bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of decentralisation and health system reform on health workforce and quality‐of‐care in Indonesia, 1993–2007
Authors: Diana Aly , Hollingworth Samantha A. , Marks Geoffrey C. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryThe impact of decentralisation, socioeconomic changes and healthcare reforms in Indonesia on type and distribution of healthcare providers and quality‐of‐care has been unclear. We examined workforce trends for healthcare facilities from 1993 to 2007 using the Indonesian Family Life Surveys. Each included a sample of public and private healthcare facilities, used standardised interviews for numbers and composition of staffing, and quality‐of‐care vignettes. There was an increase in multiprovider facilities and shift in profile of solo providers—increasing proportions of midwives and drop in doctors in rural areas (including facilities with doctors) and nurses in urban areas. Quality‐of‐care scores were low, particularly for nurses as solo providers. Despite increased numbers of healthcare workers and growth of the private sector, outer Java‐Bali and rural areas continued to be disadvantaged in workforce capacity and quality‐of‐care. The results have implications for accreditation and in‐service training requirements, the legal status of nurses and private sector regulation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A three‐dimensional multiporous fibrous scaffold fabricated with regenerated spider silk protein/poly(l‐lactic acid) for tissue engineering
Authors: Yu Qiaozhen , Sun Chengjun 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAn axially aligned three‐dimensional (3‐D) fibrous scaffold was fabricated with regenerated spider silk protein (RSSP)/poly (l–lactic acid) (PLLA) through electrospinning and post treatment. The morphology, mechanical and degradation properties of the scaffold were controlled through the weight ratio of RSSP to PLLA, the thickness of the scaffold and the treatment time. The scaffold with a weight ratio of 2:3 (RSSP:PLLA) had a nanoleaves‐on‐nanofibers hierarchical nanostructure; the length and thickness of the nanoleaves were about 400 and 30 nm, respectively. The holes of the scaffolds ranged from hundreds of nanometers to several microns. The scaffold showed an ideal mechanical property that it was stiff when dry, but became soft once hydrated in the culture medium. Its degradation rate was very slow in the first 2 months, and then accelerated in the following 2 months. The pH values of the degradation mediums of all the samples remained in the range of 7.40–7.12 during degradation for 6 months. It had good biocompatibility with PC 12 cells. The aligned hierarchical nanostructure could guide the directions of the axon extension. This scaffold has a potential application in Tissue Engineering and controlled release. This study provides a method to produce synthetic or natural biodegradable polymer scaffold with tailored morphology, mechanical, and degradation properties. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 721–729, 2015.
Extended fatigue life of a catalyst free self‐healing acrylic bone cement using microencapsulated 2‐octyl cyanoacrylate
Authors: Brochu Alice B. W. , Matthys Oriane B. , Craig Stephen L. , Reichert William M. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe tissue adhesive 2‐octyl cyanoacrylate (OCA) was encapsulated in polyurethane microshells and incorporated into bone cement to form a catalyst free, self‐healing bone cement comprised of all clinically approved components. The bending strength, modulus, and fatigue lifetime were investigated in accordance with ASTM and ISO standards for the testing of PMMA bone cement. The bending strength of bone cement specimens decreased with increasing wt % capsules content for capsules without or with OCA, with specimens of <5 wt % capsule content showing minimal effect. In contrast, bone cement bending modulus was insensitive to capsule content. Load controlled fatigue testing was performed in air at room temperature on capsule free bone cement (0 wt %), bone cement with 5 wt % OCA‐free capsules (5 wt % No OCA), and 5 wt % OCA‐containing capsules (5 wt % OCA). Specimens were tested at a frequency of 5 Hz at maximum stresses of 90%, 80%, 70%, and 50% of each specimen's bending strength until failure. The 5 wt % OCA exhibited significant self‐healing at 70% and 50% of its reference strength (p < 0.05). Fatigue testing of all three specimen types in air at 22 MPa (50% of reference strength of the 5 wt % OCA specimens) showed that the cycles to failure of OCA‐containing specimens was increased by two‐fold compared with the OCA‐free and capsule‐free specimens. This study represents the first demonstration of dynamic, catalyst free self‐healing in a biomaterial formulation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 305–312, 2015.
