bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between Portal Vein Thrombosis and Survival of Liver Transplant Recipients: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies
Authors: Qi Xingshun , Dai Junna , Jia Jia , Ren Weirong , Yang Man , Li Hongyu , Fan Daiming , Guo Xiaozhong 
Published: March 2015

Background & Aims: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) increases the technical complexity of liver transplantation (LT). This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to analyze the association of pre-LT PVT with the overall survival after LT.Methods. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases were used to search for papers related to the association between pre-LT PVT and survival of LT recipients. The differences in the survival rates between the LT recipients with and without pre-LT PVT were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Results. Twenty-seven papers were included. Overall meta-analysis showed that the total LT recipients with pre-LT PVT had a significantly lower 1-year survival rate than those without pre-LT PVT (OR=0.733, 95%CI=0.621-0.865; P=0.0002). But no statistically significant difference was observed in the in-hospital (OR=0.713, 95%CI=0.343-1.482; P=0.365), 1-month (OR=0.679, 95%CI=0.345-1.333; P=0.261), or 5-year survival rate (OR=0.788, 95%CI=0.587-1.058; P=0.113). Additionally, the 1-year survival rate was significantly lower in the LT recipients with complete PVT than in those without PVT (OR=0.503, 95%CI=0.295-0.858; P=0.012). However, no statistically significant difference in the 1-year survival rate between them was observed in the meta-analysis of high-quality studies (OR=0.899, 95%CI=0.657-1.230; P=0.505) or that of studies in which LT was performed after 2000 (OR=0.783, 95%CI=0.566-1.083; P=0.140).Conclusion. Pre-LT PVT, especially complete PVT, decreased the 1-year survival rate after LT. However, the detrimental effect of pre-LT PVT on the survival of LT recipients became inconclusive in high-quality studies. Additionally, further well-designed cohort studies should validate the association in patients undergoing LT during the latter years.
Serum Immunoreactive Collagen IV detected by Monoclonal Antibodies as a Marker of Severe Fibrosis in Patients with Non- Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Aida Yuta , Abe Hiroshi , Tomita Yoichi , Nagano Tomohisa , Seki Nobuyoshi , Sugita Tomonori , Itagaki Munenori , Ishiguro Haruya , Sutoh Satoshi , Aizawa Yoshio 
Published: March 2015

Background & Aims: The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing worldwide. We evaluated serum collagen IV as a direct non-invasive marker of severe liver fibrosis in NAFLD.Methods: The study included 148 NAFLD and 187 chronic hepatitis C patients in whom histological severity of liver fibrosis was evaluated. The utility of serum collagen IV measured by immune-mediated agglutination using two types of monoclonal antibodies for distinguishing severe fibrosis (≥ stage 3 and ≥ F3) from non-to-moderate fibrosis in NAFLD or chronic hepatitis C was assessed in comparison to serum hyaluronic acid or other indirect fibrosis markers.Results: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that serum collagen IV was significantly associated with severe fibrosis in NAFLD (odds ratio: 1.21, p<0.001) but not in chronic hepatitis C. For distinguishing severe fibrosis in NAFLD, collagen IV showed the largest area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (0.827, 95%CI: 0.746-0.908) followed by FIB-4 (0.805, 95%CI: 0.728-0.890); in chronic hepatitis C, those for FIB-4 (0.813, 95%CI: 0.748-0.878) and collagen IV (0.770, 95%CI: 0.683-0.857) were the largest and smallest, respectively. To detect severe fibrosis in NAFLD, a cutoff of collagen IV > 177 exhibited 77.1% sensitivity, 84.0% specificity, 76.5% positive predictive value, and 84.0% negative predictive value. Combined with a cutoff of FIB-4 > 2.09, the negative and positive predictive values, and specificity for detecting severe fibrosis in NAFLD increased further.Conclusion: Collagen IV is a reliable marker for distinguishing severe liver fibrosis from non-to-moderate fibrosis in NAFLD but not chronic hepatitis C.
How many orchid species in Costa Rica? A review of the latest discoveries
Authors: Bogarín Diego 
Published: March 2015

