bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prenatal aqueduct stenosis: Association with rhombencephalosynapsis and neonatal outcome
Authors: Kline‐Fath Beth M. , Arroyo Monica S. , Calvo‐Garcia Maria A. , Horn Paul S. , Thomas Cameron 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackground and purposeTo examine prenatal MRI and postnatal imaging in fetuses with congenital aqueductal stenosis (CAS) to determine the frequency of association of rhombencephalosynapsis (RES) and how it may affect neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) course.Materials and methodsA single center IRB‐approved retrospective study of children with CAS was performed. Prenatal MRI, postnatal images, and clinical data were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed with SAS statistical software package version 9.3.ResultsAqueduct obstruction was confirmed for all 30 participants. Hydrocephalus required shunting in all but one (97%). Fifteen neonates had CAS with rhomboencephalosynapsis (RES) (50%). Although neonatal course between the two groups was comparable, 53% of CAS with RES neonates required feeding assistance versus 20% in CAS only (P = 0.128). Shunting in the CAS with RES group occurred at average of 6 days of life versus CAS group at 55 days (P = 0.196). Biometry measurements showed a statistically significant decrease in pons antero‐posterior diameter in both groups (CAS only P = 0.0049 and CAS with RES P = 0.0003) when compared with norms for gestational age.ConclusionCAS has a high association with RES. Feeding assistance in the NICU and earlier neurosurgical intervention may be required in patients with CAS who also have RES.
Accuracy of Point‐of‐Care Blood Glucose Level Measurements in Critically Ill Patients with Sepsis Receiving High‐Dose Intravenous Vitamin C
Authors: Smith Kathryn E. , Brown Caitlin S. , Manning Bridget M. , May Teresa , Riker Richard R. , Lerwick Patricia A. , Hayes Timothy L. , Fraser Gilles L. 
Published: September 2018

Study ObjectiveHigh‐dose intravenous vitamin C is a potential treatment option for patients with sepsis and may interfere with point‐of‐care (POC) blood glucose (BG) testing. This study aimed to determine if vitamin C dosing used for sepsis affected POC BG level results.DesignProspective observational pilot study.SettingIntensive care unit in a large academic tertiary care medical center.PatientsFive consecutive critically ill adults hospitalized between April 1 and June 1, 2017, who received two or more doses of intravenous vitamin C 1500 mg for the treatment of sepsis and had at least two paired POC BG levels and laboratory venous BG levels measured within 1 hour of each other during vitamin C therapy.Measurements and Main ResultsThe performance of POC BG level measurement was compared with the reference method of laboratory BG level measurement. The concordance to minimum accuracy criteria for BG meters set forth by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 15197:2013, the measurement of agreement between POC BG level and laboratory BG level using the Bland‐Altman method, and the clinical accuracy through Parkes error grid analysis were assessed. A total of 16 paired POC and laboratory BG level measurements from the five patients were included. The accuracy of POC BG with laboratory BG level measurements during vitamin C administration according to ISO 15197:2013 criteria was 81.3%, which did not meet the minimum accuracy criteria of 95%. The Bland‐Altman analysis showed a mean difference between POC and laboratory BG levels of 8.9 mg/dl, and the Parkes error grid analysis showed that the differences between POC and laboratory BG level measurements would not have resulted in a change in clinical action.ConclusionThe accuracy and agreement of POC and laboratory BG level measurements in critically ill patients receiving vitamin C were consistent with previously published reports in critically ill patients not receiving vitamin C and did not demonstrate clinically significant interference due to vitamin C dosing for sepsis.
