bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Left Atrial Myxoma with versus without Cerebral Embolism: Length of Symptoms, Morphologic Characteristics, and Outcomes
Authors: Zheng Zhi , Guo Guojun , Xu Li , Lei Lei , Wei Xiang , Pan Youmin 
Published: December 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the embolic sequelae of left atrial myxomas and their influence on diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
Seventy-eight patients were retrospectively investigated. According to their symptoms and neurologic-imaging findings, these patients were classified into 2 groups: embolism (15 patients, 19%) and nonembolism (63 patients, 81%). The time from the first onset of symptoms to diagnosis (that is, the duration of symptoms) was significantly longer in the embolism group than in the nonembolism group (105 ± 190 vs 23 ± 18 d; P <0.01). The myxomas were divided into 2 types on the basis of clinicopathologic findings: type 1, with an irregular or villous surface and a soft consistency, and type 2, with a smooth surface and a compact consistency. There were 42 patients with type 1 myxoma and 36 with type 2. Type 1 myxoma was more frequently found in the embolism group (12 patients, 29%) than was type 2 myxoma (3 patients, 8%). The difference was significant (P=0.04). There were 2 perioperative deaths in the nonembolism group. No recurrence of cardiac myxoma or death was recorded in either group during follow-up. In the embolism group, neurologic symptoms were relieved by surgery, and no subsequent neurologic event was reported.
Because surgical resection is highly effective in left atrial myxoma, we should strive for early diagnosis in order to shorten the duration of symptoms and to avoid worse neurologic damage in patients in whom an embolic event is the initial manifestation.
Lexical function of pitch in the first language shapes cross-linguistic perception of Thai tones
Authors: Schaefer Vance , Darcy Isabelle 
Published: December 2014

AbstractDetermining the factors involved in the non-native perception of the pitch patterns of tones is complicated by the fact that all languages use pitch to various extents, whether linguistic (e.g., intonation) or non-linguistic (e.g., singing). Moreover, many languages use pitch to distinguish lexical items with varying degrees of functional load and differences in inventory of such pitch patterns. The current study attempts to understand what factors determine accurate naïve (= non-learner) perception of non-native tones, in order to establish the baseline for acquisition of a tonal L2. We examine the perception of Thai tones (i.e., three level tones, two contour tones) by speakers of languages on a spectrum of lexically contrastive pitch usage: Mandarin (lexical tone), Japanese (lexical pitch accent), English (lexical stress), and Korean (no lexically contrastive pitch). Results suggest that the importance of lexically contrastive pitch in the L1 influences non-native tone perception so that not all non-tonal language speakers possess the same level of tonal sensitivity, resulting in a hierarchy of perceptual accuracy. Referencing the Feature Hypothesis (McAllister et al. 2002), we propose the Functional Pitch Hypothesis to model our findings: the degree to which linguistic pitch differentiates lexical items in the L1 shapes the naïve perception of a non-native lexically contrastive pitch system, e.g., tones.
On-Farm Variation and Household Diversity of Pigeon Pea Landraces in Kachorwa, Nepal
Authors: Joshi Bal K. , Shrestha Pitamber , Upadhyay Madhusudan P. , Chaudhary Bedananda , Mudwari Ashok , Baniya Bimal K. , KC Hari B. 
Published: December 2014

