bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modular configuration of service elements based on the improved K‐means algorithm
Authors: Zhang Fei 
Published: October 2018

AbstractTo reduce the vagueness and subjectivity of customer demand in the process of product–service system design, a fuzzy semantic calculation method is proposed to obtain the importance of service demand. In addition, according to the demand of the clustering of service modules, a new clustering method is proposed to analyse discrete data based on the improved K‐means algorithm that is based on the Kruskal algorithm. According to the criterion of the service module division and its weight, the correlation coefficient between any two service activities is judged to form the comprehensive correlation coefficient matrix, and the comprehensive dissimilarity matrix can be obtained by the additive model. Then, this method calculates the minimum cost spanning tree (MCST) using the Kruskal algorithm. The different clusters of service activities with different centres can be found based on the MCST, and the edge values can be calculated by the improved K‐means algorithm. This paper uses 28 service activities of excavators. These activities can be divided into K (K = 4, 5, 6, and 7) clusters by the improved K‐means algorithm. Finally, the service element configuration model is established based on the demand weight, which is optimized by using the maximum customer satisfaction of competition.
STAT1 facilitates oestrogen receptor α transcription and stimulates breast cancer cell proliferation
Authors: Hou Yingxiang , Li Xin , Li Qianhua , Xu Juntao , Yang Huijie , Xue Min , Niu Gang , Zhuo Shu , Mu Kun , Wu Gaosong , Li Xiumin , Wang Hui , Zhu Jian , Zhuang Ting 
Published: October 2018

AbstractOestrogen receptor α (ERα) is overexpressed in two‐thirds of all breast cancer cases and is involved in breast cancer development and progression. Although ERα ‐positive breast cancer can be effectively treated by endocrine therapy, endocrine resistance is an urgent clinical problem. Thus, further understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in ERα signalling is critical in dealing with endocrine resistance in patients with breast cancer. In the present study, unbiased RNA sequence analysis was conducted between the MCF‐7 and MCF‐7 tamoxifen‐resistant (LCC2) cell lines in order to identify differentially expressed genes. The whole transcriptomic data indicated that the JAK‐STAT pathway is markedly up‐regulated, particularly the ISGF3 complex. As the critical effectors, STAT1 and IRF9 were up‐regulated 5‐ and 20‐fold, respectively, in LCC2 cells. The biological experiments indicated that STAT1 is important for ERα signalling. Depletion of STAT1 or inhibition of STAT1 function significantly decreased levels of ERα protein, ERα ‐target gene expression and cell proliferation in both the MCF‐7 and LCC2 cell lines. Chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that ERα transcription is associated with STAT1 recruitment to the ERα promoter region, suggesting that transcriptional regulation is one mechanism by which STAT1 regulates ERα mRNA levels and ERα signalling in breast cancer cells. The present study reveals a possible endocrine‐resistant mechanism by which STAT1 modulates ERα signalling and confers tamoxifen resistance. Targeting of STAT1 is a potential treatment strategy for endocrine‐resistant breast cancers.
Plasma derived from human umbilical cord blood: Potential cell‐additive or cell‐substitute therapeutic for neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Ehrhart Jared , Sanberg Paul R. , Garbuzova‐Davis Svitlana 
Published: October 2018

AbstractLimited efficacy of current therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative disease has led to increased interest in alternative therapies. Cord blood plasma (CBP) derived from human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) may be a potential therapeutic. Benefits ofCBPinjection into rodent models of aging or ischaemic stroke have been demonstrated, though how benefits are elicited is still unclear. The present study evaluated various factors within the same samples ofCBPand human adult blood plasma/sera (ABP/S). Also, autologousCBPeffects vs.ABP/S or foetal bovine serum supplements on mononuclear cells fromhUCB(MNC hUCB) in vitro were determined. Results showed significantly low concentrations of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐2,IL‐6,IFN‐γ, andTNF‐α) and elevated chemokineIL‐8 inCBP. Significantly higher levels ofVEGF, G‐CSF,EGFandFGF‐basic growth factors were determined inCBPvs.ABP/S. AutologousCBPmedia supplements significantly increasedMNC hUCBviability and decreased apoptotic cell activity. We are first to demonstrate the uniqueCBPcomposition of cytokines and growth factors within the sameCBPsamples derived fromhUCB. Also, our novel finding that autologousCBPpromotedMNC hUCBviability and reduced apoptotic cell death in vitro supportsCBP's potential as a sole therapeutic or cell‐additive agent in developing therapies for various neurodegenerative diseases.
Stethoscope of the 21st century: dominant discourses of ultrasound in medical education
Authors: Feilchenfeld Zac , Kuper Ayelet , Whitehead Cynthia 
Published: October 2018

