bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Dual Roles of Phenylenediamines: Using their Voltammetric Behavior to Measure the Hydrogen Donor and Acceptor Abilities of Alcohols in Acetonitrile
Authors: Tessensohn Malcolm E. , Lim Sihao , Miechie  , Koh Yu Rong , Hirao Hajime , Webster Richard D.
Published: September 2017

Cyclic voltammetry experiments on 2,3,5,6‐tetramethyl‐1,4‐phenylenediamine (P) in acetonitrile in the presence of varying concentrations of alcohols indicate that the oxidized forms of the compound (P.+ and P2+) interact with the alcohols through a hydrogen‐bonding mechanism where P.+ and P2+ act as the hydrogen donor and the alcohols act as acceptors. However, the neutral form (P) largely acts as a hydrogen acceptor but only for strong hydrogen donors that do not undergo proton‐transfer reactions with the phenylenediamine. These results were ascertained based on measuring the difference in potential of the two one‐electron transfer reactions (ΔEPox(1, 2)=|EPox(1)−EPox(2)|) in the oxidative electrochemistry of P, which thereby allows a simple measure of relative hydrogen bonding strengths.
Solar Water Splitting Utilizing a SiC Photocathode, a BiVO4 Photoanode, and a Perovskite Solar Cell
Authors: Iwase Akihide , Kudo Akihiko , Numata Youhei , Ikegami Masashi , Miyasaka Tsutomu , Ichikawa Naoto , Kato Masashi , Hashimoto Hideki , Inoue Haruo , Ishitani Osamu , Tamiaki Hitoshi
Published: September 2017

We have successfully demonstrated solar water splitting using a newly fabricated photoelectrochemical system with a Pt‐loaded SiC photocathode, a CoOx‐loaded BiVO4 photoanode, and a perovskite solar cell. Detection of the evolved H2 and O2 with a 100 % Faradaic efficiency indicates that the observed photocurrent was used for water splitting. The solar‐to‐hydrogen (STH) efficiency was 0.55 % under no additional bias conditions.
Determination of background, signal‐to‐noise, and dynamic range of a flow cytometer: A novel practical method for instrument characterization and standardization
Authors: Giesecke Claudia , Feher Kristen , von Volkmann Konrad , Kirsch Jenny , Radbruch Andreas , Kaiser Toralf
Published: September 2017

A well‐defined scale calibration in flow cytometry can improve many aspects of data acquisition such as cytometer setup, instrument comparison and sample comparison. The theory for scale calibration was proposed by Steen over two decades ago, but it has never been put into regular use due to the lack of a widely available precision light source. The introduction of such a light source, the quantiFlashTM , gave this possibility. Here, we describe how this light source can be used to characterize a cytometer's PMT performance. We, therefore, characterized the instrument's response over the entire PMT voltage range. As a consequence, we propose a practical method to characterize a cytometer's signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and dynamic range (DNR). This allows the selection of a voltage/gain corresponding to a PMT's maximum efficiency and hence the lowest electronic noise, which can help with experiment design. We further introduced a decibel (dB) scale for the presentation of SNR and DNR values. SNR and DNR are stand‐alone values that allow the direct comparison of different instruments. Finally, with this method, it becomes clear that increased SNR comes at the expense of DNR and thus the limiting factor of modern cytometers is the DNR. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Assessing the potential of translocating vulnerable forest birds by searching for novel and enduring climatic ranges
Authors: Fortini Lucas B. , Kaiser Lauren R. , Vorsino Adam E. , Paxton Eben H. , Jacobi James D.
Published: September 2017

Hawaiian forest birds are imperiled, with fewer than half the original >40 species remaining extant. Recent studies document ongoing rapid population decline and project complete climate‐based range losses for the critically endangered Kaua'i endemics ‘akeke’e (Loxops caeruleirostris) and ‘akikiki (Oreomystis bairdi) by end‐of‐century due to projected warming. Climate change facilitates the upward expansion of avian malaria into native high elevation forests where disease was historically absent. While intensified conservation efforts attempt to safeguard these species and their habitats, the magnitude of potential loss and the urgency of this situation require all conservation options to be seriously considered. One option for Kaua’i endemics is translocation to islands with higher elevation habitats. We explored the feasibility of interisland translocation by projecting baseline and future climate‐based ranges of ‘akeke’e and ‘akikiki across the Hawaiian archipelago. For islands where compatible climates for these species were projected to endure through end‐of‐century, an additional climatic niche overlap analysis compares the spatial overlap between Kaua’i endemics and current native species on prospective destination islands. Suitable climate‐based ranges exist on Maui and Hawai'i for these Kaua'i endemics that offer climatically distinct areas compared to niche distributions of destination island endemics. While we recognize that any decision to translocate birds will include assessing numerous additional social, political, and biological factors, our focus on locations of enduring and ecologically compatible climate‐based ranges represents the first step to evaluate this potential conservation option. Our approach considering baseline and future distributions of species with climatic niche overlap metrics to identify undesirable range overlap provides a method that can be utilized for other climate‐vulnerable species with disjointed compatible environments beyond their native range.
Comparison of Carbazole and Fluorene Donating Effects on the Two‐Photon Absorption and Nitric Oxide Photorelease Capabilities of a Ruthenium–Nitrosyl Complex
Authors: Enriquez‐Cabrera Alejandro , Lacroix Pascal G. , Sasaki Isabelle , Mallet‐Ladeira Sonia , Farfán Norberto , Barba‐Barba Rodrigo M. , Ramos‐Ortiz Gabriel , Malfant Isabelle
Published: September 2017

