bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation of Plate‐Like Sodium Niobate Particles by Hydrothermal Method
Authors: Bai Shan , Lu Yao , Karaki Tomoaki 
Published: November 2014

Sodium niobate NaNbO3 hydrate (NN‐hydrate) particles with a plate‐like morphology were prepared at 140°C for 2 h in 12 mol/L of NaOH by the hydrothermal method. Bar‐like Na8Nb6O19·13H2O particles were synthesized at as low as 100°C for 2 h. This work demonstrates that by carefully optimizing the reaction condition, we can selectively fabricate niobate structures, including the bar‐like, plate‐like, fibers and cube particles through a direct reaction between NaOH solution and Nb2O5. It was found that Nb6O198− formed was an important premise for formation of the NN‐hydrate, and lower [OH–] was not favorable in preparing the NN‐hydrate as there was an optimum [OH−]. Through researching effects of the reaction temperature, time, concentration of NaOH, and content of Nb2O5 on the NN‐hydrate structure and evolution, the formation mechanism from solid reactants to the intermediate were investigated. After calcining at 800°C, the synthesized NN‐hydrate particles made a phase almost transform to the perovskite NaNbO3, and the morphology of these calcined particles was still plate‐like.
Prevalence of hazardous drinking among nursing students
Authors: Rabanales Sotos Joseba , López Gonzalez Ángel , Párraga Martínez Ignacio , Campos Rosa Monchi , Simarro Herraez María José , López‐Torres Hidalgo Jesús 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAimsTo estimate the frequency of alcohol consumption among nursing students and describe their behaviour patterns in relation to excessive consumption.BackgroundMost alcohol‐related problems appear in individuals who indulge in hazardous consumption, with hazardous drinkers constituting a priority in the field of preventive activities. According to previous studies, there is a high proportion of hazardous drinkers among university students.DesignDescriptive cross‐sectional study.MethodsOver the course of the 2012–2013 academic year, we assessed 1060 nursing degree students, ascertaining their socio‐demographic characteristics, lifestyle and alcohol consumption by means of the Systematic Alcohol Consumption Interview (Interrogatorio Sistematizado de Consumos Alcohólicos/ISCA) and Alcohol Use Disorders Inventory Test (AUDIT).ResultsHazardous alcohol consumption was observed in 43·4% of students. Moreover, 14·9% of men and 18·7% of women met criteria for hazardous drinkers, without any statistically significant difference between the sexes. The frequency of hazardous drinkers was significantly higher among participants aged under 21 years, those living outside the family nucleus and smokers.ConclusionA considerable proportion of students show evidence of hazardous alcohol consumption and, while there are no sex‐related differences, the proportion of hazardous drinkers tends to be higher among the youngest subjects, smokers and persons living outside the family nucleus. Alcohol‐prevention activities should envisage greater protection of university settings, particularly where future health professionals are involved.
Testosterone level in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus and related metabolic effects: A review of current evidence
Authors: Cheung Kitty Kit Ting , Luk Andrea On Yan , So Wing Yee , Ma Ronald Ching Wan , Kong Alice Pik Shan , Chow Francis Chun Chung , Chan Juliana Chung Ngor 
Published: November 2014

