bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing hydrogeologic controls on dynamic groundwater storage using long‐term instrumental records of water table levels
Authors: Boutt David F. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThis study analyzes a long‐term regional compilation of water table response to climate variability based on 124 long‐term groundwater wells distributed across New England, USA, screened in a variety of geologic materials. The New England region of the USA is located in a humid‐temperature climate underlain by low‐storage‐fractured metamorphic and crystalline bedrock dissected by north–south trending valleys filled with glacial and post‐glacial valley fill sediments. Uplands are covered by thin glacial till that comprises more than 60% of the total area. Annual and multi‐annual responses of the water table to climate variability are assessed to understand how local hydraulic properties and hydrogeologic setting (located in recharge/discharge region) of the aquifer influence the hydrologic sensitivity of the aquifer system to climate variability. This study documents that upland aquifer systems dominated by thin deposits of surface till comprise ~70% of the active and dynamic storage of the region. Total aquifer storage changes of +5 to −7 km3 occur over the region during the study interval. The storage response is dominated by thin and low permeability surficial till aquifer that fills and drains on a multi‐annual basis and serves as the main mechanism to deliver water to valley fill aquifers and underlying bedrock aquifers. Whereas the till aquifer system is traditionally neglected as an important storage reservoir, this study highlights the importance of a process‐based understanding of how different landscape hydrogeologic units contribute to the overall hydrologic response of a region.
Primary cutaneous melanoma of the scalp: Patterns of recurrence
Authors: Sparks David S. , Read Tavis , Lonne Michael , Barbour Andrew P. , Wagels Michael , Bayley Gerard J. , Smithers B. Mark 
Published: December 2016

INTRODUCTIONPatients with primary melanoma of the scalp have been reported to have worse disease‐related outcomes compared with other anatomical regions. There are few studies in the literature specifically addressing recurrence patterns and treatment outcomes for primary scalp melanoma as a discrete anatomical sub‐region. We sought to identify key features adversely influencing disease control and survival and to clarify the role of resection plane, margin, and method of reconstruction in the management of this disease process.METHODSA retrospective clinical study of medical records was performed evaluating all patients with primary melanoma of the scalp treated at two hospitals in southeast Queensland between 2004 and 2014.RESULTSA total of 107 patients were eligible for analysis. There were 46 recurrences in 38 patients in the cohort accounting for a recurrence rate of 35.5%. The local recurrence rate was 15.9% with 12 in‐transit metastases after diagnosis. Regional and distant recurrence rates were 12.1% and 15%, respectively. At a median follow up of 30.5 months, disease‐free survival was 47% and overall survival was also 47%. On multi‐variate analysis, the deeper resection plane (sub‐galeal) had a lower disease‐free survival rate compared with the supra‐galeal resection plane (P = 0.032).DISCUSSIONOur results support the hypothesis that primary scalp melanoma represents a unique aggressive subcategory with high rates of in‐transit disease and poor disease‐related and survival outcomes. There is a need for robust prospective comparative studies to address the significance of resection plane in the management of patients with scalp melanoma.
A computer‐aided diagnostic system for detecting diabetic retinopathy in optical coherence tomography images
Authors: ElTanboly Ahmed , Ismail Marwa , Shalaby Ahmed , Switala Andy , El‐Baz Ayman , Schaal Shlomit , Gimel’farb Georgy , El‐Azab Magdi 
Published: December 2016

