bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Insulating Material Erosion in Atmospheric Non-Thermal Plasma Jet Device
Authors: Ahmed Kamal M , Allam Tarek M , Abouelatta Mohamed Anwar , Ward Sayed A , Lashin Ahmed A , Soliman Hanaa M 
Published: December 2016

This paper reports on the selection of insulating material types in a developed atmospheric-pressure non-thermal plasma jet (ANPJ-II) device which was operated previously in our laboratory based on the minimum erosion area of the insulator’s nozzle. Three identical insulator groups used in our experiment include; Teflon insulator material with different thicknesses of 1.5 mm and 2 mm respectively, and Ceramic insulating material with thickness of 2 mm. ANPJ-II device is operated with each of the three insulator groups. These insulators are operated and analyzed with different operation times for compressed Air or Nitrogen gas with a flow rate of 12 L/min and input voltage of 6 kV. The erosion area of these insulator materials is measured as a function of the operation time. The Ceramic insulator was found to have the minimum erosion area. Also, the temperature of both the cathode and the insulating material (Teflon or Ceramic) are measured to study the effect of operation time and the gas type on the device components.
National Trends and Impact of Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Hemodialysis in Hospitalizations With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Chan Lili , Mehta Swati , Chauhan Kinsuk , Poojary Priti , Patel Sagar , Pawar Sumeet , Patel Achint , Correa Ashish , Patel Shanti , Garimella Pranav S. , Annapureddy Narender , Agarwal Shiv Kumar , Gidwani Umesh , Coca Steven G. , Nadkarni Girish N. 
Published: December 2016

Background

Atrial fibrillation (
AF
) is a common cause for hospitalization, but there are limited data regarding acute kidney injury requiring dialysis (
AKI
‐D) in
AF
hospitalizations. We aimed to assess temporal trends and outcomes in
AF
hospitalizations complicated by
AKI
‐D utilizing a nationally representative database.

Methods and Results

Utilizing the Nationwide Inpatient Sample,
AF
hospitalizations and
AKI
‐D were identified using diagnostic and procedure codes. Trends were analyzed overall and within subgroups and utilized multivariable logistic regression to generate adjusted odds ratios (a
OR
) for predictors and outcomes including mortality and adverse discharge. Between 2003 and 2012, 3751 (0.11%) of 3 497 677
AF
hospitalizations were complicated by
AKI
‐D. The trend increased from 0.3/1000 hospitalizations in 2003 to 1.5/1000 hospitalizations in 2012, with higher increases in males and black patients. Temporal changes in demographics and comorbidities explained a substantial proportion but not the entire trend. Significant comorbidities associated with
AKI
‐D included mechanical ventilation (a
OR
13.12; 95%
CI
9.88‐17.43); sepsis (a
OR
8.20; 95%
CI
6.00‐11.20); and liver failure (a
OR
3.72; 95%
CI
2.92‐4.75).
AKI
‐D was associated with higher risk of in‐hospital mortality (a
OR
3.54; 95%
CI
2.81‐4.47) and adverse discharge (a
OR
4.01; 95%
CI
3.12‐5.17). Although percentage mortality within
AKI
‐D decreased over the decade, attributable risk percentage mortality remained stable.

Conclusions

AF
hospitalizations complicated by
AKI
‐D have quintupled over the last decade with differential increase by demographic groups.
AKI
‐D is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Without effective
AKI
‐D therapies, focus should be on early risk stratification and prevention to avoid this devastating complication.
Human Muse Cells Reconstruct Neuronal Circuitry in Subacute Lacunar Stroke Model
Authors: Uchida Hiroki , Niizuma Kuniyasu , Kushida Yoshihiro , Wakao Shohei , Tominaga Teiji , Borlongan Cesario V. , Dezawa Mari 
Published: December 2016

Background and Purpose—

Multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring (muse) cells are endogenous nontumorigenic stem cells with pluripotency harvestable as pluripotent marker SSEA-3
+
cells from the bone marrow from cultured bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells. After transplantation into neurological disease models, muse cells exert repair effects, but the exact mechanism remains inconclusive.

Methods—
We conducted mechanism-based experiments by transplanting serum/xeno-free cultured-human bone marrow-muse cells into the perilesion brain at 2 weeks after lacunar infarction in immunodeficient mice.

