bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tip enhanced Raman scattering: plasmonic enhancements for nanoscale chemical analysis
Authors: Schultz Zachary D. , Marr James M. , Wang Hao 
Published: October 2013

AbstractTip enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) is an emerging technique that uses a metalized scanning probe microscope tip to spatially localize electric fields that enhances Raman scattering enabling chemical imaging on nanometer dimensions. Arising from the same principles as surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), TERS offers unique advantages associated with controling the size, shape, and location of the enhancing nanostructure. In this article we discuss the correlations between current understanding of SERS and how this relates to TERS, as well as how TERS provides new understanding and insights. The relationship between plasmon resonances and Raman enhancements is emphasized as the key to obtaining optimal TERS results. Applications of TERS, including chemical analysis of carbon nanotubes, organic molecules, inorganic crystals, nucleic acids, proteins, cells and organisms, are used to illustrate the information that can be gained. Under ideal conditions TERS is capable of single molecule sensitivity and sub-nanometer spatial resolution. The ability to control plasmonic enhancements for chemical analysis suggests new experiments and opportunities to understand molecular composition and interactions on the nanoscale.
Occupational Burnout and Severe Injuries: An Eight‐year Prospective Cohort Study among Finnish Forest Industry Workers
Authors: Ahola Kirsi , Salminen Simo , Toppinen‐Tanner Salla , Koskinen Aki , Väänänen Ari 
Published: October 2013

Occupational Burnout and Severe Injuries: An Eight‐year Prospective Cohort Study among Finnish Forest Industry Workers : Kirsi AHOLA, et al. Development of Work and Work Organizations, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Finland—ObjectivesBurnout is a psychological consequence of prolonged work stress. Studies have shown that it is related to physical and mental disorders. The safety outcomes of burnout have been studied to a lesser extent and only in the work context. This study explored the effect of burnout on future severe injuries regardless of their context.MethodsA total of 10,062 forest industry employees (77% men, 63% manual workers) without previous injuries participated in 1996 or 2000 in the “Still Working” study examining the work‐related antecedents of health and mortality. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory‐General Survey. Injuries leading to death or hospitalization were regarded as severe. We extracted such injuries from independent national registers. The relationship between burnout and new injuries was analyzed using Cox proportional regression. The analyses were adjusted for age, sex, marital status, and occupational status.ResultsThere were 788 new injuries over eight years. Injuries were more common among male and manual workers. After adjustments, each one‐unit increase in the burnout score was related to a 9% increase in the risk of injury (95% confidence interval: 1.02−1.17). Experiencing symptoms at least monthly was related to a 1.18‐fold adjusted injury risk (95% CI: 1.02−1.36). Of the subscales of burnout, exhaustion and cynicism but not lack of professional efficacy predicted injuries after adjustments.ConclusionsIn addition to mental and physical disorders, burnout predicts severe injuries. Developing work conditions and optimizing workload may enhance safety and decrease health expenses related to all injuries.
Growth of Polycrystalline Indium Phosphide Nanowires on Copper
Authors: Norris Kate J. , Zhang Junce , Fryauf David M. , Coleman Elane , Tompa Gary S. , Kobayashi Nobuhiko P. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTOur nation discards more than 50% of the total input energy as waste heat in various industrial processes such as metal refining, heat engines, and cooling. If we could harness a small fraction of the waste heat through the use of thermoelectric (TE) devices while satisfying the economic demands of cost versus performance, then TE power generation could bring substantial positive impacts to our society in the forms of reduced carbon emissions and additional energy. To increase the unit-less figure of merit, ZT, single-crystal semiconductor nanowires have been extensively studied as a building block for advanced TE devices because of their predicted large reduction in thermal conductivity and large increase in power factor. In contrast, polycrystalline bulk semiconductors also indicate their potential in improving overall efficiency of thermal-to-electric conversion despite their large number of grain boundaries. To further our goal of developing practical and economical TE devices, we designed a material platform that combines nanowires and polycrystalline semiconductors which are integrated on a metallic surface. We will assess the potential of polycrystalline group III-V compound semiconductor nanowires grown on low-cost copper sheets that have ideal electrical/thermal properties for TE devices. We chose indium phosphide (InP) from group III-V compound semiconductors because of its inherent characteristics of having low surface states density in comparison to others, which is expected to be important for polycrystalline nanowires that contain numerous grain boundaries. Using metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) polycrystalline InP nanowires were grown in three-dimensional networks in which electrical charges and heat travel under the influence of their characteristic scattering mechanisms over a distance much longer than the mean length of the constituent nanowires. We studied the growth mechanisms of polycrystalline InP nanowires on copper surfaces by analyzing their chemical, optical, and structural properties in comparison to those of single-crystal InP nanowires formed on single-crystal surfaces. We also assessed the potential of polycrystalline InP nanowires on copper surfaces as a TE material by modeling based on finite-element analysis to obtain physical insights of three-dimensional networks made of polycrystalline InP nanowires. Our discussion will focus on the synthesis of polycrystalline InP nanowires on copper surfaces and structural properties of the nanowires analyzed by transmission electron microscopy that provides insight into possible nucleation mechanisms, growth mechanisms, and the nature of grain boundaries of the nanowires.
Quaternary Chalcogenide Nanocrystals: Synthesis of Cu2ZnSnSe4 by Solid State Reaction and their Thermoelectric Properties
Authors: Farva Umme , Park Chan 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTIn this paper, synthesis of Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) materials by using simple and cost-effective solid state reaction method from the elemental Cu, ZnO, SnO and elemental Se powders are carried out. The SEM images show spherical, non-uniform size with aggregation of nanopowders. The phase separation and thermal analysis of the milled powders suggested that most of the starting powders reacted because of a mechanical alloying effect during milling process. After the solid state reaction at above 500 °C, the nanopowders crystallized into stannite single phase, which are confirm by XRD spectra. The thermoelectric properties of synthesized powder are under study.
The Cost-Effectiveness of Using Payment to Increase Living Donor Kidneys for Transplantation
Authors: Barnieh Lianne , Gill John S. , Klarenbach Scott , Manns Braden J. 
Published: October 2013

