bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sarcopenia in patients with bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy: Impact on cancer‐specific and all‐cause mortality
Authors: Psutka Sarah P. , Carrasco Alonso , Schmit Grant D. , Moynagh Michael R. , Boorjian Stephen A. , Frank Igor , Stewart Suzanne B. , Thapa Prabin , Tarrell Robert F. , Cheville John C. , Tollefson Matthew K. 
Published: May 2014

BACKGROUNDThe authors evaluated sarcopenia as a predictor of cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) among patients with urothelial cancer of the bladder undergoing radical cystectomy (RC).METHODSThe lumbar skeletal muscle index (SMI) of 205 patients treated with RC for urothelial cancer between 2000 and 2007 was measured. Sarcopenia was classified according to international consensus definitions (SMI of < 55 cm2/m2 for men and < 39 cm2/m2 for women). The CSS and OS were estimated using the Kaplan‐Meier method and compared with the log‐rank test. Variables associated with CSS and all‐cause mortality were summarized with hazard ratios (HRs).RESULTSOf 205 patients, 141 (68.8%) were sarcopenic. Patients with sarcopenia were older, but were otherwise similar to patients without sarcopenia with respect to sex, Charlson comorbidity index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, TNM stage of disease, and tumor grade (P > .05 for all). The median follow‐up was 6.7 years, during which time 135 patients died, including 91 who died of bladder cancer. Sarcopenic patients had significantly worse 5‐year CSS (49% vs 72%; P = .003) and OS (39% vs 70%; P = .003) compared with patients without sarcopenia. Moreover, sarcopenia was found to be independently associated with both increased CSS (HR, 2.14; P = .007) and all‐cause mortality (HR, 1.93; P = .004) on multivariable analysis.CONCLUSIONSThe presence of sarcopenia was found to significantly increase a patient's risk of CSS and all‐cause mortality after undergoing RC for bladder cancer. Cancer 2014;120:2910–2918. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
A two‐phase model of plantar tissue: a step toward prediction of diabetic foot ulceration
Authors: Sciumè G. , Boso D. P. , Gray W. G. , Cobelli C. , Schrefler B. A. 
Published: May 2014

SUMMARYA new computational model, based on the thermodynamically constrained averaging theory, has been recently proposed to predict tumor initiation and proliferation. A similar mathematical approach is proposed here as an aid in diabetic ulcer prevention. The common aspects at the continuum level are the macroscopic balance equations governing the flow of the fluid phase, diffusion of chemical species, tissue mechanics, and some of the constitutive equations.The soft plantar tissue is modeled as a two‐phase system: a solid phase consisting of the tissue cells and their extracellular matrix, and a fluid one (interstitial fluid and dissolved chemical species). The solid phase may become necrotic depending on the stress level and on the oxygen availability in the tissue. Actually, in diabetic patients, peripheral vascular disease impacts tissue necrosis; this is considered in the model via the introduction of an effective diffusion coefficient that governs transport of nutrients within the microvasculature.The governing equations of the mathematical model are discretized in space by the finite element method and in time domain using the θ‐Wilson Method.While the full mathematical model is developed in this paper, the example is limited to the simulation of several gait cycles of a healthy foot. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An efficient semi‐implicit method for three‐dimensional non‐hydrostatic flows in compliant arterial vessels
Authors: Fambri Francesco , Dumbser Michael , Casulli Vincenzo 
Published: May 2014

SUMMARYBlood flow in arterial systems can be described by the three‐dimensional Navier–Stokes equations within a time‐dependent spatial domain that accounts for the elasticity of the arterial walls. In this article, blood is treated as an incompressible Newtonian fluid that flows through compliant vessels of general cross section. A three‐dimensional semi‐implicit finite difference and finite volume model is derived so that numerical stability is obtained at a low computational cost on a staggered grid. The key idea of the method consists in a splitting of the pressure into a hydrostatic and a non‐hydrostatic part, where first a small quasi‐one‐dimensional nonlinear system is solved for the hydrostatic pressure and only in a second step the fully three‐dimensional non‐hydrostatic pressure is computed from a three‐dimensional nonlinear system as a correction to the hydrostatic one. The resulting algorithm is robust, efficient, locally and globally mass conservative, and applies to hydrostatic and non‐hydrostatic flows in one, two and three space dimensions. These features are illustrated on nontrivial test cases for flows in tubes with circular or elliptical cross section where the exact analytical solution is known. Test cases of steady and pulsatile flows in uniformly curved rigid and elastic tubes are presented. Wherever possible, axial velocity development and secondary flows are shown and compared with previously published results. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrating centralized and peer‐to‐peer architectures to support interest management in massively multiplayer on‐line games
Authors: Carlini Emanuele , Ricci Laura , Coppola Massimo 
Published: May 2014

