bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictive value of diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging during chemoradiotherapy for uterine cervical cancer
Authors: Makino Hiroshi , Kato Hiroki , Furui Tatsuro , Morishige Ken‐ichirou , Kanematsu Masayuki 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of diffusion‐weighted (DW) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to predict the tumor response to chemoradiotherapy (CRT) of uterine cervical cancer.MethodsTwenty‐five consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed uterine cervical cancer underwent 1.5‐T MR imaging including DW imaging before and during CRT. MR images were reviewed for the size and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). Pathological evaluation of the therapeutic effect was performed 3 months after finishing CRT, and we divided the subjects into two groups: complete remission (CR) (n = 16) and residual tumor (n = 9).ResultsADC was lower before CRT than during CRT (0.89 ± 0.12 and 1.25 ± 0.22 × 10−3 mm2/s, respectively) (P < 0.01). ADC change between before and during CRT (ΔADC) showed a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.435, P < 0.05) with the tumor regression rates. ΔADC was higher in the CR group than in the residual tumor group (0.43 ± 0.23 and 0.25 ± 0.15 × 10−3 mm2/s, respectively) (P < 0.05). The CR rates were higher in the high ΔADC group (ΔADC ≥ 0.50) than in the low ΔADC group (ΔADC < 0.49) (100% and 53%, respectively) but marginally significant (P = 0.057). The local control rates were not statistically different between high and low ΔADC groups (83.3% and 73.7%, respectively) (P = 0.602).ConclusionDW imaging including ADC measurement may be useful for prediction and early assessment of pathological response to CRT for uterine cervical cancer, but its impact on local disease‐free survival was limited.
Usefulness of Proton and Phosphorus MR Spectroscopic Imaging for Early Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Weiduschat Nora , Mao Xiangling , Beal M. Flint , Nirenberg Melissa J. , Shungu Dikoma C. , Henchcliffe Claire 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSECerebral mitochondrial dysfunction has been observed in Parkinson's disease (PD). If mitochondrial dysfunction is an early event contributing to PD development, then noninvasive techniques that detect disturbed energy metabolism in vivo might be useful tools for early diagnosis and treatment monitoring. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that proton (1H) and phosphorus (31P) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) measures of brain metabolites are able to differentiate between individuals with early PD and healthy volunteers (HVs).METHODSDuring this cross‐sectional study including 20 subjects with early PD and 15 age‐matched HV, ventricular lactate (anaerobic glycolysis); and regional levels of N‐acetylaspartate (neuronal integrity); choline (membrane turnover); creatine (energy metabolism); ATP and other phosphate‐containing compounds (oxidative phosphorylation) were determined using brain 1H and 31P MRS.RESULTSNo metabolic abnormalities were detectable in early‐stage PD patients. Metabolite concentrations were not related to age, disease duration, or Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor scores.DISCUSSIONIn early PD, neither 1H nor 31P MRS were able to detect metabolic abnormalities, a finding that is in contrast to published data in more advanced PD cohorts. MRS under dynamic conditions might uncover latent energy deficits in early PD, thus warranting future study.
Factors Influencing School Closure and Dismissal Decisions: Influenza A (H1N1), Michigan 2009
Authors: Dooyema Carrie A. , Copeland Daphne , Sinclair Julie R. , Shi Jianrong , Wilkins Melinda , Wells Eden , Collins Jim 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDIn fall 2009, many US communities experienced school closures during the influenza A H1N1 pandemic (pH1N1) and the state of Michigan reported 567 closures. We conducted an investigation in Michigan to describe pH1N1‐related school policies, practices, and identify factors related to school closures.METHODSWe distributed an online survey to all Michigan K‐12 school principals. Descriptive statistics and chi‐square tests summarize school policies, practices, adherence to government guidelines, and differences between schools that closed and those that remained open during the pandemic.RESULTSOf 4441 traditional K‐12 Michigan schools, 937 (21%) principals responded to our survey representing approximately 374,000 students and 17,700 teachers. The majority (88%) of schools had influenza preparedness plans and followed government school influenza guidelines. Among respondents, 15% (137/937) of schools closed in fall 2009 with high absenteeism as the primary reason for closure. Schools that closed reported significant illness in their school, had <300 students, and had invested substantial resources preparing and responding to influenza.CONCLUSIONSAdherence to government guidelines for schools appears high in Michigan. Closures occurred in schools that reported significant illness and were likely motivated by excessive absenteeism. Understanding factors related to closures during pH1N1 may inform future pandemic preparedness efforts.
Survey of New Mexico School Health Professionals Regarding Preparedness to Support Sexual Minority Students
