bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optical phonons and its effect on physical properties of rare-earth orthoferrites RFeO3 (R = La, Nd, Gd, Dy, Er): IR reflectivity measurements
Authors: Jamil Muhammad Tufiq , Ahmad Javed , Bukhari Syed Hamad , Ahmad Hammad 
Published: July 2018

We have investigated the infrared reflectivity, UV-visible spectra and electrical property of polycrystalline RFeO3 (R = La, Nd, Gd, Dy, Er) synthesized by sol–gel method. Analysis of IR reflectivity spectra through Lorentz oscillator model has led to the observation of 14 IR active phonon modes out of 25 predicted modes. The results have been discussed in terms of different phonon bands related to the origin of atomic vibrations, which provides information about the structural evolution. The energy bandgap [Formula: see text]1.67–1.90 eV estimated from optical conductivity ([Formula: see text]([Formula: see text])) spectrum is found consistent both with that calculated from UV-visible spectra and estimated from electrical measurements.
First-principles calculations of structural, electronic, magnetic, elastic and optical properties of tetragonal zircon-type CeVO4
Authors: Chen Wen-Qi , Wang Hao , Mu Yi , Hu Cui-E , Cheng Yan 
Published: July 2018

We have performed comprehensive first-principle calculations to investigate the structural, electronic, magnetic, elastic and optical properties of the tetragonal zircon-type CeVO4. The local density approximation plus U (LDA+U) and generalized gradient approximation plus U (GGA+U) methods are used to interpret the strong Coulomb repulsion among the localized Ce 4f electrons. Without the effective U parameters, the obtained ground state of the ferromagnetic (FM) metal is not consistent with the experimental result. However, we can get the antiferromagnetic (AFM2: the magnetic ground state) insulating ground state for CeVO4 by LDA+U and GGA+U. It reveals that the result is in agreement with the experiment. For AFM2 CeVO4, the dependence of properties on the U parameters has been studied in detail. The effect of spin–orbit coupling (SOC) has also been investigated in detail. The demonstrated properties include volume, lattice parameters, bandgap, the density of states (DOS) and spin magnetic moment of Ce atom. With the Hubbard U parameter around 6 eV, the lattice parameters (a=7.396 Å, V=351.82 Å3, c/a=0.874), bulk modulus B0 (121 GPa), insulating gap (2.157 eV) and magnetic moment (0.97 [Formula: see text] per Ce atom) are consistent with the experiments and other theoretical results. Besides, the elasticity-related properties and optical properties have also been calculated for U=0,2,4 and 6 eV.
A Survey of End-System Optimizations for High-Speed Networks
Authors: Hanford Nathan , Ahuja Vishal , Farrens Matthew K. , Tierney Brian , Ghosal Dipak 
Published: July 2018

The gap is widening between the processor clock speed of end-system architectures and network throughput capabilities. It is now physically possible to provide single-flow throughput of speeds up to 100 Gbps, and 400 Gbps will soon be possible. Most current research into high-speed data networking focuses on managing expanding network capabilities within datacenter Local Area Networks (LANs) or efficiently multiplexing millions of relatively small flows through a Wide Area Network (WAN). However, datacenter hyper-convergence places high-throughput networking workloads on general-purpose hardware, and distributed High-Performance Computing (HPC) applications require time-sensitive, high-throughput end-to-end flows (also referred to as “elephant flows”) to occur over WANs. For these applications, the bottleneck is often the end-system and not the intervening network. Since the problem of the end-system bottleneck was uncovered, many techniques have been developed which address this mismatch with varying degrees of effectiveness. In this survey, we describe the most promising techniques, beginning with network architectures and NIC design, continuing with operating and end-system architectures, and concluding with clean-slate protocol design.
Computing Critical Nodes in Directed Graphs
Authors: Paudel Nilakantha , Georgiadis Loukas , Italiano Giuseppe F. 
Published: July 2018

