bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comorbidities, smoking status, and life expectancy among individuals eligible for lung cancer screening
Authors: Howard David H. , Richards Thomas B. , Bach Peter B. , Kegler Michelle C. , Berg Carla J.
Published: September 2015

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer screening recommendations are based on results from the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST). The authors determined how the screening‐eligible US population differs from NLST participants in terms of characteristics that affect their ability to benefit from screening.

METHODS

The authors identified respondents to the 2012 Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a national survey of individuals aged ≥50 years who are eligible for screening based on US Preventive Services Task Force and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services criteria. Comorbidities, life expectancy, smoking history, and other characteristics were compared between the screening‐eligible population and NLST participants.

RESULTS

The authors estimated that in 2013, 8.4 million individuals (95% confidence interval, 7.9‐8.9 million individuals) would have met the eligibility criteria for lung cancer screening established by the US Preventive Services Task Force. Compared with NLST participants, HRS screening‐eligible respondents were older, more likely to be current smokers, and more likely to have been diagnosed with comorbidities. The 5‐year survival rate was 87% in the HRS screening‐eligible individuals versus 93% in the NLST participants (P<.001, based on a 2‐sided test). Life expectancy was 18.7 years in the HRS screening‐eligible individuals versus 21.2 years in the NLST participants.

CONCLUSIONS

The US population eligible for lung cancer screening is probably less likely to benefit from early detection than NLST participants because they face a high risk of death from competing causes. The results of the current study highlight the need for smoking cessation interventions targeting those patients eligible for screening and tools to help clinicians determine the potential benefits of screening in individual patients. Cancer 2015;121:4341–7. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Association of very low prostate‐specific antigen levels with increased cancer‐specific death in men with high‐grade prostate cancer
Authors: Mahal Brandon A. , Aizer Ayal A. , Efstathiou Jason A. , Nguyen Paul L.
Published: September 2015

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to determine whether a very low presenting prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level was associated with greater prostate cancer–specific mortality (PCSM) among men with a Gleason score (GS) of 8 to 10.

METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program was used to identify 328,904 men diagnosed with clinicalT1 (cT1)‐4N0M0 prostate cancer between 2004 and 2010. A multivariate Fine‐Gray competing risks regression analysis was used to determine PCSM as a function of the PSA level (≤2.5, 2.6‐4, 4.1‐10, 10.1‐20, 20.1‐40, or > 40 ng/mL) and GS (8‐10 vs ≤ 7).

RESULTS

The median follow‐up was 38 months. Among men with GS 8‐10 disease, with a PSA level of 4.1 to 10 ng/mL as the referent, the adjusted hazard ratio for PCSM for men was 2.15 with a PSA level ≤ 2.5 ng/mL (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65‐2.79; P < .001), 1.60 with a PSA level of 2.6 to 4 ng/mL (95% CI, 1.22‐2.10; P = .001), 1.60 with a PSA level of 10.1 to 20 ng/mL (95% CI, 1.41‐1.82; P < .001), 2.08 with a PSA level of 20.1 to 40 ng/mL (95% CI, 1.81‐2.38; P < .001), and 3.23 with a PSA level > 40 ng/mL (95% CI, 2.85‐3.65; P < .001). This suggested a U‐shaped distribution. There was a significant interaction between the PSA level and GS (Pinteraction < .001) such that only a PSA level ≤ 2.5 ng/mL significantly predicted poorer PCSM among patients with GS 8‐10 disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with high‐grade disease, patients with PSA levels ≤ 2.5 ng/mL or PSA levels of 2.6 to 4 ng/mL appear to have a higher risk for cancer‐specific death in comparison with patients with PSA levels of 10.1 to 20 ng/mL, and this supports the notion that low PSA levels in GS 8‐10 disease may be a sign of aggressive and very poorly differentiated or anaplastic low PSA–producing tumors. Patients with low‐PSA, GS 8‐10 disease should be considered for clinical trials studying the use of chemotherapy and other novel agents for very high‐risk prostate cancers. Cancer 2016;122:78–83. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Refining TCP's RTT dependent mechanism by utilizing link retransmission delay measurement in Wireless LAN
Authors: Dalal Purvang , Sarkar Mohanchur , Kothari Nikhil , Dasgupta Kankar
Published: September 2015

Network utilization by legacy transmission control protocol (TCP) is determined by its round trip time (RTT) dependent mechanism for the growth of its sending rate. The RTT does not always reflect the actual network conditions, especially in the case of wireless local area network (WLAN). Consequently, it influences the RTT‐dependent mechanism falsely. This paper proposes a novel cross‐layer scheme between TCP and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 medium access control (MAC) that compensates for any diminished growth of TCP's sending rate because of the inclusion of non‐congestion delay component in RTT, if any. The proposed scheme has two refinements. The first refinement is at the MAC layer that notifies the additional propagation delay on account of link retransmission of a TCP packet. The second refinement is at the TCP layer in which the sender adapts the sending rate by relating the aforementioned additional propagation delay to the RTT estimation. To examine the benefits, the proposed scheme is evaluated after implementing it on top of representative TCP variants; Newreno and Westwood+ (TCPW). Simulation results showed that with the proposed scheme, network utilization by native TCP is improved by more than 35% in a dedicated WLAN environment, while the performance remained protected in a shared WLAN environment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Follow policies closely to support suicidal students on campus
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: September 2015

