bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Signs of Impending Death in Cancer Patients
Authors: Hui David , dos Santos Renata , Chisholm Gary , Bansal Swati , Silva Thiago Buosi , Kilgore Kelly , Crovador Camila Souza , Yu Xiaoying , Swartz Michael D. , Perez-Cruz Pedro Emilio , Leite Raphael de Almeida , Nascimento Maria Salete de Angelis , Reddy Suresh , Seriaco Fabiola , Yennu Sriram , Paiva Carlos Eduardo , Dev Rony , Hall Stacy , Fajardo Julieta , Bruera Eduardo 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Background.
The physical signs of impending death have not been well characterized in cancer patients. A better understanding of these signs may improve the ability of clinicians to diagnose impending death. We examined the frequency and onset of 10 bedside physical signs and their diagnostic performance for impending death.

Methods.
We systematically documented 10 physical signs every 12 hours from admission to death or discharge in 357 consecutive patients with advanced cancer admitted to two acute palliative care units. We examined the frequency and median onset of each sign from death backward and calculated their likelihood ratios (LRs) associated with death within 3 days.

Results.
In total, 203 of 357 patients (52 of 151 in the U.S., 151 of 206 in Brazil) died. Decreased level of consciousness, Palliative Performance Scale ≤20%, and dysphagia of liquids appeared at high frequency and &gt;3 days before death and had low specificity (&lt;90%) and positive LR (&lt;5) for impending death. In contrast, apnea periods, Cheyne-Stokes breathing, death rattle, peripheral cyanosis, pulselessness of radial artery, respiration with mandibular movement, and decreased urine output occurred mostly in the last 3 days of life and at lower frequency. Five of these signs had high specificity (&gt;95%) and positive LRs for death within 3 days, including pulselessness of radial artery (positive LR: 15.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 13.7–17.4), respiration with mandibular movement (positive LR: 10; 95% CI: 9.1–10.9), decreased urine output (positive LR: 15.2; 95% CI: 13.4–17.1), Cheyne-Stokes breathing (positive LR: 12.4; 95% CI: 10.8–13.9), and death rattle (positive LR: 9; 95% CI: 8.1–9.8).

Conclusion.
We identified highly specific physical signs associated with death within 3 days among cancer patients.
Using Virtual Worlds to Simulate Real-World Audit Procedures
Authors: Buckless Frank A. , Krawczyk Kathy , Showalter D. Scott 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACT
It is not uncommon for educators to struggle with providing their students real-world experiences within the classroom environment. This is particularly true when teaching a subject as application-oriented as auditing. This article furthers existing literature on using virtual worlds in the classroom by describing the learning strategies of using a common virtual world application, Second Life, to simulate a physical examination of inventory in a master's-level auditing class. Specifically, this article explores how an inventory simulation exercise can be used within a virtual world to maximize learning objectives focused on critical thinking and professional judgment, project management and teamwork, effective documentation, interviewing skills, and applying auditing standards. It also examines the feedback received from students in incorporating virtual worlds into the classroom, and lessons learned for future application. Based on pre- and post-assignment surveys, the results demonstrate that students significantly improved their inventory observation knowledge, interviewing, audit documentation, critical thinking, and group work skills completing a virtual world inventory simulation experience. The most significant lesson for instructors to take away is how to include virtual worlds into course activities to maximize the learning objectives.
Distribution of C-Peptide and Its Determinants in North American Children at Risk for Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Xu Ping , Qian Xiaoning , Schatz Desmond A. , Cuthbertson David , Krischer Jeffrey P. ,   the DPT-1 Study Group
Published: April 2014

OBJECTIVE
To determine basal and stimulated C-peptide percentiles in North American children and adolescents at risk for type 1 diabetes (T1D) and to examine factors associated with this distribution in the Diabetes Prevention Trial–Type 1 (DPT-1).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We included 582 subjects aged 4–18 years at randomization in the DPT-1 trials. A 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed at baseline and every 6 months during the 5-year follow-up period. The percentile values of C-peptide after baseline OGTT were estimated according to age, BMI Z score (BMIZ), and/or sex categories. Conditional quantile regression was used to examine the relationship between C-peptide percentiles and various independent variables.