SummaryA fundamental problem for the development of peer‐to‐peer (P2P) distributed virtual environments, like massively multiplayer on‐line games, is the definition of an overlay supporting interest management, that is, determining all the entities of the virtual world that are relevant for a given player. To this end, this paper proposes a gossip‐based approach that considers the coverage of the area of interest of peers as the guiding principle for the definition of the P2P overlay and its maintenance. The resulting overlay provides a support for a best‐effort resolution of interest management, mostly supported through communications on the P2P overlay, with minimal intervention of a centralized entity. The paper presents a set of extensive simulations based on realistic mobility traces. The experimental results show the effectiveness of gossiping for the construction and maintenance of a best‐effort overlay for interest management. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A semantic‐based federated cloud system for emergency response
Authors: Manno Giuliano , Smari Waleed W. , Spalazzi Luca , Taccari Gilberto 
Published: May 2014

SummaryCloud federation can be described through the concept of collaboration, where each organization has its own cloud(s) that deals with a different and independent domain but needs to work together with other organizations in order to fulfill a specific shared objective. According to this perspective, the federation is a collection of interacting clouds that collaborate with one another through the instantiation and management of shared subsets of resources (computation and storage resources as well as sensors and actuators). This idea could be profitably used in those scenarios in which different organizations have to share several resources (e.g., emergency response or disaster management scenario). On the other hand, when different independent organizations share their resources, several issues arise. One of them is related to interoperability problems. As a consequence, this work also introduces a framework for an ontology‐based resource life cycle management and provisioning in a federated cloud infrastructure. Therefore, The main contributions of this work consists of redesigning a cloud infrastructure architecture from the ground up, leveraging Semantic Web and Semantic Web Service Technologies, and natively supporting a federated provisioning of any kind of resource. This paper exploits, as a motivating scenario, a flood emergency response system. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compiler multiversioning for automatic task granularity control
Authors: Thoman Peter , Jordan Herbert , Fahringer Thomas 
Published: May 2014

SUMMARYTask parallelism is a programming technique that has been shown to be applicable in a wide variety of problem domains. A central parameter that needs to be controlled to ensure efficient execution of task parallel programs is the granularity of tasks. When they are too coarse grained, scalability and load balance suffer, while very fine‐grained tasks introduce execution overheads. We present a combined compiler and runtime approach that enables automatic granularity control. Starting from recursive, task parallel programs, our compiler generates multiple versions of each task, increasing granularity by task unrolling. Subsequently, we apply a parallelism‐aware optimizing transformation to remove superfluous task synchronization primitives in all generated versions. A runtime system then selects among these task versions of varying granularity by locally tracking task demand. Benchmarking on a set of task parallel programs using a work‐stealing scheduler demonstrates that our approach is generally effective. For fine‐grained tasks, we can achieve reductions in execution time exceeding a factor of 6, compared with state‐of‐the‐art implementations. Additionally, we evaluate the impact of two crucial algorithmic parameters, the number of generated code versions and the task queue length, on the performance of our method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transient analysis of coupled non‐uniform transmission line using finite element method
Authors: Jurić‐Grgić Ivica , Lucić Rino , Bernadić Alen 
Published: May 2014

