bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dying with Dignity; Living with Laws (and Ethics)
Authors: Will Jonathan F. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAn increasing number of jurisdictions allow individuals to obtain medication prescribed by their physicians for medical assistance in dying (MAID). But discussion of whether (and to what extent) individuals have the right to use the health care system to control the time and manner of their death is not limited to MAID. The right also exists in other contexts, such as directing the withdrawal of life‐sustaining treatments. Palliative (or terminal) sedation involves medications to render a patient unconscious, coupled with either the withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration or their not being administered at all. In high‐enough doses, these medications may further suppress already‐weakened cardiopulmonary function even if there is no intent to hasten death. When teaching about these topics, I challenge students to consider whether there are meaningful differences between practices like euthanasia, MAID, aggressive use of morphine, terminal sedation, or the withdrawal of ventilator support. Whether their differences are morally, ethically, or legally meaningful can be difficult to tease out. After recently watching a loved one, whom I call “Stephan,” direct the time and manner of his death within hospice care in a state that does not allow MAID, I am less inclined than ever to believe that the differences are meaningful in a way the law should recognize.
A Reluctant Critic: Why Gynecologic Surgery Needs Reform
Authors: King Louise P. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe majority of obstetrician‐gynecologists in practice operate very infrequently. Most residents graduate with strong surgical skill sets, given residency requirements. Nonetheless, their practices become dominated by obstetrics, and their gynecologic surgical skills deteriorate. While cesarean sections are surgical in nature, the skill sets needed in these surgeries differ from the skills used in general gynecologic surgery. As gynecology has taken a back seat to obstetrics in our specialty, not only surgical skills but also diagnostic and management skills have deteriorated.
Relational Potential versus the Parent‐Child Relationship
Authors: Antommaria Armand H. Matheny 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn an article in this issue of the Hastings Center Report, Aaron Wightman and his coauthors attempt to address health care providers’ moral distress about acceding to parents’ requests to provide life‐sustaining medical treatment to children who have profound cognitive disabilities. They propose combining John Arras's relational potential standard and care ethics, and they argue that the capacity for caring relationships can provide an independent moral justification for honoring such requests. This combination is, however, unstable. Wightman et al.'s language of potential and capacity opens the possibility of substantial misinterpretation. They rely on epistemological and prognostic uncertainty to argue that reciprocity and participation may be present in the parent‐child relationship even when the child's engagement cannot be observed. The terminology suggests that these are characteristics that can be gained or lost rather than characteristics of being born within certain social practices. In contrast, Eva Feder Kittay illuminates family membership as an important social relation. Her articulation of the independent moral value of parenting stands on its own without being conjoined to Arras's position.
The Experts Are Not Enough
Authors: Hurlbut J. Benjamin 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAs Achim Rosemann and colleagues rightly suggest in their article “Heritable Genome Editing in Global Context: National and International Policy Challenges,” in this issue of the Hastings Center Report, the scientific, ethical, and governance challenges associated with heritable genome editing are global in scope. Both the genetic interventions and the social and moral judgments about human identity and integrity associated with them will affect all humanity. Yet the worries, problems, and solutions that the study illuminates reflect only a partial picture of those challenges. That is to be expected from a study of this sort: the “stakeholders” who were consulted are a limited group and as such are bound to provide a particular, limited picture. One of the important contributions that such a study can make is in providing a picture of what problems particular kinds of experts see as the primary problems and how the framing of those problems may displace other questions and perspectives, especially when such parochial framings of problems are elevated to the level of the “global.” Rosemann et al. do not explain how participants were identified as stakeholders or, indeed, how the study identified the stakes. This is a missed opportunity, and it points toward a set of questions that themselves need to be asked about how the stakeholders—and the stakes—of global governance of heritable genome editing are identified.
