bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic factors of primary fallopian tube cancer in a single institute in Taiwan
Authors: Horng Huann‐Cheng , Teng Sen‐Wen , Lai Chiung‐Ru , Chang Wen‐Hsu , Chang Yen‐Hou , Yen Ming‐Shyen , Wang Peng‐Hui Peter 
Published: June 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo improve the understanding of primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) through an analysis of possible clinical and pathologic determinants of prognosis.MethodsA retrospective review of the database of a tertiary hospital in Taiwan for 1978–2007 was conducted to identify patients with a diagnosis of PFTC and to evaluate the clinicopathologic features associated with PFTC outcome.ResultsFifty‐eight patients (mean age 62.5 years) had a diagnosis of PFTC. Stage III/IV disease (55%) and poorly differentiated tumors (52%) were most common. The median follow‐up was 93 months (range, 11–333 months). The 5‐year disease‐free survival rate was 59%, and the overall survival rate was 64%. Factors important in disease‐free and overall survival in univariate analysis included the presence of pelvic and/or para‐aortic lymph node metastases, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, high preoperative carbohydrate antigen 125 serum level, completion of optimal debulking surgery, and the use of paclitaxel‐based chemotherapy; however, only patients with optimal cytoreduction had a decreased hazard of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] 0.06; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01–0.23) and mortality (HR 0.08; 95% CI, 0.02–0.31) in multivariate analysis.ConclusionAdvanced tumor stage, in particular the presence of lymph node metastases, worsened the prognosis of patients with PFTC. However, optimal debulking surgery significantly improved the prognosis, emphasizing the importance of the treatment strategy.
A multifaceted intervention to increase prophylactic oxytocin use during the third stage of labor and to reduce routine episiotomies in Nicaragua
Authors: García‐Elorrio Ezequiel , Aleman Alicia , Cafferata Maria L. , Colomar Mercedes , Tomasso Giselle , Lacayo Yann , Espinoza Henry , Villadiego Shirley , Engelbrecht Susheela , Althabe Fernando 
Published: June 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effect of a multifaceted intervention among skilled birth attendants on the use of oxytocin during the third stage of labor, the active management of the third stage of labor (AMTSL), and the rate of routine episiotomy during vaginal births in two health districts in Nicaragua.MethodsAn uncontrolled before‐and‐after study design was used. The rates of oxytocin use in the third stage of labor, AMTSL, and episiotomy were measured for vaginal births occurring in eight hospitals and health centers during 2011–2012, before and after implementation of a multifaceted facility‐based intervention. The intervention involved the use of opinion leaders, interactive workshops to develop and implement evidence‐based guidelines, academic detailing, the use of reminders, and feedback on the rates of oxytocin use and episiotomy.ResultsOxytocin use during the third stage of labor increased significantly from 95.3% to 97.4% (P = 0.003). The episiotomy rate dropped significantly from 31.2% to 21.2% overall, and from 59.6% to 40.5% in primiparous women (P < 0.001 for both comparisons).ConclusionThe multifaceted intervention improved the targeted care practices during childbirth. However, a further decrease in the routine use of episiotomy would be desirable.
A comparison of reproductive outcomes following hysteroscopic management versus dilatation and curettage of retained products of conception
Authors: Ben‐Ami Ido , Melcer Yaakov , Smorgick Noam , Schneider David , Pansky Moty , Halperin Reuvit 
Published: June 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the reproductive outcome of women who underwent blind dilatation and curettage (D&C) with those who underwent hysteroscopic resection of pathologically confirmed retained products of conception (RPOC).MethodsMedical records of women who underwent either D&C or hysteroscopic resection of RPOC at Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Israel, between 2000 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsA total of 177 women with pathologically confirmed RPOC underwent either D&C (n = 94, 53.1%) or hysteroscopy (n = 83, 46.9%). Mean time to conception was significantly shorter after hysteroscopy than after D&C (7.4 ± 7 vs 12.9 ± 16.8 months, P = 0.037). Rate of occurrence of a newly diagnosed infertility problem was significantly higher following D&C than hysteroscopy (23 [24.5%] vs 10 [12.0%]; P = 0.034). Etiology of the new problem was mechanical, including tubal occlusion and intrauterine adhesions. Logistic regression comparing both methods revealed that hysteroscopic resection was associated with a significant reduction in the occurrence of a new infertility problem compared with D&C (OR 0.42; 95% CI, 0.18–0.96, P = 0.04).ConclusionHysteroscopic removal of RPOC is associated with a shorter mean time to further conception and a lower rate of occurrence of newly diagnosed infertility problems than D&C.
