bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Examination of the change of the overall heat transfer coefficients of building structures in function of water content
Authors: Lakatos Ákos , Kalmár Ferenc 
Published: December 2013

Nowadays, the most applied insulation material in the building sector is the expanded polystyrene. Different types of expanded polystyrene are used but more widely used is the graphite added type. Our research focuses on the analysis of heat conductivity and sorption properties of expanded polystyrene as these two are the most important physical properties from energy saving point of view. In this paper, the variation of heat transfer coefficient of an insulated wall is analysed in function of humidity content of insulation material. Brick and concrete walls with 0.4 m thickness were chosen for substrate and 0.1 m expanded polystyrene (30, 100, 150, 200 and the so-called grey expanded polystyrene) materials were applied as insulating layers. The investigations of sorption behaviour of the materials are important from the point of view of fundamental research and building technology as well. Sorption data taken from our previous measurements results were used for predicting the change of the overall heat transfer coefficients of different wall structures constituted this way. Practical application: The present technical note is based on our previous measurement results. Water can cause undesirable changes in the building structures and introduced in this article. During the fixing procedure of the additional insulating of a given building bad weather conditions (high relative humidity and/or low external temperature) can dominate. These phenomena can be imagined for building new houses. By the ‘in-building’ of the moisture into the wall structure, numerous and measurable change can happen in the U-value of the building envelope. The presented changes are estimations only, but can be used and can also help for planning and executing the insulating process.
Reflections on Social Activism in Otolaryngology
Authors: Kopelovich Jonathan C. 
Published: December 2013

What is “social activism” to you? For older otolaryngologists, the term is likely to signify the tumult of the 1960s. For incoming generations, this connotation is outdated. Rather, it more broadly reflects concerted efforts to improve the public good. Some ally with existing institutions to work toward incremental progress. Some start new organizations, using technological tools to build networks, marshal resources, and leapfrog hurdles.Countering these efforts are the ever‐changing challenges of practicing otolaryngology today: electronic health records, shifting incentives, and changes in the practice model. Employment by large conglomerates is more common, decreasing our visibility as community leaders. Burnout is a recognized “hazard,” and budding otolaryngologists are particularly susceptible. Adding one more thing, like social activism, to a full plate seems counterintuitive. But it shouldn't be. You don't need a “bigger” plate to get involved in social causes. Start simple. Find a partner. Scale up. You'll find it rewarding.
Correlation between Nasal Anatomy and Objective Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity
Authors: Leitzen Keith P. , Brietzke Scott E. , Lindsay Robin W. 
Published: December 2013

ObjectivesTo determine if a correlation exists between nasal anatomical obstruction and obstructive sleep apnea severity as measured by overnight polysomnogram (PSG).Study DesignCross‐sectional study.SettingTertiary medical center.Subjects and MethodsSubjects were recruited immediately prior to an overnight, in‐lab PSG. All subjects who agreed to participate underwent a standardized nasal examination performed by the senior author and then completed the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) questionnaire, the Snore Outcomes Survey (SOS), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) prior to their sleep study. In addition, tonsil size, Mallampati score, Friedman tongue position, neck circumference, uvula length, and occlusion were assessed and documented. Nasal anatomy assessments were then compared with PSG, NOSE, SOS, and ESS results. Bonferroni correction was used to account for multiple comparisons.ResultsOne hundred subjects were included in the study. Fifty‐nine subjects (59%) were found to have obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) (mean apnea‐hypopnea index, 13.1; range, 0‐64). Severity of OSAS was associated with age (Spearman's ρ = 0.386, P =. 0001). No single nasal anatomy measurement or combined nasal anatomy index was found to correlate with objective sleep‐disordered breathing severity measured by PSG. The sample size should have provided 90% power to detect a significant correlation if one existed. After accounting for multiple comparisons, turbinate hypertrophy was found to correlate with the NOSE score (0.3577, P =. 0305 corrected), and external and internal nasal valve collapse correlated with each other (0.4986, P <. 0001 corrected).ConclusionsObjectively assessed abnormal nasal anatomy was not found to be significantly correlated with PSG‐measured OSAS severity. Specific objective measurements of obstructive nasal anatomy were correlated to subjective measures of nasal obstruction.
Physician Knowledge of and Attitudes toward the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Authors: Rocke Daniel J. , Thomas Steven , Puscas Liana , Lee Walter T. 
Published: December 2013

