bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human Remains and Funerary Rites in the Phoenician Necropolis of Motya (Sicily)
Authors: Lauria G. , Sconzo P. , Falsone G. , Sineo L. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to examine the fresh evidence retrieved in the early cemetery or ‘archaic necropolis’ (eighth to sixth century bc) on the island of Motya, one of the main Phoenician colonies in the Mediterranean. Because of its integrity and the large number of finds, the cemetery has been considered one of the most relevant sites for the study of early burial customs in the West.The absence of anthropological data, completely neglected in the past, was a major shortcoming of previous research. This failing is now being rectified by a new project of fieldwork and excavation undertaken on the island by a team from Palermo University.This report provides a close examination of the human remains from a group of 32 graves discovered during three seasons (2013–2015) in a combined archaeological and taphonomic perspective and contributes to shed light on the funerary practices of the Phoenicians in Sicily. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Skeletal Material from the Cemetery of the 19th Century Copenhagen Hospital for the Poor: Autopsies, Surgical Training and Anatomical Specimens
Authors: Flies M. J. , Winther S. D. , Lynnerup N. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe skeletal material of 299 individual skeletons was recovered from 78 graves in central Copenhagen in 2006. The graves were part of a temporary cemetery serving the Copenhagen Hospital for the Poor in the period 1842–1858. It is known that the hospital supplied cadavers for teaching and dissection. Fifty‐two skeletons and bones were found to have cut marks and saw marks, indicative of post mortem surgical interventions: dissection, autopsy, anatomical specimens and surgical practice. The material was closely examined for healing at the sawn edges and signs of diseases. It was attempted to differentiate the surgical procedures from one another and give an overview of the material and historical context. We were mostly unable to attach a specific post mortem surgical procedure to the skeletal elements; however, we present some cases that most likely represent a specific surgical intervention. An excavation of similarly processed bone material from London Hospital from the same time period was used as the main reference material. The skeletal material described here offers a view upon the medical development, teaching and training amongst surgeons and anatomists in mid‐19th century. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication of Poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride)@Ag Spheres with High Surface Charge Intensity and their Self‐Assembly into Photonic Crystal Films
Authors: Bi Jiajie , Fan Genrui , Wu Suli , Su Xin , Xia Hongbo , Zhang Shu‐Fen 
Published: August 2017

AbstractHerein, we developed a method to prepare monodisperse poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride)@Ag (PSMA@Ag) core–shell microspheres with high surface charge intensity by using an in situ reduction method. In this method, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid tetrasodium salt (Na4EDTA) was used as a reducing agent to promote the growth of Ag, and at the same time endowed the PSMA@Ag spheres with a surface charge. The monodispersity of PSMA and PSMA@Ag and the ordered array of the photonic crystal films were characterized by using SEM. The formation of Ag nanoparticles was confirmed by using TEM, HR‐TEM, and XRD characterizations. Due to the existence of surface charges, the obtained PSMA@Ag microspheres easily self‐assembled to form photonic crystal structures. In addition, the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity of the PSMA@Ag photonic crystal films was evaluated by detecting the signal from Raman probe molecules, 4‐aminothiophenol (4‐ATP). The PSMA@Ag photonic crystal films exhibited a high SERS effect, a low detection limit of up to 10−8 for 4‐ATP, good uniformity, and reproducibility.