What should you do if students on your campus exhibit self‐harmful or suicidal behaviors? In a recent webinar hosted by Innovative Educators, M.J. Raleigh, Ph.D., director of counseling and psychological services at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, explained that under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, only students who are considered a “direct threat” to others — not to themselves — can be removed from campus. Revisions to Title II that went into effect in March 2011 made that clear. “As a result of the change … the revised regulation now deems it unlawful to take adverse action towards a student solely on the basis of self‐harmful or suicidal behaviors,” Raleigh clarified.
Appeals court partially reverses disability‐based summary judgment
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: September 2015

On July 31, 2015, an appeals court for the Northern District of Illinois partially overturned a previous dismissal of a lawsuit by William H. Silk, who was suing Moraine Valley Community College. Silk, an adjunct professor, sued the college after his course load was reduced and then he was fired following his heart surgery in April 2010. He alleged that his termination violated both the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. The original court ruling granted summary judgment for the college on all counts, but the appeals court partially upheld the judgment and partially reversed it.
Automated small‐scale protein purification and analysis for accelerated development of protein therapeutics
Authors: LeSaout Xavier , Costioli Matteo , Jordan Lynn , Lambert Jeremy , Beighley Ross , Provencher Laurel , Gerwe Brian , McGuire Kevin , Verlinden Nico , Barry Andrew
Published: September 2015

Small‐scale protein purification presents opportunities for accelerated process development of biotherapeutic molecules. Miniaturization of purification conditions reduces time and allows for parallel processing of samples, thus offering increased statistical significance and greater breadth of variables. The ability of the miniaturized platform to be predictive of larger scale purification schemes is of critical importance. The PerkinElmer JANUS BioTx Pro and Pro‐Plus workstations were developed as intuitive, flexible, and automated devices capable of performing parallel small‐scale analytical protein purification. Preprogrammed methods automate a variety of commercially available ion exchange and affinity chromatography solutions, including miniaturized chromatography columns, resin‐packed pipette tips, and resin‐filled microtiter vacuum filtration plates. Here, we present a comparison of microscale chromatography versus standard fast protein LC (FPLC) methods for process optimization. In this study, we evaluated the capabilities of the JANUS BioTx Pro‐Plus robotic platform for miniaturized chromatographic purification of proteins with the GE ӒKTA Express system. We were able to demonstrate predictive analysis similar to that of larger scale purification platforms, while offering advantages in speed and number of samples processed. This approach is predictive of scale‐up conditions, resulting in shorter biotherapeutic development cycles and less consumed material than traditional FPLC methods, thus reducing time‐to‐market from discovery to manufacturing.
Patients aged over 75 years enrolled in Phase I clinical trials: the Gustave Roussy experience
Authors: Helissey Carole , Biondani Pamela , Roquet Florian , Lanoy Emilie , Mir Olivier , Varga Andrea , Massard Christophe , Gazzah Anas , Ribrag Vincent , Bahleda Ratislav , Postel‐Vinay Sophie , Angevin Eric , Deutsch Eric , Soria Jean‐Charles , Hollebecque Antoine
Published: September 2015

Although a third of all cancers are diagnosed after the age of 75, only 9% of elderly people are recruited in clinical trials, because of fear of the risk of toxicity. The aim of this study was to compare the tolerance and efficacy observed in Phase I trials among patients aged over 75 years with that observed in younger patients. Patients treated from 2007 to 2012 at Institut Gustave Roussy in Phase I trials were included. The conditional Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare the occurrence of AE and overall survival in a subpopulation of elderly people (EP, aged >75 years) matched with patients aged <75 years (YP) according to the same Phase I protocol and the same Royal Marsden Hospital (RMH) prognostic score. Among the 32 EP and the 158 YP, 63% and 61% experienced Grade 3–4 AEs and dose‐limiting toxicities occurred in 6% and 11% in each group respectively. Age over 75 years was neither associated with a greater risk of high toxicity (HR=0.90 [CI95%, 0.47–1.70], p = 0.74) nor of death (HR=0.86; CI95%: 0.38–1.93; p = 0.71). Age over 75 years had no impact on the occurrence of either high toxicity or of death.
Cyanoacrylate medical glue application in intervertebral disc annulus defect repair: Mechanical and biocompatible evaluation
Authors: Kang Ran , Li Haisheng , Lysdahl Helle , Quang Svend Le Dang , Chen Menglin , Xie Lin , Bünger Cody
Published: September 2015

