bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment outcome of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Nigeria: An institutional experience
Authors: Aliyu Usman Malami , Folasire Ayorinde Mobolanle , Ntekim Atara Isaiah 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectiveNasopharyngeal carcinoma occurs worldwide. The incidence varies according to geographical region, with the highest incidence recorded in Asian countries. In Nigeria, the incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is increasing. Thus, current treatment outcomes must be evaluated to identify areas of possible improvement in the management of this disease. The present study aimed to evaluate the treatment outcome after 2 years in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.MethodsThis was a retrospective study that used the records of patients treated for nasopharyngeal carcinoma at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, between 2000 and 2009. The treatment regimen of interest was radical concurrent chemoradiotherapy using cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil.ResultsA total of 161 patients were included in the analysis, of which 113 (70%) were men and 48 (30%) were women. The mean age of the patients was 41.7 years (range 15–89 years). Ten (6.3%) patients presented with early‐stage disease, whereas 149 (93.7%) had late‐stage disease. The median survival time was 22 months, and the overall disease‐free survival rates were 67% and 46% at 12 and 24 months, respectively. Late side‐effects included chronic otitis (n = 21, 13.2%), change in voice (n = 11, 6.8%), trismus (n = 7, 4.4%), neck and facial edema (n = 27, 16.7%), and neck fibrosis (n = 8, 4.9%).ConclusionsThe treatment outcome in this study is worse than in previous studies in developed countries. This is likely because most patients presented with late‐stage disease. Guidelines for the early diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma are required, and local studies on treatment regimens that can improve survival should be carried out.
Hydrologic scaling for hydrogeomorphic floodplain mapping: Insights into human‐induced floodplain disconnectivity
Authors: Nardi Fernando , Morrison Ryan R. , Annis Antonio , Grantham Theodore E. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractHydrogeomorphic approaches for floodplain modelling are valuable tools for water resource and flood hazard management and mapping, especially as the global availability and accuracy of terrain data increases. Digital terrain models implicitly contain information about floodplain landscape morphology that was produced by hydrologic processes over long time periods, as well as recent anthropogenic modifications to floodplain features and processes. The increased availability of terrain data and distributed hydrologic datasets provide an opportunity to develop hydrogeomorphic floodplain delineation models that can quickly be applied at large spatial scales. This research investigates the performance of a hydrogeomorphic floodplain model in two large urbanized and gauged river basins in the United States, the Susquehanna and the Wabash basins. The models were calibrated by a hydrologic data scaling technique, implemented through regression analyses of USGS peak flow data to estimate floodplain flow levels across multiple spatial scales. Floodplain model performance was assessed through comparison with 100‐year Federal Emergency Management Agency flood hazard maps. Results show that the hydrogeomorphic floodplain maps are generally consistent with standard flood maps, even when significantly and systematically varying scaling parameters within physically feasible ranges, with major differences that are likely due to infrastructure (levees, bridges, etc.) in highly urbanized areas and other locations where the geomorphic signature of fluvial processes has been altered. This study demonstrates the value of geomorphic information for large‐scale floodplain mapping and the potential use of hydrogeomorphic models for evaluating human‐made impacts to floodplain ecosystems and patterns of disconnectivity in urbanized catchments.
Facile One‐Pot Synthesis of Yolk‐Shell Structured Ni Doped Mesoporous Silica and Its Application in Enzyme‐Free Glucose Sensor
Authors: Pal Nabanita , Banerjee Sangam , Choi Eunji , Cho Eun‐Bum 
Published: June 2018

