bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An update on the prevalence of cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Oskoui Maryam , Coutinho Franzina , Dykeman Jonathan , Jetté Nathalie , Pringsheim Tamara
Published: January 2013

Aims

The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive update on (1) the overall prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP); (2) the prevalence of CP in relation to birthweight; and (3) the prevalence of CP in relation to gestational age.

Method

A systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted and reported, based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses) statement. Population‐based studies on the prevalence of CP in children born in 1985 or after were selected. Statistical analysis was carried out using computer package R, version 2.14.

Results

A total of 49 studies were selected for this review. The pooled overall prevalence of CP was 2.11 per 1000 live births (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.98–2.25). The prevalence of CP stratified by gestational age group showed the highest pooled prevalence to be in children weighing 1000 to 1499g at birth (59.18 per 1000 live births; 95% CI 53.06–66.01), although there was no significant difference on pairwise meta‐regression with children weighing less than 1000g. The prevalence of CP expressed by gestational age was highest in children born before 28 weeks' gestation (111.80 per 1000 live births; 95% CI 69.53–179.78; p<0.0327).

Interpretation

The overall prevalence of CP has remained constant in recent years despite increased survival of at‐risk preterm infants.
Effectiveness of Simulator‐Based Echocardiography Training of Noncardiologists in Congenital Heart Diseases
Authors: Wagner Robert , Razek Vit , Gräfe Florentine , Berlage Thomas , Janoušek Jan , Daehnert Ingo , Weidenbach Michael
Published: January 2013

Background

Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality in neonates. The preliminary diagnosis often is made by noncardiologists. For this reason, there is a huge demand of training in echocardiography of CHD. This is difficult to achieve due to limited resources of specialized centers.

Objective

The goal of this study was to investigate the training effect of the echocardiography simulator EchoCom on trainee's ability to diagnose CHD.

Design/Methods

We enrolled 10 residents for simulator‐based training in echocardiography of CHD. All participants were instructed on the simulator's basic handling and had one hour to scan the first 9 datasets information (ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, atrioventricular septal defect, Tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of great arteries, congenital corrected transposition of great arteries, common arterial trunk, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, normal anatomy) and establish a diagnosis. No help was given except for support regarding simulator related issues. Afterward, 2 rounds of structured simulator based echocardiography training focused on echocardiographic anatomy, spatial orientation, standard views, and echocardiographic anatomy of different CHD followed. All participants completed a standardized questionnaire containing 10 multiple‐choice (MC) questions focusing on basic theoretical knowledge in echocardiographic anatomy and common CHD.

Results

Almost all of the residents invited from the affiliated children's hospital had little (20%) or no experience (80%) in echocardiography of CHD. Their Pretest and Posttest scores showed significant improvement for both, MC test and performance test, respectively.

Conclusions

Our study showed that simulator‐based training in echocardiography in CHD could be very effective and may assist with training outside the scope of CHD.
Is intensive chemotherapy safe for rural cancer patients?
Authors: Pathmanathan S. , Burgher B. , Sabesan S.
Published: January 2013

Background

To provide equality of cancer care to rural patients, Townsville Cancer Centre administers intensive chemotherapy regimens to rural patients with node‐positive breast and metastatic colorectal cancers at the same doses as urban patients. Side‐effects were usually managed by rural general practitioners locally.

Aim

The aim is to determine the safety of this practice by comparing the profile of serious adverse events and dose intensities between urban and rural patients at the Townsville Cancer Centre.

Method

A retrospective audit was conducted in patients with metastatic colorectal and node‐positive breast cancers during a 24‐month period. Fisher's exact test was used for analysis. Rurality was determined as per rural, remote and metropolitan classification.

Results

Of the 121 patients included, 70 and 51 patients had breast and colon cancers respectively. The urban versus rural patient split among all patients, breast and colorectal cancer subgroups was 68 versus 53, 43 versus 27 and 25 versus 26 respectively. A total of 421 cycles was given with dose intensity of >95% for breast cancer in both groups (P > 0.05). Rate of febrile neutropenia was 9.3% versus 7.4% (P = 0.56). For XELOX, rate of diarrhoea was 20% versus 19% (P = 0.66) and rate of vomiting was 20% versus 11% (P = 0.11). Only two patients were transferred to Townsville for admission. No toxic death occurred in either group.

Conclusion

It appears safe to administer intensive chemotherapy regimens at standard doses to rural patients without increased morbidity or mortality. Support for general practitioners through phone or videoconferencing may reduce the safety concerns.
Coronary Interventions in Congenital Heart Diseases: From Preterm to Young Adult Patients
Authors: SCHNEIDER M. , WIEBE W. , HRAŠKA V. , ZARTNER P.
Published: January 2013

Background

The small vessel size of infants and children makes interventional treatment of impaired coronary perfusion, such as stenoses, complete occlusions, and fistulae, demanding. Materials and techniques appropriate for this young age group have to demonstrate their ability to effectively treat these lesions.

