bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intravenous paracetamol with a lower dose is also effective for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in pre-term infants
Authors: Tekgündüz Kadir Şerafettin , Ceviz Naci , Caner İbrahim , Olgun Haşim , Demirelli Yaşar , Yolcu Canan , Şahin İrfan Oğuz , Kara Mustafa 
Published: August 2014

AbstractIntroduction: Haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pre-term infants. This retrospective study was conducted to investigate the usefulness of lower-dose paracetamol for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in pre-term infants. Materials and Methods: A total of 13 pre-term infants who received intravenous paracetamol because of contrindications or side effects to oral ibuprofen were retrospectively enrolled. In the first patient, the dose regimen was 15 mg/kg/dose, every 6 hours. As the patient developed significant elevation in transaminase levels, the dose was decreased to 10 mg/kg/dose, every 8 hours in the following 12 patients. Echocardiographic examination was conducted daily. In case of closure, it was repeated after 2 days and when needed thereafter in terms of reopening. Results: A total of 13 patients received intravenous paracetamol. Median gestational age was 29 weeks ranging from 24 to 31 weeks and birth weight was 950 g ranging from 470 to 1390 g. The median postnatal age at the first intravenous paracetamol dose was 3 days ranging from 2 to 9 days. In 10 of the 13 patients (76.9%), patent ductus arteriosus was closed at the median 2nd day of intravenous paracetamol ranging from 1 to 4 days. When the patient who developed hepatotoxicity was eliminated, the closure rate was found to be 83.3% (10/12). Conclusion: Intravenous paracetamol may be a useful treatment option for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in pre-term infants with contrindication to ibuprofen. In our experience, lower-dose paracetamol is effective in closing the patent ductus arteriosus in 83.3% of the cases.
Beverage consumption in Brazil: results from the first National Dietary Survey
Authors: Pereira Rosangela A , Souza Amanda M , Duffey Kiyah J , Sichieri Rosely , Popkin Barry M 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo provide an overview of beverage consumption patterns using the first nationally representative survey of dietary intake in Brazil.DesignBeverage consumption data were obtained by 1 d food records in an individual dietary survey.SettingNationwide cross-sectional survey, 2008–2009.SubjectsNationally representative sample of individuals aged ≥10 years (n 34 003).ResultsBeverages contributed 17·1 % of total energy consumption. Caloric coffee beverages provided the greatest level of energy overall (464 kJ (111 kcal)/d). Individuals aged 10–18 years (243 kJ (58 kcal)/d) and 19–39 years (230 kJ (55 kcal)/d) consumed a higher proportion of energy from sugar-sweetened soft drinks than individuals over this age (142 kJ (34 kcal)/d for those aged 40–59 years and 79 kJ (19 kcal)/d for those aged ≥60 years).ConclusionsOverall, the contribution of beverages, particularly sugary beverages, to total energy consumption in Brazil represents an important public health challenge and is comparable with those from other countries.
Quantitative Assessment of P-Glycoprotein Expression and Function Using Confocal Image Analysis
Authors: Hamrang Zahra , Arthanari Yamini , Clarke David , Pluen Alain 
Published: August 2014

