bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anterior Segment Complications after Phacovitrectomy in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Patients
Authors: Pinarci Eylem Yaman , Bayar Sezin Akca , Sizmaz Selcuk , Yesilirmak Nilufer , Akkoyun Imren , Yilmaz Gursel 
Published: November 2012

Purpose. To evaluate early and late postoperative anterior segment complications of phacovitrectomy and foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in eyes with cataract and coexisting vitreoretinal disease in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Setting. Department of Ophthalmology, Baskent University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Methods. The records of 189 consecutive patients with cataract and posterior segment pathology necessitating phacovitrectomy were retrospectively analyzed. Patient profile, indications for surgery, preoperative findings, intraoperative and postoperative course, and postoperative outcome were evaluated. Phacoemulsification was performed through a clear corneal incision with IOL implantation prior to 23-G pars plana vitrectomy. Results. There were 97 (51.3%) diabetic and 92 (48.6%) nondiabetic patients. The most common indications for surgery were vitreous hemorrhage (57; 58.7%), tractional detachment (35; 36%), and premacular hemorrhage (5; 5.1%) in diabetic patients, and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (40; 43.4%), macular hole (22; 23.9%), epiretinal membrane (20; 21.7%), and vitreomacular traction (10; 10.8%) in nondiabetic patients. Early (within 4 weeks) postoperative complications included elevation of intraocular pressure, fibrinous uveitis, corneal edema, and development of posterior synechia. Long-term (after 4 weeks) complications included migration of silicone oil into the anterior chamber, posterior capsule opacification, and decentered IOL. The ratio of fibrinous uveitis, posterior synechia, and posterior capsule opacification was found higher in the diabetic group (all p<0.05). Conclusions. Combined vitreoretinal surgery and phacoemulsification is safe and effective in treating vitreoretinal abnormalities coexisting with cataract in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Diabetic patients should be monitored more carefully for fibrinous uveitis and posterior synechia in the early postoperative period and for posterior capsular opacification in the late postoperative period.
The Accuracy of Ultrasound Volume Flow Measurements in the Complex Flow Setting of a Forearm Vascular Access
Authors: Van Canneyt Koen , Swillens Abigail , Lovstakken Lasse , Antiga Luca , Verdonck Pascal , Segers Patrick 
Published: November 2012

Purpose Maturation of an arterio-venous fistula (AVF) frequently fails, with low post-operative fistula flow as a prognostic marker for this event. As pulsed wave Doppler (PWD) is commonly used to assess volume flow, we studied the accuracy of this measurement in the setting of a radio-cephalic AVF. Methods As in-vivo validation of fistula flow measurements is cumbersome, we performed simulations, integrating computational fluid dynamics with an ultrasound (US) simulator. Flow in the arm was calculated, based on a patient-specific model of the arm vasculature pre and post AVF creation. Raw ultrasound signals were subsequently simulated, from which Doppler spectra were calculated in both a proximal and a distal location. Results The velocity component in the direction of the PWD-US beam (vPWD), in a centered, small, sample volume, can be captured accurately using PWD spectrum mean-tracking (maximum bias [mB] 8.1%). However, when deriving flow rate from these measurements, a high degree of inaccuracy occurs. First, the angle-correction of vPWD towards the velocity along the axis of the vessel is largely influenced by the radial velocity components in the complex flow field (mB=16.3%). Second, the largest error is introduced when transferring the centerline velocity to the cross-sectional mean velocity without any knowledge of the flow profile (mB=97.7%). Conclusions In the setting of a forearm AVF, flow estimates based on PWD are hampered by the complex flow patterns. Overall, flow estimation based on centerline measurement, analyzed by mean-tracking of the RF-spectral estimates, under the assumption of a parabolic flow profile, appeared to provide the most reasonable values.
Voice Command Recognition in Multirobot Systems: Information Fusion
Authors: Miček Juraj , Hyben Martin , Frátrik Milan , Púchyová Jana 
Published: November 2012

