bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Active learning in a real‐world bioengineering problem: A pilot‐study on ophthalmologic data processing
Authors: Persano Adorno Dominique , Bellomonte Leonardo 
Published: December 2018

AbstractActive learning is a format alternative to the conventional lecture/recitation/laboratory; research results have reported that it is suitable to encourage student inquiry and foster peer mentoring. Although the availability of computer‐based learning materials in biomedical sciences is increasing, there are relatively few studies aimed to integrate traditional methods of teaching with inquiry‐based approaches utilizing these Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) tools. This paper describes a pilot‐study on a comprehensive active laboratory course about digital ophthalmologic signal classification, experienced by a group of undergraduates in Bio‐Electronic Engineering. During the activity, the students became able to discriminate healthy subjects from patients affected by two retinal pathologies: Achromatopsia or Congenital Stationary Night Blindness. The study was based on the analysis and classification of the electroretinograms, that record the retinal response to a light flash. To process electroretinographic data, a software based on the Empirical Mode Decomposition and an Artificial Neural Network was used. Our findings indicate that this laboratory experience can be considered effective in improving student's reasoning skills and that students acting as investigators achieve a better outcome, presumably because this activity satisfies their psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
Value of radiotherapy in addition to esophagectomy for stage II and III thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Analysis of surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database
Authors: Yu Jing , Ouyang Wen , Li Yi , Hu Jing , Xu Yu , Wei Yongchang , Liao Zhengkai , Liu Yu , Zhang Junhong , Xie Conghua 
Published: December 2018

AbstractTo determine the value of radiotherapy in addition to esophagectomy for stage II and III TESCC. We searched the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database for all cases of stage II‐III TESCC. Patients were grouped as those receiving pre‐ or postoperative radiotherapy plus esophagectomy and those receiving esophagectomy alone. Overall survival (OS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) were compared between the groups. Among the 3292 patients, multimodality treatments (pre‐ or postoperative radiotherapy plus surgery) were more effective than surgery alone (5‐year, OS: 17.3% vs 7.9%; P < 0.001; CSS: 51.8% vs 34.9%; P < 0.001). Among the patients receiving multimodality treatments, multivariate analyses revealed stage to be the most significant prognostic factor for OS (II vs III, HR, 0.726; P < 0.001), but the sequence of radiotherapy and surgery was only of the marginal significance (pre‐ vs postoperative, HR, 0.875; P = 0.093). Preoperative radiotherapy provided significantly better survival than postoperative radiotherapy in stage III disease (5‐year, OS: 13.0% vs 11.0%, P < 0.04; CSS: 49.2% vs 31.7%, P < 0.003), but not in stage II disease (5‐year OS: 23.5% vs 21.0%, P = 0.519; CSS: 62.0% vs 53.4%, P = 0.075). Radiotherapy in addition to esophagectomy provides better outcomes than esophagectomy alone for in stage II‐III TESCC. Preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgery appears to be the optimal treatment strategy in stage III TESCC.
Combining multimodal imaging and treatment features improves machine learning‐based prognostic assessment in patients with glioblastoma multiforme
Authors: Peeken Jan C. , Goldberg Tatyana , Pyka Thomas , Bernhofer Michael , Wiestler Benedikt , Kessel Kerstin A. , Tafti Pouya D. , Nüsslin Fridtjof , Braun Andreas E. , Zimmer Claus , Rost Burkhard , Combs Stephanie E. 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundFor Glioblastoma (GBM), various prognostic nomograms have been proposed. This study aims to evaluate machine learning models to predict patients' overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) on the basis of clinical, pathological, semantic MRI‐based, and FET‐PET/CT‐derived information. Finally, the value of adding treatment features was evaluated.MethodsOne hundred and eighty‐nine patients were retrospectively analyzed. We assessed clinical, pathological, and treatment information. The VASARI set of semantic imaging features was determined on MRIs. Metabolic information was retained from preoperative FET‐PET/CT images. We generated multiple random survival forest prediction models on a patient training set and performed internal validation. Single feature class models were created including "clinical," "pathological," "MRI‐based," and "FET‐PET/CT‐based" models, as well as combinations. Treatment features were combined with all other features.ResultsOf all single feature class models, the MRI‐based model had the highest prediction performance on the validation set for OS (C‐index: 0.61 [95% confidence interval: 0.51‐0.72]) and PFS (C‐index: 0.61 [0.50‐0.72]). The combination of all features did increase performance above all single feature class models up to C‐indices of 0.70 (0.59‐0.84) and 0.68 (0.57‐0.78) for OS and PFS, respectively. Adding treatment information further increased prognostic performance up to C‐indices of 0.73 (0.62‐0.84) and 0.71 (0.60‐0.81) on the validation set for OS and PFS, respectively, allowing significant stratification of patient groups for OS.ConclusionsMRI‐based features were the most relevant feature class for prognostic assessment. Combining clinical, pathological, and imaging information increased predictive power for OS and PFS. A further increase was achieved by adding treatment features.
An Extended Approach for the Development of Fluorogenic trans‐Cyclooctene–Tetrazine Cycloadditions
Authors: Siegl Sebastian J. , Galeta Juraj , Dzijak Rastislav , Vázquez Arcadio , Del Río‐Villanueva Miguel , Dračínský Martin , Vrabel Milan 
Published: December 2018

