bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surpassing the Target: How a Recruitment Campaign Transformed the Participant Accrual Trajectory in the Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project
Authors: McGovern Kathleen , Freyer Karn Catharine , Fox Kristen ,   EPGP Investigators
Published: July 2015

AbstractParticipant recruitment challenges pervade the majority of publicly funded clinical trials. However, little is known about methods for enhancing participant accrual. The Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project (EPGP), a multicenter study funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), aimed to enroll a total of 5,250 participants to better understand the genetic causes and phenotypic manifestations of epilepsy. However, similar to other trials, EPGP encountered recruitment challenges, and by the end of its first year, net enrollment was only 48% of the target for that time. To address this, EPGP established a National Participant Recruitment Campaign and began implementing and tracking the enrollment outcomes of a variety of proven and relatively novel recruitment methods. At the conclusion of the project, EPGP had successfully enrolled a total of 5,445 participants, thus surpassing its enrollment target. Data pertaining to EPGP's National Participant Recruitment Campaign was analyzed retrospectively, and the results are reported here, so that other multicenter trials may consider these methods in their recruitment planning and potentially avoid the costly repercussions of participant accrual issues.
Evaluating the Development, Implementation and Dissemination of a Multisite Card Study in the WWAMI Region Practice and Research Network
Authors: Cole Allison , Keppel Gina A. , Linares Adriana , Alto William , Kriegsman William , Reed Alex , Holmes John , Mohanachandran Mathini , Baldwin Laura‐Mae 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundPractice‐based research networks (PBRNs) promote the conduct of research in real‐world settings by engaging primary care clinicians as champion research collaborators. Card studies are brief surveys administered to patients or clinicians at the point of care. The objective of this paper is to describe the design and evaluation of a card study methodology that the WWAMI Region Practice and Research Network (WPRN) used to develop research partnerships across multiple member sites.MethodsWe used a collaborative model to develop, implement and disseminate the results of a network‐wide card study to assess patient preferences for weight loss in primary care. After the card study data collection was completed, we conducted individual and focus group interviews and a brief survey of participating practice champions.ResultsIncreased research engagement and personal and professional developments were the primary motivators for participating in the development of the card study. Increasing research activity at practices and learning information about patients were motivators for implementing the study. Their participation resulted in champions reporting increased confidence in collaborating on research projects as well as the development of new clinical services for patients.DiscussionThis collaborative model positively influenced research capacity in the WPRN and may be a useful strategy for helping PBRNs conducted translational research.
What guides invasion success? Ecological correlates of arrival, establishment and spread of Red Sea bivalves in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Nawrot Rafał , Chattopadhyay Devapriya , Zuschin Martin 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAimThe opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 re‐established the direct link between long‐separated biogeographic realms, allowing hundreds of marine species to spread from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. We use marine bivalves to relate species‐level attributes to successful transition through successive stages of the invasion process.LocationMediterranean and Red Sea.MethodsWe compiled data on taxonomic composition, body size, life habit and geographic distribution of the Red Sea bivalve fauna from published literature, museum collections and our own field surveys. Using multimodel inference, we examined selectivity of the Lessepsian invasion and identify traits that distinguish successful species at three major stages of invasion: arrival, establishment and spread.ResultsThe upper limit of bathymetric range and occurrence outside the tropical zone in other regions are the strongest predictors of successful transition through the Suez Canal. Establishment in the Mediterranean is positively correlated with earlier arrival and association with hard‐bottom habitats. Preference for hard substrates together with large body size is the primary factor distinguishing invasive aliens representing a significant threat to recipient ecosystems from other established species.Main conclusionsThe relative strength of abiotic and biotic filters changes along the course of the invasion: environmental affinity and climate match constrain the pool of potential invaders, while the establishment in the new region and invasive status depend on the habitat preferences and life history traits of aliens, affecting their interactions with resident species. Our results together with previous studies suggest that the eastern Mediterranean rocky shores are more susceptible to the establishment of Lessepsian species, many of which may induce strong pressure on recipient communities as ecosystems engineers and competitors of native species.
