bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative fluorescence PCR analysis of >40 000 prenatal samples for the rapid diagnosis of trisomies 13, 18 and 21 and monosomy X
Authors: Mann Kathy , Hills Alison , Donaghue Celia , Thomas Helen , Ogilvie Caroline Mackie 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo present the results of 10 years of quantitative fluorescence PCR (QF‐PCR) analysis of prenatal samples for the rapid diagnosis of the common aneuploidies. This represents the largest QF‐PCR data set from a single testing centre.MethodsQF‐PCR analysis using a single assay containing 17 microsatellite markers was applied to all prenatal samples for the identification of trisomies 13, 18 and 21 and triploidy. A separate assay containing 14 sex chromosome markers was targeted to prenatal samples at increased risk of monosomy X.ResultsResults from 40 624 prenatal samples comprising 14 144 chorionic villus and 26 480 amniotic fluid samples are summarised. A QF‐PCR result was not possible for 2.24% amniotic fluid and 0.25% chorionic villus samples because of the presence of an additional genotype consistent with maternal cell contamination. Just 0.08% samples were uninformative for one or more chromosomes and 0.05% of samples failed to produce a genotype. Ninety‐eight percent of samples were reported the following working day from sample receipt. Consumable costs were £5/sample.ConclusionQF‐PCR analysis is proven to be an accurate, robust and efficient method for the rapid diagnosis of common aneuploidies in prenatal samples. It has the advantage of detecting triploidy and mosaicism and benefits from considerable economy of scale. © 2012 Crown copyright.
Fall risk increasing drugs and injuries of the frail elderly — evidence from administrative data
Authors: Bauer Thomas K. , Lindenbaum Katharina , Stroka Magdalena A. , Engel Susanne , Linder Roland , Verheyen Frank 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTBackgroundSociety benefits on a large scale from improved medical care and pharmaceuticals. The prescription of pharmaceuticals, however, also carries risks such as the possibility of an increased hazard of falls, which may lead to severe injuries and increased health expenditures associated with these injuries. This study investigates the relationship of several fall risk increasing drugs (FRIDs) and injuries of elderly persons using multivariate regression models.MethodRoutine data from the Techniker Krankenkasse of frail elderly persons aged ≥ 65 years is analysed for the year 2009 by estimating count data models, in order to take the data generating process of the number of injuries into account. The results of this model are compared to those from logistic regressions, which is the default regression model in this field of research.ResultsThe empirical results suggest that the incidence of injuries strongly increases with doses of antidepressants, anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives, antiarrhythmics and drugs from the Priscus‐list. However, antihypertensives and antiparkinsonian agents show no significant association and neuroleptics indicate a significant negative association.ConclusionAs recurrent injuries are common, the analysis of the number of injuries rather than just the probability of having an injury provides a more informative analysis of FRIDs. According to the empirical results, antidepressants, anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives, antiarrhythmics as well as drugs from the Priscus‐list should be prescribed carefully, because these drugs are positively correlated with the incidence of injuries. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Suns‐PLI as a powerful tool for spatially resolved fill factor analysis of solar cells
Authors: Michl Bernhard , Impera Davide , Bivour Martin , Warta Wilhelm , Schubert Martin C. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTWe show the benefits of spatially resolved pseudo fill factor analysis on multicrystalline silicon solar cells. Hereby, we present a method based on quasi‐steady‐state photoluminescence‐calibrated photoluminescence images at varying generation rate. We verify the method by a comparison with global and local Suns‐Voc measurements and apply Suns‐PLI to multicrystalline heterojunction samples with and without conductive top layer, the latter being not accessible by Suns‐Voc. Thereby, we obtain detailed insight into the influence of injection‐dependent local recombination on fill factor and of losses only due to recombination‐driven lateral balancing currents. The conclusions are supported by Spice network simulations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parenting stress and neurocognitive late effects in childhood cancer survivors
