bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early Experience with Low Contrast Imaging (LCI) Technology during Neuroendovascular Interventional Procedures
Authors: Mokin Maxim , Levy Elad I. , Snyder Kenneth V. , Siddiqui Adnan H. 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSEEarly recognition of complications during intracranial neuroendovascular interventions is important for medical decision making and prompts administration of life‐saving treatments. Low contrast imaging (LCI) provides computed tomographic (CT)‐like images of anatomical brain structures, capable of detecting hydrocephalus and intracranial hemorrhage complications. We present our early experience with LCI using the Toshiba Infinix‐i biplane angiographic suite during neurointerventional cases, including acute stroke interventions, aneurysm embolization, and subarachnoid hemorrhage management.METHODSSix patients underwent LCI during various neuroendovascular procedures. We describe clinical and imaging findings and provide visual comparison of LCI with conventional noncontrast cranial CT imaging.RESULTSOur initial experience shows that LCI is capable of detecting or excluding intracerebral hemorrhage and hydrocephalus during neurointerventional procedures as well as confirming ventriculostomy catheter placement when compared to noncontrast CT imaging. Motion artifact is a major limitation associated with this technology and can be overcome in part by performing shorter duration rotation sequences.CONCLUSIONSLCI is a promising tool in the arsenal of a neuroendovascular interventionist, especially when a complication is suspected during an intervention, potentially obviating the need for immediate transfer of the patient to a conventional CT scanner. Further studies comparing LCI with conventional noncontrast CT imaging are necessary.
Localised task‐dependent motor‐unit recruitment in the masseter
Authors: Schindler H. J. , Hellmann D. , Giannakopoulos N. N. , Eiglsperger U. , van Dijk J. P. , Lapatki B. G. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryLocalised motor‐unit (MU) recruitment in the masseter was analysed in this study. We investigated whether differential activation behaviour, which has already been reported for distant masseter regions, can also be detected in small muscle subvolumes at the level of single MUs. Two bipolar fine‐wire electrodes and an intra‐oral 3D bite‐force transmitter were used to record intra‐muscular electromyograms (EMG) resulting from controlled bite‐forces of 10 healthy human subjects (mean age 24·1 ± 1·2 years). Two‐hundred and seventeen decomposed MUs were organised into localised MU task groups with different (P < 0·001) force‐direction‐specific behaviour. Proportions of MUs involved in one, two, three or four examined tasks were 46%, 31%, 18% and 5%, respectively. This study provides evidence of the ability of the neuromuscular system to modify the mechanical output of small masseter subvolumes by differential control of adjacent MUs belonging to distinct task groups. Localised differential activation behaviour of the masseter may be the crucial factor enabling highly flexible and efficient adjustment of the muscle activity in response to complex local biomechanical needs, for example, continually varying bite‐forces during the demanding masticatory process.
HOW GLOBAL ARE GLOBAL VALUE CHAINS? A NEW APPROACH TO MEASURE INTERNATIONAL FRAGMENTATION
Authors: Los Bart , Timmer Marcel P. , de Vries Gaaitzen J. 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTDenser networks of intermediate input flows between countries suggest ongoing international fragmentation of production chains. But is this process mainly taking place between countries within a region, or is it truly global? We provide new macroeconomic evidence by extending the Feenstra and Hanson () measure of fragmentation to a multicountry setting. We derive the distribution of value added by all countries involved in the production chain of a particular final good. This is based on a new input–output model of the world economy, covering 40 countries and 14 manufacturing product groups. We find that in almost all product chains, the share of value added outside the country‐of‐completion has increased since 1995. This is mainly added outside the region to which the country‐of‐completion belongs, suggesting a transition from regional production systems to “Factory World.” This tendency was only briefly interrupted by the financial crisis in 2008.
Geographic Access and Use of Infectious Diseases Specialty and General Primary Care Services by Veterans With HIV Infection: Implications for Telehealth and Shared Care Programs
Authors: Ohl Michael E. , Richardson Kelly , Kaboli Peter J. , Perencevich Eli N. , Vaughan‐Sarrazin Mary 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPurposeRural‐dwelling persons with HIV infection often have limited access to HIV specialty care, and they may instead use more nearby primary care. This study described use of infectious disease (ID) specialty and general primary care services among rural compared with urban veterans with HIV in the United States and determined associations between geographic access to ID and primary care and use of care.MethodsThe sample included all veterans in the national Veterans Administration (VA) HIV clinical case registry in 2009 (N = 23,669, 10.2% rural). Geographic access was measured by calculating travel times to the nearest VA primary care and ID specialty clinic.FindingsRural veterans were less likely than urban to use ID clinics (82% of rural vs 87% of urban, P < .01) and more likely to use primary care (82% vs 73%, P < .01). As travel time to ID care increased from less than 15 minutes to over 90 minutes, use of ID care decreased from 88% to 71% (P < .01), while use of primary care increased from 68% to 86% (P < .0001). In multivariable models, increased travel time to ID care—but not rural residence—was associated with decreased ID and increased primary care use.ConclusionsPersons with HIV who live far from ID specialty clinics are less likely to use specialty care and more likely to use primary care. Specialty clinics should consider using telehealth to deliver care over distance and programs to coordinate “shared care” relationships with distant primary care providers.
Promoting Youth Physical Activity in Rural Southern Communities: Practitioner Perceptions of Environmental Opportunities and Barriers
Authors: Edwards Michael B. , Theriault Daniel S. , Shores Kindal A. , Melton Karen M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPurposeResearch on youth physical activity has focused on urban areas. Rural adolescents are more likely to be physically inactive than urban youth, contributing to higher risk of obesity and chronic diseases. Study objectives were to: (1) identify perceived opportunities and barriers to youth physical activity within a rural area and (2) identify rural community characteristics that facilitate or inhibit efforts to promote youth physical activity.MethodsThirty in‐depth interviews were conducted with expert informants in 2 rural southern US counties. Interviewees were recruited from diverse positions across multiple sectors based on their expert knowledge of community policies and programs for youth physical activity.FindingsInformants saw ball fields, natural amenities, and school sports as primary resources for youth physical activity, but they were divided on whether opportunities were abundant or scarce. Physical distance, social isolation, lack of community offerings, and transportation were identified as key barriers. Local social networks facilitated political action and volunteer recruitment to support programs. However, communities often lacked human capital to sustain initiatives. Racial divisions influenced perceptions of opportunities. Despite divisions, there were also examples of pooling resources to create and sustain physical activity opportunities.ConclusionsDeveloping partnerships and leveraging local resources may be essential to overcoming barriers for physical activity promotion in rural areas. Involvement of church leaders, school officials, health care workers, and cooperative extension is likely needed to establish and sustain youth rural physical activity programs. Allocating resources to existing community personnel and volunteers for continuing education may be valuable.
Genetic analysis of Anatolian apples (Malus sp.) by simple sequence repeats
Authors: BURAK Masum , ERGÜL Ali , KAZAN Kemal , AKÇAY Mehmet Emin , YÜKSEL Canan , BAKIR Melike , MUTAF Filiz , AKPINAR A. Emre , YAŞASIN A. Semih , AYANOĞLU Hamit 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe apple is one of the most important fruit species in the world. Turkey has a diverse and ancient apple germplasm that have played a major role in the domestication of the Malus genus. However, so far locally grown Anatolian apple germplasm has largely been uncharacterized. In this study, 171 local apple (M. domestica Borkh.) accessions originated from eco‐geographically diverse regions of Anatolia were studied using 16 SSR (simple sequence repeat) loci, which generated 254 alleles. Of the SSR markers used, the CH04g10 locus showed the highest allele diversity. Relatively high genetic similarities were found between some accessions. The factorial correspondence analysis did not clearly separate different all apple accession groups, suggesting that Anatolian apple accessions are highly intermixed. However, most apple accessions were grouped according to their collection sites in structure analyses. In addition, reflecting the richness of the Anatolian apple germplasm, low numbers of synonymous, and identical accessions were identified among the germplasm. Finally, using the publically available SSR data generated in other studies, we investigated genetic relationships between Anatolian accession groups and European apple accession groups. Our results reported here provide a useful base for future studies aimed at investigating the genetic diversity of wild and cultivated apples from Anatolia and the surrounding regions.
Conservation genetics and breeding system of Penstemon debilis (Plantaginaceae), a rare beardtongue endemic to oil shale talus in western Colorado, USA
Authors: WOLFE Andrea D. , MCMULLEN‐SIBUL Amy , TEPEDINO V. J. , KUBATKO Laura , NECAMP Timothy , FASSNACHT Susan 
Published: April 2014

