bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of a TiO2 Nucleating Agent on the Nucleation and Crystallization Behavior of MgO–B2O3–SiO2 Glass
Authors: Kržmanc Marjeta Maček , Došler Urban , Suvorov Danilo 
Published: April 2012

The nucleation and crystallization of MgO–B2O3–SiO2 (MBS) glasses with various TiO2 additions (0–15 wt%) were studied by means of a nonisothermal, thermal analysis technique, X‐ray diffraction, and electron microscopy. The effect of the TiO2 on the nucleation rate was determined from the dependence of the inverse temperature at the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) peak (1/Tp; Tp→crystallization peak temperature) on the nucleation temperature (Tn). A significant increase in the nucleation rate was observed for the MBS glasses with a TiO2 content greater than 3 wt%. The TiO2 was also found to influence the crystallite growth mechanism. In the pure MBS glass the crystallization of the Mg2B2O5 was 3‐dimensional (3D) bulk with a diffusion‐controlled crystal growth rate. The value of both the Avrami parameter (n) and the morphology index (m) was 1.5 and the crystallization activation energy (E) was in the range 410–440 kJ/mol. The change of the nucleation rate (a) from zero (a = 0) to a constant nucleation rate (a = 1) was observed at 3 wt% TiO2. The change from a diffusion‐ to an interface‐controlled growth rate occurred at 5 wt% TiO2, where n and m became 4 and 3, respectively. According to the analysis of the DSC data using the modified Kissinger method, a small TiO2 concentrations (1 wt%) lowered E, whereas E increased with a further increase in the TiO2 concentration, exceeding at 5 wt% TiO2 the E of pure MBS glass.
A comparison of grades awarded by peer assessment, faculty and a digital scanning device in a pre‐clinical operative skills course
Authors: Taylor C. L. , Grey N. J. A. , Satterthwaite J. D. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare the grades awarded by two experienced assessors with peer‐assessment marks and measurements from a digital scanning device (Prepassistant; KaVo, Biberach, Germany), for full gold crown preparations completed in a pre‐clinical operative skills course on typodont teeth.MethodsSeventy‐eight preparations on typodont teeth were randomised and assessed by all three methods. Agreement was measured using weighted kappa statistics, and mean rank scores given by the Friedman test.ResultsThe highest agreement was seen between the experienced assessors (0.38), closely followed by peer assessment and experienced assessor agreement (0.36, 0.29). Despite this, the results indicate poor levels of agreement. No agreement was seen between any of the assessment methods when compared to the digital scanning device.ConclusionsThe findings of this study could be related to the difficulty of calculating a single grade from the output of the device, in addition to the inability of the machine to assess all the factors necessary for an acceptable preparation. From this study, it can be concluded that this device is not suitable for calculating grades when used in isolation. Further research could explore the role of the Prepassistant in providing student feedback, its potential to enhance the learning experience and the subsequent effect on performance.
Correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor C expression and prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinomas after Ivor–Lewis esophagectomy
Authors: SUN Zhi‐Gang , WANG Zhou , ZHANG Min 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAim:  To investigate the correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF‐C) expression and prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Method:  In all, 92 ESCC specimens were re‐evaluated by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction to detect VEGF‐C mRNA. Correlations between VEGF‐C expression and clinicopathological factors were analyzed using χ2 test. The log–rank test was used to calculate survival rate and disease‐free survival. A Cox regression multivariate analysis was performed to determine independent prognostic factors.Results:  VEGF‐C mRNA expression was correlated with tumor invasion (P < 0.01), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.025), tumor stage (P < 0.01) and lymphatic invasion (P < 0.001). The 5‐year survival rate in patients was significantly associated with tumor invasion (P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001), tumor stage (P < 0.001) and VEGF‐C mRNA expression (P = 0.001). The 5‐year survival rate of patients without VEGF‐C mRNA expression was significantly higher than that of the patients with VEGF‐C mRNA expression (P = 0.001). Cox regression multivariate analysis confirmed that tumor invasion was the only relevant independent factor. The 5‐year disease‐free survival rate of patients without VEGF‐C mRNA expression in esophageal cancer tissues was also significantly higher than that of the patients with VEGF‐C mRNA expression (P < 0.001). Cox regression multivariate analysis confirmed that tumor invasion and VEGF‐C mRNA expression were independent factors for 5‐year disease‐free survival.Conclusion:  VEGF‐C expression correlates with poor survival in ESCC patients. However, it is not an independent prognostic factor.
