bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment evolution and improved survival in multiple myeloma in Taiwan
Authors: Tang Chao-Hsiun , Hou Hsin-An , Huang Kuan-Chih , Qiu Hong , Liu Yanfang 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe incidence of multiple myeloma (MM) is increasing worldwide, but the rate of increase is greatest in Asia. Few data describe the epidemiology and treatment of MM in Asia. Building on a cohort study from 2007 to 2012 using the Taiwan National Healthcare Insurance Research database, we extended our analysis to estimate the disease burden and treatment patterns of patients with MM in Taiwan through 2015. A further 1664 patients with newly diagnosed MM from 2013 to 2015 (total 4387 patients from 2007 to 2015) were enrolled and followed up until death or end of the observation period (December 31, 2016), whichever occurred first. The age distribution of the 2013–2015 cohort was similar to that for previous years, but there were fewer men (52.1% versus 58.0%), and more patients had renal impairment at diagnosis (19.7% versus 16.4%). From 2007 to 2015, crude annual incidences per 100,000 population of newly diagnosed MM increased from 1.74 to 2.48 and age-adjusted incidences from 1.41 to 1.65. Crude all-cause mortality rates increased over time. Case fatality decreased from 25.5 to 18.3% and median survival increased from 2.10 to 3.12 years. From 2007 to 2015, the percentage of patients receiving first-line therapy with novel agents increased from 0.4 to 89.4%, autologous stem cell transplantation doubled, and chemotherapy use decreased by 81%. Comprehensive national data covering 9 years of follow-up demonstrate continuing change in the disease burden, treatment, and survival of MM in Taiwan. Despite increased use of new treatments, MM remains largely incurable.
New awakenings: current understanding of sleep dysfunction and its treatment in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Keir Lindsay H. M. , Breen David P. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe non-motor features of Parkinson’s disease (PD) are increasingly being recognised. This review deals with the spectrum of sleep disorders associated with PD, which have a multifactorial aetiology and can significantly have an impact on the quality of life of patients and their carers. Some sleep disorders represent a prodromal phase of PD, with REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) being of particular interest in this regard, whereas others become more common as the disease advances. Understanding the pathophysiology of these sleep disturbances will hopefully lead to new treatment opportunities in the future. The recent discovery of the glymphatic system for removal of waste products from the brain has also raised the possibility that sleep disruption may cause or accelerate the underlying disease process.
The hidden information in patient-reported outcomes and clinician-assessed outcomes: multiple sclerosis as a proof of concept of a machine learning approach
Authors: Brichetto Giampaolo , Monti Bragadin Margherita , Fiorini Samuele , Battaglia Mario Alberto , Konrad Giovanna , Ponzio Michela , Pedullà Ludovico , Verri Alessandro , Barla Annalisa , Tacchino Andrea 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Machine learning (ML) applied to patient-reported (PROs) and clinical-assessed outcomes (CAOs) could favour a more predictive and personalized medicine. Our aim was to confirm the important role of applying ML to PROs and CAOs of people with relapsing-remitting (RR) and secondary progressive (SP) form of multiple sclerosis (MS), to promptly identifying information useful to predict disease progression. For our analysis, a dataset of 3398 evaluations from 810 persons with MS (PwMS) was adopted. Three steps were provided: course classification; extraction of the most relevant predictors at the next time point; prediction if the patient will experience the transition from RR to SP at the next time point. The Current Course Assignment (CCA) step correctly assigned the current MS course with an accuracy of about 86.0%. The MS course at the next time point can be predicted using the predictors selected in CCA. PROs/CAOs Evolution Prediction (PEP) followed by Future Course Assignment (FCA) was able to foresee the course at the next time point with an accuracy of 82.6%. Our results suggest that PROs and CAOs could help the clinician decision-making in their practice.