PurposeDetection (diagnosis) of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in optical coherence tomography (OCT) images for patients with type 2 diabetes, but almost clinically normal retina appearances.MethodsThe proposed computer‐aided diagnostic (CAD) system detects the DR in three steps: (a) localizing and segmenting 12 distinct retinal layers on the OCT image; (b) deriving features of the segmented layers, and (c) learning most discriminative features and classifying each subject as normal or diabetic. To localise and segment the retinal layers, signals (intensities) of the OCT image are described with a joint Markov‐Gibbs random field (MGRF) model of intensities and shape descriptors. Each segmented layer is characterized with cumulative probability distribution functions (CDF) of its locally extracted features, such as reflectivity, curvature, and thickness. A multistage deep fusion classification network (DFCN) with a stack of non‐negativity‐constrained autoencoders (NCAE) is trained to select the most discriminative retinal layers’ features and use their CDFs for detecting the DR. A training atlas was built using the OCT scans for 12 normal subjects and their maps of layers hand‐drawn by retina experts.ResultsPreliminary experiments on 52 clinical OCT scans (26 normal and 26 with early‐stage DR, balanced between 40–79 yr old males and females; 40 training and 12 test subjects) gave the DR detection accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 92%; 83%, and 100%, respectively. The 100% accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity have been obtained in the leave‐one‐out cross‐validation test for all the 52 subjects.ConclusionBoth the quantitative and visual assessments confirmed the high accuracy of the proposed computer‐assisted diagnostic system for early DR detection using the OCT retinal images.
Application of a Risk Score to Identify Older Adults with Community‐Onset Pneumonia Most Likely to Benefit From Empiric Pseudomonas Therapy
Authors: Frei Christopher R. , Rehani Sylvie , Lee Grace C. , Boyd Natalie K. , Attia Erene , Pechal Ashley , Britt Rachel S. , Mortensen Eric M. 
Published: December 2016

Study ObjectiveTo assess the impact of empiric Pseudomonas pharmacotherapy on 30‐day mortality in hospitalized patients with community‐onset pneumonia stratified according to their risk (low, medium, or high) of drug‐resistant pathogens.DesignRetrospective cohort study.Data SourceVeterans Health Administration database.PatientsA total of 50,119 patients who were at least 65 years of age, hospitalized with pneumonia, and received antibiotics within 48 hours of admission between fiscal years 2002 and 2007. Patients were stratified into empiric Pseudomonas therapy (31,027 patients) and no Pseudomonas therapy (19,092 patients) groups based on antibiotics received during their first 48 hours of admission.Measurements and Main ResultsA clinical prediction scoring system developed in 2014 that stratifies patients with community‐onset pneumonia according to their risk of drug‐resistant pathogens was used to identify patients who were likely to benefit from empiric Pseudomonas therapy as well as those in whom antipseudomonal therapy could be spared; patients were classified into low‐risk (68%), medium‐risk (21%), and high‐risk (11%) groups. Of the 50,119 patients, 62% received Pseudomonas therapy. All‐cause 30‐day mortality was the primary outcome. Empiric Pseudomonas therapy (adjusted odds ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.62–0.84) was associated with lower 30‐day mortality in the high‐risk group but not the low‐ or medium‐risk groups.ConclusionApplication of a risk score for patients with drug‐resistant pathogens can identify patients likely to benefit from empiric Pseudomonas therapy. Widespread use of this score could reduce overuse of anti‐Pseudomonas antibiotics in low‐ to medium‐risk patients and improve survival in high‐risk patients.
Study on Catalytic Property of Bimetallic Cu‐Ni/SiO2 Hollow Spheres Prepared under Moderate Conditions
Authors: Sun Xin‐Zhi , Du Fang‐Lin 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBimetallic Cu−Ni (Cu/Ni 2/1) silicate hollow spheres with the controllable morphology have been synthesized successfully using one‐step sacrificial templating method under hydrothermal conditions. Following with in situ reduction in the hydrogen atmosphere under 350 °C for 5 h, Cu−Ni/SiO2 catalyst was obtained. The as‐prepared products were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, BET and TPR. The morphology of Cu−Ni silicate changed from core‐shell spheres, yolk‐shell spheres to hollow spheres by adjusting the synthetic time. Because of synergistic effect of nickel and copper, the hydrothermal conditions of bimetallic Cu−Ni silicate were changed to 120 °C‐3 h, which was the lower temperature and the shorter time in comparison with the synthetic conditions of monometal Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 and CuSiO3. Under different temperature and pressure, the catalytic property of Cu−Ni/SiO2 hollow spheres increased gradually with the temperature and pressure rising. The conversion of nitrobenzene could reach 100 % under 120 °C or 4 Mpa within 3 h.
Visible Light Driven Photocatalytic Efficiency of rGO‐Ag‐BiFeO3 Ternary Nanohybrids on the Decontamination of Dye‐Polluted Water: An Amalgamation of 1D, 2D and 3D Systems
Authors: Mohan Sakar , Sivakumar Bharathkumar , Kulangara Rohith Vinod , Subramanian Balakumar 
Published: December 2016

