bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recurrence pattern and prognostic factors for survival in cervical cancer with lymph node metastasis
Authors: Kilic Cigdem , Kimyon Comert Gunsu , Cakir Caner , Yuksel Dilek , Codal Bahadır , Kilic Fatih , Turkmen Osman , Karalok Alper , Moraloglu Tekin Ozlem , Boran Nurettin , Turan Taner 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAimThe aim of this study is to evaluate the recurrence pattern and oncological outcomes in cervical cancer (CC) patients with lymph node metastasis.MethodsThis study included 224 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 stage IB1‐IIIB CC patients with pathologically proven lymph node metastasis. Surgical intervention was grouped as hysterectomy performed/not performed. Adjuvant therapy decision was made by the tumor board. Radiotherapy was applied to all patients with lymph node metastasis.ResultsOnly paraaortic lymph node metastasis was determined as an independent prognostic factor for recurrence. Presence of paraaortic lymph node metastasis increased the risk of recurrence more than two times (odds ratio: 2.129; 95% confidence interval: 1.011–4.485; p = 0.047). An independent prognostic factor for death because of disease was age only. Risk of death was nearly doubled with younger age (odds ratio: 2.693; 95% confidence interval: 1.064–6.184; p = 0.037).ConclusionThe most of recurrences were located at distant sites and multiple regions. Paraaortic lymph node metastasis was the only independent prognostic factor for recurrence, in spite of that age was an independent predictor for risk of death in patients with early stage or locally advanced CC and also with surgically proven metastatic lymph nodes. Furthermore, the presence of the paraaortic lymph node metastasis was significantly associated with distant recurrence. Therefore, more appropriate and individualized therapy strategy focusing on intenser systemic chemotherapy options in addition to radiotherapy should be taken into consideration according to paraaortic lymph node metastasis and age.
How Country Reputation Differentials Influence Market Reaction to International Acquisitions
Authors: Li Chengguang , Shenkar Oded , Newburry William E. , Tang Yinuo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis study investigates the influence of country reputation differentials on market reaction to international acquisitions. Building on social identity theory, we argue that market reactions are more positive when the reputation of the acquirer’s country is better than that of the target’s, since a country’s reputation imprints on its firms due to social categorization. Thus, firms from countries with better reputations are perceived as having superior skills/capabilities and the reputation difference suggests that the acquirer is able to identify/exploit undervalued targets and leverage synergies. The influence of country reputation should be weaker when additional information on the merging firms is present, through news media reporting and analyst coverage of the merging firms as well as the acquirer’s prior acquisition track record, since market investors will rely less on country reputation. We find support for our hypotheses for a sample of 4,792 international acquisitions across 48 countries from 2009 to 2017.
Measuring the impact of systemic sclerosis on oral health‐related quality of life in a UK population
Authors: Abdouh Ismail , Porter Stephen , Fedele Stefano , Elgendy Nadia , Aboalshamat Khalid , Babkair Hamzah Ali , Ni Riordain Richeal 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe objective of the present study was to identify the impact of systemic sclerosis (SSc) upon oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) of affected individuals resident in the UK.MethodsA total of 100 patients and their partners or carers were invited to complete questionnaires regarding the impact of SSc on quality of life and psychological well‐being using valid and reliable patient‐reported outcome measures (OHIP‐14, MHISS, OIDP, MDAS and HADS). A total of 50 patients with SSc and 18 partners or carers who acted as controls returned the completed questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed for comparisons of different variables.ResultsAll the mean scores of OHIP‐14 (SSc [16.5 ± 12.4] Vs controls [6.06 ± 7.6, p = 0.001]) and MHISS components were significantly higher in patients than those of control group (SSc [21.26 ± 12] Vs controls [4.8 ± 7.3, p < 0.0001]). Majority of OIDP mean scores were significantly worse in patients compared with controls [SSc (10 ± 8.7) Vs controls (1.72 ± 3.4, p < 0.0001)]. The mean of total MDAS [SSc (11.7 ± 5.3) Vs controls (9.5 ± 4.4)] and HADS scores were higher in patients compared to controls (SSc depression [4.8 ± 3.3] and anxiety [6 ± 4.6] Vs controls [3.7 ± 3.1] [4.7 ± 3.9]).ConclusionsAlthough the present study is limited by the low response rate and its cross‐sectional design, present results highlighted that systemic sclerosis has a negative impact on OHRQoL of the affected individuals; hence, the evaluation of associated psychological impact including anxiety and depression symptoms is needed to better understand, monitor and evaluate the disease comorbidity in patients with SSc.
