bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation outcomes of a sex education strategy in high schools of Pavia (Italy)
Authors: Benni Emanuela , Sacco Sara , Bianchi Leonardo , Carrara Roberto , Zanini Chiara , Comelli Mario , Tenconi Maria Teresa ,   SISM educators group
Published: February 2015

Aim: We aimed to provide process and effectiveness evaluations of a sex education intervention realized with interactive techniques in high schools of Pavia (Italy). Methods: Six public high schools, divided into ‘treated’ and ‘control’ units, voluntarily joined this mixed-methods study. Only second-year classes were enrolled: treated adolescents followed a sex education course, performed by trained ‘near-peer educators’ (undergraduate medical students) with interactive techniques. All adolescents compiled an anonymous effectiveness evaluation questionnaire at baseline (pre-test) and 3 months later (post-test). Sexual knowledge and reported behavioural changes were compared between the two groups through linear mixed-effects models. The process was assessed through a satisfaction questionnaire for treated students, monitoring cards for working group members and cards/diaries for educators. Results: The final sample consisted of 547 treated and 355 control adolescents (mean age = 15.28 ± 0.61 years). Highly significant changes ( p < 0.001) from pre-test to post-test, with strong improvements of treated adolescents, were evident for all knowledge items. No significant changes for behavioural items were reported. Process evaluation showed positive results in adolescents’ satisfaction, highlighting the need for more youth gathering places. Working group members and educators generally provided positive evaluations, although difficult communication was perceived. Conclusions: The intervention was effective in improving adolescents’ sexual knowledge. The present work highlighted that in Italy sex education in adolescence is still neglected: this could encourage misinformation and health-risk behaviour. Young people perceive the need for a serious health-promoting action in which they could play an active role, spreading educational messages with organized interactive methods.
Osteochondral Allograft MRI Scoring System (OCAMRISS) in the Knee
Authors: Meric Gokhan , Gracitelli Guilherme C. , McCauley Julie C. , Pulido Pamela A. , Chang Eric Y. , Chung Christine B. , Bugbee William D. 
Published: February 2015

Introduction: Osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation is a suitable treatment option for large osteochondral defects. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an objective, reproducible, noninvasive monitoring tool for postoperative assessment after cartilage surgery. Objective: To correlate Osteochondral Allograft MRI Scoring System (OCAMRISS) in patients undergoing OCA transplantation in the knee with clinical outcomes and determine interobserver agreement of this scoring system. Methods: Fifteen patients underwent OCA transplantation in the knee and received a postoperative MRI. Four examiners read each MRI and completed an OCAMRISS. Interobserver agreement and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were assessed. Clinical outcomes were evaluated. Correlation between the OCAMRISS and clinical outcomes was calculated using Spearman’s correlation coefficients. Results: Interobserver agreement on individual features of the OCAMRISS was superior (κ = 0.81-1.0) in 65% of comparisons, substantial (κ = 0.61-0.8) in 14%, moderate (κ = 0.41-0.6) in 18%, and fair (κ = 0.21-0.4) in 3%. Agreement among readers was very strong for the cartilage, bone, ancillary, and total scores with 96% of comparisons having an ICC >0.80. International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) function scores were correlated with OCAMRISS cartilage score (ρ = 0.53, P = 0.044) and total score (ρ = 0.67, P = 0.006). The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) sports/recreation subscale was correlated with OCAMRISS ancillary score (ρ = 0.58, P = 0.049) and total score (ρ = 0.64, P = 0.024). No correlation was observed with subchondral bone features of OCAMRISS and any of the outcome scores. Conclusions: The recently described OCAMRISS is a reproducible grading system for in vivo evaluation after osteochondral allograft transplantation.
KLF1-null neonates display hydrops fetalis and a deranged erythroid transcriptome
Authors: Magor Graham W. , Tallack Michael R. , Gillinder Kevin R. , Bell Charles C. , McCallum Naomi , Williams Bronwyn , Perkins Andrew C. 
Published: February 2015

