bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of training on corticomotor excitability in clinical neck pain
Authors: Rittig‐Rasmussen B. , Kasch H. , Fuglsang‐Frederiksen A. , Svensson P. , Jensen T.S. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundCorticomotor excitability has been shown to correlate with motor learning and functional recovery. The aim of the present study was to monitor changes in excitability of the corticomotor pathways induced by neck training and to compare the effects in patients with neck or knee pain and pain‐free participants.MethodsCorticomotor excitability was assessed using transcranial magnetic stimulation and electromyography at baseline, after 30 min and 1 h, and at a 1‐week follow‐up visit. The primary outcome measures were changes in amplitudes and latencies of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) at 1‐week follow‐up.ResultsMEP responses induced by neck training yielded significantly different outcomes in the three groups. In the group with neck pain and training, MEP amplitudes were significantly reduced between baseline and 30 min (p ≤ 0.05), but with no significant difference between baseline, 1 h (p = 0.178) and 1 week (p = 0.067). In the group with knee pain and training, MEP amplitudes significantly increased between baseline and 30 min (p ≤ 0.01) and 1 h (p < 0.001), but not after 1 week (p = 0.524) compared with baseline. In the pain‐free group, there were no changes over time.ConclusionNeck training reduced neuroplastic responsiveness of corticomotor pathways in neck pain patients in contrast to knee pain patients and pain‐free participants. Increased attention to adaptive and maladaptive neuroplastic responses induced by training may prove valuable in the process of optimizing clinical outcomes.
Improving the correlation between incoming solar radiation and sunshine hour using DTR
Authors: Lee Khil‐Ha 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTThis paper reports the development of a relationship between incoming shortwave solar radiation and bright sunshine duration. The daily temperature range (DTR) is melt into the existing Angstrom equation to include the advection of atmospheric constituents. The proposed DTR plus Angstrom equations were tested against field investigation. Measurements of solar radiation and sunshine duration from 1997 to 2006 at 20 meteorological stations were used to calibrate and validate the suggested equation. The model parameters required to specify the nature of the relationship between solar radiation and sunshine duration were determined by automatically minimizing the difference between the modeled and measured solar radiation. At the 20 meteorological stations, the root mean square error (RMSE) is improved by 6% for the original Angstrom equation with DTR, while 2% for the modified Angstrom equation with DTR. The average value of the coefficient of determination is 0.889 (0.908) for the original (modified) Angstrom equation whereas 0.901 (0.911) for the original (modified) Angstrom equation with DTR. It is encouraging that the newly suggested equation with DTR generally provides better performance than the existing Angstrom equation that is constructed with brightness sunshine duration only.
Dendroclimatic reconstruction of May–June maximum temperatures in the central Zagros Mountains, western Iran
Authors: Arsalani Mohsen , Azizi Ghasem , Bräuning Achim 
Published: March 2014

AbstractLong‐term instrumental records that provide estimates about the natural range of long‐term climate fluctuation are lacking in Iran. Ring‐width chronologies were developed from two oak sites in the central Zagros Mountains, dating back to 1705 A.D. Due to high correlations between the local site chronologies, a mean regional chronology (RC) was calculated. Correlations with regionalized climate data showed significant negative correlations with maximum temperature in December of the previous year and February, May, June and August of the current year. However, May–June maximum temperatures of the current growing season showed the highest negative correlation coefficient with regional tree growth patterns. Based on this relationship, maximum temperature of May–June was reconstructed over the last 170 years (1840–2010). The average length of cold periods was shorter than that of warm periods. Further sampling may allow the analysis of long‐term climatic trends in this region.
