bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temporal trends in disease presentation and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A real‐world experience from 1998 to 2015
Authors: Kim Nathan G. , Nguyen Pauline P. , Dang Hansen , Kumari Radhika , Garcia Gabriel , Esquivel Carlos O. , Nguyen Mindie H. 
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUNDHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the few cancers whose incidence continues to increase. The goal of the current study was to investigate the presentation and survival trends of patients with HCC presenting to a university hospital between 1998 and 2015.METHODSStudy data were ascertained by individual chart review with survival data also supplemented by National Death Index query up to December 31, 2015. Patients were divided into three 6‐year groups by diagnosis date (1998‐2003, 2004‐2009, and 2010‐2015).RESULTSA total of 2106 consecutive patients with HCC were included. The majority of patients had either hepatitis C (56.7%) or hepatitis B (22.1%), but cases of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis HCC increased by 68% over the most recent time period. Screening/surveillance identified 61% of HCC cases, but only 31% of these patients underwent curative treatment, which did not increase significantly over time. The overall median survival was 29.8 months (2.48 years) and without improvement over time. On multivariable analysis, Asian or Hispanic ethnicity, meeting Milan criteria, and receiving any of the standard HCC treatments were found to be significantly associated with improved survival, but diagnosis time period and liver disease etiology were not.CONCLUSIONSOver the last 18 years, the percentage of cases of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis HCC has increased but not overall survival. It is interesting to note that only 31% of patients with HCC identified via screening/surveillance received any curative treatment. Further research is needed to better understand the barriers to curative care for patients with HCC and the causes of the lack of improvement in survival in the more recent patient cohort. Cancer 2018;124:2588‐98. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Analysis of Neuropsychiatric Disease‐Related Functional Neuroanatomical Markers in Mice
Authors: Garrett Lillian , Ung Marie‐Claire , Heermann Tamara , Niedermeier Kristina M. , Hölter Sabine 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA better alignment of preclinical and clinical neurobiological measures could help improve neuropsychiatric disease therapeutic development. This unit describes a compendium of hypothesis‐driven neuroanatomical phenotyping strategies to be employed in genetic mouse models. Using neuropsychiatric disease‐based alterations as a guide, these are histological and immunohistochemical methodologies also applied to human tissue. They include quantification assays of neurochemical‐, newly born neuron‐ and glial‐cell markers, synaptic proteins, regional volumetrics, dendritic complexity and spine number as well as an index of excitation/inhibition balance. The techniques can be implemented in isolation or to complement concordant behavioral and electrophysiological analyses. Each outcome will provide functional detail necessary to decipher underlying neural circuit abnormalities associated with a brain‐related phenotype in mice. Experimental design, timing, anticipated results and potential pitfalls are discussed. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Production of Humanized Mice Through Stem Cell Transfer
Authors: Huey Devra D. , Niewiesk Stefan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe development of humanized mice has become a prominent tool for translational animal studies of human diseases. Immune‐deficient mice can be “humanized” by injections of human umbilical cord stem cells. The engraftment of these cells and development into human lymphocytes has been possible because of the development of novel, severely immune deficient mouse strains. Proven protocols for the generation and analysis of humanized mice on the NSG mouse background is presented here. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Noninvasive Electroretinographic Procedures for the Study of the Mouse Retina
Authors: Kinoshita Junzo , Peachey Neal S. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractOverall retinal function can be monitored by recording the light‐evoked response of the eye at the corneal surface. The major components of the electroretinogram (ERG) provide important information regarding the functional status of many retinal cell types including rod photoreceptors, cone photoreceptors, bipolar cells, and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The ERG can be readily recorded from mice, and this unit describes procedures for mouse anesthesia and the use of stimulation and recording procedures for measuring ERGs that reflect the response properties of different retinal cell types. Through these, the mouse ERG provides a noninvasive approach to measure multiple aspects of outer retinal function, including the status of the initial rod and cone pathways, rod photoreceptor deactivation, rod dark adaptation, the photoreceptor‐to‐bipolar cell synapse, and the RPE. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Synthesis of ENA Nucleotides and ENA Oligonucleotides
