bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soft tissue sarcoma of the head & neck: Nomogram validation and analysis of staging systems
Authors: Shuman Andrew G. , Brennan Murray F. , Palmer Frank L. , Kuk Deborah , Moraco Nicole , Singer Samuel , Shah Jatin P. , Patel Snehal G.
Published: February 2015

Background and Objectives

Soft tissue sarcomas of the head and neck (STSHN) comprise a rare group of malignancies. Our objective is to determine the utility of soft tissue sarcoma staging systems within the head and neck, and to validate an individualized soft tissue sarcoma nomogram within head and neck primary sites.

Methods

Previously‐untreated patients with STSHN diagnosed and treated between 1982 and 2012 were eligible (n = 319, median follow‐up 46 months). Clinical variables were extracted from a prospectively‐maintained database. The performance of AJCC/UICC and MSK staging systems and a soft tissue sarcoma‐specific nomogram were assessed.

Results

Four‐year overall survival (OS), disease specific survival (DSS), and recurrence‐free survival (RFS) were 72%, 76%, and 71%, respectively. AJCC/UICC and MSK staging systems accurately stratified outcomes (OS, DSS, and RFS; P < 0.001 for all comparisons). The nomogram stratified outcomes by quartile (P < 0.001), and predicted risk of death at 4, 8 and 12 years (P < 0.001). Concordance indices for overall survival for the AJCC/UICC system, MSK system, and the nomogram were 0.71, 0.70, and 0.78, respectively.

Conclusions

Oncologic outcomes among groups of patients with STSHN can be accurately predicted using both the AJCC/UICC and MSK staging systems. A soft tissue sarcoma‐specific nomogram provides reliable, individualized prognostic information for patients with STSHN. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:690–695. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Utility of sentinel lymph node biopsy for solitary dermal melanomas
Authors: Hu Yinin , Shah Puja , Stukenborg George J. , Slingluff Craig L.
Published: February 2015

Background and Objectives

Solitary dermal melanoma (SDM) is melanoma confined to subcutaneous and/or dermal layers in the absence of a known primary cutaneous lesion. We hypothesized that sentinel node biopsy is an effective staging strategy for this rare disease.

Methods

A Markov decision model was constructed to represent two management strategies for SDM: wide local excision followed by observation, and wide local excision followed by sentinel node biopsy. Utilities, likelihood of positive sentinel node biopsy, and cancer progression rates during a five year time horizon were assigned based on institutional data and a review of existing literature. Estimated costs were derived using Medicare reimbursements.

Results

Excision followed by sentinel node biopsy provides greater utility, yielding 3.85 discounted quality‐adjusted life years (dQALY) compared to 3.66 for excision alone. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio for sentinel node biopsy is $19,102 per dQALY. Sensitivity analyzes demonstrated that observation is more cost‐effective if greater than 23% of sentinel node biopsies are positive (16% reported), or if 5‐year survival for observed patients is greater than 76% (69% reported).

Conclusions

Based on existing clinical evidence, sentinel node biopsy yields greater utility than excision alone and is cost‐effective for patients presenting with solitary dermal melanoma. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:800–807. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ultrasound‐assisted emulsification microextraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography for the simultaneous determination of fragrance allergens in cosmetics and water
Authors: Pérez‐Outeiral Jessica , Millán Esmeralda , Garcia‐Arrona Rosa
Published: February 2015

A simple, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly method based on ultrasound‐assisted emulsification microextraction followed by solidification of floating organic drop and high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection was developed for the simultaneous determination of 18 potentially allergenic fragrance substances. Several parameters affecting the microextraction process were investigated in detail by the “one‐variable‐at‐a‐time” approach. Optimal conditions were the following: 50 μL of 2‐dodecanol as extraction solvent, 10 mL of sample containing 150 g/L of salt, and 5 min of sonication at 35°C. Under the optimized conditions, method showed good linearity in the selected ranges, with squared correlation coefficients ranging from 0.948 to 0.999. Limits of detection ranged from 0.001 to 0.154 μg/mL and enrichment factors from 9 to 237. Precision of the method, expressed as relative standard deviation, was checked at two levels obtaining good results (3.3–14.4%). Recovery studies were made in baby bath water and in eau de cologne showing acceptable accuracy. Finally, the developed method was successfully applied to different commercial cosmetic and water samples. The most commonly found analyte was linalool followed by cinnamal and lilial. Most of the analyzed samples contained at least one of the target compounds.
Quality evaluation of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection and chemical fingerprinting coupled with chemometric analysis
Authors: Luo Hongli , Kong Weijun , Hu Yichen , Chen Ping , Wu Xiaoru , Wan Li , Yang Meihua
Published: February 2015

