bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of body mass index on oncological outcomes in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma treated with radical nephroureterectomy
Authors: Liu Jian‐Ye , Li Yong‐Hong , Liu Zhou‐Wei , Zhang Zhi‐Ling , Ye Yun‐Lin , Yao Kai , Jiang Li‐Juan , Han Hui , Qin Zi‐Ke , Zhou Fang‐Jian 
Published: August 2013

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between body mass index and oncological outcomes in Chinese patients who had undergone radical nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.MethodsBetween August 1998 and October 2009, 236 consecutive Chinese patients underwent radical nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma at Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center (Guangzhou, China). Body mass index data were available for 230 (97.5%) of these patients. All 230 patients were classified into three groups according to the body mass index criteria for Asians, issued by the Asia Cohort Consortium: underweight, body mass index <18.5 kg/m2 (n = 21, 9.1%); normal weight, body mass index ≥18.5 and <25 kg/m2 (n = 151, 65.7%); and obesity, body mass index ≥25 kg/m2, (n = 58, 25.2%). Spearman's rank correlation, Kaplan–Meier plots and Cox proportional hazards regression model were used to analyze the data.ResultsBeing underweight was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.017) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (P = 0.003). Univariate analysis showed recurrence‐free survival and cancer‐specific survival were significantly worse in underweight patients than in patients with normal weight or obese patients. After adjustments for other clinicopathological variables, multivariate analysis confirmed that recurrence‐free survival and cancer‐specific survival were significantly worse in underweight patients than in patients with normal weight or obese patients (recurrence‐free survival P = 0.014, cancer‐specific survival P = 0.015).ConclusionsPreoperative underweight is an independent predictor of unfavorable recurrence‐free survival and cancer‐specific survival in Chinese patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma treated by radical nephroureterectomy, whereas obesity is associated with superior recurrence‐free survival and cancer‐specific survival. Further studies, including a multi‐institutional, prospective, Asian cohort study, are required to confirm these findings.
Dorsal onlay (Barbagli technique) versus dorsal inlay (Asopa technique) buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty for anterior urethral stricture: A prospective randomized study
Authors: Aldaqadossi Hussein , El Gamal Samir , El‐Nadey Mohamed , El Gamal Osama , Radwan Mohamed , Gaber Mohamed 
Published: August 2013

ObjectiveTo compare both the dorsal onlay technique of Barbagli and the dorsal inlay technique of Asopa for the management of long anterior urethral stricture.MethodsFrom January 2010 to May 2012, a total of 47 patients with long anterior urethral strictures were randomized into two groups. The first group included 25 patients who were managed by dorsal onlay buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty. The second group included 22 patients who were managed by dorsal inlay buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty. Different clinical parameters, postoperative complications and success rates were compared between both groups.ResultsThe overall success rate in the dorsal onlay group was 88%, whereas in the dorsal inlay group the success rate was 86.4% during the follow‐up period. The mean operative time was significantly longer in the dorsal onlay urethroplasty group (205 ± 19.63 min) than in the dorsal inlay urethroplasty group (128 ± 4.9 min, P‐value <0.0001). The average blood loss was significantly higher in the dorsal onlay urethroplasty group (228 ± 5.32 mL) than in the dorsal inlay urethroplasty group (105 ± 12.05 mL, P‐value <0.0001).ConclusionsThe dorsal onlay technique of Barbagli and the dorsal inlay technique of Asopa buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty provide similar success rates. The Asopa technique is easy to carry out, provides shorter operative time and less blood loss, and it is associated with fewer complications for anterior urethral stricture repair.
Modeling the association between sexual maturation, transmissible risk, and peer relationships during childhood and adolescence on development of substance use disorder in young adulthood
Authors: Horner Michelle S. , Tarter Ralph , Kirisci Levent , Clark Duncan B. 
Published: August 2013

