bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Water quality risks of ‘improved’ water sources: evidence from Cambodia
Authors: Shaheed A. , Orgill J. , Ratana C. , Montgomery M. A. , Jeuland M. A. , Brown J. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractObjectivesThe objective of this study was to investigate the quality of on‐plot piped water and rainwater at the point of consumption in an area with rapidly expanding coverage of ‘improved’ water sources.MethodsCross‐sectional study of 914 peri‐urban households in Kandal Province, Cambodia, between July–August 2011. We collected data from all households on water management, drinking water quality and factors potentially related to post‐collection water contamination. Drinking water samples were taken directly from a subsample of household taps (n = 143), stored tap water (n = 124), other stored water (n = 92) and treated stored water (n = 79) for basic water quality analysis for Escherichia coli and other parameters.ResultsHousehold drinking water management was complex, with different sources used at any given time and across seasons. Rainwater was the most commonly used drinking water source. Households mixed different water sources in storage containers, including ‘improved’ with ‘unimproved’ sources. Piped water from taps deteriorated during storage (P < 0.0005), from 520 cfu/100 ml (coefficient of variation, CV: 5.7) E. coli to 1100 cfu/100 ml (CV: 3.4). Stored non‐piped water (primarily rainwater) had a mean E. coli count of 1500 cfu/100 ml (CV: 4.1), not significantly different from stored piped water (P = 0.20). Microbial contamination of stored water was significantly associated with observed storage and handling practices, including dipping hands or receptacles in water (P < 0.005), and having an uncovered storage container (P = 0.052).ConclusionsThe microbial quality of ‘improved’ water sources in our study area was not maintained at the point of consumption, possibly due to a combination of mixing water sources at the household level, unsafe storage and handling practices, and inadequately treated piped‐to‐plot water. These results have implications for refining international targets for safe drinking water access as well as the assumptions underlying global burden of disease estimates, which posit that ‘improved’ sources pose minimal risks of diarrhoeal diseases.
Reduced weed growth with different paving constructions
Authors: De Cauwer B , Fagot M , Beeldens A , Boonen E , Bulcke R , Reheul D 
Published: November 2013

SummaryThe recent phaseout of herbicide use on public pavements in Flanders has triggered the development of alternative weed control strategies. Besides the search for effective non‐chemical curative methods, there is also a need for strategies that prevent or reduce weed growth on pavements. In this study a paving experiment was set up under a rain shelter to investigate the effects of four construction factors on weed growth: joint filling material, joint width, organic pollution of the joint filling material and type of bedding layer. Paving mini‐plots were oversown with a mixture of dominant, hard‐to‐control weed species found on pavements. The inhibitory effect on weeds was determined by examining initial weed density and weed coverage over a 2‐year period. More weed growth was found in pavings with wide joints and organically polluted joint filling materials. High permeability of the bedding layer resulted in higher weed cover. The coarse‐grained filling materials and the sodium silicate‐enriched sand Dansand® were associated with less weed cover than the fine‐grained filling materials. Our results show there is potential for preventing weed growth using suitable paving materials and appropriate high‐standard construction and maintenance of pavements.
Palliative care in people with idiopathic Parkinson's disease who die in hospital
Authors: Walker Richard W , Churm Deepta , Dewhurst Felicity , Samuel Maria , Ramsell Amy , Lawrie Claire , Hill Jessica , Threapleton Christopher J D , Wood Brian , Gray William K 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundThe UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines state that palliative care options for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) should be discussed.AimsTo investigate whether palliative care guidelines are adhered to for people with PD who die in hospital.Setting/participantsThe medical notes of all people with a diagnosis of idiopathic PD who were living in two adjacent areas of northeast England and who died over a 3-year period were examined. Demographic data and specific information regarding events around the time of death were recorded.ResultsFor the 236 patients identified, the average age at death was 82.8 years. Of these patients, 110 (46.6%) died in hospital, 56 (23.7%) at home, 59 (25.0%) in a care home and for 11 patients (4.7%) the place of death was not recorded. For those who died in hospital, only three patients, and seven relatives of patients, had had a recorded discussion with a clinician regarding their preferred place of death and only 15 (13.6%) were referred to a specialist palliative care team. Forty-six patients (41.8%) were placed on the Liverpool Care Pathway.ConclusionsFor those dying in hospital, there are few previously documented end-of-life care discussions with patients or their relatives. The use of end-of-life pathways and access to specialist palliative care is variable. Following the Neuberger report, the Liverpool Care Pathway is to be replaced with individual end-of-life care plans. It is important to engage patients, and their relatives, in decision making regarding preferences at the end of life.
Costs of traffic injuries
Authors: Kruse Marie 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to analyse the socioeconomic costs of traffic injuries in Denmark, notably the healthcare costs and the productivity costs related to traffic injuries, in a bottom-up, register-based perspective.MethodTraffic injury victims were identified using national emergency room data and police records. Victims were matched with five controls per case by means of propensity score, nearest-neighbour matching. In the cohort, consisting of the 52 526 individuals that experienced a traffic injury in 2000 and 262 630 matched controls, attributable healthcare costs were assessed using Danish national healthcare registers. Productivity costs were computed using duration analysis (Cox regression models). In a subanalysis, cost per severe traffic injury was computed for the 12 995 individuals that experienced a severe injury.ResultsThe socioeconomic cost of a traffic injury was €1406 (2009 price level) in the first year, and €8950 over a 10-year period. Per 100 000 population, the 10-year cost was €6 565 668. A severe traffic injury costs €4969 per person in the first year, and €4 006 685 per 100 000 population over a 10-year period. Victims of traffic injuries are younger and generally worse off, compared to the general population.ConclusionsPrevention of traffic injuries could result in societal savings. The bottom-up, register-based approach renders more precise figures for these savings. The socioeconomic profile of injury victims differs from that of the general population on most parameters.
Wall Shear Stress Distribution of Small Aneurysms Prone to Rupture
Authors: Pereira Vitor Mendes , Brina Olivier , Bijlenga Philippe , Bouillot Pierre , Narata Ana Paula , Schaller Karl , Lovblad Karl-Olof , Ouared Rafik 
Published: November 2013