A ruthenium–nitrosyl derivative of formula [RuII(CzT)(bipy)(NO)](PF6)3 [CzT = 4′‐(N‐ethylcarbazol‐3‐yl)‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine, bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridine] has been synthesized and fully characterized, and compared with the previously reported [RuII(FT)(bipy)(NO)](PF6)3 complex [FT = 4′‐(9,9‐dihexyl‐9H‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine]. Additionally, the X‐ray crystal structure of [RuII(CzT)(bipy)(NO2)](PF6), the precursor of [RuII(CzT)(bipy)(NO)](PF6)3, is reported. The presence of a tertiary amine in the carbazole unit leads to redshifted charge‐transfer transitions towards the electron‐withdrawing Ru–NO fragment and hence enhanced two‐photon absorption (TPA) properties. In contrast, the quantum yield of the NO· photorelease process is lower for the carbazole‐containing complex. The issue of optimization of the TPA versus NO·‐release capabilities is addressed.
Structural and Computational Investigation of Intramolecular N···H Interactions in α‐ and β‐Fluorinated 7‐Azaindoline Amides
Authors: Brewitz Lennart , Noda Hidetoshi , Kumagai Naoya , Shibasaki Masakatsu
Published: September 2017

Novel fluorinated N1‐acylated 7‐azaindolines have been synthesized and their conformations analyzed by X‐ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy: Unusual intramolecular interactions between the 7‐nitrogen and amide α‐hydrogen atoms were identified. The strength of these interactions correlate with the electron‐withdrawing character of the amide α substituents. A combination of experimental and computational approaches revealed a significant substituent effect when the substituent (H, OMe, F, CN) at the 4‐position of the 7‐azaindoline scaffold was varied. As these intramolecular interactions also occur in non‐fluorinated N1‐acylated 7‐azaindolines and similar heterocycles, this study is relevant to medicinal chemistry: The results will facilitate the prediction of the predominant conformations of N1‐acylated‐7‐azaindoline‐containing bioactive molecules and thus potentially contribute to drug discovery programs.
Fundamentals of affinity cell separations
Authors: Zhang Ye , Lyons Veronica , Pappas Dimitri
Published: September 2017

Cell separations using affinity methods continue to be an enabling science for a wide variety of applications. In this review, we discuss the fundamental aspects of affinity separation, including the competing forces for cell capture and elution, cell‐surface interactions, and models for cell adhesion. Factors affecting separation performance such as bond affinity, contact area, and temperature are presented. We also discuss and demonstrate the effects of nonspecific binding on separation performance. Metrics for evaluating cell separations are presented, along with methods of comparing separation techniques for cell isolation using affinity capture.
Sample preconcentration from dilute solutions on micro/nanofluidic platforms: A review
Authors: Fu Lung‐Ming , Hou Hui‐Hsiung , Chiu Ping‐Hsien , Yang Ruey‐Jen
Published: September 2017

Biochemical detection plays a critical role in many analytical fields. For example, blood samples include many proteins with relevance to disease diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring. Foods and beverages contain a large number of chemicals and compounds which must be quantified and characterized to ensure their compliance with safety standards. Detecting trace amounts of contaminants in ambient air or water samples is essential in monitoring the environment and protecting human health. Therefore, effective techniques for performing the rapid and reliable detection of targeted analytes are required. Compared to conventional macroscale devices, microfluidic systems have many advantages, including a greater sensitivity, a faster response time, a reduced sample and reagent consumption, and a greater portability. Accordingly, many microfluidic systems for sample detection have been proposed in recent years. The performance of such devices relies on the target analyte being present in a sufficient concentration to enable its detection. In many biomedical, food testing and environmental applications, the detection limit was restricted. Thus, the sample must first be concentrated before the detection process is carried out. Accordingly, this review provides a comprehensive review of recent advances for sample preconcentration with emphasis on utilizing ion concentration polarization (ICP) effects in micro/nanofluidics platforms. We start with a brief introduction regarding the importance of preconcentration using micro/nanofluidics platforms, followed by in‐depth discussions of the ICP effects for the preconcentration and applications to biomedical analysis, food testing and environmental monitoring. Finally, the article concludes with a brief perspective on the future development of the field.
Bis-(3-allyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) sulfone decreases embryonic viability and alters hepatic mRNA expression at two distinct developmental stages in chicken embryos exposed via egg injection
Authors: Crump Doug , Chiu Suzanne , Williams Kim L.
Published: September 2017

