bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Results from Nigeria’s 2013 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth
Authors: Akinroye Kingsley K. , Oyeyemi Adewale L. , Odukoya Oluwakemi O. , Adeniyi Ade F. , Adedoyin Rufus A. , Ojo Olatunde S. , Alawode Damilola A. , Ozomata Ebenezer A. , Awotidebe Taofeek O. 
Published: May 2014

Background:Physical activity (PA) promotion in children and youth is an impetus for prevention and control of NCD morbidity and mortality, but evidence is needed for effective interventions. The aim of the present paper is to summarize the results of the 2013 Nigerian Report Card on Physical Activity for children and youth.Methods:The Technical Report Committee conducted a comprehensive review of available literature in Nigeria. Grades were assigned to 10 PA indicators modeled after the Active Healthy Kids Canada (AHKC) grading system.Results:Specific grades were assigned for several indicators: Overall Physical Activity Levels, C; Organized Sport and Physical Activity Participation, Incomplete; Active Play and Leisure, C-; Active Transportation, B; Sedentary Behaviors, F; Overweight and Obesity, B+. The following indicators were graded as INCOMPLETE: Physical Activity in School setting, Family and Peers, Community and Built Environment, and Government Strategies and Investments.Conclusions:PA levels of Nigerian children and youth are moderate while sedentary behaviors are high. The development of national guidelines for PA and sedentary behaviors can better inform policy and practice on healthy living among Nigerian children and youth.
Protein Binding of Rifapentine and Its 25-Desacetyl Metabolite in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Egelund Eric F. , Weiner Marc , Singh Rajendra P. , Prihoda Thomas J. , Gelfond Jonathon A. L. , Derendorf Hartmut , Mac Kenzie William R. , Peloquin Charles A. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTRifapentine is highly protein bound in blood, but the free, unbound drug is the microbiologically active fraction. In this exploratory study, we characterized the free plasma fraction of rifapentine in 41 patients with tuberculosis. We found a lower total rifapentine concentration but significantly higher free rifapentine levels in African patients of black race compared to non-Africans. These data support larger pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies to confirm these findings and assess free rifapentine in relation to microbiological and clinical outcomes.
Complement Factor C5 but Not C3 Contributes Significantly to Hydrosalpinx Development in Mice Infected with Chlamydia muridarum
Authors: Yang Zhangsheng , Conrad Turner , Zhou Zhou , Chen Jianlin , Dutow Pavel , Klos Andreas , Zhong Guangming 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTHydrosalpinx is a pathological hallmark of tubal infertility associated with chlamydial infection. However, the mechanisms of hydrosalpinx remain unknown. Here, we report that complement factor 5 (C5) contributes significantly to chlamydial induction of hydrosalpinx. Mice lacking C5 (C5−/−) failed to develop any hydrosalpinx, while ∼42% of the corresponding wild-type mice (C5+/+) did so following intravaginal infection withChlamydia muridarum. Surprisingly, deficiency in C3 (C3−/−), an upstream component of the complement system, did not affect mouse susceptibility to chlamydial induction of hydrosalpinx. Interestingly, C5 activation was induced by chlamydial infection in oviducts of C3−/−mice, explaining why the C3−/−mice remained susceptible to chlamydial induction of hydrosalpinx. Similar levels of live chlamydial organisms were recovered from oviduct tissues of both C5−/−and C5+/+mice, suggesting that C5 deficiency did not affectC. muridarumascending infection. Furthermore, C5−/−mice were still more resistant to hydrosalpinx induction than C5+/+mice, even when liveC. muridarumorganisms were directly delivered into the upper genital tract, both confirming the role of C5 in promoting hydrosalpinx and indicating that the C5-facilitated hydrosalpinx was not due to enhancement of ascending infection. The C5−/−mice displayed significantly reduced lumenal inflammatory infiltration and cytokine production in oviduct tissue, suggesting that C5 may contribute to chlamydial induction of hydrosalpinx by enhancing inflammatory responses.
Eosinophils Are Recruited in Response to Chitin Exposure and Enhance Th2-Mediated Immune Pathology in Aspergillus fumigatus Infection
Authors: O'Dea Evan M. , Amarsaikhan Nansalmaa , Li Hongtao , Downey Joshua , Steele Emery , Van Dyken Steven J. , Locksley Richard M. , Templeton Steven P. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTIn patients infected with the fungusAspergillus fumigatus, Th1 responses are considered protective, while Th2 responses are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. How host-pathogen interactions influence the development of these protective or detrimental immune responses is not clear. We compared lung immune responses to conidia from two fungal isolates that expressed different levels of the fungal cell wall component chitin. We observed that repeated aspirations of the high-chitin-expressing isolate Af5517 induced increased airway eosinophilia in the lungs of recipient mice compared to the level of eosinophilia induced by isolate Af293. CD4+T cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of Af5517-aspirated mice displayed decreased gamma interferon secretion and increased interleukin-4 transcription. In addition, repeated aspirations of Af5517 induced lung transcription of the Th2-associated chemokines CCL11 (eotaxin-1) and CCL22 (macrophage-derived chemokine). Eosinophil recruitment in response to conidial aspiration was correlated with the level of chitin exposure during germination and was decreased by constitutive lung chitinase expression. Moreover, eosinophil-deficient mice subjected to multiple aspirations of Af5517 prior to neutrophil depletion and infection exhibited decreased morbidity and fungal burden compared to the levels of morbidity and fungal burden found in wild-type mice. These results suggest that exposure of chitin in germinating conidia promotes eosinophil recruitment and ultimately induces Th2-skewed immune responses after repeated aspiration. Furthermore, our results suggest that eosinophils should be examined as a potential therapeutic target in patients that mount poorly protective Th2 responses toA. fumigatusinfection.
Caffe Neve
Authors: Gracanin Denis , Zhang Xiaoyu 
Published: May 2014

