bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of a pilot pathway for the management of gastroenteritis‐like symptoms in an emergency department: A case study following a Salmonella outbreak
Authors: Ranse Jamie , Luther Matt , Ranse Kristen 
Published: November 2015

AbstractObjectiveThis research aims to describe the effect of standard care (control) versus a clinical management pathway (intervention) on patient length of stay and admission rates during a public health emergency at one Australian ED.MethodsA retrospective audit of hospital records for patients who presented in May 2013 with gastroenteritis‐like symptoms was undertaken following a surge in patient presentations from a Salmonella outbreak. Patients who presented with gastroenteritis‐like symptoms between 15 and 19 May 2013 received care according to a clinical management pathway (intervention). The focus of the intervention was based on symptom management, including a standardised approach to analgesia, anti‐emetics and rehydration. Patient characteristics, such as age and gender are described using descriptive statistics. A Mann–Whitney test was used to compare continuous data, and a Fisher's exact test was used to compare categorical data, between the two groups.ResultsOver an 8 day period, 110 patients presented with gastroenteritis‐like symptoms. The median length of stay was statistically different between the two groups (P < 0.001). More patients were admitted to hospital from the control group (n = 5) when compared with the intervention group (n = 0); however, given the small number of patients in these groups, inferential statistical analysis was not a reasonable consideration.ConclusionThe length of stay for patients between the two groups was statistically different, suggesting that the implementation of a clinical management pathway for patients with gastroenteritis‐like symptoms reduced the ED length of stay. This finding is useful in future planning for similar public health emergency responses and/or for use when patients present with gastroenteritis‐like symptoms on a daily basis.
Murine response studies of insect cell (Sf9) expressed recombinant colorectal cancer vaccine candidate using surface plasmon resonance studies
Authors: Lee Jeong‐Hwan , Qiao Lu , Song Mee Ryoung , Ko Kisung 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe baculovirus vector expression system is considered a useful insect cell‐based platform for large‐scale production of recombinant biopharmaceutical glycoproteins. The GA733 antigenic protein is a 40 kDa cell surface glycoprotein that is overexpressed in human colorectal carcinoma. Three GA733‐expressing baculovirus vectors were constructed: (i) GA733 fused to the Fc fragment of human immunoglobulin G (GA733‐Fc); (ii) GA733‐Fc tagged with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal KDEL (GA733‐FcK); and (iii) GA733‐FcK without the signal peptide [GA733‐FcK (w/o SP)]. These three recombinant proteins were expressed in Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) Sf9 insect cells. GA733‐Fc purified from insect culture medium (CM) and cell lysate (CL) (GA733I‐FcCM and GA733I‐FcCL, respectively), and GA733‐FcK and GA733‐FcK (w/o SP) purified from CL [GA733I‐FcCL and GA733I‐FcKCL (w/o SP), respectively] were injected intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice [three times at 1 μg, with or without an adjuvant (aluminum hydroxide)]. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis (involving a chip with the immobilized GA733 antigen) showed that, in general, the serum samples from mice immunized with the adjuvant yielded stronger SPR signals than did those from mice immunized without an adjuvant. The serum samples from mice after the second injection yielded stronger signals than did those from mice before the second injection. The group immunized with GA733I‐FcKCL (glycosylated with an oligomannose) showed the strongest SPR signals. The SPR signals from the GA733I‐FcKCL group were stronger than or similar to those from mice immunized with mammalian‐cell‐expressed GA733‐Fc (GA733M‐Fc). Thus, the baculovirus vector expression system can be used to produce immunogenic cancer glycoprotein.
