bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and Safety of Rituximab for Refractory and Relapsing Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: A Cohort of 10 Cases
Authors: Omri Halima El , Taha Ruba Y. , Gamil Amna , Ibrahim Firyal , Sabah Hisham Al , Mahmoud Zeinab O. , Pittari Gianfranco , Hljji Ibrahim Al , Yassin Mohamed A. 
Published: May 2015

Objective Idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life-threatening disorder mediated by autoantibodies directed against ADAMTS13. This provides a rationale for the use of rituximab in this disorder. We report our experience and the outcome of 10 cases of TTP (9 refractory and 1 relapsing) successfully treated with rituximab in combination with plasma exchange (PE) and other immunosuppressive treatments. Methods The diagnosis of TTP was based on clinical criteria and supported by severe deficiency of ADAMTS13 activity and presence of inhibitors in seven cases. Rituximab was started after a median of 18.6 sessions of PE (range: 5-35) at the dose of 375 mg/m2/week for 4-8 weeks. Results Complete remission was achieved in all patients after a median time of 14.4 days of the first dose (range: 6-30). After a median follow-up of 30 months (range: 8-78), eight patients were still in remission and two developed multiple relapses, treated again with the same therapy, and achieved complete responses; they are alive, and in complete remission after a follow-up of 12 and 16 months. Conclusion Rituximab appears to be a safe and effective therapy for refractory and relapsing TTP. However, longer follow-up is recommended to assess relapse and detect possible long-term side effects of this therapy.
Recorregut de recerca geològica i mineralògica per les comarques de la Ribera d´Ebre i del Baix Ebre: des de Mora la Nova a Miravet, Rasquera i al Perelló
Authors: Mata Perelló Josep Maria , Sanz Balagué Joaquim 
Published: May 2015

Itinerari realitzat el 12 d’abril de 2014. En aquesta ocasió, el recorregut de l´itinerari discorrerà, en la seva quasi totalitat pel Sistema Mediterrani (i més concretament per la seva sots-unitat més interna, la Serralada Prelitoral Catalana). Així, discorrerà pràcticament per aquesta sots-unitat geològica, entre les localitats de Rasquera (Ribera d’Ebre) i del Perelló (de la del Baix Ebre). Tot i així, al primer tram del recorregut, entre Mora d’Ebre i Rasquera (dintre de la comarca de la Ribera d’Ebre), el recorregut transitarà per una altra sots-unitat del Sistema Mediterrani, concretament per la Depressió de Mora. Així doncs, el recorregut de l´itinerari s’iniciarà a la Depressió de Mora, per la qual es circularà, molt breument, entre les localitats de Mora d’Ebre, Miravet i Rasquera, dintre de la comarca de la Ribera d’Ebre. Tot i així, en bona part d’aquest recorregut, ja es circularà també per les immediacions de la Serralada Prelitoral Catalana. A partir de Rasquera i fins a la fi del recorregut al Perelló, ja es circularà exclusivament per la Serralada Prelitoral Catalana. Per altra banda, el recorregut s’iniciarà a la localitat de Mora d’Ebre, dintre de la comarca de la Ribera d’Ebre. Per ella es circularà fins a Rasquera, tot i que en fer la fillola de Benifallet, s’haurà penetrat momentàniament a l Baix Ebre. Més endavant, en arribar al Perelló es penetrarà definitivament a la comarca del Baix Ebre.
Spatial and temporal scales of sea surface salinity variability in the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Sena Martins Meike , Serra Nuno , Stammer Detlef 
Published: May 2015

AbstractSpace‐time variability of SSS in the Atlantic Ocean (33°S–80°N) is analyzed using near‐surface salinity observations from the period 1980–2013 jointly with the output from an eddy‐resolving numerical ocean simulation. Results show a good agreement between in situ and model results in terms of spatial and temporal mean SSS patterns, geographically varying SSS variability, and spatial and temporal scales of SSS variability. A good agreement exists also for estimates of the amplitude and phase of the annual cycle of SSS with the model providing more spatial details of SSS variability, which cannot be resolved by observations, especially near ocean margins and in shelf areas. Dominant spatial and temporal scales of SSS variability are, respectively, between 100 and 250 km and between 30 and 70 days in most of the Atlantic when the annual cycle of the SSS is included. However, smaller‐scale salinity features are also present, which show temporal decorrelation scales of only 3–5 days throughout the Atlantic. This fast variability must be considered when producing weekly averaged salinity products from satellite measurements.
