bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Group visits in the pediatric heart transplant outpatient clinic
Authors: Hollander Seth A. , McDonald Nancy , Lee Donna , May Lindsay J. , Doan Lan N. , Kaufman Beth D. , Rosenthal David N. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe “GVM” has emerged as an alternative to traditional individualized appointments in the ambulatory care setting. We hypothesized that group visits could successfully be utilized in a PHtx clinic. Seven patients, ages 1–18 yr old, and their families participated in a total of 11 group visits in lieu of individualized appointments. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they were greater or less than one yr post‐transplant. Patient/provider satisfaction, medication adherence, and content retention were ascertained via questionnaires and free‐response tests. Total clinic throughput time, including per‐patient clinic utilization time, was compared to historical data. Six of seven patients completed the study with one dropout. Overall satisfaction ratings were 3.98 of 4 with all patients reporting that they would “strongly recommend” group visits to others. Health information retention tests demonstrated improvement between pre‐ and post‐tests in eight of nine (89%) of the group visits. Overall clinic utilization decreased by nearly 50% while providing 70 min of face‐to‐face time with the provider. Medication adherence neared 100% for all patients. The GVM can be successfully applied to the PHtx population with high patient and provider satisfaction, more face‐to‐face time, excellent content retention, and greatly improved clinic efficiency.
Survey on the Implementation of Preconception Care in Shanghai, China
Authors: Ding Yan , Li Xiao‐Tian , Xie Fei , Yang Yu‐Lin 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundRecently, the Chinese government has promoted preconception care (PCC) to prevent birth defects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the implementation of PCC in Shanghai, China, following a 3‐year municipal project providing ‘Free Pre‐pregnancy Health Evaluation Services’ to 20 000 residents.MethodsA retrospective questionnaire survey was undertaken among 12 309 pregnant women and 8997 of their partners during their initial prenatal visit in six hospitals with the most births in Shanghai.ResultsA total of 90% (n = 11 113) of the women and 87% (n = 7856) of the men were aware of PCC, and 40% (n = 4890) of the women and 35% (n = 3185) of the men had previously participated in PCC. Logistic regression showed that PCC participants were more likely to have a planned pregnancy, receive support from their partner for PCC services, were older, and have higher educational attainment and higher household incomes. Regardless of gender, there were significant differences between the participating and non‐participating groups in terms of prepregnancy changes in lifestyle and behaviour, such as folic acid supplementation, smoking cessation (for men only), avoiding passive smoking, abstaining from alcohol/drugs, and rubella/hepatitis B immunity.ConclusionsThe government‐led efforts proved to be effective in promoting PCC participation and positive lifestyle and behavioural changes in couples of childbearing age. Future efforts should target couples who are young, poorly educated, and/or from low‐income families. Strategies must ensure that the couples' knowledge of and positive attitudes toward PCC are translated into their practical participation in PCC.
On a Mixture Model for Directional Data on the Sphere
Authors: Franke Jürgen , Redenbach Claudia , Zhang Na 
Published: August 2015

AbstractWe consider mixtures of general angular central Gaussian distributions as models for multimodal directional data. We prove consistency of the maximum‐likelihood estimates of model parameters and convergence of their numerical approximations based on an expectation–maximization algorithm. Then, we focus on mixtures of special angular central Gaussian distributions and discuss the details of a fast numerical algorithm, which allows to fit multimodal distributions to massive data, occurring, for example, in the study of the microstructure of materials. We illustrate the applicability with some data from fibre composites and from ceramic foams.
Optimal Estimator for Logistic Model with Distribution‐free Random Intercept
Authors: Garcia Tanya P. , Ma Yanyuan 
Published: August 2015

AbstractLogistic models with a random intercept are prevalent in medical and social research where clustered and longitudinal data are often collected. Traditionally, the random intercept in these models is assumed to follow some parametric distribution such as the normal distribution. However, such an assumption inevitably raises concerns about model misspecification and misleading inference conclusions, especially when there is dependence between the random intercept and model covariates. To protect against such issues, we use a semiparametric approach to develop a computationally simple and consistent estimator where the random intercept is distribution‐free. The estimator is revealed to be optimal and achieve the efficiency bound without the need to postulate or estimate any latent variable distributions. We further characterize other general mixed models where such an optimal estimator exists.
Investigating Correlates of Suicide Among Male Youth: Questioning the Close Affinity Between Suicide Attempts and Deaths
Authors: Feigelman William , Joiner Thomas , Rosen Zohn , Silva Caroline 
Published: August 2015

