bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Subclinical systolic and diastolic dysfunctions in patients with metabolic syndrome and angiographically normal coronary arteries: An echocardiographic study
Authors: Samiei Niloufar , Bayat Maryam , Firouzi Ata , Dehghani Faezeh , Parsaee Mozhgan , Rahimi Shahin , Ahmadi Somayyeh , Pourmojib Maryam , Ghaemmaghami Zahra , Rezaei Yousef , Peighambari Mohammad Mehdi 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe metabolic syndrome (MetS), as a combination of cardiovascular risk factors, is associated with subclinical cardiovascular diseases. We sought to evaluate the subclinical myocardial dysfunctions using echocardiography in patients with normal coronary arteries.Materials and MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, we assessed 50 consecutive patients with angiographically‐proven normal coronary arteries and a left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) ≥55%. The diagnosis of MetS was based on the National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. All patients were examined using conventional and two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography for evaluating the myocardial functions.ResultsThe patients' mean age was 52.3 ± 8.3 years with 32 females (64%). LV EF, mass index, and full volume were comparable between groups. The LV myocardial performance index (0.40 ± 0.13 vs. 0.32 ± 0.10; P = .027), global longitudinal strain (GLS, −15.8 ± 4.5 vs. −19.7 ± 2.1; P < .001), and global circumferential strain (–17.9 ± 6.1 vs. −21.5 ± 3.3; P = .014) were different between patients with or without MetS, respectively. The GLS discriminated patients with MetS (area under the curve = 0.837, sensitivity 80%, specificity 88%, P < .001).ConclusionsIn MetS without coronary artery disease, echocardiography demonstrated subclinical systolic and diastolic dysfunction.
One‐pot synthesis and characterization CdTe:Zn2+ quantum dots and its molecular interaction with calf thymus DNA
Authors: Yang Cheng‐Zhang , Li Lin‐Yi , Wang Xiao‐Han , Yu Si‐Qian , Hu Yan‐Jun 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTremendous research efforts have been dedicated to fabricating high‐quality Zn‐doped CdTe quantum dots (QDs) for any potential biomedical applications. In particular, the correlation of issues regarding how QDs interact with DNA is of greatest importance. Herein, a pH‐responsive study of the interactions between CdTe:Zn2+ quantum dots with 4 different sizes and calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) was conducted using multispectroscopic techniques and electrochemical investigation. Fluorescence studies revealed that this interaction process is predominantly a static process and groove binding was the main binding mode for CdTe:Zn2+ QDs to ctDNA. The calculated negative values of enthalpy (−45.06 kJ mol−1) and entropy (−133.62 J mol−1 K−1) with temperature changes indicated that the hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions played major roles in the reaction. Furthermore, circular dichroism spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry analyses indicate that the normal conformation of ctDNA is discombobulated by CdTe:Zn2+ QDs. In addition, the electrochemical behavior of the affinity of CdTe:Zn2+ QDs for ctDNA agreed well with the results obtained from fluorescence experiments. This study might be meaningful for understanding the molecular binding mechanism of QDs for DNA and provides a basis for QD‐labeled systems.
Urban gully erosion in sub‐Saharan Africa: A case study from Uganda
Authors: Zolezzi Guido , Bezzi Marco , Spada Daniele , Bozzarelli Elisabetta 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe study examined gully erosion in Koboko, North‐western Uganda, initially a war refugee camp, which progressively turned into a permanent rural town. A repeatable, low‐cost methodology to quantify gully properties in data‐scarce, resource‐limited urban contexts is developed, which integrates collection of existing hydrological, land use data, topographic surveys, hydrological and hydraulic modelling, and interviews to local inhabitants and stakeholders. Four main gullies have developed in the last 10–15 years along the eastern, hillside of Koboko, with width‐to‐depth ratios not exceeding 3 and maximum scour depths of 9 m. Their length ranges between 270 and 460 m in the most densely populated area and is mostly unstable, especially for slopes exceeding 3%. Causes of the gullies include urban road development, changes in urban land cover to impervious surfaces, and inadequate planning of the urban drainage system. The gullies hamper the safety of people and buildings and increase health risks in an already vulnerable community. Slope–area and slope–road length thresholds suggest Koboko to be less susceptible to gullies compared to other reported urban contexts and support the anthropogenic origin of the observed gullies. The analysis allowed to design mitigation measures that still self‐sustain after 3 years of implementation. Results upscaled at country level can be used to predict which other urban centres in Uganda may be susceptible to gullying. Gullying in rapidly developing urban areas in sub‐Saharan Africa clearly show the co‐evolution of a social and a geomorphic system, which should be accounted for in urban planning to avoid adverse societal effects.