Farmers value the diversity because of diverse environments both in production and consumption. On-farm morphological variation on pigeon peas (2n = 2x= 22 or 4x, 6x?) was studied at Kachorwa, Bara, Nepal to assess the household categories that have maintained diversity. Household diversity Index (HDI) of 10 different farmer categories was estimated based on Shanon-Weaver method. Eighteen quantitative and qualitative (quant-qualitative) traits were used for on-farm variation and HDI studies. On farm ANOVA was generated on eight quantitative traits. Highest diversity (HDI, 0.265) was maintained by farmer of medium wealth category who grows pigeon pea in upland bund. Pigeon pea grown in khet (low land) bund with Pajawa landrace expressed least diversity (HDI, 0.079). Pigeon pea growing in monoculture was more diverse (HDI, 0.224) for 18 traits than in other production environments. Maximum variation was observed in growth habit followed by seed color pattern. The highest grain yield among the Chanki growers was produced by the farmer of medium wealth category growing pigeon pea in upland bund. Significance variation among farmers in quantitative traits indicates the intra varietal diversity in pigeon pea. Diversity varied with respect to wealth category and production environments. Farmer who has maximum diversity on pigeon pea could able to receive the higher grain yield. Result related to where and who maintain the diversity may be useful for development of on-farm conservation strategy. Possibility of developing good varieties exits using Pajawa and Chanki landraces. Nepal Agric. Res. J. Vol. 8, 2007, pp. 23-28DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/narj.v8i0.11567
Genetic and Non-Genetic Factors Affecting Reproductive Traits of Pakhribas Pig in Nepal
Authors: Neopane Shreeram P. 
Published: December 2014

Pakhribas pig is a black colour pig and is highly preferred by the people in the Eastern hills of Nepal. This breed was developed in Nepal by three-way crossing of exotic breeds (Saddle back, Fayuen and Tamworth) at Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Pakhribas, the then Pakhribas Agricultural Centre (PAC). The data of 348 pigs, born over a period of fifteen years (1990 to 2004) were used to study the effect of non-genetic factors on reproductive traits and estimate their genetic parameters. The findings revealed that the overall gestation length and farrowing intervals were 113.7 ± 0.12 days and 182.5 ± 2.2 days, respectively. Season of birth and parity of dams were not important sources of variation for reproductive traits, where as year affected these traits significantly. Heritability estimates of gestation length was low (0.02 ± 0.094), but heritability for farrowing interval was moderate (0.14 ± 0.147) suggesting selection based on farrowing interval would bring the improvement in the trait.Nepal Agric. Res. J. Vol. 8, 2007, pp. 77-81DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/narj.v8i0.11584
Reproductive Disorders and Seroprevalence of Brucellosis in Yak
Authors: Aryal Sitaram , Paudel Krishna P. 
Published: December 2014

