bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of different adsorbates on the efficiency of thermochemical energy storage
Authors: Kohler Tobias , Müller Karsten 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe main influencing parameter on the efficiency of adsorptive thermochemical energy storage is the efficiency of the desorption process, which is influenced by the process conditions, for example, desorption time and desorption temperature, and the working pair (adsorbent–adsorbate). Due to constrained process requirements, for example, hours of sun shine and low desorption temperatures available from a flat plate solar collector (333–373 K), the only possibility to increase the efficiency is to change the working pair. The reference working pair water–zeolite 13X needs high desorption temperatures of 500 K and high heat inputs per mass adsorbent (1080 kJ kg−1) in the desorption process to reach the maximum efficiency of 79 % and maximum energy density of 844 kJ kg−1. Therefore, the goal is to reach efficiencies in the same range as the maximum efficiency of water–zeolite 13X for desorption temperatures lower than 500 K with the usage of different adsorbates. Four systems of alcohol as adsorbate on activated carbon are compared with the reference working pair. The usage of alcohols on activated carbon allows for highly efficient adsorptive storage even at low desorption temperatures between 360 and 450 K. The maximum efficiency is shifted to higher desorption temperatures with increasing carbon chain length of the alcohol. At low desorption temperatures, the energy density and efficiency of methanol, ethanol, and propanol are higher than the energy density of the reference system. Hence, the alcohol systems on activated carbon are viable alternative approaches for regulating these process parameters.
Effects of acute buspirone administration on inhibitory control and sexual discounting in cocaine users
Authors: Strickland Justin C. , Bolin B. Levi , Romanelli Michael R. , Rush Craig R. , Stoops William W. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectiveCocaine users display deficits in inhibitory control and make impulsive choices that may increase risky behavior. Buspirone is an anxiolytic that activates dopaminergic and serotonergic systems and improves impulsive choice (i.e., reduces sexual risk‐taking intent) in cocaine users when administered chronically. We evaluated the effects of acutely administered buspirone on inhibitory control and impulsive choice.MethodsEleven subjects with a recent history of cocaine use completed this within‐subject, placebo‐controlled study. Subjects performed two cued go/no‐go and a sexual risk delay‐discounting task following oral administration of buspirone (10 and 30 mg), triazolam (0.375 mg; positive control), and placebo (negative control). Physiological and psychomotor performance and subject‐rated data were also collected.ResultsBuspirone failed to change inhibitory control or impulsive choice; however, slower reaction times were observed at the highest dose tested. Buspirone did not produce subject‐rated drug effects but dose‐dependently decreased diastolic blood pressure. Triazolam impaired psychomotor performance and increased ratings of positive subject‐rated effects (e.g., Like Drug).ConclusionsThese findings indicate that acutely administered buspirone has little impact on behavioral measures of inhibitory control and impulsive sexual decision‐making. Considering previous findings with chronic dosing, these findings highlight that the behavioral effects of buspirone differ as a function of dosing conditions.
Association study between the neurexin‐1 gene and tardive dyskinesia
Authors: Lanning Rachel , Lett Tristram A. , Tiwari Arun K. , Brandl Eva J. , de Luca Vincenzo , Voineskos Aristotle N. , Potkin Steven G. , Lieberman Jeffrey A. , Meltzer Herbert Y. , Müller Daniel J. , Remington Gary , Kennedy James L. , Zai Clement C. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectiveTardive dyskinesia (TD) is a motor side effect that may develop after long‐term antipsychotic treatment. Schizophrenia has recently been associated with the Neurexin‐1 (NRXN1) gene that codes for a cell adhesion molecule in synaptic communication.MethodsThis study examined five NRXN1 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for possible association with the occurrence and severity of TD in 178 schizophrenia patients of European ancestry.ResultsWe did not find these SNPs to be significantly associated with TD.ConclusionsMore research is needed with additional SNPs and in bigger samples before we can completely rule out the role of NRXN1 in TD.
