bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Prognostic Value of Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Urological Cancers: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Li Dong-Yang , Hao Xuan-Yu , Ma Tian-Ming , Dai Hui-Xu , Song Yong-Sheng 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe relationship of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and survival in urological cancers remained inconsistent in previous studies. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the prognostic significance of PLR in patients with urological cancers. A literature search was performed in the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science up to July, 2017 and study quality was obtained using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. To estimate the association of PLR and overall survival (OS) and other survival outcomes in urological cancers, we used pooled hazard ratios (HRs). Subgroup analyses were conducted on different ethnics, sample sizes and cut-off values. 20 high quality studies involving 7562 patients with urological cancers were included in this meta-analysis. High pretreatment PLR was significantly associated with poor OS in patients with urological cancers (pooled HR = 1.58). Elevated PLR was also correlated with other survival outcomes. However, we found that PLR was significantly relevant to the OS of patients with different types of urological cancers except bladder cancer (BCa, HR = 1.16, 95%CI: 0.96–1.41). In conclusion, elevated PLR was negatively related to the OS of patients with urological cancers, except in BCa. However, more large scale prospective studies with high quality are required in the future.
Off-centered Double-slit Metamaterial for Elastic Wave Polarization Anomaly
Authors: Lee Hyung Jin , Lee Je-Ryung , Moon Seung Hwan , Je Tae-Jin , Jeon Eun-chae , Kim Kiyean , Kim Yoon Young 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe polarization anomaly refers to the polarization transition from longitudinal to shear modes along an equi-frequency contour of the same branch, which occurs only in some anisotropic elastic media, but the lack of natural materials exhibiting desired anisotropy makes its utilization impossible for potential novel applications. In this paper, we present a unique, non-resonant type elastic metamaterial made of off-centered, double-slit unit cells. We show that its wave polarization characteristics that determine the desired anomalous polarization for a certain application are tailorable. As an application, a mode converting wedge that transforms pure longitudinal into pure shear modes is designed by the proposed metamaterial. The physics involved in the mode conversion is investigated by simulations and experiments.
WBSCR22 confers oxaliplatin resistance in human colorectal cancer
Authors: Yan Dongmei , Tu Linglan , Yuan Haining , Fang Jianfei , Cheng Liyan , Zheng Xiaoliang , Wang Xiaoju 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHuman WBSCR22 gene is involved in tumor metastasis, cell growth and invasion, however, its role in chemosensitivity to antitumor agents remains unknown. In this study, we analyzed the TCGA cohort and found the expression of WBSCR22 was significantly elevated in human colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue. WBSCR22 could be served as an independent risk predictor for overall survival (OS), and up-regulated WBSCR22 could predict unfavorable OS for CRC patients. Knockdown of WBSCR22 significantly sensitized CRC cells to oxaliplatin in vitro and in vivo, while overexpression of WBSCR22 led to cellular resistance to oxaliplatin treatment. Although WBSCR22 knockdown did not change cell cycle, it increased the oxaliplatin-induced cellular apoptosis. WBSCR22 knockdown augmented the oxaliplatin-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and ROS-induced 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) oxidative lesion accumulation, likely sensitizing oxaliplatin treatment. These results demonstrate that WBSCR22 is involved in CRC resistance to oxaliplatin, suggesting WBSCR22 may represent a novel oxaliplatin resistance biomarker as well as a potentail target for CRC therapeutics.
Geometry and Evolution of the Cangdong Sag in the Bohai Bay Basin, China: Implications for Subduction of the Pacific Plate