Influence of α′‐/α‐crystal polymorphism on properties of poly(l‐lactic acid)
Authors: Di Lorenzo Maria Laura , Androsch René 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPoly(l‐lactic acid) (PLLA) is a biodegradable and biocompatible thermoplastic polyester produced from renewable sources, widely used for biomedical devices, in food packaging and in agriculture. It is a semicrystalline polymer, and as such its properties are strongly affected by the developed semicrystalline morphology. As a function of the crystallization temperature, PLLA can form different crystal modifications, namely α′‐crystals below about 120 °C and α‐crystals at higher temperatures. The α′ modification is therefore of special importance as it may be the preferred polymorph developing at processing‐relevant conditions. It is a metastable modification which typically transforms into the more stable α‐crystals on annealing at elevated temperature. The structure, kinetics of formation and thermodynamics of α′‐ and α‐crystals of PLLA are reviewed in this contribution, together with the effect of α′‐/α‐crystal polymorphism on the properties of PLLA. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
The Level of Personality Functioning Scale‐Brief Form 2.0: Update of a brief instrument for assessing level of personality functioning
Authors: Weekers Laura C. , Hutsebaut Joost , Kamphuis Jan H. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSection III of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) introduced the alternative model of personality disorders that includes assessing levels of personality functioning. Here, we describe the development, preliminary psychometric evaluation and sensitivity to change of a revised brief self‐report questionnaire, the Level of Personality Functioning Scale‐Brief Form 2.0 (LPFS‐BF 2.0). Patients (N = 201) referred to a specialized centre for the assessment and treatment of personality disorders completed the LPFS‐BF 2.0, the Brief Symptom Inventory and the Severity Indices of Personality Problems Short Form and were administered the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV Axis I and Axis II Disorders. Internal structure and aspects of construct validity were examined. A subsample of 39 patients also completed the questionnaires after 3 months of inpatient treatment. Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated better fit for a two‐factor solution (interpretable as self‐functioning and interpersonal functioning) than for a unidimensional model, though acceptable model fit was evident only after two post hoc modifications. The LPFS‐BF 2.0 demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency and promising construct validity. Sensitivity to change after 3 months of treatment was high. The LPFS‐BF 2.0 constitutes a short, user‐friendly instrument that provides a quick impression of the severity of personality pathology. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of polymeric organic semiconductors using semifluorinated polymer precursors
Authors: Paisley Nathan R. , Tonge Christopher M. , Sauvé Ethan R. , Halldorson Sarah V. , Hudson Zachary M. 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTThe transesterification of 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoroisopropyl acrylate (HFIPA) homopolymers and block copolymers with methyl acrylate (MA) or n‐butyl acrylate (n‐BuA) were investigated for the efficient synthesis of p‐type and n‐type organic semiconductor acrylates. HFIPA, MA, and n‐BuA are readily prepared in a one‐pot synthesis by Cu(0) reversible deactivation radical polymerization in high yield with low dispersity to give poly(HFIPA)100, PMA100‐b‐poly(HFIPA)x, and PnBuA100‐b‐poly(HFIPA)x (x = 100, 50,25). The transesterification of poly(HFIPA)100 was also studied using 19F NMR spectroscopy. Based on this method, a series of eight homopolymers and three copolymers based on semiconductor motifs commonly found in organic light‐emitting diodes, organic thin‐film transistors, and organic photovoltaics were synthesized with narrow dispersity and conversions up to 99%. These experiments demonstrate that poly(HFIPA) can provide a useful building block in the synthesis of organic electronic materials, providing a simpler route to complex materials which may be challenging to access directly via controlled radical polymerization. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 2183–2191
Imine polymers containing chiral nanohoops in the backbone obtained through [2 + 2] cyclocondensation
