bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the radiographic liver length/11th thoracic vertebral length ratio as a method for quantifying liver size in cats
Authors: An Gayeon , Kwon Dohoon , Yoon Hyounglok , Yu Jin , Bang Sohyun , Lee Youngjae , Jeon Seokho , Jung Jaihyun , Chang Jinhwa , Chang Dongwoo 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAbdominal radiography is a standard diagnostic test for cats with suspected liver disease, however, absolute measurements of radiographic liver size can be affected by other factors such as positioning, radiographic technique, and obesity. This prospective and retrospective, analytical, cross‐sectional study evaluated the liver length/11th thoracic vertebral length (LL/T11) ratio as a method for minimizing these outside effects. In a prospectively recruited sample of 25 clinically healthy cats, measurements of radiographic LL/T11 ratio were compared with CT measurements of liver volume. Effects of radiographic technical factors (body posture, recumbency state, and beam center to LL/T11 ratio) and observer were also tested. In a retrospectively recruited sample of 324 cats with no evidence of liver disease, radiographic measurements of the LL/T11 ratio were performed using right lateral radiographs and compared among signalment groups (age, sex, body weight, and body condition score). There was a strong significant correlation between the LL/T11 ratio and CT liver volume (P < .001), and this ratio was not affected by radiographic technical factors. The reference value of the LL/T11 ratio was 4.22 ± 0.54 and the LL/T11 ratio did not differ among signalment groups. Findings supported the use of the LL/T11 ratio as a novel quantitative index of radiographic liver size in cats. Future studies in clinically affected cats are needed to further validate this method.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Willianms Ellery 
Published: August 2019

Business and Management Studies (BMS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether BMS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue. Reviewers for Volume 5, Number 3 Abdul-Kahar Adam, University of Education, Winneba, GhanaAndrzej Niemiec, Poznań University of Economics and Business, PolandAthina Qendro, Robert Gordon University, UKFlorin Peci, University of Peja, KosovoGabriela O. Chiciudean, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaIulia Cristina Muresan, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaJason Caudill, King University, USAJulia Stefanova, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, BulgariaKherchi Ishak, UHBC University, AlgeriaMarica Ion Dumitrasco, Academy of Sciences of Moldova, MoldovaMike Rayner, University of Portsmouth, UKMohammad Soliman, Fayoum University, EgyptMythili Kolluru, College of Banking and Financial Studies, OmanSandeep Kumar, Tecnia Institute of Advanced Studies, Affiliated to GGSIP University Delgi, IndiaZeki Atıl Bulut, Dokuz Eylul University, Turkey Ellery WillianmsEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Business and Management StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://bms.redfame.com
Computational Investigation of the Effective Mechanical Behavior for 3D Pre-Buckled Auxetic Lattices
Authors: Albertini Frederic , Dirrenberger Justin , Molotnikov Andrey , Sollogoub Cyrille 
Published: August 2019

