bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Demographic changes in breast cancer incidence, stage at diagnosis and age associated with population‐based mammographic screening
Authors: Verdial Francys C. , Etzioni Ruth , Duggan Catherine , Anderson Benjamin O. 
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUNDBreast cancer incidence and mortality are influenced by early‐detection methods, including mammographic screening. Demographic changes in US statistics serve as a model for changes that can be anticipated in countries where mammographic screening has not been implemented.METHODSSEER statistics (1973‐2013) for breast cancer mortality, incidence, stage at diagnosis, and age at diagnosis were examined. Temporal associations between screening changes and breast cancer demographics in the US were documented.FINDINGSBefore 1982 (pre‐screening), breast cancer incidence in the US remained stable, with similar incidence of localized and regional cancers, and with in‐situ disease comprising <2% of diagnosed disease.1 During the transitional phase of mammographic screening, breast cancer incidence increased. In 1991, breast cancer age‐adjusted mortality rates began decreasing and have continued to decrease. In the post‐screening phase, stage distribution stabilized, but now with localized and in‐situ disease representing the majority of diagnosed cases. The median age at diagnosis has increased to 61 years.DISCUSSIONMammographic screening increases breast cancer incidence, shifts the stage distribution toward earlier stage disease, and in high‐income countries, is associated with improved survival. Whether similar improvement in breast cancer survival can be achieved in the absence of mammographic screening has yet to be conclusively demonstrated.
Experimentally manipulating the landscape of fear to manage problem animals
Authors: Atkins Alex , Redpath Stephen M. , Little Rob M. , Amar Arjun 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTNegative interactions between humans and wildlife are increasing, often leading to conflict between different stakeholders over appropriate management interventions. We experimentally tested whether introducing trained Harris's hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus) through falconry could be an effective management tool to reduce nuisance Egyptian geese (Alopochen aegyptiaca). We hypothesized that falconry would result in elevated fear responses of geese, resulting in increased vigilance, reduced favorability of the site, and locally reduced abundance. We conducted our study on 3 golf courses (1 treatment and 2 controls) in the Western Cape, South Africa, where Egyptian geese are a pest species. Our treatment involved flying the Harris's hawk directly at geese from golf carts. We monitored vigilance and goose numbers before, during, and after treatment. Goose vigilance at the treatment site increased by 76% and abundance declined by 73% following falconry. We did not observe changes at either control site. Although the hawks killed some geese, the decreases in abundance were almost 3 times greater than the numbers killed, indicating that indirect effects were considerably larger than the direct effect of mortality. During the treatment period, vigilance rates were greater in the presence of a golf cart, suggesting that geese learned to associate carts with the threat of predation. Post‐treatment vigilance rates were significantly less than rates detected during the treatment period and goose abundance on the experimental site increased rapidly post‐treatment, returning to pre‐treatment rates within 2 months. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of falconry to reduce nuisance bird abundance and suggest there may be other applications where the deployment of trained predators can be used to mitigate negative human‐wildlife interactions. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Enhanced crystallization rate and mechanical properties of poly(l‐lactic acid) by stereocomplexation with four‐armed poly(ϵ‐caprolactone)‐block‐poly(d‐lactic acid) diblock copolymer
Authors: Ning Zhenbo , Liu Junjie , Jiang Ni , Gan Zhihua 
Published: February 2017

AbstractPoly(l‐lactic acid) (PLLA) was blended with a series of four‐armed poly(ϵ‐caprolactone)‐block‐poly(d‐lactic acid) (4a‐PCL‐b‐PDLA) copolymers in order to improve its crystallization rate and mechanical properties. It is found that a higher content of 4a‐PCL‐b‐PDLA copolymer or longer PDLA block in the copolymer lead to faster crystallization of the blend, which is attributed to the formation of stereocomplex crystallites between PLLA matrix and PDLA blocks of the 4a‐PCL‐b‐PDLA copolymers. Meanwhile, the PDLA block can improve the miscibility between flexible PCL phase and PLLA phase, which is beneficial for improving mechanical properties. The tensile results indicate that the 10% 4a‐PCL5k‐b‐PDLA5k/PLLA blend has the largest elongation at break of about 72% because of the synergistic effects of stereocomplexation between enantiomeric PLAs, multi‐arm structure and plasticization of PCL blocks. It is concluded that well‐controlled composition and content of 4a‐PCL‐b‐PDLA copolymer in PLLA blends can significantly improve the crystallization rate and mechanical properties of the PLLA matrix. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Infectivity inhibition by overlapping synthetic peptides derived from the gH/gL heterodimer of herpes simplex virus type 1
