bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Arabinoxylan rice bran (MGN-3/Biobran) enhances radiotherapy in animals bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma†
Authors: Badr El-Din Nariman K , Areida Said K , Ahmed Kvan O , Ghoneum Mamdooh 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACTThis study examines the ability of arabinoxylan rice bran (MGN-3/Biobran) to enhance the anti-cancer effects of fractionated X-ray irradiation of Ehrlich solid tumor-bearing mice. Swiss albino mice bearing tumors were exposed to the following: (i) Biobran treatment (40 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal injections) beginning on day 11 post-tumor cell inoculation until day 30; (ii) ionizing radiation (Rad) 2 Gy at three consecutive doses on days 12, 14 and 16; or (iii) Biobran + Rad. Final tumor weight was suppressed by 46% for Biobran, 31% for Rad and 57% for the combined treatment (Biobran + Rad) relative to control untreated mice. Biobran and Rad also arrested the hypodiploid cells in the sub-G1-phase, signifying apoptosis by +102% and +85%, respectively, while the combined treatment induced apoptosis by +123%, with similar results in the degree of DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, Biobran + Rad upregulated the relative gene expression and protein level of p53 and Bax in tumor cells, down-regulated Bcl-2 expression, and increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 activity, with the combined treatment greater than for either treatment alone. Additionally, the combined treatment modulated the decrease in body weight, the increase in liver and spleen weight, and the elevation of liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase to be within normal values. We conclude that Biobran enhances radiation therapy-induced tumor regression by potentiating apoptosis and minimizing toxicities related to radiation therapy, suggesting that Biobran may be useful in human cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and warranting clinical trials.
Esophageal ‘pyocele’: thoracoscopic management
Authors: Sapkota Ranjan , Thapa Bibhusal , Sayami Prakash 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Mucocele of the native esophagus is a rare complication after esophageal bypass surgery for various indications. Esophageal mucoceles rarely get infected, forming a ‘pyocele’ which becomes symptomatic. Various approaches have been utilized in the management of such pyoceles. We report a similar patient managed successfully in our center utilizing a thoracoscopic deroofing and partial excision of the pyocele.
Emergency left pneumonectomy for foreign body aspiration: a case report
Authors: Amano Yoko , Takanashi Yusuke , Neyatani Hiroshi 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Bronchoscopic extraction is the most common treatment of foreign body aspiration. However, surgical interventions are required in cases wherein bronchoscopic extraction is difficult, with the most frequent surgical strategy being bronchotomy or lobectomy. Herein, we report a case of foreign body aspiration wherein left pneumonectomy was inevitable because of a molar incarcerated in the left main bronchus. The large diameter of the foreign body and delayed diagnosis that causes granulomatous hyperplasia are considered to be major factors of requiring high invasive surgery.
Improving Survey Response Rates with Visible Money
Authors: Debell Matthew , Maisel Natalya , Edwards Brad , Amsbary Michelle , Meldener Vanessa 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIn mail surveys and in advance letters for surveys in other modes, it is common to include a prepaid incentive of a small amount such as $5. However, when letters are addressed generically (such as to “Resident”), advance letters may be thrown away without being opened, so the enclosed cash is wasted and the invitation or advance letter is ineffective. This research note describes results of an experiment using a nationally representative sample of 4,725 residential addresses to test a new way of letting mail recipients know their letter contains cash and is therefore worth opening: an envelope with a window revealing $5, so the cash is clearly visible from outside the sealed envelope. We also tested the USPS for evidence of theft, and we compared First Class and Priority Mail postage. We found no evidence of theft. We found no difference in response rates between Priority Mail and First Class, making First Class much more cost-effective, and we found that visible money increased the response rate to a mail survey from 42.6 to 46.9 percent, at no significant cost.
Optimal Response Formats for Online Surveys: Branch, Grid, or Single Item?
