bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rhetoric and Reality: “Protecting” Women in Canadian Public Policy on Assisted Human Reproduction
Authors: Cattapan Alana 
Published: January 2014

In the 1989 Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada announced the calling of a Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies. Tasked with studying and reporting on the implications of new reproductive technologies, the Royal Commission’s mandate also included an explicit statement that “women’s reproductive health and well-being” would be a primary area of concern. When the Assisted Human Reproduction Act was passed fifteen years later, its governing principles included the same commitment to women’s health. As of 2012, however, much of the Act has been overturned, the agency it established is being abolished, and the criminal provisions that remain are not enforced. In short, despite ongoing commitments to protect women through public policy on assisted reproductive technologies, the field remains unregulated. This article explores the discourse of “protection” in public policy on assisted human reproduction in Canada, using the examples of the precarious position of egg donors, the high-cost of assisted reproductive services, and failures in implementing the Assisted Human Reproduction Act. Drawing on print media, parliamentary debates, academic research, and policy documents, it argues there is a significant gap between the rhetorical commitment to women’s welfare articulated in policy and the tenuous realities of women’s reproductive lives.
New Quality Evaluation Approaches for Lithium Ion Batteries Using the Interference Layer Metallography in Combination with Quantitative Structural Analysis
Authors: Weisenberger C. , Guth G. , Bernthaler T. , Knoblauch V. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
The changing profile of requirements for lithium ion batteries entails ever increasing demands in terms of quality and safety. Quality evaluation techniques for electrode foil of lithium ion cells currently applied in the industry do not allow for statements on those microstructural features critical for the quality. Moreover, they are often characterized by an unsatisfying accuracy and spatial resolution. In this context, metallographic methods appear appropriate. However, the complex electrode microstructure requires an elaborate preparation as well as image editing and processing steps in order to provide for a differentiated display of the different components, prerequisites for an automated quantitative analysis with a statistical evaluation, such as is exemplified here by a 18650 round cell. It can be deployed in addition to already existing measurement methods to evaluate in detail the manufacturing quality of electrodes and cell windings.
Recent retreat of major outlet glaciers on Novaya Zemlya, Russian Arctic, influenced by fjord geometry and sea-ice conditions
Authors: Carr J. Rachel , Stokes Chris , Vieli Andreas 
Published: January 2014

AbstractSubstantial ice loss has occurred in the Russian High Arctic during the past decade, predominantly on Novaya Zemlya, yet the region has been studied relatively little. Consequently, the factors forcing mass loss and the relative contribution of ice dynamics versus surface melt are poorly understood. Here we evaluate the influence of atmospheric/oceanic forcing and variations in fjord width on the behaviour of 38 glaciers on the northern ice cap, Novaya Zemlya. We compare retreat rates on land- versus marine-terminating outlets and on the Kara versus Barents Sea coasts. Between 1992 and 2010, 90% of the study glaciers retreated and retreat rates were an order of magnitude higher for marine-terminating outlets (52.1 ma-1) than for land-terminating glaciers (4.8ma-1). We identify a post-2000 acceleration in marine-terminating glacier retreat, which corresponded closely to changes in sea-ice concentrations. Retreat rates were higher on the Barents Sea coast, which we partly attribute to lower sea-ice concentrations, but varied dramatically between individual glaciers. We use empirical data to categorize changes in along-flow fjord width, and demonstrate a significant relationship between fjord width variability and retreat rate. Results suggest that variations in fjord width exert a major influence on glacier retreat.
Change in Vitamin D Levels and Risk of Severe Vitamin D Deficiency over 48 Weeks among HIV-1-Infected, Treatment-Naive Adults Receiving Rilpivirine or Efavirenz in a Phase III Trial (Echo)
Authors: Wohl David A , Orkin Chloe , Doroana Manuela , Pilotto José H , Sungkanuparph Somnuek , Yeni Patrick , Vanveggel Simon , Deckx Henri , Boven Katia 
Published: January 2014

