bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of neoadjuvant therapy on morbidity and mortality of esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: American college of surgeons national surgical quality improvement program (ACS–NSQIP) 2005–2012
Authors: Sabra Michel J. , Smotherman Carmen , Kraemer Dale F. , Nussbaum Michael S. , Tepas Joseph J. , Awad Ziad T. 
Published: November 2016

ObjectiveThis study used a multi‐center database to evaluate the impact of neoadjuvant therapy on the 30‐day morbidity and mortality following esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.MethodsThe NSQIP database was queried for 2005–2012 for patients, who had esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Patients were divided into two groups: neoadjuvant therapy and esophagectomy only.ResultsThe neoadjuvant group had a lower rates of sepsis (8% vs. 13%, unadjusted P = 0.004) and acute renal failure (0.4% vs. 2%, unadjusted P = 0.01), and a higher rate of pulmonary embolism (PE) (3% vs. 1%, unadjusted P = 0.04). The adjusted odds of PE for patients, who received neoadjuvant therapy were 2.8 times the odds of PE for patients in the esophagectomy group, controlling for BMI. The association with renal failure was not significant, when one adjusted for race. There was no difference in the rates of reoperation, readmission, stroke, cardiac arrest, MI, surgical site and deep organ infections, anastomosis failure, blood transfusions, DVT, septic shock, pneumonia, UTI, respiratory failure, and 30‐day mortality between the two groups.ConclusionsWe conclude that neoadjuvant therapy followed by esophagectomy for esophageal cancer does not have a negative impact on 30‐day mortality. Neoadjuvant therapy is associated with increased odds of PE. J. Surg. Oncol. 2017;115:296–300. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Precision Polymer Design in Microstructured Flow Reactors: Improved Control and First Upscale at Once
Authors: Junkers Tanja 
Published: November 2016

Continuous flow synthesis techniques have in recent years conquered laboratory scale synthesis, yet within the field of precision polymer synthesis its use is still not fully established despite the large advantages that can be gained from switching from classical batch‐wise chemistry to flow chemistry, often already by using relatively simple chip‐based or cheap tubular micro‐ and mesoscaled reactors. Translating a polymerization from batch to continuous flow marks not only a mere change in reactor engineering, but also leads to numerous advantages in the polymerization with respect to kinetics of processes and especially product quality. In flow, polymerizations are not only speed up, they also provide materials with better dispersities and higher chain end fidelities when conditions are chosen accordingly. The underpinning effects causing these improvements are demonstrated and discussed. Further, also information on required laboratory equipment and recent developments in online reaction monitoring are highlighted to give newcomers to the field an idea about the potential of continuous flow polymerization.
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Application of a low polyphenol or low ellagitannin dietary intervention and its impact on ellagitannin metabolism in men
Authors: Roberts Kristen M. , Grainger Elizabeth M. , Thomas‐Ahner Jennifer M. , Hinton Alice , Gu Junnan , Riedl Kenneth M. , Vodovotz Yael , Abaza Ronney , Schwartz Steven J. , Clinton Steven K. 
Published: November 2016

ScopePlant polyphenols are widespread in the American diet, yet estimated intake is uncertain. We examine the application of the Polyphenol Explorer® (PED) database to quantify polyphenol and ellagitannin (ET) intake of men with prostate cancer and tested the implementation of diets restricted in polyphenols or ETs.Methods and resultsTwenty‐four men enrolled in a 4‐week trial were randomized to usual, low‐polyphenol or low‐ET diet. Estimated polyphenol and ET intakes were calculated from 3‐day diet records utilizing the PED. Urine and plasma metabolites were quantified by UPLC‐MS. Adherence to the restricted diets was 95% for the low polyphenol and 98% for low‐ET diet. In the usual diet, estimated dietary polyphenol intake was 1568 ± 939 mg/day, with coffee/tea beverages (1112 ± 1028 mg/day) being the largest contributors and estimated dietary ET intake was 12 ± 13 mg/day. The low‐polyphenol and low‐ET groups resulted in a reduction of total polyphenols by 45% and 85%, respectively, and omission of dietary ETs. UPLC analysis of urinary host and microbial metabolites reflect ET intake.ConclusionPED is a useful database for assessing exposure to polyphenols. Diets restricted in total polyphenol or ET intake are feasible and UPLC assessment of ET metabolites is reflective of dietary intake.
