bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Approximate Joint Model for Multiple Paired Longitudinal Outcomes and Time-to-Event Data
Authors: Elmi Angelo F. , Grantz Katherine L. , Albert Paul S. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryJoint modeling of multivariate paired longitudinal data and time-to-event data presents computational challenges that supersede full likelihood estimation due to the large dimensional random effects vector needed to capture correlation due to clustering with respect to pairs, subjects, and outcomes. We propose an alternative, computationally simpler approach to estimation of complex shared parameter models where missing data is imputed based on the Posterior Predictive Distribution from a Conditional Linear Model (CLM) approximation. Existing methods for complete data are then implemented to obtain estimates of the event time model parameters. Our method is applied to examine the effects of discordant growth in anthropometric measures of longitudinal fetal growth in twin fetuses and the timing of birth. Simulation results are presented to show that our method performs relatively well with moderate measurement errors under certain CLM approximations.
Impact of cyclosporine‐A concentration in T‐cell replete haploidentical allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Yang Xiaofei , Yang Shuo , Sun Aining , Qiu Huiying , Tang Xiaowen , Han Yue , Wu Depei 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis paper aims to study whether cyclosporine‐A (CSA) levels have an impact on the clinical outcome of patients with T‐cell replete haploidentical allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). We analyzed 140 consecutive patients who had been given T‐cell replete haploidentical allo‐HSCT in our institute to assess the effect of CSA concentration in the early stages of allo‐HSCT on clinical outcomes, such as hematopoietic recovery, acute graft vs host disease (aGVHD), infection, disease‐free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). The median concentrations of CSA in the blood in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week after allo‐HSCT were 218, 235, 263, and 270 ng/mL, respectively. Additionally, 46%, 40%, 27%, and 18% of the patients had CSA blood levels below 200 ng/mL during those weeks. In total, 39 patients developed aGVHD (grade II‐IV), for a cumulative incidence of 27.8%, at a median of 32 days. Patients having a low CSA concentration (below 200 ng/mL) in the 3rd week had a higher cumulative incidence of grade II‐IV aGVHD (P = .02). In addition, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low CSA concentration (below 200 ng/mL) in the 3rd week was an independent risk factor of grade II‐IV aGVHD (P = .02; odds ratio = 2.66; 95% CI, 1.15‐6.17). However, CSA levels during the first 4 weeks did not have a significant impact on the patients’ hematopoietic recovery, infection, DFS, and OS. Our data indicated that adequate management of CSA levels during the peri‐engraftment period might improve clinical outcomes for those with T‐cell replete haploidentical allo‐HSCT.
Developing reduced SNP assays from whole‐genome sequence data to estimate introgression in an organism with complex genetic patterns, the Iberian honeybee (Apis mellifera iberiensis)
Authors: Henriques Dora , Parejo Melanie , Vignal Alain , Wragg David , Wallberg Andreas , Webster Matthew T. , Pinto M. Alice 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe most important managed pollinator, the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.), has been subject to a growing number of threats. In western Europe, one such threat is large‐scale introductions of commercial strains (C‐lineage ancestry), which is leading to introgressive hybridization and even the local extinction of native honeybee populations (M‐lineage ancestry). Here, we developed reduced assays of highly informative SNPs from 176 whole genomes to estimate C‐lineage introgression in the most diverse and evolutionarily complex subspecies in Europe, the Iberian honeybee (Apis mellifera iberiensis). We started by evaluating the effects of sample size and sampling a geographically restricted area on the number of highly informative SNPs. We demonstrated that a bias in the number of fixed SNPs (FST = 1) is introduced when the sample size is small (N ≤ 10) and when sampling only captures a small fraction of a population's genetic diversity. These results underscore the importance of having a representative sample when developing reliable reduced SNP assays for organisms with complex genetic patterns. We used a training data set to design four independent SNP assays selected from pairwise FST between the Iberian and C‐lineage honeybees. The designed assays, which were validated in holdout and simulated hybrid data sets, proved to be highly accurate and can be readily used for monitoring populations not only in the native range of A. m. iberiensis in Iberia but also in the introduced range in the Balearic islands, Macaronesia and South America, in a time‐ and cost‐effective manner. While our approach used the Iberian honeybee as model system, it has a high value in a wide range of scenarios for the monitoring and conservation of potentially hybridized domestic and wildlife populations.