Phase III, randomized, open‐label, first‐line study in Asia of gefitinib versus carboplatin/paclitaxel in clinically selected patients with advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer: evaluation of patients recruited from mainland China
Authors: WU Yi‐Long , CHU Da‐Tong , HAN Baohui , LIU Xuyi , ZHANG Li , ZHOU Caicum , LIAO Meilin , MOK Tony , JIANG Haiyi , DUFFIELD Emma , FUKUOKA Masahiro 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAim:  In the IRESSA Pan‐Asia Study (IPASS), 1217 patients in East Asia with pulmonary adenocarcinoma who were never‐smokers or ex/light‐smokers received first‐line gefitinib (250 mg/day) or carboplatin/paclitaxel (area under the curve 5/6; 200 mg/m2). Efficacy analyses were pre‐planned in patients in China.Methods:  In China, 372 patients (30.6% of the overall group) were randomized. The primary end‐point was progression‐free survival (PFS). Secondary end‐points were overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), symptom improvement, safety and tolerability.Results:  For patients in China, PFS did not significantly differ from the overall IPASS population (interaction test P= 0.427). PFS was numerically longer (hazard ratio [HR] 0.79; 95% CI 0.62–1.01; P= 0.065; median PFS 6.8 months for both treatments) and ORR significantly higher (ORR 44.6 vs 29.8%; odds ratio 1.88; 95% CI 1.22–2.89; P= 0.004) for gefitinib than carboplatin/paclitaxel. OS (mature data) was similar for both treatments (HR 0.92; 95% CI 0.73–1.17; P= 0.511; median OS gefitinib 18.1 months vs 18.3 months carboplatin/paclitaxel). HRQoL improvement rates favored gefitinib; symptom improvement rates were similar for both treatments. Gefitinib had a more favorable tolerability profile than carboplatin/paclitaxel. Efficacy by epidermal growth factor receptor biomarker status (exploratory analyses) was difficult to interpret due to low patient numbers with known biomarker status.Conclusion:  For the Chinese subgroup of IPASS, gefitinib demonstrated improved PFS and ORR, similar OS, higher HRQoL, similar symptom improvement rates and a more favorable tolerability profile than carboplatin/paclitaxel, generally consistent with the overall IPASS population.
Estimating minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) boing sound density using passive acoustic sensors
Authors: Martin Stephen W. , Marques Tiago A. , Thomas Len , Morrissey Ronald P. , Jarvis Susan , DiMarzio Nancy , Moretti David , Mellinger David K. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractDensity estimation for marine mammal species is performed primarily using visual distance sampling or capture‐recapture. Minke whales in Hawaiian waters are very difficult to sight; however, they produce a distinctive “boing” call, making them ideal candidates for passive acoustic density estimation. We used an array of 14 bottom‐mounted hydrophones, distributed over a 60 × 30 km area off Kauai, Hawaii, to estimate density during 12 d of recordings in early 2006. We converted the number of acoustic cues (i.e., boings) detected using signal processing software into a cue density by accounting for the false positive rate and probability of detection. The former was estimated by manual validation, the latter by applying spatially explicit capture‐recapture (SECR) methods to a subset of data where we had determined which hydrophones detected each call. Estimated boing density was 130 boings per hour per 10,000 km2(95% CI 104–163). Little is known about the population's acoustic behavior, so conversion from boing to animal density is difficult. As a demonstration of the method, we used a tentative boing rate of 6.04 boings per hour, from a single animal tracked in 2009, to give an estimate of 21.5 boing‐calling minke whales per 10,000 km2.
Which sequencing depth is sufficient to describe patterns in bacterial α‐ and β‐diversity?