Key PointsComplete loss of KLF1 function is compatible with life but results in severe nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia and kernicterus. Human KLF1 regulates most aspects of red cell biology.
Acute oral toxicity and biodistribution study of zinc-aluminium-levodopa nanocomposite
Authors: Kura Aminu Umar , Saifullah Bullo , Cheah Pike-See , Hussein Mohd Zobir , Azmi Norazrina , Fakurazi Sharida 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Layered double hydroxide (LDH) is an inorganic–organic nano-layered material that harbours drug between its two-layered sheets, forming a sandwich-like structure. It is attracting a great deal of attention as an alternative drug delivery (nanodelivery) system in the field of pharmacology due to their relative low toxic potential. The production of these nanodelivery systems, aimed at improving human health through decrease toxicity, targeted delivery of the active compound to areas of interest with sustained release ability. In this study, we administered zinc-aluminium-LDH-levodopa nanocomposite (ZAL) and zinc-aluminium nanocomposite (ZA) to Sprague Dawley rats to evaluate for acute oral toxicity following OECD guidelines. The oral administration of ZAL and ZA at a limit dose of 2,000 mg/kg produced neither mortality nor acute toxic signs throughout 14 days of the observation. The percentage of body weight gain of the animals showed no significant difference between control and treatment groups. Animal from the two treated groups gained weight continuously over the study period, which was shown to be significantly higher than the weight at the beginning of the study (P < 0.05). Biochemical analysis of animal serum showed no significant difference between rats treated with ZAL, ZA and controls. There was no gross lesion or histopathological changes observed in vital organs of the rats. The results suggested that ZAL and ZA at 2,000 mg/kg body weight in rats do not induce acute toxicity in the animals. Elemental analysis of tissues of treated animals demonstrated the wider distribution of the nanocomposite including the brain. In summary, findings of acute toxicity tests in this study suggest that zinc-aluminium nanocomposite intercalated with and the un-intercalated were safe when administered orally in animal models for short periods of time. It also highlighted the potential distribution ability of Tween-80 coated nanocomposite after oral administration.
Nitrogen-doped, FeNi alloy nanoparticle-decorated graphene as an efficient and stable electrode for electrochemical supercapacitors in acid medium
Authors: El-Deen Ahmed G , El-Newehy Mohamed , Kim Cheol Sang , Barakat Nasser AM 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Nitrogen-doped graphene decorated by iron-nickel alloy is introduced as a promising electrode material for supercapacitors. Compared to pristine and Ni-decorated graphene, in acid media, the introduced electrode revealed excellent specific capacitance as the corresponding specific capacitance was multiplied around ten times with capacity retention maintained at 94.9% for 1,000 cycles. Briefly, iron acetate, nickel acetate, urea, and graphene oxide were ultrasonicated and subjected to MW heating and then sintered with melanin in Ar. The introduced N-doped FeNi@Gr exhibits remarkable electrochemical behavior with long-term stability.
Evolution of morphology and microstructure of GaAs/GaSb nanowire heterostructures
Authors: Shi Suixing , Zhang Zhi , Lu Zhenyu , Shu Haibo , Chen Pingping , Li Ning , Zou Jin , Lu Wei 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
In this paper, we successfully grow GaAs/GaSb core-shell heterostructure nanowires (NWs) by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The as-grown GaSb shell layer forms a wurtzite structure instead of the zinc blende structure that has been commonly reported. Meanwhile, a bulgy GaSb nanoplate also appears on top of GaAs/GaSb core-shell NWs and possesses a pure zinc blende phase. The growth mode for core-shell morphology and underlying mechanism for crystal phase selection of GaAs/GaSb nanowire heterostructures are discussed in detail.
Room-temperature electrically pumped near-infrared random lasing from high-quality m-plane ZnO-based metal-insulator-semiconductor devices
Authors: Chen Chao , Wang Ti , Wu Hao , Zheng He , Wang Jianbo , Xu Yang , Liu Chang 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Epitaxial m-plane ZnO thin films have been deposited on m-plane sapphire substrates at a low temperature of 200°C by atomic layer deposition. A 90° in-plane rotation is observed between the m-plane ZnO thin films and the sapphire substrates. Moreover, the residual strain along the ZnO [−12-10] direction is released. To fabricate metal-insulator-semiconductor devices, a 50-nm Al2O3 thin film is deposited on the m-plane ZnO thin films. It is interesting to observe the near-infrared random lasing from the metal-insulator-semiconductor devices.
Au nanostructure arrays for plasmonic applications: annealed island films versus nanoimprint lithography
Authors: Lopatynskyi Andrii M , Lytvyn Vitalii K , Nazarenko Volodymyr I , Guo L Jay , Lucas Brandon D , Chegel Volodymyr I 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
This paper attempts to compare the main features of random and highly ordered gold nanostructure arrays (NSA) prepared by thermally annealed island film and nanoimprint lithography (NIL) techniques, respectively. Each substrate possesses different morphology in terms of plasmonic enhancement. Both methods allow such important features as spectral tuning of plasmon resonance position depending on size and shape of nanostructures; however, the time and cost is quite different. The respective comparison was performed experimentally and theoretically for a number of samples with different geometrical parameters. Spectral characteristics of fabricated NSA exhibited an expressed plasmon peak in the range from 576 to 809 nm for thermally annealed samples and from 606 to 783 nm for samples prepared by NIL. Modelling of the optical response for nanostructures with typical shapes associated with these techniques (parallelepiped for NIL and semi-ellipsoid for annealed island films) was performed using finite-difference time-domain calculations. Mathematical simulations have indicated the dependence of electric field enhancement on the shape and size of the nanoparticles. As an important point, the distribution of electric field at so-called ‘hot spots’ was considered. Parallelepiped-shaped nanoparticles were shown to yield maximal enhancement values by an order of magnitude greater than their semi-ellipsoid-shaped counterparts; however, both nanoparticle shapes have demonstrated comparable effective electrical field enhancement values. Optimized Au nanostructures with equivalent diameters ranging from 85 to 143 nm and height equal to 35 nm were obtained for both techniques, resulting in the largest electrical field enhancement. The application of island film thermal annealing method for nanochips fabrication can be considered as a possible cost-effective platform for various surface-enhanced spectroscopies; while the NIL-fabricated NSA looks like more effective for sensing of small-size objects.
The effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on proliferation and apoptosis of in ovo cultured glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells
Authors: Urbańska Kaja , Pająk Beata , Orzechowski Arkadiusz , Sokołowska Justyna , Grodzik Marta , Sawosz Ewa , Szmidt Maciej , Sysa Paweł 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Recently, it has been shown that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) provide a unique approach to the treatment of tumors, especially those of neuroepithelial origin. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of AgNPs on proliferation and activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells cultured in an in ovo model. Human GBM cells, line U-87, were placed on chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane. After 8 days, the tumors were divided into three groups: control (non-treated), treated with colloidal AgNPs (40 μg/ml), and placebo (tumors supplemented with vehicle only). At the end of the experiment, all tumors were isolated. Assessment of cell proliferation and cell apoptosis was estimated by histological, immunohistochemical, and Western blot analyses. The results show that AgNPs can influence GBM growth. AgNPs inhibit proliferation of GBM cells and seem to have proapoptotic properties. Although there were statistically significant differences between control and AgNP groups in the AI and the levels of active caspase 9 and active caspase 3, the level of these proteins in GBM cells treated with AgNPs seems to be on the border between the spontaneous apoptosis and the induced. Our results indicate that the antiproliferative properties of silver nanoparticles overwhelm proapoptotic ones. Further research focused on the cytotoxic effect of AgNPs on tumor and normal cells should be conducted.
Closed-loop assisted versus manual goal-directed fluid therapy during high-risk abdominal surgery: a case–control study with propensity matching
Authors: Rinehart Joseph , Lilot Marc , Lee Christine , Joosten Alexandre , Huynh Trish , Canales Cecilia , Imagawa David , Demirjian Aram , Cannesson Maxime 
Published: February 2015