The Murky Distinction Between Curiosity and Interest: State of the Art and Future Prospects
Authors: Pekrun Reinhard 
Published: December 2019

AbstractCuriosity and interest are at the core of human inquiry. However, controversies remain about how best to conceptualize these constructs. I propose to derive definitions by attending to the common core of typical usages of the two terms. Using this approach, curiosity can be defined as a psychological state that includes three components: recognition of an information gap, anticipation that it may be possible to close it, and an intrinsically motivated desire to do so. Interest can be more broadly defined as intrinsically motivated engagement with any specific object, content, or activity. The two definitions imply that curiosity is a special case of interest. Furthermore, I propose to use the state-trait distinction to distinguish between momentary and enduring forms of both curiosity and interest, which makes it possible to treat state versus trait curiosity and interest in conceptually parallel ways. To make further progress in understanding the two constructs, research is needed that investigates their affective dynamics and their generalizability across age-related and socio-cultural contexts.
Sex demographics alter the effect of habitat structure on predation by a temporary pond specialist
Authors: Cuthbert Ross N. , Dalu Tatenda , Wasserman Ryan J. , Weyl Olaf L. F. , Froneman P. William , Callaghan Amanda , Dick Jaimie T. A. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractHabitat structure can profoundly influence interaction strengths between predators and prey. Spatio-temporal habitat structure in temporary wetland ecosystems is particularly variable because of fluctuations in water levels and vegetation colonisation dynamics. Demographic characteristics within animal populations may also alter the influence of habitat structure on biotic interactions, but have remained untested. Here, we investigate the influence of vegetation habitat structure on the consumption of larval mosquito prey by the calanoid copepod Lovenula raynerae, a temporary pond specialist. Increased habitat complexity reduced predation, and gravid female copepods were generally more voracious than male copepods in simplified habitats. However, sexes were more similar as habitat complexity increased. Type II functional responses were exhibited by the copepods irrespective of habitat complexity and sex, owing to consistent high prey acquisition at low prey densities. Attack rates by copepods were relatively unaffected by the complexity gradient, whilst handling times lengthened under more complex environments in gravid female copepods. We demonstrate emergent effects of habitat complexity across species demographics, with predation by males more robust to differences in habitat complexity than females. For ecosystems such as temporary ponds where sex-skewed predator ratios develop, our laboratory findings suggest habitat complexity and sex demographics mediate prey risk.
Mechanisms of Tactile Sensory Phenotypes in Autism: Current Understanding and Future Directions for Research
Authors: Schaffler Melanie D. , Middleton Leah J. , Abdus-Saboor Ishmail 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Purpose of Review
This review aims to summarize the current body of behavioral, physiological, and molecular knowledge concerning tactile sensitivity in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with a focus on recent studies utilizing rodent models.

Recent Findings
Mice with mutations in the ASD-related genes, Shank3, Fmr1, UBE3A, and Mecp2, display tactile abnormalities. Some of these abnormalities appear to be caused by mutation-related changes in the PNS, as opposed to changes in the processing of touch stimuli in the CNS, as previously thought. There is also growing evidence suggesting that peripheral mechanisms may contribute to some of the core symptoms and common comorbidities of ASD. Researchers are therefore beginning to assess the therapeutic potential of targeting the PNS in treating some of the core symptoms of ASD.

Summary
Sensory abnormalities are common in rodent models of ASD. There is growing evidence that sensory hypersensitivity, especially tactile sensitivity, may contribute to social deficits and other autism-related behaviors.
Design of a Plasmonic Platform to Improve the SERS Sensitivity for Molecular Detection
Authors: Dab Chahinez , Thomas Reji , Ruediger Andreas 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe suggested a plasmonic platform based on a cubic pattern of gold spheres for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). In the case of linear polarization along the symmetry axes, the SERS enhancement per area is identical to hexagonally patterned surfaces. The validity of this model was tested using the simulation package of COMSOL Multiphysics® Modeling Software. We found an improved sensitivity in the near infrared and visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. This method considered tolerance towards stacking faults and suggested a plasmonic platform for ultra-sensing applications. The design can be extended towards the molecular detection if the proposed plasmonic platform is used with SERS.
