bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SERS analyses of thiamethoxam assisted by Ag films and nanostructures produced by laser techniques
Authors: Atanasov P.A. , Nedyalkov N.N. , Nikov Ru.G. , Fukata N. , Jevasuwan W. , Subramani T. , Hirsch D. , Rauschenbach B. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis study deals with the use of laser techniques for preparation of advanced Ag nanostructure on quartz substrates that can be applied in high‐resolution analyses, namely, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The active system was a two dimensional array of nanoparticles produced by laser annealing of thin silver film. The optical and morphological properties of the nanostructure were compared with those of an as deposited thin film in order to estimate their role in the detection efficiency. The activity of the structures fabricated as substrates for SERS of usually applied in agricultural medicine small quantities of Aktara 25 BG (thiamethoxam) insecticide was tested. To the best of our knowledge, SERS spectra of Aktara 25 BG are presented for the first time. The minimum detected concentration of thiamethoxam was evaluated to be in the order of μg/ml. The simple fabrication method and demonstrated efficiency focus the presented study to direct bearing on the human health and food quality area as a way of assisting the detection of small amounts or residue of harmful pollutants.
MRI monitoring of focused ultrasound sonications near metallic hardware
Authors: Weber Hans , Ghanouni Pejman , Pascal‐Tenorio Aurea , Pauly Kim Butts , Hargreaves Brian A. 
Published: December 2017

PurposeTo explore the temperature‐induced signal change in two‐dimensional multi‐spectral imaging (2DMSI) for fast thermometry near metallic hardware to enable MR‐guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) in patients with implanted metallic hardware.Method2DMSI was optimized for temperature sensitivity and applied to monitor focus ultrasound surgery (FUS) sonications near metallic hardware in phantoms and ex vivo porcine muscle tissue. Further, we evaluated its temperature sensitivity for in vivo muscle in patients without metallic hardware. In addition, we performed a comparison of temperature sensitivity between 2DMSI and conventional proton‐resonance‐frequency‐shift (PRFS) thermometry at different distances from metal devices and different signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNR).Results2DMSI thermometry enabled visualization of short ultrasound sonications near metallic hardware. Calibration using in vivo muscle yielded a constant temperature sensitivity for temperatures below 43 °C. For an off‐resonance coverage of ± 6 kHz, we achieved a temperature sensitivity of 1.45%/K, resulting in a minimum detectable temperature change of ∼2.5 K for an SNR of 100 with a temporal resolution of 6 s per frame.ConclusionThe proposed 2DMSI thermometry has the potential to allow MR‐guided FUS treatments of patients with metallic hardware and therefore expand its reach to a larger patient population. Magn Reson Med 80:259–271, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Organic–inorganic polyimide nanocomposites containing a tetrafunctional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane amine: synthesis, morphology and thermomechanical properties
Authors: Qiu Junjun , Xu Sen , Liu Ning , Wei Kun , Li Lei , Zheng Sixun 
Published: December 2017

Abstract5,11,14,17‐Tetraanilinooctaphenyl double decker silsesquioxane, a well‐defined tetraamino polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS), was synthesized in this work. This novel tetrafunctional POSS amine was employed to prepare polyimide nanocomposites. It was found that the hybrid polyimide nanocomposites displayed nanostructures in which the POSS component was aggregated into spherical microdomains with a diameter of 40 − 80 nm. Compared to unmodified polyimide, the POSS‐containing polyimide nanocomposites displayed improved thermal stability and surface hydrophobicity. Owing to the introduction of the POSS microdomains, the dielectric constants of the polyimide nanocomposites were significantly decreased in comparison with plain polyimide. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Fault detection and identification—A filter investigation
Authors: Khan R. , Williams P. , Riseborough P. , Rao A. , Hill R. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryThis paper develops a new active fault‐tolerant control system based on the concept of analytical redundancy. The novel design presented here consists of an observation filter–based fault detection and identification system integrated with a nonlinear model predictive controller. A number of observation filters are designed, integrated with the nonlinear controller, and tested before reaching the final design, which comprises an unscented Kalman filter for fault detection and identification together with a nonlinear model predictive controller to form an active fault‐tolerant control system.
A symplectic local pseudospectral method for solving nonlinear state‐delayed optimal control problems with inequality constraints
Authors: Wang Xinwei , Peng Haijun , Zhang Sheng , Chen Biaosong , Zhong Wanxie 
Published: December 2017

