bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
History of Atrial Fibrillation as a Risk Factor in Patients With Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Oluleye Oludamilola W. , Rector Thomas S. , Win Sithu , McMurray John J.V. , Zile Michael R. , Komajda Michel , McKelvie Robert S. , Massie Barry , Carson Peter E. , Anand Inder S. 
Published: September 2014

Background—
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is common in heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Current AFib stroke risk prediction models include the presence of HF but do not specifically include HFpEF as a risk factor. Whether a history of AFib should be used to identify patients with HFpEF who are at risk has not been established.

Methods and Results—

Baseline characteristics and outcomes of patients with HFpEF in the Irbesartan in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction Trial were analyzed in relation to AFib. At baseline, 1209 (29.3%) had a history of AFib. Of these 557 (13.5%) had history of AFib alone, whereas 670 (16.2%) had both a history and AFib on ECG; 2901 (70.3%) had neither. There were no significant differences in the risk of stroke between the 2 groups with a history of AFib who did or did not have AFib present on baseline ECG. During a median follow-up of 53 months, a fatal or nonfatal stroke occurred in 6.5% (79/1209) patients with history of AFib compared with 3.9% (114/2901) with no AFib. Having a history of AFib was independently associated with higher risk of stroke (hazard ratio, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.6–3.2;
P
<0.0001) compared with those with no history of AFib.

Conclusions—
In patients with HFpEF, a history of AFib was common and independently associated with increased risk of stroke, regardless of whether AFib was present on ECG. Patients with HFpEF and a history of AFib should be considered at risk. Further studies are needed to determine whether this risk can be safely reduced.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT000095238.
MHC Class II–Restricted Antigen Presentation by Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Drives Proatherogenic T Cell Immunity
Authors: Sage Andrew P. , Murphy Deirdre , Maffia Pasquale , Masters Leanne M. , Sabir Suleman R. , Baker Lauren L. , Cambrook Helen , Finigan Alison J. , Ait-Oufella Hafid , Grassia Gianluca , Harrison James E. , Ludewig Burkhard , Reith Walter , Hansson Göran K. , Reizis Boris , Hugues Stéphanie , Mallat Ziad 
Published: September 2014

Background—
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) bridge innate and adaptive immune responses and are important regulators of immuno-inflammatory diseases. However, their role in atherosclerosis remains elusive.

Methods and Results—

Here, we used genetic approaches to investigate the role of pDCs in atherosclerosis. Selective pDC deficiency in vivo was achieved using
CD11c
-Cre ×
Tcf4
–/flox
bone marrow transplanted into
Ldlr
–/–
mice. Compared with control
Ldlr
–/–
chimeric mice,
CD11c
-Cre ×
Tcf4
–/flox
mice had reduced atherosclerosis levels. To begin to understand the mechanisms by which pDCs regulate atherosclerosis, we studied chimeric
Ldlr
–/–
mice with selective MHCII deficiency on pDCs. Significantly, these mice also developed reduced atherosclerosis compared with controls without reductions in pDC numbers or changes in conventional DCs. MHCII-deficient pDCs showed defective stimulation of apolipoprotein B100–specific CD4
+
T cells in response to native low-density lipoprotein, whereas production of interferon-α was not affected. Finally, the atheroprotective effect of selective MHCII deficiency in pDCs was associated with significant reductions of proatherogenic T cell–derived interferon-γ and lesional T cell infiltration, and was abrogated in CD4
+
T cell–depleted animals.

Conclusions—
This study supports a proatherogenic role for pDCs in murine atherosclerosis and identifies a critical role for MHCII-restricted antigen presentation by pDCs in driving proatherogenic T cell immunity.
The clinical practice of speech and language therapists with children with phonologically based speech sound disorders
Authors: Oliveira Carla , Lousada Marisa , Jesus Luis MT 
Published: September 2014