Background This analysis assessed changes in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D; the precursor form of active vitamin D) in antiretroviral-naive adults receiving rilpivirine or efavirenz over 48 weeks in a randomized, double-blind, Phase III trial (ECHO). Methods ECHO included 690 patients randomized 1:1 to receive rilpivirine 25 mg once daily ( n=346) or efavirenz 600 mg once daily ( n=344), plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine. 25(OH)D was measured in stored serum samples collected at baseline, and weeks 24 and 48. Proportions of patients with optimal/sufficient (≥30 ng/ml), insufficient (21–29 ng/ml), deficient (10–20 ng/ml) and severely deficient (<10 ng/ml) 25(OH) D levels were determined. Data are presented for patients with paired baseline and week 48 25(OH)D data (rilpivirine, n=292; efavirenz, n=290). Results After 48 weeks, mean 25(OH)D levels remained largely unchanged from baseline with rilpivirine (-0.2 ng/ml; P=0.57 versus no change), but were significantly reduced with efavirenz (-2.5 ng/ml; P<0.0001 versus no change). When adjusting for season of randomization and the combined variable of race (Black/African American, White/Caucasian, Asian, other race) and ethnicity (Hispanic or Latino and not Hispanic or not Latino), the conclusion about the treatment difference between the rilpivirine and efavirenz treatment groups remained valid. At baseline the proportion of patients with severe 25(OH)D deficiency was similar in both groups (5%) but was significantly lower with rilpivirine than efavirenz at week 48 (5% versus 9%, respectively; P=0.032). Furthermore, of the patients with 25(OH)D insufficiency/deficiency at baseline, the proportion who developed severe 25(OH)D deficiency at week 48 was significantly lower with rilpivirine than efavirenz (2% versus 8%, respectively; P=0.0079). Conclusions Rilpivirine had little effect on 25(OH)D, whereas efavirenz resulted in a significant reduction in 25(OH)D levels and an increase in the risk of severe 25(OH)D deficiency.
Performance Characteristics of the Cobas Ampliprep/Cobas Taqman V2.0 and the Abbott Realtime Hepatitis C Assays - Implications for Response-Guided Therapy in Genotype 1 Infections
Authors: Taylor Ninon , Haschke-Becher Elisabeth , Greil Richard , Strasser Michael , Oberkofer Hannes 
Published: January 2014

Background With the advent of the protease inhibitors boceprevir and telaprevir a novel therapy approach for HCV genotype 1 infected subjects has become standard of care. Quantification of HCV viral load (VL) represents an important predictor of treatment response. Methods Two different real-time PCR platforms, the COBAS Ampliprep/COBAS TaqMan v2.0 (CAP-CTM v2.0) and the Abbott RealTime (ART) HCV assay are most widely used. We performed a comparative evaluation of both systems focusing on genotype 1 HCV quantification using clinical specimens, the fourth WHO International Standard for HCV and the Paul Ehrlich National Standard, respectively. Results The HCV VL assays showed an excellent overall agreement in the clinical specimens studied (R2=0.912). Discrepant results were obtained at the low VL end. Four samples tested negative with CAP-CTM v2.0 but were detectable with ART and two samples were undetectable with ART but tested positive with CAP-CTM v2.0. The coefficient of variation in replicate measurements of both reference materials was higher for CAP-CTM v2.0 as compared with ART at the clinical decision point for boceprevir (≥100 IU/ml), but was similar for the two assays at the clinical decision point for telaprevir (≥1,000 IU/ml). The tendency for underestimation of the diluted standards was higher for ART than for CAP-CTM v2.0. Conclusions Although both assays allowed accurate determination of VL levels in clinical samples, careful interpretation of results at the low VL end is essential. Furthermore, discontinuation of therapy based on single HCV RNA measurement should be carefully reconciled, unless the issue of assay variability has been addressed adequately.
A Systematic Review of a Single-Class Maintenance Strategy with Nucleoside/Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors in Hiv/Aids
Authors: Sprenger Herman G , Bierman Wouter FW , van der Werf Tjip S , Gisolf Elisabeth H , Richter Clemens 
Published: January 2014

