bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disturbance opens recruitment sites for bacterial colonization in activated sludge
Authors: Vuono David C. , Munakata‐Marr Junko , Spear John R. , Drewes Jörg E. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryLittle is known about the role of immigration in shaping bacterial communities or the factors that may dictate success or failure of colonization by bacteria from regional species pools. To address these knowledge gaps, the influence of bacterial colonization into an ecosystem (activated sludge bioreactor) was measured through a disturbance gradient (successive decreases in the parameter solids retention time) relative to stable operational conditions. Through a DNA sequencing approach, we show that the most abundant bacteria within the immigrant community have a greater probability of colonizing the receiving ecosystem, but mostly as low abundance community members. Only during the disturbance do some of these bacterial populations significantly increase in abundance beyond background levels and in few cases become dominant community members post‐disturbance. Two mechanisms facilitate the enhanced enrichment of immigrant populations during disturbance: (i) the availability of resources left unconsumed by established species and (ii) the increased availability of niche space for colonizers to establish and displace resident populations. Thus, as a disturbance decreases local diversity, recruitment sites become available to promote colonization. This work advances our understanding of microbial resource management and diversity maintenance in complex ecosystems.
Assessing the Impact of Financial Incentives in Extension Programmes: Evidence From Ireland
Authors: Läpple Doris , Hennessy Thia 
Published: March 2015

AbstractWe evaluate whether the effectiveness of a participatory extension programme changes when an incentive is introduced that financially rewards farmers for participation. Using data from a dairy farm extension programme operated in Ireland, the evaluation assesses whether farmers who joined before the financial incentive was introduced receive larger benefits from the extension programme than farmers who joined after the financial incentive. The results from a propensity score matching analysis reveal that farmers who joined before the incentive significantly improved their farm performance, as measured in gross margins and yields, while farmers who joined after the incentive did not significantly benefit from the extension programme. This implies that the incentive to participate is a windfall gain to these later participants.
Audit of radiation dose delivered in time‐resolved four‐dimensional computed tomography in a radiotherapy department
Authors: Hubbard Patricia , Callahan Jason , Cramb Jim , Budd Ray , Kron Tomas 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIntroductionTo review the dose delivered to patients in time‐resolved computed tomography (4D CT) used for radiotherapy treatment planning.Methods4D CT is used at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre since July 2007 for radiotherapy treatment planning using a Philips Brilliance Wide Bore CT scanner (16 slice, helical 4D CT acquisition). All scans are performed at 140 kVp and reconstructed in 10 datasets for different phases of the breathing cycle. Dose records were analysed retrospectively for 387 patients who underwent 4D CT procedures between 2007 and 2013.ResultsA total of 444 4D CT scans were acquired with the majority of them (342) being for lung cancer radiotherapy. Volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) as recorded over this period was fairly constant at approximately 20 mGy for adults. The CTDI for 4D CT for lung cancers of 19.6 ± 9.3 mGy (n = 168, mean ± 1SD) was found to be 63% higher than CTDIs for conventional CT scans for lung patients that were acquired in the same period (CTDIvol 12 ± 4 mGy, sample of n = 25). CTDI and dose length product (DLP) increased with increasing field of view; however, no significant difference between DLPs for different indications (breast, kidney, liver and lung) could be found. Breathing parameters such as breathing rate or pattern did not affect dose.Conclusion4D CT scans can be acquired for radiotherapy treatment planning with a dose less than twice the one required for conventional CT scanning.
