bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Use of Programmed Cell Death-1 and Its Ligand Expression as Discriminatory and Predictive Markers in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Chatterjee Jayanta , Dai Wei , Aziz Nor Haslinda Abd , Teo Pei Yun , Wahba John , Phelps David L. , Maine Christian J. , Whilding Lynsey M. , Dina Roberto , Trevisan Giorgia , Flower Kirsty J. , George Andrew J.T. , Ghaem-Maghami Sadaf 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Purpose: We aimed to establish whether programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, in ovarian cancer tumor tissue and blood, could be used as biomarkers for discrimination of tumor histology and prognosis of ovarian cancer.
Experimental Design: Immune cells were separated from blood, ascites, and tumor tissue obtained from women with suspected ovarian cancer and studied for the differential expression of possible immune biomarkers using flow cytometry. PD-L1 expression on tumor-associated inflammatory cells was assessed by immunohistochemistry and tissue microarray. Plasma soluble PD-L1 was measured using sandwich ELISA. The relationships among immune markers were explored using hierarchical cluster analyses.
Results: Biomarkers from the discovery cohort that associated with PD-L1+ cells were found. PD-L1+ CD14+ cells and PD-L1+ CD11c+ cells in the monocyte gate showed a distinct expression pattern when comparing benign tumors and epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs)—confirmed in the validation cohort. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed PD-L1+ and PD-L1+ CD14+ cells in the monocyte gate performed better than the well-established tumor marker CA-125 alone. Plasma soluble PD-L1 was elevated in patients with EOC compared with healthy women and patients with benign ovarian tumors. Low total PD-1+ expression on lymphocytes was associated with improved survival.
Conclusions: Differential expression of immunological markers relating to the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in blood can be used as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers in EOC. These data have implications for the development and trial of anti–PD-1/PD-L1 therapy in ovarian cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 23(13); 3453–60. ©2016 AACR.
Possible Worlds of History
Authors: Lähteenmäki Ilkka 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
The theory of possible worlds has been minimally employed in the field of theory and philosophy of history, even though it has found a place as a tool in other areas of philosophy. Discussion has mostly focused on arguments concerning counterfactual history’s status as either useful or harmful. The theory of possible worlds can, however be used also to analyze historical writing. The concept of textual possible worlds offers an interesting framework to work with for analyzing a historical text’s characteristics and features. However, one of the challenges is that the literary theory’s notion of possible worlds is that they are metaphorical in nature. This in itself is not problematic but while discussing about history, which arguably deals with the real world, the terminology can become muddled. The latest attempt to combine the literary and philosophical notions of possible worlds and apply it to historiography came from Lubomír Doležel in his Possible Worlds of Fiction and History: The Postmodern Stage (2010). I offer some criticism to his usage of possible worlds to separate history and fiction, and argue that when historiography is under discussion a more philosophical notion of possible worlds should be prioritized over the metaphorical interpretation of possible worlds.
An Analytic Description of the Structure and Evolution of Growing Deep Cumulus Updrafts
Authors: Morrison Hugh 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
New theoretical analytic expressions are derived for the evolution of a passive scalar, buoyancy, and vertical velocity in growing, entraining moist deep convective updrafts. These expressions are a function of updraft radius, height, convective available potential energy (CAPE), and environmental relative humidity RH. They are quantitatively consistent with idealized three-dimensional moist updraft simulations with varying updraft sizes and in environments with differing RH. In particular, the analytic expressions capture the rapid decrease of buoyancy with height due to entrainment for narrow updrafts in a dry environment despite large CAPE. In contrast to the standard entraining-plume model, the theoretical expressions also describe the effects of engulfment of environmental air between the level of free convection (LFC) and height of maximum buoyancy (HMB) required by mass continuity to balance upward acceleration of updraft air (i.e., dynamic entrainment). This organized inflow sharpens horizontal gradients, thereby enhancing smaller-scale lateral turbulent mixing below the HMB. For narrow updrafts in a dry environment, this enhanced mixing leads to a negatively buoyant region between the LFC and HMB, effectively cutting off the region of positive buoyancy at the HMB from below so that the updraft structure resembles a rising thermal rather than a plume. Thus, it is proposed that a transition from plume-like to thermal-like structure is driven by dynamic entrainment and depends on updraft width (relative to height) and environmental RH. These results help to bridge the entraining-plume and rising-thermal conceptual models of moist convection.