An operation optimization method of a fully mechanized coal mining face based on semi-physical virtual simulation
Authors: Shi Hengbo , Xie Jiacheng , Wang Xuewen , Li Juanli , Ge Xing 
Published: December 2019

AbstractA mathematical hydraulic support self-tracking model for three-machine cooperative mining is proposed to address low efficiency and difficulties in strategy evaluation of a fully mechanized coal face. The proposed model uses the coordinates and traction speed of the shearer to calculate the frequency of the circular hydraulic support and realize the coordinated operation of the three-machine mining technology. A unity3d hardware-in-the-loop simulation experimental hearer and hydraulic support platform was used to validate the model of autonomous follow-up. The results indicate that collaborative control of coal mining allowed for an efficiency 3.76% higher than under automatic operation mode and 46.03% higher than under manual control; thus, The mathematical model provided an improved production efficiency of the fully mechanized mining face. The mathematical model also provides a more intelligent and reliable security support, and improves the intelligent level of hydraulic support follow-up control.
Neck dissection does not add to morbidity or mortality of laryngectomy
Authors: Xiao Christopher C. , Imam Sarah A. , Nguyen Shaun A. , Camilon Marc P. , Baker Andrew B. , Day Terry A. , Lentsch Eric J. 
Published: December 2019

ObjectivesTo examine the national rates of complications, readmission, reoperation, death and length of hospital stay after laryngectomy. To explore the risks of neck dissection with laryngectomy using outcomes.MethodsThe American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program (ACS‐NSQIP) database was reviewed retrospectively. The database was analyzed for patients undergoing laryngectomy with and without neck dissection. Demographic, perioperative complication, reoperation, readmission, and death variables were analyzed.Results754 patients who underwent total laryngectomy during this time were found. Demographic analysis showed average age was 63 years old, 566 (75.1%) were white, and 598 (79.3%) were male. Of these patients, 520 (69.0%) included a neck dissection while 234 (31.0%) did not. When comparing patients who received a neck dissection to those who did not, there were no significant differences in median length of hospital stay (12.5 days w/vs. 13.3 days w/o, P = 0.99), rates of complication (40% w/vs. 35% w/o, P = 0.23), reoperation (13.5% w/vs. 14% w/o, P = 0.81), readmission (14% w/vs. 18% w/o, P = 0.27), and death (1.3% w/vs. 1.3% w/o, P > 0.99). Furthermore, neck dissection did not increase the risk of complication (P = 0.23), readmission (P = 0.27), reoperation (P = 0.81), death (P = 0.94), or lengthened hospital stay (P = 0.38).ConclusionsConcurrent neck dissection does not increase postoperative morbidity or mortality in patients undergoing total laryngectomies. These results may help physicians make decisions regarding concurrent neck dissection with total laryngectomy.
REACHING A BEQUEST GOAL WITH LIFE INSURANCE: AMBIGUITY ABOUT THE RISKY ASSET'S DRIFT AND MORTALITY'S HAZARD RATE
Authors: Liang Xiaoqing , Young Virginia R. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe determine the optimal robust strategy of an individual who seeks to maximize the (penalized) probability of reaching a bequest goal when she is uncertain about the drift of the risky asset and her hazard rate of mortality. We assume the individual can invest in a Black–Scholes market. We solve two optimization problems with ambiguity. The first is to maximize the penalized probability of reaching a bequest goal without life insurance in the market. In the second problem, in addition to investing in the financial market, the individual is allowed to purchase term life insurance to help her reach her bequest goal. As the individual becomes more ambiguity averse concerning the drift of the risky asset, she becomes more conservative with her investment strategy. Also, as she becomes more ambiguity averse about her hazard rate of mortality, numerical work indicates she is more likely to buy life insurance when the ambiguity towards the return of the risky asset is not too large.
