bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Model for Early Detection of Breast Cancer in Low-Resource Areas: The Experience in Peru
Authors: Bain Carolyn , Constant Tara Hayes , Contreras Ines , Vega Ana Maria Burga , Jeronimo Jose , Tsu Vivien 
Published: January 2018

Purpose Late-stage breast cancer detection should be something of the past; however, it is still all too common in low-resource areas, including Peru, where 57% of women diagnosed with cancer are diagnosed at stage III or IV disease. Early detection of breast cancer is feasible in low-resource semirural and rural areas where mammography is rarely accessible. Methods PATH collaborated with Peruvian health institutions at local, regional, and national levels to design and implement a model of care for the early detection of breast cancer in Peru. The model includes training health promoters for community outreach, professional midwives in clinical breast exam, doctors to perform fine-needle aspiration biopsy sampling with ultrasound to triage, and patient navigators to ensure patients follow through with treatment. Results In a northern region of Peru, 400 individuals, including health promoters, midwives, doctors, and volunteers, received early-detection training in two phases. In Peru, local health professionals continue to refine and improve methods and materials using locally available resources, and the Peruvian health information system now includes specific breast cancer detection categories. Despite challenges and limited resources, the model is effective, and partnership with government health administrations improves health systems and benefits the population. Conclusion Given the absence of screening mammography, the public health challenge is to bring breast cancer early detection and diagnostic services closer to women’s homes and to ensure appropriate follow-up and care. The model is eminently transferable with appropriate adaptation and should now be tested in other settings within and outside of Peru.
The AKT/BCL-2 Axis Mediates Survival of Uterine Leiomyoma in a Novel 3D Spheroid Model
Authors: Vidimar Vania , Chakravarti Debabrata , Bulun Serdar E , Yin Ping , Nowak Romana , Wei Jian-Jun , Kim J Julie 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
A deeper understanding of the pathways that drive uterine leiomyoma (ULM) growth and survival requires model systems that more closely mimic the in vivo tumors. This would provide new insights into developing effective therapeutic strategies for these common benign tumors of childbearing-aged women. In this study, we examined the role of BCL-2 in mediating ULM survival in the context of increased protein kinase B (AKT) and oxidative stress using a three-dimensional (3D), spheroid-based model that more closely resembles the native ULM tumor microenvironment. Human primary cells from matched myometrium (MM) and ULM tissues were used to establish spheroid cultures in vitro. Histological and immunohistochemical methods were used to assess the spheroid architecture and characteristics. Viability assays for 3D cultures were used to evaluate their response to BH3 mimetics and the superoxide inducer, paraquat (PQ). Primary MM and ULM cells formed spheroids in culture. Notably, ULM spheroids exhibited low proliferation, increased oxidative stress, and secretion of interstitial collagen. Knockdown studies revealed that AKT sustained BCL-2 expression in ULM. The targeting of BCL-2 with BH3 mimetics effectively reduced viability and induced apoptosis in a subset of ULM spheroids. ULM spheroids that did not respond to BH3 mimetics alone responded to combination treatment with PQ. In conclusion, BCL-2 mediates AKT survival of ULM, providing compelling evidence for further evaluation of BH3 mimetics for ULM treatment. ULM spheroids recapitulated intrinsic features of the native ULM tumor microenvironment and can be used as a model for preclinical testing of potential therapeutic options for ULM.
Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Anionic Surfactants Activity at Metal/Solution Interface: The Influence of Temperature and Hydrocarbon Chain Length of Surfactants on the Zinc Ions Electroreduction Rate
Authors: Nieszporek Jolanta , Nieszporek Krzysztof 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
The effect of concentration of two anionic surfactants sodium 1-octanesulfonate and sodium 1-decanesulfonate in the temperature range 288–318 K on the kinetics and mechanism of electroreduction of Zn2+ ions was studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (eis) and other electrochemical methods. It was found that the process of electroreduction proceeds in two steps. To describe the mechanism of Zn2+ amalgamation, the Fawcett’s models were considered: CE (chemical step C, electron transfer step E), IE (ion transfer step I, electron transfer step E) and IA (ion transfer step I, adsorption step A). The results of theoretical investigations suggest that the IE model is the most probable mechanism of the process. Both surfactants were found to exert a catalytic effect on the analyzed electrode process. The accelerating abilities of the surfactants were found to increase with the growth of the length of their hydrocarbon chain and with the increase of temperature. The observations concerning the mechanism of the electrode reaction and its acceleration caused by surfactants were confirmed by the parameters calculated from temperature dependencies.
Pleiotropy of ABO gene: correlation of rs644234 with E-selectin and lipid levels
Authors: Arguinano Alex-Ander Aldasoro , Ndiaye Ndeye Coumba , Masson Christine , Visvikis-Siest Sophie 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackground:TheABOgene has been widely studied and associated with many different diseases such as myocardial infarction and diabetes. Pleiotropic effects of theABOlocus have been demonstrated. Indeed it affects different phenotypes such as E- and P-selectins, triglycerides and total cholesterol. The goal of this work was to study the SNP rs644234 located in theABOgene with different phenotypes related with diseases where theABOgene has been involved.Methods:We analyzed the SNP rs644234 located in theABOgene, by performing association studies with different lipid phenotypes as well as with the soluble E-selectin levels in 348 adults from the STANISLAS Family Study.Results:The major rs644234*T allele was associated with increased levels of soluble E-selectin (p=8.7×10−12). According to the lipid phenotypes, the major rs644234*T allele was associated with decreased levels of apolipoproteins E (ApoE) (p=0.001) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (p=0.032) but was associated with increased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p=0.013). The association of the HDL-C was especially significant in the male individuals (p=0.001).Conclusions:We confirmed thatABOis a major locus for serum soluble E-selectin levels variability, and we also correlated this gene with different lipid phenotypes. Furthermore, we demonstrated that this pleiotropic effect is independent. This is the first time that a correlation has been made between the ABOgene and the ApoE levels. According to these results, the major allele of this polymorphism may have a protective effect when it comes to cardiovascular related diseases, and more specifically when it comes to the lipid phenotypes.
Practical recommendations for managing hemolyzed samples in clinical chemistry testing
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Cadamuro Janne , von Meyer Alexander , Simundic Ana-Maria 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe suggest here a pragmatic approach for managing results of clinical chemistry testing in hemolyzed samples collected from adults/older children, attempting to balance the need to produce quality laboratory data with clinical urgency of releasing test results. Automatic measurement of the hemolysis index (H-index) in serum or plasma is highly advisable, whilst low-quality assessment of this test remains less good than a visual inspection. Regarding its practical use, when the H-index value does not generate an analytically significant bias, results can be released, whilst when the value is associated with analyte variation in a range between analytically and clinically significant bias (i.e. variation does not exceed the reference change value [RCV]), results of hemolysis-sensitive tests can be released in association with a comment describing the direction in which data are potentially altered, suggesting the need to collect another sample. When the H-index is associated with analyte variation exceeding clinically significant bias (i.e. variation exceeds the RCV), results of hemolysis-sensitive tests should be suppressed and replaced with a comment that biased results cannot be released because the sample is preanalytically compromised and advising the recollection of another sample. If H-index values reach an even higher critical cut-off (i.e. H-index corresponding to a cell-free hemoglobin concentration ≥10 g/L), all laboratory data may be unreliable and should hence be suppressed and replaced with a comment that all data cannot be released because the sample is grossly hemolyzed, also suggesting the recollection of another sample. Due to inaccuracy and imprecision, the use of corrective formulas for adjusting data of hemolysis-sensitive tests is discouraged.