A study on reproductive disorders among yaks in Mustang and Solukhumbu districts and seroprevalence of brucellosis among yaks in Mustang and Myagdi districts was conducted. Eleven farmers having 383 female and 72 male yaks in Mustang and 129 female and 27 male yaks in Solukhumbu districts were taken by purposive random sampling for the study on reproductive disorders. Likewise Sixty-seven serum samples were also collected from adult female yaks having history of abortion and retained placenta, and from male yaks used for breeding purpose from Mustang and Myagdi districts. An average of 12.63% of female yaks aborted, 7.26% had had retention of placenta and 6.6% repeat breeders in Mustang district. Similarly, 6.3% had abortion, 2.09% retained placenta and 6.5% repeat breeders in Solukhumbu district. However, all the 67 serum samples examined were found negative to the Brucella abortus antibody on ELISA test suggesting that the yak population was free from brucellosis in these areas. Thus abortion and retention of placenta in Yak in Mustang district may not be due to brucellosis. A detail study should be done to find the specific cause of abortion and repeat breeding to recommend preventive and control measures.Nepal Agric. Res. J. Vol. 8, 2007, pp. 130-132 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/narj.v8i0.11608
Structural and magnetic evolution of ball milled nanocrystalline Fe-50 at.% Al alloy
Authors: Rajan Sandeep , Shukla Rajni , Kumar Anil , Vyas Anupam , Brajpuriya Ranjeet 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Investigations regarding structural, morphological, and magnetic changes induced by ball milling of Fe-50 at.% Al alloy have been carried out. The mechanical alloying process induces a progressive dissolution of Al into Fe, resulting in the nucleation and establishment of an elongated nanostructured Fe(Al) solid solution with the bcc structure only after 5 hr of milling. The average crystallite size of components decreased to ~5 nm and the components diffused to the nanograin boundaries during transition to nanostructured composite. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the crystallite size determination and Fe(Al) solid solution formation obtained from X-ray diffraction analysis. The corresponding magnetic (Mössbauer and vibration sample magnetometer) studies confirm that there is magnetic behaviour retained in the FeAl alloys samples even after 5 hr of milling but magnetization decreases as the milling time increases. The ball milling process involves the loss of long range order and reduced grain size, which induces a transition from a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic state. The continuous refinement of grains and the antiphase interface grain bounderies play a major part in the observed variation in the magnetic properties.
Analysis of Underlying Causes of Inter-expert Disagreement in Retinopathy of Prematurity Diagnosis
Authors: Kalpathy-Cramer J. , You S. , Keck K. , Erdogmus D. , Chiang M. F. , Ataer-Cansizoglu E. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryObjective: Inter-expert variability in image-based clinical diagnosis has been demonstrated in many diseases including retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), which is a disease affecting low birth weight infants and is a major cause of childhood blindness. In order to better understand the underlying causes of variability among experts, we propose a method to quantify the variability of expert decisions and analyze the relationship between expert diagnoses and features computed from the images. Identification of these features is relevant for development of computer-based decision support systems and educational systems in ROP, and these methods may be applicable to other diseases where inter-expert variability is observed.Methods: The experiments were carried out on a dataset of 34 retinal images, each with diagnoses provided independently by 22 experts. Analysis was performed using concepts of Mutual Information (MI) and Kernel Density Estimation. A large set of structural features (a total of 66) were extracted from retinal images. Feature selection was utilized to identify the most important features that correlated to actual clinical decisions by the 22 study experts. The best three features for each observer were selected by an exhaustive search on all possible feature subsets and considering joint MI as a relevance criterion. We also compared our results with the results of Cohen’s Kappa [36] as an inter-rater reliability measure.Results: The results demonstrate that a group of observers (17 among 22) decide consistently with each other. Mean and second central moment of arteriolar tortuosity is among the reasons of disagreement between this group and the rest of the observers, meaning that the group of experts consider amount of tortuosity as well as the variation of tortuosity in the image.Conclusion: Given a set of image-based features, the proposed analysis method can identify critical image-based features that lead to expert agreement and disagreement in diagnosis of ROP. Although tree-based features and various statistics such as central moment are not popular in the literature, our results suggest that they are important for diagnosis.
Supervised Classification by Filter Methods and Recursive Feature Elimination Predicts Risk of Radiotherapy-Related Fatigue in Patients with Prostate Cancer
Authors: Saligan Leorey N. , Fernández-Martínez Juan Luis , deAndrés-Galiana Enrique J. , Sonis Stephen 
Published: December 2014

Background Fatigue is a common side effect of cancer (CA) treatment. We used a novel analytical method to identify and validate a specific gene cluster that is predictive of fatigue risk in prostate cancer patients (PCP) treated with radiotherapy (RT). Methods A total of 44 PCP were categorized into high-fatigue (HF) and low-fatigue (LF) cohorts based on fatigue score change from baseline to RT completion. Fold-change differential and Fisher's linear discriminant analyses (LDA) from 27 subjects with gene expression data at baseline and RT completion generated a reduced base of most discriminatory genes (learning phase). A nearest-neighbor risk (k-NN) prediction model was developed based on small-scale prognostic signatures. The predictive model validity was tested in another 17 subjects using baseline gene expression data (validation phase). Result The model generated in the learning phase predicted HF classification at RT completion in the validation phase with 76.5% accuracy. Conclusion The results suggest that a novel analytical algorithm that incorporates fold-change differential analysis, LDA, and a k-NN may have applicability in predicting regimen-related toxicity in cancer patients with high reliability, if we take into account these results and the limited amount of data that we had at disposal. It is expected that the accuracy will be improved by increasing data sampling in the learning phase.
Calcium in edible insects and its use in human nutrition
Authors: Adámková Anna , Kouřimská Lenka , Borkovcová Marie , Mlček Jiří­ , Bednářová Martina 
Published: November 2014