AbstractA significant proportion of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have a low testosterone level relative to reference ranges based on healthy young men. Only a small number of these patients suffer from classical hypogonadism as a result of recognizable hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis pathology. The cut‐off value of the serum testosterone level in men without obvious hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis pathology is controversial. It is unclear to what extent a low serum testosterone level causally leads to type 2 diabetes and/or the metabolic syndrome. From a theoretical standpoint, there can be complex interactions among the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, body composition and insulin resistance, which can be further influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors to give rise to metabolic syndrome, glucose intolerance, and low‐grade inflammation to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Although a low serum testosterone level frequently coexists with cardiometabolic risk factors and might serve as a biomarker, more studies are required to clarify the causal, mediating or modifying roles of low serum testosterone level in the development of adverse clinical outcomes. Currently, there are insufficient randomized clinical trial data to evaluate the effects of testosterone replacement therapy on meaningful clinical outcomes. The risk‐to‐benefit ratio of testosterone therapy in high‐risk subjects, such as those with type 2 diabetes, also requires elucidation. The present article aims to review the current evidence on low serum testosterone levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, and its implications on cardiovascular risk factors, metabolic syndrome and adverse clinical outcomes.
Effects of Coatings of Polyethyleneimine and Thyme Essential Oil Combined with Chitosan on Sliced Fresh Channa argus during Refrigerated Storage
Authors: Yang Fuxin , Hu Shuaifeng , Lu Ye , Yang Hui , Zhao Yong , Li Li 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe coating effects of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and thyme essential oil (T) combined with chitosan (Ch) on the quality of sliced fresh Channa argus during refrigerated storage at 4 ± 1C were investigated. Solutions of Ch, Ch + PEI (2% w/v Ch + 1% v/v PEI) and Ch + T (2% w/v Ch + 1% v/v T) were used as coatings. The treatments were compared by analyzing changes in sensory characteristics, total viable count and physicochemical parameters (texture, pH, thiobarbituric acid and total volatile basic nitrogen). The results indicated that all three treatments retarded the decay of the fish fillets and significantly extended the shelf life by approximately 4–5 days compared with control treatment (without treatment). Based on microbiological, physicochemical and sensory evaluations, the Ch/PEI treatment exhibited superior preservation ability in maintaining the quality of C. argus among the three treatments. And the preservation ability of the Ch/T treatment was better than that of the Ch treatment.Practical ApplicationsIn the recent years, people have paid more attention to health and food quality throughout the world. Bacterial contamination reduces the shelf life of fish products. In order to meet the consumers' demand, the antibacterial coating has been applied to the field of food. This paper gives a report on the changes of quality of Channa argus treated with coatings of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and thyme essential oil combined with chitosan. From the results obtained, C. argus without treatment deteriorates much quicker than samples treated with coatings because of antimicrobial action of coating solution, and PEI combined with chitosan has the best effect on maintaining the quality. The outcome demonstrates that the combination of PEI and chitosan is significantly effective in limiting microbial spoilage in sliced fresh C. argus and enhancing the shelf life. This work will provide useful information for fish preservation.
Physicothermal Properties of Aqueous Sodium Chloride Solutions
Authors: Carvalho G.R. , Chenlo F. , Moreira R. , Telis‐Romero J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractPhysicothermal properties of sodium chloride solutions as complementary information to the existent in literature were experimentally measured under different conditions of mass concentration (in the range of 0.040 kg NaCl/kg solution to 0.240 kg NaCl/kg solution) and temperature (between 4 and 52 °C). Density, dynamic viscosity, specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity were measured using a standard volumetric glass pycnometer, rheometer, differential scanning calorimeter and coaxial dual‐cylinder apparatus, respectively. Prandtl number was calculated with the measured properties. Statistical analyses were carried out to determine the effect of the salt concentration and temperature on the properties, and, subsequently, different correlations were proposed to estimate the experimental results with acceptable goodness of fit. Linear relationships were observed among tested properties and sodium chloride concentrations, whereas the temperature dependence was specific for each property.Practical ApplicationsExperimental data about binary solutions, such as sodium chloride solutions, are insufficient, and much specific information is still unknown. The knowledge of this information is necessary in the effective designing of food processing equipment such as evaporators, pumps, heat exchangers, filters and mixers, as well as in the food process control. Additionally, the calculation of Prandtl number from experimental data plays an important role for understanding the physical mechanism of the fluid flow and heat transfer.
Immunohistochemical characterization of endometrial carcinomas: Endometrioid, serous and clear cell adenocarcinomas in association with genetic analysis
Authors: Yasuda Masanori 
Published: November 2014