STRESS PROCESS OF ILLICIT DRUG USE AMONG U.S. IMMIGRANTS’ ADOLESCENT CHILDREN: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY
Authors: Choo Hyekyung 
Published: May 2014

This study examined a full path model of stress process for predicting illicit drug use among Asian and Latino immigrants’ adolescent children. Using 2‐year longitudinal data (National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health) from a sample of adolescents with Asian or Latino immigrant parents (N = 2,353), the study explored structural relationships between 3 types of negative perceptions of school environment as acculturation‐related stressors (a feeling of isolation, perceived prejudice from students, and perceived unfair treatment from teachers), family support as a social resource, and drug use as an outcome among Asian and Latino immigrants’ adolescent children. Path analysis results supported the resource deterioration hypothesis of the stress process model and found a stronger direct effect of implicit isolation than explicit prejudice or unfairness perceived in school on drug use and mediating effects of family support on relationships between 2 of the stressors and drug use among these adolescents.
Hepatolithiasis: analysis of Japanese nationwide surveys over a period of 40 years
Authors: Suzuki Yutaka , Mori Toshiyuki , Yokoyama Masaaki , Nakazato Tetsuya , Abe Nobutsugu , Nakanuma Yasuni , Tsubouchi Hirohito , Sugiyama Masanori 
Published: May 2014

Abstract The aims of the present study are to clarify the changes in clinicopathologic features, diagnosis and treatment for hepatolithiasis, and propose an appropriate management strategy in Japan. The research group conducted nationwide surveys seven times in the past over a period of 40 years. Furthermore, a cohort was followed up in 2010. We analyzed the clinical features, diagnosis tools, treatment procedures, outcomes, and predictive factors for cholangiocarcinoma. Surgery was the primary method for hepatolithiasis up to 1998, and the frequency of its use has decreased since then. In 2011, 66.7% of hepatolithiasis patients were treated using nonsurgical approaches. In addition, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) with stone extraction was the most frequently performed procedure (22.7%). However, the incidences of residual stone and recurrent stone after ERC with stone extraction were higher than those after percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy and surgery. Bile duct stricture and dilatation during follow up were significant risk factors for stone recurrences. In the cohort study, stone removal only and age >65 years were significant factors for the development of cholangiocarcinoma. In patients without a history of cholangioenterostomy, left‐lobe‐type stones were a risk factor, and hepatectomy reduced the risk of the development of cholangiocarcinoma significantly. Nonsurgical treatment may be performed as the first‐line treatment for hepatolithiasis. Surgery should be performed on patients who were treated incompletely after nonsurgical treatment. However, hepatectomy may be recommended for patients with left‐lobe‐type stones and without a history of cholangioenterostomy.
Comparison of hospital length of stay, costs, and readmissions of alteplase versus catheter replacement among patients with occluded central venous catheters
Authors: Ernst Frank R. , Chen Er , Lipkin Craig , Tayama Darren , Amin Alpesh N. 