Authors: Franci Gianluigi , Falanga Annarita , Zannella Carla , Folliero Veronica , Martora Francesca , Galdiero Marilena , Galdiero Stefania , Morelli Giancarlo , Galdiero Massimiliano 
Published: February 2017

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a human pathogen that infects epithelial cells. The cutaneous lesions, caused by the virus, spread to the nervous system creating several complications. Fusion of host membranes with the viral envelope is mandatory and mediated by a group of glycoproteins conserved in all Herpesviridae subfamilies, such as the glycoproteins B (gB), H (gH), L (gL) and D (gD). We investigated the inhibitory activity mediated by synthetic overlapping peptides spanning the entire ectodomains of gH and gL glycoproteins. We have performed a brute analysis of the complete gH/gL heterodimer in order to explore the inhibitory activity of peptides modelled on these glycoproteins against HSV‐1 infection. Twenty‐four of the gH peptides at a concentration of 150 μM reached the 50% of inhibition cut‐off. Interestingly, they are mainly located in the gH carboxy‐terminal domain. None of the gL peptides had a clear inhibiting effect. No peptide toxicity was observed by lactate dehydrogenase assay at the concentrations used in our experimental conditions. HSV‐1 therapy is based on acyclovir treatment, but some resistant strains are emerging. In this scenario, innovative approaches for HSV‐1 treatment are necessary. Our data support the direct involvement of the described domains in the process of virus penetration; therefore, these results are of relevance to the potential development of novel therapeutic compounds to prevent HSV‐1 infections. Copyright © 2017 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimized preliminary structural design of steel composite buildings using the Sustainable Office Designer
Authors: Mensinger Martin , Huang Li 
Published: February 2017

AbstractDedicated to Prof. Dr. Akimitsu Kurita on his 70th birthdayPreliminary structural design is used for estimating and comparing design alternatives. It is mainly a manual procedure based on experience and documented in the form of design tables or charts. In an effort to automate this procedure for steel composite office buildings, the Sustainable Office Designer (SOD) has been developed as a SketchUp plug‐in. It can generate optimized preliminary structural designs for given rectangular boundary shapes and employs a rapid approximate calculation instead of an expensive structural analysis. Steel columns are used and verified according to DIN EN 1993‐1‐1, while beams are designed as composite members and verified to DIN EN 1994‐1‐1. Pre‐calculated design tables are used for slab systems. Optimization results are obtained and compared for different objectives, e.g. life cycle assessments (LCA) and costs.
Design of composite bridges with integral abutments
Authors: Pak Daniel , Bigelow Hetty , Feldmann Markus 
Published: February 2017

AbstractDedicated to Prof. Dr. Akimitsu Kurita on his 70th birthdayBridges are of vital importance to Europe's infrastructure and composite bridges have already become a popular solution in many countries, representing a well‐established alternative to concrete bridges. Their competitiveness depends on several factors such as site conditions, local costs of materials and labour and the contractor's experience. One outstanding advantage of composite bridges compared with concrete bridges is that the steel girders can carry the weight of the formwork and the fresh concrete during casting. Another major advantage is savings in construction time, which reduces disturbance to traffic and, consequently, saves money for the contractor, but even more so for road users – a fact that has been neglected for a long time. Recently, this factor has increasingly attracted attention as the latest studies show the need to take into account not only simple production costs, but also construction time and maintenance costs when deciding on a specific bridge type. All these needs are met by integral abutment bridges as well. In addition, this bridge type has the potential to outclass traditional bridges with transition joints as it not only reduces production and maintenance costs, but saves on economic and socio‐economic costs as well.
