bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clear cell renal carcinoma synchronous with dedifferentiated liposarcoma: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Beltran Estefania , Garcia-Robledo Juan Esteban , Rodríguez-Rojas Lisa X. , Rengifo Martin , Perez Bladimir , Pachajoa Harry , Zambrano Angela R. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Multiple primary malignant neoplasms are not frequent but are increasing in incidence. Some of them are associated with genetic syndromes such as von Hippel-Lindau syndrome and Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Dedifferentiated liposarcoma is one of the rarest soft tissue tumors, and clear cell renal carcinoma is the most frequent kidney cancer. The concomitant presence of these tumors is extremely rare; however, some cases have been reported, none of them presenting with liposarcoma of the limbs. We report an interesting case of a patient with synchronous multiple primary tumors presenting with a very rare liposarcoma associated with renal cell carcinoma (a very rare association). A review of the literature and a collection of similar cases published previously are also provided.

Case presentation
We report a case of a 62-year-old Hispanic man who presented to our institution with a left thigh mass compatible with dedifferentiated liposarcoma synchronous with metastatic clear cell renal carcinoma. Multiple treatment lines were provided with no response, with a further metastatic transformation. Genetic analysis by liquid biopsy showed some mutations that were not susceptible to targeted therapy. At the time of this report, the patient is undergoing palliative care because his nonresponsive metastatic disease persists.

Conclusions
We present the first reported case of clear cell renal carcinoma synchronous with dedifferentiated liposarcoma of a limb. The association between renal cell carcinoma and dedifferentiated liposarcoma is unusual, and there are few reports of this presentation in the literature. More research about these tumors along with genetic tests needs to be performed to seek a better understanding of the fundamental basis of this rare association.
The efficiency of routine infant immunization services in six countries: a comparison of methods
Authors: Menzies Nicolas A. , Suharlim Christian , Resch Stephen C. , Brenzel Logan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundFew studies have systematically examined the efficiency of routine infant immunization services. Using a representative sample of infant immunization sites in Benin, Ghana, Honduras, Moldova, Uganda and Zambia (316 total), we estimated average efficiency levels and variation in efficiency within each country, and investigated the properties of published efficiency estimation techniques.MethodsUsing a dataset describing 316 immunization sites we estimated site-level efficiency using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), and a published ensemble method combining these two approaches. For these three methods we operationalized efficiency using the Sheppard input efficiency measure, which is bounded in (0, 1), with higher values indicating greater efficiency. We also compared these methods to a simple regression approach, which used residuals from a conventional production function as a simplified efficiency index. Inputs were site-level service delivery costs (excluding vaccines) and outputs were total clients receiving DTP3. We analyzed each country separately, and conducted sensitivity analysis for different input/output combinations.ResultsUsing DEA, average input efficiency ranged from 0.40 in Ghana and Moldova to 0.58 in Benin. Using SFA, average input efficiency ranged from 0.43 in Ghana to 0.69 in Moldova. Within each country scores varied widely, with standard deviation of 0.18–0.23 for DEA and 0.10–0.20 for SFA. Input efficiency estimates generated using SFA were systematically higher than for DEA, and the rank correlation between scores ranged between 0.56–0.79. Average input efficiency from the ensemble estimator ranged between 0.41–0.61 across countries, and was highly correlated with the simplified efficiency index (rank correlation 0.81–0.92) as well as the DEA and SFA estimates.ConclusionsResults imply costs could be 30–60% lower for fully efficient sites. Such efficiency gains are unlikely to be achievable in practice – some of the apparent inefficiency may reflect measurement errors, or unmodifiable differences in the operating environment. However, adapted to work with routine reporting data and simplified methods, efficiency analysis could triage low performing sites for greater management attention, or identify more efficient sites as models for other facilities.
Well-posedness of stochastic modified Kawahara equation
Authors: Agarwal P. , Hyder Abd-Allah , Zakarya M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn this paper we consider the Cauchy problem for the stochastic modified Kawahara equation, which is a fifth-order shallow water wave equation. We prove local well-posedness for data in $H^{s}(\mathbb{R})$Hs(R), $s\geq -1/4$s≥−1/4. Moreover, we get the global existence for $L^{2}( \mathbb{R})$L2(R) solutions. Due to the non-zero singularity of the phase function, a fixed point argument and the Fourier restriction method are proposed.
Investigating diagnostic sequencing techniques for CADASIL diagnosis
Authors: Dunn P. J. , Maksemous N. , Smith R. A. , Sutherland H. G. , Haupt L. M. , Griffiths L. R. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractCerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a cerebral small vessel disease caused by mutations in the NOTCH3 gene. Our laboratory has been undertaking genetic diagnostic testing for CADASIL since 1997. Work originally utilised Sanger sequencing methods targeting specific NOTCH3 exons. More recently, next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based technologies such as a targeted gene panel and whole exome sequencing (WES) have been used for improved genetic diagnostic testing. In this study, data from 680 patient samples was analysed for 764 tests utilising 3 different sequencing technologies. Sanger sequencing was performed for 407 tests, a targeted NGS gene panel which includes NOTCH3 exonic regions accounted for 354 tests, and WES with targeted analysis was performed for 3 tests. In total, 14.7% of patient samples (n = 100/680) were determined to have a mutation. Testing efficacy varied by method, with 10.8% (n = 44/407) of tests using Sanger sequencing able to identify mutations, with 15.8% (n = 56/354) of tests performed using the NGS custom panel successfully identifying mutations and a likely non-NOTCH3 pathogenic variant (n = 1/3) identified through WES. Further analysis was then performed through stratification of the number of mutations detected at our facility based on the number of exons, level of pathogenicity and the classification of mutations as known or novel. A systematic review of NOTCH3 mutation testing data from 1997 to 2017 determined the diagnostic rate of pathogenic findings and found the NGS-customised panel increases our ability to identify disease-causing mutations in NOTCH3.
Assessment of PIT tag retention, growth and post-tagging survival in juvenile lumpfish, Cyclopterus lumpus
Authors: D’Arcy Jack , Kelly Suzanne , McDermott Tom , Hyland John , Jackson Dave , Bolton-Warberg Majbritt 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags are used to study the movement and behaviour in populations of a wide variety of fish species and for a number of different applications from fisheries to aquaculture. Before embarking on long-term studies, it is important to collect information on both short- and medium-term survival and tag retention for the species in question. In this study, 90 juvenile lumpfish (10–20 g, 30 fish per replicate tank) were implanted with 12.5-mm FDX PIT tags.