SummaryThis paper presents a finite element time domain model for a numerical solution of a coupled non‐uniform transmission line problem. On the basis of the finite element method, a novel numerical procedure for the solution of a system of the non‐uniform multi‐conductor transmission line equations in the time domain is presented. The results obtained by the proposed method have been compared with the solution obtained using the finite difference time domain method, and an excellent correlation has been demonstrated. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Population genetic structure, genetic diversity, and natural history of the South American species of Nothofagus subgenus Lophozonia (Nothofagaceae) inferred from nuclear microsatellite data
Authors: Vergara Rodrigo , Gitzendanner Matthew A. , Soltis Douglas E. , Soltis Pamela S. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe effect of glaciation on the levels and patterns of genetic variation has been well studied in the Northern Hemisphere. However, although glaciation has undoubtedly shaped the genetic structure of plants in the Southern Hemisphere, fewer studies have characterized the effect, and almost none of them using microsatellites. Particularly, complex patterns of genetic structure might be expected in areas such as the Andes, where both latitudinal and altitudinal glacial advance and retreat have molded modern plant communities. We therefore studied the population genetics of three closely related, hybridizing species of Nothofagus (N. obliqua, N. alpina, and N. glauca, all of subgenus Lophozonia; Nothofagaceae) from Chile. To estimate population genetic parameters and infer the influence of the last ice age on the spatial and genetic distribution of these species, we examined and analyzed genetic variability at seven polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci in 640 individuals from 40 populations covering most of the ranges of these species in Chile. Populations showed no significant inbreeding and exhibited relatively high levels of genetic diversity (HE = 0.502–0.662) and slight, but significant, genetic structure (RST = 8.7–16.0%). However, in N. obliqua, the small amount of genetic structure was spatially organized into three well‐defined latitudinal groups. Our data may also suggest some introgression of N. alpina genes into N. obliqua in the northern populations. These results allowed us to reconstruct the influence of the last ice age on the genetic structure of these species, suggesting several centers of genetic diversity for N. obliqua and N. alpina, in agreement with the multiple refugia hypothesis.
Oxidative Degradation of Amino Acids and Aminophosphonic Acids by 2,2′‐Bipyridine Complexes of Copper(II)
Authors: Pap József S. , El Bakkali‐Tahéri Nadia , Fadel Antoine , Góger Szabina , Bogáth Dóra , Molnár Milán , Giorgi Michel , Speier Gábor , Simaan A. Jalila , Kaizer József 
Published: May 2014

AbstractCopper(II)–amino acid (AA) complexes that contain 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) as supporting ligand were investigated. X‐ray structural analysis of three new bpy‐based complexes revealed a bidentate coordination of the AAs on the copper(II) centers similar to that proposed for the substrate on the iron(II) center of the 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid oxidase (ACCO). Similar complexes with two aminophosphonic acids (APAs), 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐phosphonic acid (ACP) and (1‐amino‐1‐methyl)ethylphosphonic acid (AMEP), were also investigated, and the latter complex was structurally characterized. This structure reveals the bidentate coordination of α‐aminophosphonate on the copper(II) ion. The oxidation of the bound amino acids (AAs) and aminophosphonates (APAs), which model the reaction catalyzed by ACCO, was investigated. The complexes react with H2O2 and give oxidation products that were identified by gas chromatography. Reduction of CuII to CuI was detected by UV/Vis spectroscopy upon reaction with H2O2 or ascorbate. This reduction is proposed to be the initial step for the peroxide/copper activation prior to the oxidation of the AA and APA ligands by means of a radical mechanism.
Synthesis and Properties of a Mixed‐Valence Compound with Single‐Step Tunneling and Multiple‐Step Hopping Behavior
Authors: Makhoul Rim , Kumamoto Yuki , Miyazaki Akira , Justaud Frédéric , Gendron Frédéric , Halet Jean‐François , Hamon Jean‐René , Lapinte Claude 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe organic precursor bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)TTFMe2 (3, TTF = tetrathiafulvalene) was prepared as a 1:1 mixture of the cis and trans isomers. Pure samples of 3‐cis and 3‐trans were obtained by crystallization and identified by XRD analysis. The treatment of pure 3‐trans and a 1:1 mixture of 3‐cis/trans with (i) potassium carbonate, (ii) the iron complex Cp*(dppe)FeCl [5, Cp* = η5‐C5Me5, dppe = 1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethane] in the presence of KPF6, and (iii) tBuOK provided Cp*(dppe)Fe–C≡C–TTFMe2–C≡C–Fe(dppe)Cp* as the pure geometric isomer 6‐trans (85 %) and as the 60:40 mixture 6‐cis/trans (63 %), respectively. The oxidation of 6‐trans with [(C5H5)2Fe]PF6 gave [6‐trans][PF6]n (n = 1–3). Visible, IR, near‐IR (NIR), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy together with DFT data show that [6‐trans][PF6] is a class II mixed‐valence complex (Hab = 85 cm–1) in which the spin distribution depends on the conformation of the molecule. Intramolecular electron transfer occurs through single‐step tunneling and a multistep hoping mechanism. The triplet state is thermally accessible for [6‐trans][PF6]2.
Fructose and Urea as Precursors for N‐/O‐Modified Mesoporous Carbon with Enhanced Sorption Capacity for Heavy Metal Ions
Authors: Weinberger Christian , Haffer Stefanie , Wagner Thorsten , Tiemann Michael 
Published: May 2014

