bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Pregnancies of Women With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Clowse Megan E. B. , Grotegut Chad 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveBoth systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; lupus) and pregnancy individually have significant racial disparities, with black women experiencing higher rates of complications, yet no large studies have focused on the impact of race/ethnicity on pregnancy outcomes among women with lupus.MethodsUsing the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) for 2008–2010, pregnancy delivery discharges were identified and pregnancy outcomes were compared for women with lupus by maternal race/ethnicity. Adjusted odds ratios were used to compare pregnancy outcomes between black and white or Hispanic and white women with lupus.ResultsIn this period, the NIS included 13,553 deliveries with lupus and 12,510,565 deliveries without lupus. Compared to white women with lupus, black and Hispanic women had higher rates of chronic hypertension, chronic renal failure, pneumonia, and acute renal failure. There was a high degree of pregnancy complication in all women with lupus, but especially in black and Hispanic women, with more than 40% cesarean‐section delivery; preterm labor in 14.3% of white, 24.7% of black (odds ratio [OR] 1.97), and 20.6% of Hispanic (OR 1.56) deliveries; and preeclampsia and gestational hypertension in almost 20% of black and Hispanic pregnancies. After adjustment for predictors of pregnancy outcomes and racial differences in nonlupus pregnancy, black and Hispanic women with lupus had higher than expected rates of preeclampsia, preterm labor, and fetal growth restriction.ConclusionBlack and Hispanic women with lupus have disproportionately poor pregnancy outcomes. This study suggests that identifying the key causes of these differences and targeting interventions to the women of greatest need is an essential next step.
Sensitivity to Change and Minimal Important Differences of the LupusQoL in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: McElhone Kathleen , Abbott Janice , Sutton Chris , Mullen Montana , Lanyon Peter , Rahman Anisur , Yee Chee‐Seng , Akil Mohammed , Bruce Ian N. , Ahmad Yasmeen , Gordon Caroline , Teh Lee‐Suan 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveAs a health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) measure, the LupusQoL is a reliable and valid measure for adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study evaluates the responsiveness and minimal important differences (MIDs) for the 8 LupusQoL domains.MethodsPatients experiencing a flare were recruited from 9 UK centers. At each of the 10 monthly visits, HRQOL (LupusQoL, Short Form 36 health survey [SF‐36]), global rating of change (GRC), and disease activity using the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group 2004 index were assessed. The responsiveness of the LupusQoL and the SF‐36 was evaluated primarily when patients reported an improvement or deterioration on the GRC scale and additionally with changes in physician‐reported disease activity. MIDs were estimated as mean changes when minimal change was reported on the GRC scale.ResultsA total of 101 patients were recruited. For all LupusQoL domains, mean HRQOL worsened when patients reported deterioration and improved when patients reported an improvement in GRC; SF‐36 domains showed comparable responsiveness. Improvement in some domains of the LupusQoL/SF‐36 was observed with a decrease in disease activity, but when disease activity worsened, there was no significant change. LupusQoL MID estimates for deterioration ranged from −2.4 to −8.7, and for improvement from 3.5 to 7.3; for the SF‐36, the same MID estimates were −2.0 to −11.1 and 2.8 to 10.9, respectively.ConclusionAll LupusQoL domains are sensitive to change with patient‐reported deterioration or improvement in health status. For disease activity, some LupusQoL domains showed responsiveness when there was improvement but none for deterioration. LupusQoL items were derived from SLE patients and provide the advantage of disease‐specific domains, important to the patients, not captured by the SF‐36.
