bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Balloon Expandable Sheath for Transfemoral Aortic Valve Implantation: A Viable Option for Patients with Challenging Access
Authors: DIMITRIADIS ZISIS , SCHOLTZ WERNER , FABER LOTHAR , BÖRGERMANN JOCHEN , KLEIKAMP GEORG , HORSTKOTTE DIETER , WIEMER MARCUS 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesTranscatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) via femoral access is a new option for patients with severe aortic valve stenosis considered to be at high risk for conventional open‐heart surgery. This procedure requires peripheral arteries that are able to accommodate the large sheaths required for valve delivery. We present a series of patients with suboptimal vascular conditions, who received a self‐expandable vascular sheath.Methods and ResultsFrom January 2009 to September 2011, a total of 96 patients (43% male) were treated with the 18F Medtronic CoreValve (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA). The patients' average age was 82.5 ± 4.6 years, and the mean EuroSCORE was 29%. In eight cases, vascular conditions were inadequate either due to advanced atherosclerotic disease (n = 5, 62.5%), or an arterial diameter ≤7 mm (n = 3, 37.5%). Instead of the standard 18F sheath, a balloon‐expandable transfemoral introducer (SoloPath™‐Introducer, Onset Medical Corporation, Irvine, CA, USA) was delivered and removed without complications in all but one (87.5%) patient. In the last case, rupture of the right femoral artery occurred after removal of the sheath with the need of vascular surgery.ConclusionThe SoloPath sheath is a feasible alternative to conventional sheaths for transfemoral TAVR patients with difficult femoral vascular access.
Genotype–phenotype associations in filaggrin loss‐of‐function mutation carriers
Authors: Landeck Lilla , Visser Maaike , Kezic Sanja , John Swen M. 
Published: February 2013

Background. Loss‐of‐function mutations in the filaggrin gene (FLG) have been reported to be associated with specific phenotypic characteristics such as hyperlinearity and keratosis pilaris.Objectives. To study phenotypic features in patients with occupational irritant contact eczema of the hands in relation to FLG loss‐of‐function mutations.Materials and methods. In a prospective cohort study, genotype was determined for 459 study subjects for four FLG null alleles, and investigated for selected history, clinical and laboratory features.Results. Overall, 68 patients showed a mutation in the FLG alleles R501X, R2447X, S3247X, and/or 2282del4. Flexural eczema, xerosis cutis, pityriasis alba, dirty neck, pulpitis sicca, hyperlinear palms, keratosis pilaris and family history of eczema were positively associated with FLG mutations (p < 0.05). Although we observed a statistically significant correlation with higher serum IgE in FLG mutation carriers, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and allergic asthma were not over‐represented in this group.Conclusion. This study shows further genotype–phenotype correlations in patients with occupational irritant contact eczema and FLG mutation carrier status. These features may help to identify those with FLG mutations on a specific phenotype basis.
The Human Right to Subsistence
Authors: Jones Charles 
Published: February 2013

AbstractIs there a human right to subsistence? A satisfactory answer to this question will explain what makes human rights distinctive, what is meant by subsistence, and why subsistence is an appropriate content of a human right. This article situates the human right to subsistence within the context of recent philosophical discussions of human rights. The argument for human subsistence rights provides an instructive example of how to understand what human rights are, why we must affirm them, and how they fit together as a coherent group. I begin the article by outlining the meaning, content, and justification of human rights in general. I then identify the strongest arguments for affirming a human right to subsistence and the most powerful objections to such a right. Finally, I address the worry about human rights inflation and question any minimalist understanding of human rights that would either exclude subsistence rights altogether or limit their scope in certain ways.
Computer‐assisted foreign language instruction: task based vs. form focused
Authors: Arslanyilmaz A. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe purpose of this article is twofold: to describe a prototype for a computer‐assisted task‐based language instruction (CATBI) tool designed and developed for Turkish as a Foreign Language, and to report on the effectiveness of the CATBI tool. More specifically, this work discusses an experimental study that examined the role of teaching approach in foreign language development by comparing CATBI to computer‐assisted form‐focused language instruction (CAFFI) on language production in terms of accuracy, lexical complexity, and fluency. For a duration of 7 days, two intermediate‐level Turkish as a Foreign Language classes consisting of 28 high school students participated in this experiment. The classes were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: an experimental group with CATBI and a control group with CAFFI. Statistical analyses revealed that students in the CATBI group produced significantly better and more fluent language than students with CAFFI. However, no significant effects were found in terms of accuracy and lexical complexity of the language produced. Based on these results, it was concluded that CATBI is more effective than CAFFI in enhancing language production in general, and fluency in particular.
Left Atrial Sphericity: A New Method to Assess Atrial Remodeling. Impact on the Outcome of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Authors: Bisbal Felipe , Guiu Esther , Calvo Naiara , Marin David , Berruezo Antonio , Arbelo Elena , Ortiz‐Pérez José , de Caralt Teresa María , Tolosana José María , Borràs Roger , Sitges Marta , Brugada Josep , MONT LLUÍS 
Published: February 2013