AbstractRare species of plants are especially vulnerable to extinction when populations are few, have small numbers of individuals, and are fragmented. Such conditions lead to a reduction in gene flow and genetic diversity, and encourage inbreeding depression. We conducted a study of the reproductive biology and population genetics of Penstemon debilis (Plantaginaceae), a Federally Threatened species endemic to a small region of oil shale extraction in western Colorado, USA. Most of the habitat area is privately owned and undergoing natural gas extraction activities. Penstemon debilis reproduces both vegetatively and as an outcrosser that requires a pollen vector. Moderate levels of inbreeding, but no inbreeding depression, were found within populations of P. debilis. Genetic divergence among the extant populations surveyed was moderate (FST values = 0.069–0.231; Nm = 0.831–3.385) with levels of genetic diversity within populations relatively low compared to congeners with similar modes of pollination and reproductive biology. STRUCTURE analysis revealed three population clusters with some admixture among all extant populations. Genetic diversity within and among P. debilis populations is similar to genetic diversity found for other rare and endemic outcrossing plant species. Our results are consistent with a pattern of recent population fragmentation or low levels of pollen‐mediated gene flow among populations in close proximity to one another. Conservation of P. debilis will require cooperative management strategies between private landowners, government agencies, and concerned NGOs to preserve habitat for this rare species.
Long-Term Testosterone Treatment in Elderly Men with Hypogonadism and Erectile Dysfunction Reduces Obesity Parameters and Improves Metabolic Syndrome and Health-Related Quality of Life
Authors: Yassin Dany-Jan , Doros Gheorghe , Hammerer Peter G. , Yassin Aksam A. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract

Introduction
Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is diagnosed when declining testosterone concentrations in the aging male cause unwanted symptoms such as erectile dysfunction (ED), reduced bone density and muscle strength, and increased visceral obesity. Testosterone deficiency is also associated with insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Restoring testosterone to physiological concentrations has beneficial effects on many of these symptoms; however, it is not known whether these effects can be sustained in the long term.

Aims
To investigate whether treatment with testosterone undecanoate (TU) has a long-term and sustained effect on parameters affected by the MetS in men with LOH and ED, to determine whether long-term testosterone treatment can improve the overall health-related quality of life in these men, and to establish the safety of long-term testosterone treatment.

Methods
Two hundred sixty-one patients (mean age 59.5 ± 8.4 years) diagnosed with LOH and ED were treated with long-acting TU in a prospective, observational, and longitudinal registry study. Men received intramuscular injections of 1,000 mg TU at day 1, at week 6, and every 3 months thereafter.

Main Outcome Measures
Parameters affected by the MetS, including obesity parameters (body weight, waist circumference, and body mass index [BMI]), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, glucose, HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin), and blood pressure, as well as total testosterone levels and health-related quality of life, were assessed.

Results
We found TU significantly improved obesity parameters (body weight, waist circumference, and BMI) and lowered total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and blood pressure over the 5-year study. HDL cholesterol was increased. TU treatment resulted in a sustained improvement in erectile function and muscle and joint pain, which contributed to an improvement in long-term health-related quality of life. Furthermore, we found a relationship between health-related quality of life and waist circumference. Finally, we found no evidence that long-term treatment with TU increases the risk of prostate carcinoma.