In an attempt to find an ideal closure method during annulus defect repair, we evaluate the use of medical glue by mechanical and biocompatible test. Cyanoacrylate medical glue was applied together with a multilayer microfiber/nanofiber polycaprolactone scaffold and suture in annulus repair. Continuous axial loading and fatigue mechanical test was performed. Furthermore, the in vitro response of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) to the glue was evaluated by cell viability assay. The in vivo response of annulus tissue to the glue and scaffold was also studied in porcine lumbar spine; histological sections were evaluated after 3 months. Cyanoacrylate glue significantly improved the closure effect in the experimental group with failure load 2825.7 ± 941.6 N, compared to 774.1 ± 281.3 N in the control group without glue application (p < 0.01). The experimental group also withstood the fatigue test. No toxic effect was observed by in vitro cell culture and in vivo implantation. On the basis of this initial evaluation, the use of cyanoacrylate medical glue improves closure effect with no toxicity in annulus defect repair. This method of annulus repair merits further effectiveness study in vivo. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 14–20, 2017.
The Logic of History and Leadership: Anselm's Analogs
Authors: Blessing Tim H.
Published: September 2015

Sweeney (2003) has stated that Anselm of Canterbury produced a paradoxical understanding: God is both inaccessible and obvious (p. 17). The current article proceeds analogically from Anselm's works to a consideration of whether Leadership Studies and the Social Sciences in general can access the obvious omnipresence of History. Finding that neither Leadership Studies nor the other Social Sciences can access that which is obvious, it then extends, in an Anselmian paradox, to discuss the inevitable use of History in Leadership Studies.
Robert Nisbet on Images of History
Authors: Harter Nathan
Published: September 2015

The tendency to ascribe patterns to history must be grounded in the evidence. Otherwise, the pattern one devises can become mistaken for reality. Paradoxically, Robert Nisbet described a pattern in the history of writing history, from the ancient metaphor of history as a series of life cycles to the modern image of linear progress. The usefulness of such images can be outweighed by their limitations, which Nisbet set forth, in large part because history simply is not finished yet. We today—and especially leaders—should not find ourselves trapped within any one paradigm. Images of history do not control leaders.
Eric Voegelin, Reflexive Distance, and Harnessing the Benefits of Metaxy: The Leader's Imperative to Participate in History and Becoming
Authors: Thomas Oliver
Published: September 2015

The capacity to lead consciously is connected to the leader's knowledge of the self and one's environment. Eric Voegelin stipulated that gaining reflexive distance through comparative historical knowledge allowed for a deeper understanding of an individual's place in society. Citing his works, the current article explains the utility to leaders in understanding historiography, confronting narratives of the past, and criticizing previous normative structures. Leaders come to understand their place in the process of “becoming” by confronting the past. Harnessing the capacity to reflect, leaders can use history as a mirror to demand more of themselves and followers. Moreover, as leaders come to comprehend symbols of mankind's attempt to make sense of the universe and to establish some degree of order, disruptions to the “order” can paradoxically manifest growth. Conscious leaders thus become adaptive rather than reactive.
Rapid structural characterization of in vivo and in vitro metabolites of tinoridine using UHPLC–QTOF–MS/MS and in silico toxicological screening of its metabolites
Authors: Kalariya Pradipbhai D. , Patel Prinesh N. , Kavya P. , Sharma Mahesh , Garg Prabha , Srinivas R.
Published: September 2015

Tinoridine is a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug and also has potent radical scavenger and antiperoxidative activity. However, metabolism of tinoridine has not been thoroughly investigated. To identify in vivo metabolites, the drug was administered to Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 5) at a dose of 20 mg kg−1, and blood, urine and feces were collected at different time points up to 24 h. In vitro metabolism was delved by incubating the drug with rat liver microsomes and human liver microsomes. The metabolites were enriched by optimized sample preparation involving protein precipitation using acetonitrile, followed by solid‐phase extraction. Data processes were carried out using multiple mass defects filters to eliminate false‐positive ions. A total of 11 metabolites have been identified in urine samples including hydroxyl, dealkylated, acetylated and glucuronide metabolites; among them, some were also observed in plasma and feces samples. Only two major metabolites were formed using liver microsomal incubations. These metabolites were also observed in vivo. All the 11 metabolites, which are hitherto unknown and novel, were characterized by using ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry in combination with accurate mass measurements. Finally, in silico toxicological screening of all metabolites was evaluated, and two metabolites were proposed to show a certain degree of lung or liver toxicity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular analysis of hepatitis A virus strains obtained from patients with acute hepatitis A in Mongolia, 2004–2013
Authors: Tsatsralt‐Od Bira , Baasanjav Nachin , Nyamkhuu Dulmaa , Ohnishi Hiroshi , Takahashi Masaharu , Kobayashi Tominari , Nagashima Shigeo , Nishizawa Tsutomu , Okamoto Hiroaki
Published: September 2015

