bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leveraging coffee‐ring effect on plasmonic paper substrate for sensitive analyte detection using Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Huang Zufang , Nagpal Arun , Siddhanta Soumik , Barman Ishan 
Published: June 2018

AbstractRaman spectroscopy has demonstrated immense promise as a molecular fingerprinting tool in biomedical diagnostics. However, the utility of conventional Raman scattering for ultrasensitive measurements of biofluids is limited by intrinsically weak signals and has spurred advances in and wider applications of plasmon‐enhanced measurements. Here, we propose a label‐free methodology that leverages drop coating deposition on a silver ink‐based plasmonic paper substrate with tunable hydrophobic attributes to combine two distinct sources of enhancement, namely, solute preconcentration and excitation of localized surface plasmons. The facile modulation of the hydrophobicity of the plasmonic silver paper facilitates investigations into the coffee‐ring effect that results from the interplay of contact line pinning, solvent evaporation, and capillary flow. We show that the Raman spectra acquired from the hydrated ring deposits show clear enhancement beyond that obtained from surface‐enhancement owing to the presence of the silver nanofilm. In light of the superior sensitivity and lack of substantive sample preparation requirements, our findings open the door for a complementary low‐cost paper‐based analytical device for molecular sensing.
Response surface design as a powerful tool for the development of environmentally benign HPLC methods for the determination of two antihypertensive combinations: Greenness assessment by two green analytical chemistry evaluation tools
Authors: Hemdan Ahmed , Magdy Ragaa , Farouk Maha 
Published: June 2018

AbstractInterest in implementing green chemistry principles in analytical chemistry has grown dramatically in the past few years. The solvents used have the major influence on the greenness of the method. Most conventional high‐performance liquid chromatography methods employed utilize solvents that are “hazardous for the environment”. In the present study, two‐factor three‐level response surface design was exploited to develop eco‐friendly chromatographic methods for two different mixtures. The first one was atorvastatin and amlodipine and the second one was amlodipine, perindopril, and indapamide. As it is nontoxic to the environment, ethanol was used as the organic modifier in the mobile phase. The separation of the first mixture was attained using phosphate buffer (pH 7)/ethanol (42:58 v/v), and the second mixture was fully resolved using phosphate buffer (pH 5)/ethanol (40:60 v/v). The use of high‐performance liquid chromatography allows excellent resolution in a short run time, hence, less waste was produced. The greenness of the developed methods was assessed by two evaluation tools, namely, National Environmental Methods Index and analytical eco‐scale, and found to be excellent green analytical methods. Moreover, the developed methods were compared with other reported methods regarding accuracy and greenness and were found to be perfect alternatives to reported methods for separation and quantification of the mixtures.
Rehabilitation of calcareous saline‐sodic soil by means of biochars and acidified biochars
Authors: Sadegh‐Zadeh Fardin , Parichehreh Maedeh , Jalili Bahi , Bahmanyar Mohammad Ali 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSaline‐sodic soils comprise a large area worldwide, and these areas are increasing annually; therefore, reclamation of these soils is necessary. The present study investigated the effects of adding various biochars and acidified biochars on selected characteristics of saline‐sodic soil and rehabilitation of this soil. The biochars were produced from rice straw (RSB) and dicer wood chips (DWCB) at 300°C. The acidified biochars were prepared by adding HCl to the biochars. The biochars and acidified biochars were incorporated to the soil at 0 and 50 g kg−1. Soil columns were prepared and saturated from the bottom, and then the flow was reversed by keeping a 5‐cm constant head of leaching water on top of the columns. The leachates were taken at every one‐third interval of the pore volume fraction. Then, the concentrations of cations and anions, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) of the collected leachates were determined. At the end of the leaching process, the soil in the column was analyzed for the same parameters as the leachates. The results indicated that the application of the biochars and acidified biochars reduced the soil EC and sodium adsorption ratio. The biochars, especially the RSB, which contains a high amount of Ca2+ and Mg2+, were able to remediate the saline‐sodic soil. The Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the biochar can exchange the Na+ on the surface of the soil colloids and, therefore, enhance the Na+ leaching from the saline‐sodic soil. Acidified biochar induced CaCO3 dissolution, which will add Ca2+ and H+ ions to soil solution. The Ca2+ and H+ ions in the soil solution replace the Na+ from the soil colloid surfaces and facilitate the leaching of Na+ from the saline‐sodic soil. From the results, it can be concluded that RSB, acidified RSB, and acidified DWCB were feasible to ameliorate calcareous saline‐sodic soil.
