bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Primary prevention of overweight in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of interventions aiming to decrease sedentary behaviour
Authors: van Grieken Amy , Ezendam Nicole PM , Paulis Winifred D , van der Wouden Johannes C , Raat Hein 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
The objectives of this meta-analysis were to provide an overview of the evidence regarding the effects of interventions, implemented in the school- and general population setting, aiming to prevent excessive sedentary behaviour in children and adolescents on (1) the amount of sedentary behaviour and (2) BMI. Differences in effects on sedentary behaviour and BMI between single health behaviour interventions (sedentary behaviour only) and multiple health behaviour interventions were explored.
A literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Thirty-four (R)CT studies evaluating 33 general population interventions, published between 1990 and April 2011, aiming to decrease sedentary behaviour in normal weight children or adolescents (0–18 years) were included. Intervention duration ranged from 7 days to 4 years. Mean change in sedentary behaviour and BMI from baseline to post-intervention was calculated using a random effects model.
Results showed significant decreases for the amount of sedentary behaviour and BMI. For sedentary behaviour the post-intervention mean difference was −17.95 min/day (95%CI:-26.61;–9.28); the change-from-baseline mean difference was −20.44 min/day (95%CI:-30.69;–10.20). For BMI the post-intervention mean difference was −0.25 kg/m² (95%CI:-0.40;–0.09); the change-from-baseline mean difference was −0.14 kg/m² (95%CI:-0.23;–0.05). No differences were found between single and multiple health behaviour interventions.
Interventions in the school- and general population setting aiming to reduce only sedentary behaviour and interventions targeting multiple health behaviours can result in significant decreases in sedentary behaviour. Studies need to increase follow-up time to estimate the sustainability of the intervention effects found.
Aluminum-doped ceria-zirconia solid solutions with enhanced thermal stability and high oxygen storage capacity
Authors: Dong Qiang , Yin Shu , Guo Chongshen , Sato Tsugio 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
A facile solvothermal method to synthesize aluminum-doped ceria-zirconia (Ce0.5Zr0.5-x
Al
x
O2-x/2, x = 0.1 to 0.4) solid solutions was carried out using Ce(NH4)2(NO3)6, Zr(NO3)3·2H2O Al(NO3)3·9H2O, and NH4OH as the starting materials at 200°C for 24 h. The obtained solid solutions from the solvothermal reaction were calcined at 1,000°C for 20 h in air atmosphere to evaluate the thermal stability. The synthesized Ce0.5Zr0.3Al0.2O1.9 particle was characterized for the oxygen storage capacity (OSC) in automotive catalysis. For the characterization, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and the Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) technique were employed. The OSC values of all samples were measured at 600°C using thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis. Ce0.5Zr0.3Al0.2O1.9 solid solutions calcined at 1,000°C for 20 h with a BET surface area of 18 m2 g−1 exhibited a considerably high OSC of 427 μmol-O g−1 and good OSC performance stability. The same synthesis route was employed for the preparation of the CeO2 and Ce0.5Zr0.5O2. The incorporation of aluminum ion in the lattice of ceria-based catalyst greatly enhanced the thermal stability and OSC.
Molecular epidemiological studies on animal trypanosomiases in Ghana
Authors: Nakayima Jesca , Nakao Ryo , Alhassan Andy , Mahama Charles , Afakye Kofi , Sugimoto Chihiro 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
African trypanosomes are extracellular protozoan parasites that are transmitted between mammalian hosts by the bite of an infected tsetse fly. Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness is caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense or T. brucei gambiense, while African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT) is caused mainly by T. vivax, T. congolense, T. simiae,
T. evansi and T. brucei brucei. Trypanosomiasis is of public health importance in humans and is also the major constraint for livestock productivity in sub-Saharan African countries. Scanty information exists about the trypanosomiasis status in Ghana especially regarding molecular epidemiology. Therefore, this study intended to apply molecular tools to identify and characterize trypanosomes in Ghana.

