bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single radial haemolysis compared to haemagglutinin inhibition and microneutralization as a correlate of protection against influenza A H3N2 in children and adolescents
Authors: Wang Biao , Russell Margaret L. , Brewer Angela , Newton Jennifer , Singh Pardeep , Ward Brian J. , Loeb Mark 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundSerum antibodies are often used as correlates of protection for influenza. Three commonly used serological assays for detecting influenza‐specific serum antibodies are single radial haemolysis (SRH), haemagglutinin inhibition (HAI) and microneutralization (MN). However, here are limited data on SRH as well as HAI and MN as correlates of protection against influenza in children and adolescents. There are also limited data that compare SRH to HAI and MN.ObjectivesWe sought primarily to understand how SRH titres correlate to protection against influenza infection in children and adolescents. We also compare SRH to HAI and MN.MethodsOf 732 healthy Hutterite children and adolescents aged between 3 and 15 years were enrolled from Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada, in the 2008‐2009 flu season. Blood samples were drawn from participants at baseline and between 3 and 5 weeks post‐vaccination. Serum antibodies against seasonal H3N2 influenza were measured by SRH, HAI and MN assays.ResultsThe estimates of protective efficacy fluctuated when the cut‐off SRH values increased. The correlation between HAI and SRH titres was 0.53 (P<.01); between MN and SRH 0.82 (P<.01); and between HAI and MN 0.50 (P<.01). Sixteen per cent of participants had SRH titres below the detection limit, compared to 7% and 34% for the MN and HAI assays.ConclusionsSRH had the worst correlation with protection against seasonal H3N2 in children and adolescents compared to MN and HAI. SRH, HAI and MN titres were significantly correlated with each other. SRH was less sensitive than MN but more sensitive than HAI.
A new option for definitive burn wound closure – pair matching type of retrospective case–control study of hand burns in the hospitalised patients group in the Dr Stanislaw Sakiel Centre for Burn Treatment between 2009 and 2015
Authors: Glik Justyna , Kawecki Marek , Kitala Diana , Klama‐Baryła Agnieszka , Łabuś Wojciech , Grabowski Marek , Durdzińska Agata , Nowak Mariusz , Misiuga Marcelina , Kasperczyk Aleksandra 
Published: February 2017

AbstractNearly 80% of all burns include the hands of affected individuals. Skin grafting is the gold standard in burns treatment, but in the case of the burn wound bed, it may require the necessity of utilising skin substitutes to facilitate closure. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of a porcine‐derived wound dressing (Oasis™) for application to hand burns compared to a synthetic dressing (Suprathel™). Comparative assessments were made, including the time to heal, quality of healing and pain intensity. A retrospective, unblinded, matching pair case‐control of hand burns was performed. A control group of 24 patients was treated with Suprathel dressing, and a study group of six patients underwent application of the Oasis dressing. The wound healing process was evaluated by taking histopathological specimens and also utilising the Bates‐Jensen Wound Assessment Tool. A 10‐cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used for pain assessment. Other parameters measured included dressing loss because of infection and the need of rehabilitation. The progress of wound healing on the fourth day in the study group was 30%. A decrease in the level of pain was recorded on the fourth day after surgery. There was a decrease of 5% in the risk of rehabilitation in the treatment group.
Relaxor‐like behaviors in Na1/2Bi1/2Cu3Ti4O12 ceramics
Authors: Wang Chunchang , Ni Wei , Sun Xiaohong , Wang Le , Wang Can , Jin Kuijuan 
Published: February 2017

AbstractDielectric properties of Na1/2Bi1/2Cu3Ti4O12 ceramics were evaluated over the temperature range 300‐720 K. Two relaxor‐like dielectric anomalies were found. The low‐temperature anomaly was confirmed to be an oxygen‐vacancy‐related relaxation process. It is a pseudo‐relaxor behavior caused by a bulk relaxation and a Maxwell‐Wagner relaxation. The high‐temperature one was evidenced to be an electric ferroelectric phase‐transition process resulting from the oxygen‐vacancy ordering.
