bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surgical Management of Chronic Wounds in a Buruli Ulcer Endemic Area in Central Africa
Authors: Guifo Marc Leroy , Essiene Agnes , Ngo Nsoga Marie , Farikou Ibrahima , Handy Eone Daniel , NjihTabah Ernest 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackgroundChronic wounds, especially Buruli ulcers (BU) are emerging public health threat in West and Central Africa. Akonolinga in Cameroon is one of the four health districts affected by BU. Since 2002, Médécins Sans Frontières has established a specialized wound carecenter to actively diagnose and provide treatment of chronic wounds that is accessible and affordable for all patients. Our objectives were to report the surgical activities in Akonolinga, to provide description of the types of chronic wounds and elements of anticipation of treatment needs in a public health perspective.MethodWe carried out a retrospective cohort and descriptive study from January 2012 to June 2014 (30 months) on a series of consecutive patients with chronic wounds, managed surgically in Akonolinga, Centre Region, Cameroon. Among BU patients only those with necessity of surgery were included and the others followed only their 8 weeks medical treatment with antibiotics.ResultsA total of 148 patients were recorded. 101 cases of BU and related disability and 47 cases of non‐Buruli chronic wounds. Patients had a mean age of 34 years. Most of the procedures used were debridement 40 %, skin graft 29 %, stripping 5 %, plastic procedures 7 %, and amputation 4 %. The mean number of procedures was 2 for each patient in this series.ConclusionChronic wounds occur worldwide and may be caused by specific health conditions. Medical and paramedical education should provide both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to help health care personnel to face this problem in their communities.
On the attractor for the semi-dissipative Boussinesq equations
Authors: Biswas Animikh , Foias Ciprian , Larios Adam 
Published: December 2015

In this article, we study the long time behavior of solutions of a variant of the Boussinesq system in which the equation for the velocity is parabolic while the equation for the temperature is hyperbolic. We prove that the system has a global attractor which retains some of the properties of the global attractors for the 2D and 3D Navier–Stokes equations. Moreover, this attractor contains infinitely many invariant manifolds in which several universal properties of the Batchelor, Kraichnan, Leith theory of turbulence are potentially present.

Résumé
Dans cet article nous étudions le comportment en temps long infini des solutions d'un système du Boussinesq partiellement dissipatif, dont une est parabolique et l'autre est hyperbolique. Dans ce but, nous introduisons un attracteur universel qui retient plusieurs proprietés des attracteurs universels des équations de Navier–Stokes en dimension deux ou trois, et qui contient une infinité de varietés invariantes dans lesquelles plusieurs proprietés universelles de la théorie de la turbulence bidimensionnelle de Batchelor, Kraichnan et Leith, sont potentiellement présentes.
The positive effect of assortment size on purchase likelihood: The moderating influence of decision order
Authors: Gao Leilei , Simonson Itamar 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe effect of assortment size on purchase decisions is an ongoing subject of debate, in light of conflicting findings (Scheibehenne, Greifeneder, & Todd, 2010). The authors show that a key determinant of the effect is the order in which “whether to buy” and “which option to choose” decisions are made. Increasing assortment size has a more positive effect on the likelihood of consumers to make a purchase when the initial decision emphasis is on whether to make a purchase from a given set of options, as opposed to first identifying the best available option in the set. This prediction is based on the proposition that decision order determines how likely consumers are to make trade‐offs between the perceived costs and benefits associated with a large product assortment, and that the benefits are given relatively greater weight when consumers decide first “whether to buy” (rather than “which option to choose”). Two incentive‐compatible studies, using a systematic manipulation of assortment size and decision order, support the prediction.
Relationship Between Botulinum Toxin, Spasticity, and Pain: a Survey of Patient Perception
Authors: Shaikh Adil , Phadke Chetan P , Ismail Farooq , Boulias Chris 
Published: December 2015

