bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perceptions and practices for beta‐lactam antibiotic dosing, administration, and monitoring in critically ill patients: Current views and use among critical care and infectious diseases pharmacists
Authors: Hammond Drayton A. , McCreary Erin K. , Rech Megan A. , Smith Melanie N. , Yeo Qiu Min , Lusardi Katherine , Rhodes Nathaniel J. , Swanson Joseph M. , Bland Christopher M. 
Published: February 2019

PurposeTo elucidate considerations that infectious diseases (ID) and critical care (CC) pharmacists have regarding beta‐lactam antibiotics in critically ill adult patients in order to identify areas for practice improvement and future research.Materials and MethodsA 17‐item survey was distributed to ID and CC pharmacists. Responses were characterized using frequency and descriptive statistics. Categorical variables were compared using χ2 or Fisher's exact test, as appropriate.ResultsNinety‐five of 834 ID pharmacists (11.4%) and 221 of 1436 CC pharmacists (15.4%) participated. Compared with ID pharmacists, more CC pharmacists would administer renally‐excreted beta‐lactams in critically ill patients with reduced renal function without dosage adjustment for 24 hours (17% vs 34%, P = 0.002). Most respondents believed therapeutic drug monitoring would be somewhat/very important in all surveyed scenarios. ID pharmacists more frequently believed antimicrobial stewardship teams should conduct prospective audits for definitive beta‐lactam therapy (98% vs 86%, P = 0.001), develop protocols for beta‐lactam use (95% vs 85%, P = 0.019), recommend beta‐lactam dosing (98% vs 85%, P < 0.001), and recommend empirical beta‐lactam selection (95% vs 81%, P = 0.001) compared with CC pharmacists.ConclusionBeta‐lactam dosing and monitoring recommendations in critically ill adults were frequently similar between pharmacy specialties. Research should be conducted in areas where opinions differ between specialties.
Juice from fescue grain sorghum to produce bioethanol for gasoline additive
Authors: Salinas Hernández Pastora , Morales Anzures Fernando , Martínez Mendoza Eduardo , Romero Romo Mario A , Ramírez Silva Maria T 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the juice of the fescue grain sorghum, since it is a low‐cost agricultural waste, for the production of bioethanol to be used as a gasoline additive. In addition, the octane number has been investigated by varying the ethanol‐gasoline mixture 2, 6 and 10%.RESULTSThe wort fermentation was carried out with commercial bread yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The liquor obtained was characterized and quantified through gas chromatography. Bioethanol–gasoline mixtures were prepared as: 2, 6 and 10% v/v to determine their octane index. Bioethanol was purified in a fractional distillation tower, attaining thereby a 93.5% purity: lastly, it was dehydrated through molecular sieves to obtain a 99.2% final purity bioethanol. Spectroscopy aided also to determine that the bioethanol–gasoline mixture containing 10% ethanol attained an octane index of 89, which is the value required for commercial gasoline in Mexico.CONCLUSIONThe bioethanol obtained from the fermentation of juice of fescue grain sorghum is indeed viable to be used as additive in gasolines. The fermentation can be carried out with the bread yeast, at the natural pH of the juice and without the addition of nutrients, which leads to an attractive economic process. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Perspectives on facilitating whole exome sequencing for international patients at Mayo Clinic
Authors: Bertsch Nicole , Agre Katherine , Ewing Sarah , Gunderson Lauren , Kemppainen Jennifer , Murphree Marine 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWhole exome sequencing (WES) has become a fundamental component of genetic evaluation and diagnosing rare genetic diseases. This test is now offered to patients from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds and in various clinical and research settings. This commentary is a reflection of one group of clinical genetic counselors’ experiences in facilitating WES for patients who come from outside the United States for genetic evaluation and pursue WES. This patient population in our clinic primarily consists of individuals from the Middle East and presents recurrent logistical and counseling challenges. We aim to describe our international patient population, illuminate the challenges we have faced and illustrate how we have addressed these challenges.