Recent Multirobot systems (MRS) are moving from theoretical considerations and from development and research centres to the area of practical applications. The solutions to real practical problems bring new challenges which are derived from actual requirements, while they are also interesting from theoretical point of view. One of the interesting areas of investigation is the problem of distributed data processing by limited computing and communication performance of individual components in MRS. In this article, the authors try to demonstrate, using a simple example, the possibilities of distributed solution of classification tasks. Such questions as: – To what extent it is appropriate to distribute the tasks among individual elements of the system and to what extent to minimalize the requests on the communication subsystem? – Is it more appropriate, in the design concept of distributed data processing, to use a data fusion system, features fusion or decision fusion? are not universally solvable. Therefore, we refrain from the analytical analysis and the choice of appropriate level of information fusion, but in four different scenarios we focus on solving ‘voice command recognition’ – we would like to show the advantages and disadvantages of individual approaches. The experiments described and the results achieved are based on simulation experiments and verified by experimental and demonstrative MRS.
The Role of Social Software for Customer Co-Creation: Does it Change the Practice for Innovation?
Authors: Martini Antonella , Massa Silvia , Testa Stefania 
Published: November 2012

This article investigates a customer co-creation project at the front end of the innovation process at a large well-known Italian food manufacturer, which is enabled by social media. The purpose is to shed light on the role of such technology in transforming the characteristics of the FEI, in terms of boundaries and knowledge distance: what type of innovation ideas – exploratory or exploitative – does the practice enable? Could social media be used to manage the explore-exploit paradox, thus transforming the practice into an ambidextrous one? The empirical analysis highlights that the investigated customer co-creation practice has evolved from the initial stage of idea exploitation to a stage in which both exploitation and exploration are simultaneously accomplished.
Sustainability in Healthcare: Combining Organizational and Architectural Levers
Authors: Pinzone Marta , Lettieri Emanuele , Masella Cristina 
Published: November 2012

Healthcare has been progressively required to improve its environmental performance as have other industries in recent years. In this regard, many new healthcare facilities have been built worldwide adopting sustainability-oriented approaches. However, results have been limited from an ecological and economic perspective, and many projects have rapidly become failures and then been abandoned. A large part of these failures is grounded in the misalignment between the adoption of eco-friendly facilities and greening technologies and the persistence of outdated practices, mindsets and behaviours among healthcare professionals. This study aims at furthering the current debate among leading practitioners and scholars of engineering business management about the combination of organizational and architectural levers for improving the sustainability of healthcare delivery. By taking a socio-technical systems perspective, we developed a literature-grounded framework and relative propositions with respect to the improvement of sustainability-related performances in hospitals through the combination of organizational and architectural levers. Ten levers and their mutual relationships have been identified and described.
Does a simplified regimen give a better adherence, treatment satisfaction, and quality of life?
Authors: Langebeek N , Sprengers H , Gisolf E , Richter C , Sprangers M , Reiss P , Nieuwkerk P 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundAdherence to treatment is the key to the success of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) for HIV infection. It is generally assumed that simplification of cART will lead to better adherence, higher treatment satisfaction, and quality of life (QoL), but randomized studies demonstrating such advantages of simplified regimens are scarce.MethodsAntiretroviral‐naïve patients who achieved viral load <50 c/ml in two consecutive samples between 12–24 weeks after commencing induction therapy with bid lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) and fixed‐dose combination AZT/3TC (Combivir®) were randomly assigned to either continue LPV/r/Combivir® or switch to simplified therapy with bid fixed‐dose AZT/3TC/abacavir (Trizivir®). Both arms yielded similar antiviral efficacy after 48 weeks as reported previously [1]. Patients completed standardized questionnaires on adherence (Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ)), treatment satisfaction (HIVTSQ) and QoL (MOS‐HIV) at randomization and at weeks 48, 72 and 96. Adherence data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations, and satisfaction and QoL using mixed linear models.ResultsPatients in the Trizivir®‐group (n=30) tended to skip fewer doses both during the preceding 7 days (p=0.055) and during the preceding weekend (p=0.09) than patients in the LPV/r‐group (n=20). Moreover, patients in the Trizivir®‐group found their regimen significantly more convenient (p=0.022) than patients in the LPV/r‐group. However, patients in the LPV/r‐group reported a better QoL than patients in the Trizivir®‐group in the domains measuring cognitive functioning (p=0.003), energy/fatigue (p=0.046) and social functioning (p=0.074).ConclusionsIn this randomized trial simplification of therapy to fixed‐dose Trizivir® was perceived to be more convenient, and tended to result in improved adherence, but at the expense of a lower level of QoL. Our findings suggest that the choice for simplified regimens should be individualized and may involve a trade‐off between convenience and QoL.
Single‐tablet regimen is associated with reduced efavirenz withdrawal in antiretroviral naïve or switching for simplification HIV‐infected patients
Authors: Fabbiani M , Grima P , Prosperi M , Fanti I , Colafigli M , Zaccarelli M , D'Avino A , Mondì A , Borghetti A , Fantoni M , Cauda R , Di Giambenedetto S 
Published: November 2012