Authors: Luo Liang , Qi Jiafu , Li Hongxiang , Dong Yueqi , Zhang Shuai , Zhang Xichen , Yu Xiaoxia , Luo Lingyan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe Cangdong Sag is a complex Cenozoic rift basin at the center of the Bohai Bay Basin. Cenozoic structures in the Cangdong Sag can be subdivided into the Cangdong Fault System in the west and the Xuxi Fault System in the east. The geometry of the boundary faults varies along the axes of half-grabens. According to the cross-sectional strata geometry, unconformity and planar structural pattern, the Cenozoic structural evolution of the Cangdong Sag can be divided into four distinct stages: (1) major Paleocene initial rift, (2) latest Paleocene–early Eocene intensive rift, (3) late Eocene–Oligocene strike–slip superimposed rift, and (4) Neogene to present-day post-rift depression. The extensional deformation was mainly derived from horizontal stress induced by the upwelling of asthenosphere. The strike–slip structure of the Cangdong Sag provides important information related to the subduction of the Western Pacific Plate. It was found that the strike–slip movement of the southern Xuxi Fault Zone was activated during the deposition of the third member of Shahejie Formation to the Dongying Formation; therefore, ~43 Ma probably marks the time when the Western Pacific Plate initially changed its subduction direction from northwest to nearly west.
The safety and feasibility of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration for treatment patients with previous abdominal surgery
Authors: Huang Yong , Feng Qian , Wang Kai , Xiong Xiaoli , Zou Shubing 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) in patients with previous abdominal surgery (PAS). The outcomes were compared in 139 patients (103 upper and 36 lower abdominal surgeries) with PAS and 361 without PAS who underwent LCBDE. The operative time, hospital stay, rate of open conversion, postoperative complications, duct clearance, and blood loss were compared. Patients with PAS had longer operative times (P = 0.006), higher hospital costs (P = 0.043), and a higher incidence of wound complications (P = 0.011) than those without PAS. However, there were no statistically significant in the open conversion rate, blood loss, hospital stay, bile leakage, biliary strictures, residual stones, and mortality between patients with and without PAS (P > 0.05). Moreover, compared with those without PAS, patients with previous upper abdominal surgery (PUAS) had longer operative times (P = 0.005), higher hospital costs (P = 0.030), and a higher open conversion rate (P = 0.043), but patients with previous lower abdominal surgery (PLAS) had a higher incidence of wound complications (P
= 0.022). LCBDE is considered safe and feasible for patients with PAS, including those with PUAS.
Trade-off between reproduction and lifespan of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis under different food conditions
Authors: Sun Yunfei , Hou Xinying , Xue Xiaofeng , Zhang Lu , Zhu Xuexia , Huang Yuan , Chen Yafen , Yang Zhou 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPhaeocystis globosa, one of the most typical red tide-forming species, is usually mixed in the food composition of rotifers. To explore how rotifers respond by adjusting life history strategy when feeding on different quality foods, we exposed the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis to cultures with 100% Chlorella, a mixture of 50% P. globosa and 50% Chlorella, or 100% P. globosa. Results showed that rotifers exposed to 100% Chlorella or to mixed diets produced more total offspring and had higher age-specific fecundity than those exposed to 100% P. globosa. Food combination significantly affected the net reproduction rates of rotifers. By contrast, rotifers that fed on 100% P. globosa or on mixed diets had a longer lifespan than those fed on 100% Chlorella. The overall performances (combining reproduction and lifespan together) of rotifers cultured in 100% Chlorella or mixed diets were significantly higher than those cultured in 100% P. globosa. In general, Chlorella favors rotifers reproduction at the cost of shorter lifespan, whereas P. globosa tends to extend the lifespan of rotifers with lower fecundity, indicating that trade-off exists between reproduction and lifespan under different food conditions. The present study also suggests that rotifers may have the potential to control harmful P. globosa.
The Effect of Hand Gesture Cues Within the Treatment of /r/ for a College-Aged Adult With Persisting Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Authors: Rusiewicz Heather Leavy , Rivera Jessica Lynch 
Published: November 2017

