bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of delayed care on surgical management of patients with gastric cancer in a low‐resource setting
Authors: Martin Allison N. , Silverstein Allison , Ssebuufu Robinson , Lule Joseph , Mugenzi Pacifique , Fehr Alexandra , Mpunga Tharcisse , Shulman Lawrence N. , Park Paul H. , Costas‐Chavarri Ainhoa 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundGastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer in Eastern Africa. Diagnostic delays in low‐resource countries result in advanced disease presentation. We describe perioperative management of gastric cancer in Rwanda.MethodsA retrospective review of records at three hospitals was performed to identify gastric adenocarcinoma cases from January 2012 to June 2016. Multiple perioperative and tumor‐related variables were collected. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed.ResultsThe final analysis included 229 patients with gastric cancer. Median age was 58 years (interquartile range [IQR] 49‐65) and 49.6% were female (n = 114). Patients reported symptoms (ie, weight loss, epigastric pain) for a median time of 12 months (IQR 7.5‐24). On presentation, 18.8% (
n = 43) had gastric outlet obstruction; 13.5% (
n = 31) had a palpable mass. Fifty‐one percent (
n = 117) underwent an operation; of these, 74% (
n = 86) received gastrojejunostomy or were inoperable; and 29% (
n = 34) underwent curative resection. Palliative care referrals were made for 9% (
n = 20). Pathology reports were available for 190 patients (83.0%). Only 11.3% (
n = 26) had
Helicobacter pylori (
H. pylori) testing of which 65.4% tested positive (
n = 17).ConclusionsA majority of patients presented with advanced disease. Very few patients had a curative resection. Significant advances in diagnosis and treatment are needed to improve the care of gastric cancer patients in Rwanda.
Effect of Hepatic Artery Spasm on a Rat Model of Hepatic Ischemia‐Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Tang Hui , Qu En‐ze , Li Kun , Ye Lin‐sen , Zhang Qi , Yang Yang , Chen Gui‐hua , Zhang Ying‐cai 
Published: October 2018

ObjectivesTo investigate hemodynamic changes in the hepatic artery after hepatic ischemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats via ultrasound (US) imaging and to discuss the protective effect of phentolamine (PHT) pretreatment on hepatic IRI.MethodsFifty rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: a sham operation group (n = 10), a control ischemia‐reperfusion group (n = 20), and a PHT pretreatment group (n = 20). Color Doppler flow imaging and contrast‐enhanced US examinations were performed in each group at 30 minutes (n = 10) and 90 minutes (n = 10) after reperfusion. Blood samples were obtained to analyze serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, and liver tissue specimens were collected for pathologic analysis.ResultsUsing US, we found that hepatic artery resistance at 30 minutes after reperfusion in the control group was higher than that in the sham group (mean resistive index [RI] ± SD, 0.65 ± 0.09 versus 0.50 ± 0.09; P < .01), which was higher at 30 than 90 minutes (RI, 0.65 ± 0.09 versus 0.50 ± 0.08; P < .01) after reperfusion in the control group. However, the hepatic artery resistance and liver microcirculation in the PHT group were better than those in the control group at 30 minutes after reperfusion (RI, 0.54 ± 0.09 versus 0.65 ± 0.09; P < .05; time to peak, 31.94 ± 2.02 versus 48.34 ± 4.74 seconds; P < .01). Compared to the control group, the aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly lower at 30 minutes after reperfusion in the PHT group (P < .05). A pathologic examination revealed a smaller hepatic artery diameter and a depressed vessel wall in the control group.ConclusionsThe hepatic artery can undergo a transient spasm during the hepatic IRI process, which can exacerbate liver damage. Phentolamine treatment can alleviate hepatic artery spasms, improve liver perfusion, and reduce liver injury by ameliorating the hepatic microcirculation.
