bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Children with unilateral cochlear nerve canal stenosis have bilateral cochleovestibular anomalies
Authors: Vilchez‐Madrigal Luis D. , Blaser Susan I. , Wolter Nikolaus E. , James Adrian L. , Papsin Blake C. , Gordon Karen A. , Cushing Sharon L. , Propst Evan J. 
Published: October 2018

Objectives/HypothesisTo investigate the cochleovestibular apparatus bilaterally in children with isolated unilateral bony cochlear nerve canal (bCNC) stenosis.Study DesignRetrospective review.MethodsImaging studies of children with unilateral bCNC stenosis (<1.0 mm) on computed tomography imaging (N = 36) were compared with controls imaged due to trauma without temporal bone injury (N = 32). Twenty‐six measurements were obtained in each ear, assessing the bony internal auditory canal (IAC), cochlea, and vestibular end‐organs, and were analyzed using one‐way analysis of variance for intersubject comparisons and paired t tests for intrasubject comparisons with a Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons (P = .0006).ResultsPatients with bCNC stenosis had a smaller IAC (P < .000) and cochlea (P < .000) on the stenotic side as compared with controls. Although the vestibular end‐organ was also smaller in bCNC ears, this difference was not significant. The contralateral ear also had a smaller bCNC (P < .000) and cochlea (P < .000) as compared with controls, although to a lesser degree than the stenotic side.ConclusionsChildren with unilateral bCNC stenosis have abnormal biometry of both the cochlea and the vestibular end‐organ in the affected and the normal contralateral ear as compared with controls.Level of Evidence3bLaryngoscope, 129:2403–2408, 2019
Fabrication of PEOT/PBT Nanofibers by Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet Treatment of Electrospinning Solutions for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Grande Silvia , Cools Pieter , Asadian Mahtab , Van Guyse Joachim , Onyshchenko Iuliia , Declercq Heidi , Morent Rino , Hoogenboom Richard , De Geyter Nathalie 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis study focuses on the enhanced electrospinning of 300‐Polyethylene oxide‐polyethylene oxide terephthalate/polybutylene terephthalate (PEOT/PBT). An atmospheric pressure plasma jet for liquid treatment is applied to a solution with 9 w/v% PEOT/PBT dissolved in either chloroform (CHCl3), CHCl3 + N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF), CHCl3 + methanol (MeOH), or CHCl3 + hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP). For all conditions, the plasma‐treated samples present better‐quality fibers: less or no‐beads and uniform fiber diameter distribution. Except for CHCl3 + DMF, no significant changes to the material bulk are detected, as shown with size exclusion chromatography (SEC). X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra performed on nanofibers record an increase in C–C bonds for the CHCl3 + DMF combination upon plasma modification, while a shift and slight increase in oxygen‐containing bonds is found for the CHCl3 + HFIP and CHCl3 + MeOH mixtures. MTT assay shows no‐cytotoxic effects for CHCl3 + DMF, while a better cellular adhesion is found on nanofibers from CHCl3 + MeOH and CHCl3 + HFIP. Among the examined additives, MeOH is preferable as it produces beadless electrospun nanofibers with an average diameter of 290 ± 100 nm without causing significant changes to the final nanofiber surface properties.
