bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation Between Surgical Extent and Prognosis in Node‐Negative, Early‐Stage Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Originating in the Isthmus
Authors: Lim Seung Taek , Jeon Ye Won , Suh Young Jin 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe association between surgical extent and prognosis in papillary thyroid carcinoma originating in the isthmus is unclear.MethodsWe included 233 patients with early‐stage, node‐negative papillary thyroid cancer originating in the isthmus; 126 were treated by lobectomy plus isthmusectomy with ipsilateral central neck dissection and 97 were treated by total thyroidectomy with bilateral central neck dissection. Subgroup analysis was performed according to tumor size (≤1 vs. >1 cm) to evaluate whether tumor size had a significant impact on determining the optimal extent of surgery in our cohort.ResultsTotal thyroidectomy patients had longer recurrence‐free survival (RFS) than those treated by lobectomy plus isthmusectomy. Subgroup analysis showed that this was true only for tumors >1 cm. In multivariate analysis, total thyroidectomy was an independent risk factor for RFS only for tumors >1 cm.ConclusionsLobectomy plus isthmusectomy may be optimal for early‐stage, node‐negative papillary thyroid carcinoma originating in the isthmus for tumors ≤1 cm; total thyroidectomy might be better for tumors >1 cm.
Systematic differences in time of cerebellar‐neuron origin derived from bromodeoxyuridine immunoperoxidase staining protocols and tritiated thymidine autoradiography: A comparative study
Authors: Martí Joaquín , Santa‐Cruz M.C. , Serra Roger , Hervás José P. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAs exogenous markers of DNA synthesis, 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BrdU) and tritiated thymidine ([3H]TdR) have revolutionized our ability to identify proliferating neuroblasts and follow their fate during the development of the central nervous system. The effect of the incorporation of these molecules into DNA on cell proliferation, migration and differentiation is frequently neglected (Duque and Rakic, 2011. J. Neurosci. 31, 15205–15217). By a progressively delayed cumulative labeling method, the current paper analyzes the development of the cerebellum in mice exposed to either BrdU or [3H]TdR as embryos and collected at postnatal day 90. We observed that, in comparison to the saline group, several parameters of the cerebellum such as length of the cerebellar cortex, the area of the molecular layer, Purkinje cell (PCs) number, the areas of the cerebellar nuclei, and the number of the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) neurons were lower in the BrdU injected group. No consequence of [3H]TdR administration was observed. On the other hand, we also studied whether immunohistochemical methods, including BrdU antibodies from different vendors (Sigma and Dako), partial DNA denaturation procedures and trypsin pretreatments, alter the neurogenetic timetables of PC and DCN neurons that resulted from analysis of these tissue specimens. Our analysis revealed that the generative programs of these macroneurons were unrelated to differences in the sensibility of BrdU antibodies but were dependent on the partial denaturation of DNA and trypsin digestion protocols. Finally, we also compare the generation and spatial distribution of PC and DCN neurons in mice exposed to either BrdU or [3H]TdR to assess whether the results obtained by these two markers are quantitatively similar. The data presented here show that systematic differences exist in the pattern of neurogenesis and the spatial location of cerebellar neurons between mice injected with BrdU or [3H]TdR. These findings have implications for the interpretation of results obtained by both exogenous makers as an index of the production, migration and settling of neurons in the developing central nervous system.
A more precise speciation and extinction rate estimator
Authors: Alroy John 
Published: October 2015