Conclusion
Long-term TU in men with LOH and ED reduces obesity parameters and improves metabolic syndrome and health-related quality of life.
Fiscal Policy, Chartal Money, Mark‐up Dynamics and Unemployment Insurance in a Model of Growth and Distribution
Authors: Hannsgen Greg 
Published: April 2014

AbstractGiven one parameter restriction, an output‐stabilization rule for the provision of public services turns a Kaldor–Kalecki–Steindl growth model with unstable, catastrophe‐prone dynamics into one with a stable limit cycle. In contrast, using a budget‐balancing rule produces a saddle point, along with closed orbits near the boundaries of the state space. Adding Kaleckian mark‐up dynamics destabilizes the equilibrium, with a spiraling path followed by a spin‐out found in simulation. A final exercise establishes the possibility of adding a variable workforce and a public unemployment insurance system. Throughout, an identity governs the dynamics of the stocks of public financial liabilities.
Effect of Rikkunshito on the expression of substance P and CGRP in dorsal root ganglion neurons and voluntary movement in rats with experimental reflux esophagitis
Authors: Kondo T. , Oshima T. , Koseki J. , Hattori T. , Kase Y. , Tomita T. , Fukui H. , Watari J. , Miwa H. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundWhile there are reports that the herbal medicine rikkunshito (RKT) relieves upper gastrointestinal disease symptoms, the effect of RKT on primary afferent neurons is unknown.MethodsA model of reflux esophagitis (RE) was implemented using male Wistar rats aged 6–7 weeks. Ten days after surgery, the total area of esophageal mucosal erosion sites was determined. Th8‐10 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were dissected out and the expression of substance P (SP), calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), and phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (p‐ERK1/2) was determined in DRG using immunohistochemistry. RKT (0.6%/WV) or omeprazole (OME) (10 mg/kg) was administered for 10 days beginning on the day after surgery. Voluntary movement was measured with an infrared sensor for 22 h each day.Key ResultsRE rats showed esophageal mucosal erosion and significantly increased number of SP/CGRP‐ and p‐ERK1/2‐immunoreactive neurons in DRG. Treatment with OME improved the size of erosive lesions in the esophageal mucosa of RE rats, while RKT did not. Treatment with RKT or OME significantly reduced the expression of SP/CGRP and p‐ERK1/2 in DRG, and significantly increased voluntary movement in RE rats.Conclusions & InferencesRKT inhibited the activation of ERK1/2 and decreased the expression of SP and CGRP in DRG of RE rats, which may be associated with the observed amelioration of voluntary movement.
Knowledge in and out of Contrast
Authors: Gerken Mikkel , Beebe James R. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractWe report and discuss the results of a series of experiments that address a contrast effect exhibited by folk judgments about knowledge ascriptions. The contrast effect, which was first reported by Schaffer and Knobe (2012), is an important aspect of our folk epistemology. However, there are competing theoretical accounts of it. We shed light on the various accounts by providing novel empirical data and theoretical considerations. Our key findings are, firstly, that belief ascriptions exhibit a similar contrast effect and, secondly, that the contrast effect is systematically sensitive to the content of what is in contrast.We argue that these data pose significant challenges to contrastivist accounts of the contrast effect. Furthermore, some of the data set provides, in conjunction with some non‐empirical epistemological arguments, some limited evidence for what we call a focal bias account of the data (Gerken 2012, 2013). According to the focal bias account, the contrast effects arise at least in part because epistemically relevant facts are not always adequately processed when they are presented in certain ways.
Real‐time, in vivo intracellular recordings of caterpillar‐induced depolarization waves in sieve elements using aphid electrodes
Authors: Salvador‐Recatalà Vicenta , Tjallingii W. Freddy , Farmer Edward E. 
Published: April 2014

