bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Echocardiography for Patent Ductus Arteriosus Including Closure in Adults
Authors: Chugh Reema , Salem Morris M. 
Published: May 2014

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) represents at least 5–10% of all congenital heart defects (CHDs) making it a very important commonly diagnosed lesion. Although spontaneous closure of the PDA occurs within 24 to 48 hours after birth in the majority, those children who do not have natural or surgical closure may have a persistent PDA into adulthood. The diagnosis is most often confirmed by echocardiography that also guides catheter‐based interventions and surgeries. Echocardiography continues to be the most important tool in long‐term follow‐up of residua and sequelae.
WAGES, EMPLOYMENT, AND STATISTICAL DISCRIMINATION: EVIDENCE FROM THE LABORATORY
Authors: DICKINSON DAVID L. , OAXACA RONALD L. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractWe report results from laboratory experiments designed to examine statistical discrimination. Our design expands upon existing research by generating data both on wage contracts and unemployment rates of directly competing worker groups. We find some evidence for statistical wage discrimination against workers having an identical expected productivity but a higher productivity variance. However, those same subjects are less likely to be unemployed, suggesting that our employer‐subjects view hiring choice and wage contracts as substitutable. A clear implication is that field data discrimination estimates based on wages alone may overestimate the true impact of such discrimination. (JEL C90, J71)
Scaling analysis of soil water storage with missing measurements using the second‐generation continuous wavelet transform
Authors: Biswas A. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryInformation on the spatial variability of soil water storage (SWS) at different scales is important for understanding various hydrological, ecological and biogeochemical processes in the landscape. However, various obstructions such as roads or water bodies may result in missing measurements and create an irregular spatial series. The wavelet transform can quantify spatial variability at different scales and locations but is restricted to regular measurements. The objective of this study was to analyse the spatial variability of SWS with missing measurements using the second‐generation continuous wavelet transform (SGCWT). Soil water content (converted to SWS by multiplying with depth) was measured with a neutron probe and time‐domain reflectrometry along a transect of 128 points. Because there were missing measurements, I used SGCWT to partition the total variation into different scales and locations. Whilst there were some small‐scale variations (< 20 m) along the transect, the medium scale variations (20–70 m with an average of about 30–45 m) were mainly concentrated within the depressions along the transect. The strongest variations were observed at around 90–110 m scale, representing the variations resulting from alternating knolls and depressions. Similar spatial patterns at different scales were observed during different seasons, indicating temporal stability in the spatial pattern of SWS. Among the controlling factors, the wavelet spectra of relative elevation (RE) and organic carbon (OC) were very similar to that of SWS. The wavelet covariance was also large between SWS and RE and OC at all seasons. As the OC reflects the long‐term history of water availability and might be controlled by topographic setting or elevation, it can be concluded that elevation is an important controlling factor of SWS irrespective of seasons in this type of landscape. The SGCWT provides a new way of analysing the spatial variability of regularly measured soil properties or those with missing measurements.
Redox heterogeneity of subsurface waters in the Mesoproterozoic ocean
Authors: Sperling E. A. , Rooney A. D. , Hays L. , Sergeev V. N. , Vorob'eva N. G. , Sergeeva N. D. , Selby D. , Johnston D. T. , Knoll A. H. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractA substantial body of evidence suggests that subsurface water masses in mid‐Proterozoic marine basins were commonly anoxic, either euxinic (sulfidic) or ferruginous (free ferrous iron). To further document redox variations during this interval, a multiproxy geochemical and paleobiological investigation was conducted on the approximately 1000‐m‐thick Mesoproterozoic (Lower Riphean) Arlan Member of the Kaltasy Formation, central Russia. Iron speciation geochemistry, supported by organic geochemistry, redox‐sensitive trace element abundances, and pyrite sulfur isotope values, indicates that basinal calcareous shales of the Arlan Member were deposited beneath an oxygenated water column, and consistent with this interpretation, eukaryotic microfossils are abundant in basinal facies. The Rhenium–Osmium (Re–Os) systematics of the Arlan shales yield depositional ages of 1414 ± 40 and 1427 ± 43 Ma for two horizons near the base of the succession, consistent with previously proposed correlations. The presence of free oxygen in a basinal environment adds an important end member to Proterozoic redox heterogeneity, requiring an explanation in light of previous data from time‐equivalent basins. Very low total organic carbon contents in the Arlan Member are perhaps the key—oxic deep waters are more likely (under any level of atmospheric O2) in oligotrophic systems with low export production. Documentation of a full range of redox heterogeneity in subsurface waters and the existence of local redox controls indicate that no single stratigraphic section or basin can adequately capture both the mean redox profile of Proterozoic oceans and its variance at any given point in time.
