bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of psychoeducation intervention module on parents of children with autism spectrum disorders: A preliminary study
Authors: Patra Suravi , Arun Priti , Chavan Bir Singh 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT
Context: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in India face a host of challenges, while seeking care which ranges from unavailability of information to difficulty in availing services. Aims: To develop a psycho-education intervention module for parents of children with ASD and to study its impact on parent stress and knowledge. Settings and Design: Child Guidance Clinic Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh. Interventional study. Methodology: Parents of children diagnosed with ASD as per Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition criteria, recruited through consecutive sampling. Total number of 18 participants participated in the two phase study. Phase I included preparation of a parent training module through a four stage process and Phase II was evaluation of impact of the final version of the module on parental stress and knowledge. Statistical Analysis: Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test using SPSS version 17.0. Results: There was an improvement in all the domains of parenting stress and knowledge. Social stress score and total stress score showed significant improvement. Conclusions: Parent psycho-education intervention module on ASD decreases parenting stress, and improves knowledge about ASD. Psycho-education intervention module is a feasible and acceptable way of parent empowerment.
Advanced magnetic resonance neuroimaging in bulbar and limb onset early amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Vora Maulik , Kumar Suresh , Sharma Sanjiv , Sharma Sudhir , Makhaik Sushma , Sood R. G. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and most common motor neuron disease, caused by progressive loss of motor neurons. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopic (MRS) studies detect pathological changes in neuronal fibers in vivo. We evaluated the role of DTI and MRS in early course of the disease, which may prove beneficial in the early diagnosis and better management. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients with ALS and 13 age-matched controls received 1.5T DTI and three-dimensional multi-voxel MRS. Fractional anisotropy (FA), apparent diffusion coefficient, N-acetyl aspartate (NAA)/Creatine (Cr), and NAA/Choline (Ch) ratios were analyzed in various regions of the brain and compared with healthy controls. ALS patients were classified as definite, possible, and probable category, and patients were also studied in limb versus bulbar onset. Results: Decreased FA and increase mean diffusivity values in regions of corticospinal tract (CST) and corpus callosum (CC) was consistent finding in definite and probable disease category (P < 0.05). In possible disease, CC involvement was not significant. NAA/Cr and NAA/Ch ratios were lower in CC and regions of CST. However, in possible disease, CC involvement was not significant, while regions of CST were showing significant reduction in NAA/Cr and NAA/Ch ratios (P < 0.05). Conclusion: DTI and MRS detect changes associated with ALS even in the early phase of the disease. Bulbar onset and limb onset ALS patients show different pattern of involvement. Extramotor involvement suggested by CC involvement is a feature seen in bulbar onset patient and can suggest poor outcome in such patients. The present findings may be helpful for designing further studies in the direction of more early diagnosis of disease and its management.
Sensory Differences and Mealtime Behavior in Children With Autism
Authors: Zobel-Lachiusa Jeanne , Andrianopoulos Mary V. , Mailloux Zoe , Cermak Sharon A. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis study examined sensory differences and mealtime behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; n = 34) and compared the results with those of similarly aged peers who were typically developing (TD; n = 34). Results from parent-report and child-report questionnaires indicated that children with ASD scored significantly differently from TD peers on the measures of sensory differences and eating behaviors. Data also supported a correlation between sensory differences and eating difficulties in children with ASD. The results of this study will help caregivers and their children with ASD identify problem eating behaviors that may be associated with sensory differences. Sensory strategies and techniques offered by occupational therapy practitioners may contribute to greater success during mealtimes for children with ASD and their families, with increased comfort and less stress. The findings also support a need to further explore the influence of sensory differences on mealtime behaviors.
Generation of Self-Renewing Hepatoblasts From Human Embryonic Stem Cells by Chemical Approaches
Authors: Zhang Muzi , Sun Pingxin , Wang Yusheng , Chen Junnan , Lv Linjie , Wei Wanguo , Jin Caixia , Li Wenlin 
Published: September 2015

Abstract

Somatic stem cells play crucial roles in organogenesis and tissue homeostasis and regeneration and may ultimately prove useful for cell therapy for a variety of degenerative diseases and injuries; however, isolation and expansion of most types of somatic stem cells from tissues are technically challenging. Human pluripotent stem cells are a renewable source for any adult cell types, including somatic stem cells. Generation of somatic stem cells from human pluripotent stem cells is a promising strategy to get these therapeutically valuable cells. Previously, we developed a chemically defined condition for mouse hepatoblast self-renewal through a reiterative screening strategy. In the present study, we efficiently generated hepatoblasts from human embryonic stem cells by a stepwise induction strategy. Importantly, these human embryonic stem cell-derived hepatoblasts can be captured and stably maintained using conditions previously established for mouse hepatoblast self-renewal, which includes basal media supplemented with insulin, transferrin, sodium selenite, epidermal growth factor, glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitor, transforming growth factor β receptor inhibitor, lysophosphatidic acid, and sphingosine 1-phosphate. The cells can stably retain hepatoblast phenotypes during prolonged culture and can differentiate into mature hepatocytes through in vitro provision of hepatocyte lineage developmental cues. After being embedded into three-dimensional Matrigel, these cells efficiently formed bile duct-like structures resembling native bile duct tissues. These human embryonic stem cell-derived hepatoblasts would be useful as a renewable source for cell therapy of liver diseases.

