bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Survival outcomes of First Nations patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (Poliquin 2014)
Authors: Erickson Bree , Biron Vincent L , Zhang Han , Seikaly Hadi , Côté David WJ 
Published: February 2015

Background Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) is the most common head and neck cancer, affecting approximately 2000 Canadians yearly. Analysis of Canadian Cancer Registry data has shown that the incidence of oral cavity cancer is decreasing and survival outcomes are improving. There are significant health disparities in First Nations (FN) people in Canada. The incidence of cancer in FN groups is significantly lower when compared to the general population, but the cancer-related morbidity and mortality is significantly higher. There is no Canadian literature currently for OCSCC, or any other head and neck cancer, that compares survival outcomes of FN to the overall population. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine whether there is a difference in epidemiology and survival outcomes between FN and non-FN patients with OCSCC. Methods This is a retrospective study of a population-based, prospectively-collected database from Alberta Cancer Registry (ACR). Patients with OCSCC, diagnosed and treated in Alberta between 1998 and 2009 were included. ACR data collected included patient gender, age at diagnosis, tobacco and alcohol use, FN status, TNM staging, performance status, date of death, cause of death, and follow-up. FN status was identified through the Alberta Health and Wellness registry and through postal code correlation for those who live on reserves. Results A total of 583 patients with OCSCC were included in this study. Of these, 19 were identified as being FN, leaving 564 non-FN patients. When comparing the FN and non-FN groups, there is no significant difference in baseline demographics. Estimated yearly incidences for OCSCC in the Alberta population (all ages) and FN patients are 1.74/100,000 and 1.32/100,000 respectively (p = 0.23). Significant differences are seen in overall survival (OS) (5-year OS 58.1% for non-FN and 33.7% for FN) and for disease-specific survival (DSS) (5-year DSS 67.8% for non-FN and 44.5% for FN). Multivariate analysis confirmed FN patients have a significant increase risk of death in OS and DSS, with hazard ratios of 4.20 (p = 0.01) and 4.57 (p = 0.02), respectively. Conclusions The overall survival and disease specific survival are significantly lower in FN patients compared to non-FN patients with OCSCC.
The Mcgill thyroid nodule score – does it help with indeterminate thyroid nodules?
Authors: Varshney Rickul , Forest Veronique-Isabelle , Mascarella Marco A , Zawawi Faisal , Rochon Louise , Hier Michael P , Mlynarek Alex , Tamilia Michael , Payne Richard J 
Published: February 2015

Background Ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration (USFNA) biopsy of thyroid nodules often gives a result of indeterminate pathology, placing thyroid specialists in difficult management situations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of malignancy in patients undergoing surgery and to correlate these results with the McGill Thyroid Nodule Score (MTNS). Methods We performed a retrospective study comparing USFNA results, MTNS and histopathology of patients undergoing thyroid surgery between 2010 and 2012. Pre-operative USFNA results were divided into three subgroups: benign, indeterminate and suspicious for/malignant. The indeterminate USFNA subgroup comprised of Bethesda type III (atypia of undetermined significance) and Bethesda type IV (follicular neoplasms, including Hurthle cell neoplasms) lesions. Post-operative histopathology was divided into benign or malignant groups. Results Of the 437 patient charts reviewed, 57.0% had an indeterminate USFNA biopsy. Within the indeterminate group, the malignancy rate was 39.8%. For indeterminate USFNA, the median MTNS was 7 (32% risk of malignancy) for benign nodules and 9 (63% risk of malignancy) for malignant nodules on post-operative histopathology ( p < 0.05). Conclusion The rate of malignancy in operated patients with an indeterminate USFNA result was 39.8%. The MTNS can be of value to thyroid specialists in pre-operative decision-making when dealing with an indeterminate result of a thyroid nodule on USFNA.
Determinants of trade intensity of Egypt with COMESA Countries
Authors: SA Elmorsy Samah 
Published: February 2015

Egypt has joined to COMESA since May 1998 in order to promote its economic relations with the rest of member states, especially the trade relations, so the aim of the paper is to assess COMESA regional integration efforts and to identify the most effective and important variables that determine trade intensity of Egypt with COMESA countries. To achieve the aim of the paper, estimation of Trade Intensity Index (TII) of Egypt with COMESA was adopted, and econometric methodology (gravity model) was used to estimate the variables that have the major effect on Egypt’s trade with COMESA.