Authors: Vacareanu Loredana , Negru Oana Iuliana , Grigoras Mircea 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTA simple method for synthesis of polymers containing shape persistent imine macrocycles as nanohoops in the main chain is studied. It is based on the cyclocondensation reaction carried out in solution and room temperature of triphenylamine‐based tetraaldehyde compounds with (R,R)‐trans‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane. The pristine polymer P1 bearing long alkyl groups is soluble during the synthesis but becomes insoluble after precipitation due to the strong and multiple CH/π and π‐π stacking intermolecular interactions from arene–arene species and entanglement and interpenetrating of flexible alkyl groups inside of rigid macrocycle hollow. Polymer without any solubilizing groups (P2) separates during the polymerization as an insoluble material. Both polymers are amorphous and have good thermal and environmental stability. They have a low surface area because discrete nanovoids introduced by macrocycles are disconnected in the amorphous polymers and non‐accessible for gas adsorption. Polymers have inherent luminescent properties due to triphenylamine groups and chirality derived from (R,R)‐conformation of the cyclohexane skeleton. In presence of picric acid (PA), the polymer fluorescence in solid state or suspension is strongly quenched, thus the polymers can work as efficient fluorescent probes toward nitrophenolic compounds. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 2565–2573
COMbined Physical and somatoSEnsory training after stroke: Development and description of a novel intervention to improve upper limb function
Authors: Gopaul Urvashy , van Vliet Paulette , Callister Robin , Nilsson Michael , Carey Leeanne 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackground and purposeAfter stroke, reach‐to‐grasp goal‐directed movements are disrupted as a result of both residual motor and somatosensory impairments. This report describes the rationale and development of a new upper limb stroke rehabilitation intervention known as COMPoSE: “COMbined Physical and somatoSEnsory training,” designed to improve somatosensory and motor deficits in the upper limb after stroke. A standardized training matrix has been developed to facilitate intervention delivery.MethodsThe COMPoSE intervention was developed through the following stages: (a) Definition and operationalization of somatosensory and motor variables used in training sensation and movement after stroke; (b) development of methods to give feedback to enhance skill acquisition; and (c) Combination of somatosensory and motor variables, and feedback, into a standardized training matrix. The reporting of the COMPoSE intervention adheres to the recommendations of the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist to facilitate replication of the intervention in the future.ResultsThe essential features of COMPoSE include combined somatosensory–motor training variables (grasp pressure, distance, object size, crushability, surface texture, and friction), feedback, and calibration using a haptic device providing measures of grasp pressure, use of anticipation trials, and high‐dose repetitive task practice. Ten treatment sessions are delivered over 3 weeks, using a standardized matrix for treatment delivery.ConclusionCOMPoSE is a new intervention that combines somatosensory and movement training, delivered synchronously, within the same intervention, and within the same task.
Physical therapy practice in intensive care units in Jordanian hospitals: A national survey
Authors: Al‐Nassan Saad , Alshammari Faris , Al‐Bostanji Shaden , Modhi Mansour Zaid , Hawamdeh Mohannad 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveA national survey was conducted to determine the current status of physical therapy practice in the intensive care units (ICUs) of Jordanian hospitals.MethodsAn online survey was sent via email to physical therapists working at Jordanian hospitals. Questions of the survey addressed the physical therapy demographics, staffing, education, training, and barriers of practice. The responses were compared among four different hospital sectors in the country.ResultsThe response rate was 31% (50/161). Thirty‐six percent of participants had more than 10 years of experience in physical therapy, and 26% had less than 1 year of experience in the intensive care practice. Staffing of physical therapists working in ICUs relative to the total ICU beds was the highest in public hospitals compared with other hospital sectors. Among all participants, only 4% had received specialized postgraduate ICU training. The barriers to ICU physical therapy practice in Jordan included insufficient staffing, inadequate training, and lack of understanding of physical therapy role for ICU patients.ConclusionThe study showed the main barriers to ICU physical therapy practice in Jordan. There is a need for well‐structured strategies to overcome these barriers to help improve the delivery of physical therapy services in Jordan.
Seasonal forecast skill for extratropical cyclones and windstorms
Authors: Befort Daniel J. , Wild Simon , Knight Jeff R. , Lockwood Julia F. , Thornton Hazel E. , Hermanson Leon , Bett Philip E. , Weisheimer Antje , Leckebusch Gregor C. 
