bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Obviating the need for sternotomy: Safety and effectiveness of microdebrider use for retrosternal goiter
Authors: Dagan Elad , Kleid Stephen 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundMost retrosternal goiter surgical removal can be performed via a transcervical approach. However, it is often a challenging procedure, which might include sternotomy.MethodsWe describe a surgical technique using a microdebrider for intracapsular volume reduction that precedes an extracapsular thyroidectomy, thereby avoiding the need for sternotomy, with decreased morbidity and risk. The procedure is described in detail with 2 representative cases and a summary of our experience in 26 cases.ResultsTwenty‐six patients with retrosternal goiters are included in our cohort. None of the patients needed a sternotomy, and no major or permanent complications occurred. The average length of hospital stay was 4.30 days after total thyroidectomy and 2.57 days after hemithyroidectomy.ConclusionThe use of a microdebrider for intracapsular volume reduction thyroidectomy is extremely helpful for transcervical removal of retrosternal goiters in selected cases, and avoids the need for sternotomy, which is especially beneficial in elderly patients, and those with comorbidities for whom sternotomy should be avoided.
Understanding the water balance paradox in the Athabasca River Basin, Canada
Authors: Hwang Hyoun‐Tae , Park Young‐Jin , Sudicky Edward A. , Berg Steven J. , McLaughlin Robert , Jones Jon P. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis study demonstrates the importance of the including and appropriately parameterizing peatlands and forestlands for basin‐scale integrated surface–subsurface models in the northern boreal forest, with particular emphasis on the Athabasca River Basin (ARB). With a long‐term water balance approach to the ARB, we investigate reasons why downstream mean annual stream flow rates are consistently higher than upstream, despite the subhumid water deficit conditions in the downstream regimes. A high‐resolution 3D variably saturated subsurface and surface water flow and evapotranspiration model of the ARB is constructed based on the bedrock and surficial geology and the spatial distribution of peatlands and their corresponding eco‐regions. Historical climate data were used to drive the model for calibration against 40‐year long‐term average surface flow and groundwater observations during the historic instrumental period. The simulation results demonstrate that at the basin‐scale, peatlands and forestlands can have a strong influence on the surface–subsurface hydrologic systems. In particular, peatlands in the midstream and downstream regimes of the ARB increase the water availability to the surface–subsurface water systems by reducing water loss through evapotranspiration. Based on the comparison of forestland evapotranspiration between observation and simulation, the overall spatial average evapotranspiration in downstream forestlands is larger than that in peatlands and thus the water contribution to the stream flow in downstream areas is relatively minor. Therefore, appropriate representation of peatlands and forestlands within the basin‐scale hydrologic model is critical to reproduce the water balance of the ARB.
Effects of intramedullary nails composed of a new β‐type Ti‐Nb‐Sn alloy with low Young's modulus on fracture healing in mouse tibiae
Authors: Fujisawa Hirokazu , Mori Yu , Kogure Atsushi , Tanaka Hidetatsu , Kamimura Masayuki , Masahashi Naoya , Hanada Shuji , Itoi Eiji 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe influence of Young's moduli of materials on the fracture healing process remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the effects of intramedullary nails composed of materials with low Young's moduli on fracture repair. We previously developed a β‐type Ti‐Nb‐Sn alloy with low Young's modulus close to that of human cortical bone. Here, we prepared two Ti‐Nb‐Sn alloys with Young's moduli of 45 and 78 GPa by heat treatment, and compared their effects on fracture healing. Fracture and nailing were performed in the right tibiae of C57BL/6 mice. The bone healing process was evaluated by microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT), histomorphometry, and RT‐PCR. We found larger bone volumes of fracture callus in the mice treated with the 45‐GPa Ti‐Nb‐Sn alloy as compared with the 78‐GPa Ti‐Nb‐Sn alloy in micro‐CT analyses. This was confirmed with histology at day 14, with accelerated new bone formation and cartilage absorption in the 45‐GPa Ti‐Nb‐Sn group compared with the 78‐GPa Ti‐Nb‐Sn group. Acp5 expression was lower in the 45‐GPa Ti‐Nb‐Sn group than in the 78‐GPa Ti‐Nb‐Sn group at day 10. These findings indicate that intramedullary fixation with nails with a lower Young's modulus offer a greater capacity for fracture repair. Our 45‐GPa Ti‐Nb‐Sn alloy is a promising material for fracture treatment implants. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2841–2848, 2018.
