bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous analysis of some volatile compounds in food samples by array gas sensors based on polypyrrole nano-composites
Authors: Pirsa Sajad , Nejad Fardin Mohammad 
Published: April 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to construct an array of sensors using polypyrrole–zinc oxide (PPy–ZnO) and PPy–vanadium (V; chemical formula: V2O5) fibers. To test responses of sensors, a central composite design (CCD) has been used. The results of the CCD technique revealed that the developed sensors are orthogonally sensitive to diacetyl, lactic acid and acetic acid. In total, 20 different mixtures of diacetyl, lactic acid and acetic acid were prepared, and the responses of the array sensors were recorded for each mixture.

Design/methodology/approach
A response surface regression analysis has been used for correlating the responses of the sensors to diacetyl, lactic acid and acetic acid concentrations during the gas phase in food samples. The developed multivariate model was used for simultaneous determination of diacetyl, lactic acid and acetic acid concentrations. Some food samples with unknown concentrations of diacetyl, lactic acid and acetic acid were provided, and the responses of array sensors to each were recorded.

Findings
The responses of each sensor were considered as target response in a response optimizer, and by an overall composite desirability, the concentration of each analyte was predicted. The present work suggests the applicability of the response surface regression analysis as a modeling technique for correlating the responses of sensor arrays to concentration profiles of diacetyl, lactic acid and acetic acid in food samples.

Originality/value
The PPy–ZnO and PPy–V2O5 nanocomposite fibers were synthesized by chemical polymerization. The provided conducting fibers, PPy–ZnO and PPy–V2O5, were used in an array gas sensor system for the analysis of volatile compounds (diacetyl, lactic acid and acetic acid) added to yogurt and milk samples.
Dream homes and dead ends in the city: a photo essay experiment
Authors: Fast Danya 
Published: April 2017

AbstractResearch focused on the relationship between place and health demonstrates that it is complex and shifting, as overlapping social, historical, institutional and political and economic processes continually transform the landscapes in which lived experiences are embedded. Understanding this relationship requires knowledge of the situated meanings and local worlds that ethnographic methods are well suited to investigate. However, even conventional ethnographic methods can be inadequate to capture the embodied, lived experience of place – experiences in which the sensory and inner processes of memory and imagination are often privileged. Accessing these experiences and processes can require more experimental methodological approaches. In this article, I present work from a series of photo essays created between 2011 and 2016 by 15 young people who inhabit the social, spatial and economic margins of Vancouver, Canada, and discuss some of the challenges and opportunities presented by this methodology. Created over 5 years, and broadly focused on how they understood, experienced and navigated their ‘place’ in the city in the midst of poverty, addiction, violence and physical and mental health crises, the photo essays young people produced are embedded with personal biographies and trajectories, as well as shared experiences of geography, precarity and possibility in Vancouver.
Engineering the xylose‐catabolizing Dahms pathway for production of poly(d‐lactate‐co‐glycolate) and poly(d‐lactate‐co‐glycolate‐co‐d‐2‐hydroxybutyrate) in Escherichia coli
Authors: Choi So Young , Kim Won Jun , Yu Seung Jung , Park Si Jae , Im Sung Gap , Lee Sang Yup 
Published: April 2017

SummaryPoly(lactate‐co‐glycolate), PLGA, is a representative synthetic biopolymer widely used in medical applications. Recently, we reported one‐step direct fermentative production of PLGA and its copolymers by metabolically engineered Escherichia coli from xylose and glucose. In this study, we report development of metabolically engineered E. coli strains for the production of PLGA and poly(d‐lactate‐co‐glycolate‐co‐d‐2‐hydroxybutyrate) having various monomer compositions from xylose as a sole carbon source. To achieve this, the metabolic flux towards Dahms pathway was modulated using five different synthetic promoters for the expression of Caulobacter crescentus XylBC. Further metabolic engineering to concentrate the metabolic flux towards d‐lactate and glycolate resulted in production of PLGA and poly(d‐lactate‐co‐glycolate‐co‐d‐2‐hydroxybutyrate) with various monomer fractions from xylose. The engineered E. coli strains produced polymers containing 8.8–60.9 mol% of glycolate up to 6.93 g l−1 by fed‐batch cultivation in a chemically defined medium containing xylose. Finally, the biocompatibility of poly(d‐lactate‐co‐glycolate‐co‐d‐2‐hydroxybutyrate) was confirmed by live/dead assay using human mesenchymal stem cells.
Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy: Disrupted Protein Balance and Impaired Cardiomyocyte Contractility
Authors: Steiner Jennifer L. , Lang Charles H. 
Published: April 2017

