bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The definition system and computational rule of grey determinant and its application to n grey equations with n grey linear equations
Authors: Li Qiao‐Xing , Wang Nai‐Ang , Chen Shi‐Cheng 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThis paper attempts to establish the conceptional and computational systems of grey determinant and apply it to solve n grey equations with n grey linear equations, which can be viewed as the important parts of grey mathematics.Design/methodology/approachStarting from the fact that missing information often appears in complex systems, the true values of elements when constructing a determinant and of coefficients when solving n equations with n linear equations cannot be obtained, so they are uncertain. However, their ranges can be obtained by using correct investigation methods. The uncertain elements and coefficients are grey and their ranges are number‐covered sets. On the basis of the results of Li and Wang, the paper systematically proposes the definition system of grey determinant and n grey linear equations, and utilizes the computational rules of grey determinant to solve the n grey equations with n grey linear equations. Some numerical examples are computed to illustrate the results in this paper.FindingsThe results show that the ranges of grey value of grey determinant and grey solutions of grey equations with n grey linear equations can be obtained by using computational rules proposed.Practical implicationsBecause the determinant and the linear equations have been widely used in many fields such as system controlling, economic analysis and social management, and the missing information is a general phenomenon for complex systems, grey determinant and grey linear equations may have great potential application in the real world. The method realizes the feasibility of system analysis under uncertain situations.Originality/valueThe paper succeeds in providing systematic results of computation of uncertain determinant and n linear equations by using grey systems theory and enriches the contents of grey mathematics.
Equipment maintainability and its influencing factors analysis based on grey system theory
Authors: Ke Hong‐fa , Du Hong‐Mei , He Ke , Yu Xiao‐Hong 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to solve the comprehensive evaluation of the equipment maintainability level based on grey system theory, and make an analysis of the corresponding influencing factors and their prioritization process.Design/methodology/approachConsidering the diversity, uncertainty and small sample size of the influencing factors of the equipment maintainability level, a multilayer evaluation attribute system is set up, and the grey relational method is utilized to assess the equipment's comprehensive maintainability. First, the bottom layer relational coefficient and weighted relational degree are analyzed, and, by means of the focus of relational degree through the bottom layer to top layer, the general evaluation of the equipment maintainability is carried out. Second, the equipment maintainability level and its influencing factors model, i.e. GM(1,N) model are set up, and the prioritization of the influencing factors is achieved through the comparison of the size of the model drive coefficients. Finally, the practical example calculation results show that this method has not only realized a sensible and effective evaluation of the equipment maintainability level, but also provided a prioritization of the influencing factors, which helps to focus attention on the major influencing factors and make this method of significant engineering application value in the improvement of the equipment maintainability level.FindingsThe modeling of electronic equipment maintainability level and analysis of its corresponding practical example prove that grey system theory could not only perform a comprehensive evaluation of the equipment maintainability level, but also provide a quantitative analysis of its various influencing factors, whereas, other methods such as fuzzy mathematics, etc. can only make a general evaluation of the equipment maintainability level.Practical implicationsThis paper has realized an integral evaluation of the equipment maintainability level and has made an analysis of the prioritization of its various influencing factors. These investigation results could be introduced as a promising innovative idea in the evaluation of the equipments' other performances and the prioritization of its various corresponding influencing factors.Originality/valueConsidering the diversity and uncertainty of influencing factors of the equipment maintainability level, this paper has realized a multilayer evaluation attribute system to perform a comprehensive evaluation of equipment maintainability level by means of weighted grey relational degree model. Furthermore, the prioritization of its various influencing factors is achieved based on the GM(1,N) model.
Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis: A review of the Japanese published works
Authors: Katoh Mayumi , Nomura Takashi , Miyachi Yoshiki , Kabashima Kenji 
Published: October 2012

AbstractEosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF), also known as Ofuji's disease, is an inflammatory dermatosis that was first described in Japan in 1970. More than 300 cases have been reported so far, and 113 Japanese cases have been reported in Japan since 1980. To comprehend the characteristics of Japanese EPF cases, we classified these cases into three types: classic, immunosuppression‐associated (IS‐EPF), and infancy‐associated (I‐EPF). Trends in age of onset and in distribution and characterization of eruptions differed between the types. We found 91 cases of classic EPF (mean age, 39.7 years), consisting of 66 males (73%) and 25 females (27%), in most of which eruptions primarily affected the face; 18 cases of IS‐EPF (44.2 years), consisting of 15 males (83%) and three females (17%), in which eruptions affected the face less predominantly; and four cases of I‐EPF (7.0 years), consisting of two males (50%) and two females (50%), primarily affecting the scalp. The number of IS‐EPF cases has increased since the late 1990s, reflecting the increasing number of HIV‐positive patients in Japan. Systemic non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs were effective in more than 70% of cases. Dimethyl diphenyl sulfone, antibiotics including minocycline, psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy and ultraviolet B treatments worked in some cases. Topical steroids and tacrolimus were also effective in some cases of EPF, while topical indomethacin was less effective.
Physician Styles of Patient Management as a Potential Source of Disparities: Cluster Analysis from a Factorial Experiment
Authors: Lutfey Karen E. , Gerstenberger Eric , McKinlay John B. 
Published: October 2012

ObjectiveTo identify styles of physician decision making (as opposed to singular clinical actions) and to analyze their association with variations in the management of a vignette presentation of coronary heart disease (CHD).Data SourcePrimary data were collected from primary care physicians in North and South Carolina.Study DesignIn a balanced factorial experimental design, primary care physicians viewed one of 16 (24) video vignette presentations of CHD and provided detailed information about how they would manage the case.Data Collection Method256 MD primary care physicians were interviewed face‐to‐face in North and South Carolina.Principal FindingsWe identify three clusters depicting unique styles of CHD management that are robust to controls for physician (gender and level of experience) and patient characteristics (age, gender, socioeconomic status, and race) as well as key organizational features of physicians' work settings. Physicians in Cluster 1 “Cardiac” (N = 92) were more likely to focus on cardiac issues compared with their counterparts; physicians in Cluster 2 “Talkers” (N = 93) were more likely to give advice and take additional medical history; whereas physicians in Cluster 3 “Minimalists” (N = 71) were less likely than their counterparts to take action on any of the types of management behavior.ConclusionsVariations in styles of decision making, which encompass multiple outcome variables and extend beyond individual‐level demographic predictors, may add to our understanding of disparities in health quality and outcomes.
Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in primary gout: relation to punched‐out erosions
Authors: Gheita Tamer A. , El‐Fishawy Hussein S. , Nasrallah Mohamed M. , Hussein Hani 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectivesTo verify the relation of gout to insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and find any association of metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint erosions to the features of MetS and IR.MethodsForty‐six primary gout male patients with a mean age of 41.96 ± 5.77 years were grouped according to the presence of MetS. Twenty‐seven age and sex matched healthy volunteers served as controls. Insulin sensitivity was estimated using the homeostatic model assessment index (HOMA‐B) for beta cell function and HOMA‐IR for peripheral tissue IR.ResultsGout patients had significantly higher HOMA‐IR and HOMA‐B compared to controls. Those with MetS (n = 27) had significantly higher serum uric acid (SUA) than those without (n = 19; 11.51 ± 3.72 mg/dL vs. 9.15 ± 2.34 mg/dL; P = 0.012). Gout patients with MTP erosions had notable higher insulin levels and more IR as shown by the higher levels of HOMA‐IR and HOMA‐B compared to those without. HOMA‐IR and HOMA‐B significantly correlated with the presence of erosions. Moreover, the presence of erosions significantly correlated with SUA (r = 0.64, P < 0.0001).ConclusionsThe level of SUA is closely related to IR in patients with and without MetS. There is an association of the severity of gout and presence of MTP erosions to IR. Metabolic syndrome forms an important marker for those who develop more punched‐out erosions.
