bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunological effects of placental extracellular vesicles
Authors: Tong Mancy , Abrahams Vikki M , Chamley Lawrence W 
Published: March 2018

AbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) extruded by the human placenta are increasingly being recognized as an essential mode of feto‐maternal communication. In the past two decades, there has been an explosion of research into the roles that placental EVs play in modulating the maternal immune and cardiovascular systems during healthy pregnancies, as well as how this communication is altered in obstetric diseases. This review aims to introduce readers to the processes of placental EV formation and the cargos they carry, and also to collate and summarize the published literature that investigates the immunological effects of placental EVs throughout human pregnancy.
Hepatocellular carcinoma over three decades in Victoria, Australia: epidemiology, diagnosis and trends, 1984–2013
Authors: Carville Kylie S. , MacLachlan Jennifer H. , Thursfield Vicky , Cowie Benjamin C. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundLiver cancer continues to be a health priority in Australia, with the majority attributable to preventable causes, and certain populations at higher risk.AimsEpidemiological assessment of incidence, trends and distribution to inform prevention, and reassessment of data in light of recent changes to registry case definitions.MethodsReported cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Victoria, Australia, 1984–2013, were obtained from the Victorian Cancer Registry. Demographic characteristics were examined, incidence and survival assessed using Poisson and Cox regression, and geographic distribution mapped. Incidence was compared before and after inclusion of non‐histologically confirmed cases in Registry data to assess impacts on incidence trends.ResultsDiagnoses of HCC rose substantially between 1984 and 2013, increasing sixfold from 0.9 to 5.9 per 100 000. The rate of increase per year accelerated from 5.3% between 1984 and 2003 to 9.5% between 2004 and 2013. Cases were disproportionately male (80%), median age at diagnosis was 66 years and 53% were born overseas. Even during 2004–2013, 5‐year survival was only 16%, although higher among younger people, metropolitan residents and people born overseas. Incidence showed strong geographic clustering. The proportion of cases diagnosed clinically increased from 1% during 1984–2004 to 43% in 2009–2013. The revised case definition added 993 cases (27.3% of total).ConclusionCases of HCC are becoming increasingly common, and revised incidence estimates highlight the impact of case definitions in the context of changing diagnostic approaches. The ongoing burden, disproportionate population distribution and low survival emphasise the importance of prevention and early detection as a public health imperative.
Seed treatment with nano‐iron (III) oxide enhances germination, seeding growth and salinity tolerance of sorghum
Authors: Maswada H. F. , Djanaguiraman M. , Prasad P. V. V. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn recent decades, nanoparticles have been intensively applied in agriculture. Two experiments were carried out to demonstrate the potential of nano‐iron oxide (n‐Fe2O3) as seed treatment (soaking and priming) at different concentrations (0, 10, 50, 100 and 500 mg/L) for enhancing sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) germination and seedling growth under non‐stressed conditions (Experiment I), and to investigate the impacts of n‐Fe2O3 seed priming treatments (0, 10, 50, 100 and 500 mg/L) on growth, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a fluorescence, gas exchange, water relations and lipid peroxidation under salt stress (150 mmol NaCl solution) (Experiment II). Results indicated that seed soaking with n‐Fe2O3 at 10 mg/L was the best treatment in improving speed and per cent of germination, while seed priming with n‐Fe2O3 at 50 and 100 mg/L was the most effective treatment in improving seedling (12 days old) growth. Salt stress decreased chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, relative water content, osmotic potential and growth, along with increased lipid peroxidation. Among chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, the photosynthetic performance index of PSII (PIABS) was the most salt‐responsive. Seed priming with n‐Fe2O3 at 500 mg/L increased sorghum growth (45 days old), through increased photosystem II efficiency, chlorophyll index, photosynthetic rate and relative water content with decreased lipid peroxidation. Overall, this study indicated that use of n‐Fe2O3 as a pre‐sowing seed treatment can enhance germination and seedling growth of sorghum and protect from negative impacts of salinity stress.
