bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate measured using microhemagglutination is not elevated in monoclonal gammopathy compared with other diseases
Authors: Kim M. , Ju Y.‐S. , Lee E. J. , Lee E. , Jeon K. , Lee J. , Kang H. J. , Kim H.‐S. , Lee J.‐S. , Kim H. J. , Lee Y. K. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as measured using the Westergren method is extremely elevated in patients with monoclonal gammopathy (MG) owing to the abundance of positively charged paraproteins. However, it has not been determined if the ESR is likewise high in patients with MG when measured using alternate ESR methods.MethodsThe ESR was measured using both the modified Westergren and microhemagglutination method (TEST1) in 36 patients with MG and in 159 individuals with other diseases.ResultsErythrocyte sedimentation rates measured by the Westergren vs microhemagglutination methods showed substantial, but not remarkably high correlation. ESR measured using the Westergren method was higher in MG than in non‐MG patients; however, ESR measured using microhemagglutination was not different in the 2 groups, resulting in a larger ΔESR (microhemagglutination ESR—Westergren ESR) in MG patients. When considered as continuous variables, none of the tested interfering plasma proteins (C‐reactive protein, globulin, or fibrinogen) showed substantial correlations with Westergren or microhemagglutination ESRs. MG and low hematocrit were the only factors independently associated with ΔESR on multivariate analysis.ConclusionWe demonstrated, for the first time, that the ESR as measured by microhemagglutination is not elevated in patients with MG compared with those without. The ESR does not correlate with a particular plasma protein, showing that its measurement is multifactorial. The presence of MG is an independent factor for ΔESR.
CD57 identifies T cells with functional senescence before terminal differentiation and relative telomere shortening in patients with activated PI3 kinase delta syndrome
Authors: Cura Daball Paola , Ventura Ferreira Monica Sofia , Ammann Sandra , Klemann Christian , Lorenz Myriam R , Warthorst Ursula , Leahy Timothy Ronan , Conlon Niall , Roche Justin , Soler‐Palacín Pere , Garcia‐Prat Marina , Fuchs Ilka , Fuchs Sebastian , Beier Fabian , Brümmendorf Tim H , Speckmann Carsten , Olbrich Peter , Neth Olaf , Schwarz Klaus , Ehl Stephan , Rensing‐Ehl Anne 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPremature T‐cell immunosenescence with CD57+ CD8+ T‐cell accumulation has been linked to immunodeficiency and autoimmunity in primary immunodeficiencies including activated PI3 kinase delta syndrome (APDS). To address whether CD57 marks the typical senescent T‐cell population seen in adult individuals or identifies a distinct population in APDS, we compared CD57+ CD8+ T cells from mostly pediatric APDS patients to those of healthy adults with similarly prominent senescent T cells. CD57+ CD8+ T cells from APDS patients were less differentiated with more CD27+ CD28+ effector memory T cells showing increased PD1 and Eomesodermin expression. In addition, transition of naïve to CD57+ CD8+ T cells was not associated with the characteristic telomere shortening. Nevertheless, they showed the increased interferon‐gamma secretion, enhanced degranulation and reduced in vitro proliferation typical of senescent CD57+ CD8+ T cells. Thus, hyperactive PI3 kinase signaling favors premature accumulation of a CD57+ CD8+ T‐cell population, which shows most functional features of typical senescent T cells, but is different in terms of differentiation and relative telomere shortening. Initial observations indicate that this specific differentiation state may offer the opportunity to revert premature T‐cell immunosenescence and its potential contribution to inflammation and immunodeficiency in APDS.