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) can develop after consumption of relatively large amounts of alcohol over time or from acute binge drinking. Of the many factors implicated in the etiology of ACM, chronic perturbation in protein balance has been strongly implicated. This review focused on recent contributions (since 2010) in the area of protein metabolism and cardiac function related to ACM. Data reviewed include that from in vitro and preclinical in vivo animal studies where alcohol or an oxidative metabolite was studied and outcome measures in either cardiomyocytes or whole heart pertaining to protein synthesis or degradation were reported. Additionally, studies on the contractile properties of cardiomyocytes were also included to link signal transduction with function. Methodological differences including the potential impact of sex, dosing, and duration/timing of alcohol administration are addressed. Acute and chronic alcohol consumption decreases cardiac protein synthesis and/or activation of proteins within the regulatory mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin complex pathway. Albeit limited, evidence suggests that myocardial protein degradation via the ubiquitin pathway is not altered, while autophagy may be enhanced in ACM. Alcohol impairs ex vivo cardiomyocyte contractility in relation to its metabolism and expression of proteins within the growth factor pathway. Dysregulation of protein metabolism, including the rate of protein synthesis and autophagy, may contribute to contractile deficits and is a hallmark feature of ACM meriting additional sex‐inclusive, methodologically consistent studies.
Endoscopic submucosal dissection for large colorectal neoplasms
Authors: Imai Kenichiro , Hotta Kinichi , Yamaguchi Yuichiro , Ito Sayo , Ono Hiroyuki 
Published: April 2017