Authors: Mahdi Inas , Jevertson Jenn , Schrader Ronald , Nelson Anna , Ramos Mary M. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDFor schools to be safe and supportive for students, school health professionals should be aware of the particular challenges lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ) students face, especially the risk for discrimination, violent victimization, and depression in the school setting. We assessed school health professionals' preparedness to address needs of LGBTQ students.METHODSWe conducted a secondary analysis of data collected during a New Mexico school health conference. This analysis focused on the preparedness of 183 school nurses, counselors, and social workers to address needs of LGBTQ students. Data were analyzed by using chi‐square tests, other non‐parametric tests, and logistic regression.RESULTSSocial workers (84.6%) and counselors (81.5%) were more likely than school nurses (55.8%) to report moderate or high knowledge of LGBTQ youth health risks, including suicide and depression (p < .001). Approximately half of school counselors and social workers reported no or low knowledge of LGBTQ community‐based organizations or knowledge of counselors experienced with LGBTQ concerns.CONCLUSIONSchool health professionals in New Mexico do not appear prepared to address needs of LGBTQ students. Schools should consider integrating specific content about LGBTQ health risks and health disparities in trainings regarding bullying, violence, cultural competency, and suicide prevention.
Hand Grip Strength is Associated With Body Sway Rate Among Older Adults With Intellectual Disability
Authors: Carmeli Eli , Imam Bita , Levi Ran , Merrick Joav 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe authors undertook a study to determine whether hand grip strength is associated with body sway rate among older adults with intellectual disability. They employed cross‐sectional data from a nonrandomized controlled trial. Subjects were 16 older adults (8 females and 8 males; mean age 51.3 year) with mild‐to‐moderate intellectual disability residing in a supported living facility in Israel. Voluntary hand grip strength was measured isometrically using Jamar® hydraulic dynamometer, and body sway was assessed by Posture Scale Analyzer. Multivariate adjusted logistic regression model was used. Findings showed that hand grip strength in both arm flexed and extended was associated with body sway (−.608 to −.879), particularly among males. In females, the association was found only in eyes open condition, whereas in males it was found with both eyes closed and open. The authors concluded that hand grip strength was found to be negatively correlated with body sway rate and that low grip strength was associated with greater body sway. Low grip strength may be a rehabilitative impairment worthy of further investigation as a modifiable factor linked to sway rate among older adults with intellectual and developmental disability.
Functional hepatocellular regeneration in elderly patients undergoing hepatectomy
Authors: Fernandes Alexandra I. , Tralhão José G. , Abrantes Ana , Hoti Emir , Alexandrino Henrique , Oliveiros Bárbara , Ferreira Margarida , Botelho Maria F. , Sousa Francisco C. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackground & AimsMore than 50% of liver tumours occur in patients aged 65 years or more. Assessment of functional liver regeneration capacity is crucial to minimize postoperative liver failure. We aimed to study functional hepatocellular regeneration, through scintigraphic quantification of Mebrofenin hepatic extraction fraction (HEF), after partial hepatectomy, comparing elderly patients with younger ones.MethodsOne hundred and two patients undergoing partial hepatectomy for primary or secondary hepatic lesions were prospectively included and divided in two groups: Group A – 58 patients aged <65 years (33 men, 53.9 ± 8.7 years), Group B – 44 patients aged ≥65 years (32 men, 71 ± 5 years). Groups were comparable in several aspects except for the presence of cirrhosis (more common in Group B, all patients Child–Pugh score A) and the initial diagnosis (Group B – primary lesions, Group A – metastases). The scintigraphic evaluation of Mebrofenin‐HEF was performed before surgery, on the 5th and 30th day post‐hepatectomy.ResultsMortality and morbidity were 3.4 and 12.1%, respectively, in Group A and 2.3 and 11.4% in Group B (n.s.). HEF values (%), T1/2 (min) and Tmax (min) showed no significant differences between the two groups: Group A (preoperative: HEF = 99.2 ± 1.5%, T1/2 = 36.7 ± 21.3, Tmax = 15 ± 6. Day 5: HEF = 96.3 ± 10.8%, T1/2 = 76.4 ± 75.9; Tmax = 13.3 ± 4.9. Day 30: HEF = 98.4 ± 5.5%, T1/2 = 38.6 ± 7.7, Tmax = 12.8 ± 3.6) and Group B (preoperative: HEF = 95.3 ± 13%, T1/2 = 38.1 ± 24.1; Tmax = 15.9 ± 9.4. Day 5: HEF = 98.4 ± 2.6%, T1/2 = 106.6 ± 131.7; Tmax = 15.1 ± 6.2. Day 30: HEF = 99 ± 2.1%, T1/2 = 40.5 ± 27; Tmax = 15.5 ± 6.7).ConclusionOur results suggest that functional hepatocellular regeneration is early, fast and similar between elderly and younger patients. Thus, age alone, does not appear to represent an absolute contraindication to hepatectomy.
Regulating Rates of Return Do Gravitate in US Manufacturing!
Authors: Tescari Stefania , Vaona Andrea 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIn this paper we test for the gravitation of regulating return rates, namely those return rates yielded by capital goods incorporating the best methods of production. We define them within a vintage capital model taking into consideration capacity utilization, capital depreciation and wages of workers using past capital vintages. We consider two data sets regarding US manufacturing activities and we find that gravitation does take place. Our results are contrasted with those of the previous literature. Research and policy implications are discussed.
South‐East Asia is the center of origin, diversity and dispersion of the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Saleh Dounia , Milazzo Joëlle , Adreit Henri , Fournier Elisabeth , Tharreau Didier 
Published: December 2013

