bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intravenous Sodium Bicarbonate Therapy in Severely Acidotic Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Authors: Duhon Bryson , Attridge Rebecca L , Franco-Martinez A Crystal , Maxwell Pamela R , Hughes Darrel W 
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND The use of intravenous bicarbonate in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) may be considered for patients with a pH less than 6.9 according to the American Diabetes Association. The impact of this therapy on resolution of acidosis in patients with DKA is unclear. OBJECTIVE To determine whether the use of intravenous bicarbonate therapy was associated with improved outcomes in patients with severe DKA who were seen in the emergency department. METHODS This review was conducted from 2007 to 2011 in the emergency department of a tertiary teaching hospital. Adults diagnosed with DKA with an initial pH less than 7.0 were included. Patients were stratified into 2 groups based on receipt of intravenous bicarbonate. The primary study outcome was time to resolution of acidosis, defined as return to pH greater than 7.2. Secondary outcomes included length of stay; continuous infusion insulin use; and intravenous fluid, potassium, and insulin requirements within the first 24 hours of hospital admission, beginning upon admittance to the emergency department. We also conducted a subgroup analysis of patients with an initial pH less than 6.9. RESULTS There was no significant difference in time to resolution of acidosis (8 hours vs 8 hours; p = 0.7) or time to hospital discharge (68 hours vs 61 hours; p = 0.3) between patients who received intravenous bicarbonate (n = 44) compared with those who did not (n = 42). The median dose of intravenous bicarbonate was 100 mEq (100–150) for patients who received intravenous bicarbonate. Insulin and fluid requirements in the first 24 hours were significantly higher in patients who received intravenous bicarbonate compared with those who did not (100 units vs 86 units; p = 0.04 and 7.6 L vs 7.2 L; p = 0.01, respectively). There was no significant difference in hours of continuous insulin infusion (27 hours vs 26 hours; p = 0.09) or potassium requirements in the first 24 hours of hospital stay (135 mEq vs 120 mEq; p = 0.84). CONCLUSIONS Intravenous bicarbonate therapy did not decrease time to resolution of acidosis or time to hospital discharge for patients with DKA with an initial pH less than 7.0.
Music Builds Character Aristotle, Politics VIII 5, 1340a14–b5
Authors: Brüllmann Philipp 
Published: June 2013

Abstract This essay offers a new interpretation of Aristotle’s remarks on how music affects the character of its listeners (Pol. VIII 5, 1340a14-b5). I will argue that these remarks appear less cryptic if we remember that Aristotle’s conception of moral virtue regards emotions not just as motivational forces (which help or hinder us from doing the right things) but as constitutive of virtuous behaviour itself. The main advantage of this approach to Polities VIII 5 is that it fits the dialectical setting of the text, which is marked by a disagreement over the powers of music and by the attempt to rely on empirical observations.
An allometric method for measuring leaf growth in eelgrass, Zostera marina, using leaf length data
Authors: Echavarría-Heras Héctor , Solana-Arellano Elena , Leal-Ramírez Cecilia , Vizcaino Ernesto Franco 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
The rate of production of leaf biomass in eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) is an indicator variable for environmental influences on the growth of this important seagrass species. The efforts to restore eelgrass meadows from the harmful human influences make the use of nondestructive evaluations essential. We present, here, an indirect procedure for the estimation of the growth rates of eelgrass leaves by using easily obtained measurements of leaf length and increases in leaf length, and allometric parameters linked to the scaling of leaf biomass and leaf length. This allometric method includes criteria that allow the estimation of leaf growth rates even when the sizes of some of the leaves cannot be determined because of herbivory or other environmental factors. To validate the proposed method, we performed simulation studies and analyzed data from two natural eelgrass populations in the East Pacific (México). These allometric projections of leaf growth rates displayed a high level of correspondence with observed values. We show that whenever the allometric parameters for the scaling of eelgrass leaf dry weight in terms of leaf length have been previously fitted, the method proposed here can provide an alternative for estimating biomass production that is both accurate and nondestructive and uses easily obtained data on leaf length and increases in leaf length between the sampling periods.
MDR-1 genotypes and quetiapine pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers
Authors: González-Vacarezza Nicolás , Dorado Pedro , Peñas-Lledó Eva M. , Fariñas Humberto , Estévez-Carrizo Francisco E. , LLerena Adrián 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background: P-glycoprotein is an efflux transporter encoded by the multidrug-resistance MDR-1 gene, which influences the absorption and excretion of a variety of drugs. The relation between quetiapine pharmacokinetics and MDR-1 genetic polymorphisms remains controversial. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze the association between quetiapine plasma concentrations and MDR-1 genetic polymorphisms in a bioequivalence trial.

