bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and optimization of a supercritical fluid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the high‐throughput determination of nimodipine in beagle plasma
Authors: Wang Weiping , Li Pengyan , Wu Fengying , Wang Zhen , Zhang Tianhong 
Published: April 2019

AbstractA simple, sensitive, and efficient supercritical fluid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was established for the determination of nimodipine in beagle plasma. One‐step protein precipitation with acetone was used to extract the analytes from the plasma. Nitrendipine was used as the internal standard. The chromatographic separation was achieved on an ACQUITY UPC2™ BEH 2‐EP column, and a gradient elution program was applied at a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min. The detection was carried out on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer with an electrospray ionization source operating in positive ion mode. Quantification was performed using multiple reaction monitoring of the transitions of m/z 419.3→301.3 for nimodipine and m/z 361.4→315.2 for nitrendipine. A satisfactory linearity was obtained over the concentration range of 0.5–800 ng/mL (r > 0.996). The intra‐ and interday precision and accuracy results were <9.1% across the quality control levels. The peak concentration and area under concentration‐time curve (0–720 min) values of the test and reference formulations were 279.28 ± 211.46 and 265.13 ± 149.26 ng/mL, 25608.00 ± 17553.65 and 28553.67 ± 20207.92 ng·min/mL, respectively. The validated method was successfully applied to reveal the pharmacokinetic profiles of nimodipine in beagle dogs after oral administration. Moreover, the analytical method could be used for further bioequivalence studies.
Diagnostic Accuracy of a 3‐Point Ultrasound Protocol to Detect Esophageal or Endobronchial Mainstem Intubation in a Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Mori Takaaki , Nomura Osamu , Hagiwara Yusuke , Inoue Nobuaki 
Published: April 2019

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the 3‐point approach with ultrasonography for confirming endotracheal tube (ETT) placement in pediatric patients.MethodsThis was a prospective study conducted at a tertiary care center in Japan between March 2014 and March 2016. Children aged 0 to 18 years requiring endotracheal intubation in our emergency department (ED) who underwent ultrasonography for confirming ETT placement were enrolled. Patients who had already undergone a tracheotomy or intubation before arrival at our ED or who had severe neck injuries hindering ultrasonography were excluded. Quantitative capnography and portable chest x‐ray imaging were used as the reference standard for the confirmation of proper ETT placement. The main outcome was the diagnostic accuracy of the 3‐point approach with ultrasonography for detecting inappropriate ETT placement.ResultsIn total, 68 patients were enrolled. The median age was 17 months (interquartile range, 8–40), and 51.4% were males. Three (4.4%) and 7 (10.3%) patients had esophageal and endobronchial mainstem intubation, respectively. The patients received emergency intubation due to a dysfunction of the central nervous system (45.6%) or respiratory failure (22.0%). The sensitivity and specificity of esophageal versus tracheal intubation was 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 54.9%–100.0%) and 100% (95% CI, 97.9%–100.0%), respectively, whereas for endobronchial mainstem intubation versus tracheal intubation, the sensitivity and specificity was 85.7% (95% CI, 56.7%–96.0%) and 98.3% (95% CI, 94.8%–99.5%), respectively. Agreement between the reviewers was high (kappa coefficient, 0.78).ConclusionThe 3‐point approach with ultrasonography was a feasible method for detecting esophageal and endobronchial mainstem intubation in pediatric patients.
Using Turmeric Oil as a Solvent Improves the Distribution of Sesamin‐Sesamolin in the Serum and Brain of Mice
Authors: Iwamoto Kazuko , Matsumura Shinichi , Yoshioka Yuri , Yamamoto Ayami , Makino Shohei , Moriyama Tatsuya , Zaima Nobuhiro 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAccumulation of amyloid‐β peptide is associated with Alzheimer's dementia. Previously, we reported that sesamin and sesamolin inhibited β‐secretase activity in vitro, and each was transported to the serum and brain in mice after oral administration. However, the bioavailability of sesamin and sesamolin was poor in mice. In this study, we aimed to improve the bioavailability of sesamin and sesamolin. We found that the levels of sesamin and sesamolin in mouse serum and brain were higher after the administration of a mixture of sesame extract and turmeric oil (MST) than those after administering sesame extract alone. Serum sesamin and sesamolin contents in the MST‐treated group were 23‐fold and 15‐fold higher, respectively, than those in the sesame extract‐treated group. Brain sesamin and sesamolin contents in the MST‐treated group were 14‐fold and 11‐fold higher, respectively, than those in the sesame extract‐treated group. These results suggest that turmeric oil is an effective solvent to enhance the bioavailability of sesamin and sesamolin.
