bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developing patient-friendly genetic and genomic test reports: formats to promote patient engagement and understanding
Authors: Haga Susanne B , Mills Rachel , Pollak Kathryn I , Rehder Catherine , Buchanan Adam H , Lipkus Isaac M , Crow Jennifer H , Datto Michael 
Published: July 2014

AbstractWith the emergence of electronic medical records and patient portals, patients are increasingly able to access their health records, including laboratory reports. However, laboratory reports are usually written for clinicians rather than patients, who may not understand much of the information in the report. While several professional guidelines define the content of test reports, there are no guidelines to inform the development of a patient-friendly laboratory report. In this Opinion, we consider patient barriers to comprehension of lab results and suggest several options to reformat the lab report to promote understanding of test results and their significance to patient care, and to reduce patient anxiety and confusion. In particular, patients’ health literacy, genetic literacy, e-health literacy and risk perception may influence their overall understanding of lab results and affect patient care. We propose four options to reformat lab reports: 1) inclusion of an interpretive summary section, 2) a summary letter to accompany the lab report, 3) development of a patient user guide to be provided with the report, and 4) a completely revised patient-friendly report. The complexity of genetic and genomic test reports poses a major challenge to patient understanding that warrants the development of a report more appropriate for patients.
Regulatory T cells suppress CD4+T cells through NFAT‐dependent transcriptional mechanisms
Authors: Shin Daniel S , Jordan Ayana , Basu Samik , Thomas Rajan M , Bandyopadhyay Sanmay , de Zoeten Edwin F , Wells Andrew D , Macian Fernando 
Published: July 2014

