bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of urban growth, climate change, and their interplay in altering runoff extremes
Authors: Arnone Elisa , Pumo Dario , Francipane Antonio , La Loggia Goffredo , Noto Leonardo V. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractChanges in climate and urban growth are the most influential factors affecting hydrological characteristics in urban and extra‐urban contexts. The assessment of the impacts of these changes on the extreme rainfall–runoff events may have important implications on urban and extra‐urban management policies against severe events, such as floods, and on the design of hydraulic infrastructures.Understanding the effects of the interaction between climate change and urban growth on the generation of runoff extremes is the main aim of this paper. We carried out a synthetic experiment on a river catchment of 64 km2 to generate hourly runoff time series under different hypothetical scenarios. We imposed a growth of the percentage of urban coverage within the basin (from 1.5% to 25%), a rise in mean temperature of 2.6 °C, and an alternatively increase/decrease in mean annual precipitation of 25%; changes in mean annual precipitation were imposed following different schemes, either changing rainstorm frequency or rainstorm intensity. The modelling framework consists of a physically based distributed hydrological model, which simulates fast and slow mechanisms of runoff generation directly connected with the impervious areas, a land‐use change model, and a weather generator. The results indicate that the peaks over threshold and the hourly annual peaks, used as hydrological indicators, are very sensitive to the rainstorm intensity. Moreover, the effects of climate changes dominate on those of urban growth determining an exacerbation of the fast runoff component in extreme events and a reduction of the slow and deep runoff component, thus limiting changes in the overall runoff.
Impact of Sea Level Rise and Tsunami on Coastal Areas of North‐West Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Ghazali Nor Hisham M. , Awang Nor Aslinda , Mahmud Mahran , Mokhtar Arman 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak in the north‐west of Peninsular Malaysia have a total coastline of 550 km of which almost 40% are adjacent to agricultural lands. Parts of these lands were once intertidal and following their conversion into agricultural land, have been protected from the sea by coastal embankments since the 1950s. Extreme tides and wave erosion used to be the known hazards to these coastal lands, but over the past two decades sea level rise and the tsunami of 2004 have emerged as additional threats. A predicted sea level rise of 0.52 m by 2100 and a tsunami inundation distance exceeding 1000 m inshore have raised concerns as to the sustainability of existing coastal defences, hinterland communities and economic activities. The combined impacts of both sea level rise and tsunami have made the north‐west coastline the most vulnerable to coastal erosion and flooding. This paper compiles the findings of two key studies that assessed these coastal threats and determined the scientific basis for adaptive measures. The findings of the studies indicate that the north‐west coast is the most vulnerable coast in Peninsular Malaysia. The paper also presents the physical impacts of these threats and the proposed adaptive strategies to mitigate them. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spillovers among sovereign debt markets: Identification through absolute magnitude restrictions
Authors: De Santis Roberto A. , Zimic Srečko 
Published: May 2018

SummaryThis paper studies spillovers among US and European sovereign yields. We employ absolute magnitude restrictions on the impact matrix to identify the countries that were the main sources of spillovers. Despite the large size of shocks from euro area stressed countries, connectedness among sovereign yields declined between 2008 and 2012 due to financial fragmentation, particularly between countries with more divergent business and fiscal cycles. We show that none of the sovereign yields were insulated from foreign shocks and that shocks to the Greek bond market in 2010 explained 20–30% of the variance of sovereign yields in stressed countries, while in 2011–2012 Italy (not Spain) was the source of systemic risk.
Front Cover: Photoluminescence intensity ratio of Eu‐conjugated lactates—A simple optical imaging technique for biomarker analysis for critical diseases (J. Biophotonics 5/2018)
Authors: Kakkar Tarun , Thomas Nikita , Kumi‐Barimah Eric , Jose Gin , Saha Sikha 
Published: May 2018

Eu3+integrated photoluminescence intensity ratio (PLIR) approach for optical detection of lactates in blood serum, plasma and confocal imaging of brain tissues has very high potential for exploitation of this technique in both in vitro monitoring and in vivo bioimaging applications for the detection of biomarkers in various diseases states. This image is diagrammatic representation of fact that the overall PLIR is higher with more lactates conjugated with Eu3+ ions.Further details can be found in the article by Tarun Kakkar et al. (e201700199).