The Use of Reanalyses and Gridded Observations as Weather Input Data for a Hydrological Model: Comparison of Performances of Simulated River Flows Based on the Density of Weather Stations
Authors: Essou Gilles R. C. , Brissette François , Lucas-Picher Philippe 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Precipitation forcing is critical for hydrological modeling as it has a strong impact on the accuracy of simulated river flows. In general, precipitation data used in hydrological modeling are provided by weather stations. However, in regions with sparse weather station coverage, the spatial interpolation of the individual weather stations provides a rough approximation of the real precipitation fields. In such regions, precipitation from interpolated weather stations is generally considered unreliable for hydrological modeling. Precipitation estimates from reanalyses could represent an interesting alternative in regions where the weather station density is low. This article compares the performances of river flows simulated by a watershed model using precipitation and temperature estimates from reanalyses and gridded observations. The comparison was carried out based on the density of surface weather stations for 316 Canadian watersheds located in three climatic regions. Three state-of-the-art atmospheric reanalyses—ERA-Interim, CFSR, and MERRA—and one gridded observations database over Canada—Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)—were used. Results showed that the Nash–Sutcliffe values of simulated river flows using precipitation and temperature data from CFSR and NRCan were generally equivalent regardless of the weather station density. ERA-Interim and MERRA performed significantly better than NRCan for watersheds with weather station densities of less than 1 station per 1000 km2 in the mountainous region. Overall, these results indicate that for hydrological modeling in regions with high spatial variability of precipitation such as mountainous regions, reanalyses perform better than gridded observations when the weather station density is low.
Bragg Scatter Detection by the WSR-88D. Part II: Assessment of ZDR Bias Estimation
Authors: Richardson Lindsey M. , Zittel W. David , Lee Robert R. , Melnikov Valery M. , Ice Richard L. , Cunningham Jeffrey G. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractClear-air Bragg scatter (CABS) is a refractivity gradient return generated by turbulent eddies that operational Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) systems can detect. The randomly oriented nature of the eddies results in a differential reflectivity (ZDR) value near 0 dB, and thus CABS can be used as an assessment of ZDR calibration in the absence of excessive contamination from precipitation or biota. An automated algorithm to estimate ZDR bias from CABS was developed by the Radar Operations Center and can be used to assess the calibration quality of the dual-polarized WSR-88D fleet. This technique supplements existing ZDR bias assessment tools, especially the use of other external targets, such as light rain and dry snow.The estimates of ZDR bias from CABS using a 1700–1900 UTC time window were compared to estimates from the light rain and dry snow methods. Output from the automated CABS algorithm had approximately the same amount of bias reported as the light rain and dry snow estimates (within ±0.1 dB). As the 1700–1900 UTC time window appeared too restrictive, a modified version of the algorithm was tested to detect CABS diurnally on a volume-by-volume basis (continuous monitoring). Continuous monitoring resulted in a two- to fourfold increase in the number of days with CABS detections. Results suggest estimates from CABS are viable for many sites throughout the year and provide an important addition to existing bias estimation techniques.
To Act or Not To Act? Factors Influencing the General Public’s Decision about Whether to Take Protective Action against Severe Weather
Authors: Kox Thomas , Thieken Annegret H. 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Research suggests that providing weather forecast end users with additional information about the forecast uncertainty of a possible event can enhance the preparation of mitigation measures. But not all users have the same threshold for taking action. This paper focuses on the question of whether there are influencing factors that determine decision thresholds for numerical weather forecast information beginning at which the general public would start to take protective action.