The paper concludes that there are opportunities to increase Egypt’s Trade with COMESA, after applying gravity model paper concludes that Gross Domestic Product and existence of sharing borders are the most effective variables that determine Egypt trade with COMESA, paper also defined the major obstacles of regional integration in COMESA and presented some policy implication.
Envisioning South-South relations in the fields of environmental change and migration in the Pacific Islands - past, present and futures
Authors: Weber Eberhard 
Published: February 2015

Climate change poses severe threats to developing countries. Scientists predict entire states (e.g. Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Maldives) will become inhabitable. People living in these states have to resettle to other countries. Media and politicians warn that climate change will trigger migration flows in dimensions unknown to date. It is feared that millions from developing countries overwhelm developed societies and increase pressures on anyway ailing social support systems destabilizing societies and becoming a potential source of conflict.
Inhabitants of Pacific Islandsa have been mobile since the islands were first settled not longer than 3,500 years ago. Since then people moved around, expanded their reach, and traded with neighbouring tribes (and later countries). With the event of European powers in the 15th century independent mobility became restricted after the beginning of the 19th century. From the second half of the 19th century movements of people predominately served economic interests of colonial powers, in particular a huge colonial appetite for labour. After independence emigration from Pacific Island countries continued to serve economic interest of metropolitan countries at the rim of the Pacific Ocean, which are able to direct migration flows according to their economic requirements.
If climate change resettlements become necessary in big numbers then Pacific Islanders do not want to become climate change refugees. To include environmental reasons in refugee conventions is not what Pacific Islanders want. They want to migrate in dignity, if it becomes unavoidable to leave their homes. There are good reasons to solve the challenges within Pacific Island societies and do not depend too much on metropolitan neighbours at the rim of the Pacific such as Australia, New Zealand and the USA. To rise to the challenge requires enhanced Pan-Pacific Island solidarity and South-South cooperation. This then would result in a reduction of dependencies. For metropolitan powers still much can be done in supporting capacity building in Pacific Island countries and helping the economies to proposer so that climate change migrants easier can be absorbed by expanding labour markets in Pacific Island countries.
Providing free heroin to addicts participating in research – ethical concerns and the question of voluntariness
Authors: Henden Edmund , Bærøe Kristine 
Published: February 2015

SummaryProviding heroin to people with heroin addiction taking part in medical trials assessing the effectiveness of the drug as a treatment alternative breaches ethical research standards, some ethicists maintain. Heroin addicts, they say, are unable to consent voluntarily to taking part in these trials. Other ethicists disagree. In our view, both sides of the debate have an inadequate understanding of ‘voluntariness’. In this article we therefore offer a fuller definition of the concept, one which allows for a more flexible, case-to-case approach in which some heroin addicts are considered capable of consenting voluntarily, others not. An advantage of this approach, it is argued, is that it provides a safety net to minimise the risk of inflicting harm on trial participants.
Photocatalytic Water Splitting and CO2 Reduction over KCaSrTa5O15 Nanorod Prepared by a Polymerized Complex Method
Authors: Takayama Tomoaki , Iwase Akihide , Kudo Akihiko 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Single-crystal KCaSrTa5O15 nanorods were successfully synthesized by a polymerized complex method. SEM and TEM observations revealed that the nanorods growing along the c axis of a tungsten bronze structure measured 40–100 nm in diameter and 100–300 nm in length. Tb(0.03 atom %)-doped KCaSrTa5O15 nanorods gave a green luminescence due to the 5D4 → 7F6 and 5D4 → 7F5 transition of Tb3+, when the KCaSrTa5O15 host was excited. The intensity of the luminescence was much higher than that by polycrystalline KCaSrTa5O15 prepared by a solid-state reaction. This indicates that nonradiative deactivation at grain boundaries was suppressed in the KCaSrTa5O15 nanorods compared to the polycrystalline KCaSrTa5O15. NiO cocatalyst-loaded KCaSrTa5O15 nanorods split water into H2 and O2 with an apparent quantum yield of 6.6% at 254 nm. The efficiency was three times as high as that of the polycrystalline KCaSrTa5O15. The KCaSrTa5O15 nanorods also showed photocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction, when a Ag-cocatalyst was loaded. Stoichiometric amounts of CO and H2 as reduction products and O2 as an oxidation product were obtained. The activity for CO2 reduction was improved by adding NaHCO3 into the reactant solution, giving about 90% CO selectivity (CO/(CO + H2)).
