bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fatigue, Sleep Disturbances, and Their Influence on Quality of Life in Cervical Dystonia Patients
Authors: Smit Marenka , Kamphuis Arwen S. J. , Bartels Anna L. , Han Vladimir , Stewart Roy E. , Zijdewind Inge , Tijssen Marina A. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractBackgroundNonmotor symptoms (NMS) are highly prevalent in cervical dystonia (CD). In general, fatigue and sleep are important NMS that determine a decreased health‐related quality of life (HR‐QoL), but their influence in CD is unknown. The authors systematically investigated fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), and sleep quality in patients with CD and controls and assessed the influence of psychiatric comorbidity, pain, and dystonia motor severity. They also examined the predictors of HR‐QoL.MethodsThe study included 44 patients with CD and 43 matched controls. Fatigue, EDS, and sleep quality were assessed with quantitative questionnaires and corrected for depression and anxiety using analysis of covariance. The Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale and the Clinical Global Impression Scale‐jerks/tremor subscale were used to score motor severity and to assess whether motor characteristics could explain an additional part of the variation in fatigue and sleep‐related measures. HR‐QoL was determined with the RAND‐36 item Health Survey, and predictors of HR‐QoL were assessed using multiple regression.ResultsFatigue scores were increased independently from psychiatric comorbidity (4.0 vs. 2.7; P < 0.01), whereas EDS (7.3 vs. 7.4; P = 0.95) and sleep quality (6.5 vs. 6.1; P = 0.73) were highly associated with depression and anxiety. In patients with CD, motor severity did not explain the variations in fatigue (change in the correlation coefficient [ΔR2] = 0.06; P = 0.15), EDS (ΔR2 = 0.00; P = 0.96), or sleep quality (ΔR2 = 0.04; P = 0.38) scores. Fatigue, EDS, psychiatric comorbidity, and pain predicted a decreased QoL.ConclusionIndependent from psychiatric comorbidity and motor severity, fatigue appeared to be a primary NMS. Sleep‐related measures were highly associated with psychiatric comorbidity, but not with motor severity. Only NMS predicted HR‐QoL, which emphasizes the importance of attention to NMS in patients with CD.
Fibroblast growth factor 10 markedly improves in vitro maturation of porcine cumulus‐oocyte complexes
Authors: Son Yeo‐Jin , Lee Seung‐Eun , Hyun Hyuk , Shin Min‐Young , Park Yun‐Gwi , Jeong Sang‐Gi , Kim Eun‐Young , Park Se‐Pill 
Published: November 2016

SUMMARYGrowth factors synthesized by ovarian somatic cells affect cumulus cell expansion and oocyte maturation in vitro. Fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10), for example, is a known regulator of mammalian cumulus‐oocyte complex maturation. In this study, we investigated the effects of 0, 5, 10, 50, and 100 ng/mL FGF10 (5F, 10F, 50F, and 100F, respectively) on in vitro cumulus cell expansion, oocyte maturation, and embryo development. The percentage of fully expanded cumulus cells at the oocyte's metaphase‐II (MII) stage was significantly higher in the 10F‐treated group than in the control. Transcript abundance of the cumulus cell expansion‐related gene encoding hyaluronian synthase 2 (HAS2) in cumulus cells at oocyte germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) was significantly higher in the 10F‐ and 50F‐treated groups compared to untreated controls, whereas the mRNA abundance of the protease cathepsin B (CTSB) at the oocyte MII stage was remarkably decreased in the 10F‐treated group. The percentage of oocytes with normal spindles was greater in the 10F‐ and 50F‐treated group at GVBD than in the other groups; the 5F‐, 10F‐, and 100F‐treated groups were higher than the control; and the 50F‐treated group was highest at MII. The abundance of GDF9 and BMP15 transcript at GVBD and BMP15 and CCNB1 transcripts at MII increased in the 10F‐treated group. Cleavage rate, blastocyst formation rate, and total cell number were significantly higher in the 5F‐ to 50F‐treated groups. These results demonstrate that FGF10 markedly improves cumulus cell expansion, oocyte maturation, and subsequent embryo development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 84: 67–75, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ethylene Polymerization with a Hafnocene Dichloride Catalyst Using Trioctyl Aluminum and Borate: Polymerization Kinetics and Polymer Characterization
Authors: Mehdiabadi Saeid , Soares João B. P. , Brinen Jeffrey 
Published: November 2016