Despite the high endemicity of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in Mongolia, the genetic information on those HAV strains is limited. Serum samples obtained from 935 patients with acute hepatitis in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia during 2004–2013 were tested for the presence of HAV RNA using reverse transcription‐PCR with primers targeting the VP1–2B region (481 nucleotides, primer sequences at both ends excluded). Overall, 180 patients (19.3%) had detectable HAV RNA. These 180 isolates shared 94.6–100% identity and formed four phylogenetic clusters within subgenotype IA. One or three representative HAV isolates from each cluster exhibited 2.6–3.9% difference between clusters over the entire genome. Cluster 1 accounted for 65.0% of the total, followed by Cluster 2 (30.6%), Cluster 3 (3.3%), and Cluster 4 (1.1%). Clusters 1 and 2 were predominant throughout the observation period, whereas Cluster 3 was undetectable in 2009 and 2013 and Cluster 4 became undetectable after 2009. The Mongolian HAV isolates were closest to those of Chinese or Japanese origin (97.7–98.5% identities over the entire genome), suggesting the evolution from a common ancestor with those circulating in China and Japan. Further molecular epidemiological analyses of HAV infection are necessary to investigate the factors underlying the spread of HAV and to implement appropriate prevention measures in Mongolia. J. Med. Virol. 88:622–630, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Examination of Regional Policy Implications Pertaining to SME E‐Business Adoption in South‐East Wales
Authors: Thomas Brychan , Miller Christopher , Simmons Geoff
Published: September 2015

Regional policy frameworks need to focus on strengthening the ICT infrastructure, clarifying market rules to build user confidence, developing networks, facilitating ICT‐enabled clustering and infrastructure sharing.
The Organizational Impact of Implementing Information Systems in Higher Education Institutions: A Case Study from a UK University
Authors: Skoumpopoulou Dimitra , Nguyen‐Newby Thuyuyen
Published: September 2015

The implementation of an integrated information system has become an agent and an enforcer of strict instrumental policy and power of the university institutions.
Information Technology Usage in SMEs in a Developing Economy
Authors: Afolayan Ademola , Plant Eoin , White Gareth R.T. , Jones Paul , Beynon‐Davies Paul
Published: September 2015

Information communication technology adoption is well advanced in Nigerian SMEs, but further development is hampered by poor infrastructure and corruption.
Outcomes and complications of osseointegrated hearing aids in irradiated temporal bones
Authors: Nader Marc‐Elie , Beadle Beth M. , Roberts Diana B. , Gidley Paul W.
Published: September 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

To compare the complication rate for osseointegrated hearing aids (OIHA) in patients with or without irradiation.

Study Design

Retrospective case review.

Methods

We studied patients with OIHAs implanted between January 1, 2005, and July 15, 2013 in a tertiary university center with a referral otology and neurotology practice. Demographics, history of oncologic surgery, follow‐up length after OIHA implantation, radiation history and dosage, postoperative complications, and chronologic relationship between oncologic resection, OIHA implantation, and irradiation were reviewed to collect information. Soft tissue complications were graded according to a modified Holgers classification.

Results

The study included 48 patients. Twenty‐nine patients (32 implants) did not undergo radiotherapy and 19 patients (19 implants) did. In the radiotherapy group, six patients had OIHAs implanted before radiotherapy, and 13 had OIHAs implanted in irradiated bone. Of these 13 patients, one had OIHA implanted during primary oncologic surgery; 11 had OIHA implanted during secondary surgery; and one patient did not have oncologic surgery. Patients with both OIHA implantation and radiotherapy had more complications than patients without radiotherapy (31.6% vs. 24.1%, P > 0.05) and more major complications than patients without radiotherapy (26.3% vs. 3.4%, P > 0.05). Patients with OIHAs implanted before radiotherapy did not have any complications. There were significantly fewer and less severe complications in patients with OIHAs implanted during primary oncologic resection than in patients with OIHAs implanted secondarily (0/8 vs. 8/11, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The rate and severity of complications of OIHAs can be minimized by implanting the device before irradiation, ideally at the time of primary oncologic surgery.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 126:1187–1192, 2016
Anatomic basis of the middle temporal artery periosteal rotational flap in otologic surgery
Authors: Talmage Garrick D. , Sunde Jumin , Walker David D. , Atlas Marcus D. , Gluth Michael B.
Published: September 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

To describe the elements critical to successful middle temporal artery periosteal rotational flap harvest and utilization based on the anatomic features of the middle temporal artery.

Study Design

Description of anatomy based on cadaver dissection.

Methods

Seventy temporal fossa dissections were performed on 35 adult human cadavers.

Results

Sixty‐nine of 70 dissections had an identifiable middle temporal artery muscular branch pedicle in the periosteum deep to the temporalis muscle. Pedicle length was at least 7 cm in 32 of 38 (84%) male cadavers and in 20 of 31 (65%) female cadavers (P = 0.054), whereas the average length required to reach the digastric ridge from the pedicle base to the digastric ridge in a mastoidectomy cavity was 5.2 cm. The pedicle sharply transitions from a posterior to a posterior–superior course 0.93 cm superior (range: 0.5–1.9 cm) and 0.04 cm posterior (range: 1.4 cm posterior–0.7 cm anterior) to the spine of Henle. Branching occurred in 26 of 69 pedicles (38%), and 20 of 31 (65%) branches were oriented posteriorly. If temporalis muscle fibers are not incorporated into the flap, the thickness is roughly three times that of a standard temporalis fascia graft.

