bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neo‐adjuvant chemotherapy plus surgery versus surgery alone for cervical cancer: Meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Peng Yun‐Hua , Wang Xin‐Xiu , Zhu Jing‐Song , Gao Li 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neo‐adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) versus radical surgery (RS) for patients with cervical cancer. A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) of NACT + RS versus RS alone for patients with cervical cancer was performed according to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses (PRISMA) statement. The following electronic databases were searched from their inception to April 2015: PUBMED, EMBASE and Cochrane Library. Statistical analysis was done using REVIEW MANAGER 5.3. Five RCT involving 739 patients were studied. There were significant differences between the NACT + RS and the RS‐alone groups for positive lymph nodes (OR, 0.45; 95%CI: 0.29–0.70) and parametrial infiltration (OR, 0.48; 95%CI: 0.25–0.92), while treatment efficacy did not differ significantly for 5‐year overall survival rate (OR, 1.17; 95%CI: 0.85–1.61), 5‐year disease‐free survival rate (OR, 1.09; 95%CI: 0.77–1.56) or recurrence rate (OR, 1.17; 95%CI: 0.85–1.61). The results also indicated that chemotherapy‐related toxicity was well tolerated. For patients with cervical cancer, NACT could significantly reduce the number of positive lymph nodes and the level of parametrial infiltration compared with RS alone, and be well tolerated.
Spatial and temporal sedimentation changes in the Three Gorges Reservoir of China
Authors: Gao Peng , Wang Zhao‐yin , Siegel Donald 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThis study examined the temporal trend of sedimentation in China's Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) from compiled sediment data at multiple temporal scales. Based on decade‐averaged annual sediment loads, a decreasing trend of sediment supply between 1950s and 2000s was found, with a lower‐than‐expected mean sedimentation rate. From 2003 to 2013, the annual sediment supply generally decreased, with the annual sediment deposition rate being about 50% less than that predicted with prior numerical models. The reduced annual sedimentation rate was attributed to (relatively) small dam building within the upstream watershed, conservation activities and sand/gravel mining. Morphological changes at two cross sections within the TGR between 2003 and 2013 indicated that sediment deposition caused only limited bed accretion along the main course of the TGR. In the tail area of the TGR, where sediment transport ceases first, the sedimentation occurring between 2004 and 2013 was insufficient to impede navigation. These results indicate that at least as a first approximation sedimentation in the TGR is well controlled, making it a subdued ‘river dragon’.
Factors affecting dignity of patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Sharifi Simin , Borhani Fariba , Abbaszadeh Abbas 
Published: January 2016

RationaleMS is one of the most common chronic diseases of the nervous system. Apart from disease progression, other complications such as unemployment, separation and divorce could potentially threat patients’ dignity. Most of the previous studies have been done of maintaining patients’ dignity in interaction with healthcare team, but studies on affecting factors of dignity in chronic patients in the society and in interaction with usual people are scarce.AimWe aimed to investigate factors affecting dignity of Iranian patients with MS in daily living and in interaction of them with the society.MethodsIn this qualitative study, 13 patients with multiple sclerosis were chosen by purposive sampling and semi‐structured interviews were conducted until data saturation. The study was done in Tehran, the capital city of Iran.ResultsFactors affecting dignity were classified as ‘personal factors’ and ‘social factors’. Personal factors consist of the following subcategories: patients’ communication with self, patients’ knowledge, patients’ values and beliefs and patients’ resources. Social factors include others’ communication with patients, social knowledge, social values and beliefs and social resources.ConclusionMultiple personal and social factors interfere in perceived patient dignity. In fact, interaction between personal and social factors can be influential in final perceived dignity. By focusing on whole aspects of the patients’ lives, we can identify dignity‐promoting or dignity‐threatening factors and help patients maintain their dignity by taking appropriate measures for moderating threatening factors and improving dignity enhancing ones.
Factors Associated with Achieving Complete Mental Health among Individuals with Lifetime Suicidal Ideation
Authors: Baiden Philip , Fuller‐Thomson Esme 
Published: January 2016

The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with complete mental health among Canadians who had ever seriously considered suicide. Data for this study were obtained from Statistics Canada's 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey–Mental Health (N = 2,844). The outcome variable examined in this study was complete mental health and was analyzed using binary logistic regression. Of the 2,844 respondents with lifetime suicidal ideation, 1,088 (38.2%) had complete mental health (i.e., had flourishing mental health, no mental illness, and no suicidal ideation in the past 12 months). Those who had a confidant were seven times more likely to have complete mental health. Other factors associated with achieving complete mental health among formerly suicidal respondents include being older, being a woman, having higher income, use of religious coping, and never previously having a mental illness. Considering the importance of these protective factors in formulating public health policies will allow for a more wide‐reaching approach to suicide prevention.
A combined time‐of‐flight and depth‐of‐interaction detector for total‐body positron emission tomography
Authors: Berg Eric , Roncali Emilie , Kapusta Maciej , Du Junwei , Cherry Simon R. 
Published: January 2016