Methods and Results

Between 2004 and 2011, 14 patients with an age of 9 days to 25 years (median 4.6 years) and a bodyweight of 1.7–65 kg (median 14 kg) underwent coronary intervention. In 3 cases, emergency revascularization of the left coronary artery (CA) was performed successfully, followed by stent implantation in 1 patient. Embolization of coronary arterial fistulae with coils and vascular plugs was effective in 10 patients. An antegrade, retrograde or combined approach to achieve the most distal device placement preserved all side branches. One infant with pulmonary atresia and an intact ventricular septum was prepared for biventricular repair by step‐by‐step closure of the right ventricular to the CA connections. No procedure‐related deaths occurred.

Conclusion

Congenital and post‐procedural coronary obstructive lesions can be considered for effective treatment with balloon dilation at any age as a salvage procedure. In coronaries impaired by external compression, stent implantation can restore perfusion, but long‐term results are missing. Interventional closure of coronary fistulae has shown improvement of coronary arterial perfusion. The latter techniques can be used to close right ventricular to CA connections in patients with pulmonary atresia to prepare for biventricular repair, but bail‐out strategies should be planned in all coronary interventions. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:287–294)
A New Reconstructive Technique for Posterior Vaginal Wall Defects, a Case Report
Authors: Zetlitz Elisabeth , Manook Miriam , MacLeod Alison , Hamilton Stuart
Published: January 2013

Introduction

Post-partum vaginal laxity is a problem encountered by many women. More uncommon is a resulting vaginal defect. In most cases of laxity, a period of extensive physiotherapy can strengthen the pelvic muscles enough for symptoms to be minimized. However, this is not the case once there is a tissue defect.

Aim

To present a new reconstructive method for patients with posterior vaginal wall defects.

Methods

We present a case of a 38-year-old female who, 12 years prior to presentation, had a vaginal delivery. Due to complications during the delivery, she sustained pelvic trauma and developed a posterior vaginal wall defect. She had a sizable soft tissue defect, causing sexual, urinary, and confidence problems. Fat was harvested from the patient's abdomen and injected into the defect after more conservative treatment options were exhausted.

Results

The defect was corrected successfully using the minimally invasive Coleman fat grafting technique.

Discussion/Conclusion

This is to our knowledge the first case in the literature where a posterior vaginal defect has been corrected using Coleman fat grafting, and we believe that this treatment method may be of benefit to more patients.
From the Cradle to the Grave: Funeral Welfare from an International Perspective
Authors: Valentine Christine , Woodthorpe Kate
Published: January 2013

This article reports on a pilot study examining funeral welfare for citizens from low income backgrounds. Through a review of funeral welfare provision in 12 capitalist democratic countries it seeks to inform the current system of state support in Britain, arguing that insufficient attention has been given to funeral costs as a policy issue. Mindful of the British welfare state's original ‘cradle to grave’ ethos, such attention is ever more pressing in light of rising funeral costs, an ageing population and projected increases in the death rate. Arguing that funeral costs are an issue of income support, the article draws on Esping‐Andersen's threefold welfare‐regime typology to situate the British system within a comparative study of funeral welfare that identifies similarities and differences both within and between the three welfare‐regime types. On the basis of an empirical example, the article further argues that systems of funeral welfare reflect the relationship between culture, politics and local practice. The findings indicate that the British system is hampered by a discourse of welfare dependency rather than entitlement, which stigmatises those who need support with funeral costs at a time when they are under pressure to ensure that the deceased person receives a ‘dignified’ send‐off.
'Brussels Ranking' of Universities Off to a Rocky Start
Authors: Rabesandratana Tania
Published: January 2013

A new plan to allow users to create their own university rankings using criteria on dozens of provided measures is having trouble attracting universities and fans.
Foreigners Run Afoul of China's Tightening Secrecy Rules
Authors: Hvistendahl Mara
Published: January 2013

The Chinese government is curtailing the ability of foreign researchers to conduct fieldwork in China.
Culture-Based Method with Performance Comparable to That of PCR-Based Methods for Detection of Group B Streptococcus in Screening Samples from Pregnant Women
Authors: Berg Benjamin R. , Houseman Jeana L. , Garrasi Michelle A. , Young Carol L. , Newton Duane W.
Published: January 2013

We compared five approaches for group B streptococcus (GBS) detection: three culture-based methods and two methods using broth-enhanced real-time PCR. Carrot broth-enhanced subculture to GBS Detect (Hardy Diagnostics, Santa Maria, CA) exhibited sensitivity and specificity comparable to carrot broth- and LIM broth-enhanced real-time PCRs.
SINGLE MACHINE SCHEDULING WITH BATCH DELIVERY TO MULTIPLE CUSTOMERS IN A STAR-SHAPED NETWORK
Authors: WANG LEIYANG , LIU ZHAOHUI
Published: January 2013

In this paper, we consider the scheduling problem in which the jobs are first processed on a single machine and then delivered in batches by a single vehicle with limited capacity to the respective customers located at the vertices of a star-shaped network. The goal is to minimize the makespan. We present a 3/2-approximation algorithm for the identical job size case and a 2-approximation algorithm for the non-identical job sizes case.
APPLICATION OF IMPROVED COLLABORATIVE OPTIMIZATION METHOD TO MECHANICAL MULTI-OBJECTIVE OPTIMAL DESIGN PROBLEM
Authors: WEI FENGTAO , SONG LI , LI YAN , SHI KUN
Published: January 2013

