bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of families in decisions regarding cancer treatments
Authors: Hobbs Gabriela S. , Landrum Mary Beth , Arora Neeraj K. , Ganz Patricia A. , van Ryn Michelle , Weeks Jane C. , Mack Jennifer W. , Keating Nancy L. 
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUNDShared decision‐making is an important component of patient‐centered care and is associated with improved outcomes. To the authors' knowledge, little is known concerning the extent and predictors of the involvement of a patient's family in decisions regarding cancer treatments.METHODSThe Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance (CanCORS) Consortium is a large, multiregional, prospective cohort study of the cancer care and outcomes of patients with lung and colorectal cancer. Participants reported the roles of their families in decision‐making regarding treatment. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess patient factors associated with family roles in decisions.RESULTSAmong 5284 patients, 80 (1.5%) reported family‐controlled decisions, with the highest adjusted rates (12.8%) noted among non‐English‐speaking Asians. Among the 5204 remaining patients, 49.4% reported equally sharing decisions with family, 22.1% reported some family input, and 28.5% reported little family input. In adjusted analyses, patients who were married, female, older, and insured more often reported equally shared decisions with family (all P <.001). Adjusted family involvement varied by race/ethnicity and language, with Chinese‐speaking Asian (59.8%) and Spanish‐speaking Hispanic (54.8%) patients equally sharing decisions with family more often than white individuals (47.6%). Veterans Affairs patients were least likely to report sharing decisions with family, even after adjustment for marital status and social support (P <.001).CONCLUSIONSThe majority of patients with newly diagnosed lung or colorectal cancer involve family members in treatment decisions. Non‐English‐speaking Asians and Hispanics rely significantly on family. Further studies are needed to determine the impact of family involvement in treatment decisions on outcomes; until then, physicians should consider eliciting patients' preferences for family involvement. Cancer 2015;121:1079–1087. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Efficient Emission Facilitated by Multiple Energy Level Transitions in Uniform Graphitic Carbon Nitride Films Deposited by Thermal Vapor Condensation
Authors: Bian Juncao , Li Jianfu , Kalytchuk Sergii , Wang Yu , Li Qian , Lau Tsz Chun , Niehaus Thomas A. , Rogach Andrey L. , Zhang Rui‐Qin 
Published: February 2015

AbstractGraphitic carbon nitride (g‐CN) films are important components of optoelectronic devices, but current techniques for their production, such as drop casting and spin coating, fail to deliver uniform and pinhole‐free g‐CN films on solid substrates. Here, versatile, cost‐effective, and large‐area growth of uniform and pinhole‐free g‐CN films is achieved by using a thermal vapor condensation method under atmospheric pressure. A comparison of the X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared data with the calculated infrared spectrum confirmed the graphitic build‐up of films composed of tri‐s‐triazine units. These g‐CN films possess multiple active energy states including π*, π, and lone‐pair states, which facilitate their efficient (6 % quantum yield in the solid state) photoluminescence, as confirmed by both experimental measurements and theoretical calculations.
Mo‐Doped BiVO4 Photoanodes Synthesized by Reactive Sputtering
Authors: Chen Le , Toma Francesca M. , Cooper Jason K. , Lyon Alan , Lin Yongjing , Sharp Ian D. , Ager Joel W. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractWe report a scalable and reproducible method for reactive co‐sputtering of Mo‐doped BiVO4 thin films with broad compositional control. Optimal photoanode performance is achieved at a Mo concentration of 3 at. %. Incorporation of Mo promotes growth of large grains and reduces majority carrier transport limitations, resulting in maximum AM1.5G photocurrent densities of 3.5 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE in pH 6.8 buffer solution containing 0.1 M Na2SO3 as a hole scavenger. Operation as a front‐illuminated water oxidation photoanode is achieved by balancing the operational stability, catalytic activity, and parasitic optical absorption of a FeOOH oxygen evolution catalyst. FeOOH/Mo:BiVO4 thin film photoanodes enable water oxidation under the front‐side illumination conditions used in integrated tandem water splitting devices.