BackgroundThis prospective study investigated pubertal timing and transmissible risk in relation to affiliation with deviant peers on the development of substance use disorder (SUD).MethodParticipants were boys (N = 500) ascertained through proband fathers with (N = 250), and without (N = 250) DSM‐III‐R lifetime diagnosis of SUD who were prospectively tracked from age 10–12 to 22. Transmissible liability index (TLI), Tanner stage, peer delinquency, and substance use were measured at ages 10–12 and 16. SUD diagnosis during early adulthood was determined.ResultsStructural equation modeling revealed two pathways in which transmissible risk and sexual maturation influenced development of SUD. In the first pathway, transmissible risk was correlated with and prospectively predicted affiliation with deviant peers and substance use presaging SUD. In the second pathway, advanced sexual maturation positively predicted affiliation with deviant peers and substance use, which in turn predicted SUD. However, transmissible risk was not associated with pubertal development.ConclusionThese findings indicate that advanced sexual maturation and transmissible risk constitute unrelated facets of SUD liability; however, both factors bias development toward SUD via affiliation with deviant peers.Scientific SignificanceYouth with advanced sexual maturation and/or transmissible risk for SUD are at higher risk for developing SUD. Additional research is needed to determine if addressing these risk factors will contribute to advancements in SUD prevention. (Am J Addict 2013;22:474–480)
Expanded Vermiculite/Paraffin Composite as a Solar Thermal Energy Storage Material
Authors: Li Chuanchang , Yang Huaming 
Published: August 2013

A solar thermal energy storage material was prepared from expanded vermiculite (EVM) and paraffin by vacuum impregnation. Samples were characterized by thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry (TG‐DSC), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), petrographic analysis, and thermal conductivity measurements. The results indicated that EVM existed as a phlogopite structure in the EVM/paraffin composite. The composite latent heat was 137.6 J/g at the freezing temperature of 52.5°C and 135.5 J/g at the melting temperature of 48.0°C, when the paraffin content was 67%. The phlogopite structure of EVM benefited paraffin heat transfer because the composite exhibited a thermal conductivity of 0.545 W·(m·K)−1 higher than that of paraffin. Morphology and structural changes of EVM during composite preparation were investigated. The composite exhibited excellent thermal stability and has potential application in solar thermal energy storage and solar heating.
Breastfeeding Rates and the Relationship Between Breastfeeding and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome in Women Maintained on Buprenorphine During Pregnancy
Authors: O'Connor Alane B. , Collett Abigail , Alto William A. , O'Brien Liam M. 
Published: August 2013