Heterogeneity of stromal cells in the human splenic white pulp. Fibroblastic reticulum cells, follicular dendritic cells and a third superficial stromal cell type
Authors: Steiniger Birte S. , Wilhelmi Verena , Seiler Anja , Lampp Katrin , Stachniss Vitus 
Published: May 2014

SummaryAt least three phenotypically and morphologically distinguishable types of branched stromal cells are revealed in the human splenic white pulp by subtractive immunohistological double‐staining. CD271 is expressed in fibroblastic reticulum cells of T‐cell zones and in follicular dendritic cells of follicles. In addition, there is a third CD271− and CD271+/− stromal cell population surrounding T‐cell zones and follicles. At the surface of follicles the third population consists of individually variable partially overlapping shells of stromal cells exhibiting CD90 (Thy‐1), MAdCAM‐1, CD105 (endoglin), CD141 (thrombomodulin) and smooth muscle α‐actin (SMA) with expression of CD90 characterizing the broadest shell and SMA the smallest. In addition, CXCL12, CXCL13 and CCL21 are also present in third‐population stromal cells and/or along fibres. Not only CD27+ and switched B lymphocytes, but also scattered IgD++ B lymphocytes and variable numbers of CD4+ T lymphocytes often occur close to the third stromal cell population or one of its subpopulations at the surface of the follicles. In contrast to human lymph nodes, neither podoplanin nor RANKL (CD254) were detected in adult human splenic white pulp stromal cells. The superficial stromal cells of the human splenic white pulp belong to a widespread cell type, which is also found at the surface of red pulp arterioles surrounded by a mixed T‐cell/B‐cell population. Superficial white pulp stromal cells differ from fibroblastic reticulum cells and follicular dendritic cells not only in humans, but apparently also in mice and perhaps in rats. However, the phenotype of white pulp stromal cells is species‐specific and more heterogeneous than described so far.
Gestational Weight Change in Women Attending a Group Antenatal Program Aimed at Addressing Obesity in Pregnancy in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Raymond Jane E. , Foureur Maralyn J. , Davis Deborah L. 
Published: May 2014

IntroductionThe prevalence of obesity in Australia among women of childbearing age has doubled over the past 2 decades. Obesity is associated with complications for women and their newborns during pregnancy and birth. Limiting gestational weight gain can reduce perinatal complications and postnatal weight retention, but evidence supporting interventions designed to assist obese pregnant women to manage their weight gain in pregnancy is inconclusive. The aim of this article is to describe the gestational weight change of a cohort of obese pregnant women enrolled in a group antenatal program aimed at assisting them to limit their weight gain in pregnancy to levels recommended by the US Institute of Medicine.MethodsThe program was jointly developed by 2 metropolitan maternity services in New South Wales, Australia. This is a descriptive study that presents select data for women enrolled in the program. Body mass index (BMI), prepregnancy weight, last pregnancy weight, and selected clinical outcomes were recorded for 82 obese women enrolled in the program during the evaluation period of 14 months. Data were analyzed using nonparametric tests: the chi‐square and the Mann‐Whitney U tests.ResultsParity was associated with prepregnancy BMI, with women of higher parity having higher BMIs. Women with higher BMIs had a significantly lower gestational weight gain than women with lower BMIs. Overall, 27% of women enrolled in the program gained the recommended 5 to 9 kg, 27% gained less than this amount, and 46% gained more.DiscussionEvidence supporting interventions designed to assist obese pregnant women to manage their weight gain in pregnancy is lacking. This innovative, collaborative program shows promise, as early results compare favorably with international comparisons.
