bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Insulin resistance improvement by cinnamon powder in polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized double‐blind placebo controlled clinical trial
Authors: Hajimonfarednejad Mahdie , Nimrouzi Majid , Heydari Mojtaba , Zarshenas Mohammad Mehdi , Raee Mohammad Javad , Jahromi Bahia Namavar 
Published: December 2017

Our aim is to assess the effect of cinnamon powder capsules on insulin resistance, anthropometric measurements, glucose and lipid profiles, and androgens of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Out of 80 women that were diagnosed as PCOS by Rotterdam Criteria, 66 were enrolled in this randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled clinical trial. All of the PCOS women were taking medroxy progesterone acetate 10 mg/day for the last 10 days of their menstrual cycles. The cases were randomly allocated to 2 groups. The women in the first group were treated by cinnamon powder capsules 1.5 g/day in 3 divided doses for 12 weeks and the second group by similar placebo capsules. Anthropometric measurements, fasting blood sugar, fasting insulin, blood glucose 2 hr after taking 75 g oral glucose, HbA1c, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, triglyceride, and cholesterol (low‐density lipoprotein, high‐density lipoprotein, and total) before and after the intervention were evaluated and compared as outcome measures. Fasting insulin (p = .024) and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (p = .014) were reduced after 12 weeks in the cinnamon group compared with the placebo. There was also a significant decrease in low‐density lipoprotein in cinnamon group (p = .004) as compared with baseline that caused significant difference with placebo (p = .049). However, changes in other outcome measurements did not lead to statistically significant difference with placebo. The present results suggest that complementary supplementation of cinnamon significantly reduced fasting insulin and insulin resistance in women with PCOS.
Visual and tactile feedback for a direct‐manipulating tactile sensor in laparoscopic palpation
Authors: Fukuda Tomohiro , Tanaka Yoshihiro , Kappers Astrid M.L. , Fujiwara Michitaka , Sano Akihito 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundA surgeon's tactile sense can contribute to intraoperative tumor detection, but it is limited by laparoscopic surgery.MethodsWe have developed a simple and biocompatible tactile sensor. This study aimed to design and evaluate visual and tactile feedback from the sensor for laparoscopic tumor detection. A line graph was offered through a monitor as the visual feedback. A normal force was presented to the user's foot as the tactile feedback. Twelve novices conducted a task of detecting a phantom tumor under 4 conditions (no feedback, visual feedback, tactile feedback and a combination of both types of feedback).ResultsThe visual feedback was significantly more effective in detection than no feedback. Moreover, both visual and tactile feedback led to safer manipulation with significantly smaller load and lower scanning speed, respectively.ConclusionsThe results suggest that visual and tactile feedback can be useful for laparoscopic palpation; however, their effects depend on the means in which they are presented.
Investigation of 2‐stage meta‐analysis methods for joint longitudinal and time‐to‐event data through simulation and real data application
Authors: Sudell Maria , Tudur Smith Catrin , Gueyffier François , Kolamunnage‐Dona Ruwanthi 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundJoint modelling of longitudinal and time‐to‐event data is often preferred over separate longitudinal or time‐to‐event analyses as it can account for study dropout, error in longitudinally measured covariates, and correlation between longitudinal and time‐to‐event outcomes. The joint modelling literature focuses mainly on the analysis of single studies with no methods currently available for the meta‐analysis of joint model estimates from multiple studies.MethodsWe propose a 2‐stage method for meta‐analysis of joint model estimates. These methods are applied to the INDANA dataset to combine joint model estimates of systolic blood pressure with time to death, time to myocardial infarction, and time to stroke. Results are compared to meta‐analyses of separate longitudinal or time‐to‐event models. A simulation study is conducted to contrast separate versus joint analyses over a range of scenarios.ResultsUsing the real dataset, similar results were obtained by using the separate and joint analyses. However, the simulation study indicated a benefit of use of joint rather than separate methods in a meta‐analytic setting where association exists between the longitudinal and time‐to‐event outcomes.ConclusionsWhere evidence of association between longitudinal and time‐to‐event outcomes exists, results from joint models over standalone analyses should be pooled in 2‐stage meta‐analyses.
Surface Engineering of Nanoparticles for Targeted Delivery to Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Lu Jingxiong , Wang Jin , Ling Daishun 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer‐associated deaths worldwide. There is a lack of efficient therapy for HCC; the only available first‐line systemic drug, sorafenib, can merely improve the average survival by two months. Among the efforts to develop an efficient therapy for HCC, nanomedicine has drawn the most attention, owing to its unique features such as high drug‐loading capacity, intrinsic anticancer activities, integrated diagnostic and therapeutic functionalities, and easy surface engineering with targeting ligands. Despite its tremendous advantages, no nanomedicine can be effective unless it successfully targets the tumor site, which is a challenging task. In this review, the features of HCC are described, and the physiological hurdles that prevent nanoparticles from targeting HCC are discussed. Then, the surface physicochemical factors of nanoparticles that can influence targeting efficiency are discussed. Finally, a thorough description of the physiological barriers that nanomedicine must conquer before uptake by HCC cells if possible is provided, as well as the surface engineering approaches to nanomedicine to achieve targeted delivery to HCC cells. The physiological hurdles and corresponding solutions summarized in this review provide a general guide for the rational design of HCC targeting nanomedicine systems.
