bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Three‐month primary efficacy data for the SUCCESS Trial; a phase III, multi‐center, prospective, randomized, controlled study treating female stress urinary incontinence with the vesair intravesical balloon
Authors: McCammon Kurt , Jacoby Karny , Kalota Susan , Snyder Jeffrey , Cline Kevin , Robertson Kaiser , Rardin Charles , Kahan Randall , Green Lonny , Zuckerman Jack , Rovner Eric 
Published: November 2017

AimsThe SUCCESS trial is a phase III study of the Vesair® balloon in the United States for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The purpose of this manuscript is to present the 3 month primary efficacy and tolerability outcome data.MethodsThe SUCCESS trial is a multi‐center, prospective, single blind, randomized, sham‐controlled study. Subjects were randomized on a 2.33:1 basis to either Vesair balloon placement or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was a composite of both a >50% reduction from baseline on 1 h provocative pad weight test and a ≥10‐point improvement in symptoms on the Incontinence Quality of Life Survey (I‐QOL) questionnaire assessed at the 3 month study visit.ResultsA total of 221 subjects were randomized, including 157 treatment arm subjects and 64 controls. The 3 month composite primary efficacy endpoint was achieved in 42.1% of treatment group subjects compared with 28.1% of controls on intention‐to‐treat analysis (p = 0.046). Treatment arm subjects were significantly more likely to report at least a 50% reduction in incontinence frequency on 7‐day voiding diary (55.2% vs 32.3%, P = 0.002, ITT) and more commonly reported their incontinence was improved on Patient Global Impression of Improvement in Incontinence (PGI‐I) at 3 months compared with controls (58.0% vs 37.7%, P = 0.007, ITT). No device‐ or procedure‐related serious adverse events nor unanticipated adverse events were reported and no cases of urinary retention were observed. All adverse events fully resolved following balloon removal.ConclusionsIn this phase three trial, the Vesair intravesical balloon achieved 3 month primary and secondary endpoints both objectively and subjectively.
Homogeneous Na incorporation for industrial‐scale application of Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 solar cells
Authors: Park Ji Hun , Lee Seunghwan , Song EunHo , Shin SangHo , Kang ChangHo , Yoon HyungSeok , Lee Seunghun , Yang JungYup , Lee Dongho , Kim Dongseop , Nam Junggyu 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe achieve large‐area (1602 × 902 mm2) doping uniformity without layer peel‐offs, based on a dual Na source, ie, partial Na out‐diffusion from soda‐lime glass and a homogeneously sputtered CuGa:NaF layer as an auxiliary source. We systematically investigate the optoelectronic, microstructural, and compositional characteristics of Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 solar cells and analyze the underlying mechanism in detail. Na out‐diffusion from soda‐lime glass initially improves the cell performance according to the defect passivation and Na doping effects; further Na incorporation using the Na‐doped layer enhances JSC, FF, and film conductivity, which is likely due to the enhanced cell homogeneity and the alleviation of carrier transport‐limited characteristics. Excessive Na incorporation triggers the possible generation of layer peel‐offs, which is closely related to the reduced adhesion force, void generation, decrease in S/(S + Se) ratio, Ga redistribution, bandgap reduction, and increase in the low‐energy photoluminescence. These results indicate that the voids are created via Kirkendal mechanism based on the variability in atomic diffusion rates following compositional changes, resulting from the insufficiency in Na consumption or sulfurization. It is noted that an in‐line codeposition technique enables realization of high‐level Na doping as well as void‐free interface state by suppressing the defect generation, which yields high‐efficiency commercial‐scale Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 modules without layer peel‐off problems.
Physik mit dem Fingerkreisel Fidget
Authors: Ucke Christian , Schlichting Hans Joachim 
Published: November 2017

ZusammenfassungMit dem Fingerkreisel Fidget lassen sich einige Experimente leicht ausführen. So kann man beispielsweise die Kreiselpräzession quantitativ untersuchen. Mit einfachen Mitteln lassen sich zudem ein Malkreisel und ein Windrad konstruieren. Außerdem tritt ein optisches Phänomen auf, bei dem ein schöner dreidimensionaler Eindruck entsteht.