AbstractTernary hybrid nanostructures consisting of 2D reduced graphene oxide (rGO), 1D fibers/3D particulate bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3/BFO) and 3D silver (Ag) nanostructures have been fabricated and their photocatalytic efficiency on the decontamination of dye polluted water under the irradiation of natural and simulated sunlight sources have been investigated. The optical analysis by UV‐visible absorption, diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence spectroscopy revealed that the manifested decreased band gap energy and reduced radiative‐emission in the hybrids could be essentially due to the alignments of band edge positions and localized surface plasmon resonance effects in the hybrids. Accordingly, the observed photocatalytic efficiency of the hybrids under natural and simulated solar light are attributed to the above said amalgamated effects, which eventually led to the increased productions of redox species, and the effective interactions of rGO−Ag‐BFO hybrids with the dye molecules.
Graphene Derivative As a Highly Efficient Nitrosonium Source: A Reusable Catalyst for Diazotization and Coupling Reaction
Authors: Pethsangave Dattatray A. , Khose Rahul V. , Chaskar Atul C. , Jun Seong Chan , Some Surajit 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAn efficient and a simple approach for the synthesis of azo dyes have been developed by the diazo coupling reactions of active aromatic compounds in the presence of in‐situ nitrite functionalized graphene oxide polyvinyl alcohol GO‐PVA composite as a highly efficient nitrosonium ion source. This methodology was objected to defeat the limitations of the earlier reported method such as use of acids, alkalis and toxic solvents, to reduce the stability of diazonium salts at room temperature, modest yields and long reaction time. Additionally, the attractive advantages of the process are that it incorporated mild conditions with excellent yield, simple product isolation process, fastest reaction time and recyclability of catalyst. The isolated products were characterized by FT‐IR spectrum, UV‐spectroscopy and 1H‐NMR. The as‐prepared composites were confirmed by UV‐Visible, XRD, XPS, FT‐IR spectrum, SEM and TGA analysis.
Smad anchor for receptor activation contributes to seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Yu Weihua , Du Yingshi , Zou Yan , Wang Xuefeng , Stephani Ulrich , Lü Yang 
Published: December 2016

AbstractPurposeSmad anchor for receptor activation (SARA) is an important regulator of transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) signaling by recruiting Smad2/3 to TGF‐β receptors. Although TGF‐β signaling is critically involved in epileptogenesis, whether SARA activation is sufficient to facilitate TGF‐β pathway to regulate epilepsy remains unknown.MethodsThe expression of SARA and downstream Phospho‐Smad3 (p‐Smad3) was examined in rats with pilocarpine induced epilepsy. Additionally, knockdown of SARA was performed via recombinant lentiviral vector in the pilocarpine‐induced rats.ResultsHere we show that expressions of SARA and p‐Smad3 are increased in the hippocampus as rats subjected to pilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus (SE). Both SARA and p‐Smad3 are also upregulated in the temporal cortex of epileptic rats. Furthermore, SARA mRNA levels reach peak as early as 6 hr following SE onset and remain elevated in the chronic phase. Transfection of recombinant lentiviral shRNA targeting SARA knocks down SARA expression, attenuates TGF‐β/p‐Smad3 signaling in the hippocampus, and postpones the SE onset.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that SARA/Smad3 pathway contributes to mechanism of seizure and SARA in TGF‐β signaling may be a potential therapeutic target for epilepsy.
Expression of Talaromyces thermophilus lipase gene in Trichoderma reesei by homologous recombination at the cbh1 locus
Authors: Zhang Xu , Xia Liming 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
CBH1 (cellobiohydrolase) comprises the majority of secreted proteins by Trichoderma reesei. For expression of Talaromyces thermophilus lipase gene in T. reesei, a self-designed CBH1 promoter was applied to drive the lipase gene expression cassette which was bracketed by flanking sequences of cbh1 gene for homologous recombination. Protoplast and Agrobacterium-mediated plasmid transformations were performed and compared, resultantly, transformation mediated by Agrobacterium was overall proved to be more efficient. Stable integration of lipase gene into chromosomal DNA of T. reesei transformants was verified by PCR. After shaking flask fermentation, lipase activity of transformant reached 375 IU mL−1, whereas no cellobiohydrolase activity was detected. SDS-PAGE analysis further showed an obvious protein band about 39 kDa and no CBH1 band in fermentation broth, implying lipase gene was successfully extracellularly expressed in T. reesei via homologous recombination at cbh1 locus. This study herein would benefit genetic engineering of filamentous fungi and industrial application of thermo-alkaline lipase like in paper making and detergents addition.
TGF‐β Down‐regulates Apolipoprotein M Expression through the TAK‐1‐JNK‐c‐Jun Pathway in HepG2 Cells
Authors: Ren Kun , Mo Zhong‐Cheng , Liu Xing , Tang Zhen‐Li , Jiang Yue , Peng Xiao‐Shan , Zhang Qing‐Hai , Shi Jin‐Feng , Yi Guang‐Hui 
Published: December 2016

