bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Timing of postnatal corticosteroid treatment for bronchopulmonary dysplasia and its effect on outcomes
Authors: Cuna Alain , Lewis Tamorah , Dai Hongying , Nyp Michael , Truog William E. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the association of timing of steroid therapy for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and outcomes.MethodsRetrospective cohort study of preterm infants treated with low‐dose dexamethasone for BPD. Infants treated with steroids at day of life (DOL) 14‐28 (moderately late group) were compared to infants treated at DOL 29‐42 (delayed group). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) adjusted propensity scores were used to correct for potential confounders. The primary outcome of interest was postmenstrual age (PMA) at discharge.ResultsFifty‐five infants (25 with moderately late treatment; 30 with delayed treatment) were identified. The mean age at treatment was 23 days in the moderately late group and 35 days in the delayed group. At time of treatment, infants treated moderately late were more likely to be on high frequency ventilation (96% vs 47%, P < 0.0001) and had higher fraction of inspired oxygen (70.7 ± 17.9% vs 56.2 ± 18.4%, P = 0.005) compared to infants treated later. Despite being the sicker group, moderately late treated infants were discharged at an earlier corrected age compared to infants with delayed treatment (PMA 42.9 ± 4.5 vs 47.5 ± 8.3 weeks, IPTW adjusted P = 0.03). Moderately late treatment was also associated with fewer days on mechanical ventilation (46.0 ± 19.0 days vs 77.4 ± 67.0 days, IPTW adjusted P = 0.02) and fewer days on supplemental oxygen (114.3 ± 40.8 days vs 149.8 ± 57.0 days, IPTW adjusted P = 0.005).ConclusionsAmong preterm infants at high risk of BPD, delaying treatment with postnatal steroids is associated with comparatively worse short‐term outcomes as compared to earlier treatment.
Proteomic Analysis of the Initial Oral Pellicle in Caries‐Active and Caries‐Free Individuals
Authors: Trautmann Simone , Barghash Ahmad , Fecher‐Trost Claudia , Schalkowsky Pascal , Hannig Christian , Kirsch Jasmin , Rupf Stefan , Keller Andreas , Helms Volkhard , Hannig Matthias 
Published: December 2018

PurposeTo 1) elucidate individual proteomic profiles of the 3‐min biofilm of caries‐active and caries‐free individuals and 2) compare these proteomic profiles against the background of caries.Experimental designThe initial oral pellicle of 12 caries‐active and 12 caries‐free individuals is generated in situ on ceramics specimens. The individual, host‐specific proteomic profiles of this basic pellicle layer are analyzed by a chemical elution protocol combined with an elaborate mass spectrometry and evaluated bioinformatically.ResultsA total of 1188 different proteins are identified. Additionally, 68 proteins are present in the profiles of all individuals, suggesting them as ubiquitously occurring base‐proteins of the initial human pellicle. Thereof, the single profiles exhibit high inter‐individual differences independent of their group affiliation, stating the initial pellicle to represent a rather “individual fingerprint”. Quantitative analyses imply slight indication for 23 proteins potentially capable of counting for caries‐specific biomarkers.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe introduced protocol enables the individual analysis of minimal protein amounts and allows for highly precise characterizations and comparisons of individual proteomic profiles. The results contain a considerable higher extent of protein identifications and might serve as a base for future large scale analyzes to identify discrimination factors for the development of caries susceptibility tests.