Authors: Patel Sunita K. , Wong Andrew L. , Cuevas Michelle , Van Horn Hillary 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundSurveillance of neurocognitive late effects has typically focused on the pediatric survivor alone and rarely has focused on the potential family burden. We investigated the impact of child neurocognitive effects on parenting stress and hypothesized that parents of childhood cancer survivors with greater executive difficulties experience higher stress relative to parents of children with less adverse impact.MethodsParents of 44 children who survived cancer involving central nervous system‐directed treatments and who had documented neurocognitive deficits completed standardized questionnaires assessing their perceived level of stress and perception of their child's executive functioning abilities in daily life. Data from performance‐based cognitive tests were obtained on the children. Multiple regression models examined socio‐demographic, clinical, and child's executive functioning as predictors of parent stress. Differences in parenting stress based on child's level of executive functioning were evaluated.ResultsParent stress was significantly associated with both performance‐based and parent report measures of child executive functioning. Child executive functioning significantly predicted parent stress even after controlling for socio‐demographic and clinical factors, and the final model accounted for 42% of the variance in parent stress levels. Significant differences in parent stress were found when comparing higher versus lower levels of child executive functioning. The nature of the executive difficulties, however, appears important, as we found increased parenting stress among children with behavioral regulation problems rather than metacognitive difficulties.ConclusionsThe associations between parenting stress and neurocognitive problems found in this study suggest the need for further research, along with professional monitoring and appropriate intervention. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Social support and quality of life among lung cancer patients: a systematic review
Authors: Luszczynska Aleksandra , Pawlowska Izabela , Cieslak Roman , Knoll Nina , Scholz Urte 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectiveThis systematic review analyzed the relationships between social support and quality of life (QOL) indicators among lung cancer patients. In particular, the patterns of relationships between different social support facets and sources (received and perceived support from healthcare professionals, family, and friends) and QOL aspects (emotional, physical symptoms, functional, and social) as well as the global QOL index were investigated.MethodsThe review yielded 14 original studies (57% applying cross‐sectional designs) analyzing data from a total of 2759 patients.ResultsRegarding healthcare professionals as support source, corroborating evidence was found for associations between received support (as well as need for and satisfaction with received support) and all aspects of QOL, except for social ones. Overall, significant relations between support from healthcare personnel and QOL were observed more frequently (67% of analyzed associations), compared with support from families and friends (53% of analyzed associations). Corroborating evidence was found for the associations between perceived and received support from family and friends and emotional aspects of QOL. Research investigating perceived social support from unspecified sources indicated few significant relationships (25% of analyzed associations) and only for the global QOL index.ConclusionsQuantitative and qualitative differences in the associations between social support and QOL are observed, depending on the source and type of support. Psychosocial interventions may aim at enabling provision of social support from healthcare personnel in order to promote emotional, functional, and physical QOL among lung cancer patients.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lead Free Ammunition without Toxic Propellant Gases
Authors: Moxnes John F. , Jensen Tomas L. , Smestad Eimund , Unneberg Erik , Dullum Ove 
Published: October 2012

AbstractEnvironmental and health considerations have encouraged the development of ammunition with substitutes for lead and other heavy metals. In general, the emission products from munitions containing nitro‐based propellants are highly complex mixtures of gases, vapors, and solid particles. The major combustion products are H2O, CO, CO2, H2, and N2. In addition, compounds including hydrogen cyanide (HCN), ammonia (NH3), methane (CH4), nitrogen oxides, benzene, acrylonitrile, toluene, furan, aromatic amines, benzopyrene, and various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are detected in minor concentrations. Many of the identified chemical species have severe toxicological properties, and some of the compounds do even have mutagenic effects. Gun smoke emission is a concern because its exposure to humans may be substantial during military and civilian police training, as respiratory protection equipment is not routinely worn. In this work we study the compositions of some of the main decomposition products, experimentally as well as theoretically. The concept of frozen equilibrium at around 1500–2000 K appears to apply for CO, CO2, and H2. However, the trace species in the combustion mixtures appear theoretically to be present in negligible concentrations. Our measured results are many orders of magnitude higher than theoretical results in open space. We forecast that future development of gun powder will focus on reducing the amount of toxic trace species.