Using discrete‐return airborne laser scanning to quantify number of canopy strata across diverse forest types
Authors: Wilkes Phil , Jones Simon D. , Suarez Lola , Haywood Andrew , Mellor Andrew , Woodgate William , Soto‐Berelov Mariela , Skidmore Andrew K. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryThe vertical arrangement of forest canopies is a key descriptor of canopy structure, a driver of ecosystem function and indicative of forest successional stage. Yet techniques to attribute for canopy vertical structure across large and potentially heterogeneously forested areas remain elusive.This study introduces a new technique to estimate the Number of Strata (NoS) that comprise a canopy profile, using discrete‐return Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data. Vertically resolved gap probability (Pgap) aggregated over a plot is generalized with a nonparametric cubic spline regression (Ps). Subsequently a count of the positive zero‐crossings of second derivative of 1 −Psis used to estimateNoS.Comparison with inventory derived estimates at 24 plots across three diverse study areas shows a good agreement between the two techniques (RMSE = 0·41 strata). Furthermore, this is achieved without altering model parameters, indicating the transferability of the technique across diverse forest types.NoSvalues ranged from 0 to 4 at a further 239 plots, emphasizing the need for a method to quantify canopy vertical structure across forested landscapes. Comparison ofNoSwith other commonly derived ALS descriptors of canopy structure (canopy height, canopy cover and return height coefficient of determination) returned only a moderate correlation (r2 < 0·4).It is proposed the presented method provides a primary descriptor of canopy structure to complement canopy height and cover, as well as a candidate Ecological Biodiversity Variable for characterizing habitat structure.
Reducing stillbirths in low‐income countries
Authors: Goldenberg Robert L. , Saleem Sarah , Pasha Omrana , Harrison Margo S. , Mcclure Elizabeth M. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractWorldwide, 98% of stillbirths occur in low‐income countries (LIC), where stillbirth rates are ten‐fold higher than in high‐income countries (HIC). Although most HIC stillbirths occur prenatally, in LIC most stillbirths occur at term and during labor/delivery. Conditions causing stillbirths include those of maternal origin (obstructed labor, trauma, antepartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia/eclampsia, infection, diabetes, other maternal diseases), and fetal origin (fetal growth restriction, fetal distress, cord prolapse, multiples, malpresentations, congenital anomalies). In LIC, aside from infectious origins, most stillbirths are caused by fetal asphyxia. Stillbirth prevention requires recognition of maternal conditions, and care in a facility where fetal monitoring and expeditious delivery are possible, usually by cesarean section (CS). Of major causes, only syphilis and malaria can be managed prenatally. Targeting single conditions or interventions is unlikely to substantially reduce stillbirth. To reduce stillbirth rates, LIC must implement effective modern antepartum and intrapartum care, including fetal monitoring and CS.
Evaluating an unmanned aerial vehicle‐based approach for assessing habitat extent and condition in fine‐scale early successional mountain mosaics
Authors: Gonçalves João , Henriques Renato , Alves Paulo , Sousa‐Silva Rita , Monteiro António T. , Lomba Ângela , Marcos Bruno , Honrado João 
Published: November 2015

AbstractQuestionCan very high‐resolution colour orthophotography and digital surface models (DSMs) from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) be effectively used for assessment of habitat extent and condition in fine‐scale disturbance‐dependent mosaics?LocationSerra de Arga mountain range, a Natura 2000 protected site in the NW region of Portugal where drastic changes in pastoral activities have occurred over recent decades.MethodsAn UAV platform was used to collect very high‐resolution (6 cm) images and to produce a DSM (10 cm). From these data, several features were extracted related to colour, band ratios, as well as texture features calculated from colour imagery and surface elevation. Based on a systematic sampling design, field data were collected for both training and validation of a supervised classifier. Extracted features and ground truth training data were combined to calibrate a pixel‐based Random forest classifier, with the purpose of devising a habitat map for the entire study area. Map validation was performed to assess classification accuracy, and feature importance metrics were calculated.ResultsValidation results revealed good mean overall accuracy (0.89), with some performance decrease in situations of high interspersion of habitat types. The priority habitat type 6230* (Nardus grasslands), defining the vegetation matrix of the test site, obtained 0.96 and 0.91, considering, respectively, producer and user accuracy. In turn, priority habitat type 4020* (Atlantic wet heathlands) recorded 0.68 and 0.77. The obtained habitat map allowed measurement of the extent, description of the spatial arrangement and provided an indication of the conservation condition of target habitat types. Test results regarding the discrimination ability of different features highlighted the importance of surface elevation textures derived from the DSM, followed by band ratios textures and other more complex texture features calculated from colour imagery.ConclusionsOverall, the developed methodology showed promising results for assessing the extent and condition of habitats of high conservation priority in fine‐scale, dynamic vegetation mosaics. Future advances in the use of UAV platforms may play an important role in monitoring protected sites and fulfil legal reporting obligations of EU member states, while reducing the costs associated with intensive in‐field assessments.
