bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Explaining Price Variability in the Italian Yogurt Market: A Hedonic Analysis
Authors: Carlucci Domenico , Stasi Antonio , Nardone Gianluca , Seccia Antonio 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTToday yogurt is produced and consumed worldwide, and its popularity has increased in recent years. In Italy, yogurt consumption grew by 43% in the period 2004–2008. This study is focused on the analysis of yogurt retail prices that show a great variability in the Italian market. In fact, our survey, carried out in a selected area of Italy during the last months of 2010, showed that yogurt retail prices range from 0.9 Euro/kg to 9.6 Euro/kg. We deemed the hedonic price model to be the most appropriate analytical tool for this investigation because it allows explaining how the price of yogurt varies depending on its main quality attributes. The study's results may be useful in better understanding the evolutionary dynamics of an important market, such as yogurt in Italy, and, second, in addressing the marketing strategies of yogurt manufacturers facing an expanding market that is also characterized by an increasing competitive pressure and a rapid change in consumer preferences. [EconLit Citations: Q110, D400, L660].
Recent trends in cost‐related medication nonadherence among stroke survivors in the United States
Authors: Levine Deborah A. , Morgenstern Lewis B. , Langa Kenneth M. , Piette John D. , Rogers Mary A. M. , Karve Sudeep J. 
Published: February 2013

ObjectiveRecent economic and health policy changes may have affected the ability of chronically ill patients to afford their medications. We assessed changes in cost‐related nonadherence to medication (CRN) before and after the implementation of Medicare Part D in 2006.MethodsWe used data from the National Health Interview Survey, an annual, population‐based survey of community‐dwelling, noninstitutionalized US adults, to estimate CRN in 8,673 stroke survivors aged 45 years or older, representing 4.8 million survivors, for the years 1999 to 2010. The main outcome measure was CRN, defined as self‐reported inability to afford prescribed medication within the past 12 months.ResultsDuring the period 1999 to 2010, 11.4% of stroke survivors, approximately 543,000 individuals, reported CRN. From 1999 to 2010, CRN more than doubled among stroke survivors aged 45 to 64 years (from 12.7 to 26.5%; ptrend = 0.01). CRN remained stable among those aged 65 years or older (from 3.8 to 7.0%; ptrend = 0.21). From 1999–2005 to 2006–2010, CRN among uninsured stroke survivors aged 45 to 64 years increased from 43.1 to 57.1% (p = 0.03). Among stroke survivors aged 65 years or older with Medicare coverage, CRN was higher among Medicare Part D participants than those without the drug benefit (7.9 vs 4.8%; p = 0.02). After adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical factors, CRN was similar among Medicare Part D enrollees and nonenrollees.InterpretationFrom 1999 to 2010, CRN increased significantly among stroke survivors younger than 65 years, particularly among those without health insurance. There was no evidence that Medicare Part D decreased CRN among stroke survivors with Medicare. ANN NEUROL 2013;73:180–188
Scanning Probe Microscopy beyond Imaging: A General Tool for Quantitative Analysis
Authors: Liscio Andrea 
Published: February 2013

AbstractA simple, fast and general approach for quantitative analysis of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) images is reported. As a proof of concept it is used to determine with a high degree of precision the value of observables such as 1) the height, 2) the flowing current and 3) the corresponding surface potential (SP) of flat nanostructures such as gold electrodes, organic semiconductor architectures and graphenic sheets. Despite histogram analysis, or frequency count (Fc), being the most common mathematical tool used to analyse SPM images, the analytical approach is still lacking. By using the mathematical relationship betweenFcand the collected data, the proposed method allows quantitative information on observable values close to the noise level to be gained. For instance, the thickness of nanostructures deposited on very rough substrates can be quantified, and this makes it possible to distinguish the contribution of an adsorbed nanostructure from that of the underlying substrate. Being non‐numerical, this versatile analytical approach is a useful and general tool for quantitative analysis of theFcthat enables all signals acquired and recorded by an SPM data array to be studied with high precision.
