bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The efficacy of acupuncture in managing patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: A systemic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Chang Shang‐Chih , Hsu Chung‐Hua , Hsu Chun‐Kai , Yang Stephen Shei‐Dei , Chang Shang‐Jen 
Published: January 2016

ObjectivesThis study aimed to systemically review published randomized control trials that compared the efficacy of acupuncture with sham acupuncture or standard medical treatment as management for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).MethodsA systemic search of the PubMED®, Embase, Airiti Library, and China Journal Net was done for all randomized controlled trials that compared the efficacy of acupuncture with sham acupuncture, alpha‐blockers, antibiotics, or anti‐inflammatory drugs in patients with CP/CPPS. Two investigators conducted the literature search, quality assessment, and data extraction. The data were then analyzed using the Cochrane Collaboration Review Manager (RevMan®, version 5.3). The study endpoints were response rate, the National Institute of Health‐Chronic Prostatitis Index (NIH‐CPSI), and the International Prostate symptom score (IPSS) reduction.ResultsThree and four randomized controlled trials compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture (n = 101 vs. 103) and medical treatment (n = 156 vs. 138), respectively. The results revealed that acupuncture was superior to sham acupuncture as regards response rate (OR: 5.15, 95%CI: 2.72–9.75; P < 0.01), NIH‐CPSI (WMD: −6.09, 95%CI: −7.85 to −4.33), and IPSS (WMD: −2.44, 95%CI: −4.86 to −0.03; P = 0.05) reductions, therefore, excluding the placebo effect. Compared to standard medical treatments, acupuncture had a significantly higher response rate (OR: 3.57, 95%CI: 1.78–7.15; P < 0.01).ConclusionsAcupuncture has promising efficacy for patients with CP/CPPS. Compared to standard medical treatment, it has better efficacy. Thus, it may also serve as a standard treatment option when available. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:474–481, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quality of Life in Survivors of Pediatric Cancer and Their Siblings: The Consensus Between Parent‐Proxy and Self‐Reports
Authors: Schulte Fiona , Wurz Amanda , Reynolds Kathleen , Strother Douglas , Dewey Deborah 
Published: January 2016

ObjectivesTo examine the discrepancy between survivor–parent and sibling–parent reports of health‐related quality of life (HRQL) and the level of agreement (i.e., correlation) between child reports (i.e., survivor and sibling) and parent‐proxy reports of HRQL.MethodsFifty‐one families participated. Pediatric cancer survivors (49% male; 6–18 years of age) and one sibling (47% male; 9–18 years of age) completed a measure of their HRQL. As well, one parent (14% male; 27–65 years of age) from each family completed a proxy report of their children's (i.e., survivor and sibling) HRQL. Consensus was determined through discrepancy and agreement scores, between parent‐proxy and children's (i.e., survivors and siblings) self‐reports of total HRQL, and physical, emotional, social, and school functioning subscales.ResultsRepeated‐measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant group differences for total HRQL (F = 6.79, P ≤ 0.01). Repeated‐measure ANOVAs of subscale discrepancy scores revealed significant group differences for physical functioning scores (F = 6.39, P < 0.01). A significant interaction was also found for social functioning when age at diagnosis was considered as a covariate (F = 10.30, P < 0.01). Zero‐order and intraclass correlation coefficients revealed different levels of agreement between parent and child reports. Specifically, there was poorer agreement between parent‐proxy and sibling's self‐reports, particularly on social and emotional subscales.ConclusionsDiscrepancy and agreement are both important indices to consider when examining consensus between parent‐proxy and child self‐reports. The findings from this study have important implications for future research and suggest that the impact of cancer on siblings should be further investigated.
Two‐year outcomes after diagnostic and therapeutic fetal cystoscopy for lower urinary tract obstruction
Authors: Sananes Nicolas , Cruz‐Martinez Rogelio , Favre Romain , Ordorica‐Flores Ricardo , Moog Raphaël , Zaloszy Ariane , Giron Amilcar Martins , Ruano Rodrigo 
Published: January 2016