Clinical patterns of dystonia and choreoathetosis in participants with dyskinetic cerebral palsy
Authors: Monbaliu Elegast , de Cock Paul , Ortibus Els , Heyrman Lieve , Klingels Katrijn , Feys Hilde 
Published: July 2015

AimThe aim of the study was to map clinical patterns of dystonia and choreoathetosis and to assess the relation between functional classifications and basal ganglia and thalamus lesions in participants with dyskinetic cerebral palsy (CP).MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, 55 participants with dyskinetic CP (mean age 14y 6mo, SD 4y 1mo; range 6–22y) were assessed with the Dyskinesia Impairment Scale and classified with the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and Communication Function Classification System (CFCS).ResultsDystonia and choreoathetosis are simultaneously present. Median levels of dystonia (70.2%) were significantly higher than levels of choreoathetosis (26.7%) and both were significantly higher during activity than at rest (both p<0.01). High correlations were found between dystonia levels and GMFCS level (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, rS=0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53–0.81; p<0.01) and MACS (rS=0.65; 95% CI 0.47–0.81; p<0.01), and fair correlation with CFCS (rs=0.36; 95% CI=0.11–0.57; p<0.05). No significant correlation was found between choreoathetosis levels and motor classifications. Finally, higher choreoathetosis levels were found in participants with pure thalamus and basal ganglia lesions (p=0.03) than mixed lesions, but not for dystonia (p=0.41).InterpretationDystonia and choreoathetosis increase during activity. However, dystonia predominates and seems to have a larger impact on functional abilities. Our findings further suggest that choreoathetosis seems to be more linked to pure thalamus and basal ganglia lesions than dystonia.
Magnetic stimulation and movement‐related cortical activity for acute stroke with hemiparesis
Authors: Matsuura A. , Onoda K. , Oguro H. , Yamaguchi S. 
Published: July 2015

Background and purposeThis double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled study investigated the beneficial effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to patients with motor paresis in acute subcortical stroke on functional recovery and electrophysiological measures.MethodsTwenty patients with acute stroke were randomized into real rTMS (n = 10) or sham (n = 10) groups. Patients received five daily sessions of rTMS with 1200 pulses at 1 Hz for 20 min or sham stimulation over the contralesional motor cortex. Movement‐related cortical potential MRCP, consisting of the Bereitschaftpotential, negative slope (NS′) and motor potential (MP), was recorded during self‐paced wrist extension of the affected limb associated with assessment of the Fugl−Meyer assessment (FMA) of the upper extremity, the pegboard test and the grip strength before and after the rTMS session.ResultsReal rTMS improved the FMA and pegboard test scores compared to the sham group in the affected hand. This improvement was associated with increases in the MP and NS′ over the front‐central sites in the ipsilesional hemisphere, whereas the sham group did not show significant changes in MRCP components by rTMS.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that low‐frequency rTMS to the contralesional motor cortex facilitates functional recovery of paretic limbs in acute stroke patients through enhancing the the neuronal activity of ipsilesional motor and pre‐motor areas.
Epilepsia partialis continua responsive to neocortical electrical stimulation
Authors: Valentin Antonio , Ughratdar Ismail , Cheserem Beverly , Morris Robert , Selway Richard , Alarcon Gonzalo 
Published: July 2015

SummaryEpilepsia partialis continua (EPC), defined as a syndrome of continuous focal jerking, is a rare form of focal status epilepticus that usually affects a distal limb, and when prolonged, can produce long‐lasting deficits in limb function. Substantial electrophysiologic evidence links the origin ofEPCto the motor cortex; thus surgical resection carries the risk of significant handicap. We present two patients with focal, drug‐resistantEPC, who were admitted for intracranial video‐electroencephalography monitoring to elucidate the location of the epileptogenic focus and identification of eloquent motor cortex with functional mapping. In both cases, the focus resided at or near eloquent motor cortex and therefore precluded resective surgery. Chronic cortical stimulation delivered through subdural strips at the seizure focus (continuous stimulation at 60–130 Hz, 2–3 mA) resulted in >90% reduction in seizures and abolition of theEPCafter a follow‐up of 22 months in both patients. Following permanent implantation of cortical stimulators, no adverse effects were noted.EPCrestarted when intensity was reduced or batteries depleted. Battery replacement restored previous improvement. This two‐case report opens up avenues for the treatment of this debilitating condition.