AbstractNegative Poisson’s ratio materials, or auxetics, have drawn attention for the past 30 years. The auxetic effect could lead to improved mechanical properties such as acoustic damping, indentation resistance, or crashworthiness. In this work, two 3D auxetic lattices are introduced. Auxeticity is achieved by design through pre-buckling of the lattice struts. The influence of geometrical parameters on the effective elastic properties is investigated using computational homogenization method with periodic boundary conditions. Effective Young’s modulus is 3D mapped to reveal anisotropy and identify spatial orientations of interest. The effective Poisson ratio is computed for various geometric configurations to characterize auxeticity. Finally, the influence of effective elastic properties on energy dissipation under compression is explored for elastoplastic lattices with different loading directions, using finite element simulations. Results suggest that loading 3D auxetic lattices along their stiffest direction maximizes their crashworthiness.
Controls on the formation of microbially induced sedimentary structures and biotic recovery in the Lower Triassic of Arctic Canada
Authors: Wignall Paul B. , Bond David P.G. , Grasby Stephen E. , Pruss Sara B. , Peakall Jeffrey 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) are reportedly widespread in the Early Triassic and their occurrence is attributed to either the extinction of marine grazers (allowing mat preservation) during the Permo-Triassic mass extinction or the suppression of grazing due to harsh, oxygen-poor conditions in its aftermath. Here we report on the abundant occurrence of MISS in the Lower Triassic Blind Fiord Formation of the Sverdrup Basin, Arctic Canada. Sedimentological analysis shows that mid-shelf settings were dominated by deposition from cohesive sand-mud flows that produced heterolithic, rippled sandstone facies that pass down dip into laminated siltstones and ultimately basinal mudrocks. The absence of storm beds and any other “event beds” points to an unusual climatic regime of humid, quiet conditions characterized by near continuous run off. Geochemical proxies for oxygenation (Mo/Al, Th/U, and pyrite framboid analysis) indicate that lower dysoxic conditions prevailed in the basin for much of the Early Triassic. The resultant lack of bioturbation allowed the development and preservation of MISS, including wrinkle structures and bubble textures. The microbial mats responsible for these structures are envisaged to have thrived, on sandy substrates, within the photic zone, in oxygen-poor conditions. The dysoxic history was punctuated by better-oxygenated phases, which coincide with the loss of MISS. Thus, Permo-Triassic boundary and Griesbachian mudrocks from the deepest-water settings have common benthos and a well-developed, tiered burrow profile dominated by Phycosiphon. The presence of the intense burrowing in the earliest Triassic contradicts the notion that bioturbation was severely suppressed at this time due to extinction losses at the end of the Permian. The notion that Early Triassic MISS preservation was caused by the extinction of mat grazers is not tenable.
The effect of diagenesis on carbon isotope values of fossil wood
Authors: Lukens William E. , Eze Peace , Schubert Brian A. 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
The carbon isotope (δ13C) value of modern and fossil wood is widely used as a proxy for environmental and climatic change. Many researchers who study stable carbon isotopes in modern and recently deceased trees chemically extract cellulose (δ13Ccell) rather than analyzing whole wood (δ13Cwood) due to concerns that molecular variability across tree rings could influence δ13Cwood values, and that diagenesis may preferentially degrade cellulose over lignin. However, the majority of deep-time researchers analyze δ13Cwood without correcting for possible diagenetic effects due to cellulose loss. We measured δ13Ccell, δ13Cwood, and cellulose content of 38 wood fossils that span ∼50 m.y. in age from early Eocene to late Miocene, using variability across such a large range of geologic ages and settings as a natural laboratory in diagenesis. For comparison with our measurements, we produced a literature compilation of 1210 paired δ13Ccell and δ13Cwood values made on fossil and modern trees. We report that, on average, the apparent enrichment factor (ε) between δ13Ccell and δ13Cwood (ε = δ13Ccell – δ13Cwood) is 1.4‰ ± 0.4‰ larger in deep-time samples than Holocene wood, and this can be explained by loss of cellulose during degradation, independent of atmospheric chemistry or climate conditions during growth. A strong linear correlation exists between δ13Cwood and δ13Ccell in both deep-time (r2 = 0.92) and Holocene (r2 = 0.87) samples, suggesting that either substrate can provide a reliable record of environmental conditions during growth. However, diagenetic effects must be corrected if δ13Cwood values are compared to extant trees or across long time scales, where cellulose content may vary.
Early start of 20th-century Arctic sea-ice decline recorded in Svalbard coralline algae
Authors: Hetzinger Steffen , Halfar Jochen , Zajacz Zoltán , Wisshak Max 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe fast decline of Arctic sea ice is a leading indicator of ongoing global climate change and is receiving substantial public and scientific attention. Projections suggest that Arctic summer sea ice may virtually disappear within the course of the next 50 or even 30 yr with rapid Arctic warming. However, limited observational records and lack of annual-resolution marine sea-ice proxies hamper the assessment of long-term changes in sea ice, leading to large uncertainties in predictions of its future evolution under global warming. Here, we use long-lived encrusting coralline algae that strongly depend on light availability as a new in situ proxy to reconstruct past variability in the duration of seasonal sea-ice cover. Our data represent the northernmost annual-resolution marine sea-ice reconstruction to date, extending to the early 19th century off Svalbard. Algal records show that the decreasing trend in sea-ice cover in the high Arctic had already started at the beginning of the 20th century, earlier than previously reported from sea-ice reconstructions based on terrestrial archives. Our data further suggest that, although sea-ice extent varies on multidecadal time scales, the lowest sea-ice values within the past 200 yr occurred at the end of the 20th century.
Rapid response of New England (USA) rivers to shifting boundary conditions: Processes, time frames, and pathways to post-flood channel equilibrium
Authors: Renshaw Carl E. , Magilligan Francis J. , Doyle Helen G. , Dethier Evan N. , Kantack Keith M. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe time scale of channel recovery from disturbances indicates fluvial resiliency. Quantitative predictions of channel recovery are hampered by multiple possible recovery pathways and stable states and limited long-term observations that provide benchmarks for testing proposed metrics. We take advantage of annual channel-change measurements following Tropical Storm Irene’s 2011 landfall in New England (eastern USA) to document geomorphic recovery processes and pathways toward equilibrium. A covariate metric demonstrates that channels can adjust rapidly to ongoing boundary condition shifts, but that they adjust along a continuum of possible stable states. Moreover, the covariate equilibrium metric indicates sensitivity to warm-season high discharges that, in this region, are increasing in frequency. These data also show that the channels are resilient in that they are able to recover an equilibrium form within 1–2 yr of disturbances.
Evaluation of the causal effects between dopamine infusion changeover and fluctuations in mean arterial pressure in neonates
Authors: Kirupakaran Katherine , de Sousa Paula , Le Roux Celine , Redwood Lauren , Rabe Heike , Patel Bhavik Anil 
Published: August 2019

