bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using multi‐country household surveys to understand who provides reproductive and maternal health services in low‐ and middle‐income countries: a critical appraisal of the Demographic and Health Surveys
Authors: Footman K. , Benova L. , Goodman C. , Macleod D. , Lynch C. A. , Penn‐Kekana L. , Campbell O. M. R. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractObjectiveThe Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) are a vital data resource for cross‐country comparative analyses. This study is part of a set of analyses assessing the types of providers being used for reproductive and maternal health care across 57 countries. Here, we examine some of the challenges encountered using DHS data for this purpose, present the provider classification we used, and provide recommendations to enable more detailed and accurate cross‐country comparisons of healthcare provision.MethodsWe used the most recent DHS surveys between 2000 and 2012; 57 countries had data on family planning and delivery care providers and 47 countries had data on antenatal care. Every possible response option across the 57 countries was listed and categorised. We then developed a classification to group provider response options according to two key dimensions: clinical nature and profit motive.ResultsWe classified the different types of maternal and reproductive healthcare providers, and the individuals providing care. Documented challenges encountered during this process were limitations inherent in household survey data based on respondents’ self‐report; conflation of response options in the questionnaire or at the data processing stage; category errors of the place vs. professional for delivery; inability to determine whether care received at home is from the public or private sector; a large number of negligible response options; inconsistencies in coding and analysis of data sets; and the use of inconsistent headings.ConclusionsTo improve clarity, we recommend addressing issues such as conflation of response options, data on public vs. private provider, inconsistent coding and obtaining metadata. More systematic and standardised collection of data would aid international comparisons of progress towards improved financial protection, and allow us to better characterise the incentives and commercial nature of different providers.
Realization of Ultraflat Plastic Film Using Dressed-Photon-Phonon-Assisted Selective Etching of Nanoscale Structures
Authors: Yatsui Takashi , Nomura Wataru , Ohtsu Motoichi 
Published: February 2015

We compared dressed-photon-phonon (DPP) etching to conventional photochemical etching and, using a numerical analysis of topographic images of the resultant etched polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) substrate, we determined that the DPP etching resulted in the selective etching of smaller scale structures in comparison with the conventional photochemical etching. We investigated the wavelength dependence of the PMMA substrate etching using an O2 gas. As the dissociation energy of O2 is 5.12 eV, we applied a continuous-wave (CW) He-Cd laser (λ= 325 nm, 3.81 eV) for the DPP etching and a 5th-harmonic Nd:YAG laser (λ= 213 nm, 5.82 eV) for the conventional photochemical etching. From the obtained atomic force microscope images, we confirmed a reduction in surface roughness, Ra, in both cases. However, based on calculations involving the standard deviation of the height difference function, we confirmed that the conventional photochemical etching method etched the larger scale structures only, while the DPP etching process selectively etched the smaller scale features.
Human Pancreatic Cancer Tumors Are Nutrient Poor and Tumor Cells Actively Scavenge Extracellular Protein
Authors: Kamphorst Jurre J. , Nofal Michel , Commisso Cosimo , Hackett Sean R. , Lu Wenyun , Grabocka Elda , Vander Heiden Matthew G. , Miller George , Drebin Jeffrey A. , Bar-Sagi Dafna , Thompson Craig B. , Rabinowitz Joshua D. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Glucose and amino acids are key nutrients supporting cell growth. Amino acids are imported as monomers, but an alternative route induced by oncogenic KRAS involves uptake of extracellular proteins via macropinocytosis and subsequent lysosomal degradation of these proteins as a source of amino acids. In this study, we examined the metabolism of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a poorly vascularized lethal KRAS-driven malignancy. Metabolomic comparisons of human PDAC and benign adjacent tissue revealed that tumor tissue was low in glucose, upper glycolytic intermediates, creatine phosphate, and the amino acids glutamine and serine, two major metabolic substrates. Surprisingly, PDAC accumulated essential amino acids. Such accumulation could arise from extracellular proteins being degraded through macropinocytosis in quantities necessary to meet glutamine requirements, which in turn produces excess of most other amino acids. Consistent with this hypothesis, active macropinocytosis is observed in primary human PDAC specimens. Moreover, in the presence of physiologic albumin, we found that cultured murine PDAC cells grow indefinitely in media lacking single essential amino acids and replicate once in the absence of free amino acids. Growth under these conditions was characterized by simultaneous glutamine depletion and essential amino acid accumulation. Overall, our findings argue that the scavenging of extracellular proteins is an important mode of nutrient uptake in PDAC. Cancer Res; 75(3); 544–53. ©2014 AACR.