Contribution of snowfall from diverse synoptic conditions in the Catskill/Delaware Watershed of New York State
Authors: Suriano Zachary J. , Leathers Daniel J. , Hall Dorothy K. , Frei Allan 
Published: February 2019

Snowfall in the six basins of the Catskill/Delaware Watershed in south‐central New York State historically contributes roughly 20–30% of the water resources derived from the watershed for use in the New York City water supply. The watershed regularly experiences snowfall from three distinctive weather patterns: coastal mid‐latitude cyclones, overrunning systems, and lake‐effect or Great Lakes enhanced storms. Using synoptic weather classification techniques, these distinct regional atmospheric patterns impacting the watershed are isolated and analysed in conjunction with daily snowfall observations from 1960 to 2009 to allow the influence of each synoptic weather pattern on snowfall to be evaluated independently.Results indicate that snowfall‐producing events occur on average approximately 63 days/year, or once every 4 days during the October–May season, leading to an average of 213 cm/year of snowfall within the watershed. Snowfall from Great Lakes enhanced storms and overrunning systems contribute nearly equally to seasonal totals, representing 38 and 39%, respectively. Coastal mid‐latitude cyclones, while producing the highest amount of snowfall per event on average, contribute only 16% to the watershed average total snowfall. Predicted climate change is expected to impact snowfall differently depending on the specific atmospheric pattern producing the snow. As such, quantifying the contribution of snowfall to the watershed by synoptic pattern can inform future water management and reservoir operation practices for the New York City Water Supply Management System.
Fabrication and physicochemical and antibacterial properties of ethyl cellulose‐structured cinnamon oil oleogel: relation between ethyl cellulose viscosity and oleogel performance
Authors: Zhang Kai , Wang Wenhang , Wang Xiao , Cheng Shan , Zhou Jingyang , Wu Zinan , Li Yu 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundEdible packaging and coating with natural antimicrobials such as essential oils is an emerging technology for the control of pathogen growth in meat products. This study aimed to explore ethyl cellulose (EC) of three viscosities for the structuring of cinnamon essential oil (CEO), and investigated the physicochemical properties of the resulting oleogel and its emulsion, as well as the corresponding antibacterial activity in model and actual environments (as in sausages).ResultsThe network structure of CEO‐EC oleogel was more compact with increased EC viscosity, thereby improving the binding capacity and stability of the oil. A positive correlation was found between EC viscosity and particle size of the CEO‐EC emulsion. The 45 cP CEO‐EC emulsion exhibited greatest antimicrobial activitiy in models with Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 (ATCC 700927) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (ATCC 29213), as well as in sausage, with respect to total counts of mesophilic bacteria, psychrotrophs, lactobacilli, and pseudomonads.ConclusionThe CEO‐EC oleogel has antibacterial activity, determined by the EC viscosity, that provide potential antibacterial protection for meat products and might be especially suitable for some traditional Chinese ready‐to‐eat sausages without strictly sealed packaging. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Short‐term effect of helicopter‐based capture on movements of a social ungulate
Authors: Jung Thomas S. , Konkolics Sean M. , Kukka Piia M. , Majchrzak Yasmine N. , Menzies Allyson K. , Oakley Michelle P. , Peers Michael J.L. , Studd Emily K. 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTCapture and handling of wildlife is often an important component of studies where detailed demographic, behavioral, physiological, or health data are required. Yet, capturing and handling wildlife is sometimes controversial and lacking public support because of concern about effects on individuals. Investigating potential effects of capturing wildlife is also important to inform data‐censoring protocols when using information obtained from captured animals. We investigated the short‐term effect of helicopter‐based capture and handling on movements of free‐ranging bison (Bison bison) that were chemically immobilized in Yukon, Canada. We examined daily movement rates, home range size, and displacement of global positioning system‐collared individuals immediately after capture and for 20 days thereafter. Our results indicate that there is a minimal short‐term effect of helicopter‐based capture on bison movements. Significant differences from apparent pre‐capture movement behavior were observed only within 24 hours after capture. We observed variation among individuals, however, with some animals taking up to 10 days to return to apparent pre‐capture movement rates, whereas others had no measurable response to capture. Despite individual variation, >80% of individuals had returned to apparent pre‐capture movement behavior within the first 5 days after capture. Furthermore, sex‐based effects were evident: females increased their daily movement rates, home range size, and displacement after capture, whereas males had either no effect or decreased movement rates. Our results suggest that movement rates are altered for only a short period after capture and, therefore, should not have severe negative effects on bison using our protocols. Accordingly, researchers should censor the first 10 days after capture from their analyses to avoid using biased information. Our study should also help inform public discourse regarding capturing and handling wildlife for research or management purposes. © 2019 The Wildlife Society