AbstractApolipoprotein M (apoM) is a relatively novel apolipoprotein that plays pivotal roles in many dyslipidemia‐associated diseases; however, its regulatory mechanisms are poorly understood. Many cytokines have been identified that down‐regulate apoM expression in HepG2 cells, among which transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) exerts the most potent effects. In addition, c‐Jun, a member of the activated protein 1 (AP‐1) family whose activity is modulated by c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), decreases apoM expression at the transcriptional level by binding to the regulatory element in the proximal apoM promoter. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms through which TGF‐β decreases the apoM level in HepG2 cells. The results revealed that TGF‐β inhibited apoM expression at both the mRNA and protein levels in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner and that it suppressed apoM secretion. These effects were attenuated by treatment of cells with either SP600125 (JNK inhibitor) or c‐Jun siRNA. 5Z‐7‐oxozeaenol [(a TGF‐β‐activated kinase 1 (TAK‐1) inhibitor)] also attenuated the TGF‐β‐mediated inhibition of apoM expression and suppressed the activation of JNK and c‐Jun. These results have demonstrated that TGF‐β suppresses apoM expression through the TAK‐1‐JNK‐c‐Jun pathway in HepG2 cells.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Management of Premature Ejaculation: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cooper Katy , Martyn-St James Marrissa , Kaltenthaler Eva , Dickinson Kath , Cantrell Anna , Ren Shijie , Wylie Kevan , Frodsham Leila , Hood Catherine 
Published: December 2016

Abstract

Introduction
Premature ejaculation (PE) is defined as ejaculation within 1 minute (lifelong PE) or 3 minutes (acquired PE), inability to delay ejaculation, and negative personal consequences. Management includes behavioral and pharmacologic approaches.

Aim
To systematically review effectiveness, safety, and robustness of evidence for complementary and alternative medicine in managing PE.

Methods
Nine databases including Medline were searched through September 2015. Randomized controlled trials evaluating complementary and alternative medicine for PE were included.

Main Outcome Measures
Studies were included if they reported on intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) and/or another validated PE measurement. Adverse effects were summarized.

Results
Ten randomized controlled trials were included. Two assessed acupuncture, five assessed Chinese herbal medicine, one assessed Ayurvedic herbal medicine, and two assessed topical “severance secret” cream. Risk of bias was unclear in all studies because of unclear allocation concealment or blinding, and only five studies reported stopwatch-measured IELT. Acupuncture slightly increased IELT over placebo in one study (mean difference [MD] = 0.55 minute, P = .001). In another study, Ayurvedic herbal medicine slightly increased IELT over placebo (MD = 0.80 minute, P = .001). Topical severance secret cream increased IELT over placebo in two studies (MD = 8.60 minutes, P &lt; .001), although inclusion criteria were broad (IELT &lt; 3 minutes). Three studies comparing Chinese herbal medicine with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) favored SSRIs (MD = 1.01 minutes, P = .02). However, combination treatment with Chinese medicine plus SSRIs improved IELT over SSRIs alone (two studies; MD = 1.92 minutes, P &lt; .00001) and over Chinese medicine alone (two studies; MD = 2.52 minutes, P &lt; .00001). Adverse effects were not consistently assessed but where reported were generally mild.