A gateway to healing: A community‐based brief intervention for victims of violence
Authors: Trabold Nicole , O'Malley Allison , Rizzo Lisa , Russell Elizabeth 
Published: January 2018

AbstractInterventions for victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health priority. This study used semistructured, in‐depth interviews to explore key features and self‐reported changes associated with a community‐based, trauma‐informed brief intervention (TIBI) for victims of IPV. Using open coding of transcripts and cross‐case analysis to determine prominent patterns and themes within and between participants, TIBI was perceived as beneficial, safe, and innovative. Positive changes, including improved physical health, psychological well‐being, quality of life, confidence, hope, and personal control, were reported and maintained postintervention. Key features of the intervention were described as increased IPV knowledge, which women attributed as the gateway to healing, learning how to reframe thoughts in a productive way and developing various skills in coping with IPV. This research provides preliminary evidence that a community‐based TIBI is both acceptable to clients and potentially useful in reducing the negative consequences of IPV.
The City of Johannesburg can end AIDS by 2030: modelling the impact of achieving the Fast‐Track targets and what it will take to get there
Authors: Stuart Robyn M , Fraser‐Hurt Nicole , Kerr Cliff C , Mabusela Emily , Madi Vusi , Mkhwanazi Fredrika , Pillay Yogan , Barron Peter , Muzah Batanayi , Matsebula Thulani , Gorgens Marelize , Wilson David P 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIntroductionIn 2014, city leaders from around the world endorsed the Paris Declaration on Fast‐Track Cities, pledging to achieve the 2020 and 2030 HIV targets championed by UNAIDS. The City of Johannesburg – one of South Africa's metropolitan municipalities and also a health district – has over 600,000 people living with HIV (PLHIV), more than any other city worldwide. We estimate what it would take in terms of programmatic targets and costs for the City of Johannesburg to meet the Fast‐Track targets, and demonstrate the impact that this would have.MethodsWe applied the Optima HIV epidemic and resource allocation model to demographic, epidemiological and behavioural data on 26 sub‐populations in Johannesburg. We used data on programme costs and coverage to produce baseline projections. We calculated how many people must be diagnosed, put onto treatment and maintained with viral suppression to achieve the 2020 and 2030 targets. We also estimated how treatment needs – and therefore fiscal commitments – could be reduced if the treatment targets are combined with primary HIV prevention interventions (voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC), an expanded condom programme, and comprehensive packages for female sex workers (FSW) and young females).ResultsIf current programmatic coverage were maintained, Johannesburg could expect 303,000 new infections and 96,000 AIDS‐related deaths between 2017 and 2030 and 769,000 PLHIV by 2030. Achieving the Fast‐Track targets would require an additional 135,000 diagnoses and 232,000 people on treatment by 2020 (an increase in around 80% over 2016 treatment numbers), but would avert 176,000 infections and 56,500 deaths by 2030. Assuming stable ART unit costs, this would require ZAR 29 billion (USD 2.15 billion) in cumulative treatment investments over the 14 years to 2030. Plausible scale‐ups of other proven interventions (VMMC, condom distribution and FSW strategies) could yield additional reductions in new infections (between 4 and 15%), and in overall treatment investment needs. Scaling up VMMC in line with national targets is found to be cost‐effective in the medium term.ConclusionsThe scale‐up in testing and treatment programmes over this decade has been rapid, but these efforts must be doubled to reach 2020 targets. Strategic investments in proven interventions will help Johannesburg achieve the treatment targets and be on track to end AIDS by 2030.
