structure of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry7Ca1 toxin active against Locusta migratoria manilensis
Authors: Jing Xuping , Yuan Yihui , Wu Yan , Wu Dandan , Gong Peng , Gao Meiying 
Published: December 2018

AbstractInsecticidal crystal (Cry) proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely used as environmentally friendly insecticides. As the only known Cry protein with insecticidal activity against Locusta migratoria manilensis, a locust subspecies that causes extensive destruction of crops, the Cry7Ca1 protein from Bt strain BTH‐13 identified in our previous study is of particular interest to locust prevention and control. However, the three‐dimensional structure of Cry7Ca1 toxin (the active form of the Cry7Ca1 protein) and the mechanisms of the Cry7Ca1 insecticidal specificity remain largely elusive. Here, we report a 2.3 Å crystal structure of the Cry7Ca1 toxin and carry out a systematic comparison of all available Cry toxins structures. A cluster of six loops in Cry toxin domain II, named Apex here, are the most variable structural elements and were documented to contribute in insecticidal specificity. The Cry7Ca1 toxin Apex loops are different from those of other Cry toxins in length, conformation, and sequence. Electrostatic potential analysis further revealed that Cry7Ca1 is the only structure‐available Cry toxin that does not have a high contrast of surface electrostatic potentials in the Apex. We further suggest that the L1/L2 loops in the center of the Cry7Ca1 Apex may be worthy of attention in future efforts to unravel the Cry7Ca1 insecticidal specificity as they exhibit unique features not found in the corresponding regions of other Cry toxins. Our work highlights the uniqueness of the Apex in the Cry7Ca1 toxin and may assist exploration of the insecticidal mechanism of the Cry7Ca1 against Locusta migratoria manilensis.
Hepatoprotective activity of praecoxin A isolated from Melaleuca ericifolia against carbon tetrachloride‐induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Impact on oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis
Authors: Al‐Sayed Eman , Abdel‐Daim Mohamed M. , Khattab Mohamed Abdelrazik 
Published: December 2018

The hepatoprotective activity of praecoxin A, an ellagitannin from Melaleuca ericifolia, was determined against CCl4‐induced toxicity in mice. Praecoxin A was administered (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) for 5 days followed by CCl4. Praecoxin A markedly ameliorated the CCl4‐induced increase in AST (by 19, 52, and 56%), ALP (22, 45, and 48%), ALT (11, 47, and 54%), total bilirubin (14, 27, and 28%), and MDA (26, 44, and 51%) at the tested doses, respectively, as compared with CCl4 group. It was evident that praecoxin A significantly (p < 0.001) increased the antioxidant parameters GSH (45, 99, and 137%) and SOD (61, 129, and 159%). Histological findings revealed a marked amelioration of hepatocyte degeneration, necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and hemorrhage in the groups treated with praecoxin A. COX‐2 and caspase‐3 hepatic expressions were significantly downregulated (p < 0.001) in praecoxin A‐treated groups (up to 57, 83, and 93% for COX‐2 and by 30, 82, and 99% for caspase‐3). These findings suggest that praecoxin A exerts a beneficial effect against oxidative stress by reducing lipid peroxidation, enhancing the antioxidant defense status, and protecting against the histopathological changes induced by CCl4. This study highlights a promising natural hepatoprotective candidate derived from M. ericifolia that might be an alternative to silymarin.