Published: September 2018

Extratropical cyclones and their associated extreme wind speeds are a major cause of vast damage and large insured losses in several European countries. Reliable seasonal predictions of severe extratropical winter cyclones and associated windstorms would thus have great social and economic benefits, especially in the insurance sector. We analyse the climatological representation and assess the seasonal prediction skill of wintertime extratropical cyclones and windstorms in three multi‐member seasonal prediction systems: ECMWF‐System3, ECMWF‐System4 and Met Office‐GloSea5, based on hindcasts over a 20‐year period (1992–2011).Small to moderate positive skill in forecasting the winter frequency of extratropical cyclones and windstorms is found over most of the Northern Hemisphere. The skill is highest for extratropical cyclones at the downstream end of the Pacific storm track and for windstorms at the downstream end of the Atlantic storm track. We also assess the forecast skill of windstorm frequency by using the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) as the predictor. Prediction skill improves when using this technique over parts of the British Isles and North Sea in GloSea5 and ECMWF‐System4, but reduces over central western Europe. This suggests that using the NAO is a simple and effective method for predicting windstorm frequency, but that increased forecast skill can be achieved in some regions by identifying windstorms directly using an objective tracking algorithm. Consequently, in addition to the large‐scale influence of the NAO, other factors may contribute to the predictability of windstorm frequency seen in existing forecast suites, across impact‐relevant regions of Europe.Overall, this study reveals for the first time significant skill in forecasting the winter frequency of high‐impact windstorms ahead of the season in regions that are vulnerable to such events.
Application of power law model in reliability evaluation of machine tools by considering working condition difference
Authors: Li Guofa , Zhu Hongxiang , He Jialong , Wu Kai , Jia Yuhui 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe influence of working condition difference has not been considered in the traditional reliability modeling of numerical control (NC) machine tools. To solve the problem, a reliability evaluation method based on mixture variable parameter power law model (MVPPLM) is proposed in this study. First, the scale parameter of the PLM is obtained by multi‐dimensional exponential distribution. Second, a proportional relation of failure rate function between each working condition and reference working condition is established. The proportion coefficient is solved using the partial likelihood function. Working condition factors with a significant influence on reliability levels are selected through the chi‐squared test. Third, reliability evaluation models under different working condition levels are established through mixture distributions. The mixture weight coefficient is calculated by the standard deviation of working condition covariates. The maximum likelihood estimation method is used to estimate parameters. Finally, results of a case analysis based on the data of NC machine tools in the user field tracing test show that the MVPPLM has higher precision than the traditional method. Therefore, reliability evaluation that considers working condition difference is valuable for engineering application.
Reliability assessment models for dependent competing failure processes considering correlations between random shocks and degradations
Authors: Tang Jiayin , Chen Chongshuang , Huang Lei 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis article develops reliability models for systems subject to two dependent competing failure processes, considering the correlation between additional damage size on degradation in soft failure process and stress magnitude of shock load in hard failure process, both of which are caused by the same kth random shock. The generalized correlative reliability assessment model based on copulas is proposed, which is then extended to three different shock patterns: (1) δ‐shock, (2) m‐shock, and (3) m‐run shocks. There are some statistical works to be introduced in reliability modeling, including data separation of total degradation amount, inferring the distribution of amount of aging continuous degradation at time t, and fitting copula to the specific correlation. The developed reliability models are demonstrated for an application example of a micro‐electro‐mechanical system.
Mitochondrial replacement therapy and assisted reproductive technology: A paradigm shift toward treatment of genetic diseases in gametes or in early embryos
Authors: Tachibana Masahito , Kuno Takashi , Yaegashi Nobuo 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundRecent technological development allows nearly complete replacement of the cytoplasm of egg/embryo, eliminating the transmission of undesired defective mitochondria (mutated mitochondrial DNA: mtDNA) for patients with inherited mitochondrial diseases, which is called mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT).MethodsWe review and summarize the mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial diseases, the research milestones and future research agenda of MRT and also discuss MRT‐derived potential application in common assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment for subfertile patients.Main findingsEmerging techniques, involving maternal spindle transfer (MST) and pronuclear transfer (PNT), have demonstrated in preventing carryover of the unbidden (mutated) mtDNA in egg or in early embryos. The House of Parliament in the United Kingdom passed regulations permitting the use of MST and PNT in 2015. Furthermore, the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to granted licenses world first use of those techniques in March 2017. However, recent evidence demonstrated gradual loss of donor mtDNA and reversal to the nuclear DNA‐matched haplotype in MRT derivatives.ConclusionWhile further studies are needed to clarify mitochondrial biogenesis responsible for reversion, ruling in United Kingdom may shift the current worldwide consensus that prohibits gene modification in human gametes or embryos, toward allowing the correction of altered genes in germline.