Nurse‐perceived facilitators and barriers to palliative care in patients with kidney disease: A European Delphi survey
Authors: de Barbieri Ilaria , Strini Veronica , Noble Helen , Amatori Stefano , Sisti Davide 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe palliative care phenomenon is increasingly invested in all medicine and nursing fields, as care for people with kidney disease who do not wish to embark on dialysis: it encompasses a palliative approach to shared decision‐making. To deliver patient‐centred optimal care, nephrology healthcare staff should be knowledgeable about palliative care and the appropriate conservative management approach.ObjectiveThis paper aimed to explore, using a Delphi survey, the barriers and facilitators to palliative care in patients with kidney disease.DesignAn e‐Delphi technique with three questionnaire rounds was performed; statements were generated using Likert scales.Participants and MeasurementsA list of 80 statements related to palliative care in patients with kidney disease was divided into facilitators and barriers. Questionnaires were administered to 13 nephrology nurse experts in some European countries.ResultsSeven items were removed from the list of 80 statements after the first round of the Delphi study; eight items achieved a significant change of the mean between round two and three, whereas internal stability emerged in all the remaining items.ConclusionsSpecific training and education in palliative care emerged as a facilitator, as well as the role of spiritual and beliefs and the role of family and caregiver. The main barriers were represented by the differences in cultures, beliefs, and practices and by the lack of experience in the role of the staff in palliative care. These statements provide a platform for future research to improve palliative care practice in patients with kidney disease.
A review of the maternal iron and folic acid supplementation programme in Nepal: Achievements and challenges
Authors: Paudyal Naveen , Parajuli Kedar Raj , Garcia Larsen Vanessa , Adhikari Ramesh Kant , Devkota Madhu Dixit , Rijal Sanjay , Chitekwe Stanley , Torlesse Harriet 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn the late 1990s, an estimated 75% of pregnant women in Nepal were anaemic. Although iron and folic acid (IFA) supplements were available free of charge, coverage among pregnant women was very low. In response, the Government of Nepal launched the Iron Intensification Programme (IIP) in 2003 to improve the coverage of IFA supplementation and anthelminthic treatment during pregnancy, as well as promote the utilization of antenatal care. This review examined how the IIP programme contributed to Nepal's success in increasing the consumption of IFA supplements during pregnancy. Nepal's cadre of Female Community Health Volunteers were engaged in the IIP to support the community‐based distribution of IFA supplements to pregnant women and complement IFA distribution through health facilities and outreach services. As a result, the country achieved a fourfold increase in the proportion of women who took IFA supplements during pregnancy between 2001 and 2016 (from 23% to 91%) and a 12‐fold increase in the proportion who took IFA supplements for at least 90 days during pregnancy (from 6% to 71%). The increase in coverage of IFA supplements accompanied an increase in the coverage of antenatal care during the same period. By 2016, the prevalence of anaemia in pregnant women decreased to 46%, highlighting the need to tackle other causes of anaemia and improve haemoglobin concentration before pregnancy, while maintaining the successful efforts to reach pregnant women with IFA supplements at the community level.