Authors: Morita Koji , Koizumi Makoto 
Published: April 2018

Abstract2′‐O,4′‐C‐Ethylene‐bridged nucleic acid (ENA) is a sugar‐modified oligonucleotide with an ethylene bridge between the 2′‐oxygen and 4′‐carbon of ribose. ENA not only has as high binding affinity to complementary RNA as conventional bridged/locked nucleic acid, but also has much higher nuclease resistance in plasma, which makes it a promising candidate for antisense therapeutics. This unit presents detailed protocols for the synthesis and characterization of ENA nucleosides and oligonucleotides. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Synthesis of Dye‐Modified Oligonucleotides via Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Alkyne Azide Cycloaddition Using On‐ and Off‐Bead Approaches
Authors: Schwechheimer Christian , Doll Larissa , Wagenknecht Hans‐Achim 
Published: April 2018

AbstractFluorescence molecular imaging is widely used to visualize and observe different biomolecules, in particular DNA and RNA, in vivo and in real time. Typically, DNA strands are tagged with only one fluorophore, and, in the case of molecular beacons, an additional quencher is conjugated, which bears the risk of false‐positive or false‐negative results because only fluorescence intensities at one fluorescence wavelength (color) are compared. To address this drawback, the concept of “DNA/RNA traffic lights,” which is characterized by a fluorescence color change due to energy transfer between two dyes, was developed by our working group. For these DNA and RNA systems, the oligonucleotides are post‐synthetically labeled, specifically after solid‐phase synthesis by chemical means, with a fluorescent dye using copper(I)‐catalyzed cycloaddition at the 2′ position of single uridines. In order to functionalize oligonucleotides with several different labels, an on‐resin method is required to ensure the necessary selectivity. This unit describes two different CuAAC (“click”) approaches—in solution (post‐synthetic) and on solid phase (during synthesis)—for the attachment of fluorophores to the 2′ position of DNA. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Chemical Quenching of Singlet Oxygen and Other Reactive Oxygen Species in Water: A Reliable Method for the Determination of Quantum Yields in Photochemical Processes?
Authors: Le Bechec Mickael , Pigot Thierry , Lacombe Sylvie 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe production of singlet oxygen in aqueous solutions by photosensitizers (PS) grafted on silica was evaluated using the widely‐known singlet oxygen quencher, furfuryl alcohol (FFA). Although reliable data could be obtained when working with some of the water‐soluble PS in homogeneous solution, strong diffusion effects prevented the measurement of accurate singlet oxygen quantum yields of the silica materials. Moreover, when electron‐transfer reactions were possible and produced other reactive oxygen species (ROS), FFA oxidation did not result from singlet oxygen production but from electron transfer steps, as, for example, with TiO2 or with anthraquinone derivatives. Some literature data on singlet oxygen quantum yields with aqueous semiconductor suspensions in the presence of FFA have thus to be considered with care. Other issues were also raised with selective quenchers for other ROS such as hydroxyl radicals or superoxide radical anions and emphasize significant artefacts mainly arising from adsorption effects. The results obtained with anthraquinone derivatives confirmed its ubiquitous photochemical behavior and appeared as complex as that of the water‐soluble anthraquinone‐2‐sulfonate AQ2S. In any case, the covalent grafting of PSs on silica allows tuning the oxidative properties of the material. It also makes possible the efficient production of singlet oxygen by water‐insoluble PS, such as cyanoanthracene derivatives, in aqueous solutions.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Functionalization of Kraft Lignin: Ether Linkages through the Telomerization Reaction
Authors: Dumont Clément , Gauvin Régis M. , Belva Frédéric , Sauthier Mathieu 
Published: April 2018

AbstractKraft lignin was efficiently functionalized with octadienyl ether linkages through the palladium‐catalyzed telomerization of 1,3‐butadiene. Comparison with molecular model substrates assessed the grafting of phenols and alcohols and an optimization study led to up to 69 % conversion of the total number of hydroxyl groups present in lignin. This catalytic study evidenced the partial oxidation of triphenylphosphine into triphenylphosphine oxide and triphenylphosphine sulfide by contaminants present in the industrial grade kraft lignin. The telomerised lignin is a malleable material and a preliminary study of the thermal properties showed a decrease in the glass transition in comparison with the starting material.
