bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Volatility, agricultural risk, and household poverty: micro‐evidence from randomized control trials
Authors: Macours Karen 
Published: July 2013

AbstractHouseholds in developing countries are often highly exposed to risk and despite households’ risk strategies negative shocks often result in substantial welfare losses. Given the possibility that weather risks in particular might be further increasing, there is renewed policy attention on improving households’ risk management strategies. This article provides an overview of insights learned from recent randomized control trials on predictions coming out of the theoretical literature on households’ ex ante risk management. It reveals new puzzles and questions regarding households’ inter‐temporal decision making under risk, and draws lessons for effective policy design.
Variation in cesarean section rates is not related to maternal and neonatal outcomes
Authors: Pallasmaa Nanneli , Alanen Anna , Ekblad Ulla , Vahlberg Tero , Koivisto Mari , Raudaskoski Tytti , Ulander Veli‐Matti , Uotila Jukka 
Published: July 2013

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare the rate of cesarean sections in 12 delivery units in Finland, and to assess possible associations between cesarean section rates and maternal and neonatal complications.DesignProspective multicenter cohort study.SettingThe 12 largest delivery units in Finland.PopulationTotal obstetric population between 1 January 2005 and 30 June 2005 (n = 19 764).MethodsProspectively collected data on 2496 cesarean sections and data derived from the Finnish Birth Register on all deliveries in these units were compared. Cesarean section rates and maternal complication rates were adjusted for known risk factors.Main outcome measuresCesarean section rate, maternal complications related to cesarean section, and neonatal asphyxia.ResultsThe cesarean section rates varied significantly between the hospitals (12.9–25.1%, p < 0.0001), as did the maternal complication rates related to cesarean section (13.0–36.5%, p < 0.0001). There was no relation between maternal complications and the cesarean section rate. The differences remained after adjusting for risk factors. Neonatal asphyxia rates varied between 0.14 and 2.8% (p < 0.0001) and were not related to the cesarean section rates.ConclusionsThe rates of cesarean section, maternal complications and neonatal asphyxia vary markedly between different delivery units. Good maternal and neonatal outcomes can be achieved with cesarean section rates <15%.
Experience with laparoscopic treatment for paraesophageal hiatal hernia
Authors: Tagaya Nobumi , Makino Nana , Saito Kazuyuki , Okuyama Takashi , Kouketsu Shinichiro , Sugamata Yoshitake , Oya Masatoshi 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIntroductionParaesophageal hiatal hernia is often associated with a number of complications such as intestinal obstruction, gastric volvulus and acute pancreatitis, each of which can result in critical conditions requiring surgery. Herein, we report our surgical procedure for paraesophageal hiatal hernia.MethodsSince 2003, we have surgically treated hiatal hernia in 18 patients, including 2 men and 16 women, with a mean age of 73 years. Thirteen patients (72.2%) had a type‐I hiatal hernia, two (11.1%) had type III and three (16.7%) had type IV. The operative procedure consisted of a crural repair and anti‐reflux maneuver.ResultsLaparoscopic procedures were completed in all patients. The mean operation time was 160.2 min for type I and 230.8 min for types III and IV. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 7.8 days, and there was no mortality. Three patients relapsed during the mean follow‐up period of 74.9 months. Two of them were asymptomatic and one required laparoscopic reoperation.ConclusionLaparoscopic surgery for paraesophageal hiatal hernia is safe and effective with minimal morbidity and early recovery. However, it is important to determine the appropriate timing of surgery based on the severity of the hernia and the patient's general status and comorbidities.