Recommendations for a standard UK approach to incorporating umbilical cord blood into clinical transplantation practice: an update on cord blood unit selection, donor selection algorithms and conditioning protocols
Authors: Hough Rachael , Danby Robert , Russell Nigel , Marks David , Veys Paul , Shaw Bronwen , Wynn Rob , Vora Ajay , Mackinnon Stephen , Peggs Karl S. , Crawley Charles , Craddock Charlie , Pagliuca Antonio , Cook Gordon , Snowden John A. , Clark Andrew , Marsh Judith , Querol Sergio , Parkes Guy , Braund Henny , Rocha Vanderson 
Published: November 2015

SummaryAllogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplantation offers a potentially curative treatment option for a wide range of life‐threatening malignant and non‐malignant disorders of the bone marrow and immune system in patients of all ages. With rapidly emerging advances in the use of alternative donors, such as mismatched unrelated, cord blood and haploidentical donors, it is now possible to find a potential donor for almost all patients in whom an allograft is indicated. Therefore, for any specific patient, the transplant physician may be faced with a myriad of potential choices, including decisions concerning which donor to prioritize where there is more than one, the optimal selection of specific umbilical cord blood units and which conditioning and graft‐versus‐host disease prophylactic schedule to use. Donor choice may be further complicated by other important factors, such as urgency of transplant, the presence of alloantibodies, the disease status (homozygosity or heterozygosity) of sibling donors affected by inherited disorders and the cytomegalovirus serostatus of patient and donor. We report UK consensus guidelines on the selection of umbilical cord blood units, the hierarchy of donor selection and the preferred conditioning regimens for umbilical cord blood transplantation, with a summary of rationale supporting these recommendations.
Azacitidine with or without Entinostat for the treatment of therapy‐related myeloid neoplasm: further results of the E1905 North American Leukemia Intergroup study
Authors: Prebet Thomas , Sun Zhuoxin , Ketterling Rhett P. , Zeidan Amer , Greenberg Peter , Herman James , Juckett Mark , Smith Mitchell R. , Malick Lisa , Paietta Elisabeth , Czader Magdalena , Figueroa Maria , Gabrilove Janice , Erba Harry P. , Tallman Martin S. , Litzow Mark , Gore Steven D. ,   the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group and North American Leukemia intergroup
Published: November 2015

AbstractTherapy‐related myeloid neoplasms (tMN) are serious late effects of the treatment of cancer with poor response to conventional treatment. Azacitidine (AZA) has been used to treat patients with tMN but current data are retrospective. We present here 47 tMN patients prospectively enrolled as a specific cohort in the E1905 study. TheE1905 study was a randomized phase 2 study (NCT00313586) testing 10 d of AZA (50 mg/m2/d) +/− the histone deacetylase inhibitor entinostat (4 mg/m2/d PO day‐3 and day‐10). A total of 47 patients [29 therapy‐related myelosyspastic syndrome (t‐MDS) and 18 therapy‐related acute myeloid leukaemia (t‐AML)] were recruited to the study. 24 patients were treated with AZA monotherapy and 23 with AZA+entinostat. The median number of administered cycles was 4, significantly higher in patients treated with AZA (6 cycles vs. 3 cycles, P = 0·008). Haematological normalization rates were 46% in monotherapy and 17% in the combination arm. Median overall survivals were 13 and 6 months, respectively. The novel 50 * 10 schedule of azacitidine appears effective, with response rates, when given as single agent, comparable to those for patients with de novo MDS/AML treated on the same protocol. However, the combination of AZA and entinostat was associated with increased toxicity and could not be recommended for treatment of tMN.
