bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of Serum Interleukin‐6/10/18 Levels in Sepsis and Its Clinical Significance
Authors: Feng Mingchen , Sun Tingting , Zhao Yaxin , Zhang Hui 
Published: May 2016

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical significance of serum levels of IL‐6/10/18 in sepsis.MethodsSixty‐six patients with sepsis were selected to be the case group. Additionally, 42 healthy adults were selected to be the control group. ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of IL‐6/10/18, and ROC was utilized to evaluate the diagnostic values of IL‐6/10/18 in sepsis.ResultsThe heart rate, respiratory rate, WBC count and APACHE II score in the sepsis group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and these indexes were increased in turn in the mild sepsis group, severe sepsis group, and septic shock group (all P < 0.05 after correction). The serum IL‐6/18 levels in sepsis patients were significantly higher than those in the control group, and both of the levels were increased in turn in the mild sepsis group, severe sepsis group, and septic shock group (both P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found in serum IL‐10 level between groups (P > 0.05). The cut‐off points of IL‐6 and IL‐18 were 109.19 pg/ml (sensitivity: 94.4%; specificity: 83.3%) and 116.01 pg/ml (sensitivity: 77.8%; specificity: 83.3%), respectively. Serum IL‐6 levels were positively correlated with the APACHE II score and heart rate (both P < 0.001).ConclusionSerum levels of IL‐6/8 are up‐regulated in sepsis patients. Additionally, IL‐6 has a greater sensitivity than IL‐18. Serum IL‐6 levels were positively correlated with the APACHE II score and heart rate, indicating that IL‐6 could be used as a potential biomarker for sepsis.
Effect of treatment with simvastatin on bone microarchitecture of the femoral head in an osteoporosis animal model
Authors: Monteiro Lucas Oliveira , Macedo Ana Paula , Shimano Roberta Carminati , Shimano Antônio Carlos , Yanagihara Gabriela Rezende , Ramos Junia , Paulini Marina Ribeiro , Tocchini de Figueiredo Fellipe Augusto , Gonzaga Miliane Gonçalves , Issa João Paulo Mardegan 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to evaluate the microarchitecture and trabecular bone strength at the distal region of the femur, and its biomechanical properties with simvastatin administration with two different doses in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Ninety rats were divided into six groups to evaluate treatment with the simvastatin drug (n = 15): SH (Sham surgery), SH‐5 (5 mg simvastatin), SH‐20 (20 mg simvastatin), OVX, OVX‐5, and OVX‐20. Euthanasia was performed at three different times, five animals per period: 7, 14, and 28 days. The effectiveness of the treatments was evaluated by mechanical testing and histomorphometric analysis of the femurs. The results of analysis by the linear model of mixed effects showed 20 mg of simvastatin results in increased trabecular bone after 14 days (P = 0.039) of ingestion in ovariectomized animals. However, ingestion of 5 mg of simvastatin is able to sensitize the trabecular bone only at 28 days (P = 0.005) of ingestion. In the mechanical tests stiffness improves within 28 days (P = 0.003). Regarding maximum strength, no statistical differences were observed. According to these results, it can be concluded that for a decrease in oral intake, longer treatment times are required. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:684–690, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hospital characteristics and 30‐day all‐cause readmission rates
Authors: Al‐Amin Mona 
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUNDThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) publicly reports hospital‐wide all‐cause readmission rates, which are key indicators of quality and waste. Understanding hospital characteristics that are associated with lower readmission rates is important.OBJECTIVESThe main objective of this article is to identify hospital characteristics associated with lower readmission rates. Specifically, we focus on the relationship between hospitalist staffing levels, the level of physician integration, and physician ownership with hospital‐wide all‐cause readmissions.METHODSWe rely on data from CMS, American Hospital Association Annual Survey Database, and Area Health Resource File. We use ordinary least square regression to assess the association between readmission rates and hospitalist staffing levels, physician integration, physician ownership, and the presence of a medical home model, while controlling for key organizational and market factors such as registered nurse (RN) staffing levels and competition.RESULTSHigher hospitalist staffing levels, the fully integrated physician model, and physician ownership were associated with lower readmission rates. The addition of 1 hospitalist per general and surgical bed was associated with a 0.77 percentage‐points decrease in adjusted 30‐day all‐cause readmission rates. Fully integrated hospitals had adjusted 30‐day all‐cause readmission rates 0.09 percentage points lower than non–fully integrated hospitals, and hospitals partially or fully owned by physicians had adjusted readmission rates 0.36 percentage points lower than non–physician‐owned hospitals.CONCLUSIONSHospitals should focus on modifiable organizational factors that influence patient outcomes such as hospitalist and RN staffing levels and explore hospital‐physician arrangements that result in the greatest alignment between hospital and physician incentives. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:682–687. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine
An In Situ Investigation into the Formation of the Solvent‐Induced Crystalline Phase of Poly(9,9‐Dioctylfluorene) in Solvent Vapor Annealing
Authors: Yang Hua , Qu Kexin , Li Haidong , Cheng He , Zhang Jidong 
Published: May 2016