Summary

Background and objectives
For eligible candidates, transplantation is considered the optimal treatment compared with dialysis for patients with ESRD. The growing number of patients with ESRD requires new strategies to increase the pool of potential donors.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
Using decision analysis modeling, this study compared a strategy of paying living kidney donors to waitlisted recipients on dialysis with the current organ donation system. In the base case estimate, this study assumed that the number of donors would increase by 5% with a payment of $10,000. Quality of life estimates, resource use, and costs (2010 Canadian dollars) were based on the best available published data.

Results
Compared with the current organ donation system, a strategy of increasing the number of kidneys for transplantation by 5% by paying living donors $10,000 has an incremental cost-savings of $340 and a gain of 0.11 quality-adjusted life years. Increasing the number of kidneys for transplantation by 10% and 20% would translate into incremental cost-savings of $1640 and $4030 and incremental quality-adjusted life years gain of 0.21 and 0.39, respectively.

Conclusion
Although the impact is uncertain, this model suggests that a strategy of paying living donors to increase the number of kidneys available for transplantation could be cost-effective, even with a transplant rate increase of only 5%. Future work needs to examine the feasibility, legal policy, ethics, and public perception of a strategy to pay living donors.
Reproducibility of measurements in tablet-assisted, PC-aided, and manual cephalometric analysis
Authors: Goracci Cecilia , Ferrari Marco 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT

Objective:
To assess the reproducibility of cephalometric measurements performed with software for a tablet, with a program for personal computers (PCs), and manually.

Materials and Methods:
The pretreatment lateral cephalograms of 20 patients that were acquired using the same digital cephalometer were collected. Tracings were performed with NemoCeph for Windows (Nemotec), with SmileCeph for iPad (Glace Software), and by hand. Landmark identification was carried out with a mouse-driven cursor using NemoCeph and with a stylus pen on the iPad screen using SmileCeph. Hand tracings were performed on printouts of the cephalograms, using a 0.3-mm 2H pencil and a protractor. Cephalometric landmarks and linear and angular measurements were recorded. All the tracings were done by the same investigator. To evaluate reproducibility, for each cephalometric measurement the agreement between the value derived from NemoCeph, that given by SmileCeph and that measured manually was assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Agreement was rated as low for an ICC ≤0.75, and an ICC &gt; 0.75 was considered indicative of good agreement. Also, differences in measurements between each software and manual tracing were statistically evaluated (P &lt; .05).

