bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can smoking duration alone replace pack-years to predict the risk of smoking-related oncogenic mutations in non-small cell lung cancer? A cross-sectional study in Japan
Authors: Ogawa Koichi , Koh Yasuhiro , Kaneda Hiroyasu , Izumi Motohiro , Matsumoto Yoshiya , Sawa Kenji , Fukui Mitsuru , Taniguchi Yoshihiko , Yoshimoto Naoki , Tamiya Akihiro , Ando Masahiko , Kubo Akihito , Isa Shun-ichi , Saka Hideo , Matsumura Akihide , Kawaguchi Tomoya 
Published: September 2020

ObjectiveTo investigate whether smoking duration alone can replace pack-years to predict the risk of oncogenic mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).DesignA cross-sectional study using the baseline dataset from the Japan Molecular Epidemiology for Lung Cancer Study.SettingForty-three medical institutions nationwide in Japan.ParticipantsFrom July 2012 to December 2013, 957 patients with newly diagnosed stage I–IIIB NSCLC who underwent surgery were enrolled, and molecular analyses were performed on 876 samples (from 441 ever-smokers and 435 never-smokers).Main outcomes measuredWe calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values using logistic regression to compare between the predictive values of smoking duration and pack-years for mutational frequencies in the v-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS), tumour suppressor p53 (TP53), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) genes and for cytosine-to-adenine base substitution (C>A).ResultsFor predicting KRAS mutations, the AUC values for smoking duration and pack-years were 0.746 (95% CI 0.682 to 0.800) and 0.759 (95% CI 0.700 to 0.810), respectively (p=0.058). For predicting KRAS mutations in smokers, the AUC values for smoking duration and pack-years were 0.772 (95% CI 0.697 to 0.833) and 0.787 (95% CI 0.714 to 0.845), respectively (p=0.036). There were no significant differences between the AUC values for smoking duration and pack-years in terms of predicting TP53 and EGFR mutations and C>A. Pack-years was a significantly better predictor of KRAS mutations than smoking duration.ConclusionSmoking duration was not significantly different from pack-years in predicting the likelihood of smoking-related gene mutations. Given the recall bias in obtaining smoking information, smoking duration alone should be considered for further investigation as a simpler alternative to pack-years.
Individual-level and community-level factors associated with the family planning use among pastoralist community of Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Alemayehu Mussie , Medhanyie Araya Abrha , Reed Elizabeth , Mulugeta Afework 
Published: September 2020

ObjectiveThe study aimed to identify the effects of the individual-level and community-level factors on the use of family planning (FP) among married women in the pastoralist community of Ethiopia.DesignA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2018. Data were analysed using R software. To determine the fixed effect of individual-level and community-level factors of FP use, a two-level mixed-effects logistic regression was used. The result was described using the Adjusted OR (AOR), and the variance partition coefficient.Setting and participantsAfar, Ethiopia (2018; n=891) married women of reproductive age (15–49) years.Primary outcome measuresFP use or non-use.ResultsThe current use of FP was 18.7% (16.31%–21.43%). Women who need to walk 1 hour and more to the nearest health facility (AOR 0.14, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.3), have ANC visit of 4 and above (AOR 6.02, 95% CI 1.74 to 20.8), had their last birth at a health facility (AOR 2.71 95% CI 1.27 to 5.81), have five and more children (AOR 4.71, 95% CI 1.86 to 11.9), have high knowledge on FP (AOR 2.74, 95% CI 1.11 to 6.74) and had high intentions to use FP (AOR 10.3, 95% CI 3.85 to 27.6) were more likely to report FP use. The magnitude of the effect of for FP use was smaller than that of 9 of the 13 individual factors. Apart from this 19.4% of the total variance in the odds of using FP attributed to between community difference (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.194). Regarding the community-level characteristics, clusters of having higher electronic media possession (AOR 2.84, 95% CI 1.2 to 6.72) and higher women decision making on FP (AOR 8.35, 95% CI 2.7 to 27.1) were significantly associated with increased FP use compared with clusters with lower reports of these aspects.ConclusionFP use among the pastoralist community is influenced by both individual cluster/community-level characteristics or factors. Even though the effect of clustering in FP use was large in comparison with the unexplained between-cluster variation, it was lower than the individual-level factors.Trail registrtion numberNCT03450564
Adaptation of an exercise intervention for pregnant women to community-based delivery: a study protocol
Authors: Swindle Taren , Martinez Audrey , Børsheim Elisabet , Andres Aline 
Published: September 2020