Architecting a Floatable, Durable, and Scalable Steam Generator: Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic Bifunctional Structure for Solar Evaporation Enhancement
Authors: Gao Tingting , Li Yiju , Chen Chaoji , Yang Zhi , Kuang Yudi , Jia Chao , Song Jianwei , Hitz Emily M. , Liu Boyang , Huang Hao , Yu Jianyong , Yang Bao , Hu Liangbing 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSolar steam generation has been extensively investigated recently as a sustainable and environmentally friendly technology for water purification. Although various materials such as graphene and cellulose have been utilized for the construction of solar steam generators, high cost and inferior durability greatly hinder their practical application. In this work, a low‐cost, floatable, durable, and scalable evaporator is designed with an open nanofiber‐based bifunctional structure for high‐efficiency solar steam generation. The integrated bilayer evaporator is successively composed of electrospun hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibers and hydrophilic carbon black/polyacrylonitrile (CB/PAN) composite nanofiber layers from the bottom up. The porous hydrophobic PVDF nanofiber layer, due to their intrinsic low thermal conductivity, serves as the floating support and thermal barrier to suppress the irreversible heat dissipation. The hydrophilic CB/PAN composite nanofiber layer on the top has a high broadband solar adsorption of 98.6% from the wavelength of 250–2500 nm, which can effectively convert solar irradiation into available heat energy. The assembled CB/PAN//PVDF (CP/P) evaporator possesses an impressive solar energy conversion efficiency of 82.0% under one‐sun illumination and superior long‐term stability. The cost‐efficient polymer‐nanofiber‐based evaporator with excellent flexibility, durability, and scalability holds great promise in the practical application of water desalination and sterilization.
Recent Progress of Rechargeable Batteries Using Mild Aqueous Electrolytes
Authors: Huang Jianhang , Guo Zhaowei , Ma Yuanyuan , Bin Duan , Wang Yonggang , Xia Yongyao 
Published: September 2018

AbstractGiven the low cost, ease of fabrication, high safety, and environmental‐friendly characteristics, aqueous rechargeable batteries using mild aqueous solutions as electrolytes (pH is close to 7) and a monovalent/multivalent metal ion as charge carrier, are attracting extensive attention for energy storage. However, accompanied by advantages of mild aqueous electrolyte mentioned above, there are some challenges that stand in the way of the development of these aqueous rechargeable batteries, such as the narrow stable electrochemical window of water, instability of electrode materials, undesired side reactions, etc. In recent years, a massive effort is devoted to overcoming the drawbacks, and some encouraging works have arisen. In this review, the latest advances of electrolyte and electrode materials in aqueous batteries based on monovalent ion (Li+, Na+, K+) and multivalent ion (Zn2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Al3+) are briefly reviewed.
The political logics of clean energy transitions
Authors: Breetz Hanna , Mildenberger Matto , Stokes Leah 
Published: September 2018

AbstractTechnology costs and deployment rates, represented in experience curves, are typically seen as the main factors in the global clean energy transition from fossil fuels towards low-carbon energy sources. We argue that politics is the hidden dimension of technology experience curves, as it affects both costs and deployment. We draw from empirical analyses of diverse North American and European cases to describe patterns of political conflict surrounding clean energy adoption across a variety of technologies. Our analysis highlights that different political logics shape costs and deployment at different stages along the experience curve. The political institutions and conditions that nurture new technologies into economic winners are not always the same conditions that let incumbent technologies become economic losers. Thus, as the scale of technology adoption moves from niches towards systems, new political coalitions are necessary to push complementary system-wide technology. Since the cost curve is integrated globally, different countries can contribute to different steps in the transition as a function of their individual comparative political advantages.