Concerns surrounding the toxicological effects and environmental prevalence of bisphenol A (BPA) have increased efforts to identify suitable safer replacement alternatives. Bis-(3-allyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) sulfone (TGSH) represents a potential BPA alternative; however, exposure and ecotoxicological data are scarce. To determine effects on embryonic viability, development, and hepatic mRNA expression at 2 distinct developmental periods (midincubation [day 11] and pipping [days 20–21]), TGSH was injected into the air cell of unincubated, fertilized chicken embryos at 4 concentrations ranging from 0 to 180 μg/g egg. Concentrations of TGSH increased in a dose-dependent manner in whole-embryo homogenates, and the estimated median lethal dose (LD50) based on embryonic viability at midincubation was 66 µg/g (95% confidence interval = 31–142 µg/g), which is similar to the BPA LD50 (∼ 67 μg/g) reported in a previous study. Modulation of hepatic gene targets from a chicken ToxChip polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array was observed at both developmental stages. At midincubation, 21/43 genes on the PCR array were significantly altered (by >1.5-fold) in the 180 μg/g dose group, whereas 9 and 6/43 were altered at pipping in the 9.2 and 48 μg/g groups, respectively. Predominant toxicity pathways included xenobiotic metabolism, lipid homeostasis, bile acid synthesis, and cell cycle regulation. The estrogen-responsive gene apolipoprotein II was significantly up-regulated in liver tissue of midincubation embryos at 180 μg/g; however, neither apolipoprotein II nor vitellogenin II were altered at the other concentrations or developmental time points. Given the importance of identifying suitable BPA replacement alternatives, the present study provides novel, whole-animal toxicological data for a BPA replacement alternative that has an effect on embryonic viability similar to that of the compound it could replace. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:530–537. © 2017 SETAC
Stanniferous magnetite composition from the Haobugao skarn Fe–Zn deposit, southern Great Xing'an Range: Implication for mineral depositional mechanism
Authors: Wang Xiangdong , Wei Wei , Lv Xinbiao , Fan Xiejun , Wang Shaobin
Published: September 2017

The Great Xing'an Range in north‐eastern China hosts numerous super‐large Ag–Pb–Zn deposits and some Fe–Sn deposits. The Mesozoic Haobugao Fe–Zn polymetallic skarn deposit in the southern Great Xing'an Range is contemporaneous with the regional Ag–Pb–Zn mineralization. Numerous ore bodies are hosted in the Lower Permian carbonate strata or along the contact with the Early Cretaceous granite. According to the field and systematic petrography and mineralography research, the Haobugao mineralization phases are divided into 3 paragenetic stages: prograde stage, retrograde stage, and sulphide stage. Magnetite mainly occurred in the retrograde stage and replaced the anhydrous skarn minerals (e.g., garnet and diopside). Two types of magnetite (Mag1 and Mag2), including 6 subtypes, can be distinguished based on the scanning electron microscopy and back scattered electron images. Electron probe microanalysis and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer analysis were used to determine major and trace elements in different types of magnetite. Mag1 has higher Ti and V concentrations than Mag2, indicating a relatively higher depositional temperature. Mag1 also contains relatively higher Mg and Mn concentrations, coupled with much lower Si and Al concentrations, which reflects a low fluid/rock ratio at the site of Mag1 deposition. Element variation features of Mag1 and Mag2 reveal that the Haobugao mineralization fluids gradually evolved from high‐temperature and low fluid/rock ratio fluids to relatively low‐temperature and high fluid/rock ratio fluids. However, electron probe microanalysis data of Mag2 display significantly higher Sn concentrations (up to 2.82 wt.%) than that in Mag1, which indicates that Sn can be incorporated into magnetite crystal lattice. We propose a possible substitution mechanism of Sn4+ + Mn2+ = 2Fe3+, supported by the strongly positive correlation between Sn4+ and Mn2+, whereby a substitution of Sn4+ for Fe3+ in octahedral sites of magnetite requires a compensatory substitution of Mn2+ for Fe3+ to maintain the charge balance.
Zircon U–Pb geochronology and geochemistry of Devonian plagiogranites in the Kuerti area of southern Chinese Altay, northwest China: Petrogenesis and tectonic evolution of late Paleozoic ophiolites
Authors: Shen Xiao‐Ming , Zhang Hai‐Xiang , Wang Qiang , Saha Abhishek , Ma Lin
Published: September 2017

This study presents zircon U–Pb geochronology with major, trace, rare earth element and Sr–Nd isotope geochemistry for plagiogranite dyke swarms occurring within the gabbro unit of the lower part of the Kuerti ophiolite in southern Chinese Altay, Northwest China. These intrusive plagiogranites cut across the metamorphic zone consisting of amphibolites that are related to hydrothermal alteration and shearing of gabbros. LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U–Pb dating of 2 plagiogranite samples yields approximately 390 Ma age of origin. They are geochemically characterized by relatively high SiO2 and Na2O, low K2O, TiO2, and Al2O3 contents, with marked enrichment in light rare earth elements and depletion in Nb, Ta, and Ti. They have slightly higher initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7040 to 0.7049), lower εNd(t) values (+3.6 to +6.3), and higher Th contents (2.84–11.9 ppm) than those (0.7034 to 0.7048, +7.2 to +10.3, and 0.04 to 1.79) of closely associated amphibolites. Geological and geochemical attributes suggest that the plagiogranites were generated by the anatexis of hydrated and hydrothermally altered amphibolites and minor sediments from oceanic crust during shearing at low pressure (<0.1 GPa) and temperature (<850 °C) conditions in a suprasubduction zone setting. The ridge subduction at approximately 390 Ma caused the upwelling of the hot asthenosphere and triggered the spreading of the Kuerti back‐arc basin, followed by the formation of the plagiogranites in the Kuerti ophiolite.
Online assessment of risk factors for dementia and cognitive function in healthy adults
Authors: Huntley J. , Corbett A. , Wesnes K. , Brooker H. , Stenton R. , Hampshire A. , Ballard C.
Published: September 2017