Natural selection for earlier male arrival to breeding grounds through direct and indirect effects in a migratory songbird
Authors: Velmala William , Helle Samuli , Ahola Markus P. , Klaassen Marcel , Lehikoinen Esa , Rainio Kalle , Sirkiä Päivi M. , Laaksonen Toni 
Published: February 2015

AbstractFor migratory birds, the earlier arrival of males to breeding grounds is often expected to have fitness benefits. However, the selection differential on male arrival time has rarely been decomposed into the direct effect of male arrival and potential indirect effects through female traits. We measured the directional selection differential on male arrival time in the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) using data from 6 years and annual number of fledglings as the fitness proxy. Using structural equation modeling, we were able to take into account the temporal structure of the breeding cycle and the hierarchy between the examined traits. We found directional selection differentials for earlier male arrival date and earlier female laying date, as well as strong selection differential for larger clutch size. These selection differentials were due to direct selection only as indirect selection for these traits was nonsignificant. When decomposing the direct selection for earlier male arrival into direct and indirect effects, we discovered that it was almost exclusively due to the direct effect of male arrival date on fitness and not due to its indirect effects via female traits. In other words, we showed for the first time that there is a direct effect of male arrival date on fitness while accounting for those effects that are mediated by effects of the social partner. Our study thus indicates that natural selection directly favored earlier male arrival in this flycatcher population.
Mitochondrial genetic differentiation and morphological difference of Miniopterus fuliginosus and Miniopterus magnater in China and Vietnam
Authors: Li Shi , Sun Keping , Lu Guanjun , Lin Aiqing , Jiang Tinglei , Jin Longru , Hoyt Joseph R. , Feng Jiang 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBecause of its complicated systematics, the bent‐winged bat is one of the most frequently studied bat species groups. In China, two morphologically similar bent‐winged bat species, Miniopterus fuliginosus and Miniopterus magnater were identified, but their distribution range and genetic differentiation are largely unexplored. In this study, we applied DNA bar codes and two other mitochondrial DNA genes including morphological parameters to determine the phylogeny, genetic differentiation, spatial distribution, and morphological difference of the M. fuliginosus and M. magnater sampled from China and one site in Vietnam. Mitochondrial DNA gene genealogies revealed two monophyletic lineages throughout the Tropic of Cancer. According to DNA bar code divergences, one is M. fuliginosus corresponding to the Chinese mainland and the other is M. magnater corresponding to tropical regions including Hainan and Guangdong provinces of China and Vietnam. Their most recent common ancestor was dated to the early stage of the Quaternary glacial period (ca. 2.26 million years ago [Ma] on the basis of D‐loop data, and ca. 1.69–2.37 Ma according to ND2). A population expansion event was inferred for populations of M. fuliginosus at 0.14 Ma. The two species probably arose in separate Pleistocene refugia under different climate zones. They significantly differed in forearm length, maxillary third molar width, and greatest length of the skull.
Ecological differentiation, lack of hybrids involving diploids, and asymmetric gene flow between polyploids in narrow contact zones of Senecio carniolicus (syn. Jacobaea carniolica, Asteraceae)
Authors: Hülber Karl , Sonnleitner Michaela , Suda Jan , Krejčíková Jana , Schönswetter Peter , Schneeweiss Gerald M. , Winkler Manuela 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAreas of immediate contact of different cytotypes offer a unique opportunity to study evolutionary dynamics within heteroploid species and to assess isolation mechanisms governing coexistence of cytotypes of different ploidy. The degree of reproductive isolation of cytotypes, that is, the frequency of heteroploid crosses and subsequent formation of viable and (partly) fertile hybrids, plays a crucial role for the long‐term integrity of lineages in contact zones. Here, we assessed fine‐scale distribution, spatial clustering, and ecological niches as well as patterns of gene flow in parental and hybrid cytotypes in zones of immediate contact of di‐, tetra‐, and hexaploid Senecio carniolicus (Asteraceae) in the Eastern Alps. Cytotypes were spatially separated also at the investigated microscale; the strongest spatial separation was observed for the fully interfertile tetra‐ and hexaploids. The three main cytotypes showed highly significant niche differences, which were, however, weaker than across their entire distribution ranges in the Eastern Alps. Individuals with intermediate ploidy levels were found neither in the diploid/tetraploid nor in the diploid/hexaploid contact zones indicating strong reproductive barriers. In contrast, pentaploid individuals were frequent in the tetraploid/hexaploid contact zone, albeit limited to a narrow strip in the immediate contact zone of their parental cytotypes. AFLP fingerprinting data revealed introgressive gene flow mediated by pentaploid hybrids from tetra‐ to hexaploid individuals, but not vice versa. The ecological niche of pentaploids differed significantly from that of tetraploids but not from hexaploids.
