bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Palliative Care on Aggressiveness of End-of-Life Care Among Patients With Advanced Cancer
Authors: Triplett Daniel P. , LeBrett Wendi G. , Bryant Alex K. , Bruggeman Andrew R. , Matsuno Rayna K. , Hwang Lindsay , Boero Isabel J. , Roeland Eric J. , Yeung Heidi N. , Murphy James D. 
Published: August 2017

Purpose: Palliative care’s role in oncology has expanded, but its effect on aggressiveness of care at the end of life has not been characterized at the population level. Methods: This matched retrospective cohort study examined the effect of an encounter with palliative care on health-care use at the end of life among 6,580 Medicare beneficiaries with advanced prostate, breast, lung, or colorectal cancer. We compared health-care use before and after palliative care consultation to a matched nonpalliative care cohort. Results: The palliative care cohort had higher rates of health-care use in the 30 days before palliative care consultation compared with the nonpalliative cohort, with higher rates of hospitalization (risk ratio [RR], 3.33; 95% CI, 2.87 to 3.85), invasive procedures (RR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.62 to 1.88), and chemotherapy administration (RR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.45 to 1.78). The opposite pattern emerged in the interval from palliative care consultation through death, where the palliative care cohort had lower rates of hospitalization (RR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.44-0.65), invasive procedures (RR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.59), and chemotherapy administration (RR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.53). Patients with earlier palliative care consultation in their disease course had larger absolute reductions in health-care use compared with those with palliative care consultation closer to the end of life. Conclusion: This population-based study found that palliative care substantially decreased health-care use among Medicare beneficiaries with advanced cancer. Given the increasing number of elderly patients with advanced cancer, this study emphasizes the importance of early integration of palliative care alongside standard oncologic care.
Evaluation of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) in pure mineral hydrocarbon-based cosmetics and cosmetic raw materials using 1H NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Lachenmeier Dirk W. , Mildau Gerd , Rullmann Anke , Marx Gerhard , Walch Stephan G. , Hartwig Andrea , Kuballa Thomas 
Published: August 2017

Mineral hydrocarbons consist of two fractions, mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH). MOAH is a potential public health hazard because it may include carcinogenic polycyclic compounds. In the present study, 400 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was introduced, in the context of official controls, to measure MOSH and MOAH in raw materials or pure mineral hydrocarbon final products (cosmetics and medicinal products). Quantitative determination (qNMR) has been established using the ERETIC methodology (electronic reference to access in vivo concentrations) based on the PULCON principle (pulse length based concentration determination). Various mineral hydrocarbons (e.g., white oils, paraffins or petroleum jelly) were dissolved in deuterated chloroform. The ERETIC factor was established using a quantification reference sample containing ethylbenzene and tetrachloronitrobenzene. The following spectral regions were integrated: MOSH δ 3.0 – 0.2 ppm and MOAH δ 9.2 - 6.5, excluding solvent signals. Validation showed a sufficient precision of the method with a coefficient of variation <6% and a limit of detection <0.1 g/100 g. The applicability of the method was proven by analysing 27 authentic samples with MOSH and MOAH contents in the range of 90-109 g/100 g and 0.02-1.10 g/100 g, respectively. It is important to distinguish this new NMR-approach from the hyphenated liquid chromatography-gas chromatography methodology previously used to characterize MOSH/MOAH amounts in cosmetic products. For mineral hydrocarbon raw materials or pure mineral hydrocarbon-based cosmetic products, NMR delivers higher specificity without any sample preparation besides dilution. Our sample survey shows that previous methods may have overestimated the MOAH amount in mineral oil products and opens new paths to characterize this fraction. Therefore, the developed method can be applied for routine monitoring of consumer products aiming to minimize public health risks.