Myelomeningocele closure by unilateral lumbar artery perforator flap: Experience with thirty‐eight patients
Authors: Ucak Murat 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundRepair of large soft tissue defects in meningomyelocele is difficult and its morbidity is high. By applying unilateral lumbar artery perforator transposition flap for closing these defects, we aimed to investigate effects on the repair procedure, duration of surgery and recovery period, with the rates of bleeding and morbidity.Patients and MethodsOur report was conducted in 38 patients between the years 2013 and 2017. All soft tissue defects were repaired with unilateral lumbar artery perforator flap (LAPF) in meningomyelocele. Fourteen patients were female and 24 patients were male. The youngest patient was a 5.5 month premature female baby and weighing 570 g. The oldest was weighing 3,700 g and at 1.5 months old.ResultsMean flap size was 32 ± 29.4 cm2 (ranged: 4 × 3–8 × 7 cm2). The mean rotation angle was 126.7° (ranged: 90°–170°). Flap positions were separated as 9 (23%) thoracodorsal and 29 (77%) lumbosacral. None of the patients had flap necrosis, infection, or hematoma. The operation took 23 ± 5.3 minutes on average and bleeding was minimal as 16 cc. All patients were discharged within around 9 ± 2 days. The follow‐up period of the patient ranged from 4 to 21 months. Flap survival was at the rate of 100%. There was no flap or postoperative complications. Final outcome for all patients were assessed as complete healing. All patients recovered fast with minimal blood lose, and satisfied the outcomes.ConclusionsAs a result, unilateral lumbar perforator flap can be performed successfully in every center. This report suggests using LAPF for reconstruction of meningomyelocele by surgeons as a safe and reliable option, allowing surgeons strong results.
Suture causing urethral meatus stricture: A novel animal model of partial bladder outlet obstruction
Authors: Chen Lin , Yang Yafei , Yang Jin , He Pinglin , Amend Bastian , Stenzl Arnulf , Hu Jianyun , Zhang Yamei , Wang Zili 
Published: June 2018

AimsOpen surgery is the most commonly used methodological approach for generating a partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO) animal model. Surgical suturing closing a part of the urethral meatus induces comparable pathophysiological changes in bladder and renal functions, but the optimum degree of obstruction that closely mimics the clinical pathology of pBOO has not been elucidated. We investigated the optimum obstruction level by performing a comprehensive time‐dependent analysis of the stability and reliability of this novel animal model.MethodsSix‐ to eight‐week‐old female BALB/c mice were divided into three groups according to the degree of urethral meatus stricture (UMS). Non‐operated mice served as controls, and a pBOO model generated using the traditional method served as a positive control. A cystometric evaluation and long‐term studies were performed to evaluate the validity and reliability of this novel animal model. An additional 35 mice were used to investigate the protein expression levels and histopathological features 24 h and 14 days postoperatively, respectively.ResultsThe characteristic cystometry features in the UMS group revealed increased changes in pressure‐related parameters compared with the control. The 1/3 UMS model is an optional pBOO animal model because the cystometric evaluation and histopathological studies revealed a striking resemblance between the 1/3 UMS model and the model generated using the traditional open‐surgery method.ConclusionsThe minimally invasive UMS model required less time and produced minimal alterations in pathophysiologically relevant processes compared with the traditional surgery model. Suturing to cause UMS produced effective and repeatable patterns in bladder function investigations in mice.
