bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current variations in childhood cancer supportive care in the Netherlands
Authors: Loeffen Erik A. H. , Mulder Renée L. , van de Wetering Marianne D. , Font‐Gonzalez Anna , Abbink Floor C. H. , Ball Lynne M. , Loeffen Jan L. C. M. , Michiels Erna M. C. , Segers Heidi , Kremer Leontien C. M. , Tissing Wim J. E.
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND

Current treatment strategies in pediatric oncology are intensive and lead to high survival rates but also to treatment‐related complications. Therefore, supportive care plays an increasingly important role. This study was designed to evaluate variations in supportive care practice in children with cancer in the Netherlands and adherence to selected existing international guidelines through an in‐depth review of local guidelines and protocols at all 6 Dutch pediatric cancer centers.

METHODS

Based on shared expert opinion, a questionnaire regarding current supportive care practice was compiled. For each center, the required information was extracted from local supportive care guidelines, and the list was sent to a pediatric oncologist of that center to verify its correspondence with local daily practice. Subsequently, it was determined whether clinical practice was concordant (same in ≥ 5 of 6 centers), partly concordant (highly overlapping in ≥ 5 of 6 centers), or discordant (same in < 5 of 6 centers). Local practices were compared with strong recommendations from high‐quality, evidence‐based guidelines.

RESULTS

The questionnaire comprised 67 questions regarding supportive care practice. Concordance was observed for 11 of 67 practice items (16%), partial concordance was observed for 6 of 67 practice items (9%), and discordance was observed for 50 of 67 practice items (75%). Adherence to strong recommendations of 4 high‐quality, evidence‐based guidelines varied but was generally low.

CONCLUSIONS

Large variations exist in pediatric oncology supportive care practice, and this could negatively influence care. Adherence to existing evidence‐based guidelines and the development and implementation of new clinical practice guidelines have the potential of standardizing supportive care practice and thereby improving outcomes for children with cancer. Cancer 2016;122:642–650. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Detection and characterization of circulating tumor cells in lung cancer: Why and how?
Authors: Hofman Véronique J. , Ilie Marius , Hofman Paul M.
Published: November 2015

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. It has a poor prognosis, with a survival rate of 15% after 5 years for all pTNM stages of disease. The poor prognosis is mainly due to the fact that diagnosis is made at a late inoperable stage. New approaches aimed at improving the quality and length of life among these patients are urgently needed. These advances are expected to come from noninvasive, predictive, and personalized new tests, recently referred to as “liquid biopsies,” which are used for diagnostic, prognostic, and theragnostic purposes.
The Resource Identification Initiative: A cultural shift in publishing
Authors: Bandrowski Anita , Brush Matthew , Grethe Jeffery S. , Haendel Melissa A , Kennedy David N. , Hill Sean , Hof Patrick R. , Martone Maryann E. , Pols Maaike , Tan Serena C. , Washington Nicole , Zudilova‐Seinstra Elena , Vasilevsky Nicole
Published: November 2015

A central tenet in support of research reproducibility is the ability to uniquely identify research resources, i.e., reagents, tools, and materials that are used to perform experiments. However, current reporting practices for research resources are insufficient to identify the exact resources that are reported or to answer basic questions such as “How did other studies use resource X?” To address this issue, the Resource Identification Initiative was launched as a pilot project to improve the reporting standards for research resources in the Methods sections of articles and thereby improve identifiability and scientific reproducibility. The pilot engaged over 25 biomedical journal editors from most major publishers, as well as scientists and funding officials. Authors were asked to include Research Resource Identifiers (RRIDs) in their articles prior to publication for three resource types: antibodies, model organisms, and tools (i.e., software and databases). RRIDs are assigned by an authoritative database, for example, a model organism database for each type of resource. To make it easier for authors to obtain RRIDs, resources were aggregated from the appropriate databases and their RRIDs made available in a central Web portal (http://scicrunch.org/resources). RRIDs meet three key criteria: they are machine‐readable, free to generate and access, and are consistent across publishers and journals. The pilot was launched in February of 2014 and over 300 articles have appeared that report RRIDs. The number of journals participating has expanded from the original 25 to more than 40, with RRIDs appearing in 62 different journals to date. Here we present an overview of the pilot project and its outcomes to date. We show that authors are able to identify resources and are supportive of the goals of the project. Identifiability of the resources post‐pilot showed a dramatic improvement for all three resource types, suggesting that the project has had a significant impact on identifiability of research resources. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:8–22, 2016. © 2015 The Authors The Journal of Comparative Neurology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Organization of the sleep‐related neural systems in the brain of the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
Authors: Dell Leigh‐Anne , Patzke Nina , Spocter Muhammad A. , Siegel Jerome M. , Manger Paul R.
Published: November 2015