An ultra high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection method is developed for the simultaneous quantitative determination of five water‐soluble compounds including danshensu, protocatechualdehyde, rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid B, and salvianolic acid A in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. samples. Through method optimization, the five compounds all expressed good linearity (R2 > 0.9990) in a wide concentration range together with satisfactory accuracy, precision, and stability. Moreover, through qualitative analysis of the chemical fingerprint combined with similarity analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, principle component analysis, and partial least‐squares discriminate analysis, we determined that the 13 batches of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. were similar in internal quality and the differences resulted from various cultivation environments, recovery elements, and others. Seen from the results of hierarchical cluster analysis and principle component analysis, the classification of 13 batches was in accordance, and partial least‐squares discriminate analysis technique was more suitable than the principle component analysis model to provide a distinct classification of test samples on the basis of their different components. Moreover, a permutation test verified the rationality of partial least‐squares discriminate analysis and variable importance plot showed that peaks 37 and 38 were the most significant variables in distinguishing the Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. samples. The idea of the quantitative and qualitative analysis of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. was convenient, sensitive, and comprehensive, which could be applied to evaluate the quality of more traditional Chinese medicines.
Uniform Polyaniline Nanotubes Formation via Frozen Polymerization and Application for Oxygen Reduction Reactions
Authors: Wang FuKe , Wang Zhijuan , Tana Maureen B. H. , He Chaobin
Published: February 2015

A frozen polymerization technique to prepare uniform polyaniline (PANI) nanotubes is reported, based on the concept of the Kirkendall effect that has been successfully applied for preparation of inorganic hollow nanostructures. Specifically, PANI nanotubes with a uniform diameter of 45 nm are prepared by combination of freezing and templating to control the diffusion of aniline and ammonium persulfate at the PANI interface. Due to the low entropy diffusion at solid state and polymerization at low temperature, ordered packed anilines and high crystalline PANI nanotubes are obtained, which greatly facilitate the conversion to conductive nanotubes with nanoscale graphitic domains at low carbonization temperature. The resulting conductive nanotubes exhibit improved catalytic performance in oxygen reduction reactions, suggesting the high potential application of the frozen polymerization technique in preparation of high performance PANI nanostructures.

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Estimates for norms of two‐weighted summation operators on a tree under some restrictions on weights
Authors: Vasil'eva A. A.
Published: February 2015

The paper is concerned with discrete two‐weighted Hardy‐type inequalities on trees. Here weights are assumed to satisfy some conditions under which estimates for norms of summation operators have sufficiently simple form.
Olive oil phenolic extract regulates interleukin‐8 expression by transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms in Caco‐2 cells
Authors: Muto Eri , Dell'Agli Mario , Sangiovanni Enrico , Mitro Nico , Fumagalli Marco , Crestani Maurizio , De Fabiani Emma , Caruso Donatella
Published: February 2015

In this study, we investigated the ability of a phenolic extract from extra virgin olive oil (OPE) to modulate the inflammatory response in intestinal epithelial cells. Undifferentiated and differentiated Caco‐2 cells were challenged with LPS (50 μg/mL) or IL‐1β (5 ng/mL) to mimic the early and intermediate phase of intestinal inflammation, respectively. The effects of OPE on nuclear factor‐κB‐driven transcription and IL‐8 promoter activity were evaluated in transfection assays, coupled to p65 nuclear translocation. Modulation of IL‐8 mRNA levels by OPE was measured by quantitative RT‐PCR while effects on protein levels by ELISA. Specific mitogen activated protein kinases inhibitors were used to investigate mRNA stability and the involvement of related signaling pathways. OPE prevented IL‐8 expression and secretion in LPS‐treated Caco‐2 cells. In the presence of IL‐1β OPE exhibited opposing effects on IL‐8 gene transcription and mRNA/protein levels. While in IL‐1β‐treated cells IL‐8 promoter activity was inhibited by treatment with OPE, IL‐8 mRNA stability was strongly enhanced, leading to increased protein expression. Inhibitors of p38 and extracellular signal‐regulated kinases partly prevented OPE effect on IL‐8 mRNA levels. Intestinal epithelial cells represent a direct target of the action of olive oil phenols where they regulate IL‐8 expression by transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms.
A Ku‐band 3‐bit phase shifter MMIC using GaAs phemt technology for phased array system
Authors: Tsai Jeng‐Han , Kuo Yin‐Ting , Yu Hao‐Chun
Published: February 2015

A Ku‐band 3‐bit switch‐type phase shifter with low insertion loss, low magnitude variation, and low rms phase error is designed and fabricated on 0.15‐μm pHEMT process. For all eight states, the insertion loss is 6.5 ± 1.5 dB from 10–14 GHz and the input return loss is >8.5 dB over 10–14 GHz. The phase shifter achieves a rms phase error of 2.2° and a rms amplitude error of 0.37 dB at 12 GHz with total chip size of 1.5 ×1 mm2. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:771–774, 2015
A passively harmonically mode‐locked soliton erbium‐doped fiber laser with low pumping threshold using a single‐walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Rosdin Raja Zaimas Raja , Ali Norfizah M. , Arof H. , Harun Sulaiman Wadi
Published: February 2015