Ethics at the Edges of Law: Christian Moralists and American Legal Thought
Authors: Coughlin John 
Published: December 2019

At the outset of Ethics at the Edges of Law: Christian Moralists and American Legal Thought, Cathleen Kaveny explains that the purpose of her book is to impart new energy to the interdisciplinary conversation between Christian ethicists and legal scholars. Kaveny observes that the tête-à-tête has tended to be one directional, with legal scholars drawing on theological principles in order to offer critiques of public policy, law, and case precedent. As significant as the theological critique may be, Kaveny proposes that the dialogue would be enriched if it were to be expanded beyond the unilateral direction. On the one hand, she writes to invite theologians and ethicists to turn to the law. On the other hand, she affirms the role played by religious ethics in contributing to debates about controversial public issues. Pointing to the promise of interdisciplinary work between religious ethics and law, Kaveny comments:
The extensive normative reflections on the overarching nature and purpose of human society can provide vantage points from which to critique the quotidian decision of the legislatures and courts. Conversely, the manner in which the legal system settles specific cases offers rich material with which to test and to hone more abstract theological and philosophical reflections about personal and social obligations. (90)
A Theologian's Call
Authors: Schrein Shannon 
Published: December 2019

“Theology is Taught by God, Teaches of God and Leads to God.”(Theologia a Deo docetur, Deum docet, et ad Deum ducit)—Thomas AquinasIn 1972, I was twenty-two years old and had recently made my first vows with the Sisters of St. Francis. The sisters gave me a New American Bible; I had never before owned a Bible, and I promptly put it in my storage trunk for the move to my new mission to teach fifth grade in Minneapolis. Once I arrived, the Bible remained in the trunk.
Effectiveness of foam disinfectants in reducing sink-drain gram-negative bacterial colonization
Authors: Jones Lucas D. , Mana Thriveen S.C. , Cadnum Jennifer L. , Jencson Annette L. , Silva Sandra Y. , Wilson Brigid M. , Donskey Curtis J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackground:Sink drainage systems are not amenable to standard methods of cleaning and disinfection. Disinfectants applied as a foam might enhance efficacy of drain decontamination due to greater persistence and increased penetration into sites harboring microorganisms.Objective:To examine the efficacy and persistence of foam-based products in reducing sink drain colonization with gram-negative bacilli.Methods:During a 5-month period, different methods for sink drain disinfection in patient rooms were evaluated in a hospital and its affiliated long-term care facility. We compared the efficacy of a single treatment with 4 different foam products in reducing the burden of gram-negative bacilli in the sink drain to a depth of 2.4 cm (1 inch) below the strainer. For the most effective product, the effectiveness of foam versus liquid-pouring applications, and the effectiveness of repeated foam treatments were evaluated.Results:A foam product containing 3.13% hydrogen peroxide and 0.05% peracetic acid was significantly more effective than the other 3 foam products. In comparison to pouring the hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid disinfectant, the foam application resulted in significantly reduced recovery of gram-negative bacilli on days 1, 2, and 3 after treatment with a return to baseline by day 7. With repeated treatments every 3 days, a progressive decrease in the bacterial load recovered from sink drains was achieved.Conclusions:An easy-to-use foaming application of a hydrogen peroxide- and peracetic acid-based disinfectant suppressed sink-drain colonization for at least 3 days. Intermittent application of the foaming disinfectant could potentially reduce the risk for dissemination of pathogens from sink drains.
Exploring the impact of adolescent exposure to cannabinoids and nicotine on psychiatric risk: insights from translational animal models
Authors: Laviolette Steven R. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAdolescence represents a highly sensitive period of mammalian neurodevelopment wherein critical synaptic and structural changes are taking place in brain regions involved in cognition, self-regulation and emotional processing. Importantly, neural circuits such as the mesocorticolimbic pathway, comprising the prefrontal cortex, sub-cortical mesolimbic dopamine system and their associated input/output centres, are particularly vulnerable to drug-related insults. Human adolescence represents a life-period wherein many individuals first begin to experiment with recreational drugs such as nicotine and cannabis, both of which are known to profoundly modulate neurochemical signalling within the mesocorticolimbic pathway and to influence both long-term and acute neuropsychiatric symptoms. While a vast body of epidemiological clinical research has highlighted the effects of adolescent exposure to drugs such as nicotine and cannabis on the developing adolescent brain, many of these studies are limited to correlative analyses and rely on retrospective self-reports from subjects, making causal interpretations difficult to discern. The use of pre-clinical animal studies can avoid these issues by allowing for precise temporal and dose-related experimental control over drug exposure during adolescence. In addition, such animal-based research has the added advantage of allowing for in-depth molecular, pharmacological, genetic and neuronal analyses of how recreational drug exposure may set up the brain for neuropsychiatric risk. This review will explore some of the advantages and disadvantages of these models, with a focus on the common, divergent and synergistic effects of adolescent nicotine and cannabis exposure on neuropsychiatric risk.