Test‐retest reliability of clitoral blood flow measurements using color Doppler ultrasonography at rest and after a pelvic floor contraction task in healthy adult women
Authors: Mercier Joanie , Tang An , Morin Mélanie , Khalifé Samir , Lemieux Marie‐Claude , Reichetzer Barbara , Dumoulin Chantale 
Published: June 2018

AimsTest‐retest reliability assessment of the dorsal clitoral artery's blood flow at rest and after muscle activation has never been documented. If this outcome measure is to be used in conditions impeding vascularity, it requires a psychometric evaluation. The aim of this study was to assess the inter‐session test‐retest reliability of clitoral blood flow in healthy women using color Doppler ultrasonography at rest and after a pelvic floor muscle (PFM) contraction task.MethodsTwo assessment sessions were conducted using a clinical ultrasound system. Clitoral blood flow measurements were repeated at rest and after a PFM contraction task. Measurements of the peak systolic velocity (PSV), time‐averaged maximum velocity (TAMX), end‐diastolic velocity (EDV), pulsatility index (PI), and resistance index (RI) were taken. The test‐retest reliability was assessed using paired t‐test, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland‐Altman plots.ResultsFor reliability at rest, ICC values were 0.95 for PSV, 0.87 for TAMX, and 0.67 for both PI and RI. The variability between measurements, as per Bland‐Altman plots, was small for PSV, TAMX, and RI and acceptable for PI. For reliability after the PFM contractions task, ICC values were 0.85 for PSV, 0.77 for TAMX, 0.79 for PI, and 0.81 for RI. The variability between measurements was small for PSV and RI and acceptable for TAMX and PI. EDV parameter did not perform as well in both conditions.ConclusionsAssessment of the clitoral blood flow with color Doppler ultrasound is reliable at rest and after a PFM contraction task.
New technology assessment and current and upcoming therapies for underactive bladder
Authors: Chancellor Michael B. , Bartolone Sarah N. , DeVries Elise M. , Diokno Ananias C. , Gibbons Mark , Jankowski Ronald , Lamb Laura E. , Pruchnic Ryan , Thor Karl , Dmochowski Roger 
Published: June 2018

Background and AimsStakeholders from around the world came together to address the unmet needs of underactive bladder (UAB) at the 3rd International Congress for Underactive Bladder.MethodsThe main recommendation from the regulatory working group is a need for a meeting of UAB stakeholders and regulatory agencies including the FDA to discuss guidance for regulatory trial design for devices, drugs, and/or biologics for UAB.ResultsThe following issues to be discussed and agreed upon for UAB trials: 1) Appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria. 2) Should residual urine volume be the primary outcome parameter and how often should it be measured? 3) Are there secondary measures that should have a place in UAB trials, such as change in the number of catheterizations, quality of life measures, etc.? 4) Use and format of bladder voiding and catheterization diary for trials. 5) Define role and technique of urodynamics in UAB trials. Are urodynamics required to monitor, and possibly exclude, individuals with high pressure voiding induced by bladder prokinetic therapies? 6) Development and use of UAB questionnaires.Discussion and ConclusionThe UAB regulatory working group recognizes the path forward should include engaging the FDA and other regulatory organizations that may harmonize and formalize guidance for regulatory trial designs for therapeutics for UAB.
Exploring variation in infant feeding practices in Byzantine Greece using stable isotope analysis of dentin serial sections
Authors: Kwok Cynthia S. , Garvie‐Lok Sandra , Katzenberg M. Anne 
Published: June 2018

AbstractInfant feeding practices are explored in the early Byzantine Greek site of Nemea (5th–6th centuries) to better understand breastfeeding, weaning, and early diet of children in ancient Greece. Dentin serial sections were obtained from the permanent first molars and first premolars of 26 adults (seven males, eight females, and 11 of unknown sex) and analyzed for stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes. The isotopic data demonstrated that most individuals were breastfed and were fully weaned by around 2.6 years on average (range 1.8 to 3.6 years). A range of infant feeding practices was observed at Nemea. Some individuals were breastfed, while others were never breastfed or consumed breast milk for a short period of time, yet survived to adulthood. Sex‐based differences were not found as males and females were fully weaned at an average of 2.5 (1.9–3.3 years) and 2.4 (1.9–3.6 years) years, respectively. This is an important finding given the contradictory evidence of written sources regarding preferential treatment of male and female infants. Compared with traditional bulk analyses of subadult bone collagen, this study illustrates the utility of additional information obtained from dentin serial sections for capturing the nuances of infant feeding practices in ancient societies.