IntroductionDespite well-established guidelines and benefits to exercise, the majority of pregnant women in the USA fail to meet recommended activity levels. Studies need to determine feasible ways to translate clinical interventions to community settings by engaging pregnant women in widely accessible locations to ensure benefits to more women. The aim of this study is to adapt and determine feasibility, acceptability and fidelity of the research clinic-based Expecting intervention (NCT02125149) with pregnant women with obesity in community settings.Methods and analysisWe will use the Replicating Effective Programs (REP) to guide the adaptation and implementation of the research clinic-based intervention into the community. REP provides a four-phase process for implementing evidence-based interventions including collection of feedback from community stakeholders, iterative piloting of the intervention in the community and a process for standardising the intervention across community settings. Following adaptation, the updated intervention will be piloted. The pilot study will include 60 expecting women. We will randomise half to receive the community-adapted Expecting intervention (intervention, N=30) and half to receive standard of care (control, N=30). Feasibility and Acceptability of Intervention Measures are primary outcomes as key indicators of feasibility. Secondary outcomes will include the number of intervention sessions completed, the change in the number of minutes of physical activity as measured by accelerometer, as well as change in health indicators from enrolment to time of delivery and 6 months post-delivery (ie, body mass index, blood pressure and total cholesterol).Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (#260132). Findings will be shared with study participants and stakeholder advisors through written summaries and in-person presentations; results will also be shared through presentations at scientific conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberNCT04298125; Pre-results.
Preliminary data on an affordable UAV system to survey for freshwater turtles: advantages and disadvantages of low-cost drones
Authors: Escobar Javier E. Canahuati , Rollins Mark , Unger Shem 
Published: September 2020

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are established, valuable tools for wildlife surveys in marine and terrestrial environments; however, they are seldom utilized in freshwater ecosystems. Therefore, baseline data on the use of UAVs in lotic environments are needed that balances flight parameters (e.g., altitude and noise level) with image quality, while minimizing disturbance to individuals. Moreover, the traditional high-cost UAVs may present challenges to researchers conducting rapid assessments on species presence with limited funding. However, emerging, affordable UAV systems can provide this preliminary data to researchers, albeit with caveats on reliability of data. We tested a low-cost UAV system to document freshwater turtle presence, species distribution, and habitat use in a small North Carolina wetland. We observed minimal instances of turtles fleeing basking sites (∼0.7%), as this UAV system was only ∼2.1 dB above ambient noise levels at an altitude of 20 m. Freshwater turtles were found primarily in algal mat basking habitats with highly variable numbers observed across locations and flights, likely due to image quality reliability and altitude. Our affordable UAV system was successful in providing baseline information on species presence, size distribution, and habitat preference of turtles in freshwater ecosystems.
New radiometric data from the South Maradi Pan-African formations, southern Niger
Authors: Baraou Idi Souley , Konaté Moussa 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The Pan-African Province (PAP) of South Maradi (Niger) corresponds to the northeastern part of the Benin–Nigerian Shield. In this framework, schist belts outcrop in NE–SW bands of mylonitic gneiss, associated with granitoid intrusions. This study focuses on geochronological dating of the South Maradi PAP formations. Four samples were dated by K–Ar on a MI-1201 IG mass spectrometer and two of them were re-dated by U–Pb on a inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The Dan Issa porphyritic gneiss indicated two weighted average U–Pb zircon ages: 638.3 ± 3.0 Ma (MSWD = 5.4) and 589.6 ± 1.9 Ma (MSWD = 0.39). Dating of the Maraka schist using the U–Pb on zircon method gave a weighted average age of 617.9 ± 2.8 Ma (MSWD = 2.3), while the same sample recorded a K–Ar age (whole rock) of 505 ± 15 Ma. The Rourouka porphyroid granite gave a K–Ar (whole-rock) age of 508 ± 10 Ma. The Fiawa-Garin Wali mylonitic gneiss indicated ages of 491 ± 10 Ma (K–Ar on feldspar) and 475 ± 10 Ma (K–Ar on whole rock). These preliminary radiometric data reveal the polycyclic character of the Pan-African remobilization which ranges from the Neoproterozoic to the early Paleozoic.
Using the Synthesizer-Generator to teach principles of programming language semantics
Authors: Kurtz B. L. , Johnston J. B. 
Published: September 2020