AbstractDevelopments in immunohistochemistry, which are closely linked with the advances in the analyses of genetic abnormalities and their associated molecular disorders as early and late histogenetic events, have contributed greatly to the improvement of pathological diagnostic confirmation and validation. Immunohistochemistry has also generated great benefit to the innovation of therapeutic strategies for various kinds of cancers. In this article, the three representative histological types of corpus cancer, namely, endometrioid adenocarcinoma, serous adenocarcinoma and clear cell adenocarcinoma, will be histologically approached in association with their immunohistochemical profiles as well as genetic disorders. First, the focus will be on ‘Conventional/prototypic features,’ followed by ‘Controversy over conventional histological subclassification,’ and subsequently ‘Tumorigenesis and re‐subclassification.’
An experimental investigation of chemical communication in the polar bear
Authors: Owen M. A. , Swaisgood R. R. , Slocomb C. , Amstrup S. C. , Durner G. M. , Simac K. , Pessier A. P. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe polar bear (Ursus maritimus), with its wide‐ranging movements, solitary existence and seasonal reproduction, is expected to favor chemosignaling over other communication modalities. However, the topography of its Arctic sea ice habitat is generally lacking in stationary vertical substrates routinely used for targeted scent marking in other bears. These environmental constraints may have shaped a marking strategy, unique to polar bears, for widely dispersed continuous dissemination of scent via foot pads. To investigate the role of chemical communication, pedal scents were collected from free‐ranging polar bears of different sex and reproductive classes captured on spring sea ice in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas, and presented in a controlled fashion to 26 bears in zoos. Results from behavioral bioassays indicated that bears, especially females, were more likely to approach conspecific scent during the spring than the fall. Male flehmen behavior, indicative of chemosignal delivery to the vomeronasal organ, differentiated scent donor by sex and reproductive condition. Histologic examination of pedal skin collected from two females indicated prominent and profuse apocrine glands in association with large compound hair follicles, suggesting that they may produce scents that function as chemosignals. These results suggest that pedal scent, regardless of origin, conveys information to conspecifics that may facilitate social and reproductive behavior, and that chemical communication in this species has been adaptively shaped by environmental constraints of its habitat. However, continuously distributed scent signals necessary for breeding behavior may prove less effective if current and future environmental conditions cause disruption of scent trails due to increased fracturing of sea ice.
A Ramp Metering Strategy for Rapid Congestion Recovery
Authors: Jiang* Rui , Chung Edward 
Published: November 2014

AbstractRecurrent congestion caused by high commuter traffic is an irritation to motorway users. Ramp metering (RM) is the most effective motorway control means for significantly reducing motorway congestion. However, given field constraints (e.g., limited ramp space and maximum ramp waiting time), RM cannot eliminate recurrent congestion during the increased long peak hours. This article, therefore, focuses on rapid congestion recovery to further improve RM systems: that is, to quickly clear congestion in recovery periods. The feasibility of using RM for recovery is analyzed, and a zone recovery strategy for RM is proposed. Note that this study assumes no incident and demand management involved, that is no rerouting behavior and strategy considered. This strategy is modeled, calibrated, and tested in the northbound model of the Pacific Motorway, Brisbane, Australia, in a microsimulation environment for recurrent congestion scenario, and evaluation results have justified its effectiveness.
Salicylic acid binding of mitochondrial alpha‐ketoglutarate dehydrogenase E2 affects mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and electron transport chain components and plays a role in basal defense against tobacco mosaic virus in tomato
Authors: Liao Yangwenke , Tian Miaoying , Zhang Huan , Li Xin , Wang Yu , Xia Xiaojian , Zhou Jie , Zhou Yanhong , Yu Jingquan , Shi Kai , Klessig Daniel F. 
Published: November 2014

Summary

Salicylic acid (SA) plays a critical role in plant defense against pathogen invasion. SA‐induced viral defense in plants is distinct from the pathways mediating bacterial and fungal defense and involves a specific pathway mediated by mitochondria; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown.

