bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developments in Hindered Amine Chemistry Promote Polyolefin Growth Opportunities
Authors: Solera Peter , Capocci Gerald 
Published: September 2024

Over the past four decades, advances in polyolefin stabilization have helped manufacturers expand their material choices to capture economic and performance benefits. In the ’60s and 70s, antioxidants and UV absorbers provided baseline levels of protection against thermal and UV degradation. During the 1980’s hindered amine light stabilizers substantially extended the service life of polyolefins for a multitude of film, fibre and moulded articles. In the last ten years, breakthroughs in hindered amine chemistry have pushed the performance boundaries of polyolefins to even greater heights. Now, in the ’90s, the elimination of undesirable aspects of hindered amine stabilization, such as amine deactivation in flame retardant systems and reduced colour yield in pigmented plastics, is allowing material substitution in markets traditionally earmarked for engineering polymers, glass and metal. This paper focuses on advances in hindered amine chemistry designed to address these shortcomings. Examples of applications where new hindered amines provide enhanced value are demonstrated. Performance data are presented for polypropylene fibre, thermoplastic olefins for automotive parts and construction applications, polyethylene agricultural film and flame retardant systems. The advantage of using hindered amines as thermal stabilizers is also discussed.
New Performance Additives from DSM
Authors: Bruens C. , Nieland R. , Stanssens Dirk 
Published: September 2024

Over the last few years, DSM New Business Development has been active in the field of performance additives with flame retardants based on melamine and with ultra thin UHMWPW films. Now, DSM NBD has started the commercialisation of three new developments:- A carrier material for the production of polyolefin concentrates with liquid or low melting additives and reactants. Products based on a new technology to coat fine particles with a conductive polymeric layer. Products (based on hyperbranched polymers), which can be considered as multifunctional nano-carriers. Dependent on the nature and the quantity of the different substituents brought onto this core molecule, tailor-made additives can be produced.
Effect of Surface Treatment of Glass Fibres on Adhesion to Polypropylene Resin
Authors: Chou Shen , Lin Ling-Shiou , Yeh Jen-Taut 
Published: September 2024

This study concerns the treatment of glass fibres to improve their adhesion to polypropylene resin (PP). The glass fibres were treated with four types of coupling agents and then with maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) emulsion. The surface characteristics and bond strength were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and a microbonding pull-out test. The mechanical properties of the composites were tested. Because the two ends of the coupling agent molecules reacted with the glass fibre surface and the MAPP emulsion respectively to form chemical bonds, and the MAPP emulsion possesses good compatibility with polypropylene, an interphase was formed while melt blending, which improved the glass fibre/polypropylene bonding. This could be proved by using a microbonding pull-out test. The composites of glass fibre and PP were fabricated by means of a twin screw extruder and an injection moulding machine. The tensile strength and flexural strength were measured and the fracture surfaces were observed by SEM to assess the contribution of the surface treatment. The test results demonstrate that the tensile strength of those composites reinforced by glass fibres treated with coupling agent and MAPP emulsion was 38% higher than that of the composites reinforced by untreated glass fibres, and 21% higher than that of composites that used the coupling agent alone. As for the flexural strength, the coupling agent/MAPP emulsion treatment was 44% better than having no treatment and 25% better than using the coupling agent alone.
Naturalistic outcomes of patients discharged from a community treatment order: QA project
Authors: Dhawan Manpreet Kaur , Ganapathy Ramanathan , Sankaranarayanan Anoop , Maldonado Ricardo 
Published: September 2024

Objective To study outcomes for patients after they are discharged from Community treatment orders (CTO) including rate of relapse, median time to relapse and to identify the risk factors associated with relapse. Method The study population included patients discharged from CTO from July 2017 to December 2021, managed by a major metropolitan* case management team (CMT). The data were collected from electronic medical records (EMR). Descriptive analysis was conducted to study the sample characteristics. Logistic regression using univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to examine the associations between factors related to relapse. Results A total of 128 patients were studied. The relapse rate was 27.4% with median time to relapse of 72 days. Poor insight, poor treatment compliance, duration of CTO and number of CMT contacts were significantly associated with relapse while substance use, psychiatric comorbidities and psychosocial factors were not. Conclusions The findings suggest that people who relapsed had poor insight and poor medication adherence, had CTO for a longer period and had frequent contact from CMT even after discharge from CTO.
Twelfth Triennial Toxicology Salary Survey
Authors: Gad Shayne C. , Sullivan Dexter , Pitts Danika A. 
Published: September 2024