RESULTS
The basal and stimulated C-peptide levels increased significantly as age and BMIZ increased (P &lt; 0.05). Both age and BMIZ had a stronger impact on the upper quartile of C-peptide distributions than the lower quartile. Sex was only significantly associated with stimulated C-peptide. Higher stimulated C-peptide levels were generally observed in girls compared with boys at the same age and BMIZ (P &lt; 0.05). HLA type and number of positive antibodies and antibody titers (islet cell antibody [ICA], insulin autoantibody, GAD65A, and ICA512A) were not significantly associated with C-peptide distribution after adjustment for age, BMIZ, and sex.

CONCLUSIONS
Age-, sex-, and BMIZ-specific C-peptide percentiles can be estimated for North American children and adolescents at risk for T1D. They can be used as an assessment tool that could impact the recommendations in T1D prevention trials.
Complement Factor 3 Is Associated With Insulin Resistance and With Incident Type 2 Diabetes Over a 7-Year Follow-up Period: The CODAM Study
Authors: Wlazlo Nick , van Greevenbroek Marleen M.J. , Ferreira Isabel , Feskens Edith J.M. , van der Kallen Carla J.H. , Schalkwijk Casper G. , Bravenboer Bert , Stehouwer Coen D.A. 
Published: April 2014

OBJECTIVEImmune dysregulation can affect insulin resistance (IR) and β-cell function and hence contribute to development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The complement system, as a regulator of immune and inflammatory homeostasis, may be a relevant contributor therein. However, longitudinal studies focusing on complement as a determinant of T2DM and IR are scarce. Therefore, we prospectively investigated the association of plasma complement factor 3 (C3) with (estimates of) IR in muscle, liver, and adipocytes, as well as with glucose tolerance, including incident T2DM.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSFasting C3, nonesterified fatty acids, glucose, and insulin (the latter two during oral glucose tolerance tests) were measured at baseline (n = 545) and after 7 years of follow-up (n = 394) in a prospective cohort study.RESULTSOver the 7-year period, C3 levels (per 0.1 g/L) were longitudinally associated with higher homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA2-IR; β = 15.2% [95% CI 12.9–17.6]), hepatic IR (β = 6.1% [95% CI 4.7–7.4]), adipocyte IR (β = 16.0% [95% CI 13.0–19.1]), fasting glucose (β = 1.8% [95% CI 1.2–2.4]), 2-h glucose (β = 5.2% [95% CI 3.7–6.7]), and area under the curve for glucose (β = 3.6% [95% CI 2.7–4.6]). In addition, greater changes in C3 (per 0.1 g/L) were associated with greater changes in HOMA2-IR (β = 0.08 [95% CI 0.02–0.15]) and greater changes in hepatic IR (β = 0.87 [95% CI 0.12–1.61]) over 7 years, but not glucose tolerance. Moreover, baseline C3 was associated with the 7-year incidence of T2DM (odds ratio 1.5 [95% CI 1.1–2.0]).CONCLUSIONSChanges in C3 were associated with changes in several measures of IR and may reflect progression of metabolic dysregulation, which eventually leads to abnormalities in glucose tolerance and T2DM.
Gross anatomy of the deep perivertebral musculature in horses
Authors: Rombach Nicole , Stubbs Narelle C. , Clayton Hilary M. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Objective—To determine the gross morphology of the multifidus, longus colli, and longus thoracis muscles in the cervical and cranial thoracic portions of the equine vertebral column.
Sample—15 horse cadavers.
Procedures—The vertebral column was removed intact from the first cervical vertebra (C1) to the seventh thoracic vertebra (T7). After removing the superficial musculature, detailed anatomic dissections of the multifidus, longus colli, and longus thoracis muscles were performed.