Afrormosin, an Isoflavonoid from Amburana cearensis A. C. Smith, Modulates the Inflammatory Response of Stimulated Human Neutrophils
Authors: de Araújo Lopes Amanda , Magalhães Talita R. , de Andrade Uchôa Daniel E. , Silveira Edilberto R. , Azzolini Ana E. C. S. , Kabeya Luciana M. , Lucisano‐Valim Yara M. , Vasconcelos Silvânia M. M. , de Barros Viana Glauce S. , Leal Luzia K. A. M. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIsoflavones are phytoestrogens known by their anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Presently, there is no information on whether afrormosin, an isoflavone from Amburana cearensis A.C. Smith (Fabaceae), has some effect on the inflammatory response from stimulated human neutrophils. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant potentials of afrormosin on human neutrophils. Neutrophils (2.5 × 106 cells/mL) were incubated with afrormosin (3.35–335.2 μM) prepared from a product isolated from Amburana cearensis A.C. Smith with a 78.5% degree of purity and stimulated by the addition of cytochalasin B and N‐formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (fMLP) or phorbol 12‐myristate‐13‐acetate (PMA). Afrormosin inhibited the neutrophil degranulation induced by fMLP (10.47–335.2 μM) or PMA (0.33–167.6 μM), myeloperoxidase activity (3.3–335.2 μM), TNF‐α secretion (16.7–335.2 μM) and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation (16.7–335.2 μM). On the other hand, afrormosin did not show any effect either on elastase or as a free radical scavenger. These data suggest that afrormosin modulates intermediary steps of the neutrophil ROS generation process. In addition, the modulatory effect of afrormosin on human neutrophil degranulation seems to be directed towards PMA‐induced activation, indicating a potent inhibition of the protein kinase C activity. This study provided evidence, for the first time, to support the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activities of afrormosin, creating novel insights into the pharmacological actions of this natural isoflavone.
Penile cancer: organ‐sparing techniques
Authors: Hegarty Paul K. , Eardley Ian , Heidenreich Axel , McDougal W. Scott , Minhas Suks , Spiess Philippe E. , Watkin Nick , Horenblas Simon 
Published: July 2013

To compare the oncological safety of treating patients with penile cancer with conservative techniques developed to preserve function, cosmesis and psychological well‐being with more radical ablative strategies.

We conducted an extensive review of the literature of penile‐preserving and ablative techniques and report on the oncological as well as functional outcomes.

There were no randomised studies comparing penile‐preserving and ablative techniques. Most studies consisted of retrospective cohorts.
The quality of evidence was level 3 at best.

Cancer‐specific survival is similar in penile‐preserving and ablative approaches for low‐stage disease.
Penile preservation is better for functional and cosmetic outcomes and should be offered as a primary treatment method in men with low‐stage penile cancer.
Integrated provenance record of a forearc basin modified by slab‐window magmatism: detrital‐ zircon geochronology and sandstone compositions of the Paleogene Arkose Ridge Formation, south‐central Alaska
Authors: Kortyna C. , Donaghy E. , Trop J. M. , Idleman B. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThis study presents an integrated provenance record for ancient forearc strata in southern Alaska. Paleocene–Eocene sedimentary and volcanic strata >2000 m thick in the southern Talkeetna Mountains record nonmarine sediment accumulation in a remnant forearc basin. In these strata, igneous detritus dominates conglomerate and sandstone detrital modes, including plutonic and volcanic clasts, plagioclase feldspar, and monocrystalline quartz. Volcanic detritus is more abundant and increases upsection in eastern sandstone and conglomerate. U‐Pb ages of >1600 detrital zircons from 19 sandstone samples document three main populations: 60–48 Ma (late Paleocene–Eocene; 14% of all grains), 85–60 Ma (late Cretaceous–early Paleocene; 64%) and 200–100 Ma (Jurassic–Early Cretaceous; 11%). Eastern sections exhibit the broadest distribution of detrital ages, including a principal population of late Paleocene–Eocene ages. In contrast, central and western sections yield mainly late Cretaceous–early Paleocene detrital ages. Collectively, our results permit reconstruction of individual fluvial drainages oriented transverse to a dissected arc. Specifically, new data suggest: (1) Detritus was eroded from volcanic‐plutonic sources exposed along the arcward margin of the sampled forearc basin fill, primarily Jurassic–Paleocene magmatic‐arc plutons and spatially limited late Paleocene–Eocene volcanic centers; (2) Eastern deposystems received higher proportions of juvenile volcanic detritus through time from late Paleocene–Eocene volcanic centers, consistent with emplacement of a slab window beneath the northeastern part of the basin during spreading‐ridge subduction; (3) Western deposystems transported volcanic‐plutonic detritus from Jurassic–Paleocene remnant arc plutons and local eruptive centers that flanked the northwestern part of the basin; (4) Diagnostic evidence of sediment derivation from accretionary‐prism strata exposed trenchward of the basin fill is lacking. Our results provide geologic evidence for latest Cretaceous–early Paleocene exhumation of arc plutons and marine forearc strata followed by nonmarine sediment accumulation and slab‐window magmatism. This inferred history supports models that invoke spreading‐ridge subduction beneath southern Alaska during Paleogene time, providing a framework for understanding a mature continental‐arc/forearc‐basin system modified by ridge subduction. Conventional provenance models predict reduced input of volcanic detritus to forearc basins during progressive exhumation of the volcanic edifice and increasing exposure of subvolcanic plutons. In contrast, our results show that forearc basins influenced by ridge subduction may record localized increases in juvenile volcanic detritus during late‐stage evolution in response to accumulation of volcanic sequences formed from slab‐window eruptive centers.
