bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Staging and treatment of oropharyngeal cancer in the human papillomavirus era
Authors: Ward Matthew J. , Mellows Toby , Harris Scott , Webb Andrew , Patel Nimesh N. , Cox Hugh J. , Piper Kim , Ottensmeier Christian H. , Thomas Gareth J. , King Emma V. 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundOropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is staged using the TNM system. Human papillomavirus (HPV)‐positive tumors have improved prognosis, despite presenting at advanced stage. Optimal treatment and stratification of HPV‐positive patients are not clearly defined.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 266 patients with oropharyngeal SCC for mortality and feeding tube dependency related to TNM stage, HPV status, and treatment.ResultsTNM staging was prognostic in HPV‐negative patients (stage III/IV hazard ratio [HR], 2.00; p = .05; N+ HR, 2.19; p = .02). Only T classification was prognostic in HPV‐positive tumors (T3/T4 HR 3.31; p = .006). HPV‐positive tumors showed improved survival regardless of treatment. Patients receiving chemotherapy had a significantly increased risk of feeding tube dependency (odds ratio [OR], 1.72; p = .03).ConclusionThese data suggest that the current TNM system has little prognostic value in HPV‐positive oropharyngeal SCC. Patients with HPV‐positive tumors show improved survival independent of treatment. The addition of chemotherapy increases the risk of feeding tube dependency and could potentially be avoided in T1/T2 HPV‐positive tumors without compromising survival. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: 1002–1013, 2015
CROSS‐BORDER BANKING, EXTERNALITIES AND SOVEREIGN DISTRESS: DOES THE EURO NEED A COMMON BANKING AUTHORITY?
Authors: Erce Aitor 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTThis paper analyses the role of linkages between cross‐border banks and sovereigns in the spread of crises. After discussing evidence from past crises, I focus on the Euro Area. Banks from the Euro‐core played a key role in shedding the seeds for the transition from the US mortgage crisis to the Euro Area crisis. While national authorities supported their damaged banks, the Euro‐system's infrastructure allowed Euro‐core banks to undo intra‐area exposures with minor disruptions. Although this helped stabilize peripheral asset markets, the extent to which public funding replaced private one implied less macroeconomic correction and the current fiscal woes.The combination of cross‐border banking and national resolution schemes creates an externality on sovereigns, who are forced to contain the effects stemming from the balance sheet management of cross‐border banks. Weak public finances can easily push a banking crisis into a fiscal one. This negative externality is reinforced by Central Banks' mandate that limits fiscal cooperation. In the context of the Euro Area, to limit this problem, the Union should equip itself with a common bank resolution authority, which delinks banks and sovereigns. In addition, to limit the externality, macro‐prudential policy could set contributions for cross‐border operators in order to pre‐fund future bank rescues. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Purchasing Power Parity and the Taylor Rule
Authors: Kim Hyeongwoo , Fujiwara Ippei , Hansen Bruce E. , Ogaki Masao 
Published: April 2014