Planet 9 und die Transneptun‐Region
Authors: Böhnhardt Hermann 
Published: November 2017

ZusammenfassungSeit der Entdeckung von Pluto hat sich das Bild des äußeren Planetensystems grundlegend gewandelt. Die Entdeckung und Erforschung des Kuiper‐Gürtels erlaubt Einblicke in die Entstehungsperiode des Sonnensystems. Die Bahnen und Eigenschaften der Körper in der Region jenseits von Neptun geben Hinweise auf die physikalisch‐chemischen und dynamischen Rahmenbedingungen während der Startphase des Planetensystems, ja sogar auf die Existenz eines neunten Planeten. Eine gezielte Suche nach Planet 9 hat begonnen.
Per aspera ad astra
Authors: Rüdiger Albrecht 
Published: November 2017

ZusammenfassungDer Physik‐Nobelpreis 2017 geht an Rainer Weiss, Barry Barish und Kip Thorne für die Entdeckung der Gravitationswellen. Ihre erste Messung, nämlich des Ereignisses GW150914, war ein technologischer Durchbruch von großer Bedeutung für unser Verständnis des Kosmos. Es bestätigte nicht nur einmal mehr eine wichtige Vorhersage aus der Allgemeinen Relativitätstheorie, sondern auch die aus ihr folgenden detaillierten Berechnungen des Einspiralens und Verschmelzens von zwei Schwarzen Löchern. Nachfolgende Signale bescherten der Astrophysik die Überraschung, dass alle Ereignisse auf eine unvermutet hohe Population von Schwarzen Löchern von wenigen Dutzend Sonnenmassen hindeuten. Gravitationswellen stellen ein ganz neues Fenster ins All dar, unter anderem, weil sie nahezu ohne Wechselwirkung alle Hindernisse zwischen Quelle und Beobachter durchdringen können.
Platelets harbor prostate cancer biomarkers and the ability to predict therapeutic response to abiraterone in castration resistant patients
Authors: Tjon‐Kon‐Fat Lee‐Ann , Lundholm Marie , Schröder Mona , Wurdinger Thomas , Thellenberg‐Karlsson Camilla , Widmark Anders , Wikström Pernilla , Nilsson Rolf Jonas Andreas 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundNovel therapies for castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) have been introduced in the clinic with possibilities for individualized treatment plans. Best practice of those expensive drugs requires predictive biomarker monitoring. This study used circulating biomarker analysis to follow cancer‐derived transcripts implicated in therapy resistance.MethodThe isolated platelet population of blood samples and digital‐PCR were used to identify selected biomarker transcripts in patients with CRPC prior chemo‐ or androgen synthesis inhibiting therapy.ResultsFifty patients received either docetaxel (n = 24) or abiraterone (n = 26) therapy, with therapy response rates of 54% and 48%, respectively. Transcripts for the PC‐associated biomarkers kallikrein‐related peptidase‐2 and ‐3 (KLK2, KLK3), folate hydrolase 1 (FOLH1), and neuropeptide‐Y (NPY) were uniquely present within the platelet fraction of cancer patients and not detected in healthy controls (n = 15). In the abiraterone treated cohort, the biomarkers provided information on therapy outcome, demonstrating an association between detectable biomarkers and short progression free survival (PFS) (FOLH1, P < 0.01; KLK3, P < 0.05; and NPY, P < 0.05). Patients with biomarker‐negative platelets had the best outcome, while FOLH1 (P < 0.05) and NPY (P = 0.05) biomarkers provided independent predictive information in a multivariate analysis regarding PFS. KLK2 (P < 0.01), KLK3 (P < 0.001), and FOLH1 (P < 0.05) biomarkers were associated with short overall survival (OS). Combining three biomarkers in a panel (KLK3, FOLH1, and NPY) made it possible to separate long‐term responders from short‐term responders with 87% sensitivity and 82% specificity.ConclusionAnalyzing tumor‐derived biomarkers in platelets of CRPC patients enabled prediction of the outcome after abiraterone therapy with higher accuracy than baseline serum PSA or PSA response.