Authors: Lundin Daniel , Severin Ina , Logue Jürg Brendan , Östman Örjan , Andersson Anders F. , Lindström Eva S. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryThe vastness of microbial diversity implies that an almost infinite number of individuals needs to be identified to accurately describe such communities. Practical and economical constraints may therefore prevent appropriate study designs. However, for many questions in ecology it is not essential to know the actual diversity but rather the trends among samples thereof. It is, hence, important to know to what depth microbial communities need to be sampled to accurately measure trends in diversity. We used three data sets of freshwater and sediment bacteria, where diversity was explored using 454 pyrosequencing. Each data set contained 6–15 communities from which 15 000–20 000 16S rRNA gene sequences each were obtained. These data sets were subsampled repeatedly to 10 different depths down to 200 sequences per community. Diversity estimates varied with sequencing depth, yet, trends in diversity among samples were less sensitive. We found that 1000 denoised sequences per sample explained to 90% the trends in β‐diversity (Bray‐Curtis index) among samples observed for 15 000–20 000 sequences. Similarly, 5000 denoised sequences were sufficient to describe trends in α‐diversity (Shannon index) with the same accuracy. Further, 5000 denoised sequences captured to more than 80% the trends in Chao1 richness and Pielou's evenness.
Two-Year Follow-Up of Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty with a Cta Head for Cuff-Tear Arthropathy
Authors: Firestone Daniel , Arnold Ryan M. , Fehringer Edward V. 
Published: April 2012

Background Cuff tear arthropathy (CTA)-specific hemiarthroplasty was designed to allow for smoother articulation. Results following standard hemiarthroplasty for CTA have been unpredictable. Recent work emphasized the importance of closely evaluating cuff-deficient shoulders with histories, exams, and radiographs in an attempt to provide better treatment algorithms for these shoulders. We hypothesized that CTA-specific hemiarthroplasty for cuff-deficient shoulders without prior surgical intervention would improve shoulder comfort and function. Methods From November 2006 to January 2009, we performed 22 CTA-specific hemiarthroplasties in 21 patients with previously unoperated shoulders. All were assessed with radiographs and scored according to Seebauer. Constant and Simple Shoulder Test scores were obtained pre-operatively and at a minimum two-year follow-up. Results 15 of the original 22 shoulders were available for evaluation by an orthopaedist other than the operative surgeon. One was lost to follow-up. 3 were in patients that had died. Mean absolute Constant score improved from 37 pre-op to 62 post-op; mean Simple Shoulder Test score improved from 4 to 9. Of the 15, there were 2 IA's, 0 IB's, 13 IIA's, and 0 IIB's according to Seebauer's classification. 4 out of 22 (18%) shoulders were either converted to reverse arthroplasties (2) or were in patients that were dissatisfied with their results and refused follow-up (1) or lost to follow-up (1). Conclusions CTA-specific hemiarthroplasty for rotator cuff-deficient shoulders with arthritis and without escape or previous surgery improves comfort and function in most shoulders. However, the risk of conversion to reverse, dissatisfaction, or presumed dissatisfaction in this small series was 18% in short term follow-up.