Authors: Debell Matthew , Wilson Catherine , Jackman Simon , Figueroa Lucila 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
This article reports the results of an experiment comparing branch, grid, and single-item question formats in an internet survey with a nationally representative probability sample. We compare the three formats in terms of administration time, item nonresponse, survey breakoff rates, response distribution, and criterion validity. On average, the grid format obtained the fastest answers, the single-item format was intermediate, and the branch format took the longest. Item nonresponse rates were lowest for the single-item format, intermediate for the grid, and highest for branching, but these results were not statistically significant when modeling the full experimental design. Survey breakoff rates among the formats are not statistically distinguishable. Criterion validity was weakest in the branching format, and there was no significant difference between the grid and single-item formats. This evidence indicates that the branching format is not well suited to internet data collection and that both single-item and short, well-constructed grids are better question formats.
Post-rendezvous radar properties of comet 67P/CG from the Rosetta Mission: understanding future Earth-based radar observations and the dynamical evolution of comets
Authors: Heggy Essam , Palmer Elizabeth M , Hérique Alain , Kofman Wlodek , El-Maarry M Ramy 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACTRadar observations provide crucial insights into the formation and dynamical evolution of comets. This ability is constrained by our knowledge of the dielectric and textural properties of these small-bodies. Using several observations by Rosetta as well as results from the Earth-based Arecibo radio telescope, we provide an updated and comprehensive dielectric and roughness description of Comet 67P/CG, which can provide new constraints on the radar properties of other nuclei. Furthermore, contrary to previous assumptions of cometary surfaces being dielectrically homogeneous and smooth, we find that cometary surfaces are dielectrically heterogeneous ( εr′≈1.6–3.2), and are rough at X- and S-band frequencies, which are widely used in characterization of small-bodies. We also investigate the lack of signal broadening in CONSERT observations through the comet head. Our results suggest that primordial building blocks in the subsurface are either absent, smaller than the radar wavelength, or have a weak dielectric contrast (Δ εr′). To constrain this ambiguity, we use optical albedo measurements by the OSIRIS camera of the freshly exposed subsurface after the Aswan cliff collapse. We find that the hypothetical subsurface blocks should have |Δ εr′|≳0.15, setting an upper limit of ∼ 1 m on the size of 67P/CG's primordial building blocks if they exist. Our analysis is consistent with a purely thermal origin for the ∼ 3 m surface bumps on pit walls and cliff-faces, hypothesized to be high-centred polygons formed from fracturing of the sintered shallow ice-bearing subsurface due to seasonal thermal expansion and contraction. Potential changes in 67P/CG's radar reflectivity at these at X- and S-bands can be associated with large-scale structural changes of the nucleus rather than small-scale textural ones. Monitoring changes in 67P/CG's radar properties during repeated close-approaches via Earth-based observations can constrain the dynamical evolution of its cometary nucleus.
Photon-weighted barycentric correction and its importance for precise radial velocities
Authors: Tronsgaard René , Buchhave Lars A , Wright Jason T , Eastman Jason D , Blackman Ryan T 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT
When applying the barycentric correction to a precise radial velocity measurement, it is common practice to calculate its value only at the photon-weighted mid-point time of the observation instead of integrating over the entire exposure. However, since the barycentric correction does not change linearly with time, this leads to systematic errors in the derived radial velocities. The typical magnitude of this second-order effect is of order 10 cm s−1, but it depends on several parameters, e.g. the latitude of the observatory, the position of the target on the sky, and the exposure time. We show that there are realistic observing scenarios, where the errors can amount to more than 1 m s−1. We therefore recommend that instruments operating in this regime always record and store the exposure meter flux curve (or a similar measure) to be used as photon-weights for the barycentric correction. In existing data, if the flux curve is no longer available, we argue that second-order errors in the barycentric correction can be mitigated by adding a correction term assuming constant flux.