AbstractA new turnover rate metric is introduced that combines simplicity and precision. Like the related three-timer and gap-filler equations, it involves first identifying a cohort of taxa sampled in the time interval preceding the one of interest (call the intervalsi0andi1). Taxa sampled ini0andi1are two-timers (t2); those sampled ini0andi2but noti1are part-timers (p); and taxa sampled only in eitheri1,i2, ori3are newly notated here as eithers1,s2, ors3. The gap-filler extinction proportion can be reformulated as (s1−s3)/(t2+p). The method proposed here is to substitutes3with the second-highest of the three counts when the expected orderings1≥s2≥s3is violated. In simulation, this new estimator yields values that are highly correlated with those produced by the gap-filler equation but more precise. In particular, it rarely produces highly negative values even when sample sizes are quite small. It is mildly upwards biased when sampling is extremely poor and turnover rates are extremely low, but it is otherwise highly accurate. Examples of Phanerozoic extinction rates for four major marine invertebrate groups are given to illustrate the method’s improved precision. Based on the results, the procedure is recommended for general use.
Epidemiological analysis of the distribution of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in Osh Oblast in the Kyrgyz Republic, 2000–2013
Authors: Raimkulov K.M. , Kuttubaev O.T. , Toigombaeva V.S. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAlveolar and cystic echinococcosis are highly endemic in the Kyrgyz Republic. This report documents the numbers of recorded cases of these two diseases that have been reported in the past 14 years. The number of cases of echinococcosis has increased from approximately 550 to 1044 cases in 2013. This is an increase in incidence from 11.3 to 18.3 cases per 100,000 annually. In 2000 no cases of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) were reported in the Kyrgyz Republic. During this period the disease has emerged, with 148 cases reported in 2013 (2.6 cases per 100,000). Osh Oblast is a highly endemic focus for AE, with 60 cases reported in 2013 (6.0 per 100,000). The Alay Valley in the south of Osh Oblast reported the majority of AE cases for this region. In this valley, in 2013, 42 cases of AE were reported, which is a local incidence of 58 per 100,000.
Individual social capital and health-related quality of life among older rural Chinese
Authors: SUN XIAOJIE , LIU KUN , WEBBER MARTIN , SHI LIZHENG 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTNo study based on the Resource Generator has explored the association between individual social capital and health-related quality of life among older adults. This study aims to evaluate the validity and reliability of the adapted Resource Generator-China, and examine the association between individual social capital measured by the Resource Generator-China and health-related quality of life of older rural-dwelling Chinese people. A field survey including 975 rural-dwelling people aged between 60 and 75 years was conducted in three counties of the Shandong Province of China in 2013. Quality of life was measured by the Chinese version of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36): scores of Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary. Cumulative scale analyses were performed to analyse the homogeneity and reliability of the Resource Generator-China. We constructed generalised linear models by gender to examine the associations of social capital with health-related quality of life. Our findings suggest that the adapted instrument for older rural-dwelling Chinese people can be a reliable and valid measure of access to individual social capital. There were positive associations between individual social capital (total scores and sub-scale scores) and health-related quality of life. Individual social capital had a stronger association with mental health among women than men. Future studies should be improved through a longitudinal design with a larger and randomised sample covering large geographical rural areas in China.
Coevolutionary and genetic algorithm based building spatial and structural design
Authors: Hofmeyer Hèrm , Davila Delgado Juan Manuel 
Published: October 2015

AbstractIn this article, two methods to develop and optimize accompanying building spatial and structural designs are compared. The first, a coevolutionary method, applies deterministic procedures, inspired by realistic design processes, to cyclically add a suitable structural design to the input of a spatial design, evaluate and improve the structural design via the finite element method and topology optimization, adjust the spatial design according to the improved structural design, and modify the spatial design such that the initial spatial requirements are fulfilled. The second method uses a genetic algorithm that works on a population of accompanying building spatial and structural designs, using the finite element method for evaluation. If specific performance indicators and spatial requirements are used (i.e., total strain energy, spatial volume, and number of spaces), both methods provide optimized building designs; however, the coevolutionary method yields even better designs in a faster and more direct manner, whereas the genetic algorithm based method provides more design variants. Both methods show that collaborative design, for example, via design modification in one domain (here spatial) to optimize the design in another domain (here structural) can be as effective as monodisciplinary optimization; however, it may need adjustments to avoid the designs becoming progressively unrealistic. Designers are informed of the merits and disadvantages of design process simulation and design instance exploration, whereas scientists learn from a first fully operational and automated method for design process simulation, which is verified with a genetic algorithm and subject to future improvements and extensions in the community.
Assessment of uncertainty and confidence in building design exploration
Authors: Rezaee Roya , Brown Jason , Augenbroe Godfried , Kim Jinsol 
Published: October 2015

AbstractPerformance assessment at early stages of buildings design is complicated by an inherent lack of information on the design and the uncertainty in how a building design may evolve to a final design. This pilot study reports on an initial quantification of such uncertainty associated with building energy performance and develops a method for informing decision makers of the risks in early design decisions under this uncertainty. Two case studies of building design decision situations under this uncertainty are explored along with using two different energy modeling tools: a reduced-order model and a high-order model. The intended contribution is to identify if a decision can be made with confidence in early design given a high level of uncertainty in the evolution of a design and what models can support decisions of this sort. Integration of the proposed decision support approach with a computer-aided design model is shown as well.
A fast genetic algorithm for solving architectural design optimization problems
Authors: Su Zhouzhou , Yan Wei 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBuilding performance simulation and genetic algorithms are powerful techniques for helping designers make better design decisions in architectural design optimization. However, they are very time consuming and require a significant amount of computing power. More time is needed when two techniques work together. This has become the primary impediment in applying design optimization to real-world projects. This study focuses on reducing the computing time in genetic algorithms when building simulation techniques are involved. In this study, we combine two techniques (offline simulation and divide and conquer) to effectively improve the run time in these architectural design optimization problems, utilizing architecture-specific domain knowledge. The improved methods are evaluated with a case study of a nursing unit design to minimize the nurses’ travel distance and maximize daylighting performance in patient rooms. Results show the computing time can be saved significantly during the simulation and optimization process.
Advantages of surrogate models for architectural design optimization
Authors: Wortmann Thomas , Costa Alberto , Nannicini Giacomo , Schroepfer Thomas 
Published: October 2015