Sensitive Voltammetric Determination of Titanium(IV) in Catalytic Adsorptive Mandelic Acid‐Chlorate(V) System on Renewable Silver Amalgam Film Electrode
Authors: Piech Robert 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe renewable mercury film electrode, applied for the determination of titanium(IV) ultratraces using differential pulse catalytic adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (DP CAdSV) in the presence of mandelic acid as a ligand and chlorate(V) as an oxidant is represented. The calibration graph obtained for Ti(IV) is linear from 0.05 nM (2.39 ng L−1) to 95 nM (4.55 µg L−1) for a preconcentration time of 30 s, with correlation coefficient of 0.9995. For the renewable mercury electrode (Hg(Ag)FE) with a surface area of 8.6 mm2 the detection limit for a preconcentration time of 180 s is as low as 0.006 nM (0.29 ng L−1). The repeatability of the method at a concentration level of the analyte as low as 23.9 ng L−1, expressed as RSD is 1.8 % (n=5). The proposed method was successfully applied and validated by studying the certified reference material NWTM‐26.3 and simultaneously recovery of Ti(IV) from spiked samples.
A Novel Photoelectrochemical Sensor for Bisphenol A with High Sensitivity and Selectivity Based on Surface Molecularly Imprinted Polypyrrole Modified TiO2 Nanotubes
Authors: Lu Bingjie , Liu Meichuan , Shi Huijie , Huang Xiaofeng , Zhao Guohua 
Published: February 2013

AbstractA novel and simple photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor is proposed to detect endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA) based on vertically aligned TiO2 nanotubes (TiO2 NTs) with surface molecularly imprinted polypyrrole (PPy) for the first time. The developed PEC analytical method towards BPA successfully overcomes the high oxidation overvoltage required in sole electrochemical (EC) method, which may lead to electrochemical polymerization of BPA and accumulation of intermediate products and then bring the passivation of the electrode. Under a very low potential (50 mV vs. SCE), a highly sensitive PEC response for BPA is obtained in the linear range from 4.5 to 108 nM with a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 2.0 nM. Simultaneously, by combining the surface molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technique with PEC method, specific recognition of BPA can be realized on the PEC sensor, even in coexisting systems containing 100‐fold concentration of other substances with similar structures or chemical properties, such as hydroquinone, 1‐naphthol or triphenylcarbino. The PEC sensor also presents good applicability and high stability in real water samples. The sensitive and selective recognition mechanisms are further discussed.
Toward a semantic web of paleoclimatology
Authors: Emile‐Geay Julien , Eshleman Jason A. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe paleoclimate record is information‐rich, yet significant technical barriers currently exist before this record can be used to answer scientific questions. Here we make the case for a universal format to structure paleoclimate data. A simple example demonstrates the scientific utility of such a self‐describing way of organizing coral data and meta‐data. This example is generalized to a universal ontology that may form the backbone of an open‐source, open‐access, and crowd‐sourced paleoclimate database. The format is designed to enable semantic searches, and is expected to accelerate discovery on topical scientific problems like climate extremes, the characteristics of natural climate variability, and climate sensitivity to various forcings.
Complementary slip distributions of the largest earthquakes in the 2012 Brawley swarm, Imperial Valley, California
Authors: Wei Shengji , Helmberger Don , Owen Susan , Graves Robert W. , Hudnut Kenneth W. , Fielding Eric J. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractWe investigate the finite rupture processes of two M > 5 earthquakes in the 2012 Brawley swarm by joint inversion of nearby strong motion and high‐rate GPS data. Waveform inversions up to 3 Hz were made possible by using a small event (Mw3.9) for path calibration of the velocity structure. Our results indicate that the first (Mw5.3) event ruptured a strong, concentrated asperity with offsets of ~20 cm centered at a depth of 5 km. The subsequent Mw5.4 event occurred 1.5 h later with a shallower slip distribution that surrounds and is complementary to that of the earlier event. The second event has a longer rise time and weaker high‐frequency energy release compared to the Mw5.3 event. Both events display strong rupture directivity toward the southwest and lack of very shallow (<2 km) coseismic slip. The hypocenters for these events appear to be near or in the bedrock, but most of the slip is distributed at shallower depths (<6 km) and can explain a large part of the GPS offsets for the swarm. The complementary slip distributions of the two events suggest a triggering relationship between them with no significant creep needed to explain the various data sets.