Observations of the variability of shallow trade wind cumulus cloudiness and mass flux
Authors: Lamer K. , Kollias P. , Nuijens L. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractTwo years of ground‐based remote sensing observations are used to study the vertical structure of marine cumulus near the island of Barbados, including their cloud fraction and mass flux profile. Daily radar derived cloud fraction profiles peak at different height levels depending on the depth of the cumuli and thus the extent to which they precipitate. Nonprecipitating cumuli have a peak cloud fraction of about 5% near mean cloud base (700 m), whereas precipitating cumuli tend to have a peak of only 2% near cloud base. Nineteen percent of the precipitating cumuli are accompanied by large cloud fractions near the detrainment level of cumulus tops (~1700 m). Day‐to‐day variations in cloud fraction near cloud base are modest (~3%). Nonprecipitating cumuli have their largest reflectivities near cloud top and an ascending core surrounded by a subsiding shell. Precipitating cumuli with enhanced elevated cloudiness (stratiform outflow) are deeper and contain larger vertical gradients in reflectivity and Doppler velocity than precipitating cumuli without such outflow. Bulk (3 h) statistics reveal that nonprecipitating shallow cumuli are active and organized. They contain on average 79% in‐cloud updrafts with 86% of them being organized in large coherent structures contributing to a maximum updraft mass flux of 8–36 gm−2 s−1 just above cloud base. Alternatively, downdrafts contribute insignificantly to the mass flux and show little vertical and temporal variability (0–7 gm−2 s−1). Complementary Raman lidar information suggests that updraft mass flux profile slope is inversely related to environmental relative humidity.
Xenon isotopes in the MORB source, not distinctive of early global degassing
Authors: Boehnke P. , Caffee M. W. , Harrison T. M. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractAlthough fissiogenic Xe in mid‐ocean ridge basalt (MORB) has long been used inferred to infer an early (>4 Ga) catastrophic mantle degassing, decomposition of the analyzed gas in terms of its constituents requires several assumptions. The canonical interpretation has not been tested using the full spectrum of possible initial components and radiogenic inputs. We use a Markov chain Monte Carlo approach that examines a broad range of Xe isotopic components present during Earth formation and evolution. Our best fit simulations are consistent with the preservation of much higher Pu/U in MORB source Xe than previously recognized but are equally supportive of both limited and early catastrophic loss. We show that an initially Xe depleted upper mantle that becomes progressively ingassed through both radiogenic ingrowth and subduction of evolving atmospheric Xe is equally consistent with all evidence, underscoring the need for improvements to our knowledge of fission Xe spectra, MORB Xe measurements, and Pu geochemistry.
Fires increase Amazon forest productivity through increases in diffuse radiation
Authors: Rap A. , Spracklen D. V. , Mercado L. , Reddington C. L. , Haywood J. M. , Ellis R. J. , Phillips O. L. , Artaxo P. , Bonal D. , Restrepo Coupe N. , Butt N. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractAtmospheric aerosol scatters solar radiation increasing the fraction of diffuse radiation and the efficiency of photosynthesis. We quantify the impacts of biomass burning aerosol (BBA) on diffuse radiation and plant photosynthesis across Amazonia during 1998–2007. Evaluation against observed aerosol optical depth allows us to provide lower and upper BBA emissions estimates. BBA increases Amazon basin annual mean diffuse radiation by 3.4–6.8% and net primary production (NPP) by 1.4–2.8%, with quoted ranges driven by uncertainty in BBA emissions. The enhancement of Amazon basin NPP by 78–156 Tg C a−1 is equivalent to 33–65% of the annual regional carbon emissions from biomass burning. This NPP increase occurs during the dry season and acts to counteract some of the observed effect of drought on tropical production. We estimate that 30–60 Tg C a−1 of this NPP enhancement is within woody tissue, accounting for 8–16% of the observed carbon sink across mature Amazonian forests.
