bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wasale, trybutariusze, sojusznicy. ­Charakter relacji państw bałkańskich z Turcją osmańską w XIV wieku
Authors: Czamańska Ilona 
Published: September 2015

Vassals, tributaries, allies. The nature of the relations of the Balkan states with the Ottoman Turkey in the 14th centuryIn the second half of the fourteenth century, more than twenty political bodies functioned in Balkans, which were more or less independent, often in conflicts with each other, joining into leagues and alliances.The Ottomans were a valuable ally, with which the Balkan rulers came in close political and military relationships. The study of evolution and the nature of these relations meets serious difficulties due to lack of surviving documents, defining the nature of bilateral relations of the Ottomans with particular Balkan states, while other sources, usually from a later period, are not very precise. The difficulties of interpretation concern such fundamental matters as the chronology of Turkish conquests, conflicts and peace agreements. However, the analysis of preserved source material leads to the following conclusions:1. Subordination of the Balkan countries by the Ottomans was a long-term process, and their relationships with the Balkan states were diverse in nature.2. Payment of the tribute for the benefit of the Turks could, but did not have to mean the entry into vassal relations, however gave an evidence about the entry into peaceful relations.3. Orhan, Murad I and Bajezid I were satisfied on the territory of Europe with the establishment of the allied, tributary relationships and over the time with the strengthening of own vassal position. However, at the end of the fourteenth century, all the Balkan states were at some stage of such relations, mostly on the last of them.4. Entry into close, family relations with the ruling sultan meant usually a close political and military cooperation. Greek, Bulgarian and Serbian wives of the sultans had the right to remain in the Christian faith and often exerted a strong political influence. The support and protection of the closest relatives of the wife was fulfilled by the Turkish rulers. Thanks to it, for example Serbia of Stefan Lazarević was essentially strengthened, becoming at the same time the most serious support of Bajezid I in the Balkans.
Między agape a krwawą ofiarą. Kurban w życiu religijnym wyznawców prawosławia (Rodopy Zachodnie, Bułgaria)
Authors: Lubańska Magdalena 
Published: September 2015