A Cationic Polyelectrolyte‐Controlled Liquid Mineral Precursor Process in the BaCO3 System
Authors: Zhu Jianhua , Huang Lei , Cui Mingfang , Ma Li , Cao Fabin 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBiomimetic BaCO3 materials with various morphologies have been synthesized in a cationic polyelectrolyte‐controlled mineral solution. Investigations showed that the mineral solution initially underwent a phase separation to produce a condensed liquidlike amorphous intermediate. This mineral solution was a typical reaction‐diffusion field, in which concentric ring patterns were frequently observed. Subsequently, overgrowth fibers were seen growing on large microspheres and their growth could be interpreted in terms of a mesocrystal self‐assembly process. This work opens up the possibility of using positively charged polyelectrolytes to design a very wide range of inorganic materials.
A General Synthesis of Bis(o‐azaheteroaryl)methane Derivatives from N‐Oxides of Azines and Azoles
Authors: Szpunar Magdalena , Loska Rafał 
Published: February 2015

AbstractA general method of preparation of derivatives of bis(o‐azaheteroaryl)methanes from aromatic N‐oxides is reported, the key step of which is a 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition between N‐oxides of azines or azoles and in situ generated terminal difluoroalkenes containing an o‐azaheteroaryl substituent at the double bond. Selected products were applied for the preparation of two novel unsymmetrical analogues of BODIPY fluorescent dyes, containing both an imidazole and a quinoline or isoquinoline unit.
Development of an Automated Heavy Metal Analyser
Authors: Cases‐Utrera Joana , Escudé‐Pujol Roger , Ibáñez‐Otazua Nora , Javier del Campo F. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis article describes the design, fabrication and characterization of a compact and deployable heavy metal analyzer. The system is autonomous and its microcontroller enables the configuration of its four micropumps and the application of different electroanalytical techniques. A range of prototyping and manufacturing techniques have been used in the fabrication of the instrument, including laser sintering, milling, and laser engraving. We present the electrochemical characterization of the system, and provide preliminary results obtained in the determination of Cu and Zn in different waters. The only sample treatment consists in its 1 : 2 dilution in pH 5.6 acetate buffer. Detection limits of 2.2 and 3.8 ppb were found for Cu and Zn, respectively.
Lysine, Arginine, and Histidine Residues in Peptide‐Catalyzed Hydrogen Evolution at Mercury Electrodes
Authors: Dorčák Vlastimil , Vargová Veronika , Ostatná Veronika , Paleček Emil 
Published: February 2015

AbstractInvolvement of hexapeptides composed of lysine (Lys6), arginine (Arg6) or histidine (His6) in the catalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (CHER) was studied. Using McIlvaine buffer, we changed the concentration of citric acid (proton donor in the CHER) either (a) by changing the buffer concentration at constant pH or (b) by changing the pH at constant buffer concentration. These two approaches showed almost the same catalytic behavior of Lys6 and Arg6 but strikingly different ones in the case of His6. The results suggested that at neutral pH His residue is much weaker catalyzer than those of Lys or Arg.
