bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transoral robotic salvage oropharyngectomy with submental artery island flap reconstruction
Authors: Holcomb Andrew J. , Richmon Jeremy D. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundTransoral robotic surgery (TORS) is an effective approach for select salvage oropharyngeal resections. Reconstruction in these scenarios is often necessary for vascular coverage and optimal functional outcomes but can be challenging. The submental artery island flap (SAIF) is well‐suited to this reconstruction.Design/MethodTwo patients presented with recurrent oropharyngeal tumors after chemoradiation. Each tumor was resected using TORS, and the SAIF was utilized for reconstruction. Flap inset was completed using TORS in one case.ResultsBoth patients experienced uneventful recovery free from bleeding events or fistula formation and experienced no partial flap loss or donor site complications.ConclusionsThe SAIF is a simple reconstructive option for TORS defects that may be inset using robotic assistance and avoids the need for free tissue transfer.
M‐EA (methotrexate, etoposide, dactinomycin) and EMA‐CO (methotrexate, etoposide, dactinomycin / cyclophosphamide, vincristine) regimens as first‐line treatment of high‐risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia
Authors: Singh Kam , Gillett Sarah , Ireson Jane , Hills Anne , Tidy John A. , Coleman Robert E. , Hancock Barry W. , Winter Matthew C. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractHigh‐risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is highly chemosensitive with an excellent prognosis with treatment. Historically in the United Kingdom, the high‐risk regimens used have been M‐EA (methotrexate, etoposide, dactinomycin) (Sheffield) and EMA‐CO (methotrexate, etoposide, dactinomycin / cyclophosphamide, vincristine) (Charing Cross, London) with prior published data suggesting no difference in survival between these. Our Sheffield treatment policy changed in 2014, switching from M‐EA to EMA‐CO, aiming to reduce time in hospital, and harmonise UK practice. We aimed to report the toxicities, response rates and survival outcomes for 79 patients with high‐risk GTN treated in the first‐line setting with either M‐EA (n = 59) or EMA‐CO (n = 20) from 1998 to 2018. Median duration of treatment was similar (M‐EA, 17.3 weeks (IQR 13.9‐22.6) and 17.6 weeks (IQR 13.4‐20.7) with EMA‐CO. For M‐EA, overall human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) complete response (CR) rate was 84.7% (n = 50/59). Two patients died of drug‐resistant disease after several lines of multiagent chemotherapy; overall survival is 96.6% (median follow‐up 10.4 years). For EMA‐CO, overall hCG CR rate was 70%, overall survival is 100% (median follow‐up 4 years). In our experience, patients treated with EMA‐CO experienced an apparent increased incidence of neutropenia, non‐neutropenic Grade 3‐4 infection, peripheral neuropathy and more treatment delays and nights in hospital. Granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor, after both EMA and CO arms, titrated to baseline neutrophil count improved the toxicity profile. Both treatment regimens are associated with excellent prognosis; selection of regimen may be further guided by individual patients' personal, social and family circumstances. There is further rationale to explore whether these regimens can be refined, such as 2‐weekly EMA, to optimise patient experience and reduce toxicity while maintaining efficacy.
Targeting USP13‐mediated drug tolerance increases the efficacy of EGFR inhibition of mutant EGFR in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Giron Philippe , Eggermont Carolien , Noeparast Amir , Vandenplas Hugo , Teugels Erik , Forsyth Ramses , De Wever Olivier , Aza‐Blanc Pedro , Gutierrez Gustavo J. , De Grève Jacques 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) induce sensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Despite impressive clinical responses, patients ultimately relapse as a reservoir of drug‐tolerant cells persist, which ultimately leads to acquired resistance mechanisms. We performed an unbiased high‐throughput siRNA screen to identify proteins that abrogate the response of EGFR‐mutant NSCLC to EGFR‐targeted therapy. The deubiquitinase USP13 was a top hit resulting from this screen. Targeting USP13 increases the sensitivity to EGFR inhibition with small molecules in vitro and in vivo. USP13 selectively stabilizes mutant EGFR in a peptidase‐independent manner by counteracting the action of members of the Cbl family of E3 ubiquitin ligases. We conclude that USP13 is a strong mutant EGFR‐specific cotarget that could improve the treatment efficacy of EGFR‐targeted therapies.