Extending the phenotypic spectrum of RBFOX1 deletions: Sporadic focal epilepsy
Authors: Lal Dennis , Pernhorst Katharina , Klein Karl Martin , Reif Philipp , Tozzi Rossana , Toliat Mohammad R. , Winterer Georg , Neubauer Bernd , Nürnberg Peter , Rosenow Felix , Becker Felicitas , Lerche Holger , Kunz Wolfram S. , Kurki Mitja I. , Hoffmann Per , Becker Albert J. , Perucca Emilio , Zara Federico , Sander Thomas , Weber Yvonne G. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryPartial deletions of the RBFOX1 gene encoding the neuronal splicing regulator have been reported in a range of neurodevelopmental diseases including idiopathic/genetic generalized epilepsy (IGE/GGE), childhood focal epilepsy, and self‐limited childhood benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS, rolandic epilepsy), and autism. The protein regulates alternative splicing of many neuronal transcripts involved in the homeostatic control of neuronal excitability. Herein, we examined whether structural deletions affecting RBFOX1 exons confer susceptibility to common forms of juvenile and adult focal epilepsy syndromes. We screened 807 unrelated patients with sporadic focal epilepsy, and we identified seven hemizygous exonic RBFOX1 deletions in patients with sporadic focal epilepsy (0.9%) in comparison to one deletion found in 1,502 controls. The phenotypes of the patients carrying RBFOX1 deletions comprise magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–negative epilepsy of unknown etiology with frontal and temporal origin (n = 5) and two patients with temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis. The epilepsies were largely pharmacoresistant but not associated with intellectual disability. Our study extends the phenotypic spectrum of RBFOX1 deletions as a risk factor for focal epilepsy and suggests that exonic RBFOX1 deletions are involved in the broad spectrum of focal and generalized epilepsies.
Fell–Muir Lecture: Heparan sulphate and the art of cell regulation: a polymer chain conducts the protein orchestra
Authors: Gallagher John 
Published: July 2015

SummaryHeparan sulphate (HS) sits at the interface of the cell and the extracellular matrix. It is a member of the glycosaminoglycan family of anionic polysaccharides with unique structural features designed for protein interaction and regulation. Its client proteins include soluble effectors (e.g. growth factors, morphogens, chemokines), membrane receptors and cell adhesion proteins such as fibronectin, fibrillin and various types of collagen. The protein‐binding properties of HS, together with its strategic positioning in the pericellular domain, are indicative of key roles in mediating the flow of regulatory signals between cells and their microenvironment. The control of transmembrane signalling is a fundamental element in the complex biology of HS. It seems likely that, in some way, HS orchestrates diverse signalling pathways to facilitate information processing inside the cell. A dictionary definition of an orchestra is ‘a large group of musicians who play together on various instruments …’ to paraphrase, the HS orchestra is ‘a large group of proteins that play together on various receptors’. HS conducts this orchestra to ensure that proteins hit the right notes on their receptors but, in the manner of a true conductor, does it also set ‘the musical pulse’ and create rhythm and harmony attractive to the cell? This is too big a question to answer but fun to think about as you read this review.