Psychosocial Effects of Multigene Panel Testing in the Context of Cancer Genomics
Authors: Hamilton Jada G. , Robson Mark E. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn recent years, with both the development of next‐generation sequencing approaches and the Supreme Court decision invalidating gene patents, declining costs have contributed to the emergence of a new model of hereditary cancer genetic testing. Multigene panel testing (or multiplex testing) involves using next‐generation sequencing technology to determine the sequence of multiple cancer‐susceptibility genes. In addition to high‐penetrance cancer‐susceptibility genes, multigene panels frequently include genes that are less robustly associated with cancer predisposition. Scientific understanding about associations between many specific moderate‐penetrance gene variants and cancer risks is incomplete. The emergence of multigene panel tests has created unique challenges that may have meaningful psychosocial implications. Contrasted with the serial testing process, wherein patients consider the personal and clinical implications of each evaluated gene, with multigene panel testing, patients provide broad consent to whichever genes are included in a particular panel and then, after the test, receive in‐depth genetic counseling to clarify the distinct implications of their specific results. Consequently, patients undergoing multigene panel testing may have a less nuanced understanding of the test and its implications, and they may have fewer opportunities to self‐select against the receipt of particular types of genetic‐risk information. Evidence is conflicting regarding the emotional effects of this testing.
Choice Architecture
Authors: Berlinger Nancy 
Published: July 2019

Abstract“Choices” about nonmedical aging‐related matters, such as housing, are weirdly extreme in the long last stage of life in America. In my experiences accompanying my parents to consultations with physicians, elder‐care lawyers, and social service providers, a middle‐class older adult's presumed choices are the high‐end assisted living facility—or the Medicaid spend‐down. Nothing in between. Experts in aging and housing are calling attention to this “forgotten middle”—the millions of older Americans like my mother, people who are neither rich nor poor and whose needs in this long last stage of life cannot reliably be met through publicly funded health insurance or personal savings.
Modelling the effects of permafrost loss on discharge from a wetland‐dominated, discontinuous permafrost basin
Authors: Stone Lindsay E. , Fang Xing , Haynes Kristine M. , Helbig Manuel , Pomeroy John W. , Sonnentag Oliver , Quinton William L. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPermafrost degradation in the peat‐rich southern fringe of the discontinuous permafrost zone is catalysing substantial changes to land cover with expansion of permafrost‐free wetlands (bogs and fens) and shrinkage of forest‐dominated permafrost peat plateaux. Predicting discharge from headwater basins in this region depends upon understanding and numerically representing the interactions between storage and discharge within and between the major land cover types and how these interactions are changing. To better understand the implications of advanced permafrost thaw‐induced land cover change on wetland discharge, with all landscape features capable of contributing to drainage networks, the hydrological behaviour of a channel fen sub‐basin in the headwaters of Scotty Creek, Northwest Territories, Canada, dominated by peat plateau–bog complexes, was modelled using the Cold Regions Hydrological Modelling platform for the period of 2009 to 2015. The model construction was based on field water balance observations, and performance was deemed adequate when evaluated against measured water balance components. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the impact of progressive permafrost loss on discharge from the sub‐basin, in which all units of the sub‐basin have the potential to contribute to the drainage network, by incrementally reducing the ratio of wetland to plateau in the modelled sub‐basin. Simulated reductions in permafrost extent decreased total annual discharge from the channel fen by 2.5% for every 10% decrease in permafrost area due to increased surface storage capacity, reduced run‐off efficiency, and increased landscape evapotranspiration. Runoff ratios for the fen hydrological response unit dropped from 0.54 to 0.48 after the simulated 50% permafrost area loss with a substantial reduction of 0.47 to 0.31 during the snowmelt season. The reduction in peat plateau area resulted in decreased seasonal variability in discharge due to changes in the flow path routing, with amplified low flows associated with small increases in subsurface discharge, and decreased peak discharge with large reductions in surface run‐off.