Efficiency of bilateral delegation in a mixed Cournot duopoly
Authors: Benassi Corrado , Chirco Alessandra , Colombo Caterina 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe consider a bilateral delegation mixed duopoly with quantity setting, where the objective function of the public managers is based on strategic manipulation of a Generalized Welfare Function. We show that such manipulation, coupled with strategic delegation by the private firm, enables the government to enforce an efficient outcome at equilibrium. When the manipulation/delegation choices and their sequence are endogenized, public manipulation and private delegation are supported at equilibrium, with the government, as first mover, setting the weights of the Generalized Welfare Function at the most efficient level consistent with private firm retaining a manager. This ensures maximum welfare, as compared with all other organizational structures.
Machine learning‐based decision tree classifier for the diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration
Authors: Koga Shunsuke , Zhou Xiaolai , Dickson Dennis W. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAimsThis study aimed to clarify the different topographical distribution of tau pathology between progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and establish a machine learning‐based decision tree classifier.MethodsParaffin‐embedded sections of the temporal cortex, motor cortex, caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra, red nucleus, and midbrain tectum from 1020 PSP and 199 CBD cases were assessed by phospho‐tau immunohistochemistry. The severity of tau lesions (i.e., neurofibrillary tangle, coiled body, tufted astrocyte or astrocytic plaque, and tau threads) was semi‐quantitatively scored in each region. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed using tau pathology scores. A decision tree classifier was made with tau pathology scores using 914 cases. Cross‐validation was done using 305 cases. An additional ten cases were used for a validation study.ResultsCluster analysis displayed two distinct clusters; the first cluster included only CBD, and the other cluster included all PSP and six CBD cases. We built a decision tree, which used only seven decision nodes. The scores of tau threads in the caudate nucleus were the most decisive factor for predicting CBD. In a cross‐validation, 302 out of 305 cases were correctly diagnosed. In the pilot validation study, three investigators made a correct diagnosis in all cases using the decision tree.ConclusionRegardless of the morphology of astrocytic tau lesions, semi‐quantitative tau pathology scores in select brain regions are sufficient to distinguish PSP and CBD. The decision tree simplifies neuropathologic differential diagnosis of PSP and CBD.
Attribution and projections of temperature extreme trends in South America based on CMIP5 models
Authors: Rusticucci Matilde , Zazulie Natalia 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTemperature extreme indices were analyzed for five continental regions of southern South America defined according to their climatic characteristics. Gridded observations, reanalysis, and global‐coupled climate models from CMIP5 were used with the approach of temperature extreme trend attribution analysis on fixed‐threshold and percentile‐based temperature extremes indices defined by the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI). The largest positive trends are exhibited in the tropical nights index, and a clear anthropogenic signal is evident in the subtropical region. In the subtropical central Andes, there is a decrease in the frost days index and increases in the tropical nights and summer days indices, and an anthropogenic signal is evident. In the Patagonian region, all trends from the historical runs were significant, while the ones from the natural experiment were nonsignificant, showing the marked effect of anthropogenic forcing in this region in the extreme temperature events. Projected changes in extreme indices for the 21st century are consistent with a warming climate, and larger changes are expected in the warm nights index.
A sugarcane mosaic virus vector for rapid in planta screening of proteins that inhibit the growth of insect herbivores
Authors: Chung Seung Ho , Bigham Mahdiyeh , Lappe Ryan R. , Chan Barry , Nagalakshmi Ugrappa , Whitham Steven A. , Dinesh‐Kumar Savithramma P. , Jander Georg 
Published: March 2021

SummarySpodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) is a notorious pest that threatens maize production worldwide. Current control measures involve the use of chemical insecticides and transgenic maize expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins. Although additional transgenes have confirmed insecticidal activity, limited research has been conducted in maize, at least partially due to the technical difficulty of maize transformation. Here, we describe implementation of a sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) vector for rapidly testing the efficacy of both endogenous maize genes and heterologous genes from other organisms for the control of S. frugiperda in maize. Four categories of proteins were tested using the SCMV vector: (i) maize defence signalling proteins: peptide elicitors (Pep1 and Pep3) and jasmonate acid conjugating enzymes (JAR1a and JAR1b); (ii) maize defensive proteins: the previously identified ribosome‐inactivating protein (RIP2) and maize proteinase inhibitor (MPI), and two proteins with predicted but unconfirmed anti‐insect activities, an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) and a lectin (JAC1); (iii) lectins from other plant species: Allium cepa agglutinin (ACA) and Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA); and (iv) scorpion and spider toxins: peptides from Urodacus yaschenkoi (UyCT3 and UyCT5) and Hadronyche versuta (Hvt). In most cases, S. frugiperda larval growth was reduced by transient SCMV‐mediated overexpression of genes encoding these proteins. Additionally, experiments with a subset of the SCMV‐expressed genes showed effectiveness against two aphid species, Rhopalosiphum maidis (corn leaf aphid) and Myzus persicae (green peach aphid). Together, these results demonstrate that SCMV vectors are a rapid screening method for testing the efficacy and insecticidal activity of candidate genes in maize.