Methods: Quetiapine bioequivalence was studied in 24 unrelated healthy Caucasian adults with an open-label, randomized, cross-over, two-sequence and two-period design. Subjects were genotyped for 3435C>T and 1236C>T single-nucleotide polymorphisms. A linear mixed model was performed to compare pharmacokinetic parameters.

Results: Subjects with 3435T/T genotype vs. C carriers showed a higher area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 36 h (p=0.01). Subjects classified according to 1236C>T SNP and haplotypes showed no statistically significant differences.

Conclusions: These results suggest that the polymorphic MDR-1, in particular the 3435C>T allelic variant, might influence plasma levels of quetiapine.
Concept of interactions between consumable substances in Ayurveda with special reference to foods and drugs
Authors: Sarkar Prasanta Kumar , Chaudhari Supriyo , Chattopadhyay Abichal 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Ayurvedic medicines are available in the market as over-the-counter products. Today people use prescription and nonprescription medicines along with Ayurvedic medicines for quick relief from ailments. In the ancient texts of Ayurveda, the concept of interactions with various examples of food interactions and food-drug interactions are mentioned. Recent studies and publications reported drug interactions of Ayurveda medicines and modern drugs. In the present review article, the concept of interactions mentioned in the Ayurvedic texts along with the examples of food interactions, food-drug interactions and the recent research work and publications indicating the interactions of the Ayurvedic drugs and drug interactions of Ayurvedic medicines and modern drugs are compiled. This will help the consumer of the prescription and nonprescription medicines with the Ayurvedic medicines to be cautious about the probable interactions.
Guaranteed to Fail: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and What to Do about Them**
Authors: Acharya Viral , Richardson Matthew , Van Nieuwerburgh Stijn , White Lawrence J. 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
In July 2008, in a column in the Canadian newspaper National Post, David Frum, the former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, wrote: “The shapers of the American mortgage finance system hoped to achieve the security of government ownership, the integrity of local banking and the ingenuity of Wall Street. Instead they got the ingenuity of government, the security of local banking and the integrity of Wall Street.” He has a point.
The Potential Scarcity of Rare Elements for the Energiewende
Authors: Bradshaw Alex M. , Reuter Benjamin , Hamacher Thomas 
Published: June 2013