Children with speech sound disorders (SSD) represent a large number of speech and language therapists’ caseloads. The intervention with children who have SSD can involve different therapy approaches, and these may be articulatory or phonologically based. Some international studies reveal a widespread application of articulatory based approaches in children with different SSD. In Portugal no survey has been previously conducted about speech and language therapists (SLTs) practices when working with children with SSD, so it is still unknown how SLTs treat children with SSD. This study aims to explore the use of different intervention approaches of SLTs in Portugal, and to describe the approaches most frequently used in treating children who have phonologically based SSD. Data collection was conducted through a questionnaire available on the web platform Advanced Communication and Swallowing Assessment (ACSA; http://acsa.web.ua.pt ), and data analysis was based on 88 responses, corresponding to 5% of the total Portuguese SLTs population. Results showed that the intervention approaches most used with children who have SSD are phonological awareness (97% of the participants), auditory discrimination (92%), meaningful minimal contrast therapy (75%) and parent-based work (58%). The great majority of SLTs combined several approaches in their intervention. There was also a high percentage of SLTs that used articulation based approaches, namely articulation work (31%) in cases of phonologically based disorders. Most (63%) SLTs used weekly interventions over a period of more than six months (51%). The data presented here agrees with the results obtained in South African, UK and USA studies in terms of the approaches most frequently used in intervention with children who have phonologically based SSD. Regarding the frequency and duration of intervention, there is a discrepancy between the results obtained and what is commonly used across research. The characteristics described by the Portuguese SLTs for establishing the differential diagnosis of SSD do not always reflect the evidence available in recent literature. The findings presented in this article revealed the intervention approaches that SLTs currently use to treat children with phonologically based SSD and the theoretical foundations that guide their clinical practice. This allows the reader to compare clinical practice of SLTs across countries and research studies.
An in vitro study to optimise treatment of varicose veins with radiofrequency-induced thermo therapy
Authors: Badham George E , Strong Sophie M , Whiteley Mark S 
Published: September 2014

Objective To develop a reproducible method of using radiofrequency-induced thermotherapy with adequate thermal spread to ablate the whole vein wall in a truncal vein but avoiding carbonisation, device sticking and high impedance “cut outs” reducing interruptions during endovenous treatments. Methods Porcine liver was treated with radiofrequency-induced thermotherapy under glass to allow measurements, observation and video recording. Powers of 6–20 W were used at varying pullback speeds to achieve linear endovenous energy densities of 18–100 J/cm. Thermal spread, carbonisation of treated tissue and high-impedance cut outs were recorded. Results The currently recommended power settings of 18 and 20 W produced sub-optimal results. If pulled back at 3 s/cm to achieve linear endovenous energy densities around 60 J/cm, tissue carbonisation and high impedance cut outs occurred. When high powers and fast pullbacks of 1 s/cm were used, no carbonisation or cut outs occurred but thermal ablation of the liver model was below target due to reduced time for thermal conduction. Low powers (6–12 W) with slow pullbacks (6–12 s/cm) achieved target thermal ablation with minimal carbonisation and high impedance cut outs. Conclusions Using low power (6 W) and a slow discontinuous pullback (6 s every 0.5 cm, in steps), we were able to achieve our target thermal ablation in the porcine liver model without carbonisation and high impedance cut outs. This suggests the currently recommended power levels could be reduced, reducing the need to remove the device to clean the electrodes during treatment while achieving target thermoablation of the treated tissue.
Application of the capsaicin 8% cutaneous patch in neuropathic pain of the head and face: A case series
Authors: Gaul Charly , Resch Sonja 
Published: September 2014

Introduction Treatment of neuropathic or neuralgic head and facial pain due to dental, traumatic or surgical nerve lesions or post-herpetic neuropathy is often challenging. Cases We are reporting on four patients with neuropathic pain syndromes successfully treated with a capsaicin 8% patch in the affected area of the head or face. Discussion Treatment with the capsaicin 8% patch seems to be effective and safe for application to the facial and head region. The capsaicin 8% patch might be an additional treatment option if first-line treatment with anticonvulsants or antidepressants was ineffective or limited by side effects.
The Development and Validation of the Religious/Spiritually Integrated Practice Assessment Scale
Authors: Oxhandler Holly K. , Parrish Danielle E. 
Published: September 2014