IntroductionAlthough a growing body of evidence suggests that buprenorphine is a safe alternative to methadone in the treatment of opioid‐dependent pregnant women, little is known about breastfeeding in this population. The first objective of this study was to describe breastfeeding rates among opioid‐dependent pregnant women maintained on buprenorphine in an integrated medical and behavioral health program. The second objective was to determine whether breastfeeding is related to the duration, severity, and frequency of pharmacologic treatment for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).MethodsA retrospective chart review was conducted for all infants born to opioid‐dependent pregnant women treated in the integrated buprenorphine program between December 2007 and August 2012.ResultsEighty‐five maternal‐infant pairs were identified. Sixty‐five women (76%) chose to breastfeed their infants after birth; of the women who initiated breastfeeding in the hospital, 66% were still breastfeeding 6 to 8 weeks postpartum. Although the data suggest that infants who were breastfed had less severe NAS (mean peak NAS, 8.83 vs 9.65 on a modified Finnegan Scoring System) and were less likely to require pharmacologic treatment (23.1% vs 30.0%) than infants who were not breastfed, these results were not statistically significant.DiscussionMore than three‐quarters of the opioid‐dependent pregnant women in this case series chose to breastfeed after birth. Although a direct comparison of care models is not possible, the integrated model of care potentially reduced some of the barriers to breastfeeding as the women accessed all their care in a single, infant‐friendly setting. Further work is needed to definitively determine whether breastfeeding mitigates NAS.
Fire Sales in a Model of Complexity
Authors: CABALLERO RICARDO J. , SIMSEK ALP 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTWe present a model of financial crises that stem from endogenous complexity. We conceptualize complexity as banks' uncertainty about the financial network of cross exposures. As conditions deteriorate, cross exposures generate the possibility of a domino effect of bankruptcies. As this happens, banks face an increasingly complex environment since they need to understand a greater fraction of the financial network to assess their own financial health. Complexity dramatically amplifies banks' perceived counterparty risk, and makes relatively healthy banks reluctant to buy risky assets. The model also features a novel complexity externality.
Sources of Entropy in Representative Agent Models
Authors: BACKUS DAVID , CHERNOV MIKHAIL , ZIN STANLEY 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTWe propose two data‐based performance measures for asset pricing models and apply them to models with recursive utility and habits. Excess returns on risky securities are reflected in the pricing kernel's dispersion and riskless bond yields are reflected in its dynamics. We measure dispersion with entropy and dynamics with horizon dependence, the difference between entropy over several periods and one. We compare their magnitudes to estimates derived from asset returns. This exercise reveals tension between a model's ability to generate one‐period entropy, which should be large, and horizon dependence, which should be small.
The Recovery Theorem
Authors: ROSS STEVE 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTWe can only estimate the distribution of stock returns, but from option prices we observe the distribution of state prices. State prices are the product of risk aversion—the pricing kernel—and the natural probability distribution. The Recovery Theorem enables us to separate these to determine the market's forecast of returns and risk aversion from state prices alone. Among other things, this allows us to recover the pricing kernel, market risk premium, and probability of a catastrophe and to construct model‐free tests of the efficient market hypothesis.
Where do We Go From Here? New Perspectives on the Black Box in Strategic Human Resource Management Research
Authors: Jiang Kaifeng , Takeuchi Riki , Lepak David P. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe main objective of the present research is to briefly review the strategic human resource management (HRM) literature from multilevel theoretical perspectives to summarize what we know about mediating mechanisms in the HR–performance relationship. By doing so, we highlight future research needs to advance theoretical understanding of the ‘black box’ in strategic HRM research. Furthermore, by offering additional theoretical perspectives that can be used to understand the mediating mechanisms at different levels, we suggest future research directions that capture the complexities associated with strategic HRM through a multilevel theoretical lens. Implications of the model are discussed.
Methodological Wishes for the Next Decade and How to Make Wishes Come True
Authors: Aguinis Herman , Edwards Jeffrey R. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractWe discuss seven methodological improvements that would stimulate important advancements in management research. We refer to these improvements as ‘wishes’ that we hope will materialize within the next decade. To promote the implementation of these improvements, we offer concrete and actionable recommendations that researchers can apply when designing and conducting empirical research and that journal editors and reviewers can consider when evaluating manuscripts for publication. These improvements address: (1) accelerating theoretical progress; (2) improving the construct validity of measures; (3) strengthening causal inferences; (4) incorporating multilevel design, measurement, and analysis; (5) balancing trade‐offs between internal and external validity, (6) understanding the nature and impact of outliers; and (7) offering a realistic and useful description of a study's limitations.
Shared and Unshared Barriers to Cancer Symptom Management Among Urban and Rural American Indians
Authors: Itty Tracy Line , Hodge Felicia Schanche , Martinez Fernando 
Published: August 2013