The polymerization of ethylene is investigated in a semibatch solution reactor using bis(n‐propylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dichloride catalyst and tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) borate dimethylanilinium salt ([B(C6F5)4]−[Me2NHPh]+) as the catalytic system. Trioctylaluminum (TOA) is used as impurity scavenger and alkylating agent. Ethylene pressure, polymerization temperature, TOA, borate, and catalyst concentrations are changed to investigate ethylene polymerization kinetics with this catalyst system. A 23 central composite design, augmented with extra runs to further explore the effect of some factors, is used as the statistical basis for the polymerization study. Ethylene propagation follows first‐order kinetics. Chain transfer to monomer, β‐hydride elimination, and transfer to TOA are the main chain transfer reactions. In addition to alkylating the catalyst precursor, TOA also deactivates the catalyst. The mode of reactor addition for catalyst, borate, and TOA has also been studied. When TOA and borate are added sequentially to the reactor, followed by the catalyst, the polymerization activity is lower than when the catalyst and borate are added simultaneously, suggesting that complexation with borate avoids deactivation reactions with TOA.
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An original semi‐discrete approach to assess gas conductivity of concrete structures
Authors: Ezzedine El Dandachy M. , Briffaut M. , Dufour F. , Dal Pont S. 
Published: November 2016

SummaryFor civil engineering structures with a tightness role, structural permeability is a key issue. In this context, this paper presents a new proposition of a numerical modelling of leakage rate through a cracked concrete structure undergoing mode I cracking. The mechanical state of the material, considered in the framework of continuum mechanics based on finite element modelling, is described by means of the stress‐based nonlocal damage model which takes into account the stress state and provides realistic local mechanical fields. A semi‐discrete method based on the strong discontinuity approach to estimate crack opening is then considered in the post‐treatment phase. Using a Poiseuille's like relation, the coupling between the mechanical state of the material and its dry gas conductivity is performed.For validation purposes, an original experimental campaign is conducted on a dry concrete disc loaded in a splitting setup. During the loading, gas conductivity and digital image correlation analysis are performed. The comparison with the 3D experimental mechanical global response highlights the performance of the mechanical model. The comparison between crack openings measured by digital image correlation and estimated by the strong discontinuity method shows a good agreement.Finally, the results of the semi‐discrete approach coupled with the gas conductivity compared with experimental data show a good estimation of the structural conductivity. Consequently, if the mechanical problem is well modelled at the global scale, then the proposed approach provides good estimation of gas conductivity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Penile compression clamps: A model of the internal mechanical state of penile soft tissues
Authors: Levy Ayelet , Fader Mandy , Bader Daniel , Gefen Amit 
Published: November 2016

