bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Baseline adiponectin concentration and clinical outcomes among patients with diabetes and recent acute coronary syndrome in the EXAMINE trial
Authors: Bergmark Brian A. , Cannon Christopher P. , White William B. , Jarolim Petr , Liu Yuyin , Bonaca Marc P. , Zannad Faiez , Morrow David A. 
Published: February 2017

AimTo investigate adiponectin levels and cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in patients with diabetes and recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS).Materials and methodsWe analysed baseline adiponectin concentration and CV outcomes in 5213 patients with type 2 diabetes enrolled in the EXAMINE trial of alogliptin vs placebo 15 to 90 days (median 45 days) after ACS. Event rates at 18 months are reported.ResultsThe median (interquartile range) baseline adiponectin concentration was 5.2 (3.5‐7.9) μg/mL. Patients with the highest baseline adiponectin concentration (quartile [Q]4) were at significantly higher risk of death from a CV event (8.4% vs 1.7%; P < .0001), hospitalization for heart failure (HF; 7.5% vs 1.7%; P < .0001), and all‐cause mortality (10.8% vs 2.4%; P < .0001) compared with those in Q1. After adjusting for age, sex, index event, HF, estimated glomerular filtration rate and hypertension, adiponectin concentration in Q4 remained associated with an increased risk of death from CV causes (hazard ratio [HR] 2.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.52, 3.88), all‐cause mortality (HR 2.45, 95% CI 1.65, 3.64), and HF (HR 2.44, 95% CI 1.47, 4.05), without change after stratification by body mass index. There was no significant difference in the rate of myocardial infarction or stroke.ConclusionsIn this contemporary population of patients with diabetes and ACS, adiponectin concentration was independently associated with increased risk of death from CV causes, all‐cause mortality, and hospitalization for HF. The relationship between adiponectin and CV outcomes is complex and deserves further study.
No increased risk of cardiovascular events in older adults initiating dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors vs therapeutic alternatives
Authors: Gokhale Mugdha , Buse John B. , Jonsson Funk Michele , Lund Jennifer , Pate Virginia , Simpson Ross J. , Stürmer Til 
Published: February 2017

AimTo compare the cardiovascular (CV) risk associated with dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors relative to sulphonylureas (SUs) and thiazolidinediones (TZDs).MethodsDuring 2007 to 2013, using Medicare data for beneficiaries aged >65 years, we identified the following 2 cohorts of new‐users, who had not been exposed to the drugs being compared in the 6 months before initiation: (1) DPP‐4 inhibitor vs SU initiators and (2) DPP‐4 inhibitor vs TZD initiators. Using propensity‐score‐adjusted Cox models accounting for competing risk by death, we estimated the hazard ratios (HRs), risk differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, hospitalization for heart failure (HF), and a combined outcome (MI, stroke, all‐cause mortality).ResultsIn the DPP‐4 inhibitor vs SU comparison, there were 30 130 DPP‐4 inhibitor initiators and 68 382 SU initiators. Their mean age was 75 years, 41% were men and 55% had a baseline CV condition. The HR for the composite outcome was 0.75 (95% CI 0.72‐0.79) over a median treatment duration of 1 year, but the 1‐year risks of MI were 1.00 (95% CI 0.89‐1.12) and 1.47 (95% CI 1.38‐1.56) per 100 patients for DPP‐4 inhibitors and SUs, respectively, and the corresponding stroke risks were 0.98 (95% CI 0.87‐1.10) and 1.09 (95% CI 1.01‐1.17). For the DPP‐4 inhibitor vs TZD comparison, there were 20 596 DPP‐4 inhibitor initiators and 13 526 TZD initiators without previous HF. Their mean age was 74 years, 42% were men and 30% had a baseline CV event. The composite outcome HR was 0.94 (95% CI 0.86‐1.02) over a median treatment duration of 1 year. The 1‐year risk for MI was ~0.90 and for stroke it was ~0.80 per 100 patients in both DPP‐4 inhibitor and TZD initiators.ConclusionAlthough limited by the short treatment period, the present study suggests there is no increased short‐term risk of MI, stroke or HF with DPP‐4 inhibitors vs SUs/TZDs.
