bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiation-induced brachial plexopathy in women treated for carcinoma of the breast
Authors: Fathers Edward , Thrush David , Huson Susan M , Norman Andrew 
Published: July 2002

Objectives: To study the clinical presentation and natural history of radiationinduced brachial plexopathy in 33 women treated for carcinoma of the breast. Methods: All of the patients were referred to a single consultant neurologist. Details of surgical procedures, radiotherapy, symptoms at presentation and follow-up and neurological ”ndings were recorded. Patients were reviewed at six or 12 monthly intervals for 2–19 years (median 9.5 years). Investigations included blood tests, chest X-ray, bone scan, neurophysiological studies, computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine and cerebrospinal ‘uid examination. Results: Symptoms began from six months to 20 years after radiotherapy (median time 1.5 years). Progressive weakness was universal and resulted in loss of any useful hand function in all but three patients. The time taken to loss of useful hand function ranged from six weeks to ”ve years (median 1.25 years). Three patterns of upper limb weakness were identi”ed, distal limb weakness only (13 patients), global limb weakness that was more marked distally (11 patients), and completely ‘accid arm (10 patients). Seventeen patients required long-term morphine to palliate pain. A chemical sympathectomy beneted three patients. Conclusions: Most patients developed symptoms within three years, but late presentations 8–20 years later were encountered. Symptoms were progressive in all patients, though the rate did vary. Pain was common and persisted inde”nitely in all but one patient. Morphine was effective and should be used early and in adequate doses. Chemical sympathectomy provided sustained relief in three of six patients.
Functional gain of hip fracture patients in different cognitive and functional groups
Authors: Beloosesky Yichayaou , Grinblat Josef , Epelboym Boris , Weiss Avraham , Grosman Boris , Hendel David 
Published: July 2002

Objective: To follow up six months post hip fracture and to compare functional gain of patients in different cognitive and functional groups. Design: Prospective longitudinal study of hip fracture patients with functional evaluation pre-fracture, prior to discharge from orthopaedic department and one, three and six months post fracture. Setting: Department of Orthopaedics, Rabin Medical Center, Golda Campus with follow-up at Beit-Rivka Geriatric Rehabilitation Hospital, both in Petach Tikvah, Israel, with a minority of patients followed at home or nursing home. Measurement: Cognition evaluated by Mini-Mental State Examination, prefracture functioning by Functional Independence Measure and Katz Index of ADL. Functional outcome assessed by Functional Independence Measure gain defined as the difference between Functional Independence Measure scores at six months and just prior to discharge from the Department of Orthopaedics. Results: Moderately cognitively impaired and normal patients had the same Functional Independence Measure – A (self-care) and Functional Independence Measure – B (motor) gains. Pre-fracture independent patients had significantly higher Functional Independence Measure – A and Functional Independence Measure – B gains. A multiple regression analysis examining age, sex, Mini-Mental State Examination score, Katz score, type of fracture, surgery versus conservative treatment and the pre-fracture Functional Independence Measure score showed that only the pre-fracture Functional Independence Measure – B scores and Katz scores are the independent variables for motor and self-care gains, respectively. Conclusions: Pre-fracture motor and not cognitive level has been the most important predictive factor for motor gain after hip fracture. Cognitively impaired hip fracture patients can achieve and maintain the same motor functional gain as normal patients, if they were mobile pre-fracture.
Child Pedestrian Injury in an Urban Setting Descriptive Epidemiology
Authors: DiMaggio Charles , Durkin Maureen 
Published: July 2002

Abstract Objective: To describe the epidemiology of pedestrian injuries to children and adolescents (ages <20 years) in an urban setting, providing analyses of environmental and pedestrian variables. Methods: Anonymous data were obtained for all motor vehicle crashes occurring in New York City over a seven‐year period (1991‐1997). Results: Among 693,283 crashes, 97,245 resulted in injuries to 100,261 pedestrians, of whom 32,578 were under the age of 20. Using census counts for the denominator, the overall incidence of pediatric pedestrian injuries was 246/100,000 per year, and the case fatality rate was 0.6%. Incidence rates peaked in the 6‐14‐year age group, and showed a modest annual decline during the study period. Younger children were more likely to be struck mid‐block and during daylight hours, whereas adolescents were more likely to be struck at intersections and at night. For younger children, there was a sharp peak in incidence during the summer months. Road and weather conditions did not appear to affect injury risk. Conclusions: These results help identify priorities for child pedestrian injury prevention and education, inform public health policy, and direct emergency medical health services resource allocation.
Effects of Delaying Fluid Resuscitation on an Injury to the Systemic Arterial Vasculature
Authors: Holmes James F. , Sakles John C. , Lewis Greg , Wisner David H. 
Published: July 2002