Purpose of the studyEfavirenz (EFV) is still discussed for its high rate of interruption due to adverse event, in particular central nervous system side effects (CNS‐SE). Aim of the study was to define if better drug formulations up to single tablet regimen (STR), including (EFV) plus NRTI backbone (tenofovir‐emtricitabine), reduced the risk of interruption.MethodsFrom the database of two reference centers, patients starting any cART regimen including EFV+2 NRTI or switching to EFV+2 NRTI for simplification after virological suppression were selected. Probability of interruption by virological failure, side effects, CNS‐SE and any cause were assessed with survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard model.Summary of resultsOverall, 533 patients, starting EFV‐containing regimen from May 1998 to March 2012, were included (51.2% naïve, 48.8% switched). Patients characteristics: males 70.7%, median age 39 years, injecting drug use (IDU) 11.2%, median nadir CD4 194/mmc, median CD4 at EFV start 305/mmc: 38.7% started BID regimen, 43.9% OD regimen and 17.4% STR. At survival analysis, the overall proportion of EFV interruption was 19.1% at 1 year and 33.0% at 3 years; interruption for virological failure were 2.8% and 7.4% and for toxicity 10.2% and 15.9%, respectively. CNS‐SE accounted for about half of interruptions for toxicity (5.7% and 8.0% at 1 and 3 years, respectively). Naïve patients had a higher risk of interruption as compared to switched patients: 37.7% vs. 28.0% at 3 years (p=0.06). While no significant difference was observed comparing OD vs. B ID regimens, starting with STR was associated with significant lower proportion of overall interruption at 3 years (17.1% vs. 36.6%, p<0.01). No virological failure was observed with STR up to 3 years (0.0% vs. 8.9%, p=0.05); no difference of interruption by overall toxicity and higher, though non‐significant, frequency of interruption by CNS‐SE (12.8% vs. 6.8%) were also observed. STR also accounted for lower proportion of interruption by patient wish, including low adherence (1.5% vs. 12.3%, p=0.01). At adjusted Cox model, STR (HR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.26–0.77) and male gender (HR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.53–0.97) were associated with lower risk of EFV interruption and IDU with higher risk (HR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.11–2.42).ConclusionsIn our experience, EFV co‐formulated in STR was associated with lower virological failure and higher adherence, despite keeping CNS toxicity, thus reducing the risk of treatment interruption.
Elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir DF (Quad) has durable efficacy and differentiated safety compared to atazanavir boosted by ritonavir plus emtricitabine/tenofovir DF at week 96 in treatment‐naïve HIV‐1‐infected patients
Authors: Rockstroh J , DeJesus E , Henry K , Molina J , Gathe J , Wei X , Fordyce M , Rhee M , Szwarcberg J 
Published: November 2012