The 2011 expedition to the El'gygytgyn impact structure, Northeast Russia: Toward a new geological map for the crater area
Authors: Raschke Ulli , Zaag Patrice Tristan , Schmitt Ralf Thomas , Reimold Wolf Uwe 
Published: May 2014

AbstractEl'gygytgyn is a 3.6 Ma, 18 km diameter, impact crater formed in an approximately 88 Ma old volcanic target in Northeast Siberia. The structure has been the subject of a recent ICDP drilling project. In parallel to those efforts, a Russian‐German expedition was undertaken in summer 2011 to investigate the permafrost soil, lake terraces, and the volcanic rocks of the southern and eastern crater rim. This provided the unique opportunity for mapping and sampling of the volcanic target rocks around a large part of this complex impact structure. Samples from 43 outcrops were collected and analyzed petrographically and geochemically. The results were combined with earlier mapping outcomes to create a new geological map of this impact structure and its immediate environs, at the scale of 1:50,000. Compositions of our rock suites are compared with the lithologies of the 2009 ICDP drill core. The ignimbrite described as lower bedrock in the ICDP drill core shows petrographically and chemically strong similarities to the rhyolitic and rhyodacitic ignimbrites observed on surface. The suevite sequence exposed in the ICDP drill core is a mixture of all observed target rocks at their respective proportions in the area. In contrast to previous studies, the calculated average target composition of El'gygytgyn takes the contribution of the basic target rocks into consideration: mafic and intermediate rocks approximately 7.5%, and felsic rocks approximately 92.5%.
Prucalopride decreases esophageal acid exposure and accelerates gastric emptying in healthy subjects
Authors: Kessing B. F. , Smout A. J. P. M. , Bennink R. J. , Kraaijpoel N. , Oors J. M. , Bredenoord A. J. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe 5‐HT4 receptor agonist prucalopride is a prokinetic drug which improves colonic motility. Animal data and in vitro studies suggest that prucalopride also affects gastric and esophageal motor function. We aimed to assess the effect of prucalopride on gastric emptying, esophageal motility, and gastro‐esophageal reflux in man.MethodsIn this double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized, crossover study, we included 21 healthy volunteers who received 4 mg prucalopride or placebo per day for 6 days. We performed high‐resolution manometry (HRM) followed by 120‐min HRM‐pH‐impedance monitoring after a standardized meal, ambulatory 24‐h pH‐impedance monitoring, and gastric emptying for solids.Key ResultsPrucalopride decreased (median [IQR]) total acid exposure time (3.4 [2.5–5.6] vs 1.7 [0.8–3.5] %, p < 0.05). The total number of reflux events was unaffected by prucalopride, however, the number of reflux events extending to the proximal esophagus was reduced by prucalopride (15.5 [9.8–25.5] vs 10.5 [5.3–17.5], p < 0.05). Furthermore, prucalopride improved acid clearance time (77.5 [47.8–108.8] vs 44.0 [30.0–67.8] s, p < 0.05). Prucalopride did not affect the number of transient lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxations or their association with reflux events. Esophageal motility and basal pressure of the LES were not affected by prucalopride. Prucalopride increased gastric emptying (T1/2; 32.7 [27.9–44.6] vs 49.8 [37.7–55.0] min, p < 0.05) and decreased residue after 120 min (8.8 [4.4–14.8] vs 2.7 [1.3–5.4] %, p < 0.05).Conclusions & InferencesPrucalopride reduces esophageal acid exposure and accelerates gastric emptying in healthy male volunteers. These findings suggest that the drug could be effective for treatment of patients with reflux disease and functional dyspepsia.