Left Atrial Sphericity Predicts AF Ablation Outcome BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) ablation outcome is mainly determined by atrial remodeling that, nowadays, is only estimated through clinical presentation (persistent vs. paroxysmal) and left atrial (LA) dimension. The aim of the study was to stage the atrial remodeling process using the Left Atrial Sphericity (LASP) and determine whether this technique may help to predict AF ablation outcome.MethodsConsecutive patients who underwent contrast‐enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance angiography before AF ablation were included in the study. Three‐dimensional reconstruction of LA excluding pulmonary veins and the LA appendage was used to define the LA cavity. The LASP was automatically obtained with self‐customized software.Results106 patients were included and categorized in 3 groups (Gs): discoid‐LA (G1), intermediate‐LA (G2), and spherical‐LA (G3). The G3 patients had larger LA anteroposterior diameter than G1 and G2 patients (47 ± 7 vs 43 ± 6 and 39 ± 5mm; P < 0.001), greater LA volume (90 ± 39 vs 86 ± 24 and 73 ± 20 mm; P = 0.012), and higher prevalence of persistent AF (75% vs 48% and 29%; P = 0.034) structural heart disease (75% vs 19% and 19%; P < 0.001), and AF recurrence at 12 months follow‐up (58% vs 29% and 5%, P < 0.001). The LASP had linear correlation to predicted probability of recurrence. Multivariate analysis identified LASP (OR 1.320 [1.096–1.591], P = 0.004) and hypertension (OR 3.694 [1.282–10.645]; P = 0.016) as independent risk factors for arrhythmia recurrence.ConclusionLeft Atrial Sphericity is a new independent predictor of recurrence after AF ablation and may be useful in selecting the best candidates for AF ablation.
PREDICTION MARKETS IN THE LABORATORY
Authors: Deck Cary , Porter David 
Published: February 2013

AbstractPrediction markets are becoming an ever more popular method for aggregating disparate information. Companies use prediction markets to forecast sales, release dates, and other internal activities. Recently, several well‐known economists have argued that government ought to eliminate impediments to unleashing the power of prediction markets broadly. This survey paper looks at the laboratory experiments which provide part of the scientific justification for using prediction markets. These systems work because people who have private knowledge can use this “insider information” in the market, but doing so causes the price to reflect these data. Starting with early experiments that show markets can, under certain circumstances, aggregate information, we discuss the robustness of prediction markets to various design features. We also discuss places where performance does not match rhetoric and briefly look at experimental comparisons of alternative information aggregating institutions. Another issue consistently raised regarding the implementation of prediction markets is the degree to which traders can manipulate prices and thus the information gleaned. By following a series of experiments on manipulation, we present the circumstances that are and are not sufficient for manipulation attempts to be successful. Finally, we offer suggestions on where we believe future experiments are needed in this area.
Identical Preferences Lower Bound for Allocation of Heterogenous Tasks and NIMBY Problems
Authors: YENGIN DUYGU 
Published: February 2013