Risk factors for pneumonia in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Haga Takahiro , Ito Kae , Sakashita Kentaro , Iguchi Mari , Ono Masahiro , Tatsumi Koichiro 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAimPneumonia is a major cause of death in patients with schizophrenia. Preventive strategies based on identifying the risk factors are needed to reduce pneumonia‐related mortality. This study aimed to clarify the risk factors for pneumonia in patients with schizophrenia.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the clinical files of consecutive patients with schizophrenia admitted to Tokyo Metropolitan Matsuzawa Hospital during a four‐year period from January 2014 to December 2017. We analyzed the clinical differences between patients with and without pneumonia.ResultsOf the 2209 patients enrolled, 101 (4.6%) received the diagnosis of pneumonia at the time of hospital admission while 2108 (95.4%) did not have pneumonia. Multivariable analysis to determine the risk factors related to pneumonia showed that the use of atypical antipsychotics had the highest odds ratio among the predictive factors (2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0‐17.7; P = 0.046), followed by a total chlorpromazine equivalent dose ≥600 mg (2.6; 95% CI 1.7‐4.0; P < 0.001), body mass index <18.5 kg/m2 (2.3; 95% CI 1.6‐3.6; P < 0.001), smoking history (2.0; 95% CI 1.3‐3.1; P < 0.001), and age ≥50 years (1.7; 95% CI 1.2‐2.6; P = 0.002).ConclusionsWe found that advanced age, underweight, smoking habit, use of atypical antipsychotics, and large doses of antipsychotics were risk factors for pneumonia in patients with schizophrenia. Among these factors, it was unclear whether the use of antipsychotics was a direct cause of pneumonia due to is uncertain because our retrospective study design. However, our result might be a good basis of further study focused on reducing pneumonia‐related fatalities in schizophrenic patients with pneumonia.
Estimation of hydraulic parameters using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and empirical laws in a semi‐confined aquifer
Authors: Perdomo Santiago , Kruse Eduardo E. , Ainchil Jerónimo E. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTThe estimation of hydraulic parameters is critical for the rational use of water resources and the development of reliable hydrogeological models. However, the cost of such estimation can be very high and the data are limited to the area near the pumping well. For this reason, complementary methods for estimating hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity have become increasingly important in recent years, such as the adjustment of empirical relationships between geoelectrical and hydraulic parameters. In this paper, two linear relationships were tested, combining resistivity measurements from well logging profiles and hydraulic conductivity values from pumping test data, in a semi‐confined fluvial aquifer in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Furthermore, these relationships were used to obtain two‐dimensional (2D) hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity sections from electrical resistivity tomography using a high‐definition electrode array. Predicted values were compared with traditional pumping test in a near well showing very good agreement with both methods. Results showed that it would be possible to quantify the 2D variation of hydraulic parameters in aquifers and to identify high‐ or low‐productivity areas. By knowing this information in advance, it is possible to reduce the number of failures or unexpected results when drilling a well. These 2D sections also provide additional information about hydraulic parameters and their lateral variability, and can improve hydrogeological models without drilling new wells.
Associations of functional, psychosocial, medical, and socio‐demographic factors with cognitive screening in chemotherapy naïve patients with breast cancer
Authors: Nakamura Zev M. , Deal Allison M. , Nyrop Kirsten A. , Choi Seul Ki , Wood William A. , Muss Hyman B. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo describe associations of functional, psychosocial, medical, and socio‐demographic factors with performance on a cognitive screening test in chemotherapy naïve patients with breast cancer.MethodsWomen with breast cancer were recruited between 2009 and 2018. The Blessed Orientation Memory Concentration Test (BOMC) was administered prior to chemotherapy. Associations between baseline BOMC and functional (Karnofsky Self‐Reported Performance Rating Scale (KPS), Time Up and Go Test (TUG), Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Physical Function, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)), psychosocial (Mental Health Inventory‐13, MOS Social Activity Limitation and Social Support Survey), medical, and socio‐demographic variables were assessed using linear regression analysis.ResultsIn a sample of 331 women with breast cancer, the mean age was 65.2 years and 68.6% were 65 and older. Mean BOMC score was 3.60 on a scale from 0 (best) to 28 (worst). After controlling for demographic factors, worse BOMC screening test results were associated with KPS < 80 (P = 0.01), IADL<14 (P = 0.02), TUG ≥14 seconds (P = 0.001), worse MOS Physical Function (P = 0.0006), depressive symptoms (P = 0.04), and social activity limitations (P = 0.01).ConclusionIn a sample of women with breast cancer, pre‐treatment cognitive screening scores did not reveal profound cognitive impairment. BOMC screening scores were associated with multiple measures of physical function, but further research is needed to determine a clinically meaningful cut point in the BOMC for screening of cancer‐related cognitive impairment.