Projected changes in the evolution of drought on various timescales over the Czech Republic according to Euro‐CORDEX models
Authors: Potopová Vera , Štěpánek Petr , Zahradníček Pavel , Farda Aleš , Türkott Luboš , Soukup Josef 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTThe main objective of this study was to project changes in the evolution of drought characteristics (frequency, duration and magnitude) during the 21st century in lowlands, highlands and mountainous regions in the Czech Republic (CR). We focused on the multi‐scalar nature of droughts as a function of the variables that govern the balance of moisture during climate change, such as precipitation, which supplies moisture, and temperature, which modulates evapotranspiration. Thereby, this issue is addressed with two drought indices, i.e. the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) and the standardized precipitation index (SPI), for various lags (1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months). To assess the impact of climate change on drought characteristics, a set of eight regional climate models (RCMs) simulations were selected for further analysis driven by five different global circulation models (GCMs) carried out in the frame of Euro‐CORDEX. Future drought changes were developed for the two representative concentration scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). For the temporal evolution of the droughts, the monthly drought indices were calculated over the entire study period from 1961 to 2100. The SPEI showed a higher frequency in the categories of severe droughts and extreme droughts than the SPI, while the SPEI yielded fewer events in the extreme wet categories. The probability distribution of the SPEI‐6 under the RCP8.5 scenario shifted more than one and a half standard deviations in lowlands at the end of the century, peaking at −1.65 (with a probability of 10.5%). This meant that severe droughts, according to the current climate criteria, will become the new norm in the period 2071–2100.
Productivity and nutrient use efficiency of maize, sorghum, and cotton in the West African Dry Savanna
Authors: Amouzou Kokou Adambounou , Naab Jesse B. , Lamers John P.A. , Becker Mathias 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSustainable agricultural practices are needed to improve food security and support livelihoods in West Africa, where soil nutrient deficiencies and rainfed production systems prevail. The objective of this study was to assess the productivity and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) use efficiencies of three dominant crops (maize, sorghum, and cotton) under different soil management strategies in the dry savanna of northern Benin. Data were collected for each crop in experiments with (1) an un‐amended soil as control, (2) a low use of external inputs, (3) an integrated soil–crop management practice, and (4) a high mineral fertilizer use, as treatments. Data were collected through researcher‐managed and farmer‐managed on‐farm trials in 2014 and 2015, and analyzed using linear robust mixed effects model and Pearson's correlation. Above‐ground biomass accumulation did not differ significantly among the control, integrated soil–crop management practice, and high mineral fertilizer use up to 30, 50, and 60 d after planting for maize, cotton, and sorghum, respectively. Thereafter, the differences in growth were substantial for each crop with highest biomass monitored with high mineral fertilizer use and lowest with the control. Biomass and economic yields at harvest were highest under high mineral fertilizer use and integrated soil–crop management practice, although the magnitude was crop‐specific. With the integrated soil–crop management practice and high mineral fertilizer use, N and P uptake by all crops was higher than for the un‐amended soil conditions. Inter‐seasonal changes in N uptake were higher for sorghum and cotton, but lower for maize. The highest agronomic efficiency and apparent recovery of N and P as well as positive N and P partial balances were obtained with the integrated soil–crop management practice for all three crops tested. The integrated soil–crop management strategy gave the highest yields and significantly improved N and P use efficiencies. The findings can contribute to formulating site and crop‐specific recommendations for sustainable agricultural practices in the Dry Savanna zone of West Africa.