Stability, across environments, of grain and alcohol yield, in soft wheat varieties grown for grain distilling or bioethanol production
Authors: Swanston John Stuart , Smith Pauline L , Thomas William TB , Sylvester‐Bradley Roger , Kindred Daniel , Brosnan James M , Bringhurst Thomas A , Agu Reginald C 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDSoft‐milling wheat has potential use for both grain whisky distilling and bioethanol production. Varietal comparisons over wide‐ranging environments would permit assessment of both grain and alcohol yield potential and also permit the stability across environments, for these parameters, to be compared.RESULTSFor 12 varieties, analysis of variance showed highly significant effects of variety, site, season and fertiliser application on grain and alcohol yield. There were also significant interactions between these factors and, consequently, varieties varied in stability across environments as well as in mean values for the parameters assessed. Alcohol production per hectare was affected more strongly by variation in grain yield than alcohol yield, but increasing grain protein content reduced alcohol yield and, therefore, utility for grain distilling.CONCLUSIONTo maximise energy production, the best varieties for bioethanol would combine high and stable grain yield with slower reduction of alcohol yield as grain protein increases. For grain distilling, where the energy balance is less important, high alcohol yield will remain the key factor. Data derived using near infrared spectroscopy can be valuable in assessing stability of quality traits across environments. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Algorithm for fast monoexponential fitting based on Auto‐Regression on Linear Operations (ARLO) of data
Authors: Pei Mengchao , Nguyen Thanh D. , Thimmappa Nanda D. , Salustri Carlo , Dong Fang , Cooper Mitch A. , Li Jianqi , Prince Martin R. , Wang Yi 
Published: March 2014

PurposeTo develop a fast and accurate monoexponential fitting algorithm based on Auto‐Regression on Linear Operations (ARLO) of data, and to validate its accuracy and computational speed by comparing it with the conventional Levenberg‐Marquardt (LM) and Log‐Linear (LL) algorithms.MethodsARLO, LM, and LL performances for T2* mapping were evaluated in simulation and in vivo imaging of liver (n = 15) and myocardial (n = 1) iron overload patients and the brain (two healthy volunteers).ResultsIn simulations, ARLO consistently delivered accuracy similar to LM and significantly superior to LL. In in vivo mapping of T2* values, ARLO showed excellent agreement with LM, while LL showed only limited agreements with ARLO and LM. Compared with LM and LL in the liver, ARLO was 125 and 8 times faster using our Matlab implementations, and 156 and 13 times faster using our C++ implementations. In C++ implementations, ARLO reduced the online whole‐brain processing time from 9 min 15 s of LM and 35 s of LL to 2.7 s, providing T2* maps approximately in real time.ConclusionDue to comparable accuracy and significantly higher speed, ARLO can be considered as a valid alternative to the conventional LM algorithm for online T2* mapping. Magn Reson Med 73:843–850, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Muscle–fat MRI: 1.5 tesla and 3.0 tesla versus histology
Authors: Smith Andrew C. , Parrish Todd B. , Abbott Rebecca , Hoggarth Mark A. , Mendoza Karl , Chen Yu Fen , Elliott James M. 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTIntroduction: We evaluated muscle/fat fraction (MFF) accuracy and reliability measured with an MR imaging technique at 1.5 Tesla (T) and 3.0T scanner strengths, using biopsy as reference. Methods: MRI was performed on muscle samples from pig and rabbit species (n = 8) at 1.5T and 3.0T. A chemical shift based 2‐point Dixon method was used, collecting in‐phase and out‐of‐phase data for fat/water of muscle samples. Values were compared with MFFs calculated from histology. Results: No significant difference was found between 1.5T and 3.0T (P values = 0.41–0.96), or between histology and imaging (P = 0.83) for any muscle tested. Conclusions: Results suggest that a 2‐point Dixon fat/water separation MRI technique may provide reliable quantification of MFFs at varying field strengths across different animal species, and consistency was established with biopsy. The results set a foundation for larger scale investigation of quantifying muscle fat in neuromuscular disorders. Muscle Nerve 50:170–176, 2014
The multidimensional sensation of desire to void differs between people with and without overactive bladder
Authors: Das Rebekah , Buckley Jonathan D. , Williams Marie T. 