AbstractRegulatory T cells (Tregs) control autoreactive T cells by inhibiting activation‐induced proliferation and cytokine expression. The molecular mechanisms responsible for the inactivation of effector T cells by Tregs remain yet to be fully characterized. We report that T‐helper cells stimulated in the presence of Tregs quickly activate NFAT1 and have increased NFAT1‐dependent expression of the transcription repressor Ikaros. NFAT1 deficiency or dominant‐negative Ikaros compromises Treg‐mediated inhibition of T‐helper cells in vitro and in vivo. Thus, our results place NFAT‐dependent mechanisms as general regulators of T‐cell tolerance and show that Treg‐mediated suppression of T‐helper cells results from the activation of NFAT‐regulated gene expression.
On Problems of Characteristic and Nominal Values of Steel Yield Strength and Their Influence on Design Resistance of Steel Structural Members
Authors: Karmazínová Marcela , Melcher Jindrich J. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTThe paper deals with the problems of mechanical properties of structural steels used for load-carrying structures of civil engineering constructions. The attention is mainly paid to the values of yield strength from the viewpoint of the design concept of European Standards, i.e. Eurocode 3 for the design of steel structures, with respect to the structural reliability given by the failure probability. In the case of other materials, concrete or timber for example, characteristic and design values of strength given by the corresponding failure probability are used in the design procedures, where the partial safety factor of material is γM > 1.0. However, in the case of steel, the nominal values instead of characteristic values of steel yield strength are utilized in the structural design procedure, with the partial safety factor for material of γM = 1.0. These values have been derived based on the statistical and probabilistic evaluation of the data sets of actual material properties obtained from various recent steel producers. The paper presents the brief information on the results of the study oriented to the influence of the nominal or characteristic value of yield strength on the design resistance, which is shown on the examples of the member subjected to tension and bending moment, respectively. The influence mentioned is shown using the examples of structural steels used in constructions of the age of about 40 and 100 years.
The Efficiency of SiO2 Based Materials in Granulated Artificial Aggregates
Authors: Ogurtsova Yulia , Strokova Valeria , Zhernovsky Igor , Maksakov Aleksey , Kozhukhova Marina , Sobolev Konstantin 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTThis paper reports on the development of a new type of low cost artificial aggregates based on granulated reactive silica (AAGS) for application in lightweight concrete. The functional principle of AAGS is based on the formation of polysilicate solutions under heat treatment (up to 80 °C) and migration of these solutions into the porous space of concrete under the thermal gradients, resulting in strengthening of inter-porous space. Developed AAGSs are based on low cost local raw materials, which may contain different amounts of amorphous silica. The activity coefficient (AC) and amorphous silica content are used to evaluate the performance of raw materials by suggested accelerated method.Silica components with different genesis are investigated and ranked according to their AC. It is found out that chemogenic and biogenic siliceous rocks with a low degree of diagenetic transformations, which are mostly represented by CT-opals (a low-temperature nanoscale modification of tridymite and crystobalite, such as diatomite, tripoli and opoka) are the most highly active raw materials for AAGS. All tested siliceous materials including natural and artificial components are divided into three groups: highly active (with AC of 51–100%), active (with AC of 21–50 %) and low-active (with AC of 5–20 %). Based on theoretical and experimental studies, the requirements for AAGS raw materials are developed.
Mathematical Model of the melting of DRI in a slag melt
Authors: Ramírez-Argáez Marco A. , González-Rivera Carlos 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTMelting of Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) pellets in Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) in steelmaking production is a common practice worldwide. Mathematical models are proper tools to study the phenomena involved in melting DRI. In this work we develop a mathematical model to predict melting kinetics of DRI in a liquid slag bath. The model is successfully validated against experimental results and it is used to develop a process analysis to estimate the effects of DRI size, stirring conditions, and temperatures of the bath and pellet on the melting kinetics of DRI.
Synthesis and Characterization of Micro and Nano Ba3-xKxHx(PO4)2 and Ba3-xNaxHx(PO4)2
Authors: Bang Sun Hwi , Chun Sam , Highower Adrian 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTBa3-xKxHx(PO4)2 is a candidate solid-state proton conductor for solid acid fuel cells that is water-insoluble. The measured conductivity of ∼ 2.4 10-5 S cm-1 for the composition x=0.80 at 250°C is not competitive for solid acid fuel cell applications. This work investigates a methods for synthesizing solid acid electrolytes with the strategy of increasing proton conductivity by cation substitution and decreasing particle size. We report on the synthesis of nano Ba3-xKxHx(PO4)2 to a novel Ba3-xNaxHx(PO4)2. X-ray diffraction was used to confirm the Ba3(PO4)2 crystal structure and measure lattice strain as a function of cation substitution. SEM confirmed the morphology of micro Ba3-xNaxHx(PO4)2 is substantially different from micro Ba3-xKxHx(PO4)2, suggesting that Ba3-xNaxHx(PO4)2 has a different growth kinetics.
Thermal effects on the physical properties of limestone from the Yucatan Peninsula
Authors: Gónzalez-Gómez W.S. , May-Crespo J. , Quintana P. , May-Pat A. , Avilés F. , Alvarado-Gil J. J. , Ortega B.O. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTRocks are composed of minerals, bounding matrix, cracks and pores. The study of changes in the physical properties of rocks as a function of heat treatment is relevant to various engineering and industrial applications. The effect of thermal damage on the compression, strength, ultimate compression strain, color and loss of mass of two different limestones extracted from the Yucatan Peninsula is studied. Different thermal treatments are applied by heating the sample from room temperature up to 600°C, with steps of 100°C. The results show a high correlation between the heat transport characteristics, mechanical properties, content of organic matter and the presence of carbonates and iron oxides in each type of limestone rock.
Sexual Dimorphism in the Parasitoid Wasps Aphidius balcanicus, Aphidius rosae, and Aphidius urticae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae)
Authors: Petrović Andjeljko , Tomanović Željko , Kavallieratos Nickolas G , Bogdanović Ana Mitrovski , Starý Petr , Ivanović Ana 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
In this study, we explored variations in the magnitude and the direction of sexual dimorphism in three parasitoid species from the genus Aphidius Nees (Aphidius balcanicus Tomanović and Petrović, Aphidius rosae Haliday, and Aphidius urticae Haliday). We also explored the variation in sexual dimorphism within one of these species, A. urticae, which parasitizes and develops in three different hosts that belong to three aphid genera. To estimate sexual size dimorphism, we selected two developmentally and functionally unrelated morphological structures: the mesoscutum and the wing. Our results showed that sexual dimorphism in mesoscutum and wing size differ (sexual dimorphism in mesoscutum size appears to be insignificant, whereas the wings are larger in males). We found a high level of variation in sexual dimorphism in wing shape within and between species. We also found that the observed shape changes are not due to size-related, allometric changes in wing shape. These results indicate that sexual dimorphism in wing size and wing shape is highly variable and could be influenced by various factors, including host effects, whereas mesoscutum size appears to be a conserved trait in aphid parasitoids.