High‐order observers‐based LQ control scheme for wind speed and uncertainties estimation in WECSs
Authors: Le Anh Vu , Do Ton Duc 
Published: June 2018

SummaryTip speed ratio control is a popular method in wind energy conversion systems in order to capture the maximum power. This method, however, requires wind speed information, which is difficult in practice to accurately measure it. Therefore, estimation methods are usually applied, where a high‐precision estimate leads to a high‐efficient system. Based on the fact that the wind speed varies in a random way, this paper proposes a generalized high‐order observer to estimate the aerodynamic torque and the wind speed accordingly. This observer algorithm releases the assumption that the wind speed should be slowly varying, which is required in previous observer designs. Moreover, two other generalized high‐order observers are also applied to estimate the uncertainties, which depend on state variables and cannot be considered as slow‐varying disturbances. Using the outputs of these observers, a robust high‐performance optimal control system is developed for the rotor speed to keep the optimal tip speed ratio. The stability analysis of the designed control system is fully presented. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is validated via simulation studies.
Empirical validation of the reverse parametric waiting time distribution and standard methods to estimate prescription durations for warfarin
Authors: Thrane Julie Maria , Støvring Henrik , Hellfritzsch Maja , Hallas Jesper , Pottegård Anton 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPurposeIn many prescription databases, the duration of treatment for the single prescription is not recorded. This study aimed to validate 2 different types of approaches for estimating prescription durations, using the oral anticoagulant warfarin as a case.MethodsThe approaches undergoing empirical validation covered assumptions of a fixed daily intake of either 0.5 or 1.0 defined daily dose (DDD), as well as estimates based on the reverse parametric waiting time distribution (rWTD), with different sets of covariates. We converted estimates of prescription duration to daily dose and compared them to prescribed daily dose as recorded in a clinical registry (using Bland‐Altman plots). Methods were compared based on their average prediction error (logarithmic scale) and their limit of agreement ratio (ratio of mean error ± 1.96 SD after transformation to original scale).ResultsEstimates of daily doses were underestimated by 19% or overestimated by 62% when assumptions of 0.5 or 1.0 DDD were applied. The limit of agreement ratio was 6.721 for both assumptions. The rWTD‐based approaches performed better when using the estimated mean value of the inter‐arrival density, yielding on average negligible bias (relative difference of 0 to 2%) and with limit of agreement ratios decreasing upon additional covariate adjustment (from 6.857 with no adjustment to 4.036 with the fully adjusted model).ConclusionsComparing the different methods, the rWTD algorithm performed best and led to unbiased estimates of prescribed doses and thus prescription durations and reduced misclassification on the individual level upon inclusion of covariates.
Using the “proportion of patients covered” and the Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis to describe treatment persistence
Authors: Rasmussen Lotte , Pratt Nicole , Hansen Morten Rix , Hallas Jesper , Pottegård Anton 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPurposeStandard Kaplan‐Meier (KM) survival analysis is often used to study treatment persistence estimating the proportion of patients who have not yet experienced a treatment break by a given day after treatment initiation. This method only allows patients to be studied until their first treatment break. The “proportion of patients covered” (PPC) method is another approach to study treatment persistence. It measures the proportion of live patients currently covered by treatment. We aimed to describe the PPC method, show how the KM survival analysis and the PPC method can describe treatment persistence, and discuss the interpretation/application of the methods.MethodsWe identified new users of statins, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, hormone replacement therapy, and ibuprofen. We used KM estimates and the PPC to describe persistence in the 3 years post treatment initiation, using a grace period of 90 days to define a treatment break.ResultsThree years after statin initiation, approximately 40% of patients were still in continuous treatment (KM survival) and 60% of patients still alive were in current treatment (PPC). Corresponding numbers were 12% and 25% for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and 9% and 29% for hormone replacement therapy. At 1 year, numbers were 5% and 10% for ibuprofen. The PPC showed markedly less variability than the KM survival analysis with different choices of grace periods.ConclusionsThe KM survival analysis and the PPC method can be used to study different aspects of treatment persistence. Together, they provide a more complete picture of treatment persistence and drug use patterns.