metaxa2: improved identification and taxonomic classification of small and large subunit rRNA in metagenomic data
Authors: Bengtsson‐Palme Johan , Hartmann Martin , Eriksson Karl Martin , Pal Chandan , Thorell Kaisa , Larsson Dan Göran Joakim , Nilsson Rolf Henrik 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe ribosomal rRNA genes are widely used as genetic markers for taxonomic identification of microbes. Particularly the small subunit (SSU; 16S/18S) rRNA gene is frequently used for species‐ or genus‐level identification, but also the large subunit (LSU; 23S/28S) rRNA gene is employed in taxonomic assignment. The metaxa software tool is a popular utility for extracting partial rRNA sequences from large sequencing data sets and assigning them to an archaeal, bacterial, nuclear eukaryote, mitochondrial or chloroplast origin. This study describes a comprehensive update to metaxa – metaxa2 – that extends the capabilities of the tool, introducing support for the LSU rRNA gene, a greatly improved classifier allowing classification down to genus or species level, as well as enhanced support for short‐read (100 bp) and paired‐end sequences, among other changes. The performance of metaxa2 was compared to other commonly used taxonomic classifiers, showing that metaxa2 often outperforms previous methods in terms of making correct predictions while maintaining a low misclassification rate. metaxa2 is freely available from http://microbiology.se/software/metaxa2/.
Arterial Puncture Using Insulin Needle Is Less Painful Than With Standard Needle: A Randomized Crossover Study
Authors: Ibrahim Irwani , Yau Ying Wei , Ong Lizhen , Chan Yiong Huak , Kuan Win Sen 
Published: March 2015

AbstractObjectivesArterial punctures are important procedures performed by emergency physicians in the assessment of ill patients. However, arterial punctures are painful and can create anxiety and needle phobia in patients. The pain score of radial arterial punctures were compared between the insulin needle and the standard 23‐gauge hypodermic needle.MethodsIn a randomized controlled crossover design, healthy volunteers were recruited to undergo bilateral radial arterial punctures. They were assigned to receive either the insulin or the standard needle as the first puncture, using blocked randomization. The primary outcome was the pain score measured on a 100‐mm visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, and secondary outcomes were rate of hemolysis, mean potassium values, and procedural complications immediately and 24 hours postprocedure.ResultsFifty healthy volunteers were included in the study. The mean (±standard deviation) VAS score in punctures with the insulin needle was lower than the standard needle (23 ± 22 mm vs. 39 ± 24 mm; mean difference = –15 mm; 95% confidence interval = –22 mm to –7 mm; p < 0.001). The rates of hemolysis and mean potassium value were greater in samples obtained using the insulin needle compared to the standard needle (31.3% vs. 11.6%, p = 0.035; and 4.6 ±0.7 mmol/L vs. 4.2 ±0.5 mmol/L, p = 0.002). Procedural complications were lower in punctures with the insulin needle both immediately postprocedure (0% vs. 24%; p < 0.001) and at 24 hours postprocedure (5.4% vs. 34.2%; p = 0.007).ConclusionsArterial punctures using insulin needles cause less pain and fewer procedural complications compared to standard needles. However, due to the higher rate of hemolysis, its use should be limited to conditions that do not require a concurrent potassium value in the same blood sample.
Iodinated Contrast Prior to Thrombolysis Was Not Associated With Worse Intracranial Hemorrhage
Authors: Radecki Ryan P. , Azam Arif , Doshi Pratik B. , Banuelos Rosa C. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractObjectivesThe objective was to assess relative incidence of clinical adverse effects between patients receiving, and not receiving, iodinated contrast prior to thrombolysis.MethodsThis was a retrospective registry review of patients presenting to the emergency department treated with recombinant tissue‐type plasminogen activator (rt‐PA) for acute ischemic stroke between 2004 and 2012. The authors compared the occurrence of all grades of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and in‐hospital deaths between patients undergoing computed tomographic angiography (CTA) prior to thrombolysis and those who did not.ResultsA total of 1,014 patients were available for analysis meeting inclusion criteria. A total of 473 patients underwent CTA prior to rt‐PA administration. Baseline characteristics were generally similar across groups, excepting fewer signs of acute infarct and old stroke in the CTA group (28.8% vs. 8.5% and 9.9% vs. 3.7%, respectively) and creatinine. Adverse event outcomes were not consistently distributed across the groups. Patients in the CTA group had a similar incidence of any ICH (11.0% vs. 8.1%, p = 0.120), but fewer type II parenchymal hemorrhages (2.1% vs. 4.6%, p = 0.025) and fewer in‐hospital deaths (7.2% vs. 12.6%, p = 0.005).ConclusionsNo consistent harms were observed in association with intravenous iodinated contrast prior to rt‐PA administration. It is reasonable to continue CTA prior to thrombolysis as clinically indicated.