Dyadic coping in specialized palliative care intervention for patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers: Effects and mediation in a randomized controlled trial
Authors: von Heymann‐Horan Annika , Bidstrup Pernille Envold , Johansen Christoffer , Rottmann Nina , Andersen Elisabeth Anne Wreford , Sjøgren Per , von der Maase Hans , Timm Helle , Kjellberg Jakob , Guldin Mai‐Britt 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectiveSpecialized palliative care (SPC) interventions increasingly include patient‐caregiver dyads, but their effects on dyadic coping are unknown. We investigated whether an SPC and dyadic psychological intervention increased aspects of dyadic coping in patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers, whether dyad characteristics moderated effects and whether aspects of dyadic coping mediated significant intervention effects on caregivers' anxiety and depression.MethodsWe randomized 258 patients with incurable cancer and their caregivers to care as usual or accelerated transition from oncological treatment to home‐based SPC and dyadic psychological support. In secondary outcome analyses, using mixed‐effects models, we estimated intervention effects and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for communication of stress and common coping, and moderation by dyad type and demographics. In path analyses, we investigated whether stress communication and common coping mediated intervention effects on caregivers' symptoms of anxiety and depression. (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01885637).ResultsThe intervention significantly increased common coping in patients and caregivers in couples (estimated difference, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.11 to 1.24) and stress communication by partner caregivers (0.97; 0.24 to 1.24). We found some support for different intervention effects for spouses and other dyads, but no evidence of mediation.ConclusionsSpecialized palliative care and dyadic psychological intervention may affect aspects of dyadic coping. Common coping and stress communication did not mediate the previously found significant intervention effects on caregiver anxiety and depression, indicating that other mechanisms may have been central in the intervention.
Tri‐partite complexity: odour from a psyllid's mutualist ant increased predation by a predatory mite on the psyllid
Authors: Liu Jian‐Feng , Zhang Zhi‐Qiang , Beggs Jacqueline R 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDPredator–prey interactions consist of direct consumption of prey by predators and indirect non‐consumptive effects on prey. Predator cues can induce predation stress in prey that negatively influences the survival, development, reproduction, and feeding behaviour of the prey. This study evaluated the effects of hemipteran‐tending ant (Technomyrmex albipes) odour on the development, survival, reproduction, and predation rates of the predatory mite Amblydromalus limonicus when feeding on an invasive pest of solanaceous crops, Bactericera cockerelli. The age‐stage, two‐sex life table theory was used to compare the demographic characteristics and predation rates of A. limonicus in the presence and absence of ant odour.RESULTSWe show that exposure to ant odour did not alter the development, survival rate, and fecundity of A. limonicus, but induced a sexually dimorphic response in its longevity; consumption rates also showed that dimorphic response‐predation rates increased in female A. limonicus, but not in males.CONCLUSIONTo our knowledge, this is the first report indicating increased consumption rates by natural enemies exposed to odour from a mutualist of pest (ant). This finding may provide new insights into understanding tri‐partite interaction involving a pest, its predator, and a mutulist of the pest. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Reduction of cysteine‐S‐protecting groups by triisopropylsilane
Authors: Ste.Marie Emma J. , Hondal Robert J. 
