bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cognitive remediation for older community‐dwelling individuals with schizophrenia: a pilot and feasibility study
Authors: Golas Angela C. , Kalache Sawsan M. , Tsoutsoulas Christopher , Mulsant Benoit H. , Bowie Christopher R. , Rajji Tarek K. 
Published: August 2015

ObjectiveCognitive deficits are among the strongest predictors of function in individuals with schizophrenia. This relationship continues to be strong as these individuals grow older into their eight decade. Cognitive remediation (CR) improves cognition in individuals with schizophrenia. This study aims at assessing the feasibility and potential effect of CR in patients with schizophrenia 60 years of age or older.MethodsWe adapted a CR protocol involving restorative and strategy‐based methods over four cohorts of older outpatients with schizophrenia to target cognitive deficits associated with aging and schizophrenia. CR was provided in eight, 2‐h weekly didactic sessions and online at‐home exercises. Computerized drill and practice exercises were used with bridging to activities of daily life. Computer exercise selection and difficulty level parameters optimized adherence. Progression individually determined difficulty levels. We modified computer laboratory ergonomics to accommodate mobility needs. Participants were assessed at baseline and end‐of‐study using clinical and cognitive assessments.ResultsTwenty‐two participants enrolled: 18 (mean [SD] age: 69.8 [5.3]) completed CR. Mean (SD) global cognition T score from the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia Consensus Cognitive Battery was 27.7 (10) at baseline and 28.8 (9.7) at the completion of the study. These means are over 2 SD below the norms. The change in global cognition was not statistically significant (paired t(17) = −1.18, p = 0.25).ConclusionsOur pilot study suggests that CR is well tolerated by most older outpatients with schizophrenia. Future studies need to assess whether increasing the frequency or the number of CR sessions leads to significant improvement in cognition. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Expedient Access to γ‐Ketophosphine Chalcogenides via the Chemo‐ and Regioselective Addition of Secondary Phosphine Chalcogenides to β,γ‐Ethylenic Ketones
Authors: Artem'ev Alexander V. , Malysheva Svetlana F. , Belogorlova Nataliya A. , Protzuk Nadezhda I. , Albanov Alexander I. , Bagryanskaya Irina Yu. , Schmidt Elena Yu. , Gusarova Nina K. , Trofimov Boris A. 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTγ‐Ketophosphine chalcogenides, precursors for plethora of novel functionalized phosphine chalcogenides and phosphines, are synthesized by chemo‐ and regioselective addition of secondary phosphine chalcogenides to β,γ‐ethylenic ketones under catalyst‐ and solvent‐free conditions (80–100°C, 8–70 h) in excellent yields. The straightforward superbase‐catalyzed synthesis of starting β,γ‐ethylenic ketones from ketones and acetylenes insures the expedient access to the target γ‐ketophosphine chalcogenides.