Results
Tag retention, growth rates and survival were compared to those of fish subjected to handling only (90 fish, 30 per replicate tank). Overall survival was 100% during the 28-day monitoring period, and tag retention was 99%.

Conclusions
Results indicate that retention rates of 12.5-mm PIT tags in juvenile lumpfish are high, and there is no significant effect on growth rates or survival in a hatchery environment.
Applications of plant growth promoting bacteria and Trichoderma spp. for controlling Orobanche crenata in faba bean
Authors: El-Dabaa Mahmoud Ahmed Touny , Abd-El-Khair Hassan 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Orobanche crenata is an obligate root parasite belonging to Orbanchaceae. Broomrape causes great damage to the faba bean. Several attempts were applied for controlling parasitic weeds. So, the aim of this work is to study the application of Trichoderma spp. as well as three rhizobacteria species in comparison to herbicidal effect of Glyphosate (Glialka 48% WSC) for controlling broomrape infesting faba bean (Vicia faba).

Materials and methods
Three pot experiments were carried out in the greenhouse of the National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt during two successive winter seasons. Trichoderma inocula were adjusted to 3.6 × 108 propagules/ml and the bacterium inocula were adjusted at 107–109 colony-forming unit (CFU)/ml. All treatments were applied, before 1 week of sowing, at rate of 50 ml per pot in experiments I and II, while 100 ml per pot in experiment III.

