bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An easily organic–inorganic hybrid optical sensor based on dithizone impregnation on mesoporous SBA‐15 for simultaneous detection and removal of Pb(II) ions from water samples: Response‐surface methodology
Authors: Dashtian Kheibar , Zare‐Dorabei Rouholah 
Published: April 2017

In this study, a novel organic–inorganic hybrid adsorbent for single‐step detection and removal of Pb(II) ions based on dithizone (DZ) anchored on mesoporous SBA‐15 was fabricated. The designed solid optical sensor revealed rapid colorimetric responses and high selectivity. Central composite design (CCD) combined with desirability function (DF) was applied to evaluate the interactive effects and optimization of important variables such as pH value, mesoporous SBA‐15 dosage, contact time and initial concentration of Pb(II) ions and optimum conditions for each of the factors were obtained 6.0, 25 mg, 30 min and 20 μg ml− 1, respectively. This adsorbent or solid optical chemo sensor exhibited a linear range of 1.0 to 100.0 μg ml−1 of Pb(II) ion concentration with a detection limit of 0.07 μg ml−1. This adsorbent was applied to determine and remove the Pb(II) in spiked samples. Various isotherm models such as Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich were studied for fitting the experimental equilibrium data. Langmuir model was chosen as an efficient model. Various kinetic models such as pseudo‐first, second order intraparticle, diffusion models were studied for analysis of experimental adsorption data and the pseudo second order model was chosen as an efficient model.
Stabilization of Hybrid Systems by Feedback Control Based on Discrete‐Time State and Mode Observations
Authors: Li Yuyuan , Lu Jianqiu , Mao Xuerong , Qiu Qinwei 
Published: April 2017

AbstractRecently, a kind of feedback control based on discrete‐time state observations was proposed to stabilize continuous‐time hybrid stochastic systems in the mean‐square sense. We find that the feedback control there still depends on the continuous‐time observations of the mode. However, it usually costs to identify the current mode of the system in practice. So we can further improve the control to reduce the control cost by identifying the mode at discrete times when we make observations for the state. In this paper, we aim to design such a type of feedback control based on the discrete‐time observations of both state and mode to stabilize the given hybrid stochastic differential equations (SDEs) in the sense of mean‐square exponential stability. Moreover, a numerical example is given to illustrate our results.
Lyme carditis with complete heart block: management with an external pacemaker
Authors: Chaudhry Muhammad Ali , Satti Srinivasa D. , Friedlander Ira R. 
Published: April 2017

Key Clinical MessageTimely diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment is essential in Lyme carditis to achieve favorable prognosis. Externalized permanent pacemaker with an active fixation lead as supportive pacing modality is a feasible option till complete resolution of conduction block with continued antibiotic therapy.
Effects of Solution Composition and Polymer Additive on the Crystallization of Struvite
Authors: Liu Yi , Qu Haiyan 
Published: April 2017

AbstractReject water from a wastewater treatment plant contains a large amount of phosphorus that can be recovered and used as phosphate fertilizer. However, the quality of the final products is affected by the variation of wastewater composition. This work focuses on the effects of the nitrogen/phosphorus (N/P) molar ratio, which is a mutable variable in the reject water, and a polymer additive on the crystallization of struvite from an artificial reject water system. The obtained results suggest that crystallization at a low pH (7.5) resulted in a narrow size distribution, over 93 % P could be recovered. The presence of the polymer Aquaflok 414C led to a slightly narrower crystal size distribution at a lower supersaturation index.
Liquid‐Crystalline Elastomers with Gold Nanoparticle Cross‐Linkers
Authors: Wójcik Michał M. , Wróbel Jarosław , Jańczuk Zuzanna Z. , Mieczkowski Józef , Górecka Ewa , Choi Joonmyung , Cho Maenghyo , Pociecha Damian 
Published: April 2017

