bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cryogel‐Based Electronic–Tissue Interfaces with Soft, Highly Compressible, and Tunable Mechanics
Authors: Ghatee Rosa , Tolouei Anita , Fijalkowski Jennifer , Alsasa Abdulrahman , Hayes Justin , Besio Walter , Kennedy Stephen 
Published: October 2019

AbstractElectrically conductive materials with soft, tough, and tunable mechanics have utility in a wide range of applications including neuroprosthetics. Such materials can serve as interfaces between electrical components and tissues, providing mechanical matches with and better conformations to soft, irregularly shaped surfaces. Hydrogels can potentially provide these attributes while remaining hydrated for long periods of time—providing a long‐term and stable electronic–tissue interface. Additionally, in applications that demand implantation, hydrogels can be formulated to locally deliver enhancing therapeutics. Here, hydrogels are developed by entrapping a conducting polymer within a crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) (pAAc) network. Critically, these hydrogels are cast under freezing conditions which produces cryogels that exhibit macroporous, soft, and highly tunable mechanics (0.2–20 kPa, by varying pAAc and crosslinker concentrations). Additionally, these cryogels are tough enough to survive over 90% compression, which enables survival after being passed through 16‐gauge needles. Cryogels also exhibit electrical conductivities that are sufficient to record alpha waves from the scalp of human subjects. Growth of fibroblasts cultures in the presence of these cryogels produce statistically similar viabilities compared to controls and do not disrupt fibroblast cell cycles. Finally, cryogels are capable of being loaded with and delivering proteins that can potentially combat inflammation.
Physical Activity, Exercise, and Physiotherapy in Parkinson's Disease: Defining the Concepts
Authors: Bouça‐Machado Raquel , Rosário Ana , Caldeira Daniel , Castro Caldas Ana , Guerreiro Daniela , Venturelli Massimo , Tinazzi Michele , Schena Federico , J. Ferreira Joaquim 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundExercise is gaining extreme relevancy as a new therapeutic intervention for Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the frequent misuse of the concepts exercise, physiotherapy, and physical activity limits the possibility of summarizing research findings. This review aims to clarify these concepts and summarize the evidence on exercise in PD.MethodsWe critically appraised physical activity–related concepts and conducted a systematic review of clinical trials evaluating exercise interventions in PD. Additionally, we discussed the implications for PD clinical practice and research.ResultsExercise is a subset of physical activity, and a major component of physiotherapy for PD management, having as the main goal to improve physical fitness. The appraisal of the 83 identified clinical trials found high variability in exercise interventions. Multimodal exercise was the most studied, and 60 minutes, two times/week for 12 weeks, the most reported prescription parameters.ConclusionThe best available evidence recommends increasing physical activity levels in PD. Exercise and physiotherapy programs seem the most efficacious strategies to achieve this goal. As a result of the heterogeneity in the type and manner exercise is prescribed, it is not possible to propose strong recommendations for exercise in PD. We believe that, in addition to the clarification of concepts here presented, a collaborative and rigorous work of different areas of knowledge is needed.
A radial clutch needle for facile and safe tissue compartment access
Authors: O’Cearbhaill Eoin D. , Laulicht Bryan , Mitchell Niamh , Yu Lawrence , Valic Michael , Masiakos Peter , Karp Jeffrey M. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractEfficient and safe access to targeted therapeutic sites is a universal challenge in minimally invasive medical intervention. Percutaneous and transluminal needle insertion is often performed blindly and requires significant user skill and experience to avoid complications associated with the damage of underlying tissues or organs. Here, we report on the advancement of a safer needle with a radial mechanical clutch, which is designed to prevent overshoot injuries through the automatic stopping of the needle once a target cavity is reached. The stylet‐mounted clutch system is inexpensive to manufacture and compatible with standard hypodermic or endoscopic needles and therefore can be adapted to achieve safe access in a myriad of minimally invasive procedures, including targeted drug delivery, at‐home and in‐hospital intravenous access, laparoscopic and endo‐ and transluminal interventions. Here, we demonstrate the clutch needle design optimization and illustrate its potential for rapid and safe minimally invasive cannulation.