Results
Trichoderma spp. (T. harzianum, T. viride and T. vierns) as well as three rhizobacteria species (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus) enhanced the growth parameters in faba bean plants, i.e. shoot length, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight and leaf number in the first experiment when applied without O. crenata infection. In the second experiment, all bio-control could protect plants against O. crenata infection, where it had better juvenile number reduction, than glyphosate after 2 months of application. Both B. subtilis and B. pumilus had the highest reduction to juvenile fresh weight, while their effect was equal to herbicide for juvenile dry weight, respectively. The bio-control agents had high effects until the 4th month, but it was less than that of the herbicide. In experiment III, the bio-control agents could highly reduce the juvenile parameters after 2 months, as well as juvenile fresh weight and juvenile dry weight after 4 months, than the herbicide, respectively. The bio-control agents were effective until 6 months, but less than the herbicide effect. All bio-control treatments highly increased the plant growth parameters, than the herbicide.

Conclusion
The application of Trichoderma spp. as well as rhizobacteria species could play an important role in controlling broomrape in faba bean as a natural bioherbicide.
Improved efficacy of neonicotinoid in tablet formulation on the control of tomato chlorosis virus by controlling the vector Bemisia tabaci
Authors: Li Lei , Hu Zhihong , Dai Tan , Liu Panqing , Chen Chen , Liu Pengfei , Guo Jiajin , Liu Hucheng , Li Songlin , Hao Jianjun , Liu Xili 
Published: January 2020

AbstractNeonicotinoid insecticides are used for preventing insects from transmitting plant viruses. This group of chemicals are easily taken up by plants and translocated to different tissues and are applicable for soil treatment in sustained-release tablets, which greatly reduces environmental contamination compared to foliar spray. The goal of this study was to examine the efficacy of thiamethoxam, acetamiprid and nitenpyram in tablet formulation against whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, the vector of tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV) under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Effective 50% lethal concentration (LC50) of thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, and nitenpyram on B. tabaci were 2.18, 0.46 and 0.18 μg/g plant tissue, respectively. In vitro test showed that tablets of 10 mg nitenpyram applied in seedbed with thiamethoxam transplanting treatment showed 80.9% control of B. tabaci on tomato and 75.5% of ToCV after 32 days of transplanting. Therefore, neonicotinoid tablets were an effective strategy of soil treatment in controlling viruliferous insects and ToCV with reduced environmental contamination.
Patterns of lower limb muscular activity and joint moments during directional efforts using a static dynamometer
Authors: Lalumiere Mathieu , Villeneuve Cloé , Bellavance Cassandra , Goyette Michel , Bourbonnais Daniel 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Strength and coordination of lower muscle groups typically identified in healthy subjects are two prerequisites to performing functional activities. These physical qualities can be impaired following a neurological insult. A static dynamometer apparatus that measures lower limb joint moments during directional efforts at the foot was developed to recruit different patterns of muscular activity. The objectives of the present study were to 1) validate joint moments estimated by the apparatus, and 2) to characterize lower limb joint moments and muscular activity patterns of healthy subjects during progressive static efforts. Subjects were seated in a semi-reclined position with one foot attached to a force platform interfaced with a laboratory computer. Forces and moments exerted under the foot were computed using inverse dynamics, allowing for the estimation of lower limb joint moments.
To achieve the study’s first objective, joint moments were validated by comparing moments of various magnitudes of force applied by turnbuckles on an instrumented leg equipped with strain gauges with those estimated by the apparatus. Concurrent validity and agreement were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients and Bland and Altman analysis, respectively. For the second objective, joint moments and muscular activity were characterized for five healthy subjects while exerting progressive effort in eight sagittal directions. Lower limb joint moments were estimated during directional efforts using inverse dynamics. Muscular activity of eight muscles of the lower limb was recorded using surface electrodes and further analyzed using normalized root mean square data.

Results
The joint moments estimated with the instrumented leg were correlated (r > 0.999) with those measured by the dynamometer. Limits of agreement ranged between 8.5 and 19.2% of the average joint moment calculated by both devices. During progressive efforts on the apparatus, joint moments and patterns of muscular activity were specific to the direction of effort. Patterns of muscular activity in four directions were similar to activation patterns reported in the literature for specific portions of gait cycle.