Molecular Pathways: Novel Approaches for Improved Therapeutic Targeting of Hedgehog Signaling in Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Justilien Verline , Fields Alan P. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is critical for embryonic development. In adult tissues, Hh signaling is relatively quiescent with the exception of roles in tissue maintenance and repair. Aberrant activation of Hh signaling is implicated in multiple aspects of transformation, including the maintenance of the cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype. Preclinical studies indicate that CSCs from many tumor types are sensitive to Hh pathway inhibition and that Hh-targeted therapeutics block many aspects of transformation attributed to CSCs, including drug resistance, relapse, and metastasis. However, to date, Hh inhibitors, specifically those targeting Smoothened [such as vismodegib, BMS-833923, saridegib (IPI-926), sonidegib/erismodegib (LDE225), PF-04449913, LY2940680, LEQ 506, and TAK-441], have demonstrated good efficacy as monotherapy in patients with basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma, but have shown limited activity in other tumor types. This lack of success is likely due to many factors, including a lack of patient stratification in early trials, cross-talk between Hh and other oncogenic signaling pathways that can modulate therapeutic response, and a limited knowledge of Hh pathway activation mechanisms in CSCs from most tumor types. Here, we discuss Hh signaling mechanisms in the context of human cancer, particularly in the maintenance of the CSC phenotype, and consider new therapeutic strategies that hold the potential to expand considerably the scope and therapeutic efficacy of Hh-directed anticancer therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 21(3); 505–13. ©2015 AACR.
The Leading Mode of Observed and CMIP5 ENSO-Residual Sea Surface Temperatures and Associated Changes in Indo-Pacific Climate*
Authors: Funk Chris C. , Hoell Andrew 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
SSTs in the western Pacific Ocean have tracked closely with CMIP5 simulations despite recent hiatus cooling in the eastern Pacific. This paper quantifies these similarities and associated circulation and precipitation variations using the first global 1900–2012 ENSO-residual empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) of 35 variables: observed SSTs; 28 CMIP5 SST simulations; Simple Ocean Data Assimilation (SODA) 25-, 70-, and 171-m ocean temperatures and sea surface heights (SSHs); and Twentieth Century Reanalysis, version 2 (20CRv2), surface winds and precipitation.
While estimated independently, these leading EOFs across all variables fit together in a meaningful way, and the authors refer to them jointly as the west Pacific warming mode (WPWM). WPWM SST EOFs correspond closely in space and time. Their spatial patterns form a “western V” extending from the Maritime Continent into the extratropical Pacific. Their temporal principal components (PCs) have increased rapidly since 1990; this increase has been primarily due to radiative forcing and not natural decadal variability.
WPWM circulation changes appear consistent with a Matsuno–Gill-like atmospheric response associated with an ocean–atmosphere dipole structure contrasting increased (decreased) western (eastern) Pacific precipitation, SSHs, and ocean temperatures. These changes have enhanced the Walker circulation and modulated weather on a global scale. An AGCM experiment and the WPWM of global boreal spring precipitation indicate significant drying across parts of East Africa, the Middle East, the southwestern United States, southern South America, and Asia. Changes in the WPWM have tracked closely with precipitation and the increase in drought frequency over the semiarid and water-insecure areas of East Africa, the Middle East, and southwest Asia.