A high energy nanosecond cryogenic cooled Yb:YAG active-mirror amplifier system
Authors: Cheng Xiaojin , Wang Jianlei , Yang Zhongguo , Liu Jin , Li Lei , Shi Xiangchun , Huang Wenfa , Wang Jiangfeng , Chen Weibiao 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
A diode-pumped master oscillator power amplifier system based on a cryogenic Yb:YAG active-mirror laser has been developed. The performances of the laser amplifier at low temperature and room temperature have been investigated theoretically and experimentally. A maximum output energy of 3.05 J with an optical-to-optical efficiency of 14.7% has been achieved by using the master amplifier system.
SEVERING RESERVATIONS
Authors: McCall-Smith Kasey L. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractHow to address invalid reservations has been an ongoing struggle for States, legal practitioners and academics. This article considers the evolution of severability and whether States intend the language of severance to serve as a signal of their view on legality to reserving States or simply use severability to bolster their own public reputation. Over the past decade, State practice toward invalid reservations to norm-creating treaties has shifted and both this shift and its impact on treaty law must be acknowledged. The arguments and assertions that follow rely heavily on contemporary practice relating to reservations made to the core UN human rights treaties which, admittedly, limits the application of the doctrine in many ways. Review of State practice, especially to human rights treaties, demonstrates that a broader number of States are slowly opting for severability when defining their treaty relations with States authoring invalid reservations. The doctrine of severability is gaining a slow but steady following by a growing number of States though there is tension about whether severing reservations is lex specialis, pertaining only to human rights treaties, or lex ferenda. This article examines the evolving practice and forecasts the role it will play in the future of treaty law.
Identifying Deficiencies in National and Foreign Medical Team Responses Through Expert Opinion Surveys: Implications for Education and Training
Authors: Djalali Ahmadreza , Ingrassia Pier Luigi , Corte Francesco Della , Foletti Marco , Gallardo Alba Ripoll , Ragazzoni Luca , Kaptan Kubilay , Lupescu Olivera , Arculeo Chris , von Arnim Gotz , Friedl Tom , Ashkenazi Michael , Heselmann Deike , Hreckovski Boris , Khorrram-Manesh Amir , Komadina Radko , Lechner Kostanze , Patru Cristina , Burkle Frederick M. , Fisher Philipp 
Published: June 2014

AbstractIntroductionUnacceptable practices in the delivery of international medical assistance are reported after every major international disaster; this raises concerns about the clinical competence and practice of some foreign medical teams (FMTs). The aim of this study is to explore and analyze the opinions of disaster management experts about potential deficiencies in the art and science of national and FMTs during disasters and the impact these opinions might have on competency-based education and training.MethodThis qualitative study was performed in 2013. A questionnaire-based evaluation of experts’ opinions and experiences in responding to disasters was conducted. The selection of the experts was done using the purposeful sampling method, and the sample size was considered by data saturation. Content analysis was used to explore the implications of the data.ResultsThis study shows that there is a lack of competency-based training for disaster responders. Developing and performing standardized training courses is influenced by shortcomings in budget, expertise, and standards. There is a lack of both coordination and integration among teams and their activities during disasters. The participants of this study emphasized problems concerning access to relevant resources during disasters.ConclusionThe major findings of this study suggest that teams often are not competent during the response phase because of education and training deficiencies. Foreign medical teams and medically related nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) do not always provide expected capabilities and services. Failures in leadership and in coordination among teams are also a problem. All deficiencies need to be applied to competency-based curricula.DjalaliA, IngrassiaPL, Della CorteF, FolettiM, Ripoll GallardoA, RagazzoniL, KaptanK, LupescuO, ArculeoC, von ArnimG, FriedlT, AshkenaziM, HeselmannD, HreckovskiB, Khorrram-ManeshA, KomadinaR, LechnerK, PatruC, BurkleFMJr., FisherP. Identifying deficiencies in national and foreign medical team responses through expert opinion surveys: implications for education and training. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(4):1-5.