Summary

Plants propagate electrical signals in response to artificial wounding. However, little is known about the electrophysiological responses of the phloem to wounding, and whether natural damaging stimuli induce propagating electrical signals in this tissue.
Here, we used living aphids and the direct current (DC) version of the electrical penetration graph (EPG) to detect changes in the membrane potential of Arabidopsis sieve elements (SEs) during caterpillar wounding.
Feeding wounds in the lamina induced fast depolarization waves in the affected leaf, rising to maximum amplitude (c. 60 mV) within 2 s. Major damage to the midvein induced fast and slow depolarization waves in unwounded neighbor leaves, but only slow depolarization waves in non‐neighbor leaves. The slow depolarization waves rose to maximum amplitude (c. 30 mV) within 14 s. Expression of a jasmonate‐responsive gene was detected in leaves in which SEs displayed fast depolarization waves. No electrical signals were detected in SEs of unwounded neighbor leaves of plants with suppressed expression of GLR3.3 and GLR3.6.
EPG applied as a novel approach to plant electrophysiology allows cell‐specific, robust, real‐time monitoring of early electrophysiological responses in plant cells to damage, and is potentially applicable to a broad range of plant–herbivore interactions.
Severe outbreaks of late blight on potato and tomato in South India caused by recent changes in the Phytophthora infestans population
Authors: Chowdappa P. , Nirmal Kumar B. J. , Madhura S. , Mohan Kumar S. P. , Myers K. L. , Fry W. E. , Cooke D. E. L. 
Published: April 2014

Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, has emerged as the most destructive disease of potato and tomato in South India since 2008. One hundred and fifty‐seven isolates of Phytophthora infestans, 63 from potato and 94 from tomato, were collected from major potato and tomato production areas of South India between 2010 and 2012. Their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics were determined and compared with reference isolates. Isolates were characterized based on mating type, in vitro metalaxyl sensitivity, mitochondrial DNA haplotype, RG57 DNA fingerprinting patterns, SSR markers and aggressiveness on potato and tomato, in order to monitor population changes in P. infestans. All isolates were A2 mating type, metalaxyl resistant, mtDNA haplotype Ia and had RG57 and SSR fingerprints almost identical to the 13_A2 clonal lineage reported in Europe. Variation at the D13 and SSR4 loci allowed discrimination of minor variants, designated as 13_A2_3, 13_A2_3b, 13_A2_3c and 13_A2_1. A comparison of the lesion diameters caused by 157 isolates on detached leaflets of three potato and tomato cultivars showed all isolates to be equally aggressive, confirming that the same clonal population is infecting both hosts. This study demonstrates that the 13_A2 lineage was responsible for severe late blight outbreaks on potato and tomato in South India and has replaced the prior population represented by the US‐1 and other genotypes. Revised management strategies will be required to combat this destructive 13_A2 clonal lineage and monitoring of the population across other potato‐ and tomato‐growing regions of India is warranted.
‘You put it all together’ – families' evaluation of participating in Family Health Conversations
Authors: Benzein Eva , Olin Cecilia , Persson Carina 
Published: April 2014

Aims and objectivesTo evaluate the Family Health Conversations from the perspective of families living with chronic illness.Methodological design and justificationThis study has a descriptive qualitative design using semi‐structured evaluative family interviews and conventional content analysis.Ethical issues and approvalThe study was approved by a Regional Ethical Review Board.Research methodsFamily Health Conversations were used as an intervention with 14 families living with chronic illness. The outcome measures consisted of evaluative family interviews.ResultsFamilies' experiences of the conversations embraced their structure and the interactions with the conversation leaders. All families were satisfied with the conversations, pointing to the importance of having them early in the illness process. The opportunity to talk with someone outside the family was strongly emphasised as promoting well‐being. The experienced significance of the conversations was captured in four categories: creating a whole picture, that is, being given the opportunity to listen to other family members' experiences and fill in potential memory gaps; making the situation manageable, that is, receiving support from other participants in order to handle problems and gain control; facilitating healing, that is, being able to tell their story about what had previously been ‘the unspeakable’; and strengthened family cohesion, that is, increased understanding for each other's experiences, thus bringing family members closer together.Study limitationsMost families were partners, which could possibly limit transferability of the findings to families constituted by couples.ConclusionsFamily Health Conversations should be offered as a part of standard care shortly after diagnosis and at various transitions in life.