bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Testosterone Treatment of Men With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Low Testosterone Levels
Authors: Cherrier M. M. , Anderson K. , Shofer J. , Millard S. , Matsumoto A. M. 
Published: November 2014

Introduction: This study investigated the effects of testosterone (T) treatment on cognition, mood, and quality of life in men with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and low serum T levels. Methods: A total of 351 community-dwelling men were screened, and 37 men evidenced both MCI and low T of whom 27 agreed for further screening. Twenty-two met all the study inclusion/exclusion criteria and enrolled in a 6-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Results: Total T levels significantly increased in the T treatment group. No significant changes were observed in measures of cognition, mood, or quality of life other than improvement in 1 objective measure of verbal memory ( P < .05) and decreased depression symptoms ( P < .02) in the treatment group. Conclusions: Testosterone treatment may modestly improve verbal memory and depression symptoms in men with both MCI and low T.
GWATCH: a web platform for automated gene association discovery analysis
Authors: Svitin Anton , Malov Sergey , Cherkasov Nikolay , Geerts Paul , Rotkevich Mikhail , Dobrynin Pavel , Shevchenko Andrey , Guan Li , Troyer Jennifer , Hendrickson Sher , Dilks Holli Hutcheson , Oleksyk Taras K , Donfield Sharyne , Gomperts Edward , Jabs Douglas A , Sezgin Efe , Van Natta Mark , Harrigan P Richard , Brumme Zabrina L , O'Brien Stephen J 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Background:
As genome-wide sequence analyses for complex human disease determinants are expanding, it is increasingly necessary to develop strategies to promote discovery and validation of potential disease-gene associations.

Findings:
Here we present a dynamic web-based platform – GWATCH – that automates and facilitates four steps in genetic epidemiological discovery: 1) Rapid gene association search and discovery analysis of large genome-wide datasets; 2) Expanded visual display of gene associations for genome-wide variants (SNPs, indels, CNVs), including Manhattan plots, 2D and 3D snapshots of any gene region, and a dynamic genome browser illustrating gene association chromosomal regions; 3) Real-time validation/replication of candidate or putative genes suggested from other sources, limiting Bonferroni genome-wide association study (GWAS) penalties; 4) Open data release and sharing by eliminating privacy constraints (The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) Institutional Review Board (IRB), informed consent, The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 etc.) on unabridged results, which allows for open access comparative and meta-analysis.

Conclusions:
Conclusions: GWATCH is suitable for both GWAS and whole genome sequence association datasets. We illustrate the utility of GWATCH with three large genome-wide association studies for HIV-AIDS resistance genes screened in large multicenter cohorts; however, association datasets from any study can be uploaded and analyzed by GWATCH.
Long-term cost effectiveness of ticagrelor in patients with acute coronary syndromes in Thailand
Authors: Yamwong Sukit , Permsuwan Unchalee , Tinmanee Sirana , Sritara Piyamitr 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Objectives
To evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of ticagrelor and ASA versus generic and branded clopidogrel and ASA in patients with ACS based on a Thai cost database.

Methods
A one-year decision tree and a long-term Markov model were constructed to estimate lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). For the first year, data from PLATO (NCT00391872) were used to estimate the rate of cardiovascular events, resource use, and QALYs. For year 2 onwards, clinical effectiveness was estimated conditional on individual health states that occurred during the first year.

Results
In the base-case analysis, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) with ticagrelor was 292,504 ($9,476) and 60,055 ($1,946) THB($)/QALY compared with generic and branded clopidogrel, respectively. The probability of ticagrelor being cost-effective was above 99% at a threshold of 160,000 THB/QALY compared with branded clopidogrel.