AbstractClimate change, resource depletion, and worldwide urbanization feed the demand for more energy and resource-efficient buildings. Increasingly, architectural designers and consultants analyze building designs with easy-to-use simulation tools. To identify design alternatives with good performance, designers often turn to optimization methods. Randomized, metaheuristic methods such as genetic algorithms are popular in the architectural design field. However, are metaheuristics the best approach for architectural design problems that often are complex and ill defined? Metaheuristics may find solutions for well-defined problems, but they do not contribute to a better understanding of a complex design problem. This paper proposes surrogate-based optimization as a method that promotes understanding of the design problem. The surrogate method interpolates a mathematical model from data that relate design parameters to performance criteria. Designers can interact with this model to explore the approximate impact of changing design variables. We apply the radial basis function method, a specific type of surrogate model, to two architectural daylight optimization problems. These case studies, along with results from computational experiments, serve to discuss several advantages of surrogate models. First, surrogate models not only propose good solutions but also allow designers to address issues outside of the formulation of the optimization problem. Instead of accepting a solution presented by the optimization process, designers can improve their understanding of the design problem by interacting with the model. Second, a related advantage is that designers can quickly construct surrogate models from existing simulation results and other knowledge they might possess about the design problem. Designers can thus explore the impact of different evaluation criteria by constructing several models from the same set of data. They also can create models from approximate data and later refine them with more precise simulations. Third, surrogate-based methods typically find global optima orders of magnitude faster than genetic algorithms, especially when the evaluation of design variants requires time-intensive simulations.
Notes on the design process of a responsive sun-shading system: A case study of designer and user explorations supported by computational tools
Authors: Velasco Rodrigo , Hernández Rubén , Marrugo Nicolás , Díaz César 
Published: October 2015

AbstractResponding to growing concerns regarding energy-efficient facades, this paper describes the structure and process followed in the design of a responsive sun-shading system based on the use of rotating plates with two degrees of freedom. The proposal considers, among others, the definition of variable design parameters, areas of performance evaluation and control, and construction detailing development represented by a first 1:2 unit (module) model. In the process, computational simulation procedures were employed to explore configurational possibilities that would provide high-performance solutions to the light requirements of the particular covered spaces. In developing the system, it was noticed that due to the highly subjective requirements of users in terms of quantity and quality of lighting, a purely Boolean control system would not always be appropriate. Following from that, and taking advantage of the dynamic nature of the system, a further approach of control supported by fuzzy logic was also implemented at the operative state, whose logic is explained. Digital simulations were carried out to assess the performance of the system, and their results demonstrate more even light distribution levels compared to traditional systems.
Effect of growth factors on oocyte maturation and allocations of inner cell mass and trophectoderm cells of cloned bovine embryos
Authors: Arat Sezen , Caputcu Arzu Tas , Cevik Mesut , Akkoc Tolga , Cetinkaya Gaye , Bagis Haydar 
Published: October 2015

SummaryThis study was conducted to determine the additive effects of exogenous growth factors during in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM) and the sequential culture of nuclear transfer (NT) embryos. Oocyte maturation and culture of reconstructed embryos derived from bovine granulosa cells were performed in culture medium supplemented with either epidermal growth factor (EGF) alone or a combination of EGF with insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). The maturation rates of oocytes matured in the presence of EGF or the EGF + IGF-I combination were significantly higher than those of oocytes matured in the presence of only fetal calf serum (FCS) (P < 0.05). The developing NT embryos showed no significant differences in fusion, cleavage or blastocyst rates among the culture groups (P > 0.05). IGF-I alone or in combination with EGF in sequential embryo culture medium significantly increased the ratio of inner cell mass (ICM) to total blastocyst cells (P < 0.05). Our results showed that the addition of growth factors to IVM and sequential culture media of cloned bovine embryos increased the ICM without changing the total cell number. These unknown and uncontrolled effects of growth factors can alter the allocation of ICM and trophectoderm cells (TE) in NT embryos. A decrease in TE cell numbers could be a reason for developmental abnormalities in embryos in the cloning system.
Constriction of the ductus arteriosus, severe right ventricular hypertension, and a right ventricular aneurysm in a fetus after maternal use of a topical treatment for striae gravidarum
Authors: Hayes Denise A. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractFetal constriction of the ductus arteriosus is a complication of maternal non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and polyphenol-rich food intake. It is unclear as to whether polyphenol-containing topical treatments have similar effects. We present a case of fetal constriction of the ductus arteriosus, severe right ventricular hypertension, and a right ventricular aneurysm associated with maternal use of a topical treatment for striae gravidarum.
Using political science to progress public health nutrition: a systematic review
Authors: Cullerton Katherine , Donnet Timothy , Lee Amanda , Gallegos Danielle 
Published: October 2015

