bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Posthospital Transitions of Care in Patients With Advanced Cancer
Authors: Lage Daniel E. , Nipp Ryan D. , D'Arpino Sara M. , Moran Samantha M. , Johnson P. Connor , Wong Risa L. , Pirl William F. , Hochberg Ephraim P. , Traeger Lara N. , Jackson Vicki A. , Cashavelly Barbara J. , Martinson Holly S. , Greer Joseph A. , Ryan David P. , Temel Jennifer S. , El-Jawahri Areej 
Published: October 2017

Purpose Patients with advanced cancer experience potentially burdensome transitions of care after hospitalizations. We examined predictors of discharge location and assessed the relationship between discharge location and survival in this population. Methods We conducted a prospective study of 932 patients with advanced cancer who experienced an unplanned hospitalization between September 2014 and March 2016. Upon admission, we assessed patients’ physical symptoms (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System) and psychological distress (Patient Health Questionnaire-4). The primary outcome was discharge location (home without hospice, postacute care [PAC], or hospice [any setting]). The secondary outcome was survival. Results Of 932 patients, 726 (77.9%) were discharged home without hospice, 118 (12.7%) were discharged to PAC, and 88 (9.4%) to hospice. Those discharged to PAC and hospice reported high rates of severe symptoms, including dyspnea, constipation, low appetite, fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Using logistic regression, patients discharged to PAC or hospice versus home without hospice were more likely to be older (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.05; P < .001), live alone (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.25 to 3.02; P < .003), have impaired mobility (OR, 5.08; 95% CI, 3.46 to 7.45; P < .001), longer hospital stays (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.20; P < .001), higher Edmonton Symptom Assessment System physical symptoms (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.003 to 1.032; P < .017), and higher Patient Health Questionnaire-4 depression symptoms (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.25; P < .027). Patients discharged to hospice rather than PAC were more likely to receive palliative care consultation (OR, 4.44; 95% CI, 2.12 to 9.29; P < .001) and have shorter hospital stays (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.77 to 0.91; P < .001). Patients discharged to PAC versus home had lower survival (hazard ratio, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.22 to 1.93; P < .001). Conclusion Patients with advanced cancer who were discharged to PAC facilities and hospice had substantial physical and psychological symptom burden, impaired physical function, and inferior survival compared with those discharged to home. These patients may benefit from interventions to enhance their quality of life and care.
MicroRNA Expression-Based Model Indicates Event-Free Survival in Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Lim Emilia L. , Trinh Diane L. , Ries Rhonda E. , Wang Jim , Gerbing Robert B. , Ma Yussanne , Topham James , Hughes Maya , Pleasance Erin , Mungall Andrew J. , Moore Richard , Zhao Yongjun , Aplenc Richard , Sung Lillian , Kolb E. Anders , Gamis Alan , Smith Malcolm , Gerhard Daniela S. , Alonzo Todd A. , Meshinchi Soheil , Marra Marco A. 
Published: October 2017

PurposeChildren with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) whose disease is refractory to standard induction chemotherapy therapy or who experience relapse after initial response have dismal outcomes. We sought to comprehensively profile pediatric AML microRNA (miRNA) samples to identify dysregulated genes and assess the utility of miRNAs for improved outcome prediction.Patients and MethodsTo identify miRNA biomarkers that are associated with treatment failure, we performed a comprehensive sequence-based characterization of the pediatric AML miRNA landscape. miRNA sequencing was performed on 1,362 samples—1,303 primary, 22 refractory, and 37 relapse samples. One hundred sixty-four matched samples—127 primary and 37 relapse samples—were analyzed by using RNA sequencing.ResultsBy using penalized lasso Cox proportional hazards regression, we identified 36 miRNAs the expression levels at diagnosis of which were highly associated with event-free survival. Combined expression of the 36 miRNAs was used to create a novel miRNA-based risk classification scheme (AMLmiR36). This new miRNA-based risk classifier identifies those patients who are at high risk (hazard ratio, 2.830; P ≤ .001) or low risk (hazard ratio, 0.323; P ≤ .001) of experiencing treatment failure, independent of conventional karyotype or mutation status. The performance of AMLmiR36 was independently assessed by using 878 patients from two different clinical trials (AAML0531 and AAML1031). Our analysis also revealed that miR-106a-363 was abundantly expressed in relapse and refractory samples, and several candidate targets of miR-106a-5p were involved in oxidative phosphorylation, a process that is suppressed in treatment-resistant leukemic cells.ConclusionTo assess the utility of miRNAs for outcome prediction in patients with pediatric AML, we designed and validated a miRNA-based risk classification scheme. We also hypothesized that the abundant expression of miR-106a could increase treatment resistance via modulation of genes that are involved in oxidative phosphorylation.
Increased Brain Glucose Uptake After 12 Weeks of Aerobic High-Intensity Interval Training in Young and Older Adults
Authors: Robinson Matthew M , Lowe Val J , Nair K Sreekumaran 
Published: October 2017