ObjectiveTo assess otolaryngology physician knowledge of and attitudes toward the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and compare the association of bias toward the PPACA with knowledge of the provisions of the PPACA.Study DesignCross‐sectional survey.SettingNationwide assessment.SubjectsMembers of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery.MethodsOtolaryngology physicians answered 10 true/false questions about major provisions of the PPACA. They also indicated their level of agreement with 9 statements about health care and the PPACA. Basic demographic information was collected.ResultsEmail solicitation was sent to 9972 otolaryngologists and 647 responses were obtained (6.5% response rate). Overall correct response rate was 74%. Fewer than 60% of physicians correctly answered questions on whether small businesses receive tax credits for providing health insurance, the effect of the PPACA on Medicare benefits, and whether a government‐run health insurance plan was created. Academic center practice setting, bias toward the PPACA, and Democratic Party affiliation were associated with significantly more correct responses.ConclusionOverall physician knowledge of the PPACA is assessed as fair, although better than the general public in 2010. There are several areas where knowledge of physicians regarding the PPACA is poor, and this knowledge deficit is more pronounced within certain subgroups. These knowledge issues should be addressed by individual physicians and medical societies.
Standardized cine-loop documentation in abdominal ultrasound facilitates offline image interpretation
Authors: Dormagen Johann Baptist , Gaarder Mario , Drolsum Anders 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundOne of the main disadvantages of conventional ultrasound is its operator dependency, which might impede the reproducibility of the sonographic findings. A new approach with cine-loops and standardized scan protocols can overcome this drawback.PurposeTo compare abdominal ultrasound findings of immediate bedside reading by performing radiologist with offline reading by a non-performing radiologist, using standardized cine-loop sequences.Material and MethodsOver a 6-month period, three radiologists performed 140 dynamic ultrasound organ-based examinations in 43 consecutive outpatients. Examination protocols were standardized and included predefined probe position and sequences of short cine-loops of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, and urine bladder, covering the organs completely in two planes. After bedside examinations, the studies were reviewed and read out immediately by the performing radiologist. Image quality was registered from 1 (no diagnostic value) to 5 (excellent cine-loop quality). Offline reading was performed blinded by a radiologist who had not performed the examination. Bedside and offline reading were compared with each other and with consensus results.ResultsIn 140 examinations, consensus reading revealed 21 cases with renal disorders, 17 cases with liver and bile pathology, and four cases with bladder pathology. Overall inter-observer agreement was 0.73 (95% CI 0.61–0.91), with lowest agreement for findings of the urine bladder (0.36) and highest agreement in liver examinations (0.90). Disagreements between the two readings were seen in nine kidneys, three bladder examinations, one pancreas and bile system examinations each, and in one liver, giving a total number of mismatches of 11%. Nearly all cases of mismatch were of minor clinical significance. The median image quality was 3 (range, 2–5) with most examinations deemed a quality of 3. Compared to consensus reading, overall accuracy was 96% for bedside reading and 94% for offline reading.ConclusionStandardized cine-loop documentation enables accurate offline reading in abdominal ultrasound and shows high agreement with immediate bedside reading.
Risk Factors of Subsequent Operations After Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Csintalan Rick P. , Inacio Maria C.S. , Funahashi Tadashi T. , Maletis Gregory B. 
Published: December 2013