AbstractObjectivesOur objective is to report long‐term outcome after fetal cystoscopy for lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO), as well as to investigate the accuracy of fetal cystoscopy in diagnosing the cause of bladder outlet obstruction.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study of all fetuses who underwent cystoscopy for prenatal diagnosis of LUTO in three tertiary referral centers. Fetal diagnostic cystoscopy was performed to determine prenatally the cause of LUTO and to ablate the posterior urethral valves (PUV).ResultsA total of 50 fetal cystoscopies were performed, revealing PUV in 31 (62%) fetuses, urethral atresia (UA) in 14 (28%) fetuses, and urethral stenosis (US) in 5 (10%) fetuses. Two fetuses had trisomy 18 diagnosed after fetal cystoscopy and were excluded from the present analysis. Fetal cystoscopy was accurate in the diagnosis of the etiology of LUTO in 32/35 (91.4%). There were no survivors in the UA group. One fetus with US underwent urethral stenting and survived with normal renal function at 2 years of life. Among the infants with PUV, 17/30 (56.7%) infants survived, and 13/17 (76.5%) had normal renal function at 1 year of life; 15/28 (53.6%) infants survived, and 11/15 (73.3%) had normal renal function at 2 years.ConclusionsFetal cystoscopy is accurate in the diagnosis of the etiology of LUTO and serves as a guide to the specific prenatal treatment. This procedure is associated with modest long‐term survival (54%) but with adequate preserved normal renal function in two thirds of the infants among fetuses with PUV. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
It's the Christian Democrats' Fault: Declining Political Identification in Chile, 1957–2012
Authors: Navia Patricio , Osorio Rodrigo 
Published: January 2016

AbstractFor different reasons, identification with political parties has been on the decline everywhere. Using polling data, we show that political identification in Chile increased in times of polarization before 1973 and in the transition to democracy in 1990 and fell under democratic consolidation. The decline comes primarily from falling identification with the largest party, the centrist Christian Democratic Party (PDC). Assessing the determinants of party identification, we report that while in the 1960s the PDC had a wide appeal as it attracted voters identified with the left, centre and right, in recent years the PDC attracts support from centrists and older people.
ENT and airways in the emergency department: national survey of junior doctors' knowledge and skills
Authors: Whitcroft K L , Moss B , Mcrae A 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackground:Given the urgent nature of ENT emergencies, appropriate knowledge is required amongst front-line staff. Junior doctors account for almost one quarter of emergency department doctors. It has been shown that undergraduate coverage of ENT is variable. This study therefore aimed to determine whether emergency department junior doctors were confident in dealing with ENT emergencies, with special focus on the airway.Method:An online survey was circulated to junior doctors working in emergency medicine, at the discretion of their training co-ordinators.Results:A total of 104 responses were received. Junior doctors were not confident in managing patients who have undergone tracheostomy or laryngectomy. Management of stridor varied, with 51 per cent giving oxygen and only 77 per cent referring such patients as an emergency to ENT. Most training on the management of airway emergencies was not provided through hospital induction.Conclusion:Training should be provided to junior doctors starting work in the emergency department. We suggest mandatory multidisciplinary induction training for such staff.
Natural disasters, mitigation investment and financial aid
Authors: Andergassen Rainer , Sereno Luigi 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWe consider firms facing the risk of natural disasters and study their problem of investing in mitigation if financial insurance is not available. The firms' problem is to choose the optimal timing and size of the investment. The timing problem leads to a critical productivity size where firms above it invest in mitigation while firms below the threshold decide to not invest. We investigate how cash aid such as emergency response, and in-kind aid such as reconstruction, rehabilitation or disaster risk reduction investments, affect the critical productivity threshold and the optimal investment size and characterize the international donor's optimal charity strategy.
Ice-sheet-driven methane storage and release in the Arctic
Authors: Portnov Alexey , Vadakkepuliyambatta Sunil , Mienert Jürgen , Hubbard Alun 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIt is established that late-twentieth and twenty-first century ocean warming has forced dissociation of gas hydrates with concomitant seabed methane release. However, recent dating of methane expulsion sites suggests that gas release has been ongoing over many millennia. Here we synthesize observations of ∼1,900 fluid escape features—pockmarks and active gas flares—across a previously glaciated Arctic margin with ice-sheet thermomechanical and gas hydrate stability zone modelling. Our results indicate that even under conservative estimates of ice thickness with temperate subglacial conditions, a 500-m thick gas hydrate stability zone—which could serve as a methane sink—existed beneath the ice sheet. Moreover, we reveal that in water depths 150–520 m methane release also persisted through a 20-km-wide window between the subsea and subglacial gas hydrate stability zone. This window expanded in response to post-glacial climate warming and deglaciation thereby opening the Arctic shelf for methane release.
Insect stereopsis demonstrated using a 3D insect cinema
Authors: Nityananda Vivek , Tarawneh Ghaith , Rosner Ronny , Nicolas Judith , Crichton Stuart , Read Jenny 
Published: January 2016