Between agape and blood sacrifice. Kurban in the religious life of Orthodox Christian (Western Rhodopes, Bulgaria)The article is an excerpt of the dissertation „Religious syncretism and anti-syncretism in the light of the coexistence between Muslims (Pomaks) and Orthodox Christians in the Western Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria”. Dissertation is based on field research I did in 2005–2009 in the area of Gotse Delchev, a town in Blagoevgrad Province. I have interviewed community members invested with considerable symbolic potential, such as the mayor and the mufti, Orthodox clerics, hodjas, teachers and quack doctors. I conducted a total of 63 in-depth interviews with 76 people.My findings show that the local Orthodox population is more susceptible to the influence of Islam than vice versa. What is quite striking in this context is that examples of deep syncretism can actually be found among the Christians. This includes the practice of kurban or blood sacrifice, which they regard as a replication of Abraham’s sacrifice and invest with a level of importance that makes it a central aspect of their religious life (possibly more important than the Eucharist). Although Balkan Slavs had practiced blood sacrifice even before the arrival of Islam in the region, the Christian interpretations of the practice evince deep parallels with the Muslim practice of kurban. Both religious groups identify Abraham’s sacrifice as the origin of the practice, and treat the sacrificial lamb as a substitute for a specific human life.Although the scholar Florentina Badalanova has interestingly suggested that the narrative of Abraham’s sacrifice, which is popular in Bulgarian folklore, may have persisted in an unchanged form ever since it originally emerged in ancient Ur and became transmitted orally to the Balkans, her thesis must remain purely conjectural. Where it comes to the Western Rhodopes, I suppose that the motif of Abraham’s sacrifice filtered into Christian religious symbols and narratives via the traditions of adat Islam, many of which had retained close links with Judaism. By adopting the Ottoman Turkish term (kurban) rather than its Semitic variant (qorban), the Christians also adopted the related set of ideas about the sacrifice and its sacred aetiology. The precise ramifications of this example of deep syncretism for the religious experience of Orthodox Christians, though interesting, would require additional in-depth research.
White Christmas? An Application of NOAA’s 1981–2010 Daily Normals
Authors: Durre Imke , Squires Michael F. 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
Are we going to have a white Christmas? That is a question that scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) receive each autumn from members of the media and general public. NOAA personnel typically respond by way of a press release and map depicting the climatological probability of observing snow on the ground on 25 December at stations across the contiguous United States. This map has become one of the most popular applications of NOAA’s 1981–2010 U.S. Climate Normals.
The purpose of this paper is to expand upon the annual press release in two ways. First, the methodology for empirically calculating the probabilities of snow on the ground is documented. Second, additional maps describing the median snow depth on 25 December as well as the probability and amount of snowfall are presented.
The results are consistent with a climatologist’s intuitive expectations. In the Sierras, Cascades, the leeward side of the Great Lakes, and northern New England, snow cover is a near certainty. In these regions, most precipitation falls as snow, and the probability of snowfall can exceed 25%. At higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains and at many locations between the northern Rockies and New England, snowfall is considerably less frequent on Christmas Day, yet the probability of snow on the ground exceeds 50%. For those who would like to escape the snow, the best places to be in late December are in Southern California, the lower elevations of the Southwest, and Florida.
A Statistical Method for Correlating Paired Wave Spectra
Authors: Collins Clarence O. , Vincent C. Linwood , Graber Hans C. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractOcean wave spectra are complex. Because of this complexity, no widely accepted method has been developed for the comparison between two sets of paired wave spectra. A method for intercomparing wave spectra is developed based on an example paradigm of the comparison of model spectra to observed spectra. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) is used to investigate the correlation structure of the matrix of spectral correlations. The set of N ranked canonical correlations developed through CCA (here termed the r-sequence) is shown to be an effective method for understanding the degree of correlation between sets of paired spectral observation. A standard method for intercomparing sets of wave spectra based on CCA is then described. The method is elucidated through analyses of synthetic and real spectra that span a range of correlation from random to almost equal.
Coffee and caffeine consumption and depression: A meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Wang Longfei , Shen Xiaoli , Wu Yili , Zhang Dongfeng 
Published: September 2015

Objective: The results from observation studies on the relationship between coffee intake and risk of depression and the relationship between caffeine consumption and depression remain controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis with a dose–response analysis to quantitatively summarize the evidence about the association between coffee and caffeine intakes and risk of depression. Method: Relevant articles were identified by researching PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and WANFANG DATA in English or Chinese from 1 January 1980 to 1 May 2015. Case-control, cohort or cross-sectional studies evaluating coffee or caffeine consumption and depression were included. A random-effects model was used to combine study-specific relative risk and 95% confidence interval. Dose–response relationship was assessed by restricted cubic spline functions. Results: Data were obtained from 11 observation articles; 330,677 participants from seven studies in seven articles were included in the coffee-depression analysis, while 38,223 participants from eight studies in seven articles were involved in the caffeine-depression analysis. Compared with the lowest level consumption, the pooled relative risk (95% confidence interval) for coffee-depression and caffeine-depression was 0.757 [0.624, 0.917] and 0.721 [0.522, 0.997], respectively. For dose–response analysis, evidence of a linear association was found between coffee consumption and depression, and the risk of depression decreased by 8% (relative risk = 0.92, 95% confidence interval = [0.87, 0.97], p = 0.002) for each cup/day increment in coffee intake; a nonlinear association was found between caffeine consumption and depression, the risk of depression decreased faster and the association became significant when the caffeine consumption was above 68 mg/day and below 509 mg/day. Conclusions: Coffee and caffeine consumption were significantly associated with decreased risk of depression.
Functioning in lymphoedema from the health professionals’ perspective using the international classification of functioning, disability and health as a reference
Authors: Viehoff Peter B , Pelzer Lianne , Heerkens Yvonne F , van Ravensberg Dorine C , Neumann Martino 
Published: September 2015