The effects of promotional package frames and price strategies on inaction inertia
Authors: Liu Hsin‐Hsien , Chou Hsuan‐Yi 
Published: October 2018

AbstractInaction inertia is the phenomenon in which people are less likely to accept a less attractive opportunity after having missed a relatively more attractive one. Previous studies have mainly explored the inaction inertia effect on single products or services, whereas this study explored how the promotional frames of sales packages influence inaction inertia toward the individual items within the sales packages and the inaction inertia effect of the target product under different price strategies. On the basis of the cost assignments of mental accounting and comparisons of the current inferior promotion with missed superior promotion, this study found evidence that when consumers encounter a freebie (bundle) condition, they assign a higher cost to the focal (supplementary) product and a lower cost to the supplementary (focal) product. Therefore, consumers who have missed a freebie (bundle) promotion exhibit lower (higher) inaction inertia toward the focal product, but higher (lower) inaction inertia toward the supplementary product. Applying a similar internal mechanism to pricing strategies, the findings also show that when consumers encounter a two‐component sales package with a surcharge promotion using a partitioned price (vs. a price discount promotion using an all‐inclusive price), they assign a higher cost to the base product and a lower cost to the surcharge. So, consumers who have missed the surcharge (vs. price discount) promotion show higher inaction inertia when the surcharge of the current inferior opportunity is salient, but show less inaction inertia when it is not salient. Moreover, the percent of a surcharge as a part of the total package value moderates the impact of promotional price strategy frames on inaction inertia. These findings have significant implications for both theoreticians and practitioners interested in inaction inertia, promotional frames, and price strategies.
Synthesis of Functional Polymer Particles from Morita–Baylis–Hillman Polymerization
Authors: Ramakers Gijs , D'Incal Claudio , Gagliardi Mick , Molin Daniël G. M. , Junkers Tanja 
Published: November 2018

AbstractFunctional synthetic polymers are frequently explored for their use in the biomedical field. To fulfill the stringent demands of biodegradability and compatibility, the materials need to be versatile and tunable. Post‐modification is often considered challenging for well‐known degradable materials like poly(lactic acid) because of their chemical inertness. In this work a procedure is proposed to produce densely functionalized polymer particles using oligomeric precursors synthesized via the Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction. This allows for a variety of post‐modification reactions to serve bio‐conjugation or tuning of the material properties. The particles are subjected to basic media and found to be degradable. Furthermore, cytotoxicity tests confirm good biocompatibility. Finally, as a proof of concept to demonstrate the versatility of the particles, post‐modification reactions are carried out through the formation of imines.
Environmentally Adaptable and Temperature‐Selective Self‐Healing Polymers
Authors: Ju Sung Hwan , Kim Jin Chul , Noh Seung Man , Cheong In Woo 
Published: November 2018

AbstractDevelopment of polymeric materials capable of self‐healing at low temperatures is an important issue since their mechanical strength and self‐healing performance are often in conflict with each other. Herein, random copolymers with self‐healing capability in a wide temperature range prepared from 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), glyceryl monomethacrylate (GlyMA), and butyl methacrylate monomers via free‐radical polymerization and subsequent cross‐linking with hexamethylene diisocyanate are reported. Wound closure is facilitated by swelling below the lower critical solution temperature or by heating above the glass transition temperature (T

g) of the polymer. GlyMA units form metal–ligand coordination complexes with dibutyltin dilaurate, leading to the formation of new carbonate bonds under ambient CO2 and H2O conditions. Although swelling/heating reduces the polymer's mechanical strength, it is fully restored following chemical re‐bonding/drying at room temperature. The swelling and degree of scratch healing are affected by pH, temperature, and the DMAEMA content.
Motor cortical excitability during voluntary inhibition of involuntary tic movements
Authors: Ganos Christos , Rocchi Lorenzo , Latorre Anna , Hockey Leanne , Palmer Clare , Joyce Eileen M. , Bhatia Kailash P. , Haggard Patrick , Rothwell John 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACT
Background: Tics can be voluntarily inhibited. However, the neurophysiology of voluntary tic inhibition remains underexplored. The objective of this study was to explore state‐dependent effects of voluntary tic inhibition on M1 excitability.
