bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal Interviews of Couples Diagnosed with Diminished Ovarian Reserve Undergoing Fragile X Premutation Testing
Authors: Pastore Lisa M. , Karns Logan B. , Ventura Karen , Clark Myra L. , Steeves Richard H. , Callanan Nancy 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAbout 10 % of infertile/subfertile women are diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), of which < 5 % will become pregnant spontaneously. Fragile X (FMR1) genetic testing may provide a reason for her early ovarian aging and/or have reproductive implications. Seven women with DOR (genetic study subset) and the male partners of six of these women were separately interviewed about the experience of being asked to undergo this unanticipated genetic test. Three interviews were conducted (before, within 1 week after, and 3 months after learning the test results). None of the participants carried the FMR1 premutation (largest FMR1 allele 27–50 CGG repeats). For women, their pregnancy‐seeking journey was long and exhausting. Women understood the reproductive implications of carrying the FMR1 premutation, and hoped for a negative result. Being offered a genetic test caused women to pause and re‐think their future reproductive plans. Husbands viewed the infertility journey as filled with unknowns, of which the genetic test results would be one more puzzle piece. The expense of fertility testing/treatment was mentioned by both spouses, though more notably by husbands. The introduction of a possible genetic cause of infertility, with additional potential health consequences for future biological children, caused women to re‐think their quest for pregnancy. In contrast, the genetic test was viewed as an additional source of information for their husbands as opposed to raising concern regarding potential reproductive ramifications.
Fungal endophytes of barley roots
Authors: MURPHY B. R. , DOOHAN F. M. , HODKINSON T. R. 
Published: June 2013

SUMMARYFungal infections of barley have tremendous agricultural significance, and can be detrimental or beneficial. Beneficial root infections often involve endophytic fungi, but endophytic associations do not always confer benefits on their hosts. Endophyte infection can be negative, positive or neutral for the host. Benefits to barley and other plants infected with endophytic root fungi include an increase in seed yield, enhanced resistance to pathogens and improved stress tolerance. Even if an endophyte is never pathogenic, it is not always beneficial. The most important factors that determine the nature of the relationship are the specific combination of partner genotypes and developmental stage, and the ecological and environmental setting. The nutrient status of the plant and the availability of soil nutrients may have little effect on the degree of beneficial endophyte colonization and, unlike mycorrhizae, there is no apparent increase in endophyte-associated phosphorous transfer. There are indications of an association between successful endophyte colonization and high soil pH and clay content. The greatest benefits to the barley plant resulting from the associations seem to be obtained in abiotically stressed environments. Fungal infection may give the plant a greater ability to cope with the stress if the partners are in a balanced relationship. Each new study reveals an increasing diversity of beneficial fungal root endophytes and the full potential of these organisms is still to be determined. Further studies are urgently required to develop specific beneficial root–endophyte associations, or combination of them, that are tailored to individual barley varieties for maximum impact in agriculture.
Executive Pay Disparity and the Cost of Equity Capital
Authors: Chen Zhihong , Huang Yuan , Wei K. C. John 
Published: June 2013

AbstractExecutive pay disparity, as measured by chief executive officer (CEO) pay slice (CPS), is positively associated with the implied cost of equity, even after controlling for other determinants of the cost of equity. The difference in the cost of equity can explain 43% of the difference in the valuation effect attributable to CPS reported by Bebchuk, Cremers, and Peyer (2011). Further analysis shows that the positive association is stronger when agency problems of free cash flow are more severe and when CEO succession planning is more important. Our evidence suggests that a large CPS is associated with CEO entrenchment and high succession risk.
Actinomycosis of the middle ear
Authors: Kullar PJ , Yates P 
Published: June 2013

AbstractObjective:To present the first case of middle-ear actinomycosis in the UK in the last 60 years. The diagnosis and management of actinomycosis of the middle ear is also presented, as well as a review of the recent literature.Case report:This paper reports the case of a nine-year-old girl who presented with recurrent otorrhoea caused by actinomycosis. Mastoid exploration with clearance of the infected tissue, in conjunction with six months amoxicillin, resulted in long-term disease remission. Histology revealed Gram-positive, silver avid (on Grocott staining) and diastase-resistant periodic acid-Schiff negative staining of colonies; this profile was in keeping with the characteristic ‘sulphur granules’ of actinomycosis.Conclusion:Actinomycosis of the middle ear and mastoid is rare, with less than 45 cases presented in the worldwide literature. This case confirms that the disease should be treated with full surgical clearance and long-term antibiotics.
Enhancing group method of data handling type modeling for nonlinear systems in inventory control
Authors: Pournasir Maryam , Alam Md. Jahangir , Marthandan G. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAppropriate topology and coefficients have a great impact on their models' performances. This paper proposes an enhanced group method of data handling (GMDH) algorithm using a modified Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) method. In this work, evolutionary algorithm and LM techniques are deployed simultaneously for optimal design of both connectivity configuration and associated coefficients of each candidate solution in the evolving population combination. However, use of singular value decomposition technique with LM is considered as a novel method to overcome the problem of initial guess, which is presented for the first time in this research. In order to illustrate the benefits of the proposed algorithm, it has been applied in a Malaysian manufacturing company for forecasting in inventory control. Moreover, a comparison between the basic GMDH algorithm and the enhanced GMDH algorithm is made, and the results show that the accuracy of the proposed method is considerably high with reasonable reduction in processing time. Therefore, the enhanced GMDH method can be used to replace old techniques in an inventory control system to generate a structure when it is applied to a Kanban setting in the just in time system.
Meaning in life of patients with cancer
Authors: Erci Behice 
Published: June 2013

