bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aortic and carotid intima–media thickness in term small‐for‐gestational‐age newborns and relationship with prenatal signs of severity
Authors: Stergiotou I. , Crispi F. , Valenzuela‐Alcaraz B. , Cruz‐Lemini M. , Bijnens B. , Gratacos E. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo assess carotid and aortic intima–media thickness (IMT) in term small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) newborns with and without prenatal signs of severity.MethodsThis prospective study comprised 67 cases diagnosed prenatally and 134 normally grown newborns. Cases were subclassified into SGA with no signs of severity and those with signs of severity, defined as a birth weight below the 3rd percentile or abnormal uterine artery Doppler or cerebroplacental ratio. Blood pressure and vascular IMT were evaluated.ResultsSGA newborns showed a non‐significant trend for higher values of blood pressure. IMT values were significantly increased in SGA newborns, with and without signs of severity, compared with controls. The magnitude of the increase was higher in SGA newborns with signs of severity.ConclusionsVascular IMT was increased in SGA newborns, irrespective of the presence or absence of prenatal signs of severity. This finding challenges the notion of ‘constitutionally small’ SGA, and supports the premise that the majority of SGA newborns have true growth restriction and suffer fetal cardiovascular programming. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties of Silicon‐Terminated Octyl/Decyl Polyethylene Oxide as Novel Low‐Foam Penetrating Agents
Authors: Niu Qing‐hua , He Zhi‐qiang , Fang Yun 
Published: November 2013

AbstractLow‐foam penetrating agents have been sought after for many industrial applications. In this paper, we were aiming at a low‐foam penetrating agent with excellent wetting ability and hydrolysis resistance, various silicon‐terminated penetrating agents were designed and synthesized starting from a popular commercial penetrating agent, octyl/decyl polyethylene oxide (OEO). All the products present much better low‐foam performances than that of the precursor OEO. Statistically, multi‐OEO substituted products present the best low‐foam performance but a slightly weaker wetting ability. Except octyl/decyl polyethylene oxide trimethyl silicane, all the other five products maintain excellent wetting ability and show good hydrolysis resistance at neutral pH and ambient temperature. Di(octyl/decyl polyethylene oxide) dimethyl silicane is the preferred low‐foam penetrating agent based on its structure–performance and cost, which reduced the foam volume of OEO from 75 to 4 mL (on the 100 mL volume base) at neutral pH and ambient temperature with a similar wetting ability.
The Effect of Same-Sex Marriage Laws on Different-Sex Marriage: Evidence From the Netherlands
Authors: Trandafir Mircea 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
It has long been argued that the legalization of same-sex marriage would have a negative impact on marriage. In this article, I examine how different-sex marriage in the Netherlands was affected by the enactment of two laws: a 1998 law that provided all couples with an institution almost identical to marriage (a “registered partnership”) and a 2001 law that legalized same-sex marriage for the first time in the world. I first construct a synthetic control for the Netherlands using OECD data for the period 1988–2005 and find that neither law had significant effects on either the overall or different-sex marriage rate. I next construct a unique individual-level data set covering the period 1995–2005 by combining the Dutch Labor Force Survey and official municipal records. The estimates from a discrete-time hazard model with unobserved heterogeneity for the first-marriage decision confirm the findings in the aggregate analysis. The effects of the two laws are heterogeneous, with presumably more-liberal individuals (as defined by their residence or ethnicity) marrying less after passage of both laws and potentially more-conservative individuals marrying more after passage of each law.
The Flow State Scale for Occupational Tasks: Development, Reliability, and Validity
Authors: Yoshida Kazuki , Asakawa Kiyoshi , Yamauchi Taro , Sakuraba Satoshi , Sawamura Daisuke , Murakami Yui , Sakai Shinya 
Published: November 2013

Objective/Background The degree of a patient's absorption in tasks as a measure of rehabilitation effectiveness has yet to be studied. The objective of this study is to develop a scale that can measure a patient's flow state in a clinical situation such as occupational therapy (OT). Methods The final 14 items were determined from the comprehensive assessment of item analysis results by a preliminary experiment. A total of 240 participants engaged in computer games that induced three psychological states: flow, anxiety, and boredom. After performing each task, participants completed our flow scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The reliability was calculated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The validity was confirmed from three viewpoints, namely, the correlation coefficient with the STAI, the discrimination power of each psychological state, and the accuracy of factor structure. An occupational analysis of various activities was also conducted to confirm that the computer game task was representative of measurable activities. Results Cronbach's alpha coefficient was .918. The total score of the scale was significantly negatively correlated with the total score of STAI (r = -.537, p < .01). A significant difference among each psychological state was observed (p < .01). Covariance structure analysis indicated that the model fit index showed an acceptable fit. The computer game task used in this experiment was closely related to games, crafts, learning, cooking, and playing an instrument. Conclusion Our flow scale appears to have satisfactory reliability and validity to verify quantitatively whether the occupational tasks used in OT can effectively provide a flow experience for patients.