In spring 2014, 1342 residents of Berlin, Germany participated in a survey. Questions related to the following topics: perception of and prior experience with severe weather, trustworthiness of forecasters and confidence in weather forecasts, and sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Within the questionnaire a scenario was created in order to determine individual decision thresholds and see whether subgroups of the sample lead to different thresholds.
Results show that people’s willingness to act tends to be higher and decision thresholds tend to be lower if the expected weather event is more severe or the property at risk is of higher value. Several influencing factors of risk perception have significant effects such as education, housing status, and ability to act, whereas classic sociodemographic determinants alone are often not sufficient to fully grasp risk perception and protection behavior.
Borrower’s default and self-disclosure of social media information in P2P lending
Authors: Ge Ruyi , Feng Juan , Gu Bin 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackgroundWe examine the signaling effect of borrowers’ social media behavior, especially self-disclosure behavior, on the default probability of money borrowers on a peer-to-peer (P2P) lending site.MethodWe use a unique dataset that combines loan data from a large P2P lending site with the borrower’s social media presence data from a popular social media site.ResultsThrough a natural experiment enabled by an instrument variable, we identify two forms of social media information that act as signals of borrowers’ creditworthiness: (1) borrowers’ choice to self-disclose their social media account to the P2P lending site, and (2) borrowers’ social media behavior, such as their social network scope and social media engagement.ConclusionThis study offers new insights for screening borrowers in P2P lending and a novel usage of social media information.
Frontline Science: HIV infection of Kupffer cells results in an amplified proinflammatory response to LPS
Authors: Mosoian Arevik , Zhang Lumin , Hong Feng , Cunyat Francesc , Rahman Adeeb , Bhalla Riti , Panchal Ankur , Saiman Yedidya , Fiel M Isabel , Florman Sander , Roayaie Sasan , Schwartz Myron , Branch Andrea , Stevenson Mario , Bansal Meena B 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
End-stage liver disease is a common cause of non-AIDS-related mortality in HIV+ patients, despite effective anti-retroviral therapies (ARTs). HIV-1 infection causes gut CD4 depletion and is thought to contribute to increased gut permeability, bacterial translocation, and immune activation. Microbial products drain from the gut into the liver via the portal vein where Kupffer cells (KCs), the resident liver macrophage, clear translocated microbial products. As bacterial translocation is implicated in fibrogenesis in HIV patients through unclear mechanisms, we tested the hypothesis that HIV infection of KCs alters their response to LPS in a TLR4-dependent manner. We showed that HIV-1 productively infected KCs, enhanced cell-surface TLR4 and CD14 expression, and increased IL-6 and TNF-α expression, which was blocked by a small molecule TLR4 inhibitor. Our study demonstrated that HIV infection sensitizes KCs to the proinflammatory effects of LPS in a TLR4-dependent manner. These findings suggest that HIV-1-infected KCs and their dysregulated innate immune response to LPS may play a role in hepatic inflammation and fibrosis and represent a novel target for therapy.
Physical Compatibility of Propofol–Sufentanil Mixtures
Authors: Zbytovská Jarmila , Gallusová Jana , Vidlářová Lucie , Procházková Kamila , Šimek Jan , Štěpánek František 
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND:
Combined infusions of propofol and sufentanil preparations are frequently used in clinical practice to induce anesthesia and analgesia. However, the stability of propofol emulsions can be affected by dilution with another preparation, sometimes leading to particle coalescence and enlargement. Such unwanted effects can lead to fat embolism syndrome after intravenous application. This study describes the physical stability of 5 commercially available propofol preparations mixed with sufentanil citrate solutions.

METHODS:
Two common markers of emulsion stability were used in this study; namely, the zeta potential and size distribution of the emulsion droplets. Both were measured using dynamic light scattering. The data for the pure propofol preparations and their mixtures with sufentanil citrate solution were compared.