The Synthesizer-Generator (or simply Syn-Gen) is a software tool for building context sensitive editors. It has been applied to a wide variety of applications, ranging from programing language editors to editors that insure balanced chemical equations. The context sensitivity is provided by using attribute grammars. We provide an introduction to Syn-Gen and illustrate how it can be used to build programming language editors that only allow input of source code that compiles successfully. We then discuss use of Syn-Gen in two classes:
We found that assignments involving the details of Syn-Gen implementation were challenging due to the syntactic complexity of the Syn-Gen system. For such assignments to be successful, it was necessary to keep a tight rein on this complexity. Using Syn-Gen as a context sensitive editor without worrying about implementation was quite successful. In the future, we plan to explore the use of Syn-Gen to develop editors for mini-languages to help teach introductory students about the various programming paradigms: imperative, functional and logical.
SO3 Treatment of Lithium- and Manganese-Rich NCMs for Li-Ion Batteries: Enhanced Robustness towards Humid Ambient Air and Improved Full-Cell Performance
Authors: Sicklinger Johannes , Beyer Hans , Hartmann Louis , Riewald Felix , Sedlmeier Christian , Gasteiger Hubert A. 
Published: September 2020

To increase the specific capacity of layered transition metal oxide based cathode active materials (CAMs) for Li-ion batteries such as NCMs (Li(NixCoyMnz)O2, with x + y + z = 1), two major strategies are pursued: (i) increasing the Ni content (beyond, e.g., NCM811 with x = 0.8 and y = z = 0.1) or (ii) using Li- and Mn-rich NCMs (LMR-NCMs) which can be represented by the formula x Li2MnO3 · (1−x) LiNixCoyMnzO2. Unfortunately, these materials strongly react with CO2 and moisture in the ambient: Ni-rich NCMs due to the high reactivity of nickel, and LMR-NCMs due to their ≈10-fold higher specific surface area. Here we present a novel surface stabilization approach via SO3 thermal treatment of LMR-NCM suitable to be implemented in CAM manufacturing. Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy prove that SO3 treatment results in a sulfate surface layer, which reduces the formation of surface carbonates and hydroxides during ambient air storage. In contrast to untreated LMR-NCM, the SO3-treated material is very robust towards exposure to ambient air at high relative humidity, as demonstrated by its lower reactivity with ethylene carbonate based electrolyte (determined via on-line mass spectrometry) and by its reduced impedance build-up and improved rate capability in full-cell cycling experiments.
Modeling Resistance and Recurrence Patterns of Combined Targeted–Chemoradiotherapy Predicts Benefit of Shorter Induction Period
Authors: McClatchy David M. , Willers Henning , Hata Aaron N. , Piotrowska Zofia , Sequist Lecia V. , Paganetti Harald , Grassberger Clemens 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Optimal integration of molecularly targeted therapies, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), with concurrent chemotherapy and radiation (CRT) to improve outcomes in genotype-defined cancers remains a current challenge in clinical settings. Important questions regarding optimal scheduling and length of induction period for neoadjuvant use of targeted agents remain unsolved and vary among clinical trial protocols. Here, we develop and validate a biomathematical framework encompassing drug resistance and radiobiology to simulate patterns of local versus distant recurrences in a non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) population with mutated EGFR receiving TKIs and CRT. Our model predicted that targeted induction before CRT, an approach currently being tested in clinical trials, may render adjuvant targeted therapy less effective due to proliferation of drug-resistant cancer cells when using very long induction periods. Furthermore, simulations not only demonstrated the competing effects of drug-resistant cell expansion versus overall tumor regression as a function of induction length, but also directly estimated the probability of observing an improvement in progression-free survival at a given cohort size. We thus demonstrate that such stochastic biological simulations have the potential to quantitatively inform the design of multimodality clinical trials in genotype-defined cancers.