Does micropollutant removal by solar photo‐Fenton reduce ecotoxicity in municipal wastewater? A comprehensive study at pilot scale open reactors
Authors: Rivas Ibáñez Gracia , Bittner Michal , Toušová Zuzana , Campos‐Mañas Marina Celia , Agüera Ana , Casas López José Luis , Sánchez Pérez José Antonio , Hilscherová Klára 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe reduction of toxicity in secondary effluents by solar photo‐Fenton has not been widely studied. In this present work, a strategy combining monitoring of micropollutants and application of a selected battery of bioassays has been applied to evaluate the effectiveness of the solar photo‐Fenton process for secondary effluent treatment at neutral pH in a raceway pond reactor (RPR) following two operating strategies: sequential iron dosage and the use of Fe(III)–EDDS complex at pilot plant scale. The applied battery of bioassays comprises in vivo (algal growth inhibition test) and in vitro, endocrine disruptor tests (androgenic/glucocorticoid activity and estrogenicity) and cytotoxicity tests.RESULTSThe results obtained revealed high efficiency of micropollutant removal (>99%) by both strategies assayed. Regarding toxicity, androgenic/glucocorticoid activity and estrogenicity were efficiently removed in a similar fashion, and the relatively low potential phytotoxicity and cytotoxicity was also attenuated. Both RPR strategies are able to enhance the quality of municipal effluents from chemical and toxicological points of view.CONCLUSIONTo enable water reuse, the feasibility of solar photo‐Fenton reaction at neutral pH in open reactors for ecotoxicity and micropollutant removal in secondary municipal wastewater has been demonstrated for the first time. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Identifying and quantifying weaknesses in the Closed Loop Medication Management System in reducing medication errors using a direct observational approach at an academic medical centre
Authors: Foo Geraldine T. T. , Tan Chwee Huat , Hing Wee Chuan , Wu Tuck Seng 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundClosed Loop Medication Management System (CLMMS) is an end‐to‐end medication delivery system comprising seamless interfaces, independent verification processes and information feedback to improve safety and quality.AimFollowing implementation of a CLMMS at an academic medical centre in Singapore, this study was conducted to identify any safety issues and areas for quality improvement.MethodA direct observational study was conducted in the wards, inpatient pharmacy and unit‐dose satellite pharmacy. The numbers and types of medication errors in prescribing, supply and administration were observed and recorded to calculate the error rate. Events that have the potential to cause errors were also observed.ResultsThe prescribing error rate was 1.3% and the most common prescribing error was dose error. Supply error rate was 0.7% in which labelling error occurred most frequently. Workflow issues were the most common occurrences that could potentially cause prescribing and supply errors. The administration error rate was 7.3%, and wrong drug preparation technique was most commonly seen. Improper procedure in the use of personal digital assistant was the most common event that could potentially lead to an administration error.ConclusionThis study was instrumental in identifying important medication safety gaps in order to improve the inpatient CLMMS. Although a failure mode and effects analysis was performed prior to implementation of the system, unintended error types may still be introduced. Hence a post‐implementation audit is necessary to address such issues to ensure that the CLMMS objective of improving medication safety is achieved.