A phosphorus‐containing phenolic derivative and its application in benzoxazine resins: Curing behavior, thermal, and flammability properties
Authors: Huo Siqi , Wang Jun , Yang Shuang , Zhang Bin , Tang Yushan 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTIn this work, flame‐retardant benzoxazine resins were prepared by copolymerization of bisphenol A based benzoxazine (BA‐a) and a phosphorous‐containing phenolic derivative (DOPO‐HPM). The curing behavior, thermal stability, and flame resistance of BA‐a/DOPO‐HPM composites were studied by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limited oxygen index (LOI) measurement, UL94 test, and cone calorimeter. The DSC results indicated that DOPO‐HPM catalyzed the curing reaction because of its acidity. The TGA results revealed that the BA‐a/DOPO‐HPM thermosets possessed higher decomposition temperatures (T5%) and char yields than that of BA‐a. The combustion tests indicated that the flame retardant properties of BA‐a/DOPO‐HPM thermosets were enhanced. The BA‐a/DOPO‐HPM‐20 sample acquired the highest LOI value of 32.6% and UL94 V‐0 rating. Moreover, the average of heat release rate (av‐HRR), peak of heat release rate (pk‐HRR), average of effective heat of combustion (av‐EHC) and total heat release (THR) of BA‐a/DOPO‐HPM‐20 were decreased by 24.6%, 53.1%, 14.9%, and 22.1%, respectively, compared with BA‐a. The attractive performance of BA‐a/DOPO‐HPM blends was attributed to the molecular structure of DOPO‐HPM composed of DOPO group with excellent flame‐retardant effect and phenolic hydroxyl group with catalysis. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43403.
Identification of IRX1 as a Risk Locus for Rheumatoid Factor Positivity in Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Genome‐Wide Association Study
Authors: Julià Antonio , Blanco Francisco , Fernández‐Gutierrez Benjamín , González Antonio , Cañete Juan D. , Maymó Joan , Alperi‐López Mercedes , Olivè Alex , Corominas Héctor , Martínez‐Taboada Víctor , González-Álvaro Isidoro , Fernandez‐Nebro Antonio , Erra Alba , Sánchez‐Fernández Simón , Alonso Arnald , López‐Lasanta María , Tortosa Raül , Codó Laia , Lluis Gelpi Josep , García‐Montero Andrés C. , Bertranpetit Jaume , Absher Devin , Myers Richard M. , Tornero Jesús , Marsal Sara 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveRheumatoid factor (RF) is a well‐established diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, ∼20% of RA patients are negative for this anti‐IgG antibody. To date, only variation at the HLA–DRB1 gene has been associated with the presence of RF. This study was undertaken to identify additional genetic variants associated with RF positivity.MethodsA genome‐wide association study (GWAS) for RF positivity was performed using an Illumina Quad610 genotyping platform. A total of 937 RF‐positive and 323 RF‐negative RA patients were genotyped for >550,000 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Association testing was performed using an allelic chi‐square test implemented in Plink software. An independent cohort of 472 RF‐positive and 190 RF‐negative RA patients was used to validate the most significant findings.ResultsIn the discovery stage, a SNP in the IRX1 locus on chromosome 5p15.3 (SNP rs1502644) showed a genome‐wide significant association with RF positivity (P = 4.13 × 10−8, odds ratio [OR] 0.37 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.26–0.53]). In the validation stage, the association of IRX1 with RF was replicated in an independent group of RA patients (P = 0.034, OR 0.58 [95% CI 0.35–0.97] and combined P = 1.14 × 10−8, OR 0.43 [95% CI 0.32–0.58]).ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first GWAS of RF positivity in RA. Variation at the IRX1 locus on chromosome 5p15.3 is associated with the presence of RF. Our findings indicate that IRX1 and HLA–DRB1 are the strongest genetic factors for RF production in RA.
Paraoxonase 1 Activity Is Modulated by the rs662 Polymorphism and IgG Anti–High‐Density Lipoprotein Antibodies in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Potential Implications for Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Rodríguez‐Carrio Javier , López‐Mejías Raquel , Alperi‐López Mercedes , López Patricia , Ballina‐García Francisco J. , González‐Gay Miguel Á. , Suárez Ana 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveParaoxonase 1 (PON‐1) is a high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)–associated antioxidant enzyme that plays an important role in HDL‐mediated cardioprotection. Although genetic polymorphisms are known to modulate PON-1 activity, its involvement in cardiovascular disease (CVD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is controversial, suggesting that other factors may modulate its function. Since anti‐HDL antibodies have been found to be related to an impaired lipid profile and occurrence of CVD in RA, this study was undertaken to examine the associations between PON-1 activity, anti‐HDL antibodies, and CVD according to PON1 genetic variants in patients with RA.MethodsSerum PON-1 activity, using paraoxon as substrate, and IgG anti‐HDL antibodies were quantified in 212 RA patients and 110 healthy controls. The PON1 rs662 genotype (Q>R) was determined with TaqMan probes. An additional group of 13 biologics‐naive patients with RA was prospectively followed up for 3 months.ResultsPON‐1 activity was decreased in RA patients compared to healthy controls (P = 0.005), and an effect of the rs662 genotype was noted in both groups, with Q/Q homozygotes exhibiting the lowest PON‐1 activity. The distribution of rs662 genotypes did not differ between RA patients and healthy controls (P = 0.215). In patients carrying the Q/Q genotype, anti‐HDL antibodies were associated with impaired PON‐1 activity (P = 0.010), and levels of anti‐HDL antibodies were associated with decreased HDL levels (r = −0.680, P < 0.001) and higher prevalence of cardiovascular events, as determined in univariate and multivariate models. Furthermore, change in anti‐HDL antibody levels upon tumor necrosis factor blockade was an independent predictor of improved PON‐1 activity (β = −0.369, 95% confidence interval −0.669, −0.069; P = 0.024).ConclusionPON‐1 activity is impaired in RA in association with the rs662 genotype and anti‐HDL antibodies, the latter being recognized as a pivotal player in the link between rs662 and CVD in patients with RA.