Conclusions
This health economic analysis provides cost effectiveness data for ticagrelor compared with both generic and branded clopidogrel in Thailand. Based on this analysis, it appears that ticagrelor is an economically valuable treatment for ACS compared with branded clopidogrel within the Thai context.
Application of molecular imprinted polymer nanoparticles as a selective solid phase extraction for preconcentration and trace determination of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in the human urine and different water samples
Authors: Omidi Fariborz , Behbahani Mohammad , Sadeghi Abandansari Hamid , Sedighi Alireza , Shahtaheri Seyed Jamaleddin 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
A molecular-imprinted polymer nanoparticles (MIP-NP) for the selective preconcentration of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is described. It was obtained by precipitation polymerization from methacrylic acid (the functional monomer), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (the cross-linker), 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (the initiator) and 2,4-D (the template molecule) in acetonitrile solution. The MIP-NPs were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, and by scanning electron microscopy. Imprinted 2,4-D molecules were removed from the polymeric structure using acetic acid in methanol (15:85 v/v %) as the eluting solvent. The sorption and desorption process occur within 10 min and 15 min, respectively. The maximum sorbent capacity of the molecular imprinted polymer is 89.2 mg g−1. The relative standard deviation and limit of detection for water samples by introduced selective solid phase extraction were 4.2% and 1.25 μg L−1, and these data for urine samples were 4.7% and 1.80 μg L−1, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of 2,4-D in the urine and different water samples.
Liraglutide Reduces Oxidative Stress And Restores Heme Oxygenase-1 and Ghrelin Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Pilot Study
Authors: Rizzo Manfredi , Abate Nicola , Chandalia Manisha , Rizvi Ali A. , Giglio Rosaria V. , Nikolic Dragana , Marino Gammazza Antonella , Barbagallo Ignazio , Isenovic Esma R. , Banach Maciej , Montalto Giuseppe , Volti Giovanni Li 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Context:
Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 analog and glucose-lowering agent whose effects on cardiovascular risk markers have not been fully elucidated.

Objective:
We evaluated the effect of liraglutide on markers of oxidative stress, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and plasma ghrelin levels in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Design and Setting:
A prospective pilot study of 2 months' duration has been performed at the Unit of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Prevention at University of Palermo, Italy.

Patients and Intervention(s):
Twenty subjects with T2DM (10 men and 10 women; mean age: 57 ± 13 y) were treated with liraglutide sc (0.6 mg/d for 2 wk, followed by 1.2 mg/d) in addition to metformin (1500 mg/d orally) for 2 months. Patients with liver disorders or renal failure were excluded.

Main Outcome Measure(s):
Plasma ghrelin concentrations, oxidative stress markers, and heat-shock proteins, including HO-1 were assessed.

Results:
The addition of liraglutide resulted in a significant decrease in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (8.5 ± 0.4 vs 7.5 ± 0.4%, P &lt; .0001). In addition, plasma ghrelin and glutathione concentrations increased (8.2 ± 4.1 vs 13.6 ± 7.3 pg/ml, P = .0007 and 0.36 ± 0.06 vs 0.44 ± 0.07 nmol/ml, P = .0002, respectively), whereas serum lipid hydroperoxides and HO-1 decreased (0.11 ± 0.05 vs 0.04 ± 0.07 pg/ml, P = .0487 and 7.7 ± 7.7 vs 3.6 ± 1.8 pg/ml, P = .0445, respectively). These changes were not correlated with changes in fasting glycemia or HbA1c.

Conclusions:
In a 2-months prospective pilot study, the addition of liraglutide to metformin resulted in improvement in oxidative stress as well as plasma ghrelin and HO-1 concentrations in patients with T2DM. These findings seemed to be independent of the known effects of liraglutide on glucose metabolism.
Certain effects of uncertain models
Authors: Knaeble Brian 
Published: November 2014

Statistical summaries of multiple regression analyses often state conclusions as if model uncertainty is of little concern. The error due to a mis-specified model, however, can be more significant in practice than the sampling error associated with commonly reported statistics. The true effect of an explanatory variable may be opposite that indicated by a fitted coefficient of a linear model, even if the model is well fit and the coefficient is deemed statistically significant. Here we study the sensitivity of the sign of a fitted coefficient to changes in the model structure. As a consequence of the principle of least squares, we show generally, that a set of covariates with a relatively weak coefficient of determination can not reverse the sign of a relatively strong fitted coefficient of a linear model that has been fit with a regression matrix having orthogonal columns. A consequence of the theory is a necessary condition for Simpson's paradox. Keywords: confounding, least squares, model uncertainty, regression, sensitivity analysis.
Progress, challenges and opportunities for HIV prevention and control among high risk groups: a public health perspective
Authors: Gupta Renu , Khurana Sarbjeet , Singh Ravinder 
Published: November 2014