Methods: Neurophysiological assessments (single motor‐evoked potentials, corticospinal recruitment curves, short‐interval intracortical inhibition, H‐reflex) were performed in 14 adults with Tourette syndrome during voluntary tic inhibition and free ticcing. Regressions between behavioral performance and neurophysiological measures were also performed.
Results: Voluntary tic inhibition reduced corticospinal excitability: the greater the ability to inhibit tics, the greater was the reduction in excitability. Voluntary tic inhibition was not associated with changes in the excitability of short‐interval intracortical inhibition or the H‐reflex.
Conclusions: Voluntary inhibition of tics reduces the excitability of corticospinal output. The pattern of neurophysiological findings is consistent with a withdrawal of excitation, but not with modulation of the inhibitory interneuronal mechanisms involved in short‐interval intracortical inhibition. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A compact decagonal‐shaped UWB monopole planar antenna with truncated ground plane
Authors: Ali Tanweer , Subhash B. K. , Pathan Sameena , Biradar Rajashekhar C. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA compact (35 × 35 × 1.6 mm3) decagonal shaped ultrawideband (UWB) antenna that gives wide impedance bandwidth of >139% (2.3‐12.8 GHz), 1.7‐5 dBi gain, good time domain characteristics and average efficiency >88% is proposed. UWB operation in the proposed design is accomplished by using truncation at the ground plane. Simulated results are in good agreement with the measured results.
Integrated analysis of long‐term growth and bone development in pediatric and adolescent patients receiving bevacizumab
Authors: Müller Hermann L. , Merks Johannes H.M. , Geoerger Birgit , Grill Jacques , Hargrave Darren , Glade Bender Julia , Gururangan Sridharan , Navid Fariba , Johnston Michael , Bachir Jeanette , Elze Markus C. , Fürst‐Recktenwald Sabine 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundWe conducted an integrated analysis of clinical data to describe long‐term effects of bevacizumab on growth and bone development in pediatric and adolescent patients with solid tumors.ProcedureClinical data were pooled from five phase I/II trials of bevacizumab versus chemotherapy: BERNIE, HERBY, and AVF4117s enrolled newly diagnosed patients, AVF3842s and AVF2771s enrolled patients with relapsed/refractory disease. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and bone‐age data were pooled by treatment group. Growth charts were used to track and monitor growth in relation to a reference population of healthy children. Bone age was measured based on X‐ray of the left hand and wrist. Analyses were exploratory/descriptive.ResultsOverall, 268 patients received bevacizumab ± chemotherapy and 135 received chemotherapy alone. Baseline characteristics were generally balanced. Median duration of long‐term follow‐up was 41.8 months (range, 2.4‐75.1) with bevacizumab and 22.9 months (range, 2.8‐69.2) with chemotherapy alone. Patients had age‐appropriate baseline height and weight. Mean height and weight percentiles decreased over time in both treatment groups, but remained within the normal range (height: mean standard deviation score [SDS] range −2 to +3; weight: mean SDS range −2 to +1). Similar trends were seen in BMI. A tendency for reduced growth velocity relative to the reference population was observed at 6 months and 1 year in both groups, but there was no additional decrease for patients receiving bevacizumab.ConclusionBevacizumab did not appear to have additional negative effects on growth or development of pediatric and adolescent patients with solid tumors.