Exploring an Olympic “Legacy”: Sport Participation in Canada before and after the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics
Authors: Perks Thomas 
Published: November 2015

Guided by the notion of a trickle‐down effect, the present study examines whether sport participation in Canada increased following the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Comparing rates of sport participation prior to and following the Games using nationally representative data, the results suggest that the Olympics had almost no impact on sport participation in Canada, although there does appear to be a modest “bounce” in sport participation in the Vancouver area immediately following the Vancouver Games. As such, if the trickle‐down effect did occur, the analysis suggests that the effect was locally situated, short‐lived, and small.Inspirée par la notion de l'effet de retombée, la présente étude examine si la participation sportive au Canada a augmenté à la suite des Jeux olympiques d'hiver de 2010 à Vancouver. Les résultats de la comparaison des taux de participation au sport avant et après les Jeux utilisant des données représentatives au niveau national, suggèrent que les Jeux olympiques ont eu pratiquement aucun impact sur la participation sportive au Canada, même s'il semble y avoir un faible “rebond” dans la participation au sport dans la région de Vancouver immédiatement après les Jeux. Cela étant, si l'effet de retombée s'est produit, l'analyse suggère qu'il a été modeste et de courte durée et on l'a ressenti seulement localement.
A Virtual Director Using Hidden Markov Models
Authors: Merabti B. , Christie M. , Bouatouch K. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAutomatically computing a cinematographic consistent sequence of shots over a set of actions occurring in a 3D world is a complex task which requires not only the computation of appropriate shots (viewpoints) and appropriate transitions between shots (cuts), but the ability to encode and reproduce elements of cinematographic style. Models proposed in the literature, generally based on finite state machine or idiom‐based representations, provide limited functionalities to build sequences of shots. These approaches are not designed in mind to easily learn elements of cinematographic style, nor do they allow to perform significant variations in style over the same sequence of actions. In this paper, we propose a model for automated cinematography that can compute significant variations in terms of cinematographic style, with the ability to control the duration of shots and the possibility to add specific constraints to the desired sequence. The model is parametrized in a way that facilitates the application of learning techniques. By using a Hidden Markov Model representation of the editing process, we demonstrate the possibility of easily reproducing elements of style extracted from real movies. Results comparing our model with state‐of‐the‐art first‐order Markovian representations illustrate these features, and robustness of the learning technique is demonstrated through cross‐validation.
Inversion Fractals and Iteration Processes in the Generation of Aesthetic Patterns
Authors: Gdawiec K. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIn this paper, we generalize the idea of star‐shaped set inversion fractals using iterations known from fixed point theory. We also extend the iterations from real parameters to so‐called q‐system numbers and proposed the use of switching processes. All the proposed generalizations allowed us to obtain new and diverse fractal patterns that can be used, e.g. as textile and ceramics patterns. Moreover, we show that in the chaos game for iterated function systems—which is similar to the inversion fractals generation algorithm—the proposed generalizations do not give interesting results.
The TL,NO/TL,CO ratio cannot be used to exclude pulmonary embolism
Authors: Fabius Timon M. , Eijsvogel Michiel M. , van der Lee Ivo , Brusse‐Keizer Marjolein , de Jongh Frans H. 
Published: November 2015

SummaryBackgroundThe existing screening modalities for pulmonary embolism (PE), such as D‐dimer and clinical prediction rules, have low positive predictive values. With its capability to indicate pulmonary vascular abnormalities, the ratio of the transfer factor of the lungs for nitric oxide and the transfer factor of the lungs for carbon monoxide (TL,NO/TL,CO) might be an additional discriminating parameter.MethodsCarbon monoxide/Nitric oxide diffusion measurements were performed on unselected patients seen on the emergency department for which due to suspected PE a computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) was ordered.ResultsA total of 28 patients were included, PE was found in 12 on CTPA. Median TL,NO/TL,CO ratio was 4·09 (interquartile range (IQR) 3·83–4·40) in the no PE group versus 4·00 (IQR 3·78–4·32) in the PE group (P = 0·959). Median alveolar volume was 77·1% of predicted in the no PE group versus 71·0% of predicted in the PE group (P = 0·353). Median TL,CO was 75·8% of predicted in the no PE group versus 68·8% of predicted in the PE group (P = 0·120). Median TL,NO was 69·3% of predicted in the no PE group versus 60·5% of predicted in the PE group (P = 0·078).ConclusionThe presented data indicate that the TL,NO/TL,CO ratio cannot be used to exclude PE.