SummaryIn this paper, a symplectic local pseudospectral (PS) method for solving nonlinear state‐delayed optimal control problems with inequality constraints is proposed. We first convert the original nonlinear problem into a sequence of linear quadratic optimal control problems using quasi‐linearization techniques. Then, based on local Legendre‐Gauss‐Lobatto PS methods and the dual variational principle, a PS method to solve these converted linear quadratic constrained optimal control problems is developed. The developed method transforms the converted problems into a coupling of a system of linear algebraic equations and a linear complementarity problem. The coefficient matrix involved is sparse and symmetric due to the benefit of the dual variational principle. Converged solutions can be obtained with few iterations because of the local PS method and quasi‐linearization techniques are used. The proposed method can be applied to problems with fixed terminal states or free terminal states, and the boundary conditions and constraints are strictly satisfied. Numerical simulations show that the developed method is highly efficient and accurate.
The rise in road traffic injuries in Lilongwe, Malawi A snapshot of the growing epidemic of trauma in low income countries
Authors: Banza Leonard Ngoie , Gallaher Jared , Dybvik Eva , Charles Anthony , Hallan Geir , Gjertsen Jan-Erik , Mkandawire Nyengo , Varela Carlos , Young Sven 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
Road traffic injuries (RTIs) and death are a major public health issue worldwide. Unless appropriate action is taken urgently, the burden of RTIs will continue to increase globally. This will be particularly pronounced in developing countries where rapid motorization is likely to continue over the next decades. Malawi is one of these countries with a population of 17.2 million and a Gross National Income per capita of 340 US$. The impact of the rising burden of injury on the health sector is considerable. However, data to demonstrate this development is lacking.

Methods:
This study is an analysis of data from the Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) Trauma Registry. KCH is a 900-bed tertiary care public hospital in Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi. The KCH Trauma Registry was established to collect patient demographic information, clinical characteristics, and outcome data for all patients presenting to the emergency department with injuries. All patients who presented to the emergency department with injuries between January 2009 and December 2015 were included in the study.

Results:
A 96,967 patients with injuries between 2009 and 2015 were registered in the KCH Trauma Registry. The mean age of these patients was 23.3 years and 36.8% were children younger than 18 years. 25,193 (26.2%) patients had road traffic related injuries, of these 19,244 (76.4%) were men. There was a 62.4% rise in the number of RTI victims treated at KCH from 2447 in 2009–3975 in 2015. If this trend continues, 7997 patients will be expected to need treatment for RTIs at KCH in 2030, doubling the numbers seen in 2015 in just 15 years. The highest number of injuries occurred in pedestrians (32.3%) and cyclists (28.2%) and continually rose over the years studied. The length of hospital stay for RTIs increased from 6.4 ± 9.1days in 2009 to 15.0 ± 19.4 in 2015.

Discussion:
There was a rapidly growing burden of RTIs at KCH in Lilongwe, Malawi, between 2009 and 2015, and projections based on our data show that this burden will double by 2030. It is essential that surgical trauma services are scaled up to meet this challenge in Malawi. There is also a large potential for prevention of injuries involving vulnerable road users. Road traffic campaigns should focus on improved driver training, use of lights, pedestrian and cyclist visibility, and vehicle fitness. Standards should include physical separation of pedestrians and vehicles, through raised pavements or separate walk and cycle ways. The absence of a clear strategy to meet the growing epidemic of injuries in Malawi will come at a huge cost to an already strained economy, and the largest portion of the burden of injury will continue to be borne by the poorest segment of the population.