How School Choice is Framed by Parental Preferences and Family Characteristics: A Study in Poor Areas of Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Dixon Pauline , Humble Steve , Tooley James 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis research set out to investigate how, in a low‐income area of Nigeria, parental preferences and household characteristics affect school choice for their children. A household survey was undertaken in Lagos State, Nigeria, gathering data for 556 children attending government and low‐cost private primary schools. Descriptive data show that poor parents investigate a wide range of sources to inform the decision‐making process. These include school visits, networks of relatives, friends and neighbours, and school observations. Discrete choice theory is used to model how school choice is framed by parental preferences and family characteristics. The results show a large statistically significant preference for low‐cost private schools where quality of teaching, proximity to home and strong school leadership are important to parents. The child's birth order in the family and the older the child increased the likelihood of parents choosing a government school for that child. Children living in a family unit where the father has achieved a higher level of occupation or education are more likely to attend a private school. Family income and higher maternal educational attainment are not significant characteristics in this school choice model.
Competition and Innovation in Retail Electricity Markets: Evidence from Italy
Authors: Stagnaro Carlo 
Published: February 2017

AbstractItaly's 2015 Annual Competition Law, if finally approved, provides for phasing out retail electricity price regulation, as well as the implementation of full retail liberalisation, from 1 July 2018. This is a significant reform, not just because it is consistent with the broader market design for electricity. Indeed, retail liberalisation is a qualifying element of the full integration of the European Union's electricity market. The full opening of retail markets provides a great opportunity for innovation, both on the demand side and on the supply side. This article investigates the theoretical background, and presents some empirical evidence, on the competition–innovation nexus in retail electricity markets.
Shifting from Undersupply to Oversupply: Does NHS Workforce Planning Need a Paradigm Shift?
Authors: Charlesworth Anita , Lafond Sarah 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe National Health Service in England is currently halfway through the most austere decade in its history. Finding ways to improve health care efficiency is crucial to ensure the sustainability of the health system. While evidence of supply‐induced demand (SID) has often been used as an economic argument to restrict labour supply, in the UK the risks of SID may be much less than in health care systems with more deregulated entry into the market post‐qualification and with fee‐for‐service payment systems. This article focuses on the problem of staff shortages in nursing. We argue that, although an oversupply of some types of labour can add to cost pressures by increasing demand for health care services and that the cost of training staff is high, undersupply and poor labour planning lead to unintended consequences such as poor labour productivity. As a result there is a case for public policy to target an oversupply of nurses in the future. If government reforms to nurse funding help, they are to be welcomed.
Effects of isoflurane anesthesia and intravenous morphine self‐administration on regional glucose metabolism ([18F]FDG‐PET) of male Sprague‐Dawley rats
Authors: Park Thomas Y. , Nishida Kevin S. , Wilson Colin M. , Jaiswal Shalini , Scott Jessica , Hoy Andrew R. , Selwyn Reed G. , Dardzinski Bernard J. , Choi Kwang H. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAlthough certain drugs of abuse are known to disrupt brain glucose metabolism (BGluM), the effects of opiates on BGluM are not well characterized. Moreover, preclinical positron emission tomography (PET) studies anesthetize animals during the scan, which limits clinical applications. We investigated the effects of (i) isoflurane anesthesia and (ii) intravenous morphine self‐administration (MSA) on BGluM in rats. Jugular vein cannulated adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats self‐administered either saline (SSA) or morphine (0.5 mg/kg/infusion, 4 h/day for 12 days). All animals were scanned twice with [18F]‐fluoro‐deoxy‐glucose (FDG)‐PET/CT at a baseline and at 2‐day withdrawal from self‐administration. After the IV injection of FDG, one batch of animals (n = 14) was anesthetized with isoflurane and the other batch (n = 16) was kept awake during the FDG uptake (45 min). After FDG uptake, all animals were anesthetized in order to perform a PET/CT scan (30 min). Isoflurane anesthesia, as compared to the awake condition, reduced BGluM in the olfactory, cortex, thalamus, and basal ganglia, while increasing BGluM in the midbrain, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and cerebellum. Morphine self‐administered animals exhibited withdrawal signs (piloerection and increased defecation), drug seeking, and locomotor stimulation to morphine (0.5 mg/kg) during the 2 day withdrawal. The BGluM in the striatum was increased in the MSA group as compared to the SSA group; this effect was observed only in the isoflurane anesthesia, not the awake condition. These findings suggest that the choice of the FDG uptake condition may be important in preclinical PET studies and increased BGluM in the striatum may be associated with opiate seeking in withdrawal.