Published: May 2014

BACKGROUNDCentral venous catheter (CVC) occlusion is common, affecting 30% of all CVCs.OBJECTIVETo compare length of stay (LOS), costs, and readmissions associated with the use of alteplase to clear catheter blockage to outcomes associated with catheter replacement.DESIGNRetrospective observational study utilizing a large hospital database.PARTICIPANTSHospitalized patients treated for catheter occlusion from January 2006 to December 2011.MAIN MEASURESUnivariate analyses of patient characteristics and treatment patterns and multivariable regression analyses of postocclusion hospital costs, LOS, and 30‐ and 90‐day readmissions were conducted.KEY RESULTSWe included 34,579 patients treated for a CVC occlusion by replacement (N = 1028) or by alteplase (2 mg) administration (N = 33,551). Patients receiving alteplase were somewhat younger than those having catheter replacement (60 ± 19 vs 62 ± 20 years old, P = 0.0002). After adjusting for patient and hospital factors via regression modeling, average daily postocclusion costs were $317 lower for alteplase recipients than for catheter replacement patients (95% confidence interval [CI]: 238.22–392.24; P < 0.0001). Adjusted total postocclusion costs were $1419 lower for alteplase recipients versus patients receiving catheter replacement (95% CI: 307.27–2458.12; P = 0.0121). Postocclusion operating room/surgery, radiology, and supply costs were significantly lower for alteplase recipients (P < 0.001). Average adjusted postocclusion LOS was similar for both groups (P > 0.05). Odds of readmission were not significantly different at 30 or 90 days.CONCLUSIONSAmong patients treated for an occluded CVC, alteplase‐treated patients had lower daily and total postocclusion costs than patients receiving catheter replacement. Cost differences were mainly driven by lower operating room/surgery, radiology, and supplier costs. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;9:490–496. © 2014 The Authors Journal of Hospital Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Hospital Medicine
Contributions of precipitation, irrigation and soil water to evapotranspiration in (semi)‐arid regions
Authors: Moiwo Juana Paul , Tao Fulu 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTEvapotranspiration (ET) is the largest mode of water loss in cultivated (semi)‐arid regions. Isolating the fractions of ET contributed by various components of the water budget is critical not only for water resources management, but also for sustainable crop production, food security and social stability. This study quantifies the fractions of ET from precipitation, irrigation and soil water in the North China Plain (NCP) – a major crop production base in China. About 24 consecutive years (288 months) of hydroclimatic data (spanning from January 1985 to December 2008) are used in the study. The data are derived from Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) input/output products and field‐measured data in the region. Error analysis suggests that uncertainties/biases in the data products are low, with good correlations among the data products. In the NCP study area, precipitation is the highest contributor to ET (39.0%, 318.2 mm), followed by soil water (36.3%, 296.2 mm) and then irrigation (24.7%, 201.5 mm). This is respectively the equivalent of 29.7, 43.9 and 66.4% of average soil water, irrigation and precipitation in the region. Precipitation (as the highest contributor) drives the overall trend, amplitude and phase of ET in the study area. While the contribution of precipitation is highest in the wet summer cropping season, the contributions of irrigation and soil water are highest in the relatively dry spring cropping season. It is vital to devise more efficient ET‐reduction strategies to ensure sustainability in water use, food security, ecological protection and social stability in the region and beyond.
A locking‐free selective smoothed finite element method using tetrahedral and triangular elements with adaptive mesh rezoning for large deformation problems
Authors: Onishi Y. , Amaya K. 
Published: May 2014

SUMMARYA novel finite element (FE) formulation with adaptive mesh rezoning for large deformation problems is proposed. The proposed method takes the advantage of the selective smoothed FE method (S‐FEM), which has been recently developed as a locking‐free FE formulation with strain smoothing technique. We adopt the selective face‐based smoothed/node‐based smoothed FEM (FS/NS‐FEM‐T4) and edge‐based smoothed/node‐based smoothed FEM (ES/NS‐FEM‐T3) basically but modify them partly so that our method can handle any kind of material constitutive models other than elastic models. We also present an adaptive mesh rezoning method specialized for our S‐FEM formulation with material constitutive models in total form. Because of the modification of the selective S‐FEMs and specialization of adaptive mesh rezoning, our method is locking‐free for severely large deformation problems even with the use of tetrahedral and triangular meshes. The formulation details for static implicit analysis and several examples of analysis of the proposed method are presented in this paper to demonstrate its efficiency. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High normal post‐load plasma glucose, cardiometabolic risk factors and signs of organ damage in obese children
Authors: Di Bonito Procolo , Licenziati Maria Rosaria , Baroni Marco Giorgio , Congiu Tiziana , Incani Michela , Iannuzzi Arcangelo , Maffeis Claudio , Perrone Laura , Valerio Giuliana , Del Giudice Emanuele Miraglia 
Published: May 2014

ObjectiveTo evaluate normoglycemic overweight/obese (Ow/Ob) children whose post‐load plasma glucose (2hPG) cut‐point may be significantly associated with cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) and whether this cut‐point predicts preclinical signs of organ damage.MethodsOne thousand seven hundred and thrity four normoglycemic Ow/Ob children were stratified into quintiles of 2hPG, the sixth group was constituted by 101 children with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).ResultsMoving from the lower quintiles of 2hPG to IGT, the groups differed for Prepubertal stage, BMI, fasting PG, insulin levels, blood pressure, and lipids. To evaluate the best cut‐off of 2hPG related to CMRFs, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and the Youden's index was calculated. Insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and high triglyceride/HDL‐C ratio were associated with a 2hPG cut‐off of 110 mg/dl. Children with 2hPG ≥110 mg/dl showed 1.3‐3.2 fold higher risk to have high levels of ALT (as surrogate of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) or increased carotid intima‐media thickness.ConclusionsThis study, performed in a large cohort of Ow/Ob children, shows that an atherogenic risk profile and preclinical signs of organ damage are associated with post‐challenge elevations in plasma glucose still considered in the high normal range.