Structure and antimicrobial properties of long‐chain branched poly (lactic acid)
Authors: Li Zhengqiu , Liu Lei , Chen Baoshu , Zhao Tianbao , Ran Longchang , Yuan Xiaodie , Cao Zhiwen , Wu Ting 
Published: July 2019

AbstractLong‐chain branched poly (lactic acid) (LCB‐PLA) with antimicrobial functional group was fabricated through a two‐step ring‐opening reactive processing for improving antimicrobial properties and broadening the PLA processing window. A combination of linear viscoelasticity and the branch‐on‐branch (BOB) model predicted probable compositions and chain topologies of the products. It is also explored the antimicrobial properties of LCB‐PLA to provide a theoretical basis for broadening the possible applications.
Vascular access practices for therapeutic apheresis: Results of a survey
Authors: Tanhehco Yvette C. , Zantek Nicole D. , Alsammak Mohamed , Chhibber Vishesh , Li Yanhua , Becker Joanne , Wu Ding W. , Foster Tisha , Wehrli Gay 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACTIntroductionObtaining vascular access (VA) is a critical part of the therapeutic apheresis (TA) treatment plan. Currently, there are no guidelines for VA decision‐making and maintenance related to TA procedures.Materials and MethodsA 28‐question survey to gather qualitative information regarding VA practices was distributed to the American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) 2018 Annual Meeting attendees and all ASFA members for voluntary participation. The descriptive analyses were reported as the number and frequency of responses for each question.ResultsTotal participation was 206 with 147 (71.4%) answering some or all 16 VA focused questions. The majority of respondents were nurses or physicians (89.0%) at sites providing ≥100 procedures. The most common TA procedures were plasma exchange, red cell exchange, and leukocytapheresis. The VA evaluation was predominantly performed by the TA service (80.3%, 118/147). The majority of TA physicians and/or providers do not insert (91.7%, 132/144) or remove (81.2%, 117/143) VA catheters. When an emergent TA procedure is needed, the majority of respondents felt <2 hours was an acceptable turnaround time for VA placement (64.3%, 92/143). The most common anticoagulant for locking catheters and/or ports was heparin. The majority of TA services (54.3%, 76/140) collect data on aborted procedures due to catheter/line/port problems unrelated to infection, but only 41.4% (58/140) collect data on infections.ConclusionVA contributes significantly to the overall risks associated with and the safety of TA. Our survey shows that there is substantial variation but common themes in TA VA practices. Several areas for future research may be identified.
Quantum parameters based study of some heterocycles using density functional theory method: A comparative theoretical study
Authors: Rathi Parveen , Khanna Radhika , Jaswal Vivek Sheel 
Published: July 2019

AbstractDensity functional theory can envisage a vast assortment of molecular possessions such as molecular structures, vibrational frequencies, molecular energies, ionization energies, polar, electric and magnetic properties etc. The efficacy of this method relies on the study of electronic parameters to categorize the reactive sites to comprehend the plausible action of these scaffolds. Further it also facilitates the correlation between the structural characteristics of drug and their inhibition efficiency against infectious microorganisms. In light of the above facts, we have studied the structural parameters such as energy (total), variation of electron density over highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), charge distribution, absolute electronegativity (χ), softness/hardness (σ/ɳ) and fraction of electron transfer (ΔN) of some previously synthesized heterocycles.
A house is not a home: Modeling the effects of social support and connection within resettled refugee populations
Authors: Wanna Cassandra P. , Seehuus Martin , Mazzulla Emily , Fondacaro Karen 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAimThe U.S. resettlement program currently resettles refugees in communities of similar or the same ethnic background known as like‐ethnic communities. This practice provides resettled refugees with a familiar community who may be able to provide support through the difficult resettlement process. However, by associating with a like‐ethnic community, resettled refugees may limit interaction with the host community, which may have subsequent adverse effects on well‐being.MethodsThis study examined whether satisfaction with community support is moderated by a premigration factor (trauma history) or a postmigration factor (English fluency) in predicting depressive symptoms in a resettled refugee community (N = 179). Four moderation models were analyzed and compared.ResultsThe model in which English fluency moderated the relationship between satisfaction with community support and depressive symptoms had the best overall model fit. In addition, trauma history was found to also be a meaningful but secondary moderator within this relationship. English fluency and trauma history within this study did not significantly interact.ConclusionThese results highlight the importance of early English language lessons and community support during resettlement. Further, they emphasize the need to integrate refugees with individuals from similar backgrounds, as well as with host communities throughout resettlement.