The SA‐binding activity of the recombinant tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) alpha‐ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (Slα‐kGDH) E2 subunit of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle was characterized. The biological role of this binding in plant defenses against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) was further investigated via Slα‐kGDH E2 silencing and transient overexpression in plants.

Slα‐kGDH E2 was found to bind SA in two independent assays. SA treatment, as well as Slα‐kGDH E2 silencing, increased resistance to TMV. SA did not further enhance TMV defense in Slα‐kGDH E2‐silenced tomato plants but did reduce TMV susceptibility in Nicotiana benthamiana plants transiently overexpressing Slα‐kGDH E2. Furthermore, Slα‐kGDH E2‐silencing‐induced TMV resistance was fully blocked by bongkrekic acid application and alternative oxidase 1a silencing.

These results indicated that binding by Slα‐kGDH E2 of SA acts upstream of and affects the mitochondrial electron transport chain, which plays an important role in basal defense against TMV. The findings of this study help to elucidate the mechanisms of SA‐induced viral defense.
Associations between work family conflict, emotional exhaustion, musculoskeletal pain, and gastrointestinal problems in a sample of business travelers
Authors: Jensen Maria Therese , Rundmo Torbjørn 
Published: November 2014

The aim of the study was to examine the associations among work‐family conflict (WFC), emotional exhaustion, musculoskeletal (MS) pain, and gastrointestinal problems on a sample of business travelers (n = 2,093). An additional aim was to examine differences in the mentioned relationships among three traveler groups: commuters, national travelers, and international travelers. The study was conducted in a large Norwegian oil and gas company, and the company's business travel database was utilized to examine business travel. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed significant relations between WFC and emotional exhaustion and between emotional exhaustion and health problems. Contrary to the expectations, no direct association was found between WFC and health problems. However, we found that emotional exhaustion mediated the relation between WFC and health outcomes. The results from multi‐group analysis revealed that associations among WFC, emotional exhaustion, and health‐outcomes showed a similar pattern for commuters, national travelers, and international travelers. However, the association between emotional exhaustion and MS pain proved to be significantly stronger for the commuter group compared to the national and international travel groups. Practical implications and the consequences of these findings for future research are discussed.
Trends in blood utilization in United States cardiac surgical patients
Authors: Robich Michael P. , Koch Colleen G. , Johnston Douglas R. , Schiltz Nicholas , Chandran Pillai Aiswarya , Hussain Syed T. , Soltesz Edward G. 
Published: November 2014

