bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preoperative Sarcopenia Negatively Impacts Postoperative Outcomes Following Major Hepatectomy with Extrahepatic Bile Duct Resection
Authors: Otsuji Hidehiko , Yokoyama Yukihiro , Ebata Tomoki , Igami Tsuyoshi , Sugawara Gen , Mizuno Takashi , Nagino Masato 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackgroundMajor hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma remains a highly morbid procedure. The association between preoperative sarcopenia and postoperative morbidity/mortality has been reported for various types of surgeries. The objective was to analyze the relationship between preoperative sarcopenia and postoperative morbidity/mortality in patients who underwent major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection.MethodsThis study included 256 patients who underwent major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection from 2008 to 2014. Preoperative sarcopenia was assessed by a measurement of the total psoas muscle area (TPA). The measured TPA was normalized by height. Preoperative sarcopenia was defined as the presence of a normalized TPA in the lowest sex‐specific tertile.ResultsA total of 54 males and 31 females were determined to have preoperative sarcopenia. The length of the postoperative hospital stay for patients with sarcopenia was significantly longer than for those without sarcopenia (39 vs 30 days, p < 0.001). Patients with sarcopenia experienced a significantly higher rate of liver failure (ISGLS grade ≥ B) (33 vs 16 %), major complications with Clavien grade ≥ 3 (54 vs 37 %), and intra‐abdominal abscess (29 vs 18 %) than those without sarcopenia (all p < 0.05). After a multivariate analysis, low normalized TPA (male <567 mm2/m2; female <395 mm2/m2) was identified as an independent risk factor for the development of liver failure (odds ratio 2.46).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that preoperative sarcopenia increased the morbidity rate including the rate of liver failure, in patients who underwent major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection.
Hypervalinemia and hyperleucine‐isoleucinemia caused by mutations in the branched‐chain‐amino‐acid aminotransferase gene
Authors: Wang X. L. , Li C. J. , Xing Y. , Yang Y. H. , Jia J. P. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractValine, leucine, and isoleucine are essential branched chain amino acids (BCAAs). When BCAA metabolism is genetically impaired in human, serum levels of BCAA and/or their metabolites rise considerably, causing severe neurological dysfunction. The first step in BCAA catabolism is catalyzed by branched chain aminotransferase (BCAT). Hypervalinemia and hyperleucine‐isoleucinemia caused by BCAT gene mutation in human have not been reported previously. A 25‐year‐old man presented with headache complaints and mild memory impairment for about six years. Brain MRI showed symmetric white matter abnormal signals. Metabolic studies revealed remarkably elevated plasma valine and leucine concentrations. Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) diagnosis was not supported since all genes for the branched‐chain α‐keto acid dehydrogenase complex (BCKD) gene were normal. Interestingly, two heterogeneous BCAT2 gene mutations were found in the patient, including c.509G > A (p.Arg170Gln) and c.790G > A (p.Glu264Lys). In addition, c.509G > A (p.Arg170Gln) and c.790G > A (p.Glu264Lys) were found in his father and mother, respectively, suggesting an autosomal recessive disorder. BCAT2 functional studies demonstrated that the two BCAT2 gene mutations resulted in decreased BCAT2 enzyme activity. After treatment with vitamin B6, the levels of BCAA, especially valine were remarkably decreased and brain MRI lesions were improved. These findings suggest a new type of branched chain amino acid metabolism disorder. This rare case provides great insight into the further understanding of BCAA metabolism and its defect in human. BCAT2 gene mutations can cause hypervalinemia and hyperleucine‐isoleucinemia, which are associated with brain white matter lesions.
Behavior-Based Interventions to Improve Hand Hygiene Adherence Among Intensive Care Unit Healthcare Workers in Thailand
Authors: Apisarnthanarak Anucha , Eiamsitrakoon Thanee , Mundy Linda M. 
Published: February 2015