AbstractYolk‐shell structured Ni‐doped silica with high specific surface area and excellent thermal stability has been synthesized via a simple surfactant assisted sol‐gel mediated hydrothermal method using hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a structure‐directing agent in water‐ethanol mixed solvent. After calcining off the organic surfactant, the resulting material shows crystallinity in powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis with formation of nickel hydrosilicate phase, Ni3Si2O5(OH)4. The mesoporosity, nanostructure and morphology of the material have been confirmed by N2 sorption, transmission (TEM) and field‐emission scanning electron microscopic (FESEM) analysis, respectively. Ni‐silica yolk‐shell nanostructure with around 30 wt% Ni has surface area ca. 500 m2/g with pore width ca. 3.8 nm and 400–500 nm particle size. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) study has also been carried out to confirm the presence of Ni(II) species in the material. This yolk‐shell Ni‐doped‐silica mesostructure has been utilized successfully for non‐enzymatic glucose detection at room temperature via electrochemical sensing of D‐glucose analyte in 0.1 M NaOH solution.
The power and limits of modularity: A replication and reconciliation
Authors: Fang Christina , Kim Ji‐hyun (Jason) 
Published: June 2018

Research Summary:We ask two questions: First, what are the underlying mechanisms that explain the power of modularity? Second, is the power of modularity robust in nonmodular problems? We replicate and then reconcile the key results in two prior models on modularity: E&L and S‐search. Our results yield several important insights. First, a significant portion of the advantage enjoyed by S‐search is attributed to multi‐bit mutation. Second, organization‐evaluation needs to be used in combination with multi‐bit mutation. Third, when the underlying problem structure becomes nonmodular, S‐search outperforms E&L search, even though the advantage is reduced. More generally, organizational designers need to pay close attention to how different elements of modular search interact, and avoid making incremental adjustments.Managerial Summary:Modularity in product or organizational design is an approach that divides a system into smaller modules and attempts to augment the system level performance by experimenting with new modules. Because of its potential benefits such as parallel problem solving, adaptability in turbulent environment, or high speed in experimentation, both scholars and practitioners subscribed to the “power of modularity” thesis. Despite its popularity, there are significant number of cases where the superiority of modular design does not hold. We compare and contrast two representative prior studies that had different views on modeling organizational evolution under a modular design principle. By doing so, we are able to uncover what contributes to the superiority of modular design. Our results suggest that, when conducting experimentation under a modular design, it is important to (a) experiment multiple decision components simultaneously within a single module; and (b) allow evaluation of the changes to be made by the module‐level manager not by the organization‐level manager. When the manager does not know whether the modularity in organizational design fits with the modularity in the task, it is advised to do multiple experimentation in a single module at a time while allowing the organization‐level manager to evaluate the changes.
Thermally Driven Transport and Relaxation Switching Self‐Powered Electromagnetic Energy Conversion
Authors: Cao Maosheng , Wang Xixi , Cao Wenqiang , Fang Xiaoyong , Wen Bo , Yuan Jie 
Published: June 2018