Purpose To capture the views of different health care providers involved in the treatment of patients with lymphoedema from various countries around the world on the functioning of lymphoedema patients and the factors influencing functioning of these patients using the international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF). Method A worldwide e-mail survey with questions based on components of the ICF. Results In total, 142 health professionals from seven different health professions and 20 different countries answered the questions. The aspects of functioning that were named by the health professionals could be linked to 359 different ICF categories. Of these categories, 109 belonged to body functions (30.4%), 55 to body structures (15.3%), 121 to activities and participation (33.7%) and 74 to environmental factors (20.6%). Overall, the most mentioned items were health services, systems and policies, immunological system functions, looking after one’s health, products and technology for personal use in daily life and dressing. Conclusions The ICF provided a valuable reference for identifying concepts in statements from international health care professionals experienced in the treatment of lymphoedema patients. The results of this research will be used in the development of ICF core sets for lymphoedema.
Administration of unfractionated heparin with prolonged fasting could reduce physiological 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the heart
Authors: Masuda Atsuro , Naya Masanao , Manabe Osamu , Magota Keiichi , Yoshinaga Keiichiro , Tsutsui Hiroyuki , Tamaki Nagara 
Published: September 2015

Background The physiological uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in the heart often interferes with the accurate diagnosis of inflammatory cardiac diseases (CDs). Unfractionated heparin (UFH) administration may suppress its uptake through the alteration of myocardial metabolism. Purpose To clarify the effectiveness of UFH administration to suppress the physiological FDG uptake in the heart. Material and Methods The physiological FDG uptake in the heart was compared among 178 patients who fasted less than 18 h, 37 patients who fasted more than 18 h, and 64 patients who fasted more than 18 h and were administered UFH (UFH-CD group) prior to FDG PET/CT. Free fatty acid (FFA), triglyceride, insulin, and blood glucose levels were measured after UFH administration. Myocardial FDG uptake was evaluated by visual assessment and on the basis of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax). Results In the UFH-CD group, the FFA level increased 15 min after UFH administration ( P < 0.01). Blood glucose and insulin levels remained unchanged ( P = NS). FDG physiological uptake was observed in 69% of the patients who fasted less than 18 h, 38% of the patients fasted more than 18 h, and 22% of the UFH-CD group ( P < 0.01 for trend). SUVmax decreased in the UFH-CD group compared with the patients who fasted less than 18 h ( P < 0.01) and the patients who fasted more than 18 h ( P = 0.029). Conclusion UFH administration and fasting more than 18 h could effectively suppress FDG physiological uptake in the heart and can be a useful method of detecting inflammatory CDs and tumors.
Diffusion-weighted MRI findings in Sjögren’s syndrome: a preliminary study
Authors: Ding Changwei , Xing Xiaofei , Guo Qiyong , Liu Dongwu , Guo Yun , Cui Huadong 
Published: September 2015

Background Parotid glands diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in Sjögren’s syndrome patients have provided conflicting results currently. Purpose To determine if parotid gland DWI using a small region of interest (ROI) can provide diagnosis and assess therapeutic efficacy in Sjögren’s syndrome. Material and Methods Twenty-three women with Sjögren’s syndrome, five with dry mouth who did not meet diagnostic criteria for Sjögren’s syndrome, and 11 healthy volunteers (controls) were evaluated with DWI. All participants received routine T1-weighted (T1W) imaging and T2-weighted (T2W) fat-suppressed imaging, and DWI. The SI ratios (SIRs) and ADC ratios (ADCRs) for parotid gland/spinal cord were then calculated. Approximately 8–10 round ROIs measuring approximately 5 mm2 were placed on each lobe of the parotid gland, and the signal intensity (SI) was measured while avoiding fat, ducts, and blood vessels. A ROI encompassing the entire lobe of the parotid gland was also used to measure SI. Results Using 5 mm2 ROIs significantly higher DWI SIRs were noted in participants with Sjögren’s syndrome compared with either participants with dry mouth without Sjögren’s syndrome or healthy volunteers (all, P <0.001). The difference was not related to the presence of fat. No differences were noted when the larger ROI was used. In addition, parotid gland from untreated Sjögren’s participants showed significantly higher SIRs compared with those from treated participants ( P = 0.015). Conclusion A small ROI DWI can provide morphological and functional information on the parotid gland in Sjögren’s syndrome patients, and can aid in the diagnosis and evaluation of therapeutic efficacy.
A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial Evaluating the Effectiveness of Daily Vibration After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
Authors: Lam Patrick H. , Hansen Kaitlyn , Keighley Geffrey , Hackett Lisa , Murrell George A.C. 
Published: September 2015