Tropical wood resistance to the West Indian drywood termiteCryptotermes brevis: If termites can't chew…
Authors: Cosme Lírio , Haro Marcelo M , Guedes Nelsa Maria P , Della Lucia Terezinha Maria C , Guedes Raul Narciso C 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe importance and impact of invasive species are usually considered based on their economic implications, particularly the direct damage that they cause. The West Indian drywood termiteCryptotermes brevis(Walker) is an example and is a concern in structural lumber, furniture, and other wood products. Despite its importance, its tropical wood preferences and the wood physical characteristics contributing to resistance have not been investigated to date. Here, we developed wood testing units to allow the X‐ray recording of termite colonization and then subsequently tested tropical wood resistance to the termite through free‐choice and no‐choice bioassays using these wood testing units. The relevance of wood density and hardness as determinants of such resistance was also tested, as was termite mandible wear.RESULTSThe wood testing units used allowed the assessment of the termite infestation and wood area loss, enabling subsequent choice bioassays to be performed. While pine (Pinussp.), jequitiba (Carinianasp.) and angelim (Hymenolobium petraenum) exhibited the heaviest losses and highest infestations; cumaru (Dipteryx odorata), guariuba (Clarisia racemosa), and purpleheart (Peltogynesp.) showed the lowest losses and infestations; courbaril (Hymenaea courbaril), eucalyptus (Eucalyptussp.), and tatajuba (Bagassa guianensis) exhibited intermediary results.CONCLUSIONWood hardness and in particular wood density were key determinants of wood resistance to the termites, which exhibited lower infestations associated with greater mandible wear when infesting harder high‐density wood. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Role of Nursing Competencies for Accelerating Clinical Trials in Stem Cell Clinics
Authors: Perrin Mary , Kim Teresa , Stan Rodica , Giesie Pamela , Tabor Jason , Le Verche Virginia , Johnson Shirley , Lomax Geoffrey P. , Zaia John A. 
Published: November 2017

Summary
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has formed a group of clinics called the Alpha Stem Cell Clinics Network. Its goal is to accelerate clinical trials of stem cell-based therapies for diseases with unmet medical needs. In this report, we describe our experience in establishing an Alpha Stem Cell Clinic at City of Hope. Implementation and integration of the clinic into the existing institutional structures required collaboration and cooperation with clinical trial units, nursing administration, and creation of new positions. The highlight of this process and the centerpiece to our success has been the definition of the role of the “hybrid nurse,” a person with nursing competencies in both clinical care and research.
Abstract Video Link: https://youtu.be/WOeZrNyXkGU
Gaming Methods in Engineering Systems Research
Authors: Grogan Paul T. , Meijer Sebastiaan A. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTRecent interest in applications of games and gaming methods has stimulated discussion of their use in engineering systems research. Simulation games or gaming simulations are interactive environments which simultaneously model a technical system through simulation and a social system with role‐play participants. Their boundary‐spanning nature aligns with challenges in engineering systems to consider both technical and social factors in design. This paper outlines a class of gaming methods for research in engineering systems. Key contributions synthesize diverse bodies of literature to classify gaming applications as generating generalizable and contextual knowledge to benefit participants and principals, identify intellectual foundations in related social sciences, and describe the dual purpose of games as a research method for analytical or design science objectives. Conclusions highlight opportunities and challenges for gaming research methods to accommodate social science research in design‐centric activities.
Bringing Stories to Life: Integrating Literature and Math Manipulatives
Authors: Larson Lotta C. , Rumsey Chepina 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis Teaching Tip describes the use of children's literature to help second‐grade students meet Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and for Mathematics. During a shared reading experience, students used manipulatives to represent plot and characters while demonstrating mathematical reasoning. The article offers instructional ideas, guiding questions, authentic student work samples, and a rationale for using children's literature and mathematics manipulatives to help students make connections across disciplines.
Impairment of astrocytic glutaminolysis in glutaric aciduria type I
Authors: Komatsuzaki Shoko , Ediga Raga Deepthi , Okun Jürgen G. , Kölker Stefan , Sauer Sven W. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractGlutaric aciduria type I is a rare, autosomal recessive, inherited defect of glutaryl‐CoA dehydrogenase. Deficiency of this protein in L‐lysine degradation leads to the characteristic accumulation of nontoxic glutarylcarnitine and neurotoxic glutaric acid (GA), glutaryl‐CoA, and 3‐hydroxyglutaric acid. Untreated patients develop bilateral lesions of basal ganglia resulting in a complex movement disorder with predominant dystonia in infancy and early childhood. The current pathomechanistic concept strongly focuses on imbalanced neuronal energy metabolism due to accumulating metabolites, whereas little is known about the pathomechanistic role of astrocytes, which are thought to be in constant metabolic crosstalk with neurons. We found that glutaric acid (GA) causes astrocytic cell death under starvation cell culture conditions, i.e. low glucose, without glutamine and fetal calf serum. Glutamine completely abolished GA‐induced toxicity, suggesting involvement of glutaminolysis. Increasing dependence on glutaminolysis by chemical induction of hypoxia signaling‐potentiated GA‐induced toxicity. We further show that GA disturbs glutamine degradation by specifically inhibiting glutamate dehydrogenase. Summarizing our study shows that pathologically relevant concentrations of GA block an important step in the metabolic crosstalk between neurons and astrocytes, ultimately leading to astrocytic cell death.