A compact outphasing power amplifier with integrated reactive compensation
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Chen Shichang , Cai Jialin , Zhou Xinyu , Chan Wing S. , Wang Gaofeng 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAn innovative design methodology is presented to simplify the architecture of outphasing power amplifier (PA). The proposed design, by absorbing transistor parasitic capacitance into reactance compensating network intrinsic for a Chireix outphasing amplifier, greatly reduces the complexity of impedance modulation network at the output side, hence reducing the overall circuit size. Theoretical formulations regarding the introduced design technique are fully described and the effectiveness is verified through the implementation of a 2.6‐GHz PA prototype intended for long term evolution application. The realized circuit achieves maximum power of 44.8 dBm based on two 10‐W gallium nitride (GaN) high electron mobility transistor (HEMTs), accompanying maximum 73.3% drain efficiency between the saturation point and 6‐dB output back‐off point. At the 6‐dB output back‐off point, the drain efficiency reaches 63.5%.
Poorer outcome of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the Bedouin population: A report from the Berlin‐Frankfurt‐Muenster–based Israeli national protocols
Authors: Elhasid Ronit , Nirel Ronit , Avigad Smadar , Avrahami Gali , Abramov Aya , Attias Dina , Arad Nira , Ballin Ami , Ben‐Arush Myriam , Bielorai Bella , Burstein Yoav , Elitzur Sarah , Gabriel Herzel , Hameiri‐Grossman Michal , Kapelushnik Joseph , Sthoeger Dalia , Toren Amos , Wientraub Michael , Yaniv Isaac , Izraeli Shai , Stark Batia 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundTherapy outcomes for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) had substantially improved in the last decades, but variability across racial and ethnic groups was identified in some clinical studies. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether such a difference in outcome is found in the diverse ethnicities in Israel as well.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted among 1154 patients (855 Jews, 195 Muslims, 52 Bedouins, 26 Druze, and 26 others) aged 1 to 21 years, who were diagnosed with ALL between 1989 and 2011 and were treated according to the same Berlin‐Frankfurt‐Muenster–based Israel National Study protocols.ResultsBedouins had a higher incidence of t(1;19) (16% vs 3% for non‐Bedouins) and a lower incidence of high‐hyperdiploidy (10% vs 25% for non‐Bedouins) (P = 0.01). Five‐year event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were poorer for the Bedouins (60.3% ± 7.2% and 63.1% ± 7.2%, respectively) compared with the Jews, Muslims, and Druze (80.4% ± 1.4%, 77.3% ± 3.2%, and 84% ± 7.3%, respectively, for EFS [P = 0.02], and 86.3% ± 1.2%, 82.3% ± 2.9%, and 88.3% ± 6.4%, respectively, for OS [P = 0.002]). Adherence to intensive chemotherapy was similar between the Muslims and the Bedouins.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the Bedouins, a highly inbred ethnic Arab people, may be considered a higher risk group that may need more intensive chemotherapy and/or supportive care in order to improve their outcome.
Steady‐State Ceftazidime‐Avibactam Serum Concentrations and Dosing Recommendations in a Critically Ill Patient Being Treated for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pneumonia and Undergoing Continuous Venovenous Hemodiafiltration
Authors: Soukup Paige , Faust Andrew C. , Edpuganti Vindhya , Putnam William C. , McKinnell James A. 
