bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The perfect mixing paradox and the logistic equation: Verhulst vs. Lotka
Authors: Arditi Roger , Bersier Louis‐Félix , Rohr Rudolf P. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractA theoretical analysis of density‐dependent population dynamics in two patches sheds novel light on our understanding of basic ecological parameters. Firstly, as already highlighted in the literature, the use of the traditional r‐K parameterization for the logistic equation (due to Lotka and Gause) can lead to paradoxical situations. We show that these problems do not exist with Verhulst's original formulation, which includes a quadratic “friction” term representing intraspecific competition (parameter α) instead of the so‐called carrying capacity K. Secondly, we show that the parameter α depends on the number of patches, or more generally on area. This is also the case of all parameters that quantify the interaction strengths between individuals, either of the same species or of different species. The consequence is that estimates of interaction strength will vary when population size is measured in absolute terms. In order to obtain scale‐invariant parameter estimates, it is essential to express population abundances as densities. Also, the interaction parameters must be reported with all explicit units, such as (m2·individual−1·d−1), which is rarely the case.
Effects of sildenafil on cardiac structure and function, cardiopulmonary exercise testing and health‐related quality of life measures in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction and pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Liu Licette C.Y. , Hummel Yoran M. , van der Meer Peter , Berger Rolf M.F. , Damman Kevin , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Voors Adriaan A. , Hoendermis Elke S. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractAimsWe recently showed that sildenafil did not improve pulmonary pressures and exercise capacity in a cohort of patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and predominantly postcapillary pulmonary hypertension. Here, we present the effects of sildenafil on cardiac structure and function, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, laboratory parameters and health‐related quality of life measures.Methods and resultsFifty‐two HFpEF patients with pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure >25 mmHg; pulmonary artery wedge pressure >15 mmHg) were randomized to sildenafil 60 mg three times a day or placebo and treated for 12 weeks. Sildenafil neither changed cardiac structure nor function on echocardiography compared with placebo. Considering all patients irrespective of maximal effort, sildenafil reduced peak heart rate by 8 b.p.m. [95% confidence interval (CI) –14.97 to −1.03] and peak blood pressure by 13.8 mmHg (95% CI −22.04 to −5.47)/7.3 mmHg (95% CI −13.60 to −1.07) (both P < 0.05 vs. placebo). The minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2) slope remained unchanged in the sildenafil group (0.3, 95% CI −1.37–1.98), while it was reduced in the placebo group (−7.6, 95% CI −12.97 to −2.25, P = 0.002). In both groups, renal function improved and N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide concentration reduced equally. Haemoglobin and glycated haemoglobin levels slightly decreased in the sildenafil group (P < 0.05 vs. placebo). All domains of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire increased during treatment, but no differences between sildenafil and placebo were found.ConclusionTreatment with sildenafil for 12 weeks in patients with HFpEF and predominantly isolated postcapillary pulmonary hypertension did not affect cardiac structure and function, integrative exercise responses, laboratory parameters, and/or quality of life. Clinicaltrials.gov number NCT01726049.
Data and Safety Monitoring Board evaluation and management of a renal adverse event signal in TOPCAT
Authors: Bristow Michael R. , Sharma Kavita , Assmann Susan F. , Linas Stuart , Gersh Bernard J. , Grady Christine , Rice Madeline Murguia , Singh Steven , Boineau Robin , McKinlay Sonja M. , Greenberg Barry H. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractClinical trial Data and Safety Monitoring Boards (DSMBs) have a primary obligation of ensuring study participant safety, while maintaining trial integrity. The role of DSMBs is expanding, and ideally should include post‐hoc reporting of deliberative processes related to clinically important safety issues or factors that could impact on future trial designs. We describe how the TOPCAT DSMB detected, investigated, and adjudicated an unexpectedly large renal adverse event signal midway through the trial, and offer general guidelines for dealing with similar unanticipated occurrences in future trials. The detection of a greater than expected incidence of deterioration in renal function, occurring in 6.1% of patients in the spironolactone arm compared with 3.9% in the placebo arm (P = 0.009), led to an in‐depth DSMB review of associated study medication withdrawals and adverse events. The trial continued uninterrupted throughout the review, which reached the conclusions that spironolactone‐associated renal dysfunction did not compromise overall patient safety or interfere with a perceived efficacy signal. Although no discrete mechanism for the spironolactone‐associated renal adverse event signal was identified, likely possibilities are discussed. In clinical trials, DSMBs and co‐ordinating centres should have the resources to detect, investigate, and adjudicate unexpected safety issues, with goals of ensuring patient safety and preserving the potential for detection of therapeutic effectiveness. In TOPCAT, spironolactone‐associated renal dysfunction emerged as a potentially trial‐threatening adverse event and, although clinically important, did not lead to compromise of patient safety, trial interruption, termination, or apparent loss of treatment effectiveness.
