bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of a Prohibitive Versus Restrictive Tobacco Policy on Liver Transplant Candidate Outcomes
Authors: Likhitsup Alisa , Hassan Ammar , Mellinger Jessica , Askari Frederick , Winder Gerald S. , Saeed Naba , Sonnenday Christopher J. , Sharma Pratima , Fontana Robert J. 
Published: May 2019

Tobacco use has been associated with poorer outcomes after liver transplantation (LT). Our study examined the effect on LT listing outcomes of a newly implemented policy prohibiting the use of all tobacco products compared with a prior restrictive policy. Medical records of consecutive adult patients evaluated for LT from January 2010 to July 2013 (era 1, n = 1344) and August 2013 to March 2017 (era 2, n = 1350) were reviewed. The proportion of LT candidates listed was the primary outcome. The mean age of the 2694 LT candidates was 54 ± 11 years, 60% were male, and the mean Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was 15 ± 7. Although the proportion of LT candidates who were smokers was significantly higher in era 2 (33% versus 23%; P < 0.005), the proportion of smokers listed for LT remained stable (13% versus 17%; P = 0.25). However, there were more smokers excluded for ongoing tobacco use in era 2 compared with era 1 (9.6% versus 4.4%; P = 0.001). Factors independently associated with LT listing included a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, being married, private insurance, absence of psychiatry comorbidity, and absence of tobacco, marijuana, or opiate use but evaluation during era 2 was not associated with LT listing. However, the median time to listing significantly increased over time, especially in smokers (from 65 to 122 days; P = 0.001), and this trend was independently associated with evaluation during era 2, a lower MELD score, not having children, and a lower level of education (P < 0.05). In conclusion, despite an increasing incidence of active smokers being referred for LT evaluation, the proportion of smoker candidates listed for LT was unchanged after instituting our prohibitive tobacco use policy. However, the time to get on the waiting list for smokers who were eventually listed was significantly longer due to the need to achieve complete tobacco cessation.
Thermal Fluctuations Lead to Cumulative Disorder and Enhance Charge Transport in Conjugated Polymers
Authors: Zhang Wenlin , Bombile Joel H. , Weisen Albree R. , Xie Renxuan , Colby Ralph H. , Janik Michael J. , Milner Scott T. , Gomez Enrique D. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAll conjugated polymers examined to date exhibit significant cumulative lattice disorder, although the origin of this disorder remains unclear. Using atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the detailed structures for single crystals of a commonly studied conjugated polymer, poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl) (P3HT) are obtained. It is shown that thermal fluctuations of thiophene rings lead to cumulative disorder of the lattice with an effective paracrystallinity of about 0.05 in the π–π stacking direction. The thermal‐fluctuation‐induced lattice disorder can in turn limit the apparent coherence length that can be observed in diffraction experiments. Calculating mobilities from simulated crystal structures demonstrates that thermal‐fluctuation‐induced lattice disorder even enhances charge transport in P3HT. The mean inter‐chain charge transfer integral is enhanced with increasing cumulative lattice disorder, which in turn leads to pathways for fast charge transport through crystals.
Molecular and immune targets for Merkel cell carcinoma therapy and prevention
Authors: Cohen Leah , Tsai Kenneth Y. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMerkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin, for which the exact mechanisms of carcinogenesis remain unknown. Therapeutic options for this highly aggressive malignancy have historically been limited in both their initial response and response durability. Recent improvements in our understanding of MCC tumor biology have expanded therapeutic options for these patients, namely through the use of immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. Further elucidation of the tumor mutational landscape has identified molecular targets for therapies, which have demonstrated success in other cancer types. In this review, we discuss both current and investigational immune and molecular targets of therapy for MCC.