Published: October 2019

Ceftazidime‐avibactam (CAZ‐AVI) is a novel intravenous β‐lactam/β‐lactamase inhibitor combination used in the treatment of multidrug‐resistant (MDR) gram‐negative infections. Although renal dosing recommendations exist for the medication, limited data are available for dosing in patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy. In this report, we describe a case in which CAZ‐AVI 2.5 g was administered as a 2‐hour infusion every 8 hours to a 50‐year‐old critically ill patient with MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CAZ‐AVI minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] 8 μg/ml) pneumonia who was also receiving continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF). Total serum concentrations of both ceftazidime and avibactam were measured at ~0.5, 2, 4, and 6 hours after completion of the 2‐hour infusion of the 11th dose of CAZ‐AVI. Ceftazidime pharmacokinetic parameters were as follows: maximum serum concentration (Cmax) 152.39 μg/ml, half‐life 5.17 hours, volume of distribution at steady state (Vdss) 11.51 L, clearance 1.54 L/hour, and area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC) 1295.38 hour•μg/ml. This regimen achieved free ceftazidime serum concentrations more than 4 times the MIC for 100% of the dosing interval. Avibactam pharmacokinetic parameters were as follows: Cmax 35.83 μg/ml, half‐life 5.92 hours, Vdss 12.44 L, clearance 1.45 L/hour, and AUC 343.44 hour•μg/ml, which achieved free avibactam concentrations above 1 μg/ml for 100% of the dosing interval. Higher CAZ‐AVI dosing is critical in the treatment of pneumonia due to limited ceftazidime penetration into epithelial lining fluid; however, epithelial lining fluid drug concentrations were not collected or measured. Based on this case report and the available evidence, a dose of CAZ‐AVI 2.5 g infused over 2 hours every 8 hours appears to be appropriate for critically ill patients who are being treated for pneumonia and are receiving CVVHDF.
Radio‐Frequency Identification of Metal AM Parts
Authors: Binder Maximilian , Schönfeld Fabian , Anstätt Christine , Schlick Georg , Seidel Christian , Reinhart Gunther 
Published: October 2019

AbstractRadio frequency identification technology (RFID) is used extensively as a transponder in product identification and goods logistics. Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies such as metal‐processing laser beam melting (LBM) make it possible to interrupt and continue production processes at any time. Using this advantage, it is possible to interrupt the layer‐by‐layer building process at a specific height of the z axis in order to integrate components such as RFID tags. This allows metallic components to be uniquely marked with an invisible and firmly fixed tag during their manufacture. The challenge of this approach is to find suitable criteria for integrating RFIDs into metal, as metallic environments have a strong negative impact on the transmission range.
Dreams Come True
Authors: Haensel Klaus G. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractExperienced CO2 laser beam users once modified the given beam guiding systems and related optics to achieve tailored beam parameters for their applications. This included M2 or k values, power density, the power density distribution and / or the complete beam profile, the Rayleigh Length and more sophisticates' ones like twin spot, triple spot, line spot, homogenized profiles or even assist gas performance and additional relevant process conditions. Different elements, like beam expanders, beam splitters, different focal lengths or even zoom optics or beam shaping optics enable and support such tailoring.
Automation Tools for Packaging and Testing
Authors: González Ana Belén 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPhotonic technologies have an impressive potential to introduce new and amazing functionality in different devices. However, there are still bottlenecks that hinder the introduction of these highly mature technologies into innovative products mainly related to packaging and testing of these devices, together with the lack of automatized tools and standards that would allow a cost‐effective ramping up in the production. To face these challenges, 74 top experts in packaging and automated processes met at the EPIC meeting on automation tools for packaging and testing at Amicra technologies (Regensburg, Germany, on 23 – 24 May) to decide the guidelines for the manufacturing of the next generation of photonic‐based products. This article gives an overview of the learnings from this meeting as well as the main discussions and technologies presented there.
Bin Picking System
Authors: Kratky Adrian 
Published: October 2019

AbstractA lot has already been written about problems that generally arise in bin picking solutions and applications. This article, in contrast, will present a case study describing a bin picking system for the automation of hot forming and laser cutting processes developed by Photoneo for a specific customer. The custom features, specially developed for this client, have been transformed into generally available ones that are currently deployed by a wide audience of users.
Inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase can reduce extracellular traps from neutrophils in asthmatic children in vitro
Authors: Li Wen‐Xuan , Wang Fei , Zhu Yun‐Qian , Zhang Li‐Mei , Zhang Zhen‐Hua , Wang Xiao‐Ming 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAimThis study aimed to explore the link between neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and childhood asthma, to investigate the ability of nitric oxide (NO) to induce NETs in asthmatic children and find inhibitors to reduce NETs in the NO synthesis pathway.MethodsA total of 49 children with mild persistent asthma were included in the study and 20 healthy children's blood samples were collected as healthy controls. Children with asthma were divided into symptomatic and asymptomatic groups according to the presence or absence of symptoms on the day of blood collection. Neutrophils in peripheral blood were isolated and plasma was preserved. NO donor (sodium nitroferricyanide(III) dehydrate [SNP]) could provide NO and proved by a fluorescent probe. A PicoGreen Kit was used to detect the NETs quantificationally. Fluorescence microscopy prepared to observe the main structures of NETs. We measured NETs components (extracellular free double‐stranded DNA [dsDNA]) in healthy, symptomatic and asymptomatic groups' plasma samples, and we compared the ability of SNP with phosphate‐buffered saline, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) to induce NETs. NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors were added to see the impact on NETs formation.ResultsPlasma was obtained from all blood samples of 69 children. The neutrophils of 40 asthmatic and 20 healthy children were successfully obtained, the recovery rate was over 95%, and the cell activity was over 80%. There was higher extracellular free dsDNA in the plasma of symptomatic group (n = 27) than asymptomatic group (n = 22) and healthy group (n = 20; P < .05). Studies on neutrophils from 40 children with asthma found that NO can be produced by adding SNP, PMA, and LPS. SNP could induce NETs with dose‐ and time‐dependent. PMA (160 nM) had the strongest ability to induce NETs, LPS (200 ng/mL) followed, SNP (200 µM) was the weakest (P < .05), and the amount of NETs in the asthma group was significantly higher than that in the healthy group (P < .05). NOS inhibitors had the same blocking capacity for PMA‐ and LPS‐induced NETs (P > .05), while NG‐nitro‐
l‐arginine methyl ester (500 µM) had the strongest inhibitory effect on SNP induction with time‐dependent (P < .05). Inducible NOS was found in the NETs structure.ConclusionChildren with asthma had higher levels of NETs in peripheral blood, especially when they had asthma symptoms. We verified the ability of NO to induce NETs, and found neutrophils from asthmatic children can produce more NETs in vitro. NOS inhibitors blocked this process may provide new therapeutic targets for childhood asthma.
Ecological niche modelling of Gargaphia decoris (Heteroptera), a biological control agent of the invasive tree Solanum mauritianum (Solanales: Solanaceae)
Authors: Minghetti Eugenia , Olivera Leonela , Montemayor Sara I 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe South American tree Solanum mauritianum Scopoli (Solanaceae) is a problematic invasive plant in numerous tropical, subtropical and temperate regions around the globe. Because conventional management approaches are not cost‐effective, biological control provides an alternative approach. Gargaphia decoris Drake (Tingidae) is currently used as a biological control agent in South Africa and New Zealand. Considering the importance of climate in the establishment and success of a biological control agent, this study used ecological niche models (ENM) to identify areas where S. mauritianum is a problematic invader and where suitable conditions exist for G. decoris. Additionally, the climate niche dynamics of G. decoris were investigated and ENMs projected worldwide for the year 2050 were built.RESULTSOur results indicate that most of the countries where S. mauritianum is problematic have suitable climatic conditions for G. decoris, and that the species can survive in climates with temperatures lower than those in its native range. For future climates, ENMs predict wider regions with favourable climatic conditions for G. decoris.CONCLUSIONConsidering the results of this study, the prospects of using G. decoris as a biological control agent are good under current and future climates. Introduction of this agent could be considered in affected countries where it has not been released. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Advancing cover cropping in temperate integrated weed management