AbstractObjective:The aim of this study was to evaluate meaning in life and its predictors in Turkish patients with cancer.Methods:A convenience sample of 182 patients with cancer at a Turkish university hospital completed a structured questionnaire including demographic characteristics, disease/treatment characteristics, symptom level, and the meaning in life scale for patients with cancer in 2007. The researcher visited the oncology clinic five work days in every week and conducted interviews with the patients. In analysis of the data, correlation, t-tests, Kruskal-Wallis variance and regression analysis were used.Results:In this study, the mean score of the total meaning in life showed that the patients tended to be undecided concerning meaning in life. Education level, age, and diagnosis duration of the independent variables were effective predictors of meaning in life. Together the independent variables explained 24.3% of the variance of the purpose subscale, 26.2% of the variance of the coherence subscale, 14% of the variance of the choice/responsibleness subscale, and 44.1% of the total variance of the goal seeking subscale. Overall the independent variables explained 19.8% of the total variance of the total meaning in life.Significance of results:The results in this study should increase the awareness of cancer care professionals about a range of the meaning in life and may help them to target particular patient groups for detail support interventions.
Evidence for successional development in Antarctic hypolithic bacterial communities
Authors: Makhalanyane Thulani P , Valverde Angel , Birkeland Nils-Kåre , Cary Stephen C , Marla Tuffin I , Cowan Don A 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Hypoliths (cryptic microbial assemblages that develop on the undersides of translucent rocks) are significant contributors to regional C and N budgets in both hot and cold deserts. Previous studies in the Dry Valleys of Eastern Antarctica have reported three morphologically distinct hypolithic community types: cyanobacteria dominated (type I), fungus dominated (type II) and moss dominated (type III). Here we present terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses to elucidate the bacterial community structure in hypolithons and the surrounding soils. We show clear and robust distinction in bacterial composition between bulk surface soils and hypolithons. Moreover, the bacterial assemblages were similar in types II and III hypolithons and clearly distinct from those found in type I. Through 16S rRNA gene 454 pyrosequencing, we show that Proteobacteria dominated all three types of hypolithic communities. As expected, Cyanobacteria were more abundant in type I hypolithons, whereas Actinobacteria were relatively more abundant in types II and III hypolithons, and were the dominant group in soils. Using a probabilistic dissimilarity metric and random sampling, we demonstrate that deterministic processes are more important in shaping the structure of the bacterial community found in types II and III hypolithons. Most notably, the data presented in this study suggest that hypolithic bacterial communities establish via a successional model, with the type I hypolithons acting as the basal development state.
The glyoxalase pathway: the first hundred years… and beyond
Authors: Sousa Silva Marta , Gomes Ricardo A. , Ferreira Antonio E. N. , Ponces Freire Ana , Cordeiro Carlos 
Published: June 2013

The discovery of the enzymatic formation of lactic acid from methylglyoxal dates back to 1913 and was believed to be associated with one enzyme termed ketonaldehydemutase or glyoxalase, the latter designation prevailed. However, in 1951 it was shown that two enzymes were needed and that glutathione was the required catalytic co-factor. The concept of a metabolic pathway defined by two enzymes emerged at this time. Its association to detoxification and anti-glycation defence are its presently accepted roles, since methylglyoxal exerts irreversible effects on protein structure and function, associated with misfolding. This functional defence role has been the rationale behind the possible use of the glyoxalase pathway as a therapeutic target, since its inhibition might lead to an increased methylglyoxal concentration and cellular damage. However, metabolic pathway analysis showed that glyoxalase effects on methylglyoxal concentration are likely to be negligible and several organisms, from mammals to yeast and protozoan parasites, show no phenotype in the absence of one or both glyoxalase enzymes. The aim of the present review is to show the evolution of thought regarding the glyoxalase pathway since its discovery 100 years ago, the current knowledge on the glyoxalase enzymes and their recognized role in the control of glycation processes.
Realisation of semiconductor ternary quantum dot cellular automata
Authors: Das Kunal , De Debashis , De Mallika 
Published: June 2013