The regulation of clinical research: What's love got to do with it?
Authors: Lantos John D. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe central philosophical pillar of the current system of research regulation in the United States today is that clinical investigators cannot and should not be trusted to protect the interests of the people whom they recruit to participate in research. That distrust of researchers is coupled with a starry‐eyed idealism about trustworthiness of clinicians. In my opinion, the distrust of researchers and the complacency about clinicians are both misplaced. The result of these twin errors is that people are overprotected in research studies and inadequately protected in clinical care. Patients outside of research studies are exposed to many types of risks from innovative therapy and from practice variation. Researchers who try to study these risks in a risk‐reducing way are hampered by burdensome regulations.We need a fundamental theoretical and conceptual change. The change would require us to acknowledge 2 things. First, research can be done in a way that does not harm (and might help) current patients. Second, researchers as moral agents can balance their moral obligations to patients with their obligations to science just as clinicians balance their fiduciary obligations to patients with other interests.
Thermally Labile Self‐Healable Branched Gel Networks Fabricated by New Macromolecular Engineering Approach Utilizing Thermoreversibility
Authors: Jung Sungmin , Patel Twinkal , Oh Jung Kwon 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA new approach based on macromolecular engineering through thermoreversibility is reported to fabricate the engineered gel networks of thermally labile branched polymers exhibiting robust self‐healing. This approach centers on the synthesis of linear polymers having Diels–Alder cycloadducts in the backbones (DALPs) through A2 + B2 step‐growth polymerization of a difunctional furan and a difunctional maleimide. Reactive mixtures of the resulting DALP with a polyfuran at elevated temperature allow for the formation of engineered gel networks through random dissociation of backbone DA linkages of the DALPs by retro‐Diels–Alder reaction, followed by their reconstruction in the presence of polyfuran (with functionality > 2) by Diels–Alder reaction. Optimizing the ratio of furan to DA linkages in the reactive mixtures yields thermally labile networks exhibiting excellent thermoreversibility. Effective self‐healing demonstrated with reconstruction from two separate pieces and complete void filling on surface cuts as well as recovery of healing viscoelasticity suggest that the new macromolecular engineering approach offers versatility toward the development of thermally mendable thermosets.
Stretchable Fluorescent Polyfluorene/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber Blend Electrospun Fibers through Physical Interaction and Geometrical Confinement
Authors: Hsieh Hui‐Ching , Chen Jung‐Yao , Lee Wen‐Ya , Bera Debaditya , Chen Wen‐Chang 
Published: December 2017

AbstractStretchable light‐emitting polymers are important for wearable electronics; however, the development of intrinsic stretchable light‐emitting materials with great performance under large applied strain is the most critical challenge. Herein, this study demonstrates the fabrication of stretchable fluorescent poly[(9,9‐bis(3′‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)propyl)‐2,7‐fluorene)‐alt‐2,7‐(9,9‐dioctyl‐fluorene)]/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (PFN/NBR) blend nanofibers using the uniaxial electrospinning technique. The physical interaction of PFN with NBR and the geometrical confinement of nanofibers are employed to reduce PFN aggregation, leading to the high photoluminescence quantum yield of 35.7%. Such fiber mat film shows stable blue emission at the 50% strain for 200 stretching/release cycles, which has potential applications in smart textiles.