Abstract

Context
Aerobic exercise training can increase brain volume and blood flow, but the impact on brain metabolism is less known.

Objective
We determined whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) increases brain metabolism by measuring brain glucose uptake in younger and older adults.

Design
Brain glucose uptake was measured before and after HIIT or a sedentary (SED) control period within a larger exercise study.

Setting
Study procedures were performed at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Participants
Participants were younger (18 to 30 years) or older (65 to 80 years) SED adults who were free of major medical conditions. Group sizes were 15 for HIIT (nine younger and six older) and 12 for SED (six younger and six older).

Intervention
Participants completed 12 weeks of HIIT or SED. HIIT was 3 days per week of 4 × 4 minute intervals at over 90% of peak aerobic capacity (VO2peak) with 2 days per week of treadmill walking at 70% VO2peak.

Main Outcome Measures
Resting brain glucose uptake was measured using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans at baseline and at week 12. Scans were performed at 96 hours after exercise. VO2peak was measured by indirect calorimetry.

Results
Glucose uptake increased significantly in the parietal-temporal and caudate regions after HIIT compared with SED. The gains with HIIT were not observed in all brain regions. VO2peak was increased for all participants after HIIT and did not change with SED.

Conclusion
We demonstrate that brain glucose metabolism increased after 12 weeks of HIIT in adults in regions where it is reduced in Alzheimer’s disease.
A putative role for genome-wide epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in Huntington’s disease: A computational assessment
Authors: Mina Eleni , van Roon-Mom Willeke , Verschure Pernette , 't Hoen Peter A.C. , Thompson Mark , Kaliyaperumal Rajaram , Hettne Kristina , Schultes Erik , Mons Barend , Roos Marco 
Published: October 2017