This study was based on a sample of male high school students who completed National Longitudinal Adolescent Health Surveys in 1994, 1995, and 2001. We studied these students prospectively, comparing those who later died by suicide (n = 21) with those who were still living (n = 10,101). We employed chi‐square and analysis of variance tests for statistical significance between suicide decedents and living respondents. Results showed suicide decedents were more likely to have experienced the suicide loss of another family member, to have been expelled from school, to have engaged in more delinquent actions including fighting, and to have greater involvement with the criminal justice system. Although one might have expected suicide casualties to have exhibited a greater amount of suicidal thoughts, attempts, and higher incidences of suicidality among their friends, our analyses did not find that these factors were associated with actual suicides. Should these findings be replicated, this would point to a need to refine youth suicide risk assessments. Collecting life histories, as well as identifying patterns of delinquency and fighting, may serve as more potentially fruitful means for assessing genuine suicide risk than some traditional risk assessment methods.z
Are Household Food Expenditures Responsive to Entry Into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program?*
Authors: Kim Jiyoon (June) , Shaefer H. Luke 
Published: August 2015

ObjectiveThis study examines changes in household food expenditures in the months directly around entry into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).MethodsUsing monthly data on SNAP participation from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), we estimate food‐expenditures‐to‐food‐needs ratio with an event‐study specification.ResultsUpon entering the program, a substantially lower share of out‐of‐pocket spending accounts for SNAP households’ food budgets. However, these expenditures are largely replaced with SNAP benefits, resulting in little changes in total food expenditures. We also identify the co‐occurrence of household economic shocks at the point of SNAP entry.ConclusionSNAP entry is preceded by reduced rates of employment and marriage among heads of households, suggesting that household economic shocks may trigger SNAP entry. We find that SNAP benefits visibly appear to act as an important safety net for households who have recently entered the program, cushioning them from the extent of a negative shock in food expenditures that they might otherwise have faced.
Factors associated with loss to follow‐up in women undergoing repair for obstetric fistula in Guinea
Authors: Delamou Alexandre , Delvaux Thérèse , Utz Bettina , Camara Bienvenu Salim , Beavogui Abdoul Habib , Cole Bethany , Levin Karen , Diallo Moustapha , Millimono Sita , Barry Thierno Hamido , El Ayadi Alison Marie , Zhang Wei‐Hong , De Brouwere Vincent 
Published: August 2015