Background and Purpose—
Subarachnoid hemorrhage after intracranial aneurysm rupture remains a serious condition. We performed a case–control study to evaluate the use of computed hemodynamics to detect cerebral aneurysms prone to rupture.

Methods—
Four patients with incidental aneurysms that ultimately ruptured (cases) were studied after initially being included in a prospective database including their 3-dimensional imaging before rupture. Ruptures were located in different arterial segments: M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery; basilar tip; posterior inferior cerebellar artery; and anterior communicating artery. For each case, 5 controls matched by location and size were randomly selected. An empirical cumulative distribution function of aneurysm wall shear stress percentiles was evaluated for every case and used to define a critical prone-to-rupture range. Univariate logistic regression analysis was then used to assess the individual risk of rupture.

Results—
A cumulative wall shear stress distribution characterizing a hemodynamic prone-to-rupture range for small-sized aneurysms was identified and fitted independent of the location. Sensitivity and specificity of the preliminary tests were 90% and 93%, respectively.

Conclusions—
The wall shear stress cumulative probability function may be a potential predictor of small-sized aneurysm rupture.
Caveolin‐1 Expression in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Correlation with Clinicopathological Parameters and BRAF Mutation Status
Authors: Paskaš Svetlana , Janković Jelena , Marečko Ilona , Išić Denčić Tijana , Tatić Svetislav , Cvejić Dubravka , Savin Svetlana 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the role of caveolin‐1 in papillary thyroid carcinoma pathogenesis.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingInstitute for the Application of Nuclear Energy.Subjects and MethodsWe evaluated the expression of caveolin‐1 in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) by Western blot (WB) and compared the findings with immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of both epithelial and stromal caveolin‐1 on the corresponding histological specimens. The results were related to clinicopathological features and BRAF mutation status.ResultsCaveolin‐1 expression was found in malignant thyroid epithelium and more abundantly in tumor stroma but varied in both compartments within and between PTC subtypes. Caveolin‐1 expression in the epithelium was more intense in classical PTC than in the other histological types. On the contrary, stromal caveolin‐1 expression was stronger in the follicular, solid, and trabecular PTC variants than in classical PTC. Trends for down‐regulation of caveolin‐1 expression in epithelium and up‐regulation in stroma from the classical via follicular to the solid variant were observed. The relation of WB and IHC results with clinicopathological parameters showed lower caveolin‐1 tissue content in BRAF mutated tumors (P <. 05), a positive correlation of epithelial caveolin‐1 expression with lymph node metastasis (P <. 05), and a negative association of stromal caveolin‐1 expression with the degree of neoplastic infiltration and BRAF status.ConclusionAltered expression of caveolin‐1 in the thyroid epithelial and stromal compartments may be involved in the pathogenesis of PTC. The potential clinical significance of caveolin‐1 expression, as well as its relation to BRAF mutation status, deserves further investigation.
Association of presence/absence and on/off patterns of Helicobacter pylori oipA gene with peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer risks: a meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Jingwei , He Caiyun , Chen Moye , Wang Zhenning , Xing Chengzhong , Yuan Yuan 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
There are increasing studies examining the relationship between the status of H. pylori oipA gene and peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastric cancer (GC) but the results turn out to be controversial. We attempted to clarify whether oipA gene status is linked with PUD and/or GC risks.

