bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental fusion of different versions of the total laboratory automation system and improvement of laboratory turnaround time
Authors: Chung Hee‐Jung , Song Yoon Kyung , Hwang Sang‐Hyun , Lee Do Hoon , Sugiura Tetsuro 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundUse of total laboratory automation (TLA) system has expanded to microbiology and hemostasis and upgraded to second and third generations. We herein report the first successful upgrades and fusion of different versions of the TLA system, thus improving laboratory turnaround time (TAT).MethodsA 21‐day schedule was planned from the time of pre‐meeting to installation and clinical sample application. We analyzed the monthly TAT in each menu, distribution of the “out of range for acceptable TAT” samples, and “prolonged time out of acceptable TAT,” before and after the upgrade and fusion.ResultsWe installed and customized hardware, middleware, and software. The one‐way CliniLog 2.0 version track, 50.0‐m long, was changed to a 23.2‐m long one‐way 2.0 version and an 18.7‐m long two‐way 4.0 version. The monthly TAT in the outpatient samples, before and after upgrading the TLA system, were uniformly satisfactory in the chemistry and viral marker menus. However, in the tumor marker menu, the target TAT (98.0% of samples ≤60 minutes) was not satisfied during the familiarization period. There was no significant difference in the proportion of “out of acceptable TAT” samples, before and after the TLA system upgrades (7.4‰ and 8.5‰). However, the mean “prolonged time out of acceptable TAT” in the chemistry samples was significantly shortened to 17.4 (±24.0) minutes after the fusion, from 34.5 (±43.4) minutes.ConclusionsDespite experimental challenges, a fusion of the TLA system shortened the “prolonged time out of acceptable TAT,” indicating a distribution change in overall TAT.
Relationship of hope, sense of community, and quality of life
Authors: Stevens Ed , Guerrero Mayra , Green Austin , Jason Leonard A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis study examined the role of hope and community in achieving and/or maintaining a successful recovery, and their relationships to quality of life for individuals in recovery. The sample included 229 participants in 42 Oxford House sober living homes in 3 locations in the United States. In this cross‐sectional investigation, we assessed whether hope and sense of community were predictors of quality of life for individuals living in recovery homes. Findings indicated that both hope and sense of community were predictors supporting contextual as well as individual characteristics as possible influences on recovery trajectories. These findings have implications for both individual and systems‐level resource or competency‐based interventions, and they suggest one of the important functions of a recovery residence is in the creation of a sense of community.
Sarcopenia as a comorbidity‐independent predictor of survival following radical cystectomy for bladder cancer
Authors: Mayr Roman , Gierth Michael , Zeman Florian , Reiffen Marieke , Seeger Philipp , Wezel Felix , Pycha Armin , Comploj Evi , Bonatti Matteo , Ritter Manuel , van Rhijn Bas W.G. , Burger Maximilian , Bolenz Christian , Fritsche Hans‐Martin , Martini Thomas 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundA multicentre study was conducted to investigate the impact of sarcopenia as an independent predictor of oncological outcome after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.MethodsIn total, 500 patients with available digital computed tomography scans of the abdomen obtained within 90 days before surgery were identified. The lumbar skeletal muscle index was measured using pre‐operative computed tomography. Cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan–Meier curves. Predictors of CSS and OS were analysed by univariable and multivariable Cox regression models.ResultsBased on skeletal muscle index, 189 patients (37.8%) were classified as sarcopenic. Patients with sarcopenia were older compared with their counterparts (P = 0.002), but both groups were comparable regarding to gender, comorbidity, tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) stage, and type of urinary diversion (all P > 0.05). In total, 234 (46.8%) patients died, and of these, 145 (29.0%) died because of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. Sarcopenic patients had significantly worse 5 year OS (38.3% vs. 50.5%; P = 0.002) and 5 year CSS (49.5% vs. 62.3%; P = 0.016) rates compared with patients without sarcopenia. Moreover, sarcopenia was associated independently with both increased all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.43; 95% confidence interval 1.09–1.87; P = 0.01) and increased cancer‐specific mortality (hazard ratio, 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.00–2.02; P = 0.048). Our results are limited by the lack of prospective frailty assessment.ConclusionsSarcopenia has been shown to be an independent predictor for OS and CSS in a large multicentre study with patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.
