bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
End of life of patients treated with haemodialysis as narrated by their close relatives
Authors: Axelsson Lena , Klang Birgitta , Lundh Hagelin Carina , Jacobson Stefan H. , Andreassen Gleissman Sissel 
Published: March 2015

AimThe study aimed to describe end of life for patients treated with maintenance haemodialysis as narrated by their close relatives.IntroductionMany patients undergoing haemodialysis are older, have several comorbidities and underestimated symptoms and are in their last year of life. To improve care, we need to know more about their end‐of‐life situation.DesignQualitative and descriptive.MethodsQualitative retrospective interviews were conducted with 14 close relatives of deceased haemodialysis patients (3–13 months after death). Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The study is ethically approved.FindingsIn the last months, a gradual deterioration in health with acute episodes necessitating hospital admissions was described. This involved diminishing living space and expressions of dejection, but also of joy. Three patterns emerged in the last weeks: uncertain anticipation of death as life fades away; awaiting death after haemodialysis withdrawal; and sudden but not unexpected death following intensive care. Findings show complexities of decisions on haemodialysis withdrawal.ConclusionsDifferent end‐of‐life patterns all involved increasingly complex care needs and existential issues. Findings show a need for earlier care planning. The identification of organisational factors to facilitate continuity and whole person care to meet these patients' specific care needs with their complex symptom burdens and comorbidities is needed. Findings indicate the need for integration of a palliative care approach in the treatment of patients in haemodialysis care.
The Use of Calcimimetics for the Treatment of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism: A 10 Year Evidence Review
Authors: Rodríguez Mariano , Goodman William G. , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Messa Piergiorgio , Wiecek Andrzej , Cunningham John 
Published: March 2015

AbstractUntil the discovery of calcimimetics, the management of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) relied exclusively on treatment with phosphate binders, vitamin D derivatives or surgical parathyroidectomy with limited success. The therapeutic use of calcimimetic agents, together with a better understanding of the pivotal role of the calcium‐sensing receptor (CaSR) in the physiological regulation of parathyroid gland function, substantially advanced the management of hyperparathyroidism in dialysis practice. Calcimimetics bind selectively to the CaSR receptor in parathyroid tissue and enhance the inhibitory effect of extracellular calcium ions on parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion, thereby reducing PTH levels even when serum calcium concentrations are normal or low. The availability of calcimimetic agents for clinical use has opened a new era in the management of patients with SHPT. Indeed, calcimimetic compounds have been shown to reduce PTH levels and to lower serum calcium concentrations in all forms of hyperparathyroidism, including primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and parathyroid carcinoma. Such findings underscore the critical importance of the CaSR as a therapeutic target in this family of clinical disorders. New calcimimetic agents are being developed that have the potential to offer improved efficacy and safety compared with currently available calcimimetic compounds.
Back‐flow ripples in troughs downstream of unit bars: Formation, preservation and value for interpreting flow conditions
Authors: Herbert Christopher M. , Alexander Jan , Martínez de Álvaro María J. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBack‐flow ripples are bedforms created within the lee‐side eddy of a larger bedform with migration directions opposed or oblique to that of the host bedform. In the flume experiments described in this article, back‐flow ripples formed in the trough downstream of a unit bar and changed with mean flow velocity; varying from small incipient back‐flow ripples at low velocities, to well‐formed back‐flow ripples with greater velocity, to rapidly migrating transient back‐flow ripples formed at the greatest velocities tested. In these experiments back‐flow ripples formed at much lower mean back‐flow velocities than predicted from previously published descriptions. This lower threshold mean back‐flow velocity is attributed to the pattern of velocity variation within the lee‐side eddy of the host bedform. The back‐flow velocity variations are attributed to vortex shedding from the separation zone, wake flapping and increases in the size of, and turbulent intensity within, the flow separation eddy controlled by the passage of superimposed bedforms approaching the crest of the bar. Short duration high velocity packets, whatever their cause, may form back‐flow ripples if they exceed the minimum bed shear stress for ripple generation for long enough or, if much faster, may wash them out. Variation in back‐flow ripple cross‐lamination has been observed in the rock record and, by comparison with flume observations, the preserved back‐flow ripple morphology may be useful for interpreting formative flow and sediment transport dynamics.