The present study provides the first systematic immunohistochemical neuroanatomical investigation of the systems involved in the control and regulation of sleep in an odontocete cetacean, the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). The odontocete cetaceans show an unusual form of mammalian sleep, with unihemispheric slow waves, suppressed REM sleep, and continuous bodily movement. All the neural elements involved in sleep regulation and control found in bihemispheric sleeping mammals were present in the harbor porpoise, with no specific nuclei being absent, and no novel nuclei being present. This qualitative similarity of nuclear organization relates to the cholinergic, noradrenergic, serotonergic, and orexinergic systems and is extended to the γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic elements involved with these nuclei. Quantitative analysis of the cholinergic and noradrenergic nuclei of the pontine region revealed that in comparison with other mammals, the numbers of pontine cholinergic (126,776) and noradrenergic (122,878) neurons are markedly higher than in other large‐brained bihemispheric sleeping mammals. The diminutive telencephalic commissures (anterior commissure, corpus callosum, and hippocampal commissure) along with an enlarged posterior commissure and supernumerary pontine cholinergic and noradrenergic neurons indicate that the control of unihemispheric slow‐wave sleep is likely to be a function of interpontine competition, facilitated through the posterior commissure, in response to unilateral telencephalic input related to the drive for sleep. In addition, an expanded peripheral division of the dorsal raphe nuclear complex appears likely to play a role in the suppression of REM sleep in odontocete cetaceans. Thus, the current study provides several clues to the understanding of the neural control of the unusual sleep phenomenology present in odontocete cetaceans. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:1999–2017, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Organization of the sleep‐related neural systems in the brain of the river hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius): A most unusual cetartiodactyl species
Authors: Dell Leigh‐Anne , Patzke Nina , Spocter Muhammad A. , Bertelsen Mads F. , Siegel Jerome M. , Manger Paul R.
Published: November 2015

This study provides the first systematic analysis of the nuclear organization of the neural systems related to sleep and wake in the basal forebrain, diencephalon, midbrain, and pons of the river hippopotamus, one of the closest extant terrestrial relatives of the cetaceans. All nuclei involved in sleep regulation and control found in other mammals, including cetaceans, were present in the river hippopotamus, with no specific nuclei being absent, but novel features of the cholinergic system, including novel nuclei, were present. This qualitative similarity relates to the cholinergic, noradrenergic, serotonergic, and orexinergic systems and is extended to the γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic elements of these nuclei. Quantitative analysis reveals that the numbers of pontine cholinergic (259,578) and noradrenergic (127,752) neurons, and hypothalamic orexinergic neurons (68,398) are markedly higher than in other large‐brained mammals. These features, along with novel cholinergic nuclei in the intralaminar nuclei of the dorsal thalamus and the ventral tegmental area of the midbrain, as well as a major expansion of the hypothalamic cholinergic nuclei and a large laterodorsal tegmental nucleus of the pons that has both parvocellular and magnocellular cholinergic neurons, indicates an unusual sleep phenomenology for the hippopotamus. Our observations indicate that the hippopotamus is likely to be a bihemispheric sleeper that expresses REM sleep. The novel features of the cholinergic system suggest the presence of an undescribed sleep state in the hippopotamus, as well as the possibility that this animal could, more rapidly than other mammals, switch cortical electroencephalographic activity from one state to another. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:2036–2058, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A portable, extensible and fast stochastic volatility model calibration using multi and many‐core processors
Authors: Dixon Matthew , Lotze Jörg , Zubair Mohammad
Published: November 2015

Financial markets change precipitously, and on‐demand pricing and risk models must be constantly recalibrated to reduce risk. However, certain classes of models are computationally intensive to robustly calibrate to intraday prices – stochastic volatility models being an archetypal example due to the non‐convexity of the objective function. In order to accelerate this procedure through parallel implementation, financial application developers are faced with an ever growing plethora of low‐level high‐performance computing frameworks such as Open Multi‐Processing, Open Computing Language, compute unified device architecture, or single instruction multiple data intrinsics, and forced to make a trade‐off between performance versus the portability, flexibility, and modularity of the code required to facilitate rapid in‐house model development and productionisation. This paper describes the acceleration of stochastic volatility model calibration on multi‐core CPUs and graphics processing units (GPUs) using the Xcelerit platform. By adopting a simple programming model, the Xcelerit platform enables the application developer to write sequential, high‐level C++ code, without concern for low‐level high‐performance computing frameworks. This platform provides the portability, flexibility, and modularity required by application developers. Speedups of up to 30x and 293x are respectively achieved on an Intel Xeon CPU and NVIDIA Tesla K40 GPU, compared with a sequential CPU implementation. The Xcelerit platform implementation is further shown to be equivalent in performance to a low‐level compute unified device architecture version. Overall, we are able to reduce the entire calibration process time of the sequential implementation from 6189 to 183.8 and 17.8 s on the CPU and GPU, respectively, without requiring the developer to reimplement in low‐level high‐performance computing frameworks. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reports provide snapshot of national trends for tuition, awarded degrees
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: November 2015

The National Center for Education Statistics released three different reports of interest to academic administrators.
Create a culture of change by allowing faculty to dream big
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: November 2015