Objective: This article describes the development and validation of the Religious/Spiritually Integrated Practice Assessment Scale (RSIPAS). The RSIPAS is designed to assess social work practitioners’ self-efficacy, attitudes, behaviors, and perceived feasibility concerning the assessment or integration of clients’ religious and spiritual beliefs in clinical practice. Methods: After establishing content validity of the RSIPAS with a group of nationally known experts in the area of religion/spirituality and behavioral health, a national sample of master’s social workers ( N = 482) was randomly selected to assess the scale’s internal consistency, criterion validity, discriminant validity, and factorial validity. Results: Findings support the scale’s reliability (α = .95), criterion validity, discriminant validity, and factorial validity. Conclusions: The RSIPAS may be a useful instrument for elucidating current views and training needs among social work practitioners or to evaluate the outcomes of training or educational programs that provide content on religion and spirituality in the practice context.
Caregiver strain, age, and psychological well-being of older spousal caregivers in Hong Kong
Authors: Chow Esther Oi-wah , Ho Henry CY 
Published: September 2014

Summary With the social policy movement, smaller family size, longer lifespan, confined living conditions, and limited caregiving resources, informal caregiving for older adults in Hong Kong has become the main responsibility of the spouse. Their psychological well-being becomes a major concern as they may experience immense strain from undertaking the caregiving role while suffering from age-related declines. To examine whether psychological well-being differs by caregiver strain and age, 112 spousal caregivers aged 55 and over were recruited from 13 caregiver resource centres in Hong Kong. Participants responded to a structured questionnaire on multiple dimensions of psychological well-being. Findings Of the respondents, 22.9% reported high levels of strain and 9.9% reported high levels of depression. Results from t-tests revealed that caregivers who perceive low levels of strain are more likely to report lower caregiving distress, higher general mental health, lower depressive symptoms, higher subjective well-being, higher life satisfaction, and higher purpose in life. Old-old caregivers are more likely to report lower caregiving distress, lower depressive symptoms, and higher subjective well-being than young-old caregivers. Applications Findings are discussed in relation to the transactional model of stress and coping, selective optimization with compensation theory, and socio-cultural context in Hong Kong. It is suggested that culturally sensitive intervention programs should be custom-tailored for older spousal caregivers by honouring their contributions, affirming their strengths, enhancing their SOC strategies, and educating on successful ageing.
Subjective Experiences of an Art Museum Engagement Activity for Persons With Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease and Their Family Caregivers
Authors: Flatt Jason D. , Liptak Amy , Oakley Mary Ann , Gogan Jessica , Varner Tresa , Lingler Jennifer H. 
Published: September 2014

Objective: To describe the subjective experiences of older adults with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease or related cognitive disorders (ADRDs) and their family caregivers who participated in an art museum engagement activity. Methods: Four focus groups were conducted with 10 persons with ADRD and 10 family caregivers following the completion of a 1-time, 3-hour engagement activity. Participants also completed a brief satisfaction survey, and associations were examined using nonparametric statistics. Results: Three key themes were identified: cognitive stimulation, social connections, and self-esteem. In addition, we identified programmatic issues such as activity-specific concerns and program logistics that could help improve future art program offerings. Past experience with art and perceived social cohesion were correlated with participants’ overall satisfaction with the program. Discussion: Efforts aimed at improving the quality of life of those with Alzheimer’s disease and their family caregivers should consider the potential role of art museums.
The non-operative management of hand fractures
Authors: Giddins G. E. B. 
Published: September 2014