ContextIn recent years, point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) has become a widely used clinical tool in a number of clinical specialties. In response, POCUS has been incorporated into medical curricula across the learning continuum, bolstered by enthusiastic appraisals of the technology's benefits for learners, clinicians and patients. In this project, we have sought to identify and understand the effects of dominant discourses influencing the integration of POCUS into medical education.MethodsWe conducted a Foucauldian critical discourse analysis (CDA) to identify and analyse discourses that legitimise and privilege the use of POCUS in medical education. We assembled an archive of 473 texts published between 1980 and 2017. Each article in the archive was analysed to identify frequently occurring truth statements (expressing concepts whose truths are unquestioned within particular discourses) that we used to characterise the major discourses that construct representations of POCUS in medical education.ResultsWe identified three dominant discourses: (i) a visuo‐centric discourse prioritising the visual information as truth over other clinical data; (ii) a utilitarian discourse emphasising improvements in patient care; and (iii) a modernist discourse highlighting the current and future needs of clinicians in our technological world. These discourses overlap and converge; the core discursive effect makes the further elevation of POCUS in medical education, and the resulting attenuation of other curricular priorities, appear inevitable.ConclusionsThe three dominant discourses identified in this paper engender ideal conditions for the proliferation of POCUS in medical education through curricular guidelines, surveys of adherence to these guidelines and authoritative position statements. By identifying and analysing these dominant discourses, we can ask questions that do not take for granted the assumed truths underpinning the discourses, highlight potential pitfalls of proposed curricular changes and ensure these changes truly improve medical education.
Favourable renal outcomes after intravenous thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke: Clinical implication of kidney–brain axis
Authors: Chang Teng‐Hsiang , Chiu Ping‐Fang , Tsai Chun‐Chieh , Chang Chin‐Hua , Wu Chia‐Lin , Kor Chew‐Teng , Li Jhao‐Rong , Kuo Cheng‐Ling , Huang Ching‐Shan , Chu Cheng‐Chung , Lin Chih‐Ming , Chang Chia‐Chu 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTAimRecombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt‐PA) administration is the most prevalent treatment for acute ischemic within golden time. However, the effects of rt‐PA on the kidney function in such patients remain unknown. This study determined long‐term renal outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving systemic rt‐PA.MethodsWe enroled patients who were hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke from January 2001 to January 2017. We applied 1:2 propensity score matching to eliminate various confounding variables. We defined surrogate renal outcomes as declining of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) greater than 30% and 50%, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with eGFR less than 60 mL/min. We then compared the 1‐year eGFR with paired t‐test in patients treated with or without rt‐PA.ResultsOverall, 343 of 1739 patients received rt‐PA within golden time. After 1:2 propensity score matching, their baseline characteristics were grouped as treated with rt‐PA (n = 235) or not (n = 394). rt‐PA‐treated patients exhibited slower renal progression, including the risk of eGFR declining greater than 30% (hazard ratio (HR), 0.72; P = 0.03), risk of declining eGFR greater than 50% (HR, 0.63; P = 0.046) and risk of CKD (HR, 0.61; P = 0.005). After 1‐year cohort, the rt‐PA group exhibited an improved renal outcome by the paired t‐test (propensity match: ΔGFR = 9.1 (95% confidence interval: 6.3, 11.8), P < 0.001 in rt‐PA group; ΔGFR = −1.1 (95% confidence interval: −2.9, 0.7), P = 0.23 in non‐rt‐PA group). In patients with eGFR less than 45 mL/min (n = 34), intracerebral haemorrhage was not reported.ConclusionPatients receiving rt‐PA for acute ischemic stroke exhibit favourable renal outcomes, and no increased incidence of intracerebral haemorrhage occurs in rt‐PA patients with advanced CKD.
Preservice educators’ perceptions of manipulatives: The moderating role of mathematics teaching self‐efficacy
Authors: Carbonneau Kira J. , Zhang Xue , Ardasheva Yuliya 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIn this study, we examine how prospective teachers perceive the efficacy of manipulatives and if these perceptions relate to their future use of manipulatives and their mathematics self‐efficacy. Survey responses from 97 preservice educators who had completed a mathematics method course indicate three essential findings. One, preservice teachers in this sample perceive manipulatives as highly effective for enhancing students’ performance, conceptual knowledge, and affect and reported high levels of the intended use of manipulatives in their future teaching. Two, both preservice teachers’ mathematics content and teaching self‐efficacies were significant negative predictors of the intended use of manipulatives. Three, the relationship between preservice educators’ perceptions and the intended use of manipulatives is dependent upon their mathematics teaching self‐efficacy.
Evidence against a crucial role of renal medullary perfusion in blood pressure control of hypertensive rats
Authors: Bądzyńska Bożena , Baranowska Iwona , Gawryś Olga , Sadowski Janusz 
Published: October 2018