Device pre‐conditioning and steady‐state temperature dependence of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells
Authors: Dunbar Ricky B. , Moustafa Walied , Pascoe Alexander R. , Jones Timothy W. , Anderson Kenrick F. , Cheng Yi‐Bing , Fell Christopher J. , Wilson Gregory J. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe recent rise in power conversion efficiencies reported for perovskite solar cells has been a remarkable development in photovoltaics research. It is now pressing that the technology transitions from a research phenomenon to a real‐world deployable device: this will require both robust methods for efficiency measurement, and accurate models for performance variation at different conditions. However, the generally slow response of perovskite solar cells to changes in voltage bias and irradiance, and the susceptibility of these cells to degradation, presents significant challenges. In this paper, we investigate current and voltage stabilisation of planar CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells and observe remarkably large variations in stabilisation time depending on exposure history. To address this, we demonstrate a dynamic approach that continues device pre‐conditioning until pre‐determined stability criteria are met. This approach is then employed to obtain measurements of short‐circuit current and open‐circuit voltage temperature coefficients under quasi‐steady‐state conditions for perovskite devices and a control monocrystalline silicon cell. The obtained open‐circuit voltage temperature coefficient for the perovskite is −2700 ppm/°C, which interestingly, is similar to typically reported values for crystalline silicon devices. It is shown that the implemented approach can successfully differentiate between transient responses to the onset of illumination and true temperature related changes. We also find new manifestations of the complex transient processes that occur in perovskite devices. These observations highlight the importance of sophisticated characterisation approaches for correct characterisation of the performance of perovskite solar cells. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relaxation spectra of polymers and phenomena of electrical and hydrophobic recovery: Interplay between bulk and surface properties of polymers
Authors: Pogreb Roman , Loew Ron , Bormashenko Edward , Whyman Gene , Multanen Victor , Shulzinger Evgeny , Abramovich Amir , Rozban Daniel , Shulzinger Alexander , Zussman Eyal , Arinstein Arkadii , Vasilyev Gleb , Malkin Alexander Ya. 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACTLow‐density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polycarbonate were exposed to cold air plasma treatment. The decay of electret response, hydrophobic recovery, and mechanical relaxation of polymers were studied experimentally. The three‐exponential decay kinetic model was used for the treatment of mechanical and electret responses. The characteristic time scales of mechanical and electret responses turned out to be very close. The “longest” relaxation time, extracted from the experimental study of the hydrophobic recovery, was also close to the corresponding characteristic time spans of electret and mechanical responses. The kinetics of surface processes taking place in polymers is controlled by the mobility of their functional groups, represented by the bulk relaxation spectra. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys.2017,55, 198–205
g‐C3N4/TiO2 Nanocomposites for Degradation of Ciprofloxacin under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Yang Zhen , Yan Jia , Lian Jiabiao , Xu Hui , She Xiaojie , Li Huaming 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4), possessing the suitable band gap (2.7 eV), is benefit for TiO2 modification and improving photocatalytic efficiency for the degradation of organic pollutants under visible light irradiation. In this work, the g‐C3N4/TiO2 nanocomposites were synthesized by using a simple sol‐gel method. It was demonstrated that the hybridization between TiO2 nanoparticles and g‐C3N4 was successfully formed. The DRS analysis showed that the addition of g‐C3N4 improved the optical absorption of TiO2 in the visible region, and it means that more light energy could be absorbed for enhancing the photocatalytic activity. The g‐C3N4/TiO2 nanocomposites showed superior photocatalytic performance for the degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) under visible light irradiation, compared with pure TiO2 and commercial P25 (Degussa). Moreover, radical trap experiment was carried out, which indicated that the hole acted as the main reactive species for the photocatalytic degradation of CIP. A possible photocatalytic mechanism of g‐C3N4/TiO2 nanocomposite for the enhanced degradation of CIP under visible light irradiation was also proposed.