The popularization of podcasting provides Internet users more opportunities to access interesting and entertaining multimedia content. The podcasting content hosting sites became the shared platforms for all Internet users to access third-party contributions. More and more Internet users are encouraged to become active content providers that share their resources and multimedia productions. Building a large scale multi-user 3D application can benefit from the same content distribution pattern as the development cost can be distributed if the application implementation is outsourced. The application is constructed by integrating 3D content from various third-party service providers. In addition, the implementation outsourcing can inspire contributors to provide creative application content. Unfortunately, sharing and distributing 3D resources are more challenging and the podcasting framework cannot resolve the problems effectively.
We introduce a standardized framework that supports the seamless integration of distributed 3D resources as coarse-grained components of constructed Distributed Virtual Environments (DVEs). Component Application Framework For Extensible NEtworked Virtual Environments (Caffe Neve) uses service-oriented architecture (SOA) and incorporates streaming technology for dynamic content delivery. Using Caffe Neve, third-party developers can create distributed services to stream 3D content. The framework provides an application integrator that constructs a shared virtual environment and delivers the application content to the end users.
In this paper we describe the framework details. The application integration infrastructure of the framework is designed based on a distributed Model-View-Controller model. The framework uses an ontology to support the semantic level content integration and service coordination. In addition, the framework incorporates streaming within the architecture for the real-time data delivery and improved performance. By deploying services within the framework, 3D resource owners can conveniently podcast or broadcast their 3D content to the end users. In the end, we demonstrate how to use the framework to construct 3D podcast and broadcast applications. Regardless of the type of 3D applications and delay tolerance, performance is important and has to be carefully studied. We evaluate the framework performance by examining the sample application and present the analysis results. We also present the experiment results on the simulated framework application in large scale by using simulation tools.
Security and Privacy Protection in Visual Sensor Networks
Authors: Winkler Thomas , Rinner Bernhard 
Published: May 2014

Visual sensor networks (VSNs) are receiving a lot of attention in research, and at the same time, commercial applications are starting to emerge. VSN devices come with image sensors, adequate processing power, and memory. They use wireless communication interfaces to collaborate and jointly solve tasks such as tracking persons within the network. VSNs are expected to replace not only many traditional, closed-circuit surveillance systems but also to enable emerging applications in scenarios such as elderly care, home monitoring, or entertainment. In all of these applications, VSNs monitor a potentially large group of people and record sensitive image data that might contain identities of persons, their behavior, interaction patterns, or personal preferences. These intimate details can be easily abused, for example, to derive personal profiles.
The highly sensitive nature of images makes security and privacy in VSNs even more important than in most other sensor and data networks. However, the direct use of security techniques developed for related domains might be misleading due to the different requirements and design challenges. This is especially true for aspects such as data confidentiality and privacy protection against insiders, generating awareness among monitored people, and giving trustworthy feedback about recorded personal data—all of these aspects go beyond what is typically required in other applications.
In this survey, we present an overview of the characteristics of VSN applications, the involved security threats and attack scenarios, and the major security challenges. A central contribution of this survey is our classification of VSN security aspects into data-centric, node-centric, network-centric, and user-centric security. We identify and discuss the individual security requirements and present a profound overview of related work for each class. We then discuss privacy protection techniques and identify recent trends in VSN security and privacy. A discussion of open research issues concludes this survey.
Weir
Authors: Burtsev Anton , Mishrikoti Nikhil , Eide Eric , Ricci Robert 
Published: May 2014

