bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Poly(2-Hydroxy Ethyl Methacrylate-co-Acrylic Acid) as Novel Biodegradable Macroporous Hydrogel
Authors: Mohapatra Ranjit , Swain Ashok K , Mohapatra Roomky , Rana Pradeep K , Sahoo Prafulla K 
Published: September 2018

Hydrogels of macroporous copolymer, 2-hydroxyl ethyl methacrylate with acrylic acid, were prepared in the presence of N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide as crosslinker and benzoyl peroxide as initiator. The structure of the copolymer was characterized by FT-IR, H1-NMR and scanning electron microscopy and the thermal stability by thermogravimetric analysis. Its hydrogel character was observed by studying the swelling of the copolymers simply by measuring weight gain and weight loss. The swelling was determined in distilled water, saline solution and buffers of pH, 4 and 9.2, was found to increase with increasing pH, attaining a maximum at pH 9.2. The biodegradability of the copolymers was studied by introducing microbes to the culture media along with the prepared sample and it was verified by examining the surface morphology by SEM. The rate of biodegradation was monitored by the CO2 release method.
Electrically-Conducting Polyolefin Composites Containing Disperse and Fibre Materials as Conductive Secondary Phases
Authors: Atanasov Atanas , Koleva Dimitrina 
Published: September 2018

Polymeric composites based on a combination of polyolefins such as ultra-high-molecular-weight poly(ethylene), high-density poly(ethylene) and poly(propylene) with various disperse and fibre phases, including electrically-conducting polyaniline have been prepared. These composites were characterized by their conductivities as well as by employing optical and electron-scanning microscopy methods. Composites based on a combination of ultra-high-molecular-weight poly(ethylene) with copper and graphite as secondary phases were found to possess conductivities below 10−7 S/m even at degrees of filling of 20 mass%. Composites containing up to 5 mass% carbon fibres or an equivalent combination with graphite had similar conductivity values. However, when the filler content exceeded the above-mentioned values there was a gradual increase in this parameter. Significantly better results were obtained when the polyaniline complex with dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid was introduced as the electrically conducting component. For example, the antistatic properties of composites based on ultra-high-molecular-weight poly(ethylene) or other polyolefins can be achieved at degrees of filling of 1.5 to 2 mass% with respect to the polyaniline component. Moreover, the conductivity values of the materials obtained in the molten state were, approximately, one to two orders of magnitude lower than those prepared by employing the in situ and wet paste methods. The results obtained from optical and electron-scanning microscopy indicate that, for polyaniline contents of ca. 2 mass%, fine particles of the conducting component were uniformly distributed within the thermoplastic polymer matrix. This contributed to the formation of a more sophisticated polymer network with a higher conductivity.
Preparation and Properties of Asphalts Modified with SBS/Organobentonite Blends
Authors: Wang Yun-Pu , Liu Dong-Jie , Li Yu-Feng , Wang You-Peng , Gao Jing-Min 
Published: September 2018

The properties of asphalt that had been modified by adding styrene butadiene styrene block copolymers (SBS) and organobentonite clay were investigated. In asphalt mixtures, additives can be bonded to other constituents by using silane coupling agents (SCA). This improves the high-temperature storage stability, rheological properties and after-ageing properties significantly in comparison with pure SBS modified asphalts. The improvement in high-temperature storage stability could be attributed to the organobentonite and SCA decreasing the difference in densities between SBS and asphalt. The organobentonite and SCA contents affected the rheological and low-temperature physical properties. The optimum amount of organobentonite was 2% and of SCA was 1%. These modifications also improved the after-ageing properties of the modified asphalts to some extent.
Rheological Properties of Aminosilane Surface Treated Short Glass Fibre Reinforced Polypropylenes. Part 1: Steady Shear and Oscillatory Flow Properties in Molten State
Authors: Nishitani Y. , Sekiguchi I. , Hausnerova B. , Zdrazilova N. , Kitano T. 
Published: September 2018