Abstract. Objectives: To determine the effects of delaying fluid on the rate of hemorrhage and hemodynamic parameters in an injury involving the arterial system. Methods: Twenty‐one adult, anesthetized sheep underwent left anterior thoracotomy and transection of the left internal mammary artery. A chest tube was inserted into the thoracic cavity to provide a continuous measurement of blood loss. The animals were randomly assigned to one of three resuscitation protocols: 1) no fluid resuscitation (NR), 2) standard fluid resuscitation (SR) begun 15 minutes after injury, or 3) delayed fluid resuscitation (DR) begun 30 minutes after injury. All of the animals in the two resuscitation groups received 60 mL/kg of lactated Ringer's solution over 30 minutes. Blood loss and hemodynamic parameters were measured throughout the experiment. Results: Total hemorrhage volume (mean ± SD) at the end of the experiment was significantly lower (p = 0.006) in the NR group (1,499 ± 311 mL) than in the SR group (3,435 ± 721 mL) or the DR group (2,839 ± 1549 mL). Rate of hemorrhage followed changes in mean arterial pressure in all groups. Hemorrhage spontaneously ceased significantly sooner (p = 0.007) in the NR group (21 ± 14 minutes) and the DR group (20 ± 15 minutes) than in the SR group (54 ± 4 minutes). In the DR group, after initial cessation of hemorrhage, hemorrhage recurred in five of six animals (83%) with initiation of fluid resuscitation. Maximum oxygen (O2) delivery in each group after injury was as follows: 101 ± 34 mL O2/kg/min at 45 minutes in the DR group, 51 ± 20 mL O2/kg/min at 30 minutes in the SR group, and 35 ± 8 mL O2/kg/min at 60 minutes in the NR group. Conclusions: Rates of hemorrhage from an arterial injury are related to changes in mean arterial pressure. In this animal model, early aggressive fluid resuscitation in penetrating thoracic trauma exacerbates total hemorrhage volume. Despite resumption of hemorrhage from the site of injury, delaying fluid resuscitation results in the best hemodynamic parameters.
Response Time Effectiveness:Comparison of Response Time and Survival in an Urban Emergency Medical Services System
Authors: Blackwell Thomas H. , Kaufman Jay S. 
Published: July 2002

Abstract. Emergency medical services (EMS) administrators seek methods to enhance system performance. One component scrutinized is the response time (RT) interval between call receipt and arrival on scene. While reducing RTs may improve survival, this remains speculative and unreported. Objective: To determine the effect of current RTs on survival in an urban EMS system. Methods: The study was conducted in a metropolitan county (population 620,000). The EMS system is a single‐tier, paramedic service and provides all service requests. The 90% fractile RT specifications required for county compliance include 10:59 minutes for emergency life‐threatening calls (priority I) and 12:59 minutes for emergency non‐life‐threatening calls (priority II). All emergency responses resulting in a priority I or priority II transport to a Level 1 trauma center emergency department over a six‐month period were evaluated to determine the relation between specified and arbitrarily assigned RTs and survival. Results: Five thousand, four hundred twenty‐four transports were reviewed. Of these, 71 patients did not survive (1.31%; 95% CI = 1.04% to 1.67%). No significant difference in median RTs between survivors (6.4 min) and nonsurvivors (6.8 min) was noted (p = 0.10). Further, there was no significant difference between observed and expected deaths (p = 0.14). However, mortality risk was 1.58% for patients whose RT exceeded 5 minutes, and 0.51% for those whose RT was under 5 minutes (p = 0.002). The mortality risk curve was generally flat over RT intervals exceeding 5 minutes. Conclusions: In this observational study, emergency calls where RTs were less than 5 minutes were associated with improved survival when compared with calls where RTs exceeded 5 minutes. While variables other than time may be associated with this improved survival, there is little evidence in these data to suggest that changing this system's response time specifications to times less than current, but greater than 5 minutes, would have any beneficial effect on survival.
Atrasentan, an Endothelin-Receptor Antagonist for Refractory Adenocarcinomas: Safety and Pharmacokinetics
Authors: Carducci Michael A. , Nelson Joel B. , Kathy Bowling M. , Rogers Theresa , Eisenberger Mario A. , Sinibaldi Victoria , Donehower Ross , Leahy Terri L. , Carr Robert A. , Isaacson Jeffrey D. , Janus Todd J. , Andre Amy , Hosmane Balakrishna S. , Padley Robert J. 
Published: July 2002