Exome sequencing revealed a novel loss‐of‐function variant in the GLI3 transcriptional activator 2 domain underlies nonsyndromic postaxial polydactyly
Authors: Umair Muhammad , Wasif Naveed , Albalawi Alia M. , Ramzan Khushnooda , Alfadhel Majid , Ahmad Wasim , Basit Sulman 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundPolydactyly is a common genetic limb deformity characterized by the presence of extra fingers or toes. This anomaly may occur in isolation (nonsyndromic) or as part of a syndrome. The disease is broadly divided into preaxial polydactyly (PPD; duplication of thumb), mesoaxial polydactyly (complex polydactyly), and postaxial polydactyly (PAP: duplication of the fifth finger). The extra digits may be present in one or both the limbs. Heterozygous variants in the GLI3, ZRS/SHH, and PITX1 have been associated with autosomal dominant polydactyly, while homozygous variants in the ZNF141, IQCE, GLI1, and FAM92A have been associated with autosomal recessive polydactyly. Pathogenic mutations in the GLI3 gene (glioma‐associated oncogene family zinc finger 3) have been associated with both nonsyndromic and syndromic polydactyly.MethodsHere, we report an extended five generation kindred having 12 affected individuals exhibiting nonsyndromic postaxial polydactyly type A condition. Whole‐exome sequencing followed by variant prioritization, bioinformatic studies, Sanger validation, and segregation analysis was performed.ResultsUsing exome sequencing in the three affected individuals, we identified a novel heterozygous frameshift variant (c.3567_3568insG; p.Ala1190Glyfs*57) in the transcriptional activator (TA2) domain of the GLI3 encoding gene.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, the present study reports on the first familial case of nonsyndromic postaxial polydactyly due to the GLI3 variant in Pakistani population. Our study also demonstrated the important role of GLI3 in causing nonsyndromic postaxial polydactyly.
Clinical and molecular characterization of an 18‐month‐old infant with autosomal recessive cutis laxa type 1C due to a novel LTBP4 pathogenic variant, and literature review
Authors: Ritelli Marco , Cammarata‐Scalisi Francisco , Cinquina Valeria , Colombi Marina 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundCutis laxa (CL) is a group of rare connective tissue disorders mainly characterized by wrinkled, redundant, inelastic, and sagging skin. Besides skin anomalies, in most CL forms multiple organs are involved, leading to severe multisystem disorders involving skeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and central nervous systems. CL might be challenging to diagnose because of its different inheritance patterns, extensive phenotypic variability, and genetic heterogeneity. Herein, we report the clinical and molecular characterization of an 18‐month‐old infant with signs suggestive of recessive cutis laxa type 1C (ARCL1C), although with a relatively mild presentation.MethodsTo confirm the clinical suspicion, mutational screening of all the exons and intron‐flanking regions of the latent transforming growth factor‐beta binding protein 4 gene (LTBP4) was performed by Sanger sequencing on an ABI3130XL Genetic Analyzer.ResultsApart from the presence of the dermatological hallmark, the reported patient did not show pulmonary emphysema, which is the most common and discriminative finding of ARCL1C together with gastrointestinal and urinary involvement. Indeed, pulmonary involvement only included episodes of respiratory distress and diaphragmatic eventration; intestinal dilation and tortuosity and hydronephrosis were also present. Molecular analysis disclosed the novel homozygous c.1450del (p.Arg484Glyfs*290) pathogenic variant in exon 12 of LTBP4, thus leading to the diagnosis of ARCL1C.ConclusionOur findings expand both the knowledge of the clinical phenotype and the allelic repertoire of ARCL1C. The comparison of the patient's features with those of the other patients reported up to now offers future perspectives for clinical research in this field.
The meaning of dignity when the patients' bodies are falling apart
Authors: Bruun Lorentsen Vibeke , Nåden Dagfinn , Sæteren Berit 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundPeople with advanced cancer disease experience great bodily changes due to disease or treatment. They tend to feel ashamed when their bodies are subjected to such changes and they feel their dignity is threatened.AimTo explore the patients' experiences of the bodily changes in relation to dignity.DesignThe study has a hermeneutic qualitative design.MethodIndividual in‐depth interviews and participant observations were conducted with 13 patients with advanced cancer disease at a hospice inpatient unit in Norway. Gadamer's ontological hermeneutics inspired the interpretation.Results and conclusionThe patients' unpredictable, sick bodies forced the patients, or gave them the opportunity, to relate to their bodies in an honest way. The patients, living in interaction between suffering and health, strove to find dignity. The patients had a will to live and they experienced a love in their unruly bodies that both helped alleviate their suffering and give them an experience of enhanced dignity. It is important that nurses have insight into the consequences of bodily changes for the patients' experiences of dignity in health and suffering to provide good, dignified care.