Background: Rotator cuff repair is a common method to treat rotator cuff tears; however, retear rates remain high. High-frequency, low-magnitude vibration has been demonstrated to promote new bone formation in both animal models and in humans. Hypothesis: This type of mechanical stimulation applied postoperatively will enhance tendon-to-bone healing and reduce postoperative retear rates. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to investigate the effects of 5 minutes of 80-Hz vibration applied daily after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for 6 months on postoperative rotator cuff healing. The primary outcome was ultrasound-assessed repair integrity at 6 months after repair. Recruited patients were randomized into 2 groups: one group received a vibration device that oscillated at 80 Hz, and the other group received a placebo device. Results: The postoperative retear rates of both groups were similar (9.1% [5/55] in the vibration group, and 9.3% [5/54] in the placebo group) at 6 months as determined by ultrasound imaging. Vibration did provide acute pain relief at 6 weeks after surgery (visual analog scale [VAS] score, 2.24 ± 0.29 cm) compared with placebo (VAS score, 3.67 ± 0.48 cm) ( P < .003). Six months after surgery, both groups had significant reductions in pain during overhead activities, at rest, and during sleep and overall shoulder pain compared with before surgery ( P < .001). Both the vibration and placebo groups had significant increases in shoulder strength with abduction in the scapular plane, adduction, liftoff, internal rotation, and external rotation 6 months after surgery. Statistical analysis showed that vibration was not a contributing factor at improving these parameters in these periods. Conclusion: High-frequency, low-magnitude vibration did provide acute pain relief on application 6 weeks after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery. However, vibration did not improve tendon-to-bone healing, shoulder range of motion, shoulder strength, or shoulder pain with activities, at rest, and at night when compared with placebo.
Statin Antiarrhythmic Effect on Atrial Fibrillation in Statin-Naive Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Rezaei Yousef , Gholami-Fesharaki Mohammad , Dehghani Mohammad Reza , Arya Arash , Haghjoo Majid , Arjmand Nasim 
Published: September 2015

Background: Statin therapy has been thought to improve outcomes in cardiac surgeries. We aimed to determine the statin effects on the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF), hospital length of stay (LOS), and inflammatory status in patients undergoing cardiac surgeries. Methods: A systematic literature search in databases was performed, until January 2015. Randomized clinical trial (RCT) studies evaluating statin effect on statin-naive patients with sinus rhythm undergoing cardiac surgeries were eligible to be analyzed. Results: Twelve RCTs involving 1116 patients, 559 receiving statin and 557 receiving control regimen, were analyzed. Postoperative AF occurred in 17.9% and 36.1% of patients in the statin and control groups, respectively. The statin therapy was associated with decreases in the postoperative AF (risk ratio [RR] 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.41-0.61, P < .000010), hospital LOS (mean difference in days, RR −0.44, 95% CI −0.67 to −0.20, P = .0002), and postoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) compared with control (mean difference in mg/L, RR −12.37, 95% CI −23.87 to −0.87, P = .04). The beneficial effects on AF and CRP were more marked in patients receiving atorvastatin compared to other statins. Decrease in postoperative AF was greater in coronary artery bypass graft surgery compared to that in isolated valvular surgery. Conclusion: Perioperative statin therapy in statin-naive patients with sinus rhythm undergoing cardiac surgeries was associated with decreases in the development of postoperative AF, the hospital LOS, and the CRP level. However, there were insufficient data to provide evidences regarding statin impacts in patients undergoing isolated valvular surgery.
Neurogenic urinary retention in cats following severe cluster seizures
Authors: Balducci Federica , De Risio Luisa , Shea Anita , Canal Sara , Stabile Fabio , Bernardini Marco 
Published: September 2015