Highlights:
Effect of sub-hypnotic dose of propofol on prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting as part of multimodal antiemetic in patients undergoing open abdominal surgery: A prospective cohort study, Gondar University Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2016
Authors: Yimer Hailu , Ayalew Nugusu , Abdisa Zewditu , Aregawi Adugna 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

Background:
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is one of the most common and unpleasant symptoms affecting patients undergoing abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia. It is also associated with complications such as gastric aspiration, bleeding, dehydration, wound dehiscence and delayed hospital discharge.

Objective:
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a sub hypnotic dose of propofol on the occurrence and severity of PONV after open abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia.

Materials and methods:
A series of 72 adult (age ≥18) ASA class I or II patients, scheduled for open abdominal surgery were divided into a control group (n = 36) and a propofol group (n = 36). The propofol group was given 30 mg of 1% propofol IV bolus after skin closure. All episodes and severity of PONV during the first 24 h after anaesthesia were evaluated.

Results:
The overall incidence of PONV was significantly lower in propofol group than the non-propofol group during the first six postoperative hours (30.6% versus 66.7% respectively; p = 0.002). There was a significant reduction in number of patients needing rescue anti-emetic during the first six postoperative hours in propofol group when compared with none-propofol group [5 (13.9%) and 15 (41.7%) respectively, (p = 0.009)]. There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to their haemodynamic parameters and manifestations of respiratory depression.

Conclusion and recommendation:
Administration of a sub hypnotic intravenous dose of propofol was effective in reducing the incidence and severity of PONV, and the need for rescue anti-emetic during the first six postoperative hours in patients undergoing open abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia. We recommend the use of 30 mg propofol at the end of open abdominal surgery as part of multimodal approach for PONV.

Highlights:
Quantifying Hospital-Acquired Carriage of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae Among Patients in Dutch Hospitals
Authors: Kluytmans-van den Bergh Marjolein F. Q. , van Mens Suzan P. , Haverkate Manon R. , Bootsma Martin C. J. , Kluytmans Jan A. J. W. , Bonten Marc J. M. ,   for the SoM Study Group and the R-GNOSIS Study Group
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUNDExtended-spectrum β-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) are emerging worldwide. Contact precautions are recommended for known ESBL-E carriers to control the spread of ESBL-E within hospitals.OBJECTIVEThis study quantified the acquisition of ESBL-E rectal carriage among patients in Dutch hospitals, given the application of contact precautions.METHODSData were used from 2 cluster-randomized studies on isolation strategies for ESBL-E: (1) the SoM study, performed in 14 Dutch hospitals from 2011 through 2014 and (2) the R-GNOSIS study, for which data were limited to those collected in a Dutch hospital in 2014. Perianal cultures were obtained, either during ward-based prevalence surveys (SoM), or at admission and twice weekly thereafter (R-GNOSIS). In both studies, contact precautions were applied to all known ESBL-E carriers. Estimates for acquisition of ESBL-E were based on the results of admission and discharge cultures from patients hospitalized for more than 2 days (both studies) and a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) model, applied to all patients hospitalized (R-GNOSIS).RESULTSThe absolute risk of acquisition of ESBL-E rectal carriage ranged from 2.4% to 2.9% with an ESBL-E acquisition rate of 2.8 to 3.8 acquisitions per 1,000 patient days. In addition, 28% of acquisitions were attributable to patient-dependent transmission, and the per-admission reproduction number was 0.06.CONCLUSIONSThe low ESBL-E acquisition rate in this study demonstrates that it is possible to control the nosocomial transmission of ESBL in a low-endemic, non-ICU setting whereEscherichia coliis the most prevalent ESBL-E and standard and contact precautions are applied for known ESBL-E carriers.TRIAL REGISTRATIONNederlands Trialregister, NTR2799,http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=2799; ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN57648070,http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN57648070Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2018;39:32–39
Clinically relevant and simple immune system measure is related to symptom burden in bipolar disorder
Authors: Köhler-Forsberg Ole , Sylvia Louisa , Deckersbach Thilo , Ostacher Michael Joshua , McInnis Melvin , Iosifescu Dan , Bowden Charles , McElroy Susan , Calabrese Joseph , Thase Michael , Shelton Richard Charles , Tohen Mauricio , Kocsis James , Friedman Edward , Ketter Terence , Nierenberg Andrew Alan 
Published: December 2017