How individual and environmental factors influence teachers’ bullying intervention
Authors: Song Keng‐Hie , Lee Seung‐Yeon , Park Shinwon 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAlthough most teachers realize the seriousness of bullying and try to intervene, some take a passive stance, while others take active action. The present study examined individual and environmental factors that make teachers either passive or active interveners. Self‐reported questionnaires were collected from 200 middle school teachers in South Korea. Teachers were classified into either active (54.5%) or passive action clusters according to differences in individual (learned helplessness, attributional style, preparedness) and environmental (social support) factors. In each cluster, the moderation effects of social support between teacher preparedness and bullying intervention were analyzed. Results indicate that adequate social support from school administrators is critical for passive teachers. However, in the case of active teachers, social support from colleagues was the most important moderator. For both groups of teachers, preparedness in bullying is necessary to increase their bullying intervention. The results indicate that the implementation of differential strategies for each teacher cluster is key to promoting bullying intervention.
The Utility of Nanopore Technology for Protein and Peptide Sensing
Authors: Robertson Joseph W. F. , Reiner Joseph E. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractResistive pulse nanopore sensing enables label‐free single‐molecule analysis of a wide range of analytes. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated the feasibility and usefulness of nanopore sensing for protein and peptide characterization. Nanopores offer the potential to study a variety of protein‐related phenomena that includes unfolding kinetics, differences in unfolding pathways, protein structure stability, and free‐energy profiles of DNA–protein and RNA–protein binding. In addition to providing a tool for fundamental protein characterization, nanopores have also been used as highly selective protein detectors in various solution mixtures and conditions. This review highlights these and other developments in the area of nanopore‐based protein and peptide detection.
Proteomic Profiling of Enteroid Cultures Skewed toward Development of Specific Epithelial Lineages
Authors: Luu Lisa , Matthews Zoe J. , Armstrong Stuart D. , Powell Penelope P. , Wileman Tom , Wastling Jonathan M. , Coombes Janine L. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractRecently, 3D small intestinal organoids (enteroids) have been developed from cultures of intestinal stem cells which differentiate in vitro to generate all the differentiated epithelial cell types associated with the intestine and mimic the structural properties of the intestine observed in vivo. Small‐molecule drug treatment can skew organoid epithelial cell differentiation toward particular lineages, and these skewed enteroids may provide useful tools to study specific epithelial cell populations, such as goblet and Paneth cells. However, the extent to which differentiated epithelial cell populations in these skewed enteroids represent their in vivo counterparts is not fully understood. This study utilises label‐free quantitative proteomics to determine whether skewing murine enteroid cultures toward the goblet or Paneth cell lineages results in changes in abundance of proteins associated with these cell lineages in vivo. Here, proteomics data confirms that skewed enteroids recapitulate important features of the in vivo gut environment, demonstrating that they can serve as useful models for the investigation of normal and disease processes in the intestine. Furthermore, comparison of mass spectrometry data with histology data contained within the Human Protein Atlas identifies putative novel markers for goblet and Paneth cells.
Long‐chain branched random polyethylene via acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) copolymerization
Authors: Li Hong , Rojas Giovanni , Wagener Kenneth B. 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTFive types of ethylene/α‐alkene model copolymers containing 21‐carbon alkyl branches have been synthesized via acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) copolymerization. The overall branch content is controlled by varying the feedstock ratio of the long‐chain branched symmetrical α, ω‐diene and 1,9‐decadiene. Well‐defined melting transitions are present at low branch incorporation, followed by the broadening of the endotherms as the branch contents increase. However, instead of making the material amorphous, further increasing of the branch contents leads to the retrieval of the semi‐crystalline material creating a new crystalline domain, branches that co‐crystallize. Detailed IR spectra analyses suggest a crystal morphology transformation from orthorhombic to hexagonal phase as the branch content increases in these polymers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018