ImmTAC/Anti‐PD‐1 antibody combination to enhance killing of cancer cells by reversing regulatory T‐cell‐mediated immunosuppression
Authors: Zhang Huanling , Li Yanyan , Liu Xiaoping , Liang Zhaoduan , Yan Mengyong , Liu Qiang , Chen Anan , Bao Yifeng , Zhou Chengzhi , Li Shiyue , Yee Cassian , Li Yi 
Published: May 2018

SummaryRecently, bi‐functional molecules that can redirect immune effectors to tumour cells have emerged as potentially robust mediators of tumour regression in clinical trials. Two modalities in particular, bi‐specific antibodies for T‐cell redirection and activation (BiTe) and immune‐mobilizing monoclonal T‐cell receptors against cancer (ImmTAC), are being evaluated in efficacy studies as ‘off‐the‐shelf’ reagents. Optimal therapy will require an understanding and means to address regulatory mechanisms of limiting efficacy. In light of this, we evaluated the impact of induced regulatory T (iTreg) cells on the efficacy of tumour cell killing redirected by ImmTAC and demonstrated down‐regulation of T‐cell proliferation and expression of CD25, CD107a, Granzyme B and Perforin by ImmTAC‐redirected T cells. Significant recovery of ImmTAC potency, however, could be achieved when combined with an anti‐programmed cell death protein 1 monoclonal antibody. Furthermore, we found that among lung cancer patients failing to respond to ImmTAC therapy, there was a significantly higher fraction of Treg cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of lung cancer patients than in healthy donors. These results provide in vitro evidence for an iTreg cell‐mediated immunosuppression of ImmTAC‐redirected T‐cell responses. Whilst immune checkpoint blockade can reverse the Treg cell suppression, it forms a rational basis for a combination of the blockade with ImmTAC in clinical trials.
Ultra‐rapid microwave sintering of pure and Y2O3‐doped MgAl2O4
Authors: Bykov Yury V. , Egorov Sergei V. , Eremeev Anatolii G. , Kholoptsev Vladislav V. , Plotnikov Ivan V. , Rybakov Kirill I. , Sorokin Andrei A. , Balabanov Stanislav S. , Belyaev Alexander V. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMgAl2O4 samples were microwave sintered to near‐full density in rapid processes with heating rates on the order of 100°C/min and zero isothermal hold. The experiments were carried out using a gyrotron system for microwave processing of materials operating at a frequency of 24 GHz with a maximum power of 6 kW. In the regimes with a preset heating rate sustained by the automatically regulated microwave power, the maximum achieved density was about 95% of the theoretical value in pristine MgAl2O4 samples (maximum sintering temperature 1650°C) and about 97% in 1 wt.% Y2O3‐doped samples (1700°C). In the regimes with a fixed microwave power (about 3.5 kW), translucent spinel samples with a relative density above 99% were obtained at 1700°C. The duration of the high‐temperature stage of sintering was 1.5‐10 minutes. The suggested mechanism responsible for the enhanced densification involves development of a thermal instability and formation of transient liquid phases at grain boundaries. The estimated specific absorbed power in the samples during the high‐temperature stage of ultra‐rapid microwave sintering was 27‐80 W/cm3, similar to the values observed in dc field‐assisted flash sintering experiments.
First principles investigation on mechanical and thermal properties of α‐ and β‐YAlB4 ultra‐high temperature ceramics
Authors: Dai Fu‐Zhi , Feng Zhihai , Zhou Yanchun 
Published: May 2018

AbstractUltra‐high temperature ceramics (UHTCs) exhibit a unique combination of excellent properties that makes them promising candidates for applications in extreme environments. Various UHTCs are needed due to diverse harsh conditions that UHTCs are faced with in different applications. Due to structural similarity to ZrB2, possible high melting point and possible protective oxide scale formed in oxygen rich and water vapor environments, REAlB4 (RE: rare‐earth) is suggested a good candidate for UHTCs. In the present work, temperature‐dependent mechanical and thermal properties of both α‐YAlB4 (YCrB4 type, space group Pbam) and β‐YAlB4 (ThMoB4 type, space group Cmmm) were investigated by first principles calculations in combination with quasi‐harmonic approach. Due to the structural similarity between α‐YAlB4 and β‐YAlB4, their properties are very similar to each other, which are approximately transverse isotropic with properties in (001) plane being almost the same and differing from properties out of (001) plane. The results reveal that resistance to normal strain in (001) plane (~460 GPa) is higher than that along [001] direction (~320 GPa) and thermal expansion in (001) plane (~10 × 10−6 K−1) is lower than that along [001] direction (~17 × 10−6 K−1), which is because the stiff boron networks are parallel to (001) plane. The average thermal expansion coefficient is around 12 × 10−6 K−1, which is fairly high among UHTCs and compatible with metallic frameworks. The combination of high thermal expansion coefficient and protective oxidation scale forming ability suggest that REAlB4 is promising for practical applications not only as high‐temperature structural ceramic but also as oxidation resistant coating for alloys.