RESULTS:
The absolute value of zeta potential decreased in 4 of the 5 propofol preparations after they had been mixed with sufentanil citrate. This effect indicates a lowering of repulsive interactions between the emulsion droplets. Although this phenomenon tends to cause agglomeration, none of the studied mixtures displayed a substantial increase in droplet size within 24 hours of blending. However, our long-term stability study revealed the instability of some of the propofol–sufentanil samples. Two of the 5 studied mixtures displayed a continual increase in particle size. The same 2 preparations showed the greatest reductions in the absolute value of zeta potential, thereby confirming the correlation of both measurement methods. The increase in particle size was more distinct in the samples stored at higher temperatures and with higher sufentanil concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS:
To ensure the microbial stability of an emulsion infusion preparation, clinical regulations require that such preparations should be applied to patients within 12 hours of opening. In this respect, we can confirm that during this period, none of the studied propofol–sufentanil mixtures displayed any physical instability that could lead to particle enlargement; thus, fat embolism should not be a risk after their intravenous application. However, our long-term stability study revealed differences between commercially available preparations containing the same active ingredient; some of the mixtures showed an increase in particle size and polydispersity over a longer period. Although our results should not be generalized beyond the particular propofol–sufentanil preparations and concentrations studied here, they do suggest that, as a general principle, a compatibility study should be performed for any preparation before the first intravenous application to exclude the risk of droplet aggregation.
Intraperitoneal Instillation of Lidocaine Improves Postoperative Analgesia at Cesarean Delivery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Patel Ruchira , Carvalho Jose C. A. , Downey Kristi , Kanczuk Marcelo , Bernstein Paul , Siddiqui Naveed 
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND:
Cesarean delivery is a commonly performed procedure worldwide. Despite improvements in balanced multimodal analgesia, there remains a proportion of women for whom postoperative pain relief and patient satisfaction are still inadequate. Intraperitoneal instillation of local anesthetic has been shown to be effective in reducing postoperative pain after abdominal surgery. We sought to investigate the effect of intraperitoneal instillation of lidocaine on postcesarean delivery pain as part of a multimodal analgesia regimen.

METHODS:
We studied women scheduled for elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia was performed with 0.75% hyperbaric bupivacaine, fentanyl, and morphine. At the end of the cesarean delivery, immediately before parietal peritoneum or fascia closure, patients were randomized to receive either lidocaine (20 mL 2% lidocaine with epinephrine) or placebo (20 mL normal saline) instilled into the peritoneal cavity. The primary outcome was pain score on movement at 24 hours. Secondary outcomes were pain score at rest and on movement at 2, 24, and 48 hours; maternal satisfaction score; analgesic consumption; incidence of nausea, vomiting, and itching; and return of bowel function.

RESULTS:
Two hundred four women were recruited. Baseline characteristics were similar between the lidocaine and placebo groups. Pain scores at 24 hours postcesarean delivery on movement (parameter estimate 0.02 [95% confidence interval {CI} −0.14 to 0.18]; P = .823) and at rest (parameter estimate 0.00 [95% CI −0.32 to 0.33]; P = .986) were similar in both groups. Pain scores at 2 hours postcesarean delivery on movement (parameter estimate −0.58 [95% CI −0.90 to −0.26]; P = .001) and at rest (parameter estimate −1.00 [95% CI −1.57 to −0.43]; P = .001) were lower in the lidocaine group. Subgroup analysis of patients with peritoneum closure revealed significantly lower pain scores at 24 hours on movement (parameter estimate −0.33 [95% CI −0.64 to −0.03]; P = .032) in the lidocaine group. The number of women requesting postoperative opioids for breakthrough pain was significantly lower in the lidocaine group compared with that of the placebo (40 [40%] vs 61 [65%], respectively, relative risk 0.59 [95% CI 0.43–0.81]; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:
The use of intraperitoneal instillation of lidocaine improves early postoperative pain management after cesarean delivery. Furthermore, it reduces the number of women requesting systemic opioids in the immediate postpartum period. Women undergoing peritoneal closure may particularly benefit from this intervention.