Effects of dietary supplementation with carnosine on growth performance, meat quality, antioxidant capacity and muscle fiber characteristics in broiler chickens
Authors: Cong Jiahui , Zhang Lin , Li Jiaolong , Wang Shuhao , Gao Feng , Zhou Guanghong 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe effects of dietary carnosine were evaluated on the growth performance, meat quality, antioxidant capacity and muscle fiber characteristics in thigh muscle of 256 one‐day‐old male broilers assigned to four diets – basal diets supplemented with 0, 100, 200 or 400 mg kg−1 carnosine respectively – during a 42 day experiment.RESULTSCarnosine concentration and carnosine synthase expression in thigh muscle were linearly increased (P < 0.05) and the feed/gain ratio was decreased (P < 0.05) in the starter period by carnosine addition. Dietary supplementation with carnosine resulted in linear increases in pH45 min, redness and cohesiveness and decreases in drip loss, cooking loss, shear force and hardness (P < 0.05). Carnosine addition elevated the activities of antioxidant enzymes and reduced contents of malondialdehyde and carbonyl compounds (P < 0.05). Dietary carnosine linearly decreased diameters and increased densities of muscle fibers (P < 0.01). The ratios of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) I and IIa were increased while that of MyHC IIb was decreased (P < 0.01). The mRNA expressions of genes related to fiber type transformation were linearly up‐regulated (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONThese findings indicated that carnosine supplementation was beneficial to improve the growth performance, meat quality, antioxidant capacity and muscle fiber characteristics of broilers. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Starch Derived Nanosized Graphene Oxide Functionalized Bioactive Porous Starch Scaffolds
Authors: Wu Duo , Bäckström Eva , Hakkarainen Minna 
Published: January 2017

A fully starch‐derived bioactive 3D porous scaffold is developed. The bioactivity is introduced through nanosized graphene oxide (nGO) derived from starch by microwave‐assisted degradation to carbon spheres and further oxidation to GO nanodots. nGO is covalently attached to starch to prepare functionalized starch (SNGO) via an esterification reaction. nGO and SNGO exhibit no cytotoxicity to MG63 at least up to 1000 µg mL−1 under (3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Porous scaffolds consisting of starch and SNGO (S/SNGO) or nGO (S/nGO) are prepared by freeze drying. The porosity and water uptake ability of the scaffolds depend on the concentration of nGO. Moreover, nGO, as a bioactive nanofiller, functions as an effective anchoring site for inducing CaP recrystallization in simulated body fluid. Among all modified starch‐based scaffolds, the S/SNGO scaffold containing the highest concentration of covalently attached SNGO (50%) induces the largest amount of hydroxyapatite, a type of CaP crystal that is closest to bone. The prepared 3D porous nGO functionalized scaffold, thus, exhibits potential promise for bone/cartilage tissue engineering.
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The Burden of Movement Disorders in Cameroon: A Rural and Urban‐Based Inpatient/Outpatient Study
Authors: Cubo Esther , Doumbe Jacques , Mapoure Njankouo Yacouba , Nyinyikua Theophile , Kuate Callixte , Ouyang Bichun , Shah Hiral , Calvo Sara , Fernandez‐Sierra Abel , Kompoliti Katie , Njiengwe Erero , Louis Elan D. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundBecause of rapid demographic changes, the prevalence of movement disorders (MDs) is expected to increase in Africa. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of MDs in an inpatient/outpatient‐based study of rural and urban health care centers in Cameroon.MethodsIn this retrospective medical chart review, the inpatient/outpatients settings covered an urban population (3,000,000) and a rural population (380,276). Neurological diseases were classified according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases‐Related Health Problems, 10th revision (ICD‐10). Crude prevalence was calculated per 100 with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsOf 20,131 medical charts reviewed (13% from the rural area), 4187 patients (20.8%) with neurological complaints were identified. MDs were diagnosed exclusively from urban centers in 134 patients (3.2%): the mean patient age was 48.6 ± 18.6 years, and 54.7% were women. The most prevalent MDs were hyperkinetic movements (tremor, myoclonus, and drug‐induced MDs [ICD‐10 code G25]; prevalence, 1.19%; 95% CI, 1.192–1.194%), Parkinson's disease (ICD‐10 code G20; prevalence, 0.78%; 95% CI, 0.785–0.787%), dystonia (ICD‐10 code G24; prevalence, 0.61%; 95% CI, 0.612–0.613%), secondary parkinsonism (ICD‐10 code G21; prevalence, 0.56%; 95% CI, 0.564–0.565%), Huntington's disease (ICD‐10 code G10; prevalence, 0.09%; 95% CI, 0.091–0.092%), and ataxia (ICD‐10 code R29; prevalence, 0.04%; 95% CI, 0.0451–0.0456).ConclusionAlthough the burden of MDs is expected to increase, MDs are likely underdiagnosed in rural areas. High‐quality movement disorder training is essential to tackle this need.
