bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of humic acid on the sorption and desorption of myo‐inositol hexaphosphate to gibbsite and kaolinite
Authors: Ruyter‐Hooley M. , Morton D. W. , Johnson B. B. , Angove M. J. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryThe effect of humic acid (HA) on myo‐inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) sorption and desorption to gibbsite and kaolinite was investigated with measurements of macroscopic sorption. Gibbsite tended to have a larger sorption capacity for both HA and IP6. The behaviour in the ternary systems, where both HA and IP6 were present, was complex. Both pH and the addition sequence of HA and IP6 were found to be important in affecting IP6 and HA sorption to both minerals; with more noticeable effects on the gibbsite surface than on kaolinite. When HA was added first, IP6 sorption decreased when the pH was less than 9, whereas HA sorption decreased over the whole pH range. The addition of HA to mineral‐bound IP6 had little effect on IP6 sorption, but HA sorption decreased. The observed decreases in HA and IP6 sorption most probably result from a reduction in the availability of sites at the surface and electrostatic repulsion between the negatively charged HA and IP6 ions at the surface. Desorption experiments indicate that IP6 was bound strongly to the gibbsite surface, especially at pH 6 where little IP6 was released into solution, even in the presence of HA.Highlights
Aim to understand how the sorption of inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) and humic acid (HA) are affected when both are present in soil.
Both the nature of the mineral surface and order of addition of adsorbates affect the amount of each sorbed.
The presence of HA on the mineral surface decreases the amount of IP6 that sorbs at lower pH values, but it cannot displace IP6 from the surface.
The presence of sorbed HA is likely to affect the plant‐available IP6 in soil systems.
Conservation tool or threatening process? management implications of interactions of cattle with vegetation and land at the Vale of Belvoir reserve
Authors: Tengia Blanka , Taylor Matthew , Kirkpatrick Jamie 
Published: March 2016

SummaryA recently purchased private reserve of high conservation value has been grazed in summer by cattle since the early nineteenth century. We ask whether the cattle are causing continuing damage and whether they are necessary to maintain any conservation values. We used five‐year‐old exclosures to determine the effects of cattle on wetland vegetation, mapped damage to soils and landforms and mapped cattle dung deposition in relation to the distributions of rare and threatened plant species. Cattle impacts on wetland plants were minor. Cattle damage to landforms by pugging and bank collapse was frequent near unfenced water bodies. Rare and threatened species were largely on well‐drained ground, while cattle dung was concentrated in wetlands and near water bodies. We conclude that cattle grazing is impacting some conservation values and is not necessary for conservation purposes. Destocking should be accompanied by careful monitoring of threatened plant populations. If necessary, alternative planned disturbances can provide regeneration niches for rare and threatened plants.
Effect of artificial shade and grazing removal on degraded grasslands: Implications of woody restoration for herbaceous vegetation
Authors: Norton David A. , Young Laura M. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryExtensive degraded short tussock grasslands of New Zealand's eastern South Island were dominated by woody vegetation prior to burning and livestock grazing associated with human settlement starting 800 years ago. There is increasing interest in restoring some of these grasslands back to a woody state. However, because of the long time frames involved in establishing a woody cover, it is difficult to predict the impacts that woody restoration will have on the extant herbaceous flora. Using a factorial trial with artificial shade and grazing exclusion, we assessed the potential impact of woody restoration on the structure and composition of the herbaceous flora over a six‐year period. The imposition of artificial shade resulted in significant increases in total species richness and the total cover of herbaceous vegetation, increases in cover of several individual forb and grass species and decreases in the cover of bare ground, moss and lichen in shade treatments. There were also changes in the overall community composition of shaded treatments reflecting these changes in vegetation cover and species richness. We found no statistically significant effects of grazing exclusion. We suggest that increased soil moisture resulting from shade addition plays an important role in increasing the herbaceous component of the flora. While woody restoration will have a range of effects on the herbaceous understorey, for example through competition and changes in soil conditions, our findings are important for planning future woody restoration in these degraded tussock grasslands. In particular, our results suggest that the best approach to ensure the persistence of herbaceous vegetation in woody restorations might be to ensure that restoration plantings result in a spatially heterogeneous vegetation arrangement.