Background and AimEndoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for colorectal neoplasms (CRN) of >50 mm is considered technically difficult. The ITknife nano™ was developed specifically for ESD of CRN and esophageal superficial neoplasms; however, only limited data are available regarding its use in this procedure. Here we assessed the safety and efficacy of ESD using the ITknife nano™ for large CRN (>50 mm).MethodsWe carried out a retrospective study, including consecutive patients with CRN larger than 50 mm that were treated by ESD between September 2002 and August 2016 at our institution. To clarify features of the ITknife nano™ and to assess its safety and efficacy, we compared en bloc/curative resection rates, complications, and resection speed between ESD done using the Dual knife™ with and without the ITknife nano™.ResultsWe analyzed a total of 177 ESD‐treated large CRN (median tumor size, 61 mm). Among the 133 CRN treated by ESD using the ITknife nano™, en bloc and curative resection rates were 96.2% and 80.5%, respectively. Perforation occurred in eight cases (6.0%) and delayed bleeding in four cases (3.0%). All complications were endoscopically managed. Resection speed was significantly faster for ESD using the ITknife nano™ (25.3 mm2/min) compared to using the Dual knife™ only (19.9 mm2/min; P = 0.02).ConclusionsUse of the ITknife nano™ for ESD treatment of large CRN (>50 mm) is feasible and may contribute to reduced procedure times. Further controlled studies are needed to confirm these findings.
The contribution of PISA to the convergence of education policies in Europe
Authors: Michel Alain 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe international comparative studies on students’ outcomes have initiated analyses that have had a growing influence on national and sub‐national education policies in industrialised and developing countries. It is particularly the case of the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) which started in 2000 and has organised surveys every 3 years, so that the 2015 survey was the 6th. Its influence has been particularly important for several reasons: 1) it assesses the basic competences in reading literacy, maths and science of 15 year‐olds students, i.e. around the end of compulsory education in many countries; 2) the assessment is based on a reliable methodology and the tests are completed by qualitative surveys and studies; 3) and the results lead to recommendations and are amplified by the media in most countries. However, it is not easy to evaluate the real impact of PISA because of the existence of other international studies such as IEA's TIMSS and, particularly in Europe, the influence of the recommendations and benchmarks of the EU that has been growing steadily in the last 25 years. Our analysis of the impact of PISA and EU policy focuses on the evolution of the education policy in France, but also studies its evolution in a few other European countries. Finally, we underline the limits of the influence of PISA and international standards in education towards a convergence of education systems because of the importance of their specific historic and cultural contexts.
Corrosion fatigue crack growth mechanisms in offshore monopile steel weldments
Authors: Adedipe O. , Brennan F. , Mehmanparast A. , Kolios A. , Tavares I. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractOffshore structures are generally fabricated of welded joints, which are considered as potential spots for crack initiation owing to the degree of stress concentrations imposed by the weld geometry and the effects of residual stresses introduced by welding processes. There are significant numbers of the current and anticipated offshore installations coupled with the use of newer materials and fabrication techniques. It is therefore important to understand the crack growth mechanisms in these structures accompanied with the effects of mean or residual stresses for a safe estimation of their service lives. In this paper, crack growth results of HAZ and weld materials similar to those used for offshore installations are presented. Tests were conducted in air and in simulated free‐corrosion conditions at loading frequencies of 0.3 Hz in seawater, 5 Hz in air and at loading ratios of 0.1, 0.5 and 0.7. Results showed that crack growth rates were influenced by mean stresses, materials microstructure accompanied by welding procedure and environment. Crack growth results showed good agreement when compared with those obtained from other steels used for offshore structures.
Sleep apnea syndrome, inflammation and oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Nikitidou Olga , Daskalopoulou Euphemia , Papagianni Aikaterini , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Michalaki Aikaterini , Christidou Foteini , Argyropoulou Paraskevi , Kirmizis Dimitrios , Efstratiadis Georgios , Nikolaidis Pavlos , Daniilidis Michail , Dombros Nicholas 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIntroduction: Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is an established cardiovascular risk factor in the general population related to inflammation and oxidative stress and is very common among hemodialysis patients. Cardiovascular disease and its complications is the main cause of death among hemodialysis patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of SAS in the promotion of inflammation and oxidative stress and thus in the augmentation of cardiovascular risk in hemodialysis patients.Methods: Thirty‐seven hemodialysis patients underwent an overnight full polysomnography study. The following morning blood samples were obtained and TNF‐α (tumor necrosis factor‐α), IL‐6 (interleukin‐6), MPO (myeloperoxidase), and oxLDL (oxidized low density lipoprotein) were measured.Findings: We investigated the correlation of patients' markers of inflammation and oxidative stress with their sleep parameters (total sleep time, AHI, apnea/hypopnea index; RDI, respiratory disturbance index; DI, desaturation index, mean and minimum SpO2 and percentage of sleep time with SpO2 < 90%). TNF‐α correlated positively with BMI (r = 0.510, P < 0.0001) and total sleep time (r = 0.370, P = 0.027). IL‐6 correlated positively with age (r = 0.363, P = 0.027), AHI (r = 0.385, P = 0.018), DI (r = 0.336, P = 0.042) and percentage of sleep time with SpO2 < 90% (r = 0.415, P = 0.012) and negatively with mean SpO2 (r = −0.364, P = 0.027). Myeloperoxidase correlated positively with AHI (r = 0.385, P = 0.018), DI (r = 0.380, P = 0.02) and percentage of sleep time with SpO2 < 90% (r = 0.388, P = 0.019). Finally, oxLDL correlated positively with BMI (r = 0.443, P = 0.007), AHI (r = 0.395, P = 0.015), RDI (r = 0.328, P = 0.048) and total sleep time with SpO2<90% (r = 0.389, P = 0.019).Conclusions: These results indicate that, in hemodialysis patients, the severity of SAS and nocturnal hypoxia correlated positively with markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.
Rifaximin in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis: An open‐label pilot study
Authors: Cobbold Jeremy F.L. , Atkinson Stephen , Marchesi Julian R. , Smith Ann , Wai Sann N. , Stove Julie , Shojaee‐Moradie Fariba , Jackson Nicola , Umpleby A. Margot , Fitzpatrick Julie , Thomas E. Louise , Bell Jimmy D. , Holmes Elaine , Taylor‐Robinson Simon D. , Goldin Robert D. , Yee Michael S. , Anstee Quentin M. , Thursz Mark R. 
Published: April 2017