Evaluation of boron adsorption on new radiation grafted fibrous adsorbent containing N‐methyl‐D‐glucamine
Authors: Ting Teo Ming , Nasef Mohamed M , Hashim Kamaruddin 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe performance of newly prepared fibrous boron selective adsorbent was investigated via equilibrium isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics of boron adsorption from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent was obtained by radiation induced graft copolymerization (RIGC) of vinyl benzyl chloride (VBC) onto nylon‐6 fibers followed by chemical treatment with N‐methyl‐D‐glucamine (NMDG).RESULTSThe effect of solution pH on the boron adsorption capacity was investigated. The equilibrium adsorption data was fitted to the Langmuir, Freundlich and Redlich–Peterson isotherms, with the experimental data best fitting the Redlich–Peterson model. The kinetic data analyzed using the intra‐particle diffusion model indicated that adsorption onto the fibrous chelating adsorbent is governed by a film diffusion mechanism. The thermodynamic adsorption parameters including the Gibb's free energy change (ΔGo), enthalpy change (ΔHo) and entropy change (ΔSo) were determined and the results indicated that adsorption onto the fibrous adsorbent occurs spontaneously.CONCLUSIONThe high adsorption capacity and rapid kinetics suggest that the newly prepared fibrous adsorbent could have strong potential for boron removal from aqueous solutions. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Global Prosperity and Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Moore Henrietta L. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractNegotiations around Sustainable Development Goals and the post‐2015 development agenda should go beyond just re‐writing goals and targets that adhere to ‘sustaining’ the same old economic and social models. Instead, societies and governments should take this as an opportunity to advance more radical conceptual and practical approaches that challenge this reductive understanding of ‘sustainability’. The paper argues that we should turn our attention to prosperity rather than to development per se, recognising the critical role political and social innovation should have in unleashing individuals' potential to flourishing in a context of finite resources. The interwoven, interdependent and ever‐evolving nature of socio‐ecological systems, together with the uncertainties and ‘unknowns’ that characterise contemporary reality, questions the relevance of one‐size‐fits‐all goals. There is no single route to prosperity; diversity of objectives is essential and fundamental. Learning from initiatives in the Global South, such as the case of agroecology, might pave the way towards this paradigm shift. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does Training Really Matter to the Rural Poor Borrowers in Bangladesh? A Case Study on BRAC
Authors: Hilton David , Mahmud Kazi Tanvir , Shamsul Kabir Golam Mohammad , Parvez Asif 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe goal of this study was to assess the effect of training programme on the healthcare expenses of the households under BRAC's microcredit programme. This study showed that training played a significant role in improving the healthcare expenditure of the household. Other socioeconomic variables such as household income, family size, age of the borrower, non‐institutional loan received by borrowers, amount of microcredit received from BRAC by borrowers, amount of loan instalment and distance of rural market from the borrowers' house were also appeared as the key determinants of households' healthcare expenditure. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new approach for signal and noise FET modeling including wave propagation effects
Authors: Asadi Shahrooz , Yaghoub Mustapha C. E. , Biabanifard Sadegh 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIn the millimeter‐wave frequency range, electromagnetic effects can significantly influence a device behavior. As the core of modern communication systems, active devices such as field‐effect transistors require up‐to‐date models to accurately integrate such effects, especially in terms of noise performance because most of communication systems operate in noisy environments. Based on the active coupled line concept, a novel approach for efficient noise performance modeling of millimeter‐wave field‐effect transistors is proposed. This distributed model considers the effect of wave propagation along the device electrodes, which can significantly affect the noise performance, especially in the millimeter‐wave range. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of oceans' influence on spring time rainfall variability over Southeastern South America during the 20th century
Authors: Martín‐Gómez Verónica , Barreiro Marcelo 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTSoutheastern South America (SESA) rainfall is influenced by the tropical Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. At the same time, these tropical oceans interact with each other inducing sea surface temperature anomalies in remote basins through atmospheric and oceanic teleconnections.In this study, we employ a tool from complex networks to analyse the collective influence of the three tropical oceans on austral spring rainfall variability over SESA during the 20th century. To do so we construct a climate network considering as nodes the observed Niño3.4, Tropical North Atlantic (TNA), and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) indices, together with an observed and simulated precipitation (PCP) index over SESA. The mean network distance is considered as a measure of synchronization among all these phenomena during the 20th century.The approach allowed to uncover two main synchronization periods characterized by different interactions among the oceanic and precipitation nodes. Whereas in the 1930s El Niño and the TNA were the main tropical oceanic phenomena that influenced SESA precipitation variability, during the 1970s they were El Niño and the IOD. The influence of El Niño on SESA precipitation variability might be understood through an increase of the northerly transport of moisture in lower‐levels and advection of cyclonic vorticity in upper‐levels. On the other hand, the interaction between the IOD and PCP can be interpreted in two possible ways. One possibility is that both nodes (IOD and PCP) are forced by El Niño. Another possibility is that the Indian Ocean warming influences rainfall over SESA through the eastward propagation of Rossby waves as suggested previously. Finally, the influence of TNA on SESA precipitation persists even when the El Niño signal is removed, suggesting that SST anomalies in the TNA can directly influence SESA precipitation and further studies are needed to elucidate this connection.