AbstractEmbedding nanoparticles in a responsive polymer matrix is a formidable way to fabricate hybrid materials with predesigned properties and prospective applications in actuators, mechanically tunable optical elements, and electroclinic films. However, achieving chemical compatibility between nanoparticles and organic matter is not trivial and often results in disordered structures. Herein, it is shown that using nanoparticles as exclusive cross‐linkers in the preparation of liquid‐crystalline polymers can yield long‐range‐ordered liquid‐crystalline elastomers with high loadings of well‐dispersed nanoparticles, as confirmed by small‐angle XRD measurements. Moreover, the strategy of incorporating NPs as cross‐linking units does not result in disruption of mechanical properties of the polymer, and this phenomenon was explained by the means of all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations. Such materials can exhibit switchable behavior under thermal stimulus with stability spanning over multiple heating/cooling cycles. The presented strategy has proven to be a promising approach for the preparation of new types of hybrid liquid‐crystalline elastomers that can be of value for future photonic applications.
Murai Reaction on Furfural Derivatives Enabled by Removable N,N′‐Bidentate Directing Groups
Authors: Pezzetta Cristofer , Veiros Luis F. , Oble Julie , Poli Giovanni 
Published: April 2017

AbstractFurfural and related compounds are industrially relevant building blocks obtained from lignocellulosic biomass. To enhance the added value of these renewable resources, a Ru‐catalyzed hydrofurylation of alkenes, involving a directed C−H activation at C3 of the furan ring, was developed. A thorough experimental study revealed that a bidentate amino‐imine directing group enabled the desired coupling. Removal of the directing group occurred during the purification step, directly releasing the C3‐functionalized furfurals. Development of the reaction as well as optimization and scope of the method were described. A mechanism was proposed on the basis of DFT calculations.
Efficacy of postoperative prophylactic antibiotics in reducing permanent pacemaker infections
Authors: Lee Wen‐Huang , Huang Ting‐Chun , Lin Li‐Jen , Lee Po‐Tseng , Lin Chih‐Chan , Lee Cheng‐Han , Chao Ting‐Hsing , Li Yi‐Heng , Chen Ju‐Yi 
Published: April 2017

BackgroundDespite limited evidence, postoperative prophylactic antibiotics are often used in the setting of permanent pacemaker implantation or replacement. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of postoperative antibiotics.HypothesisPostoperative prophylactic antibiotics may be not clinically useful.MethodsWe recruited 367 consecutive patients undergoing permanent pacemaker implantation or generator replacement at a tertiary referral center. Baseline demographics, clinical characteristics, and procedure information were collected, and all patients received preoperative prophylactic antibiotics. Postoperative prophylactic antibiotics were administered at the discretion of the treating physician, and all patients were seen in follow‐up every 3 to 6 months for an average follow‐up period of 16 months. The primary endpoint was device‐related infection.ResultsA total of 110 patients were treated with preoperative antibiotics only (group 1), whereas 257 patients received both preoperative and postoperative antibiotics (group 2). After a mean follow‐up period of 16 months, 1 patient in group 1 (0.9%) and 4 patients in group 2 (1.5%) experienced a device‐related infection. There was no significant difference in the rate of infection between the 2 groups (P = 0.624). In the univariate analysis, only the age (60 ± 11 vs 75 ± 12 years, P < 0.001) was significantly different between the infected and noninfected groups. In the multivariate analysis, younger age was an independent risk factor for infective complications (odds ratio = 1.08, P = 0.016).ConclusionsPatients treated with preoperative and postoperative antibiotics had a similar rate of infection as those treated with preoperative antibiotics alone. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.
A holistic view of the effects of episiotomy on pelvic floor
Authors: Oliveira Dulce A. , Parente Marco P.L. , Calvo Begoña , Mascarenhas Teresa , Natal Jorge Renato M. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractVaginal delivery is commonly accepted as a risk factor in pelvic floor dysfunction; however, other obstetric procedures (episiotomy) are still controversial. In this work, to analyze the relationship between episiotomy and pelvic floor function, a finite element model of the pelvic cavity is used considering the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) with damaged regions from spontaneous vaginal delivery and from deliveries with episiotomy. Common features assessed at screening of pelvic floor dysfunction are evaluated during numerical simulations of both Valsalva maneuver and contraction.As stated in literature, a weakening of the PFM, represented by damaged regions in the finite element model, would lead to a bladder neck hypermobility measured as a variation between the α angle (angle between the bladder neck and the symphysis pubis line and the midline of the symphysis) during straining and withholding.However, the present work does not associate bladder neck hypermobility to a more damaged muscle, suggesting that other supportive structures also play an important role in the stabilization of the pelvic organs. Furthermore, considering passive behavior of the PFM, independently of the amount of damage considered, the resultant displacements of the pelvic structures are the same.Regarding the PFM contraction, the less the muscle is damaged, the greater the movements of the pelvic organs. Furthermore, the internal organs of the female genital system are the most affected by the unhealthy of the PFM. Additionally, the present study shows that the muscle damage affects more the active muscle component than the passive.
Using Twitter and the mobile cloud for delivering medical help in emergencies
Authors: Alshareef Hazzaa Naif , Grigoras Dan 
Published: April 2017