We demonstrate a passively harmonically mode‐locked soliton Erbium‐doped fiber laser (EDFL) with low pumping threshold using single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) embedded in poly ethylene oxide (PEO) thin film as a passive saturable absorber. The film with a thickness of 50 μm was fabricated using a prepared homogeneous SWCNT solution with 0.1% loading percentage, which was mixed with a diluted PEO solution and casted onto a glass petri dish to form a thin film by evaporation technique. The film is sandwiched between two fiber connectors to construct a saturable absorber, which is then integrated in an EDFL cavity to generate a stable passive mode‐locking of a soliton laser operating at 1560 nm at the 4th, 7th, and 15th harmonic of fundamental cavity frequency when the pump powers of 1480 nm laser diode are 14.9, 17.5, and 20.1 mW, respectively. The 4th harmonic pulses are characterized in detail with a repetition rate of 44.84 MHz, a transform‐limited pulse width of 1.19 ps, side‐mode suppression ratio of larger than 20 dB and pulse energy of 9.14 pJ. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:799–803, 2015
Fabrication of polymer microfiber by direct drawing
Authors: Irawati Ninik , Suthaskumar M. , John Vallen , Ali Norfizah M. , Ahmad H. , Harun Sulaiman Wadi
Published: February 2015

We report the fabrication of polymer microfiber with high surface smoothness and length uniformity using molten polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) by direct drawing technique. PMMA microfibers with diameters ranging from 6 to 12 μm and lengths up to few centimeters have been drawn by this method. The microfibers' losses are obtained at 0.37, 0.27, and 0.19 dB/mm for the microfibers with diameters of 6, 8, and 12 μm, respectively. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:820–823, 2015
High‐sensitivity refractive index sensors based on in‐line holes in plastic optical fiber
Authors: Shin Jong‐Dug , Park Jaehee
Published: February 2015

In this letter, we propose a compact and simple high‐sensitivity refractive index sensor based on cascaded in‐line holes in multimode plastic optical fiber (POF). Due to multimode nature of the structure, transmittance of a sensor with N in‐line holes becomes the N‐th power of that for a single hole sensor to achieve high sensitivity easily. Experimental results show that a sensor with three 0.7‐mm holes spaced 5‐mm in 1.5‐mm POF exhibited a sensitivity of 43.8 dB/RIU, which is about three times in logarithmic scale that of a 0.7‐mm single‐hole sensor, 14.8 dB/RIU. Similarly, a sensor with three 0.9‐mm holes showed a sensitivity of 62.9 dB/RIU compared to 22.0 dB/RIU for a 0.9‐mm single‐hole sensor. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:918–921, 2015
Enhanced ISAR imaging method using back‐projection and SVA algorithm
Authors: Cho Byung‐Lae , Choi In‐Sik , Rothwell Edward J.
Published: February 2015

We present an inverse synthetic aperture radar image enhancement technique that combines the plane‐wave approximation‐based back‐projection (BP) algorithm and the spatially variant apodization (SVA) method. The SVA technique is applied to reduce the sidelobe levels while retaining the cross‐range resolution. To demonstrate the performance of our algorithm, we compare the conventional fast Fourier transform (FFT)‐based algorithm, the combined FFT and SVA method, the BP algorithm, and the proposed method (combined BP and SVA method). The cross‐range resolution and peak to sidelobe ratio (PSLR) are selected as performance measures. Our algorithm has better resolution than the conventional combined FFT and SVA method, while the combined FFT and SVA method has better PSLR than our method. We validate our algorithm via a numerical simulation and measurements conducted in a compact range. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:993–997, 2015
4 × 25 Gb/s 2.6 mW/Gb/s parallel optical receiver analog front‐end for 100 Gb/s Ethernet
Authors: Chen Yingmei , Luo Xianliang , He Xiaofei , Zhang Yunan , Wang Pengxia
Published: February 2015

A design of 4 × 25 Gb/s parallel optical receiver analog front‐end, including transimpedance amplifier (TIA) and limiting amplifier (LA), is presented in this article. It features a pseudodifferential TIA structure to cancel common mode noise and stabilize circuit. The TIA and LA use regulated cascode technique and four stages interleaving active feedback structure to acquire 23.2 GHz bandwidth and 74.3 dBΩ transimpedance gain. The parallel TIA and LA chip occupies 525 × 1835 μm2 area. It consumes 76 mW per channel and the power consumption per bit is only 2.6 mW/Gb/s. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:974–978, 2015
Study of the performance of dielectric resonator antennas based on the matrix composite of Al2O3 – CaTiO3
Authors: Oliveira L. S. , Gouveia D. X. , Silva M. A. S. , Sombra A. S. B.
Published: February 2015

In this article is present the structural and dielectric microwave properties of Alumina – CaTiO3 ceramic composite with the addition of CaTiO3 and your performance as a dielectric resonator antenna (DRA). Alumina has a negative temperature variation of resonant frequency coefficient τf, while CaTiO3 has a high positive temperature coefficient. Also influence of calcium titanate on densification and porosity of the composite is presented. The CaTiO3 was added (2.5% to 10% wt. amount) in order to analyze changes in the dielectric properties. Samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction. Dielectric properties were investigated by Hakki‐Coleman methods and the experimental characteristics parameters like return loss, bandwidth, and input impedance are presented and compared with numerical simulations. The results obtained shows the formation of secondary phases (Hibonite and TiO2), with the dielectric permittivity and dielectric loss increasing and decreasing with calcium titanate concentration, respectively. The application of DRA was verified and all samples tested presented return loss below −10 dB in the resonant frequency. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:963–969, 2015
Microstrip wideband bandstop filter with open stubs for UWB applications
Authors: Shrestha Bhanu , Kim Nam‐Young
Published: February 2015