AimsProstate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed male cancer and urinary incontinence represents a major consequence following surgery. Penile compression clamps (PCCs) which externally occlude the urethra may be used to manage the incontinence. Despite potential complication of PCCs, such as deformation‐inflicted tissue damage, to date, there are no reported biomechanical criteria for design of PCCs, in terms of quantitative parameters for evaluating the safety‐versus‐efficacy of existing or future designs.MethodsWe developed a set of computational three‐dimensional models of the penis, to which compression was applied using five generic PCC designs. The internal mechanical states of the soft tissues of the penis were then analysed using finite element simulations.ResultsStresses in skin, fat, and tunica albuginea regularly exceeded 10 kPa (75 mmHg). Cuff‐type and knurl‐type PCCs pose the highest potential risks to tissue health with elevated tissue stresses around the entire penile perimeter (cuff) or urethral stress concentrations (knurl). The soft and contoured PCCs produced the lowest values of these mechanical parameters.ConclusionsThe present study identified design characteristics, including envelopment, adaptability, and durability which provide the safest mechanical conditions in the penis and thus minimize the risk of tissue damage while still managing incontinence. Such data should help to design a safer clamp.
Development of a 7 T RF coil system for breast imaging
Authors: Kim Junghwan , Santini Tales , Bae Kyongtae Ty , Krishnamurthy Narayan , Zhao Yujuan , Zhao Tiejun , Ibrahim Tamer S. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractIn ultrahigh‐field MRI, such as 7 T, the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) increases while transmit (Tx) field (B1+) can be degraded due to inhomogeneity and elevated specific absorption rate (SAR). By applying new array coil concepts to both Tx and receive (Rx) coils, the B1+ homogeneity and SNR can be improved. In this study, we developed and tested in vivo a new RF coil system for 7 T breast MRI.An RF coil system composed of an eight‐channel Tx‐only array based on a tic‐tac‐toe design (can be combined to operate in single‐Tx mode) in conjunction with an eight‐channel Rx‐only insert was developed. Characterizations of the B1+ field and associated SAR generated by the developed RF coil system were numerically calculated and empirically measured using an anatomically detailed breast model, phantom and human breasts. In vivo comparisons between 3 T (using standard commercial solutions) and 7 T (using the newly developed coil system) breast imaging were made.At 7 T, about 20% B1+ inhomogeneity (standard deviation over the mean) was measured within the breast tissue for both the RF simulations and 7 T experiments. The addition of the Rx‐only array enhances the SNR by a factor of about three. High‐quality MR images of human breast were acquired in vivo at 7 T. For the in vivo comparisons between 3 T and 7 T, an approximately fourfold increase of SNR was measured with 7 T imaging.The B1+ field distributions in the breast model, phantom and in vivo were in reasonable agreement. High‐quality 7 T in vivo breast MRI was successfully acquired at 0.6 mm isotropic resolution using the newly developed RF coil system.
Efficient hyper‐reduced‐order model (HROM) for thermal analysis in the moving frame
Authors: Zhang Yancheng , Combescure Alain , Gravouil Anthony 
Published: November 2016

SummaryThe hyper‐reduced‐order model (HROM) is proposed for the thermal calculation with a constant moving thermal load. Firstly, the constant velocity transient process is simplified to a steady‐state process in the moving frame. Secondly, the control volume is determined by the temperature rate, and the thermal equilibrium equation in the moving frame is derived by introducing an advective term containing the loading velocity. Thirdly, the HROM is performed on the control volume with a moving frame formulation. This HROM has been applied to the thermal loading on brick and ring disk specimens with a CPU gain of the order of 7 (107). In addition, two strategies are proposed for the HROM to improve its precision. Moreover, the high efficiency and high accuracy are kept for the parametric studies on thermal conductivity and amplitude of heat flux based on the developed HROM. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assumed natural strain and stabilized quadrilateral Lobatto spectral elements for C0 plate/shell analysis
Authors: Sze K. Y. , Hu Y. C. 
Published: November 2016

SummaryLobatto elements are high order or spectral elements featured by non‐equispaced Lobatto nodes and the Lobatto nodal quadrature. The tensor product nature of the element interpolation allows the derivatives at the node be computed through the derivatives along the nodal line which involve only 1D interpolations. In this paper, generic schemes for formulating assumed natural strain and stabilized Lobatto Lagrange C0 plate/shell elements of order
2 are presented. Two assumed natural strain schemes are devised. Both schemes sample the normal membrane and transverse shear natural strain components at the 1D reduced‐order Gaussian quadrature points along the nodal lines. The difference is that the first and second schemes sample the membrane shear natural strain component at the Lobatto nodes and the 2D reduced‐order Gaussian quadrature points, respectively. Meanwhile, all the other natural strain components in both schemes can be obtained by 1D interpolation along the nodal lines. In the stabilization scheme for reduced‐integrated elements, only five stabilization vectors are required regardless of the element order. The new elements outperform the standard Lobatto element except when membrane‐dominated curved thin‐shell problems with strong boundary layer effect are considered by coarse meshes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability and accuracy of three Fourier expansion‐based strong form finite elements for the free vibration analysis of laminated composite plates
Authors: Fantuzzi Nicholas , Tornabene Francesco , Bacciocchi Michele , Neves Ana M. A. , Ferreira Antonio J. M. 
Published: November 2016