Cerebrospinal fluid markers in the differentiation of molecular subtypes of sporadic Creutzfeldt−Jakob disease
Authors: Gmitterová K. , Heinemann U. , Krasnianski A. , Gawinecka J. , Zerr I. 
Published: March 2016

Background and purposeCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis supports the clinical diagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt−Jakob disease (sCJD) when applied within an adequate clinical context. A diagnostic potential has been attributed to CSF proteins such as 14‐3‐3, but also tau protein, phosphorylated tau (181P) (p‐tau) protein, amyloid β1–42, S100B and neuron‐specific enolase (NSE). There has been only limited information available about the contribution of CSF analysis in the differentiation of various molecular sCJD subtypes.MethodsThe CSF levels of the aforementioned proteins from 73 sCJD patients with distinct molecular subtypes were determined.ResultsDifferences in tau values were significant amongst the homozygous patients (MM and VV genotype) compared to the heterozygous group (P = 0.07 and P = 0.02 respectively). Significantly higher CSF tau levels (P = 0.003) and NSE (P = 0.02) but lower p‐tau/tau ratio (P = 0.01) were observed in MM1 compared to MM2 patients. The p‐tau/tau ratio enabled the differentiation of MV genotype with higher levels in PrPsc type 2 (P = 0.04). Elevation of S100B (P < 0.001) and NSE (P = 0.03) was observed in VV2 compared to VV1 subtype. PRNP codon 129 genotype, PrPsc isotype, disease duration and clinical stage influenced the test sensitivity in all proteins.ConclusionsCerebrospinal fluid protein levels might be useful in the pre‐mortem differentiation of molecular sCJD subtypes when the codon 129 genotype is known.
On the design and test of equivalent configurations for notch and fretting fatigue
Authors: Araújo J. A. , Castro F. C. , Pommier S. , Bellecave J. , Meriaux J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis work investigates the possibility of designing fretting and notch fatigue experiments that are nominally equivalent in terms of damage evaluated by a multiaxial fatigue model. The methodology adopted to carry out this search considered a cylinder‐on‐flat contact geometry and a V‐notched plate. The loading conditions and geometries of the experimental configurations were adjusted to obtain the same decay of the multiaxial fatigue index from the hot spot up to a critical distance. Aluminium alloy 7050‐T7451 was used in the experimental evaluation of the methodology. Considering the well‐known scatter of fatigue data and the limited number of specimens available, the obtained results suggest that the use of the notch analogy in fretting fatigue is appropriate.
Four‐year decline in radioactive cesium transfer to perennial Gramineae candidate bioenergy crops in a field polluted by radioactive fallout from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011
Authors: Kobayashi Makoto , Matsunami Hisaya , Tsuruta Shin‐ichi , Sato Hiroko , Ando Shotaro 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe accident caused at the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant by the Great East Japan Earthquake of 11 March 2011 resulted in radioactive fallout over a wide area of eastern Japan. Production of bioenergy crops and their conversion to energy may be one way to resume agricultural production at an early date and to put renewable energy to practical use. We examined yearly changes in radioactive cesium concentrations in the harvested parts of six perennial Gramineae candidate bioenergy crops and the distribution of the cesium in plant organs and rhizosphere soil layers under no‐till conditions in an experimental field 112 km from the nuclear power plant. Average radioactivity of the sum of cesium‐134 and cesium‐137 in the harvested parts (foliage) of the six bioenergy crops on the day of harvest declined considerably from 193.3 Bq kg−1 in 2011 to 31.6% of the 2011 level in 2012, 28.8% in 2013 and 28.7% in 2014. Radioactivity was higher in the underground plant parts (subterranean stem and root) than in the aboveground parts (foliage and stubble). In 2014, radioactivity in the untilled rhizosphere soil was higher in the shallow layer (0–5 cm from the soil surface) than in the deeper layers, indicating that rainfall and perennial bioenergy crop cultivation for more than 3 years had a limited effect on the soil distribution of the fallout. These results provide unique and specific information on radioactive cesium transfer to bioenergy crops and could help in the planning of feedstock supplies in radiation‐polluted areas.