Significance
Somatic stem cells have been proposed as promising candidates for cell-based therapy; however, isolation of somatic stem cells from adult tissues is usually invasive and technically challenging. In the present study, hepatoblasts from human embryonic stem cells were efficiently generated. These human hepatoblasts were then stably captured and maintained by a growth factor and small molecule cocktail, which included epidermal growth factor, glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitor, transforming growth factor β receptor inhibitor, lysophosphatidic acid, and sphingosine 1-phosphate. These human embryonic stem cell-derived hepatoblasts would be useful as a renewable source for cell therapy of liver diseases.
Mechanical Accelerometers
Authors: Barone Fabrizio , Giordano Gerardo 
Published: September 2015

Modern mechanical accelerometers are the result of more than a century of research and development aimed at optimizing the mechanical architectures of classical oscillators (simple pendulum, inverted pendulum, and spring–mass oscillator) as well as careful and effective applications of technology improvements and the introduction of innovative techniques of control and signal readout.
A further strong impulse to the development of mechanical accelerometers came from interferometric detectors of gravitational waves, which require accelerometers able to satisfy very stringent specifications on sensitivity, bandwidth, resonance frequency, directivity, compactness, and weight, for applications both in air and in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) and cryogenics.
Among the different mechanical architectures present in literature, the Watt's linkage is one of the most promising ones for the implementation of a new class of mechanical accelerometers (horizontal, vertical, and angular).
In this article, a simplified analytical model for a global description of the mechanical behavior and of the sensitivity limits of Watt's linkage‐based mechanical accelerometers is presented and discussed, with respect to methods and techniques for their optimization. State‐of‐the‐art architectures and implementations are also presented, together with selected results of laboratory tests and scientific applications, which show the impressive performances and not yet explored potentialities of this class of mechanical accelerometers.
Effect of advective flow in fractures and matrix diffusion on natural gas production
Authors: Karra Satish , Makedonska Nataliia , Viswanathan Hari S. , Painter Scott L. , Hyman Jeffrey D. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAlthough hydraulic fracturing has been used for natural gas production for the past couple of decades, there are significant uncertainties about the underlying mechanisms behind the production curves that are seen in the field. A discrete fracture network‐based reservoir‐scale work flow is used to identify the relative effect of flow of gas in fractures and matrix diffusion on the production curve. With realistic three‐dimensional representations of fracture network geometry and aperture variability, simulated production decline curves qualitatively resemble observed production decline curves. The high initial peak of the production curve is controlled by advective fracture flow of free gas within the network and is sensitive to the fracture aperture variability. Matrix diffusion does not significantly affect the production decline curve in the first few years, but contributes to production after approximately 10 years. These results suggest that the initial flushing of gas‐filled background fractures combined with highly heterogeneous flow paths to the production well are sufficient to explain observed initial production decline. These results also suggest that matrix diffusion may support reduced production over longer time frames.
Modeling of long‐path propagation characteristics of VLF radio waves as observed from Indian Antarctic station Maitri
Authors: Sasmal Sudipta , Palit Sourav , Chakrabarti Sandip K. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractPropagation of very low frequency (VLF) radio signal through the Earth‐ionosphere waveguide depends strongly on the plasma properties of the ionospheric D layer. Solar extreme ultraviolet radiation plays the central role in controlling physical and chemical properties of the lower ionospheric layers and hence determining the propagation characteristics of a VLF signal. The nature of interference among different propagating modes varies widely with the length of the propagation path. For a very long path, exposure of solar radiation and thus the degree of ionization vary by a large amount along the path. This influences the VLF signal profile by modulating the sky wave propagation. To understand the propagation characteristics over such a long path, we need a thorough investigation of the chemical reactions of the lower ionosphere which is lacking in the literature. Study of radio signal characteristics in the Antarctic region during summer period in the Southern Hemisphere gives us a unique opportunity to explore such a possibility. In addition, there is an extra feature in this path—the presence of solar radiation and hence the D region for the whole day during summer in at least some sections of the path. In this paper, we present long‐distance propagation characteristics of VLF signals transmitted from VTX (18.2 kHz) and NWC (19.8 kHz) transmitters recorded at the Indian permanent station Maitri (latitude 70°
S, longitude 114°
E) in 2007–2008. A very stable diurnal variation of the signal has been obtained with no signature of nighttime fluctuation due the presence of 24 h of sunlight. Using ion production and recombination profiles by solar irradiance and incorporating D region ion chemistry processes, we calculate the electron density profile at different heights. Using this profile in the Long Wavelength Propagation Capability code, we are able to reproduce the amplitude of VLF signal.
Studies on the Synthesis of Specifically Fluorinated 4‐Amino‐ pyridine Derivatives by Regioselective Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution and Catalytic Hydrodefluorination
Authors: Podolan Gabriel , Jungk Phillip , Lentz Dieter , Zimmer Reinhold , Reissig Hans‐Ulrich 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe reactions of pentafluoropyridine and 2,4,6‐trifluoropyridine with a series of primary and secondary amines were studied. Whereas the nucleophilic aromatic substitution of pentafluoropyridine occurs with high regioselectivity in all cases, providing the expected 4‐aminopyridine derivatives in excellent yields, the regioselectivity of 2,4,6‐trifluoropyridine is dependent on the steric hindrance of the attacking nucleophile. Small nucleophiles such as morpholine attack the 4‐position of the pyridine ring with high preference, but more bulky diamines attack the 2‐ and 4‐positions leading to the formation of three regioisomeric products. (R,R)‐1,2‐Diaminocyclohexane as moderately bulky diamine reacted with 2,4,6‐trifluoropyridine to afford the desired bis(4‐aminopyridinyl)cyclohexane derivative in 30% yield. For hydrodefluorination two methods were examined. A two‐step procedure employing hydrazine and subsequently copper(II) sulfate removed just one fluorine substituent, but is not sufficiently high yielding for the reduction of more complex substrates. With the system titanocene difluoride as pre‐catalyst and diphenylsilane as reducing agent we were able to selectively remove fluorine substituents at positions C‐2 and C‐4 of a variety of 4‐aminopyridine derivatives. This protocol allows the synthesis of compounds such as the divalent chiral 4‐(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) analogue (R,R)‐trans‐N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine with fair overall yield.magnified image
Management of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea: an evidence‐based review with recommendations
Authors: Oakley Gretchen M. , Orlandi Richard R. , Woodworth Bradford A. , Batra Pete S. , Alt Jeremiah A. 
Published: September 2015

