bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multicenter study of banked third-party virus-specific T cells to treat severe viral infections after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Leen Ann M. , Bollard Catherine M. , Mendizabal Adam M. , Shpall Elizabeth J. , Szabolcs Paul , Antin Joseph H. , Kapoor Neena , Pai Sung-Yun , Rowley Scott D. , Kebriaei Partow , Dey Bimalangshu R. , Grilley Bambi J. , Gee Adrian P. , Brenner Malcolm K. , Rooney Cliona M. , Heslop Helen E. 
Published: April 2013

Key PointsBanked third-party virus-specific T cells can safely and rapidly treat severe or intractable viral infections after HSCT.
Compression-based distance (CBD): a simple, rapid, and accurate method for microbiota composition comparison
Authors: Yang Fang , Chia Nicholas , White Bryan A , Schook Lawrence B 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Perturbations in intestinal microbiota composition have been associated with a variety of gastrointestinal tract-related diseases. The alleviation of symptoms has been achieved using treatments that alter the gastrointestinal tract microbiota toward that of healthy individuals. Identifying differences in microbiota composition through the use of 16S rRNA gene hypervariable tag sequencing has profound health implications. Current computational methods for comparing microbial communities are usually based on multiple alignments and phylogenetic inference, making them time consuming and requiring exceptional expertise and computational resources. As sequencing data rapidly grows in size, simpler analysis methods are needed to meet the growing computational burdens of microbiota comparisons. Thus, we have developed a simple, rapid, and accurate method, independent of multiple alignments and phylogenetic inference, to support microbiota comparisons.

Results
We create a metric, called compression-based distance (CBD) for quantifying the degree of similarity between microbial communities. CBD uses the repetitive nature of hypervariable tag datasets and well-established compression algorithms to approximate the total information shared between two datasets. Three published microbiota datasets were used as test cases for CBD as an applicable tool. Our study revealed that CBD recaptured 100% of the statistically significant conclusions reported in the previous studies, while achieving a decrease in computational time required when compared to similar tools without expert user intervention.

Conclusion
CBD provides a simple, rapid, and accurate method for assessing distances between gastrointestinal tract microbiota 16S hypervariable tag datasets.
C-reactive protein may be a prognostic factor in hepatocellular carcinoma with malignant portal vein invasion
Authors: Kim Jong Man , Kwon Choon Hyuck David , Joh Jae-Won , Ko Justin Sangwook , Park Jae Berm , Lee Joon Hyeok , Kim Sung Joo , Paik Seung Woon , Park Cheol-Keun 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high predilection for portal vein invasion, and the prognosis of HCC with malignant portal vein invasion is extremely poor. The objective of this study was to investigate the outcomes and the prognostic factor of recurrence in HCC patients with malignant portal vein invasion.

Methods
We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathologic data and outcomes of 83 HCC patients with malignant portal vein invasion and 1,056 patients without portal vein invasion who underwent liver resection.

Results
Increased serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, increased maximum tumor size, and intrahepatic metastasis were predisposing factors for malignant portal vein invasion by multivariate analysis. The median disease-free survival and overall survival of HCC patients with malignant portal vein invasion was 4.5 months and 25 months, respectively. The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year disease-free survival rates were 30.6%, 26.1%, and 21.2%, respectively, and the overall survival rates for HCC patients with malignant portal vein invasion were 68.6%, 54.2%, and 41.6%, respectively. The initial detection site was the lung in HCC patients with portal vein invasion and the liver in HCC patients without portal vein invasion. C-reactive protein (CRP) was a significant independent predictor of tumor recurrence in HCC with malignant portal vein invasion after surgery.

