bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of histological subtype and treatment modalities on T1–2 N0–1 small cell lung cancer: A population‐based study
Authors: Moon Seok‐whan , Seo Jong‐hee , Jeon Hyun‐woo , Moon Mi Hyoung 
Published: April 2019

BackgroundCombined small cell lung cancer (C‐SCLC) is rare and its clinical features, appropriate treatment, and prognosis are poorly understood. Reports conflict over the prognosis of C‐SCLCs compared to pure small cell lung cancer.MethodsThe records of patients diagnosed with primary SCLC from 1988 to 2014 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The general features of C‐SCLCs were compared to those of SCLCs. T1–2 N0–1 data was extracted and the effects of the histological subtype, treatment modality, and other prognostic factors on lung cancer‐specific survival (CSS) was analyzed in a 3:1 matched dataset. Analysis was performed using the 8th edition tumor node metastasis staging system and previous staging systems adjunctively.ResultsC‐SCLCs comprised 1.5% of all SCLCs (1486/98 667); 184 cases of C‐SCLCs and 2681 cases of non‐combined SCLCs (NC‐SCLCs) were included in this study. C‐SCLCs were more likely to be of a higher grade and to occur in the upper lobe than NC‐SCLCs. Before matching, C‐SCLCs showed better CSS (hazard ratio 0.69; P < 0.001). However, stratified Cox proportional hazards analysis in the matched dataset revealed that only treatment modality and age at diagnosis were associated with CSS; the histological subtype had no effect on survival. Of all treatment modalities, surgery with chemoradiation showed the best CSS in T1–2 N0–1 SCLC.ConclusionIn early SCLC, surgery with chemoradiation shows the best CSS. C‐SCLC patients might benefit more from multimodal treatments, including surgery, than SCLC patients.
Civil Monetary Penalties Resulting From Violations of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) Involving Psychiatric Emergencies, 2002 to 2018
Authors: Terp Sophie , Wang Brandon , Burner Elizabeth , Connor Denton , Seabury Seth A. , Menchine Michael 
Published: April 2019

AbstractObjectiveThe objective was to describe characteristics of civil monetary penalties levied by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) related to violations of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) involving psychiatric emergencies.MethodsDescriptions of EMTALA‐related civil monetary penalty settlements from 2002 to 2018 were obtained from the OIG. Cases related to psychiatric emergencies were identified by inclusion of key words in settlement descriptions. Characteristics of settlements involving EMTALA violations related to psychiatric emergencies including date, amount, and nature of the allegation were described and compared with settlements not involving psychiatric emergencies.ResultsOf 230 civil monetary penalty settlements related to EMTALA during the study period, 44 (19%) were related to psychiatric emergencies. The average settlement for psychiatric‐related cases was $85,488, compared with $32,004 for non–psychiatric‐related cases (p < 0.001). Five (83%) of the six largest settlements during the study period were related to cases involving psychiatric emergencies. The most commonly cited deficiencies for settlements involving psychiatric patients were failure to provide appropriate medical screening examination (84%) or stabilizing treatment (68%) or arrange appropriate transfer (30%). Failure to provide stabilizing treatment was more common among cases involving psychiatric emergencies (68% vs. 51%, p = 0.041). Among psychiatric‐related settlements, 18 (41%) occurred in CMS Region IV (Southeast) and nine (20%) in Region VII (Central).ConclusionsNearly one in five civil monetary penalty settlements related to EMTALA violations involved psychiatric emergencies. Settlements related to psychiatric emergencies were more costly and more often associated with failure to stabilize than for nonpsychiatric emergencies. Administrators should evaluate and strengthen policies and procedures related to psychiatric screening examinations, stabilizing care of psychiatric patients boarding in EDs, and transfer policies. Recent large, notable settlements related to EMTALA violations suggest that there is considerable room to improve access to and quality of care for patients with psychiatric emergencies.
Classic galactosaemia in the Greek Cypriot population: An epidemiological and molecular study
Authors: Papachristoforou Rena , Petrou Petros P. , Sawyer Hilary , Williams Maggie , Drousiotou Anthi 
Published: April 2019

