bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology and Outcome of Aortic Aneurysms in Hong Kong
Authors: Cheng Stephen W.K. , Ting Albert C.W. , Tsang Simon H.Y. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine epidemiology and mortality statistics for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in Hong Kong. Data from three sources were obtained and analyzed: (1) Hong Kong Hospital Authority discharge statistics for 1999 and 2000; (2) a survey on aortic aneurysms in public hospitals conducted by the Working Group of Vascular Surgery; and (3) the Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Medical Center aortic aneurysm database. The disease pattern, distribution, and operative mortality were determined. The annual incidence of AAA in Hong Kong is 13.7 per 100,000 population and 105 per 100,000 for those aged 65 and above. About 10% of the AAAs that presented were ruptured. The mean age of the AAA patients was 74 years, with 84% of them over age 65. The operative repair rate for AAAs was low, being only 8% for intact aneurysms and 54% for ruptured ones. Overall, 45% of all aneurysm repairs were performed for a ruptured AAA. There is diverse practice between major vascular centers and smaller regional hospitals. The territory‐wide operative mortality rates for intact and ruptured aneurysms were 10% (range 4–24%) and 70% (range 38––100%), respectively. There was no gender bias in the rupture and operative rates. The overall mortality was 17% for intact AAAs and 78% for ruptured AAAs. The average length of hospital stay was 19 days for elective AAA surgery and 13 days for ruptured AAAs. The number of operations in high‐volume centers is increasing with a concomitant decrease in operative mortality. There are no definitive data to indicate that the incidence of AAAs is rising, but a trend toward an increasing number of operations in referral centers is noted. The low repair rates for intact AAAs and the high proportion of repairs for ruptured aneurysms suggest that AAAs are undertreated in Hong Kong.
Breast Abscesses in Lactating Women
Authors: Dener Cenap , İnan Aydın 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe designed a prospective study to assess the contributing factors in puerperal breast abscess and to evaluate the treatment options. During the 4‐year study period, 128 nursing women with breast infection were followed. Of these, 102 had mastitis (80%) and 26 had breast abscess (20%). Ultrasonographic examination was performed in all cases. Patient age, parity, localization of infection, cracked nipples, duration of lactation, duration of symptoms, milk culture results, breast infections during previous lactation period, treatment options, healing time, and recurrence were recorded prospectively. All mastitis patients were treated with antibiotics and none developed an abscess. Ten abscesses were aspirated, and 16 abscesses were treated by incision and drainage. Healing times were similar. There was no significant difference between mastitis and abscess groups regarding age, parity, localization of breast infection, cracked nipples, positive milk cultures, or mean lactation time. Duration of symptoms and healing were longer in cases of abscess. Multivariate analyses showed that duration of symptoms was the only independent variable for abscess development. Recurrent mastitis developed in 13 patients (10.2%) within a median of 24 weeks of follow‐up. Delayed treatment of mastitis can lead to abscess formation, and it can be prevented by early antibiotic therapy. Ultrasonography is helpful for detecting abscess formation. In selected cases the abscess can be drained with needle aspiration with excellent cosmesis.
Local Rectal Tumor Resection Results: Gasless, Video‐endoscopic Transanal Excision versus the Conventional Posterior Approach
Authors: Nakagoe Tohru , Sawai Terumitsu , Tsuji Takashi , Shibazaki Shin , Jibiki Masa , Nanashima Atsushi , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki , Yasutake Toru , Ayabe Hiroyoshi 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis study compares surgical outcomes for local resection of rectal tumors by two approaches: (1) gasless, video‐endoscopic transanal‐rectal tumor excision (gasless VTEM); and (2) a conventional posterior approach. Gasless VTEM involves a modification of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) that incorporates a standard laparoscopic video camera without a CO2 insufflation system. A series of 42 patients with 45 rectal tumors (9 adenomas, 36 adenocarcinomas) who underwent gasless VTEM between 1993 and 2000 were studied prospectively. The control group consisted of 26 similar patients who underwent conventional surgery (transsacral or transsphincteric approach) between 1985 and 1993. Age, gender ratio, tumor localization, maximum tumor diameter, and histology for the cases and the controls were similar, whereas operating time and blood loss were significantly greater in the control group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The postoperative intervals until able to walk, urinary catheter removal, solid food intake, and discharge from hospital were significantly shorter in the gasless VTEM group (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively); analgesic requirements were significantly less (p < 0.001). There was no operative mortality in either group. Postoperative complications developed significantly less frequently in the gasless VTEM group than in the control group (7.1% vs. 38.5%; p = 0.003). During the median follow‐up length of 73.3 months, no patient developed tumor recurrence in the gasless VTEM group, whereas one patient did in the control group. In conclusion, gasless VTEM is less invasive and allows shorter hospitalizations and reduced complications than the conventional posterior approach, thereby providing an attractive alternative for selected patients.
