bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of sleep‐disordered breathing in a multiethnic Asian population in Singapore: A community‐based study
Authors: Tan Adeline , Cheung Yan Yi , Yin Jason , Lim Wei‐Yen , Tan Linda W.L. , Lee Chi‐Hang 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackground and objectiveLimited data exist on the prevalence variation in sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) across different Asian ethnicities. This population study aimed to estimate the prevalence of SDB in Singapore, a multiethnic nation, and to quantify the prevalence variation among Chinese, Malays and Indians.MethodsThe Singapore Health Study 2012 was a cross‐sectional population study conducted on adults aged 21–79 years. Among 2329 participants who completed baseline examination, a sample of 242 subjects completed home‐based sleep testing with an Embletta device (type 3 monitor). Moderate‐to‐severe SDB, defined as an apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) of ≥15 events/h, was used to estimate prevalence.ResultsThe weighted estimates of the population prevalence of moderate‐to‐severe SDB and sleep apnoea syndrome were 30.5% and 18.1%, respectively. Of subjects with AHI ≥15, 91.0% were previously undiagnosed. Moderate‐to‐severe SDB prevalence varied across the Chinese (32.1%), Malays (33.8%) and Indians (16.5%). The mean body mass index (BMI) was lowest in Chinese (23.3 kg/m2) and highest among Malays (26.0 kg/m2) and Indians (25.4 kg/m2). Compared with Chinese, Indians had lower odds of moderate‐to‐severe SDB after adjustment for age, sex and BMI (odds ratio 0.82, 95% CI: 0.70–0.96, P = 0.02).ConclusionSleep‐disordered breathing is prevalent but mostly undiagnosed among Asians in Singapore. There was a lower prevalence of SDB among Indians compared with Chinese that remained after adjustment for age, sex and BMI. Strategies are needed to optimize diagnosis and recognize ethnic differences in SDB prevalence.
Current practices for treatment of respiratory syncytial virus and other non‐influenza respiratory viruses in high‐risk patient populations: a survey of institutions in the Midwestern Respiratory Virus Collaborative
Authors: Beaird O.E. , Freifeld A. , Ison M.G. , Lawrence S.J. , Theodoropoulos N. , Clark N.M. , Razonable R.R. , Alangaden G. , Miller R. , Smith J. , Young J.A.H. , Hawkinson D. , Pursell K. , Kaul D.R. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe optimal treatment for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in adult immunocompromised patients is unknown. We assessed the management of RSV and other non‐influenza respiratory viruses in Midwestern transplant centers.MethodsA survey assessing strategies for RSV and other non‐influenza respiratory viral infections was sent to 13 centers.ResultsMultiplex polymerase chain reaction assay was used for diagnosis in 11/12 centers. Eight of 12 centers used inhaled ribavirin (RBV) in some patient populations. Barriers included cost, safety, lack of evidence, and inconvenience. Six of 12 used intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), mostly in combination with RBV. Inhaled RBV was used more than oral, and in the post‐stem cell transplant population, patients with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), graft‐versus‐host disease, and more recent transplantation were treated at higher rates. Ten centers had experience with lung transplant patients; all used either oral or inhaled RBV for LRTI, 6/10 treated upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). No center treated non‐lung solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients with URTI; 7/11 would use oral or inhaled RBV in the same group with LRTI. Patients with hematologic malignancy without hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were treated with RBV at a similar frequency to non‐lung SOT recipients. Three of 12 centers, in severe cases, treated parainfluenza and metapneumovirus, and 1/12 treated coronavirus.ConclusionsTreatment of RSV in immunocompromised patients varied greatly. While most centers treat LRTI, treatment of URTI was variable. No consensus was found regarding the use of oral versus inhaled RBV, or the use of IVIG. The presence of such heterogeneity demonstrates the need for further studies defining optimal treatment of RSV in immunocompromised hosts.
Blood donation in a large urban centre of southeast Brazil: a population‐based study
Authors: Moreno E. C. , Bolina‐Santos E. , Mendes‐Oliveira F. , Miranda C. , Sabino E. C. , Cioffi J. G. M. , Camargos V. , Caiaffa W. , Xavier C. C. , Proietti F. A. , de Freitas Carneiro‐Proietti1 A. B. 
Published: February 2016