Hormonal factors in association with lung cancer among Asian women: A pooled analysis from the International Lung Cancer Consortium
Authors: Jin Kexin , Hung Rayjean J. , Thomas Sera , Le Marchand Loic , Matsuo Keitaro , Seow Adeline , Shen Hongbing , Kok Woon‐Puay , Yuan Jian‐Min , Wu Ming , Li Liming , Zhao Jin‐Kou , Zhang Zuo‐Feng 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTwo thousand sixty‐four lung cancer cases and 5342 controls were evaluated in this International Lung Cancer Consortium (ILCCO) pooled analysis on estrogen‐related hormonal factors and lung cancer in Asian women. Random effect of study site and fixed effect of age, smoking status, comprehensive smoking index and family history of lung cancer were adjusted for in the multivariable logistic regression models. We found that late onset of menarche conferred elevated odds of lung cancer with adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.24 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05, 1.45) for 17 years or older, compared to 14 years or younger. Late onset of menopause at 55 years old or older was associated with lung cancer with OR = 1.24 (95% CI = 1.02, 1.51). Nonnatural menopause was associated with an OR of 1.39 (95% CI = 1.13, 1.71). More live births showed reversed association with lung cancer (ORs of 5 or more live births: 0.71 (95% CI = 0.60, 0.84), compared to 0‐2 live births (Ptrend < 0.001). A later first child delivery seemed associated with an increased susceptibility: OR of 21 to 25 years old: 1.23 (95% CI = 1.06, 1.40), 26 or older: 1.27 (95% CI = 1.06, 1.52), Ptrend = .010). The use of oral contraceptives appeared to be protective with an OR of 0.69 (95% CI = 0.57, 0.83). Stronger for adenocarcinoma than squamous cell carcinoma, these relationships were not clearly modified by smoking status, probably because of lower prevalence of smoking. This is a first and largest pooling study of lung cancer among Asian women and the results suggested potential roles of hormone‐related pathways in the etiology of this disease.
Do female managers perform better? Evidence from Italian manufacturing firms
Authors: Castiglione Concetta , Infante Davide , Smirnova Janna 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe aim of the paper is to test whether the presence of females on boards of directors influences firms productivity. The analysis is conducted on a large sample of Italian manufacturing firms extracted from the Analisi Informatizzata delle Aziende database for the years 2004 and 2012. Our results show that firm productivity is positively influenced by the presence of women managers in both post and pre‐crisis periods, revealing that peculiar features of female human capital matter in running manufacturing firms. The productivity differential is found to depend on geographical localization. Female managed firms located in the North–West regions significantly increase the positive firm productivity differential of the geographical area, while firms located in the South and Islands reduce the firm differential productivity gap registered by the area. Further investigation shows that female and mixed managed firms result to be more productive than male only managed firms. In the light of our findings we discuss the importance of policies that provide incentives for female inclusion in leading position of the firms.
Enhancing parental reflective functioning through early dyadic interventions: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Barlow Jane , Sleed Michelle , Midgley Nick 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTParental reflective functioning (PRF) is an important predictor of infant attachment, and interventions that target parent–infant/toddler dyads who are experiencing significant problems have the potential to improve PRF. A range of dyadic interventions have been developed over the past two decades, some of which explicitly target PRF as part of their theory of change, and some that do not explicitly target PRF, but that have measured it as an outcome. However, no meta‐analytic review of the impact of these interventions has been carried out to date. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of dyadic interventions targeting parents of infant and toddlers, in improving PRF and a number of secondary outcomes. A systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted in which key electronic databases were searched up to October 2018. Eligible studies were identified and data extracted. Data were synthesised using meta‐analysis and expressed as both effect sizes and risk ratios. Six studies were identified providing a total of 521 participants. The results of six meta‐analyses showed a nonsignificant moderate improvement in PRF in the intervention group (standardised mean difference [SMD]: –0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI] [–0.97, 0.04]) and a significant reduction in disorganised attachment (risk ratio: 0.50; 95% CI [0.27, 0.90]). There was no evidence for intervention effects on attachment security (odds ratio: 0.71; 95% CI [0.19, 2.64]), parent–infant interaction (SMD: –0.10; 95% CI [–0.46, 0.26]), parental depression (SMD: –1.55; 95% CI [–3.74, 0.64]) or parental global distress (SMD: –0.19, 95% CI [–3.04, 22.65]). There were insufficient data to conduct subgroup analysis (i.e. to compare the effectiveness of mentalisation‐based treatment with non‐mentalization‐based treatment interventions). Relational early interventions may have important benefits in improving PRF and reducing the prevalence of attachment disorganisation. The implications for future research are discussed.