This article describes the development of an optimized microstrip wideband bandstop filter (BSF) with open stubs for ultrawideband applications. Simulated results agree with the measured results, demonstrating in the experimental results a 10 dB bandwidth from 4.6 to 7.6 GHz, insertion loss (S21) of −33.9 dB, and minimum return loss (S11) of −0.40 dB at 6.1 GHz. Additionally, an equivalent circuit of the wideband BSF is built to estimate the electromagnetic simulation results for practical realization. The features of the design have a reduced size, wideband rejection, higher insertion loss, and tunable bandwidth, which can be performed by adjusting the L‐shaped stubs (0.41λg and 0.29λg) toward the 50 Ω input and output ports. The designed BSF occupied the size of 0.35λg × 0.29λg. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:1003–1006, 2015
Multiple‐band reflective polarization converter based on complementary L‐shaped metamaterial
Authors: Zhao Jia‐Xin , Xiao Bo‐Xun , Huang Xiao‐Jun , Yang He‐Lin
Published: February 2015

In this article, we numerically and experimentally investigate the electromagnetic responses of multiple‐band reflective polarization based on complementary L‐shaped metamaterial. The proposed reflective polarization converter can convert a linearly polarized wave to its cross‐polarized wave at the five resonant frequencies, which is also can convert the linearly polarized wave to circularly polarized wave at other six resonant frequencies. Furthermore, the incident circularly polarized wave can be transformed into the same rotational direction at five resonant frequencies after reflection, which is different from reflection by conventional materials. Simulations are in reasonable agreements with the experimental results in the entire frequency range, and the polarization conversion ratio is over 90% for both linear and circular polarizations in simulation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:978–983, 2015
Numerical techniques on improving computational efficiency of spectral boundary integral method
Authors: Wang Jinghua , Ma Q. W.
Published: February 2015

Numerical techniques are suggested in this paper, in order to improve the computational efficiency of the spectral boundary integral method, initiated by Clamond & Grue [D. Clamond and J. Grue. A fast method for fully nonlinear water‐wave computations. J. Fluid Mech. 2001; 447: 337–355] for simulating nonlinear water waves. This method involves dealing with the high order convolutions by using Fourier transform or inverse Fourier transform and evaluating the integrals with weakly singular integrands. A de‐singularity technique is proposed here to help in efficiently evaluating the integrals with weak singularity. An anti‐aliasing technique is developed in this paper to overcome the aliasing problem associated with Fourier transform or inverse Fourier transform with a limited resolution. This paper also presents a technique for determining a critical value of the free surface, under which the integrals can be neglected. Numerical tests are carried out on the numerical techniques and on the improved method equipped with the techniques. The tests will demonstrate that the improved method can significantly accelerate the computation, in particular when waves are strongly nonlinear. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pregnancy weight gain charts for obese and overweight women
Authors: Hutcheon Jennifer A. , Platt Robert W. , Abrams Barbara , Himes Katherine P. , Simhan Hyagriv N. , Bodnar Lisa M.
Published: February 2015

Objective

Reference charts for classifying and monitoring pregnancy weight gain in severely obese women do not exist. The goal was to construct pregnancy weight‐gain‐for‐gestational‐age z‐score charts for overweight and obese mothers, stratified by severity of obesity.

Methods

Serial weight gain measurements were abstracted from 1047, 1202, 1267, and 730 overweight, class I, II, and III obese women, respectively, delivering uncomplicated term pregnancies at Magee‐Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. Multi‐level linear regression models were used to express serial weight gain measurements as a function of gestational age.

Results

There were a median [interquartile range] of 11 [9‐12] and 11 [9‐13] serial weight measurements for overweight and obese (class I, II, and III) women, respectively. The rate of weight gain was minimal until 15‐20 weeks and then increased in a slow, linear manner until term. The slope of weight gain flattened as pre‐pregnancy BMI increased. Charts were created describing the mean, standard deviation, and select percentiles of weight gain in class I, II, and III obese and overweight pregnancies.

Conclusions

These charts are an innovative tool for studying the association between gestational weight gain and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Non‐invasive prenatal diagnosis for cystic fibrosis: detection of paternal mutations, exploration of patient preferences and cost analysis
Authors: Hill Melissa , Twiss Philip , Verhoef Talitha I. , Drury Suzanne , McKay Fiona , Mason Sarah , Jenkins Lucy , Morris Stephen , Chitty Lyn S.
Published: February 2015

Objectives

We aim to develop non‐invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) for cystic fibrosis (CF) and determine costs and implications for implementation.