Dense bottom layers in the Scotia Sea, Southern Ocean: Creation, lifespan, and destruction
Authors: Meredith Michael P. , Brown Peter J. , Naveira Garabato Alberto C. , Jullion Loïc , Venables Hugh J. , Messias Marie‐José 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe lower limb of the Atlantic overturning circulation is renewed by dense waters from the Southern Ocean, a substantial portion of which flow through the Scotia Sea. We report dense bottom layers here, with gradients in temperature and salinity comparable to those seen near the surface of the Southern Ocean. These are overlain by layers with much weaker stratification, and are caused by episodic overflows of dense waters across the South Scotia Ridge, and topographic trapping within deep trenches. One such layer was found to be at least 3–4 years older than the water immediately above. The estimated vertical diffusivity to which this layer was subject is substantially less than the strong basin‐average deep mixing reported previously. We conjecture that (a) vertical mixing in the Scotia Sea is strongly spatially inhomogeneous, and (b) the flushing of these layers, like their formation, is related to overflow events, and hence also strongly episodic.
A comparison of the suspended and dissolved matter dynamics of two large inter‐tropical rivers draining into the Atlantic Ocean: the Congo and the Orinoco
Authors: Laraque Alain , Castellanos Bartolo , Steiger Johannes , Lòpez José Luis , Pandi Albert , Rodriguez Militza , Rosales Judith , Adèle Georges , Perez Jesus , Lagane Christelle 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThis study compares the total suspended sediment (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) dynamics of two major inter‐tropical rivers, the Congo in Central Africa and the Orinoco in South America, focusing on sampling undertaken during the period 2006–2010. Both rivers are characterized by similar mean annual discharges into the Atlantic Ocean, on its eastern and western margins, respectively. For both rivers, the results presented are placed in the context of the available longer‐term hydrological time series (Congo: 1903–2010; Orinoco: 1926–2010). The key features of the recent records of material flux for both rivers were established and compared with other published data from the 20th century. The available discharge time series show that the rivers are characterized by similar maximum monthly discharges (Congo: 75 500 m3 s‐1; Orinoco: 85 500 m3 s‐1) and similar inter‐annual variability (Congo: 1.69; Orinoco: 1.66). However, contrasts in low‐flow regime (minimum low flows: Congo: 23 000 m3 s‐1; Orinoco: 2300 m3 s‐1) and seasonal variability (Congo: 3.3; Orinoco: 37.2), as well as in material fluxes were identified. Specific suspended sediment yields for the Orinoco (89 t km‐2 yr‐1) were very significantly higher than those for the Congo (9.4 t km‐2 yr‐1). These differences are mainly explained by contrasts in the physiographic characteristics of the two river basins, such as their contrasting relief. The differences between the TSS fluxes calculated for the Orinoco in this study and those indicated by published data from the second half of the 20th century can be explained by the impact of the hydroelectric dams built in the foothills of the Andean Cordillera. Changes in the TSS fluxes of the Congo are mainly explained by the impact of climatic change on total runoff. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of natural and synthetic steroid estrogens in seawater and marine biota, with a focus on proposed Water Framework Directive Environmental Quality Standards
Authors: Ronan Jenny M. , McHugh Brendan 
Published: February 2013

RATIONALETrace levels of natural and synthetic steroid estrogens estrone (E1), 17β‐estradiol (E2) and 17α‐ethynyl estradiol (EE2) have been demonstrated to exert adverse effects in exposed organisms. E2 and EE2 have been proposed for inclusion in the Water Framework Directive (WFD) list of priority pollutants; however, the detection and accurate quantification of these compounds provide significant challenges, due to the low detection limits required.METHODSA sensitive method combining ultrasonication, solid‐phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, with electrospray ionisation in negative mode (LC/ESI‐MS/MS), capable of determining E1, E2 and EE2 at concentrations between 0.07 and 60 ng/L for seawater and between 0.4 and 200 ng/g wet weight in Mytilus spp. is reported. Recoveries at the limit of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 95 to 102% and 88 to 100% for water and tissue, respectively. Salinity (12 to 35‰) and typical marine particulate matter loadings (between 10 and 100 mg/L) were not found to affect analyte recoveries.RESULTSThe first detection of E1 by LC/MS/MS in Irish marine waters (Dublin Bay, at 0.76 ng/L) is reported. Steroids were not detected in Galway Bay, or in any mussel samples from Dublin, Galway and Clare. The level of E2 detected in the dissolved water phase was below the proposed WFD Environmental Quality Standard (EQS) in other surface waters.CONCLUSIONSThe proposed method is suitable for the detection of E1, E2 and EE2 at biologically relevant concentrations and, due to the specificity offered, is not subject to potential interferences from endogenous E1 and E2 which often complicate the interpretation of estrogenic biomarker assays. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Latest Quaternary paleoseismology and slip rates of the Longriba fault zone, eastern Tibet: Implications for fault behavior and strain partitioning
Authors: Ren Junjie , Xu Xiwei , Yeats Robert S. , Zhang Shimin 
Published: February 2013

AbstractAlthough much work has been done on active tectonics of eastern Tibet, little is known about the Longriba fault zone and its role in strain partitioning. Whether its two sub‐parallel strands (Longriqu and Maoergai faults) can rupture simultaneously in a large earthquake remains unknown. We conducted trenching combined with the interpretation of satellite imagery, field investigations, topographic surveys, and radiocarbon and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating to reconstruct paleoseismic history, and we used displaced terrace risers to estimate geological slip rates. Our results demonstrate that the Longriba fault zone is predominantly right‐lateral with a small southeast‐verging thrust component. Four surface‐rupturing events occurred on the Longriqu fault at 5080 ± 90, 11,100 ± 380, 13,000 ± 260, and 17,830 ± 530 cal yr B.P. Together with our previous trenches on the Maoergai fault, we found that the last event probably ruptured both the Longriqu and Maoergai faults. Prior to the last event, the two strands of the Longriba fault zone experienced alternating earthquakes. The fault zone has a high potential for an earthquake larger than Mw 7. The slip rate of the Longriba fault zone decreases from ~7.5 mm/yr in latest Pleistocene to ~2.1 mm/yr in the Holocene, probably related to a slowing down of the eastern motion of the Tibetan Plateau. The comparison with slip rates at the Longmen Shan fault zone suggests that the Longriba fault zone has an equally important role in strain partitioning in eastern Tibet. This study is helpful to seismic hazard assessment and an understanding of deformation mechanism in eastern Tibet.
ECG interpretation in Brugada syndrome
Authors: Nishizaki Mitsuhiro , Yamawake Noriyoshi , Sakurada Harumizu , Hiraoka Masayasu 
Published: February 2013

AbstractType 1 ST‐segment elevation is diagnostic of Brugada syndrome and its presence may be associated with a high risk of arrhythmic events. However, similar changes on electrocardiogram (ECG) are observed in various normal and abnormal conditions. A type 1 ECG can also be unmasked by administration of sodium channel blockers in equivocal or suspected cases of Brugada syndrome, and this drug challenge test is frequently used in the diagnosis of symptomatic patients showing non‐type 1 ECG patterns. The presence of a transient spontaneous type 1 ECG rather than a drug‐induced type I ECG is an important sign for risk prediction of arrhythmia events, even in asymptomatic patients. In asymptomatic individuals, multiple and repeated ECG recordings rather than drug testing are recommended for detecting the transient appearance of a spontaneous type 1 ECG, which may indicate the future development of arrhythmic events. There is little doubt that ECG interpretation, including diagnostic criteria and differential diagnosis, constitutes the hallmark of Brugada syndrome.
Restless legs syndrome in combined hormonal contraception users
Authors: Kamsheh Lyla , Ambrogi Ilana , Rambally Cherridan , Attarian Hrayr 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe goal of the study was to estimate the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) among women of childbearing age taking combined hormonal or combined oral contraception (CHC). A survey that included demographic information, contraceptive use history, the four criteria necessary for RLS diagnosis and an International RLS study group severity scale was distributed to 145 women taking CHC and 169 matched control women not on CHC. A high prevalence of moderate to severe RLS of 20.7% was found. A significant correlation between CHC use and RLS was not found (p = 0.53). RLS severity was not significantly associated with CHC use either (p = 0.2127). Women with RLS were significantly heavier compared with those without RLS (p = 0.0015). RLS severity weakly correlated with body mass index (R = 0.26, p = 0.044). Hormonal contraceptive therapy does not increase the risk of developing RLS symptoms.