Pore filling behavior of YSZ under CMAS attack: Implications for designing corrosion‐resistant thermal barrier coatings
Authors: Shan Xiao , Luo Lirong , Chen Wenfu , Zou Zhonghua , Guo Fangwei , He Limin , Zhang Aiping , Zhao Xiaofeng , Xiao Ping 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTo understand the pore filling behavior in thermal barrier coatings during calcium‐magnesium‐alumino‐silicate (CMAS) infiltration process, porous yttria‐stabilized zirconia pellets with different sizes of spherical pores were prepared to simulate thermal barrier coatings. The pores (D50 ranging from 6 to 77 μm) were introduced to the pellets using poly methyl methacrylate as pore forming agents. Then the pellets were sintered to remove the pore forming agents and to achieve a similar volume fraction of porosity with thermal barrier coatings. After CMAS infiltration, only some small pores in the CMAS‐infiltrated zones were filled by CMAS, whereas all large pores (larger than 13 μm) remained unfilled; besides, the results also show that even open pores can resist filling by CMAS. The reason may relate to pore diameters; if the diameter of a pore is relatively large, the pore surface will not be completely wetted by liquid CMAS, the liquid meniscus will be discontinuous, and therefore the pore cannot be filled. The key insight gained from this study is that introducing “CMAS‐proof” pores into thermal barrier coatings may be a potential way to mitigate CMAS damage.
Addressing the vexed issue of authorship and author order: A discussion paper
Authors: McCann Terence V. , Polacsek Meg 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAimsTo review and discuss authorship and author order in the context of nursing and midwifery publications and to present a set of principles to guide and justify author order.BackgroundVariation in author order trends is evident across different authors, disciplines and countries. Confusion and conflict between authors give rise to important issues concerning ethics and collaboration and may delay publication. Lack of transparency in authorship practices also impedes judgements when individual contributions are used in support of employment, promotion, tenure and/or research funding applications.DesignDiscussion paper.Data sourcesA literature search of BioMed Central, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), MEDLINE with Full Text and PubMed for original peer‐reviewed papers published in English between 2007 ‐ 2017, in the disciplines of nursing and midwifery.Implications for nursingMuch is written about authorship practices across disciplines and countries. Despite existing authorship guidelines, author order remains an area of confusion and contention. Disputes about authorship and author order have the potential to cause distrust and breakdowns in research relationships, thereby disrupting nursing and midwifery scholarship and research. The main issues concern honorary and ghost authorship, authorship versus acknowledgement, confusion about collaboration, author order, research students as co‐authors, equal author credit and the need for explicit guidelines.ConclusionGood communication and mutual respect are crucial to the authorship process. However, clear instructions are needed to guide decisions on authorship and author order. It is recommended that the “first‐last‐author‐emphasis” be adopted uniformly internationally across nursing and midwifery research.