Aim of the study: To study various factors linked to the prevention and control of HIV-AIDS in the high risk groups in India. Objective of the study: 1) To study the socio-cultural and political obstacles in the prevention and control of HIV-AIDS in India. 2) To study the factors responsible for poor access of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in India. Methodology: The relevant published literature was searched for studying various factors in the prevention and control of HIV-AIDS as well as for the factors responsible for the poor access of ART in India. Observations: There are various socio-cultural issues/obstacles in prevention of HIV-AIDS in high risk group for e.g., gender inequality, power inequalities and male dominance; condom use believed to be in conflict with the cultural importance for procreation; poverty, illiteracy, increase in migrant population and unemployment; poor knowledge and awareness of reproductive and sexual health and sexuality; emergence of new urban sub-culture and physical or mental abuse at a young age. Lack of awareness and access to health care; misconceptions; stigma and discrimination, leading to secrecy of their high risk behavior and hence the further spread of the disease. There are various political obstacles viz; HIV-AIDS control program has a focus on short term goals rather than long term sustainable achievements; minimal involvement of people living with HIV and AIDS in policy formulation and no political initiatives taken for family centered approach; lack of rights approach and control program lacks planning with regard to the structural factors existing in the country. There are various factors responsible for poor access of the population groups for ART viz; social factors like lack of awareness about HIV and availability of ART; long waiting hours at the ART centers etc. Economic factors responsible for poor access of the population groups for ART are the costs of travelling to the clinic; shortage of doctors/paramedics for prescribing medicines, shortage of personnel/ trained counselors, shortage of testing facilities and inadequate laboratory support. Political factors leading to poor access of ART are lack of political initiative for expansion of services, submitting documents such as ration card/voter ID has been made mandatory for treatment, lack of consistency and coordination across services and the control program not reaching to the marginalized groups. Keywords: HIV, AIDS, High Risk Groups, Socio-Cultural Factors, Political Factors, ART, Task Shifting.
On the composition of parallel versions of the story “The appearance of the liṅga” (liṅgodbhava) in the Purāṇas
Authors: Wagner-Hohenberger Angela 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Parallel versions of Purāṇic narratives have been analysed by using text-historical and text-critical methods as well as structural approaches. Less attention has been given to the narrative structures and the ways in which parallel versions are produced. In this regard a narratological approach provides a helpful addition to the other methods. The plot or fabula of the story “The appearance of the liṅga”, which is retold several times in the Purāṇas, can be analysed as consisting of a common, stable set of fabula-elements, which is discernible in each version. Furthermore, the fabula-elements are composed of different text types, namely, doctrinal, prescriptive and liturgical. Differences in the versions can be detected in changes that occur not in all, but usually in only one or two fabula-elements. These differences between the versions are produced by changing events in the narrative as well as including different text types in individual fabula-elements. The combination of different text types is not necessarily an indicator that the narrative is composed of diverse textual layers, at different historical periods or by different authors. Rather, it is a characteristic feature of producing different versions of a narrative for different purposes and in various historical contexts. Furthermore, the combination of text types lends the narrative authority with respect to their doctrinal, normative or ritual content.
Das mehrsortige axiomatische System MS
Authors: Zimmermann Alexander 
Published: November 2014

SummaryIn this article we define in an exact and clear way a many-sorted axiomatical first-order system with identity and we prove its weak consistency and weak completeness. In e.g. Wang (1952) and Oberschelp (1962), the necessary definitions and proofs are often only sketched. In this article we intend to present a complete demonstration of each result. Thus we will set out each proof in a systematic way, stating all necessary definitions and lemmata. The base of our system is the axiomatical system in Mates (1972), pp. 215ff, but we do without propositional constants and propositional variables.
Time and Invariance
Authors: Weinert Friedel 
Published: November 2014