Remote monitoring of structural health in composites
Authors: Golchinfar Behnoush , Donskoy Dimitri , Pavlov Julius , Rutner Marcus 
Published: February 2017

AbstractDedicated to Prof. Dr. Eng. Akimitsu Kurita on his 70th birthday, in honour of his scientific achievements, guidance and the education of his students.This paper explores a new interdisciplinary method for internal damage detection and tracking in composite materials using thermo‐chemical sensing. A micro‐sized network of strings is interwoven into the composites. Each string consists of a pair of tubes containing one of two different non‐polar reactants. A local defect within the composites causes straining and cracking of the tube shell, resulting in direct contact between the two non‐polar reactants. The latter undergo a chemical reaction resulting in a polar product. When exposed to a microwave energy source, a polar product heats up dramatically within seconds in comparison to the surrounding composite material or the non‐polar reactants. This localized thermal signature can be rendered visible by an infrared camera.This study summarizes the findings of an in‐depth computational and experimental study of this sensing technology which is expected to be applicable across industries using composites, among them aerospace, automotive, offshore and bridge engineering. Potential applications in steel offshore or steel bridge engineering involve using composite sensing patches to cover fatigue fracture‐critical components. Defects initiating on the steel substrate surface are expected to be sensed on demand with this proposed sensing technology.
Metal deposition of copper and lead bullets in moose harvested in Fennoscandia
Authors: Stokke Sigbjørn , Brainerd Scott , Arnemo Jon M. 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTFragments from bullets used for moose (Alces alces) hunting contaminate meat, gut piles, and offal and expose humans and scavengers to lead and copper. We sampled bullets (n = 1,655) retrieved from harvested moose in Fennoscandia (Finland, Sweden, and Norway) to measure loss of lead and copper. Concordant questionnaires (n = 5,255) supplied ballistic information to complete this task. Hunters preferred lead‐based bullets (90%) to copper bullets (10%). Three caliber classes were preferred: 7.62 mm (69%), 9.3 mm (12%), and 6.5 mm (12%). Bullets passed completely through calves (76%) more frequently compared to yearlings (63%) or adults (47%). Metal deposition per bullet type (bonded lead core, lead core, and copper) did not vary among moose age classes (calves, yearlings, and adults). Average metal loss per bullet type was 3.0 g, 2.6 g, and 0.5 g for lead‐core, bonded lead‐core, and copper bullets, respectively. This corresponded to 18–26, 10–25, and 0–15% metal loss for lead‐core, bonded lead‐core, and copper bullets, respectively. Based on the harvest of 166,000 moose in Fennoscandia during the 2013/2014 hunting season, we estimated that lead‐based bullets deposited 690 kg of lead in moose carcasses, compared with 21 kg of copper from copper bullets. Bone impact increased, whereas longer shooting distances decreased, lead loss from lead‐based bullets. These factors did not influence loss of copper from copper bullets. In conclusion, a significant amount of toxic lead from lead‐based bullets is deposited in the tissue of harvested moose, which may affect the health of humans and scavengers that ingest it. By switching to copper bullets, Fennoscandian hunters can eliminate a significant source of lead exposure in humans and scavengers. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Glasgow Prognostic Score and Prognosis After Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Abe Tomoyuki , Tashiro Hirotaka , Kobayashi Tsuyoshi , Hattori Minoru , Kuroda Shintaro , Ohdan Hideki 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundSystemic inflammation can promote tumor growth. The Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), a simple assessment of systemic inflammation status, could be useful to predict the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after hepatectomy.MethodsConsecutive HCC patients were enrolled following hepatectomy at our institution between 2005 and 2012. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify variables associated with overall survival (OS) and recurrence‐free survival. Patients were stratified according to the GPS. To minimize selection bias, propensity score analysis was performed.ResultsAn elevated GPS (1–2), des‐gamma carboxyprothrombin levels (≥40 mAU/mL), and the presence of multiple tumors were significantly associated with a poor OS. Alpha‐fetoprotein levels (≥20.0 ng/mL), des‐gamma carboxyprothrombin levels (≥40 mAU/mL), and the presence of multiple tumors were independent risk factors for a poor recurrence‐free survival. After one‐to‐one matching, 92 patients each with a normal GPS (0) and an elevated GPS (1–2) had similar preoperative and operative characteristics. Poorer OS times in patients with an elevated GPS were confirmed by excluding possible misinterpretation.ConclusionsAn elevated GPS was an independent prognostic indicator for OS after hepatectomy in HCC patients. The GPS, which employs inexpensive and readily available biomarkers, could be a novel tool for predicting survival in such patients.