SUMMARYObjectivesThis study aimed to estimate the prevalence and characterise potential blood donors and non‐donors in a well‐populated and representative urban area of Southeastern Brazil.BackgroundStudies on blood donation usually evaluate individuals who donate. Population‐based studies may contribute to characterise those who never reach the blood centre, trying to increase the range of donors.Study Design and MethodsThis was a secondary analysis of a population‐based survey and a blood donor motivation study [Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation study (REDS II) International]. In a cross‐sectional study 4047 individuals representing a metropolitan area answered the question ‘Have you ever donated blood at least once in your life?’. The profiles (‘Yes/No’) were compared. Non‐donors from this reference population were compared with donors of a local blood center, in a case control analysis.ResultsA total of 69·0% of the population had never donated blood and was composed mostly of women, younger than 30 years old, people not contributing to social security and not subscribing to newspapers. In the case–control study, the likelihood of donating was higher for: men, younger than 50 years old, longer time of education, married, participating in political campaigns and with a good self‐perception of health. The factors associated with no blood donation were: self‐reported mixed or white race/ethnicity, income higher than two minimum wages and belonging to trade union, political, religious/spiritual, or other social group and worse self perception of health.ConclusionsThis population‐based study allowed us to characterise a high proportion of people that never reaches the blood centre. The results may be used to diversify the donor profile, creating strategies to target those least likely to donate blood, as women, white people and those with higher income and purchasing power.
A novel form of macrothrombocytopenia in Akita dogs
Authors: Hayakawa Sayuri , Spangler Elizabeth A. , Christopherson Pete W. , Boudreaux Mary K. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBlood samples from 3 unrelated Akita dogs with a common history of persistent macrothrombocytopenia in the absence of clinical bleeding were sent to the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine (AUCVM) Clinical Pathology Laboratory for evaluation. Due to low platelet counts, one Akita dog had been treated with corticosteroids for presumed immune‐mediated platelet destruction, and one Akita dog was treated with doxycycline for one month for presumed infection by a tick‐borne agent. In spite of treatment, platelet counts remained low in both dogs. Given the absence of abnormal bleeding in all 3 dogs and lack of response to treatment in 2, congenital macrothrombocytopenia was suspected. Interestingly, platelets from all 3 dogs exhibited a consistent elongated platelet morphology. There were no morphologic abnormalities observed in other cell lines. While there have been anecdotal reports of a possible inherited macrothrombocytopenia in Akita dogs, scientific studies have not been done to verify these reports. This manuscript represents the first case report describing what is likely a congenital macrothrombocytopenia in Akita dogs based on persistently low platelet counts in the absence of clinical signs, and characterized by a unique platelet morphology.
Lyme Disease Surveillance Using Sampling Estimation: Evaluation of an Alternative Methodology in New York State
Authors: Lukacik G. , White J. , Noonan‐Toly C. , DiDonato C. , Backenson P. B. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryIn the 14‐year period from 1993 to 2006, New York State (NYS) accounted for over one‐quarter (27.1%) of all confirmed Lyme disease (LD) cases in the United States. During that time period, a nine‐county area in south‐east NYS accounted for 90.6% of the reported LD cases in the state. Based on concerns related to diminishing resources at both the state and local level and the increasing burden of traditional LD surveillance, the NYS Department of Health (DOH) sought to develop an alternative to traditional surveillance that would reduce the investigative workload while maintaining the ability to track LD trends by developing a system to estimate county‐level LD cases based on a 20% random sample of positive laboratory reports. Estimates from this system were compared to observed cases from traditional surveillance for select counties in 2007–2009 and 2011. There were no significant differences between the two methodologies in six of nine evaluations conducted. In addition, in 93 of 98 (94.9%) demographic, symptom and other variable proportion comparisons made between the two methodologies in 2009 and 2011, there were no significant differences found. Overall, using sampling estimates was accurate and efficient in estimating LD cases at the county level. Use of case estimates for LD should be considered as a useful surveillance alternative by health policy makers for states with endemic LD.
High intensity focused ultrasound induced in vivo large volume hyperthermia under 3D MRI temperature control
Authors: Tillander Matti , Hokland Steffen , Koskela Julius , Dam Høgni , Andersen Niels Peter , Pedersen Michael , Tanderup Kari , Ylihautala Mika , Köhler Max 
Published: February 2016