Published: March 2014

AimTo determine whether the multidimensional sensation of desire to void can be reliability assessed and whether differences exist between people with and without overactive bladder (OAB). Assessing reliability and convergent validity of OAB screening tools comprised a secondary aim.MethodsThis observational, repeated‐measures study involved 64 volunteers (47 female), aged ≥50 years, with and without OAB symptoms. Six sensory dimensions (intensity, unpleasantness, suddenness, perceived difficulty “holding on,” bladder fullness and location of sensation) were assessed by structured interview on two occasions. Overactive bladder status was determined using the OAB Symptom Score and OAB Awareness Tool. Reliability of sensory dimensions was assessed via random effects mixed modeling. The ability of each sensory dimension to predict OAB status was determined by partial least squares regression.ResultsWith the exception of sensory intensity, perceived bladder fullness, and one location of sensation, sensory dimensions were reliably reported. Sensory intensity, unpleasantness, suddenness, and perceived difficulty “holding on” predicted OAB, whereas perceived bladder fullness and sensory location did not. The OAB screening questionnaires demonstrated comparable test‐retest reliability and convergent validity.ConclusionsPeople with and without OAB can reliably describe the multidimensional sensation of desire to void. The sensation of desire to void is more intense, unpleasant, sudden, and perceived as more difficult to hold on in people with OAB. Neurourol. Urodynam. 34:444–449, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Baseline predictors of efavirenz‐containing antiretroviral regimen adverse experiences
Authors: Sonenthal Paul D. , Ratshaa Bakgaki , Chimbengo Gilbert , Rantleru Tumelo , Ngoni Thelma , Barenbaum Sarah , Platoff Rebecca , Steenhoff Andrew P. , Gross Robert 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTPurposeWe aimed to identify modifiable, routinely available patient characteristics associated with adverse experiences potentially attributable to efavirenz‐based regimens in patients in Botswana.MethodsHIV‐infected treatment naïve individuals starting a standard antiretroviral regimen including two nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors and efavirenz in Botswana were enrolled in a prospective cohort. Adverse experiences were measured at 1 and 6 months using the efavirenz checklist, a 35‐item instrument developed by the AIDS Clinical Trials Group.ResultsWe enrolled 232 patients from 11 March 2010 to 17 March 2011. One hundred ninety‐six were included in the month 1 analyses. Of the 196 included in the month 1 analyses, 157 (80%) completed the 6‐month follow‐up. Median efavirenz checklist score was 6 (interquartile range (IQR): 2–15) at month 1 and 1 (IQR: 0–5) at month 6. The median change in efavirenz checklist score from month 1–6 was −4 (IQR: −11 to −1), representing an improvement. Depressive symptoms, low CD4 count and less alcohol use were associated with improvement in adverse experiences over time. Low weight was associated with increased extent of adverse experiences at month 1 and 6. There was no confounding or effect modification.ConclusionsClinicians may want to consider more intensive and tailored adverse experience education and management in patients based on depressive symptoms, CD4 count, and weight. Further assessment of the mechanism of the effect of alcohol use on adverse experiences, including analysis of CYP2B6 genotype and plasma efavirenz concentrations, is warranted. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved synthesis of oligomeric phthalonitriles and studies designed for low temperature cure
Authors: Laskoski Matthew , Neal Arianna , Keller Teddy M. , Dominguez Dawn , Klug Christopher A. , Saab Andrew P. 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTAn improved synthetic method has been developed for oligomeric aromatic ether ketone‐based phthalonitrile (PN) resins. A new curing additive was studied that lowers the cure temperature of the PN resin to around 150 °C and compared to the traditional high‐temperature aromatic diamine. Mechanical and thermo‐oxidative analyses of polymeric samples from both systems were determined and compared under various curing conditions. The PN polymer exhibited low water absorption regardless of the chosen cure system. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 1662–1668
Low band‐gap D–A conjugated copolymers based on anthradithiophene and diketopyrrolopyrrole for polymer solar cells and field‐effect transistors