Optimizing Diagnostic Imaging in the Emergency Department
Authors: Mills Angela M. , Raja Ali S. , Marin Jennifer R. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractWhile emergency diagnostic imaging use has increased significantly, there is a lack of evidence for corresponding improvements in patient outcomes. Optimizing emergency department (ED) diagnostic imaging has the potential to improve the quality, safety, and outcomes of ED patients, but to date, there have not been any coordinated efforts to further our evidence‐based knowledge in this area. The objective of this article is to discuss six aspects of diagnostic imaging to provide background information on the underlying framework for the 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference, “Diagnostic Imaging in the Emergency Department: A Research Agenda to Optimize Utilization.” The consensus conference aims to generate a high priority research agenda for emergency diagnostic imaging that will inform the design of future investigations. The six components herein will serve as the group topics for the conference: 1) patient‐centered outcomes research; 2) clinical decision rules; 3) training, education, and competency; 4) knowledge translation and barriers to image optimization; 5) use of administrative data; and 6) comparative effectiveness research: alternatives to traditional CT use.
Soak and smear: An effective treatment for eczematous dermatoses
Authors: Assarian Zahra , O'Brien Timothy J , Nixon Rosemary 
Published: March 2015

AbstractEczematous dermatoses are common inflammatory skin diseases that can be difficult to treat and have a major impact on patients' quality of life and psychological status. Soak and smear is an effective treatment that can eliminate the need for oral steroids and, in chronic situations, other systemic immunosuppressives.
Incidence and morbidity of urinary tract infection in a prospective cohort of children
Authors: Ladomenou Fani , Bitsori Maria , Galanakis Emmanouil 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAimInformation on the epidemiology of childhood urinary tract infections (UTIs) is scarce and mostly based on retrospective data. This study investigated incidence rates, morbidity and risk factors for UTIs in a prospective cohort of children.MethodsWe explored UTIs in a representative cohort of 1049 neonates from birth to 6 years of age, using maternal interviews that were verified by hospital records. The majority (88.2%) completed the first‐year, and more than half (56.2%) completed the 6‐year follow‐up.ResultsBy 6 years of age, more than 10% of our sample had been affected by UTIs. The cumulative incidence for the first year of life was 3.77%, without significant differences between genders, and for one to 6 years, it was 6.81% and 5.7 times higher in girls than boys. Clinical information was available for 63 children: 25 were hospitalised, 16 suffered recurrences, 10 received prophylaxis, eight had urinary tract malformations, three required surgery, and two had impaired renal function.ConclusionUTIs affected approximately 4% and 10% of children by the ages of one and 6 years, respectively, and their incidence was related to gender and age. Morbidity was considerable, recurrences were common, and despite advances in management, long‐term consequences may still be encountered.
Functional gastrointestinal disorders in 35 447 adults and their association with body mass index
Authors: Le Pluart D. , Sabaté J.‐M. , Bouchoucha M. , Hercberg S. , Benamouzig R. , Julia C. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryBackgroundFunctional gastrointestinal disorders’ (FGIDs) associations with body mass index (BMI) have not been thoroughly investigated in the general population.AimTo investigate the overlap between functional dyspepsia (FDy), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional constipation (FC) and functional diarrhoea (FDh) and the relationship between BMI and those diagnoses in a large French adult population.MethodsSubjects participating in the Nutrinet‐Santé cohort study completed a questionnaire based on Rome III criteria. Anthropometrics, socio‐demographical and lifestyle data were collected via self‐administered questionnaires. Associations between BMI and FGIDs were investigated with multivariate logistic regression.ResultsA total of 35 447 subjects were included in the analysis. Among subjects with FGIDs, 10.4% presented more than one disorder. [FDy coexisted with IBS (23.6%) and FC (15.1%)].Associations between BMI and FDy differed according to sex. In females, higher odds were observed for underweight and obesity subgroups (OR = 1.26 (95% CI: 0.99–1.59), OR = 1.35 (1.08–1.69), OR = 1.20 (0.81–1.77), OR = 1.47 (0.89–2.42) for underweight, class I, II and III obesity respectively compared with normal BMI), forming a U‐shaped relationship confirmed with nonlinear model (P < 0.001). In females, FDh was associated with BMI [OR = 1.05 (1.03–1.07), P < 0.001]. In males, a negative association between BMI and IBS was observed [OR = 0.97 (0.94–0.99), P=0.04]. Other associations were not significant.ConclusionsOur study showed an important overlap in FGIDs, supporting the contention of common pathophysiological mechanisms. Relationships between BMI and FGIDs appeared to be sex‐dependent. Interaction by sex in the association between BMI and FGIDs should therefore be further explored.