Robust tuning and sensitivity analysis of stochastic integer andfractional‐order PIDcontrol systems: application ofsurrogate‐basedrobustsimulation‐optimization
Authors: Parnianifard Amir , Fakhfakh Mourad , Kotti Mouna , Zemouche Ali , Wuttisittikulkij Lunchakorn 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis paper aims to make a trade‐off between performance and robustness in stochastic control systems with probabilistic uncertainties. For this purpose, we develop a surrogate‐based robust simulation‐optimization approach for robust tuning and analyzing the sensitivity of stochastic controllers. Kriging surrogate is combined with robust design optimization to construct a robust simulation‐optimization model in the class of dual response surfaces. Randomness in simulation experiments due to uncertainty is analyzed through bootstrapping technique by computing confidence regions for the estimation of Pareto frontier. Results confirmed a proper trade‐off between the model's performance with the measure of expected Integral Squared Error (ISE) and robustness against uncertainty in the plant's physical parameters. Finally, the proposed method is evaluated in terms of accuracy, computational cost, and simplicity particularly in comparison with some common existed techniques in the tuning of the Proportional‐Integral‐Derivative (PID) and Fractional‐Order PID (FOPID) controllers.
Surface modification of coconut shell activated carbon for efficient solid‐phase extraction of N‐nitrosodimethylamine from water
Authors: Astuti Maryani Paramita , Jasemizad Tahereh , Padhye Lokesh P. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA practical and cheap methodology in modifying commercial coconut shell activated carbon for solid‐phase extraction of N‐nitrosodimethylamine in water was developed through an understanding of activated carbon surface chemistry. In comparison with commercial activated carbon, extraction recoveries by activated carbon treated with sulfuric acid decreased by 50%, while those of activated carbon heated at 800°C improved by more than 100%. Acid treatment increased the oxygen content on the carbon's surface. In contrast, heat treatment decreased the surface oxygen content, resulting in a more hydrophobic surface, which favoured adsorption and extraction of N‐nitrosodimethylamine. The influence of different activated carbon sizes, amount of modified activated carbon, and pH on the N‐nitrosodimethylamine recoveries was assessed and compared with the commercial solid‐phase extraction cartridge. The recommended amount of powder activated carbon treated at 800°C was 3 g to yield an optimum recovery of 130%, which was superior to the commercial solid‐phase extraction cartridges. The method validation results confirmed the high accuracy, reproducibility, and precision of the method. The study indicated that chemisorption plays a significant role in the adsorption of N‐nitrosodimethylamine on activated carbon, and the optimization of its surface chemistry can enhance N‐nitrosodimethylamine adsorption/extraction from water.