A Formula for Calculating the Velocities of Fragments from Velocity Enhanced Warhead
Authors: Wang Mafa , Lu Fangyun , Li Xiangyu , Cao Lei 
Published: October 2012

AbstractA formula to predict the radial distribution of the fragment velocities of the Velocity Enhanced Warhead (VEW) is proposed. Not only the maximum velocity gains, but also the velocity gains with azimuth angle can be calculated using this formula. Its predictions are in good agreement with the experimental data from the previous literatures. This formula applies a correctional function in consideration of the directivity and initiation characteristics of the warhead fragments. The correlation between the coefficient k in the correctional function and the warhead property in terms of the ratio β of charge mass to metal casing mass is discussed. The fragment energy distribution can also be obtained from the formula and the results show that when β is equal to 1.0, half of the fragment energy is concentrated within the range of 63° in the target direction.
Electron paramagnetic resonance analysis of the vimentin tail domain reveals points of order in a largely disordered region and conformational adaptation upon filament assembly
Authors: Hess John F. , Budamagunta Madhu S. , Aziz Atya , FitzGerald Paul G. , Voss John C. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractVery little data have been reported that describe the structure of the tail domain of any cytoplasmic intermediate filament (IF) protein. We report here the results of studies using site directed spin labeling and electron paramagnetic resonance (SDSL‐EPR) to explore the structure and dynamics of the tail domain of human vimentin in tetramers (protofilaments) and filaments. The data demonstrate that in contrast to the vimentin head and rod domains, the tail domains are not closely apposed in protofilaments. However, upon assembly into intact IFs, several sites, including positions 445, 446, 451, and 452, the conserved “beta‐site,” become closely apposed, indicating dynamic changes in tail domain structure that accompany filament elongation. No evidence is seen for coiled‐coil structure within the region studied, in either protofilaments or assembled filaments. EPR analysis also establishes that more than half of the tail domain is very flexible in both the assembly intermediate and the intact IF. However, by positioning the spin label at distinct sites, EPR is able to identify both the rod proximal region and sites flanking the beta‐site motif as rigid locations within the tail. The rod proximal region is well assembled at the tetramer stage with only slight changes occurring during filament elongation. In contrast, at the beta site, the polypeptide backbone transitions from flexible in the assembly intermediate to much more rigid in the intact IF. These data support a model in which the distal tail domain structure undergoes significant conformational change during filament elongation and final assembly.
Structural and optical properties of vacuum‐deposited ZnS nanostructures
Authors: Kurbatov D. , Opanasyuk A. , Sofronov D. , Khlyap H. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIn this paper some structural, substructural and optical properties of zinc sulfide nanostructures obtained by a CSVS method on bulk ZnSe are investigated. Examination of optical and substructural properties was performed by infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction, respectively. The results of these studies enabled determination of the dependence of the main structural film parameters (texture, lattice parameters, grain and X‐ray scattering domain sizes, and microstrain) on the growth conditions. IR‐spectral distributions of transmission coefficient T(ν) for bilayered ZnS/ZnSe nanostructures are obtained. magnified imageSEM image of ZnS nanowires obtained on (220) ZnSe substrate.