Work instability and financial loss in early inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Looper Karl J. , Mustafa Sally S. , Zelkowitz Phyllis , Purden Margaret , Baron Murray 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectiveInflammatory arthritis is associated with a high degree of work instability and financial burden. In this study, we examine the extent of work instability and financial loss as well as their association with disease characteristics during the first 18 months of inflammatory arthritis.MethodOne hundred and four patients in the early phase (more than 6 weeks, < 18 months) of inflammatory arthritis were recruited from a larger early inflammatory arthritis registry. Questionnaires recorded sociodemographic data and disease characteristics, including pain assessed using the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and physical functioning measured with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF‐36) physical functioning score. The Rheumatoid Arthritis Work Instability Scale (RA‐WIS) was used to measure patient‐perceived functioning in the workplace and the Financial Loss Questionnaire (FLQ) measured the impact on family finances.ResultsParticipants' mean age was 56 years, 70.2% were female and 49.0% were working. Average yearly household income was < 60 000 Canadian dollars (CAD) for 38.5% of the sample. Of our working patients, 43% had a medium or high risk of work loss as measured by the RA‐WIS and 35% reported a financial loss. On multivariate analysis, MPQ and SF‐36 contributed to the dependent variable work instability, while age and SF‐36 contributed to financial loss.ConclusionThis study identifies pain and physical dysfunction as potential modifiable risk factors for negative socioeconomic repercussions of illness in early inflammatory arthritis.
Enforcement of a lifespan‐sustaining distribution of Sir2 between telomeres, mating‐type loci, and rDNA repeats by Rif1
Authors: Salvi Jayesh S. , Chan Janet N.Y. , Pettigrew Christopher , Liu Tony T. , Wu Jane D. , Mekhail Karim 
Published: October 2012

AbstractTelomere dysfunction is linked with genome instability and premature aging. Roles for sirtuin proteins at telomeres are thought to promote lifespan in yeast and mammals. However, replicative lifespan of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae shortens upon deletion of Rif1, a protein that limits the recruitment of the sirtuin histone deacetylase Sir2 to telomeres. Here we show that Rif1 maintains replicative lifespan by ultimately stabilizing another age‐related chromosomal domain harboring the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) repeats. Deletion of Rif1 increases Sir2 localization to telomeres and the silent mating‐type loci, while releasing a pool of the histone deacetylase from the intergenic spacer 1 (IGS1) of rDNA. This is accompanied by a disruption of IGS1 silent chromatin assembly and increases in aberrant recombination within rDNA repeats. Lifespan defects linked with Rif1 deletion are abolished if rDNA repeats are forcibly stabilized via deletion of the replication fork‐blocking protein Fob1. In addition, Sir2 overexpression prevents Rif1 deletion from disrupting Sir2 at IGS1 and shortening lifespan. Moreover, subjecting cells lacking Rif1 to caloric restriction increases IGS1 histone deacetylation and lifespan, while uncovering novel genetic interactions between RIF1 and SIR2. Our data indicate that Rif1 maintains lifespan‐sustaining levels of Sir2 at rDNA by preventing excessive recruitment of the histone deacetylase to telomeric and silent mating‐type loci. As sirtuin histone deacetylases, such as Sir2 or mammalian SIRT6, each operate at multiple age‐related loci, we propose that factors limiting the localization of sirtuins to certain age‐related loci can promote lifespan‐sustaining roles of these sirtuins elsewhere in the genome.