Variants in BMI‐Associated Genes and Adrenergic Genes are not Associated with Gestational Weight Trajectory
Authors: Kawai Vivian K. , Nwosu Samuel K. , Kurnik Daniel , Harrell Frank E. , Stein C. Michael 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to define the association between a genetic risk score (GRS) that combined the effect of multiple BMI‐associated variants and gestational weight trajectory. Because pregnancy is a state of sympathetic activation, the association between gestational weight trajectory and variants in adrenergic pathways previously associated with weight was examined.MethodsIn a previously defined cohort of pregnant women with (n = 1,504) and without gestational diabetes (GDM) (n = 435), weight trajectory was calculated using all weights during pregnancy. A GRS for BMI (GRSBMI) was calculated using 31 common variants associated with BMI, and 10 variants in the adrenergic pathways were genotyped. Clinical and genetic factors were studied using generalized linear models.ResultsPrepregnancy BMI was associated with the GRSBMI (P = 9.3 × 10−11) and parity (P = 4.54 × 10−17). The GRSBMI was associated with gestational weight trajectory in women with and without GDM (P = 0.041 and P < 0.0001, respectively); however, when prepregnancy BMI was included in the models, the associations disappeared (P > 0.05). Variants in adrenergic genes were not associated with gestational weight trajectory.ConclusionsA GRS for BMI was associated with prepregnancy BMI but was not independently associated with gestational weight trajectory in women with and without GDM. Selected variants in adrenergic genes were not associated with gestational weight trajectory.
HILIC HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS identification and quantification of the alkaloids from the genus Equisetum
Authors: Tipke Isabel , Bücker Luise , Middelstaedt Johanna , Winterhalter Peter , Lubienski Marcus , Beuerle Till 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIntroductionThe plant family Equisetaceae (Equisetopsida, Monilophyta; common name: horsetails) is part of an ancient group of spore producing plants. Today, Equisetum is the only surviving genus comprising 15 species in two subgenera (Equisetum and Hippochaete). Several unique alkaloids are described to occur in this genus, so far there is very little data on the occurrence and the amount of those alkaloids for the different species.ObjectiveTo establish an extraction method and an analytical method to detect and quantify the relevant Equisetum‐type alkaloids and to create a quantitative data set on the alkaloid content of all Equisetum species worldwide.MethodologyHydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC HPLC‐MS/MS) in electrospray ionisation (ESI) positive mode was used to analyse and quantify the alkaloid content of 68 Equisetum samples.ResultsThe presence of nicotine in at least one sample of each Equisetum species could be demonstrated. The total nicotine amount rarely exceeded 250 μg/kg and 50 μg/kg for the subgenus Equisetum and Hippochaete, respectively. Besides nicotine, Equisetum‐type alkaloids (mainly palustrine and palustridiene) were only detected in three species, namely E. palustre, E. bogotense and E. giganteum. For E. giganteum, palustridiene was detected at levels around the limit od detection (LoD) (25 μg/kg), whereas in E. palustre and E. bogotense, both alkaloids (palustrine and palustridiene) were detected at much higher levels (20–800 mg/kg).ConclusionsAll Equisetum species occurring worldwide were successfully subjected to a detailed qualitative and quantitative alkaloid analysis using a newly developed HILIC‐HPLC‐ESIpos‐MS/MS approach. The data set can be used to distinguish different Equisetum‐chemotypes.