Element mobility during the formation of the Uzunisa-Ordu bentonite, NE Turkey, and potential applications
Authors: Özdamar Ş. , Ece Ö. I. , Uz B. , Boylu F. , Ercan H. Ü. , Yanik G. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractDacitic andesitic calc-alkaline lavas and their pyroclastic rocks of Upper Cretaceous age are widespread in the Ordu area, eastern Black Sea Coast of Turkey. Ca-bentonite and Ca/Nabentonite deposits with significant economic potential formed in the broader region. The mineralogy and geochemistry of these deposits were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and chemical analyses. The parent rocks (PR) and bentonite samples were analysed for the major and trace element contents, including rare-earth elements, to understand the effect of differential alterations on element mobility. The bentonites contain mainly di-octahedral Ca-montmorillonite with minor amounts of illite, quartz, calcite, dolomite and feldspar. Primary K-feldspar and plagioclase phenocrysts were altered in the bentonite horizons, and were completely leached at greater depth. For this reason, the higher quality bentonites are found at deeper zones. Bentonite horizons are characterized by relatively high loss on ignition (LOI: 9.8–20.8%) and MgO content (3–5%) and low K2O (<0.5%) and Na2O (<2%) contents compared with the least altered parent rocks. Silicon, Ca, Mg, Mn and P are markedly enriched whereas Fe, Na, K and Ti are depleted in the bentonite samples. The chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns show identical trends characterized by strong light rare earth element (LREE) enrichment in both the PR and bentonite samples. The LREE contents are higher than those of their heavy counterparts (HREE) in the samples. Alteration of the PR to bentonite is associated with intense chemical leaching and subsequent removal of K and Na in open-system conditions.
Activation of kaolin with minimum solvent consumption by microwave heating
Authors: Al Bakain R. Z. , Al-Degs Y. S. , Issa A. A. , Abdul Jawad S. , Abu Safieh K. A. , Al-Ghouti M. A. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractA kaolin clay was activated with 1.0 M H2SO4 solution at minimum liquid to solid ratio (L/S) using microwave heating. The optimum experimental conditions for activation were L/S ratio 3.0 mL 1 M H2SO4 per gram kaolin, microwave input power 500–600 W, and heating time 5–10 min. Activation at L/S < 3.0 mL/g using 1.0 M H2SO4 was not efficient, indicating the influence of solvent for absorbing microwaves more intensively and thus improving activation. Significant physicochemical changes were observed by the proposed procedure with smaller volumes of activator compared to the conventional heating method. Microwave input power and heating time have a strong influence on the quality of the final material; activation at high input power (>700 W) and longer heating times (>10 min.) are not recommended since they cause dissolution of kaolinite structure. Microwave-heated kaolin manifested better adsorption for tartrazine dye due to improvements in textural and chemical properties of kaolinite. Moreover, irradiation of used kaolinite has significantly improved dye desorption, increasing the importance of microwaves in regeneration/recycling studies. Detailed dielectric measurements of kaolin-acid mixtures recorded at frequencies much lower than 2.45 GHz revealed that absorption of radiation is highly dependent on the activator solution in the mixture. For 3.0 mL/g mixtures, high dielectric constant ε’ 5223, dielectric loss factor ε” 5083, tangent loss tan d 1.30, penetration depth dp 0.57 cm at (103 Hz), and AC-conductivity σ 0.032 Om–1 were determined at 105 Hz. Filling the pores of kaolin by acid solution increased the microwave absorption and hence de-alumination of kaolinite.
Clay mineralogy in southern Africa river muds
Authors: Setti M. , Lόpez-Galindo A. , Padoan M. , Garzanti E. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe composition, morphology and crystal order of clay minerals in silt-sized sediments carried in suspensions from 25 major rivers across tropical southern Africa have been studied by X-ray diffractometry and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Our goal was to determine the spatial variability of clay-mineral associations in diverse geological settings, and in climatic conditions ranging from humid Angola and Zambia to hyperarid Namibia and the Kalahari. Specific attention was paid to the micromorphology and chemical composition of smectite particles. The relative abundance of smectites, illite/mica, kaolinite and chlorite enabled identification of regions characterized by different physical and chemical processes: (1) negligible chemical weathering is documented in Namibia, where river muds mostly contain illite/mica or smectite derived from Damara metasedimentary or Etendeka volcanic rocks; (2) kaolinite documenting intense weathering, reaches a maximum in the Okavango, Kwando and Upper Zambezi, sourced in subequatorial Angola and Zambia; (3) suspended-load muds in the Limpopo and middle Zambezi catchments display intermediate features, with varied assemblages and smectite compositions reflecting diverse parent lithologies. Clay mineralogy and chemical composition are confirmed as a most effective tool to unravel present and past climatic conditions on a continental scale.