A pesar de su bien establecida tradición en exploración botánica, la cual comenzó en 1846 con la visita de Oersted (1846), Costa Rica está todavía lejos de tener un inventario completo de su flora de orquídeas. Después de la publicación del tratamiento más reciente y completo de la familia por Dressler (2003) nuevas especies y registros han sido añadidos regularmente al inventario del país. Especies llamativas, de flores grandes han sido descritas en géneros previamente monografiados y botánicamente bien muestreados, tales como: Brassia, Dracula, Lycaste, Polycycnis, Stanhopea, y Trichopilia, pero la gran mayoría de especies son plantas de flores pequeñas que pertenecen a las subtribus Laeliinae, Pleurothallidinae, y Zygopetalinae. Las flores efímeras, como Sobralia tienen problemas especiales con su identificación pero una colección viva, grande, revela muchas nuevas especies. Las especies previemente descritas de otros países han sido registradas en Costa Rica con regularidad. Estos nuevos registros tienen afinidades florísticas principalmente con la flora de Panamá, Colombia, Ecuador, y Venezuela. Por ejemplo, Acianthera aberrans, Epidendrum scharfii, Epidendrum stellidifforme, Lockhartia chocoensis, Maxillaria bolivarensis, Ornithidium pendulum, Ornithocephalus montealegrae, y Warmingia zamorana han sido encontradas tanto en Costa Rica como en Ecuador. El género Uleiorchis con la especie venezolana Uleiorchis liesneri, identificado en el herbario MO por Ron Liesner, constituye un nuevo registro interesante en Costa Rica. También, Maxillaria appendiculoides descrita de Costa Rica, ha sido registrada recientemente en Ecuador. Campylocentrum tenellum, Lepanthes droseroides, Lepanthes mariposa, y Sobralia bouchei de Panamá también fueron colectadas recientemente en Costa Rica. Aunque mucho trabajo florístico queda por ser completado y el país tiene áreas significativas que están mal muestreadas, el establecimiento de colecciones grandes y documentadas de plantas vivas en el Jardín Botánico Lankester, asociado con un acceso creciente a la documentación crítica (tipos y literatura), han sido la llave para el mejoramiento de nuestro entendimiento de la diversidad de orquídeas en Costa Rica y sus relaciones florísticas con otras áreas.
Hongos endófitos de la orquídea epífita Laelia speciosa
Authors: Garibay-Orijel Roberto , Omaya Ken , Ávila-Díaz Irene 
Published: March 2015

Las orquídeas mantienen en la naturaleza estrechas relaciones con hongos. Durante el trabajo con la reproducción in vitro de Laelia speciosa observamos al microscopio que semillas y plántulas presentan infestación de hongos en diversos tejidos. También se analizaron plantas adultas colectadas en el campo. Para identificar a los hongos e inferir el papel de su presencia en la planta secuenciamos su ADN. Se extrajo ADN de tejidos esterilizados superficialmente como raíz, hoja, cápsula y semillas; luego se amplificó la región del ITS ribosomal con los primers ITS1F e ITS4. Posteriormente se clonaron los fragmentos con TOPO TA4 y se secuenciaron usando la química de Big Dye terminator en un ABI 3100. En total se secuenciaron más de 150 clones positivos, de éstos el 50% correspondieron a secuencias de L. speciosa, aunque los primers empleados en teoría son específicos para hongos. El resto de las secuencias agrupadas en 97% de similitud correspondieron a 19 especies de hongos de los géneros Alternaria, Cylindrocarpon, Curvularia, Fusarium, Myrmecridium, Neonectria, Penicillium, y Tetracladium, así como a especies desconocidas de los Helotiales, Lasiosphaeriaceae, Nectriaceae, Pucciniomycotina, Sordariomycetes, y Tricholomataceae. Muchos de estos taxa están presentes en las semillas, lo que sugiere que estos hongos llegan a éstas vía placenta. En algunos casos, hongos parásitos, causan la muerte de las semillas y en otros casos, hongos micorrízicos, facilitan su germinación. La diversidad de hongos endófitos en L. speciosa es considerable y la biología de los organismos involucrados es diversa y va desde los parásitos y saprobios hasta los micorrízicos.
Barcoding the species of Pleurothallis subsection Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae
Authors: Wilson Mark 
Published: March 2015