Objective

Several potentially modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia have been identified, including low educational attainment, smoking, diabetes, physical inactivity, hypertension, midlife obesity, depression, and perceived social isolation. Managing these risk factors in late midlife and older age may help reduce the risk of dementia; however, it is unclear whether these factors also relate to cognitive performance in older individuals without dementia.

Method

Data from 14 201 non‐demented individuals aged >50 years who enrolled in the online PROTECT study were used to examine the relationship between cognitive function and known modifiable risk factors for dementia. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted on 4 cognitive outcomes assessing verbal and spatial working memory, visual episodic memory, and verbal reasoning.

Results

Increasing age was associated with reduced performance across all tasks. Higher educational achievement, the presence of a close confiding relationship, and moderate alcohol intake were associated with benefits across all 4 cognitive tasks, and exercise was associated with better performance on verbal reasoning and verbal working memory tasks. A diagnosis of depression was negatively associated with performance on visual episodic memory and working memory tasks, whereas being underweight negatively affected performance on all tasks apart from verbal working memory. A history of stroke was negatively associated with verbal reasoning and working memory performance.

Conclusion

Known modifiable risk factors for dementia are associated with cognitive performance in non‐demented individuals in late midlife and older age. This provides further support for public health interventions that seek to manage these risk factors across the lifespan.
White matter integrity of central executive network correlates with enhanced brain reactivity to smoking cues
Authors: Bi Yanzhi , Yuan Kai , Yu Dahua , Wang Ruonan , Li Min , Li Yangding , Zhai Jinquan , Lin Wei , Tian Jie
Published: September 2017

The attentional bias to smoking cues contributes to smoking cue reactivity and cognitive declines underlines smoking behaviors, which were probably associated with the central executive network (CEN). However, little is known about the implication of the structural connectivity of the CEN in smoking cue reactivity and cognitive control impairments in smokers. In the present study, the white matter structural connectivity of the CEN was quantified in 35 smokers and 26 non‐smokers using the diffusion tensor imaging and deterministic fiber tractography methods. Smoking cue reactivity was evaluated using cue exposure tasks, and cognitive control performance was assessed by the Stroop task. Relative to non‐smokers, smokers showed increased fractional anisotropy (FA) values of the bilateral CEN fiber tracts. The FA values of left CEN positively correlated with the smoking cue‐induced activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and right middle occipital cortex in smokers. Meanwhile, the FA values of left CEN positively correlated with the incongruent errors during Stroop task in smokers. Collectively, the present study highlighted the role of the structural connectivity of the CEN in smoking cue reactivity and cognitive control performance, which may underpin the attentional bias to smoking cues and cognitive deficits in smokers. The multimodal imaging method by forging links from brain structure to brain function extended the notion that structural connections can modulate the brain activity in specific projection target regions. Hum Brain Mapp 38:6239–6249, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A multisample study of longitudinal changes in brain network architecture in 4–13‐year‐old children
Authors: Wierenga Lara M. , van den Heuvel Martijn P. , Oranje Bob , Giedd Jay N. , Durston Sarah , Peper Jiska S. , Brown Timothy T. , Crone Eveline A. ,   The Pediatric Longitudinal Imaging, Neurocognition, and Genetics Study
Published: September 2017

Recent advances in human neuroimaging research have revealed that white‐matter connectivity can be described in terms of an integrated network, which is the basis of the human connectome. However, the developmental changes of this connectome in childhood are not well understood. This study made use of two independent longitudinal diffusion‐weighted imaging data sets to characterize developmental changes in the connectome by estimating age‐related changes in fractional anisotropy (FA) for reconstructed fibers (edges) between 68 cortical regions. The first sample included 237 diffusion‐weighted scans of 146 typically developing children (4–13 years old, 74 females) derived from the Pediatric Longitudinal Imaging, Neurocognition, and Genetics (PLING) study. The second sample included 141 scans of 97 individuals (8–13 years old, 62 females) derived from the BrainTime project. In both data sets, we compared edges that had the most substantial age‐related change in FA to edges that showed little change in FA. This allowed us to investigate if developmental changes in white matter reorganize network topology. We observed substantial increases in edges connecting peripheral and a set of highly connected hub regions, referred to as the rich club. Together with the observed topological differences between regions connecting to edges showing the smallest and largest changes in FA, this indicates that changes in white matter affect network organization, such that highly connected regions become even more strongly imbedded in the network. These findings suggest that an important process in brain development involves organizing patterns of inter‐regional interactions. Hum Brain Mapp 39:157–170, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Surgical anatomy of the hypoglossal nerve: A new classification system for selective upper airway stimulation
Authors: Heiser Clemens , Knopf Andreas , Hofauer Benedikt
Published: September 2017