Declining trends in invasive orthopedic interventions for people with hemophilia enrolled in the Universal Data Collection program (2000–2010)
Authors: Tobase P. , Lane H. , Siddiqi A.‐E‐A. , Ingram‐Rich R. , Ward R. S. ,   Universal Data Collection Joint Outcome Working Group, Hemophilia Treatment Center Network (HTCN) Study Investigators
Published: March 2016

IntroductionRecurrent joint hemarthroses due to hemophilia (Factor VIII and Factor IX deficiency) often lead to invasive orthopedic interventions to decrease frequency of bleeding and/or to alleviate pain associated with end‐stage hemophilic arthropathy.AimIdentify trends in invasive orthopedic interventions among people with hemophilia who were enrolled in the Universal Data Collection (UDC) program during the period 2000–2010.MethodsData were collected from 130 hemophilia treatment centers in the United States annually during the period 2000–2010, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The number of visits in which an invasive orthopedic intervention was reported was expressed as a proportion of the total visits in each year of the program. Invasive orthopedic interventions consisted of arthroplasty, arthrodesis, and synovectomy. Joints included in this study were the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle.ResultsA 5.6% decrease in all invasive orthopedic interventions in all joints of people with hemophilia enrolled in the UDC program over the 11‐year study period was observed.ConclusionsThese data reflect a declining trend in invasive orthopedic interventions in people with hemophilia. Further research is needed to understand the characteristics that may influence invasive orthopedic interventions.
Adrenal insufficiency presenting as unexplained hypotension in nocturnal home hemodialysis
Authors: Koh Timothy Jee Kam , Chan Christopher T. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAdrenal insufficiency is a complication of chronic corticosteroid therapy. Unexplained hypotension may be a manifestation of an adrenal insufficient state in patients with a history of corticosteroid therapy on hemodialysis. We present a series of five cases of patients on nocturnal home hemodialysis with hypotension as the main manifestation of adrenal insufficiency. Unexplained hypotension in patients with a history of corticosteroid therapy should prompt the managing clinician to consider adrenal insufficiency as a possible cause.
Surveillance rates for hepatocellular carcinoma among patients with cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B, and chronic hepatitis C based on Japanese claims database
Authors: Hirata Aya , Hirata Takumi , Takahashi Yoshimitsu , Nakayama Takeo 
Published: March 2016

AimSurveillance is recommended for patients with risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) such as viral hepatitis and liver cirrhosis (LC). Although populations are at higher risk in Asia, surveillance rates have not been evaluated in those countries. Therefore, we aimed to examine surveillance rates for HCC and to compare predictors for surveillance among each type of liver disease in Japan.MethodsWe carried out an observational study using the medical claims data of Japan. A total of 4713 patients who were diagnosed with LC, hepatitis B virus (HBV), or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were followed for 12 months. We described surveillance rates in patients with HBV or HCV infection or non‐viral LC and evaluated potential predictors for follow‐up surveillance among them by using multivariable logistic regression analysis, in which we set explanatory variables as sex, age, medical facility, HBV or HCV infection, and LC.ResultsThe HCC surveillance rate during follow‐up was 42.3% among patients with chronic viral hepatitis, 56.5% with viral cirrhosis and 26.0%, with non‐viral LC. Significant predictors for follow‐up surveillance were presence of LC and hospital visits. Hepatitis B virus‐infected patients aged <50 years and HCV‐infected patients aged ≥50 years were more likely to undergo exams, that is, different tendencies between HBV and HCV patients were shown.ConclusionsFollow‐up surveillance for HCC was not adequately carried out among patients at risk for HCC in Japan, despite of recommendation in guidelines. In future, methodological research might be needed to increase surveillance rates for HCC in patients with chronic hepatitis or those who received treatment at a clinic.