PURPOSE: Endothelin receptors, particularly the ETA receptor, have been shown to participate in the pathophysiology of prostate and other cancers. Atrasentan, an endothelin antagonist, binds selectively to the ETA receptor. This study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and maximum-tolerated dose of atrasentan in cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who were 18 years or older and had histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma refractory to therapy enrolled in this 28-day, open-label, phase I study. Enrollment was planned for cohorts of three patients at doses escalating from 10 to 140 mg/d. When any patient had dose-limiting toxicity, that cohort was expanded. The primary outcome variable was safety; secondary outcome variables were pharmacokinetics, tumor response, and pain relief. RESULTS: Thirty-one cancer patients (14 prostate) were treated at daily atrasentan doses of 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, and 75 mg (n = 3 to 8 per cohort). The most common adverse events, such as rhinitis, headache, asthenia, and peripheral edema, were reversible on drug discontinuation and responded to symptom-specific treatment. Reversible hemodilution was apparent in laboratory findings and weight gain. Clinically significant headache was the dose-limiting adverse event; the maximum-tolerated dose was 60 mg/d. Pharmacokinetics were dose-proportional across the 10- to 75-mg dose range. Atrasentan was rapidly absorbed; the time to maximum observed concentration was approximately 1.5 hours. The terminal elimination half-life was approximately 24 hours, and steady-state plasma concentrations were achieved within 7 days. Decreases in prostate-specific antigen and pain relief were noted in a patient subset. CONCLUSION: Adverse events were consistent with atrasentan’s pharmacologic vasodilatory effect. Linear, dose-proportional pharmacokinetics suggest that atrasentan can be easily and consistently dosed.
Planned Dental Extractions After Radiation Therapy
Authors: Ward Matthew C. , Petersen Cathleen M. , Noll Jenene , Bernard Matthew S. , Kuremsky Jeffrey G. , Patel Anita , Baldwin Carrie , Morgan Jackson , Thakkar Vipul V. , Atlas Jennifer L. , Carrizosa Daniel R. , Prabhu Roshan , Moeller Benjamin J. , Milas Zvonimir L. , Brickman Daniel S. , Frenkel Catherine H. , Brennan Michael T. 
Published: August 2024