Kinematics of mass-loss from the outer Lagrange point L2
Authors: Hubová Dominika , Pejcha Ondřej 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT
We investigate kinematics of mass-loss from the vicinity of the second Lagrange point L2 with applications to merging binary stars, common envelope evolution, and the associated transient brightenings. For ballistic particle trajectories, we characterize initial velocities and positional offsets from L2 that lead to unbound outflow, fall back followed by a formation of a decretion disc, collision with the binary surface, or a hydrodynamic shock close to the binary, where some particle trajectories loop and self-intersect. The latter two final states occur only when the trajectories are initiated with offset from L2 or with velocity vector different from corotation with the binary. We find that competition between the time-dependent and steeply radially decreasing tidal torques from the binary, Coriolis force, and initial conditions lead to a non-trivial distribution of outcomes in the vicinity of L2. Specifically, even for initial velocities slower than corotation, we find that a set of initial position offsets leads to unbound outflows. Our results will aid in the interpretation of the morphology of mass-loss streams in hydrodynamic simulations.
The first spectroscopic dust reverberation programme on active galactic nuclei: the torus in NGC 5548
Authors: Landt H , Ward M J , Kynoch D , Packham C , Ferland G J , Lawrence A , Pott J-U , Esser J , Horne K , Starkey D A , Malhotra D , Fausnaugh M M , Peterson B M , Wilman R J , Riffel R A , Storchi-Bergmann T , Barth A J , Villforth C , Winkler H 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
We have recently initiated the first spectroscopic dust reverberation programme on active galactic nuclei in the near-infrared. Spectroscopy enables measurement of dust properties, such as flux, temperature, and covering factor, with higher precision than photometry. In particular, it enables measurement of both luminosity-based dust radii and dust response times. Here we report results from a 1 yr campaign on NGC 5548. The hot dust responds to changes in the irradiating flux with a lag time of ∼70 light-days, similar to what was previously found in photometric reverberation campaigns. The mean and rms spectra are similar, implying that the same dust component dominates both the emission and the variations. The dust lag time is consistent with the luminosity-based dust radius only if we assume a wavelength-independent dust emissivity law, i.e. a blackbody, which is appropriate for grains of large sizes (of a few μm). For such grains the dust temperature is ∼1450 K. Therefore, silicate grains have most likely evaporated and carbon is the main chemical component. But the hot dust is not close to its sublimation temperature, contrary to popular belief. This is further supported by our observation of temperature variations largely consistent with a heating/cooling process. Therefore, the inner dust-free region is enlarged and the dusty torus rather a ‘dusty wall’, whose inner radius is expected to be luminosity-invariant. The dust-destruction mechanism that enlarges the dust-free region seems to also partly affect the dusty region. We observe a cyclical decrease in dust mass with implied dust reformation times of ∼5–6 months.
L1495 revisited: a ppmap view of a star-forming filament
Authors: Howard A D P , Whitworth A P , Marsh K A , Clarke S D , Griffin M J , Smith M W L , Lomax O D 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT
We have analysed the Herschel and SCUBA-2 dust continuum observations of the main filament in the Taurus L1495 star-forming region, using the Bayesian fitting procedure ppmap. (i) If we construct an average profile along the whole length of the filament, it has FWHM $\simeq 0.087\pm 0.003\, {\rm pc};\,\,$ but the closeness to previous estimates is coincidental. (ii) If we analyse small local sections of the filament, the column-density profile approximates well to the form predicted for hydrostatic equilibrium of an isothermal cylinder. (iii) The ability of ppmap to distinguish dust emitting at different temperatures, and thereby to discriminate between the warm outer layers of the filament and the cold inner layers near the spine, leads to a significant reduction in the surface-density, $\varSigma$, and hence in the line-density, μ. If we adopt the canonical value for the critical line-density at a gas-kinetic temperature of $10\, {\rm K}$, $\mu _{{\rm CRIT}}\simeq 16\, {\rm M_{\odot }\, pc^{-1}}$, the filament is on average trans-critical, with ${\bar{\mu }}\sim \mu _{{\rm CRIT}};\,\,$ local sections where μ > μCRIT tend to lie close to prestellar cores. (iv) The ability of ppmap to distinguish different types of dust, i.e. dust characterized by different values of the emissivity index, β, reveals that the dust in the filament has a lower emissivity index, β ≲ 1.5, than the dust outside the filament, β ≳ 1.7, implying that the physical conditions in the filament have effected a change in the properties of the dust.