Conclusions
Increased ALP levels, increased maximum tumor size, and intrahepatic metastasis were independent predictors of malignant portal vein invasion in HCC. CRP level was closely associated with the predisposing factor of tumor recurrence in HCC patients with malignant portal vein invasion after a surgical resection, and lung metastasis was common.
Fullerene modification CdSe/TiO2 and modification of photocatalytic activity under visible light
Authors: Meng Ze-Da , Zhu Lei , Ye Shu , Sun Qian , Ullah Kefayat , Cho Kwang-Youn , Oh Won-Chun 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
CdSe, CdSe-TiO2, and CdSe-C60/TiO2 composites were prepared using sol–gel method, and their photocatalytic activity was evaluated by measuring the degradation of rhodamine B solutions under visible light. The surface area, surface structure, crystal phase, and elemental identification of these composites were characterized by nitrogen adsorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and UV-visible (vis) absorption spectrophotometry. XRD showed that the CdSe-C60/TiO2 composite contained a typical single and clear anatase phase. SEM of the CdSe-C60/TiO2 composites revealed a homogenous composition in the particles. EDX revealed the presence of C and Ti with strong Cd and Se peaks in the CdSe-C60/TiO2 composite. The degradation of dye was determined by UV–vis spectrophotometry. An increase in photocatalytic activity was observed and attributed to an increase in the photoabsorption effect by fullerene and the cooperative effect of the CdSe. The repeatability of photocatalytic activity was also tested in order to investigate the stability of C60 and CdS-C60/TiO2 composites.
Admission control in wireless ad hoc networks: a survey
Authors: Khoukhi Lyes , Badis Hakim , Merghem-Boulahia Leila , Esseghir Moez 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Wireless mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) have emerged as a key technology for next-generation wireless networking. Because of their advantages over other wireless networks, MANETs are undergoing rapid progress and inspiring numerous applications. However, many technical issues are still facing the deployment of this technology, and one of the most challenging aspects is the quality of service (QoS) provisioning for multimedia real-time applications. MANETs are expected to offer a diverse range of services to support real-time traffic and conventional data in an integrated fashion. Because of the diversified QoS requirements of these services, QoS models are needed for an efficient usage of network resources. One of the most crucial mechanisms for providing QoS support is admission control (AC). AC has the task of estimating the state of network's resources and thereby to decide which application data flows can be admitted without promising more resources than are available and thus violating previously made guarantees. In order to provide a better understanding of the AC research challenges in MANETs, this paper presents a detailed investigation of current state-of-the-art AC models in ad hoc networks. A brief outline of the admission function, feedback to route failures, as well as the advantages and drawbacks of each discussed model are given.
Identification and structural elucidation of ozonation transformation products of estrone
Authors: Segura Pedro Alejandro , Kaplan Pearl , Yargeau Viviane 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Quantitative methods for the analysis of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are abundant in the scientific literature. However, there are few reports on systematic methods of identification and structural identification of transformation products. For this reason, a new method based on high-resolution mass spectrometry and differential analysis was developed in order to facilitate and accelerate the process of identification and structural elucidation of transformation products CECs. This method was applied to the study of ozonation transformation products (OTPs) of the natural hormone estrone (E1).

Results
A control compare trend experiment consisting in the comparison of a control sample to several samples having been exposed to decreasing concentrations of O3(aq) indicated that 593 peaks could be associated with OTPs. After applying various filters to remove background noise, sample contaminants and signal spikes, this data set was reduced to 16 candidate peaks. By inspection of the shape of these peaks, only two compounds OTP-276 (m/z 275.12930) and OTP-318 (m/z 317.14008) were considered as good candidates for further study. Multi-stage tandem mass spectrometry (MSn) experiments of SPE extracts of the ozonated samples of E1 and of a deuterium-labeled analogue (E1-d4) showed that OTP-276 and OTP-318 had carboxylic acid and hydroxyl functional groups, as previously reported for OTPs of other hormones. Structures for these two compounds were proposed based on their MSn spectra.

Conclusion
These results indicate that the method proposed is a systematic and rapid approach to study transformation products of CECs.
Pharmaceutical quality of seven generic Levodopa/Benserazide products compared with original Madopar® / Prolopa®
Authors: Gasser Urs E , Fischer Anton , Timmermans Jan P , Arnet Isabelle 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
By definition, a generic product is considered interchangeable with the innovator brand product. Controversy exists about interchangeability, and attention is predominantly directed to contaminants. In particular for chronic, degenerative conditions such as in Parkinson’s disease (PD) generic substitution remains debated among physicians, patients and pharmacists. The objective of this study was to compare the pharmaceutical quality of seven generic levodopa/benserazide hydrochloride combination products marketed in Germany with the original product (Madopar® / Prolopa® 125, Roche, Switzerland) in order to evaluate the potential impact of Madopar® generics versus branded products for PD patients and clinicians.