AbstractElectromagnetic energy radiation is becoming a “health‐killer” of living bodies, especially around industrial transformer substation and electricity pylon. Harvesting, converting, and storing waste energy for recycling are considered the ideal ways to control electromagnetic radiation. However, heat‐generation and temperature‐rising with performance degradation remain big problems. Herein, graphene‐silica xerogel is dissected hierarchically from functions to “genes,” thermally driven relaxation and charge transport, experimentally and theoretically, demonstrating a competitive synergy on energy conversion. A generic approach of “material genes sequencing” is proposed, tactfully transforming the negative effects of heat energy to superiority for switching self‐powered and self‐circulated electromagnetic devices, beneficial for waste energy harvesting, conversion, and storage. Graphene networks with “well‐sequencing genes” (w = Pc/Pp > 0.2) can serve as nanogenerators, thermally promoting electromagnetic wave absorption by 250%, with broadened bandwidth covering the whole investigated frequency. This finding of nonionic energy conversion opens up an unexpected horizon for converting, storing, and reusing waste electromagnetic energy, providing the most promising way for governing electromagnetic pollution with self‐powered and self‐circulated electromagnetic devices.
Confinement Impact for the Dynamics of Supported Metal Nanocatalyst
Authors: Liu Huimin , Wang Hui , Liu Zongwen , Ling Huajuan , Zhou Cuifeng , Li Huawei , Stampfl Catherine , Liao Xiaozhou , Wang Jiuling , Shi Xinghua , Huang Jun 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSupported metal nanoparticles play key roles in nanoelectronics, sensors, energy storage/conversion, and catalysts for the sustainable production of fuels and chemicals. Direct observation of the dynamic processes of nanocatalysts at high temperatures and the confinement of supports is of great significance to investigate nanoparticle structure and functions for practical utilization. Here, in situ high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy photos and videos are combined with dynamics simulations to reveal the real‐time dynamic behavior of Pt nanocatalysts at operation temperatures. Amorphous Pt surface on moving and deforming particles is the working structure during the high operation temperature rather than a static crystal surface and immobilization on supports as proposed before. The free rearrangement of the shape of Pt nanoparticles allows them to pass through narrow windows, which is generally considered to immobilize the particles. The Pt particles, no matter what their sizes, prefer to stay inside nanopores even when they are fast moving near an opening at temperatures up to 900 °C. The porous confinement also blocks the sintering of the particles under the confinement size of pores. These contribute to the continuous high activity and stability of Pt nanocatalysts inside nanoporous supports during a long‐term evaluation of catalytic reforming reaction.
Postcranial morphology of the Early Triassic epicynodont Galesaurus planiceps (Owen) from the Karoo Basin, South Africa
Authors: Butler Elize , Abdala Fernando , Botha‐Brink Jennifer 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe Early Triassic non‐mammaliaform epicynodont Galesaurus planiceps formed an important part of ecosystems following the Permo‐Triassic Mass Extinction, the greatest mass extinction in Phanerozoic history. Here, we re‐examine the postcranial skeleton of Galesaurus and present data which sheds light on the biology, ecology and possible survival strategies of this species. We find evidence for two distinct morphotypes, a gracile and a robust morph, which we interpret as stages in an ontogenetic series. The primary differences between the morphs manifest in the girdles, with further subtle differences in the fore and hind limbs. Our study also reveals postcranial differences between Galesaurus and the contemporaneous taxon Thrinaxodon liorhinus, allowing these taxa to be distinguished in the absence of cranial material. We also report the first evidence of intraspecific variation in the presence and distribution of disc‐like phalanges in a non‐mammaliaform cynodont. An analysis of the osteohistology of Galesaurus reveals rapid growth to skeletal maturity within one year, thereafter transitioning to slow intermittent growth. This growth pattern is similar to that of Thrinaxodon, which also grew rapidly and continuously to skeletal, and possibly reproductive, maturity within its first year of life. Features such as a strong, reinforced pelvis, elongated ilium, thick, robust forelimbs and stout unguals indicate that Galesaurus was capable of actively excavating burrows. The combination of rapid maturation and fossoriality may have aided its survival in the harsh, unpredictable post‐extinction Early Triassic environment.
Does 4D transperineal ultrasound have additional value over 2D transperineal ultrasound for diagnosing posterior pelvic floor disorders in women with obstructed defecation syndrome?
Authors: van Gruting I. M. A. , Kluivers K. , Sultan A. H. , De Bin R. , Stankiewicz A. , Blake H. , Thakar R. 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo establish the diagnostic test accuracy of two‐dimensional (2D) and four‐dimensional (4D) transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) for diagnosis of posterior pelvic floor disorders in women with obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS), in order to assess if 4D ultrasound imaging provides additional value.MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study of 121 consecutive women with ODS. Symptoms of ODS and pelvic organ prolapse on clinical examination were assessed using validated methods. All women underwent both 2D‐ and 4D‐TPUS. Imaging analysis was performed by two blinded observers. Posterior pelvic floor disorders were dichotomized into presence or absence, according to predefined cut‐off values. In the absence of a reference standard, a composite reference standard was created from a combination of results of evacuation proctography, magnetic resonance imaging and endovaginal ultrasound. Primary outcome measures were diagnostic test characteristics of 2D‐ and 4D‐TPUS for rectocele, enterocele, intussusception and anismus. Secondary outcome measures were interobserver agreement, agreement between the two imaging techniques, and association of severity of ODS symptoms and degree of posterior vaginal wall prolapse with conditions observed on imaging.ResultsFor diagnosis of all four posterior pelvic floor disorders, there was no difference in sensitivity or specificity between 2D‐ and 4D‐TPUS (P = 0.131–1.000). Good agreement between 2D‐ and 4D‐TPUS was found for diagnosis of rectocele (κ = 0.675) and moderate agreement for diagnoses of enterocele, intussusception and anismus (κ = 0.465–0.545). There was no difference in rectocele depth measurements between the techniques (19.9 mm for 2D vs 19.0 mm for 4D, P = 0.802). Interobserver agreement was comparable for both techniques, although 2D‐TPUS had excellent interobserver agreement for diagnosis of enterocele and rectocele depth measurements, while this was only moderate and good, respectively, for 4D‐TPUS. Diagnoses of rectocele and enterocele on both 2D‐ and 4D‐TPUS were significantly associated with degree of posterior vaginal wall prolapse on clinical examination (odds ratio (OR) = 1.89–2.72). The conditions observed using either imaging technique were not associated with severity of ODS symptoms (OR = 0.82–1.13).ConclusionsThere is no evidence of superiority of 4D ultrasound acquisition to dynamic 2D ultrasound acquisition for the diagnosis of posterior pelvic floor disorders. 2D‐ and 4D‐TPUS could be used interchangeably to screen women with symptoms of ODS. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Plant versus animal based diets and insulin resistance, prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: the Rotterdam Study
Authors: Chen Zhangling , Zuurmond Maria Geertruida , van der Schaft Niels , Nano Jana , Wijnhoven Hanneke Anna Hendrikje , Ikram Mohammad Arfan , Franco Oscar Horacio , Voortman Trudy 
Published: June 2018