For modern software systems, performance analysis can be a challenging task. The software stack can be a complex, multi-layer, multi-component, concurrent, and parallel environment with multiple contexts of execution and multiple sources of performance data. Although much performance data is available, because modern systems incorporate many mature data-collection mechanisms, analysis algorithms suffer from the lack of a unifying programming environment for processing the collected performance data, potentially from multiple sources, in a convenient and script-like manner.
This paper presents Weir, a streaming language for systems performance analysis. Weir is based on the insight that performanceanalysis algorithms can be naturally expressed as stream-processing pipelines. In Weir, an analysis algorithm is implemented as a graph composed of stages, where each stage operates on a stream of events that represent collected performance measurements. Weir is an imperative streaming language with a syntax designed for the convenient construction of stream pipelines that utilize composable and reusable analysis stages. To demonstrate practical application, this paper presents the authors' experience in using Weir to analyze performance in systems based on the Xen virtualization platform.
Projecting Cancer Incidence and Deaths to 2030: The Unexpected Burden of Thyroid, Liver, and Pancreas Cancers in the United States
Authors: Rahib Lola , Smith Benjamin D. , Aizenberg Rhonda , Rosenzweig Allison B. , Fleshman Julie M. , Matrisian Lynn M. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Cancer incidence and deaths in the United States were projected for the most common cancer types for the years 2020 and 2030 based on changing demographics and the average annual percentage changes in incidence and death rates. Breast, prostate, and lung cancers will remain the top cancer diagnoses throughout this time, but thyroid cancer will replace colorectal cancer as the fourth leading cancer diagnosis by 2030, and melanoma and uterine cancer will become the fifth and sixth most common cancers, respectively. Lung cancer is projected to remain the top cancer killer throughout this time period. However, pancreas and liver cancers are projected to surpass breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers to become the second and third leading causes of cancer-related death by 2030, respectively. Advances in screening, prevention, and treatment can change cancer incidence and/or death rates, but it will require a concerted effort by the research and healthcare communities now to effect a substantial change for the future. Cancer Res; 74(11); 2913–21. ©2014 AACR.
BaxΔ2 Promotes Apoptosis through Caspase-8 Activation in Microsatellite-Unstable Colon Cancer
Authors: Zhang Honghong , Lin Yuting , Mañas Adriana , Zhao Yu , Denning Mitchell F. , Ma Li , Xiang Jialing 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Loss of apoptotic Bax due to microsatellite mutation contributes to tumor development and chemoresistance. Recently, a Bax microsatellite mutation was uncovered in combination with a specific alternative splicing event that could generate a unique Bax isoform (BaxΔ2) in otherwise Bax-negative cells. Like the prototype Baxα, BaxΔ2 is a potent proapoptotic molecule. However, the proapoptotic mechanism and therapeutic implication of BaxΔ2 remain elusive. Here, the isolation and analysis of isogenic subcell lines are described that represent different Bax microsatellite statuses from colorectal cancer. Colon cancer cells harboring Bax microsatellite G7/G7 alleles are capable of producing low levels of endogenous BaxΔ2 transcripts and proteins. Interestingly, BaxΔ2-positive cells are selectively sensitive to a subgroup of chemotherapeutics compared with BaxΔ2-negative cells. Unlike other Bax isoforms, BaxΔ2 recruits caspase-8 into the proximity for activation, and the latter, in turn, activates caspase-3 and apoptosis independent of the mitochondrial pathway. These data suggest that the expression of BaxΔ2 may provide alternative apoptotic and chemotherapeutic advantages for Bax-negative tumors.
Implications: “Bax-negative” colorectal tumors expressing a Bax isoform are sensitive to selective chemotherapeutics. Mol Cancer Res; 12(9); 1225–32. ©2014 AACR.
National Trends in the Prevalence and Medical History of Angina: 1988 to 2012
Authors: Will Julie C. , Yuan Keming , Ford Earl 
Published: May 2014

Background—
The prevalence of angina from 1971 to 1994 was relatively flat for whites and blacks. We ask whether the prevalence and medical history of angina have changed during 1988 to 2012.

Methods and Results—
We used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 1988 to 2004 and the data from the six 2-year surveys from 2001 to 2012. We calculated trends in both crude and standardized prevalence rates for the Rose questionnaire on angina (symptomatology) and a question asking whether the respondent had ever been told by a medical professional that they had angina (medical history). In 2009 to 2012, there were on average 3.4 million (95% confidence interval, 2.8–4.0 million) people aged ≥40 years in the United States each year with angina (Rose questionnaire) and 4.5 million (95% confidence interval, 3.5–5.1 million) people with a medical history of angina. The burden of angina varied across age, race, and sex categories, and the pattern of variation differed by whether symptomatology or medical history was assessed. Statistically significant declines in the rates for both outcomes were noted, for the most part, in people aged ≥65 years. Age and sex standardized rates declined significantly for whites but not for blacks.