Discursive constructions of professional identity in policy and regulatory discourse
Authors: Fealy Gerard , Hegarty Josephine‐Mary , McNamara Martin , Casey Mary , O'Leary Denise , Kennedy Catriona , O'Reilly Pauline , O'Connell Rhona , Brady Anne‐Marie , Nicholson Emma 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAimTo examine and describe disciplinary discourses conducted through professional policy and regulatory documents in nursing and midwifery in Ireland.BackgroundA key tenet of discourse theory is that group identities are constructed in public discourses and these discursively constructed identities become social realities. Professional identities can be extracted from both the explicit and latent content of discourse. Studies of nursing's disciplinary discourse have drawn attention to a dominant discourse that confers nursing with particular identities, which privilege the relational and affective aspects of nursing and, in the process, marginalize scientific knowledge and the technical and body work of nursing.DesignWe used critical discourse analysis to analyse a purposive sample of nursing and midwifery regulatory and policy documents.MethodWe applied a four‐part, sequential approach to analyse the selected texts. This involved identifying key words, phrases and statements that indicated dominant discourses that, in turn, revealed latent beliefs and assumptions. The focus of our analysis was on how the discourses construct professional identities.FindingsOur analysis indicated recurring narratives that appeared to confer nurses and midwives with three dominant identities: “the knowledgeable practitioner,” the “interpersonal practitioner” and the “accountable practitioner.” The discourse also carried assumptions about the form and content of disciplinary knowledge.ConclusionsAcademic study of identity construction in discourse is important to disciplinary development by raising nurses’ and midwives’ consciousness, alerting them to the ways that their own discourse can shape their identities, influence public and political opinion and, in the process, shape public policy on their professions.
A systematic mixed studies review of women's experiences of perineal trauma sustained during childbirth
Authors: Crookall Rebecca , Fowler Gillian , Wood Caroline , Slade Pauline 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAimTo explore the quantitative/qualitative literature on women's experiences of perineal trauma sustained during childbirth and the impact it may have on psychological/emotional well‐being.BackgroundObstetric complications during childbirth can be a risk factor for postpartum psychological distress. Perineal trauma is one of the most frequent obstetric complications and it is important to understand any impact on psychological/emotional well‐being.DesignA convergent qualitative design using a hybrid deductive–inductive thematic synthesis approach to data transformation was used.Data sourcesWeb of knowledge, CINAHL, MEDLINE, AMED, PsyArticles, PsycInfo until May 2017.Review methodsStage 1: transforming findings from the qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods studies into themes using thematic synthesis. Stage 2: integrating themes from the quantitative studies into those derived from the qualitative studies.ResultsRecords (N = 2,152) found of which 11 qualitative, 22 quantitative and 1 mixed methods were included in this review. Five themes were derived from thematic synthesis of qualitative studies “The mystery of perineal trauma”, “The misery of perineal suturing”, “The postnatal perineum”, “Normalisation and feeling dismissed” and “Adjusting to a new normal—Coping and compromise” and five themes identified from the quantitative studies, experience of birth (N = 4), sexual functioning (N = 12), social functioning (N = 2), psychological health (N = 8) and quality of life (N = 5).ConclusionPerineal trauma can have a negative impact on psychological/emotional well‐being, however, the literature is conflicted and in need of clarification. Future research should clearly describe the perineal status of the women in the sample, use validated measures and consider the timing of such measures.
Parenting stress and depressive symptoms in Taiwanese mothers of young children with autism spectrum disorder: Association with children’s behavioural problems
Authors: Hou Yuh‐Ming , Stewart Lydia , Iao Lai‐Sang , Wu Chin‐Chin 
Published: May 2018

BackgroundThis study examined the severity of parenting stress and depressive symptoms in Taiwanese mothers of young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to mothers of young children with developmental delay (DD). The associations between parenting stress, depressive symptoms, and children’s behavioural problems were also tested.MethodsThe study sample included 51 young children with ASD (mean age = 31 months), 51 young children with DD (mean age = 30 months) and their mothers.ResultsThe results confirmed that mothers of young children with ASD experienced higher levels of parenting stress and depressive symptoms than mothers of young children with DD. In addition, children’s behavioural problems were robust predictors of parenting stress and depressive symptoms in mothers of young children with ASD, but not in mothers of young children with DD.ConclusionThe findings indicated that one of the critical goals in early intervention for young children with ASD and their families is to reduce children’s behavioural problems.