A Systematic Review of Systemic Medications for Pustular Psoriasis in Pediatrics
Authors: Posso‐De Los Rios Claudia J. , Pope Elena , Lara‐Corrales Irene 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThere is lack of information and evidence‐based studies on the treatment of pediatric pustular psoriasis. Previous reports have emphasized the limitations of the existing data and encouraged the exploration of therapy optimization through more structured research. The objective of the current study was to perform a systematic review of systemic interventions for pediatric pustular psoriasis with an emphasis on clinical response and treatment outcomes. A systematic literature search was conducted using the PubMed and Embase databases from 1982 to 2012. Of 632 references identified, 14 met our inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. A cohort of eight patients from the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada, was also included. Information was limited to systemic treatments in children. Only English‐ and Spanish‐language articles were included. Information was gathered from 24 patients, 22 of whom (92%) presented with generalized pustular psoriasis and 2 (8%) with acral distribution. The mean age at presentation was 6.3 ± 4.9 years. More than one intervention was required in 12 (50%) cases. The most common therapies used for generalized pustular psoriasis were acitretin, cyclosporine, and methotrexate. We identified that there is lack of information regarding long‐term response to systemic drugs because the data were focused on treatment initiation. Treatment of pustular psoriasis in pediatrics is challenging. Although acitretin, methotrexate, and cyclosporine seem to control generalized pustular psoriasis within 3 months of therapy initiation, information on long‐term follow‐up is lacking. Furthermore, physicians may encounter difficulties after discontinuing or tapering medications.
Pediatric Mycosis Fungoides in Singapore: A Series of 46 Children
Authors: Heng Yee Kiat , Koh Mark Jean Aan , Giam Yoke Chin , Tang Mark Boon Yang , Chong Wei Sheng , Tan Suat Hoon 
Published: May 2014

AbstractFew studies have evaluated Asian children with mycosis fungoides (MF). We report a series of patients from a tertiary dermatologic institution in Singapore. A retrospective review was performed of patients younger than 16 years old diagnosed with MF between 2000 and 2008 at the National Skin Centre, Singapore. Forty‐six patients were identified. At initial presentation, a provisional diagnosis of MF was made in 19 patients (41.3%), pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC) in 11 (23.9%) and postinflammatory hypopigmentation due to eczema or other causes in 11 (23.9%). After skin biopsy, the hypopigmented variant of MF was diagnosed in 42 patients (91.3%). There was one case each of PLC‐like MF, pigmented purpuric dermatosis‐like MF, classic MF, and solitary MF. Pityriasis lichenoides coexisted in three cases (6.5%). All except one patient presented with the early patch‐plaque stage of disease (stage IA/B). The disease did not progress in any of our patients after a mean follow‐up of 71.0 ± 52.5 months. Twenty‐seven patients (58.7%) had complete disease clearance after a mean duration of 27.1 ± 28.1 months; 15 (49.7%) of 32 patients who received narrowband ultraviolet B treatment had complete clearance within an average of 8.9 ± 5.3 months, but 7 patients relapsed within 14.9 ± 14.8 months. One patient with solitary MF failed multiple treatment modalities before eventually achieving disease clearance with photodynamic therapy. Hypopigmented MF is the most common MF variant in Asian children. The diagnostic difficulty is in differentiating this from PLC, which may coexist with MF. Long‐term prognosis is generally favorable.
Russian populations of Puccinia triticina in distant regions are not differentiated for virulence and molecular genotype
Authors: Kolmer J. A. , Kabdulova M. G. , Mustafina M. A. , Zhemchuzhina N. S. , Dubovoy V. 
Published: May 2014

The objective of this study was to determine whether genetically distinct groups of Puccinia triticina are present in four regions of the Russian Federation. Collections of P. triticina were obtained from the Central, North Caucasus, Volga and West Siberia regions from 2006 to 2010. Ninety‐nine single uredinial isolates were tested for virulence phenotype with 20 Thatcher near‐isogenic lines of wheat. Forty‐one virulence phenotypes were found in the four regions, with eight in common between the widely separated Central and West Siberia regions. A total of 72 isolates were tested for molecular genotype with 23 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primer pairs, and 66 isolates were used for further analysis after clone correction for virulence and molecular genotype. Analysis of variation showed no overall differentiation of SSR genotypes or virulence phenotypes based on region of origin. Linkage disequilibria for SSR genotypes were high across the entire population. The regional populations had higher than expected levels of allelic heterozygosity that indicated clonal reproduction. Based on cluster analysis of SSR genotypes there were two groups of P. triticina isolates that were widely distributed across Russia. The two SSR groups also differed significantly for virulence. Puccinia triticina may be dispersed from a common source of inoculum in the European or Caucasus regions of Russia. The Russian P. triticina populations were highly differentiated for SSR genotype from populations in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan and more similar to populations from southern Kazakhstan and northern Kazakhstan.