This is the 12th in a series of salary surveys conducted at approximately 3-year intervals for toxicologists that began in 1988. Previous salary surveys were conducted in 1988,1 1991,2 1995,3 1998,4 2001,5 2004,6 2007 (which was posted electronically, but not published), 2012,7 2016,8 2020,9 and 2022.10 In addition to presenting the 2024 results, herein we are providing additional data and an analysis of the trends for employment and pay in toxicology over the last 37 years.
Clinical outcomes of peripherally inserted central catheters in patients with gastroenterological diseases: Report of a 9-year experience
Authors: Yamamoto Takehito , Uchida Yoichiro , Yano Jo , Nakano Reo , Oshimo Yoshiki , Fujimoto Takashi , Hisano Koji , Nakano Kenzo , Kawai Takayuki , Okuchi Yoshihisa , Iguchi Kohta , Tanaka Eiji , Fukuda Meiki , Taura Kojiro , Terajima Hiroaki 
Published: September 2024

Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are safe and useful alternatives to centrally inserted central catheters (CICCs). Several studies have investigated the effectiveness and safety of PICCs; however, few have focused on their use in patients with gastroenterological diseases. In the present study, we evaluated the outcomes of patients with gastroenterological diseases who received PICCs and identified the risk factors associated with central line–associated blood stream infection (CLABSI). Methods: We retrospectively examined hospitalized patients at our institution who received PICCs between 2015 and 2023. We evaluated the data on their clinical characteristics, complications, and outcomes. Furthermore, we investigated the risk factors for CLABSIs. Results: A total of 405 patients were included (262 men and 143 women). The median age was 71 (range, 15–94) years. The vessels were inserted in the basilic, cephalic, and brachial veins in 366 (90%), 22 (6%), and 17 (4%) patients, respectively. The median procedure time was 32 [6–149] min. The median dwell time was 16 [0–188] days. CLABSI, catheter occlusions, phlebitis, and exit-site skin infection occurred in 14 (3.5%; 1.77/1000 catheter days), 6 (1.5%; 0.76/1000 catheter days), 3 (0.7%; 0.38/1000 catheter days), and 1 (0.2%; 0.13/1000 catheter days) patients, respectively. There was no case of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary thrombosis due to PICC placement. Multivariate analysis performed using a Cox’s proportional hazard regression model revealed that patients with gastroenterological malignancies had an independently higher risk for CLABSIs (odds ratio [OR]: 3.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–10.05, p = 0.041) and that older age (⩾70 years) tended to be associated with CLABSIs (OR: 3.61, 95% CI: 0.98–13.32, p = 0.054). Conclusions: Gastroenterological malignancies and older age were associated with a higher risk of CLABSIs. Rigorous catheter management is crucial for preventing complications, particularly in vulnerable patient subgroups.
Primary and secondary trauma in adoptive parents
Authors: Duncan Morvwen , Fearon Pasco , Woolgar Matt 
Published: September 2024

Aims Secondary trauma is recognised as one of the negative effects for professionals working with people that have experienced trauma. Research has demonstrated secondary trauma in foster carers but little research has explored trauma symptoms within adoptive parents, facing the emotional impact of parenting a child with adverse early experiences. This study aimed to document the rates of primary and secondary trauma symptoms in adoptive parents. It further explores the association between the extent of current behavioural and emotional challenges and the extent of the child’s pre-adoption adverse experiences in predicting parental trauma responses. Method 190 adoptive parents completed an online survey including self-report measures of primary and secondary trauma. Results Almost one fifth of adoptive parents exhibited primary trauma scores of clinical concern; with 10% reaching the threshold for a probable diagnosis of PTSD. Participants also reported significantly higher levels of secondary trauma and burnout, and significantly lower levels of compassion satisfaction than population norms. The current behavioural and emotional challenges, including child-to-parent violence, predicted higher trauma scores more so than the extent of their child’s past adverse experiences. Conclusions The findings have clinical implications for identifying trauma symptoms within adoptive parents and wider implications for how we understand secondary and primary trauma. They further highlight the importance of firstly addressing current child behaviour, including child-to-parent violence when treating trauma symptoms. Limitations of this study and recommendations for further research are discussed.
How do we feel about borrowed words? Affective and lexico-semantic norms for most frequent unadapted English loanwords in Croatian (ENGRI CROWD)
Authors: Bogunović Irena , Ćoso Bojana , Guasch Marc , Pavlinušić Vilus Eva , Ferré Pilar , Hinojosa José Antonio 
Published: September 2024

