bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple Myeloma in the Older Adult: Better Prospects, More Challenges
Authors: Wildes Tanya M. , Rosko Ashley , Tuchman Sascha A. 
Published: July 2014

Purpose Multiple myeloma (MM) is disproportionately diagnosed in older adults; with the aging of the population, the number of older adults diagnosed with MM will increase by nearly 80% in the next two decades. Duration of survival has improved dramatically over the last 20 years, but the improvements in older adults have not been as great as those in younger adults with MM. Methods In this article, we address treatment approaches in older adults who are eligible for and those ineligible for high-dose therapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation as well as supportive care considerations and the potential role for geriatric assessment in facilitating decision making for older adults with MM. Results The evidence from recent studies demonstrates that combinations of novel and conventional antimyeloma agents result in improved response rates and, in some cases, improved progression-free and overall survival. However, some older adults are particularly vulnerable to toxicities of therapy and discontinuation of therapy and, consequently, they have poorer survival. In addition, older adults may prioritize other outcomes of therapy, such as quality of life, over more conventional end points such as disease response and duration of survival. Geriatric assessment can facilitate risk-stratification of older adults at greater risk for adverse events from therapy and aid in personalizing therapy for vulnerable or frail older adults. Conclusion Survival in older adults with MM is improving with novel therapeutics, but efficacy must be balanced with risk of toxicity of therapy and maintenance of quality of life. Novel instruments such as geriatric assessment tools may facilitate these aims.
Increase of Economic Efficiency of Nuclear Power Plant Unit Operation with Consideration of Safety Assurance
Authors: Ершов  , Ershov G. , Антонов  , Antonov Aleksandr , Морозова  , Morozova O. 
Published: July 2014

High requirements are imposed on economic efficiency of nuclear power plant units operation. Obvious way of increasing
economic benefit of nuclear power plant units operation is increasing the amount of generated electricity. The article
describes a method of increasing economic benefit of nuclear power plant units by shortening its downtime due to
scheduled maintenance and repair. As safety assurance is the top priority during nuclear power plant units operation,
increase of economic viability of nuclear power plant units should be carried out with this consideration, which is the
distinctive feature of the proposed method.
An Instrumented Flume to Characterize the Initiation Features of Flow Landslides
Authors: Ooi Ghee Leng , Wang Yu-Hsing , Tan Pin Siang , So Chun Fung , Leung Mei Ling , Li Xiaoya , Lok Ka Hou 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Rainfall-induced landslides are on the rise due to global warming but the associated initiation mechanisms remain unclear. To observe the local initiation features of flow landslides under different rates of water supply, a well-instrumented flume capable of tightly controlling the inflow from the groundwater supply pipes and upstream discharge was built. Basal porewater pressure transducers (PPT) were installed to monitor the water pressure evolution, and a simple method to retrofit pressure transducers into PPTs was introduced. Internal movement behaviors of the slope body prior to the onset of and during a full failure were monitored with low-cost and small-size MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems) accelerometers. A MEMS sensing package, termed the Smart Soil Particle (SSP, first generation), was also developed in conjunction with the laboratory testing program for field implementation in the future. In a set of experiments designed to investigate the initiation mechanism of a loose soil sample under a small and slow constant groundwater inflow, the MEMS accelerometers and basal PPTs successfully captured the intricate internal movement features and porewater pressure patterns. This warrants more systematic studies of the flow landslide initiation mechanism using the newly developed flume instrumentation.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Medical Emergency Team in a Children’s Hospital
Authors: Bonafide Christopher P. , Localio A. Russell , Song Lihai , Roberts Kathryn E. , Nadkarni Vinay M. , Priestley Margaret , Paine Christine W. , Zander Miriam , Lutts Meaghan , Brady Patrick W. , Keren Ron 
Published: July 2014