Most hand fractures can be treated non-operatively. Some hand fractures, such as open injuries or markedly displaced intra-articular fractures, are almost always treated operatively. The treatment of many fractures, such as proximal interphalangeal joint fracture subluxations or spiral phalangeal fractures, is unclear. The aim of this review is to establish those injuries where the outcome of non-operative treatment is unlikely to be improved with surgery. This may help to prevent unnecessary surgery, concentrate work on finding the sub-groups that may benefit from surgery and to establish which injuries do so well with non-operative treatment that the only valuable clinical research in future will be large cohort studies of non-operative treatment or randomized controlled trials comparing operative and non-operative treatments. The relevant fractures are spiral metacarpal fractures, transverse metacarpal shaft and neck (boxer’s) fractures, base of proximal phalanx avulsion fractures, thumb metacarpophalangeal joint ulnar and radial collateral ligament injuries and bony mallet injuries. For the majority of these injuries, current knowledge suggests that the outcome of non-operative treatment cannot reliably be improved upon with surgery. Level of evidence IV
Combining Information of Autonomic Modulation and CGM Measurements Enables Prediction and Improves Detection of Spontaneous Hypoglycemic Events
Authors: Cichosz Simon Lebech , Frystyk Jan , Tarnow Lise , Fleischer Jesper 
Published: September 2014

Background: We have previously tested, in a laboratory setting, a novel algorithm that enables prediction of hypoglycemia. The algorithm integrates information of autonomic modulation, based on heart rate variability (HRV), and data based on a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device. Now, we investigate whether the algorithm is suitable for prediction of hypoglycemia and for improvement of hypoglycemic detection during normal daily activities. Methods: Twenty-one adults (13 men) with T1D prone to hypoglycemia were recruited and monitored with CGM and a Holter device while they performed normal daily activities. We used our developed algorithm (a pattern classification method) to predict spontaneous hypoglycemia based on CGM and HRV. We compared 3 different models; (i) a model containing raw data from the CGM device; (ii) a CGM* model containing data derived from the CGM device signal; and (iii) a CGM+HRV model-combining model (ii) with HRV data. Results: A total of 12 hypoglycemic events (glucose levels < 3.9 mmol/L, 70 mg/dL) and 237 euglycemic measurements were included. For a 20-minute prediction, model (i) resulted in a ROC AUC of 0.69. If a high sensitivity of 100% was chosen, the corresponding specificity was 69%. (ii) The CGM* model yielded a ROC AUC of 0.92 with a corresponding sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 71%. (iii) The CGM+HRV model yielded a ROC AUC of 0.96 with a corresponding sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 91%. Conclusions: Data shows that adding information of autonomic modulation to CGM measurements enables prediction and improves the detection of hypoglycemia.
Facile synthesis and strongly microstructure-dependent electrochemical properties of graphene/manganese dioxide composites for supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Caiyun , Zhu Xiaohong , Wang Zhongxing , Sun Ping , Ren Yinjuan , Zhu Jiliang , Zhu Jianguo , Xiao Dingquan 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Graphene has attracted much attention since it was firstly stripped from graphite by two physicists in 2004, and the supercapacitor based on graphene has obtained wide attention and much investment as well. For practical applications of graphene-based supercapacitors, however, there are still many challenges to solve, for instance, to simplify the technological process, to lower the fabrication cost, and to improve the electrochemical performance. In this work, graphene/MnO2 composites are prepared by a microwave sintering method, and we report here a relatively simple method for the supercapacitor packaging, i.e., dipping Ni-foam into a graphene/MnO2 composite solution directly for a period of time to coat the active material on a current collector. It is found that the microwave reaction time has a significant effect on the microstructure of graphene/MnO2 composites, and consequently, the electrochemical properties of the supercapacitors based on graphene/MnO2 composites are strongly microstructure dependent. An appropriately longer microwave reaction time, namely, 15 min, facilitates a very dense and homogeneous microstructure of the graphene/MnO2 composites, and thus, excellent electrochemical performance is achieved in the supercapacitor device, including a high specific capacitance of 296 F/g and a high capacitance retention of 93% after 3,000 times of charging/discharging cycles.