Background

Selective upper airway stimulation (UAS) has shown effectiveness in treating patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The terminating branches of the hypoglossal nerve show a wide complexity, requiring careful discernment of a functional breakpoint between branches for inclusion and exclusion from the stimulation cuff electrode. The purpose of this study was to describe and categorize the topographic phenotypes of these branches.

Methods

Thirty patients who received an implant with selective UAS from July 2015 to June 2016 were included. All implantations were recorded using a microscope and resultant tongue motions were captured perioperatively for comparison.

Results

Eight different variations of the branches were encountered and described, both in a tabular numeric fashion and in pictorial schema.

Conclusion

The examinations showed the complex phenotypic surgical anatomy of the hypoglossal nerve. A schematic classification system has been developed to help surgeons identify the optimal location for cuff placement in UAS.
Thyroid‐stimulating hormone suppression therapy for differentiated thyroid cancer: The role for a combined T3/T4 approach
Authors: Fussey Jonathan Mark , Khan Habib , Ahsan Farhan , Prashant Ravi , Pettit Laura
Published: September 2017

Background

In the management of differentiated thyroid carcinoma, surgery with or without postoperative radioiodine, and thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression is the standard of care in most patients. Levothyroxine is recommended for long‐term TSH suppression. For some patients, this may be difficult to tolerate due to adverse effects, such as impaired cognitive function.

Methods

This article reviews the evidence for the role of combination treatment with triiodothyronine (T3) and levothyroxine (T4) in these patients.

Results

The evidence for combination T3 and T4 treatment comes mainly from studies on hypothyroidism, and research into its use for TSH suppression is limited.

Conclusion

Although the evidence base is not strong, there is a small group of patients who may benefit from combination T3 and T4 treatment due to difficulty tolerating thyroxine. Until further evidence is available, a case‐by‐case approach is recommended.
Deregulation of selected microRNAs in sinonasal carcinoma: Value of miR‐21 as prognostic biomarker in sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kovarikova Helena , Bubancova Ivana , Laco Jan , Sieglova Katerina , Vosmikova Hana , Vosmik Milan , Dundr Pavel , Nemejcova Kristyna , Michalek Jaroslav , Palicka Vladimir , Chmelarova Marcela
Published: September 2017

Background

Tumors occurring in the sinonasal area are characterized by unfavorable outcome due to difficult diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the disease corresponding with the anatomic complexity of the area.

Methods

We used quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to compare relative expression of miR‐21, miR‐141, and miR‐200c in 70 formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded samples of sinonasal carcinoma tissue (majority of squamous cell carcinoma [SCC] samples) with 17 control samples of sinonasal tissue.

Results

Our data showed significant upregulation of miR‐21 in sinonasal cancer tissue. Expression levels of miR‐141 and miR‐200c were below detectable levels in both sinonasal cancer samples and healthy tissue. Kaplan‐Meier analysis with log‐rank survival showed that patients with SCC with high expression of miR‐21 (highest quartile) had impaired survival close to reaching statistical significance (P = .0630).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that miR‐21 upregulation is involved in tumorigenesis of sinonasal carcinoma and that it is associated with poor prognosis. Thus, miR‐21 could be used as a valuable prognostic biomarker.
Survival outcomes for postoperative chemoradiation in intermediate‐risk oral tongue cancers
Authors: Spiotto Michael T. , Jefferson Gina D. , Wenig Barry , Markiewicz Michael R. , Weichselbaum Ralph R. , Koshy Matthew
Published: September 2017

Background

The survival outcomes for surgery + postoperative radiotherapy (S+RT) or surgery + postoperative chemoradiation (S+CRT) was compared in patients having oral tongue cancers with intermediate‐risk pathological features.

Methods

Using the National Cancer Database (NCDB), overall survival (OS) for S+RT or S+CRT was estimated using the Kaplan‐Meier methods and Cox proportional hazard models in the entire population (n = 2803) and in a propensity‐matched cohort (n = 1136).

Results

The 3‐year OS was 73.3% for S+CRT versus 66.7% for S+RT (P = .02). The S+CRT improved the 3‐year OS for patients with 2 or more involved metastatic lymph nodes (≥2 MLNs; P = .01) but not for patients with <2 MLNs (P = .73). Undergoing S+CRT improved the 3‐year OS for patients with pathologic T classification (pT) pT3‐pT4 disease (P = .01) but not for patients with pT1‐pT2 disease (P = .18).