Background: The incidence of nonrevision reoperations after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is less commonly studied and quantified. Purpose: To describe the incidence of short-term reoperations after primary ACLR for the 4 most common procedures and to evaluate the risk factors associated with these reoperations. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients who underwent ACLRs and were enrolled in an ACLR registry between February 2005 and September 2011 were evaluated. First reoperations after primary ACLR performed for the 4 most common procedures (meniscal procedures, cartilage procedures, hardware removal procedures, and arthrofibrosis procedures) were the primary end points of the study. Patient, surgical, surgeon, and hospital risk factors associated with reoperations were evaluated, and Cox regression models were employed. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported. Results: A total of 14,522 ACLRs were identified. The patients had a mean age of 29.4 ± 11.5 years and were mostly male (63.3%) and white (48.3%). The mean follow-up was 1.9 ± 1.5 years (range, 0-6.7 years), and the median time to reoperation was 301 days (interquartile range, 172-515 days). The reoperation rate per 100 person-years of follow-up was 1.1 for meniscal reoperations, 0.3 for cartilage reoperations, 0.4 for hardware removal reoperations, and 0.4 for arthrofibrosis reoperations. Meniscal repair at the index ACLR was a significant risk factor for subsequent meniscal procedures (HR, 4.19; 95% CI, 3.10-5.67). Sports medicine fellowship training of the surgeon (HR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.01-4.62) and older patient age (≤17 vs ≥26 years) (HR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.12-0.81) were significant risk factors for cartilage reoperations. Use of allografts (HR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.10-3.30) and female sex (HR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.16-2.64) were risk factors for hardware removal reoperations. Female sex (HR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.66-3.71) and prior surgery (HR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.39-6.53) were risk factors for subsequent surgery for arthrofibrosis. Conclusion: Overall short-term reoperation rates after ACLR are relatively low. Risk factors for subsequent surgery vary depending on the type of surgery evaluated. Some of the risk factors observed for reoperations include previous meniscal repair, female sex, allografts, prior surgery, older patient age, and being operated on by a sports medicine fellowship–trained surgeon.
The needs of persons with lupus and health care providers: a qualitative study aimed toward the development of the Lupus Interactive Navigator™
Authors: Neville C , Costa D Da , Mill C , Rochon M , Aviña-Zubieta JA , Pineau CA , Eng D , Fortin PR 
Published: December 2013

Objective Systemic lupus erythematosus is an inflammatory autoimmune disease associated with high morbidity and unacceptable mortality. A major challenge for persons with lupus is coping with their illness and complex care. Our objective was to identify the informational and resource needs of persons with lupus, rheumatologists, and allied health professionals treating lupus. Our findings will be applied toward the development of an innovative web-based technology, the Lupus Interactive Navigator (LIN™), to facilitate and support engagement and self-management for persons with lupus. Methods Eight focus groups were conducted: four groups of persons with lupus ( n = 29), three groups of rheumatologists ( n = 20), and one group of allied health professionals ( n = 8). The groups were held in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. All sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative analysis was performed using grounded theory. The transcripts were reviewed independently and coded by the moderator and co-moderator using 1) qualitative data analysis software developed by Provalis Research, Montreal, Canada, and 2) manual coding. Results Four main themes emerged: 1) specific information and resource needs; 2) barriers to engagement in health care; 3) facilitators of engagement in health care; and 4) tools identified as helpful for the self-management of lupus. Conclusion These findings will help guide the scope of LIN™ with relevant information topics and specific tools that will be most helpful to the diverse needs of persons with lupus and their health care providers.
Delay to surgery does not influence the pathological outcome of acute appendicitis
Authors: Hornby S. T. , Shahtahmassebi G. , Lynch S. , Ladwa N. , Stell D. A. 
Published: December 2013