Results—
Approximately 28% of initially transplanted muse cells remained in the host brain at 8 weeks, spontaneously differentiated into cells expressing NeuN (≈62%), MAP2 (≈30%), and GST-pi (≈12%). Dextran tracing revealed connections between host neurons and muse cells at the lesioned motor cortex and the anterior horn. Muse cells extended neurites through the ipsilateral pyramidal tract, crossed to contralateral side, and reached to the pyramidal tract in the dorsal funiculus of spinal cord. Muse-transplanted stroke mice displayed significant recovery in cylinder tests, which was reverted by the human-selective diphtheria toxin. At 10 months post-transplantation, human-specific Alu sequence was detected only in the brain but not in other organs, with no evidence of tumor formation.

Conclusions—
Transplantation at the delayed subacute phase showed muse cells differentiated into neural cells, facilitated neural reconstruction, improved functions, and displayed solid safety outcomes over prolonged graft maturation period, indicating their therapeutic potential for lacunar stroke.
Impact of antiretroviral therapy on clinical outcomes in HIV+ kidney transplant recipients: Review of 58 cases
Authors: Rosa Rossana , Suarez Jose F. , Lorio Marco A. , Morris Michele I. , Abbo Lilian M. , Simkins Jacques , Guerra Giselle , Roth David , Kupin Warren L. , Mattiazzi Adela , Ciancio Gaetano , Chen Linda J. , Burke George W. , Figueiro Jose M. , Ruiz Phillip , Camargo Jose F. 
Published: December 2016

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) poses challenging drug-drug interactions with immunosuppressant agents in transplant recipients. We aimed to determine the impact of specific antiretroviral regimens in clinical outcomes of HIV+ kidney transplant recipients. Methods: A single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted at a large academic center. Subjects included 58 HIV- to HIV+ adult, first-time kidney transplant patients. The main intervention was ART regimen used after transplantation. The main outcomes assessed at one- and three-years were: patient survival, death-censored graft survival, and biopsy-proven acute rejection; we also assessed serious infections within the first six months post-transplant. Results: Patient and graft survival at three years were both 90% for the entire cohort. Patients receiving protease inhibitor (PI)-containing regimens had lower patient survival at one and three years than patients receiving PI-sparing regimens: 85% vs. 100% (p=0.06) and 82% vs. 100% (p=0.03), respectively. Patients who received PI-containing regimens had twelve times higher odds of death at 3 years compared to patients who were not exposed to PIs (odds ratio, 12.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-1602; p=0.02). Three-year death-censored graft survival was lower in patients receiving PI vs. patients on PI-sparing regimens (82 vs 100%, p=0.03). Patients receiving integrase strand transfer inhibitors-containing regimens had higher 3-year graft survival. There were no differences in the incidence of acute rejection by ART regimen. Individuals receiving PIs had a higher incidence of serious infections compared to those on PI-sparing regimens (39 vs. 8%, p=0.01). Conclusions: PI-containing ART regimens are associated with adverse outcomes in HIV+ kidney transplant recipients.
Transnationalist Spirituality of Rabindranath Tagore
Authors: Dutta Ashim 
Published: December 2016

<p>Focusing on a selection of Rabindranath Tagore’s essays, lectures, and a few of his creative works, this essay draws attention to the spiritual orientation of Tagore’s transnationalism. In his vast and multifaceted writings, Tagore offers an alternative vision of transnational union of humanity, different from and often resistant to nationalist distributions of human relationship. Through close readings of Tagore’s works, this essay complicates Orientalist notions of the East-West polarities. While strongly opposing Western imperialist ideology, Tagore was always frank about his trust in and indebtedness to the liberal humanist values of the West. On the other hand, despite upholding Indian or Eastern spirituality, he was critically aware of the social and political crises of the contemporary East. A large volume of his works betrays his scepticism about any political solution to national and international problems. What he promotes is a spiritual concord of the best in Western and Eastern cultures, connecting the liberal humanist conscience of the West with the harmonizing, all-inclusive spiritual wisdom of the East. Neither completely secular nor thoroughly religious in an institutional sense, the transnationalist spirituality of Tagore bridges the gap between the secular humanism of Western modernity and the mystic–religious spirituality of Eastern antiquity, offering nuanced perspectives on both. </p>
On the Skillful Integration of Buddhist Psychology and Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy
Authors: Samlin Jason 
Published: December 2016