Purpose:In support of a project to build a total‐body PET scanner with an axial field‐of‐view of 2 m, the authors are developing simple, cost‐effective block detectors with combined time‐of‐flight (TOF) and depth‐of‐interaction (DOI) capabilities.Methods:This work focuses on investigating the potential of phosphor‐coated crystals with conventional PMT‐based block detector readout to provide DOI information while preserving timing resolution. The authors explored a variety of phosphor‐coating configurations with single crystals and crystal arrays. Several pulse shape discrimination techniques were investigated, including decay time, delayed charge integration (DCI), and average signal shapes.Results:Pulse shape discrimination based on DCI provided the lowest DOI positioning error: 2 mm DOI positioning error was obtained with single phosphor‐coated crystals while 3–3.5 mm DOI error was measured with the block detector module. Minimal timing resolution degradation was observed with single phosphor‐coated crystals compared to uncoated crystals, and a timing resolution of 442 ps was obtained with phosphor‐coated crystals in the block detector compared to 404 ps without phosphor coating. Flood maps showed a slight degradation in crystal resolvability with phosphor‐coated crystals; however, all crystals could be resolved. Energy resolution was degraded by 3%–7% with phosphor‐coated crystals compared to uncoated crystals.Conclusions:These results demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining TOF–DOI capabilities with simple block detector readout using phosphor‐coated crystals.
Sustained Nitric Oxide-Releasing Nanoparticles Induce Cell Death in Candida albicans Yeast and Hyphal Cells, Preventing Biofilm Formation
In Vitro
and in a Rodent Central Venous Catheter Model
Authors: Ahmadi Mohammed S. , Lee Hiu Ham , Sanchez David A. , Friedman Adam J. , Tar Moses T. , Davies Kelvin P. , Nosanchuk Joshua D. , Martinez Luis R. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Candida albicans
is a leading nosocomial pathogen. Today, candidal biofilms are a significant cause of catheter infections, and such infections are becoming increasingly responsible for the failure of medical-implanted devices.
C. albicans
forms biofilms in which fungal cells are encased in an autoproduced extracellular polysaccharide matrix. Consequently, the enclosed fungi are protected from antimicrobial agents and host cells, providing a unique niche conducive to robust microbial growth and a harbor for recurring infections. Here we demonstrate that a recently developed platform comprised of nanoparticles that release therapeutic levels of nitric oxide (NO-np) inhibits candidal biofilm formation, destroys the extracellular polysaccharide matrices of mature fungal biofilms, and hinders biofilm development on surface biomaterials such as the lumen of catheters. We found NO-np to decrease both the metabolic activity of biofilms and the cell viability of
C. albicans
in vitro
and
in vivo
. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis found NO-np to induce apoptosis in biofilm yeast cells
in vitro
. Moreover, NO-np behave synergistically when used in combination with established antifungal drug therapies. Here we propose NO-np as a novel treatment modality, especially in combination with standard antifungals, for the prevention and/or remediation of fungal biofilms on central venous catheters and other medical devices.
Small RNA Regulation of TolC, the Outer Membrane Component of Bacterial Multidrug Transporters
Authors: Parker Ashley , Gottesman Susan 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTBacteria use multidrug efflux pumps to export drugs and toxic compounds out of the cell. One of the most important efflux pumps inEscherichia coliis the AcrAB-TolC system. Small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) are known to be major posttranscriptional regulators that can enhance or repress translation by binding to the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of mRNA targets with the help of a chaperone protein, Hfq. In this study, we investigated the expression ofacrA,acrB, andtolCtranslational fusions using 27 Hfq-dependent sRNAs overexpressed from plasmids. No significant sRNA regulation ofacrAoracrBwas detected. SdsR (also known as RyeB), an abundant and well-conserved stationary-phase sRNA, was found to repress the expression oftolC, the gene encoding the outer membrane protein of many multidrug resistance efflux pumps. This repression was shown to be by direct base pairing occurring upstream from the ribosomal binding site. SdsR overexpression and its regulation oftolCwere found to reduce resistance to novobiocin and crystal violet. Our results suggest that additional targets for SdsR exist that contribute to increased antibiotic sensitivity and reduced biofilm formation. In an effort to identify phenotypes associated with single-copy SdsR and its regulation oftolC, the effect of a deletion ofsdsRor mutations intolCthat should block SdsR pairing were investigated using a Biolog phenotypic microarray. However, no significant phenotypes were identified. Therefore, SdsR appears to modulate rather than act as a major regulator of its targets.IMPORTANCEAcrAB-TolC is a major efflux pump present inE. coliand Gram-negative bacteria used to export toxic compounds; the pump confers resistance to many antibiotics of unrelated classes. In this study, we found that SdsR, a small RNA expressed in stationary phase, repressed the expression oftolC, resulting in increased sensitivity to some antibiotics. This extends the findings of previous studies showing that sRNAs contribute to the regulation of many outer membrane proteins; manipulating or enhancing their action might help in sensitizing bacteria to antibiotics.
Sociodemographic, home environment and parental influences on total and device-specific screen viewing in children aged 2 years and below: an observational study
Authors: Goh Si Ning , Teh Long Hua , Tay Wei Rong , Anantharaman Saradha , Dam Rob M van , Tan Chuen Seng , Chua Hwee Ling , Wong Pey Gein , Müller-Riemenschneider Falk 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate total and device-specific screen viewing (SV) and its determinants in children aged 2 years and below.DesignCross-sectional study conducted in February 2014.SettingWell-child clinics in Singapore national polyclinics.ParticipantsParents of children (Singapore citizens or permanent residents) aged 2 years and below were enrolled during routine clinic visits. Out of 794 eligible parent–child dyads, 725 (91.3%) provided informed consent and were included in the analysis.Main outcome measuresDevice-specific information on SV and determinants was ascertained using interviewer-administered survey questionnaires. The prevalence and duration of aggregate and device-specific SV were reported. Associations with potential determinants were investigated using multiple logistic regression analysis. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe prevalence of daily SV and SV ≥2 h/day constituted 53.5% and 16.3%, respectively. The majority of children aged 18–24 months (88.2%) engaged in daily SV. TVs and mobile devices were the most commonly used screen devices, followed by computers and video consoles. In multivariable analysis, younger child age, Chinese ethnicity and setting rules on time of SV were strongly and consistently associated with lower levels of any SV and SV ≥2 h/day. Parental knowledge of SV recommendations and less parental SV were additionally associated with lower levels of SV ≥2 h/day. The number of screen devices was not associated with children's SV.ConclusionsIn contrast to recommendations, SV prevalence in children aged less than 2 years is high and appears to increase steadily across age groups. TVs and mobile devices are most frequently used. Improving parental knowledge of SV recommendations, reducing parental SV and especially the implementation of strict rules on SV time could be successful strategies to reduce SV in young children.
Lightweight Capability Domains
Authors: Jacobsen Charles , Khole Muktesh , Spall Sarah , Bauer Scotty , Burtsev Anton 
Published: January 2016