Comparison of peri‐operative core temperature in obese and non‐obese patients*
Authors: Fernandes L. A. , Braz L. G. , Koga F. A. , Kakuda C. M. , Módolo N. S. P. , de Carvalho L. R. , Vianna P. T. G. , Braz J. R. C. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryOur aim was to compare peri‐operative core temperatures and the incidence of hypothermia in obese and non‐obese women with active forced‐air warming. Twenty female patients scheduled for abdominal surgery were allocated to two groups according to body mass index. Ten obese (30.0–34.9 kg.m−2) and 10 non‐obese (18.5–24.9 kg.m−2) women received forced‐air warming on their lower limbs. At the end of surgery, the mean (SD) core temperatures were 36.7 (0.5) °C in the obese group and 36.0 (0.6) °C in the non‐obese group (p < 0.001). Only in the non‐obese group was there a significant decrease in the intra‐operative core temperature values (p < 0.001). The incidences of intra‐operative hypothermia were lower in the obese group (10%) compared with non‐obese group (60%; p = 0.019). In the postoperative recovery phase, the mean (SD) core temperature data were higher in the obese group than in the non‐obese group (36.2 (0.4) vs 35.6 (0.5) °C, respectively (p < 0.001)). In conclusion, obese female patients have higher peri‐operative core temperature and a lower incidence of hypothermia compared with non‐obese female patients during abdominal surgery with active forced‐air warming.
The contribution of shame to post‐psychotic trauma
Authors: Turner Michelle H. , Bernard Mark , Birchwood Max , Jackson Chris , Jones Chris 
Published: October 2012

ObjectivesThe current study examined shame in a clinical sample recovering from a first episode of psychosis by focusing on the contribution of different types of shame to post‐psychotic trauma while controlling for current affective symptoms.DesignThe study used a cross‐sectional correlational design.MethodFifty individuals who met the criteria for a psychotic disorder whose acute psychotic symptoms were in remission completed measures of internal and external shame associated with psychosis, general shame, post‐psychotic trauma, and depression.ResultsPost‐psychotic trauma symptoms were correlated with internal and external shame associated with psychosis and general shame. However, the relation between post‐psychotic trauma and external shame associated with psychosis remained after controlling for general shame and current affective symptoms. In addition, internal shame had a stronger association with depression. Thus, internal and external shame due to psychosis had different associations with different types of post‐psychotic emotional dysfunction.ConclusionsThe results support the importance of assessing shame as a multi‐faceted construct and suggest that assessing shame directly associated with mental illness is a worthwhile endeavour.Practitioner PointsAssessing different types of shame following psychosis can inform assessments, formulations, and interventions with post‐psychotic trauma.Our results support the application of Compassionate Mind Therapy to psychosis.However, we did not assess self‐criticism or self‐reassurance.We also did not investigate the relation between specific psychotic symptoms and different types of shame.
Why and how are you attached to yourSocialGroup? Investigating different forms of social identification
Authors: Amiot Catherine E. , Aubin Roxanne M. 
Published: October 2012

Social identity is a key social psychological variable to understand intergroup behaviours. Over and above the different dimensions of social identity (e.g., quality or degree of identification), recent research has looked at different forms of social identity, such as the clarity of one's collective identity, the self‐determined motivations underlying one's identification, and the contingencies attached to social identification. These forms of social identification reveal how and why group members are attached to their social group. The current research aims to directly test how these three forms of social identification regroup together and predict different individual and intergroup outcomes. Findings from three studies conducted in Québec (Ns = 119, 91) and Australia (N = 136) confirmed that the more comparative and competitive forms of social identification (i.e., non‐self‐determination to identify, collective self‐esteem contingency) tend to predict nationalism and ingroup bias. In contrast, the forms of social identity that capture the inherent satisfaction of being part of the group and the cognitive clarity of this group membership (i.e., self‐determined motivation to identity, clarity of collective identity) predict outcomes pertaining to patriotism, personal self‐esteem, and positive emotions. Results are interpreted in light of social identity theory and social psychological models of the self.