Purpose
Despite the widespread use of hand movements as visual and kinesthetic cues to facilitate accurate speech produced by individuals with speech sound disorders (SSDs), no experimental investigation of gestural cues that mimic that spatiotemporal parameters of speech sounds (e.g., holding fingers and thumb together and “popping” them to cue /p/) currently exists. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of manual mimicry cues within a multisensory intervention of persisting childhood apraxia of speech (CAS).

Method
A single-subject ABAB withdrawal design was implemented to assess the accuracy of vowel + /r/ combinations produced by a 21-year-old woman with persisting CAS. The effect of manual mimicry gestures paired with multisensory therapy consisting of verbal instructions and visual modeling was assessed via clinician and naïve listener ratings of target sound accuracy.

Results
According to the perceptual ratings of the treating clinician and 28 naïve listeners, the participant demonstrated improved speech sound accuracy as a function of the manual mimicry/multisensory therapy.

Conclusions
These data offer preliminary support for the incorporation of gestural cues in therapy for CAS and other SSDs. The need for continued research on the interaction of speech and manual movements for individuals with SSDs is discussed.
Understanding Bilingual Word Learning: The Role of Phonotactic Probability and Phonological Neighborhood Density
Authors: Nair Vishnu KK , Biedermann Britta , Nickels Lyndsey 
Published: November 2017

Purpose
Previous research has shown that the language-learning mechanism is affected by bilingualism resulting in a novel word learning advantage for bilingual speakers. However, less is known about the factors that might influence this advantage. This article reports an investigation of 2 factors: phonotactic probability and phonological neighborhood density.

Method
Acquisition of 15 novel words varying in phonotactic probability and phonological neighborhood density was examined in high-proficiency, early onset, Mandarin–English bilinguals and English monolinguals.

Results
Both bilinguals and monolinguals demonstrated a significant effect of phonotactic probability and phonological neighborhood density. Novel word learning improved when the phonological neighborhood density was higher; in contrast, higher phonotactic probability resulted in worse learning. Although the bilingual speakers showed significantly better novel word learning than monolingual speakers, this did not interact with phonotactic probability and phonological neighborhood density manipulations.

Conclusion
Both bilingual and monolingual word learning abilities are constrained by the same learning mechanisms. However, bilingual advantages may be underpinned by more effective allocation of cognitive resources due to their dual language experience.
Developmental Associations Between Working Memory and Language in Children With Specific Language Impairment: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Vugs Brigitte , Hendriks Marc , Cuperus Juliane , Knoors Harry , Verhoeven Ludo 
Published: November 2017

Purpose
This longitudinal study examined differences in the development of working memory (WM) between children with specific language impairment (SLI) and typically developing (TD) children. Further, it explored to what extent language at ages 7–8 years could be predicted by measures of language and/or WM at ages 4–5 years.

Method
Thirty children with SLI and 33 TD children who were previously examined on measures of WM and language at ages 4–5 years (T1) were reexamined at ages 7–8 years (T2).

Results
The developmental course of WM was mostly similar for the two groups; only the development of the verbal storage component differed. At T1, children with SLI performed significantly below their TD peers on all components of WM (verbal storage, verbal central executive [CE], visuospatial storage, and visuospatial CE), whereas at T2, the differences for the visuospatial components were no longer significant when age and intelligence were taken into account. Hierarchical regression showed language and verbal CE at T1 to be significant predictors of language at T2, with no differences in the developmental associations between language and WM for the two groups.

Conclusions
The results of this study suggest that particularly verbal CE is of importance for the acquisition of linguistic skills.
Age-Related Variability in Tongue Pressure Patterns for Maximum Isometric and Saliva Swallowing Tasks
Authors: Peladeau-Pigeon Melanie , Steele Catriona M. 
Published: November 2017