AbstractIntroductionGoal-directed fluid therapy strategies have been shown to benefit moderate- to high-risk surgery patients. Despite this, these strategies are often not implemented. The aim of this study was to assess a closed-loop fluid administration system in a surgical cohort and compare the results with those for matched patients who received manual management. Our hypothesis was that the patients receiving closed-loop assistance would spend more time in a preload-independent state, defined as percentage of case time with stroke volume variation less than or equal to 12%.MethodsPatients eligible for the study were all those over 18 years of age scheduled for hepatobiliary, pancreatic or splenic surgery and expected to receive intravascular arterial blood pressure monitoring as part of their anesthetic care. The closed-loop resuscitation target was selected by the primary anesthesia team, and the system was responsible for implementation of goal-directed fluid therapy during surgery. Following completion of enrollment, each study patient was matched to a non–closed-loop assisted case performed during the same time period using a propensity match to reduce bias.ResultsA total of 40 patients were enrolled, 5 were ultimately excluded and 25 matched pairs were selected from among the remaining 35 patients within the predefined caliper distance. There was no significant difference in fluid administration between groups. The closed-loop group spent a significantly higher portion of case time in a preload-independent state (95 ± 6% of case time versus 87 ± 14%,P=0.008). There was no difference in case mean or final stroke volume index (45 ± 10 versus 43 ± 9 and 45 ± 11 versus 42 ± 11, respectively) or mean arterial pressure (79 ± 8 versus 83 ± 9). Case end heart rate was significantly lower in the closed-loop assisted group (77 ± 10 versus 88 ± 13,P=0.003).ConclusionIn this case–control study with propensity matching, clinician use of closed-loop assistance resulted in a greater portion of case time spent in a preload-independent state throughout surgery compared with manual delivery of goal-directed fluid therapy.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT02020863. Registered 19 December 2013
Total testosterone and neuropsychiatric symptoms in elderly men with Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Hall James R , Wiechmann April R , Cunningham Rebecca L , Johnson Leigh A , Edwards Melissa , Barber Robert C , Singh Meharvan , Winter Scott , O’Bryant Sid E ,   for the Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Introduction
There has been a significant increase in the use of testosterone in aging men, but little investigation into its impact on men with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The findings of the few studies that have been done are inconsistent. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between total testosterone (TT) and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in a well-characterized sample of elderly men with mild to moderate AD.