Cultivation offers effective management of subterranean clover damping‐off and root disease
Authors: You M. P. , Guo K. , Nicol D. , Kidd D. , Ryan M. H. , Foster K. , Barbetti M. J. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractSoil cultivation studies involving subterranean clover pastures were undertaken utilizing field cores from five farms and two in‐field trials. Tap and lateral root disease in cores was less (p < .001) severe and root and shoot weights greater (p < .001) following simulated cultivation. Germination and severity of root disease were both affected (p < .005) by three‐way interactions with cultivation, cultivar and field site. Cultivation in cores suppressed tap root disease for cultivars Meteora and Riverina across the five sites and Seaton Park for two sites. In‐field trials confirmed cultivation reduces root disease severity and increases germination and plant productivity. The best in‐field treatment was cultivation + fumigation that reduced (p < .05) tap and lateral root disease and increased nodulation and root and shoot weights for Riverina, Seaton Park and Woogenellup. Cultivation + fumigation also increased (p < .05) germination for Woogenellup and Seaton Park. There were negative correlations (all p < .001) between tap and lateral root disease with nodulation (R2 = .85, R2 = .58, respectively); tap root disease with root and shoot weight (R2 = .58, R2 = .854, respectively); and lateral root disease with root and shoot weight (R2 = .83, R2 = .64 respectively). This study highlights the close relationship between severe root disease and reduced nodulation, likely explaining much of the widespread poor nodulation in subterranean clover pastures. This study confirms that damping‐off and root disease can be mitigated by cultivation, offering producers flexibility in disease management, especially where autumn–winter feed shortages occur on a regular basis.
Stigmatization among people living with HIV in Hong Kong: A qualitative study
Authors: Mo Phoenix K. H. , Ng Charlson T. Y. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundHIV/AIDS is one of the most stigmatized medical conditions across the world. Self‐stigma is prevalent among people living with HIV (PLHIV) and a major obstacle to HIV prevention and care.ObjectiveThis study aimed to describe the experiences of stigmatization and explore the possible factors that might be associated with stigmatization among PLHIV in Hong Kong.DesignQualitative in‐depth interviews were conducted.Setting and participants15 PLHIV were recruited from two local non‐governmental organizations on HIV prevention.Main variables studiedParticipants were interviewed about their views and feelings towards oneself as a PLHIV and contributing factors, experiences of discriminations, stigmatizing behaviours, issues about disclosure, social relationships and potential impact of HIV.Results and conclusionsThematic analyses revealed three levels of factors which might be associated with stigmatization: (i) intrapersonal level (misconceptions about HIV, attribution of self‐responsibility, severe state of illness, side‐effects of medication), (ii) interpersonal level (discrimination, social rejection) and (iii) social level (mass media, public stereotypes). Findings provide important insights into which interventions to reduce stigmatization of PLHIV could be designed.
What happens to unprepared root canal walls: a correlative analysis using micro‐computed tomography and histology/scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Siqueira J. F. , Pérez A. R. , Marceliano‐Alves M. F. , Provenzano J. C. , Silva S. G. , Pires F. R. , Vieira G. C. S. , Rôças I. N. , Alves F. R. F. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAimTo microscopically examine the cleanliness of root canal walls that remained unprepared as revealed by micro‐CT.MethodologyThe root canals of 10 freshly extracted mandibular premolars with necrotic pulps and apical periodontitis along with the mesiobuccal canals of 11 mandibular molars with vital pulps were prepared using Reciproc instruments R40 and R25, respectively, and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite irrigation. Specimens were scanned in micro‐CT before and after preparation, and the unprepared areas were identified. The outer root surface corresponding to the untouched areas was marked on each root third to guide further analysis using histological (for teeth with vital pulps) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM; for necrotic teeth) examination. In the teeth with vital pulps, the root canal area occupied by tissue remnants was calculated. In SEM analysis of teeth with necrotic pulps, scores were attributed for the amount of debris on the untouched areas.ResultsThe proportion of unprepared areas in the mesiobuccal molar canals was 18.1% and 9.6% over the full canal length and apical canal, respectively. In premolars, corresponding figures were 34.6% and 17.6%, respectively. Histological analysis of canals with vital pulps revealed tissue remnants over the untouched walls almost exclusively in the apical canal. SEM analysis of the canals with necrotic pulps revealed debris along the untouched walls in all root canal thirds.ConclusionThe areas that remain untouched by Reciproc instruments used with 2.5% NaOCl irrigation as revealed by micro‐CT analysis were usually covered with debris, in the form of pulp tissue remnants, bacteria and dentine chips, especially in the apical root canal.