Defect engineering of high‐performance potassium sodium niobate piezoelectric ceramics sintered in reducing atmosphere
Authors: Huan Yu , Wang Xiaohui , Wei Tao , Xie Jing , Ye Zifan , Zhao Peiyao , Li Longtu 
Published: February 2017

AbstractReducing atmosphere fired (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3‐based ceramics open up an important opportunity for manufacturing lead‐free multilayer piezoelectric devices cofiring with the base metal inner electrode. In this study, the effects of sintering atmosphere on the piezoelectric, dielectric, and insulating properties in Sn‐doped (Na0.52K0.44Li0.04)NbO3 (KNN) were investigated. To establish the relationship between the defect structure and electrical properties, the thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) technique was implemented. The electrical properties degrade severely when the pure KNN ceramics are sintered in reducing atmosphere, compared with the ceramics sintered in air. The reason is that the oxygen vacancy concentration in reduced fired ceramics is much higher than that in air fired ceramics. However, the 0.6 mol% Sn‐doped KNN ceramics sintered in reducing atmosphere exhibit comparable electrical properties to the air fired ceramics. From the TSDC analysis, the reducing atmosphere fired ceramics have approximately the same oxygen vacancy concentration as the air fired ceramics because B‐site substituted Sn works as an acceptor.
In situ crystallization and elastic properties of transparent MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 glass‐ceramic
Authors: Sant'Ana Gallo Leonardo , Célarié Fabrice , Audebrand Nathalie , Martins Rodrigues Ana Candida , Dutra Zanotto Edgar , Rouxel Tanguy 
Published: February 2017

AbstractGlass‐ceramics (GC) generally possess enhanced mechanical properties compared to their parent glasses. The knowledge of how crystallization evolves and affects the mechanical properties with increasing temperature is essential to optimize the design of the crystallization cycle. In this study, we crystallized a glass of the MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 system with nucleating agents TiO2 and ZrO2. The crystallization cycle comprised a 48 hour nucleation treatment at the glass‐transition temperature followed by a 10 hour growth step at a higher temperature. During this cycle, the evolution of crystalline phases was followed by high‐temperature X‐ray diffraction (HTXRD), which revealed the presence of karooite (MgO·2TiO2), spinel (MgO·Al2O3), rutile (TiO2), sillimanite (Al2O3·SiO2), and sapphirine (4MgO·5Al2O3·2SiO2). The same heat treatment was applied for in situ measurement of elastic properties: elastic modulus, E, shear modulus, G, and Poisson's ratio, ν. The evolution of these parameters during the heating path from room temperature to the final crystallization temperature and during the nucleation and the crystallization plateaus is discussed. E and G evolve significantly in the first two hours of the growth step. At the end of the crystallization process, the elastic and shear moduli of the GC were approximately 20% larger than those of the parent glass.
Fretting fatigue wear behavior of Y‐TZP dental ceramics processed by non‐conventional microwave sintering
Authors: Presenda Álvaro , Salvador Maria Dolores , Vleugels Jozef , Moreno Rodrigo , Borrell Amparo 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe fretting wear behavior of self‐mated Y‐TZP dental materials obtained by nonconventional microwave and conventional sintering has been investigated. Two 3Y‐TZP materials, a widely utilized commercial dental ceramic (LAVA) and a lab‐prepared 3Y‐TZP powder based equivalent have been assessed. Relative density and mechanical properties as well as the grain size variations upon sintering have been evaluated. After exposure to selected gross slip regime fretting wear conditions, the wear tracks have been characterized allowing the measurement of the coefficient of friction, track profiles, and pit features. The results indicate that microwave sintering results in a similar fretting wear behavior as observed for conventional‐sintered 3Y‐TZP, as the measured volumetric wear loss is of a comparable order of magnitude. Regarding the influence of the grain size, the analysis revealed that a large grain size (>300 nm) results in an increased wear volume and that a higher resistance to fretting wear is constrained to a mid‐range particle size (100–250 nm). Since the fracture toughness of all investigated ceramic grades was comparable, the influence of the fracture toughness on fretting could not be assessed. Abrasive grooving, delamination, and microcracking have been identified as major wear mechanisms inside the wear tracks for both conventional‐ and microwave‐sintered 3Y‐TZP. In general, microwave sintering can provide 3Y‐TZP dental materials with a comparable fretting wear resistance as that observed for conventional sintering using lower dwell sintering temperatures and a shorter processing time.