The long-term goal of this project is to have a genetic “barcode” for the described species in Pleurothallis subsection Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae (syn. Acronia Luer) to facilitate identification, recognition of new species, biodiversity assessment, and conservation of this genus in Mesoamerica and the Andes. To this end, a living collection is being assembled at Colorado College with plants from commercial operations in South America (Ecuagenera; Colomborquídeas; Orquídeas del Valle) and the U.S. (Andy’s Orchids; Hanging Gardens; J & L Orchids); and private collections in the U.S. (O’Shaughnessy). As these plants flower and identities are confirmed, photos are taken; in the future, herbarium sheets will be prepared and flowers preserved in spirits. For some species, or from some locations such as Central America (private collection of Archila), only leaf samples have been obtained. Between living plants and leaf samples ~100 different species have been assembled, which is approximately 46% of the described species. A genetic barcode for this subsection of Pleurothallis will likely consist of three sequences. While only nrITS has been sequenced for these plants so far, the chloroplast sequences rpoB2, rpoC1, and the 3’ and 5’ ends of ycf1 are currently being investigated to determine which provide greatest variability, perhaps to combine with matK or trnH-psbA as per the CBOL Plant Working Group.
Influence of Graphene Interlayers on Electrode-Electrolyte Interfaces in Resistive Random Accesses Memory Cells
Authors: Lübben Michael , Karakolis Panagiotis , Wedig Anja , Ioannou Vassilios , Normand Pascal , Dimitrakis Panagiotis , Valov Ilia 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTThe behavior of the redox-based resistive switching memories is influenced by chemical interactions between the electrode and the solid electrolyte, as well as by local environment. The existence of different chemical potential gradients is resulting in nanobattery effect lowering the stability of the devices. In order to minimize these effects we introduce a graphene layer at the active electrode – solid electrolyte interface. We observe that graphene is acting as an effective diffusion barrier in the SiO2-based electrochemical metallization cells and acts catalytically on the electrochemical processes prior to resistive switching.
Modelo multicritério de alocação de unidades básicas de saúde: uma proposição para cidade de médio porte
Authors: Negreiros Raquel Ferreira de , Carmo Breno Barros Telles do , Moreira Maria Elisabeth Pinheiro 
Published: March 2015

Por meio das unidades de atenção básica à saúde, é possível tratar as enfermidades na sua fase inicial. Observa-se um aumento do investimento do governo federal neste tipo de estratégia, com o objetivo de reduzir o fluxo de pacientes nos grandes hospitais. As UBS estão inseridas no Programa Saúde da Família e são voltadas para o atendimento da população mais carente. Por esse motivo, é necessária uma alocação eficiente destes postos, no sentido de melhorar a oferta do serviço de saúde. Este tipo de decisão, entretanto, é tratada de forma empírica pelos gestores municipais, abordando alguns aspectos que podem não retratar a necessidade ou a amplitude deste serviço, ou serem ainda insuficientes para definir a alocação. Este artigo tem por objetivo propor um modelo de alocação das Unidades Básicas de Saúde, baseado na abordagem multicritério de apoio à decisão, tendo como estudo de caso um município do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. A proposta desenvolvida irá subsidiar o processo de alocação das novas UBS e também servirá para avaliar as alocação das atuais UBS’s. Os resultados obtidos priorizaram os locais que apresentaram maior necessidade de atendimentos médicos.Palavras-chave: Postos de saúde. Alocação. Abordagem Multicritério de Apoio à Decisão.
Combined Rate of Penetration and Pressure Regulation for Drilling Optimization by Use of High-Speed Telemetry
Authors: Shishavan Reza Asgharzadeh , Hubbell Casey , Perez Hector , Hedengren John , Pixton David 
Published: March 2015

