bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic routes and time intervals for patients with colorectal cancer in 10 international jurisdictions; findings from a cross-sectional study from the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP)
Authors: Weller David , Menon Usha , Zalounina Falborg Alina , Jensen Henry , Barisic Andriana , Knudsen Anne Kari , Bergin Rebecca J , Brewster David H , Cairnduff Victoria , Gavin Anna T , Grunfeld Eva , Harland Elizabeth , Lambe Mats , Law Rebecca-Jane , Lin Yulan , Malmberg Martin , Turner Donna , Neal Richard D , White Victoria , Harrison Samantha , Reguilon Irene ,   ICBP Module 4 Working Group, Vedsted Peter 
Published: November 2018

ObjectiveInternational differences in colorectal cancer (CRC) survival and stage at diagnosis have been reported previously. They may be linked to differences in time intervals and routes to diagnosis. The International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership Module 4 (ICBP M4) reports the first international comparison of routes to diagnosis for patients with CRC and the time intervals from symptom onset until the start of treatment. Data came from patients in 10 jurisdictions across six countries (Canada, the UK, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Australia).DesignPatients with CRC were identified via cancer registries. Data on symptomatic and screened patients were collected; questionnaire data from patients’ primary care physicians and specialists, as well as information from treatment records or databases, supplemented patient data from the questionnaires. Routes to diagnosis and the key time intervals were described, as were between-jurisdiction differences in time intervals, using quantile regression.ParticipantsA total of 14 664 eligible patients with CRC diagnosed between 2013 and 2015 were identified, of which 2866 were included in the analyses.Primary and secondary outcome measuresInterval lengths in days (primary), reported patient symptoms (secondary).ResultsThe main route to diagnosis for patients was symptomatic presentation and the most commonly reported symptom was ‘bleeding/blood in stool’. The median intervals between jurisdictions ranged from: 21 to 49 days (patient); 0 to 12 days (primary care); 27 to 76 days (diagnostic); and 77 to 168 days (total, from first symptom to treatment start). Including screen-detected cases did not significantly alter the overall results.ConclusionICBP M4 demonstrates important differences in time intervals between 10 jurisdictions internationally. The differences may justify efforts to reduce intervals in some jurisdictions.
Sick leave and its predictors in ankylosing spondylitis: long-term results from the Outcome in Ankylosing Spondylitis International Study
Authors: Webers Casper , Ramiro Sofia , Landewé Robert , van der Heijde Désirée , van den Bosch Filip , Dougados Maxime , van Tubergen Astrid , Boonen Annelies 
Published: November 2018

ObjectiveTo investigate the occurrence of ankylosing spondylitis (AS)-related sick leave (SL) over 6 12 years and explore factors predicting first and recurrent SL.MethodsData from employed patients from the Outcome in Ankylosing Spondylitis International Study were used. At each visit, patients indicated the occurrence of SL (yes/no) in the previous inter-assessment period. Cox regressions predicted a first episode of SL. Generalised estimating equations (GEE) explored the association between SL and (time-lagged) predictors. To investigate whether SL predicts new SL, SL in the first year was included as covariate in a separate analysis.Results139 patients (76% males, mean (SD) age 38.7 (10.0) years) were at risk for SL for an average period of 7.9 years, of whom 88 (63%) reported any SL. In both the Cox baseline predictors model (HR (95%  CI)) and the time-varying GEE models (OR (95%  CI)), AS Disease Activity Score (1.67, 1.23 to 2.28 (HR); 1.48, 1.07 to 2.03 (OR)); Bath AS Disease Activity Index (1.33, 1.18 to 1.51 (HR); 1.31, 1.15 to 1.49 (OR)), Bath AS Functional Index (1.17, 1.02 to 1.34 (HR); 1.31, 1.16 to 1.47 (OR)) and comorbidity at baseline (GEE only, 1.52, 1.00 to 2.29 (OR)) were associated with SL in separate models, but only in patients with low educational attainment. SL in the first year was an independent predictor of SL over time (OR: 2.62 to 8.37 in different models, all p<0.05).ConclusionDisease activity and physical function predicted first and recurrent SL, but only in patients with low educational attainment. Prior SL results in future SL, and SL should therefore be a signal for support to prevent future adverse work outcome.
Neutrino mixings as a source of lepton flavor violations
Authors: Boyarkin O. M. , Boyarkina G. G. , Vasileuskaya D. S. 
Published: November 2018