Introduction: Emergency surgery is performed on patients with appendicitis in the belief that inflammation of the appendix may progress to necrosis and perforation. Many cases of appendicitis, however, resolve with conservative treatment, and necrotic appendicitis may represent a different disease rather than the end result of inflammation of the appendix. We wished to explore the relationship between the interval to surgery after admission to hospital with appendicitis and the proportion of patients developing necrosis. Methods: Appendicectomy operations performed between 2005 and 2010 were reviewed. End points included age, sex, interval from admission to surgery, and final pathological diagnosis. Results: A total of 2403 evaluable patients were identified (1266 females). Necrotic appendicitis occurred more commonly in children (17.5%) and the elderly (25.4%) compared with adults (10.5%). The median interval to surgery of patients with normal histology (17.1 h) was longer than the time to removal of inflamed (13 h) or necrotic (13.5 h) appendices (p < 0.001).The ratio of necrotic to inflamed appendicitis in the entire cohort was 0.24. Multivariate analysis reveals that necrosis of the appendix is more common in children and the elderly and that the proportion of patients with necrosis does not change with increasing interval to surgery. Discussion: Our observations show that appendicitis is not more likely to lead to perforation if a short delay prior to surgery is allowed. In addition, our findings add weight to the increasing volume of data showing that necrosis of the appendix is a disease different from simple inflammation.
Survey of consent practices in cluster randomized trials: Improvements are needed in ethical conduct and reporting
Authors: Taljaard Monica , Chaudhry Shazia H , Brehaut Jamie C , Weijer Charles , Boruch Robert , Donner Allan , Eccles Martin P , McRae Andrew D , Saginur Raphael , Zwarenstein Merrick , Grimshaw Jeremy M 
Published: December 2013

Background Informed consent procedures in cluster randomized trials (CRTs) are considerably more complicated than in individually randomized trials. In a CRT, the units of randomization, intervention, and observation may differ in a single trial; there can be multiple levels of participants (individual and cluster level); consent may be required separately for intervention and data collection; and there may be practical constraints to seeking informed consent, for example, due to cluster-level interventions or the sheer size of clusters. Purpose We aimed to document consent practices at individual and cluster levels, assess the adequacy of reporting consent in trial publications, and assess associations with two trial characteristics that may influence consent requirements in CRTs: presence or absence of study interventions and presence or absence of data collection procedures at individual and cluster levels. Methods We reviewed a random sample of 300 CRTs published during 2000–2008. We sent survey questionnaires to 285 unique authors of these trials to gather detailed information about consent procedures used in each trial. Results In all, 182 authors (64%) responded. Overall, 93% (95% confidence interval (CI): 88.8%−96.6%) indicated that participant consent had been sought for some aspects of the study. Consent was less frequently sought for a study intervention (70% of respondents) than for data collection (88%). More than half of the respondents (52%) indicated that consent had been sought at both cluster and individual levels. There was strong evidence for under-reporting of consent in trial publications: only 63% of all trial publications reported that informed consent had been sought for some aspect of the study. The odds ratios (ORs) summarizing the association of the two trial characteristics with cluster-level participant consent were weak (OR = 1.17, p = 0.70 for presence of cluster-level study intervention and OR = 1.54, p = 0.29 for data collection); on the other hand, the ORs summarizing the associations with individual-level consent were strong (OR = 6.2, p < 0.0001 for presence of individual-level intervention and OR = 14.7, p < 0.0001 for data collection). Limitations In all, 36% of authors did not respond to the survey; to the extent that consent practices in their trials were different than in respondents’ trials, our results may be biased. Conclusions There is a need for improvements in research practices in CRTs as well as their reporting. There may be a lack of clarity about consent requirements at the cluster level in particular. With the publication of the Ottawa Statement on the Ethical Design and Conduct of Cluster Randomized Trials, researchers and research ethics committees now have access to comprehensive ethics guidelines specific to CRTs.
Polyphosphate suppresses complement via the terminal pathway
Authors: Wat Jovian M. , Foley Jonathan H. , Krisinger Michael J. , Ocariza Linnette Mae , Lei Victor , Wasney Gregory A. , Lameignere Emilie , Strynadka Natalie C. , Smith Stephanie A. , Morrissey James H. , Conway Edward M. 
Published: December 2013