Results—The multifidus cervicis muscle consisted of 5 bundles/level arranged in lateral, medial, and deep layers from C2 caudally into the thoracic portion of the vertebral column. Fibers in each bundle attached cranially to a spinous process then diverged laterally, attaching caudally on the dorsolateral edge of the vertebral lamina and blending into the joint capsule of an articular process articulation after crossing 1 to 4 intervertebral joints. The longus colli muscle had ventral, medial, and deep layers with 5 bundles/level from C1 to C5 that attached cranially to the ventral surface of the vertebral body, diverged laterally and crossed 1 to 4 intervertebral joints, then attached onto a vertebral transverse process as far caudally as C6. The longus thoracis muscle consisted of a single, well-defined muscle belly from C6 to T5-T6, with intermediate muscular attachments onto the ventral aspects of the vertebral bodies, the intervertebral symphyses, and the craniomedial aspects of the costovertebral joint capsules.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that there were multiple, short bundles of the multifidus cervicis, multifidus thoracis, and longus colli muscles; this was consistent with a function of providing sagittal plane intersegmental vertebral column stability.
Pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine after intravenous administration of a bolus to cats
Authors: Pypendop Bruno H. , Ilkiw Jan E. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Objective—To characterize the pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine after IV administration of a bolus to conscious healthy cats.
Animals—5 healthy adult spayed female cats.
Procedures—Dexmedetomidine was administered IV as a bolus at 3 doses (5, 20, or 50 μg/kg) on separate days in a random order. Blood samples were collected immediately before and at various times for 8 hours after drug administration. Plasma dexmedetomidine concentrations were determined with liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Compartment models were fitted to the concentration-time data by means of nonlinear regression.
Results—A 2-compartment model best fit the concentration-time data after administration of 5 μg/kg, whereas a 3-compartment model best fit the data after administration of 20 and 50 μg/kg. The median volume of distribution at steady-state and terminal half-life were 371 mL/kg (range, 266 to 435 mL/kg) and 31.8 minutes (range, 30.3 to 39.7 minutes), respectively, after administration of 5 μg/kg; 545 mL/kg (range, 445 to 998 mL/kg) and 56.3 minutes (range, 39.3 to 68.9 minutes), respectively, after administration of 20 μg/kg; and 750 mL/kg (range, 514 to 938 mL/kg) and 75.3 minutes (range, 52.2 to 223.3 minutes), respectively, after administration of 50 μg/kg.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine was characterized by a small volume of distribution and moderate clearance and had minimal dose dependence within the range of doses evaluated. These data will help clinicians design dosing regimens once effective plasma concentrations are established.
Relationship between plasma dexmedetomidine concentration and sedation score and thermal threshold in cats
Authors: Pypendop Bruno H. , Ilkiw Jan E. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Objective—To characterize the relationship between plasma dexmedetomidine concentration and the temperature difference between the thermal threshold and skin temperature (ΔT) and between plasma dexmedetomidine concentration and sedation score in healthy cats.
Animals—5 healthy adult spayed female cats.
Procedures—Cats received IV administrations of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, dexmedetomidine (5, 20, or 50 μg/kg), or acepromazine (0.1 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected and thermal threshold and sedation score were determined before and at various times up to 8 hours after drug administration. In addition, cats received an IV infusion of dexmedetomidine that targeted a concentration achieving 99% of the maximum effect on ΔT.
Results—No change in ΔT over time was found for the saline solution and acepromazine treatments; ΔT increased for 45 minutes when cats received dexmedetomidine at 5 and 20 μg/kg and for 180 minutes when cats received dexmedetomidine at 50 μg/kg. No change in sedation score over time was found for saline solution. Sedation score increased for 120 minutes after cats received acepromazine and for 60, 120, and 180 minutes after cats received dexmedetomidine at 5, 20, and 50 μg/kg, respectively. The plasma dexmedetomidine concentration–effect relationships for the effect on ΔT and sedation score were almost identical. The plasma dexmedetomidine concentration after infusion was lower than targeted, and ΔT was not significantly affected.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Dexmedetomidine administration to cats resulted in thermal analgesia and also profound sedation. These data may be useful for predicting the course of thermal analgesia and sedation after dexmedetomidine administration to cats.