Landscape Perception of the Bohemian Paradise
Authors: Bušek Martin , Pásková Martina , Zelenka Josef 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Comprehensive understanding of the destination perception by its visitors represents one of the key prerequisites of professional destination management on its both strategic and tactical level. This study continues in previous research focused on the analysis of the perception of different landscape types of the Czech Republic, zooming this time on the perception of the landscape of the Bohemian Paradise destination. The emphasis is put on the understanding of manifestations of genius loci and the exogenous factors in the landscape perception. The participant ´s observation of visitors’ behaviour, evaluation of their spontaneous discussions and comments, structured interviews and introspection supplemented by recordings of exogenous factors represented methods used to get an insight into the perception of landscape and genius loci manifestation in the selected research localities. The qualitative research strategy in the form of pilot research led to the confirmation of suitability of applied methods and to the formulation of the preliminary hypotheses of the future quantitative research. The findings of this pilot research indicate the correctness of the assumption of the exogenous factors (weather, daytimes and seasons of the year) influence on the landscape perception as well as the manifestation of the genius loci perceived by the majority of visitors.
Airline Service Quality Dimensions and Customer Loyalty: Empirical Evidence from Air Passengers’ in Lagos State
Authors: Ben Akpoyomare Oghojafor , Kunle Adeosun Ladipo Patrick , Ganiyu Rahim Ajao 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Air travellers are increasingly becoming more demanding in terms of their expectations of the quality of service offered by airline carriers. Hence, operators must improve service delivery to retain their loyalty. This study investigates the relationship between airline service quality dimensions and customer loyalty among air passengers in Lagos state. Causal research design was adopted to examine the aforementioned relationship. Convenience sampling technique was used to survey 600 air travellers. Data collected from the respondents were analysed by using Pearson correlation analysis and Anova. The findings reveal that the service quality and its dimensions are positive and significantly related to each other, overall service quality and customer loyalty. The results of the study indicate no significant difference between customers’ travelling for different motives in their perception of the quality of services. It was also discovered that flight frequency was insignificantly connected to customer loyalty. In line with the above findings, the study concludes that the airline service quality improvement initiatives should begin with recognition of customers’ needs. Correspondingly, airline operators should cultivate strategies to fulfil their service promise along the service quality dimensions, most important to air travellers to enhance customer loyalty.
The major tectonic boundaries of the Northern Red Sea rift, Egypt derived from geophysical data analysis
Authors: Saleh Salah , Pamukçu Oya , Brimich Ladislav 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn the present study, we have attempted to map the plate boundary between Arabia and Africa at the Northern Red Sea rift region including the Suez rift, Gulf of Aqaba-Dead Sea transform and southeastern Mediterranean region by using gravity data analysis. In the boundary analysis method which was used; low-pass filtered gravity anomalies of the Northern Red Sea rift region were computed. Different crustal types and thicknesses, sediment thicknesses and different heat flow anomalies were evaluated. According to the results, there are six subzones (crustal blocks) separated from each other by tectonic plate boundaries and/or lineaments. It seems that these tectonic boundaries reveal complex structural lineaments, which are mostly influenced by a predominant set of NNW–SSE to NW–SE trending lineaments bordering the Red Sea and Suez rift regions. On the other side, the E–W and N–S to NNE–SSW trended lineaments bordering the South-eastern Mediterranean, Northern Sinai and Aqaba-Dead Sea transform regions, respectively. The analysis of the low pass filtered Bouguer anomaly maps reveals that the positive regional anomaly over both the Red Sea rift and South-eastern Mediterranean basin subzones are considered to be caused by the high density of the oceanic crust and/or the anomalous upper mantle structures beneath these regions whereas, the broad medium anomalies along the western half of Central Sinai with the Suez rift and the Eastern Desert subzones are attributed to low-density sediments of the Suez rift and/or the thick upper continental crustal thickness below these zones. There are observable negative anomalies over the Northern Arabia subzone, particularly in the areas covered by Cenozoic volcanics. These negative anomalies may be attributed to both the low densities of the surface volcanics and/or to a very thick upper continental crust. On the contrary, the negative anomaly which belongs to the Gulf of Aqaba-Dead Sea transform zone is due to crustal thickening (with limited heat flow values) below this region. Additionally in this study, the crustal thinning was investigated with heat flow, magnetic and free air gravity anomalies in the Northern Red Sea rift region. In fact, the crustal thinning of the study area was also proportional to the regions of observable high heat flow values. Finally, our results were found to be well correlated with the topography, free air, aeromagnetic and heat flow dataset profiles crossing most of the study area.
