bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations between periodic social events and status epilepticus—An 11‐year cohort study
Authors: Hollinger Alexa , Semmlack Saskia , De Marchis Gian Marco , Spiegel Rainer , Hunziker Sabina , Rüegg Stephan , Marsch Stephan , Sutter Raoul 
Published: May 2018

SummaryObjectivesPeriodic social events may influence the incidence and course of status epilepticus (SE), likely explained by patients’ behavioral changes regarding alcohol intake, sleep, and compliance with antiseizure medication. However, data regarding the association between such events and SE are lacking. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify associations between periodic social events and the incidence, etiology, and outcome of SE.MethodsAdult patients who were admitted to a tertiary academic medical care center with SE from 2005 to 2015 were included. Associations between periodic social events (including birthday, Christmas, New Year's Eve, carnival, national holiday) and the number and etiologies of SE over time were calculated using linear and Poisson regression. Logistic regression was applied to identify associations between time from social events and outcome.ResultsFour hundred nine patients with a median age of 66 years (interquartile range 52‐76) were analyzed. The number of total SE events and SE in patients with known epilepsy peaked within 2 weeks following social events and then decreased with each additional day (incidence rate ratio [IRR]per day 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98‐0.99; P < .001 and IRRper day 0.99, 95% CI 0.98‐0.99; P < .001, respectively) and week (IRRper week 0.94, 95% CI 0.93‐0.95; P < .001 and IRRper week 0.94, 95% CI 0.92‐0.96; P < .001, respectively). The highest proportion of epilepsy patients not taking antiseizure medication was seen closest to social events and decreased thereafter (IRRper day 0.99, 95% CI 0.98‐0.99; P = .003). There was no association between time from social events and outcome.SignificanceOur findings support the hypothesis that periodic social events in adults may be associated with an increase in SE and should heighten awareness for SE in this context. Clinicians are urged to inform epilepsy patients regarding this association and to instruct them on preventive measures around such events.
Equine external beam radiation therapy: Techniques and challenges
Authors: Desai N. C. , Green E. M. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryRadiation therapy is becoming increasingly more available and in demand for small animal veterinary cases. Although there is a demand for radiation therapy in large animal cases, there are certain limitations of external beam radiation therapy for horses that restrict treatment options. Currently, there are only five veterinary teaching hospitals in the United States where external beam radiation therapy can be performed on horses and other large animals. This is in contrast to the roughly 80 facilities, both academic and private, available for small animals. The goal of this commentary is to give a brief overview of external beam radiation therapy and highlight the steps involved, and the technical difficulties faced, while treating horses with external beam radiation therapy.
Primary role of barrier dysfunction in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis
Authors: Elias Peter M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBased upon the efficacy of recently developed biologics, the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) is being attributed once again to the prominent inflammation that occurs in this disorder. Yet, molecular genetics has clearly shown that the aetiology of AD can be attributed to mutations in stratum corneum structural proteins that impact epidermal barrier function, while inflammation instead emerges as a downstream consequence of a sustained, barrier‐driven cytokine cascade. Although several different mutations that compromise barrier function are associated with AD, all of these mutations compromise either the contents or secretion of epidermal lamellar bodies. Therapies directed at specific immune participants, though effective temporarily, inevitably are followed by “rebound flares,” just as occur following glucocorticoid therapy. While occlusive moisturizers dampen inflammation, they do not address the underlying lipid biochemical abnormality in AD, which can be corrected more specifically with topical, physiologic lipid‐based forms of barrier repair therapy (BRT). Accordingly, BRT has been shown to be as effective as topical, mid‐potency steroids for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe paediatric AD.