Summary
Low-latency feedback, high bandwidth, and improved sensor placement are key benefits provided by wired-drillpipe (WDP) technology. Improved WDP reliability, based on more than 100 wells of field experience, enables more-aggressive application of the technology, including closed-loop control of drilling processes. Often, there is a requirement to consider multiple variables when attempting to control complex processes, such as drilling in deepwater wells. Such is the case when dynamically optimizing rate of penetration (ROP) in a pressure-critical wellbore environment.
Formerly, ROP and bottomhole pressure (BHP) have been considered separate optimization and automation tasks, respectively. This study combines ROP and BHP into a single comprehensive controller for a managed-pressure-drilling (MPD) application. The controller adjusts mud-pump flow rate, choke-valve position, drillstring-rotation rate, and weight on bit simultaneously and with coordinated actions. The automated operations are guided by an objective function that includes factors relevant to both BHP stabilization and ROP maximization. A preliminary MPD case study is used to assess the performance during different drilling events, including transition into varying formations, causing an unexpected gas influx. For the unwanted-gas-influx case, the controller better stabilizes the pressure when there are low-latency communications by simultaneously adjusting ROP. With WDP and the optimizing controller, there is substantial decrease in time required to control influx events compared with earlier controllers or manual methods. The high-speed data availability affects both the pressure-control reaction time and the resulting severity of the kick. When encountering different formations, there is also noticeable benefit by allowing pressure to fluctuate within an acceptable range to optimize ROP.
Combining ROP control and BHP control minimizes risk, decreases drilling costs, and reduces operator workload. Improvements in drilling performance include higher ROP, lower risk of uncontrolled kick events, and more-uniform cuttings loading. Another benefit of this combined ROP/BHP controller is that the reaction to gas influx is made more consistent and predictable relative to manual operations, reducing the demand for time-consuming remedial efforts.
Client Identification and Client Commitment in a Privately Held Client Setting: Unique Constructs with Opposite Effects on Auditor Objectivity
Authors: Herda David N. , Lavelle James J. 
Published: March 2015