Thrombotic and Infectious Morbidity Are Associated with Transfusion in Posterior Spine Fusion
Authors: Johnson Daniel J. , Johnson Christine C. , Cohen David B. , Wetzler Joshua A. , Kebaish Khaled M. , Frank Steven M. 
Published: February 2017

Background Although previous investigators have established an association between blood transfusion and adverse outcomes, the relative frequency of different morbid events and the association with transfusion dose are not well understood. Questions/Purposes The purpose of the study is to characterize the relationship between blood transfusion and different types of morbidity after posterior spine fusion. Methods We retrospectively analyzed electronic medical records for 963 patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion surgery at a single institution, of which 603 (62.6%) received an allogeneic blood transfusion. Then, we assessed patient and surgical characteristics in a risk-adjusted fashion to identify various morbid event rates and independent predictors in these adverse outcomes. Results Compared to the non-transfused patients, transfused patients had a higher incidence of any morbid event (9.1 vs. 2.5%. P < 0.0001), thrombotic events (4.6 vs. 1.1%, P = 0.0025), and hospital-acquired infections (2.3 vs. 0.6%, P = 0.039). Renal, respiratory, and ischemic morbidity occurred less frequently and were not more common in transfused patients. Risk-adjusted analysis revealed a dose-response effect, whereby for each unit of allogeneic blood transfused, the risks of any morbid event (OR 1.183; 95% CI 1.103–1.274; P < 0.0001), thrombotic complication (OR 1.104; 95% CI 1.032–1.194; P = 0.0035), and infectious complication (OR 1.182; 95% CI 1.077–1.332; P = 0.0002) were increased. Conclusion Our data demonstrate risk-adjusted and transfusion dose-related increases in perioperative morbidity, with thrombotic and infectious events being the most common.
Epigenetic regulation of RELN and GAD1 in the frontal cortex (FC) of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) subjects
Authors: Zhubi Adrian , Chen Ying , Guidotti Alessandro , Grayson Dennis R. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBoth Reelin (RELN) and glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD1) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). We have previously shown that both mRNAs are reduced in the cerebella (CB) of ASD subjects through a mechanism that involves increases in the amounts of MECP2 binding to the corresponding promoters. In the current study, we examined the expression of RELN, GAD1, GAD2, and several other mRNAs implicated in this disorder in the frontal cortices (FC) of ASD and CON subjects. We also focused on the role that epigenetic processes play in the regulation of these genes in ASD brain. Our goal is to better understand the molecular basis for the down‐regulation of genes expressed in GABAergic neurons in ASD brains.We measured mRNA levels corresponding to selected GABAergic genes using qRT‐PCR in RNA isolated from both ASD and CON groups. We determined the extent of binding of MECP2 and DNMT1 repressor proteins by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. The amount of 5‐methylcytosine (5mC) and 5‐hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) present in the promoters of the target genes was quantified by methyl DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) and hydroxyl MeDIP (hMeDIP).We detected significant reductions in the mRNAs associated with RELN and GAD1 and significant increases in mRNAs encoding the Ten‐eleven Translocation (TET) enzymes 1, 2, and 3. We also detected increased MECP2 and DNMT1 binding to the corresponding promoter regions of GAD1, RELN, and GAD2. Interestingly, there were decreased amounts of 5mC at both promoters and little change in 5hmC content in these same DNA fragments.Our data demonstrate that RELN, GAD1, and several other genes selectively expressed in GABAergic neurons, are down‐regulated in post‐mortem ASD FC. In addition, we observed increased DNMT1 and MECP2 binding at the corresponding promoters of these genes. The finding of increased MECP2 binding to the RELN, GAD1 and GAD2 promoters, with reduced amounts of 5mC and unchanged amounts of 5hmC present in these regions, suggests the possibility that DNMT1 interacts with and alters MECP2 binding properties to selected promoters. Comparisons between data obtained from the FC with CB studies showed some common themes between brain regions which are discussed.