Self‐other decision‐making differences in loss aversion: A regulatory focus perspective
Authors: Liu Hongrui , Wang Ling , Yao Meilin , Yang Hang , Wang Dongmei 
Published: February 2017

AbstractDrawing on a cultural perspective, we examined whether differences in self‐other decision making documented in the West can be replicated in an Eastern context. Study 1 revealed that Chinese participants showed self‐other decision‐making differences in loss aversion similar to those observed in Western participants; loss aversion differed depending on the type of decision recipient, and trait regulatory focus moderated the self‐other decision‐making difference. Study 2 found a mediating effect of situational prevention but not promotion focus on the relationship between decision makers’ roles and loss aversion. Furthermore, both studies revealed that participants did not show a preference for loss aversion, suggesting that the baseline of self‐other decision‐making differences has shifted in China compared to the West.
The Role of Foreign Shareholders in Disciplining Financial Reporting
Authors: Beuselinck Christof , Blanco Belen , García Lara Juan Manuel 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWe investigate the role of foreign shareholders in improving the quality of accounting information provided by firms domiciled in countries with low de facto institutional quality. Using a sample of firms from four South European countries (Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain) for which we observe detailed ownership evolutions over the period 2002–2007, we find that increases in foreign ownership lead to increases in financial reporting quality but only if the foreign shareholders are domiciled in countries with strong investor protection mechanisms. Further, we find that the improvement in financial reporting quality is more pronounced in the case of foreign institutional investors. Finally, our results hold before and after the introduction of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in 2005.
Size‐spectra across geographical and bathymetric gradients reveal contrasting resilient mechanisms of recovery between Atlantic and Mediterranean fish communities
Authors: Hidalgo Manuel , Quetglas Antoni , Ordines Francesc , Rueda Lucía , Punzón Antonio , Delgado Marina , Gil de Sola Luis , Esteban Antonio , Massutí Enric 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAimMarine conservation often prioritizes measures based on ecosystem diversity, missing important information on the size and structure of communities such as that provided by body size‐spectra (SS). While most studies have focussed on temporal or spatial patterns of SS, there is no research investigating their spatial heterogeneity, which is a key community trait revealing mechanisms of resilience. We aimed to comparatively determine the main patterns of variation of fish SS and their spatial heterogeneity across geographic and bathymetric gradients.LocationShelf and slope Atlantic and Mediterranean demersal ecosystems.MethodsUsing the information obtained from the experimental surveys, we calculated fish SS at four bathymetric strata and investigated the influence of the biomass of small‐sized and large‐sized fish on their temporal and spatial variation. We also assessed the functional relationship between the mean pattern and the spatial heterogeneity of SS as a characteristic structural trait of a community.ResultsThe variation in SS demonstrates that Atlantic communities were geographically and bathymetrically more connected, while those in the Mediterranean were more fragmented. The relationship between mean SS and its spatial heterogeneity was a community fingerprint differentiating two contrasting pathways of community recovery between Atlantic and Mediterranean ecosystems. Atlantic communities were recovering because of the temporal increasing contribution of large fish and a ‘rescue effect’ of neighbouring areas, which have spatially homogenized size structure. Mediterranean communities were, by contrast, spatially clustered and highly dependent on small‐sized fish variability that hampers the capacity of ecosystems to recover after a chronic degradation.Main conclusionsPatterns of SS variation depend on the spatial complexity of communities, which contrasts between Atlantic and Mediterranean systems. Integrative analyses of size‐based indicators (mean and variance) provide a complete assessment of the structural properties of communities and characterize the resilience mechanisms of recovery against perturbations under contrasting ecological contexts.