Key PointsPolyphosphate suppresses complement via the terminal pathway by destabilizing C5b,6, thereby reducing the lytic capacity of the membrane attack complex. Polyphosphate, a novel negative regulator of complement, bridges coagulation and complement and is a potential therapeutic target.
Mutations in the cohesin complex in acute myeloid leukemia: clinical and prognostic implications
Authors: Thol Felicitas , Bollin Robin , Gehlhaar Marten , Walter Carolin , Dugas Martin , Suchanek Karl Josef , Kirchner Aylin , Huang Liu , Chaturvedi Anuhar , Wichmann Martin , Wiehlmann Lutz , Shahswar Rabia , Damm Frederik , Göhring Gudrun , Schlegelberger Brigitte , Schlenk Richard , Döhner Konstanze , Döhner Hartmut , Krauter Jürgen , Ganser Arnold , Heuser Michael 
Published: December 2013

Key Points
Mutations in genes of the cohesin complex are recurrent mutations in AML with a strong association with NPM1 mutations. Cohesin gene mutations have no clear prognostic impact in AML patients.
Clot contraction: compression of erythrocytes into tightly packed polyhedra and redistribution of platelets and fibrin
Authors: Cines Douglas B. , Lebedeva Tatiana , Nagaswami Chandrasekaran , Hayes Vincent , Massefski Walter , Litvinov Rustem I. , Rauova Lubica , Lowery Thomas J. , Weisel John W. 
Published: December 2013

Key PointsIn contracted clots and thrombi, erythrocytes are compressed to close-packed polyhedral structures with platelets and fibrin on the surface. Polyhedrocytes form an impermeable seal to stem bleeding and help prevent vascular obstruction but confer resistance to fibrinolysis.
Age-associated bidirectional modulation of gene expression in single identified R15 neuron of Aplysia
Authors: Kadakkuzha Beena M , Akhmedov Komolitdin , Capo Tom R , Carvalloza Anthony C , Fallahi Mohammad , Puthanveettil Sathyanarayanan V 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
Despite the advances in our understanding of aging-associated behavioral decline, relatively little is known about how aging affects neural circuits that regulate specific behaviors, particularly the expression of genes in specific neural circuits during aging. We have addressed this by exploring a peptidergic neuron R15, an identified neuron of the marine snail Aplysia californica. R15 is implicated in reproduction and osmoregulation and responds to neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, serotonin and glutamate and is characterized by its action potential bursts.

Results
We examined changes in gene expression in R15 neurons during aging by microarray analyses of RNAs from two different age groups, mature and old animals. Specifically we find that 1083 ESTs are differentially regulated in mature and old R15 neurons. Bioinformatics analyses of these genes have identified specific biological pathways that are up or downregulated in mature and old neurons. Comparison with human signaling networks using pathway analyses have identified three major networks [(1) cell signaling, cell morphology, and skeletal muscular system development (2) cell death and survival, cellular function maintenance and embryonic development and (3) neurological diseases, developmental and hereditary disorders] altered in old R15 neurons. Furthermore, qPCR analysis of single R15 neurons to quantify expression levels of candidate regulators involved in transcription (CREB1) and translation (S6K) showed that aging is associated with a decrease in expression of these regulators, and similar analysis in three other neurons (L7, L11 and R2) showed that gene expression change during aging could be bidirectional.

Conclusions
We find that aging is associated with bidirectional changes in gene expression. Detailed bioinformatics analyses and human homolog searches have identified specific biological processes and human-relevant signaling pathways in R15 that are affected during aging. Evaluation of gene expression changes in different neurons suggests specific transcriptomic signature of single neurons during aging.