AbstractWe study the allocation of collectively owned indivisible goods when monetary transfers are possible. We restrict our attention to incentive‐compatible mechanisms which allocate the goods efficiently. Among these mechanisms, we characterize those that respect the identical preferences lower bound: each agent should be at least as well off as in a hypothetical economy where all agents have the same preference as hers, no agent envies another, and the budget is balanced.
Unit Versus Ad Valorem Taxes: The Private Ownership of Monopoly in General Equilibrium
Authors: BLACKORBY CHARLES , MURTY SUSHAMA 
Published: February 2013

AbstractEmploying a general equilibrium framework, Blackorby and Murty prove that, with a monopoly and under 100% profit taxation and uniform lump‐sum transfers, the utility possibility sets of economies with unit and ad valorem taxes are identical. This welfare equivalence is in contrast to most previous studies, which demonstrate the superiority of the ad valorem tax in a partial equilibrium framework. In this paper, we relax the assumption of 100% profit taxation and allow the consumers to receive profit incomes from ownership of shares in the monopoly firm. We find that, under certain regularity conditions, for any fixed vector of profit shares, the utility possibility sets of economies with unit and ad valorem taxes are not generally identical. But it does not imply that one completely dominates the other. Rather, the two utility possibility frontiers cross each other. Additionally, employing a standard partial equilibrium welfare analysis, we show that the Marshallian social surpluses resulting from the two tax structures are identical when the government can implement unrestricted transfers.
Petrography of impact glasses and melt breccias from the El'gygytgyn impact structure, Russia
Authors: Pittarello Lidia , Koeberl Christian 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe El'gygytgyn impact structure, 18 km in diameter and 3.6 Ma old, in Arctic Siberia, Russia, is the only impact structure on Earth mostly excavated in acidic volcanic rocks. The Late Cretaceous volcanic target includes lavas, tuffs, and ignimbrites of rhyolitic, dacitic, and andesitic composition, and local occurrence of basalt. Although the ejecta blanket around the crater is nearly completely eroded, bomb‐shaped impact glasses, redeposited after the impact event, occur in lacustrine terraces within the crater. Here we present detailed petrographic descriptions of newly collected impact glass‐bearing samples. The observed features contribute to constrain the formation of the melt and its cooling history within the framework of the impact process. The collected samples can be grouped into two types, characterized by specific features: (1) “pure” glasses, containing very few clasts or new crystals and which were likely formed during the early stages of cratering and (2) a second type, which represents composite samples with impact melt breccia lenses embedded in silicate glass. These mixed samples probably resulted from inclusion of unmelted impact debris during ejection and deposition. After deposition the glassy portions continued to deform, whereas the impact melt breccia inclusions that probably had already cooled down behaved as rigid bodies in the flow.
Multiple melting in a four‐layered barred‐olivine chondrule with compositionally heterogeneous glass from LL3.0 Semarkona
Authors: Rubin Alan E. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractChondrule K7p from LL3.0 Semarkona consists of four nested barred‐olivine (BO) chondrules. The innermost BO chondrule (chondrule 1) formed by complete melting of an olivine‐rich dustball. After formation, the chondrule was incorporated into another olivine‐rich dustball. A second heating event caused this second dustball to melt; the mesostasis and some of the olivine in chondrule 1 were probably also melted at this time, but the chondrule 1 structure remained largely intact. At this stage, the object was an enveloping compound BO chondrule. This two‐step process of melting and dustball enshrouding repeated two more times. The different proportions of olivine and glass in chondrules 1–4 suggest that the individual precursor dustballs differed in the amounts of chondrule fragments they contained and the mineral proportions in those fragments. The final dustball (which ultimately formed chondrule 4) was somewhat more ferroan; after melting, crystallizing, and quenching, chondrule 4 contained olivine and glass with higher FeO and MnO contents than those of the earlier formed chondrules. Subsequent aqueous alteration on the LL parent body transformed the abundant metal blebs and stringers at the chondrule surface into carbide, iron oxide, and minor Ni‐rich metal. Portions of the mesostasis underwent dissolution, producing holes and adjacent blades of more resistant material. Much of the glass in the chondrule remained isotropic, even after minor hydration and leaching. The sharp, moderately lobate boundary between the extensively altered mesostasis and the isotropic glass represents the reaction front beyond which there was little or no glass dissolution.
Isolated in an ocean of grass: low levels of gene flow between termite subpopulations
Authors: Schmidt Anna M. , Jacklyn Peter , Korb Judith 
Published: February 2013