AimGut microbial dysbiosis is implicated in the pathogenesis of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We investigated downstream effects of gut microbiota modulation on markers of hepatic inflammation, steatosis, and hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity in patients with NASH using rifaximin therapy.MethodsPatients with biopsy‐proven NASH and elevated aminotransferase values were included in this open‐label pilot study, all receiving 6 weeks rifaximin 400 mg twice daily, followed by a 6‐week observation period. The primary endpoint was change in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) after 6 weeks of rifaximin. Secondary endpoints were change in hepatic lipid content and insulin sensitivity measured with a hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic clamp.ResultsFifteen patients (13 men and 2 women) with a median (range) age of 46 (32–63) years were included. Seven had diabetes on oral hypoglycemic medications and 8 had no diabetes. After 6 weeks of therapy, no differences were seen in ALT (55 [33–191] vs. 63 [41–218] IU/L, P = 0.41), peripheral glucose uptake (28.9 [19.4–48.3] to 25.5 [17.7–47.9] μmol/kg/min, P = 0.30), hepatic insulin sensitivity (35.2 [15.3–51.7]% vs. 30.0 [10.8–50.5]%, P = 0.47), or hepatic lipid content (21.6 [2.2–46.2]% vs. 24.8 [1.7–59.3]%, P = 0.59) before and after rifaximin treatment. After 12 weeks from baseline, serum ALT increased to 83 (30–217) IU/L, P = 0.02. There was a significant increase in the homeostasis model assessment–estimated insulin resistance index (P = 0.05). The urinary metabolic profile indicated a significant reduction in urinary hippurate with treatment, which reverted to baseline after cessation of rifaximin, although there was no consistent difference in relative abundance of fecal microbiota with treatment.ConclusionThese data do not indicate a beneficial effect of rifaximin in patients with NASH.
Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) in Chronic Pain
Authors: Tennant Forest 
Published: April 2017

To determine if severe, chronic, uncontrolled pain patients may alter their adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) serum levels. Fifty‐five (55) severe, chronic pain patients who were failing standard medical treatment were tested for an ACTH serum level. Those patients with an abnormal (high or low) serum level were entered into an enhanced pain treatment program and retested in 90–120 days to help determine if pain treatment may normalize abnormal ACTH serum levels. Five (9.4%) patients had a high ACTH serum level, and ten (18.2%) patients had a low ACTH serum level. Of these 15 patients, 13 (86.7%) normalized their ACTH serum levels after 90–120 days of enhanced treatment. The remaining two patients were found to have organic hypopituitarism secondary to traumatic brain injury. Severe, chronic pain may alter serum ACTH levels, and enhanced treatment may normalize serum levels.
Thermodynamic stability of SFCA (silico‐ferrite of calcium and aluminum) and SFCA‐I phases
Authors: Koryttseva Anastasia , Webster Nathan A. S. , Pownceby Mark I. , Navrotsky Alexandra 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSilico‐ferrite of calcium and aluminum (SFCA) and SFCA‐I phases form in iron ore sintering operations. Their behavior in blast furnaces, with sinter being a significant component of blast furnace burden, is of critical importance to the ironmaking process. They have complex disordered crystal structures and form over a range of composition. In the present work, enthalpies of formation from oxides for five different SFCA compounds and one SFCA‐I phase were measured by oxide melt solution calorimetry in molten lead borate solvent at 800°C. The enthalpies of formation from binary oxides are zero within experimental error for SFCA phases and slightly endothermic for SFCA‐I, confirming that SFCA phases are stabilized, not by energetics, but by their configurational entropies resulting from atomic site disorder. In addition, enthalpies of drop solution into a molten slag at 1450°C were measured for SFCA phases and show good agreement with values predicted using the heats of formation and previously measured drop solution enthalpies for the binary oxides. This agreement confirms data consistency and shows that the presence of variable amounts of SFCA relative to binary oxides in a sinter will have negligible effect on the heat balance in the blast furnace.
Light‐induced electrons suppressed by Eu3+ ions doped in Ca11.94−xSrxAl14O33 caged phosphors for LED and FEDs
Authors: Bian Hongyu , Liu Yuxue , Yan Duanting , Zhu Hancheng , Liu Chunguang , Xu Changshan , Wang Xiaojun , Zhang Hong 
Published: April 2017