In this article, I respond to commentaries by Morgan (2016) and Schacht (2016) regarding my presentation of the cases of Beth and Amy (Samlin, 2016). Addressing the dialectic raised between Morgan’s (2016) support for and Schacht’s (2016) skepticism towards the integration of Time-Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy (TLDP) and the Aversion/Attachment Model of Client Suffering (A/AMCS, I organize my response into three broad sections. First, I provide context as to the type of Buddhist tradition from which the A/AMCS draws. In this section, I also address the current debate in Mindfulness-Based Interventions literature regarding the use of explicit vs. implicit Buddhism in treatment. Second, I address issues related to the technical and conceptual integration of the A/AMCS into TLDP. Finally, I re-examine the outcomes of Beth’s and Amy’s cases from the pragmatic standpoint and offer additional thoughts regarding the differing outcomes of the two cases.
Cretaceous and Paleogene Fagaceae from North America and Greenland: evidence for a Late Cretaceous split between Fagus and the remaining Fagaceae
Authors: Grímsson Friðgeir , Grimm Guido W. , Zetter Reinhard , Denk Thomas 
Published: December 2016

Abstract Modern lineages of the beech family, Fagaceae, one of the most important north-temperate families of woody flowering plants, have been traced back to the early Eocene. In contrast, molecular differentiation patterns indicate that the Fagus lineage, Fagoideae, with a single modern genus, evolved much earlier than the remaining lineages within Fagaceae (Trigonobalanoideae, Castaneoideae, Quercoideae). The minimum age for this primary split in the Fagaceae has been estimated as 80 ± 20 Ma (i.e. Late Cretaceous) in recently published, time-calibrated phylogenetic trees including all Fagales. Here, we report fagaceous fossils from the Campanian of Wyoming (82-81 Ma; Eagle Formation [Fm]), the Danian of western Greenland (64-62 Ma; Agatdal Fm), and the middle Eocene of British Columbia (ca 48 Ma; Princeton Chert), and compare them to the Fagaceae diversity of the recently studied middle Eocene Hareøen Fm of western Greenland (42-40 Ma). The studied assemblages confirm that the Fagus lineage (= Fagoideae) and the remainder of modern Fagaceae were diverged by the middle Late Cretaceous, together with the extinct Fagaceae lineage(s) of Eotrigonobalanus and the newly recognised genus Paraquercus, a unique pollen morph with similarities to both Eotrigonobalanus and Quercus. The new records push back the origin of (modern) Fagus by 10 Ma and that of the earliest Fagoideae by 30 Ma. The earliest Fagoideae pollen from the Campanian of North America differs from its single modern genus Fagus by its markedly thicker pollen wall, a feature also seen in fossil and extant Castaneoideae. This suggests that a thick type 1 foot layer is also the plesiomorphic feature in Fagoideae although not seen in any of its living representatives. The Danian Fagus pollen of Greenland differs in size from those of modern species but is highly similar to that of the western North American early Eocene F. langevinii, the oldest known beech so far. Together with the Quercus pollen record, absent in the Campanian and Danian formations but represented by several types by the middle Eocene, this confirms recent dating estimates focussing on the genera Fagus and Quercus, while rejecting estimates from all-Fagales-dated trees as too young. The basic Castaneoideae pollen type, still found in species of all five extant genera of this putatively paraphyletic subfamily, represents the ancestral pollen type of most (modern) Fagaceae (Trigonobalanoideae, Castaneoideae, Quercoideae).
Coercive elliptic systems with gradient terms
Authors: Filippucci Roberta , Vinti Federico 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIn this paper we give a classification of positive radial solutions of the following system:Δ⁢u=vm,Δ⁢v=h⁢(|x|)⁢g⁢(u)⁢f⁢(|∇⁡u|),$\Delta u=v^{m},\quad\Delta v=h(|x|)g(u)f(|\nabla u|),$in the open ballBR${B_{R}}$, withm>0${m>0}$, andf,g,hnonnegative nondecreasing continuous functions. In particular, we deal with both explosive and bounded solutions. Our results involve, as in [27], a generalization of the well-known Keller–Osserman condition, namely,∫1∞(∫0sF⁢(t)⁢𝑑t)-m/(2⁢m+1)⁢𝑑s<∞${\int_{1}^{\infty}(\int_{0}^{s}F(t)\,dt)^{-m/(2m+1)}\,ds<\infty}$, whereF⁢(t)=∫0tf⁢(s)⁢𝑑s${F(t)=\int_{0}^{t}f(s)\,ds}$. Moreover, in the second part of the paper, thep-Laplacian version, given byΔp⁢u=vm${\Delta_{p}u=v^{m}}$,Δp⁢v=f⁢(|∇⁡u|)${\Delta_{p}v=f(|\nabla u|)}$, is treated. Whenp≥2${p\geq 2}$, we prove a necessary condition for the existence of a solution with at least a blow up component at the boundary, precisely∫1∞(∫0sF⁢(t)⁢𝑑t)-m/(m⁢p+p-1)⁢s(p-2)⁢(p-1)/(m⁢p+p-1)⁢𝑑s<∞${\int_{1}^{\infty}(\int_{0}^{s}F(t)\,dt)^{-m/(mp+p-1)}s^{(p-2)(p-1)/(mp+p-1)}% \,ds<\infty}$.
The effect of storage temperature fluctuations on the stability of biochemical analytes in blood serum