BackgroundManagement strategies employed for cases of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea vary widely because of limited evidence‐based guidance.MethodsA systematic review of the literature was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases from January 1990 through September 2014 to examine 5 endoscopic repair techniques and 8 perioperative management strategies for CSF rhinorrhea. Benefit‐harm assessments, value judgments, and recommendations were made based on the available evidence. Study exclusion criteria were language other than English, pre‐1990 studies, case reports, and nonrhinologic leak. All authors agreed on recommendations through an iterative process.ResultsWe reviewed 67 studies examining 13 practices pertinent to the management of CSF rhinorrhea, reaching a highest aggregate grade of evidence of B. The literature does not support the routine use of prophylactic antibiotics or lumbar drainage. Various endoscopic repair materials show similar success rates; however, larger defects may benefit from vascularized grafts. There were no relevant studies to address postoperative activity restrictions.ConclusionDespite relatively low levels of evidence, recommendations for the management of CSF rhinorrhea can be made based on the current literature. Higher‐level studies are needed to better determine optimal clinical management approaches.
Surface‐modified MgO nanoparticle enhances the mechanical and direct‐current electrical characteristics of polypropylene/polyolefin elastomer nanodielectrics
Authors: Zhou Yao , He Jinliang , Hu Jun , Dang Bin 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTPolypropylene (PP)/polyolefin elastomer (POE) blends and MgO/PP/POE nanocomposites were fabricated by melt blending. The morphology, mechanical, and electrical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the surface‐modified MgO nanoparticles were well dispersed in the polymer matrix at low loadings of less than 3 phr. X‐ray diffraction demonstrated that the crystalline phases of PP in the composites were changed and that the β phase significantly increased. An examination of the electrical properties revealed that the direct‐current (dc) electric breakdown strength and space‐charge suppression effect were remarkably improved by the introduction of the surface‐modified MgO nanoparticles. In addition, obvious enhancements in the tensile modulus and strength were obtained as a result of the synergistic toughening of the POE and MgO nanoparticles. Thus, MgO/PP/POE nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical and electrical properties have great potential to be used as recyclable insulation materials for high‐voltage dc cables with large transmission capacities and high operating temperatures. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 132, 42863.
Experimental study on the penetration interfaces of pipes with different cross‐sections in overflow water‐assisted coinjection molding
Authors: Kuang Tang‐Qing , Zhou Kai , Wu Li‐Xuan , Zhou Guo‐Fa , Turng Lih‐Sheng 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTThe residual wall thicknesses (RWT) of the skin and the inner layers are important quality indicators of water‐assisted co‐injection molding (WACIM) parts. The influences of the shape of the cavity cross section and the processing parameters, including the water pressure, water delay time, inner melt temperature, and inner melt flow rate, on the penetration of the inner melt and water were explored via experiments. The results showed that the shape of the penetration section of the inner melt was closer to the cavity section with round corners, while that of the water ended up being round. Both the penetration ratios of the inner melt and the water increased proportionally with increasing circle ratio. Both the minimum values of the total RWT and the inner melt RWT increased with increasing circle ratio. Both the maximum values of the total RWT and the inner melt RWT increased with increasing Max_D, which is the maximum distance between the inscribed circle center and the wall. Both the penetration ratios of the inner melt and the water increased with increasing water pressure, decreased with increasing water delay time, and increased with increasing inner melt flow rate and increasing inner melt temperature. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 132, 42866.
Testing independence of bivariate interval‐censored data using modified Kendall's tau statistic
Authors: Kim Yuneung , Lim Johan , Park DoHwan 
Published: September 2015