AbstractIn the next few decades there is expected to be a global shift in power generation from fossil fuels and nuclear fission to various forms of renewable energy. This process will be accompanied, however, by a strong demand for non-fuel raw materials required for the generation, storage, transmission and utilisation of these energy forms. Some of the raw materials are potentially exhaustible; some are already regarded, rightly or wrongly, as geochemically “scarce”. Many of them have been characterised by steep price increases in recent years. Examples are neodymium, praseodymium and dysprosium for rare earth-based permanent magnets in wind turbines; indium, gallium, selenium and tellurium for thin film solar cells; helium. The supply situation with regard to such elements is often described as “critical”. A possible geochemical scarcity is, however, not the only factor contributing to this designation; the supply situation is influenced by various other parameters. We discuss the use of the terms “critical” and “criticality” in this context, pointing out the confusion which arises because of a different meaning of the terms in the physical sciences. In examining the elements mentioned above – both with respect to the supply situation and to their specific energy-oriented applications – we look at the issues of potential geochemical scarcity, substitutability and extraction as by-product. Together with the recycling potential these are three important indicators, or constraint parameters, in so-called criticality analyses. Geochemical scarcity already seems to play a role in the case of helium and could also soon become apparent for tellurium, indium and possibly dysprosium. We conclude that geochemical scarcity may pertain as a consequence of mineral depletion when average grades of ore are falling, but at the same time inflation-corrected mineral prices are rising. The use of rare metals for the production of renewable energy – like nearly all resource-consuming systems in our society – does not satisfy “strong” sustainability criteria.
A general and efficient entry to asymmetric tetrazines for click chemistry applications
Authors: Wang Danzhu , Chen Weixuan , Zheng Yueqin , Dai Chaofeng , Wang Lifang , Wang Binghe 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
The importance of click chemistry is widely recognized. Among all the known click reactions, those involving tetrazines represent the fastest click reactions reported and are generating a great deal of interest. However, there is no efficient entry to asymmetric tetrazines and those with strong electron withdrawing groups, which limits the development of this field. Herein, we report a general and efficient entry to asymmetric tetrazines with strongly electron withdrawing groups.
Delamination detection in a 90-year-old glulam block with scanning dry point-contact ultrasound
Authors: Neuenschwander Jürg , Sanabria Sergio J. , Schuetz Philipp , Widmann Robert , Vogel Mareike 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Glued laminated timber (glulam) is known in timber constructions since more than 100 years. Glulam members can delaminate due to aging and excessive changes of temperature and humidity. This results in significantly reduced load bearing capability of the affected structural members. This contribution focuses on the ultrasonic point-contact inspection of gluing plane delamination as a nondestructive method. Ultrasonic measurements on a section of a 90-year-old roofing glulam member are presented. The results are compared with manual detection and evaluation of delamination with a feeler gauge, with X-ray computed tomography analyses, and with numerical simulations. Appropriate data evaluation of the mechanized ultrasonic results allows the determination of material separation that are deeper than 20 mm in the signature of the surface wave and large-scale delamination (>80% of the complete bonding width) in the back-wall echo. Numerical simulations based on the finite-difference time-domain method shed light into the details of the wave propagation and support the experimental findings.
Secretion of a bundle of (1→3)-β-glucan hollow fibrils from protoplasts of callus suspension under a Ca2+-rich and acidic stressed condition
Authors: Matsuo Shintaro , Takenaga Akane , Seyama Tomoko , Kondo Tetsuo 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
A fiber bundle composed of hollow fibrils is secreted from protoplasts of white birch (Betula phatyphylla Sukatcher var. japonica Kan No. 8) leaves callus and the secretion is more efficient in an acidic medium containing high concentration of Ca2+. The influence of the Ca2+ concentration and pH has been investigated concerning the number of cells secreted. The secreted hollow fibers were very thin. The 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra indicated that the fibers are composed of linear (1→3)-β-glucan without branches (callose). The potential utilization of such unique callose fibers and their optimized production needs more investigation.
Effect of hydrothermal treatment intensity on the formation of degradation products from birchwood
Authors: Borrega Marc , Niemelä Klaus , Sixta Herbert 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Hydrothermal treatments (HT) of birchwood were conducted at various intensities to extract the hemicelluloses before pulping. The amount of hemicellulose-derived sugars in the hydrolysates, including xylulose, an isomerization product of xylose, reached first a maximum and then decreased with further increasing treatment intensity. The hydrolysates also contained furanic compounds, carboxylic acids, and a large variety of aromatics, the amounts of which were dependent on HT intensity. At high treatment intensities, furfural and acetic acid were the main products quantified. Numerous nonvolatile, low molar mass carboxylic acids were also formed, with 3-deoxypentonic acid being the most abundant. Additionally, almost 40 aromatic monomers and up to 30 dimers were detected. Syringaldehyde was the main monomer and syringaresinol was the main dimer. Some aromatic compounds could not be identified. The complexity of the hydrolysates, particularly after high-intensity HT, requires selective filtration and purification methods before the hydrolysates can be utilized in downstream processes.
Adolescents with anorectal malformation: physical outcome, sexual health and quality of life
Authors: Stenström Pernilla , Kockum Christina Clementson , Benér Despina Katsianikou , Ivarsson Camilla , Arnbjörnsson Einar 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Background: The necessity of referring adolescents with anorectal malformation (ARM) from pediatric units to adult care is unclear. The issue requires knowledge about the health of the adolescent.
Objective: To examine the physical outcome, sexual health and quality of life (QoL) in adolescents with ARM.
Methods: At medical counseling, 24 adolescents with ARM, 15–21 years of age, answered questionnaires about physical outcome according to the Krickenbeck follow-up and QoL according to SF 36 and gastrointestinal quality of life (Giqli). Matched control groups were used; 15 adolescents participated in deep interviews about sexual health and body imaging.
Results: Fecal soiling, constipation and gas incontinence were much higher for ARM patients compared with controls (p<0.05). QoL regarding large bowel function was lower for both genders compared with controls (p<0.05). Females scored lower in physically related QoL (p<0.05). Social and sexual adaption to the symptoms was obvious in the deep interviews.
Conclusion: Adolescents with ARM have considerable intestinal symptoms, which influence QoL and require adaption in intimate situations. A referral to adult care seems to be important, and continuous cooperation between the pediatric surgeon and adult care is suggested.
Modelling the Effect of Processing Parameters of Continuous Flow High Pressure Throttling System and Microfluidizer on Particle Size Distribution of Soymilk
Authors: Sivanandan Litha , Toledo Romeo T. , Singh Rakesh K. 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Texture, appearance, and emulsion stability of soymilk are affected by the size and distribution of suspended particles. To produce soymilk which contains all solids in the soy, whole dehulled beans were used in the study. A microfluidizer with throttling valve attachment was used to study the influence of various pressure levels on the particle size distribution of soymilk. Soymilk was processed with a continuous flow high pressure throttling (CFHPT) system to study the effects of different pressures and flow rates in the temperature rise and particle size distribution of soymilk. The results showed that there existed a significant effect of flow rate through the CFHPT on the particle size suspended in soymilk. Temperature rise was proportional to increase in pressure of the CFHPT system. Significant decrease in particle size of soymilk was obtained by increasing pressure for both CFHPT and microfluidizer. Empirical models were established between the pressure applied, volume fraction of particle size, and particle size diameter obtained for soymilk in each system.
Planning Marketing Channels: Case of the Olive Oil Agribusiness in Portugal
Authors: Manuel de Sousa Fragoso Rui 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Marketing channels play an important role in the competitiveness of agribusiness value chains. Thus, this paper proposes a model for planning marketing channels in agribusiness that also considers transaction costs. This model is developed in two steps, diagnostic and decision, and is applied to the olive oil agribusiness in Portugal. The diagnostic step includes analysis of the agribusiness chain value, marketing channels, transaction characteristics, and institutional environment. The decision step fits the information from the diagnostic into a qualitative cost–benefit analysis, based on a multi-criteria problem of ordering preferences.
Dichloroacetate at therapeutic concentration alters glucose metabolism and induces regulatory T-cell differentiation in alloreactive human lymphocytes
Authors: Eleftheriadis Theodoros , Pissas Georgios , Karioti Aggeliki , Antoniadi Georgia , Antoniadis Nikolaos , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Stefanidis Ioannis 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background: Most cancer cells rely on aerobic glycolysis. Dichloroacetate (DCA) inhibits aerobic glycolysis and is a promising relatively nontoxic anticancer compound. However, rapidly proliferating effector T-cells also rely on aerobic glycolysis, whereas regulatory T-cells (Treg) do not. The effect of DCA on glucose metabolism and Treg differentiation was evaluated in alloreactive lymphocytes.