Familial Mediterranean fever patients with hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: Vural Secil , Gundogdu Mustafa , Kundakci Nihal , Ruzicka Thomas 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) has recently been described as a component of two autoinflammatory syndromes: PASH (pyoderma gangrenosum, acne, and HS) and PAPASH (pyoderma gangrenosum, acne, pyogenic arthritis, and HS). These associations together with others such as inflammatory bowel diseases suggest that defects in autoinflammatory pathways may play a role in the pathogenesis of HS.ObjectivesTo describe clinical and genetic characteristics of two unrelated patients with HS and familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).MethodsCase study.ResultsBesides FMF and HS, the first patient had acne conglobata, and the second patient had pyoderma gangrenosum and ankylosing spondyloarthropathy. Both patients had M694V/V726A MEFV gene mutations.ConclusionPASH and PAPASH have recently been associated with genetic alterations of gene encoding proline‐serine‐threonine phosphatase‐interacting protein 1 (PSTPIP1), which interacts with the product of MEFV gene in the autoinflammatory pathway. This intriguing molecular interaction may explain shared phenotypic characteristics seen in genetic defects. Association of one more autoinflammatory disorders with HS adds another brick to the wall.
Partial purification of a polygalacturonase from a new Aspergillus sojae mutant and its application in grape mash maceration
Authors: Yıldız Semanur , Mata‐Gómez Marco A. , Tarı Canan , Rito‐Palomares Marco 
Published: February 2017

SummaryThe use of polygalacturonase (PG) preparations in winemaking promotes the release of phenolic compounds. A PG from a new source, Aspergillus sojae mutant, was semi‐purified and tested for grape mash maceration. Crude extract (CE), a commercial pectinase, and two high PG activity semi‐purified preparations, FI and FII, were applied for maceration at PG activity of 3.5 U g−1 of grape for 46 h. Enzyme‐assisted maceration significantly (P < 0.05) increased the total phenolic content from 255.8 to 916.3 ± 5.2, 5732.9 ± 9.9, 563.4 ± 6.7 and 620.6 ± 18.4 mg L−1 for CE, commercial pectinase, FI and FII, respectively. The content of individual phenolics such as gallic, protocatechuic, chlorogenic and p‐coumaric acids was improved. Principal component and hierarchical clustering analyses suggested that CE has a better performance upon the release of phenols. Semi‐purified preparations acted similar to commercial pectinase. These findings open an opportunity for the potential use of PG from the mutant strain as an alternative macerating enzyme.
Comparison of the antioxidant activities of roasted and explosive puffed coffees
Authors: Han Sung Hee , Ko Bong Soo , Ahn So Hyun , Noh Dong Ouk , Suh Hyung Joo 
Published: February 2017

SummaryWe investigated the explosive process effect on antioxidant activities of coffee bean. The total polyphenol contents of powdered extract of explosive puffing coffee bean at 0.75 MPa (PEP 7.5) and powdered extract of explosive puffing coffee bean at 0.9 MPa (PEP 9.0) were at a significantly higher than that of the powdered extract of roasting coffee bean (PER) (P < 0.05). PEP 7.5 showed the highest levels of 3‐CQA (86.23 μg mg−1), 4‐CQA (43.71 μg mg−1), and 5‐CQA (31.66 μg mg−1), and PEP 9.0 had also similar levels of chlorogenic acids, with 3‐CQA (77.99 μg mg−1), 4‐CQA (43.71 μg mg−1), and 5‐CQA (30.32 μg mg−1). PEP 7.5 and PEP 9.0 showed relatively higher antioxidant capacities in DPPH, ABTS, taurine, FRAP, and β‐carotene/linoleic acid assays. PEPs partly recovered the HepG2 cell damage induced by t‐BOOH. These results suggest that puffed coffee has beneficial health effects, and could be used for the development of novel processed coffee products.
