bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic impact of postoperative radiation in patients undergoing radical esophagectomy for pathologic lymph node positive esophageal cancer
Authors: Xu Yaping , Liu Jinshi , Du Xianghui , Sun Xiaojiang , Zheng Yuanda , Chen Jianxiang , Li Bo , Liu Wei , Jiang Hao , Mao Weimin 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Purpose
Though postoperative radiation for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is offered in selected cases, there is conflicting evidence as to whether it improves overall survival (OS). A retrospective investigation was performed to analyze the prognostic impact of postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) in a large cohort of patients.

Methods
From 2001 to 2009, 725 patients underwent radical esophagectomy (R0) with or without PORT were eligible for retrospective analysis. Patients were grouped into surgery alone (n = 467) and surgery plus PORT (n = 258). Median irradiation doses were 50 Gy (range: 40-56 Gy). Radiation fields encompassed the bilateral supraclavicular fossa, mediastinum, subcarinal area, and the tumor bed for the upper/middle-third disease; the bilateral supraclavicular fossa, mediastinum, the tumor bed, subcarinal area, and lower thoracic paraesophageal area for the lower-third disease. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis were used to compare OS.

Results
After median follow-up of 53 months, the median OS was 29 months in the PORT group and 23 months in the surgery alone group. The addition of PORT improved OS at 3 years from 36.6 to 43.6% compared with surgery alone. The use of PORT was associated with significantly improved OS (p = 0.018). For American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage III esophageal cancer (T1-2N2M0, T3N1-2M0, T4N1-3M0), there was significant improvement in OS (p = 0.002) in the PORT group, not only for lymph-node metastatic ratio (LNMR) ≥0.25 (p = 0.001), but also for LNMR <0.25 (p = 0.043). However, for stage IIB disease (T1-2N1M0) there was no significant differences. The addition of POCT didn’t prolong the OS significantly (Surgery alone group, p = 0.079; PORT group, p = 0.111).

Conclusions
This large retrospective analysis supports the use of PORT for pathologic lymph node positive stage III esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Given the retrospective nature of this study, the results should be confirmed by appropriately powered randomized trials. Further development of adjuvant therapy in EC is warranted.
The SFT-1 and OXA-1 respiratory chain complex assembly factors influence lifespan by distinct mechanisms in C. elegans
Authors: Maxwell Sara , Harding Joanne , Brabin Charles , Appleford Peter J , Brown Ruth , Delaney Carol , Brown Garry , Woollard Alison 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundC. elegansmitochondrial (Mit) mutants have disrupted mitochondrial electron transport chain function, yet, surprisingly, they are often long-lived, a property that has offered unique insights into the molecular mechanisms of aging. In this study, we examine the phenotypic consequences of reducing the expression of the respiratory chain complex assembly factorssft-1(homologous to humanSURF1) andoxa-1(homologous to humanOXA1)by RNA interference (RNAi). Mutations in humanSURF1are associated with Leigh syndrome, a neurodegenerative condition of the brain caused by cytochrome oxidase (COX) deficiency. Both SURF1 and OXA1 are integral proteins of the inner mitochondrial membrane, functioning in the COX assembly pathway.ResultsRNAi of both of these genes inC. elegansis associated with increased longevity, but the mechanism by which lifespan is extended is different in each case.sft-1(RNAi)animals display lifespan extension that is dependent on thedaf-16insulin-like signaling pathway, and associated with sensitivity to oxidative stress.oxa-1(RNAi)animals, in contrast, exhibit increased longevity that is at least partially independent ofdaf-16, and associated with a reduced developmental rate and increased resistance to oxidative stress.ConclusionsThis study further delineates the consequences of mitochondrial dysfunction within a whole organism that will ultimately help provide new models for human mitochondrial-associated diseases. The difference in phenotype observed upon down-regulation of these two COX assembly factors, as well as phenotypic differences between these factors and other respiratory chain components analyzed thus far, illustrates the complex inter-relationships that exist among energy metabolism, reproduction and aging even in this simplest of metazoan model organisms.
Dysfunction of the mTOR pathway is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Yates Sharon C , Zafar Amen , Hubbard Paul , Nagy Sheila , Durant Sarah , Bicknell Roy , Wilcock Gordon , Christie Sharon , Esiri Margaret M , Smith A David , Nagy Zsuzsanna 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe development of disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s disease is hampered by our lack of understanding of the early pathogenic mechanisms and the lack of early biomarkers and risk factors.We have documented the expression pattern of mTOR regulated genes in the frontal cortex of Alzheimer’s disease patients. We have also examined the functional integrity of mTOR signaling in peripheral lymphocytes in Alzheimer’s disease patients relative to healthy controls.ResultsIn the brain mTOR is seen to control molecular functions related to cell cycle regulation, cell death and several metabolic pathways. These downstream elements of the mTOR signaling cascade are deregulated in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease patients well before the development of pathology. This dysregulation of the mTOR downstream signaling cascade is not restricted to the brain but appears to be systemic and can be detected in peripheral lymphocytes as a reduced Rapamycin response.ConclusionsThe dysfunction of the signaling pathways downstream of mTOR may represent a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and is independent of the ApoE status of the patients.We have also identified the molecular substrates of the beneficial effects of Rapamycin on the nervous system. We believe that these results can further inform the development of clinical predictive tests for the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in patients with mild cognitive impairment.
Grand canonical ensemble of the extended two-site Hubbard model via a nonextensive distribution
Authors: Reyes Navarro Felipe Américo , Torres-Tapia Eusebio Castor , Peña Pedro Pacheco 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
We hereby introduce a research about a grand canonical ensemble for the extended two-site Hubbard model, that is, we consider the intersite interaction term in addition to those of the simple Hubbard model. To calculate the thermodynamical parameters, we utilize the nonextensive statistical mechanics; specifically, we perform the simulations of magnetic internal energy, specific heat, susceptibility, and thermal mean value of the particle number operator. We found out that the addition of the intersite interaction term provokes a shifting in all the simulated curves. Furthermore, for some values of the on-site Coulombian potential, we realize that, near absolute zero, the consideration of a chemical potential varying with temperature causes a nonzero entropy.