A novel method to prepare self‐lubricity of Si3N4/Ag composite: Microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties
Authors: Liu Jiongjie , Wang Zixi , Yin Bing , Yang Jun , Sun Qichun , Liu Yulin , Tan Hui , Qiao Zhuhui 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSi3N4/Ag composites were firstly prepared through SPS technology, using Si3N4 and AgNO3 as raw materials. Utilizing the coordination bonding of Ag+ ions with nitrogen atoms of Si3N4, in situ generated Ag particles about 1 μm were tightly anchored on Si3N4 surface, thereby preventing the outflow of silver during sintering process. Meanwhile, smaller silver particles about 20 nm were located at the grain boundaries of Si3N4, which effectively improved the mechanical and tribological properties of Si3N4‐based composites. Finally, the Si3N4/Ag composites reinforced by Ag particles showed a friction coefficient of 0.48 ± 0.01, wear rate of 1.79 × 10−6 mm3 N−1 m−1 and fracture toughness of 7.05 ± 0.2 MPa m1/2, respectively.
Solidification of welded SiC–ZrB2–ZrC ceramics
Authors: King Derek S. , Watts Jeremy L. , Cissel Kathleen S. , Kadhim Ali H. , Hilmas Gregory E. , Fahrenholtz William G. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA silicon carbide‐based ceramic, containing 50 vol% SiC, 35 vol% ZrB2, and 15 vol% ZrC was plasma arc welded to produce continuous fusion joints with varying penetration depth. The parent material was preheated to 1450°C and arc welding was successfully implemented for joining of the parent material. A current of 138 A, plasma flow rate of ~1 L/min or ~0.5 L/min, and welding speed of ~8 cm/min were utilized for repeated joining, with full penetration fusion zones along the entire length of the joints. Solidification was determined to occur through the crystallization of β‐SiC (3C), then the simultaneous solidification of SiC and ZrB2, and lastly through the simultaneous solidification of SiC, ZrB2, and ZrC through a ternary eutectic reaction. The ternary eutectic composition was determined to be 35.3 ± 2.2 vol% SiC, 39.3 ± 3.8 vol% ZrB2, and 25.4 ± 3.0 vol% ZrC. A dual fusion zone microstructure was always observed due to convective melt pool mixing. The SiC content at the edge of the fusion zone was 57 vol%, while SiC content at the center of the fusion zone was 42 vol% although the overall SiC content was still nominally 50 vol% throughout the entire fusion zone.
Degradation of Nextel™ 610‐based oxide‐oxide ceramic composites by aluminum oxychloride decomposition products
Authors: Hay Randall S. , Keller Kristin A. , Zawada Larry P. , Jacobson Nathan S. , Fair Geoff E. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractNextel™ 610 alumina fibers and alumina‐YAG (yttrium‐aluminum garnet) matrices were used to make oxide‐oxide ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) with and without monazite (LaPO4) fiber‐matrix interfaces. Twelve sequential aluminum oxychloride (AlOCl) infiltrations with 1 hour heat treatments at 1100°C and a final 1 hour heat treatment at 1200°C were used for matrix densification. This matrix processing sequence severely degraded CMC mechanical properties. CMC tensile strengths and interlaminar tensile (ILT) strengths were less than 10 MPa and 1 MPa, respectively. Axial fracture of Nextel™ 610 fibers was observed after ILT testing, highlighting the extreme degradation of fiber strength. Extensive characterization was done to attempt to determine the responsible degradation mechanisms. Changes in Nextel™ 610 fiber microstructure after CMC processing were characterized by optical microscopy, SEM, and extensively by TEM. In AlOCl degraded fibers, grain boundaries near the fiber surface were wetted with a glass that contained Y2O3/SiO2 or Y2O3/La2O3/P2O5/SiO2, and near‐surface pores were partially filled with Al2O3. This glass must also contain some Al2O3 and initially some chlorine. AlOCl decomposition products were predicted using the FactSage® Thermochemical code, and were characterized by mass spectrometry. Effects of AlOCl precursors on monazite coated and uncoated Nextel™ 610 fibers tow and filament strength were evaluated. A mechanism for the severe degradation of the oxide‐oxide CMCs and Nextel™ 610 fibers that involves subcritical crack growth promoted by release of chlorine containing species during breakdown of intergranular glasses in an anhydrous environment is proposed.