Comprehensive Groundwater Balance Development to Characterize Selenium Loading to Surface Water Channels in Orange County, California
Authors: Schnaar Gregory , Dodge John J. , Cullen Stephen J. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractSelenium concentrations are elevated above water quality criteria in several tributaries of Newport Bay. A watershed‐scale hydrogeologic study was performed to identify processes driving selenium transport in the former “Swamp of the Frogs” area (cities of Santa Ana, Irvine, and Tustin). The former Swamp of the Frogs area was a depositional environment that historically received regional surface water runoff and accumulated naturally occurring selenium‐bearing sediments from the larger watershed. Development beginning in the early 20th century included surface water channel installation that lowered the water table and drained the wetland, mobilizing selenium. A comprehensive groundwater/surface water balance was conducted in order to constrain hydrologic processes that continue to drive selenium mobilization into the surface water channels. The groundwater budget included precipitation and irrigation percolation modeling and groundwater flow mapping from thousands of publicly‐available groundwater level measurements. Groundwater balance results indicated that lateral groundwater flow from upgradient alluvial‐fan recharge areas accounts for most of the groundwater input to the former wetland area with additional input supplied by deep percolation of precipitation within the former wetland area itself, deep percolation of irrigation, and sewer/water line leakage. Overlaying selenium concentration data from groundwater wells and surface water sampling locations confirmed that selenium concentrations are similar in groundwater and nearby groundwater‐to‐surface water discharge points (e.g., weepholes). Results supported a Best Management Practice (BMP) Strategic Plan developed in compliance with a regulatory order prescribing numeric limitations on groundwater‐related discharges of selenium in the watershed.
Preparation of bulk‐nanostructured UO2 pellets using high‐pressure spark plasma sintering for LWR fuel safety assessment
Authors: Tyrpekl Vaclav , Cologna Marco , Vigier Jean‐Francois , Cambriani Andrea , De Weerd Wim , Somers Joseph 
Published: February 2017

AbstractNuclear fuel undergoes a significant restructuration during its lifetime in the nuclear reactor. Especially at the rim of the pellet, large UO2 grains disintegrate into a nanosized material. In this paper, we focus on the preparation of bulk UO2 with grain sizes below 100 nm to investigate the physico‐chemical properties of this so‐called “high burn up structure” (HBS). Preparation of bulk nanocrystalline materials is a challenge that can be overcome using the high‐pressure spark plasma sintering (HP SPS) technique. In‐house developed HP SPS with 500 MPa applied pressure was used for compaction of 11 nm UO2 powder obtained by oxalate conversion. The procedure yielded dense (>90%) compacts with grain size as low as 34 nm for samples sintered at 800°C.
Large recoverable energy storage density and low sintering temperature in potassium‐sodium niobate‐based ceramics for multilayer pulsed power capacitors
Authors: Qu Bingyue , Du Hongliang , Yang Zetian , Liu Qinghui 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMultilayer pulsed power ceramic capacitors require that dielectric ceramics possess not only large recoverable energy storage density (Wrec) but also low sintering temperature (<950°C) for using the inexpensive metals as the electrodes. However, lead‐free bulk ceramics usually show low Wrec (<2 J/cm3) and high sintering temperature (>1150°C), limiting their applications in multilayer pulsed power ceramic capacitors. In this work, large Wrec (~4.02 J/cm3 at 400 kV/cm) and low sintering temperature (940°C) are simultaneously achieved in 0.9(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3–0.1Bi(Mg2/3Nb1/3)O3–1.0 mol% CuO ceramics prepared using transition liquid phase sintering. Wrec of 4.02 J/cm3 is 2‐3 times as large as the reported value of other (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 and BaTiO3‐based lead‐free bulk ceramics. The results reveal that 0.9(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3–0.1Bi(Mg2/3Nb1/3)O3–1.0 mol% CuO ceramics are promising candidates for fabricating multilayer pulsed power ceramic capacitors.
Origin of ferroelectric P‐E loop in cubic compositions and structure of poled (1‐x)Bi(Mg1/2Zr1/2)O3‐xPbTiO3 piezoceramics
Authors: Upadhyay Ashutosh , Pandey Rishikesh , Singh Akhilesh Kumar 
Published: February 2017

AbstractStructural analysis of electrically poled samples of polycrystalline, (1‐x)Bi(Mg1/2Zr1/2)O3‐xPbTiO3 piezoceramics across morphotropic phase boundary reveals electric field‐induced cubic to tetragonal phase transition and significant domain reorientation in tetragonal and two‐phase compositions. The c‐axis domain elongation is observed for tetragonal compositions after poling. The morphotropic phase boundary composition, having coexisting cubic and tetragonal phases in the unpoled state, exhibits alteration in relative proportion of the two phases, in addition to domain extension and reorientation along c‐axis. For the morphotropic phase boundary composition, the tetragonality (c/a) is enhanced with significantly large c‐axis strain (~0.92%) in tetragonal phase after poling. Origin of ferroelectric P‐E loop in cubic compositions is linked with the electric field‐induced phase transition.