Polyparameter linear free energy relationship for wood char–water sorption coefficients of organic sorbates
Authors: Plata Desiree L. , Hemingway Jordon D. , Gschwend Philip M. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract

Black carbons, including soots, chars, activated carbons, and engineered nanocarbons, have different surface properties, but the extent to which these affect their sorbent properties is not known. To evaluate this for an environmentally ubiquitous form of black carbon, biomass char, the surface of a well-studied wood char was probed using 14 sorbates exhibiting diverse functional groups, and the data were fit with a polyparameter linear free energy relationship to assess the importance of the various possible sorbate–char surface interactions. Sorption from water to water–wet char evolved with the sorbate's degree of surface saturation and depended on only a few sorbate parameters: log Kd(L/kg) = [(4.03 ± 0.14) + (–0.15 ± 0.04) log ai] V + [(–0.28 ± 0.04) log ai] S + (–5.20 ± 0.21) B, where ai is the aqueous saturation of the sorbate i, V is McGowan's characteristic volume, S reflects polarity, and B represents the electron-donation basicity. As is generally observed for activated carbon, the sorbate's size encouraged sorption from water to the char, whereas its electron donation and proton acceptance discouraged sorption from water. The magnitude and saturation dependence differed significantly from what has been seen for activated carbons, presumably reflecting the unique surface chemistries of these 2 black carbon materials and suggesting that black carbon-specific sorption coefficients will yield more accurate assessments of contaminant mobility and bioavailability, as well as evaluation of a site's response to remediation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1464–1471. © 2015 SETAC
A component framework for the parallel solution of the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations with Radau‐IIA methods
Authors: Rang J. , Niekamp R. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryAn efficient solution strategy for the simulation of incompressible fluids needs adequate and accurate space and time discretization schemes. In this paper, for the space discretization, we use an inf–sup stable finite element method and for the time discretization, Radau‐IIA methods of higher order, which have the advantage that the pressure component has convergence order s in time, where s is the number of internal stages. The disadvantage of this approach is that we have a high computational amount of work, because large nonlinear systems of equations have to solved. In this paper, we use a transformation of the coefficient matrix and the simplified Newton method. This approach has the effect that our large nonlinear systems split into smaller ones, which can now also be solved in parallel. For the parallelization of the code we use the software component technology and the Component Template Library. Numerical examples show that high order in the pressure component can be achieved and that the proposed solution technique is very effective. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Utility of free and total target measurements as target engagement and efficacy biomarkers in biotherapeutic development—Opportunities and challenges
Authors: Zheng Songmao , McIntosh Thomas , Wang Weirong 
Published: February 2015

AbstractFor biotherapeutics directed against soluble targets, most often monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), their therapeutic efficacy theoretically is driven by the magnitude and duration of free target suppression. However, for soluble targets of rapid turnover and low abundance, it can be technically challenging to directly measure the lowering of free target following treatment with biologics. The opportunities, challenges, and practical approaches to assess free and bound soluble targets and the utility of free and bound target measurements as biomarkers for target engagement and efficacy are covered in this review. In particular, case examples are presented to illustrate the interplay between drug and free/bound target, and how an integrated bioanalytical and pharmacokinetic/target engagement/pharmacodynamic (PK/TE/PD) modeling approach can be used to assess the target engagement for biologics directed against soluble targets with rapid turnover. Important caveats of the modeling approach in the absence of free target measurements are also discussed.