AbstractOrdered mesoporous carbon with a high heteroatom (N, O) content was prepared by nanocasting from a melt of a eutectic mixture of fructose and urea (60/40 wt.‐%; melting temperature ca. 65 °C). These precursor compounds are cheap and environmentally friendly. The material possesses enhanced pore‐wall surface polarity as compared to that of mesoporous carbon prepared by the same technique without urea. This was verified by water sorption analysis. As a result, the heteroatom‐modified material shows higher sorption capacity for the uptake of heavy metal ions (Cu2+) from aqueous solution, which may be interesting for potential application in wastewater cleaning.
Synthesis and Glycosidase Inhibition Study of 2‐C‐Hydroxymethyl‐ and 6‐C‐Hydroxymethyl‐Branched Piperidines from D‐Glucose Using Ene‐Yne Metathesis as a Key Step
Authors: Mallick Asadulla , Vankar Yashwant D. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractTwo polyhydroxylated piperidine‐based 2‐C‐hydroxymethyl‐branched analogues of L‐1‐deoxyallonojirimycin (L‐allo‐DNJ) were synthesized from readily available 1,2:5,6‐di‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐glucofuranose through an ene‐yne metathesis as the key step. The glycosidase inhibition activity of these compounds against some commercially available enzymes was examined, and the analogues were found to be very selective glycosidase inhibitors at concentrations in the range of 21–44 μM.
Electroanalytical Sensors and Methods for Assays and Studies of Neurological Biomarkers
Authors: Chen Shu , Zhang Lin , Long Yunfei , Zhou Feimeng 
Published: May 2014