An empirical mode decomposition‐based frequency‐domain approach for the fatigue analysis of nonstationary processes
Authors: Niu Qian , Yang Shi‐xi , Li Xing‐lin 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMechanical structures in service are often subjected to irregular loads, which are typically idealized as stationary random processes. However, the service loads in real applications are often nonstationary ones, in which case conventional frequency‐domain methods are no longer applicable. Here, a novel frequency‐domain approach based on empirical mode decomposition is developed for the fatigue analysis of nonstationary processes. A simplified approach is introduced to calculate the rainflow cycle distributions of non‐Gaussian intrinsic mode functions. Two typical nonstationary processes in engineering practice are simulated numerically to validate the proposed method. The proposed method is applied to fatigue life estimation of a dynamical structure under nonstationary excitations. Reliable life estimations are obtained within much less computation time than the time‐domain method. The results verify the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed method for the fatigue analysis of nonstationary processes.
Tree diversity mitigates defoliation after a drought‐induced tipping point
Authors: Sousa‐Silva Rita , Verheyen Kris , Ponette Quentin , Bay Elodie , Sioen Geert , Titeux Hugues , Van de Peer Thomas , Van Meerbeek Koenraad , Muys Bart 
Published: May 2018

AbstractUnderstanding the processes that underlie drought‐related tree vitality loss is essential for anticipating future forest dynamics, and for developing management plans aiming at increasing the resilience of forests to climate change. Forest vitality has been continuously monitored in Europe since the acid rain alert in the 1980s, and the intensive monitoring plots of ICP Forests offer the opportunity to investigate the effects of air pollution and climate change on forest condition. By making use of over 100 long‐term monitoring plots, where crown defoliation has been assessed extensively since 1990, we discovered a progressive shift from a negative to a positive effect of species richness on forest health. The observed tipping point in the balance of net interactions, from competition to facilitation, has never been reported from real ecosystems outside experimental conditions; and the strong temporal consistency of our observations with increasing drought stress emphasizes its climate change relevance. Furthermore, we show that higher species diversity has reduced the severity of defoliation in the long term. Our results confirm the greater resilience of diverse forests to future climate change‐induced stress. More generally, they add to an accumulating body of evidence on the large potential of tree species mixtures to face manifold disturbances in a changing world.
Projected timing of perceivable changes in climate extremes for terrestrial and marine ecosystems
Authors: Tan Xuezhi , Gan Thian Yew , Horton Daniel E. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractHuman and natural systems have adapted to and evolved within historical climatic conditions. Anthropogenic climate change has the potential to alter these conditions such that onset of unprecedented climatic extremes will outpace evolutionary and adaptive capabilities. To assess whether and when future climate extremes exceed their historical windows of variability within impact‐relevant socioeconomic, geopolitical, and ecological domains, we investigate the timing of perceivable changes (time of emergence; TOE) for 18 magnitude‐, frequency‐, and severity‐based extreme temperature (10) and precipitation (8) indices using both multimodel and single‐model multirealization ensembles. Under a high‐emission scenario, we find that the signal of frequency‐ and severity‐based temperature extremes is projected to rise above historical noise earliest in midlatitudes, whereas magnitude‐based temperature extremes emerge first in low and high latitudes. Precipitation extremes demonstrate different emergence patterns, with severity‐based indices first emerging over midlatitudes, and magnitude‐ and frequency‐based indices emerging earliest in low and high latitudes. Applied to impact‐relevant domains, simulated TOE patterns suggest (a) unprecedented consecutive dry day occurrence in >50% of 14 terrestrial biomes and 12 marine realms prior to 2100, (b) earlier perceivable changes in climate extremes in countries with lower per capita GDP, and (c) emergence of severe and frequent heat extremes well‐before 2030 for the 590 most populous urban centers. Elucidating extreme‐metric and domain‐type TOE heterogeneities highlights the challenges adaptation planners face in confronting the consequences of elevated twenty‐first century radiative forcing.