Impact of trichiasis surgery on daily living: A longitudinal study in Ethiopia
Authors: Habtamu Esmael , Wondie Tariku , Aweke Sintayehu , Tadesse Zerihun , Zerihun Mulat , Melak Berhanu , Gashaw Bizuayehu , Callahan Kelly , Emerson Paul M. , Bailey Robin L. , Mabey David C.W. , Rajak Saul N. , Kuper Hannah , Polack Sarah , Macleod David , Weiss Helen A. , Burton Matthew J. 
Published: August 2017

Background: Trachomatous trichiasis (TT) may lead to disability, impeding productive activities, resulting in loss of income. This study was conducted to determine if trichiasis surgery improves participation in productive and leisure activities, and ability to perform activities without difficulty or assistance. Methods: We recruited 1000 adults with trichiasis (cases) and 200 comparison participants, matched to every fifth trichiasis case on age (+/- two years), sex and location. The ‘Stylised Activity List’ tool, developed for the World Bank Living Standard Measurement Survey, was adapted to collect data on activity in the last week (participation in activity, difficulty with activity, requirement of assistance for activity), at baseline and 12 months later. All trichiasis cases received trichiasis surgery at baseline. Random effect logistic regression was used to compare cases and comparison participants. Results: There was strong evidence that trichiasis surgery substantially improves the ability of trichiasis cases to perform all the productive and leisure activities investigated without difficulty, with large increases in processing agricultural products, 21.1% to 87.0% (p<0.0001), farming, 19.1% to 82.4% (p<0.0001), and fetching wood, 25.3% to 86.0% (p<0.0001). Similarly, there was a significant increase in the proportion of cases who could perform activities without assistance, with the largest increases in animal rearing 54.2% to 92.0% (p<0.0001) and farming 73.2% to 96.4% (p<0.0001). There was no change in the proportion of comparison participants performing activities without difficulty or assistance. The change in most of the activities in cases was independent of visual acuity improvement and recurrent TT at 12 months. One year after trichiasis surgery, the proportion of cases reporting ocular pain reduced from 98.9% to 33.7% (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Eyelid surgery for TT improves functional capabilities regardless of vision gains. These data lend strong support to the view that TT surgery improves function and contributes to improved household income and wealth.
Methyl donor deficient diets cause distinct alterations in lipid metabolism but are poorly representative of human NAFLD
Authors: Lyall Marcus J. , Cartier Jessy , Richards James A , Cobice Diego , Thomson John P , Meehan Richard R , Anderton Stephen M , Drake Amanda J 
Published: August 2017

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global health issue. Dietary methyl donor restriction is used to induce a NAFLD/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) phenotype in rodents, however the extent to which this model reflects human NAFLD remains incompletely understood. To address this, we undertook hepatic transcriptional profiling of methyl donor restricted rodents and compared these to published human NAFLD datasets. Methods: Adult C57BL/6J mice were maintained on control, choline deficient (CDD) or methionine/choline deficient (MCDD) diets for four weeks; the effects on methyl donor and lipid biology were investigated by bioinformatic analysis of hepatic gene expression profiles followed by a cross-species comparison with human expression data of all stages of NAFLD. Results: Compared to controls, expression of the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) packaging carboxylesterases (Ces1d, Ces1f, Ces3b) and the NAFLD risk allele Pnpla3 were suppressed in MCDD; with Pnpla3 and the liver predominant Ces isoform, Ces3b, also suppressed in CDD. With respect to 1-carbon metabolism, down-regulation of Chka, Chkb, Pcty1a, Gnmt and Ahcy with concurrent upregulation of Mat2a suggests a drive to maintain S-adenosylmethionine levels. There was minimal similarity between global gene expression patterns in either dietary intervention and any stage of human NAFLD, however some common transcriptomic changes in inflammatory, fibrotic and proliferative mediators were identified in MCDD, NASH and HCC. Conclusions: This study suggests suppression of VLDL assembly machinery may contribute to hepatic lipid accumulation in these models, but that CDD and MCDD rodent diets are minimally representative of human NAFLD at the transcriptional level.