Cretaceous West Gondwana vicariance shaped giant water scavenger beetle biogeography
Authors: Toussaint Emmanuel F. A. , Bloom Devin , Short Andrew E. Z. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAimWe tested the hypothesis that ancient vicariance in giant water scavenger beetles shaped their current distribution.LocationWorldwide except Antarctica.MethodsWe inferred a molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for the tribe Hydrophilini using probabilistic methods based on broad geographical and taxonomic sampling. We used fossil‐based molecular dating and likelihood model‐based ancestral range estimation to reconstruct the biogeography of this clade.ResultsOur results suggest that the tribe originated in the Cretaceous about 120 Ma with a most likely ancestral range in the Gondwanan fragment comprising continental Africa and South America. We infer an ancient vicariance following this early origin, consistent with the split of these two large landmasses in the mid‐Cretaceous. The rest of the biogeographical history of the group is shaped by dispersal events throughout the Cenozoic.Main conclusionsThe biogeographical history of hydrophiline water beetles is consistent with the hypothesis of West Gondwana vicariance, although an origin in either Africa or South America is a likely alternative. Although the early cladogenesis of this clade might have been shaped by the opening of the Atlantic Ocean, subsequent biogeographical evolution is mainly driven by dispersal events.
Six seconds to visualize the word: improving EFL learners' vocabulary through VVVs
Authors: Kurt M. , Bensen H. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis paper moves away from reminiscent mechanical repetition and drills, which were in vogue when teaching vocabulary before the rise of technology. With the support of technology, innovative methodologies that are more effective and enjoyable can be implemented into vocabulary teaching. In this particular context, there seems to be a lack of technology integration in vocabulary teaching because of teachers being untrained and/or not provided with the necessary technology. The aim of this study was to foster vocabulary development through the implementation of Vine vocabulary videos in English vocabulary learning. An embedded mixed methods design was employed to collect necessary data for analysis. The results of the post‐test revealed that the practice of Vine vocabulary videos was effective and improved participants' vocabulary. The content analysis of the semi‐structured interviews carried out with participants indicated that they had enjoyed the whole process and found it very motivating and effective. This study claims that adopting smartphones into a vocabulary course will enable English as a foreign language learners to expand and consolidate their vocabulary learning outside the classroom, engage them in a collaborative learning environment, practice and use the language being learnt and share their knowledge and experiences with their peers.
Enacting open disclosure in the UK National Health Service: A qualitative exploration
Authors: Harrison Reema , Birks Yvonne , Bosanquet Kate , Iedema Rick 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundOpen and honest discussion between healthcare providers and patients and families affected by error is considered to be a central feature of high quality and safer patient care, evidenced by the implementation of open disclosure policies and guidance internationally. This paper discusses the perceived enablers that UK doctors and nurses report as facilitating the enactment of open disclosure.MethodsSemistructured interviews with 13 doctors and 22 nurses from a range of levels and specialities from 5 national health service hospitals and primary care trusts in the UK were conducted and analysed using a framework approach.ResultsFive themes were identified which appear to capture the factors that are critical in supporting open disclosure: open disclosure as a moral and professional duty, positive past experiences, perceptions of reduced litigation, role models and guidance, and clarity.ConclusionGreater openness in relation to adverse events requires health professionals to recognise candour as a professional and moral duty, exemplified in the behaviour of senior clinicians and that seems more likely to occur in a nonpunitive, learning environment. Recognising incident disclosure as part of ongoing respectful and open communication with patients throughout their care is critical.