When Sona Andrews was recalled from her Armenian college in Beirut, Lebanon, during her sophomore year due to the imminent Lebanese civil war, her transcripts stayed behind. Although this made transferring difficult, Andrews found a home at Worcester College to complete her bachelor's degree. She next earned both a master's and doctorate at Arizona State University.
Photoreduction Synthesis of Hierarchical Hematite/Silver Nanostructures for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Kwon Jinhyeong , Yeo Junyeob , Hong Sukjoon , Suh Young D. , Lee Habeom , Choi Jun‐ho , Lee Seung S. , Ko Seung Hwan
Published: November 2015

Hematite is a good candidate for solar water splitting because of its earth‐abundance, moderate band gap, and electrochemical stability. However, the improper energy band position to absorb the visible region of sunlight has limited any increase of the efficiency. In this study, a facile solution‐based photoreduction process is employed to fabricate a hematite/silver hierarchical nanostructure. By irradiating hydrothermally grown hematite nanowire with UV light, Ag nanoparticles are synthesized rapidly on the surface of the hematite nanowire, the size of which is easily controllable by changing the UV irradiation time. The enhanced optical performance of the resultant hierarchical nanostructure is confirmed by various analytical tools that include UV/Vis absorption, photoluminescence, and Raman spectroscopy together with the theoretical estimation through finite‐difference time‐domain simulation. Furthermore, the hierarchical hematite/silver nanostructure is applied as a photoanode in a photo‐electrochemical cell for water splitting with enhanced efficiency.
Analytical model for the in‐plane seismic performance of cold‐formed steel‐framed gypsum partition walls
Authors: Rahmanishamsi Esmaeel , Soroushian Siavash , Maragakis Emmanuel M.
Published: November 2015

This paper proposes an experimentally verified procedure to analytically model cold‐formed steel‐framed gypsum nonstructural partition walls considering all the critical components. In this model, the nonlinear behaviors of the connections are represented by hysteretic load‐deformation springs, which have been calibrated using the component‐level experimental data. The studs and tracks are modeled adopting beam elements with their section properties accounting for nonlinear behavior. The gypsum boards are simulated by linear four‐node shell elements. The proposed procedure is implemented to generate the analytical models of three full‐scale partition wall specimens in the OpenSees platform. The specimens were tested as a part of the NEESR‐GC Project on Simulation of the Seismic Performance of Nonstructural Systems. Force‐displacement responses, cumulative dissipated energy, and damage mechanisms from the analytical simulation are compared to the experimental results. The comparison shows that the analytical model accurately predicts the trend of the response as well as the possible damage mechanisms. The procedure proposed here can be adopted in future studies by researchers and also engineers to assess the seismic performance of partition walls with various dimensions and construction details, especially where test data are not available. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to polystyrene nanoplastic
Authors: Liu Lijing , Fokkink Remco , Koelmans Albert A.
Published: November 2015

Microplastic has become an emerging contaminant of global concern. Bulk plastic can degrade to form smaller particles down to the nanoscale (<100 nm), which are referred to as nanoplastics. Because of their high surface area, nanoplastic may bind hydrophobic chemicals very effectively, increasing their hazard when such nanoplastics are taken up by biota. The present study reports distribution coefficients for sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to 70 nm polystyrene in freshwater, and PAH adsorption isotherms spanning environmentally realistic aqueous concentrations of 10−5 μg/L to 1 μg/L. Nanopolystyrene aggregate state was assessed using dynamic light scattering. The adsorption isotherms were nonlinear, and the distribution coefficients at the lower ends of the isotherms were very high, with values up to 109 L/kg. The high and nonlinear sorption was explained from π–π interactions between the planar PAHs and the surface of the aromatic polymer polystyrene and was higher than for micrometer-sized polystyrene. Reduction of nanopolystyrene aggregate sizes had no significant effect on sorption, which suggests that the PAHs could reach the sorption sites on the pristine nanoparticles regardless of the aggregation state. Pre-extraction of the nanopolystyrene with C18 polydimethylsiloxane decreased sorption of PAHs, which could be explained by removal of the most hydrophobic fraction of the nanopolystyrene. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1650–1655. © 2015 SETAC
Odour perception: A review of an intricate signalling pathway
Authors: Tromelin Anne
Published: November 2015

The perception of odours is the result of the complex processing of a signal, which initiates at peripheral receptors and ends in the brain. Along this pathway, olfactory signal processing proceeds through several steps; each step possesses its own complexity, and all steps are also intricately connected. This review aims to describe the main intricate steps of olfactory processing in mammals, some of which remain unclear, and the close associations and overlapping nature of these steps. The causes of both the complexity and the variability of olfactory signals are examined: the nature of olfactory receptors, involving the diversity of the genome; the spatial organization of the olfactory epithelium (OE) and the olfactory bulb (OB); connections in the OB and from the OB to the brain; integration and processing in the brain, which leads to the final perception of odours; and odour recognition and odour identification, which is associated with the difficulty to verbalize a reliable description of the perception in humans. Finally, the last part of this review encompasses recent progress made to decipher and understand olfactory coding and focuses on computational approaches. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adequate Security Measures Require Extensive Review
Authors: Hilt David
Published: November 2015