Background:Huntington's Disease (HD) is an incurable disease of the adult brain. Massive changes in gene expression are a prominent feature. Epigenetic effects have been reported to be implicated in HD, but the role of chromatin is not well understood. We tested if the chromatin state of dysregulated genes in HD is affected at a genome-wide scale and examined how epigenetic processes are associated with CpG-island-mediated gene expression.Methods:Our general approach incorporates computational and functional analysis of public data before embarking on expensive wet-lab experiments. We compared the location in the genome of the genes that were deregulated in HD human brain, obtained from public gene expression data, to the location of particular chromatin marks in reference tissues using data from the ENCODE project.Results:We found that differentially expressed genes were enriched in the active chromatin state, but not enriched in the silent state. In the caudate nucleus, the most highly affected brain region in HD, genes in the active state were associated with transcription, cell cycle, protein transport and modification, RNA splicing, histone post-translational modifications and RNA processing. Genes in the repressed state were linked with developmental processes and responses related to zinc and cadmium stimulus. We confirmed that genes within CpG-islands are enriched among HD dysregulated genes in human and mouse in HD. Epigenetic processes were associated more with genes that overlap with CpG-islands than genes that do not.Conclusion:Our results suggest that massive transcriptional dysregulation in HD is not matched by large-scale relocation of gene activity, i.e. inactive chromatin regions are altered into actively expressed chromatin regions and vice versa. We expect that changes in epigenetic chromatin state might occur at the level of single genes (e.g. promoters, gene body) and scattered genomic sites (e.g. CTCF sites, enhancer regions) instead of large-scale genomic regions.
The Enhanced Care Program: Impact of a Care Transition Program on 30‐Day Hospital Readmissions for Patients Discharged From an Acute Care Facility to Skilled Nursing Facilities
Authors: Rosen Bradley T. , Halbert Ronald J. , Hart Kelley , Diniz Marcio A. , Isonaka Sharon , Black Jeanne T. 
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUNDIncreased acuity of skilled nursing facility (SNF) patients challenges the current system of care for these patients.OBJECTIVEEvaluate the impact on 30‐day readmissions of a program designed to enhance the care of patients discharged from an acute care facility to SNFs.DESIGNAn observational, retrospective cohort analysis of 30‐day hospital readmissions for patients discharged to 8 SNFs between January 1, 2014, and June 30, 2015.SETTINGA collaboration between a large, acute care hospital in an urban setting, an interdisciplinary clinical team, 124 community physicians, and 8 SNFs.PATIENTSAll patients discharged from Cedars‐Sinai Medical Center to 8 partner SNFs were eligible for participation.INTERVENTIONThe Enhanced Care Program (ECP) involved the following 3 interventions in addition to standard care: (1) a team of nurse practitioners participating in the care of SNF patients; (2) a pharmacist‐driven medication reconciliation at the time of transfer; and (3) educational in‐services for SNF nursing staff.MEASUREMENTThirty‐day readmission rate for ECP patients compared to patients not enrolled in ECP.RESULTSThe average unadjusted, 30‐day readmission rate for ECP patients over the 18‐month study period was 17.2% compared to 23.0% among patients not enrolled in ECP (P< .001). After adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, ECP patients had 29% lower odds of being readmitted within 30 days (P< .001). These effects were robust to stratified analyses, analyses adjusted for clustering, and balancing of covariates using propensity weighting.CONCLUSIONSA coordinated, interdisciplinary team caring for SNF patients can reduce 30‐day hospital readmissions.
Identification and Counting of Soybean Aphids from Digital Images Using Shape Classification
Authors: Shajahan Sunoj , Sivarajan Saravanan , Maharlooei Mohammadmehdi , Bajwa Sreekala G. , Harmon Jason P. , Nowatzki John F. , Cannayen Igathinathane 
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Soybean aphids are serious pests, causing negative yield impacts in the crop. Assessing their population is essential for making appropriate pesticide application decisions. Manual identification and counting, which is commonly performed to determine the economic threshold level, is time-consuming, laborious, and causes visual fatigue. In this study, an automatic image processing method was developed to identify and count aphids as well as exoskeletons and leaf spots on soybean leaves based on shape analysis. Aphid-infested soybean trifoliates were obtained at three infestation rates (low, medium, and high). Images of the front sides of the leaves were captured in the laboratory with three cameras (digital single-lens reflex or DSLR, consumer-grade digital, and smartphone) under two lighting conditions (direct and indirect). The shape parameters considered were area, perimeter, convex area, eccentricity, aspect ratio, solidity, hollowness, and roundness. Among the shape parameters tested, hollowness was the best in identifying aphids and was therefore used for developing the object classification algorithm. Of the three cameras tested, images from the consumer-grade digital camera produced the best identification accuracy (&gt;82.4%), followed by the DSLR camera (&gt;81.2%) and smartphone camera (&gt;37.9%). Statistical analysis revealed that the accuracies did not differ significantly under different lighting conditions (p = 0.43), but the accuracies differed for the smartphone camera compared to the DSLR and consumer-grade digital cameras (p = 8.87 × 10-10). The results of automatic and manual counting were very well correlated (r = 0.92). The automatic image processing method achieved more rapid counting (&lt;2 s per image after loading the image) compared to manual counting (~5 min per image). The developed approach for aphid identification and counting can be easily applied to other pest identification issues with minor modifications to the algorithm. Keywords: Aphids, Classification, Image processing, Segmentation, Shape analysis, Soybean.
Ammonia Nitrogen Removal Using Oyster Shell as Alkalinity-Releasing Media in a Biological Nitrification System
Authors: Han Zhiying , Li Changwei , Fan Rong , Lin Xiaochang , Liu Dezhao , Wang Shuo , Zhu Songming , Ye Zhangying 
Published: October 2017