A toolbox for the characterization of biobased waxes
Authors: Floros Michael C. , Raghunanan Latchmi , Narine Suresh S. 
Published: November 2016

Waxes are a diverse class of molecules with numerous industrial, commercial, household, medical, and personal applications. Despite the wide variety of applications and chemical structures, most waxes are currently classified entirely by their melting and congealing points. This limits the ability to compare wax performance across the literature and impedes efforts at improving the physical functionality of biobased wax mimetics; many applications require waxes with specific physical properties that cannot be correlated to congealing or melting points alone. A toolbox of procedures to characterize and compare waxes based on not only their melting and congealing points, but also the hardness, yield force, viscosity, and solid fat content is presented. This comprehensive toolbox for the characterization of waxes provides a detailed assessment of their individual functional properties and provides an important tool for holistic comparisons of types of waxes based on their performance. This toolbox is especially useful for analyzing and finding potential applications for the next generation of emerging renewable waxes which are being introduced to the market.Practical applications: An increasing number of lipid derived waxes are entering the market. This toolbox provides a set of reproducible and useful experiments which can be used to analyze and compare the properties of waxes. By focusing on properties relevant to a wide range of wax applications, both end users and suppliers can quickly screen new waxes and determine their applicability for specific functions. This is presently not accomplished using only the ASTM standards of the industry.A wax toolbox containing a series of reproducible methods are presented for determining the melting point, congealing point, hardness, yield force, viscosity, and solid fat content of waxes. This toolbox is especially useful for characterization and comparison of waxes based on their functional performance, and can be used to predict the suitability of waxes for specific applications.
Electrochemiluminescence Based Enzymatic Urea Sensor Using Nanohybrid of Isoluminol‐gold Nanoparticle‐graphene Oxide Nanoribbons
Authors: Ismail Nur Syakimah , Hoa Le Quynh , Huong Vu Thi , Inoue Yuki , Yoshikawa Hiroyuki , Saito Masato , Tamiya Eiichi 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThis study evaluates on the possibility of using gold nanoparticles functionalized with the luminol derivative N‐(aminobutyl)‐N‐(ethylisoluminol) (ABEI) and hybridized with graphene oxide nanoribbons on a carbon based screen‐printed electrode (ABEI‐AuNP‐GONR/SPE) as an enzymatic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) urea sensor. The electrocatalytic activity and ECL intensity of ABEI‐AuNP‐GONR/SPE were found to increase proportionally with the concentration of urea in the analyte sample, owing to the rise in pH value. These phenomena are attributed to increased formation of luminol monoanion precursors for further electrochemical oxidation, which in turn produce either luminol radicals or excited 3‐amino‐phthalate molecules. The luminescence is most likely caused by the interaction of luminol radicals with superoxide radicals formed from dissolved oxygen. The sensitivity of our sensor was determined to be 170.58 mM−1 and 16.23 mM−1 for urea concentrations from 2 to 5.82 mM and from 5.82 to 30 mM, respectively, covering the normal urea level in human blood.