The effect of drought and nitrogen fertiliser addition on nitrate leaching risk from a pasture soil; an assessment from a field experiment and modelling
Authors: Shepherd Mark , Lucci Gina , Vogeler Iris , Balvert Sheree 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDA combination of field experiment and modelling tested the hypothesis that dry summers increase the risk of nitrogen (N) leaching from pasture owing to a combination of: soil N accumulation in a dry summer; slow recovery of drought‐affected pasture in the autumn; and the resultant inefficient use of fertiliser N by the pasture.RESULTSIn the experiment, pasture response to urea and apparent N recovery in autumn after the drought was half that of irrigated pasture (7 vs 13 kg dry matter kg−1 N; 28 vs 52% apparent recovery; P < 0.05). There was more soil mineral N at the start of drainage (P < 0.001) as a result of this inefficient fertiliser N use. Modelling of pasture growth in six different drought years demonstrated that subsequent N leaching risk after rewetting was inversely related to pasture N uptake during rewetting in the autumn.CONCLUSIONWhen the period between post‐drought pasture recovery and the onset of drainage is short, N leaching risk increases. Nitrogen leaching is determined by the type of autumn (slow or fast growing conditions before drainage) and the amount of fertiliser N applied. The latter can be managed by a farmer, but the former cannot. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Simultaneous analysis of tropane alkaloids in teas and herbal teas by liquid chromatography coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry (Orbitrap)
Authors: Romera‐Torres Ana , Romero‐González Roberto , Martínez Vidal José Luis , Garrido Frenich Antonia 
Published: January 2018

AbstractA new method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of 13 tropane alkaloids in tea and herbal teas using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to an Exactive‐Orbitrap analyzer. A mixture of methanol, water, and formic acid was used for the extraction of the target compounds followed by a solid‐phase extraction step. The validated method provided recoveries from 75 to 128% with intra‐ and interday precision lower than or equal to 24% (except for apoatropine). Limits of quantification ranged from 5 to 20 μg/kg. Eleven tea and herbal tea samples and two contaminated samples with Datura stramonium seeds were analyzed. Tropane alkaloids were detected in six samples with concentrations from 5 (apoatropine) to 4340 μg/kg (sum of physoperuvine, pseudotropine, and tropine), whereas concentrations from 5 (apoatropine) to 1725 μg/kg (sum of physoperuvine, pseudotropine, and tropine) were found in the contaminated samples.
Repeatability and Reproducibility of the Ultrasonic Attenuation Coefficient and Backscatter Coefficient Measured in the Right Lobe of the Liver in Adults With Known or Suspected Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Han Aiguo , Andre Michael P. , Deiranieh Lisa , Housman Elise , Erdman John W. , Loomba Rohit , Sirlin Claude B. , O'Brien William D. 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesTo assess the repeatability and reproducibility of the ultrasonic attenuation coefficient (AC) and backscatter coefficient (BSC) measured in the livers of adults with known or suspected nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).MethodsThe Institutional Review Board approved this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant prospective study; informed consent was obtained. Forty‐one research participants with known or suspected NAFLD were recruited and underwent same‐day ultrasound examinations of the right liver lobe with a clinical scanner by a clinical sonographer. Each participant underwent 2 scanning trials, with participant repositioning between trials. Two transducers were used in each trial. For each transducer, machine settings were optimized by the sonographer but then kept constant while 3 data acquisitions were obtained from the liver without participant repositioning and then from an external calibrated phantom. Raw RF echo data were recorded. The AC and BSC were measured within 2.6 to 3.0 MHz from a user‐defined hepatic field of interest from each acquisition. The repeatability and reproducibility were analyzed by random‐effects models.ResultsThe mean AC and log‐transformed BSC (logBSC) were 0.94 dB/cm‐MHz and –27.0 dB, respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.88 to 0.94 for the AC and 0.87 to 0.95 for the logBSC acquired without participant repositioning. For between‐trial repeated scans with participant repositioning, the intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.80 to 0.84 for the AC and 0.69 to 0.82 for the logBSC after averaging results from 3 within‐trial images. The variability introduced by the transducer was less than the repeatability error.ConclusionsHepatic AC and BSC measures using a reference phantom technique on a clinical scanner are repeatable and reproducible between transducers in adults with known or suspected NAFLD.