AbstractInverse‐electron‐demand Diels–Alder (iEDDA) cycloaddition between 1,2,4,5‐tetrazines and strained dienophiles belongs among the most popular bioconjugation reactions. In addition to its fast kinetics, this cycloaddition can be tailored to produce fluorescent products from non‐fluorescent starting materials. Here we show that even the reaction intermediates formed in iEDDA cycloaddition can lead to the formation of new types of fluorophores. The influence of various substituents on their photophysical properties and the generality of the approach with use of various trans‐cyclooctene derivatives were studied. Model bioimaging experiments demonstrate the application potential of fluorogenic iEDDA cycloaddition.
A near miss: Autonomic dysfunction in a 2% total burn surface area burn patient with ventilator‐dependent amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: King Becky B. T. , Wiktor Arek J. , Wagner Anne L. 
Published: December 2018

Key Clinical MessageWhile minor burns in the general population do not have significant cardiovascular effects, in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients they can precipitate fatal autonomic dysfunction. Our case serves as an important example in which a small 2% total burn surface area burn resulted in cardiovascular derangements that could have precipitated a serious cardiac event and death.
Cerebral vasculitis associated with an Echovirus 6 meningoencephalitis—Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Cauwenberghs Laura , Bruynseels Peggy , Demeyere Nathan , van den Akker Machiel 
Published: December 2018

Key Clinical MessageWhen a previously healthy child presents to the hospital with a stroke, generally a Varicella zoster virus vasculopathy seems most likely. However, other causes of a local cerebral vasculitis are possible and need to be explored.
Retarding Phase Transformation During Cycling in a Lithium‐ and Manganese‐Rich Cathode Material by Optimizing Synthesis Conditions
Authors: Hu Bei , Lou Xiaobing , Li Chao , Geng Fushan , Yang Mengchu , Shen Ming , Hu Bingwen 
Published: December 2018

AbstractLi‐rich layered oxides with superior energy density have become appealing alternative cathode materials for next‐generation lithium‐ion batteries. However, they still suffer from voltage decay and irreversible capacity loss due to an undesirable phase transition. Normally, the phase transition is caused by the reduction of Mn ions and migration of the transition metals. In order to address this issue, we herein report a facile and efficient strategy to fabricate a well‐structured Li‐rich layered Li1.2Ni0.13Co0.13Mn0.54O2 by an optimized sol‐gel method. Experimentally we find that the as‐synthesized layered oxide delivers a high initial discharge capacity as high as 279 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C and remains a capacity of 250 mA g−1 after 100 cycles when used as a cathode for lithium‐ion batteries. Mn L‐edge and O K‐edge soft X‐ray absorption spectra reveal that the reduction of Mn ions and the migration of transition metals have been well mitigated.
On the dependency between principal components: Application to determine the rank of a matrix in an evolutionary process
Authors: Bayat Elaheh Talebanpour , Hemmateenejad Bahram , Akhond Morteza , Bordbar Mohammad Mahdi , Baumann Knut 
Published: December 2018