MMT/MMIRS spectroscopy of z = 1.3 - 2.4 extreme [O iii] emitters: implications for galaxies in the reionization era
Authors: Tang Mengtao , Stark Daniel P , Chevallard Jacopo , Charlot Stéphane 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT
Galaxies in the reionization era have been shown to have prominent [O iii] + H β emission. Little is known about the gas conditions and radiation field of this population, making it challenging to interpret the spectra emerging at z ≳ 6. Motivated by this shortcoming, we have initiated a large MMT spectroscopic survey identifying rest-frame optical emission lines in 227 intense [O iii] emitting galaxies at 1.3 &lt; z &lt; 2.4. This sample complements the MOSDEF and KBSS surveys, extending to much lower stellar masses ($10^7\!-\!10^8 \, \mathrm{M}_\odot$) and larger specific star formation rates (5–300 Gyr−1), providing a window on galaxies directly following a burst or recent upturn in star formation. The hydrogen ionizing production efficiency (ξion) is found to increase with the [O iii] equivalent width (EW), in a manner similar to that found in local galaxies. We describe how this relationship helps explain the anomalous success rate in identifying Ly α emission in z ≳ 7 galaxies with strong [O iii] + H β emission. We probe the impact of the intense radiation field on the ISM using O32 and Ne3O2, two ionization-sensitive indices. Both are found to scale with the [O iii] EW, revealing extreme ionization conditions not commonly seen in older and more massive galaxies. In the most intense line emitters, the indices have very large average values (O32 = 9.1, Ne3O2 = 0.5) that have been shown to be linked to ionizing photon escape. We discuss implications for the nature of galaxies most likely to have O32 values associated with significant LyC escape. Finally we consider the optimal strategy for JWST spectroscopic investigations of galaxies at z ≳ 10 where the strongest rest-frame optical lines are no longer visible with NIRSpec.
Simulating star clusters across cosmic time – I. Initial mass function, star formation rates, and efficiencies
Authors: He Chong-Chong , Ricotti Massimo , Geen Sam 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT
We present radiation-magneto-hydrodynamic simulations of star formation in self-gravitating, turbulent molecular clouds, modelling the formation of individual massive stars, including their UV radiation feedback. The set of simulations have cloud masses between mgas = 103 M⊙ and 3 × 105 M⊙ and gas densities typical of clouds in the local Universe ($\overline{n}_{\rm gas} \sim 1.8\times 10^2$ cm−3) and 10× and 100× denser, expected to exist in high-redshift galaxies. The main results are as follows. (i) The observed Salpeter power-law slope and normalization of the stellar initial mass function at the high-mass end can be reproduced if we assume that each star-forming gas clump (sink particle) fragments into stars producing on average a maximum stellar mass about $40{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the mass of the sink particle, while the remaining $60{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ is distributed into smaller mass stars. Assuming that the sinks fragment according to a power-law mass function flatter than Salpeter, with log-slope 0.8, satisfy this empirical prescription. (ii) The star formation law that best describes our set of simulation is ${\rm d}\rho _*/{\rm d}t \propto \rho _{\rm gas}^{1.5}$ if $\overline{n}_{\rm gas}\lt n_{\rm cri}\approx 10^3$ cm−3, and ${\rm d}\rho _*/{\rm d}t \propto \rho _{\rm gas}^{2.5}$ otherwise. The duration of the star formation episode is roughly six cloud’s sound crossing times (with cs = 10 km s−1). (iii) The total star formation efficiency in the cloud is $f_*=2{{\ \rm per\ cent}} (m_{\rm gas}/10^4~\mathrm{M}_\odot)^{0.4}(1+\overline{n}_{\rm gas}/n_{\rm cri})^{0.91}$, for gas at solar metallicity, while for metallicity Z &lt; 0.1 Z⊙, based on our limited sample, f* is reduced by a factor of ∼5. (iv) The most compact and massive clouds appear to form globular cluster progenitors, in the sense that star clusters remain gravitationally bound after the gas has been expelled.