Conclusion

The muscular branch of the middle temporal artery is reliably identified in the periosteum deep to the posterior aspect of the temporalis muscle, and this vessel is sufficiently robust to provide axial blood supply to a rotational periosteal flap that has sufficient thickness and length to allow a variety of applications in otologic surgery.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 126:1426–1432, 2016
Bronchogenic cancer: It still exists
Authors: Strassen Ulrich , Hofauer Benedikt , Matsuba Yumiko , Becker Karen , Mansour Naglaa , Knopf Andreas
Published: September 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

Branchial cleft cysts rank among the most common differential diagnoses of cystic cervical masses. Rarely, classic cystic structures exhibit a squamous cell carcinoma differentiation that represents a bronchogenic carcinoma. The existence of bronchogenic carcinoma is controversial due to the lack of systematic immunohistologic workup. The present study aimed to identify the clinical and immunohistologic features of bronchogenic carcinoma to clearly distinguish this entity from other cystic cervical masses.

Methods

Immunohistologic (epidermal growth factor receptor; cytokeratin 5, 6, 7, 13; and p16) and epidemiologic assessments were performed for branchial cleft cysts (n = 63), bronchogenic carcinomas (n = 5), cystic metastasized oropharyngeal carcinomas (n = 97), and carcinomas of unknown primary (n = 51). The study was conducted as a retrospective case series study with comparison.

Results

The patients with bronchogenic carcinomas differed significantly in age and in the number of involved lymph nodes compared with the cystic metastasized oropharyngeal carcinoma (and carcinoma of unknown primary) patients. Regular histologic wall structures were only observed in the bronchogenic carcinomas and branchial cleft cysts. Solitary cytokeratin‐7 staining was only observed in the bronchogenic carcinomas, and all of the bronchogenic carcinomas were p16 negative.

Conclusions

The existence of bronchogenic carcinoma seems to be plausible based on clinical findings. Cytokeratin‐7 and p16 staining might be helpful in the diagnostic workflow.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 126:638–642, 2016
Split liver transplantation: Report of right and left graft outcomes from a multicenter Argentinean group
Authors: Halac Esteban , Dip Marcelo , Quiñonez Emilio , Alvarez Fernando , Espinoza Johana Leiva , Romero Pablo , Nievas Franco , Maurette Rafael , Luque Carlos , Matus Daniel , Surraco Paz , Fauda Martin , McCormack Lucas , Mattera Francisco J. , Gondolesi Gabriel , Imventarza Oscar
Published: September 2015

Grafts from split livers (SLs) constitute an accepted approach to expand the donor pool. Over the last 5 years, most Argentinean centers have shown significant interest in increasing the use of this technique. The purpose of this article is to describe and analyze the outcomes of right‐side grafts (RSGs) and left‐side grafts (LSGs) from a multicenter study. The multicenter retrospective study included data from 111 recipients of SL grafts from between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2013. Incidence of surgical complications, patient and graft survival, and factors that affected RSG and LSG survival were analyzed. Grafts types were 57 LSG and 54 RSG. Median follow‐up times for LSG and RSG were 46 and 42 months, respectively. The 36‐month patient and graft survivals for LSG were 83% and 79%, respectively, and for RSG were 78% and 69%, respectively. Retransplantation rates for LSG and RSG were 3.5% and 11%, respectively. Arterial complications were the most common cause of early retransplantation (less than 12 months). Cold ischemia time (CIT) longer than 10 hours and the use of high‐risk donors (age ≥ 40 years or body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 or ≥ 5 days intensive care unit stay) were independent factors for diminished graft survival in RSG. None of the analyzed variables were associated with worse graft survival in LSG. Biliary complications were the most frequent complications in both groups (57% in LSG and 33% in RSG). Partial grafts obtained from liver splitting are an excellent option for patients in need of liver transplantation and have the potential to alleviate the organ shortage. Adequate donor selection and reducing CIT are crucial for optimizing results. Liver Transpl 22:63‐70, 2016. © 2015 AASLD.
PEDOT Dispersed With Sulfobutylated Phenol Formaldehyde Resin: A Highly‐Efficient Hole Transport Material in Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Li Yuan , Zeng Weimei
Published: September 2015

A new sulfobutylated phenol formaldehyde resin (BSPF) was prepared for the first time. Cyclic voltammetry and electron spin resonance were used to investigate oxidation process of BSPF, in which stable oxidation state with radical was formed. Inspired by electron transfer during oxidationof BSPF, water soluble PEDOT:BSPF was prepared using BSPF as semiconductive dopant. As hole transport material (HTM), PEDOT:BSPF was applied in polymer solar cells and showed higher power conversion efficiency than that in case of PEDOT:PSS. PEDOT:BSPF is a very promising HTM for organic electronic devices andBSPF shows great potential as dopant of polymericsemiconductors. A novel perspective for the design ofdopant of semiconductors and high value‐addedapplication of formaldehyde resin were discussed.
Locked‐in–like fulminant infantile Guillain–Barré syndrome associated with herpes simplex virus 1 infection
Authors: Dilena Robertino , Strazzer Sandra , Esposito Susanna , Paglialonga Fabio , Tadini Laura , Barbieri Sergio , Giannini Alberto
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) may rarely manifest as a peripheral locked‐in syndrome.