ObjectiveImmunological theories, particularly the sickness syndrome theory, may explain psychopathology in mood disorders. However, no clinical trials have investigated the association between overall immune system markers with a wide range of specific symptoms including potential gender differences.MethodsWe included two similar clinical trials, the lithium treatment moderate-dose use study and clinical and health outcomes initiatives in comparative effectiveness for bipolar disorder study, enrolling 765 participants with bipolar disorder. At study entry, white blood cell (WBC) count was measured and psychopathology assessed with the Montgomery and Aasberg depression rating scale (MADRS). We performed analysis of variance and linear regression analyses to investigate the relationship between the deviation from the median WBC, and multinomial regression analysis between different WBC levels. All analyses were performed gender-specific and adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking, race, and somatic diseases.ResultsThe overall MADRS score increased significantly for each 1.0×109/l deviation from the median WBC among 322 men (coefficient=1.10; 95% CI=0.32–1.89; p=0.006), but not among 443 women (coefficient=0.56; 95% CI=−0.19–1.31; p=0.14). Among men, WBC deviations were associated with increased severity of sadness, inner tension, reduced sleep, reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, inability to feel, and suicidal thoughts. Among women, WBC deviations were associated with increased severity of reduced appetite, concentration difficulties, lassitude, inability to feel, and pessimistic thoughts. Both higher and lower WBC levels were associated with increased severity of several specific symptoms.ConclusionImmune system alterations were associated with increased severity of specific mood symptoms, particularly among men. Our results support the sickness syndrome theory, but furthermore emphasise the relevance to study immune suppression in bipolar disorder. Due to the explorative nature and cross-sectional design, future studies need to confirm these findings.
The body remembers: Adolescent conflict struggles predict adult interleukin-6 levels
Authors: Allen Joseph P. , Loeb Emily L. , Tan Joseph S. , Narr Rachel K. , Uchino Bert N. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractStruggles managing conflict and hostility in adolescent social relationships were examined as long-term predictors of immune-mediated inflammation in adulthood that has been linked to long-term health outcomes. Circulating levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a marker of immune system dysfunction when chronically elevated, were assessed at age 28 in a community sample of 127 individuals followed via multiple methods and reporters from ages 13 to 28. Adult serum IL-6 levels were predicted across periods as long as 15 years by adolescents’ inability to defuse peer aggression and poor peer-rated conflict resolution skills, and by independently observed romantic partner hostility in late adolescence. Adult relationship difficulties also predicted higher IL-6 levels but did not mediate predictions from adolescent-era conflict struggles. Predictions were also not mediated by adult trait hostility or aggressive behavior, suggesting the unique role of struggles with conflict and hostility from others during adolescence. The implications for understanding the import of adolescent peer relationships for life span physical health outcomes are considered.
Nocturnal bird migration at Besh Barmag bottleneck in Azerbaijan as revealed by means of acoustic monitoring
Authors: HEISS MICHAEL 
Published: December 2017

SummaryBird migration studies are sparse in the Caucasus region, but have received more interest in recent years. To date, these studies have focused on diurnal migration and no information about nocturnal bird migration is available from this region. Therefore, nocturnal bird migration in the Besh Barmag bottleneck (Azerbaijan) was acoustically analysed on the basis of 1,464 h 44 min of sound recordings cost-efficiently obtained with an autonomously operating recorder and an omnidirectional microphone between sunset and sunrise on 63 nights in autumn 2011 and 67 nights in spring 2012. In total, 88,455 calls of 106 migrating species were detected. Of these, 2,172 calls could not be identified due to recording deficiencies or imperfect familiarity with some of the vocalisations and may involve as many as 20 species. The calls and songs of another 13 non-migratory species were not counted. Due to organisational or technical constraints some nights in the study periods could not be analysed and so the ensuing data gaps were repaired by interpolation, resulting in an estimated total of 108,986 calls in autumn 2011 and 33,348 calls in spring 2012. In both seasons the most vocally productive and species-rich phase was civil morning twilight, containing as it does the onset of diurnal migration. In autumn 2011, 54.7% of the recorded calls occurred in civil evening and morning twilight and 68.8% in spring 2012. But species and call numbers were also high in the darkest twilight and night phases. The interpretation of the data is, however, partly conjectural and any future access to truly reliable information on migration densities is conceivable only through radar studies.
Is Paid Surrogacy a Form of Reproductive Prostitution? A Kantian Perspective
Authors: PATRONE TATIANA 
Published: December 2017