Magnetic resonance imaging features of Great Danes with and without clinical signs of cervical spondylomyelopathy
Authors: Martin-Vaquero Paula , da Costa Ronaldo C. 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Objective—To characterize and compare the MRI morphological features of the cervical vertebral column of Great Danes with and without clinical signs of cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM).
Design—Prospective cohort study.
Animals—30 Great Danes (15 clinically normal and 15 CSM-affected).
Procedures—All dogs underwent MRI of the cervical vertebral column (C2–3 through T1–2). Features evaluated included sites of subarachnoid space compression, spinal cord compression, or both; degree, cause, and direction of compression; MRI signal changes of the spinal cord; articular process (facet) joint characteristics; internal vertebral venous plexus visibility; and presence of extradural synovial cysts as well as presence and degree of intervertebral disk degeneration and foraminal stenosis.
Results—Clinically normal and CSM-affected dogs had 11 and 61 compressive sites, respectively, detected with MRI. All CSM-affected dogs had ≥ 1 site of spinal cord compression. No signal changes were observed in spinal cords of normal dogs, whereas 14 sites of hyperintensity were found in 9 CSM-affected dogs. Foraminal stenosis was present in 11 clinically normal and all CSM-affected dogs. The number of stenotic foraminal sites was significantly greater in the CSM-affected group, and severe stenosis appeared to be more common in this group than in the clinically normal group. Significant differences were identified between clinically normal and CSM-affected dogs with regard to amount of synovial fluid evident, regularity of articular surfaces, degree of articular process joint proliferation, and internal vertebral venous plexus visibility.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Abnormalities were detected with MRI in several clinically normal Great Danes. Severe spinal cord compression, number of stenotic foraminal sites, and signal changes within the spinal cord distinguished CSM-affected from clinically normal Great Danes.
Efficacy of systemic adjuvant therapies administered to dogs after excision of oral malignant melanomas: 151 cases (2001–2012)
Authors: Boston Sarah E. , Lu Xiaomin , Culp William T. N. , Montinaro Vincenzo , Romanelli Giorgio , Dudley Robert M. , Liptak Julius M. , Mestrinho Lisa A. , Buracco Paolo 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Objective—To determine prognostic factors for and compare outcome among dogs with oral malignant melanoma following excision with or without various systemic adjuvant therapies.
Design—Retrospective case series.
Animals—151 dogs with naturally occurring oral malignant melanomas treated by excision with or without adjuvant therapies from 2001 to 2012.
Procedures—Case accrual was solicited from Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology members via an email list service. Information collected from case records included signalment, tumor staging, tumor characteristics, type of surgical excision, histologic diagnosis, adjuvant therapy, and survival time.
Results—The overall median survival time was 346 days. Results of multivariate analysis indicated that tumor size, patient age, and intralesional excision (vs marginal, wide, or radical excision) were considered poor prognostic indicators. All other demographic and clinical variables were not significantly associated with survival time after adjusting for the aforementioned 3 variables. A clear survival benefit was not evident with any systemic adjuvant therapy, including vaccination against melanoma or chemotherapy; however, the number of dogs in each treatment group was small. Ninety-eight dogs received no postoperative adjuvant therapy, and there was no difference in survival time between dogs that did (335 days) and did not (352 days) receive systemic adjuvant therapy.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—For dogs with oral malignant melanoma, increasing tumor size and age were negative prognostic factors. Complete excision of all macroscopic tumor burden improved survival time. Long-term survival was possible following surgery alone. Although systemic adjuvant therapy was not found to improve survival time, this could have been due to type II error.
Thermodynamics of a 3 — D charged rotating hairy black hole
Authors: Naji Jalil , Heydari Saba , Amjadi Ali 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
In this paper, we consider a charged rotating black hole in three dimensions with a scalar charge, and discuss thermodynamics quantities. We find effects of the black hole parameters on the temperature, entropy, free energy, total energy and specific heat. We also investigate the stability of the black hole and study phase transition. We consider the first law of thermodynamics and find that satisfied.
Elastic properties of (PbySn1−y
)2P2S6 solid solutions
Authors: Bilanych Rostyslav , Yevych Ruslan , Kohutych Anton , Perechinskii Sergij , Stoika Ivan , Vysochanskii Yulian 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Elastic properties of (PbySn1−y
)2P2S6 solid solutions were studied using Brillouin scattering technique. Different scattering geometries were used for sound velocities determination that make it possible to find all components of the stiffness tensor. The concentration dependencies of volume compressibility, the Grüneisen parameter and Debye temperature were investigated. The results obtained were used to analyze chemical bonding with substitution of tin by lead at room temperature in the crystals under consideration.
The occurrence of ocular diseases in patients with Turner syndrome
Authors: Brunnerova Renata , Lebl Jan 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Turner syndrome is among the most common chromosomal aberrations. It is caused by a missing or anomaly of one X chromosome, alternatively a chromosomal mosaicism. It is often connected with a more frequent occurrence of some ocular diseases. In our study 81 girls and women with Turner syndrome from the age of 5 to 23 years old were examined. The occurrence of ocular diseases and their possible connection with karyotype was the main focus of our attention. Myopia had the highest incidence in these girls, further there were hyperopia, epicanthus, colour vision deficiency, amblyopia, strabismus and ptosis. The occurrence of colour vision deficiency was higher than in the general population where it differs in sexes. The occurrence of strabismus and ptosis was higher than in the general population. The total range of refractive errors was slightly higher than in the general population, with a different distribution according to karyotype. Hyperopia was recorded more often at the 45,X karyotype, namely 28 %, while for chromosomal mosaicism it was only in 18%. For myopia the ratio was reversed — chromosomal mosaicism in 31% and in 45,X karyotype in 26 %.In total, while comparing individual eye defects incidence in 45,X karyotype and chromosomal mosaicism, similar findings were recorded. These results were also assessed with the help of statistics.
Correction of Moderate to High Hyperopia With an Implantable Collamer Lens: Medium-term Results
Authors: Benda František , Filipová Lenka , Filipec Martin 
Published: July 2014