Representing Grasslands Using Dynamic Prognostic Phenology Based on Biological Growth Stages: 1. Implementation in the Simple Biosphere Model (SiB4)
Authors: Haynes K. D. , Baker I. T. , Denning A. S. , Stöckli R. , Schaefer K. , Lokupitiya E. Y. , Haynes J. M. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractGrasslands grow in a sequence of seasonal growth stages that respond to both climate and weather, and these relationships can be used to establish a strategy for predicting plant phenology. Current plant states (phenophase) can be represented as one of established growth stages that dictate carbon allocation and leaf photosynthetic capacity. Calculating daily phenophases from climate and environmental relationships allows for sequential growth stages (i.e., well‐defined seasonal cycles with a single growth period) or dynamic growth stages (i.e., multiple growth periods during a growing season). Senescence results from biomass mortality in response to environmental conditions. This approach uses a single mechanistic framework to represent grassland ecology, removing the dependence on satellite‐based vegetation indices and individual site tuning of parameters. Rather than being specified, a variety of properties emerge, from allometric relationships such as root‐shoot ratios, to behavior across moisture gradients, to interannual variability in growing season lengths, carbon stores, and land surface fluxes. Using dynamic phenology stages to link biophysical and biogeochemical processes provides a mechanism to predict self‐consistent land‐atmosphere exchanges of carbon, water, energy, radiation, and momentum, as well as carbon storage in cascading pools of biomass; and describing these processes in a mathematically determinate model makes them clear, testable, and usable for predictions. This paper describes this new phenology method as it is implemented in the Simple Biosphere Model Version 4 (SiB4), and a companion paper evaluates this method at grassland sites worldwide.
Mapping Regional Turbulent Heat Fluxes via Assimilation of MODIS Land Surface Temperature Data into an Ensemble Kalman Smoother Framework
Authors: He Xinlei , Xu Tongren , Bateni Sayed M. , Neale Christopher M.U. , Liu Shaomin , Auligne Thomas , Wang Kaicun , Zhu Shoudong 
Published: December 2019

AbstractEstimation of turbulent heat fluxes via variational data assimilation (VDA) approaches has been the subject of several studies. The VDA approaches need an adjoint model that is difficult to derive. In this study, remotely sensed land surface temperature (LST) data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) are assimilated into the heat diffusion equation within an ensemble Kalman smoother (EnKS) approach to estimate turbulent heat fluxes. The EnKS approach is tested in the Heihe River Basin (HRB) in northwest China. The results show that the EnKS approach can estimate turbulent heat fluxes by assimilating low temporal resolution LST data from MODIS. The findings indicate that the EnKS approach performs fairly well in various hydrological and vegetative conditions. The estimated sensible (H) and latent (LE) heat fluxes are compared with the corresponding observations from large aperture scintillometer systems at three sites (namely, Arou, Daman, and Sidaoqiao) in the HRB. The turbulent heat flux estimates from EnKS agree reasonably well with the observations, and are comparable to those of the VDA approach. The EnKS approach also provides statistical information on the H and LE estimates. It is found that the uncertainties of H and LE estimates are higher over wet and/or densely vegetated areas (grassland and forest) compared to the dry and/or slightly vegetated areas (cropland, shrubland, and barren land).