Conclusion

Undergoing S+CRT was associated with improved survival for patients with tongue cancers with ≥2 MLNs and/or pT3‐pT4 suggesting that specific intermediate‐risk pathological features benefit from treatment intensification.
Tubeless tracheal resection and reconstruction for management of benign stenosis
Authors: Caronia Francesco Paolo , Loizzi Domenico , Nicolosi Tommaso , Castorina Sergio , Fiorelli Alfonso
Published: September 2017

Background

We reported a tubeless tracheal resection and reconstruction for the management of benign posttracheostomy tracheal stenosis.

Methods

A 34‐year‐old man with stridor, severe respiratory distress, and recurrent pneumonia was referred to our attention for treatment of benign posttracheostomy tracheal stenosis. As he refused general anesthesia, the procedure was performed while he was under local anesthesia and spontaneous ventilation.

Results

Sedation was started with infusion of dexmedetomidine 0.7 mg/kg/min and of remifentanil 0.5 mg/kg/h; also, 40%‐50% oxygen was delivered using a laryngeal mask at a rate of 3.5 mL/min. An additional dose of 2% lidocaine was injected into the surgical site during the operation to achieve an adequate level of anesthesia. A standard resection and reconstruction of trachea was carried out and no recurrence was found in the follow‐up of 41 months.

Conclusion

Tubeless tracheal surgery seems to be a feasible and safe procedure. Larger prospective series should validate our results.
Survival and recurrence of resectable tongue cancer: Resection margin cutoff value by T classification
Authors: Lee Doh Young , Kang Sung Hoon , Kim Jae Hyung , Kim Min‐Su , Oh Kyoung Ho , Woo Jeong‐Soo , Kwon Soon‐Young , Jung Kwang‐Yoon , Baek Seung‐Kuk
Published: September 2017

Background

The purpose of this study was to determine an appropriate cutoff value for the resection margin according to the initial T classification.

Methods

The medical records of 151 patients treated by surgery for tongue cancer were retrospectively reviewed to identify the significant perioperative parameters and appropriate cutoff value associated with disease‐specific survival (DSS) and recurrence‐free survival (RFS).

Results

The posterior resection margin was significantly correlated with survival and local recurrence (P = .020 and .016, respectively), whereas the deep resection margin was correlated with overall recurrence (P = .047). The cutoff values of the posterior and deep resection margins for survival and recurrence were different and larger in the advanced‐stage T classification group (0.45 cm vs 0.95 cm and 0.25 cm vs 0.80 cm, respectively).

Conclusion

Posterior and deep resection margins are significant prognosticators in tongue cancer. A larger resection margin may be needed in advanced‐stage T classification.
Programmes for the prevention of parent‐to‐child transmission of HIV in Papua New Guinea: Health system challenges and opportunities
Authors: Tynan Anna , Vallely Lisa , Kupul Martha , Neo Ruthy , Fiya Voletta , Worth Heather , Kariwiga Grace , Mola Glen D.L. , Kaldor John , Kelly‐Hanku Angela
Published: September 2017

Background

Prevention of parent‐to‐child transmission (PPTCT) of HIV is a highly complex package of interventions, which spans services in both maternal and child health programmes. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), a commitment to ensure that all pregnant women and their partners have access to the full range of PPTCT interventions exists; however, efforts to increase access and utilisation of PPTCT remain far from optimal. The aim of this paper is to examine health care worker (HCW) perception of health system factors impacting on the performance of PPTCT programmes.

Method

Sixteen interviews were undertaken with HCWs involved in the PPTCT programme. Application of the WHO 6 building blocks of a health system was applied, and further thematic analysis was conducted on the data with assistance from the analysis software NVivo.

Results

Broken equipment, problems with access to medication and supplies, and poorly supported workforce were reported as barriers for implementing a successful PPTCT programme. The absence of central coordination of this complex, multistaged programme was also recognised as a key issue.

Conclusion

The study findings highlight an important need for investment in appropriately trained and supported HCWs and integration of services at each stage of the PPTCT programme. Lessons from the PPTCT experience in PNG may inform policy discussions and considerations in other similar contexts.
Analytical abilities and the performance of HR professionals
Authors: Kryscynski David , Reeves Cody , Stice‐Lusvardi Ryan , Ulrich Michael , Russell Grant
Published: September 2017

Recent years have shown an increased focus on workforce analytics and the importance of workforce analytics in helping HR professionals to be more useful business partners. This suggests that HR professionals may need to become more and more data savvy and develop better analytical abilities if they hope to perform well and contribute meaningfully in the future. Despite this emphasis, there has been no research explicitly connecting the individual level analytical abilities of HR professionals to their job performance. Using a proprietary sample of 360 feedback surveys from 1,117 HR professionals in 449 unique organizations we test this general relationship. We also test whether the relationship varies by industry‐, company‐, and job‐level factors. We find support for our main hypotheses that HR professionals with higher analytical abilities will also have higher perceived job performance. We also find that the strength of this relationship varies by some job roles. We explore and discuss these empirical results.
Spatio‐temporal variability of Great Lakes basin snow cover ablation events
Authors: Suriano Zachary J. , Leathers Daniel J.
Published: September 2017