Authors: Huang Jun , Zhu Yongxiang , Zhang Lianjie , Cai Ping , Xu Xiaofeng , Chen Junwu , Cao Yong 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTTwo conjugated copolymers PADT‐DPP and PADT‐FDPP based on anthradithiophene and diketopyrrolopyrrole, with thiophene and furan as the π‐conjugated bridge, respectively, were successfully synthesized and characterized. The number‐averaged molecular weights of the two polymers are 38.7 and 30.2 kg/mol, respectively. Polymers PADT‐DPP and PADT‐FDPP exhibit broad absorption bands and their optical band gaps are 1.44 and 1.50 eV, respectively. The highest occupied molecular orbital energy level of PADT‐DPP is located at −5.03 eV while that of PADT‐FDPP is at −5.16 eV. In field‐effect transistors, PADT‐DPP and PADT‐FDPP displayed hole mobilities of 4.7 × 10−3 and 2.7 × 10−3 cm2/(V s), respectively. In polymer solar cells, PADT‐DPP and PADT‐FDPP showed power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.44% and 0.29%, respectively. Atomic force microscopy revealed that the poor efficiency of PADT‐FDPP should be related to the large two‐phase separation in its active layer. If 1,8‐diiodooctane (DIO) was used as the solvent additive, the PCE of PADT‐DPP remained almost unchanged due to very limited morphology variation. However, the addition of DIO could remarkably elevate the PCE of PADT‐FDPP to 2.62% because of the greatly improved morphology. Our results suggest that the anthradithiophene as an electron‐donating polycyclic system is useful to construct new D–A alternating copolymers for efficient polymer solar cells. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 1652–1661
Combined Effects of Reservoir Operations and Climate Warming on the Flow Regime of Hydropower Bypass Reaches of California's Sierra Nevada
Authors: Rheinheimer D. E. , Viers J. H. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAlterations to flow regimes from regulation and climatic change both affect the biophysical functioning of rivers over long time periods and large spatial areas. Historically, however, the effects of these flow alteration drivers have been studied separately. In this study, results from unregulated and regulated river management models were assessed to understand how flow regime alterations from river regulation differ under future climate conditions in the Sierra Nevada of California, USA. Four representative flow alteration metrics—mean annual flow, low flow duration, centroid timing and mean weekly rate of decrease—were calculated and statistically characterized under historical and future unregulated and regulated conditions over a 20‐year period at each of the eight regulated river locations below dams across the Sierra Nevada. Future climatic conditions were represented by assuming an increase in air temperature of 6 °C above historical (1981–2000) air temperatures, with no change in other meteorological conditions. Results indicate that climate warming will measurably alter some aspects of the flow regime. By comparison, however, river regulation with business‐as‐usual operations will alter flow regimes much more than climate warming. Existing reservoirs can possibly be used to dampen the anticipated effects of climate warming through improved operations, though additional research is needed to identify the full suite of such possibilities. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The evolution of subcritical Achlioptas processes
Authors: Riordan Oliver , Warnke Lutz 
Published: March 2014

AbstractIn Achlioptas processes, starting from an empty graph, in each step two potential edges are chosen uniformly at random, and using some rule one of them is selected and added to the evolving graph. AlthouSgh the evolution of such ‘local’ modifications of the Erdős–Rényi random graph process has received considerable attention during the last decade, so far only rather simple rules are well understood. Indeed, the main focus has been on ‘bounded‐size’ rules, where all component sizes larger than some constant B are treated the same way, and for more complex rules very few rigorous results are known. In this paper we study Achlioptas processes given by (unbounded) size rules such as the sum and product rules. Using a variant of the neighbourhood exploration process and branching process arguments, we show that certain key statistics are tightly concentrated at least until the susceptibility (the expected size of the component containing a randomly chosen vertex) diverges. Our convergence result is most likely best possible for certain generalized Achlioptas processes: in the later evolution the number of vertices in small components may not be concentrated. Furthermore, we believe that for a large class of rules the critical time where the susceptibility ‘blows up’ coincides with the percolation threshold. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 47, 174–203, 2015
Using automated sound recording and analysis to detect bird species‐at‐risk in southwestern Ontario woodlands