Key points
The development of new effective methods of treating arterial hypertension is hindered by uncertainty regarding its causes.
According to one widespread concept hypertension is caused by abnormal blood circulation in the kidney, specifically by reduction of blood flow through the kidney medulla; however, this causal relationship has never been rigorously verified.
We investigated whether in rats with three different forms of experimental hypertension prolonged selective elevation of renal medullary blood flow using local infusion of the vasodilator bradykinin would lower arterial pressure.
We found that increasing medullary blood flow by almost 50% did not result in alleviation of hypertension, which argues against a causal role of such changes in the control of arterial pressure and suggests that attempts at improving renal medullary circulation are not likely to be a promising approach to combating hypertension.
AbstractThe crucial role of renal medullary blood flow (MBF) in the control of arterial pressure (MAP) has been widely accepted but not rigorously verified. We examined the effects of experimental selective MBF elevation on MAP, medullary tissue hypertonicity and renal excretion in hypertensive rats. We used three hypertensive rat models: (1) rats with hypertension induced by chronic angiotensin II infusions (AngII model), (2) rats with hypertension induced by unilateral nephrectomy followed by high salt diet (HS/UNX), and (3) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In acute experiments, MBF (laser‐Doppler measurement) was selectively increased with an intramedullary infusion of bradykinin (Bk) at 0.27 mg h−1 kg−1 BW over 4 h. MAP, renal artery blood flow (Transonic probe) and renal excretion parameters were measured simultaneously. In chronic studies with AngII and HS/UNX rats, Bk was infused over 2 weeks and MAP (telemetry probe) and renal excretion were repeatedly determined. In acute studies, with AngII, SHR and HS/UNX groups, Bk infusion caused a 47% increase in MBF (P < 0.01–0.001), whereas solvent infusion was without effect. During the experiments MAP decreased slightly and to the same extent with Bk and solvent infusion. Medullary tissue osmolality and [Na+] were lower in Bk‐ than in solvent‐infused AngII rats and in SHR. Two weeks of intramedullary Bk infusion tested in AngII and HS/UNX rats did not alter MAP or renal excretion; though in the latter group a significant MBF increase and medullary hypertonicity decrease was observed. Since no decrease in MAP in hypertensive rats was seen with Bk‐induced major renal medullary hyperperfusion or with a wash‐out of medullary solutes, our data argue against a crucial role of MBF in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension.
Relationship of gender differences in preferences to economic development and gender equality
Authors: Falk Armin , Hermle Johannes 
Published: October 2018

Assessing gender differences
What contributes to gender-associated differences in preferences such as the willingness to take risks, patience, altruism, positive and negative reciprocity, and trust? Falk and Hermle studied 80,000 individuals in 76 countries who participated in a Global Preference Survey and compared the data with country-level variables such as gross domestic product and indices of gender inequality. They observed that the more that women have equal opportunities, the more they differ from men in their preferences.