AbstractObjective: To assess the prevalence of pain in adults with spasticity and to assess the association between the subjective experience of pain and spasticity.Design: Cross-sectional study.Setting: outpatient spasticity management clinic of a rehabilitation centre.Patients: Patients with upper motor neuron lesions and spasticity (n=131) were recruited.Methods:We assessed pain intensity and location, relationship between spasticity and pain perception, and perception of pain relief from botulinum toxin type-A (BoNTA) injections. Main outcome measures: Pain perception rated on a 10-point numerical rating scale and pain quality.Results:65% of the patients with spasticity reported presence of pain and 60% described it as an aching pain. More patients reported pain with movement (34%) compared to rest (21%). There was a statistically poor correlation between the severity of pain and spasticity (r=0.16; p>0.05). Most patients (80%) believed that their pain was related to spasticity and 62% reported that BoNTA injections decreased their pain.Conclusions:The high incidence of pain noted within our sample suggests that physicians may have to consider pain management as part of spasticity treatment. Participants reported that their pain was related to their spasticity, and that it decreased after BoNTA treatment. Further study is needed to explore the relationships between objective measures of spasticity and pain.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effectiveness of Traditional and Mobile Public Health Communications With Health Care Providers
Authors: Baseman Janet , Revere Debra , Painter Ian , Oberle Mark , Duchin Jeffrey , Thiede Hanne , Nett Randall , MacEachern Dorothy , Stergachis Andy 
Published: December 2015

AbstractObjectivesHealth care providers play an essential role in public health emergency preparedness and response. We conducted a 4-year randomized controlled trial to systematically compare the effectiveness of traditional and mobile communication strategies for sending time-sensitive public health messages to providers.MethodsSubjects (N=848) included providers who might be leveraged to assist with emergency preparedness and response activities, such as physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, and veterinarians. Providers were randomly assigned to a group that received time-sensitive quarterly messages via e-mail, fax, or cell phone text messaging (SMS) or to a no-message control group. Follow-up phone interviews elicited information about message receipt, topic recall, and perceived credibility and trustworthiness of message and source.ResultsOur main outcome measures were awareness and recall of message content, which was compared across delivery methods. Per-protocol analysis revealed that e-mail messages were recalled at a higher rate than were messaged delivered by fax or SMS, whereas the as-treated analysis found that e-mail and fax groups had similar recall rates and both had higher recall rates than the SMS group.ConclusionsThis is the first study to systematically evaluate the relative effectiveness of public health message delivery systems. Our findings provide guidance to improve public health agency communications with providers before, during, and after a public health emergency. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:98–107)
REPRESENTATIONS OF IDEALS IN POLISH GROUPS AND IN BANACH SPACES
Authors: BORODULIN–NADZIEJA PIOTR , FARKAS BARNABÁS , PLEBANEK GRZEGORZ 
Published: December 2015

AbstractWe investigate ideals of the form {A⊆ω: Σn∈Axnis unconditionally convergent} where (xn)n∈ωis a sequence in a Polish group or in a Banach space. If an ideal onωcan be seen in this form for some sequence inX, then we say that it is representable inX.After numerous examples we show the following theorems: (1) An ideal is representable in a Polish Abelian group iff it is an analytic P-ideal. (2) An ideal is representable in a Banach space iff it is a nonpathological analytic P-ideal.We focus on the family of ideals representable inc0. We characterize this property via the defining sequence of measures. We prove that the trace of the null ideal, Farah’s ideal, and Tsirelson ideals are not representable inc0, and that a tallFσP-ideal is representable inc0iff it is a summable ideal. Also, we provide an example of a peculiar ideal which is representable inℓ1but not in ℝ.Finally, we summarize some open problems of this topic.
David Dabydeen’s Hogarth: Blacks, Jews, and Postcolonial Ekphrasis
Authors: Casteel Sarah Phillips 
Published: December 2015