Misperceptions in Polarized Politics: The Role of Knowledge, Religiosity, and Media
Authors: Cacciatore Michael A. , Yeo Sara K. , Scheufele Dietram A. , Xenos Michael A. , Choi Doo-Hun , Brossard Dominique , Becker Amy B. , Corley Elizabeth A. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTMany Americans hold distorted views of elected officials and, as our study shows, the blame is due partly to our ideological biases and partly to mass media. Analyzing a nationally representative online survey, we corroborate recent research that found that one in five Americans still believe president Barack Obama is a Muslim and that almost seven in ten mistakenly think Sarah Palin, and notSaturday Night Live’s Tina Fey, was the first to say “I can see Russia from my house.” Although race, political ideology, and “born-again” or evangelical Christian status were the primary drivers of misperceptions about Obama’s faith, media use had a more crucial role in predicting the more widespread misperception about Palin. Misattribution of the Fey quote to Palin was greatest among heavy viewers of traditional news media and late-night TV comedy, which is suggestive of the “lamestream media” effect often espoused by prominent Republican figures.
The “Liked” Department: Using Facebook Analytics for Strategic Communication
Authors: Waite Brandon , Wheeler Darren 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTThe rapid diffusion of online social networking sites is changing the very nature of organizational communication. This is particularly true in higher education, where Facebook is increasingly being used as a means to engage with students, faculty, and alumni. Unfortunately, academic departments seeking to adopt such technologies often fail to understand the unique opportunities and challenges that accompany the adoption of social media. This article illuminates recent changes in organizational communication and describes the adoption of Facebook by a political science department at a midwestern state university. The authors develop a typology of Facebook posts to determine which types of information generate the most audience activity. They explain how this information can assist academic departments as they seek to bolster recruitment and retention of students, as well as ongoing investment from faculty and alumni.
Teaching Active Citizenship: A Companion to the Traditional Political Science Curriculum
Authors: Smith Michael , Bob Graham The Honorable 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTThe authors of this article advocate a new curriculum that can be applied to American government, introduction to political science, and state and local government courses. For the past half-century, high school and college general-education requirements have deemphasized civics, government, and political science. In response to the corresponding decrease in the nation’s civic health, this proposal is based on three principles. First, teaching citizenship is different than teaching civics. Second, citizenship is taught most effectively by engagement in the “real world,” with students completing projects that take them step by step through the policy-change process. Finally, the education and preparation of future high school government teachers needs to change to encourage them to teach their students the rights, responsibilities, and competencies of active citizenship.
Effekte der Abklärungsuntersuchung auf Behandlungsdauer und die Wahrscheinlichkeit zur Aufnahme ambulanter Behandlung
Authors: Dau Wolfgang , Heese Peter , Banger Markus 
Published: June 2014

Fragestellung: Die Effekte der Abklärungsuntersuchung auf die stationäre Behandlungsdauer, Aufnahmehäufigkeit und die Wahrscheinlichkeit für ambulante Behandlungskontakte sollen überprüft werden. Methodik: In einem quasi-experimentellen Untersuchungsdesign mit historischer Kontrollgruppe wurde die Abklärungsuntersuchung über einen Zeitraum von einem Jahr konsekutiv bei 235 Fällen angewendet (Experimentalgruppe; EG). Als Kontrollgruppe (KG) dienten die Daten zweier Patientenjahrgänge vor Einführung der Abklärungsuntersuchung (AbU), die sich in der Notaufnahme vorstellten (N = 662). Die Daten wurden mittels logistischer und Negativ-Binomialer Regression ausgewertet.Ergebnisse: Die AbU konnte dazu beitragen, die stationären Behandlungszeiten pro Aufenthalt um 34 % (RR = 0.66) zu verringern und die Wahrscheinlichkeit einer Kontaktaufnahme zur Institutsambulanz (OR = 2.60) zu steigern. Demgegenüber zeigte sich eine Reduktion der Aufnahmehäufigkeit nur in Interaktion mit der Anzahl der Abhängigkeitsdiagnosen (RR = 0.77). In einer Subgruppe von Patienten (”Heavy User”) zeigten sich schwache Effekte (Behandlungsdauer: d = 0.37; Aufnahmehäufigkeit d = 0.44). Schlussfolgerung: Die Abklärungsuntersuchung zeigte ermutigende Effekte. Angesichts sich ständig verkürzender Behandlungszeiten scheint weitere Forschung im Interesse der Qualitätssicherung der Behandlung sinnvoll und notwendig.