AbstractObjectivesTo analyse the trend of loss to follow‐up over time and identify factors associated with women being lost to follow‐up after discharge in three fistula repair hospitals in Guinea.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study used data extracted from medical records of fistula repairs conducted from 1 January 2007 to 30 September 2013. A woman was considered lost to follow‐up if she did not return within 4 months post‐discharge. Factors associated with loss to follow‐up were identified using a subsample of the data covering the period 2010–2013.ResultsOver the study period, the proportion of loss to follow‐up was 21.5% (448/2080) and varied across repair hospitals and over time with an increase from 2% in 2009 to 52% in 2013. After adjusting for other variables in a multivariate logistic regression model, women who underwent surgery at Labe hospital and at Kissidougou hospital were more likely to be lost to follow‐up than women operated at Jean Paul II hospital (OR: 50.6; 95% CI: 24.9–102.8) and (OR: 11.5; 95% CI: 6.1–22.0), respectively. Women with their fistula closed at hospital discharge (OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 2.1–4.8) and women admitted for repair in years 2011–2013 showed higher loss to follow‐up as compared to 2010. Finally, loss to follow‐up increased by 2‰ for each additional kilometre of distance a client lived from the repair hospital (OR: 1.002; 95% CI: 1.001–1.003).ConclusionReimbursement of transport was the likely reason for change over time of LTFU. Reducing geographical barriers to care for women with fistula could sustain fistula care positive outcomes.
A novel GYPB‐A‐B hybrid gene responsible for Ss and MN typing discrepancies
Authors: Willemetz Alexandra , Nataf Joelle , Peyrard Thierry , Arnaud Lionel 
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUNDTransfusion support of S–s– patients is very challenging but can now be alleviated by genotyping mutations in the GYPB gene to predict their U– or U+var phenotype. However, the phenotype predicted by genotyping does not always correspond to the observed phenotype of red blood cells (RBCs), which requires further investigation to avoid such a typing discrepancy in the future. In this study, we elucidated the case of an S–s– female patient of African origin who was predicted to be S+s– by our genotyping platform.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSLong‐range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and extended Sanger sequencing were required.RESULTSThe Ss typing discrepancy in the proband resulted from a converted GYPB allele that encodes neither S nor s due to the replacement of Exon B4 of GYPB by the homologous Exon A4 of GYPA. In this novel GYPB‐A‐B hybrid gene, the GYPA segment actually starts just downstream of Exon B2, causing a MN typing discrepancy too. While the proband's RBCs were M+N–, the genotyping predicted the M+N+ phenotype.CONCLUSIONThe reported GYPB‐A‐B hybrid gene constitutes a limitation for the accurate prediction of the MN and Ss phenotypes by current genotyping methods. A PCR assay was therefore developed to detect its presence.
Diagnosis and Surgical Management of Congenital Laxity of the Fibularis Musculotendinous Unit Resulting in Hyperextension of the Tarsus in 14 Calves
Authors: Kilic Engin , Ozaydin Isa , Aksoy Ozgur , Yayla Sadik 
Published: August 2015

ObjectiveTo describe the diagnosis and surgical management of congenital laxity of the fibularis tendon resulting in hyperextension of the tarsus in calves.Study DesignCase series.AnimalsFourteen calves (3 unilateral, 11 bilateral) diagnosed with congenital tarsal instability caused by laxity of the fibularis musculotendinous unit resulting in hyperextension of the tarsus.MethodsDiagnosis was made by clinical and radiologic assessments. The tarsus was surgically prepared and an incision made on the dorsal surface of the tarsus after intrathecal anesthesia with the calf sedated. A locking‐loop suture (4 loops) was applied to the fibularis tendon using polyglactin 910. The free ends of the suture were then tied to the shank of a cortical bone screw inserted in the proximal metatarsus.ResultsThe calves were evaluated on postoperative days 15, 30, and 60 and were walking normally.ConclusionCongenital tarsal instability because of laxity of the fibularis musculotendoninous unit is described and surgical treatment directed at shortening the tendon shows promising results.
Sentence‐final adverbs in Singapore English and Hong Kong English
Authors: HIRAMOTO MIE 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTAvailable corpus data show that adverbs with modifying meanings,already,also, andonly, occur at the clause‐final or sentence‐final position more often in ‘Asian Englishes’ (Hong Kong English and Singapore English) than British English and Canadian English. This paper posits a link between the motivation of sentence‐final adverbs in Asian English and substrate transfer due to linguistic (both grammatical and pragmatic) structures of influential non‐English languages in the regions.
Formal Fourier Jacobi expansions and special cycles of codimension two
Authors: Westerholt-Raum Martin 
Published: August 2015

We prove that formal Fourier Jacobi expansions of degree two are Siegel modular forms. As a corollary, we deduce modularity of the generating function of special cycles of codimension two, which were defined by Kudla. A second application is the proof of termination of an algorithm to compute Fourier expansions of arbitrary Siegel modular forms of degree two. Combining both results enables us to determine relations of special cycles in the second Chow group.
Technical Note: MTF determination from a star bar pattern image
Authors: González‐López Antonio , Ruiz‐Morales Carmen 
Published: August 2015