Calcium is one of the most problematic substances in human nutrition. Nutrition in the present population is not optimal, because of insufficient consumption of milk and dairy products. Due to the expanding interest of specialists and the general public about entomophagy, as well as increase of the EU interest in this type of food, there is a need to consider the use of edible insects as an alternative source of nutrition. From the perspective of edible insects as a source of calcium, edible insects could be considered as a possible source of calcium for enriching the diet and also as a substitute for people with lactose intolerance and allergies to other categories of foods rich in calcium. Of the six analysed species of edible insect, Bombyx mori had the highest calcium content, almost comparable to semi-skimmed cow's milk. Gryllus assimillis can also be a rich source of calcium as well as other analysed species. The lowest content of calcium was detected in Zophobas morio. Common meat (chicken, beef, pork) has lower calcium content comparing with all analysed species of edible insect (Apis mellifera, Bombyx mori, Gryllus assimillis, Locusta migratoria, Tenebrio molitor, Zophobas morio). Therefore, the selected species of edible insect could serve as an alternative source of calcium for people with lactose intolerance and allergies to soy. Phosphorus level in human body is closely related to calcium in the calcium-phosphate metabolism, therefore phosphorus level was detected in these samples too. Bombyx mori had the highest phosphorus content and the lowest content of phosphorus was measured in Zophobas morio samples.
Lutein in food supplements available on the markets of the Viszegrad countries
Authors: Šivel Miroslav , Fišera Miroslav , Klejdus Bořivoj , Kráčmar Stanislav , Kubáň Vlastimil , Golian Jozef , Svobodová Blanka 
Published: November 2014

RP-HPLC method with UV-VIS detection was implemented for determination of contents of lutein in food supplements available on the markets in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary. Altogether, 48 samples of food supplements in three dosage forms (22 samples of tablets, 18 samples of soft capsules, and 8 samples of hard capsules) were analysed. The amounts of lutein specified by the producer complied with their real contents only in 7 samples of the food supplements. Lutein in soft capsules showed the highest stability against oxidation; lutein in tablets was more prone to oxidation and lutein in hard capsules was most susceptible to oxidation process. Out of 21 Czech products, only four fell into the category of satisfactory products, three of them were soft capsules and one was a tablet. Out of 27 products manufactured abroad, only three were evaluated as satisfactory products, all of them were soft capsules, out of 48 analysed food supplement samples just seven fell into the category of satisfactory preparations, eight were evaluated as less satisfactory preparations, five were found inadequate products and 28 samples were labelled unsatisfactory. Only one in six analyzed samples contained the amount of lutein specified by the manufacturer, almost 60% of monitored lutein containing food supplement samples fell into the unsatisfactory product category.
Rand's Gender Politics
Authors: Gladstein Mimi Reisel 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAlthough Ayn Rand and her philosophy have influenced many nascent feminists, particularly those of the individualist inclination, Rand was openly hostile to the feminist movement and declared that she would not vote for a woman for president. The author analyzes Rand's position and reasoning about a woman president, finding it contradictory to the rational principles Rand professed.
Prevalentie van ernstige misdrijven bij slachtoffer-daderbemiddeling
Authors: Schreurs Wendy , Zebel Sven , Ufkes Elze 
Published: December 2014

The prevalence of serious crimes in Dutch VOM-cases
A debate exists in the literature about the question whether (different forms of) mediated contact between victims and offenders occur and are appropriate only after minor offenses. This contribution therefore examines whether a relationship exists between the seriousness of offenses and the degree to which in practice cases result in mediated contact, in the Dutch context. More specifically, we report the first findings of a study aimed to (a) examine the seriousness of cases that were registered at the foundation Slachtoffer in Beeld (Victim in Focus; responsible for the execution of mediated contacts between victims and offenders in the Netherlands), and (b) compare the seriousness of cases at this foundation that resulted in different forms of mediated contact (including cases in which no contact emerged). To this end, we sampled 200 cases from the data system of Victim in Focus in a random manner; consequently, the seriousness of each of these cases was coded. The mean duration of incarceration sentenced for specific offenses in the Netherlands was used as an (as objective as possible) indication of the seriousness of the offenses in these cases. The results indicated that the cases registered at Victim in Focus do not consist exclusively of minor offenses. A substantial part consists of more serious offenses, especially when this is compared to the prevalence of all (minor and serious) offenses in the Netherlands. In addition, we observed no relationship between the seriousness of cases and the form of mediated contact (or no contact) that emerged at Victim in Focus; mediated contact arose to the same degree for serious compared to minor offenses. The implications of these results for the debate mentioned above are discussed, taking into account the manner in which victim-offender mediation is organized in the Netherlands.
Restorative Transformative Learning en Partnergeweld
Authors: Weistra Dana , Pemberton Anthony 
Published: December 2014