Retinal vascular complications associated with interferon‐ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C: A population‐based study
Authors: Lai Chien‐Hsiung , Yang Yao‐Hsu , Chen Pau‐Chung , King Ying‐Chi , Liu Chia‐Yen 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the incidence of retinal vascular complications and risk factors in patients with chronic hepatitis C receiving interferon‐ribavirin therapy in Taiwan.MethodsBy using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, we compared the incidence of retinal vascular complications between patients receiving and not receiving interferon‐ribavirin treatment. The exposure and nonexposure groups were randomly 1:1 frequency‐matched according to age, sex, income, urbanization level, hypertension, and diabetes. Incidence of each retinal vascular complication and hazard ratios were assessed in the follow‐up evaluation.ResultsOf the sample of 4736 patients, a total of 182 patients (3.84%) developed retinopathy during the follow‐up period, of which 110 patients (4.65%) received interferon‐ribavirin therapy and 72 patients (3.04%) did not receive interferon‐ribavirin therapy. After multivariate adjustments, the risk of retinopathy during the follow‐up period was 1.533 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.139‐2.064; P = .0048) times higher in patients receiving interferon‐ribavirin therapy than in those in the comparison cohort not receiving the therapy. Patients with hypertension compared with those without it (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.530; 95% CI, 1.069‐2.135; P = .0125) also had an increased risk of retinopathy.ConclusionsInterferon‐ribavirin therapy was associated with a 53.3% increased risk of retinal vascular complications compared with not receiving the therapy. Regular ophthalmologic examination is essential for patients receiving interferon‐ribavirin, particularly those with hypertension.
Internal validation of Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) data capture for comprehensive managed care plan enrollees from 2007 to 2010
Authors: Li Yan , Zhu Yanmin , Chen Chao , Wang Xi , Choi Yoonyoung , Henriksen Carl , Winterstein Almut G. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPurposeBecause of concerns over incomplete medical encounter capture in Medicaid capitated comprehensive managed care (CMC) plans, researchers have traditionally confined analyses to fee‐for‐service (FFS) enrollees. We aimed to evaluate the usability of data for CMC enrollees in Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) files for 29 states from 2007 to 2010.MethodsWe applied 7 measures to MAX inpatient, other therapy, and prescription drug files for each state and study year. Four measures were based on “connectivity” criteria where we expected use of a select essential service to be closely connected to another, resulting in “service pairs.” Three measures were based on “continuity” criteria where we expected patients to continue chronically used services or treatments when they switched enrollment from FFS to CMC plans. High proportions of continuity and comparable proportions of patients with complete service pairs relative to FFS enrollees may suggest complete data capture for CMC enrollees. Data of states that met preset criteria were considered usable for research and policy analyses.ResultsThe completeness of CMC enrollees' data in MAX varied by states. Among 22 states having at least 5% CMC plan enrollment, data of 12 states met our quality standard and were considered usable starting in 2007. Four states had usable data starting in 2008 and one in 2009.ConclusionsThe completeness of CMC enrollees' data in MAX improved over the study period. In 17 out of 29 states, CMC enrollees' data in selected years were comparable with FFS enrollees and can be considered for use in analysis.