The role of intracontinental deformation in supercontinent assembly: insights from the Ribeira Belt, Southeastern Brazil (Neoproterozoic West Gondwana)
Authors: Meira Vinícius T. , García‐Casco Antonio , Juliani Caetano , Almeida Renato P. , Schorscher Johann Hans D. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIn this study, we challenge the multiple collision model for the tectonic evolution of the Neoproterozoic Ribeira Belt in Southeastern Brazil. New U–Pb SHRIMP data reveal Palaeoproterozoic (2153 ± 15 Ma) and Cryogenian (783 ± 6 and 768 ± 8 Ma) granitic rocks in the Embu Domain, and detrital zircon data of metasedimentary units from the Embu and Costeiro domains suggest a coherent tectonic evolution for the whole Ribeira Belt. Rather than by multiple collisions, these data are best explained by a simpler tectonic model involving continent (craton)‐volcanic arc collisions in the Dom Feliciano and Brasilia belts that led to intracontinental crustal thickening of the adjacent thinned hinterland (Ribeira Belt) at ~640–610 Ma, followed by widespread post‐collisional magmatism and rift‐related sedimentation at ~600–540 Ma. We suggest that intracontinental orogeny is a relevant process during supercontinent assembly, as illustrated here by the evolution of significant parts of the Brasiliano orogen.
Thirty Years After Marr's Vision: Levels of Analysis in Cognitive Science
Authors: Peebles David , Cooper Richard P. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThirty years after the publication of Marr's seminal book Vision (Marr, 1982) the papers in this topic consider the contemporary status of his influential conception of three distinct levels of analysis for information‐processing systems, and in particular the role of the algorithmic and representational level with its cognitive‐level concepts. This level has (either implicitly or explicitly) been downplayed or eliminated both by reductionist neuroscience approaches from below that seek to account for behavior from the implementation level and by Bayesian approaches from above that seek to account for behavior in purely computational‐level terms.
Lipoxygenase‐derived 9‐hydro(pero)xides of linoleoylethanolamide interact with ABA signaling to arrest root development during Arabidopsis seedling establishment
Authors: Keereetaweep Jantana , Blancaflor Elison B. , Hornung Ellen , Feussner Ivo , Chapman Kent D. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryEthanolamide‐conjugated fatty acid derivatives, also known as N‐acylethanolamines (NAEs), occur at low levels (μg per g) in desiccated seeds, and endogenous amounts decline rapidly with seedling growth. Linoleoylethanolamide (NAE18:2) is the most abundant of these NAEs in seeds of almost all plants, including Arabidopsis thaliana. In Arabidopsis, NAE18:2 may be oxidized by lipoxygenase (LOX) or hydrolyzed by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) during normal seedling establishment, and this contributes to the normal progression of NAE depletion that is coincident with the depletion of abscisic acid (ABA). Here we provide biochemical, genetic and pharmacological evidence that a specific 9‐LOX metabolite of NAE18:2 [9‐hydro(pero)xy linoleoylethanolamide (9‐NAE‐H(P)OD)] has a potent negative influence on seedling root elongation, and acts synergistically with ABA to modulate the transition from embryo to seedling growth. Genetic analyses using mutants in ABA synthesis (aba1 and aba2), perception (pyr1, pyl1, pyl2, pyl4, pyl5 and pyl8) or transcriptional activation (abi3‐1) indicated that arrest of root growth by 9‐NAE‐H(P)OD requires an intact ABA signaling pathway, and probably operates to increase ABA synthesis as part of a positive feedback loop to modulate seedling establishment in response to adverse environmental conditions. These results identify a specific, bioactive ethanolamide oxylipin metabolite of NAE18:2, different from those of ethanolamide‐conjugated linolenic acid (NAE18:3), as well as a molecular explanation for its inhibitory action, emphasizing the oxidative metabolism of NAEs as an important feature of seedling development.