Geography and Gender: Variation in the Gender Earnings Ratio Across U.S. States*
Authors: Hoffman Saul D. 
Published: May 2014

ObjectivesThe gender earnings ratio for year‐round full‐time (YRFT) workers varies substantially across U.S. states, with a range of 24 percentage points. I examine the sources of this variation to assess to what extent it reflects compositional differences by gender that vary across state and/or nonneutral effects of state of residence on gender earnings.MethodsUsing CPS data, I estimate earnings models for men and women that incorporate state fixed effects in addition to standard human capital and demographic variables. I use those estimates to compute unadjusted and regression‐adjusted estimates of the impact of state residence on the gender earnings ratio.ResultsI find that nonneutral gender‐specific state effects on earnings exist even after controlling for other determinants of earnings and that state of residence appears, therefore, to have a genuine effect on the gender earnings ratio. I also find that states with particularly low overall gender earnings ratios have consistently low ratios even within quite detailed education and occupation categories.ConclusionsVariation in the gender earnings ratio for YRFT workers across states is not simply a result of compositional differences. It is unclear, however, what policy instruments or other factors account for these differences.
Impact of Antimicrobial Stewardship Intervention on Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus Blood Cultures in Conjunction with Rapid Diagnostic Testing
Authors: Nagel Jerod L. , Huang Angela M. , Kunapuli Anjly , Gandhi Tejal N. , Washer Laraine L. , Lassiter Jessica , Patel Twisha , Newton Duane W. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

Rapid diagnostic testing with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) decreases the time to organism identification by 24 to 36 h compared to the amount of time required by conventional methods. However, there are limited data evaluating the impact of MALDI-TOF with real-time antimicrobial stewardship team (AST) review and intervention on antimicrobial prescribing and outcomes for patients with bacteremia and blood cultures contaminated with coagulase-negative
Staphylococcus
(CoNS). A quasiexperimental study was conducted to analyze the impact of rapid diagnostic testing with MALDI-TOF plus AST review and intervention for adult hospitalized patients with blood cultures positive for CoNS. Antibiotic prescribing patterns and clinical outcomes were compared before and after implementation of MALDI-TOF with AST intervention for patients with CoNS bacteremia and CoNS contamination. A total of 324 patients with a positive CoNS blood culture were included; 246 were deemed to have contaminated cultures (117 in the preintervention group and 129 in AST the intervention group), and 78 patients had bacteremia (46 in the preintervention group and 32 in the AST intervention group). No differences in demographics were seen between the groups, and similar rates of contamination occurred between the preintervention and AST intervention groups (64.3% versus 72.6%,
P
= 0.173). Patients with bacteremia were initiated on optimal therapy sooner in the AST intervention group (58.7 versus 34.4 h,
P
= 0.030), which was associated with a similarly decreased mortality (21.7% versus 3.1%,
P
= 0.023). Patients with CoNS-contaminated cultures had similar rates of mortality, lengths of hospitalization, recurrent bloodstream infections, and 30-day hospital readmissions, but the AST intervention group had a decreased duration of unnecessary antibiotic therapy (1.31 versus 3.89 days,
P
= 0.032) and a decreased number of vancomycin trough assays performed (0.88 versus 1.95,
P
< 0.001). In patients with CoNS bacteremia, rapid pathogen identification integrated with real-time stewardship interventions improved timely organism identification and initiation of antibiotic therapy. Patients in the AST group with blood cultures contaminated with CoNS had decreased inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing and decreased unnecessary serum vancomycin trough assays.