An appraisal of the thermal decomposition mechanisms of ILs as potential lubricants
Authors: Al‐Sallami Waleed , Parsaeian Pourya , Neville Anne 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIonic liquid (IL) lubricants are rapidly seeing increased use as either base lubricants or additives for a wide range of functionalities. This study considers the thermal stability of the ILs with the emphasis being their use as potential lubricants. The effect of IL chemistry, including anion chain length, cation chain length, anion type, and cation type, on their thermal stability is studied. The decomposition mechanism as a function of time and temperature is considered. Five ILs are studied by utilising both thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for the dynamic thermal decomposition and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FTIR) for the static thermal decomposition. For static thermal decomposition, both time and temperature are varied. The results show that the variation of IL chemistry directly influences their thermal stability. The increase of either cation or anion chain length decreases their thermal stability. Both anion and cation type have a significant influence on the thermal stability.
The D incompressible Navier–Stokes equations with partial hyperdissipation
Authors: Yang Wanrong , Jiu Quansen , Wu Jiahong 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe three‐dimensional incompressible Navier–Stokes equations with the hyperdissipation always possess global smooth solutions when . Tao [6] and Barbato, Morandin and Romito [1] made logarithmic reductions in the dissipation and still obtained the global regularity. This paper makes a different type of reduction in the dissipation and proves the global existence and uniqueness in the H1‐functional setting.
Comparison of GPU reconstruction based on different symmetries for dual‐head PET
Authors: Meng Fanzhen , Wang Jianxun , Zhu Shouping , Cheng Jian , Liang Jimin , Tian Jie 
Published: April 2019

PurposeDual‐head positron emission tomography (PET) scanners have increasingly attracted the attention of many researchers. However, with the compact geometry, the depth‐of‐interaction blurring will reduce the image resolution considerably. Monte Carlo (MC)‐based system response matrix (SRM) is able to describe the physical process of PET imaging accurately and improve reconstruction quality significantly. The MC‐based SRM is large and precomputed, which leads to a longer image reconstruction time with indexing and retrieving precomputed system matrix elements. In this study, we proposed a GPU acceleration algorithm to accelerate the iterative reconstruction.MethodsIt has been demonstrated that the line‐of‐response (LOR)‐based symmetry and the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) technology can accelerate the reconstruction tremendously. LOR‐based symmetry is suitable for the forward projection calculation, but not for the backprojection. In this study, we proposed a GPU acceleration algorithm that combined the LOR‐based symmetry and voxel‐based symmetry together, in which the LOR‐based symmetry is responsible for the forward projection, and the voxel‐based symmetry is used for the backprojection.ResultsSimulation and real experiments verify the efficiency of the algorithm. Compared with the CPU‐based calculation, the acceleration ratios of the forward projection and the backprojection operation are 130 and 110, respectively. The total acceleration ratio is 113×. In order to compare the acceleration effect of the different symmetries, we realized the reconstruction with the voxel‐based symmetry and the LOR‐based symmetry strategies. Compared with the LOR‐based GPU reconstruction, the acceleration ratio is 3.5×. Compared with the voxel‐based GPU reconstruction, the acceleration ratio is 12×.ConclusionWe have proposed a new acceleration algorithm for the dual‐head PET system, in which both the forward and backprojection operations are accelerated by GPU.