Optimizing sorting algorithms by using sorting networks
Authors: Codish Michael , Cruz-Filipe Luís , Nebel Markus , Schneider-Kamp Peter 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
In this paper, we show how the theory of sorting networks can be applied to synthesize optimized general-purpose sorting libraries. Standard sorting libraries are often based on combinations of the classic Quicksort algorithm, with insertion sort applied as base case for small, fixed, numbers of inputs. Unrolling the code for the base case by ignoring loop conditions eliminates branching, resulting in code equivalent to a sorting network. By replacing it with faster sorting networks, we can improve the performance of these algorithms. We show that by considering the number of comparisons and swaps alone we are not able to predict any real advantage of this approach. However, significant speed-ups are obtained when taking advantage of instruction level parallelism and non-branching conditional assignment instructions, both of which are common in modern CPU architectures. Furthermore, a close control of how often registers have to be spilled to memory gives us a complete explanation of the performance of different sorting networks, allowing us to choose an optimal one for each particular architecture. Our experimental results show that using code synthesized from these efficient sorting networks as the base case for Quicksort libraries results in significant real-world speed-ups.
CLA Has a Useful Effect on Bone Markers in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Aryaeian N. , Shahram F. , Djalali M. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractRheumatoid arthritis is a systemic, chronic disease which may increase the risk of osteoporosis. This study was carried out in order to examine the effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on bone markers in rheumatoid arthritis disease which is the most common autoimmune disease. The present study is a randomized double‐blind clinical trial. Subjects included 52 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis who were divided into two groups. Group I received standard treatment plus 2 daily 1.25 g capsules (Containing about 2 g of 9‐cis 11‐trans isomer and 10‐cis 12‐trans isomer in ratio of 50 −50 CLA in glycerinated form), Group II received standard treatment plus 2 Placebo 1.25 g capsules containing sunflower oil with high oleic acid. Telopeptides C, osteocalcin, and MMP3 were analyzed by ELISA method, PGE2 was done by competitive enzymatic immunoassay method, and IGF‐1 was analyzed by the IRMA method based on the sandwich method and ALK‐P of bone. Before and after the intervention, the questionnaires about general information, nutrition assessment and medical history were filled out by the subjects. Nutritional assessment was done by a 24‐h record questionnaire for the three‐day diet. The results were analyzed using SPSS software (version 18). Findings: There was no significant difference between the groups in enzyme activity of ALK‐P of bone, PGE2 and MMP3 variables. However, differences between the two groups in terms of activity of telopeptides C, Osteocalcin, and IGF1 were significant (P < 0.05). CLA has a potentially beneficial effect on bone markers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, in order to study the effect of CLA on bone health in patients with RA and all patients with autoimmune and bone diseases more studies with longer duration and evaluation of bone mass density are required.
Antithrombotic Strategy in Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: Differences Between Neurologist and Hematologist Respondents in a Canadian Survey
Authors: Field Thalia S. , Camden Marie-Christine , Al-Shimemeri Sohaila , Lui Gary , Lee Agnes Y.Y. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractPatterns of practice for management of cerebral venous thrombosis in Canada are unknown. We surveyed Canadian neurologists and hematologists regarding anticoagulation in cerebral venous thrombosis. The response rate was 28%, with 27 neurologists and 20 hematologists responding. We found that choice of first-line initial anticoagulation differed significantly between neurologists and hematologists, with 89% of neurologists favouring unfractionated heparin and hematologists’ preference split between unfractionated heparin (50%) and low-molecular-weight heparin (50%). Differences in patterns of practice likely reflect clinical equipoise.