AbstractPrincipal component analysis (PCA) is a versatile and well‐established approach to explore the relationship between observations represented by their descriptor variables. The latter relationship can be visualized by score plots, ie, the representation of the observations in low dimensional space. The important hyperparameter of PCA is the choice of the correct dimensionality for representing the observations since it bears information about the number of varying analytes contributing to the studied signals. Therefore, the latter dimension is also called the chemical rank of the system. In this paper, a new method for exploring the dependency between principal components of an evolutionary process is proposed. The dependency was quantitatively characterized by two measures: maximum information coefficient (MIC) and distance correlation (DC). Since the dependency measures could discriminate between chemical and nonchemical factors, this concept was used for rank determination. The performance of MIC‐derived indices in terms of detecting meaningful chemical information was better than the one based on indices derived from DC. The performance of each dependency measure in rank estimation was investigated in several simulations and with various real data sets. From the accuracy results and computation time, the proposed methods were compared with previously published rank determination methods. The results showed that MIC could provide accurate estimation of chemical rank in the reasonable timescale rather than DC and also the published rank estimation methods, in the most situations.
The Influence of Service Innovation Capability for Self‐Service Technology Investment
Authors: Tsou Hung‐Tai , Chen Lu‐Jui 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to predict self‐service technology (SST) investment from the extents of service innovation capability (SIC) and electronic customer relationship management (e‐CRM) practices. This study proposes a theoretical framework that delineates the relationships among SIC, e‐CRM practices, and SST investment. The results indicate that SIC has positive impacts on e‐CRM practices, which in turn are positively related to SST investment. Moreover, e‐CRM practices have partial mediating effects on the relationships between SIC and SST investment as well as have partial moderating effects on the relationships between SIC and SST investment. © 2018 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cutaneous granular cell tumor clinically mimicking ectopic breast diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology
Authors: Keloth Thara , Sreerekha Jinkala , Gochhait Debasis , Kekade Shailesh , Siddaraju Neelaiah , Sistla Sarath 
Published: December 2018

AbstractGranular cell tumor (GCT) is a rare benign neoplasm of Schwannian origin which accounts of 0.5% of soft tissue tumors. Although the most common site for GCT is tongue, it can occur at any site. GCT presenting as cutaneous nodule is rare, however cases have been reported in literature. We hereby document a case of 30 year female with a hyper‐pigmented cutaneous nodule of anterior chest wall on the milk‐line mimicking as an ectopic breast, diagnosed as GCT on fine needle aspiration cytology. We also add a note on the differential diagnoses of GCT with differentiating cytological features to emphasize on the correct diagnosis of GCT pre‐operatively.
The impact of OTU sequence similarity threshold on diatom‐based bioassessment: A case study of the rivers of Mayotte (France, Indian Ocean)
Authors: Tapolczai Kálmán , Vasselon Valentin , Bouchez Agnès , Stenger‐Kovács Csilla , Padisák Judit , Rimet Frédéric 
Published: December 2018