Foam glass obtained through high‐pressure sintering
Authors: Østergaard Martin B. , Petersen Rasmus R. , König Jakob , Bockowski Michal , Yue Yuanzheng 
Published: March 2018

AbstractFoam glasses are usually prepared through a chemical approach, that is, by mixing glass powder with foaming agents, and heating the mixture to a temperature above the softening point (106.6 Pa s) of the glass. The foaming agents release gas, enabling expansion of the sintered glass. Here, we use a physical foaming approach to prepare foam glass. First, closed pores filled with inert gases (He, Ar, or N2) are physically introduced into a glass body by sintering cathode ray tube (CRT) panel glass powder at high gas pressure (5‐25 MPa) at 640°C and, then cooled to room temperature. The sintered bodies are subjected to a second heat treatment above the glass transition temperature at atmospheric pressure. This heat treatment causes expansion of the pores due to high internal gas pressure. We found that the foaming ability strongly depends on the gas pressure applied during sintering, and on the kinetic diameters of the gases. The pressure for attaining maximum expansion, that is, lowest density and highest porosity, is found to be around 20 MPa.
Adaptation and evaluation of the Family Involvement and Alienation Questionnaire for use in the care of older people, psychiatric care, palliative care and diabetes care
Authors: Ewertzon Mats , Alvariza Anette , Winnberg Elisabeth , Leksell Janeth , Andershed Birgitta , Goliath Ida , Momeni Pardis , Kneck Åsa , Skott Maria , Årestedt Kristofer 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAimTo adapt the Family Involvement and Alienation Questionnaire (FIAQ) for use in the care of older people, psychiatric care, palliative care and diabetes care and to evaluate its validity and reliability.BackgroundInvolvement in the professional care has proven to be important for family members. However, they have described feelings of alienation in relation to how they experienced the professionals’ approach. To explore this issue, a broad instrument that can be used in different care contexts is needed.DesignA psychometric evaluation study, with a cross‐sectional design.MethodThe content validity of the FIAQ was evaluated during 2014 by cognitive interviews with 15 family members to adults in different care contexts. Psychometric evaluation was then conducted (2015–2016). A sample of 325 family members participated, 103 of whom in a test–retest evaluation. Both parametric and non‐parametric methods were used.ResultsThe content validity revealed that the questionnaire was generally understood and considered to be relevant and retrievable by family members in the contexts of the care of older people, psychiatric care, palliative care and diabetes care. Furthermore, the FIAQ (Revised), demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties in terms of data quality, homogeneity, unidimensionality (factor structure), internal consistency and test–retest reliability.ConclusionThe study provides evidence that the FIAQ (Revised) is reliable and valid for use in further research and in quality assessment in the contexts of the care of older people, psychiatric care, palliative care and diabetes care.
Financial reporting quality and corporate innovation
Authors: Park KoEun 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis paper examines the relationship of financial reporting to corporate innovation. Given the importance of a high‐quality information system and coordination to innovation, I predict a positive association between financial reporting quality and future innovation. My empirical evidence is consistent with this prediction. I also find some evidence that the positive association between financial reporting quality and innovation is more pronounced for firms with intensive internal research and development activities and for firms in competitive industries. The main findings are robust to using an instrumental variable approach as well as controlling for alternative explanations. I find that firms with high‐quality financial reporting transform investment inputs into greater innovation outcomes and firm value. This study provides additional insight into the role of financial reporting quality and its relation to the real economy.