The US electric system has become an integral part of our daily lives, so much so that we rarely consider how to live without it. The US Department of Homeland Security, as directed by the White House, has identified the critical infrastructures in the United States. The current list includes 17 critical infrastructures with energy at the top of the list. Indeed, the Department of Homeland Security has also noted that the remaining critical infrastructures require energy to operate.
New England, Facing High Power Prices, Looks to Import
Authors: Nelson Ken
Published: November 2015

In evaluating the potential requirements for new energy infrastructure investment here in the United States, much of the focus has been centered on the Environmental Protection Agency's recent release of their draft final Clean Power Plan (CPP) rule and its implications for the power sector in the coming decade. But while the majority of states remain on the sidelines or proceed very cautiously, waiting to see if the rule survives its many legal challenges, there is one region where this infrastructure development process is already well underway: New England.
Flow Characteristics and Pressure‐Compensating Mechanism of Non‐Pressure‐Compensating Drip Irrigation Emitters
Authors: Zhangzhong Lili , Yang Peiling , Ren Shumei , Liu Yu , Li Yunkai
Published: November 2015

The flow regime index (x) is a key parameter for evaluation of the drip irrigation capacity of emitters. Developing an emitter with low x has become the goal for numerous emitter developers. Currently, the phenomenon shows that the x of some non‐pressure‐compensating (non‐PC) drip irrigation emitters are less than 0.5, which cannot be easily explained by the macro‐pipeline hydraulic principle. Therefore, in this paper, we adopted the standard k–ε model to calculate and analyse the internal flow field of four non‐PC emitters (with x all less than 0.5). The results indicated that the flow fields within these flow paths had obvious self‐compensating effects. It showed that when work pressure increased, the flow characteristics changed correspondingly: the area of the low‐speed vortex region expanded incrementally, resulting in shrinkage of the width of the flow cross‐section in the high‐speed mainstream region, also inhibiting the increments of emitter outflow rates and alleviating the influence of pressure variation on outflow raters, and finally reducing the value of x. When the pressure increased from 10 to 150 kPa,the maximum shrinkage of flow cross‐section (Rmax, the flow cross‐section shrinkage rate under the work pressure, increased from 10 to 150 kPa) of emitters S1, M1, M2 and M3 was 32.0, 16.4, 13.8 and 10.3%, respectively. Rmax had a significantly negative linear relationship with x. As Rmax increased, the adjustment range of the flow cross‐section became greater and sensitivity of the regulating flow improved. Then the x of the non‐PC emitter declined, indicating higher self‐compensating capacity of the emitter. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Brain‐targeted distribution and high retention of silver by chronic intranasal instillation of silver nanoparticles and ions in Sprague–Dawley rats
Authors: Wen Ruoxi , Yang Xiaoxi , Hu Ligang , Sun Cheng , Zhou Qunfang , Jiang Guibin
Published: November 2015

The wide applications of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been concerned regarding their unintentional toxicities. Different exposure modes may cause distinct accumulation, retention and elimination profiles, which are closely related with their toxicities. Unlike silver accumulation profiles through other regular administration modes, the biodistribution, accumulation and elimination of AgNPs by intranasal instillation are not fully understood. This study conducted intranasal instillation of polyvinylpyrrolidone‐coated AgNPs in neonatal Sprague–Dawley rats at doses of 1 and 0.1 mg kg−1 day−1 for 4 and 12 weeks, respectively. The 4‐week recovery was also designed after the 12‐week exposure. Silver concentrations in the main tissues or organs were periodically monitored. Parallel exposures using silver ion were performed for the comparative studies. No physiological alterations were observed in AgNP exposures. In comparison, 1 mg kg−1 day−1 silver ions decreased body weight gain and caused mortality of 18.2%, showing ionic silver had a relatively higher toxicity than AgNPs. A relatively higher silver accumulation was observed in silver ion groups than AgNP groups. The silver ion release could not fully explain silver accumulation in AgNP exposures, showing silver distribution caused by particulate silver occurred in vivo. The highest silver concentration was in the liver at week 4, while it shifted to the brain after a 12‐week exposure. Dose‐related silver accumulation occurred for both AgNP and silver ion groups. The time course revealed a uniquely high concentration and retention of brain silver, implying chronic intranasal instillation caused brain‐targeted silver accumulation. These findings provided substantial evidence on the potential neuronal threat from the intranasal administration of AgNPs or silver colloid‐based products. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A High Amount of Local Adipose Tissue Is Associated With High Cortical Porosity and Low Bone Material Strength in Older Women
Authors: Sundh Daniel , Rudäng Robert , Zoulakis Michail , Nilsson Anna G , Darelid Anna , Lorentzon Mattias
Published: November 2015