Fall frequency and associated factors among men and women with or at risk for HIV infection
Authors: Erlandson KM , Plankey MW , Springer G , Cohen HS , Cox C , Hoffman HJ , Yin MT , Brown TT 
Published: March 2016

ObjectivesFalls and fall‐related injuries are a major public health concern. HIV‐infected adults have been shown to have a high incidence of falls. Identification of major risk factors for falls that are unique to HIV infection or similar to those in the general population will inform development of future interventions for fall prevention.MethodsHIV‐infected and uninfected men and women participating in the Hearing and Balance Substudy of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study and Women's Interagency HIV Study were asked about balance symptoms and falls during the prior 12 months. Falls were categorized as 0, 1, or ≥ 2; proportional odds logistic regression models were used to investigate relationships between falls and demographic and clinical variables and multivariable models were created.ResultsTwenty‐four per cent of 303 HIV‐infected participants reported at least one fall compared with 18% of 233 HIV‐uninfected participants (P = 0.27). HIV‐infected participants were demographically different from HIV‐uninfected participants, and were more likely to report clinical imbalance symptoms (P ≤ 0.035). In univariate analyses, more falls were associated with hepatitis C, female sex, obesity, smoking, and clinical imbalance symptoms, but not age, HIV serostatus or other comorbidities. In multivariable analyses, female sex and imbalance symptoms were independently associated with more falls. Among HIV‐infected participants, smoking, a higher number of medications, and imbalance symptoms remained independent fall predictors, while current protease inhibitor use was protective.ConclusionsSimilar rates of falls among HIV‐infected and uninfected participants were largely explained by a high prevalence of imbalance symptoms. Routine assessment of falls and dizziness/imbalance symptoms should be considered, with interventions targeted at reducing symptomatology.
Industrial relations changes in the Maldives: critical events and actors
Authors: Najeeb Ali , Barrett Mary 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis paper analyses recent industrial relations (IR) and political changes in the Maldives. Critical incidents were compiled from interview and document data and analysed using a quasi‐grounded theory approach. The analysis shows that, precipitated by the political events of September 2003, profound democratic and IR changes took place, including the emergence of new IR actors and institutions. However, the outcomes of these changes proved short‐lived as old undemocratic practices were reasserted. The paper highlights the reasons why democratic and IR changes occurred as they did in the Maldives and why they reversed.
Non‐surgical periodontal treatment in conjunction with 3 or 7 days systemic administration of amoxicillin and metronidazole in severe chronic periodontitis patients. A placebo‐controlled randomized clinical study
Authors: Cosgarea Raluca , Juncar Raluca , Heumann Christian , Tristiu Roxana , Lascu Liana , Arweiler Nicole , Stavropoulos Andreas , Sculean Anton 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAimTo evaluate the effect of 3 or 7 days systemic administration of amoxicillin (AMX) and metronidazole (MET) or placebo as adjunct to non‐surgical periodontal treatment in severe chronic periodontitis patients.MethodsOne hundred and two patients with severe chronic periodontitis [e.g. ≥1 site with probing pocket depth (PD) ≥ 6 mm per quadrant] were randomly divided into three equally sized groups and treated with either scaling and root planing within 24 h (SRP) + placebo (Group A) or SRP + AMX + MET (both 500 mg × 3 times daily) for 3 days (Group B) or SRP + AMX + MET (both 500 mg × 3 times daily) for 7 days (Group C). PD, clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), full‐mouth plaque scores (FMPS) and gingival bleeding index (GBI) were assessed prior to treatment (baseline), and at 3 and 6 months post‐treatment. The primary outcome variable was the difference (Δ) in the number of sites with PD ≥ 6 mm.ResultsNinety‐one patients completed the study. At both 3 and 6 months, all three treatment protocols resulted in statistically significant improvements compared to baseline for all evaluated clinical parameters (p < 0.001). At 6 months, a statistically significantly greater reduction in the mean number of sites with PD ≥ 6 mm was observed in group B (28.62 ± 15.32 sites) and group C (30.45 ± 15.04 sites) compared to the placebo group (17.10 ± 14.68 sites). Furthermore, both the 3‐ and the 7‐day antibiotic regimen resulted in statistically significantly higher clinical improvements compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe present findings indicate that in patients with severe chronic periodontitis, non‐surgical periodontal therapy in conjunction with a 3 or 7 days systemic administration of AMX + MET may lead to significantly greater clinical improvements compared to non‐surgical therapy alone.