Despite a number of radical changes in how computer systems are used, the design principles behind the very core of the systems stack--an operating system kernel--has remained unchanged for decades.We run monolithic kernels developed with a combination ofan unsafe programming language, global sharing of data structures, opaque interfaces, and no explicit knowledge of kernel protocols. Today, the monolithic architecture of a kernel is the main factor undermining its security, and even worse, limiting its evolution towards a safer, more secure environment. Lack of isolation across kernel subsystems allows attackers to take control over the entire machine with a single kernel vulnerability. Furthermore, complex, semantically rich monolithic code with globally shared data structures and no explicit interfaces is not amenable to formal analysis and verification tools. Even after decades of work to make monolithic kernels more secure, over a hundred serious kernel vulnerabilities are still reported every year.
Modern kernels need decomposition as a practical means of confining the effects of individual attacks. Historically, decomposed kernels were prohibitively slow. Today, the complexity of a modern kernel prevents a trivial decomposition effort. We argue, however, that despite all odds modern kernels can be decomposed. Careful choice of communication abstractions and execution model, a general approach to decomposition, a path for incremental adoption, and automation through proper language tools can address complexity of decomposition and performance overheads of decomposed kernels. Our work on lightweight capability domains (LCDs) develops principles, mechanisms, and tools that enable incremental, practical decomposition of a modern operating system kerne.
DISTRIBUIÇÃO ESPAÇO-TEMPORAL DOS DESASTRES NATURAIS ASSOCIADOS À DINÂMICA CLIMÁTICA NO ESTADO DO CEARÁ
Authors: Olímpio João Luís Sampaio , Zanella Maria Elisa 
Published: January 2016

<p class="p4"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: PT-BR; mso-fareast-language: PT-BR; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">No estado do Ceará é recorrente a materialização de desastres naturais induzidos pela ocorrência de eventos naturais extremos, como as secas e as inundações que, por vezes, motivam a decretação de Situação de Emergência ou Estado de Calamidade Pública. Neste artigo, apresentam-se os desastres naturais citados ocorridos no estado do Ceará, a partir do levantamento das Portarias de reconhecimento de Situação de Desastre emitidas entre os anos de 2003 a 2013 e pela análise da variabilidade pluviométrica da estação chuvosa. Os resultados revelaram quais as porções do estado são mais vulneráveis às adversidades induzidas pela dinâmica climática da região semiárida e sua relação com uma fragilidade natural e com um contexto socioeconômico, cultural, institucional e estrutural presentes nos municípios cearenses. Assim, esta pesquisa visa analisar a distribuição dos desastres naturais e dos danos produzidos na série histórica indicada, gerando informações que podem ser apropriadas pelos tomadores de decisão, com vista à gestão dos riscos de desastres</span>. </p>
Radial Artery Occlusion After Transradial Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Rashid Muhammad , Kwok Chun Shing , Pancholy Samir , Chugh Sanjay , Kedev Sasko A. , Bernat Ivo , Ratib Karim , Large Adrian , Fraser Doug , Nolan James , Mamas Mamas A. 
Published: January 2016