ImportanceNonrestorable teeth are recommended to be extracted prior to radiation therapy (RT). Occasionally, preradiation extractions introduce unacceptable delays in treatment initiation. Planned dental extractions immediately postradiation presents an alternative strategy, though outcomes are uncertain.ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and safety of dental extractions immediately postradiation.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsA prospective cohort study including patients planned for curative-intent RT but unable or unwilling to proceed with 1 or more extractions recommended pretreatment was carried out. From January 2020 to September 2022, 58 patients were screened and 50 enrolled. The dental care was performed at a single academic department and the cancer care at regional centers. Analysis took place between September 22, 2023, and June 10, 2024.ExposureOn completion of RT, patients were recommended to complete extractions as soon as feasible, and ideally within 4 months.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary end point was the actuarial cumulative incidence of exposed alveolar bone noted by any practitioner at any time after extraction, calculated using Gray method with death as a competing risk. As a pilot study, no formal power calculation was performed; resources allowed for 50 evaluable patients.ResultsAmong the 50 participants enrolled, RT was nonoperative for 32 patients (64%) and postoperative for 18 patients (36%). Intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) was delivered in all patients. Of the 50 patients, 20 (40%) declined dental extractions immediately postradiation and the remaining 30 (60%) underwent a median (range) of 8.5 (1-28) extractions at a median (range) of 64.5 (13-152) days after RT. The median (IQR) follow-up for survivors without exposed bone was 26 (17-35) months from the end of RT. The 2-year cumulative incidence of any exposed bone was 27% (95% CI, 14%-40%). The 2-year incidence of exposed bone for those who underwent dental extractions immediately postradiation was 40% (95% CI, 22%-58%) and 7% (95% CI, 0%-22%) for those who did not. Of the 13 who developed exposed bone: 4 resolved, 1 was lost to follow-up, and 8 were confirmed as osteoradionecrosis.Conclusions and RelevanceThis cohort study found that postradiation dental extractions incur considerable risk, even if performed within a 4-month window.
Better environments for better AI
Authors: Keren Sarah 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMost AI research focuses exclusively on the AI agent itself, that is, given some input, what are the improvements to the agent's reasoning that will yield the best possible output? In my research, I take a novel approach to increasing the capabilities of AI agents via the use of AI to design the environments in which they are intended to act. My methods identify the inherent capabilities and limitations of AI agents and find the best way to modify their environment in order to maximize performance. With this agenda in mind, I describe here several research projects that vary in their objective, in the AI methodologies that are applied for finding optimal designs, and in the real‐world applications to which they correspond. I also discuss how the different projects fit within my overarching objective of using AI to promote effective multi‐agent collaboration and to enhance the way robots and machines interact with humans.
Consumer choice of compromise option and activated styles of thinking: Experimental evidence
Authors: Choi Byung‐Joon 
Published: August 2024

AbstractChoice preferences for the compromise option are one common way to make decisions which has received a great deal of research attention to seek a richer understanding of consumers' product choices. Prior research has focused on investigating the various factors underlying the compromise choice. Given that the literature on cognitive style provides considerable evidence of how a holistic‐analytic thinking style influences consumers' decision‐making processes, this article applies an individual‐differences perspective to examine the influence of consumers' situationally activated styles of thinking on their choice of compromise option. We conduct two separate experimental studies in Korea and in France, as representatives of holistic‐and analytic‐thinking culture, respectively, and identify whether priming consumers to think either holistically or analytically induces the shift in their thinking tendencies and consequently in their choice behavior. The results demonstrate a significant interaction between consumers' culture and the priming condition; French consumers have a greater tendency to select compromise option in holistic‐prime condition, while Korean consumers have a lower tendency to select compromise option in analytic‐prime condition. Contributing to literature not only on compromise choice, but also on priming effects of thinking style, the findings provide useful managerial insights into implementing effective global strategies for compromise‐option product ranges.
A Bayesian transfer sparse identification method for nonlinear ARX systems
Authors: Zhang Kang , Luan Xiaoli , Ding Feng , Liu Fei 
Published: August 2024