Aims and objectives: English has become the dominant donor language for many languages, including Croatian. Perception of English loanwords has mainly been investigated through corpus-based studies or attitude questionnaires. At the same time, normative data for unadapted English loanwords are still mainly unavailable. This study aims to fill that gap by collecting affective and lexico-semantic norms for unadapted English loanwords in Croatian. Methodology: Valence, arousal, familiarity, and concreteness ratings for unadapted English loanwords and three types of Croatian equivalents were collected from 565 participants. Data and analysis: Affective and lexico-semantic norms for each word on the four variables are available in the database. In addition, the relationship between different variables was examined. Finally, the differences between English loanwords and three types of Croatian equivalents (in-context, out-of-context, and adapted forms) are reported. Findings: Valence ratings for unadapted English loanwords differed from out-of-context equivalents and adapted forms. Unadapted English loanwords were rated as more arousing than Croatian equivalents. Finally, unadapted English loanwords were less familiar and less concrete than in-context and out-of-context equivalents. The findings suggest that Croatian speakers perceive unadapted English loanwords differently on affective and lexico-semantic levels compared with Croatian equivalents. Originality: This is the first study to provide affective and lexical norms for 391 most frequent unadapted English loanwords in Croatian. Implications: The reported normative data will contribute to the existing knowledge about the processing of English loanwords by enabling experimental research on this topic.
Oncogenic microRNA-1290 and SCAI Gene as Potential Biomarker for Colorectal Carcinoma
Authors: Naseem Rashida , Shahid Samiah , Shahid Wajeehah , Abbas Ghulam 
Published: September 2024

Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the world's third most frequent cancer, with a significant mortality rate due to late detection. There is a need to search for biomarkers that can detect colorectal cancer at an early stage. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate several targets that function as oncogenes and/or tumor suppressor genes, so any change in microRNA expression level can predict abnormality. Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate the expression of miR-1290, and Suppressor of cancer cell invasion ( SCAI) gene that may be used as biomarkers for early diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma. Methodology This study included 50 subjects consisting of newly diagnosed colorectal carcinoma patients ( n = 25), and healthy controls ( n = 25). After RNA isolation and reverse transcription, the expression level of miR-1290 and SCAI gene in the tissues and plasma samples of CRC patients were analyzed using real time PCR and compared with healthy individuals as normal controls. The 2−ΔΔCt formula was used to compute the fold-change, while using miR-16 and GAPDH as reference genes for normalization. Results We found that miR-1290 is upregulated, whereas SCAI gene is downregulated in both plasma and tissue samples of CRC patients. For miR-1290, the sensitivity was 96% and specificity was 100%, and for SCAI, 100% sensitivity and 88% specificity was calculated by ROC analysis. Conclusion The expression of miR-1290 and SCAI gene may be utilized as biomarkers for diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma.
Meeting the Needs of People With Severe Quadriplegia in the 21st Century: The Case for Implanted Brain–Computer Interfaces
Authors: Sawyer Abbey , Cooke Lily , Breyman Erica , Spohn Steve , Edelman Sandy , Saravanan Krisha , Putrino David 
Published: September 2024

Background In recent decades, there has been a widespread adoption of digital devices among the non-disabled population. The pervasive integration of digital devices has revolutionized how the majority of the population manages daily activities. Most of us now depend on digital platforms and services to conduct activities across the domains of communication, finance, healthcare, and work. However, a clear disparity exists for people who live with severe quadriplegia, who largely lack access to tools that would enable them to perform daily tasks digitally and communicate effectively with their environment. Objectives The purpose of this piece is to (i) highlight the unmet needs of people with severe quadriplegia (including cases for medical necessity and perspectives from the community), (ii) present the current landscape of assistive technology for people with severe quadriplegia, (iii) make the case for implantable BCIs (how they address needs and why they are a good solution relative to other assistive technologies), and (iv) present future directions. Results There are technologies that are currently available to this population, but these technologies are certainly not usable with the same level of ease, efficiency, or autonomy as what has been designed for the non-disabled community. This hinders the ability of people with severe quadriplegia to achieve digital autonomy, perpetuating social isolation and limiting the expression of needs, opinions, and preferences. Conclusion Most importantly, the gap in digital equality fundamentally undermines the basic human rights of people with severe quadriplegia.
Effects of a Wearable-Based Intervention on the Hemiparetic Upper Limb in Persons With Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Toh Fong Mei , Lam Winnie W. T. , Cruz Gonzalez Pablo , Fong Kenneth N. K. 
Published: September 2024