What Pacemakers Can Teach Us about the Ethics of Maintaining Artificial Organs
Authors: Hutchison Katrina , Sparrow Robert 
Published: November 2016

AbstractOne day soon it may be possible to replace a failing heart, liver, or kidney with a long‐lasting mechanical replacement or perhaps even with a 3‐D printed version based on the patient's own tissue. Such artificial organs could make transplant waiting lists and immunosuppression a thing of the past. Supposing that this happens, what will the ongoing care of people with these implants involve? In particular, how will the need to maintain the functioning of artificial organs over an extended period affect patients and their doctors and the responsibilities of those who manufacture such devices? Drawing on lessons from the history of the cardiac pacemaker, this article offers an initial survey of the ethical issues posed by the need to maintain and service artificial organs.We briefly outline the nature and history of cardiac pacemakers, with a particular focus on the need for technical support, maintenance, and replacement of these devices. Drawing on the existing medical literature and on our conversations and correspondence with cardiologists, regulators, and manufacturers, we describe five sources of ethical issues associated with pacemaker maintenance: the location of the devices inside the human body, such that maintenance generates surgical risks; the complexity of the devices, which increases the risk of harms to patients as well as introducing potential injustices in access to treatment; the role of software—particularly software that can be remotely accessed—in the functioning of the devices, which generates privacy and security issues; the impact of continual development and improvement of the device; and the influence of commercial interests in the context of a medical device market in which there are several competing products. Finally, we offer some initial suggestions as to how these questions should be answered.
Preparation of chitosan/amino multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite beads for bilirubin adsorption in hemoperfusion
Authors: Zong Wenhui , Chen Jian , Han Wenyan , Chen Jie , Wang Yue , Wang Weichao , Cheng Guanghui , Ou Lailiang , Yu Yaoting 
Published: November 2016

AbstractChitosan–carbon nanotube composite beads combines the advantages of chitosan in forming a stable biocompatible framework and carbon nanotube that provide nanometer effects (high strength and high specific surface area etc.). In this study, chitosan/amino multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CS/AMWCNT) composite beads was prepared by phase‐inversion method, in which CS and AMWCNT was crosslinked by ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE). The CS/AMWCNT nanocomposite beads produced has been characterized by BET, SEM, TGA, and Raman spectroscopy which exhibited enhanced thermal stability due to the incorporation of AMWCNT. Mechanical test results showed that mechanical strength of the CS/AMWCNT composite beads was significantly enhanced when comparing to unmodified chitosan beads, the breakage percentage decreased from 34.1% to 0.67%. The adsorption capacity for bilirubin was measured in PBS and BSA solutions, and the CS/AMWCNT composite beads with 5 wt% AMWCNT showed much higher adsorption capacity (12.7 mg/g in PBS and 7.6 mg/g in BSA) to bilirubin than chitosan beads (8.5 mg/g in PBS and 4.2 mg/g in BSA). Our nanocomposite beads with excellent hemocompatibility has a high potential application in blood purification as an efficient adsorbent for bilirubin. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 96–103, 2018.
Cefiderocol, a Siderophore Cephalosporin for Gram‐Negative Bacterial Infections: Pharmacokinetics and Safety in Subjects With Renal Impairment
Authors: Katsube Takayuki , Echols Roger , Arjona Ferreira Juan Camilo , Krenz Heidi K. , Berg Jolene Kay , Galloway Christopher 
Published: November 2016

AbstractCefiderocol, a new injectable siderophore cephalosporin antibiotic, has promising in vitro and in vivo activity against Gram‐negative bacteria including multidrug‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Cefiderocol is mainly renally eliminated. The pharmacokinetics and safety of cefiderocol in subjects with renal impairment were assessed following a single 1000‐mg intravenous 1‐hour infusion of cefiderocol. Subjects with mild, moderate, or severe renal impairment and end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring hemodialysis were compared with demographically (age, body mass index, and sex) matched healthy subjects with normal renal function. The effect of hemodialysis on the clearance of cefiderocol was also assessed. Total drug clearance from plasma (CL) and terminal half‐life (t1/2) correlated with renal function. Ratios (90% confidence intervals) of area under the plasma concentration‐time curve from 0 to infinity (AUC) in mild, moderate, severe, and ESRD groups compared to those with normal renal function were 1.0 (0.8‐1.3), 1.5 (1.2‐1.9), 2.5 (2.0‐3.3), and 4.1 (3.3‐5.2), respectively. Maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was similar between renal‐impairment groups and the normal‐renal‐function group. Approximately 60% of cefiderocol was removed by hemodialysis for 3 to 4 hours. The plasma‐protein‐unbound fraction was similar between various renal function groups. The incidence of adverse events did not appear to have any correlation with the degree of renal impairment. Single 1000‐mg intravenous doses of cefiderocol were generally well tolerated in subjects with impaired renal function except for 1 subject who discontinued due to urticaria. In conclusion, renal impairment impacted AUC, CL, and t1/2 without affecting Cmax. Cefiderocol was significantly removed by intermittent hemodialysis.