OBJECTIVETo evaluate behavioral-based interventions to improve hand hygiene (HH) among healthcare workers (HCWs) at a Thai tertiary care center.METHODSA quasi-experimental study was performed in 6 intensive care units with computer-generated allocation. Baseline demographic characteristics, self-reported stage of HH behavioral commitment, and observed HH adherence were examined from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2012 (preintervention), and from January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013 (postintervention). Self-reported HH was categorized by the stages construct from the Transtheoretical Model of Health Behavior Change. The intensive care unit group randomization was to either standard-of-care HH education every 3 months (S1), intensified HH interventions (S2), or intensified HH interventions plus increased availability of alcohol-based handrub throughout the unit (S3).RESULTSAmong125 HCWs from 6 intensive care units (42 in S1, 41 in S2, 42 in S3) there were 1,936 total HH observations; most HCWs (100 [ 80%]) were nurses or nurse assistants. Compared with preintervention, overall postintervention HH adherence improved in HCWs assigned to S2 (65% vs 85%; P=.02) and S3 (66% vs 95%; P=.005) but not S1 (68% vs 71%; P=.84). Improvement in HH adherence was demonstrated among HCWs who reported lower stages of HH commitment in S2 (21% vs 84%; P<.001) and S3 (24% vs 89%; P<.001) and in HCWs who self-reported higher stages of commitment in S3 (78% vs 96%; P<.001).CONCLUSIONSHCW HH programs may benefit from stage-based tailored strategies to promote sustained HH adherence.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015;00(0): 1–5
Social Networks and Urban Space: Worker Mobilization in the First Years of “New” Unionism in Brazil
Authors: Macedo Francisco Barbosa de 
Published: February 2015

AbstractIn 1980, thousands of metalworkers from the region of greater São Paulo known as the “ABC” region carried out one of the most intense and lasting strikes in the history of the Brazilian working class. For forty-one days, striking workers resisted the repression that bosses and the nation's military regime mounted against them, which contributed to the collective worker mobilization that spread throughout the spaces of the city – especially the streets of the São Bernardo do Campo neighborhood. Expelled from factories and major public spaces, workers were able to maintain the strike mainly in the neighborhoods where they lived, thus politicizing the spaces and relationships of their daily lives and redefining the geography of collective mobilization. This article analyzes aspects of this process, highlighting the importance of workers’ social networks to the notable (re)appropriation of urban space that characterized the strike movement.
Monotone Cellular Automata in a Random Environment
Authors: BOLLOBÁS BÉLA , SMITH PAUL , UZZELL ANDREW 
Published: February 2015

In this paper we study in complete generality the family of two-state, deterministic, monotone, local, homogeneous cellular automata in $\mathbb{Z}$d with random initial configurations. Formally, we are given a set $\mathcal{U}$ = {X1,. . . , Xm} of finite subsets of $\mathbb{Z}$d \ {0}, and an initial set A0 ⊂ $\mathbb{Z}$d of ‘infected’ sites, which we take to be random according to the product measure with density p. At time t ∈ $\mathbb{N}$, the set of infected sites At is the union of At-1 and the set of all x ∈ $\mathbb{Z}$d such that x + X ∈ At-1 for some X ∈ $\mathcal{U}$. Our model may alternatively be thought of as bootstrap percolation on $\mathbb{Z}$d with arbitrary update rules, and for this reason we call it $\mathcal{U}$-bootstrap percolation.In two dimensions, we give a classification of $\mathcal{U}$-bootstrap percolation models into three classes – supercritical, critical and subcritical – and we prove results about the phase transitions of all models belonging to the first two of these classes. More precisely, we show that the critical probability for percolation on ($\mathbb{Z}$/n$\mathbb{Z}$)2 is (log n)−Θ(1) for all models in the critical class, and that it is n−Θ(1) for all models in the supercritical class.The results in this paper are the first of any kind on bootstrap percolation considered in this level of generality, and in particular they are the first that make no assumptions of symmetry. It is the hope of the authors that this work will initiate a new, unified theory of bootstrap percolation on $\mathbb{Z}$d.
Long-term care: a review of global funding models
Authors: Elliott S. , Golds S. , Sissons I. , Wilson H. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis paper looks at alternative long-term care (LTC) funding models and options. It analyses six global models and the potential applications to the United Kingdom. The paper provides a demographic overview for each of the six countries to illustrate the increasing global demand for LTC and the funding thereof that is becoming a global critical issue. It examines the approaches each country has taken to address the funding issue with varying degrees of public/private co-operation and partnerships. The authors hope that the lessons learned from these other markets will assist the United Kingdom as they try to come to grips with their growing social care funding issue.
Acceptability and non-compliance in a family-led weight-management programme for obese Pacific children
Authors: Teevale Tasileta , Taufa Seini , Percival Teuila 
Published: February 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo explore factors influencing participation and attrition in a family-led weight-management programme for obese Pacific children.DesignQualitative study used bilingual in-depth interviews at exit and end of an 8-week weight-management programme.SettingNew Zealand.SubjectsForty-two parents/primary caregivers of obese children who were randomised in the intervention weight-management programme.ResultsProgrammatic factors that enhanced retention included: simultaneous delivery to both children and parents as participants; delivery of the programme in small group settings at local community venues; enabling trustworthy and accountable relationships; providing resources for travel to venues and regular telephone/text messaging follow-up calls reinforcing programme goals; and day and time scheduling. Suggested programme improvements included having ethnic-specific Island-language delivery and practical sessions like cooking classes and shopping expeditions at local food stores. The research found that unpredictable external life crises like extended family deaths, a change in job shift, family illnesses (both acute and those requiring chronic management) and long-term family visitations affected participation and momentum. A loss of momentum through managing life crises was often difficult to overcome for participants, leading them to drop out of the weight-management programme. Most drop-out participants preferred to defer their programme participation with hopes of re-committing to future programmes at another time.ConclusionsIn order for weight-management programmes to be effective, participants must be able to complete them. Identifying factors that predict participation and attrition may serve as a basis for programme improvement.
Mexican Folk Music and Theater in Early Twentieth-Century Southern California: The Ramona Pageant and the Mexican Players
Authors: MARCUS KENNETH H. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractIn an environment of racial tension and conflict in Southern California during the first half of the twentieth century, the Ramona Pageant and the plays by the Padua Hills Mexican Players offered Mexican American performers a vital role in perpetuating cultural memory through music and dance. The Ramona Pageant, which began in Hemet, California in 1923 and is still in operation, remains one of the longest-running pageants, or historical dramas, in U.S. history. Similarly, the Mexican Players were founded during the Great Depression in 1931 in Claremont, California and performed continuously for more than forty years. This article argues that Hispanic musicians achieved a degree of cultural agency in these plays through the performance of Mexican folk music, especially canciones (love songs) and corridos (narrative ballads), which were essential elements in the “soundscape” of the Southwest. Although Anglos created and directed the plays, they did not create or perform the music. In spite of the plays’ largely romanticized portrayals of California's Spanish and Mexican past, they provided some of the few prominent forums in Southern California for Mexican American musicians and dancers during the first half of the twentieth century.
Schwache Fingergnosie als Risikofaktor für zukünftiges Rechnen?
Authors: Wyschkon Anne , Poltz Nadine , Höse Anna , von Aster Michael , Esser Günter 
Published: February 2015