Variations in the phytosterol and tocopherol compositions and the oxidative stability in seed oils from four safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L) varieties grown in north‐eastern Morocco
Authors: Ben Moumen Abdessamad , Mansouri Farid , Richard Gaetan , Fauconnier Marie‐Laure , Sindic Marianne , Nabloussi Abdelghani , Elamrani Ahmed , Serghini Caid Hana 
Published: July 2015

SummaryPhytosterol and tocopherol contents and oxidative stability were evaluated from seeds oils of four safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L) varieties originating from Spain (Rancho), India (Sharda) and Morocco (Cartamar and Cartafri), which were cultivated at the experimental station in Oujda (a semi‐arid region of eastern Morocco). Total phytosterols ranged from 3640 to 4140 mg kg−1. GC analysis allowed the identification of nine compounds, of which β‐sitosterol was the major component. Total tocopherols ranged from 461.56 to 499.68 mg kg−1. HPLC analysis allowed the identification of three compounds, α‐tocopherol (99.45%–98.84%), β‐tocopherol (0.94%–0.5%) and γ‐tocopherol (0.21%–0.01%). Oxidative stability study showed that Sharda had the lowest induction period of 2.3 h compared with 7.18, 7 and 6.67 h for Cartafri, Rancho and Cartamar, respectively. Likewise, we established a positive correlation between the oxidative stability and γ‐tocopherol; however, this difference was not significant.
A biased random‐key genetic algorithm for single‐round divisible load scheduling
Authors: Brandão Julliany S. , Noronha Thiago F. , Resende Mauricio G. C. , Ribeiro Celso C. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractA divisible load is an amount W of computational work that can be arbitrarily divided into chunks and distributed among a set P of worker processors to be processed in parallel. Divisible load applications occur in many fields of science and engineering. They can be parallelized in a master‐worker fashion, but they pose several scheduling challenges. The divisible load scheduling problem consists in (a) selecting a subset of active workers, (b) defining the order in which the chunks will be transmitted to each of them, and (c) deciding the amount of load that will be transmitted to each worker , with , so as to minimize the makespan, i.e., the total elapsed time since the master began to send data to the first worker, until the last worker stops its computations. In this work, we propose a biased random‐key genetic algorithm for solving the divisible load scheduling problem. Computational results show that the proposed heuristic outperforms the best heuristic in the literature.
The Impact of Independence on Regulatory Outcomes: the Case of EU Competition Policy
Authors: Guidi Mattia 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIndependent regulatory agencies are created in order to enhance the stability and credibility of economic regulation, and to improve policy implementation. So far, most research in political science has focused on explaining the reasons for independence, while less attention has been paid to analysing the consequences of independence. Aiming to start filling this gap, this article seeks to test if (and to what extent) independence makes a difference in competition policy enforcement. Original data on formal independence of national competition agencies in EU Member States from 1993 to 2009 are employed to test if different degrees of independence (and changes in independence over time) affect foreign direct investment and consumer prices. The results indicate that the formal independence of a competition agency does not have any significant impact on either indicator, thus questioning the assumption that independence yields better regulatory performance.
Judicialized Law‐Making and Opportunistic Enforcement: Explaining the EU's Challenge of National Defence Offsets
Authors: Weiss Moritz , Blauberger Michael 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis article seeks to explain how the European Union (EU) – by challenging national defence offsets – managed to move into a highly sensitive policy area under formerly exclusive Member State competence. Whereas major accounts of integration depict defence policy as a least likely case, our process‐tracing analysis shows that the EU's recent challenge of defence offsets was a case of supranational self‐empowerment. We theorize two consecutive strategies of judicial politics, which the Commission employed at different policy stages to overcome opposition from Member States and defence firms against domestic policy change: judicialized law‐making and opportunistic enforcement. Both strategies depend on three scope conditions: expansive case law of the European Court of Justice (ECJ), its fit with policy priorities of the Commission and a credible threat of follow‐up litigation.