Mercy Pregnancy and Emotional Well‐being Study (MPEWS): Understanding maternal mental health, fetal programming and child development. Study design and cohort profile
Authors: Galbally Megan , van IJzendoorn Marinus , Permezel Michael , Saffery Richard , Lappas Martha , Ryan Joanne , van Rossum Elisabeth , Johnson Andrew R. , Teti Douglas , Lewis Andrew J. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractMaternal mental health represents a significant global health burden. The Mercy Pregnancy and Emotional Well‐being Study (MPEWS) was established to provide a comprehensive investigation of early developmental mechanisms and modifiers for maternal, fetal and child emotional well‐being. MPEWS is a prospective, longitudinal study from pregnancy to 36 months postpartum that includes diagnostic measures of maternal mental health, observational measures of the mother–infant relationship, measures of child development, and repeat biological sampling. A total of 282 pregnant women were recruited in early pregnancy from the Mercy Hospital for Women in Melbourne, Australia, including 52 women on antidepressant medication, 31 non‐medicated women meeting diagnostic criteria for current unipolar depression or dysthymia, and 65 women with a past history of depression. Sample recruitment characteristics included a mean age of 31 years and average gestation of 16 weeks. The MPEWS cohort was comparable to national averages for Australia on key pregnancy and birth variables. Those participants taking antidepressant medication had higher mean Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores than the cohort as a whole but were comparable on other key variables. The MPEWS protocol provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the impact of pregnancy mental health on future maternal mental health and child development to aid the development of evidence‐based interventions. The study is open for collaborative proposals via approach to the principal investigators.
Median and ulnar nerve injuries reduce volitional forelimb strength in rats
Authors: Meyers Eric C. , Granja Rafael , Solorzano Bleyda R. , Romero‐Ortega Mario , Kilgard Michael P. , Rennaker Robert L. , Hays Seth 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) are among the leading causes of physical disability in the United States. The majority of injuries occur in the upper extremities, and functional recovery is often limited. Robust animal models are critical first steps for developing effective therapies to restore function after PNI. Methods: We developed an automated behavioral assay that provides quantitative measurements of volitional forelimb strength in rats. Multiple forelimb PNI models involving the median and ulnar nerves were used to assess forelimb function for up to 13 weeks postinjury. Results: Despite multiple weeks of task‐oriented training following injury, rats exhibit significant reductions in multiple quantitative parameters of forelimb function, including maximal pull force and speed of force generation. Discussion: This study demonstrates that the isometric pull task is an effective method of evaluating forelimb function following PNI and may aid in development of therapeutic interventions to restore function. Muscle Nerve 56: 1149–1154, 2017
Anti‐LRP4 autoantibodies in Chinese patients with myasthenia gravis
Authors: Li Yuan , Zhang Yifan , Cai Gang , He Dian , Dai Qingqing , Xu Zhu , Chu Lan 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTIntroductionWe assessed antibodies against low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 4 (LRP4‐Ab) in a Chinese population with myasthenia gravis (MG).MethodsSerum samples from 116 patients and 80 controls were collected. Acetylcholine receptor antibodies(AChR‐Ab) and muscle‐specific receptor tyrosine kinase antibodies (MuSK‐Ab) were tested using an enzyme‐linked immune absorption assay, and LRP4‐Ab was identified using a cell‐based assay. MG patients with neither AChR‐Ab nor MuSK‐Ab were defined as double‐seronegative MG (dSN‐MG).ResultsTwo of 116 (1.7%) of all patients and 2 of 50 (1%) dSN‐MG patients were positive for LRP4‐Ab. These 2 patients had ocular MG. Following treatment with acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and prednisone, both achieved full remission.ConclusionsThis study shows that LRP4‐Ab is a pathogenic antibody in MG. LRP4‐MG seems to be characterized by mild disease severity and favorable therapeutic effect in contrast with other types of MG. Muscle Nerve 56: 938–942, 2017
Analytical solutions for Euler‐Bernoulli Beam on Pasternak foundation subjected to arbitrary dynamic loads