The effect of surface treatment on the rheological properties of 20 and 40 wt.% short glass fibre reinforced polypropylenes (GF/PP) and of the same composites containing maleic anhydride modified polypropylene (GF/mPP/PP) were investigated. Glass fibres were surface-treated by aminosilane coupling agent (ASC, γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane). Steady state shear and dynamic properties in the molten state were measured using a cone and plate type rotational viscometer. Surface treatment increased the rheological properties of the molten composites. This trend was more pronounced for composites containing modified PP. In the case of the GF/PP materials the increase was monotonous for all measured functions, while in the case of the GF/mPP/PP ones, the parameters representing elasticity showed peaks at 0.5 wt.% ASC. The Cox-Merz empirical law was found to be applicable to untreated GF/PP and GF/mPP/PP composites at low shear rates (angular frequencies), where the materials showed Newtonian plateaux. As for ASC surface treated materials, GF/mPP/PP followed the same trend. On the other hand, GF/PP exhibited a higher complex viscosity than the steady state shear one over the whole range of angular frequencies (shear rate) covered by the experiments. Surface treatment enhanced apparent yield stress, as did increasing the glass fibre content. The effect of the latter was more pronounced in the case of the GF/mPP/PP series. The viscosities of the re-mixed composites became lower than those of the original ones, and the difference between untreated and ASC treated systems was detectable only in the case of the complex viscosity of the GF/mPP/PP sample.
Influence of Flame Retardant and Glass Fibre on Non-Isothermal Crystallisation Behaviour of Pa66
Authors: Li Liping , Li Bin , Tang Fei 
Published: September 2018

The authors studied the influence of melamine polyphosphate flame-retardant (MPP-FR) and glass fibre on the non-isothermal crystallisation behaviour of a polyamide (PA66) by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The glass fibre reinforced PA66 (PA66/GF) and its reinforced flame retarded equivalent (PA66/GF/FR) were prepared using a twin-screw extruder. The experimental results demonstrated that the MPP-FR increased the crystallisation rate and decreased the supercooling required for crystallising nucleation. The glass fibres increased the crystallisation rate and the amount of supercooling. Avrami analysis showed that the non-isothermal crystallisation of PA66 and its composites followed the Avrami equation. The activation energy for the transport of macromolecular segments to the growing surface was calculated by using the Kissinger method based upon DSC data, and the calculated activation energies were 243.5 kJ·mol−1, 201.1 kJ·mol−1 and 305.9 kJ·mol−1 for PA66, PA66/GF and PA66/GF/FR, respectively. The activity of nucleation for GF and MPP-FR were 0.87 and 0.79 respectively, calculated by Dobreva's method. The results indicate that the MPP-FR has more effective ability to promote heterogeneous nucleation than GF.
The Design and Manufacture of Advanced 3D Woven Hybrid Composite Materials
Authors: Quinn J.P. , McIlhagger A.T. , McIlhagger R. , Ridgeway K. , Ganeshmal M , King R.S. , Stewart G. 
Published: September 2018

This paper describes a feasibility study to assess the viability and potential benefit of 3D woven textile reinforcements with metallic yarns integrated into the structure. It reports the results from a study of the manufacture and mechanical testing of hybrid 3D woven composite materials. The hybrid structures were manufactured using carbon fibre and aluminium wire, and subsequently impregnated with a two-part aerospace resin system. Details are given concerning the manufacturing issues with hybrid materials, and the results from mechanical testing of the first of these novel hybrid structures are examined. In addition there is a discussion of possible future developments in this area. Some preliminary data within this paper was used in a presentation at TexComp-8 Nottingham, October 2006.
Posterior Spinal Fusion Extended to Stable Vertebra Provides Similar Outcome in Juvenile Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients Compared with Adolescents with Fusion to the Touched Vertebra
Authors: Oksanen H. , Lastikka M. , Helenius L. , Pajulo O. , Helenius I. 
Published: September 2018

