bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study protocol for promoting respectful maternity care initiative to assess, measure and design interventions to reduce disrespect and abuse during childbirth in Kenya
Authors: Warren Charlotte , Njuki Rebecca , Abuya Timothy , Ndwiga Charity , Maingi Grace , Serwanga Jane , Mbehero Faith , Muteti Louisa , Njeru Anne , Karanja Joseph , Olenja Joyce , Gitonga Lucy , Rakuom Chris , Bellows Ben 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
Increases in the proportion of facility-based deliveries have been marginal in many low-income countries in the African region. Preliminary clinical and anthropological evidence suggests that one major factor inhibiting pregnant women from delivering at facility is disrespectful and abusive treatment by health care providers in maternity units. Despite acknowledgement of this behavior by policy makers, program staff, civil society groups and community members, the problem appears to be widespread but prevalence is not well documented. Formative research will be undertaken to test the reliability and validity of a disrespect and abuse (D&A) construct and to then measure the prevalence of disrespect and abuse suffered by clinic clients and the general population.

Methods/design
A quasi-experimental design will be followed with surveys at twelve health facilities in four districts and one large maternity hospital in Nairobi and areas before and after the introduction of disrespect and abuse (D&A) interventions. The design is aimed to control for potential time dependent confounding on observed factors.

Discussion
This study seeks to conduct implementation research aimed at designing, testing, and evaluating an approach to significantly reduce disrespectful and abusive (D&A) care of women during labor and delivery in facilities. Specifically the proposed study aims to: (i) determine the manifestations, types and prevalence of D&A in childbirth (ii) develop and validate tools for assessing D&A (iii) identify and explore the potential drivers of D&A (iv) design, implement, monitor and evaluate the impact of one or more interventions to reduce D&A and (v) document and assess the dynamics of implementing interventions to reduce D&A and generate lessons for replication at scale.
Joint predictability of health related quality of life and leisure time physical activity on mortality risk in people with diabetes
Authors: Li Chia-Lin , Chang Hsing-Yi , Hsu Chih-Cheng , Lu Jui-fen Rachel , Fang Hsin-Ling 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
Reduced health related quality of life (HRQOL) has been associated with increased mortality in individuals with diabetes. In contrast, increased leisure time physical activity (LTPA) has been associated with reduced mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the combined relationship of HRQOL and LTPA on mortality and whether high levels of LTPA are associated with reduced risk of mortality in adults with diabetes and inferior HRQOL.

Methods
We analyzed data from a national sample of adults (18 years or older) with self-reported physician-diagnosed diabetes, who participated in the 2001 National Health Interview Survey in Taiwan (N = 797). A total of 701 participants had complete Short Form 36 (SF-36) and LTPA data and were followed from 2002 to 2008. Participants were divided into 3 groups based on their LTPA: (1) a regularly active group who reported 150 or more min/week of moderate-intensity activity; (2) an intermediately active group who reported engaging in LTPA but did not meet the criterion for the “regular” category; and (3) an inactive group who reported no LTPA. The physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores were dichotomised at the median (high vs. low) (PCS = 45.11; MCS = 47.91). Cox proportional-hazards models were used to investigate associations between baseline characteristics and mortality.

Results
After 4,570 person-years of follow-up, 121 deaths were recorded and the crude mortality rate was 26.5 per 1,000 person-years. Both PCS scores and LTPA were significant predictors of mortality, whereas no significant relationship was observed between MCS and mortality. After adjustment for other factors, participants with low PCS who reported no LTPA had a hazard ratio (HR) for mortality of 4.49 (95% CI = [2.15-9.36]). However, participants with low PCS who were active (including intermediate and regular LTPA) had a HR for mortality of 1.36 (95% CI = [0.64-2.92]).

Conclusions
Our results show a significantly increased mortality risk of diabetes associated with reduced HRQOL in individuals who report no LTPA. Engaging in LTPA may be associated with improved survival in participants with diabetes with poor self-rated physical health status.
Gametocyte carriage in Plasmodium falciparum-infected travellers
Authors: Roberts Catherine H , Armstrong Margaret , Zatyka Ewa , Boadi Samuel , Warren Simon , Chiodini Peter L , Sutherland Colin J , Doherty Tom 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
Gametocytes are the sexual stage of Plasmodium parasites. The determinants of gametocyte carriage have been studied extensively in endemic areas, but have rarely been explored in travellers with malaria. The incidence of gametocytaemia, and factors associated with gametocyte emergence in adult travellers with Plasmodium falciparum malaria was investigated at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London.