Purpose:Mild hyperthermia can be used as an adjuvant therapy to enhance radiation therapy or chemotherapy of cancer. However, administering mild hyperthermia is technically challenging due to the high accuracy required of the temperature control. MR guided high‐intensity focused ultrasound (MR‐HIFU) is a technology that can address this challenge. In this work, accurate and spatially uniform mild hyperthermia is demonstrated for deep‐seated clinically relevant heating volumes using a HIFU system under MR guidance.Methods:Mild hyperthermia heating was evaluated for temperature accuracy and spatial uniformity in 11 in vivo porcine leg experiments. Hyperthermia was induced with a commercial Philips Sonalleve MR‐HIFU system embedded in a 1.5T Ingenia MR scanner. The operating software was modified to allow extended duration mild hyperthermia. Heating time varied from 10 min up to 60 min and the assigned target temperature was 42.5 °C. Electronic focal point steering, mechanical transducer movement, and dynamic transducer element switch‐off were exploited to enlarge the heated volume and obtain uniform heating throughout the acoustic beam path. Multiple temperature mapping images were used to control and monitor the heating. The magnetic field drift and transducer susceptibility artifacts were compensated to enable accurate volumetric MR thermometry.Results:The obtained mean temperature for the target area (the cross sectional area of the heated volume at focal depth primarily used to control the heating) was on average 42.0 ± 0.6 °C. Temperature uniformity in the target area was evaluated using T10 and T90, which were 43.1 ± 0.6 and 40.9 ± 0.6 °C, respectively. For the near field, the corresponding temperatures were 39.3 ± 0.8 °C (average), 40.6 ± 1.0 °C (T10), and 38.0 ± 0.9 °C (T90). The sonications resulted in a concise heating volume, typically in the shape of a truncated cone. The average depth reached from the skin was 86.9 mm. The results show that the heating algorithm was able to induce deep heating while keeping the near‐field temperature uniform and at a safe level.Conclusions:The capability of MR‐HIFU to induce accurate, spatially uniform, and robust mild hyperthermia in large deep‐seated volumes was successfully demonstrated through a series of in vivo animal experiments.
Nitrogen source and placement effects on stand density, pasmo severity, seed yield, and quality of no-till flax
Authors: Grant C.A. , McLaren D. , Irvine R.B. , Duguid S.D. 
Published: February 2016

Field studies were conducted at two locations in western Manitoba over three years to evaluate the impact of rate, source, and placement of nitrogen (N) fertilizer on seedling emergence, disease severity, crop yield, and seed quality of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). Urea, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN), and ammonium nitrate (AN) fertilizers were applied at 0, 30, 60, and 90 g N ha−1, pre-plant banded or side-banded 2.5 m to the side and 2.5 m below the seed-row, using a hoe-type opener with 20 m row spacing. Differences in stand emergence occurred from year to year, depending on the moisture conditions after seeding. Nitrogen fertilizer occasionally decreased stand density when side-banded, with effects being greatest with urea and UAN. The magnitude of stand decrease was generally low, although it may have restricted seed yield with high rates of urea fertilization in some years. Nitrogen applications frequently increased leaf and stem pasmo, but the effects of fertilizer source and placement were variable. Seed yield increased with N application except at a single site where soil N levels were high. Where differences existed among sources, yield was generally lower with urea than with the other sources, possibly related to seedling damage from the urea at higher rates of application, or to physiological effects of high ammonia:nitrate ratio nutrition during early growth. Seed quality for oil production tended to decline with increasing N applications due to lower oil concentration, lower iodine number, and a decrease in the concentration of high-quality linolenic and linoleic fatty acids. However, seed protein concentration increased with increasing N concentration. While risk of seedling damage and pasmo may increase with increasing levels of N fertilizer, either side-banded or pre-plant banded N applications still resulted in increased flaxseed yield. However, increasing N rate slightly decreased quality for oil production.
High-speed electro-optic switch using buried electrode structure in polymer Mach–Zehnder waveguide
Authors: Sun Jingwen , Sun Jian , Yi Yunji , Qv Lucheng , Sun Shiqi , Wang Fei , Wang Xibin , Zhang Daming 
Published: February 2016