The recent financial crisis, start‐up financing and survival
Authors: Deloof Marc , Vanacker Tom 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWe investigate the effects of the recent financial crisis on start‐up financing and survival using a dataset that covers all Belgian new business registrations between 2006 and 2009. We find that bank debt is the single most important source of funding, even for start‐ups founded during the crisis. However, start‐ups founded in crisis years use less bank debt and have a higher likelihood of bankruptcy, even after controlling for their creditworthiness. These effects are stronger for start‐ups that are more dependent on bank debt, such as start‐ups founded in bank dependent industries and start‐ups founded by entrepreneurs who are more likely to be financially constrained.
Visualizing the quantile survival time difference curve
Authors: Heinzl Harald , Mittlboeck Martina 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe difference between the pth quantiles of 2 survival functions can be used to compare patients' survival between 2 therapies. Setting p = 0.5 yields the median survival time difference. Varying p between 0 and 1 defines the quantile survival time difference curve which can be straightforwardly estimated by the horizontal differences between 2 Kaplan‐Meier curves. The estimate's variability can be visualized by adding either a bundle of resampled bootstrap step functions or, alternatively, approximate bootstrap confidence bands. The user‐friendly SAS software macro %kmdiff enables the straightforward application of this exploratory graphical approach. The macro is described, and its application is exemplified with breast cancer data. The advantages and limitations of the approach are discussed.
Allied health clinicians using translational research in action to develop a reliable stroke audit tool
Authors: Abery Philip , Kuys Suzanne , Lynch Mary , Low Choy Nancy 
Published: May 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo design and establish reliability of a local stroke audit tool by engaging allied health clinicians within a privately funded hospital.MethodsDesign: Two‐stage study involving a modified Delphi process to inform stroke audit tool development and inter‐tester reliability. Participants: Allied health clinicians. Interventions: A modified Delphi process to select stroke guideline recommendations for inclusion in the audit tool. Reliability study: 1 allied health representative from each discipline audited 10 clinical records with sequential admissions to acute and rehabilitation services. Main Outcome Measures: Recommendations were admitted to the audit tool when 70% agreement was reached, with 50% set as the reserve agreement. Inter‐tester reliability was determined using intra‐class correlation coefficients (ICCs) across 10 clinical records.ResultsTwenty‐two participants (92% female, 50% physiotherapists, 17% occupational therapists) completed the modified Delphi process. Across 6 voting rounds, 8 recommendations reached 70% agreement and 2 reached 50% agreement. Two recommendations (nutrition/hydration; goal setting) were added to ensure representation for all disciplines. Substantial consistency across raters was established for the audit tool applied in acute stroke (ICC .71; range .48 to .90) and rehabilitation (ICC.78; range .60 to .93) services.ConclusionsAllied health clinicians within a privately funded hospital generally agreed in an audit process to develop a reliable stroke audit tool. Allied health clinicians agreed on stroke guideline recommendations to inform a stroke audit tool. The stroke audit tool demonstrated substantial consistency supporting future use for service development. This process, which engages local clinicians, could be adopted by other facilities to design reliable audit tools to identify local service gaps to inform changes to clinical practice.
The Sanguicolous Apostome Metacollinia luciensis Jankowski 1980 (Colliniidae, Apostomatia, Ciliophora) Is Not Closely Related to Other Sanguicolous Apostomes
Authors: Lynn Denis H. , Strüder‐Kypke Michaela C. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe apostome family Colliniidae includes species that are adapted to the hemocoel/blood of various invertebrates, particularly crustaceans. To explore the phylogeny of these sanguicolous apostomes, Metacollinia luciensis was collected in August 2015 at Roscoff from the amphipod host, Orchestia gammarellus. Ciliates were Protargol stained and DNA was extracted. The small subunit rRNA (SSUrRNA) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) genes were amplified. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of the SSUrRNA genes unambiguously grouped M. luciensis with other apostomes with robust bootstrap support, but separated it distinctly from the pseudocolliniid clade. While there are only cox1 sequences for a subset of these apostomes, M. luciensis was also distant from the pseudocolliniids and separated from them by species of the exuviotrophic apostome Hyalophysa. These results confirm the distinctness of the families Colliniidae and Pseudocolliniidae.