Transport properties of Sb2Te3/Bi2Te3 topological insulator heterostructures
Authors: Zhang Zuocheng , Feng Xiao , Guo Minghua , Ou Yunbo , Zhang Jinsong , Li Kang , Wang Lili , Chen Xi , Xue Qikun , Ma Xucun , He Ke , Wang Yayu 
Published: October 2012

Abstractmagnified imageWe report transport studies on Sb2Te3/Bi2Te3 topological insulator heterostructures grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Two devices with different Sb2Te3 thickness are fabricated and investigated. Under certain gate voltage, the Hall resistance exhibits strongly nonlinear behaviour and changes sign with increasing magnetic field, indicating the coexistence of electron‐ and hole‐type charge carriers on the opposite surfaces of the heterostructure. Gate‐tuned magnetoresistance measurements reveal the same phenomenon. This work paves the road for realizing the proposed exotic quantum phenomena that require opposite polarity of the surface Dirac fermions in topological insulator based structures. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On the normality of giant components
Authors: Seierstad Taral Guldahl 
Published: October 2012

AbstractWe consider a general family of random graph processes, which begin with an empty graph, and where at every step an edge is added at random according to some rule. We show that when certain general conditions are satisfied, the order of the giant component tends to a normal distribution. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 43, 452–485, 2013
Changes in Cesarean section scar dimensions during pregnancy: a prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Naji O. , Daemen A. , Smith A. , Abdallah Y. , Saso S. , Stalder C. , Sayasneh A. , McIndoe A. , Ghaem‐Maghami S. , Timmerman D. , Bourne T. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo describe changes in Cesarean section (CS) scars longitudinally throughout pregnancy, and to relate initial scar measurements, demographic variables and obstetric variables to subsequent changes in scar features and to final pregnancy outcome.MethodsIn this prospective observational study we used transvaginal sonography (TVS) to examine the CS scar of 320 consecutive pregnant women at 11–13, 19–21 and 32–34 weeks' gestation. For scars visible on TVS, the hypoechoic part was measured in three dimensions and the residual myometrial thickness (RMT) was also measured. Analyses were carried out using one‐way repeated measures ANOVA and mixed modeling. The incidence of subsequent scar rupture was recorded.ResultsThe CS scar was visible in 284/320 cases (89%). Concerning length and depth of the hypoechoic part of the scar and RMT, the larger the initial scar measurement, the larger the decrease observed during pregnancy. For the hypoechoic part of the scar, the width increased on average by 1.8 mm per trimester, while the depth and length decreased by 1.8 and 1.9 mm, respectively (false discovery rate P < 0.0001). Mean RMT in the first trimester was 5.2 mm and on average decreased by 1.1 mm per trimester. Two cases (0.62%) of uterine scar rupture were confirmed following a trial of vaginal delivery; these had a mean RMT of 0.5 mm at second scan and an average decrease of 2.6 mm over the course of pregnancy.ConclusionThis study establishes reference data and confirms that the dimensions of CS scars change throughout pregnancy. Scar rupture was associated with a smaller RMT and greater decrease in RMT during pregnancy. There is the potential to test absolute values and observed changes in CS scar measurements as predictors of uterine scar rupture and outcome in trials of vaginal birth after Cesarean section. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Treatment of Dorsal Perilunate Dislocations and Fracture–Dislocations Using a Standardized Protocol
Authors: Capo John T. , Corti Sandro J. , Shamian Ben , Nourbakhsh Ali , Tan Virak , Kaushal Neil , Debkowska Monika 
Published: October 2012

Background The aims of this study were to evaluate the associated injuries occurring with acute perilunate instability and to assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes of perilunate dislocations and fracture–dislocations treated with a combined dorsal and volar approach. Methods A total of 45 patients (46 wrist injuries) with perilunate dislocations and fracture–dislocations were prospectively evaluated. The size of the mid-carpal ligament tear, the location of the scapholunate ligament tear, and the presence of osteochondral fragments and of the dorsal radio-carpal ligament avulsions were recorded at injury. Final clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated in 25 cases (25 wrists) with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up. Results Intraoperative examination of the 46 cases with operative treatment showed the volar carpal ligament tear to be present 100 % of the time and to be an average length of 3.4 cm. Complete avulsion of the dorsal extrinsic radio-carpal ligaments was found in 65.2 % of cases. The scapholunate ligament was torn in 35 cases. Osteochondral fragments were found either volarly or dorsally in 74 % of the cases. The average flexion–extension arc was 82°, forearm rotation was 155°, and grip strength averaged 59 % of the uninjured hand. The average final scapholunate angle was 55° and the scapholunate gap was 2.2 mm. Conclusion Treatment of perilunate fracture–dislocations with a combined volar and dorsal approach results in reasonable and functional clinical results. The incidence of associated injuries with these carpal dislocations is high. Although the perilunate fracture–dislocations have a slightly better radiologic alignment than the dislocation group, the clinical outcome is similar.