Synthesis of Peptides by Silver‐Promoted Coupling of Carboxylates and Thioamides: Mechanistic Insight from Computational Studies
Authors: Hutton Craig A. , Shang Jing , Wille Uta 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe mechanism of the recently described N→C direction peptide synthesis through silver‐promoted coupling of N‐protected amino acids with thioacetylated amino esters was explored by using density functional theory. Calculation of the potential energy surfaces for various pathways revealed that the reaction proceeds through silver‐assisted addition of the carboxylate to the thioamide, which is followed by deprotonation and silver‐mediated extrusion of sulfur as Ag2S. The resulting isoimide is the key intermediate, which subsequently rearranges to an imide through a concerted pericyclic [1,3]‐acyl shift (O–sp2N 1,3‐acyl migration). The proposed mechanism clearly emphasises the requirement of two equivalents of AgI and basic reaction conditions, which is in full agreement with the experimental findings. Alternative rearrangement pathways involving only one equivalent of AgI or through O–sp3N 1,3‐acyl migration can be excluded. The computations further revealed that peptide couplings involving thioformamides require significant conformational changes in the intermediate isoformimide, which slow down the rearrangement process.
Breaking and Making of Carbon–Carbon Bonds by Lanthanides and Third‐Row Transition Metals
Authors: Zhou Shaodong , Li Jilai , Schlangen Maria , Schwarz Helmut 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCarbon‐atom extrusion from the ipso‐position of a halobenzene ring (C6H5X; X=F, Cl, Br, I) and its coupling with a methylene ligand to produce acetylene is not confined to [LaCH2]+; also, the third‐row transition‐metal complexes [MCH2]+, M=Hf, Ta, W, Re, and Os, bring about this unusual transformation. However, substrates with substituents X=CN, NO2, OCH3, and CF3 are either not reactive at all or give rise to different products when reacted with [LaCH2]+. In the thermal gas‐phase processes of atomic Ln+ with C7H7Cl substrates, only those lanthanides with a promotion energy small enough to attain a 4fn5d16s1 configuration are reactive and form both [LnCl]+ and [LnC5H5Cl]+. Branching ratios and the reaction efficiencies of the various processes seem to correlate with molecular properties, like the bond‐dissociation energies of the C−X or M+−X bonds or the promotion energies of lanthanides.
Enhanced CO2 Resistance for Robust Oxygen Separation Through Tantalum‐doped Perovskite Membranes
Authors: Zhang Chi , Tian Hao , Yang Dong , Sunarso Jaka , Liu Jian , Liu Shaomin 
Published: January 2016

AbstractOxygen selective membranes with enhanced oxygen permeability and CO2 resistance are highly required in sustainable clean energy generation technologies. Here, we present novel, cobalt‐free, SrFe1−xTaxO3−δ (x=0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2) perovskite membranes. Ta‐doping induced lattice structure progression from orthorhombic (x=0) to cubic (x=0.05). SrFe0.95Ta0.05O3−δ (SFT0.05) showed the highest oxygen flux rates reaching 0.85 mL min−1 cm−2 at 950 °C on a 1.0 mm‐thick membrane. Surface decoration can increase the permeation rate further. Ta inclusion within the perovskite lattice of SrFeO3−δ (SF) enhanced the CO2 resistance of the membranes significantly as evidenced by the absence of the carbonate functional groups on the FTIR spectrum when exposed to CO2 atmosphere at 850 °C. The CO2 resistance of Ta‐doped SF compounds correlates with the lower basicity and the higher binding energy for the lattice oxygen. SFT0.05 demonstrated high stability during long‐term permeation tests under 10 % CO2 atmosphere.