Authors: Haslacher Helmuth , Szekeres Thomas , Gerner Marlene , Ponweiser Elisabeth , Repl Manuela , Wagner Oswald F. , Perkmann Thomas 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackground:Irreproducibility of scientific results constitutes an undesirably onerous economic burden and is in many cases caused by low-quality materials. Therefore, researchers are increasingly devoting their attention to the bioresources they use. In turn, those bioresources are required to validate their preanalytical processes in order to ensure best possible quality. The present study thus aimed to evaluate the impact of repeated temperature fluctuations, as they occur in most research biobanks due to repetitive opening and closing of freezer doors, on the stability of 26 biochemical analytes.Methods:Serum of 43 individuals was randomly assigned to a fluctuation (n=21) and a control group (n=22). Serum of the fluctuation group underwent controlled temperature fluctuations (30 fluctuations <−75°C – <−65°C – <−75°C under real-life freezer conditions within 21 days). Control sera were stored at constant conditions. After 10, 20, and 30 fluctuations, results derived from the fluctuation group were compared to baseline and to the control group by means of general linear models.Results:Sixteen biomarkers showed statistically significant changes over time, whereas only seven of those presented with diagnostically/clinically relevant changes at certain time points (aspartate aminotransferase, amylase, calcium, uric acid, creatinine, inorganic phosphate and total protein). However, there was no difference between the fluctuation and the control group.Conclusions:Some serum analytes are influenced by storage, even at temperatures as low as <−70°C. In contrast, we found no evidence that complex temperature fluctuations produced by storage of and access to biospecimens in biobank freezers generate any additional variability.
Identification and quantitation of phosphatidylethanols in oral fluid by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Ullah Shahid , Helander Anders , Beck Olof 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackground:Phosphatidylethanols (PEth) are formed from phosphatidylcholines and ethanol and are used as a specific and sensitive alcohol biomarker. An analytical method for analysis of PEth in oral fluid based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) was developed and validated and applied on samples collected from patients undergoing alcohol detoxification.Methods:A 200-μL aliquot of oral fluid, collected using the QuantisalResults:The detection limit for PEth 16:0/16:0, 16:0/18:1, and 16:0/18:2 was ~0.1 ng/mL, and the extraction recoveries at 2.0 ng/mL were in the range of 99%–114%. Method linearity over a concentration range up to 200 ng/mL was ≥0.99. No significant deviation in results was observed in an analyte stability study of two different concentrations at two different temperatures over 3 months. In 35 oral fluid samples collected from patients undergoing alcohol detoxification, the highest concentration was observed for PEth 16:0/18:1 (Detected range, 0.51–55.3 ng/mL; mean, 8.5; median, 3.1). In addition, all three PEth forms were variably identified in a majority (63%) of the oral fluid samples. The PEth 16:0/18:1 values in oral fluid showed a weak positive correlation with the corresponding values in whole blood samples (r=0.50, p=0.026, n=20).Conclusions:The LC-MS/MS method could reliably detect and quantify PEth in oral fluid samples collected after alcohol exposure. The method was characterized by validation data with satisfactory recovery, sensitivity, accuracy, and imprecision, and applied for analysis of clinical samples. The results suggest that measurement of PEth in oral fluid can be used as a biomarker for alcohol consumption, and as such a non-invasive complement to analysis in blood. However, further studies are required to evaluate the test characteristics (e.g. sensitivity and half-life) in comparison with PEth in blood.
Differences between quantification of genotype 3 hepatitis C virus RNA by Versions 1.0 and 2.0 of the COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan HCV Test
Authors: Pierce Virginia M. , Eversley Jacqueline S. , Tran Thuy K. , Rosenberg Eric S. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackground:Differences between the designs of hepatitis C virus (HCV) viral load assays can result in genotype-related variability in RNA quantification. We tested paired aliquots of plasma specimens from HCV-infected individuals using two versions (v1.0 and v2.0) of the Roche COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan HCV Test (CAP/CTM HCV) and noted variability between results for a subset of specimens; we then sought to determine whether discrepant results were more prevalent among specific HCV genotypes.Methods:Archived and prospectively-collected plasma samples from 114 unique patients were tested using CAP/CTM HCV v1.0 and v2.0. The HCV genotype result for each patient was determined by retrospectively reviewing laboratory records.Results:All (46/46) specimens with quantifiable viral loads from patients with genotype 1 or 2 infection had CAP/CTM HCV v1.0 and v2.0 results that were within 0.5 logConclusions:In patients infected with HCV genotype 3, sequential CAP/CTM HCV viral load results should be compared with caution and interpreted in the context of the specific assay version used.
Tackling serum folate test in European countries within the health technology assessment paradigm: request appropriateness, assays and health outcomes
Authors: Ferraro Simona , Panzeri Andrea , Panteghini Mauro 
Published: December 2016