The pKa values of the catalytic residues in the retaining glycoside hydrolase T26H mutant of T4 lysozyme
Authors: Brockerman Jacob A. , Okon Mark , Withers Stephen G. , McIntosh Lawrence P. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractT4 phage lysozyme (T4L) is an enzyme that cleaves bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan. Remarkably, the single substitution of the active site Thr26 to a His (T26H) converts T4L from an inverting to a retaining glycoside hydrolase with transglycosylase activity. It has been proposed that T26H–T4L follows a double displacement mechanism with His26 serving as a nucleophile to form a covalent glycosyl‐enzyme intermediate (Kuroki et al., PNAS 1999; 96:8949–8954). To gain further insights into this or alternative mechanisms, we used NMR spectroscopy to measure the acid dissociation constants (pKa values) and/or define the ionization states of the Asp, Glu, His, and Arg residues in the T4L mutant. Most notably, the pKa value of the putative nucleophile His26 is 6.8 ± 0.1, whereas that of the general acid Glu11 is 4.7 ± 0.1. If the proposed mechanism holds true, then T26H–T4L follows a reverse protonation pathway in which only a minor population of the free enzyme is in its catalytically competent ionization state with His26 deprotonated and Glu11 protonated. Our studies also confirm that all arginines in T26H–T4L, including the active site Arg145, are positively charged under neutral pH conditions.Brief statementThe replacement of a single amino acid changes T4 lysozyme from an inverting to a retaining glycoside hydrolase. Using NMR spectroscopy, we measured the pKa values of the ionizable residues in the active site of this mutant enzyme. Along with previously reported data, these results provide important constraints for understanding the catalytic mechanisms by which the wild‐type and mutant form of T4 lysozyme cleave bacterial peptidoglycan.
Circulating miRNAs in localized/locally advanced prostate cancer patients after radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy
Authors: Zedan Ahmed H. , Hansen Torben F. , Assenholt Jannie , Madsen Jonna S. , Osther Palle J. S. 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundOvertreatment is a well‐known clinical challenge in local prostate cancer (PCa). Although risk assessment models have contributed to a better stratification of patients with local PCa, a tailored management is still in its infancy. Over the last few decades, microRNAs (miRNAs) have shown promising results as biomarkers in PCa. The aim of this study was to investigate circulating miRNAs after management of local PCa.MethodsThe relative expression of four miRNAs (miRNA‐21, ‐93, ‐125b, and miRNA‐221) was assessed in plasma from 149 newly diagnosed patients with local or locally advanced PCa. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used for analysis. A baseline sample at time of diagnosis and a follow‐up sample after 6 months were assessed. The patients were grouped in an interventional cohort (radical prostatectomy, curative intent radiotherapy, or androgen‐deprivation therapy alone) and an observational cohort (watchful waiting or active surveillance).ResultsIn the interventional cohort, levels of both miRNA‐93 and miRNA‐221 were significantly lower in the follow‐up samples compared to baseline z = −2.738, P = 0.006, and z = −4.498, P < 0.001, respectively. The same observation was recorded for miRNA‐125b in the observational cohort (z = −2.656, P = 0.008). Both miRNA‐125b and miRNA‐221 were correlated with risk assessment r = 0.23, P = 0.015, and r = 0.203, P = 0.016 respectively, while miRNA‐93 showed tendency to significant correlation with the prostatectomy Gleason score (r = 0.276, P = 0.0576).ConclusionsThe current results indicate a possible role of miRNA‐93 and miRNA‐221 in disease monitoring in localized and locally advanced PCa. Larger studies are warranted to assess the clinical impact of these biomarkers.
An approach for teaching process safety risk engineering and management control concepts using AIChE's web‐based concept warehouse
Authors: Vaughen Bruce K. 