Development of a methotrexate educational guide/information/monitoring booklet for inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Martin Una , O'Gradaig Donncha , Nolan Darragh Foley , Sheehy Claire 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIntroductionThere are over 40,000 people living in Ireland with inflammatory arthritis (IA), a condition that is potentially destructive in nature and can have personal, social and economic consequences. Although we have witnessed dramatic changes in the treatment of IA in the last two decades, methotrexate (MTX) remains the first‐line treatment for patients with a diagnosis of IA. Despite the fact that MTX is so commonly prescribed, there is a lack of educational materials both for healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients. The aim of the present study was to develop a suite of MTX material for patients.MethodsA comprehensive literature review of MTX (evidence, educational materials and practice guidelines) in the treatment of IA was undertaken. The content of the documents was developed, and the format and structure of the documents were agreed. A tailored patient educational guide, information/monitoring booklet and alert card were designed to address the lack of educational materials for this condition. A national pilot study of the documents was conducted (a postal questionnaire for patients and electronic survey for clinical nurse specialists). Results and recommendations were incorporated into the final documents. These documents were also incorporated into the National Clinical Care Programme–rheumatology–methotrexate pathway.ResultsA 26‐page evidence‐based educational guide was produced to support the HCP in educating patients taking MTX, in conjunction with a patient information/monitoring booklet and alert card to support the patient.ConclusionsThese documents are now widely available and used in clinical practice in Ireland, providing patients with standardized, evidence‐based information about MTX.
Preparation of phosphorylated chitosan‐coated carbon microspheres as flame retardant and its application in unsaturated polyester resin
Authors: Chen Zhongwei , Yu Yuan , Zhang Qingwu , Chen Zhiquan , Chen Tingting , Jiang Juncheng 
Published: April 2019

In this work, phosphorylated chitosan‐coated carbon microspheres (PCH@CMS) was successfully synthesized. Obtained PCH@CMS used as flame retardant was added into unsaturated polyester resin (UPR). Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X‐ray electron spectroscopy (XPS) results indicated that C═O, P─O, and P═O appeared on the surface of PCH@CMS. Compared with UPR, the residues of UPR/PCH@CMS‐10 at 800°C under nitrogen and air atmospheres increased by 9.0 and 3.9 wt%, respectively, and the peak heat release rate (pHRR) and the peak smoke release rate (pSPR) of UPR/PCH@CMS‐3 decreased by 18.9% and 23.5%, respectively. Limiting oxygen index (LOI), thermogravimetric analyzer (TG), and cone calorimeter test (CCT) results showed that the addition of PCH@CMS could enhance the flame retardancy and smoke suppression of the UPR composites. Moreover, the residues after CCT were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), XPS, and laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS). Based on the above results, the flame retardant mechanism of PCH@CMS was proposed. The carbon layer produced by the UPR/PCH@CMS composites was tortuous and could suppress the heat and pyrolysis product exchange with UPR matrix.
The North West London Diabetes Transformation Programme (NWL‐DTP): the journey so far in optimising diabetes care within North West London
Authors: Willis Tony , Chandok Raj , Delgado Raquel , Razak Yasmin , Robertson Lesley , Dornhorst Anne ,   On behalf of the North West London Diabetes Transformation Programme team, London, UK
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn this paper we share learning and outcomes from three years of a North West London Diabetes Transformation Programme (NWL‐DTP) across eight clinical commissioning groups.We have evaluated the improvements in care of 77 382 people with diabetes and 71 562 patients with non‐diabetic hyperglycaemia (NDH) between August 2015 and August 2018, based on primary care data from 229 practices.Significant improvements in care have been achieved through active case finding, primary care improvement programmes and closer multidisciplinary working, supported by a clinical and administrative leadership team. Diabetes prevalence increased by 15% from 67 279 to 77 382 while the NDH register increased from 9071 to 71 562. There was an increase in: patients achieving all nine key care processes by 31.1%; HbA1c ≤58mmol/mol by 6.6%; blood pressure ≤140/80mmHg by 3.8%; cholesterol ≤4mmol/L by 6.8%; all three treatment targets by 4.5%; hypoglycaemia monitoring by 81.1%; collaborative care planning by 74.8%; and NDH annual review by 41.3%. North West London was the largest referrer into the National Diabetes Prevention Programme in the UK over this period.The NWL‐DTP has achieved significant improvements in diabetes care in the context of very high levels of ethnic diversity, significant social deprivation and a complex health commissioning environment. Key enablers supporting the widescale transformation have been clinical leadership, digital systems support, patient engagement and commissioner buy‐in. Further evaluation will focus on health care utilisation, costs and complications in order to understand the impact on key diabetes endpoints. Copyright © 2019 John Wiley & Sons.