SummaryEmergency events require a fast response and decisions based on first‐hand information. This paper presents a mobile cloud service that makes the best use of social media applications, such as Twitter, in emergency and risk management. Here, risk and emergency teams can receive data that can inform their decisions in a matter of seconds when an emergency has affected areas under their management. The proposed service allows users to provide on‐the‐ground information regarding such an event, as well as early notification to people who are in the vicinity of an emergency situation. The service matches users' requests to a set of predefined labels that will help rescuers to understand the situation more clearly. The service was implemented and tested with Android devices and a cloud‐computing instance hosted on an Amazon platform. A cloud‐based tool is also provided for risk and emergency management teams to interact with users' requests. The experimental results show that the proposed mobile cloud service enhanced the early detection of emergencies. This paper also provides a review of research papers on the use of social media in risk and emergency management and the benefits of integrating social media with mobile cloud computing to provide a better healthcare service in emergencies.
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in urban Bo, Sierra Leone, and in the 16 countries of the West Africa region
Authors: Sundufu Abu James , Bockarie Cecil N. , Jacobsen Kathryn H. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe goal of this study was to measure the prevalence of diabetes among adults in urban Bo, Sierra Leone, and to compare the new results to the diabetes prevalence rates reported from studies across West Africa.MethodsA total of 694 outpatients ages 18 and older at Bo Government Hospital were tested for diabetes between January 2012 and December 2014. Diabetes was defined as a fasting blood sugar level of ≥126 mg/dL (≥7.0 mmol/L).ResultsThe overall prevalence of diabetes was 6.2% (43/694). Diabetes prevalence increased from 0.8% (2/256) among patients ages 18 to 29 years to 3.9% (8/204) among patients ages 30 to 39, 8.4% (11/131) among patients ages 40 to 49, 19.0% (12/63) among patients ages 50 to 59, and 25.0% (10/40) among patients ages 60 and older. The prevalence of diabetes was 5.2% among females and 7.4% among males. After adjusting the study population to the age and sex distribution of the national population, the standardized prevalence of diabetes was 7.0%. The only previously published study of diabetes in Sierra Leone found a much lower 2.4% prevalence rate in 1997. A comprehensive literature search identified studies from across West Africa (including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea‐Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo) that illustrate an increasing rate of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance in the region.ConclusionsIt is important for hospitals and clinics across West Africa to increase their ability to diagnose, monitor, and treat type 2 diabetes in urban and rural areas.
Serum uric acid levels are associated with increased risk of newly developed diabetic retinopathy among Japanese male patients with type 2 diabetes: A prospective cohort study (diabetes distress and care registry at Tenri [DDCRT13])
Authors: Kuwata Hirohito , Okamura Shintaro , Hayashino Yasuaki , Tsujii Satoru , Ishii Hitoshi ,   for the Diabetes Distress and Care Registry at Tenri Study Group
Published: April 2017