SummaryIn the present paper, strong form finite elements are employed for the free vibration study of laminated arbitrarily shaped plates. In particular, the stability and accuracy of three different Fourier expansion‐based differential quadrature techniques are shown. These techniques are used to solve the partial differential system of equations inside each computational element. The three approaches are called harmonic differential quadrature, Fourier differential quadrature and improved Fourier expansion‐based differential quadrature methods. The improved Fourier expansion‐based differential quadrature method implements auxiliary functions in order to approximate functional derivatives up to the fourth order, with respect to the Fourier differential quadrature method that has a basis made of sines and cosines. All the present applications are related to literature comparisons and the presentation of new results for further investigation within the same topic. A study of such kind has never been proposed in the literature, and it could be useful as a reference for future investigation in this matter. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Age as a Risk Factor for Burnout Syndrome in Nursing Professionals: A Meta‐Analytic Study
Authors: Gómez‐Urquiza José L. , Vargas Cristina , De la Fuente Emilia I. , Fernández‐Castillo Rafael , Cañadas‐De la Fuente Guillermo A. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractAlthough past research has highlighted the possibility of a direct relationship between the age of nursing professionals and burnout syndrome, results have been far from conclusive. The aim of this study was to conduct a wider analysis of the influence of age on the three dimensions of burnout syndrome (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment) in nurses. We performed a meta‐analysis of 51 publications extracted from health sciences and psychology databases that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. There were 47 reports of information on emotional exhaustion in 50 samples, 39 reports on depersonalization for 42 samples, and 31 reports on personal accomplishment in 34 samples. The mean effect sizes indicated that younger age was a significant factor in the emotional exhaustion and depersonalization of nurses, although it was somewhat less influential in the dimension of personal accomplishment. Because of heterogeneity in the effect sizes, moderating variables that might explain the association between age and burnout were also analyzed. Gender, marital status, and study characteristics moderated the relationship between age and burnout and may be crucial for the identification of high‐risk groups. More research is needed on other variables for which there were only a small number of studies. Identification of burnout risk factors will facilitate establishment of burnout prevention programs for nurses. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of Individual and Neighborhood Factors on Cardiovascular Risk in White Hispanic and Non‐Hispanic Women and Men
Authors: Cohn Tanya , Miller Arlene , Fogg Louis , Braun Lynne T. , Coke Lola 
Published: November 2016

AbstractCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality for adults in the US, regardless of ethnicity. A cross‐sectional correlational design was used to describe and compare CVD risk and cardiac mortality in White Hispanic and non‐Hispanic women and men. Data from 3,317 individuals (1,523 women and 1,794 men) hospitalized for non‐cardiac causes during 2012–2013, and data from the 2010 United States Census were included. The sex‐specific 10‐year Framingham General Cardiovascular Risk Score (FRS‐10) was used to estimate long‐term risk for major cardiac events. Approximately three‐quarters of the sample was White Hispanic. FRS‐10 scores were generally low, but a high prevalence of risk factors not included in the standard FRS‐10 scoring formula was seen. White Hispanic women had significantly lower estimated CVD risk scores compared to White Hispanic and non‐Hispanic men despite higher non‐FRS‐10 risks. Neighborhood median household income had a significant negative relationship and Hispanic neighborhood concentration had a significant positive relationship with cardiac mortality. Hispanic concentration was the only predictor of estimated CVD risk in a multilevel model. CVD risk assessment tools that are calibrated for ethnic groups and socioeconomic status may be more appropriate for Hispanic individuals than the FRS‐10. Neighborhood‐level factors should be included in clinical cardiac assessment in addition to individual characteristics and behavioral risks. Researchers should continue to seek additional risk factors that may contribute to or protect against CVD in order to close the gap between estimated CVD risk and actual cardiac mortality for Hispanics in the US. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detection of Ligand‐induced Conformational Changes in the Activation Loop of Aurora‐A Kinase by PELDOR Spectroscopy
Authors: Burgess Selena G. , Grazia Concilio Maria , Bayliss Richard , Fielding Alistair J. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe structure of protein kinases has been extensively studied by protein crystallography. Conformational movement of the kinase activation loop is thought to be crucial for regulation of activity; however, in many cases the position of the activation loop in solution is unknown. Protein kinases are an important class of therapeutic target and kinase inhibitors are classified by their effect on the activation loop. Here, we report the use of pulsed electron double resonance (PELDOR) and site‐directed spin labeling to monitor conformational changes through the insertion of MTSL [S‐(1‐oxyl‐2,2,5,5‐tetramethyl‐2,5‐dihydro‐1 H‐pyrrol‐3‐yl)methyl methanesulfonothioate] on the dynamic activation loop and a stable site on the outer surface of the enzyme. The action of different ligands such as microtubule‐associated protein (TPX2) and inhibitors could be discriminated as well as their ability to lock the activation loop in a fixed conformation. This study provides evidence for structural adaptations that could be used for drug design and a methodological approach that has potential to characterize inhibitors in development.
How many procedures does it take? Success of a CVS training program for Maternal Fetal Medicine fellows
Authors: Gimovsky Alexis C. , Moreno Sindy C. , Nicholas Sara , Roman Amanda , Weiner Stuart 
Published: November 2016