Methods
A total of 219 tsetse flies, 248 pigs and 146 cattle blood samples were collected from Adidome and Koforidua regions in Ghana in 2010. Initial PCR assays were conducted using the internal transcribed spacer one (ITS1) of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) primers, which can detect most of the pathogenic trypanosome species and T. vivax- specific cathepsin L-like gene primers. In addition, species- or subgroup-specific PCRs were performed for T. b. rhodesiense, T. b. gambiense, T. evansi and three subgroups of T. congolense.

Results
The overall prevalence of trypanosomes were 17.4% (38/219), 57.5% (84/146) and 28.6% (71/248) in tsetse flies, cattle and pigs, respectively. T. congolense subgroup-specific PCR revealed that T. congolense Savannah (52.6%) and T. congolense Forest (66.0%) were the endemic subgroups in Ghana with 18.6% being mixed infections. T. evansi was detected in a single tsetse fly. Human infective trypanosomes were not detected in the tested samples.

Conclusion
Our results showed that there is a high prevalence of parasites in both tsetse flies and livestock in the study areas in Ghana. This enhances the need to strengthen control policies and institute measures that help prevent the spread of the parasites.
Measuring patient-reported outcomes in psychosis: conceptual and
methodological review
Authors: Reininghaus Ulrich , Priebe Stefan 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundThere are calls to use patient-reported outcomes (PROs) routinely across
mental health services. However, the use of PROs in patients with
psychosis has been questioned.AimsTo examine the concepts and measures of four widely used PROs: treatment
satisfaction, subjective quality of life, needs for care and the quality
of the therapeutic relationship.MethodWe conducted a literature search of academic databases on concepts,
characteristics and psychometric properties of the four PROs in patients
with psychosis.ResultsAlthough numerous concepts and measures have been published, evidence on
the methodological quality of existing PROs is limited. Measures designed
to assess distinct PROs showed a considerable conceptual, operational and
empirical overlap, and some of them also included specific aspects. The
impact of symptoms and cognitive deficits appears unlikely to be of
clinical significance.ConclusionsThe popularity of PROs has not been matched with progress in their
conceptualisation and measurement. Based on current evidence, some
recommendations can be made. Distinct and short measures with clinical
relevance and sufficient psychometric properties should be preferred.
Future research should optimise the validity and measurement precision of
PROs, while reducing assessment burden.
Host–Guest Interactions in Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogels
Authors: László Krisztina , Manek Enik , Vavra Szilvia , Geissler Erik , Domján Attila 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Measurements by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), and 1H combined rotation and multiple-pulse NMR spectroscopy (CRAMPS) indicate that small aromatic molecules dissolved in poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPA) hydrogels modify the temperature of the volume phase transition (TVPT) in this system by partially shielding the NIPA side-chains from the water molecules and disrupting their organization. The strength of the interaction increases in the order pyrocatechol &lt; phenol &lt; resorcinol &lt; phloroglucinol.
White-light-emitting Liquefiable Silicon Nanocrystals
Authors: Ghosh Batu , Ogawara Makoto , Sakka Yoshio , Shirahata Naoto 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
White-light-emitting silicon nanocrystals (Si NCs) have been prepared from Si powder through a facile route including HF–HCl etching. Owing to a broad size distribution, the light emission spectrum covers the whole visible wavelength range with full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 230 nm. Covalent attachment of octyl monolayers to the Si surface changes the physical nature of the NCs from a solid into a solvent-free liquid, and affords them high thermal stability of photoluminescence (PL) even under ambient conditions.
Reconfiguring the emergency and urgent care workforce: Mixed methods study of skills and the everyday work of non-clinical call-handlers in the NHS
Authors: Turnbull Joanne , Prichard Jane , Halford Susan , Pope Catherine , Salisbury Chris 
Published: October 2012