Methods
Madopar® / Prolopa® 125 tablets and capsules were used as reference material. The generic products tested (all 100 mg/25 mg formulations) included four tablet and three capsule formulations. Colour, appearance of powder (capsules), disintegration and dissolution, mass of tablets and fill mass of capsules, content, identity and amounts of impurities were assessed along with standard physical and chemical laboratory tests developed and routinely practiced at Roche facilities. Results were compared to the original “shelf-life” specifications in use by Roche.

Results
Each of the seven generic products had one or two parameters outside the specifications. Deviations for the active ingredients ranged from +8.4% (benserazide) to −7.6% (levodopa) in two tablet formulations. Degradation products were measured in marked excess (+26.5%) in one capsule formulation. Disintegration time and dissolution for levodopa and benserazide hydrochloride at 30 min were within specifications for all seven generic samples analysed, however with some outliers.

Conclusions
Deviations for the active ingredients may go unnoticed by a new user of the generic product, but may entail clinical consequences when switching from original to generic during a long-term therapy. Degradation products may pose a safety concern. Our results should prompt caution when prescribing a generic of Madopar®/Prolopa®, and also invite to further investigations in view of a more comprehensive approach, both pharmaceutical and clinical.
Identification of Criticality in Neuronal Avalanches: I. A Theoretical Investigation of the Non-driven Case
Authors: Taylor Timothy J , Hartley Caroline , Simon Péter L , Kiss Istvan Z , Berthouze Luc 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
In this paper, we study a simple model of a purely excitatory neural network that, by construction, operates at a critical point. This model allows us to consider various markers of criticality and illustrate how they should perform in a finite-size system. By calculating the exact distribution of avalanche sizes, we are able to show that, over a limited range of avalanche sizes which we precisely identify, the distribution has scale free properties but is not a power law. This suggests that it would be inappropriate to dismiss a system as not being critical purely based on an inability to rigorously fit a power law distribution as has been recently advocated. In assessing whether a system, especially a finite-size one, is critical it is thus important to consider other possible markers. We illustrate one of these by showing the divergence of susceptibility as the critical point of the system is approached. Finally, we provide evidence that power laws may underlie other observables of the system that may be more amenable to robust experimental assessment.
Impact of an early education multimedia intervention in managing nutrition-related chemotherapy side effects: a pilot study
Authors: Thompson Julie , Silliman Kathryn , Clifford Dawn E 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
The purpose of the educational intervention was to measure changes in knowledge, perceived benefit of nutrition, and perceived self efficacy in handling side effects of chemotherapy before and after viewing a 15 minute DVD among patients with cancer.

Methods
A convenience sample of 14 (4 male, 10 female, 61 ± 9 years) patients with cancer, early to chemotherapy, participated in the study. Participants completed a survey with demographic, knowledge items, and perceived health belief and self efficacy statements; viewed the DVD; and were then sent home with a one page handout. Two weeks after the nutrition education intervention, a second survey was completed including an item about tips used. Change was measured using paired t-test and wilcoxon signed rank tests.

Findings
The mean score on the four knowledge items significantly increased (p < 0.05). No significant differences were noted in statements intended to evaluate changes in perceived health beliefs. However, perceived knowledge and skills related to managing side effects increased (p < 0.05). All participants responded that the DVD was informative and most (n = 11, 79%) responded that it was useful. The majority reported (n = 10, 71%) a tip they used from the DVD.