Drug survival of biologic therapy in a large, disease‐based registry of patients with psoriasis: results from the Psoriasis Longitudinal Assessment and Registry (PSOLAR)
Authors: Menter A. , Papp K.A. , Gooderham M. , Pariser D.M. , Augustin M. , Kerdel F.A. , Fakharzadeh S. , Goyal K. , Calabro S. , Langholff W. , Chavers S. , Naessens D. , Sermon J. , Krueger G.G. 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Background
Drug survival is a marker for treatment sustainability in chronic diseases such as psoriasis.ObjectiveThe aim of these analyses was to assess survival of biologic treatments in the PSOriasis Longitudinal Assessment and Registry (PSOLAR).MethodsPSOLAR is a large, prospective, international, disease‐based registry of patients with psoriasis receiving (or eligible for) systemic therapy in a real‐world setting. Drug survival is defined as the time from initiation to discontinuation (stop/switch) of biologic therapy on registry. The number of patients who discontinued each treatment and the duration of therapy were recorded. Using Kaplan–Meier survival curves and Cox‐regression analyses [hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs)], time to discontinuation was compared across cohorts undergoing first‐, second‐ or third‐line treatment with ustekinumab, infliximab, adalimumab or etanercept.ResultsAs of the 2013 data cut, 12 095 patients with psoriasis were enrolled in PSOLAR. Of the 4000 patients initiating any new biologic therapy, approximately 3500 started a first‐line, second‐line or third‐line biologic therapy during the registry. Lack of effectiveness was the most common reason for discontinuation across biologic therapies. Based on the multivariate analysis, significantly shorter times to discontinuation were observed for infliximab [HR (95%CI) = 2.73 (1.48–5.04), P = 0.0014]; adalimumab [4.16 (2.80–6.20), P < 0.0001]; and etanercept [4.91 (3.28–7.35) P < 0.0001] compared with ustekinumab [reference treatment]) for first‐line biologic use; results were similar for treatment effects for second/third‐line therapies. Although limited in power, analyses in patients with concurrent psoriatic arthritis confirmed by a rheumatologist reflect observations in the overall psoriasis population.ConclusionDrug survival was superior for ustekinumab compared with infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept in patients with psoriasis.
A comparison of propensity score‐based approaches to health service evaluation: a case study of a preoperative physician‐led clinic for high‐risk surgical patients
Authors: Pham Clarabelle T. , Gibb Catherine L. , Mittinty Murthy N. , Fitridge Robert A. , Marshall Villis R. , Karnon Jonathan D. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesA physician‐led clinic for the preoperative optimization and management of high‐risk surgical patients was implemented in a South Australian public hospital in 2008. This study aimed to estimate the costs and effects of the clinic using a mixed retrospective and prospective observational study design.MethodAlternative propensity score estimation methods were applied to retrospective routinely collected administrative and clinical data, using weighted and matched cohorts. Supplementary survey‐based prospective data were collected to inform the analysis of the retrospective data and reduce potential unmeasured confounding.ResultsUsing weighted cohorts, clinic patients had a significantly longer mean length of stay and higher mean cost. With the matched cohorts, reducing the calliper width resulted in a shorter mean length of stay in the clinic group, but the costs remained significantly higher. The prospective data indicated potential unmeasured confounding in all analyses other than in the most tightly matched cohorts.ConclusionsThe application of alternative propensity‐based approaches to a large sample of retrospective data, supplemented with a smaller sample of prospective data, informed a pragmatic approach to reducing potential observed and unmeasured confounding in an evaluation of a physician‐led preoperative clinic. The need to generate tightly matched cohorts to reduce the potential for unmeasured confounding indicates that significant uncertainty remains around the effects of the clinic. This study illustrates the value of mixed retrospective and prospective observational study designs but also underlines the need to prospectively plan for the evaluation of costs and effects alongside the implementation of significant service innovations.