Correlative transmission Kikuchi diffraction and atom probe tomography study of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 grain boundaries
Authors: Schwarz Torsten , Stechmann Guillaume , Gault Baptiste , Cojocaru‐Mirédin Oana , Wuerz Roland , Raabe Dierk 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWe combined transmission Kikuchi diffraction and atom probe tomography techniques to investigate the relationship between the structure and chemistry of grain boundaries in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films. Kikuchi patterns with the tetragonal structure of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 were simulated to emphasize the pseudosymmetry issue in this material system and, hence, the orientation determination ambiguity in case of indexing with a cubic zinc‐blende structure. We compared these patterns with experimental data. We detect an elemental redistribution at random high‐angle grain boundaries but no chemical fluctuations at Σ3 twin boundaries. The atom probe tomography analyses reveal Cu depletion as well as In and Se enrichment at random grain boundaries and, at some random grain boundaries, a slight Ga depletion. This In on Cu scenario is accompanied by cosegregation of Na and K originating from the soda‐lime glass substrate. The amount of impurity segregation does vary not only from one grain boundary to another but also along an individual grain boundary. Hence, our results suggest that the degree of passivation of detrimental, nonradiative recombination centers does differ not only between Σ3 twin boundaries and random grain boundaries but also within the same random grain boundary.
Hydrogen bonding cooperation in glycine‐(water)n clusters studied by density functional theory calculations
Authors: Shi Yulei , Jiang Wanrun , Zhang Zhiyuan , Li Danhui , Song Huajie , Wang Zhigang 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAlthough hydrogen bonds are relatively weak, they play essential roles in life processes. Through cooperative effects, these weak bonds exhibit a significant influence on the structure, function and dynamics of biomolecules. In this work, we study the internal mechanism of cooperativities, involving collective electron and nuclear motions, in multiple H‐bonding glycine‐(H2O)n (n = 2 or 3) clusters, using first‐principles calculations. Multiplex molecular orbitals aid the coherent carrier‐transport through orbital‐penetrating. In addition, the infrared spectra and nuclear vibrating patterns reveal that the H‐bond donor stretching modes exhibit significant connections across neighboring hydrogen bonds. However, when the anharmonic nuclear motions are taken into account, the cooperative effects are partially ruined due to the nonsynchronized nuclei activities. Additionally, the cooperative contributions to the H‐bonding interaction energies are also evaluated. These results give descriptions of cooperativities of multiple hydrogen bonds and provide a more comprehensive insight into conventional intermolecular hydrogen bonding.
Effectiveness of conservative management of uncomplicated acute appendicitis: A single hospital based prospective study
Authors: Alnaser Mumtaz KH. , Hassan Qays A. , Hindosh Laith N. 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

Background:
Acute appendicitis is one of the commonest causes of acute abdomen. There is a wide discussion and controversy on the surgical and nonsurgical treatment of acute uncomplicated appendicitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of the conservative management of selected cases of acute appendicitis with an antibiotic first plan.

Patients and methods:
This was a single hospital-based prospective study with a duration of 25 months. Patients with clinical and radiological features of acute appendicitis presenting within 72 h of the beginning of abdominal pain with Alvarado score ≥5 were included. The patients received a therapeutic dose of broad-spectrum antibiotics and symptomatic treatment. The follow-up period was 6 months.

Results:
90 patients were evaluated, 54 (60%) patients were female and 36 (40%) patients were male with mean age 34.4 years. Conservative treatment was successful in 68 (75.6%) patients and failed in 22 (24.4%) patients. No mortality recorded in this study. The main complications which occurred in those patients who failed to respond to conservative treatment were perforated appendicitis (3 patients), appendicular abscess (3 patients) and appendicular mass (4 patients).

Conclusion:
Majority of cases of the first attack of uncomplicated acute appendicitis can be treated successfully by conservative treatment. However, conservative treatment demands precise communication, close monitoring and follow-up to recognize failure which needs to be treated immediately by surgery.

Highlights:
Distribution of rare-earth elements and yttrium in hydrothermal sedimentary ferromanganese crusts of the Sea of Japan (from phase analysis results)
Authors: Mikhailik P.E. , Mikhailik E.V. , Zarubina N.V. , Blokhin M.G. 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
We have first determined the contents of rare-earth elements and yttrium (REY) in four major mineral fractions of hydrothermal sedimentary ferromanganese crusts of the Sea of Japan. It is shown that REY are sorbed mostly by Fe oxyhydroxides (FeOOH). The REY content in the residual aluminosilicate fraction is the second most important factor determining the crust composition. The manganese fractions, composing more than 80 vol.% of the crusts, plays a subordinate role in REY accumulation. The REY pattern of hydrothermal sedimentary crusts in back-arc basins depicts the sum of the REY contents of the FeOOH fraction (hydrogenous) and residual fractions containing the total REY of the products of bedrock disintegration and endogenous (pyroclastic material) and exogenous (desert dust) components.