Published: December 2018

One of many efforts to help instructors teach process safety‐related concepts to undergraduate chemical engineers includes using AIChE's web‐based Concept Warehouse, a real‐time, interactive teaching tool which can be used during lectures when teaching chemical engineering subjects. This article describes a student outreach effort by the AIChE Safety and Health Division to help populate the Concept Warehouse with vetted process safety‐related problems. The purpose of this article is to describe how we are bridging the gap between the practitioner volunteering their expertise and faculty members interested in incorporating current process safety‐related concepts into their classes. The goal for this effort is to provide a comprehensive instructional tool that can be used to help teach process safety‐related engineering design concepts, as well as to help teach the essential administrative process safety and risk management system concepts, using problems that describe both the engineering and administrative controls required for safe and reliable operations.The Concept Warehouse is an information database and instructional tool accessible to anyone teaching core chemical engineering topics such as thermodynamics, kinetics, or process safety anywhere in the world. This article defines and provides the framework of this effort to populate the Concept Warehouse with process safety‐related problems. As process safety risk reduction efforts continue to evolve, this article provides updates to traditional definitions that can be used to help orient those unfamiliar with these systems‐related process safety risk management strategies. The article concludes with a few example problems which could be used when teaching process safety‐related concepts. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 38: e12010, 2019
Spectral interval optimization on rapid determination of prohibited addition in pesticide by ATR‐FTIR
Authors: Li Qianqian , Huang Yue , Song Xiangzhong , Zhang Jixiong , Min Shungeng 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDAcetamiprid, as a low‐toxicity pesticide, has already been extensively used to increase plant production and quality. Although fipronil has been prohibited, it is usually illicitly added to acetamiprid due to its particular insecticidal action and effect, so it is highly desirable to obtain a rapid and effective method to detect its concentration. Mid‐infrared spectroscopy (MIR) combined with two variable selection methods, interval combination optimization (ICO) and interval partial least squares (iPLS), were used to determinate the prohibited addition of fipronil.RESULTSThe full spectra for both ICO and iPLS were divided into 40 equal‐width intervals. Consequently, 45 and 135 characteristic variables were extracted from ICO and iPLS to establish the models. Compared with iPLS, the ICO model acquired a more suitable spectral region and as a result gained a higher prediction accuracy. Specifically, the ICO method selected the characteristic wavelengths ascribed to CF and CN (in five‐membered heterocyclics), iPLS chose the intervals associated with CF and SO.CONCLUSIONResults revealed that MIR combined with ICO could be efficiently used for rapid identification of illegal addition and had great potential to provide on‐site pesticide quality control. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Vectorizing agrochemicals: enhancing bioavailability via carrier‐mediated transport
Authors: Wu Hanxiang , Xu Hanhong , Marivingt‐Mounir Cécile , Bonnemain Jean‐Louis , Chollet Jean‐François 
Published: December 2018

AbstractSystemicity of agrochemicals is an advantageous property for controlling phloem sucking insects, as well as pathogens and pests not accessible to contact products. After the penetration of the cuticle, the plasma membrane constitutes the main barrier to the entry of an agrochemical into the sap flow. The current strategy for developing systemic agrochemicals is to optimize the physicochemical properties of the molecules so that they can cross the plasma membrane by simple diffusion or ion trapping mechanisms. The main problem with current systemic compounds is that they move everywhere within the plant, and this non‐controlled mobility results in the contamination of the plant parts consumed by vertebrates and pollinators. To achieve the site‐targeted distribution of agrochemicals, a carrier‐mediated propesticide strategy is proposed in this review. After conjugating a non‐systemic agrochemical with a nutrient (α‐amino acids or sugars), the resulting conjugate may be actively transported across the plasma membrane by nutrient‐specific carriers. By applying this strategy, non‐systemic active ingredients are expected to be delivered into the target organs of young plants, thus avoiding or minimizing subsequent undesirable redistribution. The development of this innovative strategy presents many challenges, but opens up a wide range of exciting possibilities. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Resilience of perfect matchings and Hamiltonicity in random graph processes
Authors: Nenadov Rajko , Steger Angelika , Trujić Miloš 
Published: December 2018

Let {Gi} be the random graph process: starting with an empty graph G0 with n vertices, in every step i ≥ 1 the graph Gi is formed by taking an edge chosen uniformly at random among the nonexisting ones and adding it to the graph Gi − 1. The classical “hitting‐time” result of Ajtai, Komlós, and Szemerédi, and independently Bollobás, states that asymptotically almost surely the graph becomes Hamiltonian as soon as the minimum degree reaches 2, that is if δ(Gi) ≥ 2 then Gi is Hamiltonian. We establish a resilience version of this result. In particular, we show that the random graph process almost surely creates a sequence of graphs such that for edges, the 2‐core of the graph Gm remains Hamiltonian even after an adversary removes ‐fraction of the edges incident to every vertex. A similar result is obtained for perfect matchings.