We consider the critical node detection problem (CNDP) in directed graphs, which can be defined as follows. Given a directed graph
G
and a parameter
k
, we wish to remove a subset
S
of at most
k
vertices of
G
such that the residual graph
G
∖
S
has minimum pairwise strong connectivity. This problem is NP-hard, and thus we are interested in practical heuristics. In this article, we apply the framework of Georgiadis et al. (SODA 2017) and provide a sophisticated linear-time algorithm for the
k
=1 case. Based on this algorithm, we provide an efficient heuristic for the general case. Then, we conduct a thorough experimental evaluation of various heuristics for CNDP. Our experimental results suggest that our heuristic performs very well in practice, both in terms of running time and of solution quality.
IL1 Receptor Antagonist Controls Transcriptional Signature of Inflammation in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Wu Te-Chia , Xu Kangling , Martinek Jan , Young Robyn R. , Banchereau Romain , George Joshy , Turner Jacob , Kim Kyung In , Zurawski Sandra , Wang Xuan , Blankenship Derek , Brookes Hannah M. , Marches Florentina , Obermoser Gerlinde , Lavecchio Elizabeth , Levin Maren K. , Bae Sookyoung , Chung Cheng-Han , Smith Jennifer L. , Cepika Alma-Martina , Oxley Kyp L. , Snipes George J. , Banchereau Jacques , Pascual Virginia , O'Shaughnessy Joyce , Palucka A. Karolina 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
Inflammation affects tumor immune surveillance and resistance to therapy. Here, we show that production of IL1β in primary breast cancer tumors is linked with advanced disease and originates from tumor-infiltrating CD11c+ myeloid cells. IL1β production is triggered by cancer cell membrane–derived TGFβ. Neutralizing TGFβ or IL1 receptor prevents breast cancer progression in humanized mouse model. Patients with metastatic HER2− breast cancer display a transcriptional signature of inflammation in the blood leukocytes, which is attenuated after IL1 blockade. When present in primary breast cancer tumors, this signature discriminates patients with poor clinical outcomes in two independent public datasets (TCGA and METABRIC).
Significance: IL1β orchestrates tumor-promoting inflammation in breast cancer and can be targeted in patients using an IL1 receptor antagonist. Cancer Res; 78(18); 5243–58. ©2018 AACR.
See related commentary by Dinarello, p. 5200
The Splicing Factor PTBP1 Promotes Expression of Oncogenic Splice Variants and Predicts Poor Prognosis in Patients with Non–muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
Authors: Bielli Pamela , Panzeri Valentina , Lattanzio Rossano , Mutascio Simona , Pieraccioli Marco , Volpe Elisabetta , Pagliarulo Vincenzo , Piantelli Mauro , Giannantoni Antonella , Di Stasi Savino M. , Sette Claudio 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
Purpose: Non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a malignant disease characterized by high heterogeneity, which corresponds to dysregulated gene expression and alternative splicing (AS) profiles. Bioinformatics analyses of splicing factors potentially linked to bladder cancer progression identified the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein I (i.e., PTBP1) as candidate. This study aimed at investigating whether PTBP1 expression associates with clinical outcome in patients with NMIBC.
Experimental Design: A cohort of 152 patients presenting with primary NMIBC (pTa-pT1) was enrolled. Primary NMIBCs were assessed for PTBP1 expression by IHC, and the results were correlated with clinical data using Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression analyses. Cell proliferation and survival assays were performed to assess the function of PTBP1. Furthermore, the impact of PTBP1 on the AS pattern of specific bladder cancer–related genes was investigated in cancer cell lines and in patients' specimens.
Results: Public datasets querying highlighted a positive correlation between PTBP1 expression and NMIBC progression, which was then confirmed by IHC analysis. High PTBP1 expression was associated with worse clinical outcome in terms of incidence of tumor relapse and survival in patients with NMIBC. Interestingly, downregulation of PTBP1 in bladder cancer cell lines affected prosurvival features. Accordingly, PTBP1 modulated AS of bladder cancer–related genes in cell lines and patient's specimens.
Conclusions: PTBP1 expression correlates with disease progression, poor prognosis, and worse survival in patients with NMIBC. Downregulation of PTBP1 expression affects prosurvival features of bladder cancer cells and modulates AS of genes with relevance for bladder cancer, suggesting its role as an outcome-predictor in this disease. Clin Cancer Res; 24(21); 5422–32. ©2018 AACR.
Metformin Inhibits Prostate Cancer Progression by Targeting Tumor-Associated Inflammatory Infiltration
Authors: Liu Qiuli , Tong Dali , Liu Gaolei , Gao Jie , Wang Lin-ang , Xu Jing , Yang Xingxia , Xie Qiubo , Huang Yiqiang , Pang Jian , Wang Luofu , He Yong , Zhang Dianzheng , Ma Qiang , Lan Weihua , Jiang Jun 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
Purpose: Inflammatory infiltration plays important roles in both carcinogenesis and metastasis. We are interested in understanding the inhibitory mechanism of metformin on tumor-associated inflammation in prostate cancer.
Experimental Design: By using a transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) mouse model, in vitro macrophage migration assays, and patient samples, we examined the effect of metformin on tumor-associated inflammation during the initiation and after androgen deprivation therapy of prostate cancer.
Results: Treating TRAMP mice with metformin delays prostate cancer progression from low-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia to high-grade PIN, undifferentiated to well-differentiated, and PIN to adenocarcinoma with concurrent inhibition of inflammatory infiltration evidenced by reduced recruitment of macrophages. Furthermore, metformin is capable of inhibiting the following processes: inflammatory infiltration after androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) induced by surgically castration in mice, bicalutamide treatment in patients, and hormone deprivation in LNCaP cells. Mechanistically, metformin represses inflammatory infiltration by downregulating both COX2 and PGE2 in tumor cells.
Conclusions: Metformin is capable of repressing prostate cancer progression by inhibiting infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages, especially those induced by ADT, by inhibiting the COX2/PGE2 axis, suggesting that a combination of ADT with metformin could be a more efficient therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer treatment. Clin Cancer Res; 24(22); 5622–34. ©2018 AACR.
CARs versus BiTEs: A Comparison between T Cell–Redirection Strategies for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Slaney Clare Y. , Wang Pin , Darcy Phillip K. , Kershaw Michael H. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe redirection of T cells against tumors holds much promise for the treatment of cancer. Two main approaches for T-cell redirection involve their genetic modification with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR), or the use of recombinant proteins designated bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTE). These approaches have demonstrated dramatic effects in patients with hematologic cancers, although limited effect against solid cancers. Here, we review and compare the successes and challenges of these two types of immunotherapies, with special focus on their mechanisms, and discuss strategies to improve their efficacy against cancer.Significance: CAR and BiTE cancer therapies have generated much excitement, but although the therapies are potentially competitive, information directly comparing the two is difficult to obtain. Here, we present the fundamentals of each approach and compare the range and level of functions they can elicit from T cells, and their efficacy against cancers. Cancer Discov; 8(8); 924–34. ©2018 AACR.
Sciences and the participation of the populations in technical and scientifical choices – Disputes, economy and forms of government
Authors: PESTRE Dominique 
Published: July 2018