Obesity is associated with increased risk of fractures, especially at skeletal sites with a large proportion of cortical bone, such as the humerus and ankle. Obesity increases fracture risk independently of BMD, indicating that increased adipose tissue could have negative effects on bone quality. Microindentation assesses bone material strength index (BMSi) in vivo in humans. The aim of this study was to investigate if different depots of adipose tissue were associated with BMSi and cortical bone microstructure in a population based group of 202 women, 78.2 ± 1.1 (mean ± SD) years old. Bone parameters and subcutaneous (s.c.) fat were measured at the tibia with an XtremeCT device. BMSi was assessed using the OsteoProbe device, and based on at least 11 valid reference point indentations at the mid-tibia. Body composition was measured with dual X-ray absorptiometry. BMSi was inversely correlated to body mass index (BMI) (r = –0.17, p = 0.01), whole body fat mass (r = –0.16,p = 0.02), and, in particular, to tibia s.c. fat (r = –0.33, p < 0.001). Tibia s.c. fat was also correlated to cortical porosity (Ct.Po; r = 0.19, p = 0.01) and cortical volumetric BMD (Ct.vBMD; r = –0.23, p = 0.001). Using linear regression analyses, tibia s.c. fat was found to be independent of covariates (age, height, log weight, bisphosphonates or glucocorticoid use, smoking, calcium intake, walking speed, and BMSi operator) and associated with BMSi (β = –0.34,p < 0.001), Ct.Po (β = 0.18, p = 0.01), and Ct.vBMD (β = –0.32, p < 0.001). BMSi was independent of covariates associated with cortical porosity (β = –0.14, p = 0.04) and cortical volumetric BMD (β = 0.21, p = 0.02) at the distal tibia, but these bone parameters could only explain 3.3% and 5.1% of the variation in BMSi, respectively. In conclusion, fat mass was independently and inversely associated with BMSi and Ct.vBMD, but positively associated with Ct.Po, indicating a possible adverse effect of adipose tissue on bone quality and bone microstructure. Local s.c. fat in tibia was most strongly associated with these bone traits, suggesting a local or paracrine, rather than systemic, negative effect of fat on bone. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Plasticizer DBP Activates NLRP3 Inflammasome through the P2X7 Receptor in HepG2 and L02 Cells
Authors: Ni Jiahua , Zhang Zihui , Luo Xiaoqin , Xiao Lei , Wang Nanping
Published: November 2015

Ditubyl phthalate (DBP), one of the most widely used plasticizers, can migrate out to contaminate our bodies and environment. A number of studies have showed that DBP is closely related to liver pathological changes and diseases. Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes composed of procaspase and pattern recognition receptors such as Nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD) like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3). Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome is implicated in the pathogeneses of liver damage. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of DBP on NLRP3 inflammasome. We found that DBP triggered the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in hepatocyte cell lines. By using Ca‐074‐Me, N‐acetylcysteine and KN‐62, we observed that the P2X7 receptor participated in the DBP‐induced activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. DBP could also trigger the ATP release. In conclusion, we demonstrated that DBP is one of the activator of NLRP3 inflammasome and may play an important role in liver damage.
New chronological data (ESR and ESR/U‐series) for the earliest Acheulian sites of north‐western Europe
Authors: Voinchet Pierre , Moreno Davinia , Bahain Jean‐Jacques , Tissoux Hélène , Tombret Olivier , Falguères Christophe , Moncel Marie‐Hélène , Schreve Danielle , Candy Ian , Antoine Pierre , Ashton Nick , Beamish Matt , Cliquet Dominique , Despriée Jackie , Lewis Simon , Limondin‐Lozouet Nicole , Locht Jean‐Luc , Parfitt Simon , Pope Matt
Published: November 2015

Increasing evidence suggests that bifacial technology (Acheulian, Mode 2) arrived in Europe during the early Middle Pleistocene, i.e. significantly earlier than previously proposed. In northern France and Britain, much of the age attribution for these assemblages has been based on biostratigraphy and lithostratigraphy rather than absolute dates. This study presents a systematic application of electron spin resonance (ESR) dating of sedimentary quartz and ESR/U‐series dating of fossil tooth enamel to key Acheulian sites of this area. Although the age estimates have large associated uncertainties, most of the derived dates are consistent with existing age estimates. The new chronologies and the problems associated with dating material of early Middle Pleistocene age are discussed. In Britain, the earliest archaeology (cores and flakes, Mode 1) is older than Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 15, whereas localities containing Acheulian technologies span late MIS 15/MIS 13 through to MIS 9. A similar pattern is seen in northern France although age estimates from sites such as la Noira suggest the possible appearance of the Acheulian in central France as early as MIS 17. The dates presented here support the suggestion that the earliest Acheulian appeared in NW Europe during the early Middle Pleistocene, significantly after its appearance in the southern parts of the continent.
Total liver fat quantification using three‐dimensional respiratory self‐navigated MRI sequence
Authors: Arboleda Carolina , Aguirre‐Reyes Daniel , García María Paz , Tejos Cristián , Muñoz Loreto , Miquel Juan Francisco , Irarrazaval Pablo , Andia Marcelo E. , Uribe Sergio
Published: November 2015

Purpose

MRI can produce quantitative liver fat fraction (FF) maps noninvasively, which can help to improve diagnoses of fatty liver diseases. However, most sequences acquire several two‐dimensional (2D) slices during one or more breath‐holds, which may be difficult for patients with limited breath‐holding capacity. A whole‐liver 3D FF map could also be obtained in a single acquisition by applying a reliable breathing‐motion correction method. Several correction techniques are available for 3D imaging, but they use external devices, interrupt acquisition, or jeopardize the spatial resolution. To overcome these issues, a proof‐of‐concept study introducing a self‐navigated 3D three‐point Dixon sequence is presented here.