AbstractPurposeBefore the end of the 20th century, American Indians (AIs) primarily resided in nonmetropolitan areas. Shifting demographic trends have led to a majority of AIs now living in urban areas, leading to new health care barriers for AIs. AIs experience the poorest survival from all cancers combined compared to all other racial groups. Identifying and classifying barriers to cancer care may facilitate supportive interventions and programs to improve access and treatment.MethodsA 5‐year cancer symptom management project targeted AIs in the Southwest. The first phase of the randomized clinical trial consisted of 13 focus groups (N = 126) of cancer patients/survivors and their caregivers. Discussions explored existing and perceived barriers and facilitators to cancer symptom management and cancer treatment.FindingsSignificant barriers to cancer‐related care were found among urban AIs, as compared to their rural counterparts. Barriers were classified within 4 subgroups: (1) structural, (2) physical, (3) supportive, or (4) cultural. Urban AIs reported barriers that are both structural and physical (inadequate access to care and public transportation) and supportive (lack of support, resources and technology, and less access to traditional healing). Rural participants reported communication and culture barriers (language differences, illness beliefs, and low levels of cancer care knowledge), as well as unique structural, physical, and supportive barriers.ConclusionIt is important to identify and understand culturally and geographically influenced barriers to cancer treatment and symptom management. We provide recommendations for strategies to reduce health disparities for AIs that are appropriate to their region of residence and barrier type.
Effect of Intracavernous Administration of Angiopoietin-4 on Erectile Function in the Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mouse
Authors: Kwon Mi-Hye , Ryu Ji-Kan , Kim Woo Jean , Jin Hai-Rong , Song Kang-Moon , Kwon Ki-Dong , Batbold Dulguun , Yin Guo Nan , Koh Gou Young , Suh Jun-Kyu 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a highly prevalent complication of diabetes, and the severity of endothelial dysfunction is one of the most important factors in reduced responsiveness to oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors.

Aim
To study the effects of human angiopoietin-4 (Ang-4) protein on erectile function in diabetic mice.

Methods
Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin into 8-week-old C57BL/6J male mice. At 8 weeks after the induction of diabetes, the animals were divided into four groups: control nondiabetic mice and diabetic mice receiving two successive intracavernous injections of phosphate buffered saline (days −3 and 0), a single intracavernous injection of Ang-4 protein (day 0), or two successive intracavernous injections of Ang-4 protein (days −3 and 0).

Main Outcome Measures
One week after treatment, we measured erectile function by electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve. The penis was harvested and stained with hydroethidine or antibodies to Ang-4, platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, and phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). We also determined the differential expression of Ang-4 in cavernous tissue in the control and diabetic mice. The effect of Ang-4 protein on the phosphorylation of Tie-2, Akt, and eNOS was determined in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by Western blot.

Results
The cavernous expression of Ang-4 was downregulated in diabetic mice; Ang-4 was mainly expressed in endothelial cells. Local delivery of Ang-4 protein significantly increased cavernous endothelial content, induced eNOS phosphorylation, and decreased the generation of superoxide anion and apoptosis in diabetic mice. Ang-4 protein strongly increased the phosphorylation of Tie-2, Akt, and eNOS in HUVECs. Repeated intracavernous injections of Ang-4 induced significant restoration of erectile function in diabetic mice (87% of control values), whereas a single intracavernous injection of Ang-4 protein elicited modest improvement.