Kinetics of volatile marker compounds during ripening of cured loins inoculated with Staphylococcus carnosus
Authors: Bosse (née Danz) Ramona , Wirth Melanie , Gibis Monika , Schmidt Herbert , Weiss Jochen 
Published: November 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe current study was designed to investigate the influence of ripening time (12 weeks, 15 °C) on the volatile compounds and sensory acceptance for North European cured loins inoculated with a proteolytic Staphylococcus carnosus starter culture.RESULTSThe results demonstrated that the trend of volatile compounds, sensory acceptance and proteolytic activity increased during a ripening of 7 to 9 weeks. A further ripening led to a plateau phase for sensory attributes and aroma‐relevant volatile compounds such as benzaldehyde, nonanone and acetophenone. The inoculation of the proteolytic S. carnosus LTH 3838 significantly increased aroma‐relevant volatile compounds (3‐methylbutanal, benzaldehyde, acetophenone, 1‐octen‐3‐ol) and sensory acceptance up to a score 3.5 and 3.6 for the overall odour and taste by week 9. In addition, compounds such as nonanal, hexanal, 2‐pentanone and nonanone, which originate from lipid oxidation, were significantly limited by S. carnosus LTH 3838.CONCLUSIONA ripening time of 7 to 9 weeks seems to be an optimal period for the production of aroma intensive smoked North European cured loins. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Simultaneous analysis of ten low‐molecular‐mass organic acids in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and photorespiration pathway in Thalassiosira pseudonana at different growth stages
Authors: Ye Mengwei , Zhang Lijing , Xu Panpan , Zhang Runtao , Xu Jilin , Wu Xiaokai , Chen Juanjuan , Zhou Chengxu , Yan Xiaojun 
Published: November 2016

A method using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the simultaneous determination of organic acids in microalgae. o‐Benzylhydroxylamine was used to derivatize the analytes, and stable isotope‐labeled compounds were used as internal standards for precise quantification. The proposed method was evaluated in terms of linearity, recovery, matrix effect, sensitivity, and precision. Linear calibration curves with correlation coefficients >0.99 were obtained over the concentration range of 0.4–40 ng/mL for glycolic acid, 0.1–10 ng/mL for malic acid and oxaloacetic acid, 0.02–2 ng/mL for succinic acid and glyoxylic acid, 4–400 ng/mL for fumaric acid, 20–2000 ng/mL for isocitric acid, 2–200 ng mL−1 for citric acid, 100–10000 ng mL−1 for cis‐aconitic acid, and 1–100 ng mL−1 for α‐ketoglutaric acid. Analyte recoveries were between 80.2 and 115.1%, and the matrix effect was minimal. Low limits of detection (0.003–1 ng/mL) and limits of quantification (0.01–5 ng/mL) were obtained except cis‐aconitic acid. Variations in reproducibility for standard solution at three different concentrations levels were <9%. This is the first report of the simultaneous analysis of ten organic acids in microalgae, which promotes better understanding of their growth state and provides reference value for high‐yield microalgae cultures.