OBJECTIVES:Medical emergency teams (METs) can reduce adverse events in hospitalized children. We aimed to model the financial costs and benefits of operating an MET and determine the annual reduction in critical deterioration (CD) events required to offset MET costs.METHODS:We performed a single-center cohort study between July 1, 2007 and March 31, 2012 to determine the cost of CD events (unplanned transfers to the ICU with mechanical ventilation or vasopressors in the 12 hours after transfer) as compared with transfers to the ICU without CD. We then performed a cost-benefit analysis evaluating varying MET compositions and staffing models (freestanding or concurrent responsibilities) on the annual reduction in CD events needed to offset MET costs.RESULTS:Patients who had CD cost $99 773 (95% confidence interval, $69 431 to $130 116; P &lt; .001) more during their post-event hospital stay than transfers to the ICU that did not meet CD criteria. Annual MET operating costs ranged from $287 145 for a nurse and respiratory therapist team with concurrent responsibilities to $2 358 112 for a nurse, respiratory therapist, and ICU attending physician freestanding team. In base-case analysis, a nurse, respiratory therapist, and ICU fellow team with concurrent responsibilities cost $350 698 per year, equivalent to a reduction of 3.5 CD events.CONCLUSIONS:CD is expensive. The costs of operating a MET can plausibly be recouped with a modest reduction in CD events. Hospitals reimbursed with bundled payments could achieve real financial savings by reducing CD with an MET.
Updated Recommendations on the Use of Meningococcal Vaccines
Authors:   COMMITTEE ON INFECTIOUS DISEASES, Brady Michael T. , Byington Carrie L. , Davies H. Dele , Edwards Kathryn M. , Jackson Mary Anne , Maldonado Yvonne A. , Murray Dennis L. , Orenstein Walter A. , Rathore Mobeen H. , Sawyer Mark H. , Schutze Gordon E. , Willoughby Rodney E. , Zaoutis Theoklis E. 
Published: July 2014

This Policy Statement was retired February 2018.
Since the last policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) concerning meningococcal vaccine was published in 2011, 2 meningococcal conjugate vaccines have been licensed for use in infants (Hib-MenCY-TT and MenACWY-CRM). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published new recommendations, “Prevention and Control of Meningococcal Disease: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices,” which have been endorsed by the AAP. However, the CDC recommendations were published before licensure of MenACWY-CRM for infant use. This policy statement updates the AAP recommendations for use of meningococcal vaccines in children and adolescents. A more comprehensive review of background and technical information can be found in the CDC publication.
Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor‐κB Ligand and Sclerostin Expression in Osteocytes of Alveolar Bone in Rats With Ligature‐Induced Periodontitis
Authors: Kim Ji‐Hye , Lee Dong‐Eun , Cha Jeong‐Heon , Bak Eun‐Jung , Yoo Yun‐Jung 
Published: July 2014