SummaryIn this paper, we design a transfer sparse identification algorithm under the Bayesian framework through introducing other system knowledge into the system to be identified. This method provides a new identification solution for a nonlinear autoregressive model with exogenous inputs (NARX). The estimates of the transferred parameters are calculated by adding the transfer correction term to the un‐transferred estimates. To achieve this, a joint prior distribution is devised for the parameters, ultimately enhancing the efficient utilization of existing data, reducing the reliance on new data, and achieving more accurate identification. The maximized marginal likelihood method is used to find the transfer gain and the transfer information matrix in the transfer correction term. Meanwhile, in order to make the algorithm automatically adapt to different data, we design an automatic structure detection method based on the transfer framework. The method automatically determines the sparsity threshold based on the maximum inter‐class variance. Two examples are provided to demonstrate the advantages of our algorithm.
Edible and Biodegradable Wearable Capacitive Pressure Sensors: A Paradigm Shift toward Sustainable Electronics with Bio‐Based Materials
Authors: Basarir Fevzihan , Haj Yazan Al , Zou Fangxin , De Swarnalok , Nguyen An , Frey Alexander , Haider Ijlal , Sariola Veikko , Vapaavuori Jaana 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis study presents a significant advancement in sustainable electronics, introducing an innovative capacitive‐type wearable pressure sensor crafted entirely from edible and biodegradable biomaterials. The sensor's constituents, encompassing the substrate, electrode, and dielectric elements, are obtained using edible and renewable sources, specifically cellulose and pectin. Leveraging their non‐metallic properties, these materials facilitate natural biodegradation, effectively reducing the environmental impact of electronic waste. Employing green chemistry principles during material preparation ensures the exclusion of critical raw materials. The resulting sensors showcase a versatile pressure detection range, from subtle pressures of 100 Pa to a maximum threshold of 100 kPa. Demonstrating a sensitivity of 0.0294 kPa−1 in the subtle pressure regime, the sensors exhibit a low detection limit of 10 Pa and a fast response time of 118 ms. The sensors exhibited notable repeatability and robustness, enduring over 10 000 loading‐unloading cycles without succumbing to fatigue. Applied in real‐time human motion detection, the sensors prove their potential applicability. In a biodegradability assessment, all sensor elements exhibit rapid degradation by various fungi, marking a significant stride toward a high‐performance, edible, and wearable capacitive pressure sensor that can be deposited as biowaste at the end of its lifecycle.
Antibiotic TMA (Therapeutic Methacrylic) Comonomers: Synergizing Mechanical Integrity with Infection Control in Bone Cement
Authors: Singh Juhi , Mandell Jonathan B. , Scheidt Josef , Orlando Jason D. , Kadir Jacob C. , Ribnick Whitney B. , Brothers Kimberly M. , Urish Kenneth L. , Sydlik Stefanie A. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBone infections are common complications of joint replacement surgeries. Standard antibiotic therapies often fail due to compromised blood supply and bacterial growth on prosthetics. Currently, localized antibiotic delivery is accomplished by antibiotic‐loaded bone cements (ALBCs). However, ALBCs lack the required mechanical strength. To address these limitations, therapeutic gentamicin methacrylic comonomers (gMAs) are developed. These comonomers use a methacrylic carbonyl bond for hydrolytically controlled drug release, and actively contribute to poly (methyl methacrylate) cement curing, enhancing strength. Structure‐property relationships evaluate mechanical properties of fresh and aged cements, release behavior, and antibacterial performance with respect to type of tether bond, and gMA loading percentage (3–10%). gMA‐loaded cements match clinical strength, even at 10% loading, with threefold higher drug release than ALBCs. In vitro studies show effective biofilm inhibition when challenged with E. coli and B. subtilis for 7 days. Initial in vivo testing of gMA‐loaded cement against methicillin resistant S. aureus reveals a notable decrease in bacterial count on both implant surface and in femur homogenate, surpassing the impact observed with systemic antibiotic treatment in mice. This innovative approach shows promise to transform the treatment of implant‐associated infections by providing bone cements that are both mechanically robust and able to treat infections.
Control Over the Non‐Classical Crystallization of Calcium Sulfate by Rationally Selected Self‐Assembling Peptides
Authors: Madeja Benjamin , Wilke Patrick , Ott Andreas , Rückel Markus , Van Driessche Alexander E. S. , Kellermeier Matthias 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn a recent study, we have used phage display screening to identify peptide motifs with strong and selective affinity to bind to the surfaces of gypsum, an inorganic mineral of high abundance in geo(bio)chemical environments and large‐scale industrial use for construction purposes. The goal of the present work was to investigate the influence of such engineered peptides on the formation of gypsum crystals under different conditions. To establish a holistic picture, the previously discovered multi‐stage mineralization pathway of gypsum was scrutinized in detail by a combination of complementary characterization techniques, including potentiometric titration and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. The results provide clear evidence that the added peptide interferes with practically all precursor and intermediate species on the way from dissolved ions to solid crystals. Key to this multifunctional behavior is the self‐assembly of the peptides to filamentous colloidal aggregates in the presence of calcium ions, which depends on peptide molecular weight and related changes in secondary structure formation. Overall, the findings made in this work highlight the potential of biotechnological selection techniques for the design of advanced concepts for crystallization control, including supramolecular peptide self‐assembly as a principle known from natural biomineralization and of utmost value for bioinspired material science.