nm23‐H1 gene driven by hTERT promoter induces inhibition of invasive phenotype and metastasis of lung cancer xenograft in mice
Authors: Fan Yu , Yao Yibing , Li Lu , Wu Zhihao , Xu Feng , Hou Mei , Wu Heng , Shen Yali , Wan Haisu , Zhou Qinghua 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground:  Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women worldwide. Tumor metastasis is an essential aspect of lung cancer progression and patient death. The nm23‐H1 gene has been extensively investigated as a metastasis suppressor gene. Our previous studies have revealed: that a significant relationship exists between the low‐level expression nm23‐H1 in primary non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with increased metastasis and a poor prognosis; that L9981‐nm23‐H1 cells (a nm23‐H1 transfactant cell) exhibited lower cell proliferation rates, more G0/G1 phase growth, and an increase in apoptosis with a dramatic decrease in the tumor cells' ability to invade than L9981 cells did; and that L9981‐ nm23‐H1 cells also demonstrated a significantly reduced lymph node and distant metastatic capacity in vivo than L9981 cells did in nude mice.Methods:  In this study, we construct a plasmid containing the nm23‐H1 gene, which was driven by the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter. We evaluated the anti‐invasion and anti‐metastatic effects of pGL3‐hTP‐nm23 on L9981, a human large cell lung cancer cell line with nm23‐H1 negative expression, by transwell assay in vitro and bioluminescence in nude mice models. The toxicity of pGL3‐hTP‐nm23 and its effects on tumor growth were evaluated in nude mice models after gene therapy. The cell cycles, apoptosis, and proliferation of the nm23‐H1 transfactant were also detected by 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT assay) and flow cytometry (FCM).Results:  The results showed that the hTERT‐promoter dramatically drives nm23‐H1 gene expression, and induces inhibition of cell growth and migration in L9981‐luc cells and MRC‐5 cells in vitro. nm23‐H1 also significantly inhibited the tumorigenesis and distant metastasis of L9981‐luc cell in vivo.Moreover, no obvious side effect was detected in normal mouse tissues after intratumoral injection of the vector.Conclusion:  The treatment of the nm23‐H1 gene driven by hTERT promoter appears to be a promising approach for the gene therapy of nm23‐H1 low‐expressed tumors.
The perceived sensitivity to medicines (PSM) scale: An evaluation of validity and reliability
Authors: Horne Rob , Faasse Kate , Cooper Vanessa , Diefenbach Michael A. , Leventhal Howard , Leventhal Elaine , Petrie Keith J. 
Published: April 2012

Objectives.  We report on the development and psychometric properties of a scale to measure perceived sensitivity to medicines (PSM).Design.  The internal consistency, test–retest reliability, criterion‐related, and predictive validity of the PSM Scale were evaluated using data collected as part of four previously published studies and one unpublished data set.Methods.  Participants (n= 1,166) included patients receiving treatment for HIV infection and hypertension, individuals receiving a travel vaccination, and undergraduate students. Criterion‐related validity was assessed by examining associations between the PSM and beliefs about medicines (Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Predictive validity was assessed by examining associations between the PSM and medication adherence and with symptom reports following vaccination. Test–retest reliability was assessed in an undergraduate sample who completed the PSM on two occasions, 2 weeks apart.Results.  Test–retest reliability was high (r= .89, p < .001). Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.79–0.94. Consistent with expectations, high PSM scores were associated with negative beliefs about medicines in general, strong concerns about potential adverse effects of prescribed medicines, and doubts about the necessity for treatment. High PSM scores predicted non‐adherence to anti‐retroviral therapy and a higher incidence of symptoms following vaccination.Conclusion.  The findings present preliminary evidence that the PSM is a valid and reliable measure of perceived sensitivity to medication. While further work is needed to develop and evaluate the scale, the findings support its use as a research tool in studies of the use and effects of medicines.Statement of contributionWhat is already known on this subject? It is now well understood that beliefs about medicines
have an important influence on whether patients start and continue with treatment. Research
spanning a range of long‐term conditions and across different countries has shown that treatment
uptake and adherence are consistently related to specific beliefs about prescribed medicines, such
as how patients judge their personal need relative to concerns about potential adverse effects as
well as more general beliefs about medicines as a class of treatment.What does this study add? The paper reports on the development and psychometric properties of
a new scale to measure patients' perceptions of their sensitivity to medicines. In five studies
involving different groups of individuals we found the Perceived Sensitivity to Medicines (PSM) Scale
to be a reliable and valid measure. The PSM may be useful for researchers and clinicians in explaining
treatment decisions, adherence and reported side‐effects.
Exploring the question‐behaviour effect: Randomized controlled trial of motivational and question‐behaviour interventions
Authors: Ayres Karen , Conner Mark , Prestwich Andrew , Hurling Robert , Cobain Mark , Lawton Rebecca , O’Connor Daryl B. 