Purpose:A procedure to obtain the MTF of an image system from a star bar pattern image is presented. The results obtained are compared to the standard analysis of an edge image (as described in the norm IEC 62220‐1).Methods:The images used are artificially generated following a procedure that simulates sampling, blurring, and noise present in a real phantom image. The MTF from a star bar pattern is obtained from the analysis of circular scans over the star pattern image and concentric to it. The radius of the scanning circumference is proportional to the spatial frequency of the curve arising from the scan, and the amplitude of this curve is directly related to the system MTF for that frequency. An oversampling procedure is also followed to minimize the effect of noise in the image. In order to investigate the MTF in a particular direction, the image analysis is restricted to an angular sector centered around that direction.Results:The MTFs calculated following this procedure show a very good agreement with those obtained following the standard IEC 62220‐1 for low noise levels. As the noise increases, however, the star bar method is more accurate than the edge method.Conclusions:The procedure presented provides a good method to investigate the MTF in any spatial direction. Finally, as the whole star bar pattern image is used for MTF computation, the high signal to noise ratio guarantees a good immunity against noise.
Independent Associations of Organized Physical Activity and Weight Status with Children’s Cognitive Functioning: A Matched-Pairs Design
Authors: Davis Catherine L. , Tkacz Joseph P. , Tomporowski Phillip D. , Bustamante Eduardo E. 
Published: August 2015

Purpose:This study tested whether participation in organized physical activity (active vs. inactive) or weight status (normal weight vs. overweight or obese) independently relate to children’s cognition, using a matched-pairs design.Design and Methods:Normal weight, active children (8–11 yrs, 5th-75th percentile BMI) were recruited from extracurricular physical activity programs while normal weight inactive (5th-75th percentile BMI) and overweight inactive children (BMI ≥85th percentile) were recruited from local Augusta, Georgia area schools. Measures included the Cognitive Assessment System, anthropometrics, and parent- and self-report of physical activity. Paired t tests compared cognition scores between matched groups of normal weight active vs. normal weight inactive (N = 24 pairs), normal weight inactive vs. overweight inactive (N = 21 pairs), and normal weight active vs. overweight inactive children (N = 16 pairs). Children in each comparison were matched for race, gender, age, and socioeconomic status.Results:Normal weight active children had higher Planning (M± SD = 109 ± 11 vs. 100 ± 11, p = .011) and Attention scores (108 ± 11 vs. 100 ± 11, p = .013) than overweight inactive children. Normal weight inactive children had higher Attention scores than overweight inactive children (105 ± 13 vs. 93 ± 12, p = .008). When compared with normal weight inactive children, normal weight active children had higher Planning (113 ± 10 vs. 102 ± 13, p = .008) and marginally higher Attention scores (111 ± 11 vs. 104 ± 12, p = .06).Conclusion:Findings suggest independent associations of children’s weight status with selective attention, and physical activity with higher-order processes of executive function.
The Acute Effects of Supramaximal High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise on Vascular Function in Lean vs. Obese Prepubescent Boys
Authors: Chuensiri Napasakorn , Tanaka Hirofumi , Suksom Daroonwan 
Published: August 2015