Polysulfide Binding to Several Nanoscale Magnéli Phases Synthesized in Carbon for Long‐Life Lithium–Sulfur Battery Cathodes
Authors: Zubair Usman , Amici Julia , Francia Carlotta , McNulty David , Bodoardo Silvia , O'Dwyer Colm 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn Li–S batteries, it is important to ensure efficient reversible conversion of sulfur to lithium polysulfide (LiPS). Shuttling effects caused by LiPS dissolution can lead to reduced performance and cycle life. Although carbon materials rely on physical trapping of polysulfides, polar oxide surfaces can chemically bind LiPS to improve the stability of sulfur cathodes. We show a simple synthetic method that allows high sulfur loading into mesoporous carbon preloaded with spatially localized nanoparticles of several Magnéli‐phase titanium oxide (TinO2n−1). This material simultaneously suppresses polysulfide shuttling phenomena by chemically binding Li polysulfides onto several Magnéli‐phase surfaces in a single cathode and ensures physical confinement of sulfur and LiPS. The synergy between chemical immobilization of significant quantities of LiPS at the surface of several TinO2n−1 phases and physical entrapment results in coulombically efficient high‐rate cathodes with long cycle life and high capacity. These cathodes function efficiently at low electrolyte‐to‐sulfur ratios to provide high gravimetric and volumetric capacities in comparison with their highly porous carbon counterparts. Assembled coin cells have an initial discharge capacity of 1100 mAh g−1 at 0.1C and maintain a reversible capacity of 520 mAh g−1 at 0.2C for more than 500 cycles. Even at 1C, the cell loses only 0.06 % per cycle for 1000 cycles with a coulombic efficiency close to 99 %.
Production of Plant Phthalate and its Hydrogenated Derivative from Bio‐Based Platform Chemicals
Authors: Lu Rui , Lu Fang , Si Xiaoqin , Jiang Huifang , Huang Qianqian , Yu Weiqiang , Kong Xiangtao , Xu Jie 
Published: April 2018

AbstractDirect transformation of bio‐based platform chemicals into aromatic dicarboxylic acids and their derivatives, which are widely used for the manufacture of polymers, is of significant importance for the sustainable development of the plastics industry. However, limited successful chemical processes have been reported. This study concerns a sustainable route for the production of phthalate and its hydrogenated derivative from bio‐based malic acid and erythritol. The key Diels–Alder reaction is applied to build a substituted cyclohexene structure. The dehydration reaction of malic acid affords fumaric acid with 96.6 % yield, which could be used as the dienophile, and 1,3‐butadiene generated in situ through erythritol deoxydehydration serves as the diene. Starting from erythritol and dibutyl fumarate, a 74.3 % yield of dibutyl trans‐4‐cyclohexene‐1,2‐dicarboxylate is obtained. The palladium‐catalyzed dehydrogenation of the cycloadduct gives a 77.8 % yield of dibutyl phthalate. Dibutyl trans‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐dicarboxylate could be formed in nearly 100 % yield under mild conditions by hydrogenation of the cycloadduct. Furthermore, fumaric acid and fumarate, with trans configurations, were found to be better dienophiles for this Diels–Alder reaction than maleic acid and maleate, with cis configuration, based on the experimental and computational results. This new route will pave the way for the production of environmental friendly plastic materials from plants.