How does the curvature of the upper beak bone reflect the overlying rhinotheca morphology?
Authors: Urano Yukine , Tanoue Kyo , Matsumoto Ryoko , Kawabe Soichiro , Ohashi Tomoyuki , Fujiwara Shin‐ichi 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe beak has independently been evolved accompanied by the edentulism in many tetrapod linages, including extant Testudinata and Aves, and its form and function have been greatly diversified. The beak is formed by beak bones and the overlying keratinous cover, although their profiles are different from each other. Therefore, it is difficult to reliably reconstruct the entire profile of the beak in extinct taxa, whose keratinous tissues are rarely preserved. For elucidation of the morphological relationship between beak bone and overlying keratinous cover, we compared the curvature distribution of the culminal profiles of the upper beak bone and the overlying keratinous cover (rhinotheca) with each other using CT‐scan, in 66 extant testudinatan and avian specimens (Aves: 33 genera, 24 families; Testudinata: 12 genera seven families). In both, rhinotheca and beak bone, the curvature of the profile was nearly constant rostral to a certain point, which was defined as the transition point, and the transition points of the rhinotheca and beak bone were close to each other. The profiles of the rhinotheca and beak bone rostral to their transition point were different in curvature and length. However, the ratio between the curvatures of rhinotheca and the beak bone strongly correlated with the arc angle of the rostral culminal profiles of the beak bone. The upper beak profile in extinct taxa is expected to be reconstructed more reliably using the abovementioned relationship between the beak bone and the rhinotheca.
Dissipation behaviour and dietary risk assessment of boscalid, triflumizole and its metabolite (FM‐6‐1) in open‐field cucumber based on QuEChERS using HPLC–MS/MS technique
Authors: Niu Jinghua , Hu Jiye 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDTo resist plant diseases, boscalid and triflumizole have been applied to cucumbers frequently. However, the residue and dietary risk assessment of these fungicides in cucumber should be given attention for food safety.RESULTSAn effective and highly sensitive method based on the liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry technique for simultaneous multidetermination of boscalid, triflumizole and its metabolite (FM‐6‐1) in a cucumber ecosystem was established and validated. Field experiments were conducted in three different locations, where boscalid and triflumizole (35% suspension concentration) were applied at 253 g of active ingredient (a.i.) per hectare (the recommended high dosage) and 379.5 g a.i. ha–1 (1.5 times the recommended high dosage) in each location. The limits of quantification and the limits of detection of the proposed method ranged from 0.01 to 0.05 mg kg–1 and 3.9 × 10−5 to 7.5 × 10−4 mg L–1 respectively. The mean recoveries and relative standard deviations of these compounds were 80–105% and 1.0–6.1% respectively. The dissipation dynamics of compounds followed pseudo‐first‐order kinetic models remarkably, with a half‐value period of 2.3–40.8 days. The residues of boscalid and triflumizole in cucumber at harvest were below 0.66 mg kg–1 and 0.07 mg kg–1 respectively. The results of the dietary risk assessments have shown a low dietary risk of compounds in cucumber with hazard ratios <1 and hazard index <1.CONCLUSIONThese results from the experiments are the most important for putting a guide on reasonable usage of these fungicides under the open‐field conditions in China. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Vegetation and predator interactions affect northern bobwhite behavior
Authors: McGrath Diana J. , Terhune Theron M. , Martin James A. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTAnti‐predator behavior can be costly to prey species and the consequences of these decisions may affect survival. Interactions between humans and hunted species can lead to behavioral shifts in the animal that affect hunter satisfaction and possibly fitness of the animals. We assessed the influence of multiple factors that may affect anti‐predator behavior in a commonly harvested game bird, the northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), during October 2013–March 2015 on a private plantation in South Carolina, USA. We monitored bobwhite‐hunter interactions during hunting events (n = 40) using radio‐telemetry and behavioral observations. We investigated bobwhite anti‐predator behavior in 2 contexts, choice of evasive tactic and timing of tactic deployment (i.e., level of wariness), using a combination of linear regression and multinomial models in a Bayesian framework. Our results indicate the approach style of the hunter (i.e., pointing dog) and vegetation density affect the evasive tactic used. Dense vegetation at 0.6 m above ground height promoted hiding behavior of bobwhites, whereas approaching pointing dogs (i.e., not holding point) promoted flushing. Also, dense vegetation at 0.3 m above ground height and previous exposure to a discharged firearm elicited an earlier anti‐predator response. Our results imply that bobwhites make context‐specific decisions regarding hunter evasion, which may be a result of associative learning. Managers may be able to increase bobwhite‐hunter encounters and improve hunter satisfaction by maintaining vegetation structure between 0.6 and 1.3 m to promote hiding behavior throughout the hunting season. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Osseointegrated implants for auricular prostheses: An alternative to autologous repair
Authors: Ryan Marisa A. , Khoury Tawfiq , Kaylie David M. , Crowson Matthew G. , Brown C. Scott , McClennen Jay , Raynor Eileen M. 