Objectives: To examine the skills and expertise required and used by non-clinical call-handlers doing telephone triage and assessment, supported by a computer decision support system (CDSS) in urgent and emergency care services. Methods: Comparative case study of three different English emergency and urgent care services. Data consisted of nearly 500 hours of non-participant observation, 61 semi-structured interviews with health service staff, documentary analysis, and a survey of 106 call-handlers. Results: Communication skills and ‘allowing the CDSS to drive the assessment’ are viewed by the CDSS developers and staff as key competencies for call-handling. Call-handlers demonstrated high levels of experience, skills and expertise in using the CDSS. These workers are often portrayed simply as ‘trained users’ of technology, but they used a broader set of skills including team work, flexibility and ‘translation’. Call-handlers develop a ‘pseudo-clinical’ expertise and draw upon their experiential knowledge to bring the CDSS into everyday use. Conclusions: Clinical assessment and triage by non-clinical staff supported by a CDSS represents a major change in urgent and emergency care delivery, warranting a detailed examination of call-handlers’ skills and expertise. We found that this work appears to have more in common with clinical work and expertise than with other call-centre work that it superficially resembles. Recognizing the range of skills call-handlers demonstrate and developing a better understanding of this should be incorporated into the training for, and management of, emergency and urgent care call-handling.
An Expert System for Classification of Potato Tubers using Image Processing and Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Ebrahimi Ebrahim , Mollazade Kaveh , Arefi Arman 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
In this paper, a novel approach to classify the potato tubers based on their moisture content has been proposed using image processing and multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network. Some experiments were conducted on 300 independent potato samples during three storing stages. Images of 576×768 pixel sizes from potato samples, with three different moisture contents, were captured using a color CCD camera. After preprocessing and segmentation, 84 features were extracted from the acquired images. Sensitivity analysis was used for feature selection process. Results of feature reduction showed that features in color spaces are more important than those in texture and fast Fourier transform (FFT). A process of trial-and-test procedure was carried out to find the optimum topology, the number of hidden layers and the number of neurons in hidden layers, of MLP network. Results obtained from the final ANN models showed encouraging accuracy (more than 96.22%) to apply the approach to develop an expert system for online potato quality monitoring.
Modeling of Drying Process of Bittim Nuts (pistacia terebinthus) in a Fixed Bed Dryer System by Using Extreme Learning Machine
Authors: Balbay Asım , Avci Engin , Şahin Ömer , Coteli Resul 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been widely used in modeling of various systems. Training of ANNs is commonly performed by backpropagation based on a gradient-based learning rule. However, it is well-known that such learning rule has several shortcomings such as slow convergence and training failures. This paper proposes a modeling technique based on Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) eliminating disadvantages of backpropagation based on a gradient-based learning rule for the drying of bittim (pistacia terebinthus). The samples for ELM based model are obtained by experimental studies. In experimental studies, the sample mass loss rate as a function time was investigated in different air velocities (0.5 and 1 m/s) and air temperatures (40, 60 and 80°C) in a designed dryer system. The obtained samples from experiments are used for training and testing of ELM. Further, some parameters of ELM such as type of activation function and the number of hidden neurons are set to obtain the best possible modelling results. The obtained prediction results show that ELM algorithm with tangent sigmoid activation function and 20 hidden neurons is appeared to be most optimal topology since maximum R2 and minimum rms (0.0500) and cov (0.2256) values are obtained. Thus, it is concluded that ELM can be used as an effective modelling tool in the drying of bittim (pistacia terebinthus) in fixed bed dryer system.
Delay in the measurement of eosin-5′-maleimide (EMA) binding does not affect the test result for the diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis
Authors: Ciepiela Olga , Kotuła Iwona , Górska Elżbieta , Stelmaszczyk-Emmel Anna , Popko Katarzyna , Szmydki-Baran Anna , Adamowicz-Salach Anna , Demkow Urszula 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background: The eosin-5′-maleimide (EMA) binding test is a flow cytometric test widely used to detect hereditary spherocytosis (HS). EMA binds to plasma membrane proteins of red blood cells (RBCs), mainly to band 3 protein. The mean fluorescence of EMA-stained RBCs in HS patients is lower when compared with control RBCs due to the decreased amount of target proteins. EMA dye in aqueous solution is sensitive to light and high temperature. Its fluorescence can decrease when exposed to light or ambient temperatures higher than 4°C. The aim of the study was to evaluate the stability of fluorescence readings of EMA-labeled RBCs over a period of 24 h.