Methods
Clinical, parasitological and demographic data for all patients presenting with P. falciparum malaria between January 2001 and December 2011 were extracted from a prospective database. These data were supplemented by manual searches of laboratory records and patient case notes.

Results
Seven hundred and seventy three adult patients with laboratory-confirmed P. falciparum malaria were identified. Four hundred and sixty five (60%) were born in a country where malaria is endemic. Patients presented to hospital a median of four days into their illness. The median maximum parasite count was 0.4%. One hundred and ninety six patients (25%) had gametocytes; 94 (12%) on admission, and 102 (13%) developing during treatment. Gametocytaemia on admission was associated with anaemia and a lower maximum parasitaemia. Patients with gametocytes at presentation were less likely to have thrombocytopenia or severe malaria. Patients who developed gametocytes during treatment were more likely to have had parasitaemia of long duration, a high maximum parasitaemia and to have had severe malaria. There was no apparent association between the appearance of gametocytes and treatment regimen.

Conclusions
The development of gametocytaemia in travellers with P. falciparum is associated with factors similar to those reported among populations in endemic areas. These data suggest that acquired immunity to malaria is not the only determinant of patterns of gametocyte carriage among patients with the disease.
Excellent electrical conductivity of the exfoliated and fluorinated hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets
Authors: Xue Yafang , Liu Qian , He Guanjie , Xu Kaibing , Jiang Lin , Hu Xianghua , Hu Junqing 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe insulator characteristic of hexagonal boron nitride limits its applications in microelectronics. In this paper, the fluorinated hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets were prepared by doping fluorine into the boron nitride nanosheets exfoliated from the bulk boron nitride in isopropanol via a facile chemical solution method with fluoboric acid; interestingly, these boron nitride nanosheets demonstrate a typical semiconductor characteristic which were studied on a new scanning tunneling microscope-transmission electron microscope holder. Since this property changes from an insulator to a semiconductor of the boron nitride, these nanosheets will be able to extend their applications in designing and fabricating electronic nanodevices.
Wild vegetable mixes sold in the markets of Dalmatia (southern Croatia)
Authors: Łuczaj Łukasz , Zovko Končić Marijana , Miličević Tihomir , Dolina Katija , Pandža Marija 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundDalmatia is an interesting place to study the use of wild greens as it lies at the intersection of influence of Slavs, who do not usually use many species of wild greens, and Mediterranean culinary culture, where the use of multiple wild greens is common. The aim of the study was to document the mixtures of wild green vegetables which are sold in all the vegetable markets of Dalmatia.MethodsAll vendors (68) in all 11 major markets of the Dalmatian coast were interviewed. The piles of wild vegetables they sold were searched and herbarium specimens taken from them.ResultsThe mean number of species in the mix was 5.7. The most commonly sold wild plants are:Sonchus oleraceusL.,Allium ampeloprasumL.,Foeniculum vulgareMill.,Urospermum picroidesF.W.Schmidt,Papaver rhoeasL.,Daucus carotaL.,Taraxacumsp.,Picris echioidesL.,Silene latifoliaPoir. andCrepisspp. Also the cultivated beet (Beta vulgarisL.) and a few cultivated Brassicaceae varieties are frequent components. Wild vegetables from the mix are usually boiled for 20–30 minutes and dressed with olive oil and salt. Altogether at least 37 wild taxa and 13 cultivated taxa were recorded.Apart from the mixes,Asparagus acutifoliusL. andTamus communisL. shoots are sold in separate bunches (they are usually eaten with eggs), as well as some Asteraceae species, the latter are eaten raw or briefly boiled.ConclusionsThe rich tradition of eating many wild greens may result both from strong Venetian and Greek influences and the necessity of using all food resources available in the barren, infertile land in the past. Although the number of wild-collected green vegetables is impressive we hypothesize that it may have decreased over the years, and that further in-depth local ethnobotanical studies are needed in Dalmatia to record the disappearing knowledge of edible plants.
Unusual case of severe arrhythmia developed after acute intoxication with tosylchloramide
Authors: Lariccia Vincenzo , Moraca Alessandra , Marini Marco , Nasti Annamaria Assunta , Battistoni Ilaria , Amoroso Salvatore , Perna Gian Piero 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
Drugs not commonly considered to be cardioactive agents may cause prolongation of the QT interval with resultant torsades de pointes and ventricular fibrillation. This form of drug toxicity often causes cardiac arrest or sudden death.