Dual specificity phosphatase DUSP6 promotes endothelial inflammation through inducible expression of ICAM‐1
Authors: Hsu Shu‐Fang , Lee Yu‐Bin , Lee Ying‐Chu , Chung Ai‐Ling , Apaya Maria Karmella , Shyur Lie‐Fen , Cheng Ching‐Feng , Ho Feng‐Ming , Meng Tzu‐Ching 
Published: March 2018

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α activates a diverse array of signaling pathways in vascular endothelial cells (ECs), leading to the inflammatory phenotype that contributes to the vascular dysfunction and neutrophil emigration in patients with sepsis. To date, it is not well understood what key regulator might coordinate signaling pathways to achieve inflammatory response in TNF‐α‐stimulated ECs. This study investigated the role of dual specificity phosphatase‐6 (DUSP6) in the regulation of endothelial inflammation. Using knockout mice, we found that DUSP6 is important for TNF‐α‐induced endothelial intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) expression in aorta and in vein. Moreover, genetic deletion of Dusp6 in pulmonary circulation significantly alleviated the susceptibility of mice to lung injury caused by neutrophil recruitment during experimental sepsis induced by TNF‐α or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The role of DUSP6 was further investigated in primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Employing RNAi approach in which endogenous DUSP6 was ablated, we showed a critical function of DUSP6 to facilitate TNF‐α‐induced ICAM‐1 expression and endothelial leukocyte interaction. Interestingly, DUSP6‐promoted endothelial inflammation is independent of extracellular signaling‐regulated kinase (ERK) signaling. On the other hand, inducible DUSP6 leads to activation of canonical nuclear factor (NF)‐κB‐mediated transcription of ICAM‐1 gene in TNF‐α‐stimulated human ECs. These results are the first to demonstrate a positive role of DUSP6 in endothelial inflammation‐mediated pathological process and the underlying mechanism through which DUSP6 promotes NF‐κB signaling in the inflamed ECs. Our findings suggest that manipulation of DUSP6 holds great potential for the treatment of acute inflammatory diseases.
Review: An overview and analysis of novel oral anticoagulants and their dental implications
Authors: Fortier Kevin , Shroff Deepti , Reebye Uday N. 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundDabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban are approved novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) as alternatives to Vitamin K antagonists (VKA). Physicians are prescribing an ever‐increasing amount these drugs to their patients due to various advantages over existing medications.AimsThe objective of this review is to provide the dental professional with current literature surrounding the emergence of NOACs, as well as various case studies on the subject, in an effort to guide clinical decision making regarding these medications. The pharmacological profiles of these NOACs and idarucizumab, a reversal agent for dabigatran, will be detailed in this review.Materials and methodsA review of the literature on NOACs was undertaken and the Pubmed, Medline, and Embase databases were used to identify articles published in the English language. Additionally, major dental medicine journals were hand searched, followed by a review of the ClinicalTrials.gov database.ResultsDue to minimal research regarding dental treatment of patients on NOACs and minimal clinical experience of practitioners treating these patients, there is currently insufficient data to establish an evidence‐based NOAC management protocol in a dental setting.DiscussionIn this review, the most significant advantages of NOACs over VKAs was found to be limited interactions with other drugs as well as rapid onset and offset of action.ConclusionDespite these benefits, as well as various others, NOACs still lack specific management parameters as well as antidotes or reversal agents. Therefore, dental professionals must use caution when treating patients currently taking these specific anticoagulants.