Predicting historic forest composition using species lists in presettlement land survey records, western New York
Authors: Larsen Chris P. S. , Tulowiecki Stephen J. , Wang Yi‐Chen , Trgovac Andrew B. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractQuestionsDo the species lists (SLs) of presettlement land surveys, little used though available for over two million km in the USA, provide useful information on historic forest composition? Do the bearing trees (BTs) and SLs of pre‐settlement land surveys record similar species and relative abundances? Are relative abundances more similar when species in an SL are given equally weighted relative abundances or rank‐weighted relative abundances?LocationTemperate broadleaf forest, western New York, US.MethodsBT and SL data were obtained for the 3 172 953 m of lines surveyed in 1797–9 by the Holland Land Company. The presence and relative abundance of 8394 BTs were compared with 11 192 unique taxon mentions within SLs. Comparisons were made for individual taxa and whole communities, and at the scales of individual line segments and whole town lines. The influence of equal weighting and rank weighting of the SLs on the comparisons was assessed.ResultsThe SLs on a line segment typically recorded more taxa than did the BTs. The species present in BTs and SLs on individual line segments were indicated by Cohen's Kappa to have ‘substantial agreement.’ Correlations between BTs and SLs of all taxa on the same town line increased with the number of BTs and SLs on the town line, and when the relative abundances of SL taxa were modelled using rank weighting rather than equal weighting. Correlations between BTs and SLs for individual taxa were higher for taxa that had more BTs. Correlations between BTs and SLs were also higher when the relative abundances of SL taxa were modelled using rank weighting vs equal weighting.ConclusionsSLs capture greater detail of presettlement forest composition than do BTs. The relative abundance of a taxon mentioned in a presettlement land survey SL can be meaningfully predicted using its rank in an SL and application of a rank weighting model.
Identification of Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Variables in Pooled Cohort Studies
Authors: Cheng Xin , Lu Wenbin , Liu Mengling 
Published: March 2015

Summary
Pooled analyses integrate data from multiple studies and achieve a larger sample size for enhanced statistical power. When heterogeneity exists in variables’ effects on the outcome across studies, the simple pooling strategy fails to present a fair and complete picture of the effects of heterogeneous variables. Thus, it is important to investigate the homogeneous and heterogeneous structure of variables in pooled studies. In this article, we consider the pooled cohort studies with time-to-event outcomes and propose a penalized Cox partial likelihood approach with adaptively weighted composite penalties on variables’ homogeneous and heterogeneous effects. We show that our method can characterize the variables as having heterogeneous, homogeneous, or null effects, and estimate non-zero effects. The results are readily extended to high-dimensional applications where the number of parameters is larger than the sample size. The proposed selection and estimation procedure can be implemented using the iterative shooting algorithm. We conduct extensive numerical studies to evaluate the performance of our proposed method and demonstrate it using a pooled analysis of gene expression in patients with ovarian cancer.
Parental Cultural Socialization of Mexican‐American Adolescents’ Family Obligation Values and Behaviors
Authors: Tsai Kim M. , Telzer Eva H. , Gonzales Nancy A. , Fuligni Andrew J. 