Prediction of local temperature‐dependent performance of silicon solar cells
Authors: Eberle Rebekka , Fell Andreas , Mägdefessel Sven , Schindler Florian , Schubert Martin C. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn this study, we present a method to predict the local temperature‐dependent performance of silicon solar cells from wafer lifetime images, which enables local investigation of silicon solar cell parameters under realistic operation conditions. The multicrystalline silicon wafers investigated underwent high‐temperature steps equivalent to emitter diffusion and contact firing for the production of a passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC) solar cell. Injection and temperature‐dependent lifetime images, gathered by calibrated photoluminescence (PL) imaging, are combined with numerical cell device simulations using Quokka3. Hereby, the spatially resolved open‐circuit voltage VOC, short‐circuit current density jSC, fill factor FF, and the efficiency η of a virtual solar cell based on the characterized material are predicted for various temperatures. These data are used to compute temperature coefficients of the aforementioned cell parameters. Our predictions are validated by a comparison with measurement results of cells made from sister wafers, which are analyzed globally and spatially resolved via PL imaging, Lock‐in Thermography, and Light‐Beam‐Induced‐Current measurements. We observed a lower temperature sensitivity of IV parameters in dislocation clusters despite of expecting high changes with temperature, which might be explainable by Shockley‐Read‐Hall (SRH) recombination of impurities like interstitial chromium.
Resistive Pulse Sensing as a High‐Resolution Nanoparticle Sizing Method: A Comparative Study
Authors: Terejánszky Péter , Papp Soma , Berényi Szilvia , Gyurcsányi Róbert E. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractOne of the main challenges of sizing methods for nanoparticle (NP) suspensions is to distinguish between particles and particle populations with very small size differences. This would be especially important to follow various surface functionalization processes of nanoparticles resulting in small alterations of their size. In this respect, methods involving the detection of single particles, such as resistive pulse sensing (RPS) or nanoparticle tracking analysis, are generally considered superior to ensemble measuring methods such as dynamic light scattering. However, to compare the exact capabilities of these methodologies require systematic investigations in optimized conditions for each method. Here, such a study is presented for a narrow size range of spherical latex nanoparticles (60–200 nm). It is concluded that the RPS methodology based on quartz nanopipets as single nanopore counters, is the only sizing method among those studied capable to fully resolve a ternary mixture of 70, 110, and 140 nm average diameter NPs. The practical usefulness of this size resolution is demonstrated by following the increase in diameter of latex nanoparticles after their surface modification with antibodies.
Use of X‐Ray Computed Tomography for Validation of Random Packs of Composite Solid Propellants
Authors: Vijay Chaitanya , Raguvarun K. , Bharghav K. V. S. , Balasubramaniam Krishnan , Ramakrishna P. A. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis paper presents a comparison of actual solid propellants with a computationally generated propellant pack, which is intended for use in combustion modelling studies. X‐ray computed tomography (XCT) was used to obtain a 3D reconstruction of an actual propellant sample. Random distribution of spherical particles of ammonium perchlorate (AP) has been used to model a composite solid propellant (random pack). The simulated random pack and 3D reconstructed propellant are compared based on three parameters capturing volume, area and length metrics, viz., density, exposed AP area and AP/binder intercept lengths. The density match is within 1.5 % between the actual propellant and the simulated propellant pack. The exposed AP surface area lies in the range 53–63 % for the 80–86 % solid loaded non‐aluminized propellants considered in the study. The histogram of the intercept lengths matched reasonably as well capturing the variation in particle size and solid loading of the propellant. However, the comparison between simulated and XCT reconstructed packs was found to be limited by the resolution of the XCT reconstruction of actual propellant samples.