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Association of Alendronate and Risk of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Hip Fracture
Authors: Sing Chor-Wing , Wong Angel YS , Kiel Douglas P , Cheung Elaine YN , Lam Joanne KY , Cheung Tommy T , Chan Esther W , Kung Annie WC , Wong Ian CK , Cheung Ching-Lung 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT

The risk of cardiovascular events (CVEs) with alendronate use in real-world hip fracture patients is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the risk of CVE with and without use of alendronate in patients with hip fracture. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a population-wide database managed by the Hong Kong Hospital Authority. Patients newly diagnosed with hip fracture from 2005 through 2013 were followed until November 6, 2016. Alendronate and other antiosteoporosis medications use during the study period were examined. We matched treated and nontreated patients based on time-dependent propensity score. The risks of cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke between treatment groups were evaluated using conditional Cox regression stratified by match pairs. To examine the associations over time, outcomes were assessed at 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, and 10 years. Among 34,991 patients with newly diagnosed hip fracture, 4602 (13.2%) received antiosteoporosis treatment during follow-up. Physical functioning or survival prospect was not significantly different between treated and nontreated patients. A total of 4594 treated patients were matched with 13,568 nontreated patients. Results of Cox regression analysis revealed that alendronate was associated with a significantly lower risk of 1-year cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.33; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.65) and incident myocardial infarction (HR 0.55; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.89), whereas marginally significant reduction in risk of stroke was observed at 5 years and 10 years (HR at 5 years: 0.82; 95% CI, 0.67 to 1.00; p = 0.049; HR at 10 years: 0.83; 95% CI, 0.69 to 1.01; p = 0.065). The strength of the association declined over time but remained significant. Similar results were observed when all nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) were analyzed together. These findings were robust in multiple sensitivity analyses. Additional studies in other population samples and randomized clinical trials may be warranted to further understand the relationship between use of various antiosteoporosis medication and risk of CVE in patients with hip fracture. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Efficacy and Safety of Elbasvir‐Grazoprevir Fixed Dose in the Management of Polytreated HCV Patients: Evidence From Real‐Life Clinical Practice
Authors: Caroleo Benedetto , Colangelo Lidia , Perticone Maria , De Sarro Giovambattista , Gallelli Luca 
Published: May 2018

AbstractChronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents a global public health challenge, and new drugs have been authorized for its treatment. In this study, we evaluated both the clinical efficacy and safety of elbasvir‐grazoprevir fixed‐dose combination in HCV patients. We performed a prospective single‐blind study on patients admitted to the Regional Center for HCV Treatment of the University of Catanzaro from March 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017, in patients >30 years old with a history of chronic HCV infection. During the study period, we enrolled 29 HCV patients (18 women and 11 men; age, 62.5 ± 14 years, range 36‐82; HCV‐RNA: 2 384 859 ± 2 487 747 IU/mL, range, 60 400 − 8 930 000 IU/mL genotype 1b). In 28 of 29 patients (96.5%) we documented a rapid and complete remission of HCV infection 4 weeks after the beginning of the treatment, while in 1 patient it was reached in 8 weeks. During the study, we did not record any serious adverse drug reaction or drug interaction and no patients discontinued the treatment. However, 4 patients (13.8%) developed an asymptomatic plasma transaminase increase that appeared at 8 weeks after the beginning of the treatment and disappeared 4 weeks later in 3 patients and 8 weeks later in 1 patient. In conclusion, we documented that in real life the development of plasma transaminase increase in 4 elderly women >70 years old, suggesting that more attention must be focused on this age population.
Pharmacometric Analysis of the Relationship Between Absolute Lymphocyte Count and Expanded Disability Status Scale and Relapse Rate, Efficacy End Points, in Multiple Sclerosis Trials
Authors: Novakovic A.M. , Thorsted A. , Schindler E. , Jönsson S. , Munafo A. , Karlsson M.O. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe aim of this work was to assess the relationship between the absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), and disability (as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS]) and occurrence of relapses, 2 efficacy endpoints, respectively, in patients with remitting‐relasping multiple sclerosis. Data for ALC, EDSS, and relapse rate were available from 1319 patients receiving placebo and/or cladribine tablets. Pharmacodynamic models were developed to characterize the time course of the endpoints. ALC‐related measures were then evaluated as predictors of the efficacy endpoints. EDSS data were best fitted by a model where the logit‐linear disease progression is affected by the dynamics of ALC change from baseline. Relapse rate data were best described by the Weibull hazard function, and the ALC change from baseline was also found to be a significant predictor of time to relapse. Presented models have shown that once cladribine exposure driven ALC‐derived measures are included in the model, the need for drug effect components is of less importance (EDSS) or disappears (relapse rate). This simplifies the models and theoretically makes them mechanism specific rather than drug specific. Having a reliable mechanism‐specific model would allow leveraging historical data across compounds, to support decision making in drug development and possibly shorten the time to market.