In the Great Lakes basin of North America, annual run‐off is dominated by snowmelt. This snowmelt‐induced run‐off plays an important role within the hydrologic cycle of the basin, influencing soil moisture availability and driving the seasonal cycle of spring and summer lake levels. Despite this, relatively little is understood about the patterns and trends of snow ablation event frequency and magnitude within the Great Lakes basin. This study uses a gridded dataset of Canadian and United States surface snow depth observations to develop a regional climatology of snow ablation events from 1960 to 2009. An ablation event is defined as an interdiurnal snow depth decrease within an individual grid cell. A clear seasonal cycle in ablation event frequency exists within the basin and peak ablation event probability is latitudinally dependent. Most of the basin experiences peak ablation frequency in March, while the northern and southern regions of the basin experience respective peaks in April and February. An investigation into the interannual frequency of ablation events reveals ablation events significantly decrease within the northeastern and northwestern Lake Superior drainage basins and significantly increase within the eastern Lake Huron and Georgian Bay drainage basins. In the eastern Lake Huron and Georgian Bay drainage basins, larger ablation events are occurring more frequently, and a larger impact to the hydrology can be expected. Trends in ablation events are attributed primarily to changes in snowfall and snow depth across the region.
Flood seasonality across Scandinavia—Evidence of a shifting hydrograph?
Authors: Matti Bettina , Dahlke Helen E. , Dieppois Bastien , Lawler Damian M. , Lyon Steve W.
Published: September 2017

Fluvial flood events have substantial impacts on humans, both socially and economically, as well as on ecosystems (e.g., hydroecology and pollutant transport). Concurrent with climate change, the seasonality of flooding in cold environments is expected to shift from a snowmelt‐dominated to a rainfall‐dominated flow regime. This would have profound impacts on water management strategies, that is, flood risk mitigation, drinking water supply, and hydro power. In addition, cold climate hydrological systems exhibit complex interactions with catchment properties and large‐scale climate fluctuations making the manifestation of changes difficult to detect and predict. Understanding a possible change in flood seasonality and defining related key drivers therefore is essential to mitigate risk and to keep management strategies viable under a changing climate.

This study explores changes in flood seasonality across near‐natural catchments in Scandinavia using circular statistics and trend tests. Results indicate strong seasonality in flooding for snowmelt‐dominated catchments with a single peak occurring in spring and early summer (March through June), whereas flood peaks are more equally distributed throughout the year for catchments located close to the Atlantic coast and in the south of the study area. Flood seasonality has changed over the past century seen as decreasing trends in summer maximum daily flows and increasing winter and spring maximum daily flows with 5–35% of the catchments showing significant changes at the 5% significance level. Seasonal mean daily flows corroborate those findings with higher percentages (5–60%) of the catchments showing statistically significant changes. Alterations in annual flood occurrence also point towards a shift in flow regime from snowmelt‐dominated to rainfall‐dominated with consistent changes towards earlier timing of the flood peak (significant for 25% of the catchments). Regionally consistent patterns suggest a first‐order climate control as well as a local second‐order catchment control, which causes inter‐seasonal variability in the streamflow response.
The role of land surface versus drainage network characteristics in controlling water quality and quantity in a small urban watershed
Authors: Meierdiercks Katherine L. , Kolozsvary Mary Beth , Rhoads Kevin P. , Golden Michele , McCloskey Nicholas F.
Published: September 2017

The processes that control run‐off quantity and quality in urban watersheds are complex and not well understood. Although impervious surface coverage has traditionally been used to examine altered hydrologic response in urban watersheds, several studies suggest that other elements of the urban landscape, particularly those associated with urban infrastructure and the drainage system, play an equally important role. The relative importance of impervious surfaces, stormwater ponds, expansion of the drainage network, and drainage network structures in controlling hydrologic response was examined in the subwatersheds of the Kromma Kill, an urban watershed located in Albany County, NY. In this study, geographic information systems was used to compute geospatial land surface and drainage network properties of 5 Kromma Kill subwatersheds. In these same subwatersheds, water quantity (rainfall and run‐off) and quality (macroinvertebrates, nitrate, total nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, and nonpurgable organic carbon) parameters were measured. Strong and significant correlations were identified between land surface and drainage network properties and field observations. Causal relationships were then tested using the Environmental Protection Agency's Stormwater Management Model. Field and model analyses suggest that whereas percent imperviousness is a dominant control on water quality, drainage density and slope are equally important. However, for water quantity, whereas imperviousness is positively correlated with increased run‐off volumes, drainage network properties and slope are the dominant controls on run‐off volumes. Results have important implications for stormwater management plans, especially those aimed at reducing the effective impervious surface coverage of urban watersheds. Reducing the percentage of effective imperviousness in a watershed is not a “one size fits all” solution and can help to meet some management objectives, such as reducing nitrogen concentrations and improving water quality, but may not serve as the most effective, and therefore economical, solution for every management objective including reducing run‐off volumes.
Using raw regional climate model outputs for quantifying climate change impacts on hydrology
Authors: Chen Jie , Brissette François P. , Liu Pan , Xia Jun
Published: September 2017