Effects of tylosin administration on C-reactive protein concentration and carriage of Salmonella enterica in pigs
Authors: Kim Hyeun Bum , Singer Randall S. , Borewicz Klaudyna , White Bryan A. , Sreevatsan Srinand , Johnson Timothy J. , Espejo Luis A. , Isaacson Richard E. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Objective—To evaluate the effects of tylosin on C-reactive protein concentration, carriage of Salmonella enterica, and antimicrobial resistance genes in commercial pigs.
Animals—120 pigs on 2 commercial farms.
Procedures—A cohort of sixty 10-week-old pigs in 4 pens/farm (15 pigs/pen) was randomly selected. Equal numbers of pigs were given feed containing tylosin (40 μg/g of feed) for 0, 6, or 12 weeks. C-reactive protein concentrations were measured, microbial culture for S enterica in feces was performed, and antimicrobial resistance genes in feces were quantified.
Results—No significant associations were detected between C-reactive protein concentration or S enterica status and tylosin treatment. During the 12 weeks of tylosin administration, increased levels of 6 antimicrobial resistance genes did not occur.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Treatment of pigs with tylosin did not affect C-reactive protein concentration or reduce carriage or load of S enterica. There was no evidence that pigs receiving tylosin had increased carriage of the 6 antimicrobial resistance genes measured.
Impact for Human Medicine—S enterica is a public health concern. Use of the antimicrobial growth promoter tylosin did not pose a public health risk by means of increased carriage of S enterica.
Accuracy of noninvasive, single-plane fluoroscopic analysis for measurement of three-dimensional femorotibial joint poses in dogs
Authors: Jones Stephen C. , Kim Stanley E. , Banks Scott A. , Conrad Bryan P. , Abbasi Abdullah Z. , Tremolada Giovanni , Lewis Daniel D. , Pozzi Antonio 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Objective—To compare accuracy of a noninvasive single-plane fluoroscopic technique with radiostereometric analysis (RSA) for determining 3-D femorotibial poses in a canine cadaver with normal stifle joints.
Sample—Right pelvic limb from a 25-kg adult mixed-breed dog.
Procedures—A CT scan of the limb was obtained before and after metal beads were implanted into the right femur and tibia. Orthogonal fluoroscopic images of the right stifle joint were acquired to simulate a biplanar fluoroscopic acquisition setup. Images were obtained at 5 flexion angles from 110° to 150° to simulate a gait cycle; 5 cycles were completed. Joint poses were calculated from the biplanar images by use of RSA with CT-derived beaded bone models and compared with measurements obtained by use of CT-derived nonbeaded bone models matched to single-plane, lateral-view fluoroscopic images. Single-plane measurements were performed by 2 observers and repeated 3 times by the primary observer.
Results—Mean absolute differences between the single-plane fluoroscopic analysis and RSA measurements were 0.60, 1.28, and 0.64 mm for craniocaudal, proximodistal, and mediolateral translations, respectively, and 0.63°, 1.49°, and 1.58° for flexion-extension, abduction-adduction, and internal-external rotations, respectively. Intra- and interobserver repeatability was strong with maximum mean translational and rotational SDs of 0.52 mm and 1.36°, respectively.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that single-plane fluoroscopic analysis performed by use of CT-derived bone models is a valid, noninvasive technique for accurately measuring 3-D femorotibial poses in dogs.
Mechanical properties of various suture materials and placement patterns tested with surrogate in vitro model constructs simulating laryngeal advancement tie-forward procedures in horses
Authors: Santos Marcos P. , Gutierrez-Nibeyro Santiago D. , Horn Gavin P. , Johnson Amy J. Wagoner , Stewart Matthew C. , Schaeffer David J. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Objective—To compare the mechanical properties of laryngeal tie-forward (LTF) surrogate constructs prepared with steel fixtures and No. 5 braided polyester or braided polyethylene by use of a standard or a modified suture placement technique.