Purpose of the studyThe primary Week 48 analysis of this ongoing, randomized, double‐blind, double‐dummy, active‐controlled Phase 3 international trial of elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir DF (Quad) in treatment‐naïve patients demonstrated that Quad was non‐inferior to atazanavir boosted by ritonavir (ATV/r) + FTC/TDF with a differentiated safety profile. We report the Week 96 interim data.MethodsKey eligibility criteria included HIV‐1 RNA≥5,000 c/mL and eGFR≥70 mL/min. Virologic success (HIV‐1 RNA <50 c/mL) at Week 96 was assessed per snapshot algorithm. Adverse events and laboratory data were collected prospectively. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed by DEXA scan in a subgroup of patients.Results708 patients (90% male, 74% white, 41% with HIV‐1 RNA >100,000 c/mL) were randomized and treated. At Week 48, Quad was non‐inferior to ATV/r+FTC/TDF (90% vs 87%, difference 3.0%, 95% CI −1.9% to 7.8%). High rates of virologic success were maintained at Week 96 (83% vs 82%, difference 1.1%, 95% CI −4.5% to 6.7%). Subgroup analysis revealed similar rates of virologic success in patients with baseline HIV‐1 RNA >100,000 c/mL (82% vs 80%). Mean CD4 cell increases (cells/mm3) were 256 vs 261 at Week 96. Emergent resistance was infrequent (2% vs<1%). Rates of study drug discontinuation due to adverse events (AEs) were low and comparable (4% vs 6%). Rates of study drug discontinuation due to renal reasons remained low and similar through Week 96 (3 [0.8%] vs 2 [0.6%]); since Week 48, 1 patient in each group discontinued study drug due to serum creatinine (Cr) increase without features of proximal renal tubulopathy. Median increases from baseline in serum Cr (µmol/L [mg/dL]) in Quad vs ATV/r+FTC/TDF at Week 96 (10.6 vs 7.1 [0.12 vs 0.08]) were similar to those at Week 48 (10.6 vs 7.1 [0.12 vs 0.08]). Quad continued to have smaller increases (mmol/L [mg/dL]) in triglycerides (0.06 vs 0.18 [5 vs 16], P=0.012); Quad had greater increases in total cholesterol (0.36 vs 0.21 [14 vs 8], P=0.046) at Week 96 only; changes in LDL and HDL cholesterol were similar. Quad had smaller mean decreases (%) in BMD (hip: −3.16 vs ‐4.19, P=0.069, spine: −1.96 vs −3.54, P=0.049).ConclusionsAt Week 96, Quad demonstrated high rates of virologic suppression with low rates of resistance and a differentiated safety and tolerability profile relative to ATV/r+FTC/TDF. These results support the durable efficacy and long‐term safety of Quad in HIV‐1 infected patients.
An efficient reformulation of the multiechelon stochastic inventory system with uncertain demands
Authors: Nyberg Axel , Grossmann Ignacio E. , Westerlund Tapio 
Published: November 2012

SignificanceIt is shown that by reformulating the three‐stage multiechelon inventory system with specific exact linearizations, larger problems can be solved directly with mixed‐integer linear programming (MILP) without decomposition. The new formulation is significantly smaller in the number of continuous variables and constraints. An MILP underestimation of the problem can be solved as part of a sequential piecewise approximation scheme to solve the problem within a desired optimality gap.
High‐accuracy hierarchical parallel technique for hidden Markov model‐based 3D magnetic resonance image brain segmentation
Authors: El‐Moursy Ali A. , ElAzhary Hanan , Younis Akmal 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTScientific applications represent a dominant sector of compute‐intensive applications. Using massively parallel processing systems increases the feasibility to automate such applications because of the cooperation among multiple processors to perform the designated task. This paper proposes a parallel hidden Markov model (HMM) algorithm for 3D magnetic resonance image brain segmentation using two approaches. In the first approach, a hierarchical/multilevel parallel technique is used to achieve high performance for the running algorithm. This approach can speed up the computation process up to 7.8× compared with a serial run. The second approach is orthogonal to the first and tries to help in obtaining a minimum error for 3D magnetic resonance image brain segmentation using multiple processes with different randomization paths for cooperative fast minimum error convergence. This approach achieves minimum error level for HMM training not achievable by the serial HMM training on a single node. Then both approaches are combined to achieve both high accuracy and high performance simultaneously. For 768 processing nodes of a Blue Gene system, the combined approach, which uses both methods cooperatively, can achieve high‐accuracy HMM parameters with 98% of the error level and 2.6× speedup compared with the pure accuracy‐oriented approach alone. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of the energy efficiency of dairy production farms using different housing systems
Authors: Uzal Selda 
Published: November 2012