BackgroundWe sought to determine whether publication of blood conservation guidelines by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons in 2007 influenced transfusion rates and to understand how patient‐ and hospital‐level factors influenced blood product usage.Study Design and MethodsWe identified 4,465,016 patients in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database who underwent cardiac operations between 1999 and 2010 (3,202,404 before the guidelines and 1,262,612 after). Hierarchical linear modeling was used to account for hospital‐ and patient‐level clustering.ResultsTransfusion rates of blood products increased from 13% in 1999 to a peak of 34% in 2010. Use of all blood components increased over the study period. Aortic aneurysm repair had the highest transfusion rate with 54% of patients receiving products in 2010. In coronary artery bypass grafting, the number of patients receiving blood products increased from 12% in 1999 to 32% in 2010. Patients undergoing valvular operations had a transfusion rate of 15% in 1999, increasing to 36% in 2010. Patients undergoing combined operations had an increase from 13% to 40% over 11 years. Risk factors for transfusion were anemia (odds ratio [OR], 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.01‐2.09), coagulopathy (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.51‐1.57), diabetes (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.28‐1.36), renal failure (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.26‐1.32), and liver disease (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.16‐1.31). Compared to the Northeast, the risk for transfusion was significantly lower in the Midwest; higher‐volume hospitals used fewer blood products than lower‐volume centers. Cell salvage usage remained below 5% across all years.ConclusionIndependent of patient‐ and hospital‐level factors, blood product utilization continues to increase for all cardiac operations despite publication of blood conservation guidelines in 2007.
Disaggregating Data on Asian American and Pacific Islander Women to Provide New Insights on Potential Exposures to Hazardous Air Pollutants in California
Authors: Quach Thu , Liu Ruiling , Nelson David O. , Hurley Susan , Von Behren Julie , Hertz Andrew , Reynolds Peggy 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackground: The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) population is heterogeneous and rapidly growing in the United States, with a high proportion concentrated in California. Although traditionally assumed to have lower rates of breast cancer than non-Hispanic white women, recent studies have suggested considerable variation in incidence by AAPI ethnic group, with rates in some exceeding those in non-Hispanic whites. The potential role of environmental toxicants has not been well explored and may provide insights into these patterns.Methods: We created an exposure potential index (EPI) score for 24 hazardous air pollutants modeled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment considered to be mammary gland carcinogens, and compared values at the census tract level for “geographically concentrated” AAPI groups throughout the State. “Geographically concentrated” populations were defined as census tracts with at least 100 individuals from a specified racial/ethnic population as enumerated by the 2000 Census.Results: Although EPI scores differed little between census tracts with aggregated AAPI (mean EPI = 0.53) and non-Hispanic white women (mean EPI = 0.63), there was substantial variation between tracts for disaggregated AAPI groups, with notably higher EPI scores for tracts enumerated for Korean or Japanese women (mean EPI of 0.78 and 0.77, respectively) compared with other AAPI groups.Conclusions: Our findings underscore the importance of disaggregating data for the heterogeneous AAPI population to identify differences in potential environmental exposures across groups.Impact: Future cancer etiology studies should examine environmental exposure differences within and across groups for the diverse AAPI population.See all the articles in this CEBP Focus section, “Cancer in Asian and Pacific Islander Populations.”Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(11); 2218–28. ©2014 AACR.
Chronic Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer Risks among Asian Immigrants in New York City: Results from a Large, Community-Based Screening, Evaluation, and Treatment Program
Authors: Pollack Henry J. , Kwon Simona C. , Wang Su H. , Wyatt Laura C. , Trinh-Shevrin Chau ,   on behalf of the AAHBP Coalition
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the predominant cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide, disproportionately affects Asian Americans. Limited data exist on the variability and characteristics of infection that determine disease progression risk within U.S. Asian ethnic subgroups.
Methods: Retrospective analyses were conducted on a large, community-based HBV screening and treatment program in New York City (NYC). From 2004 to 2008, the program enrolled 7,272 Asian-born individuals. Determinants of HBV seroprevalence were calculated and risk factors for HCC progression were compared across Asian subgroups.
Results: Among newly tested individuals, 13% were HBV positive. Seroprevalence varied significantly with age, gender, education, birthplace, and family history of infection. Chinese-born individuals, particularly from the Fujian province, had the highest seroprevalence (23.2% and 33.1%, respectively). Clinical and virologic characteristics placed HBV-infected individuals at significant risk for HCC. Significant differences in HCC risk existed among Asian subgroups in bivariate analysis, including age, gender, HBV viral load, and HBeAg status. Differences in HBV genotype and family history of HCC may further HCC risk among subgroups.
Conclusions: Asian immigrants in NYC have a high prevalence of HBV infection and are at significant risk of disease progression and HCC. Although heterogeneity in HBV seroprevalence was found by Asian subgroups, HCC risk among infected individuals was primarily explained by age and gender differences. Country and province of birth, age, and gender may further explain seroprevalence differences.
Impact: Findings provide estimates of HBV burden in Asian ethnic subgroups and identify high-risk groups to target for screening and treatment that can prevent HCC.
See all the articles in this CEBP Focus section, “Cancer in Asian and Pacific Islander Populations.”
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(11); 2229–39. ©2014 AACR.