In this paper, we study a nonparametric procedure to test independence of bivariate interval censored data; for both current status data (case 1 interval‐censored data) and case 2 interval‐censored data. To do it, we propose a score‐based modification of the Kendall's tau statistic for bivariate interval‐censored data. Our modification defines the Kendall's tau statistic with expected numbers of concordant and disconcordant pairs of data. The performance of the modified approach is illustrated by simulation studies and application to the AIDS study. We compare our method to alternative approaches such as the two‐stage estimation method by Sun et al. (Scandinavian Journal of Statistics, 2006) and the multiple imputation method by Betensky and Finkelstein (Statistics in Medicine, 1999b).
Enhanced purification of plasmid DNA isoforms by exploiting ionic strength effects during ultrafiltration
Authors: Li Ying , Currie David , Zydney Andrew L. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTThe solution structure of plasmid DNA is known to be a strong function of solution conditions due to intramolecular electrostatic interactions between the charged phosphate groups along the DNA backbone. The objective of this work was to determine whether it was possible to enhance the use of ultrafiltration for separation of different plasmid isoforms by proper selection of the solution ionic strength and ion type. Experiments were performed with a 3.0 kbp plasmid using composite regenerated cellulose ultrafiltration membranes. The transmission of the linear isoform was nearly independent of solution ionic strength, but increased significantly with increasing filtrate flux due to the elongation of the highly flexible plasmid in the converging flow field into the membrane pores. In contrast, the transmission of the open‐circular and supercoiled plasmids both increased with increasing NaCl or MgCl2 concentration due to the change in plasmid size and conformational flexibility. The effect of ionic strength was greatest for the supercoiled plasmid, providing opportunities for enhanced purification of this therapeutically active isoform. This behavior was confirmed using experiments performed with binary mixtures of the different isoforms. These results clearly demonstrate the potential for enhancing the performance of membrane systems for plasmid DNA separations by proper selection of the ionic conditions. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 783–789. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
REVascularization with paclitaxEL‐coated balloon angioplasty versus drug‐eluting stenting in acute myocardial infarcTION—A randomized controlled trial: Rationale and design of the REVELATION trial
Authors: Vos Nicola S. , van der Schaaf Rene J. , Amoroso Giovanni , Herrman Jean‐Paul R. , Patterson Mark S. , Slagboom Ton , Vink Maarten A. 
Published: September 2015

AimIn primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), stenting has proved to reduce the need for repeat revascularization compared with balloon angioplasty alone. The incidence of cardiac death or recurrent myocardial infarction, though, is not reduced by stenting. This is in part attributable to stent‐related complications like stent thrombosis which may occur even years after implantation. A strategy of drug coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty without stenting would abolish the potential disadvantages of stent implantation while reducing the probability of restenosis observed in plain old balloon angioplasty. Our aim is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a DCB only strategy versus drug‐eluting stents (DES) in PPCI for STEMI.Study designThe REVELATION trial is a prospective, single center, randomized study, in which 120 patients presenting with STEMI will be allocated to treatment with a DCB versus DES. Appertaining to the established prognostic value of fractional flow reserve (FFR) rather than angiographic lesion severity, the functional assessment of the infarct‐related lesion by FFR at 9 months after initial treatment is the primary end point. Assuming an FFR value of 0.90 after stenting and an increased risk of adverse events if post‐PCI FFR <0.85, we decided to accept an FFR value of ≥0.85 after DCB only at follow‐up as noninferiority margin. Secondary end points include major adverse cardiac events up to 5‐year follow‐up.ConclusionOur trial will address the efficacy and safety of DCB angioplasty versus DES in the setting of PPCI for STEMI. The REVELATION trial will introduce the recognized prognostic significance of physiologic assessment of the infarct‐related lesion by FFR at 9 months follow‐up as primary end point. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.