AbstractObjectivePoor dietary intake is the most important behavioural risk factor affecting health globally. Despite this, there has been little investment in public health nutrition policy actions. Policy process theories from the field of political science can aid understanding why policy decisions have occurred and identify how to influence ongoing or future initiatives. The present review aims to examine public health nutrition policy literature and identify whether a policy process theory has been used to analyse the process.DesignElectronic databases were searched systematically for studies examining policy making in public health nutrition in high-income, democratic countries.SettingInternational, national, state and local government jurisdictions within high-income, democratic countries.SubjectsIndividuals and organisations involved in the nutrition policy-making process.ResultsSixty-three studies met the eligibility criteria, most were conducted in the USA and a majority focused on obesity. The analysis demonstrates an accelerating trend in the number of nutrition policy papers published annually and an increase in the diversity of nutrition topics examined. The use of policy process theory was observed from 2003; however, it was utilised by only 14 % of the reviewed papers.ConclusionsThere is limited research into the nutrition policy process in high-income countries. While there has been a small increase in the use of policy process theory from 2003, an opportunity to expand its use is evident. We suggest that nutrition policy making would benefit from a pragmatic approach that ensures those trying to influence or understand the policy-making process are equipped with basic knowledge around these theories.
Co-designing innovative cropping systems that match biophysical and socio-economic diversity: The DATE approach to Conservation Agriculture in Madagascar, Lao PDR and Cambodia
Authors: Husson Olivier , Tran Quoc Hoá , Boulakia Stéphane , Chabanne André , Tivet Florent , Bouzinac Serge , Lienhard Pascal , Michellon Roger , Chabierski Stéphane , Boyer Johnny , Enjalric Frank , Rakotondramanana  , Moussa Narcisse , Jullien Frédéric , Balarabe Oumarou , Rattanatray Bounmy , Castella Jean-Christophe , Charpentier Hubert , Séguy Lucien 
Published: October 2015

AbstractRapid changes in agricultural systems call for profound changes in agricultural research and extension practices. The Diagnosis, Design, Assessment, Training and Extension (DATE) approach was developed and applied to co-design Conservation Agriculture-based cropping systems in contrasted situations. DATE is a multi-scale, multi-stakeholder participatory approach that integrates scientific and local knowledge. It emerged in response to questions raised by and issues encountered in the design of innovative systems. A key feature of this approach is the high input of innovative systems which are often although not exclusively based on conservation agricultural practices. Prototyping of innovative cropping systems (ICSs) largely relies on a conceptual model of soil–plant–macrofauna–microorganism system functioning. By comparing the implementation of the DATE approach and conservation agriculture-based cropping systems in Madagascar, Lao PDR, and Cambodia, we show that: (i) the DATE approach is flexible enough to be adapted to local conditions; (ii) market conditions need to be taken into account in designing agricultural development scenarios; and (iii) the learning process during the transition to conservation agriculture requires time. The DATE approach not only enables the co-design of ICSs with farmers, but also incorporates training and extension dimensions. It feeds back practitioners’ questions to researchers, and provides a renewed and extended source of innovation to farmers.
Understanding catalysis in a multiphasic two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide
Authors: Chou Stanley S. , Sai Na , Lu Ping , Coker Eric N. , Liu Sheng , Artyushkova Kateryna , Luk Ting S. , Kaehr Bryan , Brinker C. Jeffrey 
Published: October 2015

AbstractEstablishing processing–structure–property relationships for monolayer materials is crucial for a range of applications spanning optics, catalysis, electronics and energy. Presently, for molybdenum disulfide, a promising catalyst for artificial photosynthesis, considerable debate surrounds the structure/property relationships of its various allotropes. Here we unambiguously solve the structure of molybdenum disulfide monolayers using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy supported by density functional theory and show lithium intercalation to direct a preferential transformation of the basal plane from 2H (trigonal prismatic) to 1T′ (clustered Mo). These changes alter the energetics of molybdenum disulfide interactions with hydrogen (ΔGH), and, with respect to catalysis, the 1T′ transformation renders the normally inert basal plane amenable towards hydrogen adsorption and hydrogen evolution. Indeed, we show basal plane activation of 1T′ molybdenum disulfide and a lowering of ΔGH from +1.6 eV for 2H to +0.18 eV for 1T′, comparable to 2H molybdenum disulfide edges on Au(111), one of the most active hydrogen evolution catalysts known.