Bone mineral density and risk of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Gan Wei , Clarke Robert J. , Mahajan Anubha , Kulohoma Benard , Kitajima Hidetoshi , Robertson Neil R. , Rayner N. William , Walters Robin G. , Holmes Michael V. , Chen Zhengming , McCarthy Mark I. 
Published: August 2017

Background: Observational studies have demonstrated that increased bone mineral density is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), but the relationship with risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) is less clear. Moreover, substantial uncertainty remains about the causal relevance of increased bone mineral density for T2D and CHD, which can be assessed by Mendelian randomisation studies. Methods: We identified 235 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated at p<5×10-8 with estimated heel bone mineral density (eBMD) in 116,501 individuals from the UK Biobank study, accounting for 13.9% of eBMD variance. For each eBMD-associated SNP, we extracted effect estimates from the largest available GWAS studies for T2D (DIAGRAM: n=26,676 T2D cases and 132,532 controls) and CHD (CARDIoGRAMplusC4D: n=60,801 CHD cases and 123,504 controls). A two-sample design using several Mendelian randomization approaches was used to investigate the causal relevance of eBMD for risk of T2D and CHD. In addition, we explored the relationship of eBMD, instrumented by the 235 SNPs, on 12 cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. Finally, we conducted Mendelian randomization analysis in the reverse direction to investigate reverse causality. Results: Each one standard deviation increase in genetically instrumented eBMD (equivalent to 0.14 g/cm2) was associated with an 8% higher risk of T2D (odds ratio [OR] 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02 to 1.14; p=0.012) and 5% higher risk of CHD (OR 1.05; 95%CI: 1.00 to 1.10; p=0.034). Consistent results were obtained in sensitivity analyses using several different Mendelian randomization approaches. Equivalent increases in eBMD were also associated with lower plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol and increased insulin resistance. Mendelian randomization in the reverse direction using 94 T2D SNPs or 52 CHD SNPs showed no evidence of reverse causality with eBMD. Conclusions: These findings suggest a causal relationship between elevated bone mineral density with risks of both T2D and CHD.
Getting Out There: Community Support Services for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Medicaid HCBS Waivers
Authors: Friedman Carli , Spassiani Natasha A. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Despite an increased number of community-based services, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) continue to struggle with meaningful community participation and often feel they are not valued community members. This study examined how community support services, which support physical placement and community integration, were allocated in Medicaid 1915(c) HCBS waivers, the largest provider of long-term services and supports for people with IDD in the United States. Community support services totaled $447.5 million of projected funding in fiscal year 2014. While community transition services funded expenses required to establish a basic household for the initial transition, community integration services promoted a successful community placement by utilizing natural supports and developing skills necessary to maintain community integration.
