bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Effectiveness of Electroacupuncture in Meralgia Paraesthetica: A Case Series
Authors: Alexander Rosemary E 
Published: October 2013

Background Meralgia paraesthetica is a fairly common condition resulting from entrapment of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. I have found that acupuncture produces a rapid improvement, sometimes effecting a cure, after only one or two treatments. I therefore invited referrals in order to collect a case series. Methods A series of 10 patients, which included two who had refused surgery, but excluded those with significant lumbar spine problems, were treated. Visual Analogue Scale pain scores and analgesic intake were recorded weekly, starting before treatment. Four patients were receiving high doses of analgesics and the average period of symptoms was 3–4 years. Acupuncture points used were BL25, GB30, GB34, GB31, GB32, Huatuojiaji and ah shi points of the buttock and thigh, up to a depth of 7.5 cm. Electroacupuncture was normally given from the second treatment. Results Without exception, patients were specifically tender over GB31 before they started treatment. Most were also tender over the upper lumbar spine. An average of four to five sessions of acupuncture was given. The pain scores for all 10 patients improved by at least 50%, including that of a patient with a 20-year history. At follow-up (varying from 3 to 36 months), improvement was nearly 100%. Most patients were able to stop their analgesics. Conclusions Meralgia paraesthetica appears to respond rapidly to electroacupuncture. A significant trigger point at GB31 was universally present, which may aid diagnosis, although the reason for this is unclear. Further controlled studies are justified.
Modelling factors in primary care quality improvement: a cross-sectional study of premature CHD mortality
Authors: Honeyford Kate , Baker Richard , Bankart M John G , Jones David 
Published: October 2013

ObjectivesTo identify features of primary care quality improvement associated with improved health outcomes using premature coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality as an example, and to determine impacts of different modelling approaches.DesignCross-sectional study of mortality rates in 229 general practices.SettingGeneral practices from three East Midlands primary care trusts.ParticipantsPatients registered to the practices above between April 2006 and March 2009.Main outcome measuresNumbers of CHD deaths in those aged under 75 (premature mortality) and at all ages in each practice.ResultsPopulation characteristics and markers of quality of primary care were associated with variations in premature CHD mortality. Increasing levels of deprivation, percentages of practice populations on practice diabetes registers, white, over 65 and male were all associated with increasing levels of premature CHD mortality. Control of serum cholesterol levels in those with CHD and the percentage of patients recalling access to their preferred general practitioner were both associated with decreased levels of premature CHD mortality. Similar results were found for all-age mortality. A combined measure of quality of primary care for CHD comprising 12 quality outcomes framework indicators was associated with decreases in both all-age and premature CHD mortality. The selected models suggest that practices in less deprived areas may have up to 20% lower premature CHD mortality than those with median deprivation and that improvement in the CHD care quality from 83% (lower quartile) to 86% (median) could reduce premature CHD mortality by 3.6%. Different modelling approaches yielded qualitatively similar results.ConclusionsHigh-quality primary care, including aspects of access to and continuity of care, detection and management, appears to be associated with reducing CHD mortality. The impact on premature CHD mortality is greater than on all-age CHD mortality. Determining the most useful measures of quality of primary care needs further consideration.
Assessing the impact on chronic disease of incorporating the societal cost of greenhouse gases into the price of food: an econometric and comparative risk assessment modelling study
Authors: Briggs Adam D M , Kehlbacher Ariane , Tiffin Richard , Garnett Tara , Rayner Mike , Scarborough Peter 
Published: October 2013