A feasibility study: association between gut microbiota enterotype and antibody response to seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine in adults
Authors: Shortt Nick , Poyntz Hazel , Young Wayne , Jones Angela , Gestin Aurélie , Mooney Anna , Thayabaran Darmiga , Sparks Jenny , Ostapowicz Tess , Tay Audrey , Poppitt Sally , Elliott Sarah , Wakefield Georgia , Parry‐Strong Amber , Ralston Jacqui , Gasser Olivier , Beasley Richard , Weatherall Mark , Braithwaite Irene , Forbes‐Blom Elizabeth 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectiveWe investigated the potential feasibility of a randomized controlled trial of a nutritional intervention that may alter human gut microbiota and support immune defence against respiratory tract infection in adults (Proposed Study).MethodsIn total, 125 healthy adults aged 18–64 participated in a 6‐month study that measured antibody response to the seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine. We assessed completion rates, procedure adherence rates and the influence of possible exclusion criteria on potential recruitment into the Proposed Study. We examined whether the gut microbiota could be categorised into enterotypes, and whether there was an association between enterotypes and the antibody response to the influenza vaccine.ResultsThe participant completion rate was 97.6% (95% CI 93.1–99.5%). The proportions (95% CI) of participants who may be excluded for antibiotic or corticosteroid use in the 30 days prior to the study, or due to receiving the influenza vaccine in the previous two years were 9.6% (5.1–16.2), 8.0% (3.9–14.2) and 61.6% (52.5–70.2), respectively. All participants were stratified into four gut microbiota enterotypes. There was no association between these enterotypes and the antibody response to the influenza vaccine, although the study was not powered for this outcome.ConclusionThis study design is suitable for the Proposed Study. The completion rate is likely to be high, although exclusion criteria should be selected with care. Further analyses of gut microbiota composition or function in association with antibody and immune responses are warranted to explore the role of host–microbiota interactions on protective immunity.
Deployment and validation of out of band IP traceback approach (OBTA) in wireless mesh network
Authors: Gassara Mouna , Bouabidi Imen , Zarai Faouzi , Obaidat Mohammad S. ,   Fellow of IEEE and Fellow of SCS, Hsiao Kuei‐Fang 
Published: April 2018

SummaryWireless mesh networks (WMNs) have acquired recently enormous attention and momentum; therefore, security aspects have been a fundamental concern for them. Among catastrophic threats on WMNs, Denial‐of‐Service attacks that have become a severe danger because of their plug‐and‐play structural design. Unfortunately, preventing a Denial‐of‐Service attack presents a challenging issue. This fact is induced with the appearance of the source IP addresses spoofing. The resolution key of this issue is to reveal the attack source based on the path through which the attack packet passes. For this, many researchers in IP traceability field propose various methods and techniques to deal with the issue. In this article, we conceive a novel approach named out of band IP traceback approach in WMN (IEEE 802.11s). We create a new architecture using signaling messages for discovering the real source(s) of IP packets. Our solution is based on a security‐oriented signaling protocol. This protocol allows specialized signaling entities to communicate via reliable signaling information. This fact permits us to perform a simple and efficient traceback. In our novel approach, we use 2 radios: the first one transmits normal data packets whereas the second is reserved to exchange IP traceback information. The performance of the proposed scheme is analyzed via simulation analysis using the Network Simulator 3. The simulation results show that our scheme is efficient in dealing with the traceback problem in WMN environments.
A method to calculate a locally relevant water year for ecohydrological studies using eddy covariance data
Authors: Kamps Ray H. , Heilman James L. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIncreased rainfall variability due to climate change significantly impacts carbon and water cycling in ecosystems, but these impacts may be masked when using arbitrary annual reporting periods such as the calendar year, which may not have any relevance to natural annual ecosystem processes. A variety of alternative annual integration periods have been described for specific purposes or locations, but are of limited general applicability. Here, we present an eddy covariance data‐driven empirical method to determine a locally relevant annual time period. The method selects a start date for a locally relevant water year (LRWY) that maximizes correlation between annual precipitation (AP), and annual evapotranspiration (AET) and annual gross primary production. The method was tested using data from 2004 to 2013 for 2 Ameriflux sites (woodland and grassland) in Central Texas. The timeframe included periods of unusually high rainfall and periods of extreme drought. The highest correlation between AP, and AET and annual gross primary production was obtained with an LRWY beginning in mid‐September. Use of the LRWY better captured the impact of soil water recharge in the autumn on photosynthesis the following spring than did calendar years. Use of the LRWY also identified more annual periods in which AET exceeded AP, which more accurately reflected the impact of drought on ecosystems processes than did analysis based on calendar years.