A new metastable solvent‐induced clathrate liquid crystalline phase of β phase (named β' here) in crystalline poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene) (PFO) thin film induced by solvent annealing is found by a combination of in situ ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry (UV‐vis), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), and grazing incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (GIWAXS). The solvent annealing process consists of three processes: diffusion of solvent molecules into the film; saturation of solvent in the film; and drying of the film under nitrogen. The formation of β' phase with ordered packing of side chains and disordered packing of backbones occurs during the diffusion process of solvent molecules into the film. When the solvent molecules penetrate the film, the disordered side chains start to align themselves to form an ordered structure, and the ordering would gradually in the saturationprocess. Furthermore, the ordering of side chains drives an ordered rearrangement of the backbones during the drying process; however, the crystallinity of the side chains decreases with the orderly rearrangement of backbones due to the helical conformation of PFO.
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Facile One Pot Polycondensation Method to Synthesize the Crosslinked Polyethylene glycol‐Based Copolymer Electrolytes
Authors: Gong Xianjing , Shi Dean , Zeng Huihui , Yang Yingkui , Jiang Tao , Zhang Qunchao , Jiang Shichun , Li Robert K. Y. , Mai Yiu‐Wing 
Published: May 2016

Comb‐like polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐based copolymer electrolytes with given crosslinking density are synthesized using PEG as the main chain segments (denoted as MC‐PEG), methoxy polyethylene glycol (MPEG) as side chain segments (denoted as SC‐PEG), and hexamethylene‐1,6‐diisocyanate homopolymer (HDI trimer) as bridging and/or crosslinking agent. In this study, the effects of molecular weight of MC‐PEG and SC‐PEG on Li ion conductivities of the copolymer have been examined. If MC‐PEG and/or SC‐PEG do not crystallize, the ion conductivities of graft copolymer electrolyte increase with either decreasing MC‐PEG or increasing SC‐PEG segment length. The highest ion conductivity of the copolymer electrolyte at room temperature reaches up to 7.7 × 10−4 S cm−1 when the molecular weight of MC‐PEG is 400 g mol−1 and SC‐PEG is 1000 g mol−1 (denoted as GC400‐1000). However, when the MC‐PEG and/or SC‐PEG segments begin to crystallize (i.e., GC400‐2000), where the flexibility of the related PEG molecular chains is largely reduced, the ion conductivity drops by almost two orders comparing to that of GC400‐1000 copolymer electrolyte. Meanwhile, crosslinked GC400‐1000 electrolyte has good thermal and electrochemical stability as well as high mechanical properties, making it suitable for commercial applications in Li ion secondary batteries.
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High‐Detectivity All‐Polymer Photodetectors with Spectral Response from 300 to 1100 nm
Authors: Qi Ji , Qiao Wenqiang , Zhou Xiaokang , Yang Dezhi , Zhang Jidong , Ma Dongge , Wang Zhi Yuan 
Published: May 2016