Changing characteristics of precipitation in China during 1960–2012
Authors: Wu Yanjuan , Wu Shuang‐Ye , Wen Jiahong , Xu Ming , Tan Jianguo 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTIn this study, we investigated changes in the precipitation characteristics for China from 1960 to 2012 based on a recent daily precipitation dataset of 666 climate stations and robust non‐parametric trend detection techniques. We divided all precipitation events into four non‐overlapping categories: light, moderate, heavy and very heavy based on percentile thresholds. We then established the trends for annual total and precipitation of different intensity categories, and examined their regional and seasonal variations. The results show that there was little change in annual total precipitation for entire China, but distinctive regional patterns existed. In general, precipitation increased in the west and decreased in east. Precipitation of different intensities, in general, changed in the same direction as the mean, but heavy and very heavy precipitation events had higher rates of change than mean precipitation. The exception was the southeast region, where despite the slight decrease in mean precipitation, heavy and very heavy precipitation still increased significantly. In addition, we used multiple regression models to explore the contribution of changes of frequency and intensity to total precipitation change, and the contributions of changes of precipitation at different intensities to total precipitation change. For western China, total precipitation change was associated more with frequency change, whereas in eastern China intensity contributed more. For precipitation amount, moderate, heavy and very heavy precipitations contributed to the total change, with little contribution from light precipitation change. For frequency, changes in light and moderate precipitation frequencies dominated the total change, with very little contributions from heavy and very heavy precipitation frequency changes. In addition, we examined the linkage between summer precipitation in eastern China and the East‐Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM), found that the northern decrease and southern increase in summer precipitation was likely caused by the weakening of EASM over the study period.
OARSI osteoarthritis cartilage histopathology assessment system: A biomechanical evaluation in the human knee
Authors: Waldstein Wenzel , Perino Giorgio , Gilbert Susannah L. , Maher Suzanne A. , Windhager Reinhard , Boettner Friedrich 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTThe study compared the OARSI osteoarthritis cartilage histopathology assessment system with the biomechanical quality of human in vivo cartilage samples. In a prospective cohort study, 84 patients (100 knees) with varus deformity of the knee were included between May, 2010 and January, 2012. Osteochondral samples underwent biomechanical and histologic analysis. The dynamic modulus significantly (p < 0.001) decreased with each advancing grade of degeneration from OARSI Grade 0 (surface intact) to OARSI Grade 4 (erosion). For the aggregate modulus, there were significant (p < 0.001) differences between OARSI Grade 0 and OARSI Grade 1 as well as between OARSI Grade 1 and OARSI Grade 2. From OARSI Grade 2 to OARSI Grade 5, no differences in aggregate modulus occurred. The new OARSI grading system provides useful information about the functional properties of cartilage. There is a significant difference in cartilage stiffness between samples with intact surface and no signs of degeneration (OARSI Grade 0) and samples with intact surface and early signs of arthritis (OARSI Grade 1). Surgeons performing joint preserving procedures have to be aware that in knees with an intact cartilage surface (OARSI Grade 0/1), significant differences in the biomechanical properties may exist. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:135–140, 2016.