Cosmic microspheres in the Carboniferous deposits of the Usolka section (Urals foredeep)
Authors: Sungatullin R.Kh. , Sungatullina G.M. , Zakirov M.I. , Tsel’movich V.A. , Glukhov M.S. , Bakhtin A.I. , Osin Yu.N. , Vorob’ev V.V. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Magnetite microspheres from the Carboniferous deposits of the Usolka reference section were studied by probe microanalysis, with comparison of the distributions of chemical elements and microspheres. The presence of microspheres in sedimentary strata is considered to be an additional factor for stratigraphic correlation between sedimentary sections. The microspheres are shown to be of cosmic nature. The Late Paleozoic paleoclimatic changes (extreme cooling) and biotic crises were caused by the periodical Solar System motion in the Galaxy, cosmic-dust fallout, and meteorite bombardments of the Earth.
Paleomagnetism and magnetostratigraphy of Upper Cretaceous and Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary intervals, southern Kulunda basin (West Siberia)
Authors: Gnibidenko Z.N. , Levicheva A.V. , Semakov N.N. , Rusanov G.G. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
The study presents new paleomagnetic data on the Upper Cretaceous and Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary intervals of the southern Kulunda basin (Alei area), which were obtained from core samples collected from a 305-m-thick section penetrated in two wells. The paleomagnetic sections of each well were compiled and correlated based on the characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM). Paleomagnetic, geological, stratigraphic, and paleontological data were used to compile the Upper Cretaceous and Cretaceous–Paleogene magnetostratigraphic section of the southern Kulunda basin. The magnetostratigraphic section consists of five magnetozones, one normal polarity zone, and four reversed polarity zones spanning the Upper Cretaceous and Lower Paleogene. The lower part of the Gan’kino Horizon, showing normal polarity, forms a single normal polarity magnetozone N. The upper part of the Gan’kino Horizon comprises two reversed polarity magnetozones (R1km and R2mt). The Talitsa and Lyulinvor Formations of Lower Paleogene age correspond to two reversed polarity magnetozones (R1zl an R2i). The compiled Upper Cretaceous and Lower Paleogene magnetostratigraphic section was correlated with the geomagnetic polarity time scale. Two options were considered for correlating the lower normal polarity part of the section with geomagnetic polarity time scale of Gradstein.
Publications sur l'ancienne Afrique française au sud du Sahara
Authors: Cornevin Robert 
Published: February 2017

Le nombre de publications s'intérressant à l'Afrique est de plus en plus grand et il est de plus en plus difficile de couvir l'ensemble de la documentation concernant l'Afrique noire.
Dans cet article, nous ne donnerons qu'un bref aperçu de l'ensemble des publications. Nous n'envisagerons ici que l'Afrique noire à l'exclusion de Madagascar, encore que de nombreuses revues citees concernent egalement la grand ile.
Une remarque préliminaire s'impose, c'est, le domaine des sciences naturelles excepte, l'absence de spécialisation veritable des revues qui concernent soit l'ancien domaine colonial, soit ce que nous appelons maintenant le Tiers Monde.
A cette absence de spécialisation des revues, correspond bien souvent une absence de spécialisation des articles, tel article sur une tribu du Centre-Afrique ou du Nord-Dahomey faisant intervenir simultanément la géographie, l'histoire, l'ethnologie, la religion, le développement économique etc.
Africana at Duquesne University Library
Authors: Lee Hwa-Wei 
Published: February 2017

Interest in African studies has long been an established tradition of Duquesne University and its founders, the Fathers of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost, who began missionary work in Africa in the year 1778. By this tradition, books on Africa have been treasured ever since the University Library came into existence.
In November 1956, with the inauguration of the new Institute of African Affairs at Duquesne, special efforts were made to develop the collection to include large quantities of government documents, serial publications and books, and to enlist the active interest and assistance of Holy Ghost Fathers in obtaining and preserving material on Africa. The initial steps taken were all well received. Invaluable source materials poured in from the continent of Africa and from all over the world. This greatly strengthened the original collection.