ObjectivesTo model the impact on chronic disease of a tax on UK food and drink that internalises the wider costs to society of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to estimate the potential revenue.DesignAn econometric and comparative risk assessment modelling study.SettingThe UK.ParticipantsThe UK adult population.InterventionsTwo tax scenarios are modelled: (A) a tax of £2.72/tonne carbon dioxide equivalents (tCO2e)/100 g product applied to all food and drink groups with above average GHG emissions. (B) As with scenario (A) but food groups with emissions below average are subsidised to create a tax neutral scenario.Outcome measuresPrimary outcomes are change in UK population mortality from chronic diseases following the implementation of each taxation strategy, the change in the UK GHG emissions and the predicted revenue. Secondary outcomes are the changes to the micronutrient composition of the UK diet.ResultsScenario (A) results in 7770 (95% credible intervals 7150 to 8390) deaths averted and a reduction in GHG emissions of 18 683 (14 665to 22 889) ktCO2e/year. Estimated annual revenue is £2.02 (£1.98 to £2.06) billion. Scenario (B) results in 2685 (1966 to 3402) extra deaths and a reduction in GHG emissions of 15 228 (11 245to 19 492) ktCO2e/year.ConclusionsIncorporating the societal cost of GHG into the price of foods could save 7770 lives in the UK each year, reduce food-related GHG emissions and generate substantial tax revenue. The revenue neutral scenario (B) demonstrates that sustainability and health goals are not always aligned. Future work should focus on investigating the health impact by population subgroup and on designing fiscal strategies to promote both sustainable and healthy diets.
Economic evaluation of smoke alarm distribution methods in Baltimore, Maryland
Authors: Diamond-Smith Nadia , Bishai David , Perry Elise , Shields Wendy , Gielen Andrea 
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveThis paper analyses costs and potential lives saved from a door-to-door smoke alarm distribution programme using data from a programme run by the Baltimore City Fire Department in 2010–2011.DesignWe evaluate the impact of a standard home visit programme and an enhanced home visit programme that includes having community health workers provide advance notice, promote the programme, and accompany fire department personnel on the day of the home visit, compared with each other and with an option of not having a home visit programme (control).ResultsStudy data show that the home visit programme increased by 10% the number of homes that went from having no working alarm to having any working alarm, and the enhanced programme added an additional 1% to the number of homes protected. We use published reports on the relative risk of death in homes with and without a working smoke alarm to show that the standard programme would save an additional 0.24 lives per 10 000 homes over 10 years, compared with control areas and the enhanced home visit programme saved an additional 0.07 lives compared with the standard programme. The incremental cost of each life saved for the standard programme compared with control was $28 252 per death averted and $284 501per additional death averted for the enhanced compared with the standard.ConclusionsFollowing the US guidelines for the value of a life, both programmes are cost effective, however, the standard programme may offer a better value in terms of dollars per death averted. The study also highlights the need for better data on the benefits of current smoke alarm recommendations and their impact on injury, death and property damage.
Percutaneous trigeminal rhizotomy in a biplane angiosuite: technical assessment
Authors: Rose Katherine R , Stone Jonathan J , Ren Zeguang , Wang Henry , Jahromi Babak S 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundPercutaneous trigeminal rhizotomy (PTR) uses fluoroscopic guidance to cannulate the foramen ovale for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.ObjectiveTo describe the use of a high-resolution biplane neuroangiosuite for PTR and retrospectively to assess the performance of this technique.MethodsFrom 1990 through 2010, 67 PTRs were performed in 51 patients at our institution; 47 used the c-arm in the operating room (OR) and 20 used the biplane angiosuite. Hospital charts were reviewed for demographics, symptomatology, operative time, number of cannulation attempts, fluoroscopy time and pain outcome. Two-tailed univariate analyses were performed to compare the OR and angiosuite groups.ResultsIn 20 of 67 PTRs, biplane fluoroscopic guidance in the angiosuite was used. Variations in type of PTR, fluoroscopy technique and follow-up time barred meaningful comparison of these variables between OR and biplane groups. However, the biplane group had significantly fewer mean cannulation attempts (1 vs 2.2, p<0.001).ConclusionsHigh-resolution biplane neuroangiosuites offer a readily available alternative to ORs for PTR in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Use of the biplane fluoroscopy machine was practical, safe and at least as effective as the use of the c-arm. It may also offer the advantages of a reduced number of cannulation attempts.
Is aneurysm repair justified for the patients aged 80 or older after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage?
Authors: Sadamasa Nobutake , Koyanagi Masaomi , Fukuda Hitoshi , Chin Masaki , Handa Akira , Yamagata Sen 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundWith the advancement of an aging society in the world, an increasing number of elderly patients have been hospitalized due to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). There is no study that compares the elderly cases of aSAH who receive the definitive treatment with those who treated conservatively. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of the definitive surgery for the acute subarachnoid cases aged 80 or older.MethodsWe reviewed 500 consecutive cases with acute aSAH with surgical indication for aneurysm repair. Inoperable cases such as dead-on-arrival and the cases with both pupils dilated were excluded. We compared the cases aged 80 or older that received clipping or coil embolization with the controls that the family selected conservative treatment.Results69 cases were included in this study (ranged 80–98, male:female=9:60). 56 cases (81.2%) had an aneurysm in the anterior circulation. 23 cases received clipping, 20 cases coil embolization and 26 cases treated conservatively. The cases with aneurysm repair showed significantly better clinical outcome than the controls, while World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) grade on admission and premorbid modified Rankin Scale showed no difference between them.ConclusionsBetter prognosis was obtained when ruptured aneurysm was repaired in the elderly than it was treated conservatively. From the results of this study, we should not hesitate to offer the definitive surgery for the elderly with aSAH.
A DETAILED PROOF OF THE FUNDAMENTAL THEOREM OF STF MULTIPOLE EXPANSION IN LINEARIZED GRAVITY
Authors: ZSCHOCKE SVEN 
Published: October 2013