Temporal and regional variability of Arctic sea-ice coverage from satellite data
Authors: Peng Ge , Meier Walter N. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTWith rapid and accelerated Arctic sea-ice loss, it is beneficial to update and baseline historical change on the regional scales from a consistent, intercalibrated, long-term time series of sea-ice data for understanding regional vulnerability and monitoring ice state for climate adaptation and risk mitigation. In this paper, monthly sea-ice extents (SIEs) derived from a passive microwave sea-ice concentration climate data record for the period of 1979–2015, are used to examine Arctic-wide and regional temporal variability of sea-ice cover and their decadal trends for 15 regions of the Arctic. Three unique types of SIE annual cycles are described. Regions of vulnerability within each of three types to further warming are identified. For the Arctic as a whole, the analysis has found significant changes in both annual SIE maximum and minimum, with −2.41 ± 0.56% per decade and −13.5 ± 2.93% per decade change relative to the 1979–2015 climate average, respectively. On the regional scale, the calculated trends for the annual SIE maximum range from +2.48 to −10.8% decade−1, while the trends for the annual SIE minimum range from 0 to up to −42% decade−1.
EVOLUTIONARY HIERARCHICAL CREDIBILITY
Authors: Taylor Greg 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe hierarchical credibility model was introduced, and extended, in the 70s and early 80s. It deals with the estimation of parameters that characterize the nodes of a tree structure. That model is limited, however, by the fact that its parameters are assumed fixed over time. This causes the model's parameter estimates to track the parameters poorly when the latter are subject to variation over time. This paper seeks to remove this limitation by assuming the parameters in question to follow a process akin to a random walk over time, producing an evolutionary hierarchical model. The specific form of the model is compatible with the use of the Kalman filter for parameter estimation and forecasting. The application of the Kalman filter is conceptually straightforward, but the tree structure of the model parameters can be extensive, and some effort is required to retain organization of the updating algorithm. This is achieved by suitable manipulation of the graph associated with the tree. The graph matrix then appears in the matrix calculations inherent in the Kalman filter. A numerical example is included to illustrate the application of the filter to the model.
FAST COMPUTATION OF RISK MEASURES FOR VARIABLE ANNUITIES WITH ADDITIONAL EARNINGS BY CONDITIONAL MOMENT MATCHING
Authors: Privault Nicolas , Wei Xiao 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe propose an approximation scheme for the computation of the risk measures of guaranteed minimum maturity benefits (GMMBs) and guaranteed minimum death benefits (GMDBs), based on the evaluation of single integrals under conditional moment matching. This procedure is computationally efficient in comparison with standard analytical methods while retaining a high degree of accuracy, and it allows one to deal with the case of additional earnings and the computation of related sensitivities.
The paradoxical hybridity of words
Authors: ELIMAM ABDOU , CHILTON PAUL 
Published: November 2017

abstractWords can be matched with the concept of sign (correspondence of a signifier to a signified) as long as they act as symbol-words endowed with some semantic self-sufficiency. But in discourse, they lose their wholeness as symbol-words and metamorphose intowording-symbols.They, suddenly, appear as mere signifier entities with a more or less loose allusion to their status as cultural symbols. In discourse, words are no longer signs buttoolscovering ephemeral collections ofneurosemes: the link of the sign breaks as soon as discourse takes over. The referential potential is no longer the schematic meaning issued from culture, but the universe of discourse under construction. This is why any attempt to account for meaning in language must integrate the neural process of meaning creation. It is now established that meaning is not the result of language activity but the result of cognition. However, whatlanguagedoes,viadiscourse, is to make this meaning communicable. For all these reasons, the task of linguistics should be to investigate the relationship between cognition and linguistic output in order to shed light on all the cognitive traces left within the surface strings. The role of morphosyntax thus has to be re-evaluated in this light.