The neighborhood story project: Co‐creating learning, caring, and empowering environments
Authors: Thurber Amie 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAimsThe study examines the Neighborhood Story Project, a facilitated three‐month action research project that engages residents in community change. In particular, this paper identifies design and facilitation elements that facilitated participant growth within the project.MethodsThis constructivist multi‐case study examines three Neighborhood Story Projects, all located in Nashville, TN. The analysis draws on observational, focus group and interview data.ResultsFindings suggest that the intentional cocreation of a learning, caring, and empowering environment propelled member gains. The paper identifies specific design elements that fostered these conditions, suggesting a group‐work practice model for intervening in gentrifying neighborhoods.ConclusionThis study contributes to theory and practice related to group‐level interventions in neighborhoods undergoing rapid demographic changes. Findings can be leveraged to better understand processes and strategies for fostering place attachments, social ties, and civic action.
microRNA‐10b confers cisplatin resistance by activating AKT/mTOR/P70S6K signaling via targeting PPARγ in esophageal cancer
Authors: Wu Kai , Hu Yamei , Yan Kanglu , Qi Yu , Zhang Chunyang , Zhu Dengyan , Liu Donglei , Zhao Song 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIt is well known that the acquisition of chemoresistance is a major obstacle for the effective treatment of human cancers. It is reported that microRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in chemotherapy resistance of various malignancies. miR‐10b was previously proved as an oncogene in multiple malignancies, including esophageal cancer. However, its biological significance in regulating cisplatin (DDP) resistance in esophageal cancer is still elusive. Here, we observed that miR‐10b expression was upregulated and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPARγ) expression was downregulated in esophageal cancer tumor tissues and cells. PPARγ was proved as a functional target of miR‐10b. Moreover, suppression of miR‐10b enhanced the chemosensitivity of esophageal cancer cells to DDP in vitro and in vivo. In addition, PPARγ‐mediated DDP sensitivity was weakened by miR‐10b overexpression. Furthermore, miR‐10b‐activated AKT/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway through targeting PPARγ. Inactivation of AKT/mTOR/p70S6K by AKT inhibitor (GSK690693) attenuated miR‐10b‐induced DDP resistance in esophageal cancer cells. Taken together these observation, miRNA‐10b‐mediated PPARγ inhibition enhanced DDP resistance by activating the AKT/mTOR/P70S6K signaling in esophageal cancer, suggesting a potential target to improve therapeutic response of patients with esophageal cancer to DDP.
Moving from alcohol to methane biofilters: an experimental study on biofilter performance and carbon distribution
Authors: Ferdowsi Milad , Desrochers Michaël , Jones Joseph Peter , Heitz Michèle 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDBiofilters can be used to eliminate different gaseous pollutants including alcohols (e.g. methanol, ethanol) and methane (CH4) individually or in a mixture. In this regard, the biofilter adaptability to feed composition variation is an industrial requisite. Inlet gas composition changes also give a better insight about carbon input and end‐points in biofilters. In this study, the gradual conversions of two biofilters from methanol and ethanol to CH4 were investigated.RESULTSBoth biofilters reached 100% removal efficiencies for the alcohols with no initial inoculation. Keeping the total inlet load constant (30 ± 1.3 g m−3 h−1), CH4 was progressively substituted in the feed with corresponding alcohol:CH4 mass ratios of 3:1, 1:1, 1:3 and 0 galcohol:gCH4. Maximum CH4 removal efficiencies of 52% and 29% were obtained (respectively) for biofilters started with methanol and ethanol. By moving from alcohols to CH4 biofilters, the gas phase output carbon increased from 273 to 666 gcarbon day−1 and from 377 to 681 gcarbon day−1 respectively for the methanol‐ and ethanol‐based biofilters.CONCLUSIONThis study showed a successful treatment based on inlet pollutant alteration from methanol or ethanol to CH4 in two separate biofilters. However, the methanol‐based biofilter displayed a better performance and a shorter acclimation time for CH4 conversion. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
A modified formula for accurate determination of three‐dimensional birefringence of fiber using modified subfringe integration method
Authors: El‐Morsy M.A. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe development of the use of interferometric techniques in the study of the optical properties of materials encouraged many researchers to work on the derivation and development of the theoretical considerations and the equations used in the calculations of those properties. The form of these equations depends on the technique used and the cross section of the sample, and also on the method of calculating the optical path difference of light across the sample studied. A modified formula to calculate the three‐dimensional birefringence distribution of the fiber, without the need to determine the refractive indices of the fiber in the parallel and perpendicular directions, was presented. The phase distribution of the simulated and experiment interferograms was obtained using subfringe integration method. The results obtained from the new method were compared with the calculated results of a well‐known method (Z method) and the figures presented showed that the results of the two methods were close to each other.