AbstractObjectivesTo quantify the learning curve for a training program for Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) fellows in obtaining successful transvaginal chorionic villus sampling (CVS) results in women with early pregnancy failure (EPF).MethodsRetrospective observational cohort study of transvaginal CVS and subsequent manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) performed by MFM fellows. CVS samples were sent for karyotype, and products of conception (POC) were sent if CVS sample did not yield a result. Success was defined as karyotype result on CVS specimen.ResultsA total of 130 women with EPF up to 9 weeks of gestation underwent transvaginal CVS and MVA from December 2011 to April 2015. CVS samples were successful in 53 (40.8%) cases, POC were analyzed for karyotype in 68 (52.3%) cases, and maternal decidua was obtained in 9 (6.9%) cases. Nine MFM fellows performed the CVS and MVA procedures. The mean number of procedures per fellow was 14 (5–24). The average success rate of transvaginal CVS sample was 33.3% after the first procedure and 50% at the 14th procedure. One procedure was performed per patient.ConclusionsSuccess increased over time from 33.3% to 50.0%. Given the gestational age and failed pregnancy status, this is a reasonable success rate for CVS at time of EPF. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of an opioid risk reduction initiative on motor vehicle crash risk among chronic opioid therapy patients
Authors: Hansen Ryan N. , Walker Rod L. , Shortreed Susan M. , Dublin Sascha , Saunders Kathleen , Ludman Evette J. , Von Korff Michael 
Published: November 2016

AbstractPurposeAlthough prescription opioids have been associated with higher motor vehicle crash (MVC) risk, it is unknown whether health system initiatives to better manage chronic opioid therapy (COT) can reduce MVC risk at the population level.MethodsWe conducted an interrupted time series population‐level cohort study at Group Health (GH), between January 2006 and September 2014, comparing MVC risk among COT patients who were GH members receiving care in either group practice or contracted care settings. Group practice COT risk reduction initiatives were implemented in two phases: (1) altered prescribing expectations and (2) multifaceted initiatives. These initiatives did not exist in the contracted care network. We compared the adjusted quarterly rate of MVC between group practice and contracted care patients over time using a modified Poisson regression model for a binary outcome.ResultsA total of 32 691 COT patients (27.4% from contracted care) met eligibility criteria and experienced a total of 1956 MVCs during study follow‐up (mean, 8.1 quarters per person), of which 810 were serious injury crashes. Crash rates were not significantly different between the patient groups within any of the time periods. Analyses stratified by concurrent prescription of a sedative hypnotic or benzodiazepine found no significant difference between the group practice and contracted care patients. There was a modest elevation of MVC risk for high‐dose patients relative to former COT patients who stopped receiving opioids.ConclusionsThe risk of MVC was not mitigated in a large cohort of COT patients exposed to a health plan policy initiative that substantially lowered mean opioid dose. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.