Abstract. The booming shellfish aquaculture industry in China generates a large amount of oyster shell (OS) as a byproduct, which poses an urgent threat to the sensitive ecosystem. In this study, the feasibility of enhanced NH4+-N removal from wastewater using OS as an alkalinity provider was explored using a set of shaken flasks continuously operated in batch mode. The results indicated that NH4+-N removal was enhanced due to the presence of OS, considering the variations in NH4+-N concentration and NH4+-N removal efficiency. Furthermore, the nitrification rate, calculated as NH4+-N removed per hour, was higher with greater OS addition. The most important result is an equation for estimating OS addition, based on alkalinity analysis, that provides a reference for the design of nitrifying biofilters with OS as media. Additionally, the alkalinity released from OS due to biological nitrification was confirmed using x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Keywords: Alkalinity, Ammonia nitrogen, Nitrification, Oyster shell (OS), pH, Wastewater.
Relationship of Strawberry Yield with Microclimate Factors in Open and Covered Raised-Bed Production
Authors: Condori Bruno , Fleisher David H. , Lewers Kimberly S. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Supply for the fresh strawberry (× Duchesne ex Rozier) market in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region is frequently supplemented by product grown in states outside the region. The adoption of repeat-fruiting cultivars specially bred for this area can benefit local and regional growers, but production systems suited to meet the cultural needs of these varieties must be evaluated. The relationships between yields from five repeat-fruiting cultivars grown in either uncovered (open) or plastic-covered (tunnel) raised-bed systems and associated microclimate factors were assessed from data collected over a three-year period at the USDA-ARS facility in Beltsville, Maryland. Average in-season yields were 40% higher and berry numbers were 150% higher for production in tunnel versus open systems when averaged across all cultivars, years, and harvests. This yield difference was attributed to warmer temperatures in the tunnel system that enabled extension of the growing season, higher weekly yields, and higher light use efficiency. Temperature and solar radiation accounted for more than 41% of the variance between yield and all measured microclimatic factors. Maximum 24 h temperatures averaged 3.5°C, 1.6°C, and 0.8°C higher, respectively, at the air (Ta), crown (Tc), and bed (Tb) positions in the tunnel system, and daily photosynthetically active radiation was 34% lower in the tunnel system. A four-week period between floral initiation and fruit maturity was estimated as representative of the floral development period and was used as a basis for obtaining cardinal temperatures. The optimum temperature averaged 26.8°C, 28.6°C, and 27.9°C at Ta, Tc, and Tb, respectively. Yields were positively correlated with daily light integral at temperatures below these thresholds, and higher slopes from the relationship of yield versus light were observed for tunnel production. Predicted yields using the beta function were shown to match observed values well in either production system, especially when Tc data were used, and can be used for production system design and management. Keywords: Modeling, Plastic tunnels, Solar radiation, Strawberries, Temperature, Yields.
Exploring the effects of school context on Chinese students’ use of language learning strategies in English learning
Authors: Rao Zhenhui , Huang Lin 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
The research reported here investigated the effects of contextual factors on Chinese students’ use of language learning strategies in English learning. The study differed from most of the previous studies on learning strategies in that the data were examined within Biggs (1993. What do inventories of students’ learning processes really measure? A theoretical review and clarification. British Journal of Educational Psychology 63. 3–19.) 3P (Presage, Process and Product) model of learning. Using a Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (Oxford, R. L. 1990. Language learning strategies: What every teacher should know. New York: Newbury House Publishers.) and interview, the researchers discovered the disparities in the use of learning strategies in English learning between the students from urban schools and those from rural schools. The former made a more frequent use of the strategies leading to the improvement of communicative competence and active involvement in classroom activities, whereas the latter showed a strong preference for the strategies relevant to the analysis of grammatical rules and linguistic details. An in-depth analysis of the data revealed that the differences in strategy use between the two groups might stem from some social and economic factors and could be linked to three elements in Biggs’ 3P model: value and expectation, teacher competence and teaching facilities. The article concludes by discussing some implications for English as a foreign language (EFL) teaching in Chinese schools and other similar education settings worldwide.