AbstractHabitat fragmentation is one of the most important causes of biodiversity loss, but many species are distributed in naturally patchy habitats. Such species are often organized in highly dynamic metapopulations or in patchy populations with high gene flow between subpopulations. Yet, there are also species that exist in stable patchy habitats with small subpopulations and presumably low dispersal rates. Here, we present population genetic data for the ‘magnetic’ termiteAmitermes meridionalis,which show that short distances between subpopulations do not hinder exceptionally strong genetic differentiation (FST: 0.339;RST: 0.636). Despite the strong genetic differentiation between subpopulations, we did not find evidence for genetic impoverishment. We propose that loss of genetic diversity might be counteracted by a long colony life with low colony turnover. Indeed, we found evidence for the inheritance of colonies by so‐called ‘replacement reproductives’. Inhabiting a mound for several generations might result in loss of gene diversity within a colony but maintenance of gene diversity at the subpopulation level.
Control of the chewing louse Bovicola (Werneckiella) ocellatus in donkeys, using essential oils
Authors: ELLSE L. , BURDEN F. A. , WALL R. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractInfestations by lice can be a significant clinical and welfare issue in the management of large animals. The limited range of commercial pediculicides available and the development of resistance have led to the need to explore alternative louse management approaches. The results of in vitro and in vivo trials undertaken to control populations of the donkey chewing louse, Bovicola ocellatus (Piaget) (Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae) using the essential oils of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) are reported here. Results of contact and vapour bioassays showed that 5% (v/v) tea tree and lavender oils resulted in > 80% louse mortality after 2 h of exposure. On farms, separate groups of 10 donkeys sprayed with 5% (v/v) tea tree and lavender oil as part of their usual grooming regime showed significant reductions in louse numbers compared with a control group (0.2% polysorbate 80 in water). These findings indicate that tea tree and lavender essential oils can provide clinically useful levels of control of B. ocellatus when used as part of a grooming routine and suggest that with further development could form the basis of an easy to apply and valuable component of a louse management programme for donkeys.
α‐Secretase cleaved amyloid precursor protein (APP) accumulates in cholinergic dystrophic neurites in normal, aged hippocampus
Authors: Yoon S.‐Y. , Choi J.‐U. , Cho M.‐H. , Yang K.‐M. , Ha H. , Chung I. J. , Cho G. S. , Kim D.‐H. 
Published: February 2013

AimsDystrophic neurites are associated with β‐amyloid (Aβ) plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and are also found in some specific areas of normal, aged brains. This study assessed the molecular characteristics of dystrophic neurites in normal ageing and its difference from AD.MethodsWe compared the dystrophic neurites in normal aged human brains (age 20–70 years) and AD brains (Braak stage 4–6) by immunostaining against ChAT, synaptophysin, γ‐tubulin, cathepsin‐D, Aβ1–16, Aβ17–24, amyloid precursor protein (APP)‐CT695 and APP‐NT. We then tested the reproducibility in C57BL/6 mice neurone cultures.ResultsIn normal, aged mice and humans, we found an increase in clustered dystrophic neurites of cholinergic neurones in CA1 regions of the hippocampus and layer II and III regions of the entorhinal cortex, which are the major and earliest affected areas in AD. These dystrophic neurites showed accumulation of sAPPα peptides cleaved from the amyloid precursor protein by α‐secretase rather than Aβ or C‐terminal fragments. In contrast, Aβ and APP‐CTFs accumulated in the dystrophic neurites in and around Aβ plaques of AD patients. Several experiments suggested that the accumulation of sAPPα resulted from ageing‐related proteasomal dysfunction.ConclusionsAgeing‐associated impairment of the proteasomal system and accumulation of sAPPα at cholinergic neurites in specific areas of brain regions associated with memory could be associated with the normal decline of memory in aged individuals. In addition, these age‐related changes might be the most vulnerable targets of pathological insults that result in pathological accumulation of Aβ and/or APP‐CTFs and lead to neurodegenerative conditions such as AD.
The efficacy of tincture of benzoin compound in the management of extraction sockets of mesio‐angularly impacted mandibular third molars
Authors: Anyanechi C.E. , Saheeb B.D. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAimTo clinically determine the efficacy of tincture of benzoin compound in the treatment and prevention of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) following surgical disimpaction of mesio‐angularly impacted mandibular third molars.Patients and methodsThis is a 6‐year prospective study of 232 patients with mesio‐angularly impacted mandibular third molars requiring dental extractions at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. The subjects were recruited into two different groups, A (control) and B (tincture of benzoin compound), by simple random sampling.ResultsIn Groups A and B, 16 (13.8%) and 3 (2.6%) of the subjects, respectively, developed alveolar osteitis. There were more males (n = 123, 53.0%) than females (n = 109, 47.0%) in the two groups, with male‐to‐female ratio of 3:1. There were more subjects (n = 11, 68.7%) between 25–44 years in Group A, with a mean age of 31.5 years, than in Group B, with a mean age of 28.3 years. The most common reason for extraction was dental caries and its sequelae (n = 121, 52.1%).ConclusionThis study suggests that the tincture of benzoin compound is beneficial and safe in the treatment and prevention of alveolar osteitis.
Positive ProbeTec Tests in Fresh Specimens from Malignant Musculoskeletal Tumors: a Case Series
Authors: Ang Chia‐liang , Foo Leon Siang‐shen , Sun Shichao , Kesavan Sittampalam 
Published: February 2013