AbstractStereopsis - 3D vision – has become widely used as a model of perception. However, all our knowledge of possible underlying mechanisms comes almost exclusively from vertebrates. While stereopsis has been demonstrated for one invertebrate, the praying mantis, a lack of techniques to probe invertebrate stereopsis has prevented any further progress for three decades. We therefore developed a stereoscopic display system for insects, using miniature 3D glasses to present separate images to each eye and tested our ability to deliver stereoscopic illusions to praying mantises. We find that while filtering by circular polarization failed due to excessive crosstalk, “anaglyph” filtering by spectral content clearly succeeded in giving the mantis the illusion of 3D depth. We thus definitively demonstrate stereopsis in mantises and also demonstrate that the anaglyph technique can be effectively used to deliver virtual 3D stimuli to insects. This method opens up broad avenues of research into the parallel evolution of stereoscopic computations and possible new algorithms for depth perception.
Visualisation of newly synthesised collagen in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Oostendorp Corien , Uijtdewilligen Peter J.E. , Versteeg Elly M. , Hafmans Theo G. , van den Bogaard Ellen H. , de Jonge Paul K.J.D. , Pirayesh Ali , Von den Hoff Johannes W. , Reichmann Ernst , Daamen Willeke F. , van Kuppevelt Toin H. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIdentifying collagen produced de novo by cells in a background of purified collagenous biomaterials poses a major problem in for example the evaluation of tissue-engineered constructs and cell biological studies to tumor dissemination. We have developed a universal strategy to detect and localize newly deposited collagen based on its inherent association with dermatan sulfate. The method is applicable irrespective of host species and collagen source.
GeNN: a code generation framework for accelerated brain simulations
Authors: Yavuz Esin , Turner James , Nowotny Thomas 
Published: January 2016

AbstractLarge-scale numerical simulations of detailed brain circuit models are important for identifying hypotheses on brain functions and testing their consistency and plausibility. An ongoing challenge for simulating realistic models is, however, computational speed. In this paper, we present the GeNN (GPU-enhanced Neuronal Networks) framework, which aims to facilitate the use of graphics accelerators for computational models of large-scale neuronal networks to address this challenge. GeNN is an open source library that generates code to accelerate the execution of network simulations on NVIDIA GPUs, through a flexible and extensible interface, which does not require in-depth technical knowledge from the users. We present performance benchmarks showing that 200-fold speedup compared to a single core of a CPU can be achieved for a network of one million conductance based Hodgkin-Huxley neurons but that for other models the speedup can differ. GeNN is available for Linux, Mac OS X and Windows platforms. The source code, user manual, tutorials, Wiki, in-depth example projects and all other related information can be found on the project website http://genn-team.github.io/genn/.
Simulation of synaptic short-term plasticity using Ba(CF3SO3)2-doped polyethylene oxide electrolyte film
Authors: Chang C. T. , Zeng F. , Li X. J. , Dong W. S. , Lu S. H. , Gao S. , Pan F. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe simulation of synaptic plasticity using new materials is critical in the study of brain-inspired computing. Devices composed of Ba(CF3SO3)2-doped polyethylene oxide (PEO) electrolyte film were fabricated and with pulse responses found to resemble the synaptic short-term plasticity (STP) of both short-term depression (STD) and short-term facilitation (STF) synapses. The values of the charge and discharge peaks of the pulse responses did not vary with input number when the pulse frequency was sufficiently low(~1 Hz). However, when the frequency was increased, the charge and discharge peaks decreased and increased, respectively, in gradual trends and approached stable values with respect to the input number. These stable values varied with the input frequency, which resulted in the depressed and potentiated weight modifications of the charge and discharge peaks, respectively. These electrical properties simulated the high and low band-pass filtering effects of STD and STF, respectively. The simulations were consistent with biological results and the corresponding biological parameters were successfully extracted. The study verified the feasibility of using organic electrolytes to mimic STP.
Theropod courtship: large scale physical evidence of display arenas and avian-like scrape ceremony behaviour by Cretaceous dinosaurs
Authors: Lockley Martin G. , McCrea Richard T. , Buckley Lisa G. , Deock Lim Jong , Matthews Neffra A. , Breithaupt Brent H. , Houck Karen J. , Gierliński Gerard D. , Surmik Dawid , Soo Kim Kyung , Xing Lida , Yong Kong Dal , Cart Ken , Martin Jason , Hadden Glade 
Published: January 2016