Main aspects of kerosene and gaseous fuel ignition in aero-engine
Authors: Antoshkiv O. , Poojitganont Th. , Jehring L. , Berkholz C. 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTVarious liquid and gaseous alternative fuels have been proposed to replace the kerosene as aircraft fuel. Furthermore, new combustion technologies were developed to reduce the emissions of aero-engine. A staged fuel injection arrangement for a lean burn combustion system was applied to improve the operability of an aero-engine by achieving high flame stability at reduced combustion emissions. Originally, both circuits (pilot and main) are fuelled by kerosene; moreover, the pilot injector is operating at low power (engine idle and approach) and the pilot flame is anchored in an airflow recirculation zone. In the case of the performed research, the pilot injector was modified to allow the use of gaseous fuels. Thus, the burner model allows a flexible balancing of the mass flows for gaseous and liquid fuel. The present paper describes the investigation of ignitability for the proposed staged combustor model fuelled by gaseous and liquid fuels. A short overview on physical properties of used fuels is given. To investigate atomisation and ignition, different measurements systems were used. The effectiveness of two ignitor types (spark plug and laser ignitor) was analysed. The ignition performance of the combustor operating on various fuels was compared and discussed in detail.
“Technologies of Reflexivity”: Generating Biopolitics and Institutional Risk to Supplement Global Public Health Security
Authors: FLEAR Mark L 
Published: December 2017

AbstractCritiques of global public health security (GPHS) and proposed solutions tend to overlook the potential of the individuals and groups that are subject to and governed by GPHS – “the governed” – to contribute their “on the ground” knowledge and experience to decision-making in order to improve regulatory responses. This article argues for the development of a more reflexive approach as a way of ensuring the epistemic integration of these knowledges with the scientific-technical knowledges that currently dominate decision-making processes. I identify human rights as the conceptual lens that is most likely to enable reflexivity by the governed and regulators, and understanding and communication between them. The governed can use perceived or actual breaches of human rights to articulate “on the ground” knowledges as institutional risks to reputation and standing and, in turn, threaten the production and legitimation of organisational identity, socio-political orders and projects of rule. The particular sensitivity of regulators to these risks could compel epistemic integration. This more reflexive approach to GPHS promises to improve the knowledge base, efficacy, accountability and legitimacy of decision-making at multiple levels: WHO, EU, national and “on the ground”.
Combinations of SNP genotypes from the Wellcome Trust Case Control Study of bipolar patients
Authors: Mellerup Erling , Jørgensen Martin Balslev , Dam Henrik , Møller Gert Lykke 
Published: December 2017

ObjectivesCombinations of genetic variants are the basis for polygenic disorders. We examined combinations of SNP genotypes taken from the 446 729 SNPs in The Wellcome Trust Case Control Study of bipolar patients.MethodsParallel computing by graphics processing units, cloud computing, and data mining tools were used to scan The Wellcome Trust data set for combinations.ResultsTwo clusters of combinations were significantly associated with bipolar disorder. One cluster contained 68 combinations, each of which included five SNP genotypes. Of the 1998 patients, 305 had combinations from this cluster in their genome, but none of the 1500 controls had any of these combinations in their genome. The other cluster contained six combinations, each of which included five SNP genotypes. Of the 1998 patients, 515 had combinations from the cluster in their genome, but none of the 1500 controls had any of these combinations in their genome.ConclusionClusters of combinations of genetic variants can be considered general risk factors for polygenic disorders, whereas accumulation of combinations from the clusters in the genome of a patient can be considered a personal risk factor.