Zusammenfassung. Aktuelle Studien belegen eine Verbindung zwischen Fingergnosie, der Fähigkeit einzelne Finger voneinander zu unterscheiden, zu benennen und nach Aufforderung vorzuzeigen ( Reeve & Humberstone, 2011 ), und numerisch-arithmetischen Fertigkeiten. Die Fingergnosie wird zum Teil als wichtiger spezifischer Prädiktor späterer mathematischer Fertigkeiten bezeichnet. Hier wird untersucht, ob Defizite von Kindergartenkindern in fingergnostischen Fertigkeiten prognostisch relevant für spätere schwache Leistungen im numerisch-arithmetischen Bereich sind.Im Rahmen der SCHUES-Studie sind die Daten zweier Messzeitpunkte einer 1594 Kinder umfassenden epidemiologischen Längsschnittuntersuchung ausgewertet worden. Fingergnosie und numerisch-arithmetische Fertigkeiten (getrennt nach Zählfertigkeiten, Ziffernkenntnis und Rechnen/Mengenerfassung) wurden in Individualtestungen zu zwei Messzeitpunkten erhoben. Die zunächst etwa ein Jahr vor der Einschulung untersuchten Kinder waren zu t1im Mittel 63 Monate alt, 9 Monate später fand die zweite Testung im Kindergarten statt.Numerisch-arithmetische Fertigkeiten zeigen über die beiden Messzeitpunkte hinweg eine mittlere, fingergnostische Leistungen lediglich eine geringe Stabilität. Zufriedenstellende Vorhersagen der numerisch-arithmetischen Fertigkeitsniveaus (durchschnittlich, auffällig, schwer auffällig) gelingen durch die neun Monate zuvor erfassten Fertigkeitsniveaus der numerisch-arithmetischen Leistungen, nicht aber durch jene der Fingergnosie. Werden für die Prognose der numerisch-arithmetischen Fertigkeitsniveaus zu t2neben den numerisch-arithmetischen Fertigkeitsniveaus zu t1auch jene der Fingergnosie hinzugenommen, wird eine Verbesserung der Sensitivität erreicht, es kommt aber zu Einbußen in der Spezifität. Die Güte der Gesamtklassifikation kann durch die zusätzliche Aufnahme der Fingergnosie als Prädiktor nicht verbessert werden. Zusammenfassend sind geringe positive Korrelationen zwischen fingergnostischen und späteren numerisch-arithmetischen Fähigkeiten der Vorschulkinder zu konstatieren. Eine schwache Fingergnosie kann jedoch nach den vorliegenden Ergebnissen keinesfalls als klarer Risikofaktor für zukünftige Defizite im Rechnen bezeichnet werden.
Vom Fingergefühl zum Rechnen
Authors: Poltz Nadine , Wyschkon Anne , Höse Anna , von Aster Michael , Esser Günter 
Published: February 2015