Energy use is an important consideration for developing more sustainable agricultural practices. Identifying animal production methods that maximize energy efficiency and minimize greenhouse gas emissions is vital. This study determined the energy use and the energy use efficiency (EUE) of two specialized dairy farms with different barn planning systems in Konya, Turkey. Total energy use included both the direct energy and indirect energy consumed during the production of farm inputs. This study investigated changes in energy use and EUE between Dairy Farm A, with a freestall dairy cattle housing system (ADF), and Dairy Farm B, with loose housing systems (BDF).The results showed that animal feed accounted for a high percentage of total energy use and that electricity comprised the major portion of the direct energy used on both farms. The total energy use per hectare was lower for ADF compared with BDF. The energy productivity of the farms was set at 5.4 L milk per 100 MJ−1and 3.9 L milk per 100 MJ−1 for energy use on ADF and BDF, respectively. EUE was highly dependent on the energy inputs. For that reason, it is recommended that freestall dairy cattle barns be used for dairy cattle breeding and milk production. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 1202–1208, 2013
No evidence of the genotoxic potential of gold, silver, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles in the SOS chromotest
Authors: Nam Sun‐Hwa , Kim Shin Woong , An Youn‐Joo 
Published: November 2012

ABSTACTGold nanoparticles (Au NPs), silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are widely used in cosmetic products such as preservatives, colorants and sunscreens. This study investigated the genotoxicity of Au NPs, Ag NPs, ZnO NPs and TiO2 NPs using the SOS chromotest with Escherichia coli PQ37. The maximum exposure concentrations for each nanoparticle were 3.23 mg l–1 for Au NPs, 32.3 mg l–1 for Ag NPs and 100 mg l–1 for ZnO NPs and TiO2 NPs. Additionally, in order to compare the genotoxicity of nanoparticles and corresponding dissolved ions, the ions were assessed in the same way as nanoparticles. The genotoxicity of the titanium ion was not assessed because of the extremely low solubility of TiO2 NPs. Au NPs, Ag NPs, ZnO NPs, TiO2 NPs and ions of Au, Ag and Zn, in a range of tested concentrations, exerted no effects in the SOS chromotest, evidenced by maximum IF (IFmax) values of below 1.5 for all chemicals. Owing to the results, nanosized Au NPs, Ag NPs, ZnO NPs, TiO2 NPs and ions of Au, Ag and Zn are classified as non‐genotoxic on the basis of the SOS chromotest used in this study. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the genotoxicity of Au NPs, Ag NPs, ZnO NPs and TiO2 NPs using the SOS chromotest. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chronic exposure to low concentrations of strontium 90 affects bone physiology but not the hematopoietic system in mice
Authors: Synhaeve Nicholas , Wade‐Gueye Ndéye Marième , Musilli Stefania , Stefani Johanna , Grandcolas Line , Gruel Gaëtan , Souidi Maâmar , Dublineau Isabelle , Bertho Jean‐Marc 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTThe aim of this work was to delineate the effects of chronic ingestion of strontium 90 (90Sr) at low concentrations on the hematopoiesis and the bone physiology. A mouse model was used for that purpose. Parent animals ingested water containing 20 kBq l−1 of 90Sr two weeks before mating. Offspring were then continuously contaminated with 90Sr through placental transfer during fetal life, through lactation after birth and through drinking water after weaning. At various ages between birth and 20 weeks, animals were tested for hematopoietic parameters such as blood cell counts, colony forming cells in spleen and bone marrow and cytokine concentrations in the plasma. However, we did not find any modification in 90Sr ingesting animals as compared with control animals. By contrast, the analysis of bone physiology showed a modification of gene expression towards bone resorption. This was confirmed by an increase in C‐telopeptide of collagen in the plasma of 90Sr ingesting animals as compared with control animals. This modification in bone metabolism was not linked to a modification of the phosphocalcic homeostasis, as measured by calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D and parathyroid hormone in the blood. Overall these results suggest that the chronic ingestion of 90Sr at low concentration in the long term may induce modifications in bone metabolism but not in hematopoiesis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.