Changes in the use of erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents (ESAs) and red blood cell transfusion in patients with cancer amidst regulatory and reimbursement changes
Authors: Gawade Prasad L. , Berlin Jesse A. , Henry David H. , Tomita Dianne , Brooks Barry D. , Franklin Janet , Bradbury Brian D. , Critchlow Cathy W. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPurposeEvaluate changes in use of erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents (ESAs) and red blood cell transfusion in cancer patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy following regulatory and reimbursement actions.MethodsCalendar year patient cohorts (2005‐2013) with breast, colorectal, lung, multiple myeloma, non‐Hodgkin lymphoma, ovarian, or prostate cancer and receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy were identified within the Marketscan database. Incidence of ESA treatment and transfusion were estimated in each year, as was median number of ESA administrations. Clinical characteristics associated with ESA administration and transfusions were evaluated by using multivariable logistic regression. Additionally, annual new ESA user cohorts within the Oncology Services Comprehensive Electronic Records database (2011‐2014) were examined to assess hemoglobin levels at ESA initiation.ResultsAcross all tumor types, ESA use decreased substantially (breast cancer: 53.7 to 3.2%; lung cancer: 66.0 to 13.3%, non‐Hodgkin lymphoma: 39.8 to 3.8%), transfusion use increased (2 to 5.5%, 5.5 to 18.2%, and 4.5 to 9.1%, respectively), and median number of ESA administrations declined. Across all tumor types, proportion of patients initiating an ESA with hemoglobin >10 g/dL was <10% from 2011 onward. In recent years, cancer patients who are older, female, and have chronic kidney disease or moderate or severe liver disease were most likely to receive ESAs.ConclusionSubsequent to important regulatory and reimbursement ESA‐related actions, total ESA exposure among cancer patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy declined substantially. Today, fewer patients receive ESA therapy, and among those treated, more are initiated at hemoglobin levels <10 g/dL and are exposed for a shorter duration, consistent with current product labeling.
Acylated Iridoids and Rhamnopyranoses from Premna odorata (Lamiaceae) as Novel Mesenchymal–Epithelial Transition Factor Receptor Inhibitors for the Control of Breast Cancer
Authors: Elmaidomy Abeer H. , Mohyeldin Mohamed M. , Ibrahim Mostafa M. , Hassan Hossam M. , Amin Elham , Rateb Mostafa E. , Hetta Mona H. , El Sayed Khalid A. 
Published: August 2017

Phytochemical investigation of Premna odorata Blanco, Lamiaceae, leaves afforded three new acylated iridoid glycosides 1–3 and two new acylated rhamnopyranoses 9 and 10, in addition to ten known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were confirmed using extensive 1D and 2D NMR analysis. Molecular modeling study suggested the potential of the acylated rhamnopyranoses to bind at the c‐Met kinase domain. Cell‐free Z′‐LYTE™ assay testing revealed the good c‐Met phosphorylation inhibitory activity of 9, followed by 8, and 10, with IC50 values of 2.5, 6.9, and 12.7 μM, respectively. The (3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell proliferation assay testing against the human c‐Met expressing highly invasive MDA‐MB‐231 suggested compound 9 as the most active with IC50 value of 13.3 μM. Testing of compound 9 against multiple phenotypic breast cancer cell lines including MCF‐7, BT‐474 cells, and MDA‐MB‐468 proved enhanced activity against the highly c‐Met expressing triple‐negative breast cancer cell lines. Acylated rhamnopyranoses are potential novel c‐Met inhibitors appropriate for future optimizations to control c‐Met‐dependent breast malignancies. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An automated skills assessment framework for laparoscopic training tasks
Authors: Sgouros Nicholas P. , Loukas Constantinos , Koufi Vassiliki , Troupis Theodore G. , Georgiou Evangelos 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundVarious sensors and methods are used for evaluating trainees' skills in laparoscopic procedures. These methods are usually task‐specific and involve high costs or advanced setups.MethodsIn this paper, we propose a novel manoeuver representation feature space (MRFS) constructed by tracking the vanishing points of the edges of the graspers on the video sequence frames, acquired by the standard box trainer camera. This study aims to provide task‐agnostic classification of trainees in experts and novices using a single MRFS over two basic laparoscopic tasks.ResultsThe system achieves an average of 96% correct classification ratio (CCR) when no information on the performed task is available and >98% CCR when the task is known, outperforming a recently proposed video‐based technique by >13%.ConclusionsRobustness, extensibility and accurate task‐agnostic classification between novices and experts is achieved by utilizing advanced computer vision techniques and derived features from a novel MRFS.