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy volunteers were used in a two-way mixed lymphocyte reaction. Lymphocyte proliferation was assessed by cell counting; DCA cytotoxicity, by lactate dehydrogenase release assay; and glucose uptake and aerobic glycolysis, by measuring in the supernatants the correspondent glucose and lactate concentrations. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) was measured in the supernatants, whereas the Treg signature transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) was measured in cell lysates by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: DCA had a minor effect on lymphocyte proliferation and cytotoxicity. However, DCA decreased glucose uptake and inhibited aerobic glycolysis. Finally, DCA markedly increased the production of IL-10 and the expression of FOXP3.

Conclusions: DCA inhibits aerobic glycolysis and induces Treg differentiation in human alloreactive lymphocytes. This could result in decreased immunosurveillance in case of its use as an anticancer drug. However, DCA could play a role as an immunosuppressant in the fields of transplantation and autoimmunity.
A Class of Unbiased Estimators of the Average Treatment Effect in Randomized Experiments
Authors: Aronow Peter M. , Middleton Joel A. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractWe derive a class of design-based estimators for the average treatment effect that are unbiased whenever the treatment assignment process is known. We generalize these estimators to include unbiased covariate adjustment using any model for outcomes that the analyst chooses. We then provide expressions and conservative estimators for the variance of the proposed estimators.
Estimating the Effect of a Community-Based Intervention with Two Communities
Authors: van der Laan Mark J. , Petersen Maya , Zheng Wenjing 
Published: June 2013

AbstractDue to the need to evaluate the effectiveness of community-based programs in practice, there is substantial interest in methods to estimate the causal effects of community-level treatments or exposures on individual level outcomes. The challenge one is confronted with is that different communities have different environmental factors affecting the individual outcomes, and all individuals in a community share the same environment and intervention. In practice, data are often available from only a small number of communities, making it difficult if not impossible to adjust for these environmental confounders. In this paper we consider an extreme version of this dilemma, in which two communities each receives a different level of the intervention, and covariates and outcomes are measured on a random sample of independent individuals from each of the two populations; the results presented can be straightforwardly generalized to settings in which more than two communities are sampled. We address the question of what conditions are needed to estimate the causal effect of the intervention, defined in terms of an ideal experiment in which the exposed level of the intervention is assigned to both communities and individual outcomes are measured in the combined population, and then the clock is turned back and a control level of the intervention is assigned to both communities and individual outcomes are measured in the combined population. We refer to the difference in the expectation of these outcomes as the marginal (overall) treatment effect. We also discuss conditions needed for estimation of the treatment effect on the treated community. We apply a nonparametric structural equation model to define these causal effects and to establish conditions under which they are identified. These identifiability conditions provide guidance for the design of studies to investigate community level causal effects and for assessing the validity of causal interpretations when data are only available from a few communities. When the identifiability conditions fail to hold, the proposed statistical parameters still provide nonparametric treatment effect measures (albeit non-causal) whose statistical interpretations do not depend on model specifications. In addition, we study the use of a matched cohort sampling design in which the units of different communities are matched on individual factors. Finally, we provide semiparametric efficient and doubly robust targeted MLE estimators of the community level causal effect based on i.i.d. sampling and matched cohort sampling.