Background and Aims: To compare outcomes between posterior spinal fusion of juvenile idiopathic scoliosis and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with a minimum of 2-year follow-up. The juvenile idiopathic scoliosis patients were fused to the stable vertebra and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis to the touched vertebra. We hypothesized that extending the spinal fusion to the stable vertebra in juvenile patients would provide similar outcomes compared with fusion to the touched vertebra in adolescents. Materials and Methods: A prospective comparative study of 21 consecutive children with juvenile (Risser 0) and 84 adolescent (Risser ⩾2) idiopathic scoliosis (1:4 ratio) undergoing bilateral segmental pedicle screw instrumentation and direct vertebral derotation with a minimum of 2-year follow-up. Results: Juvenile patients had a significantly larger main curve (58° vs 53°, p = 0.003), more fused levels (p = 0.012) and posterior column osteotomies (p = 0.014) than adolescent patients. Distal adding-on (>10°) was observed in one (4.7%) juvenile and three (3.6%) adolescent patients (p = 0.80), without the need for revisions. Scoliosis Research Society 24 total score averaged 101 in juvenile and 97 in adolescent group at 2-year follow-up (p = 0.047). Conclusion: Posterior spinal fusion with bilateral segmental pedicle screw instrumentation to the stable vertebra provides similar clinical and radiographic outcomes in juvenile patients as compared with adolescents with fusion to the touched vertebra in idiopathic scoliosis. Health-related quality of life as measured using the Scoliosis Research Society 24 questionnaire at the end of follow-up was better in the juvenile as compared with the adolescent group.
Health Literacy Among Swedish Lung Transplant Recipients 1 to 5 Years After Transplantation
Authors: Lennerling Annette , Kisch Annika M. , Forsberg Anna 
Published: September 2018

Introduction: Understanding medical information and self-management ability is vital for good quality of life among transplant recipients. However, health literacy (HL) has never been investigated among lung transplant recipients. Objective: This study investigated HL among Swedish lung transplant recipients 1 to 5 years after lung transplantation in relation to recovery, fatigue, adherence, cognitive function (CF), and relevant demographic variables. Method: This study was part of a cross-sectional, Swedish multicenter study 1 to 5 years post lung transplantation called Self-Management after Thoracic Transplantation. In total, 117 (57%) of 204 eligible lung recipients due for their yearly follow-up were included; 1 year (n = 35), 2 years (n = 28), 3 years (n = 23), 4 years (n = 20) or 5 years (n = 11) after transplantation. The newest vital sign (NVS) instrument was used to measure the level of HL and contained 6 interview questions. The total scores ranged from 0 to 6 with 0 to 1= inadequate/low, 2 to 3 = marginal, 4 to 6 = adequate/good HL. Results: Twenty-one percent reported an NVS score of 0 to 3 indicating low or marginal HL and 79% scored 4 to 6 indicating adequate HL. Recipients scoring low or marginal were represented in all 5 years posttransplant, and the majority were not able to work. Health literacy was not related to age, sex, fatigue, adherence, recovery, marital status, or self-reported CF. Discussion: Health literacy was good among Swedish lung recipients. Providers should be aware that patients with low HL might present at any time posttransplant, and screening will help identify patients who need extra support.
Use of the Delphi Technique to Obtain Community Input on Leading Contributors to Early Childhood Obesity in Latino Communities
Authors: Andersen Leisha M. , Boles Richard E. , Kaar Jill L. , Gance-Cleveland Bonnie , Gauthier Kristine I. , Cason-Wilkerson Rochelle , Federspiel Deborah , Valenzuela Maria , Thompson Darcy A. 
Published: September 2018

Introduction: In the United States, Latino children are disproportionately affected by childhood obesity and related comorbidities. Stakeholder engagement has the potential to heighten the efficacy of interventions, thereby reducing the disparate prevalence of obesity among Latino children. The objective of this study was to identify stakeholders’ opinions on factors influencing early childhood obesity in Latino children aged 0 to 5 years. Method: This study used the Delphi technique to gather and prioritize stakeholders’ opinions about the factors and barriers considered most influential in early (age 0-5 years) childhood obesity intervention or prevention within the Latino community. Three sequential phases were used. Participants included Latina women as well as staff from community organizations serving Denver metropolitan’s Latino population. Results: Study results revealed that stakeholders value the role of the child’s primary care provider in the identification of overweight children and desire more educational support to reduce intake of nonnutritious foods. Participants further determined that obesity-related knowledge gaps and affordability of healthy foods and activities were the largest barriers to helping Latino children maintain healthy weights. Conclusion: Use of this stakeholder-informed data could assist in the development of future culturally tailored interventions aimed at reducing the rates of early childhood obesity in the Latino population.
Transradial interventions in contemporary vascular surgery practice
Authors: Stern Jordan R , Elmously Adham , Smith Matthew C , Connolly Peter H , Meltzer Andrew J , Schneider Darren B , Ellozy Sharif H. 
Published: September 2018