Summary

Inferring invasion routes and identifying reservoirs of diversity of plant pathogens are essential in proposing new strategies for their control. Magnaporthe oryzae, the fungus responsible for rice blast disease, has invaded all rice growing areas. Virulent genotypes regularly (re)emerge, causing rapid resistance breakdowns. However, the world‐wide genetic subdivision of M. oryzae populations on rice and its past history of invasion have never been elucidated.

In order to investigate the centers of diversity, origin and migration of M. oryzae on rice, we analyzed the genetic diversity of 55 populations from 15 countries.

Three genetic clusters were identified world‐wide. Asia was the center of diversity and the origin of most migrations to other continents. In Asia, two centers of diversity were revealed in the Himalayan foothills: South China–Laos–North Thailand, and western Nepal. Sexual reproduction persisted only in the South China–Laos–North Thailand region, which was identified as the putative center of origin of all M. oryzae populations on rice.

Our results suggest a scenario of early evolution of M. oryzae on rice that matches the past history of rice domestication. This study confirms that crop domestication may have considerable influence on the pestification process of natural enemies.
Digital Elevation Quality Derived from Medium‐Format Digital Cameras
Authors: Shih P. T. Y. , Wu J. Y. , Teo T. A. , Tsai J. C. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractMedium‐format digital cameras are a useful tool in airborne lidar missions to produce digital ortho‐images. This study investigates the quality of digital elevation models (DEMs) and digital surface models (DSMs) derived from such cameras. An image‐matching strategy is used to produce height information from highly overlapping images and the quality of the derived height information is analysed using synchronous lidar point clouds as the reference data. The evaluation focused on various types of land cover and DEM generation methods. The RMSE between lidar and image‐derived height information for two datasets was 0·054% and 0·027% of the flying height in flat, bare‐earth areas, but studies with manually edited vegetated areas using stereo photogrammetry revealed high uncertainties, especially in steep terrain.
Automatic Segmentation of Urban Point Clouds Based on the Gaussian Map
Authors: Wang Yinghui , Hao Wen , Ning Xiaojuan , Zhao Minghua , Zhang Jiulong , Shi Zhenghao , Zhang Xiaopeng 
Published: December 2013