Methods

A respiratory self‐gating strategy acquiring a center k‐space profile was integrated into a three‐point Dixon sequence. We obtained 3D FF maps from a water‐fat emulsions phantom and fifteen volunteers. This sequence was compared with multi‐2D breath‐hold and 3D free‐breathing approaches.

Results

Our 3D three‐point Dixon self‐navigated sequence could correct for respiratory‐motion artifacts and provided more precise FF measurements than breath‐hold multi‐2D and 3D free‐breathing techniques.

Conclusion

Our 3D respiratory self‐gating fat quantification sequence could correct for respiratory motion artifacts and yield more‐precise FF measurements. Magn Reson Med 76:1400–1409, 2016. © 2015 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
The effect of time to release of an obstructing synthetic mid‐urethral sling on repeat surgery for stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Abraham Nitya , Makovey Iryna , King Ashley , Goldman Howard B. , Vasavada Sandip
Published: November 2015

Aims

The primary objectives were to describe the rate of repeat surgery for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after release of an obstructing synthetic mid‐urethral sling (MUS) and to evaluate the effect of time from sling placement to sling release on repeat surgery rates. The secondary objective was to assess rates of recurrent and persistent SUI.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of women who underwent synthetic MUS release (incision or excision of segment of sling) from 2005–2013. SUI rates and repeat surgery were ascertained by patient report and urinary distress inventory (UDI‐6) questionnaire responses. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

107 patients were included. Median time to sling release was 22 months (IQR 5–49 months). 43.2% were transobturator slings. 15/107 patients (14%) underwent repeat surgery for SUI. On multivariable analysis, women were significantly less likely to undergo repeat surgery for SUI when sling release was performed >24 months after initial sling surgery (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.02–0.85, P = 0.03) compared to release within 3 months. 49% and 77% reported recurrent and persistent SUI after sling release, of which 83% were significantly bothered.

Conclusion

The repeat surgery rate for SUI was 14%. The rate of recurrent SUI was 49%. Most of these women were significantly bothered. On multivariate analysis, longer interval to sling release was associated with decreased likelihood of repeat surgery for SUI. The reason for a low repeat surgery rate for SUI despite a high rate of bothersome SUI should be explored in future studies. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:349–353, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stochastic simulation of the influence of fibre path variability on the formation of residual stress and shape distortion
Authors: Mesogitis T.S. , Skordos A.A. , Long A.C.
Published: November 2015

A stochastic cure simulation approach is developed and implemented to investigate the influence of fibre misalignment on cure. Image analysis is used to characterize fiber misalignment in a carbon non‐crimp fabric. It is found that variability in tow orientation is significant with a standard deviation of 1.2°. The autocorrelation structure is modeled using the Ornstein‐Uhlenbeck sheet and the stochastic problem is addressed by coupling a finite element model of cure with a Monte Carlo scheme. Simulation of the cure of an angle shaped carbon fiber‐epoxy component shows that fiber misalignment can cause considerable variability in the process outcome with a coefficient of variation in maximum residual stress up to approximately 2% (standard deviation of 1 MPa) and qualitative and quantitative variations in final distortion of the cured part with the standard deviation in twist and corner angle reaching values of 0.4° and 0.05° respectively. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2642–2652, 2017. © 2015 The Authors Polymer Composites published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of nanoparticles on the morphology and properties of PET/PP in situ microfibrillar reinforced composites
Authors: Liu Ying , Zhao Zhongguo , Tang Dahang , Kong Miqiu , Yang Qi , Huang Yajiang , Liao Xia , Niu Yanhua
Published: November 2015

In this work, the effect of SiO2 nanoparticles on the morphology and properties of PET/PP in situ microfibrillar reinforced composites (MFC) obtained from slit die extrusion and hot stretching‐quenching was investigated. The scanning electron micrographs revealed that the nanoparticles could have different effects on microfibril formation of PET/PP MFC depending on their concentration. Addition of appropriate content of nanoparticles (e.g., 1.6 and 8 wt%) facilitated the PET droplet‐fibril transition during stretching due to the presence of nanosilica in the PP matrix, which increased the viscosity of PP matrix and then improved the droplet deformability. However, at higher loading (e.g., 12 wt%), the aggregation of silica nanoparticles around the PET droplets prevented disperse phase coalescence during drawing and then reduced the fibrillation ability of PET minor phase. The dynamic rheological test performed at 190°C showed that the increased spatial restriction of the nanoparticles improved the viscoelastic moduli and complex viscosity of PET/PP MFC. DSC results indicated that nanosilica had little heterogeneous nucleation effect on the PP matrix of PET/PP MFC. Additionally, nanoparticles could present drastic improvement in the degradation behavior of PET/PP MFC under thermo‐oxidative conditions and increased the modulus of PET/PP MFC. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2718–2726, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Addition of PSMA ADC to enzalutamide therapy significantly improves survival in in vivo model of castration resistant prostate cancer
Authors: DiPippo Vincent A. , Nguyen Holly M. , Brown Lisha G. , Olson William C. , Vessella Robert L. , Corey Eva
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND

Despite multiple new therapies available to patients with advanced castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), the overall survival benefit still remains relatively short. Therefore, it is important to investigate additional treatment options that could achieve greater efficacy. Because of tumor heterogeneity and the development of resistance to treatment with single agents, combination therapies using existing drugs with new agents can potentially broaden individual therapeutic windows and achieve improved efficacy and safety profiles. The objective of the current studies was to evaluate the efficacy of combination of enzalutamide (ENZ) with prostate specific membrane antigen antibody drug conjugate (PSMA ADC) to inhibit CRPC patient‐derived xenografts (PDX) in a preclinical setting.

METHODS

Subcutaneous LuCaP 96CR prostate cancer PDX bearing mice were treated with a single dose of PSMA ADC (2.0 mg/kg) or 5 days a week ENZ (50 mg/kg) as monotherapy or with a combination of these two agents. The effects of the PSMA ADC+ENZ combination were compared to PSMA ADC alone, ENZ alone, and placebo control. IHC analyses were performed to determine PSMA, AR, ARV7, and GR expression and effects on proliferation.

RESULTS

All treatments inhibited tumor progression but with different efficacy. At 6 weeks, in the control and ENZ groups all tumors were progressing, while in the PSMA ADC group only 5/11 were progressing, two remained unchanged and four tumors had decreased tumor volume. Moreover, all animals in the PSMA ADC+ENZ group had smaller tumors at week 6 when compared to their size at enrollment (week 0). A 14‐week followup showed that all three treatments resulted in significant survival benefits but the combination effects were the most pronounced resulting in PSMA ADC+ENZ versus ENZ HR = 0.093 (P = 0.0045) and PSMA ADC+ENZ versus PSMA ADC HR = 0.051 (P = <0.0001) with no deaths observed in the combination group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results clearly indicate that the combination of PSMA ADC+ENZ possesses strong antitumor activity and significantly improves survival over ENZ monotherapy using the LuCaP 96CR PDX model. These results provide a strong rationale for clinical testing of PSMA ADC in combination with ENZ and/or other androgen‐directed treatment strategies. Prostate 76:325–334, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Practical guide to sample size calculations: an introduction
Authors: Flight Laura , Julious Steven A.
Published: November 2015

A sample size justification is a vital step when designing any trial. However, estimating the number of participants required to give a meaningful result is not always straightforward. A number of components are required to facilitate a suitable sample size calculation. In this paper, the general steps are summarised for conducting sample size calculations with practical advice and guidance on how to utilise the app SampSize. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The spatial extent of surface effects on electron inelastic scattering
Authors: Calliari L. , Fanchenko S.
Published: November 2015

We calculate the thickness of the surface scattering layer, defined as the region where electron inelastic scattering is affected by the surface, using the semi‐classical treatment of electron energy loss provided by the Chen–Kwei theory. To this end, we consider the depth‐dependent, surface‐related contributions to the inverse inelastic mean free path, namely, the excitation of surface plasmons and the reduction in bulk plasmon excitation (Begrenzung effect). We find that surface effects extend further after electrons cross the surface than before they cross it. The ‘pre‐surface thickness’ is given by the ratio of the electron velocity to the plasma frequency, the characteristic decay length for surface effects. All thickness estimates increase linearly with the electron velocity and decrease as (cosα)x with the angle α between the electron trajectory and the surface normal. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new dwarf seal from the late Neogene of South America and the evolution of pinnipeds in the southern hemisphere
Authors: Valenzuela‐Toro Ana M. , Pyenson Nicholas D. , Gutstein Carolina S. , Suárez Mario E.
Published: November 2015

Along the south‐western coast of South America, three genera of fossil phocids (true seals) have been formally described from the late Neogene:AcrophocaandPiscophocafrom Chile and Peru, and, more recently,Hadrokirusfrom Peru, which all represent medium‐ to large‐sized phocids. Here, we report the discovery ofAustralophoca changorumgen. et sp. nov., a diminutive phocid from the late Miocene of the Bahía Inglesa Formation (northern Chile) and Pisco Formation (southern Peru), comparable in size with the smallest species of modern phocids. This taxon is based on diagnostic postcranial material, including a humerus that has an elongated deltopectoral crest but lacks an entepicondylar foramen; a femur with a subtrochanteric fossa, among other characters; in combination with a relatively small body size. All these features together distinguishA. changorumfrom all other reported pinnipeds. This new taxon not only increases the taxonomic and morphological diversity of phocids of the late Neogene of the eastern South Pacific Ocean, but it also provides new insights about the evolutionary history of fossil pinniped assemblages in South America and, broadly, in the southern hemisphere.
TESOLas a Professional Community: A Half‐Century of Pedagogy, Research, and Theory
Authors: Canagarajah Suresh
Published: November 2015