Methods
A systematically literature search was performed through four electronic databases. According to the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, seven articles were ultimately available for the meta-analysis of oipA presence/absence with PUD and GC, and eleven articles were included for the meta-analysis of oipA on/off status with PUD and GC.

Results
For the on/off functional status analysis of oipA gene, the “on” status showed significant associations with increased risks of PUD (OR = 3.97, 95% CI: 2.89, 5.45; P < 0.001) and GC (OR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.45, 4.07; P = 0.001) compared with gastritis and functional dyspepsia controls. Results of the homogeneity test indicated different effects of oipA “on” status on PUD risk between children and adult subgroups and on GC risk between PCR-sequencing and immunoblot subgroups. For the presence/absence analysis of oipA gene, we found null association of the presence of oipA gene with the risks of PUD (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 0.60, 6.25; P = 0.278) and GC (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 0.51, 8.66; P = 0.308) compared with gastritis and functional dyspepsia controls.

Conclusions
To be concluded, when oipA exists, the functional “on” status of this gene showed association with increased risks for PUD and GC compared with gastritis and FD controls. However, merely investigating the presence/absence of oipA would overlook the importance of its functional on/off status and would not be reliable to predict risks of PUD and GC. Further large-scale and well-designed studies concerning on/off status of oipA are required to confirm our meta-analysis results.
Array of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells with micropatterned TiO2 nanoparticles for a high-voltage power source
Authors: Cho Seong-Min , Park Hea-Lim , Kim Min-Hoi , Kim Se-Um , Lee Sin-Doo 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
We demonstrate an array of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (SS-DSSCs) for a high-voltage power source based on micropatterned titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TNPs) as photoanodes connected in series. The underlying concept of patterning the TNP of a few micrometers thick lies on the combination of the lift-off process of transfer-printed patterns of a sacrificial layer and the soft-cure treatment of the TNP for fixation. This sacrificial layer approach allows for high pattern fidelity and stability, and it enables to construct stable, micrometer-thick, and contamination-free TNP patterns for developing the SS-DSSC array for miniature high-voltage applications. The array of 20 SS-DSSCs integrated in series is found to show a voltage output of around 7 V.
Do You Always Adjust Test Results to 12 Percent Moisture Content? No!
Authors: Patterson David W. , Hartley Jonathan I. 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
After conducting mechanical tests, the moisture content (MC) of the test specimens is determined. If the MC is not 12 percent, the standard procedure is to adjust the test value to equal those at 12 percent MC. With new treatments such as high-temperature heat treating, however, 12 percent MC may not be an appropriate value for adjustment. Tests were conducted using three species (southern pine [Pinus taeda], red oak [Quercus sp.], and sweetgum [Liquidambar styraciflua]), three temperatures (100°C, 150°C, and 200°C), and three conditioning environments (conditioning chamber, outside air, and enclosed over water). The results indicated that the higher the treatment temperature, the more difficult it was to reach 12 percent MC. For example, the MC of the samples treated at 200°C in the conditioning chamber was 7 or 8 percent, whereas the MC of the controls was 13 percent. These results imply that adjusting test values to 12 percent MC would be inappropriate if all specimens were conditioned in the same environment.
Physical and Mechanical Properties of Loblolly and Slash Pine Wood from Uruguayan Plantations
Authors: Moya Laura , Laguarda María F. , Cagno Matías , Cardoso Andrea , Gatto Francisco , O'Neill Hugo 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
The available wood supply in Uruguay comprises trees that grow so fast in intensively managed plantations that they reach saw timber size in 25 years or fewer. Trees harvested at this age contain high proportions of juvenile wood that may lead to lumber low in stiffness and strength. A project was conducted to characterize fast-growing wood, determine engineering properties, and assign visual structural grades of lumber. The present study evaluated properties of 15- and 25-year-old loblolly (Pinus taeda L.) and slash (Pinus elliottii Eng.) pine to better understand the current available locally produced wood material. A total of 175 stump bolts from trees from two commercial plantations provided inner and outer small clear specimens for property evaluation. Specific gravity, bending, compression parallel to grain and perpendicular to grain, and shear tests were conducted. Most properties significantly increased radially away from the pith. The outer wood appears to be denser, stiffer, and stronger than the inner wood in both plantations. Wood from 15-year-old San José trees showed significantly lower properties than 25-year-old Paysandú trees, and had considerably inferior properties compared with values listed in the Wood Handbook (US Department of Agriculture 1999). Our results on 25-year-old Paysandú small clear specimens showed properties similar to those of previous studies on small clear and structural size pieces. Therefore, it can be expected that lumber from 25-year-old Paysandú trees will eventually comply with required properties for structural use. A second on-going phase of this study addressing structural size specimens will help to establish more definite conclusions.
Decay Hazard (Scheffer) Index Values in Korea for Exterior Aboveground Wood
Authors: Kim Taegyun , Ra Jong-Bum 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
This research was performed to evaluate the decay hazard for exterior aboveground wood in Korea. The decay hazard (Scheffer) index values were calculated for 56 locations in Korea using the 1972 to 2011 climate normal data available from the Korea Meteorological Administration, and the wood decay hazard maps were created on the basis of the determined values. Jeju Province, Korea's largest island lying in the Korea Strait, southwest of South Jeolla Province, has decay hazard ratings above 70, considered a severe decay hazard zone according to the generally accepted classifications. The index values of the other areas are in the range between 35 and 70, meaning that Korea could be considered a moderate decay zone. However, the annual Scheffer index values calculated from recent climate data tend to be higher than the average index values. The comparison of annual Scheffer index values showed that many moderate decay areas in Korea could be severe decay hazard areas due to directional or cyclical climate change. This suggests that proper wood protection is greatly needed and more critical in the future.
Biomarkers in ACS and Heart Failure: Should Men and Women Be Interpreted Differently?
Authors: Motiwala Shweta R , Sarma Amy , Januzzi James L , O'Donoghue Michelle L 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Sex-based differences exist in the circulating concentrations of certain novel and established biomarkers in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and heart failure (HF). However, to date, few studies have compared the diagnostic and prognostic utility of these markers in men vs women.