PACS

75.10.Jm, 05.30.-d, 65.80.+n
A comparative perspective on lipid storage in animals
Authors: Birsoy Kıvanç , Festuccia William T. , Laplante Mathieu 
Published: May 2013

Summary
Lipid storage is an evolutionary conserved process that exists in all organisms from simple prokaryotes to humans. In Metazoa, long-term lipid accumulation is restricted to specialized cell types, while a dedicated tissue for lipid storage (adipose tissue) exists only in vertebrates. Excessive lipid accumulation is associated with serious health complications including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Thus, significant advances have been made over the last decades to dissect out the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in adipose tissue formation and maintenance. Our current understanding of adipose tissue development comes from in vitro cell culture and mouse models, as well as recent approaches to study lipid storage in genetically tractable lower organisms. This Commentary gives a comparative insight into lipid storage in uni- and multi-cellular organisms with a particular emphasis on vertebrate adipose tissue. We also highlight the molecular mechanisms and nutritional signals that regulate the formation of mammalian adipose tissue.
Crystal-face Dependence of Photoinduced Hydrophilic Conversion on SrTiO3 Surfaces
Authors: Katsumata Ken-ichi , Okayasu Yuki , Matsushita Nobuhiro , Okada Kiyoshi 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
The photoinduced hydrophilicity of SrTiO3 single crystals with (100), (110), and (111) facets was investigated. The (100) and (111) facets had a higher hydrophilic conversion rate under UV irradiation than the (110) facet. This is attributed to an unstable O atom on the surface of the (100) and (111) facets. The crystal-face dependence of the hydrophilic conversion was weakened by repeated UV irradiation, which indicates that an irreversible structural change is caused on the SrTiO3 surface by UV irradiation.
One-pot Anatase TiO2 Nanocoating on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes via Liquid-phase Deposition Process
Authors: Sakemi Daisuke , Lee Hackkeun , Selyanchyn Roman , Lee Seung-Woo 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
The facile one-pot fabrication of anatase TiO2-coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) via a liquid-phase deposition process is demonstrated. Optimization of the deposition parameters of precursor concentration and reaction temperature was investigated for the achievement of a uniform titania coating on the surface of MWCNTs.
Credit Risk Spillovers Among Financial Institutions Around the Global Credit Crisis: Firm-Level Evidence
Authors: Yang Jian , Zhou Yinggang 
Published: May 2013

Using credit default swap data, we propose a novel empirical framework to identify the structure of credit risk networks across international major financial institutions around the recent global credit crisis. Specifically, we identify three groups of players, including prime senders, exchange centers, and prime receivers of credit risk information. Leverage ratios and, particularly, the short-term debt ratio appear to be significant determinants of the roles of financial institutions in credit risk transfer, while corporate governance indexes, size, liquidity, and asset write-downs are not significant. Our findings carry important implications for a new regulatory standard on capital subcharge and liquidity coverage ratio. This paper was accepted by Wei Jiang, finance.
The Impact of Acquisitions on the Performance of Existing Organizational Units in the Acquiring Firm: The Case of an Agribusiness Company
Authors: Mingo Santiago 
Published: May 2013