Heart failure from heart muscle disease in childhood: a 5–10 year follow‐up study in the UK and Ireland
Authors: Andrews Rachel E. , Fenton Matthew J. , Dominguez Troy , Burch Michael ,   on behalf of the British Congenital Cardiac Association
Published: January 2016

AbstractAimsOur original study, the first national prospective study of new‐onset heart failure from heart muscle disease in children, showed overall 1‐year survival of 82%, and event (death or transplantation)‐free survival of 66%. This study aimed to evaluate 5 + year outcomes of this important cohort.Methods and resultsAll centres in the UK and Ireland with 1‐year event‐free survivors participated (n = 14). Anonymised data based on last hospital attendance and echocardiograms were reviewed. The investigator was blinded to outcome at the time of echo review. Of sixty‐nine 1‐year event‐free survivors, data were obtained on 64, with three lost to follow‐up and two moved abroad. There were three deaths at 2.2, 3.3 and 9.0 years after presentation and one transplant, at 5.2 years. Overall/event‐free survival was 77%/62% at 5 years and 73%/59% at 10 years, respectively. Overall and event‐free survival conditional on 1‐year survival was 94% at 5 years, and 89% at 10 years. For the 60 event‐free survivors, median (range) follow‐up duration was 9.04 (5.0–10.33) years for those still under review (n = 45), or time to discharge 5.25 (0.67–10.0) years (n = 15). Fifty‐eight were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class 1, and two in Class 2. Forty‐one out of sixty had normal echocardiograms at last follow‐up. Predictors of better longer‐term outcome were the same as for the original 1‐year follow‐up study, namely, younger age and higher fractional shortening measurement at presentation.ConclusionsChildren who survive the first year following their first presentation with significant heart failure from heart muscle disease have a good longer‐term outcome although there remains a small attrition rate.
Optimization of Solution‐Processed Luminescent Down‐Shifting Layers for Photovoltaics by Customizing Organic Dye Based Thick Films
Authors: Solodovnyk Anastasiia , Kick Christopher , Osvet Andres , Egelhaaf Hans‐Joachim , Stern Edda , Batentschuk Miroslaw , Forberich Karen , Brabec Christoph J. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWe theoretically and experimentally determined the optimized film properties of luminescent down‐shifting (LDS) layers for thin film solar cells. Based on the predictions from an adapted optical model, we coated thick (300–500 μm) and efficient luminescent down‐shifting layers from environmentally friendly solvents and industrially scalable inks. LDS layers consisted of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) as binder and organic luminescent dyes as UV‐converters. The luminescence quantum yields of the dyes were studied in solution (benzyl alcohol) and for solid thick films. Our data shows that the studied dyes retain luminescent efficiencies of approximately 90 % in the solid state when processed from solution. We further apply the produced layers onto copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) solar cells to verify the theoretical predictions for enhancing the external quantum efficiency (EQE) in the UV region. For the best converters a remarkable enhancement of the EQE from 9 % to 52 % was recorded at 380 nm. These findings underline that printed LDS layers indeed have the potential to enhance the efficiency and the light harvesting capabilities of industrially relevant photovoltaic modules.