SummaryIt is well known that there is a large degree of uncertainty around Rogoff's consensus half‐life of the real exchange rate. To obtain a more efficient estimator, we develop a system method that combines the Taylor rule and a standard exchange rate model to estimate half‐lives. Further, we propose a median unbiased estimator for the system method based on the generalized method of moments with non‐parametric grid bootstrap confidence intervals. Applying the method to real exchange rates of 18 developed countries against the US dollar, we find that most half‐life estimates from the single equation method fall in the range of 3–5 years, with wide confidence intervals that extend to positive infinity. In contrast, the system method yields median‐unbiased estimates that are typically shorter than 1 year, with much sharper 95% confidence intervals. Our Monte Carlo simulation results are consistent with an interpretation of these results that the true half‐lives are short but long half‐life estimates from single‐equation methods are caused by the high degree of uncertainty of these methods. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopic study of remelting and annealing‐induced effects on microstructure and compressive deformation behavior of highly crosslinked UHMWPE for total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Takahashi Yasuhito , Sugano Nobuhiko , Puppulin Leonardo , Zhu Wenliang , Pezzotti Giuseppe 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThree‐dimensional crystallographic morphologies were studied by means of confocal/polarized Raman spectroscopy as developed upon manufacturing in three different types of first and second generation highly crosslinked UHMWPE (HXLPE) acetabular liners. The impact of such microstructural characteristics on the deformation behavior of the liners was also evaluated and discussed from the viewpoint of molecular chain mobility. All the investigated liners showed similar microstructural transitions within the first 35 μm below their surfaces in terms of crystallinity, molecular orientation, and crystalline anisotropy. Interestingly, different postirradiation heat treatments (remelting or annealing in single step or in sequential steps) led to clear differences in the subsurface microstructure among the three liners. Remelted liner possessed both lower bulk crystallinity and degree of molecular orientation as compared to the annealed liners. Sequentially, irradiated/annealed liner showed the highest degree of crystallinity and orientation among the studied liners. The peculiar microstructure of this latter liner exhibited the highest restoring (shape‐recovery) force against the applied uniaxial strain. Accordingly, the present study suggests that the sequential irradiation and annealing offers an efficient way to obtain microstructure quite suitable for attaining high creep resistance. However, all the investigated liners exhibited the significantly low values of surface anisotropy, which could be equally efficient in minimizing strain‐softening‐assisted wear phenomena. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 1762–1770, 2014.
Local mechanical response of cells to the controlled rotation of magnetic nanorods
Authors: Castillo Matias , Ebensperger Roberto , Wirtz Denis , Walczak Magdalena , Hurtado Daniel E. , Celedon Alfredo 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe mechanical response of the cytoplasm was investigated by the intracellular implantation of magnetic nanorods and exposure to low‐frequency rotatory magnetic fields. Nanorods (Pt‐Ni, ∼200 nm diameter) fabricated by electrodeposition in templates of porous alumina with lengths of approximately 2 and 5 µm were inserted into NIH/3T3 fibroblasts and manipulated with a rotational magnetic field. Nanorod rotation was observed only for torques greater than 3.0 × 10−16 Nm, suggesting a Bingham‐type behavior of the cytoplasm. Higher torques produced considerable deformation of the intracellular material. The cell nucleus and cell membrane were significantly deformed by nanorods actuated by 4.5 × 10−15 Nm torques. Our results demonstrate that nanorods under magnetic fields are an effective tool to mechanically probe the intracellular environment. We envision that our findings may contribute to the noninvasive and direct mechanical characterization of the cytoplasm. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 1779–1785, 2014.
The beneficial use of HCl‐activated natural zeolite in ultrasound assisted synthesis of Cu/clinoptilolite–CeO2 nanocatalyst used for catalytic oxidation of diluted toluene in air at low temperature