Aberrant B-cell homeostasis in chronic GVHD
Authors: Sarantopoulos Stefanie , Ritz Jerome 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Recent studies have compelled further interest in the potential pathological role of B cells in chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). In patients with cGVHD, B cells are activated and primed for survival via B-cell activating factor and B-cell receptor–associated pathways. Understanding the signaling pathways that drive immune pathology in cGVHD will facilitate the development of new strategies to selectively target aberrantly activated B cells and restore normal B-cell homeostasis after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
Effect of high-dose dexamethasone on perioperative lactate levels and glucose control: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ottens Thomas H , Nijsten Maarten WN , Hofland Jan , Dieleman Jan M , Hoekstra Miriam , van Dijk Diederik , van der Maaten Joost MAA 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Introduction
Blood lactate levels are increasingly used to monitor patients. Steroids are frequently administered to critically ill patients. However, the effect of steroids on lactate levels has not been adequately investigated. We studied the effect of a single intraoperative high dose of dexamethasone on lactate and glucose levels in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods
The Dexamethasone for Cardiac Surgery (DECS) trial was a multicenter randomized trial on the effect of dexamethasone 1 mg/kg versus placebo on clinical outcomes after cardiac surgery in adults. Here we report a pre-planned secondary analysis of data from DECS trial participants included at the University Medical Center Groningen. The use of a computer-assisted glucose regulation protocol—Glucose Regulation for Intensive care Patients (GRIP)—was part of routine postoperative care. GRIP aimed at glucose levels of 4 to 8 mmol/L. Primary outcome parameters were area under the lactate and glucose curves over the first 15 hours of ICU stay (AUC15). ICU length of stay and mortality were observed as well.

Results
The primary outcome could be determined in 497 patients of the 500 included patients. During the first 15 hours of ICU stay, lactate and glucose levels were significantly higher in the dexamethasone group than in the placebo group: lactate AUC15 25.8 (13.1) versus 19.9 (11.2) mmol/L × hour, P <0.001 and glucose AUC15 126.5 (13.0) versus 114.4 (13.9) mmol/L × hour, P <0.001. In this period, patients in the dexamethasone group required twice as much insulin compared with patients who had received placebo. Multivariate and cross-correlation analyses suggest that the effect of dexamethasone on lactate levels is related to preceding increased glucose levels. Patients in the placebo group were more likely to stay in the ICU for more than 24 hours (39.2%) compared with patients in the dexamethasone group (25.0%, P = 0.001), and 30-day mortality rates were 1.6% and 2.4%, respectively (P = 0.759).

Conclusions
Intraoperative high-dose dexamethasone increased postoperative lactate and glucose levels in the first 15 hours of ICU stay. Still, patients in the dexamethasone group had a shorter ICU length of stay and similar mortality compared with controls.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00293592. Registered 16 February 2006.
A gilded cage is still a cage: Cheshire West
widens ‘deprivation of liberty’
Authors: Penny Catherine , Exworthy Tim 
Published: February 2015

SummaryThe Supreme Court's recent judgment in Cheshire West has
clarified, and broadened, the legal definition of deprivation of liberty,
with the new definition reflecting the fact that human rights apply to
everyone in the same way. The widely criticised Deprivation of Liberty
Safeguards need to be replaced: recommendations for reform are set out.
Anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis presenting with catatonia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome in patients with intellectual disability and autism
Authors: Kiani Reza , Lawden Mark , Eames Penelope , Critchley Peter , Bhaumik Sabyasachi , Odedra Sunita , Gumber Rohit 
Published: February 2015

SummaryWe report anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis in two patients with autism and intellectual disability presenting with neuropsychiatric symptoms of catatonia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Case reports such as these help raise awareness of this clinical issue. By paving the way for earlier diagnoses they ultimately maximise the potential for curative treatments and prevention of long-term complications.