Addition of graphene sheets enhances reductive dissolution of arsenic and iron from arsenic contaminated soil
Authors: Chen Zheng , Li Heng , Ma Wende , Fu Dun , Han Kezeng , Wang Haitao , He Ning , Li Qingbiao , Wang Yuanpeng 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe deposition of slag from a realgar tailing mine has caused serious land degradation to those farming and mining coexisting areas. However, nanomaterial‐mediated biogeochemical arsenic cycle from arsenic‐enriched soil was severely limited. In this study, the environmental impact of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced GO (rGO) on the speciation and mobilization of Fe/As from the flooding of arsenic‐enriched soil was investigated. Regarding overall performance, rGO exhibited a more significant facilitation than GO on mediating microbial reduction of Fe(III)/As(V). The maximal levels of soluble Fe(II) and As(III) in the soil supplemented with acetate alone were 53.58 g.m−3 and 9592 mg·m−3 during the 50‐day culture period. Nearly 1.37‐fold and 1.15‐fold of As(III) levels were released when amending with rGO acetate and GO acetate. Meanwhile, approximately 1.40‐fold and 1.24‐fold of Fe(II) levels were released under the same conditions. The underlying mechanism was correlated with the interactions between graphene and microbial activities. The properties of GO have been evolved through microbial reduction and eventually exhibited characteristics similar to rGO. Additionally, the application of graphene potentially altered the compositions of the microbial community and increased the abundance of some metal‐reducing bacteria (e.g., Bacillus, Geobacter, and Desulfitobacterium), thereby favouring the dissolved organic matter bioavailability for bioreduction of Fe(III)/As(V). In addition, promotion of the electron transfer process of As(V)/Fe(III) reduction was predominantly responsible for the crucial role that rGO exhibited as a special redox‐active mediator and electrical conductor. These findings might provoke more consideration of the integrated ecological effects of graphene and evaluate their environmental impact on land degradation.
Convergence of nuclear magnetic shieldings and one‐bond 1J(11B1H) indirect spin–spin coupling constants in small boron molecules
Authors: Kupka Teobald , Buczek Aneta , Broda Małgorzata A. , Gajda Łukasz , Ignasiak Monika 
Published: January 2018

Self‐consistent field Hartree–Fock (SCF‐HF), density functional theory (B3LYP, KT1, KT2, and KT3), and coupled‐cluster calculations of the nuclear magnetic shielding constants of BH and BH3 molecules have been conducted to characterize the convergence of individual results obtained with correlation‐ and polarization‐consistent basis sets. The individual 11B and 1H NMR parameters were estimated in the complete basis set limit and compared with benchmark literature results. The SCF‐HF and density functional theory B3LYP predicted boron shieldings and shielding anisotropies of BH significantly differed from the results obtained by coupled‐cluster with single, double, and perturbative treatment of triple excitations, CCSD(T) approach. The best agreement between the CCSD(T)/complete basis set limit estimated boron shieldings was obtained for KT3 density functional (~5.7 ppm). The 1H NMR parameters predicted at B3LYP and CCSD(T) levels of theory differed by less than 1 ppm, and the SCF‐HF calculated proton shieldings and shielding anisotropies also nicely agreed with our coupled‐cluster results. The 1J(11B1H) parameters, calculated with B3LYP and KT3 functionals, accurately reproduced the earlier reported benchmark value for BH molecule. The SCF‐HF, B3LYP, and KT3 calculated boron shieldings of BH3 differed from the CCSD(T) values by 13.2, −16.8, and −2.1 ppm, respectively.
Adaptive anisotropic integration scheme for high‐order fictitious domain methods: Application to thin structures
Authors: Legrain G. , Moës N. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryA novel integration scheme is proposed for fictitious domain finite element methods. It relies on the use of a surface tracking strategy based on anisotropic mesh adaptation. Thanks to an error estimator, the method builds iteratively an adapted anisotropic mesh that is refined near the geometrical interface and elongated in the direction of a small curvature. This strategy allows to decrease the integration cost, which can be problematic for high‐order fictitious domain methods. In addition, it opens the possibility for the creation of unfitted solid shell strategies that can be used for the treatment of thin structures. Numerical studies show that the method leads to promising results for both integration cost and behavior with respect to locking.