Estimating stream filtration from a meandering stream under the Robin condition
Authors: Huang Ching‐Sheng , Yeh Hund‐Der 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThis study applies image well theory to estimate the stream depletion rate (SDR) due to pumping near a meandering stream with a clogged streambed treated as the Robin condition. The stream is considered as an irregular boundary represented by discrete nodes. Image wells are arranged along the stream and near those nodes. On the basis of the Theis (1935) solution and the principle of superposition, the solution for the aquifer drawdown subject to the stream can then be expressed as the sum of the Theis solution and a simple series representing the effect of those image wells. The discharge rates of the image wells are determined by solving a system of equations obtained by substituting the drawdown solution into the Robin condition. Quantitative criteria for assessing the applicability of the image well theory are provided. On the basis of the drawdown solution and Darcy's law, the analytical solution for SDR can then be obtained. A finite element solution is also developed to verify the SDR solution. Temporal SDR distributions predicted by both the analytical solution and finite element solution agree well over the entire period except at late time when the stream filtration rate approaches the pumping rate (i.e., SDR ≅ 1). It is found that a meandering stream has a significant effect on SDR compared with a rectilinear one and the effect should be taken into account in estimating SDR.
A cohort study of psychosocial work stressors on work ability among Brazilian hospital workers
Authors: Martinez Maria Carmen , do Rosário Dias de Oliveira Latorre Maria , Fischer Frida Marina 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundHospital work is characterized by stressors that can influence work ability. The present study aims to assess the association between psychosocial work stressors and changes in work ability in a group of Brazilian hospital employees.MethodsFrom 1,022 workers included in a 3‐year cohort started in 2009, 423 (41.4%) returned the applied questionnaires in 2012. Changes in work ability were considered as the dependent variable and the investigated psychosocial work stressors as independent variables. Logistic regression models adjusted for potential con‐founders (demographic, occupational features, social support, overcommitment, and situations liable to cause pain/injury).ResultsHigh levels of exposure to psychosocial work stressors were significantly associated with decreased work ability: job strain (OR = 2.81), effort‐reward imbalance (OR = 3.21).ConclusionStrategies to reduce psychosocial work stressors should be considered to maintain hospital employees’ work ability. Such strategies have implications for institutional and social policies and might be included in quality management programs. Am. J. Ind. Med. 58:795–806, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Recovery and representation of spectral bidirectional reflectance distribution function from an image‐based measurement system
Authors: Kim Duck Bong , Jang In Yeop , Choi Han Kyun , Lee Kwan H. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractA spectral‐based method can acquire and represent the surface appearance of a given material physically correctly. But, it has drawbacks due to its high measurement cost and a long computation time in measuring, modeling, and rendering. In this article, we present spectral recovery and representation of spectral bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) from multispectral reflectance measurements in which we can render real appearance materials over a 3D model with accuracy and efficiency. First of all, an accurate spectral BRDF recovery algorithm, which transforms multispectral high dynamic range images into highly dense BRDFs in both a spectral and an angular domain, is proposed. Second, an efficient representation method is developed representing spectral BRDFs compactly using a factorization method and an adaptive spectral sampling method that uses a given error bound. The results show that the proposed method can compress the spectral BRDF data down by several hundred times while maintaining the given accuracy in colorimetric and spectral domains under a specific illuminant. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 41, 358–371, 2016
Silver nanoparticles temporarily retard NO2− production without significantly affecting N2O release by Nitrosomonas europaea
Authors: Michels Camila , Yang Yu , Moreira Soares Hugo , Alvarez Pedro J. J. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract

Nitrifying bacteria are highly susceptible to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). However, the effect of sublethal exposure to AgNPs after their release of nitrogenous compounds of environmental concern (e.g., the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide [N2O] and the common water pollutant nitrite [NO2−]) has not been systematically investigated. The present study reports the effect of AgNPs (and potentially released silver ions [Ag+]) on NO2− and N2O production by Nitrosomonas europaea, and on the transcription of the associated genes. The release of NO2− was more negatively affected than the production of N2O. For example, exposure to AgNPs at 0.075 mg/L temporarily enhanced N2O production (by 12%) without affecting nitrite release, whereas higher AgNP concentrations (&gt;0.25 mg/L) inhibited NO2− release (by &gt;12%) but not N2O production. Transcriptomic analyses corroborated these trends; AgNPs at 0.075 mg/L increased the expression of the nitric oxide reductase gene (norQ) associated with N2O production (by 5.3-fold to 12.8-fold), whereas both 0.075 mg/L of Ag+ and 0.75 mg/L of AgNPs down-regulated the ammonia monooxygenase gene (amoA2; by 0.08-fold to 0.15-fold and 0.32-fold to 0.64-fold, respectively), the nitrite reductase gene (nirK; by 0.01-fold to 0.02-fold and 0.22-fold to 0.44-fold, respectively), and norQ (by 0.11-fold to 0.15-fold and 0.32-fold to 0.57-fold, respectively). These results suggest that AgNP release to sewage treatment plants and land application of AgNP-containing biosolids should be minimized because of their potential temporary stimulation of N2O release and interference with nitrification. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:2231–2235. © 2015 SETAC
Applying comprehensive environmental assessment to research planning for multiwalled carbon nanotubes: Refinements to inform future stakeholder engagement
Authors: Powers Christina M , Grieger Khara , Meacham Connie A , Gooding Meredith Lassiter , Gift Jeffrey S , Lehmann Geniece M , Hendren Christine O , Davis J Michael , Burgoon Lyle 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Risk assessments and risk management efforts to protect human health and the environment can benefit from early, coordinated research planning by researchers, risk assessors, and risk managers. However, approaches for engaging these and other stakeholders in research planning have not received much attention in the environmental scientific literature. The Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (CEA) approach under development by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is a means to manage complex information and input from diverse stakeholder perspectives on research planning that will ultimately support environmental and human health decision making. The objectives of this article are to 1) describe the outcomes of applying lessons learned from previous CEA applications to planning research on engineered nanomaterial, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and 2) discuss new insights and refinements for future efforts to engage stakeholders in research planning for risk assessment and risk management of environmental issues. Although framed in terms of MWCNTs, this discussion is intended to enhance research planning to support assessments for other environmental issues as well. Key insights for research planning include the potential benefits of 1) ensuring that participants have research, risk assessment, and risk management expertise in addition to diverse disciplinary backgrounds; 2) including an early scoping step before rounds of formal ratings; 3) using a familiar numeric scale (e.g., US dollars) versus ordinal rating scales of “importance”; 4) applying virtual communication tools to supplement face-to-face interaction between participants; and 5) refining criteria to guide development of specific, actionable research questions. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:96–108. © 2015 SETAC
Key Points
The Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (CEA) approach under development by the USEPA offers a way to manage complex information and input from diverse stakeholder perspectives for research planning to support risk assessment and management. This paper describes outcomes of applying lessons learned from previous applications of CEA to recent work on research planning for one type of engineered nanomaterial, multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Five refinements for future efforts to engage stakeholders in research planning for environmental risk assessment and management are presented in detail. This work may also enhance research planning to develop data and assessments for other emerging technologies and products and even well-known chemicals with remaining knowledge gaps.