Methods

A next‐generation sequencing assay was developed to detect ten common CF mutations for exclusion of the paternal mutation in maternal plasma. Using uptake data from a study exploring views on NIPD for CF, total test‐related costs were estimated for the current care pathway and compared with those incorporating NIPD.

Results

The assay reliably predicted mutation status in all control and maternal plasma samples. Of carrier or affected adults with CF (n = 142) surveyed, only 43.5% reported willingness to have invasive testing for CF with 94.4% saying they would have NIPD. Using these potential uptake data, the incremental costs of NIPD over invasive testing per 100 pregnancies at risk of CF are £9025 for paternal mutation exclusion, and £26 510 for direct diagnosis.

Conclusions

We have developed NIPD for risk stratification in around a third of CF families. There are economic implications due to potential increased test demand to inform postnatal management rather than to inform decisions around termination of an affected pregnancy. © 2015 The Authors. Prenatal Diagnosis published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proline as a charge stabilizing amino acid in peptide radical cations
Authors: Monney Nicolas P.‐A. , Bally Thomas , Giese Bernd
Published: February 2015

Long distance electron transfer in proteins requires relay stations that can be transitorily oxidized or reduced. Although individual prolines cannot assume this function, because of their high ionization energy, it has been shown that polyprolines have the ability to transfer charges. In order to determine the role of the proline in the hole distribution and transport within a PheProPhe tripeptide, the radical cation of a model compound where the phenylalanines carry two or three methoxy groups, respectively, was generated by flash photolysis. Surprisingly, after equilibration, about two thirds of the holes were found to reside on the phen(OMe)2 instead of the more easily oxidizable phen(OMe)3 moiety. DFT calculations showed that, in most of the accessible conformations, the phen(OMe)2• +‐moiety profits more from stabilization by N‐ and/or O‐lone pairs of neighboring amide groups than the phen(OMe)3• + moiety can, which explains the apparently counterthermodynamic hole distribution. Similar calculations showed that, in several conformers of the natural PheProPhe radical cation, the unpaired electron is delocalized over two amide groups, by residing in a σ MO which links the N‐lone pair of the central proline unit with the O‐lone pair of a proximate amino acid, through hyperconjugation via the intervening C―Cα σ‐bond. The same pattern is found in a model compound, N‐acetylproline dimethylamide. It seems that prolines favor conformers which foster hyperconjugation of two amide groups, which lowers the ionization energy of peptides. One should thus consider such interacting amide groups as potential relay stations in the course of electron transfer in polyprolines. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
‘We have to discuss it’: cancer patients' advance care planning impressions following educational information about cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Authors: Epstein A. S. , Shuk E. , O'Reilly E. M. , Gary K. A. , Volandes A. E.
Published: February 2015

Objective

Most cancer patients desire information about care options at the end of life, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Communicating such care options can be challenging and is part of advance care planning (ACP). Our prior studies with video educational media produced data on patients' categoric preferences (yes/no/unsure) for CPR; however, the thematic underpinnings of these educated preferences in patients treated for advanced cancer aren't well known.

Methods

Qualitative thematic content analysis of participants' responses in a randomized trial of an educational video (V) or narrative (N) about CPR in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancers. Responses were independently coded and categorized for thematic content by two reviewers.

Results

Of 54 study participants, 26 total (41% of V arm, 56% of N arm) articulated questions, comments, or both. Reviewer analyses demonstrated thematic consensus and resulted in seven distinct themes listed in decreasing order of prevalence: (a) ACP should be started early; (b) educational information about CPR affirmed participants' existing beliefs/knowledge/values about advanced illness; (c) participants were apprehensive about ACP but wanted to discuss it; (d) gaps in knowledge about ACP emerged; (e) CPR information was helpful/acceptable; (f) physicians should be involved in ACP; and (g) medical questions about critical illness arose.

Conclusions

Findings identified that while sometimes difficult to discuss, advance care planning is desired, deemed helpful, and ideally begun early by clinicians, and that video education is an appropriate and affirming initiator of discussions. These themes are incorporated into our ongoing research on cancer patient‐specific values and education about care options. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomic tools for the characterization of cell death mechanisms in drug discovery
Authors: Anania Veronica G. , Lill Jennie R.
Published: February 2015

This review focuses on the use of proteomic tools for the characterization of cell death mechanisms that have contributed to drug discovery efforts. Resistance to cell death plays a major role in the development of many diseases, including numerous types of malignancies. Using a multitude of proteomic approaches, including protein–protein interaction studies, phosphorylation site mapping, ubiquitination site identification, and differential quantitative approaches, various cellular death pathways such as apoptosis and necroptosis have been investigated. These studies have aided in the development of therapeutic strategies or allowed dissection of clinical results to evaluate the success of clinical trials in addition to contributing to our understanding of these biological pathways. Here, we address the new wave of discoveries enabled by advancements in mass spectrometric technology and bioinformatic infrastructure that will hopefully lead to clinically efficacious strategies to overcome resistance to apoptosis and therefore offer improved treatment options for patients.
A novel method for obtaining virtual inertial response of DFIG‐based wind turbines
Authors: Zhang Xiangyu , Wang Yi , Fu Yuan , Xu Lie
Published: February 2015