Hierarchical Porous Carbon Cathode for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries Using Carbon Derived from Hybrid Materials Synthesized by Twin Polymerization
Authors: Choudhury Soumyadip , Ebert Thomas , Windberg Tina , Seifert Andreas , Göbel Michael , Simon Frank , Formanek Petr , Stamm Manfred , Spange Stefan , Ionov Leonid 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA new route of fabrication of cathodes for lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries with high cycle stability is reported. The cathodes are fabricated using porous carbon materials obtained from hybrid materials synthesized by twin polymerization on sulfonated polystyrene microparticles. The sulfonic acid groups act as room temperature catalyst for twin polymerization resulting in the formation of nanostructured phenolic resin/silica hybrid materials on the surface of sulfonated polystyrene particles. The shell formed by phenolic resin is transformed into carbon by simple pyrolysis and the polystyrene core is decomposed simultaneously at the pyrolysis temperature yielding porous carbon/silica nanocomposite hollow spheres. After silica removal, a hierarchical, highly porous carbon is obtained. Melt mixing of the carbon with sulfur is used for the fabrication of cathodes for Li–S batteries. The presence of silica on one hand imposes strength to the sphere wall during the carbonization and depolymerization of polystyrene, and on the other hand generates microporous carbon material for lithium–sulfur batteries. The nanostructured hybrid cathode allows very high capacity of 800–1000 mAh gsulfur
−1 and remarkable reversible cycling stability and rate capability over 200 cycles at 0.1C rate and over 440 cycles at 1C rate for Li–S batteries.
Targeted Live Cell Raman Imaging and Visualization of Cancer Biomarkers with Thermal‐Stimuli Responsive Imprinted Nanoprobes
Authors: Zhang Tong , Qin Yating , Tan Tianwei , Lv Yongqin 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPrecise visualization of cancer biomarkers within live cells is significantly vital in oncology that requires techniques with high specificity and selectivity. Herein, a new imprinted plasmonic nanoprobe with thermosensitivity is fabricated, which features multifunctional roles as an “artificial antibody” for the active targeting of cancer biomarkers triggered by temperature and can also achieve their in situ Raman detection and imaging within living cells. A thiol‐containing poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) linear polymer is first synthesized using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization followed by further reduction with NaBH4 to produce free thiol groups at one end. Then, plasmonic nanoprobes are constructed by creating protein‐imprinted poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) self‐assembled monolayers on the surface of gold nanorods. High specificity and selectivity are demonstrated for the target protein, with an extracellular Raman detection limit of 10−14 mol L−1. Thermally responsive behavior is achieved by modulating the external temperature. The plasmonic properties enable in situ live cell intracellular Raman detection and imaging of endogenous cancer biomarker epidermal growth factor receptor. This technique offers significant promise for visualizing cancer biomarkers and monitoring molecular mechanisms both in vitro and in vivo, which are significant in clinical diagnosis and medical theranostics.
Assessing herbicide symptoms by using a logarithmic field sprayer
Authors: Cunha Beatriz Ribeiro da , Andreasen Christian , Rasmussen Jesper , Nielsen Jon , Ritz Christian , Streibig Jens Carl 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn field experiments, assessment of herbicide selectivity and efficacy rarely takes advantage of dose–response regressions. The objective is to demonstrate that logarithmic sprayers, which automatically make a logarithmic dilution of a herbicide rate, can extract biologically relevant parameters describing the efficacy of herbicides in crops, and compare localities and time of assessment.RESULTSIn a conventional and an organic field, canola, white mustard, and no crop plots were sprayed with diflufenican and beflubutamid. A mixed effect log‐logistic dose–response regression, with autoregressive correlation structure, estimated ED50 and ED90 for visual and Excess Green Index symptoms at various days after treatment (DAT). For visual assessment, ED50 differed within no crop between locations for beflubutamid at 12 DAT and 26 DAT. For diflufenican, the ED50 was different within crops at the two fields at 12 DAT, but not at 26 DAT. The Excess Green Indices at ED50 were not different among herbicides, locations, and corps; ED90 differed for white mustard and canola for beflubutamid but not for diflufenican.CONCLUSIONSuitable nonlinear regression models are now available for fitting dose–response data from a logarithmic sprayer in field experiments. The derived parameters (e.g. ED50) can compare selectivity and efficacy at numerous cropping systems. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