Long‐Term Stability and Safety of the Soundbridge Coupled to the Round Window
Authors: Sprinzl Georg Mathias , Schoerg Philipp , Muck Stefanie , Jesenko Max , Speiser Sophie , Ploder Marlene , Edlinger Stefan Herwig , Magele Astrid 
Published: November 2020

ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to demonstrate the long‐term outcomes of patients implanted with the active middle ear implant (AMEI) Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) through coupling the floating mass transducer (FMT) to the round window (RW).MethodsThis retrospective study evaluated the short‐ and long‐term clinical performance (audiological outcomes) and safety (revisions/explantations) of the VSB coupled to the RW between 2013 and 2019 at the St. Pölten University Hospital, Austria. For the outcome analysis, the sample was divided into a short‐term examination group followed up for less than 12 months (<12 months) and a long‐term examination group followed up for more than 12 months (>12 months). Cumulative survival outcomes were separately analyzed for subjects with and without cholesteatoma.Results46 patients with an average long‐term follow‐up period of 31.43 months (13–75 months) were investigated. Complications requiring revision surgery were reported in total in seven patients with cholesteatoma (15.2%) and none in subjects without cholesteatoma (0%). Residual hearing was not affected by VSB surgery. Word understanding on the Freiburger monosyllabic speech test improved significantly at 65 dB (P < .0001) and 80 dB (P < .0001), and these outcomes were stable for long‐term follow up.ConclusionThe VSB coupled to the RW is a safe implantation method for patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss. Hearing improvement was stable for the long‐term follow‐up up to 74 months. The revision rates are directly related to the underlying pathology of cholesteatoma (with radical cavity); thus, this special cohort requires additional counseling on potential complications.Level of Evidence4 (Case‐series) Laryngoscope, 131:E1434–E1442, 2021
Copolymerize Conventional Vinyl Monomers to Degradable and Water‐Soluble Copolymers with a Fluorescence Property
Authors: Yang Hongjun , Zhang Jiadong , Song Yiye , Jiang Li , Jiang Qimin , Xue Xiaoqiang , Huang Wenyan , Jiang Bibiao 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn the copolymerization of acrylamide (Am) and hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), the initial product is a carbon chain polymer with hydroxyl and amide side groups. However, in the present work, these two conventional vinyl monomers are combined into a degradable heterochain copolymer by using a phosphazene base, t‐BuP4, as a catalyst. NMR not only confirms that the backbone of the resulting copolymer is composed of ester–ether units and amide units but also suggests that the resulted secondary amide group retains an active hydrogen and can further react with another olefin, which would result in branching or gelation. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows a signal indicating decomposition at 205–509 °C, verifying the uniform composition of the sample. More interestingly, the synthesized copolymer can dissolve in water and exhibits aggregation‐enhanced emission (AEE). Additionally, the aqueous copolymer solution has a high selectivity and sensitivity for Ba2+, Fe2+, and Fe3+ cations. Hence, it is believed that this method for constructing degradable polymers may offer innovative insights into polymer synthesis and application.
Thiol‐Bromo Click Reaction for One‐Pot Synthesis of Star‐Shaped Polymers
Authors: Beyer Valentin Peter , Cattoz Beatrice , Becer Caglar Remzi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractStar‐shaped polymers have unique physical properties and they are sought after materials in industry. However, the ease of synthesis is essential for translation of these materials into large‐scale applications. Herein, a highly efficient synthetic method to prepare star‐shaped polymers by combination of Cu‐mediated reversible deactivation radical polymerization (Cu‐RDRP) and thiol‐bromo click reaction is described. Well‐defined linear and block polymers with a very high bromine chain end fidelity are obtained via Cu‐RDRP and subsequently react with multi‐functional thiol compounds. High coupling efficiencies of larger than 90% are obtained owing to the quick and efficient reaction between thiols and alkyl bromides. Moreover, the arms of the obtained star‐shaped polymers are linked via thioether bonds to the core, making them susceptible for oxidative degradation.
Mechanochromism in Structurally Colored Polymeric Materials
Authors: Clough Jess M. , Weder Christoph , Schrettl Stephen 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMechanochromic effects in structurally colored materials are the result of deformation‐induced changes to their ordered nanostructures. Polymeric materials which respond in this way to deformation offer an attractive combination of characteristics, including continuous strain sensing, high strain resolution, and a wide strain‐sensing range. Such materials are potentially useful for a wide range of applications, which extend from pressure‐sensing bandages to anti‐counterfeiting devices. Focusing on the materials design aspects, recent developments in this field are summarized. The article starts with an overview of different approaches to achieve mechanochromic effects in structurally colored materials, before the physical principles governing the interaction of light with each of these materials types are summarized. Diverse methodologies to prepare these polymers are then discussed in detail, and where applicable, naturally occurring materials that inspired the design of artificial systems are discussed. The capabilities and limitations of structurally colored materials in reporting and visualizing mechanical deformation are examined from a general standpoint and also in more specific technological contexts. To conclude, current trends in the field are highlighted and possible future opportunities are identified.