This paper investigates virtual inertia control of doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)‐based wind turbines to provide dynamic frequency support in the event of sudden power change. The relationships among DFIGs' virtual inertia, rotor speed and network frequency variation are analysed, and a novel virtual inertia control strategy is proposed. The proposed control strategy shifts the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) curve to the virtual inertia control curves according to the frequency deviation so as to release the ‘hidden’ kinetic energy and provide dynamic frequency support to the grid. The calculation of the virtual inertia and its control curves are also presented. Compared with a PD regulator‐based inertial controller, the proposed virtual inertia control scheme not only provides fast inertial response in the event of sudden power change but also achieves a smoother recovery to the MPPT operation. A four‐machine system with 30% of wind penetration is simulated to validate the proposed control strategy. Simulation results show that DFIG‐based wind farms can provide rapid response to the frequency deviation using the proposed control strategy. Therefore, the dynamic frequency response of the power grid with high wind power penetration can be significantly improved. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Overexpression of Ku80 Suggests Poor Prognosis of Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Wang Shuai , Wang Zhou , Liu Xiangyan , Liu Yu , Jia Yang
Published: February 2015

Background

Recent studies have shown that Ku80 expression was implicated in development and progression of malignant tumors. In the present study, we analyzed for the first time the expression of Ku80 in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its correlation with clinicopathologic features and patient survival.

Methods

The expression profile of Ku80 was analyzed in 126 cases of locally advanced ESCC and 79 cases of normal subjects as control using immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The associations of Ku80 expression with clinicopathological features were estimated by χ2 test. We further performed univariate and multivariate analyses to identify prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) of patients.

Results

Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses both showed the Ku80 protein expression was significantly higher in ESCC than normal esophageal mucosa and corresponding healthy esophageal mucosa. Statistical analysis suggested a significant correlation of Ku80 overexpression with the tumor size (p = 0.037), differentiation degree (p = 0.018), depth of invasion (p = 0.020), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.045), clinicopathological staging (p = 0.001), and tumor recurrence (p = 0.011) in locally advanced ESCC patients. Moreover, overexpression of Ku80 was associated with reduced OS of patients after surgery (p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis with a Cox proportional hazards model further suggested that Ku80 expression was an independent prognostic indicator for patients’ OS (p = 0.029).

Conclusions

Ku80 was a predictor of tumor’s progression and prognosis of locally advanced ESCC patients. All of these results indicate that assessment of Ku80 level could improve stratification of locally advanced ESCC patients.
The global epidemic of abuse and disrespect during childbirth: History, evidence, interventions, and FIGO's mother−baby friendly birthing facilities initiative
Authors: Miller Suellen , Lalonde Andre
Published: February 2015

Recent evidence indicates that disrespectful/abusive/coercive service delivery by skilled providers in facilities, which results in actual or perceived poor quality of care, is directly and indirectly associated with adverse maternal and newborn outcomes. The present article reviews the evidence for disrespectful/abusive care during childbirth in facilities (DACF), describes examples of DACF, discusses organizations active in a rights‐based respectful maternity care movement, and enumerates some strategies and interventions that have been identified to decrease DACF. It concludes with a discussion of one strategy, which has been recently implemented by FIGO with global partners—the International Pediatrics Association, International Confederation of Midwives, the White Ribbon Alliance, and WHO. This strategy, the Mother and Baby Friendly Birth Facility (MBFBF) Initiative, is a criterion‐based audit process based on human rights' doctrines, and modeled on WHO/UNICEF's Baby Friendly Facility Initiative.
Use of Platelet‐Rich Plasma in Intra‐Articular Knee Injections for Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lai Lawrence P. , Stitik Todd P. , Foye Patrick M. , Georgy John S. , Patibanda Varun , Chen Boqing
Published: February 2015

Objective

To systematically analyze the literature on the use of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) for intra‐articular injections of the knee and its efficacy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Design

Systematic literature reviews were conducted in PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL (ie, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) on October 30, 2013, using the keywords “platelet‐rich plasma” and “knee” and “osteoarthritis.” Inclusion criteria included (1) studies with human subjects, (2) prospective clinical studies (including either clinical trials or observational studies), and (3) full‐text articles published in English. Exclusion criteria were: (1) animal studies; (2) retrospective studies; (3) patients with previous surgical intervention with total knee arthroplasty or reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligaments; and (4) articles not published in English

Results

A total of 319 abstracts and titles were reviewed (60 from PubMed, 250 from Embase, and 9 from CINAHL). A total of 8 relevant journal articles were identified, all of which were published between 2010 and 2013. One‐half of the studies were prospective observational studies that included only PRP treatment; the rest were prospective comparative studies including both PRP and controls—2 were randomized controlled trials. Of the 4 comparative studies, 3 compared PRP with hyaluronic acid, which was considered as a commonly used effective treatment for knee OA; the other one used saline injection (ie, placebo) as the control. Although most of the analyses suffered from small sample size and was thus inconclusive, the findings consistently indicated that PRP might have better outcomes in patients with a lesser degree of degeneration and in younger patients.