Hybrid simulation of steel frame structures with sectional model updating
Authors: Wu Bin , Chen Yongsheng , Xu Guoshan , Mei Zhu , Pan Tianlin , Zeng Cong 
Published: January 2016

SummaryHybrid simulations that combine numerical computations and physical experiment represent an effective method of evaluating the dynamic response of structures. However, it is sometimes impossible to take all the uncertain or nonlinear parts of the structure as the physical substructure. Thus, the modeling errors of the numerical part can raise concerns. One method of solving this problem is to update the numerical model by estimating its parameters from experimental data online. In this paper, an online model updating method for the hybrid simulation of frame structures is proposed to reduce the errors of nonlinear modeling of numerical substructures. To obtain acceptable accuracy with acceptable extra computation efforts as a result of model parameter estimation, the sectional constitutive model is adopted, therein considering axial‐force and bending‐moment coupling; moreover, the unscented Kalman filter is used for parameter estimation of the sectional model. The effectiveness of the sectional model updating with the unscented Kalman filter is validated via numerical analyses and actual hybrid tests on a full‐scale steel frame structure, with one column as the experimental substructure loaded by three actuators to guarantee the consistency of the boundary conditions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Private capital investments in health care provision through mergers and acquisitions: from long‐term to acute care
Authors: Angeli Federica , Maarse Hans 
Published: January 2016

SummaryObjectivesThis work aims to test whether different segments of healthcare provision differentially attract private capital and thus offer heterogeneous opportunities for private investors' diversification strategies.MethodsThomson Reuter's SDC Platinum database provided data on 2563 merger and acquisition (M&A) deals targeting healthcare providers in Western Europe between 1990 and 2010. Longitudinal trends of industrial and geographical characteristics of M&As' targets and acquirers are examined.ResultsOur analyses highlight: (i) a relative decrease of long‐term care facilities as targets of M&As, replaced by an increasing prominence of general hospitals, (ii) a shrinking share of long‐term care facilities as targets of financial service organizations' acquisitions, in favor of general hospitals, and (iii) an absolute and relative decrease of long‐term care facilities' role as target of cross‐border M&As.ConclusionsWe explain the decreasing interest of private investors towards long‐term care facilities along three lines of reasoning, which take into account the saturation of the long‐term care market and the liberalization of acute care provision across Western European countries, regulatory interventions aimed at reducing private ownership to ensure resident outcomes and new cultural developments in favor of small‐sized facilities, which strengthen the fragmentation of the sector.These findings advance the literature investigating the effect of private ownership on health outcomes in long‐term facilities. Market, policy and cultural forces have emerged over two decades to jointly regulate the presence of privately owned, large‐sized long‐term care providers, seemingly contributing to safeguard residents' well‐being. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of different building shells − life cycle assessment
Authors: Rixrath Doris , Wartha Christian 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
The Renewable Energy and Efficiency Action (REACT) project is a European Union–funded cross-border cooperative venture featuring the participation of companies and researchers from the Austrian state of Burgenland and western Slovakia that is developing zero-energy concepts for newly built single-family homes. A variety of building structures are defined for family houses, and the different impacts they have on the environment are evaluated over the entire life cycle. This paper aims to compare the environmental impacts of different building shells during both the construction and the demolition phases. However, the operation phase of the building is not evaluated. One of the findings of the project thus far is that the demolition and disposal of building materials should be included in any such evaluation. For some environmental impact assessment categories, both demolition and disposal are important. The environmental impacts of various end-of-life scenarios can differ greatly based on the disposal method (e.g., landfill, incineration, recycling) chosen and on the proportion of recycled content. Furthermore, the results show that manufacturing building materials from renewable resources can have strong environmental impacts, particularly when substantial amounts of fossil fuel are required in their production. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:437–444. © 2016 SETAC
Key Points
Manufacturing technically dried (kiln dried) wood contains a high energy demand that leads to high values in several impact categories. Our results show that using renewable building material can have strong environmental impacts, particularly when substantial amounts of fossil fuel are required in production. In the evaluated models, the timber lightweight construction that does not include much technically dried wood has the best results for production. It also is important to evaluate the process needed at the end-of-life because for certain building materials, such as plywood board, harmful process steps could increase the results for certain impact categories.
Synthesis of β‐C‐Glycosyl Amino Acids by Ring Opening of Donor‐Acceptor Spiro‐cyclopropanecarboxylated Sugars
Authors: Ramakrishna Bandi , Sudharani Chalapala , Sridhar Perali Ramu 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe electrophilic ring opening of donor‐acceptor spiro‐cyclopropanecarboxylated sugars are shown to provide easy access to the stereoselective synthesis of β‐C‐glycosyl D‐ and L‐alanine derivatives. A possible mechanism is proposed for the ring‐opening reaction based on the obtained crystal structure of one of the spiro‐cyclic sugar moieties.