Prevalence and risk factors of hypertension: A nationwide cross‐sectional study in Lebanon
Authors: Cherfan Michelle , Blacher Jacques , Asmar Roland , Chahine Mirna N. , Zeidan Rouba K. , Farah Rita , Salameh Pascale 
Published: March 2018

There is limited epidemiologic data on hypertension (HTN) in Lebanon. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of HTN in the adult Lebanese population and evaluate the association between dietary and psychological factors on systolic blood pressure (SBP). Cross‐sectional analyses were conducted using a multistage cluster sample across Lebanon. A total of 2014 participants were included. The prevalence and control rates of HTN were 31.2% and 28.7%, respectively. In women, educational level and physical activity were negatively associated with HTN (P < .05 for both) and adherence to the Lebanese Mediterranean diet was associated with a lower SBP. Other factors were associated with HTN in men. There was no relationship with SBP and psychological distress. Of the modifiable risk factors, body mass index persisted as the only contributory factor in both sexes (P < .01). Accordingly, prevention of HTN at the population level should focus mainly on overweight prevention.
Association of endothelial dysfunction with cardiovascular risk factors and new‐onset diabetes mellitus in patients with hypertension
Authors: Triches Cristina Bergmann , Mayer Saurus , Quinto Beata Marie Redublo , Batista Marcelo Costa , Zanella Maria Teresa 
Published: March 2018

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), which is the main endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, plays a critical role in the process of endothelial dysfunction. The authors evaluated the association between high plasma ADMA levels in patients with hypertension and the presence of cardiovascular risk factors and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular outcomes, including death. The authors evaluated 191 patients with hypertension who were stratified into two groups according to the median value of basal ADMA: those with high levels of plasma ADMA (>0.55 μmol/L) and low levels of plasma ADMA (≤0.55 μmol/L) who were prospectively evaluated over 5.8 years. High ADMA levels were seen in patients with higher weight, body mass index, waist circumference, triglycerides, uric acid, and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, and lower levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and in patients with type 2 DM. There was an association between high plasma ADMA levels and the occurrence of cardiovascular death. In a subgroup of patients with hypertension free from metabolic syndrome and DM at baseline, there was an association between high ADMA levels and the development of type 2 DM. This study confirms the association of high plasma ADMA levels and the presence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with hypertension and suggests a positive predictive value of high plasma ADMA levels for cardiovascular death in patients with hypertension and also for the development of type 2 DM in a subgroup of patients with hypertension free from metabolic abnormalities.
Developing and validating a new precise risk‐prediction model for new‐onset hypertension: The Jichi Genki hypertension prediction model (JG model)
Authors: Kanegae Hiroshi , Oikawa Takamitsu , Suzuki Kenji , Okawara Yukie , Kario Kazuomi 
Published: March 2018

No integrated risk assessment tools that include lifestyle factors and uric acid have been developed. In accordance with the Industrial Safety and Health Law in Japan, a follow‐up examination of 63 495 normotensive individuals (mean age 42.8 years) who underwent a health checkup in 2010 was conducted every year for 5 years. The primary endpoint was new‐onset hypertension (systolic blood pressure [SBP]/diastolic blood pressure [DBP] ≥ 140/90 mm Hg and/or the initiation of antihypertensive medications with self‐reported hypertension). During the mean 3.4 years of follow‐up, 7402 participants (11.7%) developed hypertension. The prediction model included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), SBP, DBP, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, uric acid, proteinuria, current smoking, alcohol intake, eating rate, DBP by age, and BMI by age at baseline and was created by using Cox proportional hazards models to calculate 3‐year absolute risks. The derivation analysis confirmed that the model performed well both with respect to discrimination and calibration (n = 63 495; C‐statistic = 0.885, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.865‐0.903; χ2 statistic = 13.6, degree of freedom [df] = 7). In the external validation analysis, moreover, the model performed well both in its discrimination and calibration characteristics (n = 14 168; C‐statistic = 0.846; 95%CI, 0.775‐0.905; χ2 statistic = 8.7, df = 7). Adding LDL cholesterol, uric acid, proteinuria, alcohol intake, eating rate, and BMI by age to the base model yielded a significantly higher C‐statistic, net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement, especially NRInon‐event (NRI = 0.127, 95%CI = 0.100‐0.152; NRInon‐event = 0.108, 95%CI = 0.102‐0.117). In conclusion, a highly precise model with good performance was developed for predicting incident hypertension using the new parameters of eating rate, uric acid, proteinuria, and BMI by age.