Results:
All the measurements had ICC &gt;0.8, indicative of a high agreement among the tracing methods. Relatively lower ICCs occurred for linear measurements related to the occlusal plane and to N perpendicular to the Frankfurt plane. Differences in measurements between both software programs and hand tracing were not statistically significant for any of the cephalometric parameters.

Conclusion:
Tablet-assisted, PC-aided, and manual cephalometric tracings showed good agreement.
Cone-beam computed tomography for assessment of palatal displaced canine position: A methodological study
Authors: Naoumova Julia , Kjellberg Heidrun , Palm Reet 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT

Objective:
To assess the inter- and intraexaminer reliability of a measurement method for evaluation of eruption angles and position of palatal displaced canines (PDCs) with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and to test the validity of the measured angles on a dry skull.

Materials and Methods:
Twenty patients (eight boys, 12 girls; age 11.4 ± 1.2 years) were randomly chosen among 67 patients from a study evaluating the interceptive effect of extracting the deciduous canine in children with PDCs. In total, 60 images were analyzed, because each patient had three CBCT examinations (baseline, 6-month control, and endpoint). Two observers assessed the following measurements twice: mesioangular and sagittal angle, vertical position, canine cusp tip, and canine apex to dental arch. The validity of the angular measurements was tested against angular measurements on a dry skull using mathematical formulations.

Results:
The inter- and intraexaminer mean differences for angular and linear measurements were all low and statistically insignificant (P &gt; .05). The mean differences between the physical and 3D measurements were 0.5 ± 0.39 mm for the sagittal angle and 0.22 ± 0.19 mm for the mesioangular angle.

Conclusions:
Linear and angular measurements on CBCT images are accurate and precise and can be used to assess the precise position of a PDC.
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase g894t (rs1799983) gene polymorphism in polish athletes
Authors: Eider Jerzy , Ficek Krzysztof , Kaczmarczyk Mariusz , Maciejewska-Karłowska Agnieszka , Sawczuk Marek , Cięszczyk Paweł 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
The NOS3 gene has been associated with athletic endurance performance and elite power athletic status. With respect to NOS3 G894T and its relation to athletic performance or status, results across various studies have not been consistent. Therefore, the lack of consistency among previous studies prompted us to design a case-control study in a Polish Caucasian population to examine the relationship between the NOS3 G894T polymorphism and athletes' status, i.e. type and intensity of exercise performed (poweroriented, “mixed” power/endurance activity, endurance-oriented) and the possible association between the G894T variant and athletic performance. The case-control study was performed in a group of 360 Polish athletes (cases) of the highest nationally competitive standard (male n=156 and female n=67) and 191 unrelated, sedentary control subjects. The G894T genotype and allele distributions differed significantly between power-oriented (P=0.009, P=0.003), “mixed” (P=0.021, P=0.009), endurance (P=0.043, P=0.014) athletes when compared to control subjects (P values for genotypes and alleles, respectively). There were no significant differences between elite and sub-elite athletes in any group. The over-representation of the GG genotype and G allele in all athletes suggests that the G894 allele may favour all types of sports, however, the strongest predisposition was seen among power-oriented athletes.
Do novel cement-type biomaterials reveal ion reactivity that affects cell viability in vitro?
Authors: Przekora Agata , Czechowska Joanna , Pijocha Dawid , Ślósarczyk Anna , Ginalska Grażyna 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Calcium phosphate bioceramics have been studied as bone filler materials for years and have become a component of many commercial products. It is widely known that surface-reactive biomaterials may cause changes in the concentration of crucial ions in the surrounding environment, thereby affecting cell metabolism and viability. The aim of this study was to produce five cement-type biomaterials and characterize their phase composition using X-ray diffraction method, and porosity and pore size distribution using mercury intrusion porosimeter. We then evaluated ion interactions of the novel biomaterials with the surrounding environment (culture medium). A commercially available bone substitute, HydroSet™ (Stryker®), was used as a reference. MTT and NRU cytotoxicity tests were performed to assess the effect of changes in the concentration of crucial ions (calcium, magnesium, phosphate) on osteoblast metabolism and viability in vitro. Our study clearly indicated that various biomaterials demonstrated different ion reactivity and consequently may cause changes in ion concentration in the local environment. Critically low or high values of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate concentrations in the medium exerted cytotoxic effects on the cultured cells. Moreover, we discovered that the chemical composition of the culture medium had a substantial influence on ion interactions with biomaterials.
Unexpected Finding of Delayed-Onset Seizures in HIV-Positive, Treatment-Experienced Subjects in the Phase Iib Evaluation of Fosdevirine (Gsk2248761)
Authors: Margolis David A , Eron Joseph J , DeJesus Edwin , White Scott , Wannamaker Paul , Stancil Britt , Johnson Mark 
Published: October 2013