Mutational Screening of BRCA1/2 Genes as a Predictive Factor for Therapeutic Response in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Consensus Guide from the Spanish Society of Pathology (SEAP-IAP) and the Spanish Society of Human Genetics (AEGH)
Authors: Palacios J. , de la Hoya M. , Bellosillo B. , de Juan I. , Matías-Guiu X. , Lázaro C. , Palanca S. , Osorio A. , Rojo F. , Rosa-Rosa J.M. , Cigudosa J.C. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractGermline/somatic BRCA-mutated ovarian carcinomas (OC) are associated to have better response with platinum-based chemotherapy and long-term prognosis than non-BRCA-associated OCs. In addition, these mutations are predictive factors to response to Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. Different positioning papers have addressed the clinical recommendations for BRCA testing in OC. This consensus guide represents a collection of technical recommendations to address the detection of BRCA1/2 mutations in the molecular diagnostic testing strategy for OC. Under the coordination of Spanish Society of Pathology (SEAP-IAP) and the Spanish Society of Human Genetics (AEGH), these recommendations have been developed by pathologists and geneticists taking into account previously published recommendations and their experience in the molecular characterization of these genes. Since the implementation of BRCA testing as a predictive factor can initiate the workflow by testing germline mutations in the blood or by testing both germline and somatic mutations in tumor tissue, distinctive features of both strategies are discussed. Additionally, the recommendations included in this paper provide some references, quality parameters, and genomic tools aimed to standardize and facilitate the clinical genomic diagnosis of OC.
That dog won’t fit: body size awareness in dogs
Authors: Lenkei R. , Faragó T. , Kovács D. , Zsilák B. , Pongrácz P. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWith very few exceptions, no coherent model of representing the self exists for nonhuman species. According to our hypothesis, understanding of the Self as an object’ can also be found in a wide range of animals including the dog, a fast-moving terrestrial predator/scavenger, with highly developed senses and complex cognitive capacity. We tested companion dogs in three experiments in which they faced three different variations of the same physical challenge: passing through an opening in a wall. We predicted that if dogs are capable of representing their own body size, they will react differently when faced with adequate or too small openings. We found that dogs started to move towards and approached the too small openings with significantly longer latencies than the suitable ones; and upon reaching it, they did not try to get through the too small openings. In another experiment, the medium-size (still large enough) opening was approached with latencies that fell between the latencies measured in the cases of the very large or the too small openings. Having discussed the potential underlying mechanisms, we concluded that our results convincingly assume that dogs can represent their own body size in novel contexts.
Consensus-based technical recommendations for clinical translation of renal ASL MRI
Authors: Nery Fabio , Buchanan Charlotte E. , Harteveld Anita A. , Odudu Aghogho , Bane Octavia , Cox Eleanor F. , Derlin Katja , Gach H. Michael , Golay Xavier , Gutberlet Marcel , Laustsen Christoffer , Ljimani Alexandra , Madhuranthakam Ananth J. , Pedrosa Ivan , Prasad Pottumarthi V. , Robson Philip M. , Sharma Kanishka , Sourbron Steven , Taso Manuel , Thomas David L. , Wang Danny J. J. , Zhang Jeff L. , Alsop David C. , Fain Sean B. , Francis Susan T. , Fernández-Seara María A. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectivesThis study aimed at developing technical recommendations for the acquisition, processing and analysis of renal ASL data in the human kidney at 1.5 T and 3 T field strengths that can promote standardization of renal perfusion measurements and facilitate the comparability of results across scanners and in multi-centre clinical studies.MethodsAn international panel of 23 renal ASL experts followed a modified Delphi process, including on-line surveys and two in-person meetings, to formulate a series of consensus statements regarding patient preparation, hardware, acquisition protocol, analysis steps and data reporting.ResultsFifty-nine statements achieved consensus, while agreement could not be reached on two statements related to patient preparation. As a default protocol, the panel recommends pseudo-continuous (PCASL) or flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) labelling with a single-slice spin-echo EPI readout with background suppression and a simple but robust quantification model.DiscussionThis approach is considered robust and reproducible and can provide renal perfusion images of adequate quality and SNR for most applications. If extended kidney coverage is desirable, a 2D multislice readout is recommended. These recommendations are based on current available evidence and expert opinion. Nonetheless they are expected to be updated as more data become available, since the renal ASL literature is rapidly expanding.
Strong silica-nanocellulose anisotropic composite foams combine low thermal conductivity and low moisture uptake
Authors: Munier Pierre , Apostolopoulou-Kalkavoura Varvara , Persson Michael , Bergström Lennart 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe report the fabrication of anisotropic lightweight composite foams based on commercial colloidal silica particles and TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCNF). The unidirectional ice-templating of silica-TOCNF dispersions resulted in anisotropic foams with columnar porous structures in which the inorganic and organic components were homogeneously distributed. The facile addition of silica particles yielded a significant enhancement in mechanical strength, compared to TOCNF-only foams, and a 3.5-fold increase in toughness at a density of 20 kg m−3. The shape of the silica particles had a large effect on the mechanical properties; anisotropic silica particles were found to strengthen the foams more efficiently than spherical particles. The water uptake of the foams and the axial thermal conductivity in humid air were reduced by the addition of silica. The composite foams were super-insulating at dry conditions at room temperature, with a radial thermal conductivity value as low as 24 mW m−1 K−1, and remained lower than 35 mW m−1 K−1 up to 80% relative humidity. The combination of high strength, low thermal conductivity and manageable moisture sensitivity suggests that silica-TOCNF composite foams could be an attractive alternative to the oil-based thermal insulating materials.
The structure of epistemic probabilities
Authors: Climenhaga Nevin 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe epistemic probability of A given B is the degree to which B evidentially supports A, or makes A plausible. This paper is a first step in answering the question of what determines the values of epistemic probabilities. I break this question into two parts: the structural question and the substantive question. Just as an object’s weight is determined by its mass and gravitational acceleration, some probabilities are determined by other, more basic ones. The structural question asks what probabilities are not determined in this way—these are the basic probabilities which determine values for all other probabilities. The substantive question asks how the values of these basic probabilities are determined. I defend an answer to the structural question on which basic probabilities are the probabilities of atomic propositions conditional on potential direct explanations. I defend this against the view, implicit in orthodox mathematical treatments of probability, that basic probabilities are the unconditional probabilities of complete worlds. I then apply my answer to the structural question to clear up common confusions in expositions of Bayesianism and shed light on the “problem of the priors.”
Anal abscess microbiology as an anal fistula predictor
Authors: Dowling Enez Victoria Eugenia , Izarra Henriquez Carla Virginia 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn order to determine the microbiology of anal abscess as a predictor of anal fistulas in patients who attended the external consultation of the Coloproctology unit of the Dr. Antonio María Pineda University Central Hospital, a prospective, descriptive, longitudinal study was conducted from September 2018 to July 2019. In this study, the population consisted of patients with a diagnosis of anal abscess, without associated comorbidities or contraindications for surgery, who agreed to be included in the study. A non-probabilistic, intentional sample consisting of 42 patients was determined. An appointment-based study protocol was applied by outpatient for patients who met the inclusion criteria applied, to perform due medical history through anamnesis, physical examination and culture taking of suppuration from the anal abscess to subsequently establish medical and surgical behavior thereof. The results were expressed in absolute numbers and percentages, a prevalence of ischiorectal abscesses was observed, followed by deep post-anal space abscesses. Anaerobic bacteria were isolated in 100% of the sample. In all fistulized patients, E. Coli was isolated as a predominant germ.
The Generalship of P. Quinctilius Varus in theClades Variana
Authors: Morgan Daniel 
Published: December 2019