AbstractClassic galactosaemia is an inherited metabolic disorder of galactose metabolism caused by deficiency of the enzyme galactose‐1‐phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) resulting from mutations in the GALT gene. The objectives of the present study were the determination of the carrier frequency of classic galactosaemia in the Greek Cypriot population and the molecular characterization of the disease alleles. We performed an epidemiological study involving 528 Greek Cypriots originating from all parts of Cyprus. Carriers were identified by measuring GALT activity in red blood cells and were subsequently subjected to mutation analysis. A total of five mutations were identified in patients and carriers of classic galactosaemia: a large deletion of 8.5 kb previously reported by us (55% of alleles), the known mutations p.Lys285Asn (30%), p.Pro185Ser (5%), and c.820+13A>G (5%), and a novel mutation c.378‐12G>A (5%). Interestingly, the most common mutation in European populations, p.Gln188Arg, was not identified in this Cypriot cohort. The carrier frequency for classic galactosaemia among Greek Cypriots was estimated to be 1:88, predicting a homozygote incidence of 1:31,000 births. The Duarte 1 and Duarte 2 variants were found to be present at a frequency of 5.5% and 2.5%, respectively.
On the Meaning of Survey Reports of Roll‐Call “Votes”
Authors: Hill Seth J. , Huber Gregory A. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractContemporary efforts to evaluate representation often compare survey measures of how citizens say they would vote on legislation to what elected officials do in office. These comparisons generally suggest poor representation. We argue here that this common design is unlikely to effectively evaluate representation because responses to survey questions differ in important aspects from voting in legislatures. Measurement error and construct validity undermine the comparison. Three survey experiments show that providing partisan and nonpartisan information readily available to legislators materially changes respondents' expressed preferences on roll‐call votes. With information, expressed policy positions are both less centrist and more closely matched to legislator behavior in their preferred party. Respondents also appear aware of their own lack of knowledge in evaluating roll‐call policy votes. The treatment effect of information decreases in confidence judging policy in that area. We show similar patterns for respondent opinions on Supreme Court decisions.
The effect of myo‐inositol/di‐chiro‐inositol on markers of ovarian reserve in women with PCOS undergoing IVF/ICSI: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bhide Priya , Pundir Jyotsna , Gudi Anil , Shah Amit , Homburg Roy , Acharya Ganesh 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIntroductionHigh levels of anti‐Mullerian hormone and a high antral follicle count in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, reflecting increased ovarian antral follicles, predisposes them to have a high number of retrieved oocytes with in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and an increased risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Inositols, which act as insulin sensitizers, have the potential to alter folliculogenesis and the functional ovarian reserve, with subsequent benefits to reproductive outcomes following IVF/ICSI treatment. Published literature is, however, unable to provide definitive evidence of its efficacy. The objective of our review was to evaluate the effect of inositols on anti‐Mullerian hormone, antral follicle count and reproductive outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing IVF/ICSI.Material and methodsWe performed a literature search using standard methodology recommended by Cochrane. Randomized controlled trials and non‐randomized studies comparing inositols with no treatment, placebo or other treatment were included in the review. Using standard methodology recommended by Cochrane we pooled results using the random effects model; our findings were reported as relative risk or mean differences. PROSPERO registration: CRD42017082275.ResultsWe included 18 trials. The primary outcome was a change in anti‐Mullerian hormone and antral follicle count before and after treatment, for which data were unsuitable for meta‐analysis. A narrative review showed no consistent direction or size of effect. A meta‐analysis for the secondary outcomes showed no evidence of a significant difference between inositol and control groups for any outcome: number of oocytes (mean difference −0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] −1.11 to 0.33), number of metaphase II oocytes (mean difference 0.29, 95% CI −0.83 to 1.40), number of top grade embryos (risk ratio [RR] 1.02, 95% CI 0.93‐1.12), clinical pregnancy rate (RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.87‐1.53), and risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.39‐1.37). The quality of evidence was assessed as very low.ConclusionsThere is insufficient evidence for an effect of inositols on ovarian reserve markers and to support their use as pretreatment before IVF/ICSI in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Normalized concept for modelling effective soil thermal conductivity from dryness to saturation
Authors: He Hailong , Noborio Kosuke , Johansen Øistein , Dyck Miles F. , Lv Jialong 
Published: April 2019