Background: Osteocytes are increasingly recognized as significant sources of osteoclast differentiation factor, receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL), and osteoblast differentiation inhibitory factor, sclerostin. In this study, RANKL and sclerostin expression of osteocytes is investigated in rats with ligature‐induced periodontitis.Methods: Rats were divided into control and periodontitis groups, and periodontitis was induced by ligature on the mandibular first molars. At 1, 3, 10, and 20 days after ligature, histologic analyses of alveolar bone (AB) and osteoid areas in the molar furcation were performed. The numbers of osteoclasts and RANKL‐ and sclerostin‐positive osteocytes were estimated by tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase staining and immunohistochemistry, respectively.Results: The AB area gradually decreased at day 10 after ligature and increased at day 20. The number of osteoclasts markedly increased at day 3 and then decreased. Conversely, osteoid formation was suppressed up to day 3 and then showed a remarkable increase above control level at day 20. The number of RANKL‐positive osteocytes increased at days 1 and 3 and then decreased. Sclerostin‐positive osteocytes markedly increased at days 3 and 10 but decreased below control level at day 20.Conclusions: These results show that AB loss is accompanied by enhanced osteoclast formation and suppressed osteoid formation. Osteocytes express RANKL when osteoclast formation increases, and they express sclerostin when osteoid formation is suppressed. Conversely, osteocytic sclerostin expression decreases when osteoid formation increases. These findings suggest that osteocytes may be important in AB loss via RANKL and sclerostin expression in periodontitis.
The Interactive Effects of Ex Post Goal Adjustment and Goal Difficulty on Performance
Authors: Kelly Khim Ong , Webb R. Alan , Vance Thomas 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT
Despite the common use of performance goals to motivate employees and the use of ex post goal adjustments to filter out the effects of unforeseen and uncontrollable events, minimal research has examined the consequences of employing them jointly. We predict that the availability of ex post goal adjustments will have a positive effect on performance and that this effect will be stronger when the ex ante goal difficulty level is moderate rather than difficult. Moreover, we predict that these effects will be mediated by perceptions of procedural justice. Results from an experiment completed by 142 undergraduate students support our predictions. The availability of ex post goal adjustments has positive effects on procedural fairness perceptions and performance under the moderate goal, but has no such effects under the difficult goal. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
High‐resolution reflection seismic survey at the Patigno landslide, Northern Apennines, Italy
Authors: Stucchi E. , Ribolini A. , Anfuso A. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTThis work presents the results of a P‐wave high‐resolution reflection seismic survey at the Patigno landslide, a large landslide located in Northern Apennines, Italy. Due to previous geomechanical investigations, this area provides a suitable test site to verify the effectiveness of reflection seismic methods in characterizing a slope subsurface. Careful planning of data acquisition and a standard processing sequence allowed for a seismic section of the shallow subsurface to be built, which showed a reflection that was interpreted as the top of a highly deformed rocky layer. This rock layer favoured a deep‐seated gravitational deformation, which affected a large sector of the slope. In addition to the available borehole data, this interpretation is also consistent with an electrical resistivity tomography profile that was acquired along the seismic line. Our results show that an ad hoc P‐wave reflection survey can accurately delineate deep deformative surfaces, allowing for a more complete understanding of the mass movement phenomenon. This is particularly true for surfaces at depths sufficiently greater than the seismic wavelength, whereas for very shallow horizons, additional information (boreholes) or more impulsive sources (blasting caps) and more sophisticated techniques (S‐waves reflections) are required for a reliable interpretation of the data.
Partially saturated soil causing significant variability in near surface seismic signals
Authors: Taylor Oliver‐Denzil S. , McKenna Mihan H. , Quinn Meghan C.L. , Quinn Brian G. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTThe behaviour of dry, moist, and saturated soils has been studied for over a century without ade quately investigating the behaviour associated with transient saturation in the near surface, i.e. the upper 1 m of overburden, including the effects of rapid meteorological changes, dynamic fluid flow, and variability of saturation on shallow seismic sensors. This paper presents observational data wherein the geophysical instrumentation response was significantly influenced by near‐surface post‐precipitation saturation and additional laboratory experimentation on the effects of satu ration on shear wave velocity. The lack of partially‐saturated data is primarily because transient meteorological events have not been critically important to the types of long‐term deployments performed in the past, where sensors were situated in hard‐rock, collecting data under idealized conditions, as opposed to sedimentary settings. Shorter‐duration deployments and smaller system architectures, e.g. persistent monitoring, now necessitate detailed a priori knowledge of meteoro logical impacts to system design and performance.The purpose of this persistent monitoring geophysical instrumentation is to continually monitor the near surface and relate small perturbations to a specific source type(s) and distance(s) from the receiver. As such, the received signal is compared to known sources within a predetermined geo logical/meteorological condition. Presented herein is the calibration signal generated by a 3.63‐kg (8‐lb) sledgehammer prior to and post 36 hours of steady precipitation. The resulting subsurface seismic velocity time‐histories show a significant increase in signal amplitude, change in fre quency content and no change in duration. Thus, the amplification effects of near‐surface moisture variability combined with dynamic pore fluid could be interpreted as false positives of a specific source signature and/or instrument failure.
Case studies of incorporation of prior information in electrical resistivity tomography: comparison of different approaches
Authors: Caterina David , Hermans Thomas , Nguyen Frédéric 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTMany geophysical inverse problems are ill‐posed and their solution non‐unique. It is thus important to reduce the amount of mathematical solutions to more geologically plausible models by regularizing the inverse problem and incorporating all available prior information in the inversion process. We compare three different ways to incorporate prior information for electrical resistivity tomography (ERT): using a simple reference model, adding structural constraints to Occam’s inversion and using geostatistical constraints. We made the comparison on four real cases representing different field applications in terms of scales of investigation and level of heterogeneities. In those cases, when electromagnetic logging data are available in boreholes to control the solution, it appears that incorporating prior information clearly improves the correspondence with logging data compared to the standard smoothness constraint. However, the way to incorporate it may have a major impact on the solution. A reference model can often be used to constrain the inversion; however, it can lead to misinterpretation if its weight is too strong or the resistivity values inappropriate. When the computation of the vertical and/or horizontal correlation length is possible, the geostatistical inversion gives reliable results everywhere in the section. However, adding geostatistical constraints can be difficult when there is not enough data to compute correlation lengths. When a known limit between two layers exists, the use of structural constraint seems to be more indicated particularly when the limit is located in zones of low sensitivity for ERT. This work should help interpreters to include their prior information directly into the inversion process through an appropriate way.
Role of planting stock size and fertilizing in initial growth performance of rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.) reforestation in a mountain frost hollow
Authors: Kuneš Ivan , Baláš Martin , Zahradník Daniel , Nováková Olga , Gallo Josef , Nárovcová Jarmila , Drury Miles Louis 
Published: July 2014