Isolated limb perfusion and infusion in the treatment of melanoma and soft tissue sarcoma in the era of modern systemic therapies
Authors: Song Yun , Bruce Adrienne N. , Fraker Douglas L. , Karakousis Giorgos C. 
Published: July 2019

Background and ObjectivesIsolated limb perfusion (ILP) and infusion (ILI) are treatment modalities for unresectable melanoma in‐transit metastases and extremity soft tissue sarcomas (STS). We sought to characterize the national trend in their utilization in the context of novel melanoma therapies introduced in 2011.MethodsUsing the National Inpatient Sample (2005‐2014), patients with a primary diagnosis of limb melanoma or STS who underwent ILP/ILI were identified by diagnosis and procedure codes. Annual percent change (APC) in ILP/ILI procedures was determined.ResultsFrom 2005 through 2014, 670 and 130 ILP/ILI procedures were performed for melanoma and STS, respectively. Mean age was 64 (SD 15) years for melanoma and 59 (SD 18) years for STS. Over time, procedures for melanoma decreased with an APC of ‐17 (P = .019). Comparing 2005‐2010 and 2011‐2014, the mean number of procedures for melanoma decreased from 91 to 32 per year (P = .007). In contrast, there was no change for STS (APC 6.5, P = .39; mean 11 and 16 per year in 2005‐2010 and 2011‐2014, respectively, P = .46).ConclusionsILI/ILP utilization has decreased for melanoma, but not for STS. Whether trends for ILP and ILI differed could not be determined. ILP/ILI remains an important option to consider for regional disease control.
A method for rapid determination of arsenic species in vegetables using microwave‐assisted extraction followed by detection with HPLC hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Jia Xintong , Yang Xiaoyue , Zhao Wei , Hu Yuanan , Cheng Hefa 
Published: July 2019

AbstractDriven by the significant need for characterization of the chemical speciation of arsenic in food, this work developed a method for rapid determination of four common arsenic species, namely, arsenite, arsenate, monomethyl arsenic acid, and dimethyl arsenic acid, in vegetables using microwave‐assisted extraction, followed by detection with high‐performance liquid chromatography hyphenated to inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry. Initial screening results showed that microwave‐assisted extraction using 1% HNO3 exhibited the highest overall efficiencies for all arsenic species without causing significant degradation of the organic ones. With the aid of response surface methodology, the optimum conditions established for extraction of arsenic species from vegetables were: 500 mg of freeze‐dried vegetable sample, extracted by closed vessel microwave‐assisted extraction using 10 mL of 2% v/v HNO3 at 90°C for 17 min. Application of the method in the analysis of 24 market vegetable samples indicates that the extraction efficiencies for total arsenic species were in the range of 91.4–106%. Arsenite and arsenate were found to be the predominant arsenic species in the vegetables, which suggests that vegetable consumption could be an important route of inorganic arsenic exposure for the population with a heavy vegetable diet in arsenic polluted regions.