Tumour budding in pancreatic cancer revisited: validation of the ITBCC scoring system
Authors: Karamitopoulou Eva , Wartenberg Martin , Zlobec Inti , Cibin Silvia , Worni Mathias , Gloor Beat , Lugli Alessandro 
Published: March 2018

AimsPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy with rising incidence. Biomarkers that would help the prognostic stratification of patients are needed urgently. Although tumour budding (BD) is a strong and independent prognostic factor in PDAC it is not included in histopathology reports, due partly to the lack of a standardised scoring system. The aim of the present work is to assess the reliability and reproducibility of the BD scoring system proposed recently by the International Tumour Budding Consensus Conference (ITBCC) 2016 in a well‐characterised PDAC cohort (n = 120) with complete clinicopathological and follow‐up information.Methods and resultsBD was scored independently by two pathologists on haematoxylin and eosin‐stained PDAC sections by assessing the densest budding area at ×20 magnification (one hot‐spot, 0.785 mm2), regardless of intra‐ or peritumoural localisation, and assigned to four categories: BD0: no buds; BD1: one to four buds; BD2: five to nine buds; and BD3: ≥ 10 buds. Findings were correlated to patient and tumour characteristics and interobserver agreement was assessed. The weighted kappa value for BD category was 0.62 (0.5–0.73), indicating strong agreement. Increasing BD category (BD3 versus BD0–2) correlated with higher grade (P = 0.002) and shorter overall [OS, P < 0.0001, hazard ratio (HR) = 3.234, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.95–5.37] and disease‐free survival (DFS, P = 0.0135, HR = 1.974, 95% CI = 1.15–3.39). BD (BD3 versus BD0–2) was an independent prognostic factor for OS and DFS, after adjusting for tumour–node–metastasis (TNM) stage by using both the 8th American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) edition (OS: P = 0.0031, HR = 2.298, 95% CI = 1.32–0.99; DFS: P = 0.0458, HR = 1.713, 95% CI = 1.01–2.91) and the 7th AJCC edition (OS: P < 0.0001, HR = 2.795,95% CI = 1.71–4.57 and DFS: P = 0.00786, HR = 1.643, 95% CI = 0.95–2.86).ConclusionsITBCC scoring is a simple, reliable and reproducible method to evaluate BD in PDAC and facilitates its documentation in histopathology reports, allowing the prognostic stratification of PDAC patients.
MINING SURPLUS: MODELING JAMES A. SCHMITZ'S LINK BETWEEN COMPETITION AND PRODUCTIVITY
Authors: Greenwood Jeremy , Weiss David 
Published: March 2018

AbstractJames A. Schmitz documents, in a well‐known case study (Journal of Political Economy 113 (2005), 582–625), a dramatic rise in productivity in the American and Canadian iron‐ore industry following an increase in competition from Brazil. Prior to the increased competition, the industry was not competitive. Economic profits were divided between business and unions. Schmitz attributes the increase in productivity to a change in work practices in the industry, as old negotiated union work rules were abandoned or modified. This research formalizes a mechanism through which a rise in competition can lead to increased productivity in the iron‐ore industry.
SEARCH, ADVERSE SELECTION, AND MARKET CLEARING
Authors: Cho In‐Koo , Matsui Akihiko 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe examine a dynamic decentralized trading model with infinitesimal sellers and buyers to investigate whether or not the market fails to clear in the limit of search friction vanishing. A seller, who has private information about product quality, and a buyer are matched to bargain over price. They form a long‐term relationship if they reach agreement. They return to the matching pool if they fail to agree or the existing relationship is dissolved. The market fails to clear if and only if the ratio of agents' patience over the dissolution rate exceeds a threshold.
Host sensitization of Mn4+ in self‐activated Na2WO2F4:Mn4+
Authors: Hu Tao , Lin Hang , Gao Yan , Xu Ju , Wang Jiaomei , Xiang Xiaoqing , Wang Yuansheng 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSelf‐activated compound serving as host sensitizer for trivalent rare‐earth ions has been intensively studied, but only in more recent years did it extend to non‐rare‐earth ions. In the present work, it is demonstrated for the first time that the parity‐forbidden Mn4+ red emission can be effectively enhanced by utilizing the strong parity‐allowed absorption of O2−–W6+ charge transfer band and the energy transfer from “WO2” groups to Mn4+ ions. Hopefully, the presently studied self‐activated Na2WO2F4 can be developed as stable color converter for field‐emission displays.