Authors: Yosefi Leila , Haghighi Mohammad , Allahyari Somaiyeh , Ashkriz Saeid 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDTo remove toluene (a representative volatile organic compound (VOC)) from a waste gas stream, catalytic oxidation was utilized over Cu/Clinoptilolite–CeO2 nanocatalyst. The nanocatalyst with different loadings of Cu (5, 10, 15 wt%) was sonochemically synthesized and its performance in catalytic oxidation of toluene was studied. Characterization by XRD, FESEM, BET, EDX and FTIR were applied.RESULTSXRD results indicated well‐dispersed small copper particles even at high loadings of copper. Non‐sonicated Cu/Clinoptilolite–CeO2 catalyst showed agglomerated, non‐uniform morphology, while small particles with uniform shape and size with different degrees of agglomeration were observed in sonicated Cu/Clinoptilolite–CeO2 catalyst. A narrow particle size distribution with average size 21 nm was observed in the sonicated sample. BET analysis demonstrated considerable effects of HCl treatment in increasing the specific surface area of clinoptilolite. It also showed the strong influence of CeO2 addition as a promoter that sharply enhanced the surface area to 71.7 m2 g−1.CONCLUSIONCatalytic performance tests revealed that Cu(15%)/Clinoptilolite–CeO2 synthesized with ultrasound had the best performance of about 98% toluene abatement even at high concentrations of toluene (3000 ppm). A stability test of the synthesized nanocatalyst confirmed its constant activity for 1440 min, making it a promising catalyst for removal of VOCs. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Bayesian multilevel analysis of variance for relative comparison across sources of global climate model variability
Authors: Geinitz Steven , Furrer Reinhard , Sain Stephan R. 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTProjections of future climate conditions are carried out by many research institutions, each with their own general circulation model to do so. The projections are additionally subjected to distinct anthropogenic forcings, specified by future greenhouse gas emissions scenarios. These two factors, together with their temporal effects and interaction, create several potential sources of variation in final climate projection output. Multilevel statistical models, and specifically multilevel ANOVA, have come to be widely used for many reasons, not least of which is their ability to comprehensively assess many different sources of variation. In this article, a Bayesian multilevel ANOVA approach is applied to climate projections to assess each of these sources of variation, estimate the uncertainty regarding the assessment, and to allow comparison across all sources. The data originate from phase three of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3), consisting of 11 circulation models and three emissions scenarios over nine decadal time periods for boreal summer and winter. Data from the next phase, CMIP5, is now becoming available. As this approach towards ANOVA is relatively novel, and particularly so for spatial data, a short discussion of conventional ANOVA and the new methodology is provided.
Effects of Cognitive–Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD on Partners’ Psychological Functioning
Authors: Shnaider Philippe , Pukay‐Martin Nicole D. , Fredman Steffany J. , Macdonald Alexandra , Monson Candice M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractA number of studies have documented that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in “one” partner are negatively associated with their intimate partner's psychological functioning. The present study investigated intimate partners’ mental health outcomes (i.e., depression, anxiety, and anger) in a sample of 40 partners of individuals with PTSD within a randomized waitlist controlled trial of cognitive–behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD (Monson & Fredman, ). There were no significant differences between active treatment and waitlist in intimate partners’ psychological functioning at posttreatment. Subgroup analyses, however, of partners exhibiting clinical levels of distress at pretreatment on several measures showed reliable and clinically significant improvements in their psychological functioning at posttreatment and no evidence of worsening. Results suggest that cognitive–behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD may have additional benefits for partners presenting with psychological distress.
A Novel Method of Extraction of Blend Component Structure from SANS Measurements of Homopolymer Bimodal Blends
Authors: Smerdova Olga , Graham Richard S. , Gasser Urs , Hutchings Lian R. , De Focatiis Davide S. A. 
Published: April 2014