AbstractObjectiveWe assessed the prospective association between baseline serum uric acid levels and consequent risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.Research Design and MethodsData for 1839 type 2 diabetes patients without diabetic retinopathy were obtained from a Japanese diabetes registry. A Cox proportional hazards model with time‐varying exposure information by sex was used and adjusted for potential confounders to assess the independent correlations between baseline serum uric acid levels and incidence rate of diabetic retinopathy.ResultsNewly developed diabetic retinopathy was recognized in 188 patients (10.2%) during the observation period of 2 years. Compared to the first serum uric acid quartile level, the multivariate adjusted hazards ratio for diabetic retinopathy development in male patients was 1.97 (95% CI, 1.14‐3.41;P = .015), 1.92 (95% CI, 1.18‐3.13;P = .008), and 2.17 (95% CI, 1.40‐3.37;P = .001) for the second, third, and fourth serum uric acid quartile levels, respectively. But this was not the case with female patients.ConclusionHigher serum uric acid levels were associated with increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy in male patients with type 2 diabetes, but not in female patients. Serum uric acid may be a useful biomarker for predicting the future risk of developing diabetic retinopathy in male patients with type 2 diabetes.
Ephedra alkaloid contents of Chinese herbal formulae sold in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Chih‐Wei , Hsu Szu‐Yun , Huang Guan‐Qian , Hsu Mei‐Chich 
Published: April 2017

Consumption of Ephedra alkaloids is prohibited in‐competition by the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA). In Taiwan, colds are often treated with Chinese herbal formulae containing Herba Ephedrae. We screened products sold in Taiwan and preliminarily assessed their relationships with WADA threshold violations. Fifty‐six concentrated powder products, including 19 Chinese herbal formulae that contained Herba Ephedrae, were collected. The content of Ephedra alkaloids, namely ephedrine (E), methylephedrine (ME), norpseudoephedrine (NPE; cathine), pseudoephedrine (PE), and norephedrine (NE; phenylpropanolamine), was determined using a validated high‐performance liquid chromatography method. The results revealed that the phenotypic indicators of the collected products, E/PE and E/total ratios, were 1.52–4.70 and 0.49–0.72, respectively, indicating that the Herba Ephedrae species in these products was probably E. sinica or E. equisetina, but not E. intermedia. The contents of E, ME, NPE, PE, and NE and the total alkaloid contents in the daily doses of the products were 0.45–34.97, 0.05–4.87, 0.04–3.61, 0.15–12.09, and 0.01–2.00 mg and 0.68–53.64 mg, respectively. The alkaloid contents followed a relatively consistent order (E > PE > ME ≈ NPE > NE), even for products from different manufacturers. We calculated that single doses of 50.0% and 3.6% of the products would result in the WADA thresholds of E and NPE being exceeded, respectively. Our data provide critical information for athletes and medical personnel, who should be wary of using complex Chinese herbal formulae in addition to over‐the‐counter products.
Vegetation response to invasive Tamarix control in southwestern U.S. rivers: a collaborative study including 416 sites
Authors: González Eduardo , Sher Anna A. , Anderson Robert M. , Bay Robin F. , Bean Daniel W. , Bissonnete Gabriel J. , Bourgeois Bérenger , Cooper David J. , Dohrenwend Kara , Eichhorst Kim D. , El Waer Hisham , Kennard Deborah K. , Harms‐Weissinger Rebecca , Henry Annie L. , Makarick Lori J. , Ostoja Steven M. , Reynolds Lindsay V. , Robinson W. Wright , Shafroth Patrick B. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMost studies assessing vegetation response following control of invasive Tamarix trees along southwestern U.S. rivers have been small in scale (e.g., river reach), or at a regional scale but with poor spatial‐temporal replication, and most have not included testing the effects of a now widely used biological control. We monitored plant composition following Tamarix control along hydrologic, soil, and climatic gradients in 244 treated and 172 reference sites across six U.S. states. This represents the largest comprehensive assessment to date on the vegetation response to the four most common Tamarix control treatments. Biocontrol by a defoliating beetle (treatment 1) reduced the abundance of Tamarix less than active removal by mechanically using hand and chain‐saws (2), heavy machinery (3) or burning (4). Tamarix abundance also decreased with lower temperatures, higher precipitation, and follow‐up treatments for Tamarix resprouting. Native cover generally increased over time in active Tamarix removal sites, however, the increases observed were small and was not consistently increased by active revegetation. Overall, native cover was correlated to permanent stream flow, lower grazing pressure, lower soil salinity and temperatures, and higher precipitation. Species diversity also increased where Tamarix was removed. However, Tamarix treatments, especially those generating the highest disturbance (burning and heavy machinery), also often promoted secondary invasions of exotic forbs. The abundance of hydrophytic species was much lower in treated than in reference sites, suggesting that management of southwestern U.S. rivers has focused too much on weed control, overlooking restoration of fluvial processes that provide habitat for hydrophytic and floodplain vegetation. These results can help inform future management of Tamarix‐infested rivers to restore hydrogeomorphic processes, increase native biodiversity and reduce abundance of noxious species.
Assessing vulnerability of giant pandas to climate change in the Qinling Mountains of China
Authors: Li Jia , Liu Fang , Xue Yadong , Zhang Yu , Li Diqiang 
Published: April 2017