Methods: The EMA test was performed in peripheral blood from 35 patients with microcytic anemia (five with HS, and 30 without HS). Peripheral blood samples were stained immediately after blood collection and analyzed using a flow cytometer at three time points: 0, after 1 and 24 h of storage at 4°C in the darkness. The results are presented as the percentage of normal control RBCs fluorescence. Flow cytometric studies were performed with Cytomics FC500 (Beckman Coulter, USA).

Results: In HS patients the mean result of the test reached 66.72%±9.26% of normal controls, and in non-HS patients the EMA result was 99.48%±5.03% of normal control cells. The results of patients with HS were 66.72%±9.26%, 66.90%±10.24% and 67.86%±11.31% at 0 h, and after 1 and 24 h of storage, respectively. The results obtained from non-HS patients at time 0, after 1 and 24 h of storage reached 99.48%±5.03%, 99.49%±5.34% and 99.78%±6.13%, respectively. There was no difference between the results from each time point in samples from patients with or without HS.

Conclusions: Results of the EMA binding test do not depend on storage time of stained samples when stored at 4°C up to 24 h after staining.
DSP-based Mitigation of RF Front-end Non-linearity in Cognitive Wideband Receivers
Authors: Grimm Michael , Sharma Rajesh K. , Hein Matthias A. , Thomä Reiner S. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractSoftware defined radios are increasingly used in modern communication systems, especially in cognitive radio. Since this technology has been commercially available, more and more practical deployments are emerging and its challenges and realistic limitations are being revealed. One of the main problems is the RF performance of the front-end over a wide bandwidth.This paper presents an analysis and mitigation of RF impairments in wideband front-ends for software defined radios, focussing on non-linear distortions in the receiver. We discuss the effects of non-linear distortions upon spectrum sensing in cognitive radio and analyse the performance of a typical wideband software-defined receiver. Digital signal processing techniques are used to alleviate non-linear distortions in the baseband signal. A feed-forward mitigation algorithm with an adaptive filter is implemented and applied to real measurement data. The results obtained show that distortions can be suppressed significantly and thus increasing the reliability of spectrum sensing.
Steroids and their metabolites in CSF from shunt as potential predictors of further disease progression in patients with hydrocephalus and the importance of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
Authors: Sosvorová Lucie , Bičíková Marie , Mohapl Milan , Hampl Richard 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Hydrocephalus is the result of an imbalance between the formation and drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), characterized by an elevation of the CSF pressure within the brain. A primary method of its treatment is the surgical insertion of a shunt. The patient’s condition is usually improved and he or she attends the hospital for periodic controls, at which CSF can be easily and repeatedly collected. Unfortunately, the effect of the operation is not durable and the number of patients in which the improvement of the clinical stage is recorded sinks considerably, and many of them develop dementia. Various biochemical markers in CSF have been searched to assess the response to surgical treatment and the further prognosis. They include classic clinical biochemistry parameters, some proteins occurring in excess in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, other biomarkers generally reflecting the overall neuronal injury, and hormones, including steroids. The existing as well as the potential biomarkers enabling to predict the patient’s fate after shunt operation are critically reviewed here. Special attention is paid to corticosteroids with respect to their role in influencing electrolyte balance in choroidal cells and consequently CSF and water flow among the ventricles. The importance of the local activity of steroid 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) of both types for regulation of the actual corticosteroid concentration is emphasized, and an original method for determination of cortisol/cortisone concentration in CSF is described. Preliminary results showing the changes of 11β-HSD activity in ten patients with hydrocephalus immediately after shunt introduction and after 1 month are provided.
From tissue invasion to glucose metabolism: the many aspects of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pro-oncogenic activities
Authors: Pensa Sara , Demaria Marco , Avalle Lidia , Barbieri Isaia , Camporeale Annalisa , Poli Valeria 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background: The pro-oncogenic transcription factor STAT3 is constitutively active in tumours of many different origins, which often become addicted to its activity. STAT3 is believed to contribute to the initial survival of pre-cancerous cells as well as to hyper-proliferation and, later, metastasis.