New method for controllable accelerated aging of marble: Use for testing of consolidants
Authors: Sassoni Enrico , Graziani Gabriela , Franzoni Elisa , Scherer George W. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractResearch is needed on novel consolidants to restore weathered marble, because the available products exhibit limitations. To test new consolidants, samples with features similar to naturally weathered marble (i.e., near‐surface damage) are recommended. We developed a novel method that produces decayed samples with a gradient in properties that can be tuned to any desired level, in terms of depth from the surface and decrease in dynamic elastic modulus. The idea is to produce near‐surface damage by putting a marble sample in contact with a plate at a certain temperature for a certain time, calculated by a mathematical model. The model was used to predict the heating conditions to produce a certain decrease in dynamic elastic modulus in the first 1 cm from the surface, comparable to naturally weathered marble. Good confirmation of the model predictions was found experimentally. The suitability of using thermally “weathered” samples for testing consolidants was demonstrated in the case of a hydroxyapatite‐based treatment. The mathematical model can be tailored to other lithotypes or ceramics, using the relevant property data.
Effects of pyrocarbon on morphology stability of SiC nanowires at high temperatures
Authors: Cheng Chunyu , Li Hejun , Fu Qiangang , Li Lu , Guo Liping , Yin Xuemin , Tian Xinfa 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTo understand the effect of pyrocarbon (PyC) on the morphology stability of SiC nanowires at high temperatures (1800‐2100°C), a PyC layer was prepared to wrap the 3C‐SiC nanowire by chemical vapor deposition. The results showed that the existence and thickness of PyC layer played a crucial role in stabilizing the structures and morphology of SiC nanowires. The SiC nanowires without PyC layer transformed to platelet‐shaped structures above 1800°C. The SiC nanowires with a ~1.5 μm PyC layer could keep their structures and morphology at 2100°C, while the SiC nanowires with a ~1 μm PyC layer could not maintain their microstructures at this temperature. The stability of SiC nanowires at high temperature might be related to the vapor phase nucleation, thermodynamics phase transformation and the stacking faults (SFs) expansion, which could be limited by the PyC layer. Therefore, preparing a protective PyC layer with an appropriate thickness might be a potential method to extend the practical applications of SiC nanowires at high temperatures.
Improving early prediction of academic failure using sentiment analysis on self‐evaluated comments
Authors: Yu L.C. , Lee C.W. , Pan H.I. , Chou C.Y. , Chao P.Y. , Chen Z.H. , Tseng S.F. , Chan C.L. , Lai K.R. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis study presents a model for the early identification of students who are likely to fail in an academic course. To enhance predictive accuracy, sentiment analysis is used to identify affective information from text‐based self‐evaluated comments written by students. Experimental results demonstrated that adding extracted sentiment information from student self‐evaluations yields a significant improvement in early‐stage prediction quality. The results also indicate the limited early‐stage predictive value of structured data, such as homework completion, attendance, and exam grades, due to data sparseness at the beginning of the course. Thus, applying sentiment analysis to unstructured data (e.g., self‐evaluation comments) can play an important role in improving the accuracy of early‐stage predictions. The findings present educators with an opportunity to provide students with real‐time feedback and support to help students become self‐regulated learners. Using the exploring results for improvement in teaching and learning initiatives is important to maintain students' performances and the effectiveness of the learning process.
Molecular mechanism and therapy application of necrosis during myocardial injury
Authors: Xu Tao , Ding Wei , Tariq Muhammad Akram , Wang Yu , Wan Qinggong , Li Mengyang , Wang Jianxun 
Published: March 2018

AbstractNecrosis is an ancient topic which gains new attraction in the research area these years. There is no doubt that some necrosis can be regulated by genetic manipulation other than an accidental cell death resulting from physical or chemical stimuli. Recent advances in the molecular mechanism underlying the programmed necrosis show a fine regulation network which indicates new therapy targets in human diseases. Heart diseases seriously endanger our health and have high fatality rates in the patients. Cell death of cardiac myocytes is believed to be critical in the pathogenesis of heart diseases. Although necrosis is likely to play a more important role in cardiac cell death than apoptosis, apoptosis has been paid much attention in the past 30 years because it used to be considered as the only form of programmed cell death. However, recent findings of programmed necrosis and the related signalling pathways have broadened our horizon in the field of programmed cell death and promote new pharmacological application in the treatment of heart diseases. In this review, we summarize the advanced progress in these signalling pathways and discuss the pathos‐physiological relevance and therapeutic implication of targeting necrosis in heart diseases treatment.