AbstractRelationships between non-avian theropod dinosaurs and extant and fossil birds are a major focus of current paleobiological research. Despite extensive phylogenetic and morphological support, behavioural evidence is mostly ambiguous and does not usually fossilize. Thus, inferences that dinosaurs, especially theropods displayed behaviour analogous to modern birds are intriguing but speculative. Here we present extensive and geographically widespread physical evidence of substrate scraping behavior by large theropods considered as compelling evidence of “display arenas” or leks and consistent with “nest scrape display” behaviour among many extant ground-nesting birds. Large scrapes, up to 2 m in diameter, occur abundantly at several Cretaceous sites in Colorado. They constitute a previously unknown category of large dinosaurian trace fossil, inferred to fill gaps in our understanding of early phases in the breeding cycle of theropods. The trace makers were probably lekking species that were seasonally active at large display arena sites. Such scrapes indicate stereotypical avian behaviour hitherto unknown among Cretaceous theropods and most likely associated with terrirorial activity in the breeding season. The scrapes most probably occur near nesting colonies, as yet unknown or no longer preserved in the immediate study areas. Thus, they provide clues to paleoenvironments where such nesting sites occurred.
Unveiling laser diode “fossil” and the dynamic analysis for heliotropic growth of catastrophic optical damage in high power laser diodes
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Xiong Yihan , An Haiyan , Boucke Konstantin , Treusch Georg 
Published: January 2016

AbstractTaking advantage of robust facet passivation, we unveil a laser “fossil” buried within a broad area laser diode (LD) cavity when the LD was damaged by applying a high current. For the first time, novel physical phenomena have been observed at these dramatically elevated energy densities within the nanoscale LD waveguide. The observation of the laser “fossil” is interpreted with different mechanisms, including: the origination of bulk catastrophic optical damage (COD) due to locally high energy densities, heliotropic COD growth, solid-liquid-gas phase transformations, strong longitudinal phonon cooling effect on the molten COD wave front and the formation of patterns due to laser lateral modes. For the first time the COD propagation is analyzed temporally by an acoustic phonon bouncing model and the COD velocity is extrapolated to be exponentially decreasing from more than 800 μm/μs to a few μm/μs within a 20 μs time period as the energy density dissipates.
Experimental realization of non-adiabatic universal quantum gates using geometric Landau-Zener-Stückelberg interferometry
Authors: Wang Li , Tu Tao , Gong Bo , Zhou Cheng , Guo Guang-Can 
Published: January 2016

AbstractHigh fidelity universal gates for quantum bits form an essential ingredient of quantum information processing. In particular, geometric gates have attracted attention because they have a higher intrinsic resistance to certain errors. However, their realization remains a challenge because of the need for complicated quantum control on a multi-level structure as well as meeting the adiabatic condition within a short decoherence time. Here, we demonstrate non-adiabatic quantum operations for a two-level system by applying a well-controlled geometric Landau-Zener-Stückelberg interferometry. By characterizing the gate quality, we also investigate the operation in the presence of realistic dephasing. Furthermore, the result provides an essential model suitable for understanding an interplay of geometric phase and Landau-Zener-Stückelberg process which are well explored separately.
Extracardiac septum transversum/proepicardial endothelial cells pattern embryonic coronary arterio–venous connections
Authors: Cano Elena , Carmona Rita , Ruiz-Villalba Adrián , Rojas Anabel , Chau You-Ying , Wagner Kay D. , Wagner Nicole , Hastie Nicholas D. , Muñoz-Chápuli Ramón , Pérez-Pomares José M. 
Published: January 2016