Cross‐Network Directory Service: Infrastructure to enable collaborations across distributed research networks
Authors: Malenfant Jessica M. , Hochstadt Jenny , Nolan Bridget , Barrett Kimberly , Corriveau Dean , Dee Daniel , Harris Marcelline , Herzig‐Marx Chayim , Nair Vinit P. , Wyner Zachary , Brown Jeffrey S. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIntroductionExisting large‐scale distributed health data networks are disconnected even as they address related questions of healthcare research and public policy. This paper describes the design and implementation of a fully functional prototype open‐source tool, the Cross‐Network Directory Service (CNDS), which addresses much of what keeps distributed networks disconnected from each other.MethodsThe set of services needed to implement a Cross‐Directory Service was identified through engagement with stakeholders and workgroup members. CNDS was implemented using PCORnet and Sentinel network instances and tested by participating data partners.ResultsWeb services that enable the four major functional features of the service (registration, discovery, communication, and governance) were developed and placed into an open‐source repository. The services include a robust metadata model that is extensible to accommodate a virtually unlimited inventory of metadata fields, without requiring any further software development. The user interfaces are programmatically generated based on the contents of the metadata model.ConclusionThe CNDS pilot project gathered functional requirements from stakeholders and collaborating partners to build a software application to enable cross‐network data and resource sharing. The two partners—one from Sentinel and one from PCORnet—tested the software. They successfully entered metadata about their organizations and data sources and then used the Discovery and Communication functionality to find data sources of interest and send a cross‐network query. The CNDS software can help integrate disparate health data networks by providing a mechanism for data partners to participate in multiple networks, share resources, and seamlessly send queries across those networks.
Combining ATRP and ROMP with Thio‐Bromo, Copper‐Catalyzed, and Strain‐Promoted Click Reactions for Brush Copolymer Synthesis Starting from a Single Initiator/Monomer/Click Partner
Authors: Hobbs Christopher E. , Vasireddy Mallikharjun 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe preparation of functionalized graft copolymers utilizing a combination of ATRP, ROMP, thio‐bromo, and Huisgen‐type click chemistries is described. The construction of these polymeric architectures hinges on the use of a norbornene‐based α‐bromo ester that can act as an ATRP initiator and ROMP monomer (a so‐called inimer), as well as a thio‐bromo click partner. This allows for the use of a “grafting‐through” ROMP approach of ATRP‐based macromonomers that can undergo a post‐polymerization thio‐bromo click modification. Additionally, this material can undergo further modifications using archetypal copper‐catalyzed azide/alkyne click reaction as well as metal‐free strain‐promoted azide/alkyne click reactions.
Porous Polyimide and Carbon Nanotubes: Solvent Vapor–Induced Transformation in the Nanochannels of Anodic Aluminum Oxide Templates
Authors: He Hung‐Chieh , Tu Yi‐Hsuan , Li Jia‐Wei , Lin Yu‐Liang , Chen Jiun‐Tai 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPolyimides (PIs) have attracted wide attention because of their exceptional thermal stability and applications in areas such as printed circuit boards and multichip modules. It remains a great challenge, however, to control the morphologies and properties of PI‐based nanomaterials, especially porous PI‐based nanotubes. In this work, a versatile method to fabricate porous PI nanotubes via the template method is developed, with a solvent vapor–induced transformation process. First, polyamic acid (PAA) solutions are used as precursors and infiltrated into the nanochannels of anodic aluminum oxide templates, forming PAA nanotubes. After the samples are annealed in tetrahydrofuran or dimethylformamide vapors, depression of the PAA tubes occurs, causing the formation of pores. The porous PAA nanotubes can be further converted to porous PI and carbon nanotubes by imidization and carbonization processes, respectively. The pore sizes of the porous nanomaterials can be controlled by changing the type of the annealing solvent and the solvent annealing time.