Conclusion

PRP intra‐articular injections of the knee may be an effective alternative treatment for knee OA. However, current studies are at best inconclusive regarding the efficacy of the PRP treatment. A large, multicenter randomized trial study is needed to further assess the efficacy of PRP treatment for patients with knee OA.
Doble traducción y contagio de cosmologías: marxismo y cultura indígena maya en el EZLN
Authors: García Rojas Gustavo
Published: February 2015

En este artículo se plantea la doble relación entre sujetos cognoscentes, resultado del encuentro entre agentes de matrices culturales diferenciadas en el surgimiento y construcción del Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional (EZLN). Asimismo, se analizan algunos de los elementos o significantes político-culturales que muestran el contagio producido entre las cosmologías urbano-occidentales y las de origen maya mesoamericano, en la organización neozapatista. Se esboza una explicación de por qué el lado colonial de esta relación (la de los pueblos indígenas de Chiapas) ha prevalecido en la identidad y los principios de lucha en el EZLN.
Simbolismo en el templo parroquial de Santiago Apóstol en Halachó, Yucatán
Authors: Sánchez Rosas Raquel Concepción , Baños Ramírez Othón
Published: February 2015

El objetivo del presente ensayo es señalar el simbolismo y las condiciones históricas que hicieron posible el proyecto formal y la construcción del conjunto parroquial de Santiago Apóstol de Halachó Yucatán. Privilegiamos el análisis de dos de sus principales elementos, fachada y nave, donde se aprecia la clara intención de sus (desconocidos) diseñadores por fortalecer el simbolismo del Santo Patrón. Se trata de un templo parroquial del siglo XVIII que no acude ni al simbolismo ni al modelo espacial de las parroquias del Altiplano virreinal y, si bien no destaca por su calidad artística exquisita o por su monumentalidad, sí lo hace como representación de una arquitectura religiosa novohispana peninsular, a la vez que regional de la Nueva España.
Identidad y desarrollo: el caso de la subregión alta mixe de Oaxaca
Authors: López Santiago Noemí , Barajas Gómez Verónica B.
Published: February 2015

En lugares como la Subregión Alta Mixe, conjunto de seis comunidades indígenas del estado de Oaxaca, la tierra otorga sentido de identidad y pertenencia. El objetivo del presente artículo es mostrar la relación entre identidad y capital social, como elementos fundamentales para la conservación de recursos naturales y el desarrollo, considerándola cosmovisión indígena, sus capacidades y formas de organización. Se encontró evidencia de que a partir del tequio, la gente encuentra nuevos campos de oportunidad que se traducen en el aprovechamiento de sus habilidades individuales y colectivas, mismas que se articulan para impulsar procesos de transformación económica, política, social, cultural y ambiental, destinados a dinamizar actividades con capacidad para generar mejores niveles de bienestar para la población.
Democratic Limits to Redistribution: Inclusionary versus Exclusionary Coalitions in the Knowledge Economy
Authors: Iversen Torben , Soskice David
Published: February 2015

The knowledge economy, deindustrialization, and the decline of Fordism have undermined the economic complementarities that once existed between skilled and semiskilled workers. The result has everywhere been a decline in coordinated wage bargaining and unionization and a notable rise in labor market inequality. Yet, the political responses have been very different across advanced democracies. While labor markets for part-time and temporary employment have been deregulated across the board, some countries have compensated losers through increased cash transfers and active labor market programs and others have allowed inequality and insider-outsider divisions to grow deeper. The article argues that the divergent government responses reflect differences in underlying electoral coalitions, and that these in turn mirror the structure of party and electoral systems. The authors support their argument with evidence for government responses to economic shocks in the period 1980 to 2010.
Multi-level control of zero-moment point-based humanoid biped robots: a review
Authors: Al-Shuka Hayder F. N. , Corves B. , Zhu Wen-Hong , Vanderborght B.
Published: February 2015

Researchers dream of developing autonomous humanoid robots which behave/walk like a human being. Biped robots, although complex, have the greatest potential for use in human-centred environments such as the home or office. Studying biped robots is also important for understanding human locomotion and improving control strategies for prosthetic and orthotic limbs. Control systems of humans walking in cluttered environments are complex, however, and may involve multiple local controllers and commands from the cerebellum. Although biped robots have been of interest over the last four decades, no unified stability/balance criterion adopted for stabilization of miscellaneous walking/running modes of biped robots has so far been available. The literature is scattered and it is difficult to construct a unified background for the balance strategies of biped motion. The zero-moment point (ZMP) criterion, however, is a conservative indicator of stabilized motion for a class of biped robots. Therefore, we offer a systematic presentation of multi-level balance controllers for stabilization and balance recovery of ZMP-based humanoid robots.
The importance of manganese in the cytoplasmic maturation of cattle oocytes: blastocyst production improvement regardless of cumulus cells presence duringin vitromaturation
Authors: Anchordoquy Juan Patricio , Anchordoquy Juan Mateo , Sirini Matias Angel , Testa Juan Alberto , Peral-García Pilar , Furnus Cecilia Cristina
Published: February 2015