Population Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Oral Propranolol in Pediatric Patients With Infantile Hemangioma
Authors: Takechi Tomoki , Kumokawa Tadao , Kato Rumiko , Higuchi Takeshi , Kaneko Tsuyoshi , Ieiri Ichiro 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis study aimed to characterize the population pharmacokinetics and exposure‐response relationship of propranolol (Hemangiol® Syrup for Pediatric) in infants with infantile hemangioma. Using nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling with 63 pooled sets of plasma concentration‐time data from 32 Japanese patients aged 35‐150 days, we described the disposition of propranolol adequately by a 1‐compartment model with first‐order absorption. The estimated population mean apparent clearance and apparent central volume of distribution were 9.34 L/h and 146 L, respectively. Body weight and postnatal age influenced the population pharmacokinetic model. The clinical end points—success (complete or nearly complete resolution of the target hemangioma) and failure—at weeks 12 and 24 were characterized by logistic regression using the area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC), estimated from the final population pharmacokinetic model, as an exposure predictor. The logistic regression showed that a higher AUC was associated with a higher probability of successful treatment. At each exposure level, probability of successful treatment was correlated with gestational age and treatment duration. Model‐predicted probabilities of successful treatment were consistent with actual results in the clinical trial. Simulations using several dosing regimens indicated that oral propranolol at 3 mg/kg per day was effective and would be appropriate for treating Japanese infants. These simulation results can support optimization of dosing regimens, such as selecting amounts, treatment durations, and dosing intervals, for clinical use.
A Change in Posture Significantly Affects Plasma Concentrations of Large Molecules Such as IgG Antibodies
Authors: van Iersel Mattheus (Thijs) , Velinova Maria I. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn several studies with monoclonal antibodies, we observed spikes in plasma concentration profiles coinciding with a change of posture of study subjects. We hypothesized that these unexpected changes were due to fluid shifts from plasma to the interstitium. The objective of this study was to investigate size and time course of the change in total immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration after a change in posture. Thirty‐two healthy subjects were enrolled. After entry in the clinic, subjects remained upright for at least 1 hour, followed by IgG sampling. Thereafter, subjects remained supine or seated (16 subjects each) for 60 minutes while IgG was sampled frequently. The within‐subject day‐to‐day variability of IgG measured in the same position was only 2.6%. After a change in posture from standing to supine, IgG dropped rapidly in all subjects during the first 10 minutes in the supine position (9.0% decrease) and more slowly thereafter, up to a 12.3% decrease after 60 minutes. After a change in posture from standing to sitting, the decrease in IgG was more variable and modest. After 10 minutes of sitting, IgG was 3.6% lower, and after 60 minutes IgG was 7.8% lower. Changing posture causes a bias of more than 10% in plasma concentrations of total IgG. Most of the change is reached after being 15 minutes in the same position. In clinical trials in which plasma concentrations of high‐molecular drugs, highly protein‐bound drugs, endogenous proteins, or blood cells are assessed, standardizing posture per time point is a useful approach for reducing variability.
Treatment of petroleum wastewater using an up‐flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor and turf soil as a support material
Authors: Wang Qinghong , Liang Jiahao , Zhan Yali , Yao Xianyang , Liu Zhiyuan , Li Qing X , Guo Shaohui , Chen Chunmao , Yoza Brandon A 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDCost‐effective treatment of wastewater remains a challenge for the petroleum industry. In this study, turf soil (R1) was used as a support material in a mesophilic up‐flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor for the treatment of petroleum wastewater.RESULTSAt a high organic loading rate (11 kg COD/m3 d), turf soil as a support material reduced COD (91.7%) more efficiently and produced more biogas (1.5 m3/m3 d) in comparison with the no support material control (R0) (89.4% and 0.4 m3/m3 d). Higher percentages of large granular sludge (≥0.6 mm) were formed in the turf soil‐supported UASB reactor (R1), which exhibited better settling, structural resilience and higher biological activity. The rough surface and porous structure of turf soil provided a favorable environment for microbial diversity and habitat. Filamentous bacterial communities putatively promoted anaerobic granular sludge formation and enhanced biodegradation of petroleum organics, particularly alkanes and organic compounds with fewer than 17 carbons. The high content of humic substances promoted the anaerobic degradation of organics, and both humic acid and fulvic acid improved alkaline pH tolerance.CONCLUSIONUse of turf soil enhanced the performance of the UASB system, relative to the control, by shortening the time required to reach stable operation through faster biological community development and improved sludge granulation. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Early ligation of the dorsal pancreatic artery with a mesenteric approach reduces intraoperative blood loss during pancreatoduodenectomy
Authors: Iede Kiyotsugu , Nakao Akimasa , Oshima Kenji , Suzuki Ryota , Yamada Hironori , Oshima Yukiko , Kobayashi Hironobu , Kimura Yasunori 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundEarly ligation of the inferior pancreatoduodenal artery has been advocated to reduce blood loss during pancreatoduodenectomy. However, the impact of early ligation of the dorsal pancreatic artery (DPA) remains unclear. This study was performed to investigate the clinical implications of early ligation of the DPA.MethodsFrom October 2014 to April 2017, 34 consecutive patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy using a mesenteric approach. The patients were divided into the early DPA ligation group (n = 15) and late DPA ligation group (n = 19). The clinical features were retrospectively compared between the two groups (H29‐044).ResultsPreoperative multidetector row computed tomography and intraoperative findings revealed that the right branch of the DPA supplied the pancreatic head region in all cases. Intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the early than late ligation group (median 609 ml [range 94–1,013 ml] vs. 764 ml [range 367–1,828 ml], respectively; P = 0.008). Multivariable analysis revealed that early DPA ligation was independently associated with blood loss (P = 0.023). The DPAs arising from the superior mesenteric artery underwent early ligation at a significantly higher rate.ConclusionsEarly ligation of the DPA during pancreaticoduodenectomy with a mesenteric approach could reduce intraoperative blood loss.