Oxidation of SO2 by O2 and Its Effects on Dithionate Formation during Pyrolusite Leaching Process with Mixture Gas Containing SO2 and O2
Authors: He Kejie , Su Shijun , Ding Sanglan , Weiyi  , Sun  
Published: December 2018

AbstractCompetitive oxidations of SO2 oxidized by MnO2 and O2 are existed during pyrolusite leaching process with SO2 and O2 mixture gases. Generally, SO2 is oxidized into H2SO4 by O2, and manganese sulfate (MnSO4) and manganese dithionate (MnS2O6) are formed when oxidized by MnO2. Meanwhile, the reaction between SO2 and O2 has effect on the amount of aqueous SO2 oxidized by MnO2 and solution acidity, resulting in the variations of Mn extraction and MnS2O6 formation. In this paper, the competitive mechanism of SO2 oxidation by MnO2 and O2 was firstly discussed based on theoretical analysis of leaching process, and then concentration ratio of O2/SO2 (R) in gas flow was proposed as a determined parameter to characterize the competition, the effects of R on Mn extraction, H2SO4 generation and MnS2O6 formation. The results showed that R was the determined parameter for evaluating the oxidation effect of O2 on SO2, which had a decisive effect on H2SO4 concentration, and eventually affects MnS2O6 formation and Mn extraction under constant gas flow (10 L⋅min−1) and others experimental factor. With the increase of R, the H2SO4 concentration increased gradually but the formation of MnS2O6 sharply decreased to negligible amount when R >10, and Mn extraction increased first and then decreased significantly. The most suitable R for obtaining MnSO4 product was R=10 with 1.4 g⋅L−1
, 96% Mn extraction and 0.07 M H2SO4.
A Detailed Overview and Consistent Classification of Climate-Economy Models
Authors: Nikas Alexandros , Doukas Haris , Papandreou Andreas 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe proliferation and growing variety of climate-economy models and what are known as integrated assessment models (IAMs) can make it difficult for someone interested in following the debate to place any specific model, or the discussion about the merits of one or another, into a broader context. The literature related to climate-economy modelling is already vast: apart from a very large number of models and an even larger number of applications, there already exist many good surveys comparing—inter alia—modelling frameworks, model assumptions and model results. The objective of this chapter is to provide a simple overview and organising scheme of this modelling world by delving into the characteristics of more than 60 individual IAMs towards describing the main ways in which certain classes or groups of climate-economy models differ from one another. In contrast to other more detailed or narrowly focused “overviews” and literature reviews, this analysis takes less for granted and aims at providing an initial understanding of generic model structures. After briefly discussing some principles of classification that can help organise this often daunting modelling world, the chapter offers descriptions and comparisons of the main classes of models.
Impact Assessment of Climate and Energy Policy Scenarios: A Multi-criteria Approach
Authors: Neofytou Hera , Karakosta Charikleia , Gómez Natalia Caldés 
Published: December 2018

AbstractOver the last 20 years, numerous studies have shown significant changes in the global climate which negatively affect life in many aspects. The perpetual problems due to climate change impacts have created the urgent need to find efficient ways to tackle them. In this frame, European countries are moving towards the creation of energy and climate policies in order to achieve specific targets and mitigate the consequences of greenhouse gas emissions. They have defined a number of scenarios comprised of different targets’ combinations and ambition levels. The targets to be achieved are defined as to the CO2 emission reduction, the improvement in energy efficiency and the increase of the share of renewable energy sources until 2030. Thus, the aim is to lead EU to counteract the increasing energy demand and its negative effects on the environment as well as to abate the fossil fuel dependency. In this context, the scope of the particular paper is to examine which of the defined scenarios could respond adequately to the European region’s profile and which could affect positively living conditions. Subsequently, the research focuses on the assessment of each alternative climate and energy policy scenario and its socioeconomic, environmental and energy impacts with the application of multi-criteria decision analysis. The method used in the herein analysis is the PROMETHEE II, which ranks the proposed scenarios based on the decision-makers’ preferences. In order to ensure the robustness of the results, a sensitivity analysis is also performed.