Within the left–right symmetric model (LRM) the [Formula: see text] boson decay into the channel [Formula: see text] are investigated. The branching ratios of this decay is found in the third order of the perturbation theory. The obtained expression does not equal to zero only at the existence of the neutrino mixings. This means that from the point of view of the LRM, the nonconservations of the neutral and the charged lepton flavors have the same nature. As a result, the elucidation of the decays [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] could provide data concerned the neutrino sector structure of the LRM. The neutrino sector parameters which could be measured in that case are as follows: (i) difference of the heavy neutrino masses; (ii) heavy–heavy neutrino mixing; (iii) heavy–light neutrino mixing.
A computational study of Stillinger–Weber silicon at 0.75 GPa in supercooled region
Authors: Gautam Arvind K. , Chandra Avinash 
Published: November 2018

We studied the liquid-liquid transition in supercooled silicon modeled by the Stillinger–Weber potential. The Isothermal Isobaric Monte Carlo (NPT-MC) simulation techniques were performed here to compute the free energy difference between the two liquid phases of silicon by Bennett Acceptance Ratio (BAR) method along with a reversible path at 0.75 GPa pressure and 970 K temperature. The thermodynamic properties as energy ([Formula: see text]) and density ([Formula: see text]) of the high-density liquid (HDL) phase have been computed here at different temperatures from 970–990 K. We also computed the entropy difference between the high-density liquid (HDL) and low-density liquid (LDL) phases which indicates that the glass transition temperature for the LDL phase is lower compared to the HDL phase. Further, by using the BAR method, we have computed the excess Gibbs free energy (G[Formula: see text]) of HDL phase with respect to the crystalline phase at different temperatures in the supercooled region of SW-Silicon potential model. Based on the slope of excess Gibbs free energy with respect to temperature (T), we found that the excess entropy (Se) of the HDL with respect to crystalline phase shows a nonmonotonic dependence on temperature at the liquid-liquid transition temperature of T[Formula: see text] = 970 K. Our results are in good agreement with the previous observation of a nonmonotonic dependence of the enthalpy on temperature in MD simulations, starting with the HDL phase at a temperature just above T[Formula: see text]. All these properties are useful to understand the phase behavior of supercooled silicon and can be applicable to identify the better quality of silicon for industrial uses.
Racial Disparities in the Receipt of Guideline Care and Cancer Deaths for Women with Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Cronin Kathleen A. , Howlader Nadia , Stevens Jennifer L. , Trimble Edward L. , Harlan Linda C. , Warren Joan L. 
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Background:
Black women with ovarian cancer experience worse survival than white women. Receipt of guideline care improves survival, yet care may vary by race. We assessed rates of guideline care and role of guideline treatment on survival disparities.

Methods:
This retrospective cohort analysis used the NCI's Patterns of Care data for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, 2002 and 2011 (weighted n = 3,999), with follow-up through December 12, 2014. Logistic regression included patient characteristics, insurance, and gynecologic oncologist (GO) consultation to produce adjusted standardized percentages of women receiving guideline treatment by race. Cox proportional hazards analysis assessed risk of ovarian cancer death.

Results:
Guideline care was significantly lower for black women compared with white women (adjusted 27.5% vs. 34.1%). Increased receipt of guideline care was associated with GO consultation, younger ages, stage, and insurance. Rates of GO consultation were comparable for black and white women, approximately 60%. Black women were more likely to receive no surgery or no chemotherapy if they did not consult a GO. The unadjusted death risk was significantly higher in black women (HR = 1.33). After adjusting for receipt of guideline care and other factors, black and white women had similar risk of death (HR = 1.05).