PURPOSE:
To evaluate the medium-term results of phakic posterior chamber implantable collamer lens implantation to correct moderate and high hyperopia.

METHODS:
In this retrospective study, patients were treated for hyperopia with the Visian Implantable Collamer Lens (ICH model V3; STAAR Surgical AG, Nidau, Switzerland). Examined parameters were manifest refraction spherical equivalent, uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, vault, anterior chamber depth, anterior chamber angle width, endothelial cell density, intraocular pressure, patient satisfaction, and complications.

RESULTS:

The mean age of 15 patients (28 eyes) was 28 years (range: 18 to 36 years), with a mean follow-up period of 3.6 years (range: 3 to 6 years). The mean manifest refraction spherical equivalent decreased from +6.30 ± 1.42 diopters (D) (range: +4.25 to +8.50 D) preoperatively to −0.37 ± 0.56 D (range: −1.25 to +1.00 D) at 3 years postoperatively. The mean uncorrected distance visual acuity improved from 0.77 ± 0.38 logMAR (range: 0.16 to 1.30 logMAR) to 0.20 ± 0.17 logMAR (range: 0.00 to 0.48 logMAR) at the 3-year follow-up. Postoperatively, 62% of eyes gained one line of corrected distance visual acuity or remained unchanged. The mean vault reduced from 367.1 ± 253.6
μ
m (range: 70.0 to 1,190.0
μ
m) at 1 month postoperatively to 283.6 ± 210.0
μ
m (range: 75.0 to 915.0
μ
m) at the last follow-up visit (
P
= .005). The mean preoperative anterior chamber depth and anterior chamber angle width also decreased at the last follow-up visit (
P
= .037 and < .0001, respectively). The mean endothelial cell loss was 4.91% (
P
= .089). No serious complications occurred. Thirteen (87%) patients were satisfied with the outcomes and no patient was dissatisfied.