AbstractExtensive studies on the taxonomic resolution required for bioassessment purposes have determined that resolution above species level (genus, family) is sufficient for their use as indicators of relevant environmental pressures. The high‐throughput sequencing (HTS) and meta‐barcoding methods now used for bioassessment traditionally employ an arbitrary sequence similarity threshold (SST) around 95% or 97% to cluster sequences into operational taxonomic units, which is considered descriptive of species‐level resolution. In this study, we analyzed the effect of the SST on the resulting diatom‐based ecological quality index, which is based on OTU abundance distribution along a defined environmental gradient, ideally avoiding taxonomic assignments that could result in high rates of unclassified OTUs and biased final values. A total of 90 biofilm samples were collected in 2014 and 2015 from 51 stream sites on Mayotte Island in parallel with measures of relevant physical and chemical parameters. HTS sequencing was performed on the biofilms using the rbcL region as the genetic marker and diatom‐specific primers. Hierarchical clustering was used to group sequences into OTUs using 20 experimental SST levels (80%–99%). An OTU‐based quality index (IdxOTU) was developed based on a weighted average equation using the abundance profiles of the OTUs. The developed IdxOTU revealed significant correlations between the IdxOTU values and the reference pressure gradient, which reached maximal performance using an SST of 90% (well above species level delimitation). We observed an interesting and important trade‐off with the power to discriminate between sampling sites and index stability that will greatly inform future applications of the index. Taken together, the results from this study detail a thoroughly optimized and validated approach to generating robust, reproducible, and complete indexes that will greatly facilitate effective and efficient environmental monitoring.
Native lagomorphs suppress grass establishment in a shrub‐encroached, semiarid grassland
Authors: Abercrombie Samuel T. , Koprowski John L. , Nichols Mary H. , Fehmi Jeffrey S. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractShrub encroachment into arid grasslands has been associated with reduced grass abundance, increased soil erosion, and local declines in biodiversity. Livestock overgrazing and the associated reduction of fine fuels has been a primary driver of shrub encroachment in the southwestern United States, but shrublands continue to persist despite livestock removal and grassland restoration efforts. We hypothesized that an herbivory feedback from native mammals may contribute to continued suppression of grasses after the removal of livestock. Our herbivore exclusion experiment in southeastern Arizona included five treatment levels and allowed access to native mammals based on their relative body size, separating the effects of rodents, lagomorphs, and mule deer. We included two control treatments and replicated each treatment 10 times (n = 50). We introduced uniform divisions of lawn sod (Cynodon dactylon) into each exclosure for 24‐hr periods prior to (n = 2) and following (n = 2) the monsoon rains and used motion‐activated cameras to document herbivore visitations. In the pre‐monsoon trials, treatments that allowed lagomorph access had less sod biomass relative to other treatments (p < 0.001), averaging 44% (SD 36%) and 29% (SD 45%) remaining biomass after the 24‐hr trial periods. Following the onset of monsoons, differences in remaining biomass among treatments disappeared. Desert cottontails (Sylvilagus audubonii) were detected more frequently than any of the other 11 herbivore species present at the site, accounting for 83% of detections during the pre‐monsoon trials. Significantly more (p < 0.001) desert cottontails were detected during the pre‐monsoon trials (2,077) compared to the post‐monsoon trials (174), which coincided with biomass removal from lagomorph accessible treatments. We conclude that desert cottontails are significant consumers of herbaceous vegetation in shrub‐encroached arid grasslands and they, along with other native herbivores, may act as a biotic feedback contributing to the competitive advantage and persistence of shrubs.
The Effect of Cracks on the In‐plane Electrical Conductivity of PEFC Catalyst Layers
Authors: Tranter T. G. , Tam M. , Gostick J. T. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractFuel cell catalyst layers are a mixture of carbon, ionomer and platinum that are usually applied to the membrane during electrode assembly and can vary in structure for a number of reasons including the method of application, thickness of the layer, milling and heat treatments. Under some conditions significant cracking can occur which may or may not be beneficial to overall fuel cell performance but certainly has an effect on the catalyst's effective transport properties. The influence of cracking on the in‐plane electrical conductivity is studied experimentally and numerically through an image‐based approach. The conductivity is found to depend strongly on the crack structure which can be predicted with image based modelling. This fact is useful for determining the bulk conductivity from cracked samples for diagnostic purposes.
Global Review of Institutional Reforms in the Irrigation Sector for Sustainable Agricultural Water Management, Including Water Users’ Associations
Authors: Gany A. Hafied A. , Sharma Prachi , Singh Sahdev 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThis paper reviews institutional reforms in the irrigation sector for sustainable agricultural water management (AWM) undertaken in 14 countries and regions, including Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, South Korea, Sudan, Chinese Taipei, Turkey and Ukraine. These regions represent a vast diversity of geography, climate, governance, socio‐economic conditions and level of development. In those countries with smaller land areas and high‐technology manufacturing, such as Japan and Korea, agriculture is now being viewed as technology‐driven food factories of the future. Meanwhile, for countries with a significant base population and increasing growth rates, such as China, India and Indonesia, agriculture seems to dominate the development debate. The comparative evaluation analyses the issues regarding institutional and organizational reforms focusing on the legal and organizational framework structure including water users' associations (WUAs) for water supply services, participatory irrigation management (PIM) and management transfer, and public–private partnership (PPP) towards sustainable irrigation and drainage (I&D) and agricultural water management (AWM). Despite the diverse geography and institutional frameworks, food security remains a major concern in all the countries and regions reviewed in this paper. The formation and functioning of WUAs, ageing I&D infrastructure and its operation and management (O&M) appear to be the major institutional and PPP challenges for sustainable AWM in the immediate future. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exosome‐encapsulated microRNA‐4525, microRNA‐451a and microRNA‐21 in portal vein blood is a high‐sensitive liquid biomarker for the selection of high‐risk pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients
Authors: Kawamura Sachiyo , Iinuma Hisae , Wada Keita , Takahashi Kunihiko , Minezaki Shunryo , Kainuma Masahiko , Shibuya Makoto , Miura Fumihiko , Sano Keiji 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy with poor prognosis. This is due to late diagnosis and lack of reliable prognostic biomarkers. In this study, we focused on exosomal microRNA (miRNA) in portal vein blood (PVB) as a potential biomarker to identify patients at high‐risk for recurrence and poor postoperative outcome.MethodsExosomal miR‐4525, miR‐451a and miR‐21 expressions were assessed using PVB and peripheral blood (PB) collected from 55 PDAC patients during curative pancreatectomy. Correlation between the miRNA expressions and clinical outcomes, and target genes expressions was investigated.ResultsExosomal miR‐4525, miR‐451a and miR‐21 levels were upregulated in PVB, which were higher than those in the PB. High expression of miR‐4525, miR‐451a and miR‐21 in PVB was associated with recurrence with a higher sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy than that in PB. Cox regression analysis showed miR‐4525, miR‐451a and miR‐21 levels in PVB were independent prognostic factors for overall survival and disease‐free survival. There was a negative correlation between the expressions of miR‐4525 and MEN1 mRNA, miR‐451a and CAB39 mRNA, and t miR‐21 and PDCD4 mRNA.ConclusionsmiR‐4525, miR‐451a and miR‐21 in PVB are potential biomarkers identifying patients at high‐risk for recurrence and poor survival in resected PDAC patients.
Cover Image, Volume 99, Issue 2
Authors: Mangan David , McCleary Barry V , Culleton Helena , Cornaggia Claudio , Ivory Ruth , McKie Vincent A , Delaney Elaine , Kargelis Tadas 
Published: December 2018