Facultative symbiosis with a saprotrophic soil fungus promotes potassium uptake in American sweetgum trees
Authors: Peng Long , Shan Xiaoliang , Yang Yuzhan , Wang Yuchen , Druzhinina Irina S. , Pan Xueyu , Jin Wei , He Xinghua , Wang Xinyu , Zhang Xiaoguo , Martin Francis M. , Yuan Zhilin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSeveral species of soil free‐living saprotrophs can sometimes establish biotrophic symbiosis with plants, but the basic biology of this association remains largely unknown. Here, we investigate the symbiotic interaction between a common soil saprotroph, Clitopilus hobsonii (Agaricomycetes), and the American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua). The colonized root cortical cells were found to contain numerous microsclerotia‐like structures. Fungal colonization led to increased plant growth and facilitated potassium uptake, particularly under potassium limitation (0.05 mM K+). The expression of plant genes related to potassium uptake was not altered by the symbiosis, but colonized roots contained the transcripts of three fungal genes with homology to K+ transporters (ACU and HAK) and channel (SKC). Heterologously expressed ChACU and ChSKC restored the growth of a yeast K+‐uptake‐defective mutant. Upregulation of ChACU transcript under low K+ conditions (0 and 0.05 mM K+) compared to control (5 mM K+) was demonstrated in planta and in vitro. Colonized plants displayed a larger accumulation of soluble sugars under 0.05 mM K+ than non‐colonized plants. The present study suggests reciprocal benefits of this novel tree‐fungus symbiosis under potassium limitation mainly through an exchange of additional carbon and potassium between both partners.
Chlororustica gen. nov. for the coccoid, zoospore‐producing alga Neochloris terrestris (Sphaeropleales, Chlorophyceae)
Authors: Watanabe Shin , Mezaki Naoto , Suzuki Tatsuya 
Published: March 2021

SUMMARYNeochloris terrestris possesses ultrastructural features distinct from those of other species of Neochloris sensu stricto belonging to the Neochloridaceae. However, it was not classified properly due to the absence of phylogenetic information. We used an analysis of 18S rDNA sequence data as well as newly obtained ultrastructural data to support placement of this taxon in Chlororustica gen. nov. as C. terrestris comb. nov. in the Radiococcaceae.
Principal Manifold Estimation Via Model Complexity Selection
Authors: Meng Kun , Eloyan Ani 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe propose a framework of principal manifolds to model high-dimensional data. This framework is based on Sobolev spaces and designed to model data of any intrinsic dimension. It includes principal component analysis and principal curve algorithm as special cases. We propose a novel method for model complexity selection to avoid overfitting, eliminate the effects of outliers and improve the computation speed. Additionally, we propose a method for identifying the interiors of circle-like curves and cylinder/ball-like surfaces. The proposed approach is compared to existing methods by simulations and applied to estimate tumour surfaces and interiors in a lung cancer study.