Objectives Upper extremity arterial access is often required for endovascular procedures, especially for antegrade access to the visceral aortic branches. Radial arterial access has been shown previously to have low complication rates, and patients tolerate the procedure well and are able to recover quickly. However, transradial access remains relatively uncommon amongst vascular surgeons. Methods The radial artery was evaluated by ultrasound to evaluate for adequate caliber, and to identify any aberrant anatomy or arterial loops. A modified Barbeau test was performed to ensure sufficient collateral circulation. A cocktail of nitroglycerin, verapamil and heparin was administered intra-arterially to combat vasospasm. Sheaths up to 6 French were utilized for interventions. On completion of the procedure, a compression band was used for hemostasis in all cases. Results Twenty-five interventions were performed in 24 patients. The left radial artery was used in 23/25 cases (92.0%). Procedures included visceral and renal artery interventions; stent graft repair of a renal artery aneurysm; embolization of splenic, pancreaticoduodenal and internal mammary aneurysms; embolization of bilateral hypogastric arteries following blunt pelvic trauma; interventions for peripheral arterial disease; delivery of a renal snorkel graft during endovascular aortic aneurysm repair, and access for diagnostic catheters during thoracic endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. Technical success was 92.0%. There was one post-operative radial artery occlusion (4.3%) which led to paresthesias but resolved with anticoagulation. There were no instances of arterial rupture, hematoma, or hand ischemia requiring intervention. Conclusions Using the transradial approach, we have demonstrated a high technical success rate over a range of clinical contexts with minimal morbidity and no significant complications such as bleeding or hand ischemia. The safety profile compares favorably to historical complication rates from brachial access. Radial access is a safe and useful skill for vascular surgeons to master.
Causes and prevention of postoperative myocardial injury
Authors: Verbree-Willemsen Laura , Grobben Remco B , van Waes Judith AR , Peelen Linda M , Nathoe Hendrik M , van Klei Wilton A , Grobbee Diederick E ,   the CHASE investigators
Published: September 2018

AbstractOver the past few years non-cardiac surgery has been recognised as a serious circulatory stress test which may trigger cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction, in particular in patients at high risk. Detection of these postoperative cardiovascular events is difficult as clinical symptoms often go unnoticed. To improve detection, guidelines advise to perform routine postoperative assessment of cardiac troponin. Troponin elevation – or postoperative myocardial injury – can be caused by myocardial infarction. However, also non-coronary causes, such as cardiac arrhythmias, sepsis and pulmonary embolism, may play a role in a considerable number of patients with postoperative myocardial injury. It is crucial to acquire more knowledge about the underlying mechanisms of postoperative myocardial injury because effective prevention and treatment options are lacking. Preoperative administration of beta-blockers, aspirin, statins, clonidine, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, and preoperative revascularisation have all been investigated as preventive options. Of these, only statins should be considered as the initiation or reload of statins may reduce the risk of postoperative myocardial injury. There is also not enough evidence for intraoperative measures such blood pressure optimisation or intensified medical therapy once patients have developed postoperative myocardial injury. Given the impact, better preoperative identification of patients at risk of postoperative myocardial injury, for example using preoperatively measured biomarkers, would be helpful to improve cardiac optimisation.
Intra and inter‐observer agreement on polyp detection in colon capsule endoscopy evaluations
Authors: Buijs Maria Magdalena , Kroijer Rasmus , Kobaek-Larsen Morten , Spada Cristiano , Fernandez-Urien Ignacio , Steele Robert JC , Baatrup Gunnar 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundColon capsule endoscopy is a promising technique for evaluation of the colon, but its reproducibility is still unknown.ObjectiveThis study assesses intra and inter‐observer agreement in evaluations of colon capsule endoscopy videos.MethodsForty‐two complete colon capsule endoscopy investigations were analysed by three experts and two beginners. Intra‐observer agreement was assessed in paired readings of two experts and two beginners. Agreement was determined by the intraclass correlation coefficient: poor (<0.5), moderate (0.5–0.75), good (0.75–0.9) and excellent (>0.9).ResultsAgreement on ‘indication for a following colonoscopy’ based on the number and size of detected polyps and bowel cleansing quality was poor among all observers. Agreement among experts on the detection of large polyps and number of polyps was moderate, but agreement on bowel cleansing quality was poor. Beginners were in moderate agreement with the experts on polyp detection. Intra‐observer agreement in experts was moderate to excellent for the detection of large polyps (≥10 mm), excellent for the number of polyps, and poor to moderate for bowel cleansing quality. Intra‐observer agreement in beginners was poor to moderate for all variables.ConclusionsThis study shows a poor agreement on ‘indication for a following colonoscopy’, but a high intra and inter‐observer agreement for polyp detection among experts, as well as a moderate agreement between beginners and experts.Trial registration: NCT02303756.
Association of Trauma Alert Response Charges With Volume and Hospital Ownership Type in Florida
Authors: Ryan Jessica L. , Pracht Etienne E. , Langland-Orban Barbara 
Published: September 2018