Iterative learning control for output‐constrained nonlinear systems with input quantization and actuator faults
Authors: Jin Xu 
Published: August 2017

SummaryIn this work, we propose a novel iterative learning control algorithm to deal with a class of nonlinear systems with system output constraint requirements and quantization effects on the system control input. Actuator faults have also been considered, which include multiplicative, additive, and stuck actuator faults. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported work in the iterative learning control literature to deal with quantization effects for the control input of nonlinear systems under the effects of actuator faults and system output constraints. Under the proposed scheme, using backstepping design and composite energy function approaches in the analysis, we show that uniform convergence of the state tracking errors can be guaranteed over the iteration domain, and the constraint requirement on the system output will not be violated at all time. In the end, a simulation study on a single‐link robot model is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Targeted gene replacement at the URA3 locus of the basidiomycetous yeast Pseudozyma antarctica and its transformation using lithium acetate treatment
Authors: Yarimizu Tohru , Shimoi Hitoshi , Sameshima‐Yamashita Yuka , Morita Tomotake , Koike Hideaki , Watanabe Takashi , Kitamoto Hiroko 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe basidiomycetous yeast Pseudozyma antarctica is a remarkable producer of industrially valuable enzymes and extracellular glycolipids. In this study, we developed a method for targeted gene replacement in P. antarctica. In addition, transformation conditions were optimized using lithium acetate, single‐stranded carrier DNA and polyethylene glycol (lithium acetate treatment), generally used for ascomycetous yeast transformation. In the rice‐derived P. antarctica strain GB‐4(0), PaURA3, a homologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae orotidine‐5′‐phosphate decarboxylase gene (URA3), was selected as the target locus. A disruption cassette was constructed by linking the nouseothricine resistance gene (natMX4) to homologous DNA fragments of PaURA3, then electroporated into the strain GB‐4(0). We obtained strain PGB015 as one of the PaURA3 disruptants (Paura3Δ::natMX4). Then the PCR‐amplified PaURA3 fragment was introduced into PGB015, and growth of transformant colonies but not background colonies was observed on selective media lacking uracil. The complementation of uracil‐auxotrophy in PGB015 by introduction of PaURA3 was also performed using lithium acetate treatment, which resulted in a transformation efficiency of 985 CFU/6.8 μg DNA and a gene‐targeting ratio of two among 30 transformants. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Just Like in Their Home Country? A Multinational Perspective on Living Arrangements of Older Immigrants in the United States
Authors: Gubernskaya Zoya , Tang Zequn 
Published: August 2017

AbstractOlder immigrants are more likely to share residence with their adult children and other family members than are U.S.-born older adults. Because socioeconomic factors only partially explain these differences and direct measures of cultural preferences are seldom available, the persistently high rates of intergenerational coresidence among the older foreign-born are often interpreted as driven by cultural preferences and/or a lack of assimilation. To challenge this interpretation, this study investigates the extent to which older immigrants’ living arrangements deviate from those of older adults in their home countries. The analysis combines data on immigrants from the 2008–2012 American Community Survey (ACS) with census data from three major immigrant-sending countries: Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Vietnam. Despite persistent differences from U.S.-born whites, coresidence in later life is significantly less common than in the sending countries among the older foreign-born who migrated as young adults, and especially among those who migrated as children. The older foreign-born who migrated after age 50, however, are more likely to coreside and less likely to live independently than the older adults in their home countries. The similarity of these patterns across the three immigrant subgroups suggests that the unusually high coresidence among late-life immigrants is driven by U.S. family reunification policy and not simply by cultural influences.