Zusammenfassung. Aktuelle Studien belegen eine Verbindung zwischen Fingergnosie, der Fähigkeit einzelne Finger voneinander zu unterscheiden, zu benennen und nach Aufforderung vorzuzeigen ( Reeve & Humberstone, 2011 ), und numerisch-arithmetischen Fertigkeiten. Die Fingergnosie wird zum Teil als wichtiger spezifischer Prädiktor späterer mathematischer Fertigkeiten bezeichnet. Um den tatsächlichen Prädiktionswert fingergnostischer Leistungen zu untersuchen, werden hier neben den Leistungen in der nonverbalen Intelligenz, dem visuell-räumlichen Arbeitsgedächtnis und der selektiven Aufmerksamkeit auch die numerisch-arithmetischen Leistungen zu einem früheren Zeitpunkt kontrolliert.Im Rahmen der SCHUES-Studie sind die Daten zweier Messzeitpunkte einer 1594 Kinder umfassenden epidemiologischen Längsschnittuntersuchung ausgewertet worden. Die Kindergartenkinder waren zum ersten Messzeitpunkt im Mittel 63 Monate alt. Der zweite Messzeitpunkt fand durchschnittlich neun Monate später statt. Fingergnosie und numerisch-arithmetische Fertigkeiten (getrennt nach Zählfertigkeiten, Ziffernkenntnis und Rechnen/Mengenerfassung) sowie nonverbale Intelligenz, visuell-räumliches Arbeitsgedächtnis und selektive Aufmerksamkeit wurden in Individualtestungen erhoben.Die Korrelationen zwischen Fingergnosie und den numerisch-arithmetischen Fertigkeiten sind gering. In Pfadanalysen erweisen sich die analogen numerisch-arithmetischen Fertigkeiten zu einem früheren Messzeitpunkt als jeweils beste Prädiktoren. Unter zusätzlicher Berücksichtigung der nonverbalen Intelligenz, des visuell-räumlichen Arbeitsgedächtnisses und der selektiven Aufmerksamkeit hat die Fingergnosie einen eigenen, aber geringen Prädiktionswert für Zählfertigkeiten und Rechnen/Mengenerfassung, nicht jedoch für die Ziffernkenntnis zum zweiten Messzeitpunkt. Nach den numerisch-arithmetischen Leistungen ist die nonverbale Intelligenz der bedeutsamste Prädiktor.Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Fingergnosie einen von der nonverbalen Intelligenz, dem visuell-räumlichen Arbeitsgedächtnis und der selektiven Aufmerksamkeit unabhängigen Vorhersagebeitrag für Zählfertigkeiten und Rechnen/Mengenerfassung erbringt, aber in ihrer Prädiktionskraft späterer numerisch-arithmetischer Leistungen deutlich hinter jenem der frühen numerischen und intellektuellen Leistungsfähigkeit zurückbleibt.
Emerging magnetic order in platinum atomic contacts and chains
Authors: Strigl Florian , Espy Christopher , Bückle Maximilian , Scheer Elke , Pietsch Torsten 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe development of atomic-scale structures revealing novel transport phenomena is a major goal of nanotechnology. Examples include chains of atoms that form while stretching a transition metal contact or the predicted formation of magnetic order in these chains, the existence of which is still debated. Here we report an experimental study of the magneto-conductance (MC) and anisotropic MC with atomic-size contacts and mono-atomic chains of the nonmagnetic metal platinum. We find a pronounced and diverse MC behaviour, the amplitude and functional dependence change when stretching the contact by subatomic distances. These findings can be interpreted as a signature of local magnetic order in the chain, which may be of particular importance for the application of atomic-sized contacts in spintronic devices of the smallest possible size.
Sensory integration dynamics in a hierarchical network explains choice probabilities in cortical area MT
Authors: Wimmer Klaus , Compte Albert , Roxin Alex , Peixoto Diogo , Renart Alfonso , de la Rocha Jaime 
Published: February 2015