Methods
The sample, which was drawn from the Texas Alzheimer’s Research Care Consortium Longitudinal Research Cohort, included 87 men who met the criteria for mild to moderate AD. The occurrence of NPS was gathered from caregivers and/or family members with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. TT was analyzed, and the sample was divided into a low-testosterone group (TT ≤2.5 ng/ml; n = 44) and a borderline/normal group (TT ≥2.6 ng/ml; n = 43).

Results
TT was correlated with symptoms of hallucinations, delusions, agitation, irritability and motor activity. The borderline/normal group was significantly more likely to have hallucinations (odds ratio (OR) = 5.56), delusions (OR = 3.87), motor activity (OR = 3.13) and irritability (OR = 2.77) than the low-testosterone group. Health status and apolipoprotein E ε4 status were not significant factors.

Conclusions
The findings of the present study have implications for the use of testosterone replacement therapy in men with AD or the prodromal stage of the disease.
Enabling smartphone-based HD video chats by cooperative transmissions in CRNs
Authors: Jing Tao , Cui Xuewei , Cheng Wei , Zhu Shixiang , Huo Yan , Cheng Xiuzhen 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Smartphones have been equipped with the cameras that can shoot HD videos, and the video chat apps such as Skype are becoming popular. We can, therefore, intuitively predict the trend that users are expecting to enjoy HD video chats via utilizing their smartphones. Most of the current Internet services, however, cannot support the live HD video transmissions because of their low uplink rate. In order to overcome this limit, we propose to offload the uplink transmissions to cooperative users via cognitive radio networks. Specifically, we first divide the video stream into several substreams according to the H.264/SVC standard and the cooperative users’ uplink rates. Then, the cooperative users are selected by employing our proposed optimal multiple stopping method. Finally, the substreams are assigned to the selected cooperative users by a 0-1 Knapsack-based allocation algorithm. The simulation results demonstrate that our proposed scheme can successfully support 720P HD video chats.
Unilateral isolated sphenoid sinusitis with contralateral abducens nerve palsy - A rare complication treated in a low-resource setting
Authors: Siu Jennifer , Sharma Sudhir , Sowerby Leigh 
Published: February 2015