Broad‐response and high‐detectivity for all‐polymer photodetectors based on p‐ and n‐type semiconducting polymers have been achieved through optimization of polymer property and film microstructure. The electron‐donating units in the p‐type polymers affect a great deal of the polymer properties such as solubility, absorption spectra, and electronic energy levels, which in turn can influence the device performance. The polymer (P3) based on dithienopyrrole and diketopyrrolopyrrole is most promising for photodetector applications, as it possesses the suitable energy level with regard to the n‐type polymer and exhibits appropriate film morphology and molecular stacking with aid of 1,8‐diiodooctane as an additive during film processing. The photodetector based on P3/poly{[N,N′‐bis(2‐octyldodecyl)‐naphthalene‐1,4,5,8‐bis(dicarboximide)‐2,6‐diyl]‐alt‐5,5′‐(2,2′‐bithiophene)} (PNDI) exhibits good response from 300 to 1100 nm and nearly constant detectivity (D*) above 1012 Jones at 330–980 nm, rendering a great potential of all‐polymer photodetectors for practical applications.
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Direct Evidence of Divalent Manganese Ion‐Induced DNA Condensation at Room Temperature
Authors: Jia Jun‐Li , Xi Bo , Ran Shi‐Yong 
Published: May 2016

Whether manganese ion can induce DNA condensation at room temperature has not been clarified. In this study, direct evidence of Mn2+ ion‐induced DNA condensation is provided by single‐molecule measurements and atomic force microscopy characterization. It is shown that elevated temperature is not a requirement to induce DNA condensation, but helps to promote the process at the ensemble level. The finding suggests the failure of the Manning theory in explaining Mn2+‐DNA interactions and refreshes the view that divalent metal ions cannot cause DNA condensation. The localized binding of Mn2+ on DNA is believed to induce condensation.
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Fatigue of nodular cast iron at high frequency loading
Authors: Vaško A. , Hurtalová L. , Uhríčik M. , Tillová E. 
Published: May 2016

The paper deals with the influence of charge composition on microstructure of nodular cast iron and its fatigue properties at high frequency loading. The basic charge of experimental melts was formed by a different ratio of pig iron and steel scrap. Chemical composition of individual melts was regulated alternatively by metallurgical silicon carbide (SiC) or ferrosilicon (FeSi) and carburizer. Fatigue tests were realised at high frequency sinusoidal cyclic push‐pull loading (stress ratio R = –1) at ambient temperature (T = 20 ± 5 °C). High frequency fatigue tests were carried out with using of the ultrasonic fatigue testing device KAUP‐ZU (frequency f ≈ 20 kHz).The results show differences in mechanical and fatigue properties, which are connected with the microstructure. SiC additive positively influences microstructure and consequently, mechanical and fatigue properties of nodular cast iron are improved.
Automatic sizing functions for unstructured surface mesh generation
Authors: Chen Jianjun , Xiao Zhoufang , Zheng Yao , Zheng Jianjing , Li Chenfeng , Liang Kewei 
Published: May 2016

SummaryAccurate sizing functions are crucial for efficient generation of high‐quality meshes, but to define the sizing function is often the bottleneck in complicated mesh generation tasks because of the tedious user interaction involved. We present a novel algorithm to automatically create high‐quality sizing functions for surface mesh generation. First, the tessellation of a Computer Aided Design (CAD) model is taken as the background mesh, in which an initial sizing function is defined by considering geometrical factors and user‐specified parameters. Then, a convex nonlinear programming problem is formulated and solved efficiently to obtain a smoothed sizing function that corresponds to a mesh satisfying necessary gradient constraint conditions and containing a significantly reduced element number. Finally, this sizing function is applied in an advancing front mesher. With the aid of a walk‐through algorithm, an efficient sizing‐value query scheme is developed. Meshing experiments of some very complicated geometry models are presented to demonstrate that the proposed sizing‐function approach enables accurate and fully automatic surface mesh generation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measured Governance? Policing and Performance Management in South Africa
Authors: Faull Andrew 
Published: May 2016