Pilot‐assisted linear turbo equaliser over doubly selective channels
Authors: Qi Xiaoke , Li Yu , Huang Haining 
Published: June 2014

The underwater acoustic channel is considered as one of the most challenging channels for reliable communications. Long delay spread and Doppler effect bring a great challenge to directly apply the algorithms in radio communications to underwater communications, which calls for modification and enhancement. In this study, a pilot‐assisted linear turbo equalisation algorithm termed P‐TE is proposed. Unlike the existing pilot methods that insert pilot into the modulated symbols to facilitate the channel estimation, the authors insert the known bits into the uncoded binary sequence to assist equalisation as well as decoding with the careful design of the bit positions. A second‐order least mean square adaptive algorithm as well as adaptive step size method is introduced for weights update. Furthermore, a modified low‐density parity‐check decoding algorithm is presented to describe the pilot‐assisted decoding algorithm, which does not increase the complexity. Moreover, pilot extraction from error‐free blocks is proposed for enhanced performance. Experimental results have indicated that P‐TE can significantly improve the performance and reduce the required number of the iterations, leading to lower complexity. Furthermore, experiments show that the effective throughput of P‐TE can be higher than the method without pilot at a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 10 dB.
Differential evolution method‐based output power optimisation of switched reluctance generator for wind turbine applications
Authors: Yahia Hedi , Liouane Noureddine , Dhifaoui Rachid 
Published: June 2014

The use of wind energy for electric power generation provides a clean and renewable source. Therefore there is an increasing interest in developing and exploiting natural energy generation system. Switched reluctance generators (SRGs) have the potential to be a robust and highly efficient electrical conversion system for variable‐speed wind applications. This study presents a new approach for optimising performance of a SRG intended for variable‐speed direct drive wind turbine applications. DC bus voltage level and phase voltage switching angles have been identified as control variables affecting power generation. Owing to highly non‐linear characteristics of SRG, iterative simulation of the generator model on the range of control variables can be used for finding output power profile. Since it is a multidimensional search space, the number of iterations is very big. Differential evolution (DE) strategy has been introduced to find optimal firing angles and DC bus voltage level under multiple operating conditions. Optimisation of the control variables is performed using a machine model based on the measured characteristics. Selected operating points are experimentally tested using a 4 kW 1500 rpm SRG prototype. DE algorithm is a viable alternative for generating optimal control in multidimensional optimisation of SRG wind energy generation.
Contacts on polyester textile as a flexible substrate for solar cells
Authors: Diyaf Adel G. , Mather Robert R. , Wilson John I.B. 