Microclimate Evaluation of the Hradec Králové City using HUMIDEX
Authors: Rožnovský Jaroslav , Litschmann Tomáš , Středová Hana , Středa Tomáš , Salaš Petr , Horká Marie 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Urban environment differs from the surrounding landscape in terms of the values of meteorological parameters. This is often referred to as the urban heat island (UHI), which in simple terms means higher air temperatures in cities. The cause of these changes lies in the different active surfaces in cities, which subsequently results in a different radiation balance. The higher temperatures, however, also affect the living conditions in the city and during very high temperature periods can have negative effects on the health of the city inhabitants. The results presented in this paper are based on measurements taken over several years at locations near Hradec Králové, which is surrounded by different surface areas. Environment analysis was performed using the Humidex index. The obtained results show that replacing green areas with built-up areas affects temperatures in the city, when air temperatures are very high they significantly increase the discomfort of the inhabitants. Differences in the frequency of discomfort levels are observed especially during periods of high temperatures, at lower temperatures these differences are not significant. Higher frequencies of discomfort are observed at locations with artificial surfaces (asphalt, cobblestones, concrete) and in closed spaces. In contrast, locations with lots of green areas almost always have the value of this index lower or more balanced. The results should therefore be a valid argument for maintaining and extending green areas in cities.
Estimating the Impact of Taxes on the Economic Growth in the United States
Authors: Kalaš Branimir , Mirović Vera , Andrašić Jelena 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn a research paper, the authors provide an empirical approach to taxes and economic growth in the United States in the period 1996-2016. The basic goal is to explore how taxes affect economic growth. The subject of the research is measuring the effects of tax revenue growth and tax form as a personal income tax, corporate income tax and social security contributions on gross domestic product as a proxy for economic growth. Methodology framework includes several tests to clear the potential problem of heteroscedasticity, autocorrelation, multicollinearity and specification of the model. Based on diagnostic tests, a regression model is adequately created where fundamental econometric procedures are applied. Correlation matrix reflects a strong and positive relationship between tax revenue growth and corporate income tax on the one side and gross domestic product growth, on the another side. Also, personal income tax and social security contributions are weakly related to gross domestic product growth. The model shows a significant effect of tax revenue growth and social security contributions, while personal income tax and corporate income tax do not have a significant impact on gross domestic product growth. Interestingly, personal income tax as the main tax form in the tax structure of the United States has no significant impact on economic growth compared to social security contributions which percentage share is lesser.
The influence of bamboo fiber content on the non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of bamboo fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites (BPCs)
Authors: Hsu Chin-Yin , Yang Teng-Chun , Wu Tung-Lin , Hung Ke-Chang , Wu Jyh-Horng 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBamboo fiber (BF)-reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites (BPCs) have been investigated and it was shown by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) that BF is a nucleation agent and accelerates the crystallization rate of the PP matrix. Numerical analyses according to Avrami, Avrami-Ozawa, and Friedman described well the nucleation mechanism, the crystallization rate and the activation energy for the non-isothermal crystallization behavior of BPCs, respectively. The Avrami approach indicated that BF as a reinforcement significantly changed the crystal growth mechanism of PP matrix during the cooling process. Based on the Avrami-Ozawa method, a lower cooling rate can achieve a certain relative crystallinity degree within a time period. According to the Friedman method, the activation energies of BPCs were lower than that of neat PP below a relative crystallinity of 35%, when the BF content was more than 60%.