Contrast‐enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography for differential diagnosis of submucosal tumors of the upper gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Kamata Ken , Takenaka Mamoru , Kitano Masayuki , Omoto Shunsuke , Miyata Takeshi , Minaga Kosuke , Yamao Kentaro , Imai Hajime , Sakurai Toshiharu , Watanabe Tomohiro , Nishida Naoshi , Chikugo Takaaki , Chiba Yasutaka , Imamoto Haruhiko , Yasuda Takushi , Lisotti Andrea , Fusaroli Pietro , Kudo Masatoshi 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackground and AimThe study aims to evaluate contrast‐enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography (CH‐EUS) for the differential diagnosis of submucosal tumors (SMT) of the upper gastrointestinal tract.MethodsBetween June 2008 and May 2015, 157 consecutive patients with submucosal lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract were evaluated by CH‐EUS. This was a single‐center retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in a registry. The data from 73 patients who later underwent surgical resection were analyzed in this study. Surgical specimens served as the final diagnoses. The two CH‐EUS variables of blood flow (hyper‐enhancement vs hypo‐enhancement) and homogeneity of enhancement pattern were evaluated.ResultsThe final diagnoses were 58 gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and 15 benign SMTs (two lipomas, five leiomyomas, five schwannomas, two glomus tumors, and one ectopic pancreas). On CH‐EUS, 49 of 58 (84.5%) GISTs presented with hyper‐enhancement, whereas 4 of 15 (26.7%) benign SMTs showed hyper‐enhancement; 21 of 58 (36.2%) GISTs showed inhomogeneous contrast enhancement, while only 2 of 15 (13.3%) benign SMTs demonstrated inhomogeneous contrast enhancement. If hyper‐enhancement was considered to indicate GISTs, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 84.5%, 73.3%, and 82.2%, respectively. If inhomogeneous enhancement was considered to indicate GISTs, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 36.2%, 86.7%, and 46.6%, respectively. In lesions of less than 2 cm, hyper‐enhancement was a more sensitive indicator of GISTs than inhomogeneous enhancement.ConclusionsHyper‐enhancement and inhomogeneous enhancement were found to be a characteristic of GISTs. CH‐EUS was useful for discrimination of benign SMTs from GISTs.
Long‐term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection versus laparoscopic resection for gastric stromal tumors less than 2 cm
Authors: Meng Yan , Li Wei , Han Lu , Zhang Qiang , Gong Wei , Cai Jianqun , Li Aimin , Yan Qun , Lai Qiuhua , Yu Jiang , Bai Lan , Liu Side , Li Yue 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackground and AimLaparoscopic resection (LAP) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of small gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) have been reported by large amount of literature. However, the management of small GISTs remains controversial. This study evaluated the efficacy of ESD and LAP for small gastric GISTs and provided long‐term outcomes of the two methods.MethodsA total of 126 patients who underwent ESD or LAP for small gastric GISTs between 2009 and 2016 were retrospectively collected from medical records in our hospital, and we made telephone follow‐up about recurrence rate. The parameters measured for each procedure type include clinicopathological characteristics, recurrence rate, and surgical outcomes.ResultsAmong the 126 patients, 75 (59.52%) received ESD, and 51(40.48%) received LAP. The clinicopathological characteristics of the patients were well balanced. There was also no significant difference in follow‐up time (3.34 ± 1.53 years in ESD group and 3.41 ± 1.37 years in LAP group, P = 0.19). However, we observed significant difference about operating time, estimated blood loss, and hospital stay between ESD group and LAP group (63.59 ± 34.41 min vs 79.12 ± 43.47 min, P = 0.04; 8.53 ± 15.89 mL vs 17.16 ± 18.90 mL, P = 0.01; 6.60 ± 2.70 days vs 10.37 ± 3.50 days, P < 0.001, respectively). The recurrence rate of ESD and LAP group was 2.67% and 1.96%, respectively, P = 0.41. Kaplan–Meier curves for disease‐free survival also showed no statistically significant difference (P = 0.72).ConclusionsEndoscopic submucosal dissection is a preferable technique for resection of small gastric stromal tumors in the long‐term outcomes compared with LAP. However, long‐term randomized controlled trials are further needed.