SummaryThe nineties were a period of mass reforms in South African policing. Within a few years of its transition from apartheid to democracy, the South African Police Service (SAPS) had developed a performance measurement tool based on the New York CompStat system. Such tools have been praised for their apparent effectiveness in reducing crime but scorned for the pressures they place on police officers. This article demonstrates that the SAPS' Performance Chart has framed the police as crime fighters, giving little to no regard for community relations or police legitimacy. While organisational rhetoric emphasises police‐community relations and police professionalism, these are absent from the targets by which police are assessed. The unintended consequences were clearly demonstrated when angry residents of Khayelitsha in Cape Town successfully lobbied for a Commission of Inquiry into the failures of policing in 2012. The scandal showed that despite good intentions, the introduction of the Chart has not produced effective, democratic policing. On the contrary, the resulting pressure to ‘perform’ can and has promoted police practices that erode community trust in and cooperation with police. For the SAPS, this is particularly true in the absence of a measure of public confidence or of feelings of safety. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Pacifying Police Units of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UPPs): Incremental Innovation or Police Reform?
Authors: Pinto Rogerio F. , Do Carmo Maria Scarlet 
Published: May 2016

SummaryThis article considers the experience of Unidades de Polícia Pacificadora (UPPs) (Pacifying Police Units) of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as an innovative form of policing designed to deal primarily with high crime rate in “favelas.” It also attempts to ascertain the extent to which the UPPs reflect a strategy for police reform. It does so by (i) reviewing the security crisis which engendered the UPPs as well as their predecessors, describing the socio‐economic hardships of the favelas, further aggravated by high crime rates; (ii) describing the institutional and political environment giving rise to the policing policy underpinning the UPPs, and (iii) by assessing this innovation against a backdrop of systemic police reform models, singling out missing elements to constitute a true police system reform. This review provides a record of police policy of successive state governments, showing that the adoption of the UPPs followed a reactive political pattern while falling short of the requirements for proactively deliberate and comprehensive reform. Contrary to most of the guiding reform principles and elements discussed, policing reform in the State of Rio de Janeiro has indeed been bound by innovative incrementalism, following a pendular pattern, with little sustainability and a record of fluctuating achievements. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parental Grief Following the Death of a Child from Cancer: The Ongoing Odyssey
Authors: Snaman Jennifer M. , Kaye Erica C. , Torres Carlos , Gibson Deborah , Baker Justin N. 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundThe death of a child is a devastating event that results in profound grief and significant psychosocial and physical morbidities in parents. The parental grief journey is a complex phenomenon necessitating the utilization of newer models of bereavement with a focus on relationships and exploration of parents’ perceived meanings of the experience.ObjectivesTo further characterize the grief journey of parents whose child died from cancer in order to better identify parents who can benefit from additional bereavement support and design strategies to improve bereavement services for these parents.DesignWe conducted focus group sessions with 11 bereaved parents. The parents were given two prompts to describe their grief journey before and after their child's death, and their responses in a narrative form were audio‐recorded. The responses were coded and studied independently by semantic content analysis.ResultsCollation and analysis of the coded responses to both prompts results in the emergence of four concepts from the parental narratives: (1) description of the grief trajectory and evolution of grief over time, (2) mechanisms of parental coping throughout the grief journey, (3) factors that exacerbate parental grief, and (4) sources of parental support throughout the grief journey.ConclusionsThe narratives highlighted that parents whose child died of cancer experience a unique and evolving form of grief and they wish to continue their bond with the deceased child. We recommend that healthcare providers and institutions incorporate support systems into a comprehensive bereavement program for families of children who die from cancer.
Polyurea microcapsules from isocyanatoethyl methacrylate copolymers
Authors: Risangud Nuttapol , Congdon Thomas R. , Keddie Daniel J. , Wilson Paul , Kempe Kristian , Haddleton David M. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTThe synthesis of two types of isocyanate side chain containing copolymers, poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐isocyanatoethyl methacrylate) (P(MMA‐co‐IEM)) and poly(benzyl methacrylate‐co‐isocyanatoethyl methacrylate) (P(BnMA‐co‐IEM)), which were synthesized by Cu(0)‐mediated radical polymerization, is reported. Polymerization proceeded to high conversion giving polymers of relatively narrow molar mass distributions. The incorporation of the bulky aromatic groups in the latter copolymer rendered it sufficiently stable toward hydrolysis and enabled the isolation of the product and its characterization by 1H and 13C NMR, and FTIR spectroscopy and SEC. Both P(MMA‐co‐IEM) and P(BnMA‐co‐IEM) were functionalized with dibutylamine, octylamine, and (R)‐(+)‐α‐methylbenzyl‐amine, which further proved the successful incorporation of the isocyanate groups. Furthermore, P(BnMA‐co‐IEM) was used for the fabrication of liquid core microcapsules via oil‐in‐water interfacial polymerization with diethylenetriamine as crosslinker. The particles obtained were in the size range of 10–90 µm in diameter independent of the composition of copolymer. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 2698–2705
Prevention strategies for blood‐borne viruses—in the Era of vaccines, direct acting antivirals and antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Pfaender Stephanie , von Hahn Thomas , Steinmann Joerg , Ciesek Sandra , Steinmann Eike 
Published: May 2016