Background

Radial artery occlusion (
RAO
) may occur posttransradial intervention and limits the radial artery as a future access site, thus precluding its use as an arterial conduit. In this study, we investigate the incidence and factors influencing the
RAO
in the current literature.

Methods and Results

We searched
MEDLINE
and
EMBASE
for studies of
RAO
in transradial access. Relevant studies were identified and data were extracted. Data were synthesized by meta‐analysis, quantitative pooling, graphical representation, or by narrative synthesis. A total of 66 studies with 31 345 participants were included in the analysis. Incident
RAO
ranged between <1% and 33% and varied with timing of assessment of radial artery patency (incidence of
RAO
within 24 hours was 7.7%, which decreased to 5.5% at >1 week follow‐up). The most efficacious measure in reducing
RAO
was higher dose of heparin, because lower doses of heparin were associated with increased
RAO
(risk ratio 0.36, 95%
CI
0.17–0.76), whereas shorter compression times also reduced
RAO
(risk ratio 0.28, 95%
CI
0.05–1.50). Several factors were found to be associated with
RAO
including age, sex, sheath size, and diameter of radial artery, but these factors were not consistent across all studies.

Conclusions

RAO
is a common complication of transradial access. Maintenance of radial patency should be an integral part of all procedures undertaken through the radial approach. High‐dose heparin along with shorter compression times and patent hemostasis is recommended in reducing
RAO
.
Intrinsic Predictability of the 20 May 2013 Tornadic Thunderstorm Event in Oklahoma at Storm Scales
Authors: Zhang Yunji , Zhang Fuqing , Stensrud David J. , Meng Zhiyong 
Published: January 2016

AbstractUsing a high-resolution convection-allowing numerical weather prediction model, this study seeks to explore the intrinsic predictability of the severe tornadic thunderstorm event on 20 May 2013 in Oklahoma from its preinitiation environment to initiation, upscale organization, and interaction with other convective storms. This is accomplished through ensemble forecasts perturbed with minute initial condition uncertainties that were beyond detection capabilities of any current observational platforms. It was found that these small perturbations, too small to modify the initial mesoscale environmental instability and moisture fields, will be propagated and evolved via turbulence within the PBL and rapidly amplified in moist convective processes through positive feedbacks associated with updrafts, phase transitions of water species, and cold pools, thus greatly affecting the appearance, organization, and development of thunderstorms. The forecast errors remain nearly unchanged even when the initial perturbations (errors) were reduced by as much as 90%, which strongly suggests an inherently limited predictability for this thunderstorm event for lead times as short as 3–6 h. Further scale decomposition reveals rapid error growth and saturation in meso-γ scales (regardless of the magnitude of initial errors) and subsequent upscale growth into meso-β scales.
Ex post legislative evaluation in the European Union: questioning the usage of evaluations as instruments for accountability
Authors: Zwaan Pieter , van Voorst Stijn , Mastenbroek Ellen 
Published: January 2016

Evaluations may perform a key role in political systems as they provide a basis for parliaments to hold their executives accountable. This is equally the case in the European Union. Yet, several factors may work against the usage of European Union evaluations for accountability purposes. Members of the European Parliament work under great time pressure and executives may have little incentives to produce high-quality evaluations. This article therefore addresses the question of to what extent and when Members of the European Parliament use ex post legislative evaluations. We present an analysis of 220 evaluations, studying how many were referred to in parliamentary questions. Our main finding is that 16% of the evaluations are followed up through questions. However, the parliamentary questions hardly serve accountability aims. Members of the European Parliament mostly use evaluations for agenda-setting purposes. The main variable explaining differences in the usage of evaluations is the level of conflict between the European Parliament and Commission during the legislative process. Points for practitioners This article studies the usage of ex post evaluations of European Union legislation by Members of the European Parliament for accountability purposes by analysing European Parliament questions. It shows that MEPs ask different types of questions, referring to ex post evaluations. Most of the questions reveal forward-looking rather than backward-looking motives, aimed at agenda-setting and policy change instead of accountability. It concludes that variance in parliamentary questions about the follow-up of evaluation outcomes can be explained by the level of conflict between the European Parliament and Commission during the legislative stage.