Conclusions
This short multimedia nutrition education intervention was found primarily to increase knowledge and could form a useful component of counseling services for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Each Individual Isoform of the Dopamine D2 Receptor Protects from Lactotroph Hyperplasia
Authors: Radl Daniela , De Mei Claudia , Chen Eric , Lee Hyuna , Borrelli Emiliana 
Published: April 2013

AbstractDopamine acting through D2 receptors (D2Rs) controls lactotroph proliferation and prolactin (PRL) levels. Ablation of this receptor in mice results in lactotroph hyperplasia and prolactinomas in aged females. Alternative splicing of the Drd2 gene generates 2 independent isoforms, a long (D2L) and a short (D2S) isoform, which are present in all D2R-expressing cells. Here, we addressed the role of D2L and D2S on lactotroph physiology through the generation and analysis of D2S-null mice and their comparison with D2L-null animals. These mice represent a valuable tool with which to investigate dopamine-dependent isoform-specific signaling in the pituitary gland. We sought to assess the existence of a more prominent role of D2L or D2S in controlling PRL expression and lactotroph hyperplasia. Importantly, we found that D2L and D2S are specifically linked to independent transduction pathways in the pituitary. D2L-mediated signaling inhibits the AKT/protein kinase B kinase activity whereas D2S, in contrast, is required for the activation of the ERK 1/2 pathway. Under normal conditions, presence of only 1 of the 2 D2R isoforms in vivo prevents hyperprolactinemia, formation of lactotroph's hyperplasia, and tumorigenesis that is observed when both isoforms are deleted as in D2R−/− mice. However, the protective function of the single D2R isoforms is overridden when single isoform-knockout mice are challenged by chronic estrogen treatments as they show increased PRL production and lactotroph hyperplasia. Our study indicates that signaling from each of the D2R isoforms is sufficient to maintain lactotroph homeostasis in physiologic conditions; however, signaling from both is necessary in conditions simulating pathologic states.
Design of a Novel Drug Carrier with Photoresponsive Properties: Drug-encapsulated and Alkanethiol-modified Gold-nanoparticle-loaded PEGylated Dendrimer
Authors: Kojima Chie , Kawabata Hiroki , Harada Atsushi , Horinaka Hiromichi , Kono Kenji 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) have been used in photothermal therapy and imaging applications, whereas PEGylated dendrimers have been used for the development of drug delivery systems. The loading of an Au NP into a PEGylated dendrimer has been reported previously in the literature. In this paper, Au NPs within the dendrimer have been modified with alkanethiols to improve their drug-loading ability, based on their enhanced inner hydrophobicity. Modifications allowing for the incorporation of a substantial amount of octadecanethiol led to an improvement in the drug-encapsulation ability of the PEGylated dendrimer.
Synthesis and Properties of Novel [5]Radialenes Substituted with Multiple 1,3-Dithiol-2-yildenes
Authors: Ueda Masafumi , Ogura Yui , Misaki Yohji 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Novel [5]radialenes with four 1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene (DT) units (2) and ethylene analogs of [5]dendralene derivatives with five DT units (3) were synthesized. Cyclic voltammetry revealed that 2 exhibited two pairs of two-electron redox processes, whereas the bis(methylthio) derivative of 3 (3a) showed a simultaneous four-electron-transfer process.
Extracting prototypes from exemplars What can corpus data tell us about concept representation?
Authors: Divjak Dagmar , Arppe Antti 
Published: April 2013