Water Stress Implications of Energy Scenarios for the Middle East: An Assessment of Risks and Uncertainties
Authors: van der Zwaan Bob , Halstead Matthew , Kober Tom 
Published: December 2018

AbstractEnergy, water, and food systems have so far mostly been studied independently. In this chapter, we argue that it is important to take an “energy-water-food nexus approach” to analyzing these three resource systems. After briefly introducing the emerging literature on the energy-water-food nexus, we inspect the interrelationship between energy and water use in the Middle East. We present results for projected power production, water withdrawal, and water consumption levels until 2050 in the Middle East under both baseline and stringent climate policy scenarios. We also analyze how the use of different cooling techniques for the main power production options in the Middle East can yield water withdrawal and consumption savings in the electricity sector in the region. We end by informing authorities responsible for the implementation of energy-water policies on the risks and uncertainties associated with the water usage of future energy systems.
Hypothesis for a Risk Cost of Carbon: Revising the Externalities and Ethics of Climate Change
Authors: Chen Delton B. , van der Beek Joel , Cloud Jonathan 
Published: December 2018

AbstractStandard market-based policies for addressing climate change mostly aim to internalize the Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) into the economy with either carbon taxes or cap-and-trade schemes. Standard policies are failing to manage the systemic risk of dangerous-to-catastrophic climate change for a variety of reasons. In this chapter we clarify and expand on a market hypothesis that argues for a second externalized cost of carbon, called the Risk Cost of Carbon (RCC), as the appropriate solution to this risk problem.The combination of the SCC and RCC creates a new paradigm of complementary market pricing for the dual objectives of improving market efficiency and managing systemic risk, respectively. Introducing the RCC addresses the problem of how to decouple gross world product (GWP) from carbon emissions and how to solve the paradox of time discounting under systemic risk. Subsequently the RCC could have major implications for climate change economics, public policy, and sustainability theory. The hypothesis is novel by taking into consideration both the entropy and the mass of the carbon budget.The RCC is technically defined as the cost of imposing risk tolerances (%) on climate mitigation objectives, and it has units of USD per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) mitigated. The RCC is internalized with a “global carbon reward” that manages a trade-off between market efficiency and climate certainty. The carbon reward is issued as a parallel currency and with an exchange rate that is managed by central banks over a rolling 100-year planning horizon. A key recommendation is to test the hypothesis with experiments.
Validation of evaluation model and evaluation indicators comprised Kansei Engineering and eye movement with EEG: an example of medical nursing bed
Authors: Zhou Zhiyong , Cheng Jianxin , Wei Wheijane , Lee Laichung 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe study is to innovate an evaluation model of medical nursing bed and verify indicators by triangulation of subjective feelings, eye movement and electroencephalography (EEG). The underlying theory is Kansei Engineering that is the technology to measure and transform consumers’ perceptions of products into design elements. Kansei Engineering comprises external physiological sensory measurement and intrinsic psychological susceptibility measurement. The evaluation of medical nursing bed should measure subjective and objective data. The current evaluation method of medical nursing bed is very subjective and cannot be tested objectively. It is rationale to apply Kansei Engineering in medical nursing bed evaluation comprised subjective feelings and eye movement with electroencephalography. The methodology is the experimental research in which four design proposals of medical nursing bed were compared by 20 participants. Data collection adopted Tobii X2 eye tracker and NeurOne EEG recording system except subjective feelings. D-lab, ERGOLAB, and EEGLAB was applied to process data of eye movement and EEG. Correlation of triangulation was analyzed for criterion-related validity. Cronbach’s Alpha was used as a measure of internal consistency for reliability. Findings indicated design proposal 2 contained a rounded rectangular and line surface organically combined was optimal. Triangulation was supported as indicators for more objective and persuasive evaluation of medical nursing beds. Implications for practice will be applied in NCC Medical Co., LTD, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai Ying Hand Medical Equipment Co., Ltd, and WUTRON SAPACE in Shanghai DianJi University. Implications for follow-up research is in proceeding with more participants.