Introduction Wearables have emerged as a transformative rehabilitation tool to provide self-directed training in the home. Objective. In this study, we examined the efficacy of a novel wearable device, “Smart Reminder” (SR), to provide home-based telerehabilitation for hemiparetic upper limb (UL) training in persons with stroke. Methods Forty stroke survivors from community support groups were randomized (stratified by the period after stroke onset and impairment severity) to either the SR group or the sham device group. Participants received either 20 hours of telerehabilitation using the SR device or training with pictorial handouts and a sham device over 4 weeks. In addition, all participants wore a standard accelerometer for 3 hours each day, 5 times a week, outside the prescribed training. Participants were assessed by a masked assessor at baseline, post-intervention (week 4), and follow-up (week 8). The outcome measures included Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Action Research Arm Test, Motor Activity Log, muscle strength, active range of motion and amount of movement of the UL, and compliance rate of training. Results The SR group improved substantially in their FMA-UE scores after treatment (mean difference = 2.05, P  =  .036) compared to the sham group. Also, adherence to the training using the SR device was significantly higher, 97%, than the sham group, 82.3% ( P  =  .038). Conclusion The 4-week telerehabilitation program using a “SR” device demonstrated potential efficacy in improving FMA-UE scores of the hemiparetic upper limb. However, it did not significantly enhance the performance of the affected limb in daily activities. The trial was registered on ClinicalTrial.gov (URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov ) with the identifier NCT05877183.
Classification of life satisfaction by occupational gaps and its characteristics among older adults with care needs
Authors: Misu Yuka , Hayashi Shintaro , Yamamoto Taisei 
Published: September 2024

Objective Occupational therapy aims at enhancing people’s life satisfaction, it is important to focus on the occupational gap between “what they want to do” and “what they actually do.” This study aimed to describe the characteristics of occupational gap of older adults with care needs who are residing at home, and clarify how the occupational gap patterns classify their life satisfaction. Method The Occupational Gap Questionnaire was used to assess the occupational gaps of 209 older adults with care needs (80.1 ± 7.5 years old, 42.1% male), and a Classification and Regression Tree analysis was performed. Results The most important factor in classifying participants’ life satisfaction was the number of social activities that “they do and want to do,” followed by the number of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) that “they do not do but want to do”. Conclusion Our results suggest that promoting participation in social activities and IADLs that participants want to do may improve life satisfaction even when care is needed. Our findings indicate that it is important not only to reduce the occupational gap but also to increase the number of meaningful activities they want to do.
The significance of stent sizing for parent vessel stenosis after flow diversion of MCA bifurcation aneurysms
Authors: Matanov Svetozar , Vladev Georgi , Sirakov Alexander , Ninov Kristian , Penkov Marin , Tsonev Hristo , Sirakova Kristina , Karakostov Vasil , Sirakov Stanimir 
Published: September 2024

Background Wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms (WNBA) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) present significant therapeutic challenges. Flow-diverter stents have been increasingly adopted for their management, though they may give rise to adverse outcomes such as in-stent stenosis (ISS). This study explores the association between stent oversizing and the incidence of ISS following flow-diverter stent placement in MCA bifurcation aneurysms. Methods A retrospective study included 34 patients who underwent flow-diverter stent placement for MCA bifurcation aneurysms between 2020 and 2023. Data on patient demographics, aneurysm morphology, and stent sizing were collected. ISS was evaluated through follow-up imaging at 6-month post-procedure. Stent oversizing was determined by calculating the difference between the stent diameter and the proximal and distal parent vessel diameters. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation and chi-square tests, with significance established at p < 0.05. Results The studied group had a mean age of 57.8 years, with 81.6% female patients. The average aneurysm neck size was 3.6 mm, with a mean dome-to-neck ratio of 1.6. ISS was detected in 64.7% of cases proximally and 88.2% distally. A statistically significant negative correlation ( r = −0.496, p = 0.003) was observed between stent oversizing and ISS, indicating that increased stent oversizing was associated with a higher incidence of ISS, particularly in the distal vessel segments. Conclusion The findings indicate that stent oversizing is significantly associated with the development of ISS in MCA bifurcation aneurysms treated with flow-diverter stents. Careful consideration of stent sizing, particularly minimizing oversizing in distal segments, may mitigate the risk of ISS and improve clinical outcomes. These results underscore the importance of meticulous stent selection and procedural planning in neurointerventional practice.