A low-cost and high-speed electro-optic (EO) switch using the guest–host EO material Disperse Red 1/Polymethyl Methacrylate (DR1/PMMA) was designed and fabricated. The DR1/PMMA material presented a low processing cost, an excellent photostability and a large EO coefficient of 13.1 pm/V. To improve the performance of the switch, the in-plane buried electrode structure was introduced in the polymer Mach–Zehnder waveguide to improve the poling and modulating efficiency. The characteristic parameters of the waveguide and the electrodes were carefully designed and the fabrication process was strictly controlled. Under 1550 nm, the insertion loss of the device was 12.7 dB. The measured switching rise time and fall time of the switch were 50.00 ns and 54.29 ns, respectively.
Measuring and Understanding Team Development by Capturing Self-assessed Enthusiasm and Skill Levels
Authors: Largent David L. 
Published: February 2016

To prepare graduates for today's work environment, they must be immersed in positive (and perhaps negative) small group experiences in their courses, which will in turn provide a basic understanding of how teams form and develop over time. In the fall of 2009, we started exploring how software development teams form and interact in a computer science college capstone course setting. Our initial findings were presented at ICER 2010 in Aarhus, Denmark. The focus of our research was on the experiences of computer science college course teams as compared and contrasted to the theory of Bruce Tuckman's stages of small group development model, which he characterized as
forming
,
storming
,
norming
,
performing
, and
adjourning
.

We continued data collection with the computer science capstone course in the fall of 2010 and added an information systems capstone course as well. At the conclusion of the spring 2014 semester, we have collected and analyzed data for a total of 5 academic years from nine cohorts of students taught by five instructors involving 215 students on 51 teams. Each year, participants repeatedly self-assessed their enthusiasm and skill levels over time using a questionnaire by agreeing or disagreeing to statements. The data shows patterns similar to that of Tuckman's model. Since most people find Tuckman's model easy to understand, it may provide an effective tool to teach teamwork and monitor team development.
In addition to briefly presenting our empirical findings in this article, we provide a simple conceptualization of Tuckman's model that can be captured in two data points: enthusiasm and skill level. By comparing changes in these two dimensions over time, team development can be tracked through the various Tuckman stages of small group development. We also provide a minicurriculum which can be used to introduce students to Tuckman's model and provide them insight into what leadership style works best in each of the development stages.
Testing Reliability of Serum Samples as a DNA Source on Captive Breeding Long-tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis)
Authors: Perwitasari-Farajallah Dyah , Farajallah Achmad 
Published: February 2016

The serum realibility was tested in captive breeding conditions on the long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Serum and buffy coat were applied to standard protocol of DNA extration following the amplification of microsatellite DNA locus of D2S1777 by PCR and visualized PCR products by means of PAGE with silver staining.Â The amount of genomic DNA extracted from serum was sufficient for genotyping individuals at DNA microsatellite locus of D2S1777 with the allele size is approximately 160 bp.Â We show that serum can provide a reliable alternative for obtaining DNA where taking blood using anticoagulant is impracticable
Study of Herbal Topical Repellent Made of Betel Leaves (Piper betle) and Patchouli Oil (Pogostemon cablin) Mixture Against Yellow Fever Mosquito (Aedes aegypti)
Authors: Widawati Mutiara , Riandi M. Umar 
Published: February 2016