Significance
Here we show, for the first time to our knowledge, that septum transversum/proepicardium (ST/PE)-derived endothelial cells are required for proper coronary blood vessel morphogenesis. We used different mouse transgenic lines to show that the ST/PE contributes to coronary endothelium and that the endocardium is not the only developmental origin of this tissue. Our results indicate that ST/PE-derived endothelial cells preferentially incorporate into prospective coronary arteries and capillaries but not veins. Deletion of the epicardial and coronary developmental regulator Wilms’ tumor suppressor gene from both the ST/PE and embryonic endothelial cells reveals that ST/PE endothelial cells are required for the establishment of coronary arterio–venous connections through the ventricular wall and thus are necessary for the completion of coronary vascularization.
Theoretical Realism and Theoretical Equivalence
Authors: Glymour Clark 
Published: January 2016

The true correlate of sensibility is not known and cannot be known…-KANTA great many philosophers have thought it impossible that there should exist two distinct theories between which no possible evidence could discriminate. This doctrine, and more rarely its denial, have often been the cynosure of dogmas and disputes about conventions within physical theory, about simplicity, about measurement in quantum mechanics, and most recently, about radical translation. The list is long enough to make it important to know whether or not the doctrine is true. I shall argue that it is, indeed, not true.The thesis that empirically equivalent theories are synonymous was central to Hans Reichenbach's philosophy of science, and especially to his notion of ‘equivalent descriptions’ and to his account of simplicity:There are cases in which the simplicity of a theory is nothing but a matter of taste or of economy.
Method and Factual Agreement in Science
Authors: McLaughlin Andrew 
Published: January 2016

One important view of the nature of facts in science sees the validity of factual claims as resting upon intersubjective agreement through observation, yet the conditions underlying such intersubjectivity are rarely explored. In this paper I should like to inquire into the role of shared method in arriving at intersubjective agreement concerning fact. One useful way of exploring this issue is to examine the methodological element in factual disputes in science, since such controversy may indicate important aspects of factual agreement.There are times in science when an appeal to factual evidence is successful in the choice between hypotheses. In fact it is clear that, at least on some occasions, there is agreement among scientists as to “what the facts are.” Moreover, such factual agreement can be found between scientists who maintain quite different theories.
Objectivity, Scientific Change, and Self-Reference
Authors: Carl R. Kordig  
Published: January 2016

Kuhn, Feyerabend, Polanyi, and Whorf would at times maintain that scientific objectivity is a myth. Kuhn writes:We may, to be more precise, have to relinquish the notion, explicit or implicit, that changes of paradigms carry scientists and those who learn from them closer and closer to the truth. ([10], p. 169)He says that he
…would argue, rather, that in these matters neither proof nor error is at issue. ([10], p. 150)On the basis of his interpretation of the history of science, Polanyi, also, feels that in a strong sense scientific knowledge is not objective ([11], p. 16). On the basis of his study of widely differing languages Whorf makes a similar claim:The relativity of all conceptual systems, ours included, and their dependence upon language stand revealed. ([15], pp. 214-215)
On Popper's Philosophy of Social Science
Authors: Koertge N. 
Published: January 2016

Partly through reading the works of Paul Feyerabend I have become intrigued with the following questions:(1)Is it possible to have a non-trivial theory of scientific method - that is, a fairly detailed and comprehensive theory of the best way(s) to try to increase and improve our knowledge? Is it possible to have a unified theory which would apply both to physical science and social science, and perhaps even to technological innovation as well?(2)If we could find such a theory of the scientific process, how would it have to be modified if we were to decide that our aim were not just ultimately to understand the world (i.e., to find well-tested explanatory theories of high empirical content) but also continually to change the world - to improve the human condition?