Adequate dietary intake of manganese (Mn) is required for normal reproductive performance in cattle. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Mn duringin vitromaturation of bovine cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) on apoptosis of cumulus cells, cumulus expansion, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the COC. The role of cumulus cells on Mn transport and subsequent embryo development was also evaluated. Early apoptosis decreased in cumulus cells matured with Mn compared with medium alone. Cumulus expansion did not show differences in COC matured with or without Mn supplementation. SOD activity was higher in COC matured with 6 ng/ml Mn than with 0 ng/ml Mn. Cleavage rates were higher in COC and denuded oocytes co-cultured with cumulus cells, either with or without Mn added toin vitromaturation (IVM) medium. Regardless of the presence of cumulus cells during IVM, the blastocyst rates were higher when 6 ng/ml Mn was supplemented into IVM medium compared with growth in medium alone. Blastocyst quality was enhanced when COC were matured in medium with Mn supplementation. The results of the present study indicated that Mn supplementation to IVM medium enhanced the ‘health’ of COC, and improved subsequent embryo development and embryo quality.
Cardiovascular and metabolic risk markers are related to parasympathetic indices in pre-pubertal adolescents
Authors: Cayres Suziane U. , Vanderlei Luiz Carlos M. , Silva Danilo R. P. , Lima Manoel Carlos S. , Barbosa Maurício F. , Fernandes Rômulo A.
Published: February 2015

Objective

To analyse the relationship between different heart rate variability indices, resting heart rate, and cardiovascular markers in adolescents.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out with information from an ongoing cohort study. The sample was composed of 99 adolescents who complied with the following inclusion criteria: aged between 11 and 14 years; enrolled in a school unit of elementary education; absence of any known diseases; no drug consumption; and a formal consent signed by the parents or legal guardians. Weight, height, heart rate variability, lipid profile, inflammatory markers, blood pressure, resting heart rate, intima-media thickness, blood flow, and trunk fatness were measured. Partial correlation and linear regression (expressed by β and 95% confidence intervals [95%CI]) analyses were used to analyse the relationships between the variables.

Results

In the linear regression analysis, even after adjustments for sex, age, trunk fatness, and somatic maturation, parasympathetic activity presented significant correlations with maximum carotid artery blood flow (β=−0.111 [95%CI=−0.216; −0.007]), systolic blood pressure (β=−0.319 [95%CI=−0.638; −0.001]), and resting heat rate (β=−0.005 [95%CI=−0.009; −0.002]).

Conclusion

Parasympathetic activity at rest is inversely related to maximum and minimum blood flow, triacylglycerol levels, and systolic blood pressure. These findings suggest that heart rate variability has the potential to discriminate pre-pubertal adolescents at increased risk.
The influence of language-switching experience on the bilingual executive control advantage
Authors: VERREYT NELE , WOUMANS EVY , VANDELANOTTE DAVY , SZMALEC ARNAUD , DUYCK WOUTER
Published: February 2015

In an ongoing debate, bilingual research currently discusses whether bilingualism enhances non-linguistic executive control. The goal of this study was to investigate the influence of language-switching experience, rather than language proficiency, on this bilingual executive control advantage. We compared the performance of unbalanced bilinguals, balanced non-switching, and balanced switching bilinguals on two executive control tasks, i.e. a flanker and a Simon task. We found that the balanced switching bilinguals outperformed both other groups in terms of executive control performance, whereas the unbalanced and balanced non-switching bilinguals did not differ. These findings indicate that language-switching experience, rather than high second-language proficiency, is the key determinant of the bilingual advantage in cognitive control processes related to interference resolution.
Understanding the epigenetics of neurodevelopmental disorders and DOHaD
Authors: Kubota T. , Miyake K. , Hariya N. , Mochizuki K.
Published: February 2015

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis refers to the concept that ‘malnutrition during the fetal period induces a nature of thrift in fetuses, such that they have a higher change of developing non-communicable diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, if they grow up in the current well-fed society.’ Epigenetics is a chemical change in DNA and histones that affects how genes are expressed without alterations of DNA sequences. Several lines of evidence suggest that malnutrition during the fetal period alters the epigenetic expression status of metabolic genes in the fetus and that this altered expression can persist, and possibly lead to metabolic disorders. Similarly, mental stress during the neonatal period can alter the epigenetic expression status of neuronal genes in neonates. Moreover, such environmental, stress-induced, epigenetic changes are transmitted to the next generation via an acquired epigenetic status in sperm. The advantage of epigenetic modifications over changes in genetic sequences is their potential reversibility; thus, epigenetic alterations are potentially reversed with gene expression. Therefore, we potentially establish ‘preemptive medicine,’ that, in combination with early detection of abnormal epigenetic status and early administration of epigenetic-restoring drugs may prevent the development of disorders associated with the DOHaD.