Postconditioning attenuates acute intestinal ischemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Sengul Ilker , Sengul Demet , Guler Osman , Hasanoglu Adnan , Urhan Mustafa Kemal , Taner Ahmet Sukru , Vinten‐Johansen Jakob 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that postconditioning (POC) would reduce the detrimental effects of the acute intestinal ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) compared to those of the abrupt onset of reperfusion. POC has a protective effect on intestinal I/R injury by inhibiting events in the early minutes of reperfusion in rats. Twenty‐four Wistar–Albino rats were subjected to the occlusion of superior mesenteric artery for 30 minutes, then reperfused for 120 minutes, and randomized to the four different modalities of POC: (1) control (no intervention); (2) POC‐3 (three cycles of 10 seconds of reperfusion–reocclusion, 1 minute total intervention); (3) POC‐6 (six cycles of 10 seconds of reperfusion–reocclusion, 2 minutes total intervention); and (4) sham operation (laparotomy only). The arterial blood samples [0.3 mL total creatine kinase (CK) and 0.6 mL malondialdehyde (MDA)] and the intestinal mucosal MDA were collected from each after reperfusion. POC, especially POC‐6, was effective in attenuating postischemic pathology by decreasing the intestinal tissue MDA levels, serum total CK activity, inflammation, and total histopathological injury scores. POC exerted a protective effect on the intestinal mucosa by reducing the mesenteric oxidant generation, lipid peroxidation, and neutrophil accumulation. The six‐cycle algorithm demonstrated the best protection.
Predictive Value of Basal Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Carbon Monoxide for Acute Mountain Sickness
Authors: You Haiyan , Li Xiaoxiao , Pei Tao , Huang Qingyuan , Liu Fuyu , Gao Yuqi 
Published: October 2012

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between acute mountain sickness (AMS) and the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and carbon monoxide (FeCO) before ascent to high altitude and to evaluate their predictive value for AMS. Methods A total of 314 healthy young male recruits were voluntarily enrolled. Before ascent to an elevation of 4300 m, their FeNO and FeCO values, demographic factors, drinking and smoking history, vital capacity, and forced vital capacity were obtained. The investigators followed the subjects in the first exposure week to obtain their Lake Louise Score (LLS) each day. Subjects with LLS > 4, headache, and at least 1 other symptom were diagnosed with AMS, and the highest LLS of each individual during 7 days was considered the final LLS score. Results The AMS group had lower FeNO ( P = .003) and FeCO ( P < .001) values, and a lower smoking rate ( P < .001) than the non-AMS group. Mean FeNO and FeCO values were 11.03 ppb (95% CI, 9.07 to 12.98) and 4.39 ppm (95% CI, 3.76 to 5.02), respectively, in the AMS group, and 14.74 ppb (95% CI, 13.25 to 16.23) and 6.10 ppm (95% CI, 5.49 to 6.72), respectively, in the non-AMS group ( P < .0001). Using linear regression, both FeNO and FeCO were found to be significantly associated with the group's maximal LLS. Using logistic regression, FeNO and FeCO were also found to be significantly associated with AMS. Conclusions Basal FeNO and FeCO are significantly negatively correlated with AMS development. However, the gases have only modest predictive value for the development of AMS.