Enhanced and persistent levels of interleukin (IL)-17+CD4+ T cells and serum IL-17 in patients with early inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Gullick N J , Abozaid H S , Jayaraj D M , Evans H G , Scott D L , Choy E H , Taams L S 
Published: July 2013

SummaryPrognosis of patients with early inflammatory arthritis (EIA) is highly variable. The aim of this study was to compare, longitudinally and cross-sectionally, the levels of cytokine-expressing cells in peripheral blood (PB) from patients with EIA to those in established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy controls (HC). PB mononuclear cells from HC (n = 30), patients with EIA (n = 20) or RA (n = 38) were stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)/ionomycin for 3 h, and stained for cell markers and cytokines. Serum cytokines and chemokines were measured by Luminex. Patients with EIA were reassessed at 6 and 12 months. The percentage of interleukin (IL)-17+interferon (IFN)-γ−CD4+ T cells [T helper type 17 (Th17)] was increased in RA and EIA versus HC. Serum IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4 IL-17 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α were increased in RA and EIA versus HC. IL-1Ra, IL-15 and IFN-α were increased in EIA versus HC. IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α was increased in RA but not EIA versus HC. Disease activity scores in EIA patients improved over 12 months' treatment. Th17 percentage at baseline was correlated with both rheumatoid factor (RF) titre and functional deficit at 12 months. Baseline levels of serum granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-6 and IL-8 were correlated with Larsen score at 12 months. There were no significant changes in cytokine-expressing CD4+T cells over time, although the percentage of IL-6+ monocytes increased. IL-17+CD4+ T cells and serum IL-17 levels are increased in EIA. IL-6-expressing monocytes increase during the first year of disease, irrespective of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy. We observed incomplete clinical responses, suggesting EIA patients need more intensive early therapy.
Constructing Isosurfaces with Sharp Edges and Corners using Cube Merging
Authors: Bhattacharya A. , Wenger R. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractA number of papers present algorithms to construct isosurfaces with sharp edges and corners from hermite data, i.e. the exact surface normals at the exact intersection of the surface and grid edges. We discuss some fundamental problems with the previous algorithms and describe a new approach, based on merging grid cubes near sharp edges, that produces significantly better results. Our algorithm requires only gradients at the grid vertices, not at each surface‐edge intersection point. We also give a method for measuring the correctness of the resulting sharp edges and corners in the isosurface.
EvalBench: A Software Library for Visualization Evaluation
Authors: Aigner W. , Hoffmann S. , Rind A. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIt is generally acknowledged in visualization research that it is necessary to evaluate visualization artifacts in order to provide empirical evidence on their effectiveness and efficiency as well as their usability and utility. However, the difficulties of conducting such evaluations still remain an issue. Apart from the required know‐how to appropriately design and conduct user studies, the necessary implementation effort for evaluation features in visualization software is a considerable obstacle. To mitigate this, we present EvalBench, an easy‐to‐use, flexible, and reusable software library for visualization evaluation written in Java. We describe its design choices and basic abstractions of our conceptual architecture and demonstrate its applicability by a number of case studies. EvalBench reduces implementation effort for evaluation features and makes conducting user studies easier. It can be used and integrated with third‐party visualization prototypes that need to be evaluated via loose coupling. EvalBench supports both, quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods such as controlled experiments, interaction logging, laboratory questionnaires, heuristic evaluations, and insight diaries.