The linearized field equations of general relativity in harmonic coordinates are given by an inhomogeneous wave equation. In the region exterior to the matter field, the retarded solution of this wave equation can be expanded in terms of 10 Cartesian symmetric and tracefree (STF) multipoles in post-Minkowskian approximation. For such a multipole decomposition only three and rather weak assumptions are required: (1) No-incoming-radiation condition. (2) The matter source is spatially compact. (3) A spherical expansion for the metric outside the matter source is possible. During the last decades, the STF multipole expansion has been established as a powerful tool in several fields of gravitational physics: celestial mechanics, theory of gravitational waves and in the theory of light propagation and astrometry. But despite its formidable importance, an explicit proof of the fundamental theorem of STF multipole expansion has not been presented so far, while only some parts of it are distributed into several publications. In a technical but more didactical form, an explicit and detailed mathematical proof of each individual step of this important theorem of STF multipole expansion is represented.
TRAF4 Is a Critical Molecule for Akt Activation in Lung Cancer
Authors: Li Wei , Peng Cong , Lee Mee-Hyun , Lim DoYoung , Zhu Feng , Fu Yang , Yang Ge , Sheng Yuqiao , Xiao Lanbo , Dong Xin , Ma WeiYa , Bode Ann M. , Cao Ya , Dong Zigang 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
TRAF4 is an adapter protein overexpressed in certain cancers, but its contributions to tumorigenesis are unclear. In lung cancer cells and primary lung tumors, we found that TRAF4 is overexpressed. RNA interference-mediated attenuation of TRAF4 expression blunted the malignant phenotype in this setting, exerting inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, and tumor development in a xenograft mouse model. Unexpectedly, we discovered that TRAF4, but not Skp2, was required for activation of the pivotal cell survival kinase Akt through ubiquitination. Furthermore, TRAF4 attenuation impaired glucose metabolism by inhibiting expression of Glut1 and HK2 mediated by the Akt pathway. Overall, our work suggests that TRAF4 offers a candidate molecular target for lung cancer prevention and therapy. Cancer Res; 73(23); 6938–50. ©2013 AACR.
From Communicative Functions to Prosodic Forms
Authors: Kohler Klaus J. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
This is a proposal in favour of proceeding from communicative function to linguistic form, rather than the reverse, for an insightful account of how humans communicate by speech in languages. A functional framework is developed that encompasses argumentation structures, declarative and interrogative functions, and expressive intensification. Such a function orientation can become a powerful tool in comparative prosodic research across the world's languages. The potential of this approach is shown by comparing the prosodic form of Mandarin Chinese data collected in functionally contextualized scenarios with corresponding data from English and German.
The Tonal Space of Contrastive Five Level Tones
Authors: Kuang Jianjing 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Multiple-level tone contrasts are typologically disfavoured because they violate the dispersion principles of maximizing perceptual distance and minimizing articulatory effort. This study investigates the tonal dispersion of a multiple-level tone system by exploring the cues used in producing and perceiving the five level tones of Black Miao. Both production and perception experiments show that non-modal phonations are very important cues for these tonal contrasts. Non-modal phonations significantly contribute to the dispersion of the five level tones in two ways: either by enhancing pitch contrasts or by providing an additional contrastive cue. Benefiting from more than one cue, the level tones T11, T33 and T55 are well distinguished in the tonal space; by contrast, the level tones T22 and T44, only contrasting in pitch, are the most confusable tones. The tonal registers model proposed in this article sheds light on the different uses of non-modal phonations across languages.