This article reviews the developments in significant pedagogical and research domains inTESOLduring the 50‐year history ofTESOLQuarterly. It situates these developments in the shift from a modernist to postmodern orientation in disciplinary discourses. The article also considers the changes in modes of knowledge dissemination in the journal by examining the changes in locations of research, authorship, article genres, and research methods. While there is an evolving diversity in the disciplinary discourses ofTESOLthat can appear to be a threat to the field's coherence, the article argues that this diversity can contribute to a more plural knowledge base and constructive disciplinary growth forTESOL.
Image‐guided tumor surgery: will there be a role for fluorescent nanoparticles?
Authors: Hill Tanner K. , Mohs Aaron M.
Published: November 2015

Image‐guided surgery (IGS) using fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs) has the potential to substantially impact patient treatment. The use of fluorescence imaging provides surgeons with real‐time feedback on the location of diseased tissue using safe, low‐cost imaging agents and instrumentation. Fluorescent NPs are likely to play a role as they are capable of taking advantage of the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and can be modified to avoid clearance, increase circulation time, and specifically target tumors. Clinical trials of IGS using the FDA‐approved fluorophores indocyanine green and methylene blue have already shown preliminary successes, and incorporation of fluorescent NPs will likely improve detection by providing higher signal to background ratio and reducing false‐positive rates through active targeting. Preclinical development of fluorescent NP formulations is advancing rapidly, with strategies ranging from passive targeting to active targeting of cell surface receptors, creating pH‐responsive NPs, and increasing cell uptake through cleavable proteins. This collective effort could lead to clinical trials using fluorescent NPs in the near future. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2016, 8:498–511. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1381

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease
Posthepatectomy Liver Failure Affects Long‐Term Function After Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Nakamura Naohiko , Hatano Etsuro , Iguchi Kohta , Seo Satoru , Taura Kojiro , Uemoto Shinji
Published: November 2015

Background

This study examined whether the severity of posthepatectomy liver failure (PLF) affected the long‐term postoperative liver recovery of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 395 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy from 2004 to 2012 at the Kyoto University Hospital. The severity of PLF between postoperative days 5 and 10 was categorized according to the International Study Group of Liver Surgery criteria. We compared the Child‐Pugh (C‐P) score, platelet count (PLT), and the ratio of future remnant liver volume (FRLV) to the total liver volume (%RLV) at 3, 6, and 12 months after hepatectomy in the non‐PLF, grade A, and grade B groups.

Results

The non‐PLF, grade A, and grade B groups contained 272, 63, and 56 patients, respectively. The C‐P score in the grade A group recovered from 5.37 points before hepatectomy to 5.38 points at 12 months after hepatectomy. The C‐P score in the grade B group increased from 5.51 to 6.81 points at 3 months and was significantly higher (6.00 points) at 12 months than in the non‐PLF group (5.47 points). The PLT significantly decreased at 12 months in the grade B group compared with the non‐PLF group. The %RLV at 12 months in the non‐PLF, grade A, and grade B groups were 84, 83, and 78 %, respectively. The remnant liver hypertrophy in the grade B group was significantly slower than that in the non‐PLF group.

Conclusions

PLF severity affects long‐term liver function recovery and remnant liver hypertrophy after hepatectomy.
Original Scientific Reports: Clinicopathological Findings of Remnant Pancreatic Cancers in Survivors Following Curative Resections of Pancreatic Cancers
Authors: Suzuki Shuji , Furukawa Toru , Oshima Nana , Izumo Wataru , Shimizu Kyoko , Yamamoto Masakazu
Published: November 2015

Background

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate clinicopathological findings of remnant pancreatic cancers in survivors of invasive ductal adenocarcinomas of the pancreas (PDAC).

Methods

A group of 23 patients out of 826 who had curative resections for PDAC between 1980 and 2011 was identified and treated for metachronous pancreatic cancer.

Results

The following tubular adenocarcinomas were found at the first surgery: 3 well differentiated, 17 moderately differentiated, 1 papillary, and 1 poorly differentiated. Treatments for the remnant pancreas consisted of remnant pancreatectomy in 12 patients, chemotherapy in 6, and the best supportive care in 5. The mean time to treatment was 74.2 months. The 12 patients who received remnant resections had 10 PDACs and 2 intraductal papillary mucinous carcinomas. The median survival time was 31.6 months, and 8 patients are still alive.

Conclusions

Long‐term survivors after curative resection for pancreatic cancer should receive follow‐up for remnant pancreatic cancer, and aggressive resection should be considered for more favorable prognosis of PDAC.