AbstractDiverse methods have been developed to reveal biochemical changes in neurological disorders and to detect biomarkers present in clinical samples. Electrochemical biosensors are attractive because of their low costs, high sensitivity, and easiness for miniaturization. They have the potential for both point‐of‐care and in vivo monitoring. With clever surface modification and effective immobilization of capture ligands, selective detection of neurological biomarkers can be achieved. This review covers select applications of electroanalytical methods/sensors for proteins, peptides, small molecules, metal ions, and neurotransmitters. Designs of various sensors and devices are reviewed and issues to be addressed for clinically viable sensors are discussed.
Implications of FAD Electrode Reaction Kinetics for Electrocatalysis of NADH Oxidation and Development of NAD‐Dependent Enzyme Electrodes
Authors: Emre Fatma Bilge , Lopes Paula , Ferapontova Elena E. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractFAD entrapped into the polyethyleneimine (PEI) matrix underwent 2e−/2H+ redox transformation, in contrast to the 1e−/1H+ reaction observed with non‐stabilized FAD‐modified electrodes. Under conditions of the 2e−/2H+ reaction, FAD/PEI‐modified electrodes catalytically oxidized NADH starting from −100 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. These electrodes may be used for construction of NAD‐dependent dehydrogenase electrodes for clinically important analytes such as glucose when coupled to the model enzyme glucose dehydrogenase. Latter allows detection of glucose starting from −100 mV within 0.05–5 mM concentration range. These results suggest the FAD stabilization by different matrices as a simple and promising approach to achieve its 2e−/2H+ redox chemistry resulting in catalysis of NADH oxidation.
Performance Improvement by Layout Designs of Conductive Polymer Microelectrode Based Impedimetric Biosensors
Authors: Rosati Giulio , Daprà Johannes , Cherré Solène , Rozlosnik Noemi 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIn this work we present a theoretical, computational, and experimental evaluation of the performance of an impedimetric biosensor based on interdigitated conductive polymer (PEDOT:TsO) microelectrodes in a microfluidic system. The influence of the geometry of the electrodes and microchannels on the electrochemical performance of the biosensor was exploited to improve the detection system. The developed model allowed us to predict the performance of the electrochemical system, and thus to optimize the geometry for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Finally, the optimized electrode design was validated by the detection of a clinically relevant target (ampicillin) at picomolar concentrations.
Do TOEFL iBT® Scores Reflect Improvement in English‐Language Proficiency? Extending the TOEFL iBT Validity Argument
Authors: Ling Guangming , Powers Donald E. , Adler Rachel M. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractOne fundamental way to determine the validity of standardized English‐language test scores is to investigate the extent to which they reflect anticipated learning effects in different English‐language programs. In this study, we investigated the extent to which the TOEFL iBT® practice test reflects the learning effects of students at intensive English programs in the United States and China, as well as extracurricular English‐learning activities that may be associated with the expected learning effects. A total of 607 students at the high school level or beyond participated in the United States and China, including 111 students who took 2 forms of the practice test under a pretest and posttest design. The results showed moderate to substantial levels of improvement on each of the TOEFL iBT sections, with different score gain patterns for students in the United States and China. We concluded that students who study at English programs similar to those included in this study can improve their English‐language proficiency levels at least moderately over 6 months or longer, as indicated by changes in their scores on the TOEFL iBT practice test. This improvement is consistent with an interpretation of TOEFL iBT scores as indicators of English‐language proficiency.
Expanding the CBAL™ Mathematics Assessments to Elementary Grades: The Development of a Competency Model and a Rational Number Learning Progression
Authors: Arieli‐Attali Meirav , Cayton‐Hodges Gabrielle 
Published: May 2014

AbstractPrior work on the CBAL™ mathematics competency model resulted in an initial competency model for middle school grades with several learning progressions (LPs) that elaborate central ideas in the competency model and provide a basis for connecting summative and formative assessment. In the current project, we created a competency model for Grades 3–5 that is based on both the middle school competency model and the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). We also developed an LP for rational numbers based on an extensive literature review, consultations with members of the CBAL mathematics team and other related research staff at Educational Testing Service, input from an advisory panel of external experts in mathematics education and cognitive psychology, and the use of small‐scale cognitive interviews with students and teachers. Elementary mathematical understanding, specifically that of rational numbers, is viewed as fundamental and critical to developing future knowledge and skill in middle and high school mathematics and therefore essential for success in the 21st century world. The competency model and the rational number LP serve as the conceptual basis for developing and connecting summative and formative assessment as well as professional support materials for Grades 3–5. We report here on the development process of these models and future implications for task development.
Bolus effects on patient awareness of swallowing difficulty and swallow physiology after chemoradiation for head and neck cancer
Authors: Rogus‐Pulia Nicole M. , Pierce Margaret , Mittal Bharat B. , Zecker Steven G. , Logemann Jeri 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundPatients treated for head and neck cancer frequently develop dysphagia. Bolus characteristics are altered during fluoroscopic swallowing studies to observe the impact on swallowing function. The purpose of this study was to determine bolus volume and consistency effects on oropharyngeal swallowing physiology and patient awareness of swallowing difficulty.MethodsTwenty‐one patients with head and neck cancer were assessed pre‐chemoradiation and post‐chemoradiation. The Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS) was utilized to examine swallow physiology. Each patient provided perceptual ratings of swallowing difficulty after each swallow of varying bolus types.ResultsOral transit times were significantly longer with pudding boluses. There were trends for higher residue percentages as well as perceptual ratings for pudding and cookie boluses. One correlation between perceptual ratings and physiology was significant.ConclusionPatient awareness of swallowing difficulty and aspects of swallowing physiology vary with bolus consistency. Patient awareness does not correlate with observed changes in swallowing physiology. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: 1122–1129, 2015