Microphytoplankton biomass and trophic state of the Estuarine Region of São Francisco River (northeastern Brazil)
Authors: Melo-Magalhães Enaide Marinho , Moura Ariadne do Nascimento , Medeiros Paulo Ricardo Petter , Koening Maria Luise 
Published: August 2017

One of the most serious problems that affect estuaries is the excessive enrichment of nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus compounds that result in increased productivity. Studies to evaluate the trophic conditions of the São Francisco River estuary were conducted at four stations in the rainy (July/ 2006 ) and dry (January/2007) season in neap and spring tides, during high tide and low tide. Microphytoplankton was collected using plankton nets with mesh size of 45mm and the samples for analysis of nutrients and Phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a) were obtained from the sub-surface layer with wide-mouthed plastic bottles. The waters of this ecosystem showed salinities ranging from an oligohaline to a limnetic regime, alkaline pH and water clarity ranging between 1.00m and 2.60m. The concentrations of dissolved nutrients varied considerably, being highest during the dry season period. The Microphytoplankton was composed of 176 taxa, mainly distributed among the Chlorophyta, Charophyta and Bacillariophyta. Phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a) showed no significant differences between seasons, tides and tidal regimes, however the density (Cel.L-1) was significantly higher in the dry season. Values of a TSI showed oligotrophic conditions in the four stations and in the two periods analyzed. In the dry season there was a higher cell density and increased levels of dissolved nutrients with the exception of nitrate that was considered higher in the rainy season. The Microphytoplankton species are characteristic of waters of low to moderate trophic level and the TSI indicated a predominance of oligotrophic conditions in the two seasons in the study area.Keywords: chlorophyll a, estuary, hydrology, phytoplankton, seasonality
Analysis and Optimization of Conformal Patch Excited Wideband DRA of Several Shapes
Authors: Kumar Pramod , Dwari Santanu , Singh Shailendra , Kumar Ashok , Agrawal N. K. , Kumar Utkarsh 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn this paper various shapes of DR antennas excited by common feed have been proposed and successfully implemented for wideband applications. Proposed structures are Hemispherical, Arrow-shaped and Triangular DRA, while common excited feed is inverted trapezoidal conformal patch. These shapes of DR offer significant optimization in several parameters such as impedance bandwidth, peak gain and bandwidth per unit volume of the antenna. By using inverted trapezoidal patch feed mechanism an impedance bandwidth (VSWR<2) of about 63 % for hemispherical shape, 66 % for arrow shape, and 72 % for triangular shape DRA has been achieved with maximum bandwidth per unit volume. Proposed wideband DRAs i. e. triangular, hemispherical, and arrow shapes of DR antennas cover almost complete C-band (4 GHz–8 GHz) frequency spectrum of microwave. The average peak gain within the operating band for hemispherical, arrow, and triangular shape DRA are about 5, 5.4, and 5.5 dB respectively. A comparative analysis of proposed structures for various antenna parameters has been analyzed by HFSS (High-Frequency Structure Simulator) and validated by experimental results.
Technical problems during laparoscopy: a systematic method of troubleshooting for surgeons
Authors: Siddaiah-Subramanya Manjunath , Nyandowe Masimba , Tiang Kor Woi 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackground:Laparoscopic surgery has progressed rapidly since the early 1990s. For some surgical operations, it has become the standard of care to the extent where open surgery is sometimes looked down upon by some surgical colleagues as well as by patients.Current status:Despite this widespread adoption and acceptance, many surgeons struggle to understand how the laparoscopy stacks work despite having the skills to perform the operation. Most hospitals rely on operating theatre assistants to troubleshoot in the event of problems. This could be potentially unsafe for patients if laparoscopic vision or pneumoperitoneum is lost at a critical point of the operation.Discussion:There are a number of approaches that have been published for troubleshooting laparoscopy stack. We explore and discuss some of them along with their advantages and disadvantages and how they relate to our methodology and approach. As a product of the discussion, we suggest a systematic way forward to troubleshooting laparoscopic tower equipment problems.Conclusion:The technical knowledge of surgeons and trainees varies widely in the area of laparoscopy-related troubleshooting. This systematic, practical algorithm would help and guide all surgeons to adopt a uniform approach, thereby improving patient safety.
A Novel Approach to Extract Exact Liver Image Boundary from Abdominal CT Scan using Neutrosophic Set and Fast Marching Method
Authors: Siri Sangeeta K. , Latte Mrityunjaya V. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Liver segmentation from abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan images is a complicated and challenging task. Due to the haziness in the liver pixel range, the neighboring organs of the liver have the same intensity level and existence of noise. Segmentation is necessary in the detection, identification, analysis, and measurement of objects in CT scan images. A novel approach is proposed to meet the challenges in extracting liver images from abdominal CT scan images. The proposed approach consists of three phases: (1) preprocessing, (2) CT scan image transformation to neutrosophic set, and (3) postprocessing. In preprocessing, noise in the CT scan is reduced by median filter. A “new structure” is introduced to transform a CT scan image into a neutrosophic domain, which is expressed using three membership subsets: true subset (T), false subset (F), and indeterminacy subset (I). This transform approximately extracts the liver structure. In the postprocessing phase, morphological operation is performed on the indeterminacy subset (I). A novel algorithm is designed to identify the start points within the liver section automatically. The fast marching method is applied at start points that grow outwardly to detect the accurate liver boundary. The evaluation of the proposed segmentation algorithm is concluded using area- and distance-based metrics.