AbstractEffective soil thermal conductivity (λ
eff) is a critical parameter for environmental and earth science as well as engineering applications. Models to predict λ
eff are required in diverse global and community land surface schemes as well as climate models to investigate coupled water and heat transport in soils and heat exchange at the earth surface. Among the many soil thermal conductivity models, models based on the normalized concept are most often developed and utilized for estimating λ
eff. However, at present no systematic study has been performed to investigate the origin and evolution of the normalized thermal conductivity models, nor to evaluate their performance with large datasets. The objectives of this study were to: (a) review the development and evolution of the normalized thermal conductivity models, and (b) assess their performance with datasets consisting of soils with a full range of water saturation and a wide range of soil textures and bulk densities. A total of 38 normalized thermal conductivity models were critically reviewed and their relationships were clearly outlined. Their performance was evaluated by five categories according to model characteristics with a compiled dataset consisting of 71 soils and 669 tests collected from nine studies. Our analysis demonstrated key roles of the quartz content, solid thermal conductivity and choice of the Kersten functions in the model applicability and accuracy of estimating λ
eff. The results showed that the Y2018, CK2005, CK2006, J1975, L2007 and T2009 models have the best performance among the models without fitting parameters, but further improvements are required to apply them universally. Although the models of H2017, LD2015, M2006 and K2007 are the best performing models with fitting parameters, approaches to calculate these parameters are required so they can be easily applied. Future studies on parametrization of currently well‐performing models for wider and more accurate application, development of a soil thermal conductivity database for model evaluation and calibration purposes, and connecting soil thermal conductivity models to hydraulic properties are recommended.Highlights
The history and evolution of normalized thermal conductivity models and the potential Kersten (K
e) functions are collated and synthesized.
A total of 38 models were reviewed and their performance was evaluated with a total of 71 soils and 669 tests from nine studies.
The Y2018, CK2005, CK2006, J1975, L2007 and T2009 are the best ranked models without fitting parameters.
The models of H2017, LD2015, M2006 and K2007 are the best ranked models with fitting parameter.
Patterns of soil nitrogen mineralization under a land‐use change from desert to farmland
Authors: Yang Rong , Du Zeyu , Kong Junqia , Su Yongzhong , Xiao Xiangming , Liu Tingna , Wang Min , Fan Guipin 
Published: April 2019