DILEMMA ARGUMENTS AGAINST NATURALISM
Authors: Watson Jamie Carlin 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAlbert Casullo (2000, 2003) and Shane Oakley (2011) argue that dilemma arguments against epistemic naturalism, such as those offered by Laurence BonJour (1998) and Harvey Siegel (1984), are such that, whatever strength they have against naturalism applies equally to moderate rationalist accounts of a priori justification. They conclude that dilemma arguments are, therefore, insufficient for establishing an advantage for moderate rationalism over naturalized epistemology. I argue that both Casullo's and Oakley's criticisms depend on an illicit assumption, namely, that dilemma arguments presuppose a meta-justificatory demand that naturalists provide non-circular support for their basic sources of evidence. I argue that this assumption is not necessary for the force of dilemma arguments, and I construct a version that avoids this misreading. I conclude that, although there remain strategies for responding to dilemma arguments, they constitute a challenge naturalists must take seriously.
Slippery interfaces for drag reduction
Authors: Tsai Peichun Amy 
Published: November 2013

AbstractInspired by natural interfaces with surprising transport properties, innovative modifications of surfaces have been engineered to reduce drag. The common theme across these new developments is the presence of lubricant patches or layers that decrease the direct contact of viscous liquid with non-slippery solid walls. For laminar flow, the traditional assumption regarding the lubricant layer is a constant shear rate or a steady pressure gradient, implying a net flow rate of the lubricant film. By challenging this assumption, Busse et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 727, 2013, pp. 488–508) rigorously found that the hydrodynamic slip is reduced by the presence of a reversal of lubricant flow close to the wall. The analytical results for velocity field and change in drag provide insight into the optimal design of slippery surfaces with lubricant layers for drag reduction.
Comparison between two- and three-dimensional Rayleigh–Bénard convection
Authors: van der Poel Erwin P. , Stevens Richard J. A. M. , Lohse Detlef 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTwo-dimensional and three-dimensional Rayleigh–Bénard convection is compared using results from direct numerical simulations and previous experiments. The phase diagrams for both cases are reviewed. The differences and similarities between two- and three-dimensional convection are studied using $Nu(Ra)$ for $\mathit{Pr}= 4. 38$ and $\mathit{Pr}= 0. 7$ and $Nu(Pr)$ for $Ra$ up to $1{0}^{8} $. In the $Nu(Ra)$ scaling at higher $Pr$, two- and three-dimensional convection is very similar, differing only by a constant factor up to $\mathit{Ra}= 1{0}^{10} $. In contrast, the difference is large at lower $Pr$, due to the strong roll state dependence of $Nu$ in two dimensions. The behaviour of $Nu(Pr)$ is similar in two and three dimensions at large $Pr$. However, it differs significantly around $\mathit{Pr}= 1$. The Reynolds number values are consistently higher in two dimensions and additionally converge at large $Pr$. Finally, the thermal boundary layer profiles are compared in two and three dimensions.
Effects of dietary nutrients on volatile breath metabolites
Authors: Ajibola Olawunmi A. , Smith David , Španěl Patrik , Ferns Gordon A. A. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBreath analysis is becoming increasingly established as a means of assessing metabolic, biochemical and physiological function in health and disease. The methods available for these analyses exploit a variety of complex physicochemical principles, but are becoming more easily utilised in the clinical setting. Whilst some of the factors accounting for the biological variation in breath metabolite concentrations have been clarified, there has been relatively little work on the dietary factors that may influence them. In applying breath analysis to the clinical setting, it will be important to consider how these factors may affect the interpretation of endogenous breath composition. Diet may have complex effects on the generation of breath compounds. These effects may either be due to a direct impact on metabolism, or because they alter the gastrointestinal flora. Bacteria are a major source of compounds in breath, and their generation of H2, hydrogen cyanide, aldehydes and alkanes may be an indicator of the health of their host.