Doping of Ni and Zn Elements in MnCO3: High‐Power Anode Material for Lithium–Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Qing , Liu Zhengwang , Wang Chao , Zhao Yunhao , Che Renchao 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHerein, Ni and Zn elements are doped simultaneously in MnCO3 and microspheric MnxNiyZnzCO3 is successfully obtained. Atomic mapping images reveal that the Ni and Zn elements have been successfully doped in MnCO3 and thus the prepared sample is not a mixture of MnCO3, NiCO3, and ZnCO3. It is the first time that the atomic mapping images of ternary transition metal carbonates have been demonstrated so far. The scanning transmission electron microscopy ‐ annular bright field (STEM‐ABF) image successfully confirms the formation of oxygen vacancies in MnxNiyZnzCO3, which is beneficial to improve the electrical conductivity. The evolution of the microstructure from crystal to amorphization during cycling process confirmed by the fast Fourier transform patterns effectively lowers the overpotential of the conversion reaction and accelerates the conversion between Mn2+ and much higher valence of Mn element, contributing to the superior capacity of MnxNiyZnzCO3 electrode. As anode material for lithium‐ion batteries, the prepared MnxNiyZnzCO3 exhibits excellent long‐term cycling stability and outstanding rate performance, delivering the superior reversible discharge capacities of 1066 mA h g−1 at 500 mA g−1 after 500 cycles and 760 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 1000 cycles. It is the first time that MnxNiyZnzCO3 has been synthesized and used as anode for lithium‐ion batteries so far.
‘A Considerable Degree Removed from Pauperism’?: The Social Profile of Fee-Paying Patients
Authors: Mauger Alice 
Published: December 2017

AbstractCentring on patients admitted to nine selected asylums, this chapter delineates the socio-economic background of fee-paying patients. This examination is largely quantitative and draws heavily on statistics gleaned from asylum records. It charts admissions in two phases: the first to the Bloomfield Retreat and Hampstead House between 1826 and 1867, and the second to the nine asylums studied between 1868 and 1900, and explores patients’ gender, marital status, religious denomination and former occupation. The chapter reveals that many paying patients in district asylums occupied a precarious social position just above the rank of pauper. Charitable and private asylum patients, meanwhile, were usually drawn from more affluent circumstances. Exploration of patients’ social profile is supplemented by analysis of their maintenance fees and property holdings, shedding further light on the spending power of discrete social groups. The existence of an institutional marketplace is further depicted through evidence of the socio-economic overlap of patients in the three types of asylum.
Emergency‐to‐Elective Surgery Ratio: A Global Indicator of Access to Surgical Care
Authors: Prin Meghan , Guglielminotti Jean , Mtalimanja Onias , Li Guohua , Charles Anthony 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundSurgical care is essential to health systems but remains a challenge for low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). Current metrics to assess access and delivery of surgical care focus on the structural components of surgery and are not readily applicable to all settings. This study assesses a new metric for surgical care access and delivery, the ratio of emergent surgery to elective surgery (Ee ratio), which represents the number of emergency surgeries performed for every 100 elective surgeries.MethodsA systematic search of PubMed and Medline was conducted for studies describing surgical volume and acuity published between 2006 and 2016. The relationship between Ee ratio and three national indicators (gross domestic product, per capital healthcare spending, and physician density) was analyzed using weighted Pearson correlation coefficients (rw) and linear regression models.ResultsA total of 29 studies with 33 datasets were included for analyses. The median Ee ratio was 14.6 (IQR 5.5–62.6), with a range from 1.6 to 557.4. For countries in sub‐Saharan Africa the median value was 62.6 (IQR 17.8–111.0), compared to 9.4 (IQR 3.4–13.4) for the United States and 5.5 (IQR 4.4–10.1) for European countries. In multivariable linear regression, the per capita healthcare spending was inversely associated with the Ee ratio, with a 63‐point decrease in the Ee ratio for each 1 point increase in the log of the per capita healthcare spending (regression coefficient β = −63.2; 95% CI −119.6 to −6.9; P = 0.036).ConclusionsThe Ee ratio appears to be a simple and valid indicator of access to available surgical care. Global health efforts may focus on investment in low‐resource settings to improve access to available surgical care.