The planning, implementation and publication of a complex intervention trial for chronic fatigue syndrome: the PACE trial
Authors: White Peter D. , Chalder Trudie , Sharpe Michael 
Published: February 2015

SummaryThe PACE trial was a four-arm trial of specialist medical care, compared with specialist medical care with a supplementary therapy: adaptive pacing therapy, cognitive–behavioural therapy or graded exercise therapy, for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. The trial found that both cognitive–behavioural and graded exercise therapies were more effective than either of the other two treatments in reducing fatigue and improving physical disability. This paper describes the design, conduct and main results of the trial, along with a description of the challenges that had to be overcome in order to produce clear answers to the clinically important questions the trial posed.
The Creation of a Social Problem: Youth Culture, Drugs, and Politics in Cold War Argentina
Authors: Manzano Valeria 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis essay explores how a drug problem was manufactured in Cold War Argentina. Unlike in some of its South American neighbors, in Argentina most authorities until the late 1960s did not believe that the country had a serious drug problem, though previous episodes regarding drug usage in the interwar period, explored here, had defined the medical contours of toxicomanía (addiction). But as the 1970s progressed, new legislation framed the drug problem as one of national security, proscribing illicit drug distribution, penalizing consumers, and authorizing federal police to closely monitor areas of youth sociability. Promoted by a diverse team of new experts and in cooperation with US antidrug agencies, the campaign helped create a link between youth, deviance, and subversion, which supposedly corroded the national body. Drugs were defined in repressive terms before the military imposed its dramatic dictatorship in 1976, making drugs a lasting issue in modern Argentine politics.
Synergy Effect of Photoabsorption due to Band-gap Excitation and Surface Plasmon Resonance on Selective Photocatalytic Oxidation of Alcohols to Ketones and Aldehydes over Silver-deposited Silver Iodide
Authors: Nishino Yuri , Tanaka Atsuhiro , Hashimoto Keiji , Kominami Hiroshi 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Two kinds of photoabsorption of Ag-deposited silver iodide (AgI) due to band-gap excitation of AgI and surface plasmon resonance of Ag particles each contributed to photocatalytic partial oxidation of alcohol, and a synergy effect on the reaction rate was observed when two kinds of light were simultaneously irradiated on Ag–AgI.
The effectiveness of business incubators as the element of the universities’ spin-off strategy in Russia
Authors: Rogova Elena 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
The common vision on business incubators considers them as an important part of the regional innovation infrastructure, with a special mission of innovation-based start-ups support and eco-systems creation. It seems beyond question that business incubators are also important elements of the universities’ system of technology transfer. University researchers and students create spin-off companies to commercialize valuable R&D results, while universities are interested in profits and knowledge sharing and, thus, nurture these spin-off companies via business incubators. Despite the prevalence of this vision, the problem of business incubators effectiveness assessment is not solved in a systematic way. One of the reasons is the diversity of models and institutional contexts in which business incubators act. In this article the system of performance indicators for universities, establishing business incubators, has been proposed. To develop this system, a questionnaire survey was conducted. A real options-driven approach is used for criteria selection.
Reasonable diagnostic pathways in disorders of sex development1)
Authors: Hiort Olaf 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Disorders of sex development or “DSD” describe a heterogeneous group of abnormalities of sexual determination and differentiation. This may be caused by chromosomal as well as monogenic aberrations, which may lead either primarily or through endocrine mechanisms to abnormal sexual development. Laboratory investigations play an important role in the diagnostic process. However, special analytical methods have to be taken into account and the usual reference intervals do not apply. Therefore, laboratory results should be interpreted in a specialized center in context with clinical and imaging findings. Furthermore, molecular genetic analysis can be performed for several entities. In a majority of cases, however, a definitive diagnosis is not possible even today. Therefore, management by a highly specialized multidisciplinary team is necessary for stringent diagnosis, prognosis and overall therapeutic decision-making. The team must include physicians from different subspecialties as well as psychosocial experts to counsel patients and their families appropriately.