Materials and methods: To evaluate the contribution of enhanced STAT3 activation in a controlled model system, we generated knock-in mice in which a mutant constitutively active Stat3C allele replaces the endogenous wild-type allele and analysed its contribution to breast tumorigenesis. Moreover, we generated Stat3C/C MEF cells and analysed their gene expression and metabolic profiles.

Results: Constitutively active STAT3 could enhance the tumorigenic power of the rat Neu oncogene in MMTV-Neu transgenic mice and trigger the production of earlier onset and more invasive mammary tumours. Tumour-derived cell lines displayed higher migrating, invading and metastatic ability and showed disrupted distribution of cell-cell junction markers. These features were mediated by STAT3-dependent over-expression of the C-terminal tensin-like (Cten) focal adhesion protein. Moreover, STAT3C alone was able to induce aerobic glycolysis and down-regulate mitochondrial activity, both in primary fibroblasts and in STAT3-dependent tumour cell lines, acting via both HIF-1α-dependent and independent mechanisms.

Conclusions: STAT3 can induce a metabolic switch that predisposes cells to aberrant survival, enhanced proliferation and, finally, tumour transformation. Later, enhanced Cten expression contributes to tissue infiltration and metastasis. While not excluding the contribution of many other tumour-specific STAT3 target genes, our data provide a unifying explanation of several pro-oncogenic STAT3 activities.
The role of Stat3 in mammary gland involution: cell death regulator and modulator of inflammation
Authors: Hughes Katherine , Watson Christine J. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Mammary gland regression post-weaning (involution) is a highly regulated, complicated process in which the transcription factor Stat3 is a key player. Over the last decade, microarray analyses have had a profound impact on our understanding of this role. Studies using mammary epithelial cells in which Stat3 was activated in a ligand-independent manner have allowed direct transcriptional targets of Stat3 to be identified. Additionally, global gene expression changes during involution have been profiled by microarray analyses, which allowed characterization of clusters of genes with distinct expression profiles during the first 4 days of involution. Such expression profiling led to the observation that one of the most strikingly upregulated genes in the absence of Stat3 is the serpin Spi2a. This led to the discovery that mammary epithelial cell lysosomes undergo lysosomal membrane permeablisation and leak cathepsins during involution. Stat3 upregulates the expression of cathepsins B and L within 24 h of weaning and is thus the critical inducer of lysosomal-mediated cell death during this process. In addition to its pivotal role in the control of cell death during involution, microarray-based studies have demonstrated that the expression of acute phase and inflammatory genes is regulated by Stat3 and that mammary epithelial expression of this transcription factor modulates the phenotype of macrophages present in the gland during second phase remodelling. Thus, Stat3 signalling may have effects that are not cell-autonomous, in addition to its cell-autonomous role in involution.
Hormones: electron emission, communication, mutual interaction, regeneration, metabolites, carcinogenesis and receptor action
Authors: Getoff Nikola 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
This review discusses the highlights of the recently made discovery about the ability of hormones to eject ‘solvated electrons’ (eaq
–) in water containing media. The resulting consequences for communication with other biological systems by the electron-transfer process, formation of metabolites, the possible initiation of cancer, hormone regeneration and the action of hormone-receptor systems are briefly discussed. The molecular structure of the hormones and the environment are hereby found to be the most important determining factors for the yield of ejected eaq
–. Furthermore, the hormone transients, which result from emission of eaq
–, are reviewed, as well as the formation of metabolites, which can be involved in various biological processes. The hormone-transients can also be regenerated by electron-transfer from a potent electron donor, at least partly, as long as they are in a ‘status nascendi state’. The discussion of all these effects is supported by corresponding experimental data and experiments in vitro. This review presents a complete new conception of the action mechanisms of hormones.