Danish Stød: Laryngealization or Tone
Authors: Grønnum Nina , Vazquez-Larruscaín Miguel , Basbøll Hans 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
In the light of previous acoustic analyses of Danish stød and Danish intonation, we discuss two different phonological theories. In one, stød is an autonomous laryngeal syllable prosody. In the other, stød is the phonetic manifestation of an HL tonal pattern compressed within one syllable. The tonal representation is found to be contradicted by the phonetic reality, and it cannot account for the structurally determined alternation between non-stød and stød in inflection and derivation, nor for latent stød or stød in compounds. Furthermore, stød patterns are largely constant across regional varieties of Danish, but tonal patterns over the relevant structural domains are highly variable. Thus, stød may occur on any kind of tonal configuration, anywhere in the speaker's pitch range, a variability which is hard to reconcile with a fixed HL representation.
Prognostic significance of residual venous obstruction in patients with treated unprovoked deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Ageno Walter , Antonucci Emilia , Cosmi Benilde , Kovacs Michael J. , Gal Grégoire Le , Ockelford Paul , Poli Daniela , Prandoni Paolo , Rodger Marc , Saccullo Giorgia , Siragusa Sergio , Young Laura , Bonzini Matteo , Caprioli Monica , Dentali Francesco , Iorio Alfonso , Douketis James D. , Donadini Marco P. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryResidual venous obstruction (RVO) could improve the stratification of the risk of recurrence after unprovoked deep vein thrombosis (DVT), but results from clinical studies and study-level meta-analyses are conflicting. It was the objective of this analysis to determine if RVO is a valid predictor of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with a first unprovoked DVT who had received at least three months of anticoagulant therapy. Individual patient data were obtained from the datasets of original studies, after a systematic search of electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library), supplemented by manual reviewing of the reference lists and contacting content experts. A multivariate, shared-frailty Cox model was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for recurrent VTE, including, as covariates: RVO; age; sex; anticoagulation duration before RVO assessment; and anticoagulation continuation after RVO assessment. A total of 2,527 patients from 10 prospective studies were included. RVO was found in 1,380 patients (55.1%) after a median of six months from a first unprovoked DVT. Recurrent VTE occurred in 399 patients (15.8%) during a median follow-up of 23.3 months. After multivariate Cox analysis, RVO was independently associated with recurrent VTE (HR = 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–1.65). The association was stronger if RVO was detected early, i.e. at three months after DVT (HR = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.11–4.25), but non-significant if detected later, i.e. >6 months (HR = 1.19; 95% CI: 0.87–1.61). In conclusion, after a first unprovoked DVT, RVO is a weak overall predictor of recurrent VTE. The association is stronger if RVO is detected at an earlier time (3 months) after thrombosis.
Mortality Among High-Risk Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction Admitted to US Teaching-Intensive Hospitals in July
Authors: Jena Anupam B. , Sun Eric C. , Romley John A. 
Published: October 2013