Renal Function and Bone Loss in a Cohort of Afro-Caribbean Men
Authors: Kuipers Allison L , Egwuogu Heartley , Evans Rhobert W , Patrick Alan L , Youk Ada , Bunker Clareann H , Zmuda Joseph M 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACT

Poor renal function is associated with increased rates of bone loss and osteoporotic fractures in Caucasian men. The importance of kidney function for skeletal health in African ancestry men, who are a population segment with a high prevalence of chronic kidney disease as well as high peak bone mass, is not well known. We examined the relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and rates of bone loss in a large population cohort of otherwise healthy Afro-Caribbean men aged 40 years and older. Dual X-ray absorptiometry of the proximal femur and quantitative computed tomography of the proximal radius and tibia were obtained approximately 6 years apart. We calculated eGFR from serum creatinine that was measured in fasting samples in 1451 men. Impaired kidney function (IKF, eGFR&lt;60 ml/min/1.7 m2) was observed in 8.6% of the cohort. The relationship between IKF and baseline BMD and annualized rate of change in BMD was analyzed controlling for potentially important confounders. IKF was not associated with baseline BMD. In contrast, men with IKF experienced a rate of decline in areal BMD at the total hip, femoral neck and trochanter and cortical volumetric BMD compared to those with normal kidney function (p&lt;0.05 for all). Impaired kidney function was not associated with changes in trabecular volumetric BMD. In conclusion, poorer kidney function is associated with accelerated bone loss among otherwise healthy Afro-Caribbean men even after controlling for age and other important medical and lifestyle related variables. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Does Diet-Induced Weight Loss Lead to Bone Loss in Overweight or Obese Adults? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials
Authors: Zibellini Jessica , Seimon Radhika V , Lee Crystal MY , Gibson Alice A , Hsu Michelle SH , Shapses Sue A , Nguyen Tuan V , Sainsbury Amanda 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACT

Diet-induced weight loss has been suggested to be harmful to bone health. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis (using a random-effects model) to quantify the effect of diet-induced weight loss on bone. We included 41 publications involving overweight or obese but otherwise healthy adults who followed a dietary weight-loss intervention. The primary outcomes examined were changes from baseline in total hip, lumbar spine, and total body bone mineral density (BMD), as assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Secondary outcomes were markers of bone turnover. Diet-induced weight loss was associated with significant decreases of 0.010 to 0.015 g/cm2 in total hip BMD for interventions of 6, 12, or 24 (but not 3) months' duration (95% confidence intervals [CIs], –0.014 to –0.005, –0.021 to –0.008, and –0.024 to –0.000 g/cm2, at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively). There was, however, no statistically significant effect of diet-induced weight loss on lumbar spine or whole-body BMD for interventions of 3 to 24 months' duration, except for a significant decrease in total body BMD (–0.011 g/cm2; 95% CI, –0.018 to –0.003 g/cm2) after 6 months. Although no statistically significant changes occurred in serum concentrations of N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (P1NP), interventions of 2 or 3 months in duration (but not of 6, 12, or 24 months' duration) induced significant increases in serum concentrations of osteocalcin (0.26 nmol/L; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.39 nmol/L), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) (4.72 nmol/L; 95% CI, 2.12 to 7.30 nmol/L) or N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX) (3.70 nmol/L; 95% CI, 0.90 to 6.50 nmol/L bone collagen equivalents [BCEs]), indicating an early effect of diet-induced weight loss to promote bone breakdown. These data show that in overweight and obese individuals, a single diet-induced weight-loss intervention induces a small decrease in total hip BMD, but not lumbar spine BMD. This decrease is small in comparison to known metabolic benefits of losing excess weight. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Quantitative clinical pharmacology for size and age scaling in pediatric drug development: A systematic review
Authors: Samant Tanay S. , Mangal Naveen , Lukacova Viera , Schmidt Stephan 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe establishment of drug dosing in children is often hindered by the lack of actual pediatric efficacy and safety data. To overcome this limitation, scaling approaches are frequently employed to leverage adult clinical information for informing pediatric dosing. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the different scaling approaches used in pediatric pharmacotherapy as well as their proper implementation in drug development and clinical use. We will start out with a brief overview of the current regulatory requirements in pediatric drug development, followed by a review of the most commonly employed scaling approaches in increasing order of complexity ranging from simple body weight‐based dosing to physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling approaches. Each of the presented approaches has advantages and limitations, which will be highlighted throughout the course of the review by the use of clinically‐relevant examples. The choice of the approach employed consequently depends on the clinical question at hand and the availability of sufficient clinical data. The main effort while establishing and qualifying these scaling approaches should be directed towards the development of safe and effective dosing regimens in children rather than identifying the best model, ie models should be fit for purpose.