L’article se penche sur la "participation" des populations à la régulation des techno-sciences et des techno-produits qui arrivent sur les marchés et affectent les modes de vie, l’environnement ou la santé. Une double thèse y est développée. La première conduit à la nécessité de réfléchir aux moyens de défendre et protéger celles et ceux qui interrogent les pratiques techno-industrielles (quant à la sécurité des systèmes mis en oeuvre par exemple) ou qui questionnent les certitudes académiques (lorsque celles-ci légifèrent trop vite sur des questions en jeu dans l’espace public). La deuxième thèse propose de placer la question de la participation dans des perspectives politiques et économiques plus vastes, en lien aux univers des marchés et de la politique professionnelle. Une conclusion majeure est que la participation est toujours invoquée formellement mais qu’on tend en pratique à réduire son usage aux cas exceptionnels où la bataille publique fait rage et ne peut être évitée ; dans les autres cas, on la contourne en la remplaçant par exemple par l’éthique instituée en comités – comités fermés mais censés "représenter la Société Civile", capables d’agir vite et, s’ils sont bien choisis, dans la bonne direction. On passe ainsi d’une régulation par la loi et le droit d’une part, des procédures participatives ouvertes de l’autre, à des formes de régulation fermées et ad hoc permettant la mise rapide sur le marché de nouvelles technologies.
Risk Stratification of Type 2 Long-QT Syndrome Mutation Carriers With Normal QTc Interval
Authors: Platonov Pyotr G , McNitt Scott , Polonsky Bronislava , Rosero Spencer Z. , Kutyifa Valentina , Huang Allison , Moss Arthur J. , Zareba Wojciech 
Published: July 2018