Background—
Studies of whether inpatient mortality in US teaching hospitals rises in July as a result of organizational disruption and relative inexperience of new physicians (July effect) find small and mixed results, perhaps because study populations primarily include low-risk inpatients whose mortality outcomes are unlikely to exhibit a July effect.

Methods and Results—

Using the US Nationwide Inpatient sample, we estimated difference-in-difference models of mortality, percutaneous coronary intervention rates, and bleeding complication rates, for high- and low-risk patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to 98 teaching-intensive and 1353 non–teaching-intensive hospitals during May and July 2002 to 2008. Among patients in the top quartile of predicted acute myocardial infarction mortality (high risk), adjusted mortality was lower in May than July in teaching-intensive hospitals (18.8% in May, 22.7% in July,
P
<0.01), but similar in non–teaching-intensive hospitals (22.5% in May, 22.8% in July,
P
=0.70). Among patients in the lowest three quartiles of predicted acute myocardial infarction mortality (low risk), adjusted mortality was similar in May and July in both teaching-intensive hospitals (2.1% in May, 1.9% in July,
P
=0.45) and non–teaching-intensive hospitals (2.7% in May, 2.8% in July,
P
=0.21). Differences in percutaneous coronary intervention and bleeding complication rates could not explain the observed July mortality effect among high risk patients.

Conclusions—
High-risk acute myocardial infarction patients experience similar mortality in teaching- and non–teaching-intensive hospitals in July, but lower mortality in teaching-intensive hospitals in May. Low-risk patients experience no such July effect in teaching-intensive hospitals.
Compulsory Religious Education in Turkey
Authors: Çınar Özgür H. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
The question of religious education has been debated in Turkey since the founding of the Republic of Turkey in 1923. However, with Turkey’s commencement of the accession process towards becoming a full member of the European Union, this debate has intensified and after the judgment in the Hasan and Eylem Zengin case at the European Court of Human Rights in 2007, obligations arising from international law have become more impellent.
The Right to Establish and Maintain Places of Worship in Turkey
Authors: Yıldırım Mine 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
The protection of the right to worship or assemble in connection with a religion or belief and to establish and maintain places of worship in Turkey serves as a good illustration of the nature of de jure and de facto restrictions in contrast to what appears to be a general recognition of the right to freedom to worship. The protection of the right to establish and maintain places of worship in the Turkish legal system appears to be restricted in three key areas, namely: (i) planning regulations; (ii) permission of public authority; and (iii) legal personality. Turkey must take necessary measures to bring its legislation and practice in line with international human rights obligations.
Identifying optimal mitigation strategies for responding to a mild influenza epidemic
Authors: Yarmand Hamed , Ivy Julie S , Roberts Stephen D 
Published: October 2013

Mathematical models have been developed to simulate influenza epidemics to help public health officials evaluate different control policies. In these models, often severe influenza epidemics with a considerable mortality rate are considered. However, as was the case for the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, some of the influenza epidemics are mild with insignificant mortality rates. In the case of a mild epidemic, the cost of different control policies becomes an important decision factor in addition to disease-related outcomes such as the attack rate. We develop a continuous-time simulation model for the spread of a mild influenza epidemic based on the SEIR model (an epidemiological model with four classes: susceptible, exposed, infective, and recovered) which includes different interventions. To determine the epidemic mitigation policy with the minimum cost, we also develop an optimization model with two decision variables, vaccination and self-isolation fractions, and an upper-bound constraint for the attack rate. We use this model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different mitigation policies. Furthermore, we integrate the simulation and optimization models to identify the optimal mitigation policy. Finally, we conduct sensitivity analysis on the key input parameters to ensure robust results. The optimal policy depends on the target population and, as our results show, in general is a combination of vaccination and self-isolation. Further, for low (high) levels of intervention, vaccination (self-isolation) is incrementally more cost-effective. Therefore, public health officials should concentrate on vaccination at the beginning of the epidemic. However, if the epidemic continues to spread, they should promote self-isolation as a more effective intervention.