The relationship between the phosphate and structural carbonate fractionation of fallow deer bioapatite in tooth enamel
Authors: Miller Holly , Chenery Carolyn , Lamb Angela L. , Sloane Hilary , Carden Ruth F. , Atici Levent , Sykes Naomi 
Published: October 2018

RationaleThe species‐specific relationship between phosphate (δ18OP values) and structural carbonate (δ18OC values) oxygen isotope ratios has been established for several modern and fossil animal species but until now it has not been investigated in European fallow deer (Dama dama dama). This study describes the relationship between phosphate and structural carbonate bioapatite in tooth enamel of extant fallow deer, which will help us further understand the species' unique environmental and cultural history.MethodsThe oxygen isotope composition of phosphate (δ18OP value) and structural carbonate (δ18OC value) of hydroxylapatite was determined in 51 modern fallow deer tooth enamel samples from across Europe and West Asia. The δ18OC values were measured on a GV IsoPrime dual‐inlet mass spectrometer and the δ18OP values on a temperature‐controlled elemental analyser (TC/EA) coupled to a DeltaPlus XL isotope ratio mass spectrometer via a ConFlo III interface.ResultsThis study establishes a direct and linear relationship between the δ18OC and δ18OP values from fallow deer tooth enamel (δ18OC = +9.244(±0.216) + 0.958 * δ18OP (±0.013)). Despite the successful regression, the variation in δ18O values from samples collected in the same geographical area is greater than expected, although the results cluster in broad climatic groupings when Koppen‐Geiger classifications are taken into account for the individuals' locations.ConclusionsThis is the first comprehensive study of the relationship between ionic forms of oxygen (phosphate oxygen and structural carbonate) in fallow deer dental enamel. The new equation will allow direct comparison with other herbivore data. Variable δ18O values within populations of fallow deer broadly reflect the ecological zones they are found in which may explain this pattern of results in other euryphagic species.
A general‐purpose task execution framework for manipulation mission of the 2017 Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge
Authors: Hong Jun , Jung Seokwoo , Jung Chanyoung , Jung Jiwon , Shim David Hyunchul 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis paper presents the hardware and software of our team's EurecarBot for Challenge 2 in the 2017 Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge (MBZIRC). Fully automating our robots actions in a real environment required many component technologies for manipulation and vision processing. To perform the complex robotic missions, we developed a task execution framework, which provides a high‐level interface to specify the given tasks. In this study, we focus on the valve operation problem, which was the hardest part of the competition. We also discuss how we overcame the various problems caused by differences between the experimental and the actual competition environments. EurecarBot completed the valve operation mission perfectly in the MBZIRC Grand Challenge and ranked fourth in Challenge 2 and fifth in the Grand Challenge.
Chemical Control System of Epigenetics
Authors: Vaijayanthi Thangavel , Pandian Ganesh N. , Sugiyama Hiroshi 
Published: October 2018

AbstractEpigenetics represents the inheritable changes to the chemical control system governing the gene expression with no ensuing changes to the underlying DNA sequence. Environment‐mediated modification of the natural epigenetic interactions can perturb the cellular homeostasis and drive cells to a diseased state by switching therapeutically essential genes ON and OFF. Contemporary bioinformatics tools have revealed the structural chemical modifications of the epigenetic enzymes associated with several complex diseases, including cancers, immune disorders, and neurodegenerative disorders at the fundamental level. The amenable nature of the epigenetic enzymes to chemical modifications aided the screening and identification of synthetic small‐molecule inhibitors. Continuing the current steady progress in the development of these small‐molecule inhibitors as ‘epi‐drugs’ in preclinical studies requires further advances to enable existing clinical barriers to be overcome. Recently, an epigenetic modifier complemented with selective DNA‐binding small molecules was shown to function as an artificial biomimetic epigenetic code. Herein, we summarize the chemical aspects of the natural epigenetic control system and detail the recent advances in the synthetic strategies to mimic the genetic and epigenetic control system.