PACS

81.05.ue; 78.67.Sc; 88.80.fh
Tuning electronic and magnetic properties of partially hydrogenated graphene by biaxial tensile strain: a computational study
Authors: Song Er Hong , Ali Ghafar , Yoo Sung Ho , Jiang Qing , Cho Sung Oh 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Using density functional theory calculations, we have investigated the effects of biaxial tensile strain on the electronic and magnetic properties of partially hydrogenated graphene (PHG) structures. Our study demonstrates that PHG configuration with hexagon vacancies is more energetically favorable than several other types of PHG configurations. In addition, an appropriate biaxial tensile strain can effectively tune the band gap and magnetism of the hydrogenated graphene. The band gap and magnetism of such configurations can be continuously increased when the magnitude of the biaxial tensile strain is increased. This fact that both the band gap and magnetism of partially hydrogenated graphene can be tuned by applying biaxial tensile strain provides a new pathway for the applications of graphene to electronics and photonics.
Synthesis and high sensing properties of a single Pd-doped SnO2 nanoribbon
Authors: Ma Jiang , Liu Yingkai , Zhang Heng , Ai Peng , Gong Nailiang , Zhang Ying 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Monocrystal SnO2 and Pd-SnO2 nanoribbons have been successfully synthesized by thermal evaporation, and novel ethanol sensors based on a single Pd-SnO2 nanoribbon and a single SnO2 nanoribbon were fabricated. The sensing properties of SnO2 nanoribbon (SnO2 NB) and Pd-doped SnO2 nanoribbon (Pd-SnO2 NB) sensors were investigated. The results indicated that the SnO2 NB showed a high sensitivity to ethanol and the Pd-SnO2 NB has a much higher sensitivity of 4.3 at 1,000 ppm of ethanol at 230°C, which is the highest sensitivity for a SnO2-based NB. Pd-SnO2 NB can detect ethanol in a wide range of concentration (1 ~ 1,000 ppm) with a relatively quick response (recovery) time of 8 s (9 s) at a temperature from 100°C to 300°C. In the meantime, the sensing capabilities of the Pd-SnO2 NB under 1 ppm of ethanol at 230°C will help to promote the sensitivity of a single nanoribbon sensor. Excellent performances of such a sensor make it a promising candidate for a device design toward ever-shrinking dimensions because a single nanoribbon device is easily integrated in the electronic devices.
Efficiency improvement of GaN-based ultraviolet light-emitting diodes with reactive plasma deposited AlN nucleation layer on patterned sapphire substrate
Authors: Lee Chia-Yu , Tzou An-Jye , Lin Bing-Cheng , Lan Yu-Pin , Chiu Ching-Hsueh , Chi Gou-Chung , Chen Chi-Hsiang , Kuo Hao-Chung , Lin Ray-Ming , Chang Chun-Yen 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
The flip chip ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (FC UV-LEDs) with a wavelength of 365 nm are developed with the ex situ reactive plasma deposited (RPD) AlN nucleation layer on patterned sapphire substrate (PSS) by an atmospheric pressure metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (AP MOCVD). The ex situ RPD AlN nucleation layer can significantly reduce dislocation density and thus improve the crystal quality of the GaN epitaxial layers. Utilizing high-resolution X-ray diffraction, the full width at half maximum of the rocking curve shows that the crystalline quality of the epitaxial layer with the (RPD) AlN nucleation layer is better than that with the low-temperature GaN (LT-GaN) nucleation layer. The threading dislocation density (TDD) is estimated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which shows the reduction from 6.8 × 107 cm−2 to 2.6 × 107 cm−2. Furthermore, the light output power (LOP) of the LEDs with the RPD AlN nucleation layer has been improved up to 30 % at a forward current of 350 mA compared to that of the LEDs grown on PSS with conventional LT-GaN nucleation layer.
Modeling of SSIM-based end-to-end distortion for error-resilient video coding
Authors: Peng Qiang , Zhang Lei , Wu Xiao , Wang Qionghua 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Conventional end-to-end distortion models for videos measure the overall distortion based on independent estimations of the source distortion and the channel distortion. However, they are not correlating well with the perceptual characteristics where there is a strong inter-relationship among the source distortion, the channel distortion, and the video content. As most compressed videos are represented to human users, perception-based end-to-end distortion model should be developed for error-resilient video coding. In this paper, we propose a structural similarity (SSIM)-based end-to-end distortion model to optimally estimate the content-dependent perceptual distortion due to quantization, error concealment, and error propagation. Experiments show that the proposed model brings a better visual quality for H.264/AVC video coding over packet-switched networks.