AbstractNeuronal variability in sensory cortex predicts perceptual decisions. This relationship, termed choice probability (CP), can arise from sensory variability biasing behaviour and from top-down signals reflecting behaviour. To investigate the interaction of these mechanisms during the decision-making process, we use a hierarchical network model composed of reciprocally connected sensory and integration circuits. Consistent with monkey behaviour in a fixed-duration motion discrimination task, the model integrates sensory evidence transiently, giving rise to a decaying bottom-up CP component. However, the dynamics of the hierarchical loop recruits a concurrently rising top-down component, resulting in sustained CP. We compute the CP time-course of neurons in the medial temporal area (MT) and find an early transient component and a separate late contribution reflecting decision build-up. The stability of individual CPs and the dynamics of noise correlations further support this decomposition. Our model provides a unified understanding of the circuit dynamics linking neural and behavioural variability.
Multi-localization transport behaviour in bulk thermoelectric materials
Authors: Zhao Wenyu , Wei Ping , Zhang Qingjie , Peng Hua , Zhu Wanting , Tang Dingguo , Yu Jian , Zhou Hongyu , Liu Zhiyuan , Mu Xin , He Danqi , Li Jichao , Wang Chunlei , Tang Xinfeng , Yang Jihui 
Published: February 2015

AbstractSimultaneously optimizing electrical and thermal transport properties of bulk thermoelectric materials remains a key challenge due to the conflicting combination of material traits. Here, we have explored the electrical and thermal transport features of In-filled CoSb3 through X-ray absorption fine structure, X-ray photoemission spectra, transport measurement and theoretical calculation. The results provide evidence of three types of coexisting multi-localization transport behaviours in the material; these are heat-carrying phonon-localized resonant scattering, accelerated electron movement and increase in density of states near the Fermi level. The 5p-orbital hybridization between In and Sb is discovered in the In-filled CoSb3 compound, which results in a charge transfer from Sb to In and the enhancement of p–d orbital hybridization between Co and Sb. Our work demonstrates that the electrical and thermal properties of filled skutterudite bulk thermoelectric materials can be simultaneously optimized through the three types of coexisting multi-localization transport behaviours in an independent way.
Cytosolic Irradiation of Femtosecond Laser Induces Mitochondria-dependent Apoptosis-like Cell Death via Intrinsic Reactive Oxygen Cascades
Authors: Yoon Jonghee , Ryu Seung-wook , Lee Seunghee , Choi Chulhee 
Published: February 2015

AbstractHigh-intensity femtosecond lasers have recently been used to irreversibly disrupt nanoscale structures, such as intracellular organelles and to modify biological functions in a reversible manner: so-called nanosurgery and biophotomodulation. Femtosecond laser pulses above the threshold intensity sufficient for reversible biophotomodulation can cause irreversible changes in the irradiated cell, eventually leading to cell death. Here, we demonstrated that cytosolic irradiation with a femtosecond laser produced intrinsic cascades of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which led to rapid apoptosis-like cell death via a caspase and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) signaling pathway. We further showed that cells with enhanced mitochondrial fusion activity are more resilient to laser-induced stress compared to those with enforced mitochondrial fission. Taken together, these findings provide fundamental insight into how optical stimulation intervenes in intrinsic cellular signaling pathways and functions.
Origin of near to middle infrared luminescence and energy transfer process of Er3+/Yb3+co-doped fluorotellurite glasses under different excitations
Authors: Huang Feifei , Liu Xueqiang , Ma Yaoyao , Kang Shuai , Hu Lili , Chen Danping 
Published: February 2015

AbstractWe report the near to middle infrared luminescence and energy transfer process of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped fluorotellurite glasses under 980, 1550 and 800 nm excitations, respectively. Using a 980 nm laser diode pump, enhanced 1.5 and 2.7 μm emissions from Er3+:I13/2→4I15/2 and I11/2→4I13/2 transitions are observed, in which Yb3+ ions can increase pumping efficiency and be used as energy transfer donors. Meanwhile, Yb3+ can also be used as an acceptor and intensive upconversion luminescence of around 1000 nm is achieved from Er3+:I11/2→4I15/2 and Yb3+: F5/2→4F7/2 transitions using 1550 nm excitation. In addition, the luminescence properties and variation trendency by 800 nm excitation is similar to that using 1550 nm excitation. The optimum Er3+ and Yb3+ ion ratio is 1:1.5 and excess Yb3+ ions decrease energy transfer efficiency under the two pumpings. These results indicate that Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped fluorotellurite glasses are potential middle- infrared laser materials and may be used to increase the efficiency of the silicon solar cells.