Background:
Long-QT (LQT) syndrome mutation carriers have higher risk of cardiac events than unaffected family members even in the absence of QTc prolongation. Changes in T-wave morphology may reflect penetrance of LQT syndrome mutations. We aimed to assess whether T-wave morphology may improve risk stratification of LQT2 mutation carriers with normal QTc interval.

Methods:

LQT2 mutation carriers with QTc <460 ms in men and <470 ms in women (n=154) were compared with unaffected family members (n=1007). Baseline ECGs recorded at age ≥18 years underwent blinded assessment. Flat, notched, or negative T waves in leads II or V
5
were considered abnormal. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the association between T-wave morphology, the presence of mutations in the pore region of
KCNH2
, and the risk of cardiac events defined as syncope, aborted cardiac arrest, defibrillator therapy, or sudden cardiac death. Sex-specific associations were estimated using interactions terms.

Results:

LQT2 female carriers with abnormal T-wave morphology had significantly higher risk of cardiac events compared with LQT2 female carriers with normal T waves (hazard ratio, 3.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.68–6.52;
P
=0.001), whereas this association was not significant in men. LQT2 men with pore location of mutations have significantly higher risk of cardiac events than those with nonpore mutations (hazard ratio, 6.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.50–24.08;
P
=0.011), whereas no such association was found in women.

Conclusions:
The risk of cardiac events in LQT2 carriers with normal QTc is associated with abnormal T-wave morphology in women and pore location of mutation in men. The findings further indicate sex-specific differences in phenotype and genotype relationship in LQT2 patients.
Age Threshold for Ischemic Stroke Risk in Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Kim Tae-Hoon , Yang Pil-Sung , Yu Hee Tae , Jang Eunsun , Uhm Jae-Sun , Kim Jong-Youn , Pak Hui-Nam , Lee Moon-Hyoung , Joung Boyoung , Lip Gregory Y.H. 
Published: July 2018

Background and Purpose—

Although older age is one of the most important risk factor for stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF), the appropriate age threshold (eg, CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc score [congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years (doubled), diabetes mellitus, prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (doubled), vascular disease, age 65–74 years, female], 1 point for age 65–74 years, 2 points for age ≥75 years) for increased risk is controversial because actual age thresholds may differ between countries and ethnic groups. We investigated the age threshold for ischemic stroke risk among Asian AF patients.

Methods—

Using National Health Insurance Service database, including 426 650 oral anticoagulant–naive nonvalvular AF patients from 2005 to 2015, with ≤2 nongender-related CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc risk scores (CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc score 0–2 in males, 1–3 in females), we assessed the risk of ischemic stroke in AF patients according to the age.

Results—
Patients who fulfill the age risk criterion (age, 65–74 years) without other risk factors showed a significantly higher risk of stroke (4.76 per 100 person-years [100PY]; adjusted hazard ratio, 2.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.17–2.36) compared with patients with 1 risk score other than age (1.87/100PY). Patients aged 55 to 59 years with no risk factors showed similar risk of stroke (1.94/100PY; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.90–1.00) than patients with 1 risk score (2.06/100PY). Patients aged 65 to 69 years and no other risk factors had similar stroke risk (4.08/100PY; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.90–0.97) than patients with 2 nongender-related risk scores (4.42/100PY).