A new method is presented for the extraction of single‐chain form factors and interchain interference functions from a range of small‐angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments on bimodal homopolymer blends. The method requires a minimum of three blends, made up of hydrogenated and deuterated components with matched degree of polymerization at two different chain lengths, but with carefully varying deuteration levels. The method is validated through an experimental study on polystyrene homopolymer bimodal blends with . By fitting Debye functions to the structure factors, it is shown that there is good agreement between the molar mass of the components obtained from SANS and from chromatography. The extraction method also enables, for the first time, interchain scattering functions to be produced for scattering between chains of different lengths.
image
Factors associated with dose escalation of fesoterodine for treatment of overactive bladder in people >65 years of age: A post hoc analysis of data from the SOFIA study
Authors: Wagg Adrian , Darekar Amanda , Arumi Daniel , Khullar Vik , Oelke Matthias 
Published: April 2014

AimTo investigate factors which may influence dose escalation of antimuscarinics for overactive bladder (OAB) in older patients and how dose escalation affects treatment efficacy.Materials and MethodsA post hoc analysis of data from the 12‐week randomized, placebo controlled phase of the SOFIA study investigating treatment with fesoterodine in older people with OAB. Predictors and outcomes in patients aged ≥65 years with OAB who did or did not choose to escalate from fesoterodine 4 to 8 mg before the first dose‐escalation choice point (week 4) and at the end of the study (week 12) were assessed.ResultsVariables which significantly increased likelihood of dose escalation were, at baseline, body mass index (OR: 1.06, 95% CI 1.01, 1.12; P = 0.0222), and male gender (OR: 2.06, 95% CI 1.28, 3.32; P = 0.0028) and at week 4, change from baseline in urgency episodes (OR: 1.12, 95% CI 1.05, 1.20; P = 0.0008), patient perception of bladder control (PPBC) (OR: 1.44, 95% CI 1.12, 1.84; P = 0.004). At week 12, dose escalation was associated with slightly reduced treatment outcomes compared to week 4 non‐escalators.ConclusionsNo baseline disease related factor associated with dose escalation was identified. Magnitude of change in urgency episodes and reduction in PPBC at 4 weeks were associated with dose escalation. These data may be of use to healthcare providers as they allow judgement to be made in individual patients, allowing treatment decisions to be made. At end of treatment, improvements in efficacy and quality of life were achieved in both escalators and non‐escalators. Neurourol. Urodynam. 34:438–443, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Maternal obesity and Down syndrome in the offspring: is there a link?
Authors: Ghidini Alessandro 
Published: April 2014

What's already known about this topic?

Obesity has several adverse effects on the fetal and neonatal outcomes
Obesity leads to underdetection of fetal sonographic markers of aneuploidies and of fetal anomalies, as well as underperformance of maternal serum screening test for common aneuploidies
Obesity can be associated with malnutrition and lower levels of essential vitaminsWhat does this study add?

The reported increased risk of offspring with Down syndrome in obese women (corrected for maternal age) could be due to more frequent non‐disjunctional events or under‐detection of affected fetuses
Toxic Tacrolimus Levels After Application of Topical Tacrolimus and Use of Occlusive Dressings in Two Bone Marrow Transplant Recipients with Cutaneous Graft‐versus‐Host Disease
Authors: Olson Katherine A. , West Kathleen , McCarthy Philip L. 
Published: April 2014

Tacrolimus, a macrolide immunosuppressant, is used topically for the treatment of cutaneous manifestations of graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) for rapid, symptomatic relief of pruritus and erythema. Despite the manufacturer's product information reporting minimal systemic effects of topical tacrolimus, this has not been evaluated in patients with cutaneous GVHD and with occlusive dressings. We describe two patients with cutaneous GVHD who developed toxic tacrolimus levels after receiving several applications of tacrolimus ointment along with occlusive dressings to enhance skin effectiveness. The first patient was a 62‐year‐old woman with a history of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) who underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and developed chronic GVHD involving 70% of her body surface area. Her GVHD treatment plan consisted of oral corticosteroids, oral tacrolimus, topical corticosteroids, topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment twice/day, emollient creams, intravenous rituximab, and photopheresis. The patient's tacrolimus trough levels rose rapidly over the course of 6 days from less than 2 ng/ml to 23 ng/ml, despite oral tacrolimus dosage adjustments. The second patient was a 25‐year‐old man who developed severe, chronic skin GVHD after undergoing allogeneic sibling bone marrow transplantation for AML. In addition to intravenous corticosteroids, corticosteroid creams, and oral tacrolimus, the patient also received topical tacrolimus twice/day with occlusive dressings. Over the course of 2 days, his tacrolimus trough levels increased from 7.10 ng/ml to 22.10 ng/ml. Although improvement was noted in both patients' skin GVHD with application of the occlusive dressings, the practice was discontinued due to increased and erratic systemic tacrolimus absorption. These case reports suggest that substantial use of topical tacrolimus with occlusive dressings in patients with cutaneous GVHD may contribute to increased systemic absorption resulting in toxic tacrolimus levels. Based on the findings from our two patients as well as published case reports, systemic absorption appears to increase with greater skin permeability, skin barrier dysfunction, amount of body surface area applied, and use of occlusive dressings. When one or more of these factors are present, it may be prudent to monitor tacrolimus levels.
Hierarchically ordered ABA triblock copolymer with large difference in glass transition temperatures of the two blocks
Authors: Li Chang‐Feng , Zhang Qi‐Kai , Tian Hai‐Jian , Chai Chun‐Peng , Gao Long‐Cheng , Shen Zhihao , Fan Xing‐He , Luo Yun‐Jun 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTRod‐coil‐rod triblock copolymers, poly[4′‐(methoxy)‐2‐vinylbiphenyl‐4‐methyl ether] ‐blockpolydimethylsiloxane‐block‐poly[4′‐(methoxy)‐2‐vinylbiphenyl‐4‐methyl ether] (PMVBP‐b‐PDMS‐b‐PMVBP), were synthesized by nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization, and their hierarchically ordered structures were studied. A difunctional TEMPO macroinitiator was first synthesized by the hydrosilylation reaction between hydride‐endcapped PDMS and allylic alkoxyamine. The polymerization of the monomer MVBP was triggered by the macroinitiator, resulting in a series of triblock copolymers. The molecular weights and polydispersity indexes were determined by gel permeation chromatography. Differential scanning calorimetry results demonstrate that the triblock copolymers exhibit two glass transition temperatures (−120 °C and 160 °C) that are markedly different. As revealed by small‐angle X‐ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy experiments, the triblock copolymers self‐assemble into hierarchical structures with the liquid crystalline phase of PMVBP in the lamellar structures. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 1737–1744
Communication, coping, and quality of life of breast cancer survivors and family/friend dyads: a pilot study of Chinese‐Americans and Korean‐Americans
Authors: Lim Jung‐won 
Published: April 2014