Background Unilateral isolated sphenoid sinus disease (ISSD) is a rare diagnosis of the paranasal sinuses that can be associated with complications involving vascular, neurologic, and optic structures in close proximity. Case presentation A 62 year old female presented to a hospital in Georgetown, Guyana with right lateral rectus palsy, diplopia, and a severe progressively worsening headache. CT scan revealed an opaque left sphenoid sinus consistent with unilateral ISSD. A transnasal sphenoidotomy was performed without complication under local anesthetic in the absence of endoscopic guidance. The patient's headache resolved immediately after surgery while the diplopia and lateral rectus palsy resolved completely after 6 weeks. Conclusion We present a rare complication of ISSD and highlight challenges associated with diagnosis and management of ISSD in a resource-limited setting. This is the second reported case of unilateral ISSD with contralateral lateral rectus palsy in the literature.
Olfactory testing in children using objective tools: Comparison of Sniffin’ Sticks and University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT)
Authors: Hugh Sarah C , Siu Jennifer , Hummel Thomas , Forte Vito , Campisi Paolo , Papsin Blake C , Propst Evan J 
Published: February 2015

Background Detection of olfactory dysfunction is important for fire and food safety. Clinical tests of olfaction have been developed for adults but their use in children has been limited because they were felt to be unreliable in children under six years of age. We therefore administered two olfactory tests to children and compared results across tests. Methods Two olfactory tests (Sniffin’ Sticks and University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT)) were administered to 78 healthy children ages 3 to 12 years. Children were randomized to one of two groups: Group 1 performed the UPSIT first and Sniffin’ Sticks second, and Group 2 performed Sniffin’ Sticks first and UPSIT second. Results All children were able to complete both olfactory tests. Performance on both tests was similar for children 5 and 6 years of age. There was an age-dependent increase in score on both tests (p < .01). Children performed better on the Sniffin’ Sticks than the UPSIT (65.3% versus 59.7%, p < .01). There was no difference in performance due to order of test presentation. Conclusions The Sniffin’ Sticks and UPSIT olfactory tests can both be completed by children as young as 5 years of age. Performance on both tests increased with increasing age. Better performance on the Sniffin’ Sticks than the UPSIT may be due to a decreased number of test items, better ability to maintain attention, or decreased olfactory fatigue. The ability to reuse Sniffin’ Sticks on multiple children may make it more practical for clinical use.
Optimization of drying parameters for mango seed kernels using central composite design
Authors: Ekorong Franck Junior Anta Akouan , Zomegni Gaston , Desobgo Steve Carly Zangué , Ndjouenkeu Robert 
Published: February 2015

Abstract

Background
The combined effect of drying temperature and time was evaluated on residual water content, yield of oil extraction, total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of seed kernel from a Cameroonian local variety of mango (Local Ngaoundere). Response surface methodology (RSM) using central composite design (CCD) as tool, was used to develop, validate and optimize statistical models in order to establish the impact of the drying parameters (temperature and time) either alone or in combination.

Results
It was shown that drying temperature individually in its first order (X
1) contributed 30.81, 21.11, 41.28 and 33.24% while drying time individually in its first order (X
2) contributed 39.91, 15.12, 29.92 and 25.87% for residual water content, yield of oil extraction, total phenolic components and antioxidant activity respectively. The increase of drying temperature increased antioxidant activity while the other physicochemical characteristics such as water content, yield of oil extraction and total phenolic components decreased. Concerning drying time, only water content was reduced with an increase of that factor. The synergetic effect of drying temperature and time was effective only for antioxidant activity. A compromise for optimization were then fixed for water content ≤ 10% w/w; oil content ≥ 9% w/w; total polyphenols ≥ 1 mg/g and antioxidant activity ≥ 1000 mg AAE/100 g DM. A simulation for optimization gave, for 60 H and 60°C for drying time and temperature respectively permitted to obtain 4.10% w/w, 9.53% w/w, 1340.28 mg AAE/100 g DM and 1.16 mg/g for water content, oil content, antioxidant activity and total polyphenols respectively.

Conclusions
The physicochemical characteristics studied was globally influenced by the chosen factors (drying time and temperature).