Environmental controls on the growth, photosynthetic and calcification rates of a Southern Hemisphere strain of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi
Authors: Feng Yuanyuan , Roleda Michael Y. , Armstrong Evelyn , Boyd Philip W. , Hurd Catriona L. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractWe conducted a series of diagnostic fitness response experiments on the coccolithophore, Emiliania huxleyi, isolated from the Subtropical Convergence east of New Zealand. Dose response curves (i.e., physiological rate vs. environmental driver) were constructed for growth, photosynthetic, and calcification rates of E. huxleyi relative to each of five environmental drivers (nitrate concentration, phosphate concentration, irradiance, temperature, and pCO2). The relative importance of each environmental driver on E. huxleyi rate processes was then ranked using a semi‐quantitative approach by comparing the percentage change caused by each environmental driver on the measured physiological metrics under the projected conditions for the year 2100, relative to those for the present day, in the Subtropical Convergence. The results reveal that the projected future decrease in nitrate concentration (33%) played the most important role in controlling the growth, photosynthetic and calcification rates of E. huxleyi, whereas raising pCO2 to 75 Pa (750 ppm) decreased the calcification : photosynthesis ratios to the greatest degree. These findings reveal that other environmental drivers may be equally or more influential than CO2 in regulating the physiological responses of E. huxleyi, and provide new diagnostic information to better understand how this ecologically important species will respond to the projected future changes to multiple environmental drivers.
Superior color rendering with a phosphor‐converted blue‐cyan monolithic light‐emitting diode
Authors: Titkov Ilya E. , Yadav Amit , Karpov Sergey Yu. , Sakharov Alexei V. , Tsatsulnikov Andrey F. , Slight Thomas J. , Gorodetsky Andrei , Rafailov Edik U. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe future generation of modern illumination should not only be cheap and highly efficient, but also demonstrate high quality of light, light which allows better color differentiation and fidelity. Here we are presenting a novel approach to create a white solid‐state light source providing ultimate color rendition necessary for a number of applications. The proposed semi‐hybrid device combines a monolithic blue‐cyan light emitting diode (MBC LED) with a green‐red phosphor mixture. It has shown a superior color rendering index (CRI), 98.6, at correlated color temperature of around 3400 K. The MBC LED epi‐structure did not suffer from the efficiency reduction typical for monolithic multi‐color emitters and was implemented in the two most popular chip designs: “epi‐up” and “flip‐chip”. Redistribution of the blue and cyan band amplitudes in the white‐light emission spectrum, using the operating current, is found to be an effective tool for fine tuning the color characteristics.
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Electroless Deposition of Nickel on Photografted Polymeric Microscale Patterns
Authors: Carroll Gregory T. , Lancaster Jeffrey R. , Turro Nicholas J. , Koberstein Jeffrey T. , Mammana Angela 
Published: November 2016

This report demonstrates the electroless deposition of Ni onto micropatterns of poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) photografted to phthalimide‐terminated self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs). PAA is spin‐coated onto phthalimide SAMs and covered with a photomask. UV irradiation selectively binds PAA to exposed regions of the surface, allowing PAA on unexposed regions to be rinsed off. A Pd catalyst is then selectively adsorbed to regions of the surface where PAA is bound. The adsorbed catalyst selectively initiates Ni plating upon immersion of the substrate into a Ni(SO4) bath.
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Rasch analysis of the carers quality of life questionnaire for parkinsonism
Authors: Pillas Marios , Selai Caroline , Schrag Anette 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACTObjective: To assess the psychometric properties of the Carers Quality of Life Questionnaire for Parkinsonism using a Rasch modeling approach and determine the optimal cut‐off score.Methods: We performed a Rasch analysis of the survey answers of 430 carers of patients with atypical parkinsonism.Results: All of the scale items demonstrated acceptable goodness of fit to the Rasch model. The scale was unidimensional and no notable differential item functioning was detected in the items regarding age and disease type. Rating categories were functioning adequately in all scale items. The scale had high reliability (.95) and construct validity and a high degree of precision, distinguishing between 5 distinct groups of carers with different levels of quality of life. A cut‐off score of 62 was found to have the optimal screening accuracy based on Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale subscores.Conclusion: The results suggest that the Carers Quality of Life Questionnaire for Parkinsonism is a useful scale to assess carers' quality of life and allows analyses requiring interval scaling of variables. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society