Neo‐Endogenous Rural Development: A Path Toward Reviving Rural Europe*
Authors: Georgios Chatzichristos , Nikolaos Nagopoulos , Michalis Poulimas 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe 2008 fiscal crisis, inflamed by austerity measures, has prompted rural marginalization and societal segmentation across the European Union (EU). The current article investigates how a European rural revival can be materialized, without losing sight of the national and local conditions. Within the contemporary EU governance framework—in which a European institution cannot be categorized as endogenous or exogenous to a sub‐state nation—the concept of neo‐endogenous rural development seems more topical than ever. The term describes a new perspective of governance that reconciles the endogenous to the exogenous dynamics. Along these lines, the present article dwells on the question of how can the neo‐endogenous rural development agenda be disseminated across the EU. By identifying the lack of international comparative research in the field of rural development, the current study explores different European, rural development trajectories and draws meaningful comparisons. A comparative qualitative research was conducted in three rural regions, stratified in terms of economic and governance decentralization: Mühlviertel in Austria, Baixo Alentejo in Portugal, and Phthiotis in Greece. The comparative research indicated the importance of interregional networking and socially innovative governance for the embeddedness of a neo‐endogenous rural development agenda.
How Can Biomechanical Multibody Models of Scoliosis Be Accurate in Simulating Spine Movement Behavior While Neglecting the Changes of Spinal Length?
Authors: Jalalian Athena , Arastehfar Soheil , Gibson Ian , Tay Francis E. H. , Liu Gabriel 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis paper studies how biomechanical multibody models of scoliosis can neglect the changes of spinal length and yet be accurate in reconstructing spinal columns. As these models with fixed length comprise rigid links interconnected by rotary joints, they resemble polygonal chains that approximate spine curves with a finite number of line segments. In mathematics, using more segments with shorter lengths can result in more accurate curve approximations. This raises the question of whether more accurate spine curve approximations by increasing the number of links/joints can yield more accurate spinal column reconstructions. For this, the accuracy of spine curve approximation was improved consistently by increasing the number of links/joints, and its effects on the accuracy of spinal column reconstruction were assessed. Positive correlation was found between the accuracy of spine reconstruction and curve approximation. It was shown that while increasing the accuracy of curve approximations, the representation of scoliosis concavity and its side-to-side deviations were improved. Moreover, reconstruction errors of the spine regions separated by the inflection vertebrae had minimal impacts on each other. Overall, multibody scoliosis models with fixed spinal lengths can benefit from the extra rotational joints that contribute toward the accuracy of spine curve approximation. The outcome of this study leads to concurrent accuracy improvement and simplification of multibody models; joint-link configurations can be independently defined for the regions separated by the inflection vertebrae, enabling local optimization of the models for higher accuracy without unnecessary added complexity to the whole model.
Biomechanics of Single Stair Climb With Implications for Inverted Pendulum Modeling
Authors: Buffinton Christine Miller , Blaho Roberta K. , Bieryla Kathleen A. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Step-by-step (SBS) stair navigation is used by those with movement limitations or lower-limb prosthetics and by humanoid robots. Knowledge of biomechanical parameters for SBS gait, however, is limited. Inverted pendulum (IP) models used to assess dynamic stability have not been applied to SBS gait. This study examined the ability of the linear inverted pendulum (LIP) model and a closed-form, variable-height inverted pendulum (VHIP) model to predict capture-point (CP) stability in healthy adults executing a single stair climb. A second goal was to provide baseline kinematic and kinetic data for SBS gait. Twenty young adults executed a single step onto stairs of two heights, while attached marker positions and ground reaction forces were recorded. opensim software determined body kinematics and joint kinetics. Trials were analyzed with LIP and VHIP models, and the predicted CP compared to the actual center-of-pressure (CoP) on the stair. Lower-limb joint moments were larger than those reported for step-over-step (SOS) stair gait. Leading knee rather than trailing ankle was dominant. Center-of-mass (CoM) velocity peaked at push-off. The VHIP model accounted for only slightly more than half of the forward progression of the vertical projection of the CoM and was not better than LIP predictions. This suggests that IP models are limited in modeling SBS gait, likely due to large hip and knee moments. The results from this study may also provide target values and strategies to aid design of lower-limb prostheses and powered exoskeletons.