Published: April 2012

Purpose. Measuring intentions and other cognitions to perform a behaviour can promote performance of that behaviour (the question‐behaviour effect, QBE). It has been suggested that this effect may be amplified for individuals motivated to perform the behaviour. The present research tested the efficacy of combining a motivational intervention (providing personal risk information) with measuring intentions and other cognitions in a fully crossed 2 × 2 design with an objective measure of behaviour in an at‐risk population using a randomized controlled trial (RCT).Methods. Participants with elevated serum cholesterol levels were randomized to one of four conditions: a combined group receiving both a motivational intervention (personalized cardiovascular disease risk information) and a QBE manipulation (completing a questionnaire about diet), one group receiving a motivational intervention, one group receiving a QBE intervention, or one group receiving neither. All participants subsequently had the opportunity to obtain a personalized health plan linked to reducing personal risk for coronary heart disease.Results. Neither the motivational nor the QBE manipulations alone significantly increased rates of obtaining the health plan. However, the interaction between conditions was significant. Decomposition of the interaction indicated that the combined condition (motivational plus QBE manipulation) produced significantly higher rates of obtaining the health plan (96.2%) compared to the other three groups combined (80.3%).Conclusions. The findings provide insights into the mechanism underlying the QBE and suggest the importance of motivation to perform the behaviour in observing the effect.Statement of ContributionWhat is already known on this subject? Research has indicated that merely asking questions about a behaviour may be sufficient to produce changes in that or related behaviours (referred to as the question‐behaviour effect; QBE). Previous studies have suggested that the QBE may be moderated by the individual's motivation to change the behaviour, i.e., the QBE will only produce increases in the behaviour among those with strong motivation to perform the behaviour. However, no study has directly tested this prediction by manipulating motivation and examining impacts on the QBE.What does this study add? The present study tested the individual and combined effects of a motivational and a QBE intervention in a fully crossed design using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and showed that:

a combined intervention significantly increased behaviour.
effect partially mediated by cognitions.
Dosimetric comparison of treatment plans based on free breathing, maximum, and average intensity projection CTs for lung cancer SBRT
Authors: Tian Yuan , Wang Zhiheng , Ge Hong , Zhang Tian , Cai Jing , Kelsey Christopher , Yoo David , Yin Fang‐Fang 
Published: April 2012

Purpose:To determine whether there is a CT dataset may be more favorable for planning and dose calculation by comparing dosimetric characteristics between treatment plans calculated using free breathing (FB), maximum and average intensity projection (MIP and AIP, respectively) CTs for lung cancer patients receiving stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).Methods:Twenty lung cancer SBRT patients, treated on a linac with 2.5 mm width multileaf‐collimator (MLC), were analyzed retrospectively. Both FB helical and four‐dimensional CT scans were acquired for each patient. Internal target volume (ITV) was delineated based on MIP CTs and modified based on both ten‐phase datasets and FB CTs. Planning target volume (PTV) was then determined by adding additional setup margin to ITV. The PTVs and beams in the optimized treatment plan based on FB CTs were copied to MIP and AIP CTs, with the same isocenters, MLC patterns and monitor units. Mean effective depth (MED) of beams, and some dosimetric parameters for both PTVs and most important organ at risk (OAR), lung minus PTV, were compared between any two datasets using two‐tail pairedt test.Results:The MEDs in FB and AIP plans were similar but significantly smaller (Ps < 0.001) than that in MIP plans. Minimum dose, mean dose, dose covering at least 90% and 95% of PTVs in MIP plans were slightly higher than two other plans (Ps < 0.008). The absolute volume of lung minus PTV receiving greater than 5, 10, and 20 Gy in MIP plans were significantly smaller than those in both FB and AIP plans (Ps < 0.008). Conformity index for FB plans showed a small but statistically significantly higher.Conclusions:Dosimetric characteristics of AIP plans are similar to those of FB plans. Slightly better target volume coverage and significantly lower low‐dose region (≤30 Gy) in lung was observed in MIP plans. The decrease in low‐dose region in lung was mainly caused by the change of lung volume contoured on two datasets rather than the differences of dose distribution between AIP and MIP plans. Compare with AIP datasets, FB datasets were more prone to significant image artifacts and MIP datasets may overestimate or underestimate the target volume when the target is closer to the denser tissue, so AIP seems favorable for planning and dose calculation for lung SBRT.