Swallowing outcomes following surgical and non-surgical treatment for advanced laryngeal cancer
Authors: Burnip E , Owen S J , Barker S , Patterson J M 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackground:Treatment for advanced laryngeal cancer includes surgery, and/or chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy. Each of these treatments results in major changes to the swallowing mechanism. Dysphagia is strongly correlated with poorer quality of life. A good understanding of outcomes is needed for well-informed treatment decisions.Method:This study reports on patients' swallowing outcomes following surgical and non-surgical treatments based on the results of three different swallowing tests. A total of 123 data sets were collected in out-patient clinics across two hospitals in North East England.Results:There were no significant differences between treatment groups for patient-reported swallowing outcomes or swallowing performance. However, patients who had undergone chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy (with or without laryngectomy) had significantly more diet restrictions than other groups.Conclusion:Long-term dysphagia is a common outcome of treatment for advanced laryngeal cancer. Patients treated with chemoradiotherapy and laryngectomy reported the worst overall outcomes. More longitudinal prospective research with large treatment groups is needed to investigate swallowing outcomes following different treatment methods.
Low-frequency electrostatic waves in a magnetized, current-free, heavy negative ion plasma
Authors: KIM S. H. , MERLINO R. L. , MEYER J. K. , ROSENBERG M. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe report experimental observations of a low-frequency (≪ ion gyrofrequency) electrostatic wave mode in a magnetized cylindrical (Q machine) plasma containing positive ions, very few electrons and a relatively large fraction (n−/ne > 103) of heavy negative ions (m−/m+ ≈ 10), and no magnetic field-aligned current. The waves propagate nearly perpendicular to B with a multiharmonic spectrum. The maximum wave amplitude coincided spatially with the region of largest density gradient suggesting that the waves were excited by a drift instability in a nearly electron-free positive ion–negative ion plasma
Optimistic update bias increases in older age
Authors: Chowdhury R. , Sharot T. , Wolfe T. , Düzel E. , Dolan R. J. 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundHealthy older adults report greater well-being and life satisfaction than their younger counterparts. One potential explanation for this is enhanced optimism. We tested the influence of age on optimistic and pessimistic beliefs about the future and the associated structural neural correlates.MethodEighteen young and 18 healthy older adults performed a belief updating paradigm, measuring differences in updating beliefs for desirable and undesirable information about future negative events. These measures were related to regional brain volume, focusing on the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) because this region is strongly linked to a positivity bias in older age.ResultsWe demonstrate an age-related reduction in updating beliefs when older adults are faced with undesirable, but not desirable, information about negative events. This greater ‘update bias’ in older age persisted even after controlling for a variety of variables including subjective rating scales and poorer overall memory. A structural brain correlate of this greater ‘update bias’ was evident in greater grey matter volume in the dorsal ACC in older but not in young adults.ConclusionsWe show a greater update bias in healthy older age. The link between this bias and relative volume of the ACC suggests a shared mechanism with an age-related positivity bias. Older adults frequently have to make important decisions relating to personal, health and financial issues. Our findings have wider behavioural implications in these contexts because an enhanced optimistic update bias may skew such real-world decision making.
Analysis of selective vaporization behavior in laser melting of magnesium alloy by plume deposition
Authors: Yingchun Guan , Wei Zhou , Hongyu Zheng , Zhongli Li , Hwee Leng Seng , Minghui Hong 
Published: November 2013

AbstractLaser surface melting is one of the most important processes in laser material processing. Selective vaporization of alloying elements in laser melting offers fundamental understanding of laser processing on metallic alloys. This work provides linkage between laser melting and material properties using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) for tiny vaporized species in laser-generated plume and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) for solid solution range in molten pool, both qualitatively and quantitatively (up to hundreds of micron). Silicon wafer was used to collect the generated plume. Chemical analysis was carried out on top surface and sub-surface of the deposited plume. Transport behavior as well as distribution of the vaporized species inside the plume was further proposed.
Infinite probability computation by cyclic explanation graphs
Authors: SATO TAISUKE , MEYER PHILIPP 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTabling in logic programming has been used to eliminate redundant computation and also to stop infinite loop. In this paper we investigate another possibility of tabling, i.e. to compute an infinite sum of probabilities for probabilistic logic programs. Using PRISM, a logic-based probabilistic modeling language with a tabling mechanism, we generalize prefix probability computation for probabilistic context-free grammars (PCFGs) to probabilistic logic programs. Given a top-goal, we search for all proofs with tabling and obtain an explanation graph which compresses them and may be cyclic. We then convert the explanation graph to a set of linear probability equations and solve them by matrix operation. The solution gives us the probability of the top-goal, which, in nature, is an infinite sum of probabilities. Our general approach to prefix probability computation through tabling not only allows to deal with non-probabilistic context-free grammars such as probabilistic left-corner grammars but has applications such as plan recognition and probabilistic model checking and makes it possible to compute probability for probabilistic models describing cyclic relations.