The AMEDD Uses Goal Programming to Optimize Workforce Planning Decisions
Authors: Bastian Nathaniel D. , McMurry Pat , Fulton Lawrence V. , Griffin Paul M. , Cui Shisheng , Hanson Thor , Srinivas Sharan 
Published: February 2015

The mission of the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) is to provide medical and healthcare delivery for the U.S. Army. Given the large number of medical specialties in the AMEDD, determining the appropriate number of hires and promotions for each medical specialty is a complex task. The AMEDD Personnel Proponency Directorate (APPD) previously used a manual approach to project the number of hires, promotions, and personnel inventory for each medical specialty across the AMEDD to support a 30-year life cycle. As a means of decision support to APPD, we proffer the objective force model (OFM) to optimize AMEDD workforce planning. We also employ a discrete-event simulation model to verify and validate the results. In this paper, we describe the OFM applied to the Medical Specialist Corps, one of the six officer corps in the AMEDD. The OFM permits better transparency of personnel for senior AMEDD decision makers, whereas effectively projecting the optimal number of officers to meet the demands of the current workforce structure. The OFM provides tremendous value to APPD in terms of time, requiring only seconds to solve rather than months; this enables APPD to conduct quick what-if analyses for decision support, which was impossible to do manually.
The formation of innovation system in the context of the participants and their relationships: The case of Lithuania
Authors: Binkauskas Gintaras 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
This article examines the emerging national innovation system (NIS) in Lithuania and identifies the major reasons hindering a successful cooperation between universities and business companies within the emerging NIS. The study highlights the peculiarities of Lithuanian phenomenon: ‘The most educated and least innovative in terms with the economic effect of innovation’.
Periodic review sessions contribute to student learning across the disciplines in pharmacology.
Authors: Barry Orla Patricia , O'Sullivan Eleanor , McCarthy Marian 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackground: The teaching of the discipline of pharmacology is in constant flux. In order to meet the challenges of teaching pharmacology effectively we investigated a new teaching and learning strategy. Aim: Our aim was to investigate whether structured periodic review sessions could improve teaching and learning for students in a multidisciplinary undergraduate pharmacology module. Methods: Following each lecture students were asked to identify topics of difficulty in pharmacology using the one minute paper classroom assessment technique (CAT). Three review sessions were then introduced based on the problematic issues identified by students. They completed a pre- and post-review session MCQ examination to gauge improvements in their learning. Feedback was obtained from students at the end of the module regarding the acceptability, advantages and limitations of the CATs and the review sessions. Results: There was active participation by students in all thirteen CATs (71.15% ± 1.2%), three review sessions (78.3% ± 1.6%) and the end of module questionnaire (81%). A significant increase in student learning across all disciplines was observed in all three review sessions (**, p<0.01; ***,p<0.001 and **, p<0.01 for review sessions 1-3 respectively). The majority of students (99%) expressed the opinion that the review sessions enhanced their learning of pharmacology. A limitation expressed by some students was the necessity to complete multiple CATs to support each of the three review sessions. Conclusion: Strategically structured student directed review sessions which are carefully designed and executed are an interesting and effective educational tool for improving and complementing student learning across the disciplines in pharmacology.