Conclusions
Cavernous endothelial regeneration by use of Ang-4 protein may have potential for the treatment of vascular disease-induced ED, such as diabetic ED.
Prediction of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic hepatitis C by non‐invasive liver fibrosis models
Authors: Chinnaratha Mohamed A. , Jeffrey Gary P. , MacQuillan Gerry , Rossi Enrico , de Boer Bastiaan W. , Speers David J. , Adams Leon A. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackground & AimsLiver fibrosis is prognostic of outcomes among patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). We evaluated the accuracy of non‐invasive markers and liver biopsy in predicting morbidity and mortality in CHC patients.MethodsCompensated CHC patients were evaluated over a 10‐year period. Non‐invasive markers including Hepascore, FIB‐4, APRI and liver biopsy results were retrospectively collated. Follow‐up morbidity and mortality data were obtained from the Western Australian Data Linkage System. The prognostic significance of baseline non‐invasive markers and biopsy were assessed using Kaplan–Meier analysis.ResultsA total of 406 subjects (64% male, mean age 48 ± 11 years) were followed up for 2385 person‐years, during which there were 22 (5.4%) deaths including 14 (3.4%) who died from liver disease or required liver transplantation. Sixteen (3.9%) subjects developed liver decompensation. Hepascore and liver biopsy (P < 0.005) but not APRI or FIB‐4 were predictive of overall and liver‐related mortality as well as liver decompensation. A Hepascore>0.5 was associated with increased overall mortality [Hazard Ratio (95%CI) 6.7 (2.6–17), P < 0.001], liver‐related mortality [32.8 (4.3–250), P = 0.001] and risk of future decompensation [11.8 (3.3–41), P < 0.001], whereas a Hepascore ≤0.5 was associated with a 99% probability of not dying from liver‐related causes over 10 years. Hepascore had comparable accuracy with liver biopsy in predicting liver‐related mortality with AUROC of 0.86 (95%CI 0.80–0.90) and 0.87 (0.79–0.96), respectively.ConclusionHepascore is predictive of overall and liver‐related mortality and morbidity in CHC patients with comparable accuracy to liver biopsy. Hepascore may be a useful prognostic marker in clinical practice.
Vertical zonation and aggregated distribution of the Manila clam on subtidal sand flats in a coastal brackish lagoon along the Sea of Japan
Authors: Yamada Katsumasa , Miyamoto Yasushi , Fujii Chisato , Yamaguchi Keiko , Hamaguchi Masami 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum, has maintained small‐sized populations in a semi‐enclosed brackish lake along the Sea of Japan, the Honjo area of Lake Nakaumi, although the environment and biota of this area have changed dramatically due to a large‐scale reclamation project. There should be underlying processes that enable the restoration of this species from small‐sized populations, such as the existence of source (i.e. reproductive) populations in other areas and depth zones of the lake. However, there has been no robust, properly designed evaluation of the distribution of the Manila clam in the subtidal sand flats. In order to elucidate the possible mechanisms that allow for the persistence of populations of the Manila clam, we examined the spatiotemporal and vertical variation in distributions of 0‐age clams in the subtidal zone of sand flats. Seasonal effects on population variations showed erratic changes among depth zones without a decreasing trend along the depth gradient. Further, many local populations became extinct even in the shallower zones due to seasonal (summer) hypoxia at deeper zones and hypoxia by the accumulation of key benthic species (Asian mussel and decaying macroalgae) in mats at shallower zones. A few surviving local populations were stable with a spatial‐fragmental (patchy) distribution, associated with fragmented accumulations of Asian mussels and macroalgae. Efforts to maintain stable populations and to restore this species in the subtidal area may depend on these small, restricted, patchy local populations. These findings suggest that high fertility and productivity of the Manila clam as well as patchy distribution of small populations may contribute to the maintenance of the population and the avoidance of extinction (by spatially diffusing the risk of extinction) in harsh environments resulting from the reclamation project.
Three‐dimensional microstructure of samples recovered from asteroid 25143 Itokawa: Comparison with LL5 and LL6 chondrite particles
Authors: Tsuchiyama Akira , Uesugi Masayuki , Uesugi Kentaro , Nakano Tsukasa , Noguchi Ryo , Matsumoto Toru , Matsuno Junya , Nagano Takashi , Imai Yuta , Shimada Akira , Takeuchi Akihisa , Suzuki Yoshio , Nakamura Tomoki , Noguchi Takaaki , Abe Masanao , Yada Toru , Fujimura Akio 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIn this study, the three‐dimensional (3‐D) microstructure of 48 Itokawa regolith particles was examined by synchrotron microtomography at SPring‐8 during the preliminary examination of Hayabusa samples. Moreover, the 3‐D microstructure of particles collected from two LL6 chondrites (Ensisheim and Kilabo meteorites) and an LL5 chondrite (Tuxtuac meteorite) was investigated by the same method for comparison. The modal abundances of minerals, especially olivine, bulk density, porosity, and grain size are similar in all samples, including voids and cracks. These results show that the Itokawa particles, which are surface materials from the S‐type asteroid Itokawa, are consistent with the LL chondrite materials in terms of not only elemental and isotopic composition of the minerals but also 3‐D microstructure. However, we could not determine whether the Itokawa particles are purely LL5, LL6, or a mixture of the two. No difference between the particles collected from Rooms A and B of the sample chamber, corresponding to the sampling sequence of the spacecraft's second and first touchdowns, respectively, was detected because of the statistically small amount of particles from Room B.