Published: February 2018

Objectives/HypothesisThis study compares the hospital cost of osseointegrated implants for retention of an auricular prosthesis to autologous ear reconstruction.Study DesignRetrospective review.MethodsThis study includes patients who underwent reconstruction for either congenital or acquired ear defects at Duke University Medical Center during 2009 to 2015.ResultsA total of nine patients had autologous repair representing nine operative ears, and 16 patients had an osseointegrated implant representing 18 operative ears (two bilateral). The average age for the autologous repair was 11.6 years with 56% male versus 40.7 years with 56% male for the osseointegrated implant patients. For autologous patients, indications for surgery were anotia/microtia in 8/9 (89%) and trauma in 1/9 (11%) versus 6/16 (387.5%) anotia/microtia, 8/16 (50%) cancer, and 2/16 (132.5%) trauma in the osseointegrated implant group. The mean number of surgeries was 3.1 for autologous repairs and 1.0 for osseointegrated repairs (mean difference confidence interval [CI]: −2.4 to −1.8,P < .001). The average cost to the hospital for an osseointegrated repair was $6,491.39 versus $10,047.93 for autologous repairs (CI: $6,496.38 to $−616.68,P = .02)ConclusionsOsseointegrated implants for retaining an auricular prosthesis has a similar cost to autologous repair of ear defects, but patients underwent an average of two more surgeries with autologous repair. Patients should be able to choose the reconstruction option that best suits their condition and preferences.Level of Evidence4.Laryngoscope, 128:2153–2156, 2018
Long‐term variability of nutrient and dissolved organic matter concentrations in Tokyo Bay between 1989 and 2015
Authors: Kubo Atsushi , Hashihama Fuminori , Kanda Jota , Horimoto‐Miyazaki Naho , Ishimaru Takashi 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTokyo Bay is surrounded by a growing urban metropolis and has experienced varying levels of water quality over time. Vertical profiles of nutrients and chlorophyll a (Chl a) were obtained monthly from 1989 to 2015 at two sampling stations located in the center of Tokyo Bay. From 2006 to 2015, profiles of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and phosphorus were also obtained. Mann–Kendall trend analysis was used to establish the significance of the long‐term trends for all parameters. Water‐column integrated nutrient concentrations showed significant decreases at both stations, except for integrated phosphate concentration at one station. Water‐column integrated Chl a concentration also decreased, indicating that active nutrient consumption due to an increase in primary production was not responsible for the declining nutrient concentrations. Rather, the decreases reflect the reduced loading of nutrients into the bay due to the implementation of advanced wastewater treatment techniques. Phosphate concentrations in the surface waters of Tokyo Bay were frequently below detection limits during spring and summer after 2000. During the 10‐yr period following 2006, dissolved organic phosphorus concentrations decreased significantly at the surface at both stations, whereas DON concentrations did not change significantly. The ratios of total dissolved nitrogen to total dissolved phosphorus in the surface waters were much higher than the Redfield ratio for both stations, and these ratios increased significantly during the most recent decade. Continued declines in total dissolved phosphorus concentration could strengthen phosphorus limitation of primary production in Tokyo Bay.