AbstractP-glycoprotein is implicated in clinical drug resistance; thus, rapid quantitative analysis of its expression and activity is of paramout importance to the design and success of novel therapeutics. The scope for the application of quantitative imaging and image analysis tools in this field is reported here at “proof of concept” level. P-glycoprotein expression was utilized as a model for quantitative immunofluorescence and subsequent spatial intensity distribution analysis (SpIDA). Following expression studies, p-glycoprotein inhibition as a function of verapamil concentration was assessed in two cell lines using live cell imaging of intracellular Calcein retention and a routine monolayer fluorescence assay. Intercellular and sub-cellular distributions in the expression of the p-glycoprotein transporter between parent and MDR1-transfected Madin–Derby Canine Kidney cell lines were examined. We have demonstrated that quantitative imaging can provide dose–response parameters while permitting direct microscopic analysis of intracellular fluorophore distributions in live and fixed samples. Analysis with SpIDA offers the ability to detect heterogeniety in the distribution of labeled species, and in conjunction with live cell imaging and immunofluorescence staining may be applied to the determination of pharmacological parameters or analysis of biopsies providing a rapid prognostic tool.
Positive psychological determinants of treatment adherence among primary care patients
Authors: Nsamenang Sheri A. , Hirsch Jameson K. 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundPatient adherence to medical treatment recommendations can affect disease prognosis, and may be beneficially or deleteriously influenced by psychological factors.AimWe examined the relationships between both adaptive and maladaptive psychological factors and treatment adherence among a sample of primary care patients.MethodsOne hundred and one rural, primary care patients completed the Life Orientation Test-Revised, Trait Hope Scale, Future Orientation Scale, NEO-FFI Personality Inventory (measuring positive and negative affect), and Medical Outcomes Study General Adherence Scale.FindingsIn independent models, positive affect, optimism, hope, and future orientation were beneficially associated with treatment adherence, whereas pessimism and negative affect were negatively related to adherence. In multivariate models, only negative affect, optimism and hope remained significant and, in a comparative model, trait hope was most robustly associated with treatment adherence.ImplicationsTherapeutically, addressing negative emotions and expectancies, while simultaneously bolstering motivational and goal-directed attributes, may improve adherence to treatment regimens.
Planet formation in a triple stellar system: implications of the third star's orbital inclination
Authors: Domingos R. C. , Winter O. C. , Izidoro A. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPlanets have been revealed both in binary and triple stellar systems. Although there have been several studies of the late stages of planet formation in binary stars this process does not appear to have been studied in triple stellar systems. To understand how the late stage of planetary accretion is affected by a third companion, in this work we have numerically investigated the formation of planets in a hypothetical triple stellar system. The system is composed by an inner binary formed by two half-solar-mass components orbited by a solar-mass star. In our experiments, lunar and Mars-sized planetary embryos are distributed around the centre of mass of the inner binary system. Our main goal is to analyse how the formation of planets evolves depending on the orbital configuration of the massive distant companion. We have performed an extensive number of numerical simulations considering different orbital configurations for the third star. All simulations were numerically integrated for at least 107 years. The results show that when the protoplanetary disc and the stars are initially on coplanar orbits, one or two planets are quickly formed between 6 and 8 AU. In general such planets have also small eccentricities with values about 10−2. On the other hand, when the third star is considered initially on inclined orbits (even tiny values), there tends to occur a significant increase in the inclination of bodies of protoplanetary disc, which prevents the collisions between these objects and their growth. As a result, in this latter case we do not evidence the formation of planets during the timescale of our integrations but note the existence of several leftover objects that can survive for longer than 10 Myr, moving in orbits with semi-major axes ranging between ~6 and 8 AU. Thus, our results do not rule out the planet formation in this kind of stellar arrangements at all, but they indicate that, if planetary bodies keep stable orbits, the late stage of planet formation in systems with a highly inclined third star can be a very long process and many of these triple hierarchical systems might not have had time to form planets and planetary systems. They could be harbouring only debris discs, fragments or planetesimals.
How older people with incurable cancer experience daily living: A qualitative study from Norway
Authors: Haug Sigrid Helene Kjørven , Danbolt Lars J. , Kvigne Kari , Demarinis Valerie 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjective:An increasing number of older people are living with incurable cancer as a chronic disease, requiring palliative care from specialized healthcare for shorter or longer periods of time. The aim of our study was to describe how they experience daily living while receiving palliative care in specialized healthcare contexts.Method:We conducted a qualitative research study with a phenomenological approach called “systematic text condensation.” A total of 21 participants, 12 men and 9 women, aged 70–88, took part in semistructured interviews. They were recruited from two somatic hospitals in southeastern Norway.Results:The participants experienced a strong link to life in terms of four subthemes: to acknowledge the need for close relationships; to maintain activities of normal daily life; to provide space for existential meaning-making and to name and handle decline and loss. In addition, they reported that specialized healthcare contexts strengthened the link to life by prioritizing and providing person-centered palliative care.Significance of results:Older people with incurable cancer are still strongly connected to life in their daily living. The knowledge that the potential for resilience remains despite aging and serious decline in health is considered a source of comfort for older people living with this disease. Insights into the processes of existential meaning-making and resilience are seen as useful in order to increase our understanding of how older people adapt to adversity, and how their responses may help to protect them from some of the difficulties inherent to aging. Healthcare professionals can make use of this information in treatment planning and for identification of psychosocial and sociocultural resources to support older people and to strengthen patients' life resources.
Some Aspects of the Statutory Valuation
Authors: Elliott S. F. 
Published: August 2014