Eighteenth-century satirical artist William Hogarth figures centrally in Guyanese writer David Dabydeen’s ekphrastic postcolonial fiction. In particular, Dabydeen’s novelsA Harlot’s ProgressandJohnson’s Dictionaryinvoke plate 2 of Hogarth’s 1732 seriesA Harlot’s Progress, which depicts the encounter of a cuckolded Jewish merchant, his mistress, and a turbaned slave boy.In this article, I argue that Dabydeen’s strategy of introducing visual intertexts into his fiction encourages a comparative reading of the representational regimes that historically have shaped popular perceptions of blacks and Jews. Situating Dabydeen’s Hogarth novels as part of a larger tradition in postwar Caribbean writing of advancing an identificatory reading of Jewishness, I examine how Dabydeen’s novels illustrate the need to broaden discussions of the relationship between postcolonial and Jewish studies beyond the question of Holocaust memory.
Public Policies toward Aboriginal Peoples: Attitudinal Obstacles and Uphill Battles
Authors: White Stephen , Atkinson Michael M. , Berdahl Loleen , McGrane David 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThis paper examines public attitudes towards aboriginal policy in Canada, focusing on evidence from two surveys conducted in Saskatchewan, a province with a large and growing Aboriginal population. We show that although non-Aboriginals are collectively divided on Aboriginal public policies, expressing considerable support for some, but strong reservations when it comes to others; the individual-level evidence indicates that there is a single Aboriginal policy agenda in the minds of non-Aboriginal Canadians. Support for, and opposition to, the privileging of Aboriginal claims is structured in part by prejudice toward outgroups but also by non-Aboriginal people's more general position on the role of government in society. Moreover, the impact of positions about the role of government in society on attitudes toward Aboriginal policies is moderated by people's level of political sophistication: the more educated and politically interested they are, the greater the impact of those ideological views.
Rational Values of Weierstrass Zeta Functions
Authors: Jones G. O. , Thomas M. E. M. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractWe answer a question of Masser by showing that for the Weierstrass zeta function ζ corresponding to a given lattice Λ, the density of algebraic points of absolute multiplicative height bounded byTand degree bounded byklying on the graph of ζ, restricted to an appropriate domain, does not exceedc(logT)15for an effective constant c > 0 depending onkand on Λ. Using different methods, we also give two bounds of the same form for the density of algebraic points of bounded height in a fixed number field lying on the graph of ζ restricted to an appropriate subset of (0, 1). In one case the constant c can be shown not to depend on the choice of lattice; in the other, the exponent can be improved to 12.
Comparing the performance of 11 crop simulation models in predicting yield response to nitrogen fertilization
Authors: SALO T. J. , PALOSUO T. , KERSEBAUM K. C. , NENDEL C. , ANGULO C. , EWERT F. , BINDI M. , CALANCA P. , KLEIN T. , MORIONDO M. , FERRISE R. , OLESEN J. E. , PATIL R. H. , RUGET F. , TAKÁČ J. , HLAVINKA P. , TRNKA M. , RÖTTER R. P. 
Published: December 2015

SUMMARYEleven widely used crop simulation models (APSIM, CERES, CROPSYST, COUP, DAISY, EPIC, FASSET, HERMES, MONICA, STICS and WOFOST) were tested using spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) data set under varying nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates from three experimental years in the boreal climate of Jokioinen, Finland. This is the largest standardized crop model inter-comparison under different levels of N supply to date. The models were calibrated using data from 2002 and 2008, of which 2008 included six N rates ranging from 0 to 150 kg N/ha. Calibration data consisted of weather, soil, phenology, leaf area index (LAI) and yield observations. The models were then tested against new data for 2009 and their performance was assessed and compared with both the two calibration years and the test year. For the calibration period, root mean square error between measurements and simulated grain dry matter yields ranged from 170 to 870 kg/ha. During the test year 2009, most models failed to accurately reproduce the observed low yield without N fertilizer as well as the steep yield response to N applications. The multi-model predictions were closer to observations than most single-model predictions, but multi-model mean could not correct systematic errors in model simulations. Variation in soil N mineralization and LAI development due to differences in weather not captured by the models most likely was the main reason for their unsatisfactory performance. This suggests the need for model improvement in soil N mineralization as a function of soil temperature and moisture. Furthermore, specific weather event impacts such as low temperatures after emergence in 2009, tending to enhance tillering, and a high precipitation event just before harvest in 2008, causing possible yield penalties, were not captured by any of the models compared in the current study.
Oxidative stress indicators in populations of the gastropodBuccinanops globulosusaffected by imposex
Authors: Primost M. A. , Sabatini S. E. , Di Salvatore P. , Ríos De Molina M. C. , Bigatti G. 
Published: December 2015