Solution‐processed copper (I) thiocyanate (CuSCN) for highly efficient CdSe/CdTe thin‐film solar cells
Authors: Montgomery Angelique , Guo Liping , Grice Corey , Awni Rasha A. , Saurav Swapnil , Li Lin , Yan Yanfa , Yan Feng 
Published: May 2019

AbstractSolution‐processed CuSCN serving as hole transport, electron reflecting layer (HTL, ERL) and Cu dopant source for CdSe/CdTe thin‐film solar has demonstrated high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of ~17%. Two types of solvent, diethyl sulfide (DES) and aqueous ammonia (NH4OH), are explored to deposit CuSCN on CdTe, and both can enhance the performance of CdSe/CdTe solar cells. However, NH4OH solvent is less toxicity, leading to a smoother surface than DES solvent, enabling the deposition of ultra‐thin CuSCN layer and avoiding the high cost of DES. Temperature‐dependent current‐voltage (J‐V‐T) and capacitance‐voltage (C‐V‐T) measurements reveal that the use of CuSCN HTL increases hole concentration in CdTe absorber and significantly reduces back‐contact barrier height. High power conversion efficiency is achievable with the optimal thickness of the CuSCN layer. Our results demonstrate solution‐processed CuSCN HTL for enhancing the efficiency and reducing the cost of CdTe thin‐film solar cells.
The importance of staying connected: Mediating and moderating effects of social group memberships on psychological well‐being after brain tumor
Authors: Cubis Lee , Ownsworth Tamara , Pinkham Mark B. , Foote Matthew , Legg Melissa , Chambers Suzanne 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectiveFunctional impairments can lower psychological well‐being after brain tumor. Changes in social groups and confidence in support potentially impact this relationship. This study aimed to investigate the influence of social group memberships (SGMs) on the relationship between perceived cognitive and physical impairment and psychological well‐being.MethodsSeventy adults (60% female) with primary brain tumor (46% benign; 18% low grade; 36% high grade) aged 22 to 75 years undertook a brief cognitive test (Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone) then completed self‐report measures of cognitive and physical impairment (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy), social groups (Exeter Identity Transition Scale), confidence in social support (Self‐Efficacy Scale), depression (depression scale of the 21‐item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder 7‐item scale), and life satisfaction (Satisfaction With Life Scale). The mediating and moderating effects of SGMs were tested using a bootstrapping method and PROCESS macro.ResultsGreater perceived cognitive and physical impairments were significantly related to poorer psychological well‐being. Mediation analyses indicated significant indirect effects of social group loss for depression and anxiety (P < .05), whereby the relationship between perceived functional impairment and depression and anxiety was partly accounted for by loss of SGMs. Confidence in social groups was a moderator for depression and anxiety (P < .001), such that those perceiving high levels of physical and cognitive impairments who were more confident in their social groups reported lower depression and anxiety.ConclusionsFunctional impairment is in part related to higher levels of depression and anxiety through loss of social groups. However, greater confidence in social support can buffer the effects of functional impairment on psychological well‐being after brain tumor. Interventions focusing on ways to maintain social participation and supportive relationships may be beneficial.
Exploring the effect of different coumarin donors on the optical and photovoltaic properties of azo‐bridged push‐pull systems: A theoretical approach
Authors: Manzoor Taniya , Niaz Saba , Pandith Altaf Hussain 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWe report the theoretical modeling of various azo‐bridged coumarin‐purpurin systems. The effect of varying the donor (coumarin) part of this D‐π‐D‐π‐A system was analyzed in terms of opto‐electronic and photovoltaic parameters such as HOMO, LUMO, HOMO‐LUMO energy gap, λmax, light harvesting efficiency, charge injection efficiency, open voltage, reorganization energy by employing density functional theory as incorporated in Gaussian 03 set of codes. The dye‐TiO2 adsorbed systems were also studied using the same level of theory. It was found that just by varying the donor, although of same nature, there is a marked effect on the efficiency parameters of the dye sensitized solar cells based on such dyes. Also, the dye molecules were found to be good sensitizers for TiO2 semiconductors.