The aim of study: (1) to compare the survival rate, growth performance and nutrition of large and common-sized planting stock of rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.) on a frost-exposed site and (2) to assess whether fertilizing had any effect on the plantations.Area of study: The Jizera Mts., an area heavily disturbed by air pollution situated on the Czech-Polish border close to GermanyMaterials and methods: Two types of planting stock were tested in a mountain frost hollow on an acidic mountain humic podsol: (a) the bare-rooted saplings 131–140 cm tall and (b) common-sized containerized transplants 26–35 cm. One half of the saplings and common-sized transplants were left untreated and the other half were fertilized with a low dose (30 g per tree) of a slow release fertilizer based on methylene urea and potassium magnesium phosphate. Growth performance and nutrition of plantations were investigated.Main results: Due to serious deformations and stem breakages inflicted by snow and frost, the prospects of common-sized transplants seem much worse than those of saplings. The height growth of saplings was significantly more rapid than that of common-sized transplants. As for growth, neither the saplings nor common-sized transplants did significantly respond to fertilizing. The effects of fertilizing on nutrition of rowans were unconvincing. The extreme temperature events during growth seasons and snow deformations in winters might be the decisive factors influencing growth performance of rowans under referred conditions.Research highlights: On the frost-exposed sites, the height of taller saplings might partly compensate for a missing shelter of forest stand since the terminal leaders are above ground-frost zone.Key words: mountain ash; sapling; common-sized transplants; nutritional status; temperature.Abbreviations: CS – Control Saplings; CT – Control Transplants; FS – Fertilized Saplings; FT – Fertilized Transplants
Overexpression of Polysialylated Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule Improves the Migration Capacity of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Oligodendrocyte Precursors
Authors: Czepiel Marcin , Leicher Lasse , Becker Katja , Boddeke Erik , Copray Sjef 
Published: July 2014

Abstract

Cell replacement therapy aiming at the compensation of lost oligodendrocytes and restoration of myelination in acquired or congenital demyelination disorders has gained considerable interest since the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Patient-derived iPSCs provide an inexhaustible source for transplantable autologous oligodendrocyte precursors (OPCs). The first transplantation studies in animal models for demyelination with iPSC-derived OPCs demonstrated their survival and remyelinating capacity, but also revealed their limited migration capacity. In the present study, we induced overexpression of the polysialylating enzyme sialyltransferase X (STX) in iPSC-derived OPCs to stimulate the production of polysialic acid-neuronal cell adhesion molecules (PSA-NCAMs), known to promote and facilitate the migration of OPCs. The STX-overexpressing iPSC-derived OPCs showed a normal differentiation and maturation pattern and were able to downregulate PSA-NCAMs when they became myelin-forming oligodendrocytes. After implantation in the demyelinated corpus callosum of cuprizone-fed mice, STX-expressing iPSC-derived OPCs demonstrated a significant increase in migration along the axons. Our findings suggest that the reach and efficacy of iPSC-derived OPC transplantation can be improved by stimulating the OPC migration potential via specific gene modulation.
ROCK Inhibition Extends Passage of Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigmented Epithelium
Authors: Croze Roxanne H. , Buchholz David E. , Radeke Monte J. , Thi William J. , Hu Qirui , Coffey Peter J. , Clegg Dennis O. 
Published: July 2014