Published: June 2014

In the present work, the authors have studied conductive surfaces on polyester fabrics by using two types of commercially available conductive polymers; polyaniline and poly (3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐poly (styrenesulphonate) (PEDOT: PSS) with 100 nm aluminium thin film evaporated on top of the polymer so the fabric becomes a conductive substrate for inorganic thin film solar cells. Conductive polymer surfaces on woven polyester fabrics were obtained by knife‐over‐table coating technique. Surface resistivities for polyaniline and PEDOT: PSS coated fabrics were measured and found in the range of 400 × 103 and 1 × 103 Ω/□, respectively. Thermal stability tests were carried out to evaluate the effect of specific periods of heal treatment at different elevated temperatures on resistance of polymer coated conducting textiles. PEDOT: PSS exhibited better stability than panipol. According to long term tests, PEDOT: PSS coated samples showed improvement in conductivity over 3 days whereas panipol showed the opposite. Transmission Line Model tests were performed to measure aluminium/polymer contact resistances which were found to be 120 × 103 Ω for polyaniline and about 46.3 Ω for PEDOT: PSS. Mechanical bending tests for aluminium/PEDOT: PSS/fabric samples showed that the polymer can maintain the conductivity of samples by bridging micro‐cracks in the metal film.
HBx induces hypomethylation of distal intragenic CpG islands required for active expression of developmental regulators
Authors: Lee Sun-Min , Lee Young-gun , Bae Jae-Bum , Choi Jung Kyoon , Tayama Chiharu , Hata Kenichiro , Yun Yungdae , Seong Je-Kyung , Kim Young-Joon 
Published: June 2014

Significance
Epigenetic dysregulation by oncoviral protein plays a key role in tumor development. DNA methylome analysis of hepatitis B virus X (HBx)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) revealed drastic changes in host epigenome, but in an unconventional way: intragenic CpG islands (CGIs) were dramatically demethylated. We showed methylated intragenic CGIs as previously unidentified regulatory elements associated with active expression. The methylated CGIs are marked with distinct epigenetic signatures and require DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) 3L complex for their high methylation levels. By directly suppressing Dnmt3L and Dnmt3a promoters, HBx induces hypomethylation of the intragenic CGIs and downregulation of the associated developmental regulators. We provide previously unreported functional identification of intragenic CGIs that may enhance our understanding of epigenetic regulation and a new epigenetic role for HBx in promoting HCC development.
Justice as social representation: diffusion and differential positioning / La justicia como representación social: difusión y posicionamientos diferenciales
Authors: Barreiro Alicia , Gaudio Gabriela , Mayor Julieta , Santellan-Fernández Romina , Sarti Daniela , Sarti María 
Published: June 2014

The aim of this paper is to analyse the relationship between the diffusion process of social representations of justice by the press and their appropriation by readers. Two simultaneous cross-sectional studies were carried out. Study 1 analysed the meaning and the frequency of the word justice in the most important newspaper in Buenos Aires. The results indicate that the representation of justice has a retributive and institutional meaning. Study 2 investigated university students’ social representations of justice ( N = 404) through a word association technique. The results showed that the central core of social representation has a retributive and institutional meaning, similar to the representations diffused by the most important newspaper. Nevertheless, significant differences were found with regard to the value attached to justice depending on the newspaper that the participants claimed to read. We can conclude that there is a mutual constitutive circular movement between the social representation of justice diffused by the newspapers and university students’ social representations. Moreover, the differences identified in the way justice was evaluated in the peripheral elements might express the existence of different positionings related to a hegemonic social representation.
Influential factors in the choice of public transportation or cars as the mode of transportation in habitual commutes / Factores que influyen en la elección del transporte público o el automóvil como modo de transporte en los desplazamientos habituales
Authors: López-Sáez Mercedes , Lois David , Fernández Itziar , Martínez-Rubio José-Luis 
Published: June 2014

The goal of this study is to analyse the differences in attitudes towards habitual modes of transportation among users of public and private transportation. The explanatory capacity of attitudes when determining the mode choice, along with the structural and sociodemographic factors, are also verified. The study was performed in three Spanish cities with 742 participants. The results revealed that cars are better rated than public modes of transportation in the attributes associated with immediate advantages (i.e., speed and availability) and convenience. Subways are highly rated in both immediate and deferred advantages (environment, safety, cost and health). Buses are the mode rated the lowest of the three. Using logistic regression, it was verified that the variance explained by a model that includes attitudes ( R 2 = .639) is higher than the variance explained by a model based solely on variables related to infrastructures ( R 2 = .489). The discussion of these results includes proposals aimed at decreasing car use.