Abstract:This article reexamines the “prostitution objection” to paid surrogacy, and argues that rebuttals to this objection fail to focus on surrogates as embodied persons. This failure is based on the false distinction between “selling one’s reproductive services” and “selling one’s body.” To ground the analysis of humans as embodied persons, this article uses Kant’s late ethical theory, which develops the conceptual framework for understanding human beings as embodied selves. Literature on surrogacy commonly emphasizes that all Kantian duties heed to the categorical prohibition to treat persons as mere means. What this literature leaves out is that this imperative commands us more specifically to engage ourselves and others as embodied persons. This article aims to relate this point to a specific issue in assisted reproduction. It argues that a Kantian account of human beings as embodied persons prohibits paid surrogacy on exactly the same grounds as it prohibits prostitution.
Improving quality of referral letters from primary to secondary care: a literature review and discussion paper
Authors: Tobin-Schnittger Patrick , O’Doherty Jane , O’Connor Ray , O’Regan Andrew 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundReferral letters sent from primary to secondary or tertiary care are a crucial element in the continuity of patient information transfer. Internationally, the need for improvement in this area has been recognised. This aim of this study is to review the current literature pertaining to interventions that are designed to improve referral letter quality.MethodsA search strategy designed following a Problem, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome model was used to explore the PubMed and EMBASE databases for relevant literature. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established and bibliographies were screened for relevant resources.ResultsA total of 18 publications were included in this study. Four types of interventions were described: electronic referrals were shown to have several advantages over paper referrals but were also found to impose new barriers; peer feedback increases letter quality and can decrease ‘inappropriate referrals’ by up to 50%; templates increase documentation and awareness of risk factors; mixed interventions combining different intervention types provide tangible improvements in content and appropriateness.ConclusionSeveral methodological considerations were identified in the studies reviewed but our analysis demonstrates that a combination of interventions, introduced as part of a joint package and involving peer feedback can improve.
Proteomic and functional analysis identifies galectin-1 as a novel regulatory component of the cytotoxic granule machinery
Authors: Clemente Tiago , Vieira Narcisio J , Cerliani Juan P , Adrain Colin , Luthi Alexander , Dominguez Mariana R , Yon Monica , Barrence Fernanda C , Riul Thalita B , Cummings Richard D , Zorn Telma M , Amigorena Sebastian , Dias-Baruffi Marcelo , Rodrigues Maurício M , Martin Seamus J , Rabinovich Gabriel A , Amarante-Mendes Gustavo P 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSecretory granules released by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are powerful weapons against intracellular microbes and tumor cells. Despite significant progress, there is still limited information on the molecular mechanisms implicated in target-driven degranulation, effector cell survival and composition and structure of the lytic granules. Here, using a proteomic approach we identified a panel of putative cytotoxic granule proteins, including some already known granule constituents and novel proteins that contribute to regulate the CTL lytic machinery. Particularly, we identified galectin-1 (Gal1), an endogenous immune regulatory lectin, as an integral component of the secretory granule machinery and unveil the unexpected function of this lectin in regulating CTL killing activity. Mechanistic studies revealed the ability of Gal1 to control the non-secretory lytic pathway by influencing Fas–Fas ligand interactions. This study offers new insights on the composition of the cytotoxic granule machinery, highlighting the dynamic cross talk between secretory and non-secretory pathways in controlling CTL lytic function.