Local surface mass-balance reconstruction from a tephra layer – a case study on the northern slope of Mýrdalsjökull, Iceland
Authors: MAYER CHRISTOPH , JAENICKE JULIA , LAMBRECHT ASTRID , BRAUN LUDWIG , VÖLKSEN CHRISTOF , MINET CHRISTIAN , MÜNZER ULRICH 
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACTMost Icelandic glaciers show high-accumulation rates during winter and strong surface melting during summer. Although it is difficult to establish and maintain mass-balance programs on these glaciers, mass-balance series do exist for several of the ice caps (Björnsson and others, 2013). We make use of the frequent volcanic eruptions in Iceland, which cause widespread internal tephra layers in the ice caps, to reconstruct the surface mass balance (SMB) in the ablation zone. This method requires information about surface geometry and ice velocity, derived from remote-sensing information. In addition, the emergence angle of the tephra layer needs to be known. As a proof-of-concept, we utilize a prominent tephra layer of the Mýrdalsjökull Ice Cap to infer local SMB estimates in the ablation area back to 1988. Using tephra-layer outcrop locations across the glacier at different points in time it is possible to determine local mass changes (loss and redistribution) for a large part of the ablation zone, without the use of historic elevation models, which often are not available.
Time-Varying Risk Premiums in the Framework of Wine Investment
Authors: Le Fur Eric , Ben Ameur Hachmi , Faye Benoit 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThis article examines the time-varying risk premium with reference to investments in fine wines. Unlike previous studies, our article focuses on this issue within the context of the financial crisis. To do this, we propose the use of a conditional capital asset pricing model and a multivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity model on several appellation wines worldwide. We find that Bordeaux fine wines were more volatile during the financial crisis and are less volatile in non-crisis periods. In addition, while the volatility of Burgundy wines is second only to Bordeaux wines, non-French fine wines (Australia, Italy, and USA) exhibit inverse volatility trends to French fine wines. (JEL Classifications: C50, G01, G11, Q13)
Demand for Wine and Alcoholic Beverages in the European Union: A Monolithic Market?
Authors: Mitchell Lorraine 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe European Union (EU) is a major producer, importer, and consumer of wine, as well as other alcoholic beverages. Although it is possible to characterize demand for the EU as a whole, there is variation across the 27 countries that make up the EU. This research uses a simple standard model of demand and some descriptive statistics to characterize demand for alcoholic beverages and to identify four separate subgroups within the EU with different characteristics of wine and beer demand. Changing tastes over time turn out to be important in determining demand. (JEL Classifications: D12, F1, F15)
Genetic improvement of feed conversion ratio via indirect selection against lipid deposition in farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykissWalbaum)
Authors: Kause Antti , Kiessling Anders , Martin Samuel A. M. , Houlihan Dominic , Ruohonen Kari 
Published: November 2016

AbstractIn farmed fish, selective breeding for feed conversion ratio (FCR) may be possible via indirectly selecting for easily-measured indicator traits correlated with FCR. We tested the hypothesis that rainbow trout with low lipid% have genetically better FCR, and that lipid% may be genetically related to retention efficiency of macronutrients, making lipid% a useful indicator trait. A quantitative genetic analysis was used to quantify the benefit of replacing feed intake in a selection index with one of three lipid traits: body lipid%, muscle lipid% or viscera% weight of total body weight (reflecting visceral lipid). The index theory calculations showed that simultaneous selection for weight gain and against feed intake (direct selection to improve FCR) increased the expected genetic response in FCR by 1·50-fold compared with the sole selection for growth. Replacing feed intake in the selection index with body lipid%, muscle lipid% or viscera% increased genetic response in FCR by 1·29-, 1·49- and 1·02-fold, respectively, compared with the sole selection for growth. Consequently, indirect selection for weight gain and against muscle lipid% was almost as effective as direct selection for FCR. Fish with genetically low body and muscle lipid% were more efficient in turning ingested protein into protein weight gain. Both physiological and genetic mechanisms promote the hypothesis that low-lipid% fish are more efficient. These results highlight that in breeding programmes of rainbow trout, control of lipid deposition improves not only FCR but also protein-retention efficiency. This improves resource efficiency of aquaculture and reduces nutrient load to the environment.