AbstractTheclades Varianawas a major Roman defeat, occurring over three days of fighting in AD 9. Three Roman legions and several units of auxiliaries were destroyed, and their commander, Publius Quinctilius Varus, died at the climax of the fighting. Suetonius said that the army paid the price for its general'stemeritasandneglegentia, and many other commentators, both ancient and modern, have condemned Varus as a general ever since. This paper re-evaluates Varus’ competence as a general by re-examining the extensive literary and archaeological evidence for theclades,with reference to comparative literary evidence that shows how Roman generals usually reacted in comparable situations. It will be argued that Varus’ aggressive march towards a rumoured rebellion with a large baggage train, his re-organisation of the baggage train, his change of course westwards, and even his fatal advance into the defile at Kalkriese, were logical decisions in the context of standard Roman military responses to crisis. It is shown that Varus was hamstrung by intelligence and logistical limitations that were not peculiar to him but were systemic to the Roman army at the time. Varus’ generalship is thus contextualised as relatively competent, although uninspired.
Get to Work or Go to Jail: State Violence and the Racialized Production of Precarious Work
Authors: Zatz Noah D. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTWork requirements backed by threats of incarceration offer a fertile but neglected site for sociolegal inquiry. These “carceral work mandates” confound familiar accounts of both the neoliberal state’s production of precarious work through deregulation and the penal state’s production of racialized exclusion from labor markets. In two illustrative contexts—child support enforcement and criminal legal debt—demands for work emerge as efforts to increase and then seize earnings from indigent debtors; an ability to pay is defined to include an ability to work. In a third, demands for work are imposed directly through probation, parole, and other community supervision. In each context, the carceral state regulates work outside of prison. It defines appropriate labor conditions through concepts of voluntary unemployment, and it enables employers to discipline or retaliate against workers by triggering state violence. Additionally, mandated work may be removed from employment law protections when the carceral context dominates its sociolegal meaning. Finally, the resulting vulnerable workforces can be used to displace or discipline other workers not personally subject to carceral work mandates. Analogies to welfare work requirements, workplace immigration enforcement, and prison labor illustrate these points. Implications are considered for theorizing contemporary racial political economy.
Study of the 13CO/C18O abundance ratio towards the filamentary infrared dark cloud IRDC 34.43 + 0.24
Authors: Areal M. B. , Paron S. , Ortega M. E. , Duvidovich L. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Nowadays, there are several observational studies about the 13CO/C18O abundance ratio (