Riboflavin and UV light treatment of platelets: a protective effect of platelet additive solution?
Authors: van der Meer Pieter F. , Bontekoe Ido J. , Daal Brunette B. , de Korte Dirk 
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUNDPathogen reduction technologies (PRTs) increase the safety of the blood supply, but are also associated with cell damage. Our aim was to investigate the effect of Mirasol PRT on platelet (PLT) concentrates stored in plasma and whether the use of a PLT additive solution (PAS) is able to improve in vitro quality.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSTwenty‐two buffy coats (BCs) were pooled and split into two equal parts. To one half, 2 units of plasma were added, and to the other, 2 units of SSP+ PAS were added. Each part was equally split in half again (to resemble pooling five BCs) and PLT concentrates were prepared. One plasma PLT concentrate was Mirasol treated, and the other served as control; similarly, one SSP+ PLT concentrate was Mirasol treated, and the other not. PLT concentrates were stored for 8 days (n = 12).RESULTSMirasol PRT led to elevated lactate production in PLT concentrates in plasma, giving lower pH values throughout storage. The use of SSP+ mostly abrogated this effect, and Mirasol‐treated PLT concentrates in SSP+ had only slightly higher lactate production rates and annexin A5 binding as control PLT concentrates in plasma. However, irrespective whether plasma or SSP+ was used, Mirasol PRT led to higher CD62P expression and lower hypotonic shock response (HSR) scores.CONCLUSIONMirasol treatment leads to higher PLT activation and lower HSR scores both when stored in plasma or SSP+. However, if Mirasol‐treated PLTs are stored in SSP+, lactate metabolism and annexin A5 binding are lower, showing that PAS can partly mitigate the effect of PRT. The clinical relevance of this finding needs to be demonstrated.
A multicenter study on the performance of a fully automated, walk‐away high‐throughput analyzer for pretransfusion testing in the US population
Authors: Roback John D. , Barclay Sheilagh , Moulds JoAnn M. , Denomme Gregory A. 
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUNDMoving to automation is a major focus of transfusion centers. Erytra (Grifols) is a walk‐away analyzer with high‐performance and ‐throughput capacity for pretransfusion testing. Efficiency and performance of Erytra with its cards and reagents were evaluated in comparison to Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐approved reference methods.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSA total of 5279 blood samples (46% patients; 54% donors) were obtained from US blood establishment facilities. Samples were analyzed with Erytra and results were compared with the routine FDA‐licensed automated platforms used by the clinical study sites. A total of 25,217 tests were performed (15,322 ABO/D/reverse typing; 4916 Rh phenotypes, 669 K typing, 838 antibody screens, 759 antibody identifications, 250 cross‐matches, 244 ABO compatibilities by immediate‐spin cross‐match, and 219 direct antiglobulin tests [DATs]).RESULTSGlobal agreement between Erytra and the comparison platforms was 99.66%, with 99.82% positive percent agreement (95% lower confidence bound [LCB], 99.75%) and 99.50% negative percent agreement (95% LCB, 99.37%). There were 85 discrepancies (0.34%), including cross‐matches (n = 13), antibody screens (n = 10), antibody identifications (n = 21), and DATs (n = 5), whereas an excellent concordance was obtained in blood grouping determinations (ABO/D/C/E/c/e/K, 0.04%‐0.22% discrepancies). Analysis of the discrepancies showed that Erytra provided the correct result in 51 of them (60%), with only five false negatives (one O patient transplanted with A, one mixed‐field reaction in a very weak D, one anti‐Vel, two A2rr). Erytra results were 100% reproducible in a series of 3760 repetition tests.CONCLUSIONGrifols' Erytra analyzer showed reliable efficacy compared with equivalent FDA‐licensed reagents and FDA‐cleared instruments.