Effects of different antihypertensive medication groups on cognitive function in older patients: A systematic review
Authors: Stuhec M. , Keuschler J. , Serra-Mestres J. , Isetta M. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackground:Chronic hypertension has been associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline. Although a link between hypertension and cognitive decline has been established, there is less evidence supported by systematic reviews. The main aim was to compare different antihypertensive drug groups in relation to their effect on cognition in older patients without established dementia using a systematic review.Method:A systematic search in Medline and Embase through to January 2017 was used to identify randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) studying the impact of different antihypertensives on cognition in older patients without dementia. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is), beta-blockers (BBs), diuretics, and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) were included in this review.Results:The systematic search identified 358 studies. The full text of 31 RCTs was reviewed and a total of 15 RCTs were included in the review. Most studies reported an improvement in episodic memory in patients treated with ARBs versus placebo or other types of antihypertensive drugs. No study showed an improvement in cognition in patients who received diuretics, BBs, or CCBs. Heterogeneity was high in most trials (predominantly in the blinding of participants and investigators).Conclusion:This review suggests that ARBs can improve cognitive functions in the elderly, especially episodic memory. ACE-Is, diuretics, BBs and CCBs did not seem to improve cognitive function in the elderly but were similarly effective in blood pressure lowering as ARBs.
CONSEQUENTIALITY BELIEFS AND CONSUMER VALUATION OF EXTRINSIC ATTRIBUTES IN BEEF
Authors: LI XIAOGU , JENSEN KIMBERLY L. , LAMBERT DAYTON M. , CLARK CHRISTOPHER D. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis study measures willingness to pay (WTP) for extrinsic attributes (Angus, local, DNA traceable, raised carbon friendly, and humanely treated cattle) in steak and ground beef using choice-based experiments from a national consumer survey. Belief that survey responses could have consequences on beef products offered by the steak and ground beef industry is investigated, as well as its effect on attribute WTP. For most attributes, belief in consequentiality increases WTP. Results suggest that although consequentiality believers tend to place greater importance on certain food industry issues, they are less certain about the attribute's provision actually effecting change in the industry.
MINIMALITY AND MUTATION-EQUIVALENCE OF POLYGONS
Authors: KASPRZYK ALEXANDER , NILL BENJAMIN , PRINCE THOMAS 
Published: August 2017

We introduce a concept of minimality for Fano polygons. We show that, up to mutation, there are only finitely many Fano polygons with given singularity content, and give an algorithm to determine representatives for all mutation-equivalence classes of such polygons. This is a key step in a program to classify orbifold del Pezzo surfaces using mirror symmetry. As an application, we classify all Fano polygons such that the corresponding toric surface is qG-deformation-equivalent to either (i) a smooth surface; or (ii) a surface with only singularities of type$1/3(1,1)$.
Household water insecurity, missed schooling, and the mediating role of caregiver depression in rural Uganda
Authors: Cooper-Vince C. E. , Kakuhikire B. , Vorechovska D. , McDonough A. Q. , Perkins J. , Venkataramani A. S. , Mushavi R. C. , Baguma C. , Ashaba S. , Bangsberg D. R. , Tsai A. C. 
Published: August 2017

BackgroundSchool attendance rates in sub-Saharan Africa are among the lowest worldwide, placing children at heightened risk for poor educational and economic outcomes. One understudied risk factor for missed schooling is household water insecurity, which is linked to depression among women and may increase children's water-fetching burden at the expense of educational activities, particularly among children of depressed caregivers. In this study conducted in rural Uganda, we assessed the association between household water insecurity and child school participation and the mediating pathways behind these associations.MethodWe conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study of female household heads (N = 257) and their children ages 5–17 (N = 551) in the rural regions surrounding the town of Mbarara, in southwestern Uganda. We used multivariable linear regressions to estimate the association between water insecurity and missed schooling. We then assessed the extent to which the association was mediated by caregiver depression.ResultsAmong children, water insecurity had a statistically significant association with the number of missed school days (a standard deviation increase in water insecurity resulted in 0.30 more missed school days in the last week). The estimated association was partially mediated by caregiver depression. When stratified by sex, this mediating pathway remained significant for boys, but not among girls.ConclusionsWater insecurity is a risk factor for missed schooling among children in rural Uganda. Caregiver depression partially mediated this relationship. Also addressing caregiver mental health in water insecure families may more fully address the needs of sub-Saharan African families and promote educational participation among youth.