Inter‐ and intramuscular differences in training‐induced hypertrophy of the quadriceps femoris: association with muscle activation during the first training session
Authors: Wakahara Taku , Ema Ryoichi , Miyamoto Naokazu , Kawakami Yasuo 
Published: November 2015

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to examine whether inter‐ and intramuscular differences in hypertrophy induced by resistance training correspond to differences in muscle activation during the first training session. Eleven young men completed 12 weeks of training intervention for knee extension. Before and after the intervention, T1‐weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images were recorded to determine the volume and anatomical cross‐sectional area (CSA) along the length of the individual muscles of the quadriceps femoris. The T2‐weighted MR images were also acquired before and immediately after the first training session. The T2 was calculated for each pixel within the quadriceps femoris, from which the muscle activation was evaluated as %activated volume and area. The results showed that the %activated volume after the first training session was significantly higher in the vastus intermedius than the vastus medialis. However, the relative change in muscle volume after the training intervention was significantly greater in the rectus femoris than the vasti muscles (vastus lateralis, intermedius and medialis). Within the rectus femoris, both the %activated area and relative increase in CSA were significantly greater in the distal region than the proximal region. In contrast, the %activated area and relative increase in CSA of the vasti were nearly uniform along each muscle. These results suggest that the muscle activation during the first training session is associated with the intramuscular difference in hypertrophy induced by training intervention, but not with the intermuscular difference.
Assessing the Impact of De Novo Social Ties within Health Intervention Settings: New Questions for Health Behavior Intervention Research
Authors: Tesdahl Eric , Gesell Sabina B. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractRecent developments in the study of health and social networks have focused on linkages between health outcomes and naturally occurring social relations, such as friendship or kinship. Based on findings in this area, a new generation of health behavior intervention programs have been implemented that rely on the formation of new social relations among program participants. However, little is known about the qualities of these de novo social relations. We examined the social networks of 59 participants within a randomized controlled trial of an intervention designed to prevent excessive gestational weight gain. We employed exponential random graph modeling techniques to analyze supportive relationships formed between participants in the intervention arm, to detect unique effects of program participation on the likelihood of forming ties. Program participation had a positive effect on the likelihood of forming supportive social relations, however, in this particular timeframe we did not detect any additional effect of such relations on the health behaviors or outcomes of interest. Our findings raise two critical questions: do short‐term group‐level programs reliably lead to the formation of new social relations among participants; and do these relations have a unique effect on health outcomes relative to standard methods of health behavior intervention?
Quantifying variety‐specific heat resistance and the potential for adaptation to climate change
Authors: Tack Jesse , Barkley Andrew , Rife Trevor W. , Poland Jesse A. , Nalley Lawton Lanier 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe impact of climate change on crop yields has become widely measured; however, the linkages for winter wheat are less studied due to dramatic weather changes during the long growing season that are difficult to model. Recent research suggests significant reductions under warming. A potential adaptation strategy involves the development of heat resistant varieties by breeders, combined with alternative variety selection by producers. However, the impact of heat on specific wheat varieties remains relatively unstudied due to limited data and the complex genetic basis of heat tolerance. Here, we provide a novel econometric approach that combines field‐trial data with a genetic cluster mapping to group wheat varieties and estimate a separate extreme heat impact (temperatures over 34 °C) across 24 clusters spanning 197 varieties. We find a wide range of heterogeneous heat resistance and a trade‐off between average yield and resistance. Results suggest that recently released varieties are less heat resistant than older varieties, a pattern that also holds for on‐farm varieties. Currently released – but not yet adopted – varieties do not offer improved resistance relative to varieties currently grown on farm. Our findings suggest that warming impacts could be significantly reduced through advances in wheat breeding and/or adoption decisions by producers. However, current adaptation‐through‐adoption potential is limited under a 1 °C warming scenario as increased heat resistance cannot be achieved without a reduction in average yields.