Science
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Exercise for the prevention and treatment of low back, pelvic girdle and lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Davenport Margie H , Marchand Andree-Anne , Mottola Michelle F , Poitras Veronica J , Gray Casey E , Jaramillo Garcia Alejandra , Barrowman Nick , Sobierajski Frances , James Marina , Meah Victoria L , Skow Rachel J , Riske Laurel , Nuspl Megan , Nagpal Taniya S , Courbalay Anne , Slater Linda G , Adamo Kristi B , Davies Gregory A , Barakat Ruben , Ruchat Stephanie-May 
Published: October 2018

ObjectiveThe purpose of this review was to investigate the relationship between prenatal exercise, and low back (LBP), pelvic girdle (PGP) and lumbopelvic (LBPP) pain.DesignSystematic review with random effects meta-analysis and meta-regression.Data sourcesOnline databases were searched up to 6 January 2017.Study eligibility criteriaStudies of all designs were eligible (except case studies and reviews) if they were published in English, Spanish or French, and contained information on the population (pregnant women without contraindication to exercise), intervention (subjective or objective measures of frequency, intensity, duration, volume or type of exercise, alone [“exercise-only”] or in combination with other intervention components [eg, dietary; “exercise + co-intervention”]), comparator (no exercise or different frequency, intensity, duration, volume and type of exercise) and outcome (prevalence and symptom severity of LBP, PGP and LBPP).ResultsThe analyses included data from 32 studies (n=52 297 pregnant women). ‘Very low’ to ‘moderate’ quality evidence from 13 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) showed prenatal exercise did not reduce the odds of suffering from LBP, PGP and LBPP either in pregnancy or the postpartum period. However, ‘very low’ to ‘moderate’ quality evidence from 15 RCTs identified lower pain severity during pregnancy and the early postpartum period in women who exercised during pregnancy (standardised mean difference −1.03, 95% CI −1.58, –0.48) compared with those who did not exercise. These findings were supported by ‘very low’ quality evidence from other study designs.ConclusionCompared with not exercising, prenatal exercise decreased the severity of LBP, PGP or LBPP during and following pregnancy but did not decrease the odds of any of these conditions at any time point.
Impact of prenatal exercise on neonatal and childhood outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Davenport Margie H , Meah Victoria L , Ruchat Stephanie-May , Davies Gregory A , Skow Rachel J , Barrowman Nick , Adamo Kristi B , Poitras Veronica J , Gray Casey E , Jaramillo Garcia Alejandra , Sobierajski Frances , Riske Laurel , James Marina , Kathol Amariah J , Nuspl Megan , Marchand Andree-Anne , Nagpal Taniya S , Slater Linda G , Weeks Ashley , Barakat Ruben , Mottola Michelle F 
Published: October 2018