Compact electron spin resonance skin oximeter: Properties and initial clinical results
Authors: Cristea David , Wolfson Helen , Ahmad Rizwan , Twig Ygal , Kuppusamy Periannan , Blank Aharon 
Published: November 2020

PurposeSkin oxygen level is of significance for the diagnosis and treatment of many clinical problems, such as chronic wounds and diabetic foot ulcers. Furthermore, skin oxygen levels can be correlated to arterial oxygen partial pressure, thereby revealing potentially dangerous conditions such as hyperoxia (too much oxygen), which may occur in ventilated neonates. Traditionally, skin oxygen levels are measured using electrochemical methods and, more recently, also by fluorescence lifetime techniques. These approaches suffer from several drawbacks, rendering them suboptimal. The purpose of this work is to develop an electron spin resonance (ESR) ‐based method for monitoring oxygen partial pressure (pO2) in skin tissue.MethodsA compact sensor for pulsed ESR is designed and constructed. Our ESR‐based method makes use of a unique exogenous paramagnetic spin probe that is placed on the skin in a special partially sealed sticker, and subsequently measuring its signal with the compact pulsed ESR sensor that includes a miniature magnet and a small S‐band (~2.3 GHz) microwave resonator. The inverse of the spin‐spin relaxation time (1/T2) measured by ESR is shown to be linearly correlated with pO2 levels.ResultsThe sensor and its matching sticker were tested both in vitro and in vivo (with human subjects). Measured skin pO2 levels reached equilibrium after ~2‐3 h and were found to be comparable to those measured by continuous‐wave (CW) ESR using a large electromagnet.ConclusionsA compact pulsed ESR sensor with a matching paramagnetic sticker can be used for pO2 monitoring of the skin tissue, similar to large bulky CW ESR systems.
Offloading framework for computation service in the edge cloud and core cloud: A case study for face recognition
Authors: Muslim Nasif , Islam Salekul , Grégoire Jean‐Charles 
Published: November 2020

SummaryA fast rate of progress has allowed the proliferation of smartphones and eased their extensive presence in people's daily life. However, low processing speed and limited battery capacity have hindered improvements in the smartphone's computational capabilities. Offloading computational tasks to the cloud could solve this problem by enabling users to access these services over the Internet. Edge cloud computing has been recognized as an emerging field within the cloud computing paradigm, where computation servers are situated at the edge of the Internet to reduce network delay and traffic. Nevertheless, offloading tasks to the cloud is not always beneficial due to variable network conditions and increased processing costs. In this paper, a deep reinforcement learning‐based offloading framework has been presented that provides smartphones with the ability to make decisions for local processing in the smartphone or to offload processing tasks to the cloud (edge and/or core). Thus, a smartphone can minimize the combination of the processing time, energy consumption, and monetary cost and maximize the accuracy of face recognition as well. Simulation results under synthetic scenarios show that the proposed offloading framework can effectively adapt to the dynamic cloud computing and networking environment.
The Effect of Mentoring on School Attendance and Academic Outcomes: A Randomized Evaluation of the Check & Connect Program
Authors: Guryan Jonathan , Christenson Sandra , Cureton Ashley , Lai Ijun , Ludwig Jens , Schwarz Catherine , Shirey Emma , Turner Mary Clair 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn response to budget problems, many urban school systems reduced resources for getting students to come to school, such as truancy officers. Chicago, for instance, in 1991, went from 150 truancy officers down to a total of zero. Is that a good idea? In this study, we explore the effects of increased support by a pro‐social adult, or “social capital,” delivered through a structured student monitoring and mentoring program called Check & Connect (C&C). We carried out a large‐scale randomized controlled trial with C&C in partnership with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to students in grades 1 to 8. Program participation decreased absences in grades 5 to 7 by 4.2 days, or 22.9 percent, but had no detectable effects on students in grades 1 to 4. We also did not find statistically significant effects on learning outcomes such as test scores or GPA, or any detectable spillovers to other students within the schools where the program was administered. The modest impacts per dollar spent, compared to previous evidence on either low‐cost “nudges” or relatively intensive, higher‐cost interventions, raise the possibility that, for very disadvantaged students, there may be decreasing returns that are then followed by increasing returns to program intensity for the problem of student disengagement.