Abstract

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) offer a potentially unlimited supply of cells for emerging cell-based therapies. Unfortunately, the process of deriving distinct cell types can be time consuming and expensive. In the developed world, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly, with more than 7.2 million people afflicted in the U.S. alone. Both hESC-derived retinal pigmented epithelium (hESC-RPE) and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived RPE (iPSC-RPE) are being developed for AMD therapies by multiple groups, but their potential for expansion in culture is limited. To attempt to overcome this passage limitation, we examined the involvement of Rho-associated, coiled-coil protein kinase (ROCK) in hESC-RPE and iPSC-RPE culture. We report that inhibiting ROCK1/2 with Y-27632 allows extended passage of hESC-RPE and iPSC-RPE. Microarray analysis suggests that ROCK inhibition could be suppressing an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition through various pathways. These include inhibition of key ligands of the transforming growth factor-β pathway (TGFB1 and GDF6) and Wnt signaling. Two important processes are affected, allowing for an increase in hESC-RPE expansion. First, ROCK inhibition promotes proliferation by inducing multiple components that are involved in cell cycle progression. Second, ROCK inhibition affects many pathways that could be converging to suppress RPE-to-mesenchymal transition. This allows hESC-RPE to remain functional for an extended but finite period in culture.
Highly structured electron anisotropy in collisionless reconnection exhausts
Authors: Shuster J. R. , Chen L.‐J. , Daughton W. S. , Lee L. C. , Lee K. H. , Bessho N. , Torbert R. B. , Li G. , Argall M. R. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractResults from two‐dimensional particle‐in‐cell simulations of collisionless magnetic reconnection with zero guide field discussed in this paper reveal that around the time when the reconnection rate peaks, electron velocity distributions become highly structured in magnetic islands and open exhausts. Rings, arcs, and counterstreaming beams are generic and lasting components of the exhaust electron distributions. The temporal dependence of electron distributions provides a perspective to explain an outstanding discrepancy concerning the degree of electron anisotropy in reconnection exhausts and enables inference of the reconnection phase based on observed anisotropic electron distributions. Some of the structures predicted by our simulations are confirmed by measurements from the Cluster spacecraft during its encounter with reconnection exhausts in the magnetotail.
Ionospheric electron density profiles inverted from a spectral riometer measurement
Authors: Kero Antti , Vierinen Juha , McKay‐Bukowski Derek , Enell Carl‐Fredrik , Sinor Malefia , Roininen Lassi , Ogawa Yasunobu 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe first implementation of the so‐called spectral riometer technique for the ionospheric electron density profile estimation is presented. In contrast to the traditional riometer operating at a single frequency, this experiment monitors the cosmic radio noise at 244 frequencies, ranging between 10 and 80 MHz, by using the new Kilpisj rvi Atmospheric Imaging Receiver Array radio telescope. The received power at each time and frequency is compared to the corresponding quiet‐day value, resulting in the cosmic radio noise absorption spectrum as a measurement of ionization in the ionosphere. In this study, the observed absorption spectrum is used to invert the corresponding electron density profile by applying a simple parameterized electron precipitation model. By comparing the inverted electron density profiles to a simultaneous and nearly colocated European Incoherent Scatter VHF radar measurement on 13–14 November 2012, we show that the spectral riometry approach is capable of producing realistic electron density profiles under conditions of substorm‐related electron precipitation.