A Model to Predict Central-Line–Associated Bloodstream Infection Among Patients With Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters: The MPC Score
Authors: Herc Erica , Patel Payal , Washer Laraine L. , Conlon Anna , Flanders Scott A. , Chopra Vineet 
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUNDPeripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are associated with central-line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). However, no tools to predict risk of PICC-CLABSI have been developed.OBJECTIVETo operationalize or prioritize CLABSI risk factors when making decisions regarding the use of PICCs using a risk model to estimate an individual’s risk of PICC-CLABSI prior to device placement.METHODSUsing data from the Michigan Hospital Medicine Safety consortium, patients that experienced PICC-CLABSI between January 2013 and October 2016 were identified. A Cox proportional hazards model with robust sandwich standard error estimates was then used to identify factors associated with PICC-CLABSI. Based on regression coefficients, points were assigned to each predictor and summed for each patient to create the Michigan PICC-CLABSI (MPC) score. The predictive performance of the score was assessed using time-dependent area-under-the-curve (AUC) values.RESULTSOf 23,088 patients that received PICCs during the study period, 249 patients (1.1%) developed a CLABSI. Significant risk factors associated with PICC-CLABSI included hematological cancer (3 points), CLABSI within 3 months of PICC insertion (2 points), multilumen PICC (2 points), solid cancers with ongoing chemotherapy (2 points), receipt of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) through the PICC (1 point), and presence of another central venous catheter (CVC) at the time of PICC placement (1 point). The MPC score was significantly associated with risk of CLABSI (P<.0001). For every point increase, the hazard ratio of CLABSI increased by 1.63 (95% confidence interval, 1.56–1.71). The area under the receiver-operating-characteristics curve was 0.67 to 0.77 for PICC dwell times of 6 to 40 days, which indicates good model calibration.CONCLUSIONThe MPC score offers a novel way to inform decisions regarding PICC use, surveillance of high-risk cohorts, and utility of blood cultures when PICC-CLABSI is suspected. Future studies validating the score are necessary.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2017;38:1155–1166
Finite-amplitude gravity waves in the atmosphere: travelling wave solutions
Authors: Schlutow Mark , Klein R. , Achatz U. 
Published: August 2017

Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin theory was employed by Grimshaw (Geophys. Fluid Dyn., vol. 6, 1974, pp. 131–148) and Achatz et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 210, 2010, pp. 120–147) to derive modulation equations for non-hydrostatic internal gravity wave packets in the atmosphere. This theory allows for wave packet envelopes with vertical extent comparable to the pressure scale height and for large wave amplitudes with wave-induced mean-flow speeds comparable to the local fluctuation velocities. Two classes of exact travelling wave solutions to these nonlinear modulation equations are derived here. The first class involves horizontally propagating wave packets superimposed over rather general background states. In a co-moving frame of reference, examples from this class have a structure akin to stationary mountain lee waves. Numerical simulations corroborate the existence of nearby travelling wave solutions under the pseudo-incompressible model and reveal better than expected convergence with respect to the asymptotic expansion parameter. Travelling wave solutions of the second class also feature a vertical component of their group velocity but exist under isothermal background stratification only. These waves include an interesting nonlinear wave–mean-flow interaction process: a horizontally periodic wave packet propagates vertically while draining energy from the mean wind aloft. In the process it decelerates the lower-level wind. It is shown that the modulation equations apply equally to hydrostatic waves in the limit of large horizontal wavelengths. Aside from these results of direct physical interest, the new nonlinear travelling wave solutions provide a firm basis for subsequent studies of nonlinear internal wave instability and for the design of subtle test cases for numerical flow solvers.