Conclusions:
Race was not associated with risk of death when guideline care was included in multivariate survival models. However, black patients received less guideline care. GO consultation significantly increased receipt of guideline care.

Impact:
Research is needed to understand treatment perspectives for black patients and their providers to increase the receipt of guideline care and reduce survival disparities.
Evaluation of Emergent Mutations in Circulating Cell-Free DNA and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treated with Panitumumab in the ASPECCT Study
Authors: Peeters Marc , Price Timothy , Boedigheimer Michael , Kim Tae Won , Ruff Paul , Gibbs Peter , Thomas Anne , Demonty Gaston , Hool Kristina , Ang Agnes 
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Purpose:
Mutations in EGFR pathway genes are poor prognostic indicators in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Plasma analysis of cell-free DNA is a minimally invasive and highly sensitive method to detect somatic mutations in tumors.

Experimental Design:
Plasma samples collected from panitumumab-treated patients in the ASPECCT study at baseline and safety follow-up (SFU) were analyzed by a next-generation sequencing–based approach for extended RAS mutant allele frequency as a continuous variable and their association with clinical outcomes and the mutational prevalence of 63 cancer-related genes. The correlation between patient outcome and baseline mutational status of EGFR pathway genes was also examined.

Results:
Overall, 261 patients in the panitumumab arm had evaluable plasma samples. Patients with a higher RAS mutant allele frequency at baseline had worse clinical outcomes than those with a lower frequency (P &lt; 0.001, Cox PH model); however, RAS mutations did not necessarily preclude patients from deriving benefits. The objective response rate (complete or partial response) was 10.8% for patients with baseline RAS mutations and 21.7% for those with BRAF mutations. The 63-gene panel analysis revealed an increase in tumor mutational burden from baseline to SFU (P &lt; 0.001, Wilcoxon signed rank test). Baseline mutations in EGFR pathway genes, when analyzed both categorically and continuously, were associated with shorter survival.

Conclusions:
When mutations in EGFR pathway genes were analyzed continuously, higher mutant allele frequency correlated with poorer outcomes. However, extended RAS mutation, by itself, did not preclude clinical responses to panitumumab in a monotherapy setting.
Establishment of a Nomogram by Integrating Molecular Markers and Tumor-Node-Metastasis Staging System for Predicting the Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Huang Xi-Tai , Chen Liu-Hua , Huang Chen-Song , Li Jian-Hui , Cai Jian-Peng , Chen Wei , Yin Xiao-Yu 
Published: November 2018

<b><i>Aims:</i></b> This study aimed to develop a valuable nomogram by integrating molecular markers and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging system for predicting the long-term outcome of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The gene expression profiles of HCC patients undergoing liver resection were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. One hundred and ninety-nine patients from TCGA and 94 patients from GEO were selected to be part of the training cohort and validation cohort respectively. Univariate and multivariate cox analyses were performed to identify genes with independent prognostic values for overall survival (OS) of HCC patients in training cohort. Risk score was calculated based on the coefficients and Z-score of 3 genes for each patient. The nomogram was developed based on the risk score and TNM staging system. Discrimination and predictive accuracy of the nomogram were measured by using the concordance index (C-index) and calibration curve. The efficacy of the nomogram was tested in the external validation cohort. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Univariate and multivariate cox analyses revealed that EXT2 (<i>p</i> = 0.035, hazard ratio 13.412), ETV5 (<i>p</i> = 0.010, hazard ratio 4.325), and CHODL (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001, hazard ratio 6.286) were independent prognostic factors and chosen for further nomogram establishment. The C-index of the nomogram for predicting the OS in the training cohort was superior to that of the TNM staging system (0.77 vs. 0.64, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.01). The calibration curve of predicted 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS showed satisfactory accuracy. The external validation cohort showed good performance of comprehensive nomogram as well. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The novel nomogram by integrating the molecular markers and TNM staging system has better performance in predicting long-term prognosis in HCC patients than the TNM staging system alone.
L-Carnitine Supplementation Increases Trimethylamine-N-Oxide but not Markers of Atherosclerosis in Healthy Aged Women
Authors: Samulak Joanna J. , Sawicka Angelika K. , Hartmane Dace , Grinberga Solveiga , Pugovics Osvalds , Lysiak-Szydlowska Wieslawa , Olek Robert A. 
Published: November 2018