Conclusion
There is preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Ayurvedic herbal medicine, and topical severance secret cream in improving IELT and other outcomes. However, results are based on clinically heterogeneous studies of unclear quality. There are sparse data on adverse effects or potential for drug interactions. Further well-conducted randomized controlled trials would be valuable.
Measurement and associative factors of adherence to epilepsy drug treatment among the elderly population in Tehran (Iran)
Authors: Fadaye-Vatan Reza , Delbari Ahmad , Lotfalinezhad Elham , Amini Fatemeh , Gharagozli Kurosh , Bolhari Jafar , Bahrami Parviz , Saii Vida , Ahmadi Amir , Moghadam Zahra , Aflakseir Abdulaziz , Bhalla Devender 
Published: December 2016

AbstractPurpose The objective of this survey was to measure adherence and to identify correlation and prediction factors related to noncompliance among the elderly in Tehran, Iran.Methods A population-based survey was carried out among the elderly (≥60 years of age) by using Tehran Epilepsy registry. All subjects were contacted by telephone and invited for face-to-face consultation. Questionnaires used were the following: Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS); Medical Prescription Knowledge (MPK); Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT). Along with customary descriptive statistics, a simple chi-square test (or Fischer exact test if value of cells was ≤5) was used for correlating; Cramer's V was used for strength of association, and prediction was by logistic regression.Results Out of 104 subjects’ approached, 23 subjects (median age 62.0, 95% CI 61.0–64.7, range 60–71; 73.9% males; 78.3% married and having a living partner; 54.5% epilepsy as supernatural; 21.7% with comorbid condition) participated. Most did not have a recent epilepsy onset (n = 20, 86.8%), or had active epilepsy (n = 22, 95.7%), convulsive seizures (n = 21, 91.3%), with no (n = 13, 56.5%) to low seizure number, and polytherapy (n = 12, 52.2%). Median MARS score was 8.0 (95% CI 6.0–8.0, range 3–10). Nonadherence was correlated to comorbidity (p = 0.003) and widowhood or divorcehood (p = 0.04) and predicted by the same factors. Treatment side effects altered behavior (p = 0.03), and unsteadiness (p = 0.01) was also associated with nonadherence. MPK was positive for all participants. Median AMT score was 9.0 (95% CI 9.0–10.0, range 6–10).Conclusion Elderly patients had a high treatment adherence and, as logically expected, were associated with comorbid state, divorce-widowhood, and drug-related behavioral side effects particularly behavioral and unsteadiness.
Which Public? Whose Goods? What We Know (and What We Don't) About Public Goods in Rural China
Authors: Newland Sara A. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractWhat have we learned from a decade of research on the provision of public goods in the Chinese countryside? This review article surveys the literature in political science, economics and Chinese area studies. It describes the three dominant types of explanations for variation in the quality of public goods: local elections, social sanctioning and economic policies. It then argues that these findings are plagued by a set of common problems. Scholars mean different things when they use the term “public goods,” making their findings difficult to compare. Furthermore, the most common measures of public goods ignore the ways in which local officials manipulate statistics to enhance their career prospects and the interconnected nature of geographic-administrative units in the Chinese state. I suggest some ways to address these problems, and make recommendations for new directions in research on the topic.
Psychometric Properties of the Borderline Personality Features Scale	for Children-11 (BPFSC-11) in a Sample of Community Dwelling Italian	Adolescents
Authors: Fossati Andrea , Sharp Carla , Borroni Serena , Somma Antonella 
Published: December 2016

Abstract. The aims of the current study were to assess the psychometric properties of the Borderline Personality Features Scale for Children-11 (BPFSC-11) in adolescence. In particular, we aim at evaluating: the internal consistency and six-month test-retest reliability of the Italian translation of the BPFSC-11, its factor structure, and its convergent validity. Eight hundred five community dwelling adolescents were administered the Italian translations of the BPFSC-11 and Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+(PDQ-4+) Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) scale. The BPFSC-11 showed adequate internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .78) and moderate six-month test-retest stability. Although confirmatory factor analysis did not support a one-factor model of the BPFSC-11 items, a bi-factor model (RMSEA = .04) showed that all BPFSC-11 items loaded significantly onto a general common factor, with two specific factors capturing largely residual variance due to distribution artifacts. In this study, the bivariate correlation between the BPFSC-11 and the PDQ-4+BPD scale was .64 ( p < .001). Finally, the BPFSC-11 showed gender invariance across items. In summary, our findings support the reliability and validity of the BPFSC-11 as a measure of self-reported borderline personality features in community dwelling adolescents.