General circulation model outputs are rarely used directly for quantifying climate change impacts on hydrology, due to their coarse resolution and inherent bias. Bias correction methods are usually applied to correct the statistical deviations of climate model outputs from the observed data. However, the use of bias correction methods for impact studies is often disputable, due to the lack of physical basis and the bias nonstationarity of climate model outputs. With the improvement in model resolution and reliability, it is now possible to investigate the direct use of regional climate model (RCM) outputs for impact studies. This study proposes an approach to use RCM simulations directly for quantifying the hydrological impacts of climate change over North America. With this method, a hydrological model (HSAMI) is specifically calibrated using the RCM simulations at the recent past period. The change in hydrological regimes for a future period (2041–2065) over the reference (1971–1995), simulated using bias‐corrected and nonbias‐corrected simulations, is compared using mean flow, spring high flow, and summer–autumn low flow as indicators. Three RCMs driven by three different general circulation models are used to investigate the uncertainty of hydrological simulations associated with the choice of a bias‐corrected or nonbias‐corrected RCM simulation. The results indicate that the uncertainty envelope is generally watershed and indicator dependent. It is difficult to draw a firm conclusion about whether one method is better than the other. In other words, the bias correction method could bring further uncertainty to future hydrological simulations, in addition to uncertainty related to the choice of a bias correction method. This implies that the nonbias‐corrected results should be provided to end users along with the bias‐corrected ones, along with a detailed explanation of the bias correction procedure. This information would be especially helpful to assist end users in making the most informed decisions.
Prevalence, risk factors, and pregnancy outcomes of cervical cell abnormalities in the puerperium in a hyperendemic HIV setting
Authors: Maise Hopolang C. , Moodley Dhayendre , Sebitloane Motshedisi , Maman Suzanne , Sartorius Benn
Published: September 2017

Objective

To investigate the impact of cervical cell abnormalities detected in the puerperium in association with HIV‐1 infection on pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

The present study was a secondary data analysis of pregnancy outcomes, Pap smear results, HIV results, and participant demography from a behavioral intervention randomized controlled trial of 1480 pregnant women aged 18 years or more conducted at a periurban primary health clinic in South Africa during 2008–2010. The Pap smear was performed 14 weeks after delivery.

Results

In total, 564 (38.1%) women were HIV‐1‐positive and 78 (8.0%) of 973 women with a categorized Pap smear result tested positive for cervical cell abnormalities; 42 (4.2%) women had low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LGSILs) and 7 (0.7%) had high‐grade lesions (HGSILs). In an adjusted analysis, HIV infection was significantly more common among women with LGSILs (28/42 [66.7%]) or HGSILs (6/7 [85.7%]) when compared with the other Pap smear categories (P<0.001). The rates of premature birth, low birth weight, and non‐live births were similar among HIV‐infected and ‐uninfected women with abnormal cervical cytology.

Conclusion

Pregnant women with HIV were more likely to be diagnosed with higher grades of squamous cell abnormalities than those without HIV. There was no association between squamous cell abnormalities/HIV comorbidity and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Rapid detection of the New Delhi metallo‐b‐lactamase 1 (NDM‐1) gene by loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)
Authors: Moreira Mirna Giselle , Barreto Lidia Miranda , dos Santos Vera Lúcia , Monteiro Andrea Souza , Nobre Vandack , dos Santos Simone Gonçalves
Published: September 2017

Background

New Delhi Metallo‐b‐lactamase (NDM‐1) is an enzyme emerging around the world conferring resistance to a wide range of β‐lactams agents and whose early detection is extremely important. We proposed to standardize the detection of the blaNDM‐1 gene using the LOOP‐mediated isothermal amplification technique (LAMP).

Methods

In all, 14 Gram‐negative bacterial strains isolated from patients presenting pneumonia associated with mechanical ventilation were used for the blaNDM‐1 standardization by LAMP. Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC BAA‐2473 and two clinical strains were used as a positive control. All results were compared to the reaction in polymerase chain reaction (PCR), considered gold standard for this detection.

Results

There was an excellent correlation between the two techniques employed, since all measured clinical strains were negative in both employed tests and two clinical, and a reference strains were positive.

Conclusions

The lamp technique seems to be an excellent option for the rapid detection of blaNDM‐1. The amplification time is much shorter than other molecular techniques, the PCR machine is not necessary, it is easy of implementation and costs is low.
Racial disparities in perceived social support and social service use: Associations with maternal depression and head start participation
Authors: Lee Kyunghee , Rispoli Kristin
Published: September 2017

Using the Head Start Impact Study data, this study examined racial disparities in maternal perceptions of social support and social service receipt, and their associations with depression. Associations between Head Start participation and these variables were also studied. A total of 3,269 mothers were included (n = 971 Black, 1,086 Hispanic, and 1,212 White). Compared to White mothers, Hispanic mothers indicated perceiving less assistance from social supports. Black and Hispanic mothers were less likely to use social services and reported lower levels of depression than White mothers. Head Start mothers perceived more helpfulness from social supports than non‐Head Start mothers. Head Start, however, was not associated with social service use or maternal depression. Results suggest Head Start participation may be related to greater ability to reap benefits from relationships with friends and family among low‐income mothers.