A Novel Candidate for Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis: Urolithin B Decreases Lipid Plaque Deposition in apoE−/− Mice and Increases Early Stages of Reverse Cholesterol Transport in ox‐LDL Treated Macrophages Cells
Authors: Zhao Wenhua , Wang Lixue , Haller Viktoria , Ritsch Andreas 
Published: February 2019

ScopeHDL cholesterol is inversely related to the incidence of atherosclerosis. Polyphenols including ellagitannins have been shown to exert antiatherogenic properties. Urolithin B is formed from ellagitannins by components of the gut microbiota, and urolithins might be involved in beneficial effects against cardiovascular diseases in vitro. In this study, the influence of urolithin B on several parameters involved in the lipid plaque deposition and the reverse cholesterol transport is investigated.Methods and resultsIn apoE−/− mice and two different macrophage cell lines, the influence of urolithin B and its phase II conjugated metabolite on lipid plaque deposition, cholesterol uptake, and expression of ABCA1 and SR‐BI is tested. It is shown that urolithin B decreases lipid plaque deposition, both urolithin B and urolithin B sulfate modulate expression of SR‐BI and ABCA1, and cholesterol efflux increases from cholesterol laden macrophages to HDL particles as well as to reverse lipid uptake by stimulated THP‐1 macrophages.ConclusionsUrolithin B can decrease lipid plaque deposition, and urolithin B and urolithin B sulfate are able to induce reverse cholesterol transport by influencing expression of key proteins of this pathway. Urolithin B may represent the basis for development of new drugs for prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis in humans.
Compact ultra‐wideband Vivaldi antenna for ground‐penetrating radar detection applications
Authors: Elsheakh Dalia N. , Abdallah Esmat A. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis article presents a study an ultra‐wide bandwidth (UWB) antenna for ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) applications. The GPR is a favorable technology for detection and identification of buried object as landmine or mummy. Vivaldi antennas are studied in terms of operating frequency range and phase to detect an object buried in the sand layer from 1 up to 10 m. The designed Vivaldi antenna is printed on a thick economic FR4 substrate with concise dimensions 12
×13
×1 cm3 and operates in the frequency range that extended from 0.4 GHz up to 10 GHz. Experimental results verified good agreement with the simulated results. The proposed antenna has electrically large length with size reduction about 35% from the original antenna size. Vivaldi shape has large average gain about 17 dBi with above 80% average efficiency to differentiate between hidden object material and their shapes. Three‐dimensional electromagnetic simulator, namely High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) version 14 is used to simulate the proposed antenna.
Technical Note: Simplified and practical pretherapy tumor dosimetry — A feasibility study for 131I‐MIBG therapy of neuroblastoma using 124I‐MIBG PET/CT
Authors: Seo Youngho , Huh Yoonsuk , Huang Shih‐ying , Hernandez‐Pampaloni J. Miguel , Hawkins Randall A. , Gustafson W. Clay , Vo Kieuhoa T. , Matthay Katherine K. 