Restorative Transformative Learning and Intimate Partner Violence
Many articles have dealt with the question why restorative justice in cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) may or may not be appropriate. Seeing however as a punitive approach towards IPV is rapidly losing popularity as an effective way of dealing with this complex type of violence, as well as the outcomes of a recent study by the European Agency for Fundamental Rights (2014) – where 25% of the Dutch women that were surveyed indicated they had experienced violence by an intimate partner – restorative justice may be a promising alternative after all.Instead of adding to the debate, the current article focuses on how restorative justice can be constructed to be appropriate for IPV cases, and is explorative in nature. In order to do so, the theory behind transformative learning is combined with restorative justice practices, shifting the focus from ‘restoration’ to ‘restorative transformation’. Such a restorative transformative learning approach focuses on transforming violent meaning perspectives that dictate the use or toleration of violence. Instead of trying to restore the individual back to the state they were in before the violence took place – as ‘restoration’ traditionally implies – the goal of restorative transformative learning is to restore the individual back to a state before a violent meaning perspective was acquired. The transformation of violent meaning perspectives is therefore the prerequisite for restoration.The method that is introduced in this article offers a practical framework and guidelines to achieve such a transformation. It answers to the complexity of IPV cases by focusing on the entire family system, while leaving room for individual restoration. In doing so, restorative transformative learning may possibly open the way to the acceptance of restorative justice in the field of IPV.
Human Papillomavirus Testing and Reporting Rates in 2012: Results of a College of American Pathologists National Survey
Authors: Zhao Chengquan , Moriarty Ann T. , Ghofrani Mohiedean , Husain Mujtaba , Tambouret Rosemary H. , Laucirica Rodolfo , Laser Alice , Fischer Andrew , Ocal Idris T. , Souers Rhona J. , Russell Donna K. , Fan Fang , Crothers Barbara A. 
Published: December 2014

ContextCollege of American Pathologists (CAP) surveys are used to establish national benchmarks for laboratory parameters.ObjectiveTo evaluate changes in laboratory human papillomavirus (HPV) testing patterns in laboratories incorporating HPV testing with Papanicolaou tests in 2012.DesignData were analyzed from the CAP HPV Supplemental Questionnaire distributed to 1771 laboratories participating in either CAP HPV or CAP Papanicolaou proficiency testing in 2013.ResultsA total of 1022 laboratories (58%) responded. There were more high-risk (HR) HPV tests performed per institution as compared to previous surveys. There were more HPV tests performed within an institution as compared to previous surveys. Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) remains the most common method (42.4%, 239 of 564); Cervista and cobas methods are used in 37.2% (210 of 564) and 14.9% (84 of 564) of laboratories, respectively. Human papillomavirus testing is offered as a reflex test after a Papanicolaou test result of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) in 89.6% of laboratories (476 of 531); as a cotest for women aged 30 years and older in 60.3% (404 of 531); as reflex testing after atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H) in 42.7% (320 of 531); and as reflex testing after atypical glandular cells (AGC) in 27.3% (145 of 531). The HPV-positive rates for ASC-US and ASC-H were similar in 2012 and 2006. Cervista (49.2%, 88 of 179) and Roche cobas (27.4%, 49 of 179) are the most common methods used for genotyping. Most laboratories use the CAP Human Papillomavirus for Cytology Program for proficiency testing.ConclusionsThere was an increase in annual volume of HR-HPV testing with a shift toward in-house HR-HPV testing. Genotyping volumes also increased. HC2 and Cervista are most commonly used, with an increasing volume of Roche cobas testing. The most common indication for HPV testing among all laboratories was ASC-US reflex testing, but an increase in HPV cotesting was observed. The data provide an update into persisting and newer trends in HPV testing practices.