SKA1 over‐expression promotes centriole over‐duplication, centrosome amplification and prostate tumourigenesis
Authors: Li Jia , Xuan Jim W , Khatamianfar Vida , Valiyeva Fatma , Moussa Madeleine , Sadek Andrew , Yang Burton B , Dong Bai‐Jun , Huang Yi‐Ran , Gao Wei‐Qiang 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAlthough spindle‐ and kinetochore‐associated protein 1 (Ska1) has previously been identified as essential for proper chromosome segregation, it is unknown whether it plays a role in tumour development. Here, we report that Ska1 over‐expression promotes prostate tumourigenesis. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT–PCR analysis revealed that Ska1 was over‐expressed in human prostatic intra‐epithelial neoplasia (PIN), the most likely prostate cancer precursor, and adenocarcinomas. Up‐regulation of Ska1 protein was also found to be tumour‐specific in breast, lung and other common human cancers. Importantly, prostate‐specific up‐regulation of Ska1 in a transgenic mouse model resulted in spontaneous tumourigenesis. Furthermore, in addition to its abundance in spindle microtubules and the outer kinetochore interface during mitosis, Ska1 was enriched at centrosomes in cultured cells. Depletion of Ska1 caused a failure of centrosome duplication, whilst Ska1 over‐expression led to centrosome amplification in human prostate epithelial cells via the induction of centriole over‐duplication. These epithelial cells harbouring extra centrosomes switched from a non‐tumourigenic to a tumourigenic state in nude mice. Taken together, these data indicate that Ska1 over‐expression promotes tumourigenesis. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Association between calcium channel blockers and breast cancer: a meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Chen Qi , Zhang Qianwen , Zhong Fei , Guo Shiwei , Jin Zhichao , Shi Wentao , Chen Chen , He Jia 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo investigate the association between calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and increased risk of breast cancer.MethodsUsing terms related to breast cancer and CCB, we searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies on CCB use and the associated risk of breast cancer published before July 2013. Two evaluators independently selected observational studies on the basis of predetermined selection criteria, and 11 studies were included in the meta‐analysis. Summary estimates were obtained using fixed‐effects or random‐effects models as appropriate, and subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and publication bias tests were performed.ResultsOur meta‐analysis consisted of 11 studies, including four case–controls, two nested case–controls, and five cohort studies. The odds ratios (ORs) of the association between CCB use and breast cancer were 1.11 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93–1.33) overall, 1.04 (95%CI 0.92–1.18) for prospective studies, and 1.33 (95%CI 0.79–2.25) for retrospective studies. There was a positive association between immediate‐release CCB use and risk of breast cancer (OR 1.88, 95%CI 1.37–2.60).ConclusionsThere is no evidence that CCB use is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. However, there may be a positive association between immediate‐release CCB use and risk of breast cancer, but given the current preference for use of sustained‐release CCB, the potential clinical impact of this association is limited. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Control of all‐conjugated block copolymer crystallization via thermal and solvent annealing
Authors: Smith Kendall A. , Stewart Bridget , Yager Kevin G. , Strzalka Joseph , Verduzco Rafael 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTControl of the crystallization of conjugated polymers is of critical importance to the performance of organic electronics, such as organic photovoltaic devices, due to the effect on charge separation and transport, particularly for all‐polymer devices. The block copolymer poly(3‐dodecylthiophene)‐block‐poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene) (P3DDT‐b‐PF), which has matched crystallization temperatures for each block, is used to study the effects of processing history on resulting crystallization. For longer annealing times and rapid quenching to room temperature, P3DDT crystals are preferred whereas for shorter annealing times and slower quenching, PF crystals are preferred. Both crystal forms are evidenced for long annealing time and slow quenching. Additionally, for room temperature annealing in the presence of a chloroform vapor, PF crystals are found in the PF β phase with the predominant crystal peak oriented perpendicular to the thermally annealed case. These results will provide guidance for optimizing annealing strategies for future donor/acceptor block copolymer photovoltaic devices. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 900–906