SYNOPSIS
In this paper, we examine individual auditors' identification with, and commitment to, privately held clients, and their effects on auditor objectivity. Client identification reflects the extent to which an auditor's self-concept and self-definition are derived from a perceived oneness with the client. In contrast, client commitment reflects a responsibility for and a dedication to the client, but the auditor and client remain separate psychological entities. Drawing from the unique perspectives of social identity theory and social exchange theory, we hypothesize and find that client identification is distinct from client commitment. Further, we hypothesize and find that client identification and client commitment have different effects on auditor objectivity. Specifically, client identification is negatively related to auditor objectivity, whereas client commitment is positively related. The findings of this study apply predominantly to the audit of private companies where clients are more likely to exert influence over auditors and auditors may be less likely to withstand client pressures.
Data Availability: Please contact the first author.
Performance, Antimicrobial Effect and Carcass Parameters of Finisher Broilers Given Xylopia aethiopica Dried Fruits (Grains of Selim) as Additive
Authors: Isikwenu Jonathan Ogagaoghene , Udeh Ifeanyi , Izuchukwu Oshai Bernard , Ogheneremu Kekeke Theresa 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
The effect of graded levels of grains of selim on the performance, gut microbial population and carcass characteristics of finisher broilers was investigated. Two hundred and four (204) 28 days old broiler chicks (Marshal breed) were randomly allotted to four treatments with each treatment having three replicates of 17 chicks each in a completely randomized design. Finely blended grains of selim was administered through drinking water on treatments 2, 3 and 4 at concentrations of 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 g per litre while chicks on treatment 1 (control) received 1.0 g per 1.5 litre of antibiotics (Gendox). Chicks were fed ad libitum with isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets containing 20% crude protein and 3000 Kcal/kg metabolisable energy for four weeks. Results showed no significant (P > 0.05) differences among treatments in the final body weight, total weight gain, daily weight gain, total feed intake, daily feed intake and feed:gain ratio. There were differences in the microbial population of the gastro-intestinal tract with colony count decreasing as the concentration of grains of selim increases. Carcass characteristics and organ weights were similar (P > 0.05) except for thigh and spleen weights, and large intestine lengths where differences (P < 0.05) exist. Mortality ranged from 8.47% - 13.47% across treatments. The results indicated that grains of selim have antimicrobial and anthelminthic properties, and promote growth in broiler chickens
R Language: Statistical Computing and Graphics for Modeling Hydrologic Time Series
Authors: Dobre Gabriela-Roxana 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
The analysis and management of Hydrology time series is used for the development of models that allow predictions on future evolutions. After identifying the trends and the seasonal components, a residual analysis can be done to correlate them and make a prediction based on a statistical model. Programming language R contains multiple packages for time series analysis: ‘hydroTSM’ package is adapted to the time series used in Hydrology, package ‘TSA’ is used for general interpolation and statistical analysis, while the ‘forecast’ package includes exponential smoothing, all having outstanding capabilities in the graphical representation of time series. The purpose of this paper is to present some applications in which we use time series of precipitation and temperature from Fagaras in the time period 1966-1982. The data was analyzed and modeled by using the R language.
Municipality Size and Local Public Services: Do Economies of Scale Exist ?
Authors: Soukopová Jana , Nemec Juraj , Matějová Lenka , Struk Michal 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Economies of scale are a standard topic in economic theory, frequently applied, for example, in the analysis of monopolies. They exist when a firm optimising its production costs while facing some fixed costs enjoys lower per-unit production costs as the production increases. Similarly to other production units municipalities have to be large enough to minimise average costs. We analysed the local public services in 205 municipalities with extended powers in the Czech Republic for the first time in this context, using regression analysis, a correlation diagram of local public services and statistical analysis. The paper examines this issue using data from 2008 to 2012. Our analysis showed that economies of scale cannot be clearly identified for local services in municipalities with extended powers in the Czech Republic and that the size of a municipality is not a key factor influencing the provision of local services.
Intra-Municipal Units in Urban Political Systems in Poland: Vicious Roundabout of Marginalization or Dead-End Street ?
Authors: Swianiewicz Paweł 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Neighbourhood / district councils exist in most big Polish cities. But their position in city politics is very weak, although differences among individual cities may be easily identified. There is also a low citizen interest in neighbourhood councils. The article tests a model to explain the variation among the cities and discusses the negative feedback between the dis-engagement of citizens and the narrow set of functions delegated to neighbourhoods. It asks the question if breaking that negative feedback is possible.
The Effect of Additional Ankle and Midfoot Mobilizations on Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Shashua Anat , Flechter Shlomo , Avidan Liat , Ofir Dani , Melayev Alex , Kalichman Leonid 
Published: March 2015

Study Design A single-blind randomized controlled trial. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of ankle and midfoot mobilization on pain and function of patients with plantar fasciitis (PF). Background Plantar fasciitis is a degenerative process of the plantar fascia, with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 10%. Limited ankle dorsiflexion is a common finding and apparently acts as a contributing factor to the development of PF. Methods Fifty patients with PF, aged 23 to 73 years, were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. Both groups received 8 treatments, twice a week, consisting of stretching exercises and ultrasound. In addition, the intervention group received mobilization of the ankle and midfoot joints. Dorsiflexion range of motion was measured at the beginning and at the end of treatment. The results were evaluated by 3 outcomes: the numeric pain-rating scale, Lower Extremity Functional Scale, and algometry. Results No significant difference was found between groups in any of the outcomes. Both groups showed a significant difference in the numeric pain-rating scale and Lower Extremity Functional Scale. Both groups significantly improved in dorsiflexion range of motion, with no difference between groups. Conclusion The addition of ankle and foot joint mobilization aimed at improving dorsiflexion range of motion is not more effective than stretching and ultrasound alone in treating PF. The association between limited ankle dorsiflexion and PF is most probably due to soft tissue limitations, not the joints. Trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (registration number NCT01439932). Level of Evidence Therapy, level 1b. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2015;45(4):265–272. Epub 4 Mar 2015. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5155