Background Fosdevirine (GSK2248761) is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor with HIV-1 activity against common efavirenz-resistant strains. Two partially blind, randomized, Phase IIb studies were initiated (1 in treatment-naive and 1 in treatment-experienced subjects with HIV) to select a once-daily dose of fosdevirine for Phase III trials. Methods In the SIGNET study, treatment-naive subjects were randomized 1:1:1 to receive once-daily fosdevirine 100 or 200 mg or efavirenz 600 mg, each along with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine 300 mg/200 mg or abacavir/lamivudine 600 mg/300 mg. In the SONNET study, treatment-experienced subjects with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-resistant HIV-1 were randomized 1:1:1 to treatment with fosdevirine 100 or 200 mg once daily or etravirine 200 mg twice daily, each along with twice-daily darunavir/ritonavir 600/100 mg and raltegravir 400 mg. The primary efficacy end point was the proportion of subjects with HIV-1 RNA<50 copies/ml. Safety and pharmacokinetics were also addressed. Results A total of 35 subjects were exposed to fosdevirine 100 or 200 mg. Trials were halted when 5 treatment-experienced subjects (1 receiving fosdevirine 100 mg, 4 receiving fosdevirine 200 mg) developed new-onset seizures after ≥4 weeks of exposure to fosdevirine. There was no clear association between seizures and fosdevirine plasma drug levels. Time to seizure onset ranged from 28 to 81 days, and all 5 subjects experienced ≥1 seizure after drug discontinuation. Conclusions The delayed onset of seizures after fos-devirine exposure and persistence after discontinuation is without precedent in antiretroviral drug development, leading to additional investigation and underscoring the need for careful subject monitoring.
Sodium Tanshinone Iia Sulfonate Inhibits Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus via Suppressing N Gene Expression and Blocking Virus-Induced Apoptosis
Authors: Sun Na , Li E , Wang Zhiwei , Zhao Junxing , Wang Shaoyu , He Junping , Bai Yuansheng , Li Hongquan 
Published: October 2013

Background Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes significant economic loss in the swine industry. Currently, there is no effective way to prevent PRRSV infection. Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS), a natural compound derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza, was shown to possess anti-PRRSV activity, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of STS on PRRSV-induced cell apoptosis and PRRSV N protein expression pattern. Methods Relative quantification real-time PCR was used to evaluate the inhibition of STS on N gene expression. Simultaneously indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and western blot were used to assess the effect on N protein expression. Apoptosis was analysed using fluorescence microscope with an annexin V-EGFP kit. The effect of STS on caspase-3 cleaving was assessed by western blot. Results Our results showed that STS could inhibit viral N gene expression at both the messenger RNA stage and at the protein level in PRRSV-infected cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, STS could also rescue PRRSV-induced apoptosis. Conclusions Our data suggest that STS may serve as a base compound for developing more effective drugs against PRRSV infection.
Anthropometric Measurements and Lipid Profiles to Detect Early Lipodystrophy in Antiretroviral Therapy Experienced HIV-Infected Children in the Chapas-3 Trial
Authors: Musiime Victor , Cook Adrian , Kayiwa Joshua , Zangata Dorothy , Nansubuga Carol , Arach Beatrice , Kenny Julia , Wavamunno Priscilla , Komunyena Justine , Kabamba Desiree , Asiimwe Alice R , Mirembe Grace , Abongomera George , Mulenga Veronica , Kekitiinwa Adeodata , Kityo Cissy , Walker Sarah A , Klein Nigel , Gibb Diana M ,   the CHAPAS-3 trial team
Published: October 2013