Quantum dot cellular automata (QCA) have become a strong alternative for nanoscale computing. After a decade of exhaustive research on binary QCA, the newly introduced ternary QCA (tQCA) for implementing ternary logic needs further research to actually fabricate the tQCA cell. In this Letter, a quantum mechanical approach is presented for calculating the diverse parameters required for the fabrication of the tQCA. The effect of quantum dot size, the size of tQCA cell as well as the effect of temperature on polarisation for the tQCA cell are examined. The significant result for fabrication of the tQCA cell is tunnelling resistance, which must be greater than the quantum Hall resistance, that is, Rt ≫ 25.813 kΩ. The tQCA needs a quantum dot size which is < 6.36 nm to operate at room temperature and the distance of separation between two dots must be 5 nm. The steady‐state behaviour of the tQCA cell using the Hubbard model and the Schrödinger time‐independent equation is also explored.
Synthesis and magnetic properties of nickel three‐dimensional superlattice structure
Authors: Duan Hongyan , Li Fagen , Wu Wei , Wang Jun 
Published: June 2013

High monodisperse nickel nanoparticles of 13 nm were successfully synthesised based on reduction of common nickel salts. Further annealing process prompted the formation of magnetic superlattices. The morphological features characterised by field emission scanning electron microscopy showed that the Ni nanoparticles self‐assembled periodically and formed close‐packed arrays. The results of magnetic hysteresis loops showed that the sample exhibited improved magnetic properties compared with those of other bigger nanoparticles. The Curie temperature of the sample was about 596 K, lower than that of the bulk material, which is discussed in terms of the finite‐size effects.
Fabrication and characterisation of Magneli phase Ti4O7 nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Liu Ying , Ye Jinwen , Zhu Ruijie 
Published: June 2013

Pure Magneli phase Ti4O7 nanoparticles with diameters of 200–500 nm were successfully synthesised under hydrogen atmospheres. In this reported work, the influences of reduction of temperature and time on the reduced phases were investigated, and it is shown that pure Ti4O7 can be obtained by heating at 850°C for 5 h. The as‐prepared materials are characterised by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and the corresponding selected area electron diffraction indicates the single‐crystal structure, which is also consistent with the XRD results. N2 absorption (Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller surface area) was also conducted on this material, the surface area being 8.351 m2/g. UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra of the nanoparticles exhibited absorption beyond 325 nm, meanwhile, there is an absorption band that covers the visible‐light wavelengths and extends into the near‐infrared region.
DC‐contact radio‐frequency microelectromechanical system symmetric toggle switch on a borofloat substrate
Authors: Li Ling , Hou Zhihao , Zhao Chenxu , Liu Zewen 
Published: June 2013

Presented is a DC‐contact radio‐frequency (RF) microelectromechanical system symmetric toggle switch for broadband power applications. Based on the lever principle, the proposed switching structure can be toggled upwards with extra restoring force using push electrodes. This push mechanism greatly improves the isolation and efficiently avoids the down‐state stiction of the contacts which leads to enhancement of the power‐handling capability. The measured actuated voltage is 33.4 V and the contact resistance of the switch can be further decreased to 0.18 Ω under a pull in voltage of 60 V, which results in the improvement of insertion loss. The switch can be properly restored with a voltage of 30 V applied to the push electrode. In addition, the substrate loss is reduced by using a Boroloat™ glass substrate. The RF measurement results show that the switch can handle a minimum 1 W incident RF signal power with isolation and an insertion loss of better than −30 and −0.24 dB from DC to the X‐band.
Computed tomography coronary imaging as a gatekeeper for invasive coronary angiography in patients with newly diagnosed heart failure of unknown aetiology
Authors: ten Kate Gert‐Jan R. , Caliskan Kadir , Dedic Admir , Meijboom W. Bob , Neefjes Lisan A. , Manintveld Olivier C. , Krenning Boudewijn J. , Ouhlous Mohammed , Nieman Koen , Krestin Gabriel P. , de Feyter Pim J. 
Published: June 2013