Introduction: Exploration of plants as natural repellants to avoid Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that transmit dengue virus to human is worthy. Betel vine leaves (Piper betle L.) could be used as the material of repellant.The study is aimed to test the repellency,potency, and the safety of Piper betel and patchoulli oil modified gel against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.Methods: This study is an experimental study and used nulliparous (3-5 days old) female Aedes aegypti. Before the study, safety test was done which consists of an irritation test. The effectivity test used five treatments: DEET gel for positive control, piper and patchouli mixture gel, piper only gel, patchouli only gel and gel base only. The five treatments were tested as a repellant with five repetitive applications. The effectiveness of Aedes aegyptiâ€™s rejection from biting the arms was analyzed using protective percentage.Â Results: The irritation test showed no safety concerns. Protective percentage analysis shows that modified betel vine gel has estimated mean protective power of over 90% for 6 hours. The data showed that the modified gels has about the same protective percentage as the DEET (ratio: PP (Neem+piper)/PP (DEET) =0.98; 95% confidence interval 0.93, 1.04; p-value=0.50)Conclusion Betel vine oil with modified formulation has a potential to be utilized as Aedes aegypti mosquito repellantand is safe to be used in further repellency tests.
Molecular Characterization of Begomovirus Infecting Yard Long Bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis L.) in Java, Indonesia
Authors: Nurulita Sari , Hidayat Sri Hendrastuti , Mutaqin Kikin Hamzah , Thomas John 
Published: February 2016

Begomovirus was identified as one of the causal agents causing yellow mosaic disease on yard long bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis L.) in Java. Research was conducted to characterize the virus based on its nucleotide sequences.Â Research was started by field survey to collect leaf samples, followed by virus detection using polymerase chain reaction and analysis of virus sequences.Â Samples from Tegal, Klaten, Magelang, Cirebon, Subang, and Bogor were positively infected by Begomovirus based on specific viral DNA amplification.Â Sequence analysis indicated that Begomovirus infecting yard long bean belongs to the same group with Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Nepal.Â Further analysis showed the conserved region of Begomovirus around Common Region, i.e. â€œTATA boxâ€ Sequence, Hair Pin Loop Structure, Repetitive Sequence, and the Conserved Nonanucleotide Sequence TAATATTAC.Key words: common region, DNA sequencing, ELISA, MYMIV, PCRÂ
Coordinated Airborne Studies in the Tropics (CAST)
Authors: Harris N. R. P. , Carpenter L. J. , Lee J. D. , Vaughan G. , Filus M. T. , Jones R. L. , OuYang B. , Pyle J. A. , Robinson A. D. , Andrews S. J. , Lewis A. C. , Minaeian J. , Vaughan A. , Dorsey J. R. , Gallagher M. W. , Le Breton M. , Newton R. , Percival C. J. , Ricketts H. M. A. , Bauguitte S. J.-B. , Nott G. J. , Wellpott A. , Ashfold M. J. , Flemming J. , Butler R. , Palmer P. I. , Kaye P. H. , Stopford C. , Chemel C. , Boesch H. , Humpage N. , Vick A. , MacKenzie A. R. , Hyde R. , Angelov P. , Meneguz E. , Manning A. J. 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
The main field activities of the Coordinated Airborne Studies in the Tropics (CAST) campaign took place in the west Pacific during January–February 2014. The field campaign was based in Guam (13.5°N, 144.8°E), using the U.K. Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) BAe-146 atmospheric research aircraft, and was coordinated with the Airborne Tropical Tropopause Experiment (ATTREX) project with an unmanned Global Hawk and the Convective Transport of Active Species in the Tropics (CONTRAST) campaign with a Gulfstream V aircraft. Together, the three aircraft were able to make detailed measurements of atmospheric structure and composition from the ocean surface to 20 km. These measurements are providing new information about the processes influencing halogen and ozone levels in the tropical west Pacific, as well as the importance of trace-gas transport in convection for the upper troposphere and stratosphere. The FAAM aircraft made a total of 25 flights in the region between 1°S and 14°N and 130° and 155°E. It was used to sample at altitudes below 8 km, with much of the time spent in the marine boundary layer. It measured a range of chemical species and sampled extensively within the region of main inflow into the strong west Pacific convection. The CAST team also made ground-based measurements of a number of species (including daily ozonesondes) at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program site on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea (2.1°S, 147.4°E). This article presents an overview of the CAST project, focusing on the design and operation of the west Pacific experiment. It additionally discusses some new developments in CAST, including flights of new instruments on board the Global Hawk in February–March 2015.