Error‐related brain activity in pediatric anxiety disorders remains elevated following individual therapy: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Ladouceur Cecile D. , Tan Patricia Z. , Sharma Vinod , Bylsma Lauren M. , Silk Jennifer S. , Siegle Greg J. , Forbes Erika E. , McMakin Dana L. , Dahl Ronald E. , Kendall Phillip C. , Mannarino Anthony , Ryan Neal D. 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundAnxiety disorders are associated with an overactive action monitoring system as indexed by a larger error‐related negativity (ERN). This study tests whether ERN magnitude changes following treatment, predicts response to treatment, and varies by treatment type.MethodsThe sample included 130 youth (9–14 years): youth with an anxiety disorder (ANX; n = 100) and healthy control (HC; n = 30) youth with no lifetime DSM‐IV disorders. ANX youth were randomized to either a manualized cognitive‐behavior therapy (CBT) or a comparison child‐centered therapy (CCT). The ERN was assessed before and after 16 sessions of treatment and within a comparable interval for HC. Subjective ratings about making errors on the task were obtained following each testing session. The ClinicalTrials.gov identifier is NCT00774150.ResultsThe ERN was larger in ANX than HC youth but ERN magnitude did not significantly change following treatment in the ANX youth, regardless of treatment type, and baseline ERN did not predict treatment response. Post‐task ratings revealed that ANX youth worried more about task performance feedback than HC. Like the ERN, mean ratings did not significantly change following treatment. However, these ratings were not correlated with ERN amplitude.ConclusionsFindings of greater ERN in pediatric anxiety disorders are replicated in a larger sample. More importantly, findings from this randomized control trial show that a larger ERN and feeling worried about performance feedback remain unchanged following treatment and are unrelated to treatment response. Such findings suggest that action monitoring systems remain overactive in anxious youth treated with psychotherapy, suggesting the need for future investigation of whether novel complimentary cognitive and emotional training programs can modify these systems would be warranted.
When repetitive mental sets increase cognitive flexibility in adolescent obsessive–compulsive disorder
Authors: Wolff Nicole , Giller Franziska , Buse Judith , Roessner Veit , Beste Christian 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundA major facet of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is cognitive inflexibility. However, sometimes, cognitive flexibility can be needed to reuse recently abandoned mental sets. Therefore, cognitive flexibility can in certain cases be useful to reinstate some form of rigid, repetitive behavior characterizingOCD. We test the counterintuitive hypothesis that under such circumstances, cognitive flexibility is better inOCDpatients than controls.MethodsWe examinedN = 20 adolescentOCDpatients andN = 22 controls in a backward inhibition (BI) paradigm. This was combined with event‐related potential (ERP) recordings and source localization. TheBIeffect describes the cost of overcoming the inhibition of a recently abandoned mental set that is relevant again. Therefore, a strongBIeffect is disadvantageous for cognitive flexibility.ResultsCompared to controls,OCDpatients revealed a smaller backward inhibition effect. TheEEGdata revealed larger P1 amplitudes in backward inhibition trials in theOCDgroup, which was due to activation differences in the inferior frontal gyrus (BA47). The severity of clinical symptoms predicted these neurophysiological modulations. The power of the observed effects was about 95%.ConclusionsThe study shows that cognitive flexibility can be better inOCDthan controls. This may be the case in situations where superior abilities in the reactivation of repeating mental sets and difficulties to process new ones coincide. This may be accomplished by intensified inhibitory control mechanisms. The results challenge the view onOCD, sinceOCDis not generally associated with cognitive inflexibility.