ObjectiveTo report a case series of patients with high‐grade musculoskeletal sarcomas whose biopsies of fresh specimens yielded positive Becton Dickinson ProbeTec tests, in addition to confirming diagnoses of high‐grade sarcomas.MethodsFresh biopsies of high‐grade musculoskeletal sarcomas were subjected to ProbeTec tests.ResultsThe biopsies of three Chinese patients aged 65, 49 and 78 years with high‐grade musculoskeletal sarcomas had positive Becton Dickinson ProbeTec tests. These patients’ overall clinical pictures were not consistent with active tuberculous infections, which suggested that the ProbeTec test results were false‐positives. The reason for this is not known but it is postulated that there is homology between the primers used for the ProbeTec test and the molecular properties of high‐grade sarcomas.ConclusionWith the increasing use of the ProbeTec test in clinical practice, fellow surgeons and pathologists are encouraged to be aware of this phenomenon.
Isotopic Tracing for Calculating the Surface Density of Arginine–glycine–aspartic acid‐containing Peptide on Allogeneic Bone
Authors: Hou Xiao‐bin , Hu Yong‐cheng , He Jin‐quan 
Published: February 2013

ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of determining the surface density of arginine–glycine–aspartic acid (RGD) peptides grafted onto allogeneic bone by an isotopic tracing method involving labeling these peptides with 125I, evaluating the impact of the input concentration of RGD peptides on surface density and establishing the correlation between surface density and their input concentration.MethodsA synthetic RGD‐containing polypeptide (EPRGDNYR) was labeled with 125I and its specific radioactivity calculated. Reactive solutions of RGD peptide with radioactive 125I‐RGD as probe with input concentrations of 0.01 mg/mL, 0.10 mg/mL, 0.50 mg/mL, 1.00 mg/mL, 2.00 mg/mL and 4.00 mg/mL were prepared. Using 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide as a cross‐linking agent, reactions were induced by placing allogeneic bone fragments into reactive solutions of RGD peptide of different input concentrations. On completion of the reactions, the surface densities of RGD peptides grafted onto the allogeneic bone fragments were calculated by evaluating the radioactivity and surface areas of the bone fragments. The impact of input concentration of RGD peptides on surface density was measured and a curve constructed.ResultsMeasurements by a radiodensity γ‐counter showed that the RGD peptides had been labeled successfully with 125I. The allogeneic bone fragments were radioactive after the reaction, demonstrating that the RGD peptides had been successfully grafted onto their surfaces. It was also found that with increasing input concentration, the surface density increased.ConclusionIt was concluded that the surface density of RGD peptides is quantitatively related to their input concentration. With increasing input concentration, the surface density gradually increases to saturation value.