PurposeThe ability to generate tongue pressure plays a major role in bolus transport in swallowing. In studies of motor control, stability or variability of movement is a feature that changes with age, disease, task complexity, and perturbation. In this study, we explored whether age and tongue strength influence the stability of the tongue pressure generation pattern during isometric and swallowing tasks in healthy volunteers.MethodTongue pressure data, collected using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument, were analyzed from 84 participants in sex-balanced and decade age-group strata. Tasks included maximum anterior and posterior isometric pressures and regular-effort saliva swallows. The cyclic spatiotemporal index (cSTI) was used to capture stability (vs. variability) in patterns of pressure generation. Mixed-model repeated measures analyses of covariance were performed separately for each task (anterior and posterior isometric pressures, saliva swallows) with between-participant factors of age group and sex, a within-participant factor of task repetition, and a continuous covariate of tongue strength.ResultsNeither age group nor sex effects were found. There was no significant relationship between tongue strength and the cSTI on the anterior isometric tongue pressure task (r= −.11). For the posterior isometric tongue pressure task, a significant negative correlation (r= −.395) was found between tongue strength and the cSTI. The opposite pattern of a significant positive correlation (r= .29) between tongue strength and the cSTI was seen for the saliva swallow task.ConclusionsTongue pressure generation patterns appear highly stable across repeated maximum isometric and saliva swallow tasks, despite advancing age. Greater pattern variability is seen with weaker posterior isometric pressures. Overall, saliva swallows had the lowest pressure amplitudes and highest pressure pattern variability as measured by the cSTI.
Reconfigurable highly efficient CMOS‐based dual input variable output switched capacitor converter for low power applications
Authors: Abraham C. , Subburaj V. , Jena D. , Perumal P. , Jose B. R. , Mathew J. 
Published: November 2017

A reconfigurable switched capacitor converter (SCC) topology with nine/ten CMOS switches and two flying capacitors is presented. It is capable of accepting two input sources simultaneously with an input voltage in the range of 1–2.5 V and delivers the output for 15 conversion ratios. The proposed SCC can drive a load current ranging from 10 μA to 10 mA at an open loop efficiency of >90%. One of the important applications of the proposed converter is the utilisation of photovoltaic (PV) or the combination of PV and other direct current sources. The regulation of the output voltage can be achieved either by changing the voltage conversion ratios or using variable switching frequency.
Sequential analysis of optimal transmission switching with contingency assessment
Authors: Tarafdar Hagh Mehrdad , Zamani Gargari Milad , Vahid Pakdel Mir Jalal 
Published: November 2017

Optimal transmission switching (OTS) has been introduced as a persuasive approach for cost minimisation and the improvement of power system flexibility by utilising the lines’ existing conditions. Ordinary OTS based on optimal power flow (OPF) equations used in the previous studies may expose system security in some cases. This study proposes a novel sequential method to investigate the security of the system in post‐OTS circumstances by considering N  − 1 contingency criteria. The proposed method ranks the candidate lines as an operational strategy to reach the maximum reduction of the total operational cost by considering the security roles of transmission lines. The formulation of OTS and security assessment programs is based on alternating current OPF. The proposed approach provides more accurate solutions to a mixed integer non‐linear programming model of the OTS program with N  − 1 security criteria within a reasonable computation time. The obtained simulation results of the proposed method have been presented on IEEE 57‐bus and IEEE 118‐bus standard test systems. It is shown that the results of the ordinary OTS for lines’ outage ranking change because of system security consideration.
Method for estimation of location of the asymmetrical phase‐to‐ground faults existing during an overhead line energisation
Authors: Mujović Saša , Vujošević Snežana 
Published: November 2017

Fast and precise location of faults in power transmission lines is essentially important for fast line restoration. Widely used fault location methods based on impedance measurement and travelling wave analysis have some drawbacks leaving a lot of room for further research. This study proposes a novel method for estimation of the location of the asymmetrical phase‐to‐ground faults that exist during line energisation. The method is based on the empirical mode decomposition and its application relies on knowing the fundamental system parameters and frequency estimation of the analysed signal. It is simple to use while providing highly accurate results for overhead lines up to 80 km length.
Accelerating frequency domain dielectric spectroscopy measurements on insulation of transformers through system identification
Authors: Yang Lijun , Chen Junru , Gao Jun , Zheng Hanbo , Li Yuguan 
Published: November 2017