The burden of legislation upon authorized insurers in the U.K. continues to grow and this is particularly true for the statutory valuation. In recent years regulations have been introduced to cover such matters as the valuation rates of interest, the provision for changes in investment conditions and the setting up of solvency margins.The purpose of this paper is to summarize some of the more important aspects of the Regulations and comment upon their interpretation with reference to current practice. A substantial part of the paper is concerned with the provision for changes in investment conditions. Some implications for financial control and product pricing are also mentioned.The paper will concentrate on the valuation of liabilities and is written in the context of assets taken in accordance with the asset valuation regulations, that is to say broadly at market value. Most of the paper is addressed to conventional business but a few comments on linked business are included. The material is discussed under various headings but is so interdependent that it is difficult to concentrate on one aspect without impinging on several others.
Fitting the Truncated Pareto Distribution to Loss Distributions
Authors: Boyd Albert V. 
Published: August 2014

Hogg and Klugman use the truncated Pareto distribution with probability density functionwhere δ≥0 is specified and α > 0 and λ > 0 are unknown parameters, to describe insurance claims. This is fitted first of all by the method of moments, using the estimatorsand where is the mean of a simple random sample, and the (biased) varianceThe authors then suggest, on pp. 113–16, that these estimates be used as starting values in a Newton iteration to get the maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters, but this technique can fail as a result of convergence problems. The object of this note is to show that this has led Hogg and Klugman to underestimate seriously the area in the tail of a fitted loss distribution, and to discuss a method of circumventing this difficulty.
Universal Life
Authors: Weatherhead R. D. 
Published: August 2014

The purpose of this paper is to document some recent developments in unit linked life assurance and in particular Universal Life policies, highlighting some areas of current controversy and some potential problems.Some of the reasons for the current design of Universal Life products are given in §2. Section 3 contains a detailed description of the operation of the policy and §4 describes briefly the benefits and options available. The methods used to make charges for expenses, commissions, benefits and profit are described in § 5 and some of the problems involved in deciding the levels of charges for benefits are discussed in § 6. Section 7 discusses the profit objective of the office and §8 highlights some aspects of valuation which are peculiar to Universal Life. Future developments and some speculation about the effect these will have on the Universal Life product are discussed in § 9 and a brief summary containing the major conclusions of the paper is given in § 10.I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all those who gave advice and comments on the paper and to Andrea Hills for typing it.
Financing Healthcare for the Elderly
Authors: Webber James 
Published: August 2014

This paper is about financial products which meet the healthcare costs of the elderly. It covers products that include elements of housing and healthcare provision, as well as insurance products with financial benefits that meet or reduce the cost of healthcare. It is hoped that the paper will be of interest to property developers and managers of retirement housing and nursing homes, as well as to the actuarial profession and the financial services community.The paper introduces some of the areas that the author has researched and worked in over the past three years. During the same period, many insurance companies and developers are known to have researched the market for financial products which cover the cost of healthcare for the elderly. Demographic changes, coupled with more widespread home ownership and occupational pensions, have created a major opportunity for new products. Continuation of these trends, and political and cultural changes away from State provision, suggest that the need for new products will grow. In the U.S.A., similar trends have led to a rapidly growing market for many products combining finance and healthcare for the elderly. In the U.K., the market has been slower to respond to the opportunities.
Dread Disease Cover—An Actuarial Perspective
Authors: Dash A. C. , Grimshaw D. L. 
Published: August 2014

A Dread Disease contract pays out a lump sum on the diagnosis of any of a number of specified diseases. Those most commonly covered are heart attack, coronary artery disease requiring surgery, cancer and stroke. The benefit can take either of two main forms—it may provide an acceleration of all or part of any death benefit or it may be an additional benefit. It can be sold in conjunction with many conventional products or as a stand-alone policy.Dread Disease contracts were originally developed in South Africa in the early 1980's, although cancer riders had previously been sold in the U.S.A., Japan and Israel. To some extent the marketing of these contracts was insensitive and preyed on people's fears in a distasteful way. This may explain some initial reluctance amongst U.K. insurers to enter this market; however with marketing literature now emphasizing more positive aspects, this appears to have been overcome.
Microbial communities evolve faster in extreme environments
Authors: Li Sheng-Jin , Hua Zheng-Shuang , Huang Li-Nan , Li Jie , Shi Su-Hua , Chen Lin-Xing , Kuang Jia-Liang , Liu Jun , Hu Min , Shu Wen-Sheng 
Published: August 2014