AbstractVegan or vegetarian diets have been suggested to reduce type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk. However, not much is known on whether variation in the degree of having a plant-based versus animal-based diet may be beneficial for prevention of T2D. We aimed to investigate whether level of adherence to a diet high in plant-based foods and low in animal-based foods is associated with insulin resistance, prediabetes, and T2D. Our analysis included 6798 participants (62.7 ± 7.8 years) from the Rotterdam Study (RS), a prospective population-based cohort in the Netherlands. Dietary intake data were collected with food-frequency questionnaires at baseline of three sub-cohorts of RS (RS-I-1: 1989–1993, RS-II-1: 2000–2001, RS-III-1: 2006–2008). We constructed a continuous plant-based dietary index (range 0–92) assessing adherence to a plant-based versus animal-based diet. Insulin resistance at baseline and follow-up was assessed using homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Prediabetes and T2D were collected from general practitioners’ records, pharmacies’ databases, and follow-up examinations in our research center until 2012. We used multivariable linear mixed models to examine association of the index with longitudinal HOMA-IR, and multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression models to examine associations of the index with risk of prediabetes and T2D. During median 5.7, and 7.3 years of follow-up, we documented 928 prediabetes cases and 642 T2D cases. After adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, a higher score on the plant-based dietary index was associated with lower insulin resistance (per 10 units higher score: β = −0.09; 95% CI: − 0.10; − 0.08), lower prediabetes risk (HR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.81; 0.98), and lower T2D risk [HR = 0.82 (0.73; 0.92)]. After additional adjustment for BMI, associations attenuated and remained statistically significant for longitudinal insulin resistance [β = −0.05 (− 0.06; − 0.04)] and T2D risk [HR = 0.87 (0.79; 0.99)], but no longer for prediabetes risk [HR = 0.93 (0.85; 1.03)]. In conclusion, a more plant-based and less animal-based diet may lower risk of insulin resistance, prediabetes and T2D. These findings strengthen recent dietary recommendations to adopt a more plant-based diet.Clinical Trial Registry number and website NTR6831, http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=6831.
Where health and environment meet: the use of invariant parameters in big data analysis
Authors: Leonelli Sabina , Tempini Niccolò 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe use of big data to investigate the spread of infectious diseases or the impact of the built environment on human wellbeing goes beyond the realm of traditional approaches to epidemiology, and includes a large variety of data objects produced by research communities with different methods and goals. This paper addresses the conditions under which researchers link, search and interpret such diverse data by focusing on “data mash-ups”—that is the linking of data from epidemiology, biomedicine, climate and environmental science, which is typically achieved by holding one or more basic parameters, such as geolocation, as invariant. We argue that this strategy works best when epidemiologists interpret localisation procedures through an idiographic perspective that recognises their context-dependence and supports a critical evaluation of the epistemic value of geolocation data whenever they are used for new research purposes. Approaching invariants as strategic constructs can foster data linkage and re-use, and support carefully-targeted predictions in ways that can meaningfully inform public health. At the same time, it explicitly signals the limitations in the scope and applicability of the original datasets incorporated into big data collections, and thus the situated nature of data linkage exercises and their predictive power.
Open‐ended responses from early adolescents: Method matters
Authors: Love Abigail M.A. , Butz Amanda R. , Usher Ellen L. , Waiters Brittany L. 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTThis study investigates whether the length and pattern of early adolescents' (N = 261) responses to open‐ended self‐reflective questions varied according to data collection method: paper and pencil versus online survey. Adolescent students' (Npaper = 157; Ncomputer = 104) responses from a suburban, United States sample of fifth grade students were significantly longer on computerized surveys than on paper surveys. Students provided higher quality responses (i.e., lexically richer) on the computerized survey. Findings were consistent when responses were relevant to two subject areas: mathematics and reading. Results suggest that the use of computerized survey methods in psychological research with early adolescent samples is both appropriate and valuable.
Understanding the Role of Adenosine Receptors in the Myofibroblast Transformation in Peyronie’s Disease
Authors: Mateus Marta , Ilg Marcus M. , Stebbeds William J. , Christopher Nim , Muneer Asif , Ralph David J. , Cellek Selim 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