Frequency domain dielectric spectroscopy (FDS) is a non‐destructive method widely used to evaluate the state of dielectric materials. Traditional FDS measurement is conducted in frequency sweep mode between 1 kHz and 1 mHz. However, this method requires long measurement time when sweeping in low frequencies (1 mHz–1 Hz), thereby limiting its field applications. Hammerstein model is selected as the mathematical model for insulation systems according to known property of dielectric and established based on system identification theory. An equivalent mathematical model fitting >97% with the insulation system is obtained. The equivalent model can be used to calculate dielectric response parameters and construct an FDS. The proposed method requires 10 min to obtain dielectric response parameters under any frequency excitation in the low‐frequency section. The measurement time decreases by up to 90% compared with that of traditional FDS. Comparison experiments are conducted between system identification method and traditional FDS measurement applied to different insulation systems, such as insulation pressboards, testing transformers, and field power transformers. Results show that frequency responses are consistent between the equivalent model and insulation system, ensuring the accuracy of FDS curve obtained by the proposed method.
Design and analysis of a broadband 4‐way high power combiner in the VHF/UHF band
Authors: Naeimi Tohid , Ahmadi Arash 
Published: November 2017

In this study, a four‐way power combiner using four equally designed 2‐way power combiners is introduced. The physical structure of the combiner is such that the components and connections are symmetrically arranged. In the final section of the power combiner, two 2‐way combiners are connected in parallel, which helps for easier circuit alignment and better electrical properties. The 2‐way power combiner is the building block of the 4‐way power combiner. The 2‐way power combiner is analysed by even and odd method and its performance is verified by measurements. The analysis method can be extended to 4‐way or N‐way power combiners. The proposed 4‐way power combiner is fabricated and its performance is measured. The amplitude imbalance of the 4‐way power combiner is <0.2 dB in the path between the input ports and the summing port. The attenuation above the theoretical 6 dB insertion loss is 0.5 dB from 30 to 500 MHz. The 4‐way power combiner has the same performance as the 2‐way power combiner, regarding the added insertion loss above the theoretical ideal value. Ease of fabrication, simple circuit connections and use of equally constructed 2‐way power combiners result in repeatability and reduce electrical mismatch.
Risk Factors for Dystonia after Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy in Nonwalking Children and Adolescents with Bilateral Spasticity
Authors: Vermeulen R. , van 't Westende Charlotte , van Schie Petra , Bolster Eline , van Ouwerkerk Pim , Strijers Rob , Becher Jules , Stadhouder Agnita , de Graaf Pim , Buizer Annemieke , van de Pol Laura 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe recently showed a beneficial effect of selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) on daily care and comfort in nonwalking children with severe bilateral spasticity. However, despite careful selection, some patients showed dystonia after the intervention, in which cases caregivers tended to be less satisfied with the result.The aim of this study is to identify risk factors for dystonia after SDR in children and adolescents with severe bilateral spasticity (GMFCS levels IV/V).Clinical and MRI risk factors for dystonia after SDR were studied in our cohort of 24 patients. Patients with clinical evidence of dystonia and brain MRI showing basal ganglia abnormalities were excluded for SDR.Nine of 24 patients (38%) showed some degree of dystonia after SDR. There was a significant association between the cause of spasticity and dystonia after SDR; in six (67%) patients with a congenital disorder, dystonia was present versus three (20%) with an acquired disorder (Chi-squared test: C(1) = 5.23, p = 0.02).This study allows more optimal selection of patients that may benefit from SDR. Patients with an acquired cause of spasticity, when selected carefully on clinical examination and MRI, rarely show dystonia after SDR. However, patients with an underlying congenital disorder have a considerable risk of dystonia after SDR.
Radioembolization in Colorectal Metastases: A Review
Authors: Mahvash Armeen , Madoff David , Odisio Bruno , Kuban Joshua , Avritscher Rony , Murthy Ravi , Abdelsalam Mohamed 
Published: November 2017

AbstractRadioembolization has gained wide acceptance as a safe and efficient treatment for unresectable liver-dominant metastatic colorectal cancer. In this comprehensive article, we focus on clinical outcomes and dosimetry models in the era of personalized medicine.