Published: October 2018

Triisopropylsilane (TIS), a hindered hydrosilane, has long been utilized as a cation scavenger for the removal of amino acid protecting groups during peptide synthesis. However, its ability to actively remove S‐protecting groups by serving as a reductant has largely been mischaracterized by the peptide community. Here, we provide strong evidence that TIS can act as a reducing agent to facilitate the removal of acetamidomethyl (Acm), 4‐methoxybenzyl (Mob), and tert‐butyl (But) protecting groups from cysteine (Cys) residues in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) at 37 °C. The lability of the Cys protecting groups in TFA/TIS (98/2) in this study are in the order: Cys(Mob) > Cys(Acm) > Cys(But), with Cys(Mob) being especially labile. Unexpectedly, we found that TIS promoted disulfide formation in addition to aiding in the removal of the protecting group. Our results raise the possibility of using TIS in orthogonal deprotection strategies of Cys‐protecting groups following peptide synthesis as TIS can be viewed as a potential deprotection agent instead of merely a scavenger in deprotection cocktails based on our results. We also tested other common scavengers under these reaction conditions and found that thioanisole and triethylsilane were similarly effective as TIS in enhancing deprotection and catalyzing disulfide formation. Our findings reported herein show that careful consideration should be given to the type of scavenger used when it is desirable to preserve the Cys‐protecting group. Additional consideration should be given to the concentration of scavenger, temperature of the reaction, and reaction time.
Team NimbRo at MBZIRC 2017: Autonomous valve stem turning using a wrench
Authors: Schwarz Max , Droeschel David , Lenz Christian , Periyasamy Arul Selvam , Puang En Yen , Razlaw Jan , Rodriguez Diego , Schüller Sebastian , Schreiber Michael , Behnke Sven 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge (MBZIRC) 2017 has defined ambitious new benchmarks to advance the state‐of‐the‐art in autonomous operation of ground‐based and flying robots. In this study, we describe our winning entry to MBZIRC Challenge 2: the mobile manipulation robot Mario. It is capable of autonomously solving a valve manipulation task using a wrench tool detected, grasped, and finally used to turn a valve stem. Mario’s omnidirectional base allows both fast locomotion and precise close approach to the manipulation panel. We describe an efficient detector for medium‐sized objects in three‐dimensional laser scans and apply it to detect the manipulation panel. An object detection architecture based on deep neural networks is used to find and select the correct tool from grayscale images. Parametrized motion primitives are adapted online to percepts of the tool and valve stem to turn the stem. We report in detail on our winning performance at the challenge and discuss lessons learned.
Considerations for using turbidity as a surrogate for suspended sediment in small, ungaged streams: Time‐series selection, streamflow estimation, and regional transferability
Authors: Steffy Luanne Y. , Shank Matthew K. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractSuspended sediment (SS) transport is an important and natural process in aquatic ecosystems. However, accelerated erosion due to anthropogenic land uses causes excessive sedimentation, which makes SS pollution one of the most prevalent stressors causing biological impairments of freshwater. Despite the ubiquitous nature of sedimentation and the ways in which it negatively impacts streams, inherent obstacles exist to effective measurement and characterization of fluvial SS loading. SS concentrations (SSCs) can vary widely during similar hydrologic conditions, making discharge an unreliable predictor variable. Alternatively, turbidity has been shown to be an effective surrogate for SSC, and methods using in situ optical turbidity sensors to indirectly measure SSCs have been developed. We present data and results from research using turbidity as a surrogate for SSC in five small, ungaged streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Objectives of this study include presenting practical considerations and strategies for applying the turbidity–SSC surrogate method in small headwater streams. Empirical evidence is presented illustrating the potential correlation between land use and sediment loading. Additionally, accurate estimates of sediment loading require utilization of high frequency time‐series data and on‐site monitoring to capture timing and magnitude of streamflow, especially during intense, short‐duration runoff events. Similar turbidity–SSC relationships across watersheds suggest that regional regression curves could be established to allow more efficient and cost‐effective estimation of sediment loading. The broad application of this method would also benefit water resource management, by enabling prioritization of sites for stream restoration, standardizing techniques for monitoring stream recovery, or documenting impacts of discrete land‐use changes.