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to understand the dyadic relationships between family communication and quality of life (QOL) and between coping and QOL in Chinese‐American and Korean‐American breast cancer survivor (BCS)–family member dyads.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey design was used. A total of 32 Chinese‐American and Korean‐American BCS–family member dyads were recruited from the California Cancer Surveillance Program and area hospitals in Los Angeles County, California, USA. The dyadic data were analyzed using a pooled regression actor–partner interdependence model.ResultsThe study findings demonstrated that the survivors' general communication and use of reframing coping positively predicted their own QOL. The survivors' and family members' general communication was also a strong predictor of the family members' physical‐related QOL score specifically. Meanwhile, each person's use of mobilizing coping negatively predicted his or her partner's QOL.ConclusionsThe study findings add important information to the scarce literature on the QOL of Asian‐American survivors of breast cancer. The findings suggest that Chinese‐American and Korean‐American BCS and their family members may benefit from interventions that enhance communication and coping within the family unit. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of the electron density on the thickness‐dependent energy gap oscillations in superconducting metallic nanofilms
Authors: Wójcik P. , Zegrodnik M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe thickness‐dependent energy gap oscillations in the metallic nanofilms are investigated by the use of the self‐consistent numerical solutions of the Bogoliubov‐de Gennes equations. We analyze, how the changes in the electron density () and the electron–phonon coupling constant (g) influence the amplitude of the considered oscillations. It is found, that the increase in and the decrease in g can lead to a significant reduction of the oscillations amplitude. As a result, for the values of the mentioned parameters, which correspond to some of the realistic situations the thickness‐dependent superconducting gap oscillations can be significantly suppressed. The computational results are compared with recent experimental data.
Effect of annealing on stress‐induced transformation behaviors at low temperatures in a Ti–51.8 at.% Ni shape memory alloy
Authors: Niitsu Kodai , Kainuma Ryosuke 
Published: April 2014

AbstractFor polycrystalline Ti‐51.8Ni (at.%) specimens annealed at 473 and 943 K, the microstructures at room temperature were observed by transmission electron microscopy and the stress‐induced transformation behaviors at low temperatures were investigated by compressive test. The precipitation of Ti3Ni4 was confirmed in the both annealed specimens, where the precipitates at 943 K had a lenticular shape in micrometer size, and those at 473 K seemed to be clusters in nanometer size. Superelasticity with almost complete shape recovery was detected at temperatures below 200 K for all the annealed specimens. In comparison to the as‐homogenized specimen, although the temperature dependence on the stress hysteresis only slightly changed in each annealing condition, the equilibrium stresses in the specimen annealed at 473 and 943 K apparently increased and decreased, respectively.