AbstractControl of light‐induced electron generation is of vital importance for the application of caged phosphors. For Eu‐doped Ca11.94−xSrxAl14O33 caged phosphors, the suppressed effect of strontium doping on the light‐induced electrons is observed compared to the europium‐free Ca11.94−xSrxAl14O33 phosphors. In the presence of europium ions, Sr doping will promote the reduction of Eu3+ to Eu2+. The Rietveld refinement suggests that unit cell volumes of the Ca11.94−xSrxAl14O33:Eu0.06 samples are expanded when Ca2+ ions are replaced by Sr2+ ions. The absorption and FTIR transmittance spectra confirm that the competitive reaction of encaged O2− anions with H2 is suppressed. For the sample (x=0.48), the higher thermal activation energy (~0.40 eV) for luminescence quenching can be attributed to the more rigid framework structure after Sr doping. For Ca11.94−xSrxAl14O33:Eu0.06 phosphors, their emission colours are tuned from red to purple upon 254 nm excitation and from pink to blue under electron beam excitation through Sr substitution. The insight gained from this work may have a significant guiding to design new phosphors for LED and FEDs and novel nanocaged mutifunctional materials.
Measuring the impact of dermatological conditions on family and caregivers: a review of dermatology‐specific instruments
Authors: Sampogna F. , Finlay A.Y. , Salek S.S. , Chernyshov P. , Dalgard F.J. , Evers A.W.M. , Linder D. , Manolache L. , Marron S.E. , Poot F. , Spillekom‐van Koulil S. , Svensson Å. , Szepietowski J.C. , Tomas‐Aragones L. , Abeni D. ,   the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology TaskForce on Quality of Life
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe patient is the centre of a web of relationships, and the impact of his/her disease on family members and caregivers must be taken into account. The aim of this study was to identify the specific instruments that measure the impact of a dermatological disease on the quality of life (QoL) of family members, by performing a systematic search of the literature. Fifteen papers were identified, describing the creation and validation of nine instruments. Four of them concerned atopic dermatitis (Dermatitis Family Index, DFI; Parents’ Index QoL Atopic Dermatitis, PiQoL‐AD; QoL in primary caregivers of children with atopic dermatitis, QPCAD; Childhood Atopic Dermatitis Impact Scale, CADIS), two measured the impact of psoriasis in family members (Psoriasis Family Index, PFI; FamilyPso), one the impact of epidermolysis bullosa (Epidermolysis Bullosa Burden of Disease, EB‐BoD), one of ichthyosis (Family Burden Ichthyosis, FBI), and one was generic for dermatological conditions (Family Dermatology Life Quality Index, FDLQI). The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology quality of life taskforce recommends that the impact of a skin disease on family and caregivers should be measured as part of any thorough evaluation of the burden of a disease. Guidelines are given to choose the most appropriate instruments.
Examining solutions to missing data in longitudinal nursing research
Authors: Roberts Mary B. , Sullivan Mary C. , Winchester Suzy B. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPurposeLongitudinal studies are highly valuable in pediatrics because they provide useful data about developmental patterns of child health and behavior over time. When data are missing, the value of the research is impacted. The study's purpose was to (1) introduce a three‐step approach to assess and address missing data and (2) illustrate this approach using categorical and continuous‐level variables from a longitudinal study of premature infants.MethodsA three‐step approach with simulations was followed to assess the amount and pattern of missing data and to determine the most appropriate imputation method for the missing data. Patterns of missingness were Missing Completely at Random, Missing at Random, and Not Missing at Random. Missing continuous‐level data were imputed using mean replacement, stochastic regression, multiple imputation, and fully conditional specification (FCS). Missing categorical‐level data were imputed using last value carried forward, hot‐decking, stochastic regression, and FCS. Simulations were used to evaluate these imputation methods under different patterns of missingness at different levels of missing data.ResultsThe rate of missingness was 16–23% for continuous variables and 1–28% for categorical variables. FCS imputation provided the least difference in mean and standard deviation estimates for continuous measures. FCS imputation was acceptable for categorical measures. Results obtained through simulation reinforced and confirmed these findings.Practice ImplicationsSignificant investments are made in the collection of longitudinal data. The prudent handling of missing data can protect these investments and potentially improve the scientific information contained in pediatric longitudinal studies.