Output ordering and prioritisation system (OOPS): ranking biosynthetic gene clusters to enhance bioactive metabolite discovery
Authors: Peña Alejandro , Del Carratore Francesco , Cummings Matthew , Takano Eriko , Breitling Rainer 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
The rapid increase of publicly available microbial genome sequences has highlighted the presence of hundreds of thousands of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) encoding valuable secondary metabolites. The experimental characterization of new BGCs is extremely laborious and struggles to keep pace with the in silico identification of potential BGCs. Therefore, the prioritisation of promising candidates among computationally predicted BGCs represents a pressing need. Here, we propose an output ordering and prioritisation system (OOPS) which helps sorting identified BGCs by a wide variety of custom-weighted biological and biochemical criteria in a flexible and user-friendly interface. OOPS facilitates a judicious prioritisation of BGCs using G+C content, coding sequence length, gene number, cluster self-similarity and codon bias parameters, as well as enabling the user to rank BGCs based upon BGC type, novelty, and taxonomic distribution. Effective prioritisation of BGCs will help to reduce experimental attrition rates and improve the breadth of bioactive metabolites characterized.
CONTeMPLATE—a&nbsp;mnemonic to help medical educators infuse reflection into their residency curriculum
Authors: Cheung Lawrence 
Published: December 2017

Reflection, where clinical experiences are analyzed to gain greater understanding and meaning, is an important step in workplace learning. Residency programs must teach their residents the skills needed for deep reflection. Medical educators may find it difficult to construct a curriculum which includes the key elements needed to enable learners to attain these skills. When we first implemented reflection into our residency curriculum, we soon realized that our curriculum only taught residents how to engage in superficial reflection. Our curriculum lacked some key elements. To help guide the transformation of our curriculum, we combed the literature for best practices. The CONTeMPLATE mnemonic was born out of this process. It is a tool to help medical educators consider and implement key elements required to enable deep reflection. The purpose of this article is to show medical educators how they can use the CONTeMPLATE mnemonic to incorporate reflective practice into their own curriculum.
Bullying victimization experiences among middle and high school adolescents: Traditional bullying, discriminatory harassment, and cybervictimization
Authors: Salmon Samantha , Turner Sarah , Taillieu Tamara , Fortier Janique , Afifi Tracie O. 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTThe objectives of the current study were to estimate the prevalence of nine types of bullying victimization among adolescents in Grades 7 to 12, and examine how these experiences vary according to gender and school grade. Data were drawn from the Manitoba Youth Health Survey. The sample size was N = 64 174 and included boys and girls from Grades 7 to 12. Nine types of bullying victimization were assessed. Gender and grade differences were noted with girls being more to likely than boys to report six types of victimization. The odds of bullying victimization were higher in Grades 8 to 12 compared to Grade 7. Effective anti‐bullying intervention strategies need to address a range of victimization types and should consider gender and school grade. Interventions should start before Grade 7 and continue until the end of Grade 12.
Product reformulation and nutritional improvements after new competitive food standards in schools
Authors: Jahn Jaquelyn L , Cohen Juliana FW , Gorski-Findling Mary T , Hoffman Jessica A , Rosenfeld Lindsay , Chaffee Ruth , Smith Lauren , Rimm Eric B 
Published: December 2017

AbstractObjectiveIn 2012, Massachusetts enacted school competitive food and beverage standards similar to national Smart Snacks. These standards aim to improve the nutritional quality of competitive snacks. It was previously demonstrated that a majority of foods and beverages were compliant with the standards, but it was unknown whether food manufacturers reformulated products in response to the standards. The present study assessed whether products were reformulated after standards were implemented; the availability of reformulated products outside schools; and whether compliance with the standards improved the nutrient composition of competitive snacks.DesignAn observational cohort study documenting all competitive snacks sold before (2012) and after (2013 and 2014) the standards were implemented.SettingThe sample included thirty-six school districts with both a middle and high school.ResultsAfter 2012, energy, saturated fat, Na and sugar decreased and fibre increased among all competitive foods. By 2013, 8 % of foods were reformulated, as were an additional 9 % by 2014. Nearly 15 % of reformulated foods were look-alike products that could not be purchased at supermarkets. Energy and Na in beverages decreased after 2012, in part facilitated by smaller package sizes.ConclusionsMassachusetts’ law was effective in improving the nutritional content of snacks and product reformulation helped schools adhere to the law. This suggests fully implementing Smart Snacks standards may similarly improve the foods available in schools nationally. However, only some healthier reformulated foods were available outside schools.