Thermoelectric properties of Bi2Te3 microwires
Authors: Konopko L. A. , Nikolaeva A. A. , Huber T. E. , Meglei D. F. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractWe present here a study of electrical and thermoelectric properties of n ‐ and p ‐Bi2Te3 microwires (n ‐type Bi2Te2Se; p ‐type Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3) with different diameters (d =10–20 µm). Cylindrical Bi2Te3 crystals with glass coating were prepared by the liquid phase casting in a glass capillary. The X‐ray studies have shown that the microwire core is in general polycrystal consisting of big disoriented single crystal blocks. Measurements of resistance and thermopower were carried out over a wide range of temperatures (4.2–300 K) and magnetic fields (0–14 T). At 300 K for samples of n ‐ and p ‐type the thermopower S and power factor P.f. = S2σ were (100–140) µV/K, 1.6×10‐3 W/(K2m) and (150–300) µV/K, 4.5×10‐3 W/(K2m), respectively. Magnetic field dependences of Power factor were measured at various temperatures (T =35, 100, 270 K) and different magnetic field orientations. A broad maximum is the dominant feature of the magnetic field dependence of power factor for p‐ type samples, while power factor decreases for n‐ type samples. We have obtained maximum power factor P.f. =6.8×10‐3 W/(K2m) for p ‐type sample at longitudinal magnetic field B =3 T at T =100 K. Shubnikov de Haas oscillations with equal periods ΔB =0.038 T‐1 both in longitudinal and transverse magnetic fields for carriers with mc = 0.15m0 in p ‐type Bi2Te3 microwire were observed. These oscillations could arise from the topological surface states. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Self‐compensation limited conductivity of Cl‐doped CdTe crystals
Authors: Maslyanchuk O. L. , Kosyachenko L. A. , Melnychuk S. V. , Fochuk P. M. , Aoki T. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe conductivity of semi‐insulating Cl‐doped CdTe crystals produced by Acrorad Co. Ltd. with a resistivity ρ = (3‐6)×109 Ω·cm (300 K) was investigated. It is shown that the Fermi level in the band gap is located below the Fermi level in intrinsic CdTe which indicates the hole conductivity of the material. The concentration of holes in the studied crystals is determined to be 2‐3 orders of magnitude higher than the concentration of electrons. The statistics of electrons and holes in a semi‐insulating semiconductor containing self‐compensation complexes (centers) is considered bearing in mind that the effect of background impurities and defects in heavily Cl‐doped CdTe crystal is strongly reduced. A method for determining the ionization energy and the compensation degree of deep donors contained in the complexes was applied. It is shown that virtually intrinsic conductivity of the studied CdTe crystals is provided by the donors with ionization energy 0.68‐0.69 eV, whose level is located at 0.05‐0.06 eV above the middle of the band gap. Due to strong compensation, the Fermi level turns out below the middle of the band gap. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A random testing approach using pushdown automata
Authors: Dreyfus Aloïs , Héam Pierre‐Cyrille , Kouchnarenko Olga , Masson Catherine 
Published: May 2014

SUMMARYDeveloping efficient and automatic testing techniques is one of the major challenges faced by the software validation community. Recent work by A. Denise et al. shows how to draw traces uniformly at random for testing large systems modelled by finite automata. Because finite automata are strong abstractions of systems, many test cases generated following this approach may be unconcretizable, that is, they do not correspond to any concrete execution of the system under test. In this paper, this problem is tackled by extending the approach to pushdown systems that can encode either a stack data structure or the call stack. The method is based on context‐free grammars and related algorithms, and relies on combinatorial techniques to guarantee the uniformity of generated traces. In addition, the combination of coverage criteria with random testing is investigated to benefit from both approaches for evaluating the quality of the test suites. The application of the random approach is illustrated within both structural and model‐based testing contexts. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.