THE PROPERTIES OF CHARCOAL FROM THE BLACK LIQUOR OF THE SODA PULPING OF RICE STRAW
Authors: Wistara Nyoman Jaya , Silaban Gokma , Pari Gustan 
Published: February 2015

The main goal of the present works was to determine chemical changes, thermal decomposition, and the content of moisture, ash, volatile, fixed carbon and calorific value of soda pulping black liquor of the rice straw. Neutralized black liquor was dried to a moisture content of 10% and then pyrolized at 106oC-750oC. It was found that calorific value, fixed carbon, volatile mater, and moisture content were in the range of 2782-4716 cal/g, 49.2-81.6%, 15.5-47.5%, and 0.2-3.5%, respectively. Ash content was not influenced by the temperature of pyrolysis and was thought to depend on its initial silicate content. The weight loss of pulp was higher than that of black liquor. Extreme weight loss has been found in the temperature of 200-400oC. Noticeable functional groups changes were found with the increasing temperature of pyrolysis. Hydroxyl group completely disappeared at 300oC and above. Carbonyl related groups were also disappeared at 300-500oC, but it was reformed at 650 and 750oC. It might be brought about by the deformation of chemical bonding of oxygen ring in lignin structures. SIFAT-SIFAT ARANG LINDI HITAM DARI PEMASAKAN JERAMI DENGAN LARUTAN SODA API. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan perubahan sifat kimia, dekomposisi termal dan kadar air, abu, zat terbang, karbon terikat serta nilai kalor arang lindi hitam pemasakan soda jerami padi. Dalam penelitian ini, lindi hitam netral dikeringkan (kadar air 10%), kemudian dipirolisis pada selang suhu 100-750oC di dalam reaktor berpengatur suhu. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa nilai kalor, karbon terikat, zat terbang dan kadar air masing-masing berselangdari 2782-4716 cal/g, 49,2-81,6%, 15,5-47,5%, dan 0,2-3,5%. Kadar abu tidak dipengaruhi oleh suhu pirolisis dan diduga bergantung pada kadar silika bahan bakunya. Nilai kalor meningkat dengan meningkatnya kadar karbon terikat. Perilaku kehilangan berat arang dari lindi hitam berbeda dengan perilaku kehilangan berat pulp jerami. Kehilangan berat pulp lebih tinggi dari kehilangan berat arang lindi hitam. Kehilangan berat yang tajam terjadi pada selang suhu 200-400oC. Perubahan gugus fungsi yang nyata terjadi dengan meningkatnya suhu pirolisis. Gugus hidroksil menghilang pada suhu 300oC atau lebih. Gugus terkarbonilasi menghilang pada suhu 300-500oC, tetapi terbentuk kembali pada suhu 650oC dan 750oC. Hal ini kemungkinan disebabkan oleh deformasi ikatan kimia oksigen di dalam cincin dari struktur lignin.
Remittances and financial institutions: is there a causal linkage?
Authors: Posso Alberto 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe extant literature indicates that remittance inflows from developed to developing countries provide liquidity for domestic financial institutions, which aids in the development process. However, the reverse effect has been neglected. This paper tests whether more financial services and opportunities in the home country attract remittances to developing countries. It addresses this hypothesis using a dataset of 72 developing countries over the period 1997–2011. The paper finds evidence that remittance inflows are driven by increased availability of domestic financial services. In particular, the presence of microfinance institutions is found to be a key driver in stimulating migrant remittances. These findings, perhaps, suggest that remittance-sending migrants may not be altruistic and send remittances to maximize their own future income. Alternatively, the results suggest that microfinance organizations have been successful in attracting remittances by lowering transaction costs and proving linked services.
Constitutional Authority in Crisis: Examining a State Governor’s Emergency Powers
Authors: McCreight Robert 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe powers of our nation’s 50 state governors are enshrined in our Constitution in Article X, wherein those governors may exercise broad authority for their populations, especially in conditions of extreme emergency. However, the full extent of a governor’s emergency powers are not well understood, nor have they been explored in depth to assess the governor’s discretionary authority in a national emergency. Despite the catastrophic events of 9/11 and subsequent 21st century threats, the scope of augmented emergency powers granted to governors remains ambiguous. Specifically, governors lack the robust authority to offer sustained emergency response and recovery operations beyond the normal 72 hours most cities and communities routinely prepare for and expect. However, if Washington, DC, is preoccupied, disabled, or distracted by its own post-attack strategic vulnerability and beset by continuity of operations planning requirements and national security imperatives, the federal government may not be able to set in to provide help after those first 72 hours. Therefore, our governors must plan for sustained operations for an additional 2 weeks after a national catastrophe and equip themselves for that scenario, which puts an enormous strategic burden on them.