Background
Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a chronic fibrotic disease of the penis affecting a significant number of men worldwide without effective medical treatments. Myofibroblasts are pivotal in the pathogenesis of PD. Adenosine and adenosine receptors have been suggested to be involved in the pathophysiology of fibrosis.

Aim
To understand the role of adenosine receptors in myofibroblast transformation in PD.

Methods
Fibroblasts were isolated from the non-PD tunica albuginea (TA) tissue and PD plaque tissue and were transformed into myofibroblasts using transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. Quantification of α-smooth muscle actin and adenosine receptors (adenosine receptor A1 [ADORA1], adenosine receptor A2A, adenosine receptor A2B [ADORA2B], and adenosine receptor A3) was performed using immuno-cytochemistry, in-cell enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ICE), and real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The effect of various adenosine receptor agonists or antagonists on TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast transformation was measured using ICE.

Outcomes
Expression of adenosine receptors in myofibroblasts obtained from human TA and the effect of adenosine receptor ligands on myofibroblast transformation were investigated.

Results
The experiments showed that the protein and messenger RNA levels of α-smooth muscle actin in non-PD TA cells and PD plaque-derived cells were significantly higher in cells exposed to TGF-β1 than those not treated with TGF-β1. 2 of 4 adenosine receptors (ADORA1 and ADORA2B) were found to be expressed in both cell populations. Among various adenosine receptor agonists/antagonist investigated, only ADORA2B agonist, BAY 60-6583, significantly inhibited myofibroblast transformation in a concentration-dependent manner when applied simultaneously with TGF-β1 (IC50 = 30 μmol/L).

Clinical Translation
ADORA2B agonists may be clinically efficacious in early-stage PD.

Strengths & Limitations
The strength of this study is the use of primary fibroblasts from human TA. Limitation of the study is the high concentrations of the ligands used.

Conclusion
The effect of an ADORA2B agonist on TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast transformation shows a novel potential therapeutic target for PD if applied during early, non-stable phase of PD.