The gastropodBuccinanops globulosusis commonly used as a bioindicator of tributyltin (TBT) contamination due to its high imposex incidence in maritime traffic areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate both oxidative stress inB. globulosusat three sites with different maritime activity, and imposex incidence in Nuevo Gulf, Argentina. Oxidative stress parameters in digestive glands, like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities, reduced glutathione levels (GSH), and oxidative damage to lipids, estimated as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) as well as imposex parameters (% imposex and female penis length (FPL)) were measured in females. Gastropods from the harbour area showed 100% imposex, the highest FPL and TBARs content, as well as GSH levels and SOD activity.The different oxidative stress responses and high imposex incidence at the harbour site may indicate a negative effect on the organism's physiological state due to environmental pollution.
Haem-activated promiscuous targeting of artemisinin in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Wang Jigang , Zhang Chong-Jing , Chia Wan Ni , Loh Cheryl C. Y. , Li Zhengjun , Lee Yew Mun , He Yingke , Yuan Li-Xia , Lim Teck Kwang , Liu Min , Liew Chin Xia , Lee Yan Quan , Zhang Jianbin , Lu Nianci , Lim Chwee Teck , Hua Zi-Chun , Liu Bin , Shen Han-Ming , Tan Kevin S. W. , Lin Qingsong 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe mechanism of action of artemisinin and its derivatives, the most potent of the anti-malarial drugs, is not completely understood. Here we present an unbiased chemical proteomics analysis to directly explore this mechanism in Plasmodium falciparum. We use an alkyne-tagged artemisinin analogue coupled with biotin to identify 124 artemisinin covalent binding protein targets, many of which are involved in the essential biological processes of the parasite. Such a broad targeting spectrum disrupts the biochemical landscape of the parasite and causes its death. Furthermore, using alkyne-tagged artemisinin coupled with a fluorescent dye to monitor protein binding, we show that haem, rather than free ferrous iron, is predominantly responsible for artemisinin activation. The haem derives primarily from the parasite’s haem biosynthesis pathway at the early ring stage and from haemoglobin digestion at the latter stages. Our results support a unifying model to explain the action and specificity of artemisinin in parasite killing.
Central and rear-edge populations can be equally vulnerable to warming
Authors: Bennett Scott , Wernberg Thomas , Arackal Joy Bijo , de Bettignies Thibaut , Campbell Alexandra H. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractRear (warm) edge populations are often considered more susceptible to warming than central (cool) populations because of the warmer ambient temperatures they experience, but this overlooks the potential for local variation in thermal tolerances. Here we provide conceptual models illustrating how sensitivity to warming is affected throughout a species’ geographical range for locally adapted and non-adapted populations. We test these models for a range-contracting seaweed using observations from a marine heatwave and a 12-month experiment, translocating seaweeds among central, present and historic range edge locations. Growth, reproductive development and survivorship display different temperature thresholds among central and rear-edge populations, but share a 2.5 °C anomaly threshold. Range contraction, therefore, reflects variation in local anomalies rather than differences in absolute temperatures. This demonstrates that warming sensitivity can be similar throughout a species geographical range and highlights the importance of incorporating local adaptation and acclimatization into climate change vulnerability assessments.
Identification of PCSK9 as a novel serum biomarker for the prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects using iTRAQ quantitative proteomics
Authors: An Dong , Wei Xiaowei , Li Hui , Gu Hui , Huang Tianchu , Zhao Guifeng , Liu Bo , Wang Weilin , Chen Lizhu , Ma Wei , Zhang Henan , Cao Songying , Yuan Zhengwei 
Published: December 2015