SummaryBlood‐borne viruses, such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and the facultative blood‐borne hepatitis E virus, are considered a major public health problem given that they are accountable for millions of deaths each year. Treatment options, including effective vaccine design, development of antiviral strategies and the implementation of antiretroviral therapy have improved substantially over the last couple of years and contribute to successful treatment and prevention of these infectious diseases. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge and concepts in prevention of transmission of these blood‐borne viruses.
Structural behaviour of composite dowels in thin UHPC elements
Authors: Lechner Thomas , Gehrlein Sebastian Felix , Fischer Oliver 
Published: May 2016

AbstractComposite dowels with different shapes have been developed and used in composite members during the last two decades. At the Chair of Concrete and Masonry Structures at Technical University of Munich (TUM), composite dowels with a clothoid shape are used for filigree composite beams and columns. In both types of application the composite dowels are used as external reinforcement and Ultra‐High Performance Concrete (UHPC) is chosen instead of normal‐strength concrete. This article describes mainly the results of the preliminary push‐out tests that were carried out in order to determine the structural behaviour of composite dowels in thin UHPC elements and verify the influence of the UHPC web thickness, the steel thickness of the shear connector, the concrete compressive strength and the influence of reinforcement on the loadbearing capacity and failure modes. The paper also includes an overview of and the outlook for the experiments with composite beams and composite columns.
The design concept for the steel part of a composite dowel shear connection
Authors: Lorenc Wojciech 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe design concept for the steel part of a composite dowel shear connection is based on a geometric stress concept and it assumes the superposition of individual stress components resulting from longitudinal shearing and bending of a composite section. Analytical transformations of FEM calculation results for critical regions in steel dowels lead to the solution represented by closed interaction curves for the dimensionless shear resis tance of the connection versus the axial resistance of the web.
Non‐linear behaviour of steel dowels in shear connections with composite dowels: design models and approach using finite elements
Authors: Lorenc Wojciech 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe theoretical background to the elastic design of steel dowels is presented in , what constitutes the basis for Fatigue Limit State (FLS) and Serviceability Limit State (SLS) are given. In this paper assumptions for Ultimate Limit State (ULS) and mechanical models are presented for both shapes covered by the German National Technical Approval . The yield strength of steel is assumed in the plastic design of steel dowels, contrary to the tensile strength of steel used in the case of headed studs. A dis cussion on this aspect is presented using results obtained by finite elements which are presented in . Hence, a consistent approach for ULS, SLS and FLS is established which is based on the statement that the resistance of a unit length of a shear connection with steel dowels does not depend on the size of the dowels and the ductility of the connection is a linear function of the dowel size.
Comparison of main models for size effect on shear strength of reinforced and prestressed concrete beams
Authors: Yu Qiang , Le Jia‐Liang , Hubler Mija H. , Wendner Roman , Cusatis Gianluca , Bažant Zdeněk P. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis paper presents a critical comparison of the existing code provisions for the shear strength of concrete beams. The comparison is based on the computerized filtering‐out of the inevitable statistical bias from the available multivariate database on shear strength, on an examination of the predicted size effects on shear strength and their underlying hypotheses and on the results of recent high‐fidelity numerical simulations of shear failure. In addition to examining the existing models, the present comparison also provides several key considerations for testing the scientific soundness of any model of shear failure in concrete beams, which is necessary for future revisions to the design code provisions.