Published: February 2019

PurposeRadiation dose calculated on tumors for radiopharmaceutical therapy varies significantly from tumor to tumor and from patient to patient. Accurate estimation of radiation dose requires multiple time point measurements using radionuclide imaging modalities such as SPECT or PET. In this report, we show our technical development of reducing the number of scans needed for reasonable estimation of tumor and normal organ dose in our pretherapy imaging and dosimetry platform of 124I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for 131I‐MIBG therapy of neuroblastoma.MethodsWe analyzed the simplest kinetic data, areas of two‐time point data for five patients with neuroblastoma who underwent 3 or 4 times of 124I‐MIBG PET/CT scan prior to 131I‐MIBG therapy. The data for which we derived areas were percent of injected activity (%IA) and standardized uptake value of tumors. These areas were correlated with time‐integrated activity coefficients (TIACs) from full data (3 or 4 time points). TIACs are direct correlates with radiation dose as long as the volume and the radionuclide are known.ResultsThe areas of %IAs between data obtained from all the two‐time points with time points 1 and 2 (day 0 and day 1), time points 2 and 3 (day 1 and day 2), and time points 1 and 3 (day 0 and day 2) showed reasonable correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient |r| > 0.5) with not only tumor and organ TIACs but also tumor and organ absorbed doses. The tumor and organ doses calculated using %IA areas of time point 1 and time point 2 were our best fits at about 20% individual percent difference compared to doses calculated using 3 or 4 time points.ConclusionsWe could achieve reasonable accuracy of estimating tumor doses for subsequent radiopharmaceutical therapy using only the two‐time point imaging sessions. Images obtained from these time points (within the 48‐h after administration of radiopharmaceutical) were also viewed as useful for diagnostic reading. Although our analysis was specific to 124I‐MIBG PET/CT pretherapy imaging data for 131I‐MIBG therapy of neuroblastoma and the number of imaging datasets was not large, this feasible methodology would generally be applicable to other imaging and therapeutic radionuclides with an appropriate data analysis similar to our analysis to other imaging and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.
Indirect methods for improving parameter estimation of PET kinetic models
Authors: Huang Hsuan‐Ming , Liu Chih‐Chieh , Lin Chieh 
Published: February 2019

PurposeParametric images obtained from kinetic modeling of dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) data provide a new way of visualizing quantitative parameters of the tracer kinetics. However, due to the high noise level in pixel‐wise image‐driven time‐activity curves, parametric images often suffer from poor quality and accuracy. In this study, we propose an indirect parameter estimation framework which aims to improve the quality and quantitative accuracy of parametric images.MethodsThree different approaches related to noise reduction and advanced curve fitting algorithm are used in the proposed framework. First, dynamic PET images are denoised using a kernel‐based denoising method and the highly constrained backprojection technique. Second, gradient‐free curve fitting algorithms are exploited to improve the accuracy and precision of parameter estimates. Third, a kernel‐based post‐filtering method is applied to parametric images to further improve the quality of parametric images. Computer simulations were performed to evaluate the performance of the proposed framework.Results and conclusionsThe simulation results showed that when compared to the Gaussian filtering, the proposed denoising method could provide better PET image quality, and consequentially improve the quality and quantitative accuracy of parametric images. In addition, gradient‐free optimization algorithms (i.e., pattern search) can result in better parametric images than the gradient‐based curve fitting algorithm (i.e., trust‐region‐reflective). Finally, our results showed that the proposed kernel‐based post‐filtering method could further improve the precision of parameter estimates while maintaining the accuracy of parameter estimates.
The validation of a new online cognitive assessment tool: The MyCognition Quotient
Authors: Domen Anna C. , van de Weijer Sjors C.F. , Jaspers Monique W. , Denys Damiaan , Nieman Dorien H. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractObjectivesCognitive impairment affects many psychiatric patients, influences daily functioning, and should be an important treatment focus. Assessment of cognitive status is crucial in cognitive remediation studies. However, current test batteries have limitations. A new, online tool, the MyCognition Quotient (MyCQ), was developed to assess cognition within 30 min. We present the psychometric properties and aim to determine the validity of the MyCQ by comparing it with the Cambridge Neuropsychological Automated Test Battery (CANTAB).MethodsEighty‐seven patients diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder, or major depressive disorder were included. Patients completed both the MyCQ and CANTAB.ResultsOur hypothesized domains of psychomotor speed, attention, episodic memory, working memory, and executive functioning were confirmed by principal component analysis. The MyCQ total score correlated highly with the CANTAB total score. The MyCQ domains of psychomotor speed, attention, and episodic memory showed moderate to high correlations with corresponding CANTAB domains. Working memory and executive functioning had limited divergent validity.ConclusionThe MyCQ appears to be a promising instrument for assessing cognition online within a mixed psychiatric population. It is cost‐efficient, easily administered, and usable in different psychiatric populations, which makes it a good candidate for both clinical and community studies.