Optimization of Leavening Agents in Extruded Gluten‐Free Brewer's Rice Hard Pretzel Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Paykary Maryam , Karim Roselina , Saari Nazamid , Sulaiman Rabiha , Shekarforoush Elhamalsadat , Aghazadeh Mona 
Published: July 2015

AbstractCeliac is the second most important issue in food sensitivities. The only treatment for celiac is a lifetime avoidance of consuming gluten. As pretzels are one of the most popular snacks in the world, making gluten‐free pretzels is a market need. To produce gluten‐free products, it is important to optimize the ingredients of the formulation. This research focused on optimization of the leavening agents of the most popular commercial hard pretzel formulation in which wheat flour is replaced with brewer's rice flour. This research also attempts to explain the effect of leavening agents in products containing no matrix molecules such as gluten. Response surface methodology via the central composite design was used to optimize the effects of yeast and bicarbonate of soda on the hardness (cutting strength), fracturability (brittleness), surface color, lateral expansion, expansion ratio, specific length, density (bulk, particle, material), porosity (open, close, total), water absorption index, water solubility index, water holding capacity, oil absorption index and oil holding capacity of gluten‐free hard pretzel. The optimized results indicated that the gluten‐free pretzel requires 8.05g yeast and 2.59g bicarbonate of soda for every 500g of brewer's rice flour.Practical ApplicationsThe study investigated the effect of leavening agents (yeast and sodium bicarbonate) which are critical ingredients affecting the quality characteristics, consumer preference and palatability of gluten‐free hard pretzel when typical soft wheat flour was replaced with a gluten‐free flour like rice or brewer's rice flour. The result guides the gluten‐free industries on the importance of using the suitable amount of leavening agents for production of acceptable physicochemical and textural properties of not only hard pretzel, but also for other low moisture cereal products as well. The findings also introduce the usage of brewer's rice, a by‐product of rice milling industry as one of the ingredients for the production of value‐added products for all consumers' especially the celiac sufferers who need to find more reasonable price products compared to gluten ones.
The Impact of Demand and Supplier on Wine's Supply Chain Performance
Authors: García‐Alcaraz Jorge Luis , Alvarado‐Iniesta Alejandro , Blanco‐Fernández Julio , Maldonado‐Macías Aide Aracely , Jiménez‐Macías Emilio , Saenz‐Díez Muro Juan Carlos 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe wine industry is one of the most important income sources in the autonomous community of La Rioja in Spain, and this report is aimed to identify and measure the effect of the latent variables such as Demand, Suppliers, Quality and delivery time on Financial profits for wineries. Latent variables were integrated by the observed variables, and a questionnaire was given to 64 wineries in La Rioja, Spain. A descriptive analysis appears for indicators and latent variables were related using structural equation modeling. The results indicate that there is not a direct effect between an efficient Demand forecasting and Suppliers on the Financial profits for wineries, but there are indirect effects through a Quality and delivery time, the most important variable being analyzed. Managers in wineries must focus their attention on Quality and delivery time to costumers, while having a direct relationship with suppliers.Practical ApplicationsWinery managers must make an effort to have a fast prediction of variants in the forecast and adjust the order to suppliers and production process so that the supply chain can be more agile and with quality and timely deliveries with the final result being the company's financial profit. An agile supply chain with quality products seems to be insignificant for managers in wineries.
Optimization of Cryogenic Grinding Process for Cassia (Cinnamomum loureirii Nees L.)
Authors: Ghodki Bhupendra M , Goswami T.K. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe cryogenic grinding conditions for cassia powder were optimized with four independent variables, viz., feed rate (2–10 kg/h), grinding temperature (−130 to 30C), peripheral speed (7.77–18.13 m/s) and moisture content (6–14% d.b.) using central composite design (CCD) and response surface methodology (RSM). The optimization was targeted to obtain the cassia powder with a lower particle size (μm), together with a minimum color difference (ΔE*) and specific energy consumption values (kJ/kg), while retaining maximum volatile oil content (mL/100 g) in the sample. The numerical optimization suggested that the cryo‐grinding of the sample of 9.1% moisture content with the feed rate of 2 kg/h would be the optimum (desirability value of 0.91) at −97C of grinding temperature and 10.5 m/s peripheral speed, respectively. The optimized condition was validated further at the nearest possible condition within the domain. At the optimized cryo‐grinding condition, the final particle size of 60 μm containing 2.9 mL/100 g volatile oil and the specific energy consumption of 31.3 kJ/kg was obtained. In addition, the corresponding color difference in the optimized sample was minimal (ΔE* < 3).Practical ApplicationsThe results of this study will enable the spice industry to apply the cryogenic grinding process specifically for cassia powder. The optimized condition obtained from this study is capable of producing the cassia powder with desirable particle size together with a minimal loss in its characteristic flavor.