Preparation of Naturally Active Melanin Nano‐Platforms Chelated with Barium Ions as a Potential X‐Ray‐Computed Tomography Contrast Agent
Authors: Nedaei T. Sevda , Delavari H. Hamid 
Published: October 2018

AbstractFacile preparation of biocompatible nano‐platforms for computed tomography (CT) is demanding. In this work, PEGylated melanin nanoparticles (MNPs) are prepared and reacted with barium ions as CT imaging contrast agent (Ba‐MNPs‐mPEG). It is found that the hydrodynamic size of MNPs is in accordance with size of MNPs measured by electron microscopy (4±1 nm). The zeta potential of MNPs reduces by PEGylation and chelating with Ba2+ ions. Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) analysis proposed that OH and NH groups of MNPs are possible binding sites for Ba2+ ions. The prepared Ba‐MNPs‐mPEG shows no significant cytotoxicity at concentration up to 100 ppm of barium concentration after 24 h. Finally, our results indicated that the X‐ray attenuation of Ba‐MNPs‐mPEG is similar and slightly higher than Iohexol as the commercially available iodinated contrasting agent at the same concentrations.
Synthesis of Nano‐Porous Polyaniline and Investigation its Catalytic Effect on the Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Perchlorate
Authors: Ebrahimi Sajjad , Shakeri Alireza , Alizadeh Taher 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAmmonium perchlorate (AP) is one of the most well‐known oxidizers of solid propellant. In this article, an intrinsic conductive polymer (ICP) is introduced as a green catalyst for thermal decomposition of AP. Activation energy of samples was defined by Kissinger method. A MATLAB code and Complementary method were used to derive the best model of samples decomposition reaction. It was revealed that application of nano‐porous polyaniline (NP‐PANi) changed the model of decomposition reaction of AP from
to
; as a drastic raise was observed in the maximum reaction rate, in the range of 264‐430%, at different heating rates. reaction rate constant and pre‐exponential factor were also defined. Characteristic temperatures (TSADT and Tb) have been also determined in order to evaluate the thermal stability of process. Thermodynamic parameters have been also calculated, as the results confirmed the proper catalytic activity of NP‐PANI in AP decomposition process. The obtained results would be helpful for further application of ICPs as a noble family of green catalysts used for decomposition of energetic material.
Human Cartilage-Derived Progenitors Resist Terminal Differentiation and Require CXCR4 Activation to Successfully Bridge Meniscus Tissue Tears
Authors: Jayasuriya Chathuraka T. , Twomey-Kozak John , Newberry Jake , Desai Salomi , Feltman Peter , Franco Jonathan R. , Li Neill , Terek Richard , Ehrlich Michael G. , Owens Brett D. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMeniscus injuries are among the most common orthopedic injuries. Tears in the inner one-third of the meniscus heal poorly and present a significant clinical challenge. In this study, we hypothesized that progenitor cells from healthy human articular cartilage (chondroprogenitor cells [C-PCs]) may be more suitable than bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) to mediate bridging and reintegration of fibrocartilage tissue tears in meniscus. C-PCs were isolated from healthy human articular cartilage based on their expression of mesenchymal stem/progenitor marker activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) (CD166). Our findings revealed that healthy human C-PCs are CD166+, CD90+, CD54+, CD106- cells with multilineage differentiation potential, and elevated basal expression of chondrogenesis marker SOX-9. We show that, similar to BM-MSCs, C-PCs are responsive to the chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and they can successfully migrate to the area of meniscal tissue damage promoting collagen bridging across inner meniscal tears. In contrast to BM-MSCs, C-PCs maintained reduced expression of cellular hypertrophy marker collagen X in monolayer culture and in an explant organ culture model of meniscus repair. Treatment of C-PCs with SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway inhibitor AMD3100 disrupted cell localization to area of injury and prevented meniscus tissue bridging thereby indicating that the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis is an important mediator of this repair process. This study suggests that C-PCs from healthy human cartilage may potentially be a useful tool for fibrocartilage tissue repair/regeneration because they resist cellular hypertrophy and mobilize in response to chemokine signaling. Stem Cells 2019;37:102–114