Comparison of bioactivities and phenolic composition of Choerospondias axillaris peels and fleshes
Authors: Li Qian , Chen Jun , Li Ti , Liu Chengmei , Liu Wei , Liu Jiyan 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDChoerospondias axillaris is both an edible and medicinal fruit. It has a growing popularity and economic importance due to its nutritive value and medicinal effects, but comprehensive information on the chemical composition and bioactivity of its fruits is still lacking. Therefore the aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiproliferative effects and chemical composition of peel polyphenolic (PP) and flesh polyphenolic (FP) extracts from C. axillaris.RESULTSThe phenolics and flavonoids of peel were significantly higher than those of flesh. Ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI‐QTOF‐MS2) analysis revealed that (+)‐catechin and oligomeric procyanidins were the most abundant compounds in PP and FP. Both extracts exhibited strong ferric‐reducing antioxidant power, total antioxidant activity and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•)‐scavenging ability. PP showed a significantly higher antimicrobial effect against tested strains than that of FP, in a dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, both extracts inhibited the growth of HepG2 and Caco‐2 cells in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner, with IC50 values of 39.31 and 47.49 µg mL−1 to HepG2 cells and 101.90 and 102.61 µg mL−1 to Caco‐2 cells respectively.CONCLUSIONThis is the first detailed report on the chemical composition and bioactivities of C. axillaris fruits. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of traditional processing methods on the β‐carotene, ascorbic acid and trypsin inhibitor content of orange‐fleshed sweet potato for production of amala in Nigeria
Authors: Yusuf Abbas Bazata , Fuchs Richard , Nicolaides Linda 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe aim of the work was to study the effect of traditional processing methods on the β‐carotene, ascorbic acid and trypsin inhibitor contents of orange‐fleshed sweet potato amala. The most common sweet potato in Nigeria is white or yellow fleshed, which is very low in provitamin A. However, efforts are underway to promote orange‐fleshed sweet potato to improve provitamin A intake. This paper describes how orange‐fleshed sweet potato slices were traditionally processed into amala, which is increasingly consumed in Nigeria.RESULTSThe study revealed that both the cold and hot fermentation methods resulted in increased vitamin A levels and lower vitamin C levels in orange‐fleshed sweet potato. Further processing to make amala resulted in a fall in both vitamin A and C content. The study found an increase in trypsin inhibitor activity following the cold‐water fermentation and a decrease following the hot‐water fermentation compared to raw orange‐fleshed sweet potato. Trypsin inhibitor activity in amala produced using both the cold and hot methods was below detectable levels.CONCLUSIONThe results indicate that amala produced from traditionally fermented orange‐fleshed sweet potato could be a good source of vitamins A and C for the rural poor and that the processing removes any potential negative effects of trypsin inhibitors. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Films based on protein isolated from croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) and palm oil
Authors: Halal Shanise Lisie Mello El , Zavareze Elessandra da Rosa , Rocha Meritaine da , Pinto Vânia Zanella , Nunes Michael Ramos , Luvielmo Márcia de Mello , Prentice Carlos 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe microstructure and the physical, mechanical, barrier and thermal properties of films based on different concentrations of protein isolated from croaker waste (CPI) and palm oil (PO) were analyzed. Films were elaborated by a casting technique using 2, 3 and 4 g CPI 100 g−1 of a filmogenic solution and 0, 10 and 20 g of PO 100 g−1 CPI.RESULTMicrostructure of the film surfaces of CPI with PO showed no presence of lipid droplets dispersed in the filmogenic matrix, although a rough surface was present. Films with 3% and 4% CPI and 20% PO had the lowest rates of water vapor permeability. When there was an addition of PO to the reduced tensile strength of the films, regardless of the concentration of CPI, this addition reduced the elongation of films with 3% and 4% CPI; however, it did not influence films with 2% CPI, which did not differ from the control film (0% OP). Thermal analysis revealed that films with the highest PO percentage had a lower initial weight loss when compared with other films, due to higher hydrophobicity.CONCLUSIONThe use of protein isolate obtained from fish residues of low commercial value and palm oil is viable for the production of biodegradable films because the latter constitute good barrier properties and thermal stability. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Emulsion stability and properties of fish gelatin‐based films as affected by palm oil and surfactants