<b><i>Background:</i></b> L-carnitine can be metabolized to trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a molecule that promotes atherogenesis through its interaction with macrophages and lipid metabolism. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim of the present study was to assess whether L-carnitine supplementation may promote changes in selected serum biomarkers of atherosclerosis. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Before the start, in the mid-point and after completing the 24-weeks supplementation protocol, fasting blood samples were taken from the antecubital vein. Plasma free L-carnitine and TMAO were determined by the UPLC/MS/MS method. Serum proteins were determined by the enzyme immunoassay method using commercially available kits. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglycerides have been determined using standard automatic analyzer. <b><i>Results:</i></b> L-carnitine supplementation elevated fasting plasma carnitine in the mid-point of our study and it remained increased until the end of supplementation period. Moreover, it induced tenfold increase in plasma TMAO concentration but did not affect serum C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-α, L-selectin, P-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 or lipid profile markers. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> We demonstrated that ­although oral L-carnitine supplementation significantly ­increased plasma TMAO concentration, no lipid profile changes or other markers of adverse cardiovascular events were detected in healthy aged women over the period of 24 weeks.
АСЕПТИКА І АНТИСЕПТИКА В РОБОТІ МЕДИЧНОЇ СЕСТРИ ХІРУРГІЧНОГО ПРОФІЛЮ
Authors: Romanenko I. I. 
Published: November 2018

У статті розглянуто питання про хірургічну обробку рани, джерела потрапляння мікробів в рану, види прибирання. Висвітлено аспекти хірургічної антисептики рук.
Estimation of Tropical Cyclone Intensity in the North Atlantic and Northeastern Pacific Basins Using TRMM Satellite Passive Microwave Observations
Authors: Jiang Haiyan , Tao Cheng , Pei Yongxian 
Published: November 2018

AbstractA statistical passive microwave intensity estimation (PMW-IE) algorithm for estimating the intensity of tropical cyclones (TCs) in the North Atlantic and northeastern and central Pacific basins is developed and tested. The algorithm is derived from Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) 85-GHz brightness temperatures and near-surface rain-rate retrievals to provide objective estimates of current maximum sustained surface winds (Vmax) and 6-h future Vmax of TCs. The full record of TRMM data (1998–2013) including 2326 TMI overpasses of 503 TCs is separated into dependent samples (1998–2010) for model development and independent samples (2011–13) for model verification. The best track intensities are used as dependent variables in a stepwise multiple-regression approach. Separately for each basin, three regression models are derived using selected 1) 85-GHz-only variables, 2) rain-rate-only variables, and 3) combined 85-GHz and rain variables. The algorithms are evaluated using independent samples and those with contemporaneous aircraft-reconnaissance measurements. Rain-only and combined models perform better than the 85-GHz-only model. Lower errors are found for estimating the 6-h future Vmax than estimating the current Vmax using all three models. This suggests that it is optimal to use passive-microwave-retrieved rain variables observed a few hours earlier to estimate TC intensity. The MAE (RMSE) of 6-h future Vmax is 9 (12) kt (1 kt ≈ 0.51 m s−1) when testing the combined models with ATL and EPA independent samples. Aircraft-reconnaissance-based independent samples yields a MAE of 9.6 kt and RMSE of 12.6 kt for estimating 6-h future Vmax.
Why Kill the Passenger Train?
Authors: Berge Stanley 
Published: November 2018

Is the passenger train getting a “fair break” in the U.S. travel market? No, says the author of this article, an expert on transportation. He charges that railroad passenger-service losses have long been exaggerated by obsolete accounting rules of the Interstate Commerce Commission. However, some railroads that refuse to be deluded by “phantom” bookkeeping deficits are successfully marketing travel by train. If others would do likewise, the author points out, the results would be profitable both to the railroads and their customers.
Can Attitude Measurement Predict Consumer Behavior?
Authors: Udell Jon G. 
Published: November 2018