Conclusion
This apparatus provides valid joint moments exerted at the lower limbs. It is suggested that this methodology be used to recruit muscular activity patterns impaired in neurological populations.
Impact of High-Quality Goals-of-Care Discussions on Oncologist Productivity
Authors: Pintova Sofya , Leibrandt Ryan , Smith Cardinale B. , Adelson Kerin B. , Gonsky Jason P. , Egorova Natalia , Franco Rebeca , Bickell Nina A. 
Published: January 2020

PURPOSE: To study factors that have an impact on the conduct of high-quality goals of care (GoC) discussions and productivity of oncologists among four different practice settings in patients with advanced cancer. METHODS: Solid-tumor oncologists from community, academic, municipal, and rural hospitals were randomly assigned to receive a coaching model of communication skills to help them facilitate a GoC discussion with newly diagnosed patients with advanced cancer who had a less-than-2-year prognosis. Patients were surveyed after the first restaging visit regarding the quality of the GoC discussion on a scale of 0 to 10 (0, worst; 10, best) with a score of 8 or better indicating a high-quality GoC discussion. Productivity was measured by work revenue value units (wRVUs) per hour for the day each oncologist saw the study patient after imaging. RESULTS: The four sites differed significantly in the socioeconomic patient populations they served and in the characteristics of the oncologists who cared for the patients. Overall median productivity across the four sites was 3.6 wRVU/hour, with the highest observed in the community hospital (4.3 wRVU/hour) and the lowest in the rural setting (2.9 wRVU/hour; P < .001). There was no significant difference in productivity observed when high-quality GOC discussion occurred versus when it did not (3.6 v 3.7 wRVU/hour; P = .86). CONCLUSION: Despite differences in patient populations and oncologists’ characteristics between the four practice settings, the conduct of high-quality GoC discussions did not affect productivity.
Intravenous Amisulpride Does Not Meaningfully Prolong the QTc Interval at Doses Effective for the Management of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
Authors: Fox Gabriel M. , Albayaty Muna , Walker Joanna L. , Xue Hongqi , Darpo Borje 
Published: January 2020

Background:
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are significant issues in surgical patients, and additional treatment options are needed. Dopaminergic antiemetics have been popular for their efficacy, but their use has been limited by safety concerns, especially the potential for torsade de pointes arising from QT interval prolongation. Intravenous (IV) amisulpride, a dopamine D2 and D3 antagonist shown to be effective at preventing and treating PONV at doses of 5 and 10 mg, respectively, has a dose-dependent effect on QT but at 5 mg is not associated with clinically meaningful prolongation of the heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval. This study was designed to evaluate the QT effect of a 10-mg dose of amisulpride, alone and when simultaneously coadministered with ondansetron, an antiemetic of a different class, also known to prolong the QT interval.

METHODS:
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 3-period, crossover study, healthy male and female volunteers 18–65 years of age received IV, in a random sequence: (1) amisulpride 10 mg given twice, 2 hours apart; (2) amisulpride 10 mg and ondansetron 4 mg, given simultaneously; and (3) placebo.

RESULTS:
Thirty subjects were enrolled, and 29 completed all 3 treatment periods. The largest mean placebo-corrected change-from-baseline QT interval corrected for heart rate using Fridericia’s formula (QTcF) (ΔΔQTcF) after the first and second amisulpride dose was 5.2 milliseconds (90% confidence interval [CI], 3.53–6.96 milliseconds) and 8.0 milliseconds (90% CI, 5.49–10.58 milliseconds), respectively. After coadministration of amisulpride and ondansetron, the largest mean ΔΔQTcF was 7.3 milliseconds (90% CI, 5.48–9.16 milliseconds). The slope of the amisulpride concentration–change-from-baseline QTcF (ΔQTcF) relationship was 0.006 ms/ng/mL (90% CI, 0.0020–0.0098). No QTc outliers (absolute QTcF value >480 milliseconds or increase from baseline >30 milliseconds) were seen in any period.