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether changing dopamine infusions every 12 hours and preparing these infusions 30 min before administration reduces blood pressure fluctuations in preterm and term neonates.DesignThis was a retrospective study using data from live patients on the neonatal unit and prospective study exploring stability of infusions in a laboratory-based neonatal ward simulation.SettingSingle-centre study in a tertiary neonatal surgical unit in a university teaching hospital.PatientsNeonates who received more than one subsequent dopamine infusion and had invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring, during their admission in the neonatal unit, were included.InterventionsAs part of the Quality Improvement project, the standard operating procedure (SOP) was changed, and dopamine infusions were prepared by nursing staff and left to rest for 30 min before administering to the neonate. Additionally, infusions were replaced every 12 hours.Main outcome measuresThe percentage change in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the percentage loss in the drug concentration during infusion during changeover.ResultsOur findings indicate that up to 15% of the initial dopamine concentration is lost after 24 hours. This results in a sharp variation in the dopamine concentration during infusion changeover that correlates with observed rapid fluctuations in MAP. In changing the SOP, no significant difference in the concentration of dopamine and MAP were observed over 12 hours.ConclusionsDelaying administration of dopamine infusions by 30 min after preparation combined with changing infusions 12 hourly has reduced MAP fluctuations. Therefore, the risks associated with MAP fluctuations, including intraventricular haemorrhages, are reduced.
A Validation Study on IDO Immune Biomarkers for Survival Prediction in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: Radiation Dose Fractionation Effect in Early-Stage Disease
Authors: Wang Weili , Huang Lei , Jin Jian-Yue , Pi Wenhu , Ellsworth Susannah G. , Jolly Shruti , Mellor Andrew L. , Machtay Mitchell , Kong Feng-Ming (Spring) 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Purpose:
We recently reported that indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) activity is significantly correlated with more distant metastasis and worse survival. The present study examined whether radiotherapy (RT) dose fractionation correlates with IDO-mediated immune activity in patients with early-stage NSCLC.
Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed stage I-II NSCLC treated with either conventionally fractionated 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) or stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) were analyzed. Levels of two key molecules associated with the IDO immune checkpoint, serum kynurenine and the kynurenine:tryptophan ratio (K:T ratio), were measured at pre-RT, during-RT, and 3-month post-RT. The relationship between disease control outcomes [overall survival (OS), progression free survival, and local/regional/distant failure rates] and absolute levels of these markers, as well as dynamic changes in their levels during RT, was studied.