Hermite-Hadamard type inequalities for p-convex functions via fractional integrals
Authors: Kunt Mehmet , İşcan İmdat 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
In this paper, we present Hermite-Hadamard inequality for p-convex functions in fractional integral forms. we obtain an integral equality and some Hermite-Hadamard type integral inequalities for p-convex functions in fractional integral forms. We give some Hermite-Hadamard type inequalities for convex, harmonically convex and p-convex functions. Some results presented in this paper for p-convex functions, provide extensions of others given in earlier works for convex, harmonically convex and p-convex functions.
Infinitely Many Solutions of the Neumann Problem for Elliptic systems in Anisotropic Variable Exponent Sobolev Spaces
Authors: Ahmed A. , Vall M.S.B. Elemine , Touzani A. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
In this paper, we prove the existence of in finitely many solutions for the following system by applying a critical point variational principle obtained by Ricceri as a consequence of a more general variational principle and the theory of the anisotropic variable exponent Sobolev spaces 2010 Mathematics Subject Classification. 35K05 - 35K55.
Hermite-Hadamard type integral inequalities for products of two generalized (s; m; ξ)-preinvex functions
Authors: Kashuri Artion , Liko Rozana 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn this paper, the notion of generalized (s; m; ξ)-preinvex function is introduced and some new integral inequalities for the left-hand side of Gauss-Jacobi type quadrature formula involving generalized (s; m; ξ)-preinvex functions along with beta function are given. Moreover, we establish some new Hermite-Hadamard type integral inequalities for products of two generalized (s; m; ξ)-preinvex functions via classical and Riemann-Liouville fractional integrals. These results not only extend the results appeared in the literature (see [10],[11]), but also provide new estimates on these types. At the end, some conclusions are given.
Impact of Polyphenol Supplementation on Acute and Chronic Response to Resistance Training
Authors: Beyer Kyle S. , Stout Jeffrey R. , Fukuda David H. , Jajtner Adam R. , Townsend Jeremy R. , Church David D. , Wang Ran , Riffe Joshua J. , Muddle Tyler W.D. , Herrlinger Kelli A. , Hoffman Jay R. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Beyer, KS, Stout, JR, Fukuda, DH, Jajtner, AR, Townsend, JR, Church, DD, Wang, R, Riffe, JJ, Muddle, TWD, Herrlinger, KA, and Hoffman, JR. Impact of polyphenol supplementation on acute and chronic response to resistance training. J Strength Cond Res 31(11): 2945–2954, 2017—This study investigated the effect of a proprietary polyphenol blend (PPB) on acute and chronic adaptations to resistance exercise. Forty untrained men were assigned to control, PPB, or placebo. Participants in PPB or placebo groups completed a 4-week supplementation period (phase I), an acute high-volume exercise bout (phase II), and a 6-week resistance training program (phase III); whereas control completed only testing during phase II. Blood draws were completed during phases I and II. Maximal strength in squat, leg press, and leg extension were assessed before and after phase III. The exercise protocol during phase II consisted of squat, leg press, and leg extension exercises using 70% of the participant's strength. The resistance training program consisted of full-body exercises performed 3 d·wk−1. After phase I, PPB (1.56 ± 0.48 mM) had greater total antioxidant capacity than placebo (1.00 ± 0.90 mM). Changes in strength from phase III were similar between PPB and placebo. Polyphenol blend supplementation may be an effective strategy to increase antioxidant capacity without limiting strength gains from training.