Diagnostic applications of next generation sequencing: working towards quality standards/Diagnostische Anwendung von Next Generation Sequencing: Auf dem Weg zu Qualitätsstandards
Authors: Vogl Ina , Eck Sebastian H. , Benet-Pagès Anna , Greif Philipp A. , Hirv Kaimo , Kotschote Stefan , Kuhn Marius , Gehring Andrea , Bergmann Carsten , Bolz Hanno Jörn , Stuhrmann Manfred , Biskup Saskia , Metzeler Klaus H. , Klein Hanns-Georg 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Over the past 6 years, next generation sequencing (NGS) has been established as a valuable high-throughput method for research in molecular genetics and has successfully been employed in the identification of rare and common genetic variations. All major NGS technology companies providing commercially available instruments (Roche 454, Illumina, Life Technologies) have recently marketed bench top sequencing instruments with lower throughput and shorter run times, thereby broadening the applications of NGS and opening the technology to the potential use for clinical diagnostics. Although the high expectations regarding the discovery of new diagnostic targets and an overall reduction of cost have been achieved, technological challenges in instrument handling, robustness of the chemistry and data analysis need to be overcome. To facilitate the implementation of NGS as a routine method in molecular diagnostics, consistent quality standards need to be developed. Here the authors give an overview of the current standards in protocols and workflows and discuss possible approaches to define quality criteria for NGS in molecular genetic diagnostics.
Non-invasive prenatal testing for whole chromosome abnormalities/Nicht invasives pränatales Testen auf Chromosomenstörungen
Authors: Demko Zachary , Zimmermann Bernhard , Rabinowitz Matthew 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
After decades of anticipation, non-invasive prenatal testing for aneuploidy is now a reality. Three published methods, described herein, are able to test for certain whole-chromosome abnormalities in the fetus by sequencing and analyzing cell-free DNA in maternal plasma, a fraction of which is fetal.
Pappenheim-Färbung: Beschreibung einer hämatologischen Standardfärbung – Geschichte, Chemie, Durchführung, Artefakte und Problemlösungen/Pappenheim Stain: Description of a hematological standard stain – history, chemistry, procedure, artifacts and problem solutions
Authors: Binder Thomas , Diem Heinz , Fuchs Roland , Gutensohn Kai , Nebe Thomas 
Published: February 2015

Zusammenfassung
Vor genau 100 Jahren hat Artur Pappenheim die endgültige Fassung seiner „panoptischen Universalfärbung für Bluttrockenpräparate“ veröffentlicht, in der die Jenner-Färbung bzw. May-Grünwald-Färbung mit der Giemsa-Färbung kombiniert wird. Seine seither als Pappenheim-Färbung bzw. May-Grünwald-Giemsa-Färbung bekannte Vorschrift bewirkt eine kräftige und zuverlässige Anfärbung der Details von Kern und Zytoplasma mit besonders guter Darstellung der Granula. Die Pappenheim-Färbung wird weltweit in diversen Modifikationen mit entsprechend schwankender Färbequalität verwendet, die mit aktuellem Qualitätsmanagement nicht kompatibel ist. Artikel über die Qualitätskontrolle hämatologischer Standardfärbungen wurden bisher nicht veröffentlicht. Der Arbeitskreis Laboratorium der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hämatologie und Onkologie veröffentlicht deshalb die-sen erprobten „Standard für die Pappenheim-Färbung“. Mit dieser Standard-Prozedur gelingt eine Färbung, die in allen Laboratorien zytologische Präparate von Körperflüssigkeiten und Gewebepräparaten identisch und mit hoher Präzision anfärbt. Das Ergebnis entspricht der von Pappenheim verbal und in Bildern beschriebenen Anfärbung. Das Protokoll beschreibt die Präanalytik, den Prozess der Färbung in Küvetten und die Qualitätskontrolle. Dieses Standard-Protokoll ist auch für die Anfertigung von Präparaten für das Qualitätsmanagement (z.B. Ringversuche) anwendbar, wenn das Färbeergebnis visuell und kolorimetrisch überprüft wird. Mit Ausstrich- und Färbe-Vollautomaten wird mit einem ähnlichen Färbeprotokoll ein übereinstimmendes Färbeergebnis erreicht; die Färbung auf der Färbebank wurde nicht untersucht. Wir berichten über erste kolorimetrische Untersuchungen an korrekt und inkorrekt ausgeführten Pappenheim-Färbungen und beschreiben die korrekte Färbung nicht nur visuell, sondern auch anhand kolorimetrischer Daten.