In order to solve the mechanical multi-objective optimal design problems, the basic idea and flow chart of collaborative optimization method are introduced in this paper. In view of the shortcomings that exist in standard collaborative optimization method, this method has been improved by applying the dynamic slack factor method. Taking a mechanical multi-objective optimal design of spring as an example, the multi-objective optimal design problem has been solved by the improved collaborative optimization method. The process and result show that the improved collaborative optimization method has higher accuracy and efficiency. This paper has provided an efficient method to solve the complicated mechanical multi-objective optimal design problems.
Increase of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition with celecoxib combined with 5-FU enhances tumor cell apoptosis and antitumor efficacy in a subcutaneous implantation tumor model of human colon cancer
Authors: Zhang De-Qing , Guo Qiang , Zhu Jian-Hong , Chen Wei-Chang
Published: January 2013

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-tumor effect and explore the mechanisms of celecoxib (a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor) combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the treatment of human colorectal cancer in a BALB/C nude mouse subcutaneous xenograft model.

Methods

Effects of celecoxib combined with 5-FU on the proliferation of xenograft carcinoma induced by HT-29 were investigated. The apoptotic cells were detected by electron microscope and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) assay. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to estimate the expression of cytochrome C, caspase-3 and caspase-9.

Results

Compared with the control group, treatment groups showed significant inhibition of tumor growth. More apoptotic cells existed after treatment with celecoxib combined with 5-FU. Cytochrome C, caspase-3 and caspase-9 were increased in treated groups, and more obviously in the drug combination group. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were decreased after treatment with celecoxib only or combined with 5-FU. And the combined group showed a greater decrease.

Conclusions

Celecoxib combined with 5-FU could inhibit the growth of tumorsin vivoby inducing apoptosis and activation of the cytochrome C dependency apoptosis signal pathway. A decrease of COX-2 and an increase of cytochrome C, caspase-3 and caspase-9 may be involved in this process.
A Bahian counterpoint of sugar and oil: global commodities, global identities?
Authors: Sansone Livio
Published: January 2013

This paper explores the effects of sugar and oil on identity formation or, more specifically, on the making of blackness and whiteness in the region surrounding Salvador, Bahia, where both commodities have had great impact, sugar from 1550 and oil from 1950, when drilling for oil began and a very large oil refinery was built. After comparing life under the economy of these two different commodities I connect them to the issue of a transnational black identity created across the Atlantic, drawing from a common past of slavery and a more recent past and present where racial hierarchies still penalize populations defined as black. This part of Bahia is emblematic for other regions of Brazil and other countries in which oil exploitation comes to substitute other mono-cultures (such as sugarcane, cocoa or small-scale fishing) while creating, often quite suddenly, a wholly different local economy, with new global connections, higher salaries, new conspicuous spending patterns, new values associated with certain forms of manual labour and technical skills, and an altogether new form of defining the nature of a "good job".
Real Virtuality: Power and Simulation in the Age of Neoliberal Crisis
Authors: Røyrvik Emil André , Blom Brodersen Marianne
Published: January 2013

Departing from a discussion of transformations in the premises of managerial rationality and “managementality” as a pacemaker of the (post)modern social order, as it is steeped in economic crisis, the paper critiques and extends Baudrillard’s constructs of “simulation” and “hyperreality” to illuminate significant developments in the global culture complex of neoliberalization. With empirical illustrations of superfinancialization, transparency and surveillance, the paper explores converging patterns of how models of “neo-management” are created by and constructs new post-political and simulated social worlds. The paper concludes that a key feature of the contemporary “managementalities” that orchestrate and give rise to major models of the neoliberal culture complex, is their capacity for constructing new simulated, yet ontologically distinct, spaces that lie beyond the power of representation. We conceptualize this ontological space as “real virtuality”. The templates of neo-management not only constantly “conquer new land” and subsume it under simulated hyperrealities, they actively “create new lands” with differential ontological statuses of varying gravity.
Dual Mode Diffusion and Sorption of Sodium Chloride in Pre-Cooked Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)
Authors: Hashiba Hiroko , Gocho Hiromi , Komiyama Jiro
Published: January 2013

For cooked potato, we report maximum showing variations of the Fick’s diffusion coefficients, D, of NaCl with total salt concentration, Ct, in the foodstuff in the temperature range, 30-98°C. The variations were successfully explained with the dual mode diffusion and sorption theory, which has been successfully applied to the diffusion of NaCl in cooked Japanese radish, solidified egg white, and pork meats. The original theory (Komiyama & Iijima, 1974) was revised by changing the definitions of the parameters for the presence of liquid water droplets in the foodstuffs. The sorption isotherms, being found to be almost linear with very slight concave upward curvatures, were explained by invoking the presence of the droplets. Two thermodynamic diffusion coefficients, DT(p) and DT(L), of NaCl of the partition and Langmuir type sorption species, respectively, in the diffusion rate determining region were estimated for the temperature range. The temperature dependences were found to show definite rises in the range of 50-70°C, suggesting the presence of a transition in the diffusion environment.
Proposta didática de utilização de fotografias aéreas com pipas no ensino de Geografia
Authors: Branquinho Evanio Santos , Hayakawa Ericson Hideki
Published: January 2013