Conclusions—

Older age is the most important predictor of ischemic stroke in AF, particularly for patients with low to intermediate risk of stroke. These nationwide data suggest lowering the current age threshold (age, ≥65 years) in the CHA
2
DS
2
-VASc score to age ≥55 years might be appropriate among Asian patients with AF.
Compound Motor Action Potential Measures Acute Changes in Laryngeal Innervation
Authors: Bhatt Neel K. , Kao Wee Tin K. , Paniello Randal C. 
Published: July 2018

Objective: Vocal fold paralysis is caused by injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). Current clinical measures of laryngeal innervation are often nonquantitative. Compound motor action potentials (CMAP) measure motor innervation. The goal of this study was to determine whether CMAP can quantify laryngeal innervation following acute nerve injury. Study Design: Animal study. Methods: Twelve canine hemilaryngeal preparations were used. The RLN was serially stimulated with increasing intensities until the nerve was maximally stimulated. The CMAP amplitude was measured for each intensity stimulation and correlated. Next, the RLN was incompletely transected, and the reduction in CMAP amplitude was correlated to the percentage of transected axons. The percentage of transected axons was determined using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) staining. Results: Combining all hemilaryngeal preparations, the submaximal stimulation of the RLN linearly correlated with the resultant CMAP amplitude (r = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.76-0.88). Following partial RLN transection, the percentage of remaining axons linearly correlated with the CMAP amplitude (r = 0.87; 95% CI, 0.34-0.98). Conclusions: CMAP amplitude is a quantitative measure that may correlate with the degree of vocal fold innervation in canines. Following RLN injury, CMAP may help clinicians quantify the number of intact axons, assess the likelihood of recovery, and counsel patients on their prognosis.
Educating public health champions
Authors: Robinson Sally , Brownett Tristi 
Published: July 2018

Objective: This article describes a university course that aimed to create public health champions and its evaluation. The course attracted 92 participants, over three cohorts. Participants included healthcare professionals, fitness instructors, a belly dancer, housing officers, community workers and those who worked in public health policy. Design: The course evaluation aimed to provide a longitudinal understanding of the participants’ learning and the impact of the course in terms of developing the attributes of public health champions. Setting: A university setting in England. Methods: Evaluation methods included questionnaires, self-assessment against UK Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework statements, ‘check out’ sentences post action learning set meetings, impact statements and unstructured interviews. Results: The evaluation illuminated the participants’ experience of their learning journey, which comprised cognitive, affective and conative learning, the development of public health competences and evidence of putting the learning into public health practice. Conclusion: In total, 76 participants achieved a university award. There was evidence of participants identifying the underlying causes of ill health and using an evidence-based approach to planning, partnership and influencing others. Some participants reported actions that indicated they had become transformative leaders and public health champions. The article discusses limitations to the evaluation and current challenges to public health workforce development in England.
Drug court handbooks suitability for programme participants with low literacy
Authors: Gill Marie E 
Published: July 2018

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the suitability of adult drug court handbooks for participants with low literacy. Methods: A convenience sample of seven drug court participant handbooks from urban drug courts in three regions of the USA were assessed for reading and literacy suitability for low-literacy learners using the Fry Index Readability Formula and the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM). The Fry Index Readability Formula follows an objective approach using a three-step process of counting three random samples of 100-word passages to calculate grade reading level. The SAM uses a 0–2 range scale to assess six distinct factors of written materials to yield a numerical score as superior, adequate or not suitable. Results: All handbooks were written above the reading level for low-literacy learners with scores at the eighth grade reading level or higher. A few handbooks scored adequate ratings in some SAM categories, and only two handbooks scored superior ratings in any one category. Overall SAM scores showed all handbooks were not suitable for low-literacy learners. Conclusion: Findings indicate that drug court participant handbooks from this sample are not written for low-literacy learners. Key recommendations are to develop a drug court handbook appropriate for participants with low literacy, assess drug court participants’ literacy for reading grade level and comprehension and provide multi-modal teaching formats to promote effective learning.