The cover image is based on the Research Article A novel enzymatic method for the measurement of lactose in lactose‐free products by David Mangan et al., DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.9317. This cover was supported by Megazyme.
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Incidence and comparative outcomes of periampullary cancer: A population‐based analysis demonstrating improved outcomes and increased use of adjuvant therapy from 2004 to 2012
Authors: Hester Caitlin A. , Dogeas Epameinondas , Augustine Mathew M. , Mansour John C. , Polanco Patricio M. , Porembka Matthew R. , Wang Sam C. , Zeh Herbert J. , Yopp Adam C. 
Published: December 2018

Background and ObjectivesPeriampullary adenocarcinoma (PAC) is stratified anatomically: ampullary adenocarcinoma (AA), distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC), duodenal adenocarcinoma (DA), and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We aimed to determine differences in incidence, prognosis, and treatment in stage‐matched PAC patients in a longitudinal study.MethodsPAC patients were identified in The National Cancer Database from 2004 to 2012. Clinicopathological variables were compared between subtypes. Covariate‐adjusted treatment use and OS were compared.ResultsThe 116 705 patients with PAC were identified: 1320 (9%) AA, 3732 (3%) DCC, 7142 (6%) DA, and 95 511 (82%) PDAC. DA, DCC, and PDAC were associated with worse survival compared with AA (hazard ratio [HR], 1.10; 95% CI, 1.1‐1.1; HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.4‐1.6, and HR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.8‐1.9). Among resected patients, DA was associated with improved survival compared with AA (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.67‐0.75); DCC and PDAC were associated with worse survival (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.31‐1.53 and HR, 2.041; 95% CI, 1.07‐2.12). Resected AA, PDAC, and DA, but not DCC, demonstrated significantly improved survival over the studied period. While all patients had increased adjuvant therapy (AT) receipt over time (P < 0.001), only patients with PDAC had increased neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) receipt (
P < 0.001).ConclusionResected PDAC, AA, and DA were associated with clinically significant improved survival over time, mirroring a concurrent associated increased receipt of AT.