The effect of temperature on the development and reproduction ofBusseola fusca(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Glatz J. , du Plessis H. , Van den Berg J. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe effect of temperature on the reproduction and development ofBusseola fuscawas studied under laboratory conditions. Single male–female pairs were confined to oviposition chambers kept at 15, 20, 26 and 30 ± 1°C and a 14L:10D photoperiod. Data on reproduction parameters were captured daily. Oviposition occurred at all the mentioned temperatures but no fertility was recorded at 30°C. The total number of eggs laid per female moth was between 300 and 400 and the optimum temperature for oviposition and fertility was between 20 and 26°C. Larval development was studied at five different temperature regimes, i.e. 15, 18, 20, 26 and 30 ± 1°C and a 14L:10D photoperiod. The most favourable temperature as well as the upper threshold temperature for larval development was between 26 and 30°C. Total development period was 152.6–52.6 days, respectively, at 15°C, and 26–30°C. The thermal constants forB. fuscawas 99.50, 536.48, 246.25 and 893.66°D and lower temperature thresholds were 10.36, 8.14, 8.99 and 8.84°C, for completion of the egg, larval, pupal and egg-to-adult stages, respectively. Results on the thermal constants and lower and upper threshold temperatures ofB. fuscacan be used to predict the impact of climate change on the distribution and population growth of this pest.
Insecticidal activity of a Moroccan strain ofStreptomyces phaeochromogenesLD-37 on larvae, pupae and adults of the Mediterranean fruit fly,Ceratitis capitata(Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Samri S.E. , Baz M. , Ghalbane I. , El Messoussi S. , Zitouni A. , El Meziane A. , Barakate M. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThe Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly),Ceratitis capitata, is considered the most important fruit pest worldwide. Its management is mainly based on the use of chemical insecticides. Although these conventional pesticides are effective at high doses, they cause considerable human health and environment problems. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess insecticidal activity of Moroccan actinobacteria againstC. capitata. A total of 12 preselected actinobacteria isolated from various Moroccan habitats were screened for their insecticidal activity against larvae, pupae and adults ofC. capitata. Four actinobacteria isolates were significantly active against the first-instar larvae, and nine were active against the medfly adult, while no significant mortality was obtained against the third-instar larval and pupal stages. Among the selected isolates, the biological screening revealed that strainStreptomycesLD-37, which showed 99.4% similarity withStreptomyces phaeochromogenes, exhibited the maximal corrected larval mortality of 98%. Moreover, the isolates AS1 and LD-37 showed the maximum significant corrected mortality against adults of 32.5 and 28.2%, respectively. The crude extract obtained from a fermented culture of strainS. phaeochromogenesLD-37 was separated into six fractions by thin layer chromatography. Fractions F3 and F4 caused a significant corrected larval mortality of 66.7 and 53.3%, respectively; whereas the maximum reduction in adult emergence was obtained with fraction F4. This finding could be useful for utilizingS. phaeochromogenesLD-37 as an alternative to chemical insecticides in pest management ofC. capitata.
Diversity of tortricid moths in apple orchards: evidence for a cryptic species ofGrapholita(Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from China
Authors: Zheng Y. , Wu R.X. , Dorn S. , Chen M.H. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractUnderstanding herbivore diversity both at the species and genetic levels is a key to effective pest management. We examined moth samples from multiple locations from a major apple growing region in China. For specimen collection, we used a pheromone trap designed to attractGrapholita molesta(Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Surprisingly, we found a second species captured at high proportions. Its external morphology (e.g., male genitalia and forewing coloration) was the same as forGrapholita funebranaTreitschke (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) specimens from Europe. However, the barcode sequence of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I (COI) diverged markedly between specimens from China and Europe, and the genetic distance value between the specimens from the two regions as estimated using the Juke-Cantor (JC) model amounted to 0.067. These morphological and molecular findings together point to a cryptic species inG. funebranafrom China. Further molecular analyses based on COI and COII genes revealed its extremely high genetic diversity, indicating that the origin of this species includes the sampling region. Moreover, molecular data suggest that this species passed through a recent population expansion. This is the first report on a cryptic species inG. funebrana, as well as the first report on its genetic diversity.