Spatio‐temporal dynamics of macroinvertebrate communities in northeast Greenlandic snowmelt streams
Authors: Docherty Catherine L. , Hannah David M. , Riis Tenna , Lund Magnus , Abermann Jakob , Milner Alexander M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractFuture climate change throughout the Arctic is expected to increase channel stability in glacially influenced streams through reduced contributions from glacial meltwater and increases in groundwater. In contrast, predictions for northeast Greenland of increased precipitation for the next 100 years—including winter snowfall—which with warmer air temperature, is expected to increase the size of spring floods in snowmelt streams. Coupled with increased disturbance through frequent summer rainfall events, nivation processes and permafrost degradation will reduce resistance of channel sediments to erosion and thereby decrease channel stability. Decreased channel stability will impact macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity. Five streams sourced by snowpacks of varying extent were studied over 3 summer seasons (2013–2015) to investigate the potential effect of shift in snowmelt regime on macroinvertebrate communities.Total abundance and taxa richness were significantly higher in streams with small snowpacks, where the chironomid genus Hydrobaenus was the most abundant taxon. Streams with large snowpacks were dominated by the chironomid genus Diamesa. Multivariate ordination models and correlation indicated that macroinvertebrate communities were significantly influenced by channel stability and bed sediment size. Macroinvertebrate abundance was significantly higher in 2013, following low winter snowfall and associated low meltwater inputs to streams, highlighting interannual variability in macroinvertebrate communities.A shift towards less stable habitats in snowmelt streams will potentially lead to reduced macroinvertebrate abundance and taxa richness, and local extinction of specialized taxa. Thus, snowmelt‐fed streams in northeast Greenland may respond very differently to changing climate compared with streams in parts of the Arctic dominated by glacial meltwater.
There Is More to Life Than Evaluation Logic and Data: Trusting Gut Feeling
Authors: Donaldson Stewart I. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn a 2014 AEA session, Stewart I. Donaldson shared his surprise that in his approach to evaluation of his own evaluands, he tends to be emotionally intuitive in addition to following the rational approaches he advocates to students and colleagues. He explores this discovery through reflection on experiences bridging multiple cultures in informal and formal settings. See the interview document here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1002/ev.20284/suppinfo. Read only. This should not be used in any form without explicit permission from the author.
Combining Intuition and Rationality
Authors: Hurteau Marthe 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMarthe Hurteau notes how she has tried to combine good aspects of her mother's nonprofessional intuition approach to evaluation with her father's evidence‐based and rational criminal judge evaluation approach. She finds that when she can do the best of both, her personal and professional evaluations are better. See the interview document here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1002/ev.20286/suppinfo. Read only. This should not be used in any form without explicit permission from the author.
Speculations About My Roots as a Program Evaluator
Authors: Brandon Paul R. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPaul R. Brandon reflects on values he developed throughout his life and how they contributed to his eventual career as an evaluator based in Hawaii. See the interview document here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1002/ev.20287/suppinfo. Read only. This should not be used in any form without explicit permission from the author.
Finding a Practical Niche in an Academic Space
Authors: Davidson E. Jane 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn a 2014 AEA session, E. Jane Davidson presented some of her ideas about her practice‐based theory that she adapted from her logical/rational electrician dad. A partial transcription of her talk reveals a little bit about her Kiwi ancestry and subsequent educational experiences she feels are relevant to how she evaluates in life and as a professional. See the interview document here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1002/ev.20298/suppinfo. Read only. This should not be used in any form without explicit permission from the author.
Dating and the Need for Establishing Evaluation Criteria
Authors: Davies Randall 
Published: April 2018

AbstractOne of Randall Davies’ evaluation students once told him that everything in life can be related to dating. He uses a high school dating story to illustrate the claim that we make informal evaluations regularly. He notes that coming up with good criteria (value‐based quality or success indicators) that are shared across stakeholders in formal evaluations involves balancing what can be easily measured with the more important criteria that can only be discovered over time and deep engagement with all participants. See the interview document here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1002/ev.20308/suppinfo. Read only. This should not be used in any form without explicit permission from the author.