A Causal Model for Joint Evaluation of Placebo and Treatment‐Specific Effects in Clinical Trials
Authors: Zhang Zhiwei , Kotz Richard M. , Wang Chenguang , Ruan Shiling , Ho Martin 
Published: February 2013

AbstractSummaryEvaluation of medical treatments is frequently complicated by the presence of substantial placebo effects, especially on relatively subjective endpoints, and the standard solution to this problem is a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled clinical trial. However, effective blinding does not guarantee that all patients have the same belief or mentality about which treatment they have received (or treatmentality, for brevity), making it difficult to interpret the usual intent‐to‐treat effect as a causal effect. We discuss the causal relationships among treatment, treatmentality and the clinical outcome of interest, and propose a causal model for joint evaluation of placebo and treatment‐specific effects. The model highlights the importance of measuring and incorporating patient treatmentality and suggests that each treatment group should be considered a separate observational study with a patient's treatmentality playing the role of an uncontrolled exposure. This perspective allows us to adapt existing methods for dealing with confounding to joint estimation of placebo and treatment‐specific effects using measured treatmentality data, commonly known as blinding assessment data. We first apply this approach to the most common type of blinding assessment data, which is categorical, and illustrate the methods using an example from asthma. We then propose that blinding assessment data can be collected as a continuous variable, specifically when a patient's treatmentality is measured as a subjective probability, and describe analytic methods for that case.
Perception of the motion trajectory of objects from moving cast shadows in infant Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata)
Authors: Imura Tomoko , Adachi Ikuma , Hattori Yuko , Tomonaga Masaki 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe shadows cast by moving objects enable human adults and infants to infer the motion trajectories of objects. Nonhuman animals must also be able to discriminate between objects and their shadows and infer the spatial layout of objects from cast shadows. However, the evolutionary and comparative developmental origins of sensitivity to cast shadows have not been investigated. In this study, we used a familiarity/novelty preferential looking procedure to assess the ability of infant macaques, aged 7–24 weeks, to discriminate between a ‘depth’ display containing a ball and cast shadow moving diagonally and an ‘up’ display containing a ball with a diagonal trajectory and a shadow with a horizontal trajectory. The infant macaques could discriminate the trajectories of the balls based on the moving shadows. These findings suggest that the ability to perceive the motion trajectory of an object from the moving shadow is common to both humans and macaques.
Influence of a Nanoporous Zirconia Implant Surface of on Cell Viability of Human Osteoblasts
Authors: Aboushelib Moustafa N. , Osman Essam , Jansen Ineke , Everts Vincent , Feilzer Albert J. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractPurpose: The dense nonretentive surface of zirconia implants was modified into a nanoporous surface using selective infiltration etching surface treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of such a nanoporous modified zirconia surface on the attachment of human osteoblasts.Materials and Methods: Human osteoblasts were cultured for 21 days on (i) selective infiltration etched zirconia (nanoporous surface), (ii) polished zirconia, (iii) polished titanium, or (iv) airborne particle abraded acid etched (SLA) titanium disks. After the culture period the following parameters were assessed: number of cells, the morphology of the cells, the attachment of the cells, alkaline phosphatase activity, and the level of total protein (α= 0.05).Results: Statistical analysis revealed a significantly higher cell count on the third (F = 17.4, p < 0.001) and eighth day (F = 163, p < 0.001) for nanoporous zirconia and SLA titanium surfaces compared to polished specimens. The number of cells (nanoporous zirconia 160 ± 20/mm2, SLA titanium 133 ± 15/mm2) and cell size (nanoporous zirconia 50.7 ± 3 μm, SLA titanium 42.5 ± 4 μm) were significantly higher than polished specimens. Nanoporous zirconia specimens demonstrated comparable alkaline phosphatase activity (0.0036 ± 0.0035 ng/μl) and intracellular protein content (72.7 ± 0.9 ng/μl) compared to other tested groups. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that cells attached on the polished surface using finger‐like processes, whereas on the nanoporous surface, finger‐like processes were not observed, as the cell membrane appeared to be in close proximity to the underlying surface.Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that a nanoporous zirconia surface favors cell growth and attachment compared to a polished surface. It was proposed that a nanoporous zirconia surface may improve clinical performance of zirconia implants.