Background Single-drug class regimens with nucleoside/ nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are generally not recommended as initial therapy because they are inferior compared with therapy with two NRTIs plus efavirenz. However, triple-NRTI combinations can be useful in specific circumstances such as in tuberculosis coinfection, pregnancy or dyslipidaemia. Here, we review the potential of such combinations to maintain viral suppression after induction of suppression by standard combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and to evaluate the trade-off of NRTI-only regimens for metabolic control. Methods We conducted a systematic search of the literature in two databases from 1 January 1998 up to 1 March 2013: Medline, through the search engine Pub-Med, and Embase. Results A total of 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 2,105 patients and 3 observational studies with 2,639 patients were included. Studies including patients with mono- or dual-NRTI treatment before start of effective cART showed a tendency to higher failure rate because of resistance based on archived viral mutations. In studies with ART-naive subjects before start of cART, triple-NRTI combination showed virological activity comparable to two NRTIs plus a protease inhibitor or a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor in all RCTs, but not in one cohort study. Switching improved serum lipids significantly. Conclusions Of the studied triple-NRTI combinations only abacavir/lamivudine/zidovudine was sufficiently potent. Triple-NRTI maintenance after successful induction with two-class cART appeared successful in treatment-naive subjects and remains a useful option in specific circumstances, especially when other drugs are not available or drug interactions are an issue.
Time to Recovery from Proteinuria in Patients with Lupus Nephritis Receiving Standard Treatment
Authors: Touma Zahi , Urowitz Murray B. , Ibañez Dominique , Gladman Dafna D. 
Published: January 2014

Objective.The recovery time from abnormal levels of proteinuria with standard treatment in longitudinal studies of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus has not been well described. We aimed (1) to determine the recovery time from proteinuria in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) receiving standard treatment, and (2) to determine whether the initial level of proteinuria predicts time to improvement.Methods.We studied all patients with LN recorded in the database from 1970 until 2011. Proteinuria was defined as ≥ 0.5 g/24 h. Patients were grouped as follows: group 1 having 0.5–0.9 g/day, group 2 having 1–1.9 g/day, and group 3 having ≥ 2 g/day. Recovery from proteinuria was defined as proteinuria < 0.5 g/24 h. Time to recovery from proteinuria was studied with the Kaplan-Meier curves. Factors associated with proteinuria recovery were evaluated using proportional hazard models.Results.Among the 212 patients studied, 52% recovered from proteinuria within 2 years and an additional 22% recovered within 5 years, for a total of 74%. The level of proteinuria at baseline visit predicted the time to improvement. Patients with a higher level of proteinuria at baseline needed a longer time to normalize their proteinuria. Male sex, hypocomplementemia, high level of proteinuria at diagnosis of LN, and disease duration > 5 years at onset of LN each independently predicted late recovery of proteinuria and had an effect on the percentage of patients who recovered.Conclusion.The tempo of recovery from proteinuria in LN is slow and the level of proteinuria at baseline visit predicts the time to complete recovery.
Safety of Etanercept and Methotrexate in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Hepatitis C Virus Infection: A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Iannone Florenzo , La Montagna Giovanni , Bagnato Gianfilippo , Gremese Elisa , Giardina AnnaRita , Lapadula Giovanni 
Published: January 2014