AbstractOver the past four decades, two distinct alternatives have emerged to rule-based models of how linguistic categories are stored and represented as cognitive structures, namely the prototype and exemplar theories. Although these models were initially thought to be mutually exclusive, shifts from one mechanism to the other have been observed in category learning experiments, bringing the models closer together. In this paper we implement a technique akin to varying abstraction modelling, that assumes intermediate abstraction processes to underlie category representations and categorization decisions; we do so using familiar statistical techniques such as regression and clustering that track frequency distributions in input. With this model we simulate, on the basis of actual usage of Russian try verbs and Finnish think verbs as observed in corpora, how prototypes for near-synonymous verbs could be formed from concrete exemplars at different levels of abstraction.In so doing, we take a closer look at the cognitive linguistic flirtation with multiple categorization theories, suggesting three improvements anchored in the fact that cognitive linguistics is a usage-based theory of language. Firstly, we show that language provides support for considering single prototype and full exemplar models as opposite ends along a continuum of abstraction. Secondly, we present a methodology that simulates how prototypes can be obtained from exemplars at more than one level of abstraction in a systematic and verifiable way. And thirdly, we illustrate our claims on the basis of work on verbs, denoting intangible events that are neither stable in nor independent of time and express relational concepts; this implies that verbs are more susceptible to their meanings being influenced by the concepts they relate.
Nouns and verbs in Cognitive Grammar: Where is the ‘sound’ evidence?
Authors: Hollmann Willem B. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractFormalist approaches traditionally define word classes in distributional terms. By contrast, Cognitive Grammar advocates a semantic basis: nouns profile THINGS; verbs highlight PROCESSES. There is psycholinguistic support for the importance of semantics in lexical categorisation, but also for (language-particular) distributional and phonological properties. This paper focuses on phonology, whose importance is further underlined by data from language change and typology. Following a review of the psycholinguistic, historical linguistic and typological evidence, a gap in the literature is filled, i.e. an experiment involving the production of nonce nouns and verbs is conducted, providing further converging evidence for phonology. I then show how this evidence, although not currently recognised in Cognitive Grammar, can be straightforwardly accommodated as phonological sub-schemas. These sub-schemas are probably more important than the super-schemas proposed in Cognitive Grammar (which may actually be non-existent, and anyway fail to yield clear predictions vis-à-vis empirical data). I conclude that in developing the model further, a higher degree of responsibility to all the available empirical data is called for.
General curves on algebraic surfaces
Authors: Sernesi Edoardo 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

We give upper bounds on the genus of a curve with
general moduli assuming that it can be embedded in a projective
nonsingular surface Y so that dim(|C|) > 0. We find such
bounds for all types of surfaces of intermediate Kodaira dimension
and, under mild restrictions, for surfaces of general type whose
minimal model Z satisfies the Castelnuovo inequality K

Z

2 ≥
3χ(𝒪
Z
) - 10. In this last case we obtain g ≤ 19. In the
other cases considered the bounds are lower.
Comparison of results obtained by static 3- and 4-point bending and flexural vibration tests on solid wood, MDF, and 5-plywood
Authors: Yoshihara Hiroshi 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The flexural Young’s modulus of western hemlock, medium-density fiberboard, and 5-plywood (made of lauan) has been determined by conducting three- and four-point bending tests with various span lengths and by flexural vibration test. The Young’s modulus was significantly influenced by the deflection measurement method. In particular, the Young’s modulus was not reliable based on the difference between the deflections at two specific points in the specimen, although this test is standardized according to ISO 3349-1975 and JIS Z2101-2009.
The Effects of the Withdrawal Rate and Heat Treatment on the Microstructure of Directionally Solidified Nb-14Si-24Ti Alloy
Authors: Wang Ligang , Ding Fei , Yuan Sainan , Jia Lina , Zhang Hu 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIn this work, an Nb-14Si-24Ti alloy (at.%) was prepared by liquid-metal-cooled directional solidification (DS) and then heat treated (HT) at 1450°C for 100 h. The effects of the withdrawal rate and heat treatment on the microstructure were investigated. The results show that the DS samples consisted of NbSS dendrites, Nb3Si blocks and eutectic NbSS/Nb3Si. As the withdrawal rate increased, the microstructure became finer, the volume fraction of eutectic NbSS/Nb3Si increased and the morphology of eutectic cell transformed from petaloid to regularly arranged granular morphology. The microstructure of the HT samples consisted of NbSS and Nb3Si. The metastable phase of Nb3Si did not discompose through the eutectoid reaction. The dendritic NbSSconnected through diffraction and the secondary dendrite arm got coarser. The boundary of eutectic NbSS/Nb3Si became blurry and the black Ti-rich phase of the DS samples in this region disappeared. The Nb3Si connected to form the continuous matrix. The granular NbSS of eutectics spheroidized and the lamellar NbSS of eutectic interconnected and became more bending distributed uniformly in the Nb3Si matrix.