Purpose:To determine the acute effects of high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) on vascular function.Methods:Lean (n = 18, BMI = 17.1 ± 0.7) and obese (n = 17, BMI = 25.4 ± 0.8) prepubescent boys aged 10.2 ± 0.2 years were studied. HIIE consisted of 8 sets of 20 s of cycle ergometry at 100, 130, and 170% of VO2peak alternating with 10 s of rests.Results:The obese group had higher (p < .05) body mass, BMI, body fat percentage, waist-hip ratio than the lean group. Carotid artery wall thickness and arterial stiffness as assessed by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were greater in the obese than in the lean group (p < .05). Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was not different between the groups. Total energy expenditure increased gradually as the exercise intensity increased in both groups (p < .05). The obese group had significantly greater total energy expenditure in all three HIIE intensities than the lean group. FMD tended to be higher and baPWV lower as the exercise intensity increased in both groups. Only the HIIE at 170% demonstrated greater FMD compared with the baseline in both groups. baPWV decreased significantly after HIIE at 130 and 170% VO2peak in both groups.Conclusion:Supramaximal HIIE can be a feasible exercise modality for improving vascular function in obese prepubescent boys. Future exercise intervention studies are warranted.
Clinical and Analytical Performance of the Onclarity HPV Assay Using the VALGENT Framework
Authors: Cuschieri K. , Geraets D. T. , Moore C. , Quint W. , Duvall E. , Arbyn M. 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTAs the demand for human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cervical screening increases, emerging HPV tests must be evaluated robustly using well-annotated samples, such as those generated in the Validation of HPV Genotyping Tests (VALGENT) framework. Through VALGENT, we assessed the performance of the BD Onclarity HPV assay, which detects 14 high-risk (HR) types and resolves six individual types and three groups of types. Consecutive samples from a screening population (n= 1,000), enriched with cytologically abnormal samples (n= 300), that had been tested previously with the GP5+/6+ PCR enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and the GP5+/6+ PCR LMNX assay (Diassay) were tested with the Onclarity assay. Type-specific HPV prevalences were analyzed according to age and cytological result. The accuracy of the Onclarity assay for the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2+ (CIN2+) and CIN3+ was assessed relative to the GP5+/6+ EIA results by using noninferiority criteria. Overall agreement and type-specific agreement between the Onclarity assay and the GP5+/6+ LMNX assay were assessed. The prevalence of HPV types 16, 18, 31, and 45 increased with the severity of cytological results (Pfor trend, <0.05). For the detection of CIN2+, the Onclarity assay had a relative sensitivity of 1.02 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.99 to 1.05;P< 0.001 for noninferiority) and a relative specificity of 0.99 (95% CI, 0.97 to 1.00;P= 0.186 for noninferiority). The kappa for agreement between the Onclarity assay and the GP5+/6+ LMNX assay for HR-HPV was 0.92 (95% CI, 0.89 to 0.94), and values for the six individual types ranged from 0.78 (95% CI, 0.68 to 0.87) for HPV-52 to 0.96 (95% CI, 0.93 to 0.99) for HPV-16. These data suggest that the Onclarity assay offers applications for clinical workstreams while providing genotyping information that may be useful for risk stratification beyond types 16 and 18.
Human Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte-Mediated Acute Liver Failure and Rescue by Immunoglobulin in Human Hepatocyte Transplant TK-NOG Mice
Authors: Uchida Takuro , Hiraga Nobuhiko , Imamura Michio , Tsuge Masataka , Abe Hiromi , Hayes C. Nelson , Aikata Hiroshi , Ishida Yuji , Tateno Chise , Yoshizato Katsutoshi , Ohdan Hideki , Murakami Kazunari , Chayama Kazuaki 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTHepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are critical in eliminating infection. We developed an animal model in which HBV-infected human hepatocytes are targeted by HBV-specific CTLs. After HBV inoculation in human hepatocyte-transplanted herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase-NOG mice, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were administered, and albumin, HBV DNA, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and cytokine levels were analyzed. Histopathological and flow-cytometric analysis of infiltrating human immune cells were performed, and the efficacy of CTL-associated antigen-4 immunoglobulin (CTLA4Ig) against liver damage was evaluated. PBMC treatment resulted in massive hepatocyte damage with elevation of ALT, granzyme A, and gamma interferon and decrease in albumin and HBV DNA. The number of liver-infiltrating human lymphocytes and CD8-positive cells was significantly higher in HBV-infected mice. HBV-specific CTLs were detected by core and polymerase peptide-major histocompatibility complex-tetramer, and the population of regulatory T cells was significantly decreased in HBV-infected mice. Serum hepatitis B surface (HBs) antigen became negative, and HBs antibody appeared. CTLA4Ig treatment strongly inhibited infiltration of mononuclear cells. CTLA4Ig treatment will be used to treat patients who develop severe acute hepatitis B to prevent liver transplantation or lethality. This animal model is useful for virological and immunological analysis of HBV infection and to develop new therapies for severe acute hepatitis B.IMPORTANCEWithout liver transplantation, some HBV-infected patients will die from severe liver damage due to acute overreaction of the immune system. No effective treatment exists, due in part to the lack of a suitable animal model. An animal model is necessary to investigate the mechanism of hepatitis and to develop therapeutic strategies to prevent acute liver failure in HBV infection. We developed an animal model in which HBV-infected human hepatocytes are targeted by human HBV-specific CTLs. In this model, HBV-infected human hepatocytes were transplanted into severely immunodeficient NOG mice in order to reconstruct elements of the human immune system. Using this model, we found that CTL-associated antigen-4 immunoglobulin was able to suppress damage to HBV-infected hepatocytes, suggesting an approach to treatment. This animal model is useful for virological and immunological analysis of HBV infection and to develop new therapies for severe acute hepatitis B.