Objective.To evaluate the safety and efficacy of therapy with etanercept and methotrexate (MTX) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and mild hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.Methods.In this prospective open study, 29 patients with active RA were randomly assigned to receive therapy with MTX alone, etanercept alone, or a combination of MTX and etanercept, and monitored up to 54 weeks. The primary endpoint was safety; secondary aims were efficacy as defined by the 44-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS44) and health assessment questionnaire (HAQ). Serum liver enzymes and HCV viral load were serially measured.Results.In the whole cohort, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) serum levels were (mean ± SD) 35 ± 3 at entry, 39 ± 5, 41 ± 7, and 38 ± 4 at 14, 30, and 54 weeks, respectively; alanine aminotransferase (ALT) serum levels were 43 ± 5 at entry, 47 ± 5, 53 ± 9, and 50 ± 6 at 14, 30, and 54 weeks, respectively. HCV viral load was 5.6 ± 0.5 at entry, 5.9 ± 0.6, 5.7 ± 0.3, and 5.6 ± 0.6 at 14, 30, and 54 weeks, respectively. AST and ALT did not significantly change in all 3 arms of treatment, nor did HCV viral load. A significant reduction of DAS44 (p < 0.01) and HAQ (p < 0.04) was detected at 54 weeks compared to baseline. No patient discontinued the therapy because of worsening of liver disease.Conclusion.This study showed that patients with RA and chronic HCV and mild hepatitis may be successfully treated with etanercept and MTX without increasing the risk of hepatotoxicity and HCV replication.ClinicalTrials.govIdentifierNCT01543594.
Number of Ruptured Tendons and Surgical Delay as Prognostic Factors for the Surgical Repair of Extensor Tendon Ruptures in the Rheumatoid Wrist
Authors: Sakuma Yu , Ochi Kensuke , Iwamoto Takuji , Saito Asami , Yano Koichiro , Naito Yurino , Yoshida Shinji , Ikari Katsunori , Momohara Shigeki 
Published: January 2014

Objective.Extensor tendon ruptures in the rheumatoid wrist are usually restored by extensor tendon reconstruction surgery. However, the factors significantly correlated with the outcomes of extensor tendon reconstruction have not been defined. We examined factors showing a statistically significant correlation with postoperative active motion after tendon reconstruction.Methods.Spontaneous extensor tendon ruptures of 66 wrists in patients (mean age, 52.6 yrs) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were evaluated. All patients underwent tendon reconstruction surgery with wrist arthroplasty or arthrodesis. Active ranges of motion of the affected fingers were evaluated at 12 weeks postsurgery. Statistical significance was determined using multiple and single regression analyses.Results.Forty-six (69.6%) wrists had “good” results, while 13 (19.7%) and 7 (10.6%) wrists had “fair” and “poor” results, respectively. In multiple regression analysis, an increased number of ruptured tendons and the age at operation were independent variables significantly correlated with the postoperative active motion of reconstructed tendons (p = 0.009). Single regression analysis also showed a significant association between the number of ruptured tendons and surgical delay (p = 0.02).Conclusion.The number of ruptured extensor tendons was significantly correlated with the results of tendon reconstruction, and the number of ruptured tendons was significantly correlated with preoperative surgical delay. Our results indicate that, in patients presenting with possible finger extensor tendon rupture, rheumatologists should consult with hand surgeons promptly to preserve hand function.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa Associated with Spondyloarthritis — Results from a Multicenter National Prospective Study
Authors: Richette Pascal , Molto Anna , Viguier Manuel , Dawidowicz Karen , Hayem Gilles , Nassif Aude , Wendling Daniel , Aubin François , Lioté Frédéric , Bachelez Hervé 
Published: January 2014

Objective.To determine the prevalence and characterize the inflammatory musculoskeletal symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic inflammatory disease of skin appendages.Methods.Patients with HS referred to 3 dermatology university hospital centers were systematically screened for peripheral arthritis, dactylitis, inflammatory back pain, or enthesitis. After careful clinical examination, patients were further classified according to clinical and imaging criteria for spondyloarthritis (SpA) using the Amor, European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG), and ASsessment in ankylosing spondylitis (ASAS).Results.We screened 640 patients with HS; 184 had musculoskeletal symptoms. In all, 43 (mean age 39.4 yrs, ± 8.3; 80% women) had arthritis, inflammatory back pain, or enthesitis and were investigated further. Signs of HS preceded the onset of articular symptoms in 39 patients (90%), at a mean interval of 3.6 years. A total of 18 (41%), 24 (55%), and 15 (34%) patients fulfilled the Amor, ESSG, and ASAS criteria, respectively, while synovitis, acne, pustolosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome was established in 4 patients. The crude prevalence of SpA in all 640 patients with HS was 3.7% by the ESSG criteria.Conclusion.SpA may occur in patients with HS, with the prevalence in this group exceeding that in the general population. The very short time between skin and joint symptom onset in some cases suggests common pathogenic mechanisms underlying HS and SpA.
Application of the OMERACT Filter to Measures of Core Outcome Domains in Recent Clinical Studies of Acute Gout
Authors: Taylor William J. , Redden David , Dalbeth Nicola , Schumacher H. Ralph , Edwards N. Lawrence , Simon Lee S. , John Markus R. , Essex Margaret N. , Watson Douglas J. , Evans Robert , Rome Keith , Singh Jasvinder A. 
Published: January 2014