Companies frequently expand their production capacity through the acquisition of new organizational units. This study analyzes how the performance of existing units is affected by the acquisition of another unit. The research focuses on three mechanisms: managerial distraction, resource transfer, and knowledge sharing. These mechanisms are studied in the context of existing units and acquired units with different levels of proximity and similarity between them. Using a detailed data set from an agribusiness company, empirical analysis shows that after an acquisition event there is a temporary decrease in the performance of existing units that are geographically proximate to the acquired unit. Data analysis also shows that after an acquisition event there is an increase in the performance of existing units that have similar characteristics to the acquired unit. In this latter case, the rate of increase in performance diminishes over time. This research demonstrates that the acquisition of an organizational unit can have differing dynamic effects on different parts of the organization.This paper was accepted by Bruno Cassiman, business strategy.
A Influência dos Estilos de Aprendizagem e dos Valores Organizacionais na Gestão de Uma Rede Horizontal: Um Estudo à Luz do Comportamento Organizacional
Authors: Dias Valéria da Veiga , Maurer Angela , Schuster Marcelo da Silva , De Menezes Uiara Gonçalves 
Published: May 2013

O presente artigo busca responder de que forma percebe-se a relação e a influência entre estilos de aprendizagem e valores integrantes de uma rede horizontal. Entende-se como relevantes identificar os valores organizacionais atribuídos pelos participantes da rede, mapear os estilos de aprendizagem dos gestores e estabelecer relações entre os estilos de aprendizagem e os valores organizacionais. Para isso, trabalhou-se com dados primários de natureza quantitativa e qualitativa. Para a etapa quantitativa, utilizaram-se dois instrumentos: o inventário de perfil de valores organizacionais (TAMAYO, 2007), com o propósito de identificar valores dentro da rede, e o inventário de estilos de aprendizagem (KOLB, 1975), a fim de identificar quais são os estilos de aprendizagem existentes dentro da rede, e a etapa qualitativa teve como método de coleta a entrevista semiestruturada. Por meio dos resultados, nota-se que o estilo de aprendizagem convergente, predominante entre os gestores da rede, vem ao encontro do valor predominante apontado pelo grupo, que é a hierarquia, o que demonstra que boa parte do sucesso da rede pode ser conferida a essa afinidade e à existência de modelos mentais semelhantes. No entanto, cabe destacar que alguns valores devem ser desenvolvidos, conforme apontado pelos próprios gestores, para que um trabalho em rede possa ser mais bem desenvolvido, já que este tipo de estruturação permeia o entendimento interorganizacional e o pensamento humano e coletivo.Palvras-chave: valores; aprendizagem; rede.
Motivações para Implantar a Área Organizacional de Controladoria em Grandes Empresas
Authors: Beuren Ilse Maria , Gomes Ely do Carmo Oliveira , Luz Rodrigo Marciano da 
Published: May 2013

O estudo objetiva verificar os motivos que levaram grandes empresas a implantar a área organizacional controladoria e os benefícios decorrentes. Para tanto, foi realizada pesquisa descritiva por meio de uma survey, com abordagem quantitativa. Foram selecionadas as maiores empresas em faturamento da Região Sudeste, listadas na Revista Exame de 2008. Um questionário foi enviado de forma eletrônica ao controller ou o responsável pela controladoria destas empresas, e a amostra totalizou 18 empresas que responderam à pesquisa. Os resultados do estudo mostram que as motivações para as empresas implantarem a área organizacional de controladoria apontadas pelos respondentes da pesquisa foram: melhorar o processo de gestão; buscar a eficácia no sistema de informações; construir um sistema de informações para a gestão da empresa; manter iniciativa para atender aos interesses da empresa a longo prazo; ter iniciativa para manter a empresa competitiva. Quanto aos benefícios que a área organizacional de controladoria trouxe às empresas, destacaram-se os indicados na sequência: melhorias na gestão e controles mais adequados; descentralização das decisões, melhoria da competência contábil e financeira, controles de risco para adaptação às exigências do mercado; informações pertinentes à tomada de decisões de rotina e estratégicas, controle efetivo das normas internas, segurança no atendimento das responsabilidades legais e fiscais.Palavras-chave: motivações; implantação; área organizacional; controladoria; grandes empresas.
Inovação em Operações de Serviços Logísticos: Análise da Interação de Múltiplos Atores Logísticos
Authors: Petraglia José , Freitas Marcelo Meirelles de Souza , Aquino Lucas Nóbrega Dantas de , Pedroso Marcelo Caldeira 
Published: May 2013