High‐ versus low‐density multifocal pupillographic objective perimetry in glaucoma
Authors: Maddess Ted , Essex Rohan W , Kolic Maria , Carle Corinne F , James Andrew C 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundMultifocal pupillographic objective perimetry was compared using 24 and 44 regions per visual field.DesignExperimental design in a university setting.ParticipantsTwenty‐seven normal control and 36 age‐matched glaucoma patients.MethodsThe four test variants differed in the mean interval between stimuli: 4, 1 or 0.25 s; and the number of visual field regions tested within the central 60 degrees: 24 or 44. All subjects had their diagnostic status confirmed by optical coherence tomography, two forms of perimetry and slit‐lamp biomicroscopy. Both eyes were measured concurrently in 2.73 ± 0.45 min/eye (mean ± standard deviation), and tests were repeated about 2 weeks apart.Main Outcome MeasuresThe main outcome measures were: (i) mean change in light sensitivity due glaucoma; and (ii) areas under Receiver Operator Characteristic plots for detecting glaucoma.ResultsFor all four variants, consensual responses, female gender and age produced small but significant sensitivity differences, and sensitivity declined with age by ≤−0.27 dB/decade (all P < 0.0003). The best diagnostic accuracy (area under curve 93.2 ± 3.89%) was produced by the one‐presentation/s 44‐region protocol. Across the four protocols, the effect of repeat testing was small (all methods ≤0.15 dB).ConclusionsPresentation rate had little effect, but increasing the tested density from 24 to 44 regions/field improved diagnostic power. Given that multifocal pupillographic objective perimetry also provides information on response delay and afferent versus efferent defects at every visual field region, it may be a useful adjunct to perimetry.
Laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer facilitates simultaneous surgery of synchronous liver metastases
Authors: Hatwell C. , Bretagnol F. , Farges O. , Belghiti J. , Panis Y. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAimCombined resection of colorectal cancer with surgery for synchronous liver metastases (LM) still remains controversial because of the possible higher morbidity rate, the necessity of an adequate abdominal approach for both resections and the impact on oncological results. However, laparoscopy may be beneficial in terms of operative results and could facilitate this combined procedure. The aim was to assess the benefit of the laparoscopic approach for colorectal cancer resection in patients undergoing simultaneous liver resection for synchronous LM.MethodFrom 2006 to 2011, all patients with colorectal cancer and resectable synchronous LM, for which the total length of the procedure was suspected to be less than 8 h, underwent colorectal laparoscopic resection combined with open and/or laparoscopic liver surgery. In order to identify selection criteria, a comparative analysis was performed between patients with and without major postoperative morbidity.ResultsFifty‐one patients underwent combined surgery with laparoscopic colectomy (n = 31) and proctectomy (n = 20). The conversion rate was 8%. Liver resections included major surgery (n = 10) and minor surgery (n = 41). Extraction of the colorectal specimen was performed through an incision used for open liver resection, except in seven patients who underwent a total laparoscopic procedure. Overall and major morbidity rates were 55% and 25%, respectively. Median (range) hospital stay was 16 (6–40) days. Regarding patient and tumour characteristics, no independent criteria of major morbidity risk were identified.ConclusionThis study showed that laparoscopic colorectal resection combined with liver resection for synchronous LM was feasible and safe. Moreover, laparoscopy facilitates the surgical abdominal approach for combined colorectal and liver resection.
Does anti‐hepatitis B virus vaccine make any difference in long‐term number of liver transplantation?
Authors: Chaib E. , Coimbra B. G. M. M. , Galvão F. H. F. , Tatebe E. R. , Shinzato M. S. , D'Albuquerque L. A. C , Massad E. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Chronic hepatitis B infection is associated with an increased risk of cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Our aim is to analyze, through a mathematical model, the potential impact of anti‐HBV vaccine in the long‐term (that is, decades after vaccination) number of LT.MethodsThe model simulated that the prevalence of HBV infection was 0.5% and that approximately 20% of all the liver transplantation carried out in the state of São Paulo are due to HBV infection.ResultsThe theoretical model suggests that a vaccination program that would cover 80% of the target population would reach a maximum of about 14% reduction in the LT program.ConclusionIncreasing the vaccination coverage against HBV in the state of São Paulo would have a relatively low impact on the number of liver transplantation. In addition, this impact would take several decades to materialize due to the long incubation period of liver failure due to HBV.