Progressive steepening of the SNR RX J1713.7–3946 X-ray spectrum from XMM–Newton to INTEGRAL
Authors: Kuznetsova Ekaterina , Krivonos Roman , Churazov Eugene , Lyskova Natalia , Lutovinov Alexander 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT
In this work, we present the first detailed analysis of the supernova remnant RX J1713.7–3946 in the hard X-ray energy range with the Imager on Board the INTEGRAL Satellite (IBIS) coded-mask telescope onboard the INTEGRAL observatory. The shell-type morphology of the entire remnant is mapped in hard X-rays for the first time and significantly detected up to 50 keV. The IBIS sky image of RX J1713.7–3946, accumulated over 14 yr of operations, demonstrates two extended hard X-ray sources. These sources are spatially consistent with north-west and south-west rims of RX J1713.7–3946 and are also clearly visible at energies below 10 keV with XMM–Newton. This points to a single emission mechanism operating in soft and hard X-rays. The INTEGRAL 17–120 keV spectrum of RX J1713.7–3946 is characterized by a power-law continuum with the photon index of Γ ≈ 3 that is significantly softer than Γ ≈ 2 determined by XMM–Newton in the 1–10 keV energy range, suggesting a progressive steepening of the spectrum with the energy.
Systematic minimization of RNA ligase ribozyme through large-scale design-synthesis-sequence cycles
Authors: Nomura Yoko , Yokobayashi Yohei 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Template-directed RNA ligation catalyzed by an RNA enzyme (ribozyme) is a plausible and important reaction that could have been involved in transferring genetic information during prebiotic evolution. Laboratory evolution experiments have yielded several classes of ligase ribozymes, but their minimal sequence requirements remain largely unexplored. Because selection experiments strongly favor highly active sequences, less active but smaller catalytic motifs may have been overlooked in these experiments. We used large-scale DNA synthesis and high-throughput ribozyme assay enabled by deep sequencing to systematically minimize a previously laboratory-evolved ligase ribozyme. After designing and evaluating >10 000 sequences, we identified catalytic cores as small as 18 contiguous bases that catalyze template-directed regiospecific RNA ligation. The fact that such a short sequence can catalyze this critical reaction suggests that similarly simple or even simpler motifs may populate the RNA sequence space which could have been accessible to the prebiotic ribozymes.
Adrenal insufficiency in kidney transplant patients during low-dose prednisolone therapy: a cross-sectional case–control study
Authors: Valentin Amalie , Borresen Stina Willemoes , Rix Marianne , Elung-Jensen Thomas , Sørensen Søren Schwartz , Feldt-Rasmussen Ulla 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundMaintenance immunosuppressive regimens after renal transplantation (RTx) most often include prednisolone, which may induce secondary adrenal insufficiency, a potentially life-threatening side effect to glucocorticoid (GC) treatment due to the risk of acute adrenal crisis. We investigated the prevalence of prednisolone-induced adrenal insufficiency in RTx patients receiving long-term low-dose prednisolone treatment.MethodsWe performed a case–control study of patients on renal replacement therapy differing in terms of GC exposure. The study included 30 RTx patients transplanted &gt;11 months before enrolment in the study and treated with prednisolone (5 or 7.5 mg prednisolone/day for ≥6 months) and 30 dialysis patients not treated with prednisolone. Patients underwent testing for adrenal insufficiency by a 250-µg Synacthen test performed fasting in the morning after a 48-h prednisolone pause. Normal adrenal function was defined as P-cortisol ≥420 nmol/L 30 min after Synacthen injection. This cut-off is used routinely for the new Roche Elecsys Cortisol II assay and is validated locally based on the Synacthen test responses in 100 healthy individuals.ResultsThirteen RTx patients {43% [95% confidence interval (CI) 27–61]} had an insufficient response to the Synacthen test compared with one patient in the control group [3% (95% CI 0.6–17)] (P = 0.0004). Insufficient responses were seen in 9/25 and 4/5 RTx patients treated with 5 and 7.5 mg prednisolone/day, respectively.ConclusionsWe found a high prevalence of adrenal insufficiency among RTx patients receiving low-dose prednisolone treatment. We therefore advocate for increased clinical alertness towards prednisolone-induced adrenal insufficiency in RTx patients and thus their potential need of rescue GC supplementation during stress.