AbstractA comprehensive method to segment urban point clouds based on the Gaussian map is presented. The normals of point clouds are firstly mapped to the Gaussian sphere and then partitioned into groups using a mean shift clustering algorithm. Next, a distance‐based clustering method is presented to tackle overlapping surfaces which avoids under‐segmentation. Based on the properties of the Gaussian map and the geometric information of the points, primitive shapes such as planes, cylinders, cones and spheres are recognised. Trees, cars, street lights and other objects are then segmented by using the distance‐based clustering method after removing the planes, cylinders, cones and spheres from the large urban scenes. Finally, a refinement process based on primitive shapes is implemented to improve the segmentation results which effectively avoids over‐segmentation. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can be used as a robust way to segment urban point clouds based on the Gaussian map.
The Association between Parity and Birthweight in a Longitudinal Consecutive Pregnancy Cohort
Authors: Hinkle Stefanie N. , Albert Paul S. , Mendola Pauline , Sjaarda Lindsey A. , Yeung Edwina , Boghossian Nansi S. , Laughon S. Katherine 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundNulliparity is associated with lower birthweight, but few studies have examined how within‐mother changes in risk factors impact this association.MethodsWe used longitudinal electronic medical record data from a hospital‐based cohort of consecutive singleton live births from 2002–2010 in Utah. To reduce bias from unobserved pregnancies, primary analyses were limited to 9484 women who entered nulliparous from 2002–2004, with 23 380 pregnancies up to parity 3. Unrestricted secondary analyses used 101 225 pregnancies from 45 212 women with pregnancies up to parity 7. We calculated gestational age and sex‐specific birthweight z‐scores with nulliparas as the reference. Using linear mixed models, we estimated birthweight z‐score by parity adjusting for pregnancy‐specific sociodemographics, smoking, alcohol, prepregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain, and medical conditions.ResultsCompared with nulliparas’, infants of primiparas were larger by 0.20 unadjusted z‐score units [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18, 0.22]; the adjusted increase was similar at 0.18 z‐score units [95% CI 0.15, 0.20]. Birthweight continued to increase up to parity 3, but with a smaller difference (parity 3 vs. 0 β = 0.27 [95% CI 0.20, 0.34]). In the unrestricted secondary sample, there was significant departure in linearity from parity 1 to 7 (P < 0.001); birthweight increased only up to parity 4 (parity 4 vs. 0 β = 0.34 [95% CI 0.31, 0.37]).ConclusionsThe association between parity and birthweight was non‐linear with the greatest increase observed between first‐ and second‐born infants of the same mother. Adjustment for changes in weight or chronic diseases did not change the relationship between parity and birthweight.
Nutrigenomics: the role of nutrients in gene expression
Authors: Dang Tarana Singh , Walker Mark , Ford Dianne , Valentine Ruth A. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractImproved understanding of the mechanism behind periodontal tissue destruction, the potential protective role of nutrients and the advent of modern genomic measurement tools has led to an increased interest in the association between nutrition and periodontal disease. To date, evidence for a direct link between periodontal disease and nutrition has come mainly from large observational cross‐sectional studies or very small double‐blind randomized supplementation trials, with a large proportion finding no significant association between the nutrient being analyzed and markers of periodontal disease status. The advent of the ‘genomic era’ has introduced the concept of nutrigenomic studies, which aim to reveal the relationship between nutrition and the genome to provide a scientific basis for improved public health through dietary means. Used alongside relatively inexpensive high‐throughput technology, this will allow the effect of diet on the etiology of periodontal disease to be studied in greater detail. As it is extremely likely that interactions between genotype and diet are important in determining the risk of the most common complex diseases, it is highly probable that these interactions will be important in determining periodontal disease risk. Numerous nutritional genetic studies where the outcome measures have been markers of disease risk, most notably cardiovascular disease and cancer, provide proof of principle, highlight the importance of understanding these interactions and illustrate where the effect of dietary modification on periodontal disease progression may have been overlooked previously by observational studies.
Appiah's Cosmopolitanism
Authors: Jeffers Chike 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThis article critically evaluates the cosmopolitan writings of Kwame Anthony Appiah, investigating especially the extent to which he challenges or fails to challenge the problem of Eurocentrism in cosmopolitan discourse. I begin by discussing the way Appiah's construction of his cosmopolitan vision attempts to address criticisms of cosmopolitanism as unable to accommodate the partiality that is an inescapable aspect of human relationships. I relate this issue to Eurocentrism, arguing that the historical integration of the world through European imperialism gives people of color added reason to uphold certain forms of group partiality. I then consider promising points in Appiah's work, in which he can be seen as helping to construct an anti‐Eurocentric form of cosmopolitanism, as well as problematic points, in which he shows insufficient regard for the importance of cultural resistance.
The Role of Welfare in Eudaimonism
Authors: Baril Anne 
Published: December 2013