Results:
Fifty-six patients (SBRT = 28, 3DCRT = 28) with early-stage NSCLC were studied. In all patients, higher kynurenine post-RT was significantly associated with worse OS ([HR, 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01–1.55; P = 0.044). No statistically significant differences in absolute kynurenine levels or the K:T ratio were observed in patients treated with 3DCRT or SBRT at any of the three time points. However, the absolute kynurenine levels rose significantly more post-RT in the 3DCRT patients with a median increase 0.721 ng/mL, compared to that of SBRT patients (0.115 ng/mL); P = 0.022.

Conclusions:
This study validated that elevated IDO activity correlated with worse survival outcomes in patients with early-stage NSCLC treated with definitive RT. Hypofractionated SBRT may have less immunosuppressive effect than 3DCRT, as measured by IDO.
Phase I Study of Rapid Alternation of Sunitinib and Regorafenib for the Treatment of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Refractory Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
Authors: Serrano César , Leal Alessandro , Kuang Yanan , Morgan Jeffrey A. , Barysauskas Constance M. , Phallen Jillian , Triplett Olivia , Mariño-Enríquez Adrián , Wagner Andrew J. , Demetri George D. , Velculescu Victor E. , Paweletz Cloud P. , Fletcher Jonathan A. , George Suzanne 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Purpose:
Polyclonal emergence of KIT secondary mutations is a main mechanism of imatinib progression in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Approved KIT inhibitors sunitinib and regorafenib have complementary activity against KIT resistance mutations. Preclinical evidence suggests that rapid alternation of sunitinib and regorafenib broadens the spectrum of imatinib-resistant subclones targeted.

Patients and Methods:
Phase Ib study investigating continuous treatment with cycles of sunitinib (3 days) followed by regorafenib (4 days) in patients with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-refractory GIST. A 3+3 dosing schema was utilized to determine the recommended phase II dose (RP2D). Plasma samples were analyzed for pharmacokinetics and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) studies using targeted error correction sequencing (TEC-seq) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR).

Results:
Of the 14 patients enrolled, 2 experienced dose-limiting toxicities at dose level 2 (asymptomatic grade 3 hypophosphatemia). Sunitinib 37.5 mg/day and regorafenib 120 mg/day was the RP2D. Treatment was well-tolerated and no unexpected toxicities resulted from the combination. Stable disease was the best response in 4 patients, and median progression-free survival was 1.9 months. Combined assessment of ctDNA with TEC-seq and ddPCR detected plasma mutations in 11 of 12 patients (92%). ctDNA studies showed that KIT secondary mutations remain the main mechanism of resistance in TKI-refractory GIST, revealing effective suppression of KIT-mutant subpopulations in patients benefiting from the combination.

Conclusions:
Sunitinib and regorafenib combination is feasible and tolerable. Rapid alternation of TKIs with complementary activity might be effective when combining drugs with favorable pharmacokinetics, potentially allowing active doses while minimizing adverse events. Serial monitoring with ctDNA may guide treatment in patients with GIST.
Heart Transplantation Survival and the Use of Traumatically Brain‐Injured Donors: UNOS Registry Propensity‐Matched Analysis
Authors: Barac Yaron D. , Jawitz Oliver K. , Klapper Jacob , Schroder Jacob , Daneshmand Mani A. , Patel Chet , Hartwig Matt G. , Sweitzer Nancy K. , Milano Carmelo A. 
Published: August 2019

Background
The transplantation of hearts from traumatically brain‐injured (TBI) donors has been associated with inferior long‐term survival in single‐center analyses. However, in a more recent analysis, death caused by cerebrovascular accident was associated with worse posttransplant survival in recipients. The purpose of this study was to explore the outcomes of heart transplantation in recipients receiving donor hearts from TBI and non‐TBI donors in a large national registry.