Behavioral Approaches for Primary Headaches: Recent Advances
Authors: Raggi Alberto , Grignani Eleonora , Leonardi Matilde , Andrasik Frank , Sansone Emanuela , Grazzi Licia , D'Amico Domenico 
Published: May 2018

BackgroundBehavioral treatments in the management of primary headache disorders in adults and children are increasingly being recognized as effective; however, the level and durability of their effectiveness is still a matter of debate. This review aims to provide more updated information on the effects of behavioral therapies in adults and adolescents with primary headache disorders, with a special focus on new and emerging behavioral treatments.MethodsWe searched SCOPUS for peer‐reviewed papers that reported randomized controlled trial or observational studies addressing behavioral treatment for headache disorders published in the period January 2010 to October 2017.ResultsA total of 22 publications, in which 2110 participants were recruited, were included in the review. Most of the studies referred to cognitive behavioral therapies, and a reduction of headache frequency higher than 35% was generally reported irrespective of the approach. In addition, valuable impact disability and quality of life was observed, as well as improvements in depression, anxiety, self‐efficacy, and intake of medications.ConclusionsBehavioral approaches are effective and less prone to produce side or harmful effects, which makes them a valid option particularly for women who are pregnant or nursing, people with other chronic conditions requiring pharmacological treatments putting them at risk for drug‐drug interactions, and children.
NIR photoluminescence and radioluminescence characteristics of Nd3+ doped BaTa2O6 phosphor
Authors: İlhan Mustafa , Keskin İlker Çetin , Çatalgöl Zarif , Samur Ramazan 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBarium tantalate phosphors activated with different concentrations of Nd3+ ion were synthesized via conventional solid state reaction method. The synthesized ceramic powders were characterized by X–ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy‐energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS), laser diode (LD) excited near infrared (NIR) photoluminescence and X‐ray induced radioluminescence (RL) analyses. In XRD results, Nd3+ doped BaTa2O6 structure with tetragonal tungsten bronze (TTB) symmetry was observed to continue up to 10 mol%. In the examination of ceramic powders by SEM, grain size decreased with the increasing doping concentration. By using laser diode excited NIR photoluminescence of BaTa2O6:Nd3+ phosphor exhibited characteristic emissions at 877, 1080, and 1376 nm wavelengths due to 4F3/2 → 4I11/2, 4F3/2 → 4I11/2, and 4F3/2 → 4I11/2 band transitions respectively. Scintillation properties of Nd3+ doped samples from UV to near‐IR spectral region were carried out by the radioluminescence analysis. NIR and scintillation emissions initially increased by the doping concentration, and then decreased due to concentration quenching effect.
Syringes versus Chinese cups in harvesting suction‐induced blister graft: a randomized split‐body study
Authors: Anbar Tag S. , Moftah Nayera H. , El‐Khayyat Mohammad A.M. , El‐Fakahany Hasan M. , Abdel‐Rahman Amal T. , Saad Enas K. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundSuction blister grafting (SBG) is a technique where the pigmented epidermis is harvested from the donor site by induction of a blister using different suction methods as syringes, Chinese cups, suction device, etc. However, pain, time consumption, incomplete blister formation, and failure of blister development are the main limitations.ObjectiveTo compare between cups and syringes of similar diameter in inducing suction blisters.Patients and methodsIn 30 patients with stable nonsegmental vitiligo, 2‐cm‐diameter (20 ml) syringe was applied on the anterolateral aspect of one thigh and a 2‐cm‐diameter cup on the corresponding site of the other thigh where right and left sides were chosen randomly. Patients were observed untill complete blister development or for a maximum of 3 hours. Suction blister induction time (SBIT) and the blister diameter were recorded for each patient. Pain during the process of induction was evaluated.ResultsIncomplete blister development was noted in 9 out of 30 (30%) with 2 cm syringes and 6 out of 30 (20%) with the similar diameter cups with no significant difference (P = 0.49). No significant difference was found between SBIT induced by the 2 cm syringes and the similar size cups (101.17 ± 68.14 minutes, 98 ± 56.84 minutes, respectively) (P = 0.85). Meanwhile, blister diameter induced by either syringe or cup was not significantly different (P = 0.37). Anesthesia was for short duration with xylocaine, and pain was intolerable in both sides in the first seven patients. A combination of xylocaine and bupivacaine was used with prolonged loss of pain in 17 of the remaining 23 patients and tolerable pain in six patients similarly in both sides.ConclusionAccording to present results, the differences in SIBT, diameter of blisters, and number of complete blister formation induced by either syringes or cups of similar size were not significant. Therefore, whatever the available and feasible technique for the surgeon will be the ideal choice. A combination of xylocaine and bupivacaine is recommended to overcome the accompanying pain of the procedure.