Published: March 2015

The current study examined how parents’ cultural socialization efforts contribute to adolescents’ family obligation values and behaviors and how these processes may depend upon the relational climate at home. Utilizing survey and daily diary methodologies, 428 Mexican‐American adolescents (50% males; Mage = 15 years) and their parents (83% mothers; Mage = 42 years) participated in the study. Adolescents reported on their family obligation values and engagement in family assistance tasks across 14 days. Parents reported on their cultural socialization practices. Results indicated that parental cultural socialization was associated with adolescents’ family obligation values and behaviors when parent–child relationships were low in conflict and high in support. Findings suggest that the transmission of cultural values and practices is best facilitated through positive parent–child relationships.
Genetic associations in PLEKHA7 and COL11A1 with primary angle closure glaucoma: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Shuai Ping , Yu Man , Li Xiulan , Zhou Yu , Liu Xiaoqi , Liu Yuping , Zhang DingDing , Gong Bo 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs11024102 in PLEKHA7 and rs3753841 in COL11A1 were identified to be associated with primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) by a recent large genome‐wide association study. This present study is to evaluate the association of PLEKHA7 rs11024102 and COL11A1 rs3753841 with PACG.DesignA systematic review and meta‐analysis.ParticipantsA total of 25 271 subjects (4895 PACG patients and 20 376 controls) in different ethnicities were tested for PLEKHA7 rs11024102 and COL11A1 rs3753841.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted on studies published up to July 2014. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were analysed. Publication bias of the included articles was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger's test.Main Outcome MeasuresOR for the effects of PLEKHA7 rs11024102 and COL11A1 rs3753841 on PACG risk.ResultsFour eligible articles were included in this study for meta‐analysis. The overall result showed that SNPs rs11024102 and rs3753841 were statistically associated with PACG (P < 0.001) in fixed‐effects model. Stratified analyses showed that the association of PLEKHA7 rs11024102 and COL11A1 rs3753841 with PACG was statistically significant in Asian population (including South Indian cohort) (P < 0.001). In Caucasian population, significant association of COL11A1 rs3753841 with PACG was detected (P = 0.004), but PLEKHA7 rs11024102 did not show any association with PACG (P = 0.140).ConclusionsThis meta‐analysis suggests that PLEKHA7 rs11024102 is associated with PACG in Asian population and COL11A1 rs3753841 has a genetic association with the development of PACG both in Caucasian and Asian populations.
Restoration of Oral Function for Adult Edentulous Patients with Ectodermal Dysplasia: A Prospective Preliminary Clinical Study
Authors: Wu Yiqun , Wang Xu Dong , Wang Feng , Huang Wei , Zhang Zhiyong , Zhang Zhiyuan , Kaigler Darnell , Zou Duohong 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundTherapy with zygomatic implants (ZIs) or conventional implants (CIs) has proven to be an effective method to restore oral function for systemically healthy patients. However, it is still a major challenge to fully restore oral function to edentulous adult patients with ectodermal dysplasia (ED).PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine an effective treatment protocol for restoring oral function using ZIs and CIs to edentulous adult ED patients.Materials and MethodsTen edentulous adult ED patients were treated in this study. The treatment protocol involved the following: (1) bone augmentation in the region of the anterior teeth; (2) placement of two ZIs and four CIs in the maxilla, and four CIs in the mandible; (3) fabrication of dental prosthesis; and (4) psychological and oral education. Following treatment of these patients, implant success rates, biological complications, patient satisfaction, and psychological changes were recorded.ResultsAlthough there was evidence of bone graft resorption in the maxilla, bone augmentation of the mandible was successful in all patients. Nine CIs in the maxilla failed and were removed. All ZIs were successful, and the CIs success rates were 77.50% in the maxilla and 100% in the mandible, with a mean of 88.75%. The mean peri‐implant bone resorption for the CIs ranged from 1.3 ± 0.4 mm to 1.8 ± 0.6 mm, and four cases exhibited gingival hyperplasia in the maxilla and mandible. One hundred percent of the patients were satisfied with the restoration of their oral function, and >50% of the patients exhibited enhanced self‐confidence and self‐esteem.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that oral function can be restored in edentulous adult ED patients using a comprehensive and systematic treatment protocol involving psychological and oral education, bone augmentation, implant placement, and denture fabrication. Despite these positive outcomes, bone augmentation remains challenging in the anterior region of the maxilla for edentulous adult ED patients.