Methods and Results

We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of the UNOS (United Network of Organ Sharing) Registry Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network between 2006 and 2018 for adult candidates wait‐listed for isolated heart transplantation. Recipients were stratified into 2 groups, TBI and non‐TBI donors. Propensity score matching was performed. Kaplan‐Meier analysis was used to estimate survival posttransplant. A total of 24 894 candidates met inclusion criteria. TBI was the leading cause of death in the donor population. Recipients of TBI donor hearts (N=13 07) were younger (median age, 55 versus 57 years;
P
<0.001) and less likely women (21.6% versus 29.8%;
P
<0.001). At 10 years, the TBI group had better long‐term survival compared with the non‐TBI group (62.8% versus 59.9%;
P
<0.001). After propensity group matching, the 10‐year survival was similar between groups.

Conclusions
In the largest analysis of heart transplants and their survival, according to the type of donor injury (TBI versus non‐TBI), we found similar survival in heart transplant recipients. Future studies should address specific subpopulations (eg, hemorrhagic stroke) in the non‐TBI group to address concerns about reduced posttransplant survival.
Extratropical–Tropical Interaction Model Intercomparison Project (Etin-Mip): Protocol and Initial Results
Authors: Kang Sarah M. , Hawcroft Matt , Xiang Baoqiang , Hwang Yen-Ting , Cazes Gabriel , Codron Francis , Crueger Traute , Deser Clara , Hodnebrog Øivind , Kim Hanjun , Kim Jiyeong , Kosaka Yu , Losada Teresa , Mechoso Carlos R. , Myhre Gunnar , Seland Øyvind , Stevens Bjorn , Watanabe Masahiro , Yu Sungduk 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThis article introduces the Extratropical–Tropical Interaction Model Intercomparison Project (ETIN-MIP), where a set of fully coupled model experiments are designed to examine the sources of longstanding tropical precipitation biases in climate models. In particular, we reduce insolation over three targeted latitudinal bands of persistent model biases: the southern extratropics, the southern tropics, and the northern extratropics. To address the effect of regional energy bias corrections on the mean distribution of tropical precipitation, such as the double intertropical convergence zone problem, we evaluate the quasi-equilibrium response of the climate system corresponding to a 50-yr period after the 100 years of prescribed energy perturbation. Initial results show that, despite a large intermodel spread in each perturbation experiment due to differences in ocean heat uptake response and climate feedbacks across models, the southern tropics is most efficient at driving a meridional shift of tropical precipitation. In contrast, the extratropical energy perturbations are effectively damped by anomalous heat uptake over the subpolar oceans, thereby inducing a smaller meridional shift of tropical precipitation compared with the tropical energy perturbations. The ETIN-MIP experiments allow us to investigate the global implications of regional energy bias corrections, providing a route to guide the practice of model development, with implications for understanding dynamical responses to anthropogenic climate change and geoengineering.
Tropical Pacific Ocean Dynamical Response to Short-Term Sulfate Aerosol Forcing
Authors: Verma Tarun , Saravanan R. , Chang P. , Mahajan S. 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
The large-scale and long-term climate impacts of anthropogenic sulfate aerosols consist of Northern Hemisphere cooling and a southward shift of the tropical rain belt. On interannual time scales, however, the response to aerosols is localized with a sizable imprint on local ocean–atmosphere interaction. A large concentration of anthropogenic sulfates over Asia may impact ENSO by modifying processes and interactions that generate this coupled ocean–atmosphere variability. Here, we use climate model experiments with different degrees of ocean–atmosphere coupling to study the tropical Pacific response to an abrupt increase in anthropogenic sulfates. These include an atmospheric general circulation model (GCM) coupled to either a full-ocean GCM or a slab-ocean model, or simply forced by climatology of sea surface temperature. Comparing the responses helps differentiate between the fast atmospheric and slow ocean-mediated responses, and highlights the role of ocean–atmosphere coupling in the latter. We demonstrate the link between the Walker circulation and the equatorial Pacific upper-ocean dynamics in response to increased sulfate aerosols. The local surface cooling due to sulfate aerosols emitted over the Asian continent drives atmospheric subsidence over the equatorial west Pacific. The associated anomalous circulation imparts westerly momentum to the underlying Pacific Ocean, leading to an El Niño–like upper-ocean response and a transient warming of the east equatorial Pacific Ocean. The oceanic adjustment eventually contributes to its decay, giving rise to a damped oscillation of the tropical Pacific Ocean in response to abrupt anthropogenic sulfate aerosol forcing.