Case presentation
After accidental ingestion of tosylchloramide a caucasian 77-year-old woman, with a family history of cardiovascular disease and hypertension, was admitted to the intensive care unit following episodes of torsades de pointes with a prolonged QT/QTc interval (640/542 ms). The patient received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, was discharged from the hospital with normal QT/QTc interval and did not experience additional ventricular arrhythmias during one year of follow-up.

Conclusion
This is the first report concerning an unusual case of torsades de pointes after accidental intoxication by ingestion of tosylchloramide. The pronounced impact of the oxidyzing agent tosylchloramide on the activity of some of the ion channels regulating the QT interval was identified as a probable cause of the arrhythmia.
Tissue-specific direct targets of Caenorhabditis elegans Rb/E2F dictate distinct somatic and germline programs
Authors: Kudron Michelle , Niu Wei , Lu Zhi , Wang Guilin , Gerstein Mark , Snyder Michael , Reinke Valerie 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Background
The tumor suppressor Rb/E2F regulates gene expression to control differentiation in multiple tissues during development, although how it directs tissue-specific gene regulation in vivo is poorly understood.

Results
We determined the genome-wide binding profiles for Caenorhabditis elegans Rb/E2F-like components in the germline, in the intestine and broadly throughout the soma, and uncovered highly tissue-specific binding patterns and target genes. Chromatin association by LIN-35, the C. elegans ortholog of Rb, is impaired in the germline but robust in the soma, a characteristic that might govern differential effects on gene expression in the two cell types. In the intestine, LIN-35 and the heterochromatin protein HPL-2, the ortholog of Hp1, coordinately bind at many sites lacking E2F. Finally, selected direct target genes contribute to the soma-to-germline transformation of lin-35 mutants, including mes-4, a soma-specific target that promotes H3K36 methylation, and csr-1, a germline-specific target that functions in a 22G small RNA pathway.

Conclusions
In sum, identification of tissue-specific binding profiles and effector target genes reveals important insights into the mechanisms by which Rb/E2F controls distinct cell fates in vivo.
Clinical and molecular characterisation of 300 patients with congenital hyperinsulinism
Authors: Kapoor Ritika R , Flanagan Sarah E , Arya Ved Bhushan , Shield Julian P , Ellard Sian , Hussain Khalid 
Published: January 2013

BackgroundCongenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is a clinically heterogeneous condition. Mutations in eight genes (ABCC8,KCNJ11,GLUD1,GCK,HADH,SLC16A1,HNF4AandHNF1A) are known to cause CHI.AimTo characterise the clinical and molecular aspects of a large cohort of patients with CHI.MethodologyThree hundred patients were recruited and clinical information was collected before genotyping.ABCC8andKCNJ11genes were analysed in all patients. Mutations inGLUD1,HADH,GCKandHNF4Agenes were sought in patients with diazoxide-responsive CHI with hyperammonaemia (GLUD1), raised 3-hydroxybutyrylcarnitine and/or consanguinity (HADH), positive family history (GCK) or when CHI was diagnosed within the first week of life (HNF4A).ResultsMutations were identified in 136/300 patients (45.3%). Mutations inABCC8/KCNJ11were the commonest genetic cause identified (n=109, 36.3%). Among diazoxide-unresponsive patients (n=105), mutations inABCC8/KCNJ11were identified in 92 (87.6%) patients, of whom 63 patients had recessively inherited mutations while four patients had dominantly inherited mutations. A paternal mutation in theABCC8/KCNJ11genes was identified in 23 diazoxide-unresponsive patients, of whom six had diffuse disease. Among the diazoxide-responsive patients (n=183), mutations were identified in 41 patients (22.4%). These include mutations inABCC8/KCNJ11(n=15),HNF4A(n=7),GLUD1(n=16) andHADH(n=3).ConclusionsA genetic diagnosis was made for 45.3% of patients in this large series. Mutations in theABCC8gene were the commonest identifiable cause. The vast majority of patients with diazoxide-responsive CHI (77.6%) had no identifiable mutations, suggesting other genetic and/or environmental mechanisms.
Image based remote sensing method for modeling black-eyed beans (Vigna unguiculata) Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Crop Height (CH) over Cyprus
Authors: Papadavid Giorgos , Fasoula Dionysia , Hadjimitsis Michael , Skevi Perdikou P. , Hadjimitsis Diofantos 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIn this paper, Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Crop Height (CH) are modeled to the most known spectral vegetation index — NDVI — using remotely sensed data. This approach has advantages compared to the classic approaches based on a theoretical background. A GER-1500 field spectro-radiometer was used in this study in order to retrieve the necessary spectrum data for estimating a spectral vegetation index (NDVI), for establishing a semiempirical relationship between black-eyed beans’ canopy factors and remotely sensed data. Such semi-empirical models can be used then for agricultural and environmental studies. A field campaign was undertaken with measurements of LAI and CH using the Sun-Scan canopy analyzer, acquired simultaneously with the spectroradiometric (GER1500) measurements between May and June of 2010. Field spectroscopy and remotely sensed imagery have been combined and used in order to retrieve and validate the results of this study. The results showed that there are strong statistical relationships between LAI or CH and NDVI which can be used for modeling crop canopy factors (LAI, CH) to remotely sensed data. The model for each case was verified by the factor of determination. Specifically, these models assist to avoid direct measurements of the LAI and CH for all the dates for which satellite images are available and support future users or future studies regarding crop canopy parameters.
Le regard de l'économiste : portée et limites de l'innovation environnementale
Authors: Galiègue Xavier 
Published: January 2013

Résumé L’innovation environnementale qui dépasse le seul domaine de l’innovation des éco-industries connaît à l’heure actuelle un développement considérable. Pourtant ses effets sur la pression environnementale restent encore limités par la persistance d’« effets rebond », liés la rétroaction exercée par l’amélioration de l’efficience dans l’utilisation des ressources sur leur consommation globale. L’innovation a d’autre part tendance à augmenter la pression sur l’environnement, par le développement des pratiques d’obsolescence programmée, notamment dans les NTIC, dont l’utilisation requiert de plus une forte consommation d’énergie. Les différents canaux par lesquels l’innovation environnementale pourra aboutir à une croissance verte passent par des innovations technologiques, mais aussi par des changements de comportements et d’attitudes qui devraient s’auto-renforcer. Les outils disponibles pour promouvoir l’innovation environnementale sont nombreux : réglementations, taxes et subventions, marché des droits à polluer, mais leur combinaison contribue à brouiller les signaux prix alors qu’il faudrait parvenir à déterminer un prix du carbone évité unique pour guider les choix des technologiques environnementales.
Le risque chez Courcelle-Seneuil : une approche éclectique et libérale au milieu du XIX e siècle
Authors: Marco Luc 
Published: January 2013