Sample—32 LTF surrogate constructs.
Procedures—Surrogate constructs were prepared with steel fixtures and sutures (polyester or polyethylene) by use of a standard or modified suture placement technique. Constructs underwent single-load-to-failure testing. Maximal load at failure, elongation at failure, stiffness, and suture breakage sites were compared among constructs prepared with polyester sutures by means of the standard (n = 10) or modified (10) technique and those prepared with polyethylene sutures with the standard (6) or modified (6) technique.
Results—Polyethylene suture constructs had higher stiffness, higher load at failure, and lower elongation at failure than did polyester suture constructs. Constructs prepared with the modified technique had higher load at failure than did those prepared with the standard technique for both suture materials. All sutures broke at the knot in constructs prepared with the standard technique. Sutures broke at a location away from the knot in 13 of 16 constructs prepared with the modified technique (3 such constructs with polyethylene sutures broke at the knot).
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested LTF surrogate constructs prepared with polyethylene sutures or the modified technique were stronger than those prepared with polyester sutures or the standard technique.
Chemical preparation and applications of silver dendrites
Authors: Fu Li , Tamanna Tasnuva , Hu Wen-Jing , Yu Aimin 
Published: April 2014

AbstractSilver dendrites have received immense attention because of their fascinating hierarchical structures and unique properties. Depending on the methods of synthesis, Ag dendrites can be implemented in numerous fields. This review summarizes a variety of Ag dendrites preparation techniques. The involved growth mechanisms are investigated in order to control the formation progress more effectively. With regard to the applications, this article mainly focuses on surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, catalysis, superhydrophobic surface and surface enhanced fluorescence by using Ag dendrites. The remaining issues of the preparation methods, which impede the practical applications of Ag dendrites, are pointed out to enlighten their future research.
Characterization of hot flow behaviour and deformation stability of medium carbon microalloyed steel using artificial neural networks and dynamic material model
Authors: Alcelay Ignacio , Al Omar Anas , Prado José Manuel 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Artificial neural network (ANN) and dynamic material model (DMM) are considered to be powerful methods to characterize the flow behaviour of metallic materials. The aim of this study is to analyze the performance of these two methods in the characterization of flow behaviour and deformation stability of medium-carbon microalloyed steel. Flow curves obtained from hot compression tests have been used to describe the flow behaviour of the studied steel using an ANN model. Good correlation between experimental and predicted data was observed. To characterize the deformation stability of the studied steel, experimental processing maps are generated using DMM. Finally, in order to verify the accuracy of ANN results, processing maps based on the DMM have been developed using ANN predicted data. It has been found that these maps agree closely with those obtained using experimental data.
Copper-catalyzed electroless nickel coating on poly(ethylene terephthalate) board for electromagnetic application
Authors: Li Wenlong , Shi Guoqing , Lu Yinxiang 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Electroless nickel coating on poly(ethylene terephthalate) board via a copper-catalyzed process is reported. Poly(ethylene terephthalate) was firstly modified by organic silanes to graft thio groups onto its surface, and then covered with copper particles and clusters in solution with dimethyl amineborane as a reducing reagent. This copper-activated board was dipped into a nickel electroless solution for metallization. An Ni/Cu/poly(ethylene terephthalate) composite was obtained in which the copper interlayer served as both catalyst and interlocker for the formation of the composite. X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray analysis indicated that the metallic layer was composed of Ni and Cu. Atomic force microscopy revealed that the metal layer was smooth with root-mean-square roughness of 5.98 nm (area: 3 μm × 3 μm). The adhesion of the plated film to the polymer was measured to be 16.3 N cm−1, higher than those from traditional processes. The Ni/Cu/poly(ethylene terephthalate) composite was conductive and magnetic, and could be used for electromagnetic interference shielding.