Utility of next‐generation sequencing methods to identify the novel HLA alleles in potential stem cell donors from Chinese Marrow Donor Program
Authors: Qi Jun , Wang Tian‐Ju , Chen Li‐Ping , Wang Xiao‐Fang , Wang Man‐Ni , Wu Jun‐Hua 
Published: May 2018

SummaryThe human leucocyte antigen (HLA) is the most polymorphic region of the human genome. Compared with Sanger‐sequencing‐based typing (SBT) methods, next‐generation sequencing (NGS) has significantly higher throughput and depth sequencing characteristics, having dramatic impacts on HLA typing in clinical settings. Here, we performed NGS technology with Ion Torrent S5 platform to evaluate the potential four novel HLA alleles detected in five donors from Chinese Marrow Donor Program (CMDP, Shaanxi Province) during routine Sanger SBT testing. We also predicted the highest estimated relative frequency novel allele‐bearing haplotypes according to their phenotypes and HaploStats database. NGS assays, as it provided the phase‐defined and complete sequencing information, undoubtedly increase novel allele identification which will greatly enrich HLA database and provide more information for donor selection.
Three chemosensory proteins from the rice leaf folder Cnaphalocrocis medinalis involved in host volatile and sex pheromone reception
Authors: Zeng F.‐F. , Liu H. , Zhang A. , Lu Z.‐X. , Leal W. S. , Abdelnabby H. , Wang M.‐Q. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractChemosensory proteins (CSPs) have been considered to play a key role in chemoreception in insects. As stated in our earlier study, three CSP genes from rice leaf folder Cnaphalocrocis medinalis have been identified and showed potential physiological functions in olfaction. Here, we conducted western blot, immunolocalization, competitive binding assay and knockdown assay by RNA interference both in vitro and in vivo to reveal the functions of these three CSPs in C. medinalis. Results showed that both CmedCSP1 and CmedCSP2 are housed in sensilla basiconica and showed high binding affinities to a wide range of host‐related semiochemicals. On the other hand, CmedCSP3 is highly expressed in sensilla trichodea of males and sensilla basiconica of females. It showed binding affinities to plant volatiles, especially terpenoids, as well as two of the C. medinalis sex pheromone components, Z11‐16:Ac and Z11‐16:Al. The transcript expression level of the three CSP genes significantly decreased after injecting target double‐stranded RNAs and resulted in remarkably down‐regulation on electroantennogram responses evoked by host‐related semiochemicals and one sex pheromone compound, which have high binding affinities with CmedCSPs. In conclusion, the three CmedCSPs tested are involved in C. medinalis reception of semiochemicals, including host attractants and sex pheromones.
Efficiency, effectiveness, and impacts assessment in the rail transport sector: a state‐of‐the‐art critical analysis of current research
Authors: Catalano Giuseppe , Daraio Cinzia , Diana Marco , Gregori Martina , Matteucci Giorgio 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis paper aims at being a comprehensive reference for stakeholders, policy makers, and scholars interested in analyzing the problem of efficiency, effectiveness, and impacts of rail transport systems in a sound empirical way, paying specific attention to passenger transport services. The paper combines different analytical frameworks (engineering, economics, impacts), systematic review techniques, and advanced mappings. Framing economic efficiency studies into a transport planning perspective permits to move from efficiency to effectiveness issues. In addition, including impacts offers a critical discussion of the existing empirical studies, relating them to the main methodological approaches used. This analysis can be useful for those interested in developing new techniques for the evaluation of this sector. The critical analysis developed in this paper provides a catalog of inputs, outputs, external factors, possible impacts to account for, data, and approaches, which allows us to identify areas in which new methodological developments, new approaches, are needed to address the relevant societal challenges of the rail transport sector.