Challenges and considerations for development of therapeutic proteins in pediatric patients
Authors: Zhang Yi , Wei Xiaohui , Bajaj Gaurav , Barrett Jeffrey S. , Meibohm Bernd , Joshi Amita , Gupta Manish 
Published: February 2015

AbstractTarget specificity and generally good tolerability of therapeutic proteins (TPs) present desirable treatment opportunities for pediatric patients. However, little is known on the ontogeny of processes related to the pharmacokinetics (PK) and disposition of TPs. The science, regulatory requirements and strategy of developing TPs for children are evolving. Our current review of TPs, (with focus on monoclonal antibodies and fusion proteins) that were approved for pediatric use indicates that dose‐selection for pediatric pivotal studies is often based on adult PK information alone. This approach might not be sufficient if more complex PK properties than simple linear PK are present. Body weight‐based dosing for pediatric patients directly scaled down from adult dosing can lead to under‐exposure in young pediatric patients who are usually in the lowest body‐weight range. Tiered‐fixed dosing can be reasonably effective for TPs in achieving comparable exposure in children over a wide age range. The uniqueness of the pediatric population, the practical challenges in conducting clinical studies in this population, as well as regulations from health authorities warrant including pharmacometrics as an integral component of pediatric drug development. We propose a framework distinct from previous proposals, to guide clinical pharmacology strategy for pediatric drug development specifically for TPs.
Quantitative pharmacology of denosumab in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors
Authors: Ruixo Juan Jose Perez , Doshi Sameer , Sohn Winnie , Chow Andrew 
Published: February 2015

AbstractDenosumab (XGEVA®) is a recombinant, fully human IgG2 monoclonal antibody directed against the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand (RANKL) that prevents differentiation of osteoclast precursors into mature osteoclasts and acceleration of bone resorption, resulting in the inhibition of osteoclast activation. Denosumab is indicated for the prevention of skeletal‐related events (SREs) in adult patients with bone metastases from solid tumors at the dose of 120 mg administered subcutaneously (SC) every 4 weeks. This review is focused on describing its target‐mediated disposition and direct inhibitory effect on bone resorption, as well as the modeling and simulation techniques used to integrate the PKPD information collected during clinical development of denosumab. In addition, this review further discusses the clinical relevance of patient covariate effects on denosumab systemic exposure, target engagement and downstream pharmacodynamics biomarkers, and the rationale for dosing regimen selection for Phase 3 studies. Phase 3 clinical studies demonstrated that denosumab was superior to zoledronic acid in inhibiting bone resorption and, consequently, delaying the time to first SRE by a median of 8.2 months in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors. Thus, denosumab may be considered a better alternative treatment than zoledronic acid for the prevention of SRE in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors.
Vaccines: A review of immune‐based interventions to prevent and treat disease
Authors: Alemayehu Demissie , Utt Eric , Knirsch Charles 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe enormous gains made in public health during the 20th century, through the prevention and treatment of infectious disease, have contributed to dramatic improvements in the quality and length of the human lifespan. Continued advances in medicine are dependent on addressing several challenges including the increase in existing and new resistance to antibiotics, the decrease in productivity of the research and development (R&D) ecosystem, uncertain regulatory pathways, and an economic environment that rewards innovation for developing therapeutics that involve long cycle times from idea to a product. In this article, we consider important issues pertaining to the development of vaccines with particular emphasis on preclinical requirements, optimal dose selection, design, execution, and reporting of clinical trials for regulatory submission, planning and implementation of post‐approval life‐cycle programs, and emerging themes in therapeutic vaccines.
Musculoskeletal simulation can help explain selective muscle degeneration in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Hu Xiao , Blemker Silvia S. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disease that occurs due to the deficiency of the dystrophin protein. Although dystrophin is deficient in all muscles, it is unclear why degeneration progresses differently across muscles in DMD. We hypothesized that each muscle undergoes a different degree of eccentric contraction during gait, which could contribute to the selective degeneration in lower limb muscle, as indicated by various amounts of fatty infiltration. By comparing eccentric contractions quantified from a previous multibody dynamic musculoskeletal gait simulation and fat fractions quantified in a recent imaging study, our preliminary analyses show a strong correlation between eccentric contractions during gait and lower limb muscle fat fractions, supporting our hypothesis. This knowledge is critical for developing safe exercise regimens for the DMD population. This study also provides supportive evidence for using multiscale modeling and simulation of the musculoskeletal system in future DMD research. Muscle Nerve 52: 174–182, 2015