Objective: The purpose was to analyze the association of trauma volume and hospital trauma center (TC) ownership type with trauma alert (TA) response charges, which are billed for activation of the trauma team to the emergency department (ED). Methods: All Florida ED and inpatients who were billed a TA charge from 2012 to 2014 were included (62 974 observations). Multiple linear regression, controlling for patient and hospital factors, was used to identify associations between TA charges and trauma volume and hospital ownership type. Severity elasticity of trauma response charges was calculated by ownership type. Results: Trauma volume had a significant, inverse relationship with TA charges. For-profit (FP) hospitals had significantly higher TA charges and government-owned hospitals had significantly lower TA charges relative to private not-for-profits. For-profit trauma response charges were inelastic to severity, that is, charges did not change with changes in severity. Conclusion: Higher TA charges were associated with lower patient volumes, as well as at FP TCs. Further, only FP TCs used alert charges that were not associated with injury severity. Adding new TCs that reduce volume at existing TCs is expected to increase TA charges, especially if they are FP TCs.
Haemodynamics and serial risk assessment in systemic sclerosis associated pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Weatherald Jason , Boucly Athénaïs , Launay David , Cottin Vincent , Prévot Grégoire , Bourlier Delphine , Dauphin Claire , Chaouat Ari , Savale Laurent , Jaïs Xavier , Jevnikar Mitja , Traclet Julie , De Groote Pascal , Simonneau Gérald , Hachulla Eric , Mouthon Luc , Montani David , Humbert Marc , Sitbon Olivier 
Published: September 2018

The prognostic importance of follow-up haemodynamics and the validity of multidimensional risk assessment are not well established for systemic sclerosis (SSc)-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).We assessed incident SSc-PAH patients to determine the association between clinical and haemodynamic variables at baseline and first follow-up right heart catheterisation (RHC) with transplant-free survival. RHC variables included cardiac index, stroke volume index (SVI), pulmonary arterial compliance and pulmonary vascular resistance. Risk assessment was performed according to the number of low-risk criteria: functional class I or II, 6-min walking distance (6MWD) >440 m, right atrial pressure <8 mmHg and cardiac index ≥2.5 L·min−1·m−2.Transplant-free survival from diagnosis (n=513) was 87%, 55% and 35% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. At baseline, 6MWD was the only independent predictor. A follow-up RHC was available for 353 patients (median interval 4.6 months, interquartile range 3.9–6.4 months). The 6MWD, functional class, cardiac index, SVI, pulmonary arterial compliance and pulmonary vascular resistance were independently associated with transplant-free survival at follow-up, with SVI performing better than other haemodynamic variables. 1-year outcomes were better with increasing number of low-risk criteria at baseline (area under the curve (AUC) 0.63, 95% CI 0.56–0.69) and at first follow-up (AUC 0.71, 95% CI 0.64–0.78).Follow-up haemodynamics and multidimensional risk assessment had greater prognostic significance than at baseline in SSc-PAH.