Robust adaptive prescribed performance control for a class of nonlinear pure‐feedback systems
Authors: Jia Fujin , Wang Xuhuan , Zhou Xingyu 
Published: May 2019

SummaryAn adaptive prescribed performance control design procedure for a class of nonlinear pure‐feedback systems with both unknown vector parameters and unmodeled dynamics is presented. The unmodeled dynamics lie within some bounded functions, which are assumed to be partially known. A state transformation and an auxiliary system are proposed to avoid using the cumbersome formula to handle the nonaffine structure. Simultaneously, a parameter‐type Lyapunov function and L function are designed to ensure the prescribed performance of the pure‐feedback system. As illustrated by examples, the proposed adaptive prescribed performance control scheme is shown to guarantee global uniform ultimate boundedness. At the same time, this method not only guarantees the prescribed performance of the system but also makes the tracking error asymptotically close to a certain value or stable.
How does microfinance prosper? An analysis of environmental, social, and governance context
Authors: Tanin Tauhidul Islam , Mobin Mohammad Ashraful , Ng Adam , Dewandaru Ginanjar , Salim Kinan , Nkoba Malik Abdulrahman , Abdul Razak Lutfi 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe spotlight of this study is to examine whether environmental, social, and governance performance affects the financial performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs). The topic has been of much interest to researchers and policymakers due to increased awareness among stakeholders on the adverse social and environmental impacts of business actions. Using a dataset covering 5 years for 62 MFIs across 34 countries, we find that environmental and governance performance has no impact on the financial performance of MFIs. As for the social–financial performance nexus, our results reveal a positive relationship using the depth of outreach as proxy of social performance. However, when women empowerment is used as a proxy for social performance, evidence suggest presence of negative relationship. The study contributes to the literature by providing new evidence on the relationship between environmental, social, and governance and financial performance from microfinance industry. Our results are robust to a variety of econometric specifications and have significant policy implications for donors, investors, MFIs, and regulators.
Strong Electrochemiluminescence Emission from Oxidized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Wang Ruina , Wu Haishan , Chen Rui , Chi Yuwu 
Published: May 2019

AbstractCarbon nanotubes (CNTs) as well‐known nanomaterials are extensively studied and widely applied in various fields. Nitric acid (HNO3) is often used to treat CNTs for purification purposes and preparing oxidized CNTs for various applications. However, too little attention is paid to investigating the effect of HNO3 treatment on the optical properties of CNTs. In this work, it is observed for the first time that HNO3‐oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (ox‐MWCNTs) have strong electrochemiluminescence (ECL) activity, which enables ox‐MWCNTs to become new and good ECL carbon nanomaterials after carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs). Various characterization technologies, such as transmission electron microscope (TEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy, are used to reveal the relationship between ECL activity and surface states. The ECL behaviors of ox‐MWCNTs are investigated in detail and a possible ECL mechanism is proposed. Finally, the new ECL nanomaterials of ox‐MWCNTs are envisioned to have promising applications in sensitive ECL sensing and in the study of CNT‐based catalysts.
Geographical indications and territorial development: A soft‐system methodology analysis of the Serro Case
Authors: de Lima Medeiros Mirna , Terra Leonardo Augusto Amaral , Passador João Luiz 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe present work aims at understanding the system (components and inter‐relations) of the indication of provenance type of geographical indication for territorial development. A case study of a Brazilian region that has a cheese indication of provenance, Serro, was performed with a systemic approach based on the soft system methodology. Data were collected through document analysis, direct observation, and interviews (with 15 subjects) and analysed through content analysis. Results indicate that the registration itself does not generate all aspects of territorial development. The recognition of a geographical indication can stimulate the process, but its success depends on actors' Weltanschauung and the systems' interconnections. Thereby, leaderships assume a fundamental role in modelling this type of structure. This opens possibilities for government policy linked to development, which can benefit from a systemic perspective, because it involves complex demands, ambiguous relations, conflicts of interests, and interconnected solutions involving multiple institutions.