Este trabalho discorre sobre a aplicação de projeto de extensão que introduz a Fotografia Aérea com Pipa na Geografia junto a outras áreas do conhecimento. O texto apresenta as principais diretrizes e demonstra como executar este trabalho. Desde a confecção das pipas, até sua prática em campo e a análise das fotografias aéreas obtidas, sua técnica pode ser aplicada na construção de um conhecimento de forma lúdica e interdisciplinar. Pois, para sua execução, há a interrelação de conhecimentos matemáticos, físicos, históricos e geográficos. Na geografia, sua utilização pode ocorrer, entre outras áreas, no sensoriamento remoto, na climatologia, na cartografia e na análise da paisagem. Apresenta, assim, um bom potencial para o desenvolvimento de práticas de ensino-aprendizagem interativas e a partir de um instrumento acessível.Palavras-chave: Fotografia Aérea com Pipa, interdisciplinaridade, paisagem urbana.
Targeting phosphodiesterase 3B enhances cisplatin sensitivity in human cancer cells
Authors: Uzawa Katsuhiro , Kasamatsu Atsushi , Baba Takao , Usukura Katsuya , Saito Yasuhiro , Sakuma Kentaro , Iyoda Manabu , Sakamoto Yosuke , Ogawara Katsunori , Shiiba Masashi , Tanzawa Hideki
Published: January 2013

We previously reported that human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell lines refractory to cis‐diaminedichloro‐platinum II (cisplatin [CDDP]) had significant upregulation of the phosphodiesterase 3B gene (PDE3B), suggesting that inhibiting PDE3B suppresses CDDP resistance. shRNA‐mediated PDE3B depletion in CDDP‐resistant cells derived from SCC cells and Hela cells and induced CDDP sensitivity and inhibited tumor growth with elevated cyclic GMP induction resulting in upregulation of the multidrug‐resistant molecule, but this did not occur in the 5‐fluorouracil‐resistant hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Furthermore, the antitumor growth effect of the combination of a PDE3B inhibitor (cilostazol) and CDDP in vivo was also greater than with either cilostazol or CDDP alone, with a significant increase in the number of apoptotic and cell growth‐suppressive cancer cells in CDDP‐resistance cell lines. Our results provided novel information on which to base further mechanistic studies of CDDP sensitization by inhibiting PDE3B in human cancer cells and for developing strategies to improve outcomes with concurrent chemotherapy.
Activated carbon prepared from Canadian oil sands coke by Co2 activation: II. Adsorption of metallic ions and organic constituents from oil sands tailings water
Authors: Karimi Arash , Thinon Olivier , Fournier Joseph , Hill Josephine M.
Published: January 2013

Oil sands coke was activated with CO2 at 900°C in a tubular fixed bed reactor. Samples activated in a CO2 stream with 50% air contained a significant number of functional groups. Some activated samples were post‐oxidised in air at 350°C to increase their surface functionality. Post‐oxidation was necessary for the adsorption of ferric cations by the coke samples activated, except for the sample activated with 50% air. However, non‐oxidised samples were also able to adsorb molybdate anions. Both organic and inorganic constituents of oil sands tailings water were successfully removed, but some inorganic species leached into water.
Expression of the ghrelin receptor gene in neurons of the medulla oblongata of the rat
Authors: Bron Romke , Yin Lei , Russo Domenico , Furness John B.
Published: January 2013

There is ambiguity concerning the distribution of neurons that express the ghrelin receptor (GHSR) in the medulla oblongata. In the current study we used a sensitive nonradioactive method to investigate GHSR mRNA distribution by in situ hybridization. Strong expression of the GHSR gene was confirmed in neurons of the facial nucleus (FacN, 7), the dorsal vagal complex (DVC), and the semicompact (but not compact) nucleus ambiguus (AmbSC and AmbC). In addition, expression of GHSR was found in other regions, where it had not been described before. GHSR‐positive neurons were observed in the gustatory rostral nucleus tractus solitarius and in areas involved in vestibulo‐ocular processing (such as the medial vestibular nucleus and the nucleus abducens). GHSR expression was also noted in ventral areas associated with cardiorespiratory control, including the gigantocellular reticular nucleus, the lateral paragigantocellular nucleus, the rostral and caudal ventrolateral medulla, the (pre)‐Bötzinger complex, and the rostral and caudal ventrolateral respiratory group. However, GHSR‐positive neurons in ventrolateral areas did not express markers for cardiovascular presympathetic vasomotor neurons, respiratory propriobulbar rhythmogenic neurons, or sensory interneurons. GHSR‐positive cells were intermingled with catecholamine neurons in the dorsal vagal complex but these populations did not overlap. Thus, the ghrelin receptor occurs in the medulla oblongata in 1) second‐order sensory neurons processing gustatory, vestibulo‐ocular, and visceral sensation; 2) cholinergic somatomotor neurons of the FacN and autonomic preganglionic neurons of the DMNX and AmbSC; 3) cardiovascular neurons in the DVC, Gi, and LPGi; 4) neurons of as yet unknown function in the ventrolateral medulla. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:2680–2702, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CIRCUMSTANCES AND EFFORTS: HOW IMPORTANT IS THEIR CORRELATION FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF INEQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY IN HEALTH?
Authors: Jusot Florence , Tubeuf Sandy , Trannoy Alain
Published: January 2013