AimsTo evaluate the accuracy of cardiac computed tomography (CT) in distinguishing CAD and non‐CAD heart failure (HF) and its effectiveness as a gatekeeper for invasive coronary angiography (ICA).Methods and resultsWe prospectively included 93 symptomatic patients with newly diagnosed HF of unknown aetiology (59 men; mean age 53 ± 13) and EF <45%, and/or fractional shortening <25%, and/or end‐diastolic LV diameter >60 mm (men) or >55 mm (women). In all patients, the CT calcium score (CTCS) was determined. CTCS = 0 excluded CAD HF. Additional CT coronary angiography (CTCA) was performed if CTCS >0. ICA was used as the gold standard for distinguishing between CAD and non‐CAD HF in patients with >20% luminal diameter narrowing on CTCA. CAD HF was defined as >50% luminal diameter narrowing in either (i) the left main coronary artery or proximal left anterior descending coronary artery or (ii) in multiple coronary arteries. Diagnostic accuracy and follow‐up data (20 ± 16 months) were collected for all patients. CTCS = 0 ruled out CAD HF in 43 patients (46%). The CT algorithm had 100% sensitivity, 95% specificity, 67% positive predictive value, and 100% negative predictive value for detecting CAD HF. Patients with CTCS = 0 or non‐CAD HF on CTCA had no coronary events during follow‐up, and ICA could have been safely avoided in 76 out of 93 patients (82%).ConclusionIn patients with HF of unknown aetiology, cardiac CT combining CTCS and CTCA has high accuracy for detecting CAD HF and can be used effectively as a gatekeeper for ICA.
Lenient vs. strict rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure: a post‐hoc analysis of the RACE II study
Authors: Mulder Bart A. , Van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Crijns Harry J.G.M. , Tijssen Jan G.P. , Hillege Hans L. , Alings Marco , Rienstra Michiel , Groenveld Hessel F. , Van den Berg Maarten P. , Van Gelder Isabelle C. ,   for the RACE II investigators
Published: June 2013

AimsIt is unknown whether lenient rate control is an acceptable strategy in patients with AF and heart failure. We evaluated differences in outcome in patients with AF and heart failure treated with lenient or strict rate control.Methods and resultsThis post‐hoc analysis of the RACE II trial included patients with an LVEF ≤ 40% at baseline or a previous hospitalization for heart failure or signs and symptoms of heart failure. Primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Secondary endpoints were AF‐related symptoms and quality of life. Two hundred and eighty‐seven (46.7%) of the 614 patients had heart failure. Patients with heart failure had significantly higher NT‐proBNP plasma levels, a lower LVEF, and more often used ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and diuretics. At 3 years follow‐up, the primary outcome occurred more frequently in patients with heart failure (16.7% vs. 11.5%, P = 0.04). In heart failure patients, the estimated cumulative incidence of the primary outcome was 15.0% (n = 20) in the lenient and 18.2% (n = 26) in the strict group (P = 0.53). No differences were found in any of the primary outcome components, in either heart failure hospitalizations [8 (6.1%) vs. 9 (6.8%) patients in the lenient vs. strict group, respectively], symptoms, or quality of life.ConclusionIn patients with AF and heart failure with a predominantly preserved EF, the stringency of rate control seems to have no effect on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, symptoms, and quality of life.
Staffing trends in college and university libraries
Authors: Gremmels Gillian S. 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe paper aims to discern, document, and analyze current staffing trends in college and university libraries.Design/methodology/approachThe author gathered information from the literatures of library and information science and higher education.FindingsThe paper details six trends across public and technical services affecting librarians, non‐MLS professionals, and paraprofessionals. The presentation of trends is followed by a discussion of three concerns the author has about these trends.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper covers trends in college and university libraries but does not specifically address community college libraries. Community colleges may have similar issues, as well as unique trends; further research is encouraged.Practical implicationsLibrary managers will be able to compare developments in their libraries to the profession‐wide trends. They will also be able to link to a large body of literature on the topic.Originality/valueThis kind of comprehensive look at academic library staffing does not seem to have been published recently.
Evaluating reference data accuracy: a mixed methods study
Authors: Graber Alison , Alexander Stephanie , Bresnahan Megan , Gerke Jennie 
Published: June 2013

PurposeReference data collection tools facilitate the collection of in‐depth data about reference interactions. Since this information may influence decisions, library managers should examine how these tools are used and assess how these data entry behaviors may impact the accuracy of the data. This paper aims to analyze reference staff perceptions and data entry behaviors using a reference data collection tool.Design/methodology/approachThe two‐year mixed method study analyses reference staff perceptions and data entry behaviors related to the reference data collection tool used at the University of Colorado Boulder Libraries. The authors identified six distinct data entry behaviors for analysis in this study.FindingsThe survey results indicate that staff consider the tool to be both easy to use and useful. These findings, under the technology acceptance model, indicate technology acceptance, which influences adoption and use of the tool. Though rates of adoption and use of the tool are high, the authors' analysis of behaviors indicate that not all users record reference interactions in the same way, and this inconsistency may impact the accuracy of collected data.Practical implicationsInconsistency in data entry behaviors should inform the design of staff training sessions, best practice guidelines, and the tool's interface.Social implicationsIf data are used to justify changes to services and collections, decision makers need to be confident that data accurately reflect activity at library service points.Originality/valuePrevious studies related to reference data collection mention the importance of consistent data entry practices, but no studies have explicitly evaluated how inconsistencies in use may impact the accuracy of data.