CONCLUSIONS:
Implantation of a posterior chamber implantable collamer lens is a safe, effective, predictable, and stable method for the correction of moderate and high hyperopia in highly selected patients. No case of cataract or anterior subcapsular opacities formation was recorded in relation to the decrease of vault over the studied period and low vault in some eyes.

[
J Refract Surg.
2014;30(8):526–533.]
Corneal Enantiomorphism in Normal and Keratoconic Eyes
Authors: Saad Alain , Guilbert Emmanuel , Gatinel Damien 
Published: July 2014

PURPOSE:
To evaluate the ability to discriminate between normal and keratoconic corneas by analyzing intereye corneal asymmetry parameters and defining a score of similarity that outlines the normal range of asymmetry between right and left eyes.

METHODS:
This prospective, non-randomized study included 102 normal corneas of 51 patients and 64 keratoconic corneas of 32 patients. Topographic and tomographic parameters of the right and left eyes were extracted from an elevation and Placido-based corneal topography. Asymmetry was determined by subtracting the right eye value from the left eye value for each variable and by considering the absolute value of the result. A discriminant function was constructed to separate the normal and keratoconic groups.

RESULTS:
The mean intereye asymmetry differences were statistically significant for all variables except the vertical and horizontal decentration of the thinnest point, the corneal thickness at 2.5, 3, 3.5, and 4 mm from the thinnest point, and the posterior keratometry at 4.5 mm from the thinnest point. The discriminant function was composed of three variables (the difference between flat and steep keratometry, the 3-mm irregularity, and the anterior elevation of the thinnest point) and reached an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.992, a sensitivity of 94%, and a specificity of 100%.

CONCLUSIONS:
A discriminant function constructed from the intereye difference of three corneal indices may be accurate and useful for the topography-based detection of advanced keratoconus. In the future, incorporating such data in automated artificial intelligence software may improve the detection ability of earlier forms of keratoconus.

[
J Refract Surg.
2014;30(8):542–547.]
Outcomes of Photorefractive Keratectomy Enhancement After LASIK
Authors: Lee Bryan S. , Gupta Preeya K. , Davis Elizabeth A. , Hardten David R. 
Published: July 2014

PURPOSE:
To report the outcomes of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) enhancement after LASIK for patients diagnosed as having hyperopic and myopic refractive errors.

METHODS:
In this retrospective case series at a single private practice in the United States, all patients undergoing PRK enhancement after LASIK were identified. Patients with visually significant cataract, non-plano targets, and follow-up of fewer than 226 days were excluded. The primary outcome measure was uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) with secondary measures of corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and postoperative refractive error. Linear regression analysis was performed for actual versus targeted change in spherical equivalent.

RESULTS:

Mean UDVA improved from 20/39 to 20/24 for hyperopes (n = 14;
P
< .002) and from 20/45 to 20/22 for myopes (n = 29;
P
< .0000001) after enhancement. All patients had a UDVA of 20/40 or better at their most recent follow-up visit. Fifty percent of hyperopes and 65.5% of myopes were 20/20 or better. The mean refractive error for hyperopes changed from +1.10 ± 0.71 (range: +0.13 to +2.25 diopters [D]) to +0.38 ± 0.66 D (range: −0.75 to +1.38 D) and from −1.21 ± 0.61 (range: −3.25 to −0.38 D) to +0.34 ± 0.45 D (range: −0.25 to +1.75 D) for myopes. The manifest refraction cylinder decreased from 0.84 to 0.46 D in hyperopes (
P
= .02) and from 0.64 to 0.26 D in myopes (
P
< .002). CDVA was maintained in both groups, with only one patient in each worse than 20/20. There was a nonsignificant trend toward less haze in the patients receiving mitomycin C (5.1% vs 25%,
P
= .14). Linear regression showed a tendency toward overtreatment in the myopic group.

CONCLUSIONS:
PRK is safe and highly effective for patients who previously underwent LASIK and in whom the surgeon would prefer not to perform a flap-lift enhancement.

[
J Refract Surg.
2014;30(8):549–556.]