O presente artigo analisa o processo de inovação em empresas prestadoras de serviços logísticos. O objetivo principal do artigo é a investigação das inovações e melhorias contínuas obtidas através do gerenciamento efetivo, na interação entre empresas envolvidas nas operações de serviços logísticos e seus impactos na eficiência logística. Buscou-se identificar, nas empresas pesquisadas; o entendimento de inovação e melhorias contínuas, de que forma as empresas gerenciam a interação entre organizações da rede de suprimentos e, quais os impactos das inovações obtidas nesse processo. Assim, o artigo procura aprofundar a fundamentação teórica, associada às pesquisas em empresas do setor. O modelo analítico do estudo é baseado em pesquisas bibliográficas e estudo de casos múltiplos. O estudo mostra que, embora as empresas tenham noção da importância da inovação para seus negócios e, que a interação entre empresas facilita a geração de inovação, não há um gerenciamento efetivo com esse propósito.
The syndrome of the “obsessive-compulsory scientist”: a new mental disorder?
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Plebani Mario , Franchini Massimo 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is the fourth most common mental disorder. Such a high prevalence inherently means that several unsuspected individuals might be affected, plausibly including several scientists who might more or less unconsciously express obsessive-compulsory (OC) activities in their routine activity.
Formational and functional characteristics of pointing signs in a corpus of Auslan (Australian sign language): are the data sufficient to posit a grammatical class of ‘pronouns’ in Auslan?
Authors: Johnston Trevor 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
It has been argued that referential pointing signs in signed languages (SLs) are linguistic signs of the grammatical class pronoun rather than pointing gestures. In support of the existence of pronouns in SLs, claims of a categorical nature have been made of the usage and form of pointing signs that are based on very limited datasets. In this paper I present data to show that many of these claims also do not align closely with relevant functional and formational characteristics of pointing signs from a corpus of Australian SL (Auslan) nor, potentially, with data from other SLs; or they appear to be equally true of the deictic (indexical) gestural points made in co-speech gesture by non-signers. I not only concur with ar-guments that these signs are actually blends of linguistic and gestural elements but also argue against analysing SL referen-tial points as members of the grammatical class pronoun.
The Portuguese Inflected Infinitive: an empirical approach
Authors: Vanderschueren Clara , Diependaele Kevin 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis paper deals with the seemingly free competition between inflected and uninflected infinitives in Portuguese, a much-debated issue in Portuguese linguistics, which, however, has not been seriously empirically studied before. We specifically focus on Vesterinen's (2006, 2011) cognitive hypothesis according to which the inflected infinitive is used in cases in which the infinitival subject risks to be less cognitively accessible due to contextual reasons. We investigate this theory by analyzing both corpus and experimental (self-paced reading) data, making use of advanced linear modeling. We show that both types of analysis lead to complementary results: the inflected form primarily eases the processing of sentences with increased complexity. On the basis of these results, we argue that Vesterinen's accessibility account is but part of the solution for the inflected/non-inflected problem.
Effect of Probiotics Containing Lactobacillus paracasei SD1 on Salivary Mutans Streptococci and Lactobacilli in Orthodontic Cleft Patients: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Ritthagol Wipapun , Saetang Chontira , Teanpaisan Rawee 
Published: May 2013

Objective (1) To investigate the effect of probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus paracasei SDA on the level of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, and (2) the oral persistence of L. paracasei SD1 in orthodontically treated nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate patients. Design Double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Participants A total of 30 orthodontically treated nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate patients (aged 19.22 ± 3.66 years): 15 in the intervention group (A) and 15 in the control group (B). Interventions Milk with or without L. paracasei SD1. Average daily consumption of milk in both groups was 50 mL for 4 weeks. Main Outcome Measures Salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were enumerated using a quantitative differential culture at baseline and once a week after the end of the administration period for 4 weeks. The persistence of L. paracasei SD1 was traced using arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction of the DNA fingerprinting. Results A statistically significant reduction in mutans streptococci counts occurred in group A, in contrast to group B ( P < .001). A significant increase of lactobacilli numbers was found in group A ( P < .001), and L. paracasei SD1 could be detected up to 4 weeks following cessation of dosing. Conclusions The probiotic milk powder containing L. paracasei SD1 could reduce mutans streptococci counts and was apparently able to colonize the oral cavity of the orthodontically treated cleft lip and palate patients. However, the potentially beneficial influence of the probiotic milk on the complex oral microflora justifies further studies with a larger group of volunteers.
Facies Proportions From the Inference of Nonlinear Conditional Beta-Field Parameters
Authors: Khan K. Daniel , Vargas-Guzmán J.A.. A. 
Published: May 2013

Summary
Conditional beta distributions are proposed with examples to evaluate the probability of intercepting specific proportions of target rocks in well planning. Geological facies or rock-type proportions are random variables pk(x) at each location, x. This paper recalls and further demonstrates that facies proportions can be modeled by local beta distributions. However, the highly variable shapes of the conditional probability-density functions (PDFs) for the random variables in the field lead to complex nonstationarity and nonlinearity issues. A practical and robust approach is to transform the proportion random variables to Gaussian variables, thus enabling the use of classical geostatistics. Although a direct relationship between Gaussian and beta random variables appears intractable, a suitable transformation that involves second-order expectations of proportions is proposed. The conditional parameters of the beta variables are recovered from kriging estimates after back transformation to proportions through Riemann sums.