Objective.To determine the extent to which instruments that measure core outcome domains in acute gout fulfill the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) filter requirements of truth, discrimination, and feasibility.Methods.Patient-level data from 4 randomized controlled trials of agents designed to treat acute gout and 1 observational study of acute gout were analyzed. For each available measure, construct validity, test-retest reliability, within-group change using effect size, between-group change using the Kruskall-Wallis statistic, and repeated measures generalized estimating equations were assessed. Floor and ceiling effects were also assessed and minimal clinically important difference was estimated. These analyses were presented to participants at OMERACT 11 to help inform voting for possible endorsement.Results.There was evidence for construct validity and discriminative ability for 3 measures of pain [0 to 4 Likert, 0 to 10 numeric rating scale (NRS), 0 to 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS)]. Likewise, there appears to be sufficient evidence for a 4-point Likert scale to possess construct validity and discriminative ability for physician assessment of joint swelling and joint tenderness. There was some evidence for construct validity and within-group discriminative ability for the Health Assessment Questionnaire as a measure of activity limitations, but not for discrimination between groups allocated to different treatment.Conclusion.There is sufficient evidence to support measures of pain (using Likert, NRS, or VAS), joint tenderness, and swelling (using Likert scale) as fulfilling the requirements of the OMERACT filter. Further research on a measure of activity limitations in acute gout clinical trials is required.
Évaluation des performances et de la charge de travail induits par l'apprentissage de procédures de maintenance en environnement virtuel
Authors: Ganier Franck , Hoareau Charlotte , Devillers Frédéric 
Published: January 2014

L’objectif de cette étude était de vérifier comment se déroule l’apprentissage d’une procédure en environnement virtuel d’apprentissage d’opérations de maintenance de chars : GVT (Generic Virtual Training). Des mesures comportementales (temps de réalisation de la tâche, nombre et durée de consultation des instructions, nombre d’actions incorrectes) et des mesures subjectives de la charge de travail (réalisées avec NASA-TLX) ont été recueillies chez 15 individus lors de l’exécution d’une procédure. Celle-ci faisait l’objet de 10 répétitions successives par les participants puis 3 nouvelles répétitions après quatre jours d’intervalle. En accord avec les théories proposées par Fitts (1964) et Anderson (1983, 1995), les résultats montrent que l’apprentissage de la procédure s’effectue selon 3 phases (cognitive, associative et autonome). Au plan factuel, l’évolution des performances prend l’allure d’une courbe d’apprentissage et s’accompagne d’une diminution de différents facteurs constitutifs de la charge de travail. Les performances observées lors de la réalisation de la procédure après délai attestent de son stockage en mémoire à long terme.
Washington face à la participation des communistes au gouvernement en Italie (1973-1979)
Authors: Heurtebize Frédéric 
Published: January 2014

Dans les années 1970, le Parti communiste d’Italie fut le fer de lance de l’eurocommunisme, mouvance au sein de laquelle certains partis communistes occidentaux exprimèrent leur adhésion aux principes démocratiques et prirent leurs distances avec Moscou. Loin de rassurer les dirigeants américains, cette évolution exacerba leurs craintes. Pour le secrétaire d’État Henry Kissinger, des communistes supposément responsables et modérés s’avéraient en fait « plus dangereux » car plus à même d’arriver au pouvoir démocratiquement. Cela explique une opposition farouche à tout « compromis historique » entre le Parti communiste italien et la Démocratie chrétienne. Arrivée au pouvoir en janvier 1977, l’administration Carter se montra au début plus ouverte avant de revenir à une opposition plus franche.