SummaryThe aim of this paper is to infer conclusions about the temporality of the physical world from central features of the measurement of time. In order to do so it makes a distinction between the passage of time and the measurement of the passage of time. Whilst the passage of time can be experienced on the basis of, say, chaotic processes, the measurement of the passage of time requires certain physical regularities. But regularity is not sufficient and it is important to highlight the connection between time, regularity and invariance in the measurement of time, especially with respect to classical physics, the Special theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. It is only after this connection has been clarified that the paper considers the dispute on whether the physical world is static or dynamic. As there are clearly both time-symmetric physical laws and time-asymmetric physical processes, the question is empirically underdetermined because the evidence is at present compatible with two incompatible views about the temporality of the physical world.
Irrtum durch Fehlidentifikation
Authors: Barz Wolfgang 
Published: November 2014

SummaryI try to show that all judgments are immune to error through misidentification in Shoemaker’s sense. To establish my thesis I distinguish between mispredication and misidentification. I claim that, if a judgement is false, it is only mispredication that accounts for its falsity. Misidentification is irrelevant in this connection.
Gleichzeitige Ungleichzeitigkeit: Emergenz und die Parallelität aggregierter Dynamiken
Authors: Fullsack Manfred 
Published: November 2014

SummaryThe paper endeavors to illuminate the term ” emergence“ in its significance for debates on the ” reducibility“ of phenomena such as ” cooperation“ which commonly are perceived as consequences of aggregated dynamics. The significance of parallel or coevolutionary processes for the ” reductionist question“ will be discussed in regard to an extension of the Demographic Prisoner’s Dilemma-simulation by Joshua M. Epstein.
Taking the History of Mathematics Seriously
Authors: Frey Adrian 
Published: November 2014

SummaryKitcher’s philosophy of mathematics rests on the idea that a philosopher who tries to understand mathematical knowledge ought to take its historical development into consideration. In this paper, I take a closer look at Kitcher’s reasons for proposing such a historical turn. I argue that, whereas a historical account is indeed an essential part of the standpoint advanced in The Nature of Mathematical Knowledge, this is no longer the case for the position defended in the manuscript Mathematical Truth? The Wittgensteinian account of mathematics advocated in that manuscript does not force us to take a historical turn.
Kant and Kitcher on Apriority
Authors: Ritter Bernhard 
Published: November 2014

SummaryIn this paper, two questions are pursued. First, is Kitcher’s account of a priori knowledge a sensible reconstruction of the Kantian notion? My general answer is: to a large extent, yes. A central problem of justification in transcendental philosophy actually demands a conception of apriority along Kitcher’s lines. Secondly, can a priori knowledge be embedded within a naturalistic framework? To this, there is no answering “yes” or “no”. However, an examination of particular limitations supports the contention that talk of justificatory procedures and beliefs should not be modelled on talk about causes and effects. The “actualistic” grammar of causality should not be allowed to dictate the shape of an epistemological theory.
Self-Conceptions and Evolution: A Critical Comment on Philip Kitcher’s The Ethical Project
Authors: Wallimann-Helmer Ivo 
Published: November 2014

SummaryThis paper provides a critical comment on Philip Kitcher’s as yet unpublished book The Ethical Project. In the first part it explains why Kitcher’s position is naturalist as well as pragmatist. In the second part it is argued that the role ethics plays in human history is richer than Kitcher conceives it: Building on his view, this paper suggests that ethics not only provides a mechanism to diminish the risk of social conflict and social instability, but it also enables the emergence of self-conceptions. This reveals according to what processes certain particular changes occurred in the evolution of ethics.
Abstracting Propositions: How Many of Them Do We Need?
Authors: Vignolo Massimiliano 
Published: November 2014