AbstractEudaimonists deny that eudaimonism is objectionably egoistic, but the way in which they do so commits them to eschewing an important insight that has been a central motivation for eudaimonism: the idea that an individual must, in the end, organize her life in such a way that it isgood for her. In this paper I argue that the egoism objection prods eudaimonists to make a choice between (what we might roughly call) welfare‐prior and excellence‐prior eudaimonism, and I make some preliminary remarks on behalf of welfare‐prior eudaimonism.
Ship Gas Turbine Engine With the Intermediate Gas Reheating Before the Power Overexpansion Turbine
Authors: Andriets O. , Matviienko V. , Ocheretianyi V. 
Published: December 2013

Gas-turbine engines (GTE) posses a number of technical merits and they are widely used in the structure of ship propulsion complexes. However, if GTE is used as a ship cruise engine it is necessary to increase efficiency with the goal to be competitive to diesels. Increasing of the simple cycle GTE efficiency is possible due to the overexpansion turbine employment, where the internal energy of exhaust gases is used. That allows to obtain, deducting energy expenses on exhaust gases pressing, the additional useful work without the additional fuel expenses.
Power overexpansion turbine employment leads to raising of power plant heaviness, that’s why it is desirable to increase engine power when its weight is constant. Insertion of the intermediate gas reheating before power turbine in the thermal scheme of GTE with the power overexpansion turbine considerably increases GTE’s specific power. GTE with the intermediate gas reheating before the power overexpansion turbine have greater specific power and they are more economic than simple cycle’s GTE on a large spectrum of ship’s power plant operating regimes. GTE with intermediate gas reheating before the power overexpansion turbine have stable efficiency on operating regimes, that’s why it is preferable to employ them for hydrofoil ships.
Performance Evaluation of an Integrated Solar Combined Cycle
Authors: Ojo Collins O. , Pont Damien , Conte Enrico , Carroni Richard 
Published: December 2013

The integration of steam from a central-receiver solar field into a combined cycle power plant (CCPP) provides an option to convert solar energy into electricity at the highest possible efficiency, because of the high pressure and temperature conditions of the solar steam, and at the lowest capital investment, because the water-steam cycle of the CCPP is in shared use with the solar field.
From the operational point of view, the plant operator has the option to compensate the variability of the solar energy with fossil fuel electricity production, to use the solar energy to save fuel and to boost the plant power output, while reducing the environmental footprint of the plant operation.
Alstom is able to integrate very large amounts of solar energy in its new combined-cycle power plants, in the range of the largest solar field ever built (Ivanpah Solar Power Facility, California, 3 units, total 392 MWel). The performance potential of such integration is analyzed both at base load and at part load operation of the plant.
Additionally, the potential for solar retrofit of existing combined-cycle power plants is assessed. In this case, other types of concentrating solar power technologies than central receiver (linear Fresnel and trough) may be best suited to the specific conditions. Alstom is able to integrate any of these technologies into existing combined-cycle power plants.