The way to treat the correlation between circumstances and effort is a central, yet largely neglected issue in the applied literature on inequality of opportunity. This paper adopts three alternative normative ways of treating this correlation championed by Roemer, Barry and Swift and assesses their empirical relevance using survey data. We combine regression analysis with the natural decomposition of the variance to compare the relative contributions of circumstances and efforts to overall health inequality according to the different normative principles. Our results suggest that, in practice, the normative principle on the way to treat the correlation between circumstances and effort makes little difference on the relative contributions of circumstances and efforts to explained health inequality. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Role of Serum VCAM‐1 and TNF‐α as Predictors of Mortality and Morbidity in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Savic‐Radojevic Ana , Radovanovic Slavica , Pekmezovic Tatjana , Pljesa‐Ercegovac Marija , Simic Dragan , Djukic Tatjana , Matic Marija , Simic Tatjana
Published: January 2013

Background

To assess the prognostic significance of four inflammatory markers (TNF‐α, high sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), intercellular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1)) in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients with respect to individual outcomes, especially disease exacerbation and mortality.

Methods

Plasma adhesion molecules, ICAM‐1, and VCAM‐1, together with TNF‐α and hs‐CRP were determined in 120 CHF patients and 69 healthy controls. Endothelial function was also estimated by flow‐mediated brachial artery dilatation.

Results

Increased levels of all investigated inflammatory markers were found in CHF patients compared to controls, with the rise more pronounced in New York Heart association (NYHA) functional IV class. Significant correlations were obtained for VCAM‐1 and brain natriuretic peptide (r = 0.191; P = 0.038), as well as, ICAM‐1 and endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation (r = −0.235; P = 0.01). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed disease exacerbation in patients with TNF‐α levels >2.78 pg/ml significantly shorter compared to those with TNF‐α levels <2.78 pg/ml (log‐rank test = 8.270; P = 0.004), while similar association was observed for patients with hs‐CRP levels >4.76 mg/l (log‐rank test = 5.052; P = 0.025) and VCAM‐1 levels >1200 ng/l (log‐rank test = 5.45; P = 0.020) with respect to mortality. Cox regression analysis demonstrated only VCAM‐1 (HR = 4.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1–18.7; P = 0.030) as independent death predictor, while TNF‐α was associated with disease exacerbation (HR = 8.2; 95%CI: 1.1–23.0; P = 0.045).

Conclusions

VCAM‐1 appears to be useful in risk stratification of CHF patients and in screening, to identify subjects at risk for heart failure related events. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 27:105–112, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spleen size measured on enhanced mri for quantitatively staging liver fibrosis in minipigs
Authors: Chen Xiao‐li , Chen Tian‐wu , Li Zhen‐lin , Zhang Xiao‐ming , Chen Nan , Zeng Nan‐lin , Li Hang , Tang Hong‐jie , Pu Yu , Li Chun‐ping
Published: January 2013

Purpose:

To investigate whether and how spleen size measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could be used to stage liver fibrosis.

Materials and Methods:

Sixteen minipigs were used to prospectively model liver fibrosis staged by biopsy. Abdominal gadolinium‐enhanced MRI was performed on the 0, 5th, 9th, 16th, and 21st weekend after beginning of the modeling. Splenic maximal width (W), thickness (T), length (L), and area (S) together with spleen volume (SV) and liver volume (LV) were measured on enhanced MRI and the ratio of SV to LV (SV/LV) was calculated. Spleen multidimensional indexes 1 and 2 were obtained by W × T × L and S × L, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed to determine which parameter could best stage the fibrosis.

Results:

W, T, L, S, SV, index 1 and 2, and SV/LV tended to increase with increasing stages of fibrosis (r = 0.46–0.796, all P < 0.001), and might predict liver fibrosis stage ≥1, ≥2, ≥3, and 4 (area under receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.697–1.0, all P < 0.05). Among the parameters, splenic index 1, SV, and SV/LV might be best for predicting stage ≥1 (AUC = 0.941), ≥2 or ≥3 (AUC = 0.875 or 0.978, respectively), and 4 (AUC = 1.0), respectively.

Conclusion:

Spleen size measured on MRI could be used for staging liver fibrosis. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:540–547. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bismuth(III) Alkoxide Catalysts for Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Lactides and ϵ‐Caprolactone
Authors: Vuorinen Sirpa , Lahcini Mohammed , Hatanpää Timo , Sundberg Markku , Leskelä Markku , Repo Timo
Published: January 2013

Homoleptic bismuth alkoxide complexes, Bi(OR)3 [R = iPr (1), tBu (2), and CMe2iPr (3)], are used as catalysts in the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of lactides. In contrast to 1, two bulkier bismuth alkoxides, 2 and 3, show high activity in the ROP of lactides in toluene at 75 °C. Notably, BiIII alkoxides 2 and 3 are more active in lactide ROP than SnII octoate activated with n‐butanol under identical reaction conditions. Bismuth alkoxides 2 and 3 exhibit a living behavior in the ROP of lactides that is demonstrated both in homopolymerization and in a polymerization resumption experiment. Polymerization of rac‐lactide using 2 and 3 yields polylactide with a slight heterotactic bias. In addition, 2 is an efficient initiator for the ROP of ϵ‐caprolactone in bulk at 120 °C. Variation of the monomer‐to‐catalyst ratio yielded poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) with Mns up to 120 000 g mol−1 in corrected gel‐permeation chromatography (GPC) data.
Almighty Twitter, what are people asking for?
Authors: Liu Zhe , Jansen Bernard J.
Published: January 2013