AbstractEvolutionary analysis of microbes at the community level represents a new research avenue linking ecological patterns to evolutionary processes, but remains insufficiently studied. Here we report a relative evolutionary rates (rERs) analysis of microbial communities from six diverse natural environments based on 40 metagenomic samples. We show that the rERs of microbial communities are mainly shaped by environmental conditions and the microbes inhabiting extreme habitats (acid mine drainage, saline lake and hot spring) evolve faster than those populating benign environments (surface ocean, fresh water and soil). These findings were supported by the observation of more relaxed purifying selection and potentially frequent horizontal gene transfers in communities from extreme habitats. The mechanism of high rERs was proposed as high mutation rates imposed by stressful conditions during the evolutionary processes. This study brings us one stage closer to an understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms underlying the adaptation of microbes to extreme environments.
On multiple‐input–multiple‐output performance for Terrestrial Trunked Radio systems
Authors: Holm Peter D. , Persson Daniel , Wiklundh Kia , Stenumgaard Peter 
Published: August 2014

Measurements for outdoor multiple‐input–multiple‐output (MIMO) capacity assessment are generally technically complicated, time consuming and expensive activities and few results are therefore published in the literature. Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) systems suffer from poor capacity and could be significantly improved by MIMO technology. However, performing outdoor channel measurements in relevant environments is very difficult because of interference problems with operating systems. In this study, the authors propose an estimation of the MIMO capacity for TETRA systems, based on outdoor MIMO measurements carried out at 300 MHz.
Viral nanoparticle-encapsidated enzyme and restructured DNA for cell delivery and gene expression
Authors: Liu Jinny L. , Dixit Aparna Banerjee , Robertson Kelly L. , Qiao Eric , Black Lindsay W. 
Published: August 2014

Significance
The importance of viral icosahedral capsid-based nanoparticles (NPs) as cell-delivery vehicles is now being recognized. Virtually any specific protein and nucleic acid can be encapsidated together into a phage T4 capsid that can display surface-binding ligands for tissue targeting. In this study, T4 NPs packed in vivo with active cyclic recombination (Cre) recombinase and in vitro with fluorescent mCherry expression plasmid DNA were delivered into cancer cells. When released into cells together, the packaged active Cre recombinase within the capsid circularizes the packaged DNA of the linear expression plasmid, enhancing the expression of the mCherry gene. The efficient and specific packaging and unpackaging of DNA and active protein together into targeted cells has potential applications in targeted gene therapy and cancer therapy.
Nutritional strategies to support concurrent training
Authors: Perez‐Schindler Joaquin , Hamilton D. Lee , Moore Daniel R. , Baar Keith , Philp Andrew 
Published: August 2014

AbstractConcurrent training (the combination of endurance exercise to resistance training) is a common practice for athletes looking to maximise strength and endurance. Over 20 years ago, it was first observed that performing endurance exercise after resistance exercise could have detrimental effects on strength gains. At the cellular level, specific protein candidates have been suggested to mediate this training interference; however, at present, the physiological reason(s) behind the concurrent training effect remain largely unknown. Even less is known regarding the optimal nutritional strategies to support concurrent training and whether unique nutritional approaches are needed to support endurance and resistance exercise during concurrent training approaches. In this review, we will discuss the importance of protein supplementation for both endurance and resistance training adaptation and highlight additional nutritional strategies that may support concurrent training. Finally, we will attempt to synergise current understanding of the interaction between physiological responses and nutritional approaches into practical recommendations for concurrent training.
Tracking Arabinoxylans Through the Preparation of Pancakes
Authors: Kiszonas Alecia M. , Fuerst E. Patrick , Luthria Devanand , Morris Craig F. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTArabinoxylans (AX) are well known to have a wide‐ranging influence on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) end‐use quality and are associated with health benefits. There is little information on the effects of processing on AX properties in high‐water‐content batter‐based products and on the associations between AX properties and end‐use quality in such products. The objective of this study was to track total and water‐extractable AX (TAX and WEAX, respectively) contents and determine changes in AX characteristics throughout the baking process of pancakes, a batter‐based wheat product. The TAX and WEAX contents along with the arabinose‐to‐xylose (A/X) ratio were quantified in refined flour and wholemeal as well as batter and pancakes from two soft and three hard wheat varieties. ANOVA F values indicated that the variation in TAX content was influenced most by sample type differences (flour versus batter versus pancakes), whereas varietal differences were responsible for the greatest differences in WEAX. In separate analyses on refined and wholemeal flours, the highest F values were for variety WEAX, largely attributed to the higher WEAX content of the three hard varieties. WEAX levels generally increased slightly from flour to batter to pancakes in refined flour. The WEAX content in flour, batter, and pancakes of both refined flour and wholemeal was highly correlated with pancake volume. These observations suggest moderate changes in wheat AX characteristics during processing and a positive association of WEAX levels with end‐product volume in a batter‐based product.