Development and preliminary evaluation of communication skills training program for oncologists based on patient preferences for communicating bad news
Authors: Fujimori Maiko , Shirai Yuki , Asai Mariko , Akizuki Nobuya , Katsumata Noriyuki , Kubota Kaoru , Uchitomi Yosuke 
Published: November 2013

AbstractObjective:The purposes of this study were to develop a communication skills training (CST) workshop program based on patient preferences, and to evaluate preliminary feasibility of the CST program on the objective performances of physicians and the subjective ratings of their confidence about the communication with patients at the pre- and post-CST.Methods:The CST program was developed, based on the previous surveys on patient preferences (setting up the supporting environment of the interview, making consideration for how to deliver bad news, discussing about additional information, and provision of reassurance and emotional support) and addressing the patient's emotion with empathic responses, and stressing the oncologists' emotional support. The program was participants' centered approach, consisted a didactic lecture, role plays with simulated patients, discussions and an ice-breaking; a total of 2-days. To evaluate feasibility of the newly developed CST program, oncologists who participated it were assessed their communication performances (behaviors and utterances) during simulated consultation at the pre- and post-CST. Participants also rated their confidence communicating with patients at the pre-, post-, and 3-months after CST, burnout at pre and 3 months after CST, and the helpfulness of the program at post-CST.Results:Sixteen oncologists attended a newly developed CST. A comparison of pre-post measures showed improvement of oncologists' communication performances, especially skills of emotional support and consideration for how to deliver information. Their confidence in communicating bad news was rated higher score at post-CST than at pre-CST and was persisted at 3-months after the CST. Emotional exhaustion scores decreased at 3-months after CST. In addition, oncologists rated high satisfaction with all components of the program.Significance of results:This pilot study suggests that the newly developed CST program based on patient preferences seemed feasible and potentially effective on improving oncologists' communication behaviors what patients prefer and confidence in communicating with patients.
Acting with dedication and expertise: Relatives' experience of nurses' provision of care in a palliative unit
Authors: Grøthe Å. , Biong Stian , Grov E.K. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractObjectives:Admission of a cancer patient to a palliative unit when near the final stage of their disease trajectory undoubtedly impacts their relatives. The aim of our study was to illuminate and interpret relatives' lived experiences of health personnel's provision of care in a palliative ward.Methods:A phenomenological/hermeneutic approach was employed that was inspired by the philosophical tradition of Heidegger and Ricoeur and further developed by Lindseth and Nordberg. The perspectives of the narrator and the text were interpreted by highlighting relatives' views on a situation in which they have to face existential challenges. The analysis was undertaken in three steps: naïve reading, structural analysis, and comprehensive understanding, including the authors' professional experiences and theoretical background.Results:Six subthemes appeared: the dying person, the bubble, the sight, the cover, the provision for children's needs, and the availability of immediate help. These components were further constructed into three themes: the meaning of relating, the meaning of action, and the meaning of resources. Our comprehensive understanding of the results suggests that the most important theme is “acting with dedication and expertise.”Significance of results:The following aspects are crucial for relatives of cancer patients hospitalized in a palliative ward: time and existence, family dynamics, and care adjusted to the situation. Our study results led to reflections on the impact of how nurses behave when providing care to patients during the palliative phase, and how they interact with relatives in this situation. We found that cancer patients in a palliative unit most appreciate nurses who act with dedication and expertise.
Course of distress, anxiety, and depression in hematological cancer patients: Association between gender and grade of neoplasm
Authors: Bergerot Cristiane Decat , Clark Karen Lynn , Nonino Alexandre , Waliany Sarah , Buso Marco Murilo , Loscalzo Matthew 
Published: November 2013

AbstractObjective:The aim of our study was to explore the impact of gender and hematological cancer grade on distress, anxiety, and depression in patients receiving chemotherapy.Methods:A prospective study was done in a cohort of 104 patients with hematological cancer. We employed the (1) Distress Thermometer (DT) and the Problem List (PL) and (2) the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for assessments at baseline (T1), the halfway timepoint (T2), and completion of chemotherapy (T3).Results:The proportion of patients experiencing significant distress (DT ≥ 4) decreased from the first to the last timepoint; the proportion experiencing anxiety and depression (as assessed by HADS) also decreased. Specifically, 50% of participants reported significant distress levels, 47.1% anxiety, and 26% depression at T1. At T2, the proportion of patients experiencing distress was reduced by 60.8%, by 76% for anxiety, and by 48.5% for depression; at T3, the reduction was close to 80% for all assessments compared with T1. Emotional and physical problems were most commonly reported. Significant reductions were discovered for distress and problem-related distress levels over time, and a significant interaction was found between gender and practical and physical problems (p < 0.05).Significance of results:Our findings suggest that female patients reported more distress, anxiety, and depression than male patients. Gender differences were related to problem-related distress but not to grade of neoplasm. We observed that, over the course of chemotherapy, the distress levels of patients with hematological cancer decrease over time.