Methods

Clinical and instrumental features of a fulminant form of infantile GBS were assessed. Results: After 2 days of rhinitis, a 6‐month‐old infant was intubated in the emergency room for sudden‐onset respiratory failure. Neurological examination showed generalized areflexic flaccid paralysis with no detectable interaction, which resembled a coma. Brain MRI was normal. Lumbar puncture showed pleocytosis (43 cells/mm3) and herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) PCR positivity. EEG showed normal sleep–wake cycles, and EMG demonstrated nerve inexcitability. Acyclovir and immunoglobulins provided no benefit. After 1 week, lumbar puncture showed albuminocytological dissociation (protein 217 mg/dl). Plasmapheresis was then started, and progressive improvement occurred. At age 1 year, the child had recovered well with residual distal lower limb hyporeflexic weakness.

Conclusions

A fulminant infantile GBS variant presenting as peripheral locked‐in syndrome can be associated with HSV1 infection likely due to autoimmune cross‐reactivity. Muscle Nerve 53: 140–143, 2016
Endoplasmic reticulum stress is involved in apoptosis of detrusor muscle in streptozocin‐induced diabetic rats
Authors: Wang Dongwen , Yuan Xiaobin , Hu Caoyang , Zhang Bin , Gao Hongfei , Wang Dong , Chi Junjie , Jing Qiang , Wu Shulin , Wu Chin‐Lee
Published: September 2015

Aims

Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) has been proven to be associated with apoptosis and plays a critical role in the development of many diabetic complications. In the pathogenesis of diabetic cystopathy (DCP), the role of ERS is still unclear. Our study is aimed at the investigation of the involvement of ERS‐associated detrusor muscle apoptosis in streptozocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats.

Methods

At different timepoints (4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after induction of type 1 diabetic rat models), hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining was performed to assess the histological changes of the diabetic detrusor; the sub‐cellular ultrastructure, especially the zone of endoplasmic reticulum (ER), was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated DNA nick‐end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to identify the enhanced apoptosis. Moreover, the expression of three hallmarks of ERS‐associated apoptosis, including glucose‐regulated protein 78 (GRP78), CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), and caspase12, was detected by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and Western blot.

Results

Light microscopic impairments of histology, including progressive loosely packed muscle bundles and increased fibrous tissue, can be seen; the ultrastructural changes featuring the swollen and fused cisternaes in ER zone and deformed nucleus were also observed in the detrusor smooth muscle (DSM). Increased apoptosis and elevated expression of GRP78, CHOP, and caspase12 at both protein and mRNA levels in a time‐dependent fashion were detected.

Conclusions

The occurrence of ERS‐associated apoptosis may be involved in the development of DCP and may contribute to the diabetic detrusor impairment. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:65–72, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Build a strong community of adult learners to benefit the whole campus
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: September 2015

CHICAGO — The University of California, Santa Cruz is facing a tough few years going forward. With state tuitions frozen for the next few years and yearly costs increasing 6 percent, searching for out‐of‐the‐box strategies to increase enrollment‐based state funding and tuition revenue has been a forefront project for the campus. In a session at the annual convention for the Society for College and University Planning, Tyrus Miller, vice provost for UCSC; Peggy Delaney, vice chancellor of planning and budget for UCSC; and Alison Galloway, Ph.D., campus provost and executive vice chancellor for UCSC, laid out their plan for increasing master's and doctoral student enrollment from 10 to 15 percent of campus enrollment by 2020.
Focus on data to plan professional development for faculty
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: September 2015

Providing professional development to help faculty members improve their skills teaching online courses can be a particular challenge if a large number of faculty members teach online and your institution doesn't have a big budget for training.
Relationship between calcium channel blocker class and mortality in dialysis
Authors: Wetmore James B. , Mahnken Jonathan D. , Phadnis Milind A. , Ellerbeck Edward F. , Shireman Theresa I.
Published: September 2015

Background and objective

The comparative effectiveness of dihydropyridine (DHP) and non‐DHP calcium channel blockers (CCBs) in maintenance dialysis patients has not been well‐studied.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of hypertensive patients initiating dialysis was created. New CCB initiators, defined as individual who had no evidence of CCB use in the first 90 days of dialysis but who were initiated by day 180, were followed from their first day of medication exposure until event or censoring; events consisted of all‐cause mortality (ACM) and a combined endpoint of cardiovascular morbidity or mortality (CVMM). Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine adjusted hazard ratios (AHRs) comparing the effect of DHPs vs. non‐DHPs.

Results

There were 2900 and 2704 new initiators of CCBs in the ACM and CVMM models, respectively. Adjusted for other factors, use of DHPs, compared to non‐DHPs, was associated with an AHR of 0.77 (99% confidence intervals, 0.64 – 0.93, P = 0.0004) for ACM and 0.86 (0.72 – 1.02, P = 0.024) for CVMM. Results were similar when individuals who initiated therapy at any point after the cohort inception were included, with AHRs of 0.60 (0.53 – 0.69, P < 0.0001) and 0.77 (0.67 – 0.89, P < 0.0001) for ACM and CVMM, respectively. Further, elimination of individuals with chronic atrial fibrillation resulted in AHRs of 0.71 and 0.70 for ACM and CVVM, respectively.