Targeted Gastrointestinal Delivery of Nutraceuticals with Polysaccharide‐Based Coatings
Authors: Sampathkumar Kaarunya , Loo Say Chye Joachim 
Published: February 2018

AbstractOral delivery is one of the facile methods for the administration of active ingredients (AIs) like nutraceuticals and drugs. However, its intrinsic disadvantages include poor absorption and bioavailability, degradation of the AI during transit through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and a lack of action specificity. Hence, a delivery system for targeted gastrointestinal delivery of AI using polysaccharide‐based polymers, that are generally recognized as safe and approved for use as a direct food additive, is proposed. In this regard, mucoadhesive chitosan nanoparticles that could adhere to the mucosa of the GIT are fabricated and encapsulated with AI. These particles are subsequently coated with polysaccharides that have different enzymatic susceptibilities, to allow for specific degradation in the small or large intestines. It is observed that the polysaccharide coating efficiently retarded the nonspecific release of the encapsulated agent until it is exposed to its intended environment of release. The cytotoxicity and uptake of chitosan nanoparticles is further evaluated on Caco2 cells. In conclusion, these polysaccharide‐coated nanoparticles can potentially be targeted to different organs in the GIT and to be taken up by the enterocytes for improved oral bioavailability.
Unexpected Rheology of Polydimethylsiloxane Liquid Blends
Authors: Villani Vincenzo , Lavallata Vito 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe rheological behaviour of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) liquid blends has been investigated both in rotational and oscillating mode. Liquid silicone rubbers based on PDMS at low, medium, and high viscosity have been used for low/high or medium/high liquid blends. The flow, viscosity, creep, and stress‐relaxation curves, strain‐spectra of temperature‐ or frequency‐sweep have been determined and the behaviour at slow shear rate investigated in detail. The low/high homologous blend shows an unexpected behaviour: the zero‐shear viscosity η0 is higher, the compliance J
0 lower and viscoelastic moduli G
0, G(t), G′(ω) and G″(ω) higher, with respect to the components and medium/high blend. Moreover, the blend viscosity η(T), G′(T), and G″(T) exhibits an anomalous decreasing trend. The Entanglement Swelling Tube (EST) model is proposed. The nanosized chains swelled the entanglement of the long ones by means of dipolar interactions Si
δ

+–O
δ

− in the sites between the blobs of the tube chains, where the free‐volume is highest. The linked entanglements are stabilized and the lifetime lengthened; the entanglement density increases at long deformation times. As the temperature rises, the anomalous behaviour is reduced due to the Entanglement Deswelling‐Solvation mechanism of short chains up to the transition to ordinary behaviour for T = 65 °C.
Quality assurance tool for organ at risk delineation in radiation therapy using a parametric statistical approach
Authors: Hui Cheukkai B. , Nourzadeh Hamidreza , Watkins William T. , Trifiletti Daniel M. , Alonso Clayton E. , Dutta Sunil W. , Siebers Jeffrey V. 
Published: February 2018

PurposeTo develop a quality assurance (QA) tool that identifies inaccurate organ at risk (OAR) delineations.MethodsThe QA tool computed volumetric features from prior OAR delineation data from 73 thoracic patients to construct a reference database. All volumetric features of the OAR delineation are computed in three‐dimensional space. Volumetric features of a new OAR are compared with respect to those in the reference database to discern delineation outliers. A multicriteria outlier detection system warns users of specific delineation outliers based on combinations of deviant features. Fifteen independent experimental sets including automatic, propagated, and clinically approved manual delineation sets were used for verification. The verification OARs included manipulations to mimic common errors. Three experts reviewed the experimental sets to identify and classify errors, first without; and then 1 week after with the QA tool.ResultsIn the cohort of manual delineations with manual manipulations, the QA tool detected 94% of the mimicked errors. Overall, it detected 37% of the minor and 85% of the major errors. The QA tool improved reviewer error detection sensitivity from 61% to 68% for minor errors (P = 0.17), and from 78% to 87% for major errors (P = 0.02).ConclusionsThe QA tool assists users to detect potential delineation errors. QA tool integration into clinical procedures may reduce the frequency of inaccurate OAR delineation, and potentially improve safety and quality of radiation treatment planning.