Significance:
A biomathematical framework based on fundamental principles of evolution and radiobiology for in silico clinical trial design allows clinicians to optimize administration of TKIs before chemoradiotherapy in oncogene-driven NSCLC.
Abstract P089: Assessment Of Sensorimotor Function To Establish A Clinically Relevant Animal Model Of Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH) Using The Hypertensive Transgenic Rat (mRen2)27
Authors: Contillo Nicholas J , Anzalone Anthony , McMullen Nathan , Peterson Keyan , Tschoe Christine , xiang zhidan , DIZ Debra I , Wolfe Stacey 
Published: September 2020

Uncontrolled hypertension is the leading cause of spontaneous ICH and elevated SBP is a strong predictor of poor outcomes in ICH patients. An animal model of the chronically hypertensive, metabolically dysfunctional and pro-inflammatory state of the ICH patient population is needed to advance clinically-relevant ICH research. Transgenic (mRen2)27 rats overexpress the murine Ren2 gene and develop hypertension and metabolic syndrome by 12-14 weeks of age. Indices of diastolic and systolic cardiac function are in decline in (mRen2)27 males by 30 weeks of age, but are preserved in females at this age. To establish whether (mRen2)27 rats exhibit sensorimotor dysfunction as compared with control Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, male and female (mRen2)27 rats underwent corner turn (CT), vibrissae evoked forelimb placing (VEF), cage wire hang (CWH), and open-field (OF) testing for five consecutive weeks starting at 20-weeks of age (n=16; female=8; each strain). Despite the significant between-strain difference in SBP [189 ± 3 mmHg in (mRen2)27 and 119 ± 3 mmHg in SD; p<0.001], there were no significant between-strain differences in sensorimotor testing at weeks 20, 22, 23, and 24 (Table 1). At week 21, a significant between-strain difference was identified isolated to the VEF test (p<0.01). As sensorimotor testing is critical to assess the effect of experimentally-induced ICH in rodent models, the lack of strain differences supports the viability of (mRen2)27 rats as a clinically relevant model for the comparison of ICH superimposition in the two strains at this age without consistent baseline sensorimotor deficits.
(Cardiovascular Sci. and Hypertension & Vasc. Res. Ctrs; Neurosurgery)
Abstract P228: Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist And Lipophilic Statin Reduce Urinary Kidney Injury Marker 1 (Kim-1) In Female Rats Receiving L-NAME And Angiotensin II
Authors: Caliskan Guzelce Ezgi , Huang Jiayan , Gholami Shadi K , Gawelek Kara Lynn , Mitchell Richard Neal , Pojoga Luminita , Romero Jose R. , Williams Gordon H. , K. Adler Gail 
Published: September 2020

Statins have beneficial cardiovascular effects some of which appear to be cholesterol-independent and the mechanisms for these latter effects are still unclear. Urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (Kim-1) is a sensitive biomarker of acute renal injury and in clinical studies predicts cardiovascular disease. Aldosterone causes both cardiac and renal injury and a few studies suggest that aldosterone is associated with increased Kim-1. Therefore, in this study we used the N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)/Angiotensin II (AngII) model of cardiorenal injury to determine whether urinary Kim-1 correlates with the degree of cardiac injury/stroke and whether blockade of the mineralocorticoid receptor prevents increases in urinary Kim-1. Further, since our group reported previously that lipophilic statins, but not hydrophilic statins reduce aldosterone levels, we also asked whether administration of either a lipophilic or a hydrophilic statin affects Kim-1 levels.

To test the hypothesis, 8-10 week-old, female Wistar rats consuming liberal salt diet (1.6% Na
+
) were randomized to the following conditions for 14 days: control; L-NAME (0.2 mg/ml in drinking water)/AngII (225ug/kg/day for days 12-14 only); L-NAME/AngII + eplerenone (100 mg/kg/day p.o.); L-NAME/Ang II + pravastatin (hydrophilic statin-20 mg/kg/day p.o.); L-NAME/Ang II + simvastatin (lipophilic statin-20 mg/kg/day p.o.) groups.