Conclusion

DHPs, as compared to non‐DHPs, were associated with reduced hazard of death or cardiovascular morbidity and mortality; potential mechanisms of action require further study. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photovoltaics literature survey (no. 121)
Authors: Hameiri Ziv
Published: September 2015

In order to help readers stay up‐to‐date in the field, each issue of Progress in Photovoltaics will contain a list of recently published journal articles that are most relevant to its aims and scope. This list is drawn from an extremely wide range of journals, including IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Renewable Energy, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Journal of Applied Physics, and Applied Physics Letters. To assist readers, the list is separated into broad categories, but please note that these classifications are by no means strict. Also note that inclusion in the list is not an endorsement of a paper's quality. If you have any suggestions, please email Ziv Hameiri at ziv.hameiri@unsw.edu.au.
Prevention of fostamatinib‐induced blood pressure elevation by antihypertensive agents
Authors: Lengel Dave , Lamm Bergström Eva , Barthlow Herb , Oldman Karen , Musgrove Helen , Harmer Alex , Valentin Jean‐Pierre , Duffy Paul , Braddock Martin , Curwen Jon
Published: September 2015

Fostamatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor with activity against spleen tyrosine kinase which has completed clinical trials for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In clinical studies fostamatinib treatment was associated with a small elevation of systemic arterial blood pressure (BP), a similar finding to that seen with other kinase inhibitors, especially those that inhibit VEGFR2 signaling. We have investigated the link between fostamatinib‐induced blood pressure elevation and plasma levels of the fostamatinib‐active metabolite R940406 in conscious rats and found the time course of the BP effect correlated closely with changes in R940406 plasma concentration, indicating a direct pharmacological relationship. Free plasma levels of R940406 produced in these studies (up to 346 nmol/L) span the clinically observed mean peak free plasma concentration of 49 nmol/L. We have demonstrated that the blood pressure elevation induced by fostamatinib dosing can be successfully controlled by a variety of methods, notably simple drug withdrawal or codosing with a range of standard antihypertensive agents such as atenolol, captopril, and nifedipine. These findings support potential methods of maintaining patient safety while on fostamatinib therapy. Furthermore, we have demonstrated, using nifedipine as an example agent, that this blood pressure control was not achieved by reduction in plasma exposure of R940406, suggesting that potential benefits from the pharmacology of the investigational drug can be maintained while blood pressure control is managed by use of standard comedications.
Does analytical thinking improve understanding of accumulation?
Authors: Baghaei Lakeh Arash , Ghaffarzadegan Navid
Published: September 2015

People have difficulties inferring the behavior of a stock variable from its inflows and outflows. Our goal is to offer low‐cost interventions to help overcome this difficulty. We hypothesize that the failure to understand accumulation relates to the cognitive mode of thinking: if people use their System 2 mode of thinking (analytical thinking), they are more likely to answer stock–flow questions correctly. We conduct an experiment with 400 participants and test effects of two interventions. The study replicates previously observed stock–flow failure and uncovers several variables that can influence subjects' response to the department store task. One particular finding is that having participants answer an analytical question right before the department store task marginally increases their chances of answering stock–flow questions correctly. Copyright © 2015 System Dynamics Society
AndroGenerator: An automated and configurable android app network traffic generation system
Authors: Su Xin , Zhang Dafang , Li Wenjia , Wang Xiaofei
Published: September 2015

With the rapid growth in the popularity of Android smartphones, a large number of Android applications (or apps) have emerged in both official and alternative Android markets. It is important for network operators and security analysts to understand the network traffic generated by new Android apps for the purposes of network management, app traffic analysis, and malware detection. However, it is time‐consuming and tedious to manually install and run Android apps to generate network traffic. Moreover, existing synthetic network traffic generators are unable to generate network traffic that can accurately reflect the network behaviors of Android apps. In this paper, we propose and implement AndroGenerator, an automated Android network traffic generation system, to generate various types of network traffic that can be produced by Android apps. Our system reproduces the network traffic based on the traffic characteristics extracted from traffic traces captured by running a large number of Android applications from several popular Android markets, such as Google Play. The system first generates network traffic through automated execution of Android applications. Then, the system is also able to extract network characteristics from the captured traffic traces and store the extracted results into a database for benchmarking purposes. Finally, AndroGenerator reproduces Android app traffic based via simulating network characteristics of captured traffic traces. In the experiments, we evaluate our system with real‐world mobile traffic, and the experiment results show that AndroGenerator can reproduce Android app network traffic accurately. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐speed directional relaying using adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system and fundamental component of currents
Authors: Swetapadma Aleena , Yadav Anamika
Published: September 2015