AbstractUnderstanding how soil nitrogen (N) mineralization (Nmin) responds to environmental changes is critical for improving ecosystem management, especially in a resource‐constrained region. Intensive land exploitation in arid land has profound influences on soil ecosystems and thus on soil Nmin. A local‐scale field investigation was conducted to reveal the temporal dynamics of Nminunder land‐use change from desert to farmland, and to verify the mechanisms controlling Nminchange during this process in a typical desert oasis region. The results showed that Nminranged from −0.14 to 2.69 mg N kg−1day−1, with an average value of 0.74 mg N kg−1day−1. Nminin old oasis farmland (OOF) was significantly higher than that in GCF (Gobi desert conversion farmland) and SCF (sandy desert conversion farmland), and the average change rates of Nminwere 0.036 and 0.032 mg N kg−1day−1year−1in GCF and SCF, respectively. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test whether the measured variables affected Nmin, and the results showed that soil organic matter (SOM), bulk density (BD) and sand content were the main soil factors affecting Nmin. These soil factors, together with farmland type and cropping time, can explain 31% of the variation in Nmin. Our observations revealed that Nminchanged substantially under the land conversion process from desert to farmland, and our findings will help with assessments and predictions of future N cycles in desert oasis regions in response to land‐use change.HighlightsWe used Nminas an observed variable to evaluate the dynamics of the soil evolution process under a land‐use change from desert to farmland.Cropping year was identified by using map image data to reveal temporal trend of Nmin.Nminwas primarily affected by soil organic matter, bulk density and sandy content. Intensive land exploitation in arid land profoundly influences soil Nmin.
Araneophagic behavior of Gardena brevicollis Stål (Heteroptera: Reduviidae): Foraging on pre‐dispersal spiderlings in the spider's web
Authors: Suzuki Yuya 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAraneophagic behavior of an Emesinae assassin bug, Gardena brevicollis Stål (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) was observed in the field. The bug invaded a web of Acusilas coccineus Simon (Araneae: Araneidae) spiderlings and hunted five juvenile spiders. The bug showed stalking tactics to prey on spiders, whereas luring tactics, which have been reported in other Emesinae bugs, were not observed. To the best of my knowledge, the present study is the first report of araneophagy in the genus Gardena and the first report of araneophagic behavior in East Asian assassin bugs.
EU constitutionalisation revisited: Redressing a central assumption in European studies
Authors: Rasmussen Morten , Martinsen Dorte Sindbjerg 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe constitutionalisation of the European Union has since the early 1990s become a truism in European studies. This article revisits the constitutionalisation theory drawing on the insights from emerging historical research and new strands of political science research. We find that the conventional constitutional narrative is less convincing when confronted with the new evidence from historical and political science research. New historical research show that Member State governments, administrations and courts have generally been rather reluctant to embrace the constitutional project of the ECJ. Furthermore, at the level of European politics, the ECJ and its case law have far from judicialized European decision‐making to the extent often claimed. Concluding, we reject the notion that the ECJ has successfully constitutionalised the EU, emphasising instead the inherent tensions in the process, which continue to complicate the efficiency of European law.
Local corporate misconduct and local initial public offerings
Authors: Kuvvet Emre , Palkar Darshana D. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis paper investigates the cost of going public through initial public offerings (IPOs) for firms located in regions with significant fraud density. We find that companies in regions with a high proportion of nearby firms that have committed corporate misconduct have more pronounced underpricing, experience higher post‐IPO stock return volatility, and are more likely to withdraw their offerings. Overall, our results show that local corporate misconduct is associated with the pricing of IPOs, and the breach of trust is related to costly IPOs for newcomers.
Demographic processes underlying fitness restoration in bdelloid rotifers emerging from dehydration
Authors: Sommer Stefan , Fontaneto Diego , Ozgul Arpat 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Bdelloid rotifers are able to survive habitat desiccation in a dehydrated state termed anhydrobiosis. They suffer from decreasing fitness when they are exposed to permanent hydration, yet they restore fitness when they go through anhydrobiosis. The demographic processes underlying this rejuvenation, however, are still largely unknown.

To investigate these processes in detail, we analysed life tables of permanently hydrated and repeatedly desiccated lines of two species of bdelloid rotifers, Macrotrachela quadricornifera and Adineta ricciae. Experimental lineages of these two species originated from habitats with contrasting desiccation frequencies.

First, we built a three‐stage life cycle including juveniles as well as prime and senescent adults. Next, we estimated stage‐specific vital rates (survival, development, and reproduction) and used the estimates to project the asymptotic population growth rates λ (= er). Finally, we applied life‐table response experiment methods and performed elasticity analysis to assess the contributions of each vital rate to differences in λ and to estimate effects of proportional changes in vital rates on λ, respectively.

We demonstrated that repeatedly desiccated lines grew faster than permanently hydrated lines. In addition, we confirmed that offspring of post‐anhydrobiotic individuals had higher fecundities and matured faster than individuals of the permanently hydrated lines. Survival rates usually did not differ between the two lines, but λ was most elastic to survival rates of prime adults and juveniles. These general life‐history patterns were observed in both species.