With the advance of modern technology, social networking sites, such as Twitter, are becoming increasingly important information sources for people to find answers to their questions. Given such trend, in this project, we report results from our analysis of 10,000 English‐written question tweets with expectations of helpful answers (which we call “information seeking tweets” in the following paper) collected in one week period. We explore the topical characteristics and patterns demonstrated in people's information seeking behaviors under online social contexts. In particular, through our topical comparisons between social search, traditional search and real time search, we find that social information seekers show more personalized requirements and more timely needs. Technology, healthcare and education related questions appeared extremely frequent among questions asked on Twitter, along with a desire to pursue help from experts in these areas. In addition to our findings on the topical domains, we also observe that social search contains a significantly less proportion of direct communication than general tweets, showing user's relatively higher openness to diversified answers. Our results also indicate the important role that time and location play in social information seeking context. Based on these findings, implications for future design of social search systems or tools are discussed at the end.
The Bifactor Model of the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey (MBI‐HSS)—An Alternative Measurement Model of Burnout
Authors: Mészáros V. , Ádám Sz. , Szabó M. , Szigeti R. , Urbán R.
Published: January 2013

The purpose of the present study was to examine the construct validity of the Hungarian language version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey (MBI‐HSS). A sample of 653 healthcare professionals (420 physicians and 233 nurses and nursing assistants) completed the MBI‐HSS. A series of confirmatory factor analyses showed that a hierarchical bifactor model including a global burnout factor and three specific factors of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment had the closest fit to the data, compared with an alternative second‐order three‐factor hierarchical model as well as to non‐hierarchical one‐factor, two‐factor, three‐factor, four‐factor and five‐factor models. However, only the global burnout factor and the specific personal accomplishment factor explained a considerable unique proportion of variance in observed scores. Our study confirms the validity of the MBI‐HSS and suggests an alternative structural model, which may contribute to further understanding of the burnout construct. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Benefits of fidelity: does host specialization impact nematode parasite life history and fecundity?
Authors: KOPRIVNIKAR J. , RANDHAWA H. S.
Published: January 2013

The range of hosts used by a parasite is influenced by macro-evolutionary processes (host switching, host–parasite co-evolution), as well as ‘encounter filters’ and ‘compatibility filters’ at the micro-evolutionary level driven by host/parasite ecology and physiology. Host specialization is hypothesized to result in trade-offs with aspects of parasite life history (e.g. reproductive output), but these have not been well studied. We used previously published data to create models examining general relationships among host specificity and important aspects of life history and reproduction for nematodes parasitizing animals. Our results indicate no general trade-off between host specificity and the average pre-patent period (time to first reproduction), female size, egg size, or fecundity of these nematodes. However, female size was positively related to egg size, fecundity, and pre-patent period. Host compatibility may thus not be the primary determinant of specificity in these parasitic nematodes if there are few apparent trade-offs with reproduction, but rather, the encounter opportunities for new host species at the micro-evolutionary level, and other processes at the macro-evolutionary level (i.e. phylogeny). Because host specificity is recognized as a key factor determining the spread of parasitic diseases understanding factors limiting host use are essential to predict future changes in parasite range and occurrence.
The fabrication of small molecule organic light-emitting diode pixels by laser-induced forward transfer
Authors: Shaw-Stewart J. R. H. , Mattle T. , Lippert T. K. , Nagel M. , Nüesch F. A. , Wokaun A.
Published: January 2013

Laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) is a versatile organic light-emitting diode (OLED) pixel deposition process, but has hitherto been applied exclusively to polymeric materials. Here, a modified LIFT process has been used to fabricate small molecule Alq3 organic light-emitting diodes (SMOLEDs). Small molecule thin films are considerably more mechanically brittle than polymeric thin films, which posed significant challenges for LIFT of these materials. The LIFT process presented here uses a polymeric dynamic release layer, a reduced environmental pressure, and a well-defined receiver-donor gap. The Alq3 pixels demonstrate good morphology and functionality, even when compared to conventionally fabricated OLEDs. The Alq3 SMOLED pixel performances show a significant amount of fluence dependence, not observed with polymerical OLED pixels made in previous studies. A layer of tetrabutyl ammonium hydroxide has been deposited on top of the aluminium cathode, as part of the donor substrate, to improve electron injection to the Alq3, by over 600%. These results demonstrate that this variant of LIFT is applicable for the deposition of functional small molecule OLEDs as well as polymeric OLEDs.
An improved coupling design for high-frequency TE011 electron paramagnetic resonance cavities
Authors: Savitsky A. , Grishin Yu. , Rakhmatullin R. , Reijerse E. , Lubitz W.
Published: January 2013