Graph fragmentation problem: analysis and synthesis
Authors: Aprile Manuel , Castro Natalia , Ferreira Graciela , Piccini Juan , Robledo Franco , Romero Pablo 
Published: May 2018

AbstractVulnerability metrics play a key role in the understanding of cascading failures and target/random attacks to a network. The graph fragmentation problem (GFP) is the result of a worst‐case analysis of a random attack. We can choose a fixed number of individuals for protection, and a nonprotected target node immediately destroys all reachable nodes. The goal is to minimize the expected number of destroyed nodes in the network. In this paper, we address the GFP by several approaches: metaheuristics, approximation algorithms, polytime methods for specific instances, and exact methods for small instances. The computational complexity of the GFP is included in our analysis, where we formally prove that the corresponding decision version of the problem is ‐complete. Furthermore, a strong inapproximability result holds: there is no polynomial approximation algorithm with factor lower than 5/3, unless . This promotes the study of specific instances of the problem for tractability and/or exact methods in exponential time. As a synthesis, we propose new vulnerability/connectivity metrics and an interplay with game theory using a closely related combinatorial problem called component order connectivity.
Enhanced photoresponse and photocatalytic activities of graphene quantum dots sensitized Ag/TiO2 thin film
Authors: Wang Wenhao , Wang Shun , Lv Jianguo , Zhao Min , Zhang Miao , He Gang , Fang Chenxu , Li Lele , Sun Zhaoqi 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTiO2 thin films were fabricated through hydrothermal method. Silver nanoparticles were loaded on TiO2 thin films via photoreduction technique. Subsequently, the graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were spin‐coated on the Ag/TiO2 nanocomposites thin films. The crystal structure, surface morphology and UV‐vis absorbance were tested by XRD, SEM and ultraviolet‐visible spectrophotometer. These results indicated that Ag nanoparticles and GQDs are anchored on the TiO2 nanorods. Absorbance of Ag/TiO2 and GQDs/Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite thin films have been extended into the visible region. Visible‐light response of the samples were investigated by electrochemical workstation. The photoresponse of the sample can be enhanced by sensitization of the Ag nanoparticles and GQDs. The enhanced visible‐light response may be due to the surface plasmon resonance of silver nanoparticles and visible absorbance of GQDs. The highest photocatalytic activity has been observed in the 9‐GQDs/Ag/TiO2 composite thin film. The efficient charge separation and transportation can be achieved by introducing the Ag nanoparticles and GQDs in the TiO2 thin film.
An investigation of metal ion diffusion in ceria‐based solid oxide fuel cell with barium‐containing anode
Authors: Cao Jiafeng , Ji Yuexia , Zhou Xuejun , Cao Chunxiang , He Xianmei , Liu Wei 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMetal ion diffusion is an effective strategy to suppress the internal electronic short circuit in ceria‐based solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). This could be achieved by fabricating an electron‐blocking layer between the barium‐containing anode and ceria‐based electrolyte. In this paper, a 0.6NiO‐0.4BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3‐δ (NiO‐BZCY) anode‐supported cell based on Gd0.1Ce0.9O2‐δ (GDC) electrolyte was employed to evaluate the internal metal ion diffusion behavior. The high open circuit voltages of about 1 V obtained at 550‐700°C can be attributed to in situ formation of an electron‐blocking interlayer between NiO‐BZCY and GDC. Microstructural analyses of the interlayer grains obtained by traditional solid‐state reaction were carried out. Phase identification demonstrated that the electron‐blocking interlayer had a perovskite structure. SEM and TEM analyses indicated formation of a new compound in the interlayer, of which the composition was determined as Zr, Y, and Ni co‐doped BaCe0.9Gd0.1O3 with orthorhombic structure.