AbstractSeveral authors have recently claimed an excess in serum folate test ordering, suggesting phasing out it from clinical use. According to studies performed in countries undergoing folic acid fortification policies, it is indeed no more cost-effective to test folate in the face of deficiency prevalence <1%. In this paper, we sought to evaluate request appropriateness, analytical issues, and cost-effectiveness of serum folate determination for clinical purposes in the European context, considering if evidence retrieved in fortified countries may be generalized. Studies performed in non-fortified countries have generally reported a suboptimal folate intake and suggest a remarkable prevalence of folate deficiency. Our internal data suggest that ~20%–25% of the subjects undergoing serum folate test are at risk for deficiency. However, a reliable evaluation of the risk for deficiency implies the knowledge of all issues related to the total testing process of folate measurement as well as the identification of the appropriate population in which to perform the test. The cost-effectiveness of the test is maximized when the request is oriented to subjects suggestive/at risk for deficiency, becoming low if the test is used as a screening tool or for monitoring of vitamin intake/supplementation. Because the individual folate status has a key role in ensuring normal development, physiologic growth, and maintenance of optimal health, the evaluation of its serum levels has to be retained in the clinical use in non-fortified countries, boosting for more appropriate request, and evidence from countries following fortification policies should be cautionary interpreted.
Characterizing Dielectric Materials using Monostatic Transmission- and Reflection-Ellipsometry
Authors: Barowski Jan , Rolfes Ilona 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe characterization of dielectric materials at microwave frequencies can be done by various measurement principles. Free space methods are a commonly used approach if the material under test (MUT) has to be characterized in-situ or in a non-destructive manner. Since the transmission and reflection parameters of a finite sized dielectric slab typically depend on its thickness, accurate knowledge about this parameter is of high importance. The ellipsometric approach presented in this paper eliminates the thickness dependence and thus allows to reduce a major source of error. This is achieved by performing four measurements. These measure the transmission and reflection factors of the MUT in both polarizations at an incident angle of 45°. The high stability of the measurement allows a simple monostatic setup utilizing a single antenna. The measurements in this paper are performed using Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and Polyvinylchloride (PVC) blocks in the frequency range from 22 GHz to 26 GHz.
Green methods for the determination of nitrite in water samples based on a novel diazo coupling reaction
Authors: Fraihat Safwan M. 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Green, sensitive and selective spectrophotometric methods were developed for the determination of nitrite in water samples. The methods (A, B and C) are based on the reduction of 5-nitroimidazoles; metronidazole (MTL), secnidazole (SCL) and tinidazole (TNL), respectively, followed by diazotization using nitrite in acidic medium, then coupling with pyrogallol (PG). The amount of nitrite was determined by measuring the absorbance of the colored product at 385 nm. The new methods were linear in the ranges of 2.5–30 μgml−1, with detection limits of 1.4 μgml−1.