In high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy the sample is usually accommodated in a single-mode cylindrical TE011 microwave cavity. This cavity stands out in terms of flexibility for various types of EPR experiments due to convenient control of its resonance frequency and easy waveguide-to-cavity microwave coupling. In continuous wave and in pulsed EPR it is, however, essential to be able to vary the coupling efficiency over a large range. We present a new mechanical design to vary the microwave coupling to the cavity using a movable metal sphere. This coupling sphere is shifted in the plane of the iris wall inside the coupling waveguide. The design allows for a compact and robust construction of the EPR probehead that can be easily accommodated inside a limited space of helium flow cryostat. The construction details and characterization of the coupling element for 95 GHz (W-band) EPR as well as for 34 GHz (Q-band) are presented.
Grey theory based MCDM procedure for sniper selection problem
Authors: Kose Erkan , Kabak Mehmet , Aplak Hakan
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Personnel selection is an important process in management due to the high cost of unfavorable employee procurement. The multi criteria nature and the presence of both qualitative and quantitative factors make it considerably more complex. The purpose of this paper is to propose a grey theory‐based hybrid approach to solve personnel selection problems in uncertain environments.

Design/methodology/approach

The work procedure is as follows: first, grey analytic network process (GANP) is applied to calculate selection criteria weights and then candidates are ranked by using grey possibility degrees. Finally, an example of a selection problem of sniper for a military unit was used to illustrate the proposed approach.

Findings

The analyses of the results show that grey theory‐based methods have enormous chance of success for personnel selection problems in uncertain situations.

Originality/value

Although there are some applications for personnel selection problems that used grey system theory in the literature, the combination of GANP and grey possibility degrees is used for personnel selection problem in this study.
Singlet molecular oxygen quenching by the antioxidant dimethylmethoxy chromanol in solution and in ex vivo porcine skin
Authors: Nonell S. , García‐Díaz M. , Viladot J. L. , Delgado R.
Published: January 2013

Synopsis

Singlet‐oxygen is a non‐radical reactive oxygen species believed to play a major role in many photooxidation processes in connection with diverse photo‐biological processes such as skin ageing or photocarcinogenesis. Dimethylmethoxy chromanol (3,4‐dihydro‐6‐hydroxy‐2,2‐dimethyl‐7‐methoxy‐1(2H)‐benzopyran) is a potent antioxidant used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations. We have assessed the singlet oxygen quenching ability of dimethylmethoxy chromanol, by monitoring the near‐IR phosphorescence of singlet‐oxygen in solution and in ex vivo porcine skin samples. Dimethylmethoxy chromanol quenches singlet oxygen with a rate constant of (1.3 ± 0.1) × 108 M−1 s−1 in solution. Consistent with this, a clear reduction in the singlet oxygen lifetime and emission intensity was observed when ex vivo porcine skin samples were treated with dimethylmethoxy chromanol.
Analysis of nursing education in Ghana: Priorities for scaling‐up the nursing workforce
Authors: Bell Sue Anne , Rominski Sarah , Bam Victoria , Donkor Ernestina , Lori Jody
Published: January 2013

In this cross‐sectional study, the strengths, challenges and current status of baccalaureate nursing education in Ghana were described using a descriptive design. The World Health Organization Global Standards for the Initial Education of Nurses and Midwives were used as the organizing framework, with baseline data on the status of nursing education from two state‐funded universities in Ghana presented. A serious shortage of qualified faculty was identified, along with the need for significant upgrading to the existing infrastructure. Additionally, the number of qualified applicants far exceeds the available training slots. Faculty and infrastructure shortages are common issues in nursing education and workforce expansion; however, in low‐resource countries, such as Ghana, these issues are compounded by high rates of preventable disease and injury. An understanding of the strengths and challenges of nursing education in Ghana can inform the development of strategies for nursing workforce expansion for other low‐resource countries.
Identification of rice Allene Oxide Cyclase mutants and the function of jasmonate for defence against Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Riemann Michael , Haga Ken , Shimizu Takafumi , Okada Kazunori , Ando Sugihiro , Mochizuki Susumu , Nishizawa Yoko , Yamanouchi Utako , Nick Peter , Yano Masahiro , Minami Eiichi , Takano Makoto , Yamane Hisakazu , Iino Moritoshi
Published: January 2013

Two photomorphogenic mutants of rice, coleoptile photomorphogenesis 2 (cpm2) and hebiba, were found to be defective in the gene encoding allene oxide cyclase (OsAOC) by map‐based cloning and complementation assays. Examination of the enzymatic activity of recombinant GST–OsAOC indicated that OsAOC is a functional enzyme that is involved in the biosynthesis of jasmonic acid and related compounds. The level of jasmonate was extremely low in both mutants, in agreement with the fact that rice has only one gene encoding allene oxide cyclase. Several flower‐related mutant phenotypes were observed, including morphological abnormalities of the flower and early flowering. We used these mutants to investigate the function of jasmonate in the defence response to the blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. Inoculation assays with fungal spores revealed that both mutants are more susceptible than wild‐type to an incompatible strain of M. oryzae, in such a way that hyphal growth was enhanced in mutant tissues. The level of jasmonate isoleucine, a bioactive form of jasmonate, increased in response to blast infection. Furthermore, blast‐induced accumulation of phytoalexins, especially that of the flavonoid sakuranetin, was found to be severely impaired in cpm2 and hebiba. Together, the present study demonstrates that, in rice, jasmonate mediates the defence response against blast fungus.
How Big Is the Proton?
Authors: Margolis Helen S.
Published: January 2013

Precise spectroscopic measurements of muonic hydrogen reveal a proton radius appreciably different from the currently accepted value.