ObjectiveWe aimed to identify the relationship between maternal prenatal exercise and birth complications, and neonatal and childhood morphometric, metabolic and developmental outcomes.DesignSystematic review with random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression.Data sourcesOnline databases were searched up to 6 January 2017.Study eligibility criteriaStudies of all designs were eligible (except case studies and reviews) if published in English, Spanish or French, and contained information on the relevant population (pregnant women without contraindication to exercise), intervention (subjective/objective measures of frequency, intensity, duration, volume or type of exercise, alone (‘exercise-only’) or in combination with other intervention components (eg, dietary; ‘exercise+cointervention’)), comparator (no exercise or different frequency, intensity, duration, volume, type or trimester of exercise) and outcomes (preterm birth, gestational age at delivery, birth weight, low birth weight (<2500 g), high birth weight (>4000 g), small for gestational age, large for gestational age, intrauterine growth restriction, neonatal hypoglycaemia, metabolic acidosis (cord blood pH, base excess), hyperbilirubinaemia, Apgar scores, neonatal intensive care unit admittance, shoulder dystocia, brachial plexus injury, neonatal body composition (per cent body fat, body weight, body mass index (BMI), ponderal index), childhood obesity (per cent body fat, body weight, BMI) and developmental milestones (including cognitive, psychosocial, motor skills)).ResultsA total of 135 studies (n=166 094) were included. There was ‘high’ quality evidence from exercise-only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) showing a 39% reduction in the odds of having a baby >4000 g (macrosomia: 15 RCTs, n=3670; OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.92) in women who exercised compared with women who did not exercise, without affecting the odds of growth-restricted, preterm or low birth weight babies. Prenatal exercise was not associated with the other neonatal or infant outcomes that were examined.ConclusionsPrenatal exercise is safe and beneficial for the fetus. Maternal exercise was associated with reduced odds of macrosomia (abnormally large babies) and was not associated with neonatal complications or adverse childhood outcomes.
Using internet search data to predict new HIV diagnoses in China: a modelling study
Authors: Zhang Qingpeng , Chai Yi , Li Xiaoming , Young Sean D , Zhou Jiaqi 
Published: October 2018

ObjectivesInternet data are important sources of abundant information regarding HIV epidemics and risk factors. A number of case studies found an association between internet searches and outbreaks of infectious diseases, including HIV. In this research, we examined the feasibility of using search query data to predict the number of new HIV diagnoses in China.DesignWe identified a set of search queries that are associated with new HIV diagnoses in China. We developed statistical models (negative binomial generalised linear model and its Bayesian variants) to estimate the number of new HIV diagnoses by using data of search queries (Baidu) and official statistics (for the entire country and for Guangdong province) for 7 years (2010 to 2016).ResultsSearch query data were positively associated with the number of new HIV diagnoses in China and in Guangdong province. Experiments demonstrated that incorporating search query data could improve the prediction performance in nowcasting and forecasting tasks.ConclusionsBaidu data can be used to predict the number of new HIV diagnoses in China up to the province level. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using search query data to predict new HIV diagnoses. Results could potentially facilitate timely evidence-based decision making and complement conventional programmes for HIV prevention.
Cohort study of workers at a New Zealand agrochemical plant to assess the effect of dioxin exposure on mortality
Authors: McBride David I , Collins James J , Bender Thomas John , Bodner Kenneth M , Aylward Lesa L 
Published: October 2018

ObjectivesTo describe how the exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) influenced mortality in a cohort of workers who were exposed more recently, and at lower levels, than other cohorts of trichlorophenol process workers.DesignA cohort study.SettingAn agrochemical plant in New ZealandParticipants1,599 men and women working between 1 January 1969 and 1 November 1988 at a plant producing the herbicide 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) with TCDD as a contaminant. Cumulative TCDD exposure was estimated for each individual in the study by a toxicokinetic model.Primary outcome measuresCalculation of cause-specific standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI’s) compared those never and ever exposed to TCDD. Dose–response trends were assessed firstly through SMRs stratified in quartiles of cumulative TCCD exposure, and secondly with a proportional hazards model.ResultsThe model intercept of 5.1 ppt of TCDD was consistent with background TCDD concentrations in New Zealand among older members of the population. Exposed workers had non-significant increases in all-cancer deaths (SMR=1.08, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.34), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (SMR=1.57, 95% CI: 0.32 to 4.59), soft tissue sarcoma (one death) (SMR=2.38, 95% CI: 0.06 to 13.26), diabetes (SMR=1.27, 95% CI: 0.55 to 2.50) and ischaemic heart disease (SMR=1.21, 95% CI: 0.96 to 1.50). Lung cancer deaths (SMR=0.95, 95% CI: 0.56 to 1.53) were fewer than expected. Neither the stratified SMR nor the proportional hazard analysis showed a dose–response relationship.ConclusionThere was no evidence of an increase in risk for ‘all cancers’, any specific cancer and no systematic trend in cancer risk with TCDD exposure. This argues against the carcinogenicity of TCDD at lower levels of exposure.