Using Corn Husk Powder as a Novel Substrate to Produce a Surface Active Compound from Labrenzia aggregate KP‐5
Authors: Saimmai Atipan , Maneerat Suppasil , Chooklin Chanika S. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn this study, surface active compound (SAC)‐producing bacterial isolates were evaluated for SAC production using corn husk powder (CHP) as a sole carbon source. From the 51 isolates screened, Labrenzia aggregate KP‐5 produced the highest SAC activity. The highest SAC production (3.51 g L−1) was obtained when the strain was cultivated in a minimal salt medium containing 40 g L−1 CHP and 1 g L−1 commercial monosodium glutamate at 30 °C and 150 rpm after 51 h of cultivation. The produced SAC had the ability to decrease the surface tension of water from 72.0 to 25.5 mN m−1, with the critical micelle concentration of 9 mg L−1 (11.07 mM) and exhibited the highest emulsification activity (EA) of 81% against motor oil. The SAC showed stability at 4–121 °C and pH 4–10 against the surface and EA of vegetable oils and hydrocarbons, and showed tolerance at high salt concentrations (1–10% NaCl). The chemical structure of the SAC was confirmed as a rhamnolipid using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and mass spectrometric analysis. The SAC did not exhibit inhibitory effects on various vegetables tested; however, strong inhibitory activity against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria was observed. The application of SAC for microbial enhanced oil recovery by sand saturated with used lubricating oil resulted in above 89% of oil removal. The properties of the SAC we obtained from CHP have potential applications especially for microbial enhanced oil recovery and/or reducing the intensity of environmental contamination. In addition, the obtained SAC is a suitable alternative to antimicrobial agents.
Transformation from Nanofibers to Nanoribbons in Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) Solution by Adding Alkylthiols
Authors: Pan Shuang , Zhu Mingjing , He Luze , Zhang Hongdong , Qiu Feng , Lin Zhiqun , Peng Juan 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAn intriguing morphological transition from poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) 1D nanofibers to 2D nanoribbons enabled by the addition of a series of alkylthiols is reported. First, P3HT 1D nanofibers are formed due to strong anisotropic π–π stacking between planar rigid backbones. Upon the addition of alkylthiols, P3HT nanofibers are transformed into nanoribbons associated with the crystallographic transition from edge‐on orientation to flat‐on orientation. The content of alkylthiols has a great influence on the P3HT morphology in the solution. The mechanism of such a morphological transformation is discussed based on the interaction between alkylthiols and P3HT chains. This work offers an effective strategy to tailor the crystal morphology and dimension of P3HT, which not only improves the understanding of P3HT crystallization but also may enable such discovery into conjugated polymer‐based optoelectronic devices.
Exploiting NH···Cl Hydrogen Bonding Interactions in Cooperative Metallosupramolecular Polymerization
Authors: Langenstroer Anja , Dorca Yeray , Kartha Kalathil K. , Mayoral Maria Jose , Stepanenko Vladimir , Fernández Gustavo , Sánchez Luis 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe self‐assembly features of hydrophobic bispyridyldichlorido Pd(II) complexes, equipped with an extended aromatic surface derived from oligophenyleneethynylene (OPE) and polarizable amide functional groups, are reported. The cooperative supramolecular polymerization of these complexes results in bundles of thin fibers in which the monomer units are arranged in a translationally displaced or slipped fashion. Spectroscopic and microscopy studies reveal that these assemblies are held together by simultaneous π‐stacking of the OPE moieties and NH···ClPd hydrogen bonds. These unconventional forces are often observed in crystal engineering but remain largely unexploited in supramolecular polymers. Both steric and electronic effects (the presence of bulky and polarizable metal‐bound Cl ligands as well as hydrogen bonding donor NH units) prevent the establishment of short Pd–Pd contacts and strongly condition the aggregation mode of the reported complexes, in close analogy to the previously reported amphiphilic Pd(II) complex 4. The results presented herein shed light on the subtle interplay between different noncovalent interactions and their impact on the self‐assembly of metallosupramolecular systems.