The Failure of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (establishment etc.) Act 2004 as a Development Act
Authors: Ibe-Ojiludu Somadina 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
This write-up answered the question of why the 2004 Act which set up Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has failed to tame corruption in Nigeria. Reflecting on the numerous cases of political interference in the activities of the EFCC, the lack of some adequate funding of the activities of the commission and the EFCC’s plea bargaining regime, and relying on the thoughts of Charles Sherman and Ann Seidman and Robert Seidman, the write-up submits that the 2004 Act has principally failed to check corruption – and by extension has failed as a development Act – because it was not drafted and implemented for development.
Emerging technologies for high performance infrared detectors
Authors: Tan Chee Leong , Mohseni Hooman 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Infrared photodetectors (IRPDs) have become important devices in various applications such as night vision, military missile tracking, medical imaging, industry defect imaging, environmental sensing, and exoplanet exploration. Mature semiconductor technologies such as mercury cadmium telluride and III–V material-based photodetectors have been dominating the industry. However, in the last few decades, significant funding and research has been focused to improve the performance of IRPDs such as lowering the fabrication cost, simplifying the fabrication processes, increasing the production yield, and increasing the operating temperature by making use of advances in nanofabrication and nanotechnology. We will first review the nanomaterial with suitable electronic and mechanical properties, such as two-dimensional material, graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, and metal oxides. We compare these with more traditional low-dimensional material such as quantum well, quantum dot, quantum dot in well, semiconductor superlattice, nanowires, nanotube, and colloid quantum dot. We will also review the nanostructures used for enhanced light-matter interaction to boost the IRPD sensitivity. These include nanostructured antireflection coatings, optical antennas, plasmonic, and metamaterials.
Effects of Combined Strength and Endurance Training on Physical Performance and Biomarkers of Healthy Young Women
Authors: Kyröläinen Heikki , Hackney Anthony C. , Salminen Riikka , Repola Johanna , Häkkinen Keijo , Haimi Jari 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Kyröläinen, H, Hackney, AC, Salminen, R, Repola, J, Häkkinen, K, and Haimi, J. Effects of combined strength and endurance training on physical performance and biomarkers of healthy young women. J Strength Cond Res 32(6): 1554–1561, 2018—Cardiovascular fitness has decreased and obesity has increased in young adults worldwide during the last 10 years. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find out optimal exercise training programs for improving physical performance and health outcomes, especially among sedentary women. Subjects were 25- to 30-year-old women with a very low physical activity, and 65% of them were overweight (body mass index > 25). They performed endurance and strength training 3 times a week for 9 weeks. Independent strength training and instructed endurance training by indoor cycling were prescribed. Measurements were performed before, in the middle, and after the training period. No nutritional guidelines were given to the subjects. The 9-week training period led to an 8.5% increase in estimated maximal oxygen uptake. Maximal isometric strength of the leg and arm extensors as well as trunk flexors and extensors increased by 28.9, 7.8, 27.2, and 16.1%, respectively. Total cholesterol values lowered by 7.6%, and high-density lipoprotein increased by 8.8%, whereas low-density lipoprotein, hemoglobin, serum glucose, and triglyceride remained unchanged. Serum cortisol increased by 22.7%, but no changes in plasma testosterone, estradiol, or sex hormone binding globulin were observed. The skeletal muscle mass increased by 0.8% without other changes in body composition. Our results indicated that only 27 combined endurance and strength training sessions in 9 weeks improved maximal endurance and strength capacity as well as some health outcomes. Thus, combined strength and endurance training itself can induce significant health benefits without the necessity of changes in dietary habits.