CONTENT
This mini-review contains a discussion of the published reports of studies that have explored whether differences in biomarker concentrations exist between men and women with ACS or HF. It also examines those studies that have compared the utility of biomarkers for diagnosis or risk stratification in women vs men. Because biomarkers are often used to make therapeutic and triage decisions in patient care, the potential clinical implications for any observed differences in biomarker reference limits for men and women is discussed.

SUMMARY
Although the concentration distributions may differ between men and women for certain biomarkers in clinical use, the clinical implications of these observations remain unclear. Because elements of the pathophysiology of ACS and HF may differ between the sexes, further research is needed to better evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of biomarkers in men vs women.
Survival and neonatal morbidity among extremely preterm born infants in relation to gestational age based on the last menstrual period or ultrasonographic examination
Authors: Simic Marija , Amer-Wåhlin Isis , Lagercrantz Hugo , Maršál Karel , Källén Karin 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential impact of gestational age (GA) estimation on the basis of the last menstrual period (LMP) in comparison with GA based on ultrasound examination on rates of survival and neonatal morbidity among extremely preterm infants.

Methods: The Swedish national registry of infants born extremely preterm (Extremely Preterm Infants in Sweden Study), including infants born before 27 weeks of gestation, was used to identify 645 infants with available information. Incidences of stillbirth, survival, small for GA (SGA), and major neonatal morbidity were calculated in relationship to the GA estimated by each of the approaches.

Results: Pregnancies, in general, appeared to be longer when GA was estimated by LMP than by ultrasound (17.2% of the pregnancies were longer than 27 weeks). The incidences of stillbirth, neonatal death, and major neonatal morbidity in relationship to GA were similar for both groups. The risks for SGA were elevated when GA according to ultrasound examination was at least 7 days shorter than GA based on the LMP.

Conclusions: In our cohort of infants born extremely preterm, estimation of GA on the basis of LMP indicated a longer pregnancy than estimated by ultrasound but did not influence the incidences of neonatal survival and morbidity.
Fabrication and magnetic testing of a poly-L-lactide biocomposite incorporating magnetite nanoparticles
Authors: Shen Li-Kuo , Fan Kang-Hsin , Wu Ting-Lin , Huang Haw-Ming , Leung Ting-Kai , Chen Chi-Jen , Chang Wei-Jen 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Polylactic acid (PLA)-based composite has been widely used in tissue engineering. To modify the material’s properties, inorganic substances have been used to form nanoparticle-PLA composites. The aim of this study is to develop a novel magnetic biodegradable composite. Nanoscale magnetite (Fe3O4) was incorporated into a poly-L-lactide (PLLA) matrix with proportions of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% (w/w). Injection molding was carried out to produce the nano-magnetite-PLLA composite samples. X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), superconducting quantum device (SQUID), and three-point bending were performed to test the physical properties of the magnetite-PLLA composite. The results showed that the magnetite-PLLA composite exhibited typical ferromagnetic hysteresis loops. The addition of nanoscale magnetite significantly increased the magnetic flux density of the PLLA composite. These results suggest that the magnetite-PLLA composite has the potential to be used for future applications in tissue engineering.