Groups treated with L-NAME/AngII had significantly higher blood pressure, urine aldosterone and plasma aldosterone levels compared to control. L-NAME/AngII treatment increased cardiac injury/stroke composite score, including cardiac histopathology evaluation and stroke status, and
24 hour-urinary Kim-1 compared to control. Eplerenone reduced cardiac injury/stroke composite score (p=0.04) and both eplerenone and simvastatin reduced urinary Kim-1 (p=0.0046, p=0.031, respectively). Pravastatin had no effect on these damage markers. Urinary Kim-1 correlated with cardiac injury/stroke composite score (p<0.0001, spearman ranked correlation=0.67).
In conclusion, in a rat model of L-NAME/AngII induced cardiovascular injury, urinary Kim-1 predicts cardiac/stroke injury; eplerenone and simvastatin reduced urinary Kim-1.
Studying Scale Dependency of Aerosol–Cloud Interactions Using Multiscale Cloud Formulations
Authors: Glotfelty Timothy , Alapaty Kiran , He Jian , Hawbecker Patrick , Song Xiaoliang , Zhang Guang 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe Weather Research and Forecasting Model with Aerosol–Cloud Interactions (WRF-ACI) configuration is used to investigate the scale dependency of aerosol–cloud interactions (ACI) across the “gray zone” scales for grid-scale and subgrid-scale clouds. The impacts of ACI on weather are examined across regions in the eastern and western United States at 36, 12, 4, and 1 km grid spacing for short-term periods during the summer of 2006. ACI impacts are determined by comparing simulations with current climatological aerosol levels to simulations with aerosol levels reduced by 90%. The aerosol–cloud lifetime effect is found to be the dominant process leading to suppressed precipitation in regions of the eastern United States, while regions in the western United States experience offsetting impacts on precipitation from the cloud lifetime effect and other effects that enhance precipitation. Generally, the cloud lifetime effect weakens with decreasing grid spacing due to a decrease in relative importance of autoconversion compared to accretion. Subgrid-scale ACI are dominant at 36 km, while grid-scale ACI are dominant at 4 and 1 km. At 12 km grid spacing, grid-scale and subgrid-scale ACI processes are comparable in magnitude and spatial coverage, but random perturbations in grid-scale ACI impacts make the overall grid-scale ACI impact appear muted. This competing behavior of grid- and subgrid-scale clouds complicate the understanding of ACI at 12 km within the current WRF modeling framework. The work implies including subgrid-scale cloud microphysics and ice/mixed-phase-cloud ACI processes may be necessary in weather and climate models to study ACI effectively.
Management of oncology-related emergencies at the emergency department: A long-term undertaking
Authors: Chua Wei Lin Tallie , Chan Shi En Joanna , Lai Gillianne , Yong Looi Yee Tracy , Kanesvaran Ravindran , Anantharaman Venkataraman 
Published: September 2020

Background: The emergency department at the Singapore General Hospital is an emergency department with an annual census of 140,000 and oncology-related attendances of about 4000 (2.8%). These patients are often admitted for further care. Palliative care in the emergency department for these patients is often minimal. The aim of this study was to determine the state of current management of oncology-related emergencies at the Singapore General Hospital’s emergency department, hence identifying specific areas for intervention. Methods: We carried out a retrospective data review of all Singapore General Hospital’s emergency department patients who had either cancer-related diagnoses or were admitted to the Medical Oncology Department in October 2018. Simple statistical analysis was then performed using IBM SPSS version 21. Results: Of 308 identified patients, there was approximately equal distribution by sex. The women were generally younger than the men (61.33 ± 13.63 years vs 67.36 ± 12.02 years, p = 0.063, confidence interval −8.94 to −3.13). Seventy-two (23.4%) of the patients arrived at emergency department by ambulance. The mean emergency department length of stay was 4.25 h. About half of the patients had either lung, colorectal, or breast as their primary site of cancer. There was no correlation between clinical severity according to the National Early Warning Scores and triage complaint-type or emergency clinical diagnosis. More than 90% were admitted, with about 32.6% dying during their inpatient stay. High National Early Warning Scores were significantly associated with mortality. Conclusion: There is large potential for interventions to improve patient well-being in the pre-hospital setting and emergency department. Given the sizable number of patients with poor outcomes, palliative care is also of paramount importance.