AbstractTo identify candidate serum molecule biomarkers for the non-invasive early prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects (NTDs), we employed an iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic approach to analyze the proteomic changes in serum samples from embryonic day (E) 11 and E13 pregnant rats with spina bifida aperta (SBA) induced by all-trans retinoic acid. Among the 390 proteins identified, 40 proteins at E11 and 26 proteins at E13 displayed significant differential expression in the SBA groups. We confirmed 5 candidate proteins by ELISA. We observed the space-time expression changes of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) at different stages of fetal development, including a marked decrease in the sera of NTD pregnancies and gradual increase in the sera of normal pregnancies with embryonic development. PCSK9 demonstrated the diagnostic efficacy of potential NTD biomarkers [with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.763, 95% CI: 065–0.88]. Additionally, PCSK9 expression in the spinal cords and placentas of SBA rat fetuses was markedly decreased. PCSK9 could serve as a novel molecular biomarker for the non-invasive prenatal screening of NTDs and may be involved in the pathogenesis of NTDs at critical periods of fetal development.
Renal Denervation Findings on Cardiac and Renal Fibrosis in Rats with Isoproterenol Induced Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Liu Qian , Zhang Qi , Wang Kai , Wang Shengchan , Lu Dasheng , Li Zhenzhen , Geng Jie , Fang Ping , Wang Ying , Shan Qijun 
Published: December 2015

AbstractCardio-renal fibrosis plays key roles in heart failure and chronic kidney disease. We sought to determine the effects of renal denervation (RDN) on cardiac and renal fibrosis in rats with isoproterenol induced cardiomyopathy. Sixty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to Control (n = 10) and isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiomyopathy group (n = 50). At week 5, 31 survival ISO-induced cardiomyopathy rats were randomized to RDN (n = 15) and Sham group (n = 16). Compared with Control group, ejection fraction was decreased, diastolic interventricular septal thickness and left atrial dimension were increased in ISO-induced cardiomyopathy group at 5 week. After 10 weeks, cardio-renal pathophysiologic results demonstrated that the collagen volume fraction of left atrio-ventricular and kidney tissues reduced significantly in RDN group compared with Sham group. Moreover the pro-fibrosis factors (TGF-β1, MMP2 and Collagen I), inflammatory cytokines (CRP and TNF-α) and collagen synthesis biomarkers (PICP, PINP and PIIINP) concentration significantly decreased in RDN group. Compared with Sham group, RDN group showed that release of noradrenaline and aldosterone were reduced, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/angiotensin II type-1 receptor (AT1R) axis was downregulated. Meanwhile, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)/angiotensin-1-7 (Ang-(1-7))/mas receptor (Mas-R) axis was upregulated. RDN inhibits cardio-renal fibrogenesis through multiple pathways, including reducing SNS over-activity, rebalancing RAAS axis.
Secreted Factors from Human Vestibular Schwannomas Can Cause Cochlear Damage
Authors: Dilwali Sonam , Landegger Lukas D. , Soares Vitor Y. R. , Deschler Daniel G. , Stankovic Konstantina M. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractVestibular schwannomas (VSs) are the most common tumours of the cerebellopontine angle. Ninety-five percent of people with VS present with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL); the mechanism of this SNHL is currently unknown. To establish the first model to study the role of VS-secreted factors in causing SNHL, murine cochlear explant cultures were treated with human tumour secretions from thirteen different unilateral, sporadic VSs of subjects demonstrating varied degrees of ipsilateral SNHL. The extent of cochlear explant damage due to secretion application roughly correlated with the subjects’ degree of SNHL. Secretions from tumours associated with most substantial SNHL resulted in most significant hair cell loss and neuronal fibre disorganization. Secretions from VSs associated with good hearing or from healthy human nerves led to either no effect or solely fibre disorganization. Our results are the first to demonstrate that secreted factors from VSs can lead to cochlear damage. Further, we identified tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) as an ototoxic molecule and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) as an otoprotective molecule in VS secretions. Antibody-mediated TNFα neutralization in VS secretions partially prevented hair cell loss due to the secretions. Taken together, we have identified a new mechanism responsible for SNHL due to VSs.