Authors: Gerhards Roland , Schappert Alexandra 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe effects of cover crops on weeds and the underlying mechanisms of competition, physical control and allelopathy are not fully understood. Current knowledge reveals great potential for using cover crops as a preventive method in integrated weed management. Cover crops are able to suppress 70–95% of weeds and volunteer crops in the fall‐to‐spring period between two main crops. In addition, cover crop residues can reduce weed emergence during early development of the following cash crop by presenting a physical barrier and releasing allelopathic compounds into the soil solution. Therefore, cover crops can partly replace the weed suppressive function of stubble‐tillage operations and non‐selective chemical weed control in the fall‐to‐spring season. This review describes methods to quantify the competitive and allelopathic effects of cover crops. Insight obtained through such analysis is useful for mixing competitive and allelopathic cover crop species with maximal total weed suppression ability. It seems that cover crops produce and release more allelochemicals when plants are exposed to stress or physical damage. Avena strigose, for example, showed stronger weed suppression under dry conditions than during a moist autumn. These findings raise the question of whether allelopathy can be induced artificially. © 2019 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Effect of Starch Isolation Method on Structural and Physicochemical Properties of Acorn Kernel Starch
Authors: Zhang Zuosheng , Saleh Ahmed S. M. , Wu Hao , Gou Min , Liu Yu , Jing Luzhen , Zhao Kun , Su Chunyan , Zhang Bo , Li Wenhao 
Published: October 2019

AbstractStarch is isolated from kernel of acorn fruit (Quercus fabri) using different methods, including hot‐water soaking (HWS), alkaline washing (ALW), ultrasonic‐assisted ethanol soaking (UAES), and ultrasonic‐assisted hot‐water soaking (UAWS). Structural and physicochemical properties of starches isolated using these methods are investigated. The surface structure of acorn starch granules varies depending on the isolation method. However, a similar C‐type crystalline pattern is found for all the isolated starch samples. Acorn starches isolated using the ALW and UAES methods exhibit a greater degrees of crystallinity than those of starches isolated using the other methods. FT‐IR spectra analysis reveals that the chemical bonds in starch molecules are not affected during the isolation of acorn starch under different conditions. Moreover, starch isolated using the UAES method exhibits the greatest water solubility, swelling power, and light transmittance values, as well as the lowest tannin content. In addition, the lightest white color is found for starch isolated using the ALW method. Furthermore, the HWS and ALW methods result in acorn starch with greater enthalpy and gelatinization temperatures, whereas the UAES and UAWS isolation methods result in acorn starch with greater peak viscosity. The obtained results provide important knowledge about the differences in physicochemical properties of acorn starch isolated using different methods.
PBL and sustainable education: addressing the problem of isolation
Authors: Noordegraaf-Eelens Liesbeth , Kloeg Julien , Noordzij Gera 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Problem-based learning (PBL) is an innovative educational approach that dates back to the 1960s. However, the twenty-first century goal of sustainable education poses a challenge to PBL, especially as it relates to isolation. Here we discuss the underlying issue of isolation in three respects. First, the information-processing model of PBL depends on generalized skills, whereas real life problem-solving skills involve context-bound cognitive processes. Second, in all models of PBL, the focus on knowledge acquisition for a specific problem improves performance but separates education from the world at large. Third, the existing culture of measurement strengthens the aforementioned isolating effects. In response, we introduce a conceptual approach based on Hannah Arendt’s technical notion of ‘world’. We make suggestions to meet the criteria of sustainable education by reconnecting PBL to our shared world, and emphasizing a responsibility for this shared world.
Dual polymer networks: a new strategy in expanding the repertoire of hydrogels for biomedical applications
Authors: Nkhwa Shathani , Kemal Evren , Gurav Neelam , Deb Sanjukta 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Inspired by the double network hydrogel systems we report the formulation of dual networks, which expands the repertoire of this class of materials for potential biomedical applications. The tough dual network hydrogels were designed through sequential interpenetrating polymer formation, applying green chemistry and low-cost methods, devoid of any initiator-activator complexes that may pose risks in biomedical applications. The dual networks were synthesized in two steps, firstly the water soluble poly(vinyl alcohol) was subjected to cryogelation that formed the first network, which was then expanded by intrusion of a dilute solution of sodium alginate and complexed with a solution of calcium chloride under ambient conditions and further freeze-thawed. These hydrogels are flexible, ductile and porous with the ability to absorb and retain fluids as well as possess the versatility to easily incorporate biological molecules/drugs/antibiotics to be applied in tissue matrices or drug delivery systems. The dual network hydrogels can be tailored to have varying mechanical properties, shapes, size, thickness and particularly can be made physically porous if required, to suit the users intended application.