Global Competition for Attracting Talents and the World Economy
Authors: Docquier Frédéric , Machado Joël 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis paper studies the effect of liberalising the international mobility of college‐educated workers on the world economy. First, we combine data on effective and desired migration to identify the net pool of foreign talents (NPFT) of selected high‐income countries. So far, the EU‐15 has poorly benefited from its NPFT while the US has mobilised a large portion of it. Second, we use a micro‐founded model to simulate the effects of skill‐selective liberalisation shocks. In our benchmark model, a worldwide liberalisation induces larger long‐run income gains for the EU‐15 (+8.8 per cent) than for the US (+5.9 per cent). However, less attractive EU countries such as Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg and the Netherlands benefit less than the US. In addition, liberalising high‐skilled migration decreases income per worker by 2.5 per cent in developing countries. Overall, it increases efficiency (+6.2 per cent in the worldwide average level of income per capita) and inequality (+1.2 percentage points in the Theil inequality index). Much greater effects can be obtained if total factor productivity varies with human capital.
Continuous CMMI Assessment Using Non-Invasive Measurement and Process Mining
Authors: Astromskis Saulius , Janes Andrea , Sillitti Alberto , Succi Giancarlo 
Published: March 2015

The reputation of lightweight software development processes such as Agile and Lean is damaged by practitioners that claim benefits of such processes that are not true.Teams that want to demonstrate their seriousness, could benefit from matching their processes to the CMMI model, a recognized model by industry and the public administration. CMMI stands for Capability Maturity Model Integration and provides a reference model to improve and evaluate processes according to their maturity based on best practices.On the other hand, particularly in a lightweight software development process, the costs of a CMMI appraisal are hard to justify since its advantages are not directly related to the creation of value for the customer.This paper presents Jidoka4CMMI, a tool that — once a CMMI appraisal has been conducted — allows the documentation of the assessment criteria in form of executable test cases. The test cases, and so the CMMI appraisal, can be repeated anytime, without additional costs.The use of Jidoka4CMMI increases the benefits of conducting a CMMI appraisal. We hope that this encourages practitioners using lightweight software development processes to assess their processes using a CMMI model.
NoCMsg
Authors: Zimmer Christopher , Mueller Frank 
Published: March 2015

The number of cores of contemporary processors is constantly increasing and thus continues to deliver ever higher peak performance (following Moore’s transistor law). Yet high core counts present a challenge to hardware and software alike. Following this trend, the network-on-chip (NoC) topology has changed from buses over rings and fully connected meshes to 2D meshes.
This work contributes NoCMsg, a low-level message-passing abstraction over NoCs, which is specifically designed for large core counts in 2D meshes. NoCMsg ensures deadlock-free messaging for wormhole Manhattan-path routing over the NoC via a polling-based message abstraction and non--flow-controlled communication for selective communication patterns. Experimental results on the TilePro hardware platform show that NoCMsg can significantly reduce communication times by up to 86% for single packet messages and up to 40% for larger messages compared to other NoC-based message approaches. On the TilePro platform, NoCMsg outperforms shared memory abstractions by up to 93% as core counts and interprocess communication increase. Results for fully pipelined double-precision numerical codes show speedups of up to 64% for message passing over shared memory at 32 cores. Overall, we observe that shared memory scales up to about 16 cores on this platform, whereas message passing performs well beyond that threshold. These results generalize to similar NoC-based platforms.