Authors: Yu H. , Cai C. , Yuan Y. , Jia M. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIn this paper, the dynamic response of an infinite beam resting on a Pasternak foundation and subjected to arbitrary dynamic loads is developed in the form of analytical solution. The beam responses investigated are deflection, velocity, acceleration, bending moment, and shear force. The mechanical resistance of the Pasternak foundation is modeled using two parameters, that is, one accounts for soil resistance due to compressive strains in the soil and the other accounts for the resistance due to shear strains. Because the Winkler model only represents the compressive resistance of soil, comparatively, the Pasternak model is more realistic to consider shear interactions between the soil springs. The governing equation of the beam is simplified into an algebraic equation by employing integration transforms, so that the analytical solution for the dynamic response of the beam can be obtained conveniently in the frequency domain. Both inverse Laplace and inverse Fourier transforms combined with convolution theorem are applied to convert the solution into the time domain. The solutions for several special cases, such as harmonic line loads, moving line loads, and travelling loads are also discussed and numerical examples are conducted to investigate the influence of the shear modulus of foundation on the beam responses. The proposed solutions can be an effective tool for practitioners. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An extension of the Hill–Mandel principle for transient heat conduction in heterogeneous media with heat generation incorporating finite RVE thermal inertia effects
Authors: Ramos Gustavo Roberto , dos Santos Tiago , Rossi Rodrigo 
Published: January 2017

SummaryIn this work, we propose a homogenization formulation to model transient heat conduction in heterogeneous media that takes into account thermal inertia contributions, which arise from a finite description of the microscale. Rewriting the variational form of the transient heat conduction problem and making use of key assumptions, we arrive at a mathematical formulation that suggests an extension of the Hill–Mandel principle when considering non‐null heat flux divergence in the representative volume element (RVE). Along the manuscript, we highlight that the main results of the proposed formulation are in agreement with recent advances in the field of computational homogenization applied to transient mechanical and heat flow problems. The proposed extension of the Hill–Mandel principle contributes to the understanding of the microscale thermal inertia effects incorporation into the multiscale framework. We also present the calculations needed for implementing the model and numerical results, which give support to the theoretical model developed. The numerical results highlight the importance of considering full transient aspects when dealing with multiscale heat conduction in heterogeneous media which are subjected to high thermal gradients. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A stiff extracellular matrix is associated with malignancy in peripheral neuroblastic tumors
Authors: Tadeo Irene , Berbegall Ana P. , Navarro Samuel , Castel Victoria , Noguera Rosa 
Published: January 2017

AbstractPurpose and objectiveImproved prognosis for patients with peripheral neuroblastic tumors (PNB) depends on enhanced pretreatment risk stratification combined with research into new therapeutic targets. This study investigated the potential contribution of extracellular matrix (ECM) elements toward this endeavor.MethodsWe characterized certain elements such as reticulin fibers, collagen type I fibers, and elastic fibers by digital pathology in almost 400 untreated PNB.ResultsA reticular and poorly porous ECM was identified in neuroblastomas (NBs) from patients with clinical and biological features associated with poor prognosis compared with a loose and permeable matrix found in NBs of the favorable cohort.ConclusionsAggressiveness patterns of ECM can be accurately determined by morphometric tools and could become candidate elements for novel therapies.
Modulating the wnt signaling pathway with small molecules
Authors: Tran Freddi Huan , Zheng Jie J. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWnt signaling is a critical component during embryonic development and also plays an important role in regulating adult tissue homeostasis. Abnormal activation of Wnt signaling has been implicated in many cancers, while reduced activity of Wnt signaling leads to poor wound healing and structural formations. Thus, extensive efforts have been focused on developing small molecules that have potential to either inhibit or activate the pathway, hoping these molecules can offer leads for novel approaches in treating different human diseases. Many small‐molecule inhibitors specifically target various elements, such as Frizzled, Disheveled, Porcupine, or Tankyrase, within the Wnt signaling pathways. These small molecules not only have the potential to be further developed as therapeutic reagents, but they may also be used as chemical probes to dissect the underlying mechanism of the Wnt signaling pathways. Therefore, their respective mechanisms and effective dosages are highly pertinent. Aiming to provide an overview of those molecules in a concise, easy‐to‐use manner, we summarize and organize the current research on them so that it may be helpful for utilization in different studies.