The analyses performed here provide a detailed investigation of the demographic processes underlying fitness restoration in anhydrobiotic bdelloid rotifers. They reveal that habitat desiccation has profound and consistent effects on the life histories of the two study species. Because laboratory lineages of these species originated from habitats characterised by different wet/dry regimes, we suggest that the desiccation responses identified here may be representative for the entire taxon. As such, our study offers a starting point for comparative analyses beyond bdelloid rotifers.
A preliminary study of an alternative method for evaluating skin sensitizing potential of chemicals
Authors: Buzzella A. , Mazzini G. , Vicini R. , Angelinetta C. , Pastoris O. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundIn order to comply with the European legislation concerning the risk assessment of skin sensitizers, considerable progress has been made in developing alternative methods, such as human cell line activation test (h‐CLAT). H‐CLATis based on cytometric measurement of fluorescence emitted by anti‐CD54 and anti‐CD86 antibodies inTHP‐1 cells. Following this method, a range of substances have been analyzed; the emitted fluorescence, generally at low intensity, has caused problems concerning the interpretation of results.AimFind an alternative parameter to h‐CLATfor evaluating the sensitizing potential of chemicals.Materials and MethodsCells have been analyzed with flow cytometry after treatment with sensitizing compounds administered at non‐cytotoxic concentrations.ResultsSensitizers were able to inducealterations in cell morphology to a more ‘condensed’ one allowing the identification of cells under microscope as a ‘sensitized’ subpopulation. These variations cause similar modifications in ‘scattering’ parameters, making cells easily monitorable by flow cytometry. No changes have been observed in cells treated with non‐sensitizers or in untreated cells.ConclusionThis method based on the analysis of forward scatter and side scatter parameters, can be used as an alternative method for identifying sensitization potential of chemical compounds.
Safety assessment of an etidronate in a sodium hypochlorite solution: randomized double‐blind trial
Authors: Ballal N. V. , Gandhi P. , Shenoy P. A. , Shenoy Belle V. , Bhat V. , Rechenberg D.‐K. , Zehnder M. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAimTo assess whether Dual Rinse HEDP, an etidronate that can be combined with NaOCl to create an endodontic irrigating solution containing both hypochlorite and a chelator in the form of 1‐hydroxyethane 1,1‐diphosphonic acid (HEDP), alters the clinical efficacy of NaOCl or adds any untoward clinical effects.MethodologyIn this randomized controlled double‐blind single‐centre trial, a pure NaOCl solution was compared to a HEDP‐containing counterpart regarding antimicrobial efficacy, postoperative pain, and the host response by means of changes in MMP‐9 levels in periapical fluid. Sixty patients presenting with asymptomatic apical periodontitis (one tooth each) were randomly divided into two groups (N = 30) based on irrigation regime. Pre‐ and post‐treatment microbial aerobic and anaerobic cultures and MMP‐9/total protein (TP) periapical fluid samples were collected. Postoperative pain levels were assessed 24 h after treatment. Categorical data were compared between groups using the Fisher's exact test, continuous data using the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test, α = 0.05.ResultsIrrigation with pure NaOCl rendered 40% canals free of culturable microorganisms, compared to 50% with the NaOCl/HEDP mixture (P = 0.60). As assessed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time‐of‐flight analysis (MALDI‐TOF), no apparent selection of aerobic or anaerobic taxa occurred in either group. One patient in the NaOCl group experienced moderate pain, whilst two patients in the NaOCl/HEDP group experienced mild postoperative pain. MMP‐9/TP levels in periapical fluid declined significantly (P < 0.001) after 1 week with no medication in the root canal, without significant difference between treatment groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionsThis trial found no influence of HEDP on clinical NaOCl effects.
Efectos en el empleo de las medidas unilaterales aplicadas al comercio de servicios
Authors: SHINGAL Anirudh , SAUVÉ Pierre 
Published: April 2019

ResumenEste estudio de carácter exploratorio se basa en estadísticos descriptivos y en un análisis econométrico para examinar los efectos en el empleo de los regímenes unilaterales aplicados al comercio de servicios, con datos del Índice de Restricción del Comercio de Servicios de la OCDE para 44 países miembros y no miembros de la OCDE y 22 subsectores durante el periodo 2014–2016. Los resultados sugieren que la liberalización unilateral de los servicios no está asociada a efectos netos de desplazamiento de la mano de obra. Sin embargo, serán necesarias fuentes de datos mejoradas para una comprensión más completa de esta cuestión.