Résumé D’où vient l’idée schumpétérienne de destruction créatrice ? Une piste possible est l’œuvre de Courcelle-Seneuil. Cet auteur libéral a montré que le risque économique pouvait à la fois être destructeur et créateur. Ce risque spécifique s’avérait destructeur quand le libéralisme était faible, et créateur quand les idées libérales dominaient le monde des affaires. Cette communication revisite plusieurs textes oubliés de cet auteur et tente de retrouver la double filiation entre la pensée anglaise qu’aimait Courcelle-Seneuil, et la pensée française dont il était intellectuellement issu. Elle montre que si Schumpeter a repris plusieurs idées de Courcelle-Seneuil, il n’a pas tout pris. Mais ses emprunts ont conduit à la théorie de la démographie des entreprises.
Vitronectin Inhibits Efferocytosis through Interactions with Apoptotic Cells as well as with Macrophages
Authors: Bae Hong-Beom , Tadie Jean-Marc , Jiang Shaoning , Park Dae Won , Bell Celeste P. , Thompson Lawrence C. , Peterson Cynthia B. , Thannickal Victor J. , Abraham Edward , Zmijewski Jaroslaw W. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractEffective removal of apoptotic cells, particularly apoptotic neutrophils, is essential for the successful resolution of acute inflammatory conditions. In these experiments, we found that whereas interaction between vitronectin and integrins diminished the ability of macrophages to ingest apoptotic cells, interaction between vitronectin with urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) on the surface of apoptotic cells also had equally important inhibitory effects on efferocytosis. Preincubation of vitronectin with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 eliminated its ability to inhibit phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. Similarly, incubation of apoptotic cells with soluble uPAR or Abs to uPAR significantly diminished efferocytosis. In the setting of LPS-induced ALI, enhanced efferocytosis and decreased numbers of neutrophils were found in bronchoalveolar lavage obtained from vitronectin-deficient (vtn−/−) mice compared with wild type (vtn+/+) mice. Furthermore, there was increased clearance of apoptotic vtn−/− as compared with vtn+/+ neutrophils after introduction into the lungs of vtn−/− mice. Incubation of apoptotic vtn−/− neutrophils with purified vitronectin before intratracheal instillation decreased efferocytosis in vivo. These findings demonstrate that the inhibitory effects of vitronectin on efferocytosis involve interactions with both the engulfing phagocyte and the apoptotic target cell.
Tumor-Derived IL-35 Promotes Tumor Growth by Enhancing Myeloid Cell Accumulation and Angiogenesis
Authors: Wang Zhihui , Liu Jin-Qing , Liu Zhenzhen , Shen Rulong , Zhang Guoqiang , Xu Jianping , Basu Sujit , Feng Youmei , Bai Xue-Feng 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
IL-35 is a member of the IL-12 family of cytokines that is comprised of an IL-12 p35 subunit and an IL-12 p40-related protein subunit, EBV-induced gene 3 (EBI3). IL-35 functions through IL-35R and has a potent immune-suppressive activity. Although IL-35 was demonstrated to be produced by regulatory T cells, gene-expression analysis revealed that it is likely to have a wider distribution, including expression in cancer cells. In this study, we demonstrated that IL-35 is produced in human cancer tissues, such as large B cell lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and melanoma. To determine the roles of tumor-derived IL-35 in tumorigenesis and tumor immunity, we generated IL-35–producing plasmacytoma J558 and B16 melanoma cells and observed that the expression of IL-35 in cancer cells does not affect their growth and survival in vitro, but it stimulates tumorigenesis in both immune-competent and Rag1/2-deficient mice. Tumor-derived IL-35 increases CD11b+Gr1+ myeloid cell accumulation in the tumor microenvironment and, thereby, promotes tumor angiogenesis. In immune-competent mice, spontaneous CTL responses to tumors are diminished. IL-35 does not directly inhibit tumor Ag–specific CD8+ T cell activation, differentiation, and effector functions. However, IL-35–treated cancer cells had increased expression of gp130 and reduced sensitivity to CTL destruction. Thus, our study indicates novel functions for IL-35 in promoting tumor growth via the enhancement of myeloid cell accumulation, tumor angiogenesis, and suppression of tumor immunity.
Neural Network Training Techniques for Enhancing the Performance of a Distributive Tactile Sensor
Authors: Tongpadungrod Pensiri 
Published: January 2013

This work describes neural network training techniques for enhancing the performance of a one-dimensional beam for determining load positions. The system was a distributive system which relied on the detection of changes in the surface properties that can be seen across the surface. The demonstrated distributive system was 400 mm in length. The applied load positions within the range 60–300 mm could be determined with an average percentage error of 0.2% of the beam length which corresponded to a position error of 0.8 mm using a network trained with 10 training positions. It was found that the errors were higher for the load applied near the edges of the beam, leading to an average percentage error of 3.6% for the whole length of the beam. The normalization of the network output can be employed to reduce the average percentage error by approximately 1% for a given number of training positions. The performance was improved by introducing more training positions in the less sensitive area. The described training technique not only reduced the prediction error but also enlarged the areas where the prediction errors were satisfactorily small. Using the described technique, the overall prediction error could be decreased by 0.13–0.24% of the beam length for 30–10 training positions. The area where the prediction errors were within 2 mm was increased by 14.5–7.3% of the beam length for a network trained with 4 training positions in the middle portion using 10–30 training positions.