Production of Thermal-Resistant Cornstarch-Alginate Beads by Dripping Agglomeration
Authors: Feltre Gabriela , Silva Cassiane A. , Lima Gisele B. , Menegalli Florencia C. , Dacanal Gustavo C. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
This work investigated the agglomeration of native cornstarch and production of microcapsules by dripping of sodium alginate suspensions into calcium chloride solution. The crosslinking reaction formed a calcium alginate that worked as an encapsulation matrix and coated the cornstarch granules. The spherical beads produced were rigid and compact, and resistant to mechanical handling. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) computed the thermal resistance of the cornstarch-alginate beads. Particles containing 50 % w/w calcium alginate showed an increased gelatinization peak compared to particles with a higher starch content. The increase in alginate fraction resulted in beads with a higher particle density. Scanning electron micrographs showed the coating of cornstarch by the calcium alginate matrix. The beads were compact and with no superficial pores. DSC thermograms of native cornstarch showed a gelatinization temperature of 70.0 °C, and the gelatinization range was 64.6–80.4 °C, while beads containing 50 % alginate had an increased peak at 79.5 °C and the gelatinization interval was 71.0–90.2 °C. When compared with the native cornstarch, cornstarch-alginate beads had a lower water absorption, and the gelatinization occurred at a higher temperature and over a wider temperature range.
Receptive vocabulary size and its relationship to EFL language skills
Authors: Miralpeix Imma , Muñoz Carmen 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis study analyses the relationship between receptive vocabulary size in upper-intermediate/advanced learners and EFL proficiency and the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Little research has been conducted on this dimension of lexical knowledge and the four skills (Staehr, 2008; Milton et al., 2010), in spite of the fact that previous studies of separate language skills have highlighted the importance of vocabulary size for language proficiency development. A sample of 42 participants was assessed by means of a receptive vocabulary size test on ten word-frequency levels (1k to 10k), and on both receptive and productive skills (oral and written). Results reveal that vocabulary size explains language proficiency to a large extent, even in learners with vocabularies of more than 5,000 words, though its influence on performance is not as strong as in learners with smaller vocabularies. At a high proficiency level, vocabulary size is closely linked to writing and is moderately correlated with reading, speaking and listening. The findings help to provide a more complete picture than earlier research by including more proficient learners in EFL settings.
Modeling Semantic Distance in the Pattern Dictionary of English Verbs
Authors: Cinková Silvie , Hlávka Zdeněk 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
We explore human judgments on how well individual patterns of 29 target verbs from the Pattern Dictionary of English Verbs describe their random KWICs. We focus on cases where more than one pattern is judged as highly appropriate for a given KWIC and seek to estimate the effect of event participants (arguments) being denotatively similar in two patterns, considering all pair combinations in a given lemma. We compare this effect to the effect of several contextual features of the KWICs, the effect of paired PDEV implicatures implying each other, and the effect of belonging to a given lemma. We show that the lemma effect is still stronger than any feature going across lemmas we have examined so far, so that each verb appears to be a little universe in its own right.
Golden Rule of Morphology and Variants of Word forms
Authors: Hlaváčová Jaroslava 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
In many languages, some words can be written in several ways. We call them variants. Values of all their morphological categories are identical, which leads to an identical morphological tag. Together with the identical lemma, we have two or more wordforms with the same morphological description. This ambiguity may cause problems in various NLP applications. There are two types of variants – those affecting the whole paradigm (global variants) and those affecting only wordforms sharing some combinations of morphological values (inflectional variants). In the paper, we propose means how to tag all wordforms, including their variants, unambiguously. We call this requirement “Golden rule of morphology”. The paper deals mainly with Czech, but the ideas can be applied to other languages as well.