Distributed continuous‐time algorithm for a general nonsmooth monotropic optimization problem
Authors: Li Xiuxian , Xie Lihua , Hong Yiguang 
Published: April 2019

SummaryThis paper investigates a general monotropic optimization problem for continuous‐time networks, where the global objective function is a sum of local objective functions that are only known to individual agent, and general constraints are taken into account, including local inequality constraints, global equality constraint, and local feasible constraints. In addition, all functions involved in the objective functions and inequality constraints are not necessarily differentiable. To solve the problem, a distributed continuous‐time algorithm is designed using subgradient projections, and it is shown that the proposed algorithm is well defined in the sense that the existence of its solutions can be guaranteed. Furthermore, it is proved that the algorithm converges to an optimal solution for the general monotropic optimization problem. Finally, a simulation example is provided for validating the theoretical result.
Optimization of the depth resolution for profiling SiO2/SiC interfaces by dual‐beam TOF‐SIMS combined with etching
Authors: Sameshima Junichiro , Takenaka Aya , Muraji Yuichi , Ogawa Shingo , Yoshikawa Masanobu , Suganuma Katsuaki 
Published: April 2019

To examine precise depth profiles at the interface of SiO2/SiC, a high resolution that can detect slight discrepancies in the distribution is needed. In this study, an experimental method to achieve a high resolution of less than 1 nm was developed by using dual‐beam time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF‐SIMS). The analysis was preceded by the following three steps: (1) determination of the optimal analytical conditions of the analysis beam (Bi+) and sputtering beam (Cs+), (2) verification of the etching methods to thin the SiO2 layer, and (3) confirmation of the benefits of the low‐energy sputtering beam directed toward SiO2/SiC samples. By using the secondary ion intensity peak‐to‐valley ratio of BN− and BO− of a sample with delta‐doped boron multilayers, the appropriate Bi+/Cs+ condition for a high depth resolution was determined for each energy level of the sputtering beam. Upon verification of the etching methods to thin the SiO2 layer, slight discrepancies were found between samples that were obtained with different etching methods. The difference in the roughness values of the etched surfaces was proactively utilized for the performance confirmation of the low‐energy sputtering beam by means of precise observation of the profiles at the SiO2/SiC interface. The use of a Cs beam with a low energy between 0.25 and 0.5 keV enabled the detection of slight discrepancies in the roughness of less than 1 nm between samples. The aforementioned method has the potential to accurately detect discrepancies in the intrinsic distribution at the SiO2/SiC interface among samples.
Co‐infection of peste des petits ruminants and goatpox in a mixed flock of sheep and goats in Kanam, North Central Nigeria
Authors: Adedeji Adeyinka Jeremy , Dashe Yakubu , Akanbi Olatunde Babatunde , Woma Timothy Yusufu , Jambol Anvou Rachael , Adole Jolly Amoche , Bolajoko Mohammed Bashir , Chima Nneka , Asala Olayinka , Tekki Ishaya Sini , Luka Pam , Okewole Philip 
Published: April 2019

AbstractPeste‐des‐petits‐ruminants (PPR) and Goat pox (GTP) are two devastating and economically important transboundary animal diseases of small ruminants in Africa and Asia that have been difficult to control. This study however, investigated an outbreak of PPR and GTP in a mixed flock of indigenous sheep and goats in Kanam, North Central Nigeria. A total of nine sera and seven tissues (lungs, spleen, scab and skin) samples were collected and analysed in the laboratory using competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for PPR antibodies and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of PPR virus (PPRV) and GTP virus (GTPV). Gene fragments of the nucleoprotein of PPRV and the G‐protein‐coupled chemokine receptor (GPCR) of GTPV were amplified and sequenced to confirm the presence of the causative viruses. Serologically, antibodies to PPRV were detected in all (9/9) sera collected. GTPV and PPRV was detected in corresponding samples (42.8% n = 3/7) of the scab/skin samples collected by both PCR and RT‐PCR technique. The phylogenetic analysis of PPRV revealed that the virus belongs to lineage IV and clustered with viruses from Gabon and Cameroon. Similarly, the GTPV also clustered with other sequences from Burkina Faso and Yemen. The positive cELISA, RT‐PCR and PCR results from samples collected from the same animals confirmed co‐infection of PPR and GTP in this mixed flock of sheep and goats. This is the first report of concurrent infection of PPR and GTP in mixed flock of sheep and goats in Nigeria. Our findings underscore the need for farmers to vaccinate their flock to control spread and economic losses as result of these diseases.