The European Semester and EU Social Policy
Authors: Copeland Paul , Daly Mary 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEurope 2020 and the European Semester signal a major change of direction in EU social policy with new governance arrangements, policy orientations and politics. This paper analyses 290 Country Specific Recommendations and 29 interviews to answer two questions: 1) What type of social policy is being advanced by the EU at present? 2) How are EU social actors able to advance EU social policy under current conditions? It argues that the degree of progress in EU social policy in the European Semester (2011–15) has been conditional and contingent. EU social policy is more oriented to supporting market development than it is to correcting for market failures. We explain these developments by a combination of factors including the strong agency exerted by some social actors in a context of constraint, the moderation of expectations and the adoption of strategic practices by key actors, and political divisions among the Member States.
An Alternative to the 3PL: Using Asymmetric Item Characteristic Curves to Address Guessing Effects
Authors: Lee Sora , Bolt Daniel M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBoth the statistical and interpretational shortcomings of the three‐parameter logistic (3PL) model in accommodating guessing effects on multiple‐choice items are well documented. We consider the use of a residual heteroscedasticity (RH) model as an alternative, and compare its performance to the 3PL with real test data sets and through simulation analyses. Our results suggest advantages to the RH approach, including closer fit to real data, more interpretable parameter estimates, and greater psychological plausibility.
Preventing Homelessness for System‐Involved Youth
Authors: Britton Linda , Pilnik Lisa 
Published: March 2018

AbstractToo many youth and young adults find themselves on the streets, couch‐surfing with friends, in emergency shelters or worse, after exiting the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. In some circumstances, youth have had court hearings until their exit from the legal system, but those hearings have not focused on long‐range plans of youth and emergencies youth may encounter. In other circumstances, there has been little or no planning prior to discharge, especially for young people who leave the juvenile justice system. Courts can and should prevent, alleviate or end youth homelessness for youth who appear before them through strategies that are enumerated in the recently‐passed NCJFCJ resolution. This article expounds on three of these strategies – coordinating transition and re‐entry plans, insisting on effective legal representation of youth, and utilizing sound judicial leadership. It also describes the concurrent efforts of the Coalition for Juvenile Justice and the American Bar Association's Homeless Youth Legal Network to remove legal barriers and improve outcomes for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness.
Production of Clostridium perfringens spores and their recovery from artificially spiked spices and herbs
Authors: Lins Philipp 
Published: March 2018

AbstractClostridium perfringens spores are able to persist under harsh conditions, and thus, are predestined as high risk hazards in the food category dried spices and herbs. In the present study, C. perfringens spores were produced, and then, screened toward their susceptibility to the antimicrobial activity of nine condiments. While heat activation for induction of spore germination led to a significant increase in recovery by almost 1 log10 colony forming units, the supplementation of germinants was negligible. The enumeration of C. perfringens before heat treatment revealed no detrimental effects by potential antimicrobial active compounds of the condiments. However, after heat activation a significant reduced recovery was determined for cinnamon and allspice in comparison to the control but it was still higher than without treatment. Probably, the heat improved the extraction of compounds inhibiting the germination of the spore and/or the outgrowth of the cell.Practical applicationsThis study contributes to the understanding of the production of C. perfringens spores and their recovery from artificially spiked condiments. For an efficient spore production the following four factors are essential with decreasing importance, namely (a) the strain selection, (b) the preparation via a two‐step approach, (c) the heat activation, and (d) the supplementation of germination factors. The detection of the actual contamination is of major importance especially for food control institutions. Neglecting the heat activation poses a potential risk for underestimation and false‐negatives during food control analyses. Consequently, it is recommended to enumerate before and after heat treatment to detect vegetative cells as well as spores.