Towards High‐dimensional Data Analysis in Air Quality Research
Authors: Engel D. , Hummel M. , Hoepel F. , Bein K. , Wexler A. , Garth C. , Hamann B. , Hagen H. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAnalysis of chemical constituents from mass spectrometry of aerosols involves non‐negative matrix factorization, an approximation of high‐dimensional data in lower‐dimensional space. The associated optimization problem is non‐convex, resulting in crude approximation errors that are not accessible to scientists. To address this shortcoming, we introduce a new methodology for user‐guided error‐aware data factorization that entails an assessment of the amount of information contributed by each dimension of the approximation, an effective combination of visualization techniques to highlight, filter, and analyze error features, as well as a novel means to interactively refine factorizations. A case study and the domain‐expert feedback provided by the collaborating atmospheric scientists illustrate that our method effectively communicates errors of such numerical optimization results and facilitates the computation of high‐quality data factorizations in a simple and intuitive manner.
Vector Field k‐Means: Clustering Trajectories by Fitting Multiple Vector Fields
Authors: Ferreira Nivan , Klosowski James T. , Scheidegger Carlos E. , Silva Cláudio T. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractScientists study trajectory data to understand trends in movement patterns, such as human mobility for traffic analysis and urban planning. In this paper, we introduce a novel trajectory clustering technique whose central idea is to use vector fields to induce a notion of similarity between trajectories, letting the vector fields themselves define and represent each cluster. We present an efficient algorithm to find a locally optimal clustering of trajectories into vector fields, and demonstrate how vector‐field k‐means can find patterns missed by previous methods. We present experimental evidence of its effectiveness and efficiency using several datasets, including historical hurricane data, GPS tracks of people and vehicles, and anonymous cellular radio handoffs from a large service provider.
User‐driven Feature Space Transformation
Authors: Mamani G. M. H. , Fatore F. M. , Nonato L. G. , Paulovich F. V. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractInteractive visualization systems for exploring and manipulating high‐dimensional feature spaces have experienced a substantial progress in the last few years. State‐of‐art methods rely on solid mathematical and computational foundations that enable sophisticated and flexible interactive tools. Current methods are even capable of modifying data attributes during interaction, highlighting regions of potential interest in the feature space, and building visualizations that bring out the relevance of attributes. However, those methodologies rely on complex and non‐intuitive interfaces that hamper the free handling of the feature spaces. Moreover, visualizing how neighborhood structures are affected during the space manipulation is also an issue for existing methods. This paper presents a novel visualization‐assisted methodology for interacting and transforming data attributes embedded in feature spaces. The proposed approach relies on a combination of multidimensional projections and local transformations to provide an interactive mechanism for modifying attributes. Besides enabling a simple and intuitive visual layout, our approach allows the user to easily observe the changes in neighborhood structures during interaction. The usefulness of our methodology is shown in an application geared to image retrieval.
Fingerprint Matrices: Uncovering the dynamics of social networks in prose literature
Authors: Oelke D. , Kokkinakis D. , Keim D. A. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIn prose literature often complex dynamics of interpersonal relationships can be observed between the different characters. Traditionally, node‐link diagrams are used to depict the social network of a novel. However, static graphs can only visualize the overall social network structure but not the development of the networks over the course of the story, while dynamic graphs have the serious problem that there are many sudden changes between different portions of the overall social network. In this paper we explore means to show the relationships between the characters of a plot and at the same time their development over the course of a novel. Based on a careful exploration of the design space, we suggest a new visualization technique called Fingerprint Matrices. A case study exemplifies the usage of Fingerprint Matrices and shows that they are an effective means to analyze prose literature with respect to the development of relationships between the different characters.