[Also see Research Article by

Antognini
et al.

]
Gun Control Agenda Is a Call to Duty for Scientists
Authors: Underwood Emily
Published: January 2013

The administration moves to get a better understanding of the root causes of gun violence, declaring the roughly 30,000 firearm-related homicides and suicides each year "a public health crisis."
Identification of Common Mechanisms by Which Human and Mouse Cytomegalovirus Seven-Transmembrane Receptor Homologues Contribute to
In Vivo
Phenotypes in a Mouse Model
Authors: Farrell Helen E. , Abraham Alexander M. , Cardin Rhonda D. , Mølleskov-Jensen Ann-Sofie , Rosenkilde Mette M. , Davis-Poynter Nicholas
Published: January 2013

The mouse cytomegalovirus chemokine receptor homologue (CKR) M33 is required for salivary gland tropism and efficient reactivation from latency, phenotypes partially rescued by the human cytomegalovirus CKR US28. Herein, we demonstrate that complementation of salivary gland tropism is mediated predominantly by G protein-dependent signaling conserved with that of M33; in contrast, both G protein-dependent and -independent pathways contribute to the latency phenotypes. A novel M33-dependent replication phenotype in cultured bone marrow macrophages is also described.
Fault detection and estimation for non-Gaussian stochastic systems with time varying delay
Authors: Hu Kai , Song AiGuo , Wang WeiLiang , Zhang Yingchao , Fan Zhiyong
Published: January 2013

In this paper, fault detection and estimation problem is studied for non-Gaussian stochastic systems with time varying delay. A new approach based on the output probability density function (PDF) and observers technique to detect and estimate time varying faults is presented. Some slack variables and scalars are introduced to design observers’ parameters, which can provide more degrees of freedom. A particle distribution example is given to illustrate the design procedures, and the simulation results show the performance of the proposed approaches.
Practice Prize Winner—Creating a Measurable Social Media Marketing Strategy: Increasing the Value and ROI of Intangibles and Tangibles for Hokey Pokey
Authors: Kumar V. , Bhaskaran Vikram , Mirchandani Rohan , Shah Milap
Published: January 2013

Hokey Pokey, a popular “super premium” ice cream retailer, has over a dozen outlets based in India. Hokey Pokey offers “customized mix-in” flavors and realizes the importance of social media platforms to connect with its target consumers and create an engaging brand experience. However, with a limited marketing budget, the retailer needed to measure the success of its social media marketing efforts and create an optimized strategy. To accomplish this, we proposed and implemented a methodology to measure social media return on investment (ROI) and a customer's word-of-mouth (WOM) value by first creating a unique metric to measure the net influence wielded by a user in a social network, customer influence effect (CIE), and then predicting the user's ability to generate the spread of viral information. We then link WOM to the actual sales that it generates through a second metric, customer influence value (CIV), and we implement a strategy at Hokey Pokey to measure these metrics and identify their individual drivers. Finally, we refine our strategy to increase CIE and CIV, thereby impacting the profit. Our research shows that social media can be used to generate growth in sales, ROI, and positive word of mouth and can spread brand knowledge further.
Crystal structure of 1H-imidazo(4,5-f)-1,10-phenanthroline-terphenyl- 2,5,2',5'-tetracarboxylic acid monohydrate (2:1:1), (C13H8N4)2·(C22H14O8)·(H2O), C48H32N8O9
Authors: Chang Xin-Hong , Li Guang-Feng
Published: January 2013

C48H32N8O9, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 26.901(8) Å, b = 7.068(2) Å, c = 20.247(6) Å, β = 93.796(3)°, V = 3841.2 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0689, wRref(F2) = 0.1822, T = 296 K.
Crystal structure of dipyrido(3,2-a:2',3'-c)phenazine-terphenyl-2,5,2',5'- tetracarboxylic acid (2:1), (C18H10N4)2·(C22H14O8), C58H34N8O8
Authors: Chang Xin-Hong , Li Guang-Feng
Published: January 2013

C58H34N8O8, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 28.265(6) Å, b = 10.004(2) Å, c = 15.748(3) Å, β = 92.128(2)°, V = 4449.9 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0614, wRref(F2) = 0.2012, T = 296 K.
Crystal structure of quininium-trichloro-zinc(II), ZnCl3(C20H25N2O2), C20H25Cl3N2O2Zn
Authors: Kang Jaeun , Yun Hoseop , Do Junghwan
Published: January 2013

C20H25Cl3N2O2Zn, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 7.673(2) Å, b = 11.485(2) Å, c = 24.655(5) Å, V = 2172.6 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0487, wRref(F2) = 0.1381, T = 296 K.
Crystal structure of diethyl 5-nitro-isophthalate, C12H13NO6
Authors: Zou Pei , Wu Hao , Xie Min-Hao , Liu Ya-Ling , Shen Yong-Jia
Published: January 2013

C12H13NO6, orthorhombic, Pca21 (no. 29), a = 31.762(7) Å, b = 4.1073(9) Å, c = 19.363(4) Å, V = 2526.0 Å3, Z = 8, Rgt(F) = 0.0603, wRref(F2) = 0.1487, T = 163 K.