The Flaw Detection of Composite Superstructure for Passenger Hydrofoil by the NDT Acoustic Methods
Authors: Францев  , Frantsev Mikhail 
Published: December 2016

Introduction. Results of examination of a pilot model of hydrofoil passenger craft topside made of polymer composite materials for delamination-type defects are presented. Defects area is measured and compared with the rated values.
Method. To ensure flaw detection, use was made of a two-level test arrangement using an acoustic impedance method, free oscillations acoustic method, and DAMI-C composite materials multipurpose inspection unit. The exact location of the defect was determined by point-to-point testing. Threshold testing using a sonic scanner produces full image of the object defective area to allow subsequent measurement of the defect areas and comparing them with those of the acceptability requirements.
Results. The amount of inspection is 100% of the topside both on the outside and inside, scanning depth - up to the light medium layer. To select optimum operation mode of the inspection unit, use was made of sample pieces with dummy defects.
Conclusions. It was confirmed that using the selected reinforcing and bonding materials was appropriate to create composite material for the hydrofoil passenger craft topside. It was also confirmed that the designed structural layout of the product and its manufacturing technology were correct. No technological defects in the places of possible generation of delamination-type defects during operation have been revealed. The examination also confirmed high efficiency of the DAMI-C inspection unit equipped with RS-1 transmit-receive transducer and a sonic scanner to carry out detection of flaws in composite body shell structures including those made in the form of a sandwich, to ensure their testing for technological internal defects of the delamination (starved spot) type.
Composite Material Mechanical Properties Evaluation Using a Dynamic Indentation Method
Authors: Кашапова  , Kashapova Irina , Ильинский  , Ilinskiy Aleksandr , Степанова  , Stepanova Kseniya , Протасеня  , Pratasenia Tatyana 
Published: December 2016

Introduction. Dynamic indentation method is considered promising in testing mechanical properties of composite materials. Today, composite materials are widely used in the aviation and aerospace industries. That’s why, testing of mechanical properties of composite materials is so vital.
Method. To register the current velocity of the indenter penetration into the tested composite material, use is made of a device that enables a contactless measurement of the indenter penetration velocity after the indenter strikes the tested product.
The data obtained is digitized and sent to a PC for further processing.
Results. The experiment produced &#34;contact force – penetration depth&#34; diagrams for three test zones in the prepared samples. The analysis showed that the non-uniformity of mechanical properties in the rod’s butt end and side surface is stipulated by pores and microcracks, and this is confirmed by computer tomography. It is shown that dilaminations, microcracks and local non-uniformity zones in the structure tell on the elasticity modulus measurements.
Conclusions. The dynamic indentation method allows one to test composites at the micro- and macrostructural level, as well as compute their integral mechanical properties.
miRNA assays in the clinical laboratory: workflow, detection technologies and automation aspects
Authors: Kappel Andreas , Keller Andreas 
Published: December 2016

AbstractmicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression in eukaryotes. Their differential abundance is indicative or even causative for a variety of pathological processes including cancer or cardiovascular disorders. Due to their important biological function, miRNAs represent a promising class of novel biomarkers that may be used to diagnose life-threatening diseases, and to monitor disease progression. Further, they may guide treatment selection or dosage of drugs. miRNAs from blood or derived fractions are particularly interesting candidates for routine laboratory applications, as they can be measured in most clinical laboratories already today. This assures a good accessibility of respective tests. Albeit their great potential, miRNA-based diagnostic tests have not made their way yet into the clinical routine, and hence no standardized workflows have been established to measure miRNAs for patients’ benefit. In this review we summarize the detection technologies and workflow options that exist to measure miRNAs, and we describe the advantages and disadvantages of each of these options. Moreover, we also provide a perspective on data analysis aspects that are vital for translation of raw data into actionable diagnostic test results.