Rule‐based Visual Mappings – with a Case Study on Poetry Visualization
Authors: Abdul‐Rahman A. , Lein J. , Coles K. , Maguire E. , Meyer M. , Wynne M. , Johnson C. R. , Trefethen A. , Chen M. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIn this paper, we present a user‐centered design study on poetry visualization. We develop a rule‐based solution to address the conflicting needs for maintaining the flexibility of visualizing a large set of poetic variables and for reducing the tedium and cognitive load in interacting with the visual mapping control panel. We adopt Munzner's nested design model to maintain high‐level interactions with the end users in a closed loop. In addition, we examine three design options for alleviating the difficulty in visualizing poems latitudinally. We present several example uses of poetry visualization in scholarly research on poetry.
Peri‐operative hyperglycemia is associated with delayed graft function in deceased donor renal transplantation
Authors: Parekh Justin , Roll Garrett R. , Feng Sandy , Niemann Claus U. , Hirose Ryutaro 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIncreasing evidence indicates that recipient diabetes is a risk factor for delayed graft function (DGF) after renal transplant and that peri‐operative hyperglycemia increases ischemia–reperfusion injury. To evaluate whether peri‐operative hyperglycemia as measured in the post‐anesthesia care unit (PACU) after transplant is a risk factor for DGF, we retrospectively reviewed 976 adult recipients of deceased donor renal transplants between January 1, 1997 and December 1, 2004. Logistic regression was used to evaluate risk factors for DGF. In our final multivariate model, recipient blood glucose level in the PACU (odds ratio [OR] 1.10 per 25 unit increase, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14–2.46, p = 0.03) was a statistically significant predictor of DGF along with donor age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.03, p < 0.01), cold ischemia time (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02–1.07, p < 0.01), recipient male gender (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.14–2.68, p = 0.01), and a panel‐reactive antibody >30% (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.20–3.05, p = 0.01). We conclude that recipient blood glucose measured in the PACU is associated with DGF and begs the question of whether improved peri‐operative glucose control will decrease the incidence of DGF.
The cost‐effectiveness of the Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE) structured education programme: an update using the Sheffield Type 1 Diabetes Policy Model
Authors: Kruger J. , Brennan A. , Thokala P. , Basarir H. , Jacques R. , Elliott J. , Heller S. , Speight J. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimsTo estimate the cost‐effectiveness of training in flexible intensive insulin therapy [as provided in the Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE) structured education programme] compared with no training for adults with Type 1 diabetes mellitus in theUKusing the Sheffield Type 1 Diabetes Policy Model.MethodsThe Sheffield Type 1 Diabetes Policy Model was used to simulate the development of long‐term microvascular and macrovascular diabetes‐related complications and the occurrence of diabetes‐related adverse events in 5000 adults with Type 1 diabetes. Total costs and quality‐adjusted life years were estimated from a National Health Service perspective over a lifetime horizon, discounted at a rate of 3.5%. The treatment effectiveness ofDAFNEwas modelled as a reduction in HbA1cthat affected the risk of developing long‐term diabetes‐related complications. Probabilistic and structural sensitivity analyses were conducted.ResultsDAFNEresulted in greater life expectancy and reduced incidence of some diabetes‐related complications compared with noDAFNE.DAFNEwas found to generate an average of 0.0294 additional quality‐adjusted life years for an additional cost of £426 per patient, leading to an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of £14 400 compared with noDAFNE. There was a 54% probability thatDAFNEwould be cost‐effective at a willingness‐to‐pay threshold of £20 000 per quality‐adjusted life year.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest thatDAFNEis a cost‐effective structured education programme for people with Type 1 diabetes and support its provision by the National Health Service in theUK.
Quantification of Changes in Septal Strain after Alcohol Septal Ablation in Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy—Cases from the Three‐Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiographic MAGYAR‐Path Study
Authors: Nemes Attila , Domsik Péter , Kalapos Anita , Gavallér Henriette , Forster Tamás , Sepp Róbert 
Published: July 2013

Patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy undergoing alcohol septal ablation are presented. Three‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3DSTE) is a new, noninvasive tool for quantification of myocardial deformation. In both cases, 3DSTE was performed 1 day before and 3 days after alcohol septal ablation to quantify changes in septal strain of ablated area. Results could suggest the possible role of 3DSTE in the quantitative evaluation of the success of alcohol septal ablation.