CONCLUSIONS:
A 10-mg dose of IV amisulpride, given alone or in combination with ondansetron, does not have a clinically significant effect on the QT interval.
ULTRA-TRACE DETERMINATION OF NEPTUNIUM-237 AND PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES IN URINE SAMPLES BY COMPACT ACCELERATOR MASS SPECTROMETRY
Authors: Dai Xiongxin , Christl Marcus , Kramer-Tremblay Sheila , Synal Hans-Arno 
Published: January 2020

Ultra-trace analysis of actinides, such as Pu isotopes and 237Np, in bioassay samples is often needed for radiation protection programs at nuclear facilities. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), particularly the compact ETH Zurich system “Tandy”, has evolved over the years as one of the most sensitive, selective, and robust techniques for actinide analysis. Employment of the AMS technique can reduce the demands on sample preparation chemistry and increase sample analysis throughput, due to very low instrumental detection limit, high rejection of interferences, and low susceptibility to adverse sample matrices. Initial research and development tests were performed to explore and demonstrate the analytical capability of AMS for Pu and Np urine bioassay. In this study, urine samples spiked with femtogram levels of Np and Pu isotopes were prepared and measured using compact ETH AMS system and the results showed excellent analytical capability for measuring Np and Pu isotopes at femtogram/litre levels in urine.
Grinding Kinetics of Lotus Leaf Powder in a Stirred Media Mill
Authors: Yu Jianfeng , Zhao Jiang , Wang Li 
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Stirred media mills are invoked as high energy utilization equipment to prepare superfine particles with a narrow particle size distribution. In this study, the effects of the stirrer tip speed and the grinding media diameter on the particle size distribution of lotus leaf powder (LLP) were investigated. The stress intensity and stress number, which were determined by the stirrer tip speed and grinding media diameter, were applied to estimate the wet grinding kinetics of LLP. The stress conditions with the minimum specific energy consumption were a grinding media diameter of 1.4 mm and stirrer tip speed of 8.4 m s-1. Additionally, FT-IR measurements of the samples confirmed that the chemical structures of the active ingredients were not damaged with reduction in particle size, which indicated the mildness of the grinding process.HighlightsA stirred media mill was initially applied for preparing superfine lotus leaf powder.The stress conditions with the minimum specific energy consumption were determined.The active ingredients were not denatured during the grinding process. Keywords: Grinding kinetics, Lotus leaf, Stirred media mill, Stress intensity.
Sensing System for Real-Time Measurement of Seed Spacing, Depth, and Geo-Location of Corn: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Badua Sylvester , Sharda Ajay , Flippo Daniel 
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Proper seed placement during planting is critical for achieving uniform emergence, which optimizes the crop for maximum yield potential. While uniform plant spacing and seeding depth are often used by corn growers to determine the performance of precision planters, these parameters can be influenced by factors other than machinery, such as seed germination, insects, diseases, and soil properties (e.g., temperature and moisture). Currently, the ideal way to determine planter performance is to manually measure plant spacing and seeding depth. However, this process is both cost- and labor-intensive and prone to human errors. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and test a proof-of-concept sensing and measurement (SAM) system to measure seed spacing and seeding depth and provide the geo-location of each planted seed. The system consisted of a high-speed camera, light section sensor, potentiometer, and survey-grade real-time kinematic (RTK) global positioning system (GPS) unit. Results demonstrated the potential of the proof-of-concept SAM system for measuring seed spacing, seeding depth, and geo-location of corn seeds. Results showed that seed spacing can be calculated using the generated stitched images, achieving a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.63 cm and a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.87 when compared to actual seed spacing measurements. Likewise, 98% of the recorded seeding depths were within the acceptable tolerance of ±10% error. Finally, GPS coordinates were recorded for individual images, which can be used to locate individual seeds and provide detailed information on missing plants (no seeds).HighlightsCalculated seed spacing showed an RMSE of 0.63 cm and an R2 of 0.87.98% of the recorded seeding depth was within the acceptable error of ±10%.GPS coordinates were recorded for individual images. Keywords: High-speed camera, Image mosaic, Light section sensor, Proof of concept, Seeding depth, Seed spacing.