Impacts on employment, finances, and lifestyle for working age people facing an expected premature death: A systematic review
Authors: Kochovska Slavica , Luckett Tim , Agar Meera , Phillips Jane L. 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTObjective:The working ages (25–65 years) are a period when most people have significant work, financial, and family responsibilities. A small proportion of working age people will face an expected premature death from cancer or other life-limiting illness. Understanding the impact an expected premature death has on this population is important for informing support. The current study set out to summarize research describing the effects that facing an expected premature death has on employment, financial, and lifestyle of working age people and their families.Method:A systematic review using narrative synthesis approach. Four electronic databases were searched in July 2016 for peer-reviewed, English language studies focusing on the financial, employment, and lifestyle concerns of working age adults living with an advanced life-limiting illness and/or their carers and/or children.Results:Fifteen quantitative and 12 qualitative studies were included. Two-thirds (n = 18) were focused on cancer. All studies identified adverse effects on workforce participation, finances, and lifestyle. Many patients were forced to work less or give up work/retire early because of symptoms and reduced functioning. In addition to treatment costs, patients and families were also faced with child care, travel, and home/car modification costs. Being younger was associated with greater employment and financial burden, whereas having children was associated with lower functional well-being. Changes in family roles were identified as challenging regardless of diagnosis, whereas maintaining normalcy and creating stability was seen as a priority by parents with advanced cancer. This review is limited by the smaller number of studies focussing on the needs of working age people with nonmalignant disease.Significance of results:Working age people facing an expected premature death and their families have significant unmet financial, employment, and lifestyle needs. Comparing and contrasting their severity, timing, and priority for people with nonmalignant conditions is required to better understand their unique needs.
The Beginnings of Romanian Composition: Between Nationalism and the Obsession with Synchronizing with the West
Authors: Sandu-Dediu Valentina 
Published: December 2017

Romanian composition in the nineteenth century went through rapid changes, moving from a Greek-oriental sound world to a Western European one. It is interesting to examine, in this context, the musicians’ quest for a ‘national’ sound and identity. Analysis of piano miniatures or vaudeville, the favourite genre of the Romanian audience in the first half of the century, shows eclectic combinations of urban folk music with sources of inspiration borrowed from popular foreign melodies. The second half of the century seems to be marked in modern scholarship by premieres: some composers are included in Romanian history just for the merit of writing the first Romanian symphony, the first string quartet, the first opera, and so forth. Their work led towards the constitution of a ‘national language’ adapted to genres borrowed from contemporary Western European music.In addition to demonstrating these ideas in the work of a number of Romanian composers (Josef Herfner, Ioan Andrei Wachmann, Anton Pann, Alexandru Flechtenmacher, Ludwig Anton Wiest, Carol Miculi, George Stephănescu, Constantin Dimitrescu, Gavriil Musicescu, Eduard Caudella, George Dima, Ciprian Porumbescu, Iacob Mureşianu, Dumitru Georgescu Kiriac, Alfonso Castaldi, Eduard Wachmann), the present article also encompasses two case studies. The first is Franz Liszt’s tour through the Romanian Countries, which offers a clearer image of the popular ideas circulating within the musical scene of the time. Liszt’s initiative to emphasize the national spirit through folk quotations reworked in rhapsodies should have inspired Romanian musicians; we will see whether this actually happened. The second case study concerns the musical life of Bucharest around 1900, when the directions of Romanian modern music were being traced, and cautious and selective steps were made toward harmonizing with Europe began.
Evaluating scale and technical efficiency among farms and ranches with a local market orientation
Authors: Bauman Allison , Thilmany Dawn , Jablonski Becca B.R. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn recent years, the growth in local food marketing channels has been significant. Most of the research in this field examining the economic implication of these trends has focused post-farmgate including supply chain analysis (e.g., Hardesty et al., 2014; King et al., 2010), regional economic impacts (e.g., Brown et al., 2014; Hughes et al., 2008; Jablonski et al., 2016) and consumer values and motivations that have driven demand (e.g., Costanigro, 2014; Lusk and Briggeman, 2009). To date, with the exception of a few case studies examining expenses and sales by channel assessment (LeRoux et al., 2010; Hardesty and Leff, 2010; Jablonski and Schmit, 2016) there has been little research that examines the impact on financial viability among farms selling through these markets. The goal of this paper is twofold: first, to identify the factors that have the greatest influence on the efficiency of farmers and ranchers that participate in local food systems, and second, to estimate the relationship between marketing strategy and farm financial efficiency, with a particular focus on variations across farm size. Our estimation of the stochastic production frontier suggests that scale, production enterprise specialty, market outlet choices, land ownership, and management of expenses have the greatest influence on producer financial efficiency. Our model suggests that scale has the largest impact on financial efficiency, providing evidence that, all else constant, the most important factor in the efficiency of direct market producers is scale. When profit is defined as operating profit, results indicate that marketing channel is not an important indicator of efficiency. But when profit is defined as return on assets, marketing channel is an important indicator of efficiency, albeit less than is scale. Results from this analysis indicate there are economies of scale associated with farms and ranches that sell through local and regional markets, and that scale rather than marketing channel has the largest influence on efficiency.