AbstractClimate change might pose an additional threat to the already vulnerable giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Effective conservation efforts require projections of vulnerability of the giant panda in facing climate change and proactive strategies to reduce emerging climate‐related threats. We used the maximum entropy model to assess the vulnerability of giant panda to climate change in the Qinling Mountains of China. The results of modeling included the following findings: (1) the area of suitable habitat for giant pandas was projected to decrease by 281 km2from climate change by the 2050s; (2) the mean elevation of suitable habitat of giant panda was predicted to shift 30 m higher due to climate change over this period; (3) the network of nature reserves protect 61.73% of current suitable habitat for the species, and 59.23% of future suitable habitat; (4) current suitable habitat mainly located in Chenggu, Taibai, and Yangxian counties (with a total area of 987 km2) was predicted to be vulnerable. Assessing the vulnerability of giant panda provided adaptive strategies for conservation programs and national park construction. We proposed adaptation strategies to ameliorate the predicted impacts of climate change on giant panda, including establishing and adjusting reserves, establishing habitat corridors, improving adaptive capacity to climate change, and strengthening monitoring of giant panda.
In vitro and in vivo analyses of Morus alba Polish var. wielkolistna zolwinska leaf ethanol–water extract—antioxidant and hypocholesterolemic activities in hyperlipideamic rats
Authors: Jeszka‐Skowron Magdalena , Flaczyk Ewa , Podgórski Tomasz 
Published: April 2017

We previously reported that mulberry leaf extracts possess in vitro antioxidant activity and show antihypergliceamic activity in diabetic rats. The aim of this study was to: quantify bioactive components of Morus alba (Polish variety: wielkolistna zolwinska) ethanol–water extract and to examine the effect of different doses of extract on plasma lipids and plasma antioxidant capacity in rats fed high‐fat diet for 6 weeks. The composition of phenolic compounds and DNJ content by chromatography analyses in the ethanol–water extract from M. alba L. leaves as well as the results of ABTS and DPPH assays were determined. The effect of the extract addition to the diet of hyperlipidaemic Wistar rats was also measured. In the in vivo study, conducted in rats fed high‐fat (∼45% energy from fat) diet for 6 weeks, we found that M. alba leaf extract supplement ingested with food (6 g/kg) decreased total cholesterol (24.1%) and LDL‐c fraction (21.0%). M. alba ethanol–water extract showed a significant effect on lowering plasma total and LDL cholesterol and antioxidant activity measured by the ferric reducing ability of plasma. The extract is a good source of natural antioxidants and could be potentially used as a dietary supplement in future human studies.Practical applications: M. alba L. (Polish variety: wielkolistna zolwinska) leaf ethanol–water extract with high antioxidant activity and rich in chlorogenic acids and flavonols in in vitro analyses and shows an effect on lowering plasma total and LDL cholesterol and antioxidant activity in hyperlipideamic rats could be a dietary supplement in food for hypercholesterolemic individuals.The Morus alba (Polish variety: wielkolistna zolwinska) leaf ethanol–water extract, rich in flavonols and phenolic acids, ingested with high‐fat diet by hyperlipideamic rats effectively lowers plasma total and LDL cholesterol and improves oxidative status.