Accelerating 3D‐T1ρ mapping of cartilage using compressed sensing with different sparse and low rank models
Authors: Zibetti Marcelo V.W. , Sharafi Azadeh , Otazo Ricardo , Regatte Ravinder R. 
Published: February 2018

PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility of using compressed sensing (CS) to accelerate 3D‐T1ρ mapping of cartilage and to reduce total scan times without degrading the estimation of T1ρ relaxation times.MethodsFully sampled 3D‐T1ρ datasets were retrospectively undersampled by factors 2‐10. CS reconstruction using 12 different sparsifying transforms were compared, including finite differences, temporal and spatial wavelets, learned transforms using principal component analysis (PCA) and K‐means singular value decomposition (K‐SVD), explicit exponential models, low rank and low rank plus sparse models. Spatial filtering prior to T1ρ parameter estimation was also tested. Synthetic phantom (n = 6) and in vivo human knee cartilage datasets (n = 7) were included.ResultsMost CS methods performed satisfactorily for an acceleration factor (AF) of 2, with relative T1ρ error lower than 4.5%. Some sparsifying transforms, such as spatiotemporal finite difference (STFD), exponential dictionaries (EXP) and low rank combined with spatial finite difference (L+S SFD) significantly improved this performance, reaching average relative T1ρ error below 6.5% on T1ρ relaxation times with AF up to 10, when spatial filtering was used before T1ρ fitting, at the expense of smoothing the T1ρ maps. The STFD achieved 5.1% error at AF = 10 with spatial filtering prior to T1ρ fitting.ConclusionAccelerating 3D‐T1ρ mapping of cartilage with CS is feasible up to AF of 10 when using STFD, EXP or L+S SFD regularizers. These three best CS methods performed satisfactorily on synthetic phantom and in vivo knee cartilage for AFs up to 10, with T1ρ error of 6.5%.
Surgery nurses' telephone communication: a mixed methods study with a special focus on newcomers' calls
Authors: González‐Martínez Esther , Piotrowska Katarzyna , Sterie Anca‐Cristina , Vaucher Carla 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAimsThe aim of this study was (i) to document the main features of surgery nurses' telephone calls, with a special focus on newcomers' calls; and (ii) to identify the main activities accomplished during the newcomers' calls.DesignMixed methods study.MethodsWe audio recorded telephone calls internal to the hospital in two surgery nursing stations. We performed statistical descriptive analysis of the total collection of calls and of those specifically involving the newcomers and compared both sets. We also performed conversation analysis‐based coding of the main activities accomplished during newcomers' calls.ResultsSurgery nurses' telephone calls are extremely brief, predominantly nurse initiated and take place with a wide range of interlocutors who, for the most part, use mobile phones. The newcomers' calls are only slightly longer, take place with a more limited, but still wide, range of interlocutors and are even more often nurse initiated. The main activities of newcomers' calls are requests and activities related to connecting relevant interlocutors.
Patients’ complaints regarding healthcare encounters and communication
Authors: Skär Lisa , Söderberg Siv 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAimTo explore patient‐reported complaints regarding communication and healthcare encounters and how these were responded to by healthcare professionals.DesignA retrospective and descriptive design was used in a County Council in northern part of Sweden. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used.MethodsThe content of 587 patient‐reported complaints was included in the study. Descriptive statistical analysis and a deductive content analysis were used to investigate the content in the patient‐reported complaints.ResultsThe results show that patients’ dissatisfaction with encounters and communication concerned all departments in the healthcare organization. Patients were most dissatisfied when they were not met in a professional manner. There were differences between genders, where women reported more complaints regarding their dissatisfaction with encounters and communication compared with men. Many of the answers on the patient‐reported complaints lack a personal apology and some of the patients failed to receive an answer to their complaints.