Conclusions—
Rates of angina symptoms and medical history of angina have declined among non-Hispanic whites and among adults aged ≥65 years. Blacks have not experienced these same declines. Clearly, additional study is required to understand these declines and to track the future cost and burden of angina in the US population.
The Snake in the Tree in Abu al-ʿAlaʾ al-Maʿarri’s Epistle of Forgiveness: Critical Essay and Translation
Authors: Stetkevych Suzanne Pinckney 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
This study first proposes to interpret the opening passages of Abū al-ʿAlāʾ al-Maʿarrī’s (363-449/973-1058) Risālat al-Ghufrān (Epistle of Forgiveness) in terms of the mythic, lexic and ludic elements that make up the substance of what is essentially a non-narrative discourse. The study argues that al-Maʿarrī uses his parodic “heavenly garden” as a “ludic space” in which his self-righteous protagonist and addressee, Ibn al-Qāriḥ, as well as his (presumed) reader, is tested with riddles, both verbal and conceptual. Ibn al-Qāriḥ fails in what I claim to be a parody of a rite of initiation (a literary counterpart to the Prophet Muḥammad’s Night Journey and Ascension): he is constantly surprised and dumbfounded by God’s mercy. This study argues that the opening passages, which play on names, epithets and lexical items relating to the snake, the snake in the tree, the black core of the heart, and related symbols of the soul and immortality are ultimately grounded in the shared Mesopotamian-Mediterranean symbolic matrix. It argues that the bivalent image of the snake as a source of longevity and of death, of deception and of veracity, is found in the interwoven Christian symbolism of Eve, the serpent, the tree of life, the Virgin Mary, Christ and the tree of the Cross. Second, it offers an annotated translation of the opening passages of al-Maʿarrī’s Risālat al-Ghufrān.
Gastroesophageal Reflux in Chronic Cough and Cough Syncope and the Effect of Antireflux Treatment
Authors: Hu Zhi-Wei , Wang Zhong-Gao , Zhang Yu , Tian Shu-Rui , Wu Ji-Min , Zhu Guang-Chang , Liang Wei-Tao 
Published: May 2014

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of antireflux treatment on gastroesophageal reflux (GER)-related cough syncope. Methods: The method used was a retrospective review of the outcomes of antireflux treatment with proton pump inhibitor (PPI), Stretta radiofrequency (SRF), or laparoscopic fundoplication (LF) of 8 patients with chronic cough and cough syncope that was clinically evaluated to be GER related over a period of 2 to 5 years. Results: In the 8 selected cases, the typical GER symptoms disappeared in 7 cases and were significantly eased in 1 case. The chronic cough diminished to mild and occasional occurrence in 6 cases and was completely relieved in 2 cases. Meanwhile, the cough syncope disappeared in all cases. Seven of the patients resumed physical and social functions after the antireflux treatments, except for 1 person, who had a stroke due to other causes. Conclusion: For chronic cough and cough syncope of unknown cause, the GER assessment could be valuable. In treating well-selected GER-related chronic cough and cough syncope, PPI, SRF, and LF can be considered. Moreover, satisfactory restoration of physical and social functions could be achieved after effective antireflux therapy.
Transformations in the Cuban Economic Model
Authors: Pérez Ricardo Torres 
Published: May 2014

The current proposal for transformations of the Cuban economic model approved in May 2011 constitutes the road map for an ambitious program. The proposal includes a more diverse property structure in which an opening is provided for the nonstate sector to become part of the productive landscape, decentralization of decision making, the gradual lifting of limits on consumption and the creation of a limited market in assets, and support for private consumption over social consumption. To ensure their success, it will be necessary to address a number of challenges, among them correcting the distortion evident in the pricing system, expanding the private and cooperative sectors, increasing the volume and structure of exports, and modernizing the financial system. It is important to understand this proposal as a point of departure for other necessary changes that will demand great flexibility and an accurate interpretation of the constraints and opportunities arising from the contemporary international context. La actual propuesta de transformaciones del modelo económico cubano aprobada mayo 2011 constituye el mapa de un programa ambicioso. La propuesta incluye una estructura de propiedad más diversa en el que se proporciona una abertura para el sector no estatal para convertirse en parte del sector productivo, la descentralización de la toma de decisiones, el levantamiento gradual de los límites sobre el consumo y la creación de un mercado limitado de los activos, y el apoyo para el consumo privado sobre el consumo social. Para asegurar su éxito, será necesario abordar una serie de retos, entre ellos la corrección de la evidente distorsión en el sistema de precios, la expansión de los sectores privado y cooperativo, incrementando el volumen y la estructura de las exportaciones, y la moder-nization del sistema financiero. Es importante entender esta propuesta como punto de partida para otros cambios necesarios que exigirán una gran flexibilidad y una correcta interpretación de las limitaciones y oportunidades que surgen del contexto internacional contemporáneo.