A Wearable Assistant for Gait Training for Parkinson’s Disease with Freezing of Gait in Out-of-the-Lab Environments
Authors: Mazilu Sinziana , Blanke Ulf , Dorfman Moran , Gazit Eran , Mirelman Anat , M. Hausdorff Jeffrey , Tröster Gerhard 
Published: March 2015

People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) suffer from declining mobility capabilities, which cause a prevalent risk of falling. Commonly, short periods of motor blocks occur during walking, known as freezing of gait (FoG). To slow the progressive decline of motor abilities, people with PD usually undertake stationary motor-training exercises in the clinics or supervised by physiotherapists. We present a wearable system for the support of people with PD and FoG. The system is designed for independent use. It enables motor training and gait assistance at home and other unsupervised environments. The system consists of three components. First, FoG episodes are detected in real time using wearable inertial sensors and a smartphone as the processing unit. Second, a feedback mechanism triggers a rhythmic auditory signal to the user to alleviate freeze episodes in an assistive mode. Third, the smartphone-based application features support for training exercises. Moreover, the system allows unobtrusive and long-term monitoring of the user’s clinical condition by transmitting sensing data and statistics to a telemedicine service.
We investigate the at-home acceptance of the wearable system in a study with nine PD subjects. Participants deployed and used the system on their own, without any clinical support, at their homes during three protocol sessions in 1 week. Users’ feedback suggests an overall positive attitude toward adopting and using the system in their daily life, indicating that the system supports them in improving their gait. Further, in a data-driven analysis with sensing data from five participants, we study whether there is an observable effect on the gait during use of the system. In three out of five subjects, we observed a decrease in FoG duration distributions over the protocol days during gait-training exercises. Moreover, sensing data-driven analysis shows a decrease in FoG duration and FoG number in four out of five participants when they use the system as a gait-assistive tool during normal daily life activities at home.
Structural and optical properties of position-retrievable low-density GaAs droplet epitaxial quantum dots for application to single photon sources with plasmonic optical coupling
Authors: Lee Eun-Hye , Song Jin-Dong , Han Il-Ki , Chang Soo-Kyung , Langer Fabian , Höfling Sven , Forchel Alfred , Kamp Martin , Kim Jong-Su 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
The position of a single GaAs quantum dot (QD), which is optically active, grown by low-density droplet epitaxy (DE) (approximately 4 QDs/μm2), was directly observed on the surface of a 45-nm-thick Al0.3Ga0.7As capping layer. The thin thickness of AlGaAs capping layer is useful for single photon sources with plasmonic optical coupling. A micro-photoluminescence for GaAs DE QDs has shown exciton/biexciton behavior in the range of 1.654 to 1.657 eV. The direct observation of positions of low-density GaAs DE QDs would be advantageous for mass fabrication of devices that use a single QD, such as single photon sources.
Colistin and tobramycin resistance during long- term use of selective decontamination strategies in the intensive care unit: a post hoc analysis
Authors: Wittekamp Bastiaan HJ , Oostdijk Evelien AN , de Smet Anne Marie GA , Bonten Marc JM 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Introduction
Selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) and selective oropharyngeal decontamination (SOD) have been shown to improve intensive care unit (ICU) patients’ outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of long-term use of SDD and SOD on colistin and tobramycin resistance among gram-negative bacteria.

Methods
We performed a post hoc analysis of two consecutive multicentre cluster-randomised trials with crossover of interventions. SDD and SOD were alternately but continuously used during 7 years in five Dutch ICUs participating in two consecutive cluster-randomised trials. In both trials, to measure colistin and tobramycin resistance among gram-negative bacteria, rectal and respiratory samples were obtained monthly from all patients present in the ICU.

Results
The prevalence of tobramycin resistance in respiratory and rectal samples decreased significantly during long-term use of SOD and SDD. (rectal samples risk ratio (RR) 0.35 (0.23 to 0.53); respiratory samples RR 0.48 (0.32 to 0.73), SDD compared to standard care). Colistin resistance in rectal and respiratory samples did not change (rectal samples RR 0.63 (0.29 to 1.38); respiratory samples RR 1.26 (0.35 to 4.57), SDD compared to standard care).

Conclusions
In this study, in a setting with low antimicrobial resistance rates, the prevalence of resistance against colistin and tobramycin among gram-negative isolates did not increase during a mean of 7 years of SDD or SOD use.