This paper proposes an adaptive neuro‐fuzzy approach for fault direction estimation in sectional transmission lines. The ANFIS (adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system) network is designed by selecting different input and output member functions and rules for training and testing of fault cases. The fundamental component of current obtained from three‐phase current employing discrete Fourier transform (DFT) is given as input to the ANFIS module. The trained ANFIS module is then tested for detecting the fault direction. The relay is located at middle section‐2, which is considered as the primary section to be protected. It takes section‐1 as reverse section and section‐3 as forward section. This method is not affected by the variation of fault type, fault inception angle, fault location, and fault resistance. The biggest advantage of the ANFIS method is that it can detect the fault direction within 1 ms in almost all cases, which is much less than the implemented distance relaying scheme. The second advantage of the method is that it takes less number of training samples to detect the direction accurately as compared to other training algorithms like ANN, SVM, etc. The third advantage of the proposed scheme is that it offers protection to 99% of line length in all the three sections. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Facial expression recognition based on AAM–SIFT and adaptive regional weighting
Authors: Ren Fuji , Huang Zhong
Published: September 2015

The active appearance model (AAM), one of the most effective facial feature localization methods, is widely used in frontal facial expression recognition. However, non‐frontal facial expression recognition is important in many scenarios. Thus, we propose a new method for facial expression recognition based on AAM‐SIFT and adaptive regional weighting. First, multi‐pose AAM templates are used for pose estimation and feature point location of the facial expression image. For effective and efficient description of these feature points, a hybrid representation, which integrates gradient direction histograms based on the descriptors of scale‐invariant feature transform (SIFT) and AAM, is utilized to form AAM‐SIFT features. Meanwhile, according to different expression regions, AAM‐SIFT features are divided into different groups and the obtained adaptive weights by means of a regional weighted method based on the fuzzy C‐means (FCM) clustering algorithm. Finally, the membership degree computed by FCM, which represents the possibility for each class, is regarded as the input feature vector for support vector machine (SVM) classifier. Extensive experiments on BU‐3DFE database with six facial expressions and seven poses demonstrate the effectiveness of different types of weighting strategies and the influence of different features. Comparison with other state‐of‐art methods illustrates that the proposed method not only improves the recognition rates of the frontal face but also has better robustness for non‐frontal facial expressions. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An energy‐efficient cooperative MIMO transmission with data compression in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Peng Yuyang , Youn Chan‐Hyun
Published: September 2015

In this letter, a novel metric for energy‐efficient cooperative transmission with data compression in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is proposed. Under the guidance of the new metric, energy consumption is optimized by considering the correlation between data generated by the sensor nodes. The distance between sensor nodes inside the cluster affecting the data correlation as a key factor is analyzed, and the corresponding optimal value is used to reduce the energy consumption. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Energy Efficiency Architecture Design for Heterogeneous Cellular Networks
Authors: Yang Chungang , Li Jiandong , Anpalagan Alagan
Published: September 2015

Heterogeneous cellular networks (HetNets) have emerged as a new promising paradigm to further enhance capacity, where multiple types of low power smallcells are overlaid in a high power macrocell. They provide more opportunities to explore the potential cognition and cooperation diversities to improve the spectral efficiency. On the other hand, energy efficiency is a critical performance metric, which deserves more attention from academia, industry, and standardization, in particular, in scenarios where smallcells are densely deployed. In this paper, a systematic architecture is presented to efficiently utilize network resources and thus improve the overall energy efficiency. The architecture is referred to as OCRT because it combines a multi‐tier energy efficiency considerations of operators, core networks, radio access networks and terminals (e.g., OCRT). Furthermore, a corresponding triply‐cycle‐based functional structure is proposed for the OCRT to make various interactions between the corresponding functional entities clear. An implementation scheme of OCRT based on cognitive information interaction cycle and an energy efficiency‐aware protocol is presented. Finally, a use case of the presented OCRT green design is provided for energy efficiency optimization in a cognition‐and‐cooperation‐characterized HetNet. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implications of uncertainty in true metabolizable energy estimates for estimating wintering waterfowl carrying capacities
Authors: Livolsi Mark C. , Ringelman Kevin M. , Coluccy John M. , Dibona Matthew T. , Williams Christopher K.
Published: September 2015

Carrying capacity models for wintering waterfowl require estimates of energy availability based on food densities and true metabolizable energy (TME) of various food types. However, because TME values vary widely between studies, estimates of carrying capacity may be less precise than previously acknowledged. We explored how variation in TME values affected estimates of landscape‐level energy availability for American black ducks (Anas rubripes), using 4 distinct approaches for assigning TME values to waterfowl food items collected over the winter period in 2011–2012 and 2012–2013: a “best practices” approach, which typically used average TMEs across species, a minimum and maximum reported values approaches, and a coarse‐scale “order‐average” approach. We found that all 4 approaches yielded significantly different estimates of energy availability across all saltmarsh habitat types. Additionally, we evaluated the potential management implications of variation in TME values by comparing energy supply on 1,223 ha of marsh in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge (DE, USA) using all 4 approaches for assigning TME values. We estimated carrying capacity and modeled depletion of energy on this refuge over a hypothetical wintering period. We found that even relatively small variations in TME values produced highly variable estimates of carrying capacity for the refuge. Thus, we recommend that researchers consider the inherent uncertainty in TME values of waterfowl foods, and explicitly include this variation in carrying capacity models. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.