Case series summary Four cats that presented with severe cluster seizures developed neurogenic urinary retention in the postictal phase. None of the cats had previous seizures. Micturition was reported as normal in all cats for 3 or more years before seizure onset. All cats required a continuous rate infusion of propofol to control the seizure activity. In all cats manual bladder expression was performed every 8 h until recovery of normal micturition. One cat was started on phenoxybenzamine to reduce internal urethral sphincter tone. All cats recovered normal micturition within 4 weeks of the last cluster of seizures. Relevance and novel information Transient neurogenic urinary retention has not previously been reported in cats or dogs following severe cluster seizures. Urinary retention should be considered a potential postictal deficit, requiring prompt recognition and treatment to avoid urinary tract infection and detrusor muscle atony.
Acute Limb Ischemia in Pediatric Population Secondary to Peripheral Vascular Cannulation
Authors: Sadat Umar , Hayes Paul D. , Varty Kevin 
Published: September 2015

Introduction: In this article, we discuss published literature on the management of pediatric patients with acute limb ischemia and also present our center’s experience. Results: Literature review suggests that in the absence of imminent risk of limb loss, noninterventional management with anticoagulants and systemic thrombolysis is preferable and associated with better clinical outcomes than surgery such as reduced per operative morbidity and mortality. In selected more severe cases, surgery may be required. We propose an algorithm for improved clinical outcomes based on the published literature and the American College of Chest Physicians’ recommendations for antithrombotic management in the pediatric population. Conclusion: Literature review suggests an inverse relationship between age and surgical success, particularly in preschool pediatric population. Conservative management as a preliminary strategy seems most beneficial. It is hoped that the proposed intercalated algorithm of medical and surgical management of these patients can further improve clinical outcomes.
Application of the Wei–Lachin multivariate one-directional test to multiple event-time outcomes
Authors: Lachin John M , Bebu Ionut 
Published: September 2015

Background/aims: Cardiovascular outcome trials, among others, aim to assess the beneficial effects of a treatment on multiple event-time outcomes, such as the time to a myocardial infarction and the time to a stroke. The traditional approach is to conduct a simple analysis of a composite outcome defined as the time to the first component event using a logrank test or the Cox Proportional Hazards regression model. This ignores information from other component events after the first. The composite outcome analysis also treats all initial outcome events as equally important, for example, non-fatal myocardial infarction is as important as cardiovascular death. Methods: Herein, we describe the application of the Wei–Lachin multivariate one-sided (or one-directional) test to the analysis of multiple event-time outcomes. The test is based on the unweighted mean of the treatment group coefficients from individual Cox proportional hazards models fit to the outcomes, where the covariance of the set of coefficients is obtained from a partitioning of the information sandwich estimate. A weighted test is also described, weighing the outcomes by a scoring of their clinical importance. These and other methods are compared with application to the Prevention of Events with Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition cardiovascular outcome study. Results: The Wei–Lachin test provides an inference with strong control of the type 1 error probability on the difference between groups for the set of outcomes considered. However, it does not provide an inference on the individual components specifically with control of the overall type 1 error probability. By direct computation of relative efficiency and by simulation, we show that the power of the Wei–Lachin one-directional test can be greater than that of the traditional composite outcome analysis based on the time to the first observed component event. Conclusion: The Wei–Lachin multivariate one-directional test may be more powerful than the traditional analysis of a composite outcome defined as the time to the first component outcomes experienced by each subject.