Authors: Holmes Stephen B. , McIlwrick Kenneth A. , Venier Lisa A. 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTWe conducted a field study to compare the effectiveness of acoustic recordings coupled with automated sound recognition versus traditional point counts in terms of their relative abilities to detect 3 bird species‐at‐risk in southwestern Ontario, Canada. The comparison was made in 50 woodlots, each of which contained a standard Forest Bird Monitoring Program plot of 5 point‐count stations. An automated recording device was present at one of the point‐count stations. We found that the automated recording and analysis system worked at least as well as the more traditional point‐count method in identifying woodlots containing acadian flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) and cerulean warbler (Setophaga cerulea), but that both methods combined performed better than either method alone. The automated system also required considerably less effort in the field (a difference of 140 min/woodlot) with very little additional effort identifying vocalizations in the lab (approx. 22.5 min/woodlot, for all 3 species combined). The automated system was not as effective in detecting prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea), possibly because the species is much less common in southern Ontario than the other 2 species. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Birth Defects, Causal Attributions, and Ethnicity in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Authors: Case Amy P. , Royle Marjorie , Scheuerle Angela E. , Carmichael Suzan L. , Moffitt Karen , Ramadhani Tunu ,   the National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Published: March 2014

AbstractIn order to translate research findings into effective prevention strategies, it is important to understand people's beliefs about the causes of poor health outcomes. However, with the exception of knowledge and beliefs about folic acid supplementation, little is known regarding women's causal attributions women regarding birth defects. We employed Attribution Theory constructs to analyze open‐text interview responses from 2,672 control mothers in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study who gave birth in 1997–2005. Common themes included use of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and medications during pregnancy. Stress and emotional upset were also suggested as possible causes of birth defects. Genetic‐ and heredity‐related responses were more likely to be mentioned by Asian/Pacific Islander women compared to non‐Hispanic Whites. Hispanic women were less likely to suggest several specific possible teratogens, such as paint, pesticides, or other chemicals, but were more likely to suggest events occurring during childbirth. Differences also emerged among ethnic groups for theoretical constructs, although most responses were categorized as controllable, changeable over time, and with an internal locus of causality.
Fertility Decline, Girls’ Well-being, and Gender Gaps in Children’s Well-being in Poor Countries
Authors: Yount Kathryn M. , Zureick-Brown Sarah , Halim Nafisa , LaVilla Kayla 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
The influences of recent dramatic declines in fertility on girls’ and boys’ well-being in poorer countries are understudied. In panels of 67–75 poorer countries, using 152–185 Demographic and Health Surveys spanning 1985–2008, we examined how declining total fertility and women’s increasing median age at first birth were associated with changes in girls’ well-being and gender gaps in children’s well-being, as reflected in their survival, nutrition, and access to preventive healthcare. In adjusted random-effects models, these changes in fertility were associated with gains in girls’ survival at ages 1–4 years, vaccination coverage at ages 12–23 months, and nutrition at 0–36 months (for women’s later first childbearing). Declining total fertility was associated with similar gains for boys and girls with respect to vaccination coverage but intensified gender gaps in mortality at ages 1–4 years and malnutrition at ages 0–36 months, especially in higher-son-preference populations. Later increases in women’s median age at first birth—reflecting more equitable gender norms—were associated with declines in these gaps. Promoting equitable investments in children through family planning programs in higher-fertility societies is warranted.
Understanding Medication Compounding Issues
Authors: Hicks Rodney W. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe potential for contamination of compounded products and the resulting infections are a serious threat to patient safety. Immediate use products are used frequently in the perioperative department, and perioperative nurses should be familiar with the guidelines and practices that aim to reduce the contamination that can occur during the sterile compounding process. Four common themes lead to successful compounding: quality (eg, product identification, purity, stability, compatibility, risk level assessment), the environment (eg, using a segregated compounding area with specialized airflow capabilities, reducing particulate matter, practicing proper hand hygiene, performing gloved fingertip sampling, properly cleaning equipment and work areas), personnel activities (eg, familiarity with types of containers used and how often they can be accessed, following expiration dates and the number of times containers can be accessed), and the control process (eg, process monitoring, quality improvement). If a third‐party vendor is contracted to handle compounding for a facility, perioperative personnel should be aware of the responsibilities for the facility and the vendor to ensure a quality compounding program.