Background Few studies have investigated objective markers of lipodystrophy in African children. We compared body circumferences, skin-fold thickness (SFT) and lipids in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive and stavudine (d4T)-exposed children with HIV-uninfected controls. Methods In the CHAPAS-3 trial, HIV-infected children (ART-naive or on d4T for ≥2 years without clinical lipodystrophy) were randomized to d4T, abacavir or zidovudine with lamivudine (3TC) plus a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC) and calf circumference (CC), SFT (biceps, triceps, sub-scapular and supra-iliac) and fasting lipids (total cholesterol [TC], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], high-density lipoprotein [HDL] and triglycerides [TRIG]) were measured at randomization in all HIV-infected children, and in HIV-uninfected controls. Age- and sex-adjusted z-scores of MUAC, CC, SFT and the sum of SFT (SSF) using Dutch reference data were compared across groups using linear regression. Results Of 496 children, 49% were male, 299 (median age 2.5 years [IQR 1.5–4.0]) were ART-naive, 109 (median age 6 years [IQR 5.5–7.0]) were ART-experienced and 88 (median age 2.2 years [IQR 1.5–3.0]) were control children. Overall, 100% and 95% of ART-experienced children had been on d4T plus 3TC and nevirapine, respectively, for a median 3.5 years (IQR 2.6–4.2). Mean (sd) weight-for-age z-scores and MUAC z-scores were -1.51 (1.29) versus -0.90 (0.88) versus -0.33 (1.15) and -1.56 (1.25) versus -1.24 (0.97) versus -0.65 (1.06) in ART-naive versus -experienced versus controls, respectively (all P<0.02). The mean (sd) of SSF was lower in the ART-experienced (-0.78 [1.28]) than in the ART-naive (-0.32 [1.09]; P<0.0001) children and controls (-0.29 [0.88]; P<0.002). ART-experienced children had higher mean fasting TC, LDL and HDL but lower TRIG compared to ART-naive children ( P-values <0.0001), and higher TC and HDL but lower TRIG compared to controls ( P-values <0.01). Conclusions In ART-experienced children on d4T-containing regimens, we observed lower SFT and higher TC and LDL values compared to ART-naive children and HIV-uninfected controls.
Low-Dose Pegylated Interferon-α2A plus Ribavirin Therapy for Elderly And/Or Cirrhotic Patients with HCV Genotype-1B and High Viral Load
Authors: Tamai Hideyuki , Mori Yoshiyuki , Shingaki Naoki , Kawashima Akira , Tsukuda Hiroshi , Higashi Katsuhiko , Moribata Kosaku , Kawaguchi Masanori , Ueda Kazuki , Deguchi Hisanobu , Inoue Izumi , Maekita Takao , Iguchi Mikitaka , Kato Jun , Ichinose Masao 
Published: October 2013

Background Pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin therapy is still recommended for elderly and/or cirrhotic patients. This study examined whether sustained virological response (SVR) to low-dose PEG-IFN-α2a plus ribavirin therapy for elderly and/or cirrhotic patients could be predicted based on viral reduction within 2 weeks after therapy initiation or interleukin IL-(28B) polymorphism and viral mutations. Methods Participants comprised 115 elderly (≥65 years) and/or cirrhotic patients with genotype-1b and high viral load. Reduced doses of PEG-IFN-α2a (90 μg/kg/week) and ribavirin (400-800 mg/day) were administered for 48-72 weeks based on virological response of each patient. Results SVR was achieved in 34% (39/115), and treatment was discontinued in 15% (17/115). Univariate analysis identified age, α-fetoprotein, fibrosis marker, interferon sensitivity-determining region (ISDR), IL-28B polymorphism and level of viral reduction within 2 weeks as factors contributing significantly to SVR. However, no significant differences were noted in core amino acid substitutions. Multivariate analysis identified age, hyaluronic acid, ISDR and viral reduction as factors independently associated with SVR. Positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of SVR based on the level of viral reduction at 2 weeks (cutoff level, 1.7 log IU/ml) were 83% and 84%, respectively. The PPV of SVR based on IL-28B major and ISDR mutant was 70%, and the NPV of SVR based on IL-28B minor and wild-type ISDR was 89%. Conclusions Evaluations of viral reduction at 2 weeks or both IL-28B and ISDR are useful to predict SVR to low-dose PEG-IFN-α2a plus ribavirin therapy for elderly and/ or cirrhotic patients.