Summary
Anthony Wrigley presents the plenitude objection that, he claims, affects any attempt to introduce propositions via abstraction. I argue that the plenitude objection begs the question against the abstraction of propositions. Then I respond to a semantic objection to the abstraction of propositions. Finally I reply to a third objection that questions the usefulness of the abstraction of propositions.
Deduktive Begrundung Zu einem Explikationsvorschlag von Reinhard Kleinknecht
Authors: Os CorGlaReiSie  
Published: November 2014

Summary
In his paper ” Deduktive Begr¨undung und deduktive Ableitung“ Reinhard Kleinknecht offers an explication of the concepts of deductive reason and deductive argument respectively. To this end, he provides seven conditions that he sees as individually necessary and jointly sufficient for being a deductive reason. We argue that some of his conditions are far too restrictive and that his concept of deductive argument is therefore to narrow to capture the usual practice of deductively establishing propositions as true. We also show that some features of the proposed concept do not appear to meet Kleinknecht’s own standards. Finally, we ask what purposes Kleinknecht’s explication is supposed to serve and why one might want to introduce such a narrow concept of deductive argument.
Disjunctivism: An Answer to Two Pseudo-Problems?
Authors: Gebharter Alexander , Mirnig Alexander G. 
Published: November 2014

Summary
Ever since it was discovered that hallucinations and illusions are not all that compatible with our natural view of the relation between the perceiving subject and the perceived object, according to which we always perceive the object itself (or, as most epistemologists prefer to say, we perceive it directly), the philosophical position of Direct (or Na¨ıve) Realism which is meant to be the epistemological equivalent of this view, has begun to falter. To express these problems more explicitly, the argument from hallucination and the argument from illusion were created and brought direct realists in dire need of explaining how phenomena such as hallucinations and illusions could possibly go together with their position. One of the main direct (or na¨ıve) realists’ responses to these arguments is Disjunctivism, a position that, while being able to efficiently deal with both arguments, is subject to quite a few problems in its postulations as well. The intuitive plausibility of both arguments seems to have led many a philosopher to take their validity for granted. Because of this, it will be attempted to give an accurate and adequate reformulation of both arguments in this paper to find out whether their impact on the philosophy of perception is justified in the first place.1
Reflexion und Theorie in der Transzendentalpragmatik
Authors: Crelier Andrés 
Published: November 2014

Summary
The paper discusses the reflexive grounding of knowledge put forward by the Transcendental Pragmatics. It describes the opposition between theory and reflection as two different attitudes towards knowledge, and stresses the reflexive turn of the Transcendental Pragmatics. With regard to the “ultimate” grounding of knowledge (Letztbegr¨undung), it points out the conceptual difficulties of “pure reflection”, as well as the conceptual quandaries of “pure theory”. Finally, the paper argues that a “reflexive theory” can be a middle path suitable for a grounding of knowledge.
Variation in the realization of /εi/ by Dutch youngsters: from local urban dialects to emerging ethnolects?
Authors: Meel Linda van , Hinskens Frans , Hout Roeland van 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
How do speakers of current Turkish and Moroccan ethnolects of Dutch deal with phonemes that do not exist in their heritage languages and that are at the same time subject to pronounced regional and social variation in the Dutch speech community at large, such as the Dutch diphthong /εi/? This diphthong does not occur in Turkish and Berber and it occurs only as a dialectal allophone in certain dialects of Moroccan Arabic.
Data from speakers from the Amsterdam and Nijmegen urban areas are studied. In the Amsterdam dialect, the diphthong is traditionally subject to monophthongization and lowering, yielding realizations as [a:] or [a:], while in Nijmegen the diphthong is only subject to monophthongization, resulting in the variant [ε:]. Recently, a new lowered, diphthongal variant [ai] entered colloquial spoken standard Dutch. Therefore, ethnolect speakers have a wide range of variants to ‘choose’ from: the traditional standard Dutch variant [εi], the new variant [ai], which is expanding areally and socially, and the monophthongal variants of the surrounding urban dialects.
Two variable properties of /εi/ are examined: (1) height of the prominent first element, and (2) the degree of monophthongization. The urban dialect features which had developed into sociolect features over the past generations appear to be undergoing social redistribution to become ethnolect markers.