$X^{13/18}$

) towards nearby molecular clouds. These works give observational support to the C18O selective photodissociation due to the interaction between the far ultraviolet (FUV) radiation and the molecular gas. It is necessary to increase the sample of molecular clouds located at different distances and affected in different ways by nearby or embedded H ii regions and OB associations to study the selective photodissociation. Using 12CO, 13CO, and C18O J = 1–0 data obtained from the FOREST unbiased Galactic plane imaging survey performed with the Nobeyama 45-m telescope, we analyse the filamentary infrared dark cloud IRDC

$34.43+0.24$

located at the distance of about 3.9 kpc. This infrared dark cloud (IRDC) is related to several H ii regions and young stellar objects. Assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium, we obtain:

$0.8 \times 10^{16} <$

N(13CO)

$<4 \times 10^{17}$

cm–2 (average value

$= 4.2 \times 10^{16}$

cm–2),

$0.6 \times 10^{15} <$

N(C18O)

$<4.4 \times 10^{16}$

cm–2 (average value

$= 5.0 \times 10^{15}$

cm–2), and 3

$<$

$X^{13/18}$

$<$

30 (average

$= 8$

) across the whole IRDC. Larger values of

$X^{13/18}$

were found towards portions of the cloud related to the H ii regions associated with the N61 and N62 bubbles and with the photodissociation regions, precisely the regions in which FUV photons are strongly interacting with the molecular gas. Our result represents an observational support to the C18O selectively photodissociation phenomenon occurring in a quite distant filamentary IRDC. Additionally, based on IR data from the Hi-GAL survey, the FUV radiation field was estimated in Habing units, and the dust temperature (T

$_{dust}$

) and H2 column density (N(H2)) distribution were studied. Using the average of N(H2), values in close agreement with the ‘canonical’ abundance ratios [H2]/[13CO] and [H2]/[C18O] were derived. However, the obtained ranges in the abundance ratios show that if an accurate analysis of the molecular gas is required, the use of the ‘canonical’ values may introduce some bias. Thus, it is important to consider how the gas is irradiated by the FUV photons across the molecular cloud. The analysis of

$X^{13/18}$

is a good tool to perform that. Effects of beam dilution and clumpiness were studied.
Employee Flexibility, Exogenous Risk, and Firm Value
Authors: Au Shiu-Yik , Dong Ming , Tremblay Andreanne 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe hypothesize that employee flexibility enhances firm value by helping firms respond to exogenous shocks. We estimate employee-flexibility scores through textual analysis of online job reviews, and we find that a high flexibility score leads to superior stock returns for firms exposed to external risk. During 2011–2017, the value-weighted hedge portfolio formed on employee flexibility earned a 5-factor annualized alpha of 9.5% during periods of high policy uncertainty. Earnings-announcement returns also suggest that investors do not fully value workforce flexibility. These results indicate that employee flexibility is a valuable corporate intangible that helps firms to manage risk during uncertain times.
A theory stuck in evolutionary and historical time
Authors: Osvath Mathias , Kabadayi Can 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
We argue that the two temporal cognition systems are conceptually too confined to be helpful in understanding the evolution of temporal cognition. In fact, we doubt there are two systems. In relation to this, we question that the authors did not describe the results of our planning study on ravens correctly, as this is of consequence to their theory.
On believing that time does not flow, but thinking that it seems to
Authors: Miller Kristie , Holcombe Alex O. , Latham Andrew J. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Hoerl & McCormack (H&M) posit two systems – the temporal updating system and the temporal reasoning system – and suggest that they explain an inherent contradiction in people's naïve theory of time. We suggest there is no contradiction. Something does, however, require explanation: the tension between certain sophisticated beliefs about time, and certain phenomenological states or beliefs about those phenomenological states. The temporal updating mechanism posited by H&M may contribute to this tension.
Thinking about the past as the past for the past's sake: Why did temporal reasoning evolve?
Authors: Mahr Johannes B. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractHoerl & McCormack discuss the benefits of temporal reasoning mainly with respect to future planning and decision making. I point out that, for humans, the ability to represent particular past times has distinct benefits, which are independent from contributing to future-directed cognition. Hence, the evolution of the temporal reasoning system was not necessarily driven primarily by its benefits for future-directed cognition.
Nonhuman sequence learning findings argue against Hoerl and McCormack's two systems of temporal cognition
Authors: De Corte Benjamin J. , Wasserman Edward A. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Hoerl & McCormack propose that animals learn sequences through an entrainment-like process, rather than tracking the temporal addresses of each event in a given sequence. However, past research suggests that animals form “temporal maps” of sequential events and also comprehend the concept of ordinal position. These findings suggest that a clarification or qualification of the authors’ hypothesis is needed.
Timers from birth: Early timing abilities exceed limits of the temporal updating system
Authors: Hamamouche Karina 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Hoerl & McCormack argue that children are incapable of reasoning about time until age 5. However, their dual timing perspective does not address non-symbolic timing, or timing in the absence of symbols/language. Given substantial evidence that infants and children are capable of non-symbolic timing, I argue that infants and children are well-tuned timers prior to age 5.