• Are attitudes predictive of consumer behavior? • What potential role does attitude measurement play in the marketing research program of a company? • Does the Thurstone technique offer management a reliable tool for research and decision-making? • What is the public's attitude or response to a promotional device such as trading stamps? An extensive research project regarding trading stamps provides insight into the answers to these and other questions. Over 400 pretest and 1,400 test interviews in three states produced the information on which this article is based.
Dissecting the Segmentation Syndrome
Authors: Brandt Steven C. 
Published: November 2018

If there were but 500,000 potential customers for a given product in the world and a decision of how much to spend on wooing each of them had to be made, upon what basis would the decision be made? Once upon a time a measurement of their relative needs or abilities to buy provided a satisfactory guidepost for the decision. But today there are other factors that must be considered. In this article the author traces how such decisions have been made in the past. He then proposes a method of market segmentation that will be of interest to marketers in both large and small firms.
Behavior Patterns of Supermarket Shoppers
Authors: Schapker Ben L. 
Published: November 2018

What are the reasons for the decline in supermarket shopping-loyalty during the past decade? What is behind the trend toward more frequent shopping by supermarket customers? Why is readership of food store advertising in newspapers increasing? How accurate is the prediction of credit purchasing of food in supermarkets? Is interest in saving trading stamps on the wane? How does discount store food shopping differ from shopping in conventional supermarkets? The answers to these questions should be of interest to all marketers.
Advancing the Experimental Method in Marketing
Authors: Holloway Robert J. , White Tod 
Published: November 2018

A formal center has been established to encourage the use of experimentation in the study of a wide variety of activities related to business, including consumer behavior and other facets of marketing. Early efforts of the personnel at the Center include experimentation in conformity, communications, cognitive dissonance, ethics, and effort as related to satisfaction. The results of the early work have been encouraging and it is now anticipated that the Center will be a permanent research unit.
Some Aspects of Ethics in Marketing Research
Authors: Blankenship A. B. 
Published: November 2018

Two professional societies have recently adopted ethical codes for marketing research and surveys, and a third is in process of doing the same. With recent disclosures in Washington about practices in the field of audience measurement, there is increasing concern with ethics. The author argues that no code of ethics can ever solve the situation, and cites some examples, several of which are controversial.
Energy or carbon? Exploring the relative size of universal zero carbon and zero energy design spaces
Authors: Parkin Anna , Herrera Manuel , Coley David A 
Published: November 2018

One aim of zero carbon, or zero energy, buildings is to help slow climate change. However, regulatory definitions frequently miss substantial emissions, for example ones associated with the materials the building is constructed from, thereby compromising this goal. Unfortunately, including such emissions might restrict the design space, reduce architectural freedom or greatly increase costs. This work presents a new framework for examining the problem. The zero carbon/energy design and regulatory space forms a sub-space of the hyper-volume enclosing all possible designs and regulatory frameworks. A new mathematical/software environment was developed which allows the size and shape of this sub-space to be investigated for the first time. Twenty-four million building design/regulatory standard combinations were modelled and assessed using a tree classification approach. It was found that a worldwide zero standard that includes embodied emissions is possible and is easier to achieve if a carbon rather than an energy metric is adopted, with the design space twice the size for a carbon metric. This result is important for the development of more encompassing regulations, and the novel methods developed applicable to other aspects of construction controlled by regulation where there is the desire to examine the impact of new regulations prior to legislation. Practical application: As energy standards become more strict, and given the growth in non-regulatory standards (such as Passivhaus), there is the need to study the potential impact of any element of a standard on the range of designs that can be built or the materials that can be used. This work sets out a general framework and method for doing this. The approach and results will be of interest to policy makers, but also to engineers and architects wondering what the key constraints to design the adoption of various philosophies to low energy/carbon standards might have within their work. For example, the implications of the building standard (or client) requiring embodied emissions to be included or the energy balance period for renewable generation to be monthly, not annual.