Chronology of Megalithic Funerary Practices in Southeastern Iberia: The Necropolis of Panoria (Granada, Spain)
Authors: Aranda Jiménez Gonzalo , Lozano Medina Águeda , Sánchez Romero Margarita , Díaz-Zorita Bonilla Marta , Bocherens Hervé 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAn excavation carried out at the megalithic necropolis of Panoria in 2015 offered an excellent opportunity for dating a widespread variety of polygonal, rectangular, and trapezoidal-shaped tombs with short passages for which, surprisingly, there were previously no known radiocarbon (14C) measurements available. Based on the anthropological remains, a series of 1914C dates was obtained and modeled in a Bayesian statistical framework. The results stress a long period of use that began in the Late Neolithic (3525–3195 cal BC), reaching the most intensive ritual activity during the Copper Age and ending in the Early Bronze Age (2125–1980 cal BC). Throughout this period, tombs were built at different times and used at different temporal scales and intensities, ranging from a few decades to centuries.
CONSTRAINTS TO ADOPTION OF IMPROVED TECHNOLOGY FOR BERSEEM CLOVER (TRIFOLIUM ALEXANDRINUM) CULTIVATION IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN
Authors: TUFAIL M. S. , NIELSEN S. , SOUTHWELL A. , KREBS G. L. , PILTZ J. W. , NORTON M. R. , WYNN P. C. 
Published: November 2017

SUMMARYBerseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinumL.) is an important forage legume and is the primary winter forage crop in Pakistan. There are significant gaps in yield potential among varieties of berseem clover, as well as yields obtained at research stations and on-farm. To address this problem a survey of farmers was undertaken in the districts of Kasur and Okara, Punjab, Pakistan to determine the level of knowledge and understanding of berseem forage cultivation and seed production. The study comprised 44% smallholder (<3 ha), 26% medium (3–5 ha) and 30% large farmers (>5 ha) with average age of 42 years. Most farmers had little or no knowledge of the role of seed quality, inoculation with rhizobium, pollination, fertiliser use, irrigation management and the importance of forage nutritional value in improving livestock productivity. Most farmers (56%) had received no input from the government or private sector to improve forage production, relying instead on traditional knowledge. Knowledge of the importance of land preparation (95%), sowing rate (98%) and insect and pest management (75%) was higher than seed selection and fertilisation. Adoption of improved varieties (3%) and production technologies (14%) was low due to various constraints including ignorance, high cost of inputs, lack of availability of inputs in the market and a perceived high level of financial risk. Almost 100% of the respondents agreed that seed of improved varieties was a pre-requisite for higher forage and seed production as well as essential to start village-based forage seed enterprises.
The Impact of Judicial Delimitation on Private Rights Existing in Contested Waters: Implications for the Somali-Kenyan Maritime Dispute
Authors: Pappa Marianthi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis article raises concerns about the impact of judicial delimitation on private exploratory rights existing in contested waters. These concerns stem from the tendency of judges to disregard any non-geographic factors during the process of maritime delimitation. This practice allows for the reallocation of the private rights in question and eventually creates tension between public international law and private law. This is discussed in the context of the Somali-Kenyan maritime dispute, which is currently under judicial consideration. The article will demonstrate that, insofar as international judges apply the standard doctrines of delimitation, the prospective judgment may cause the reallocation and, ultimately, the frustration of Kenya's private exploratory contracts in the disputed area. It suggests that a unitization agreement entered after delimitation may reverse this outcome. However, inasmuch as state cooperation lacks the cloak of international custom, the interests of private actors operating in contested waters remain at stake.
The killing of Cecil the Lion as an impetus for policy change
Authors: Carpenter Stefan , Konisky David M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe killing of Cecil the Lion in July 2015 generated considerable media attention worldwide. We measured public interest in Cecil's death to examine the degree to which this high-profile incident represented the type of focusing event that public policy scholars often emphasize as being important for triggering policy change. Finding that public interest in lion conservation spiked in the weeks immediately following the incident, we then analysed whether this focusing event led to policy changes to restrict trophy hunting in eight countries (USA, Spain, France, Russia, Canada, South Africa, Germany and Mexico) that most frequently import lion Panthera leo trophies. The surge in public attention seems to have had only a limited impact on the adoption of significant new policy, although it may have hastened changes in some countries.