Authors: Nilsuwan Krisana , Benjakul Soottawat , Prodpran Thummanoon 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDGelatin films exhibit the poor water vapour barrier properties. The use of palm oil, which is abundant and available in Thailand, can be a means to lower water vapour migration. To disperse oil in film‐forming dispersion (FFD), a surfactant along with appropriate homogenization is required. The study aimed to investigate the influence of palm oil level and surfactants in the absence or presence of glycerol on characteristics of FFD and resulting gelatin films.RESULTSSimilar oil droplet sizes, both d32 and d43 values, of FFD containing soy lecithin were observed, regardless of palm oil level used (P > 0.05). FFD with Tween‐20 had larger droplet size as the levels of oil increased (P < 0.05). After 12 h storage, slight increases in d32 and d43 were noticeable in all FFD samples. When the films were determined, lower water vapour permeability (WVP) and tensile strength (TS) but higher elongation at break (EAB) were obtained as palm oil level increased (P < 0.05), regardless of glycerol and surfactant used. Films without glycerol had lower WVP and EAB with higher TS than those containing 300 g kg−1 glycerol (P < 0.05). No differences in WVP and mechanical properties were found between films containing both surfactants (P > 0.05).CONCLUSIONFFD containing 500 or 750 g kg−1 palm oil using soy lecithin as a surfactant in the presence of 300 g kg−1 glycerol had the enhanced homogeneity and stability of oil droplets. The resulting gelatin film had the improved water vapour barrier properties. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Lymph node identification following neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer: A stage‐stratified analysis using the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER)‐medicare database
Authors: Ecker Brett L. , Paulson Emily C. , Datta Jashodeep , Jeganathan Arjun N. , Aarons Cary , Kelz Rachel R. , Mahmoud Najjia N. 
Published: August 2015

Background and ObjectivesNeoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT) for rectal adenocarcinoma reduces lymph node (LN) identification following surgical resection. We sought to evaluate the relationship between LN identification following nCRT and disease‐specific survival (DSS), stratified by pathologic stage.MethodsThe SEER‐Medicare database (2000–2009) was queried for 1,216 pathologic stage I‐III rectal cancer patients who underwent nCRT followed by curative‐intent resection. Cox regressions evaluated the association between pathologic stage and DSS for LN cut‐points from ≥2 up to ≥12 LNs.ResultsExtent of LN identification did not influence DSS in ypStage I or ypStage III disease; in particular, the 12 LN cut‐point was not associated with DSS for ypStage I (HR 1.29, P = 0.51) or ypStage III (HR 1.08, P = 0.42) patients. In ypStage II patients, actuarial survival improved continually with increasing lymph node identification up to ≥12 LNs. The 5 LN cut‐point was associated with the greatest reduction of risk of cancer death (HR 0.56, P = 0.006), with decreasing magnitudes of survival benefit associated with nodal counts beyond 5 LN. The 12 LN cut‐point was not associated with DSS in ypStage II patients (HR 0.67, P = 0.07).ConclusionThe association between DSS and LN identification is a dynamic outcome that varies by pathologic stage, with unique prognostic significance for ypStage II patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015; 112:415–420. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Single Molecular Diels–Alder Crosslinker for Achieving Recyclable Cross‐Linked Polymers
Authors: Chen Shengli , Wang Fenfen , Peng Yongjin , Chen Tiehong , Wu Qiang , Sun Pingchuan 
Published: August 2015

A triol‐functional crosslinker combining the thermoreversible properties of Diels–Alder (DA) adducts in one molecule is designed, synthesized, and used as an ideal substitute of a traditional crosslinker to prepare thermal recyclable cross‐linked polyurethanes with excellent mechanical properties and recyclability in a very simple and efficient way. The recycle property of these materials achieved by the DA/retro‐DA reaction at a suitable temperature is verified by differential scanning calorimetry and in situ variable temperature solid‐state NMR experiments during the cyclic heating and cooling processes. The thermal recyclability and remending ability of the bulk polyurethanes is demonstrated by three polymer processing methods, including hot‐press molding, injection molding, and solution casting. It is notable that all the recycled cross‐linked polymers display nearly invariable elongation/stress at break compared to the as‐synthesized samples. Further end‐group functionalization of this single molecular DA crosslinker provides the potential in preparing a wide range of recyclable cross‐linked polymers.
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