bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oxygen kinetics during 6-minute walk tests in patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary disease
Authors: Kern Lukas , Condrau Sophie , Baty Florent , Wiegand Jan , van Gestel Arno JR , Azzola Andrea , Tamm Michael , Brutsche Martin 
Published: October 2014

Abstract

Background
The 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is representative of daily-life activities and reflects the functional capacity of patients. The change of oxygen uptake (VO2) in the initial phase of low-intensity exercise (VO2 kinetics) can be used to assess submaximal exercise performance of patients.
The objective of the following study was to analyse VO2 kinetics in patients with different pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, we investigated the extent to which VO2 kinetics at the onset of the 6MWT were associated with exercise capacity, morbidity and mortality.

Methods
VO2 kinetics of 204 patients and 16 healthy controls were obtained using mobile telemetric cardiopulmonary monitoring during a 6MWT. A new mean response time (MRT) index (wMRT) was developed to quantify VO2 kinetics by correcting MRT for work rate. The differences in wMRT between disease categories as well as the association between wMRT and patients’ exercise capacity and outcome - time to hospitalization/death- were tested.

Results
The assessment of a robust wMRT was feasible in 86% (244/284) patients. wMRT was increased in patients compared to healthy controls (p <0.001). wMRT was largest in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). There were significant associations between wMRT and exercise capacity in all patients. High wMRT was found to be associated with a high rate of death and re-hospitalization in patients with CHF (p = 0.024). In patients with pulmonary diseases and pulmonary hypertension wMRT was not associated with outcome (p = 0.952).

Conclusions
Submaximal exercise performance of patients is reduced. O2 kinetics at the onset of exercise are associated with exercise capacity in all patients. wMRT was found to be an important prognostic factor in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), but not with pulmonary diseases.
Analysis of energy and greenhouse gas balance as indexes for environmental assessment of wheat and maize farming: a case study
Authors: SAMI Móslem , SHIEKHDAVOODI Mohammad Javad , ALMASSI Morteza 
Published: October 2014

In this study, the net balance of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and energy of wheat and maize production systems in two farms in Khuzestan province of Iran was assessed. The results showed that totally wheat farming is more efficient than maize farming in terms of energy and CO2-eq indexes. The total energy requirement for maize and wheat farming was 92560.24 MJ ha-1 and 39624.15 MJ ha-1, which caused the emission of 20191.47 and 7541.04 kg CO2-equivalent per hectare in maize and wheat farms respectively. Electricity, fertilizers and fuel were the most important pollutants of environment in terms of energy and gas emission in both farms. Theses inputs consumed 55.52, 22.62 and 6.44 % of total energy of maize and 47.32, 21.19 and 9.01 % of total energy of wheat farm and were responsible for the 88.60, 8.79 and 2.03 % of CO2-equivalent in maize and 86.54, 9.54 and 3.24 % of CO2-equivalent in wheat farms respectively. The results of this study also showed that the enhancement of 60.74 and 27.02 % in energy ratio and 46.06 and 27.87 % in CO2-eq index in maize and wheat farming can be expected using simple improving scenarios.
Dependence of the conservation status of acid grasslands at the Pohorje and Kozjak on socioeconomic parameters
Authors: KETIŠ Karmen , ELER Klemen , UDOVČ Andrej , BATIČ Franc 
Published: October 2014

Grassland habitats were studied on twenty farms on the area of the Radlje ob Dravi administration unit, in the transect from Kozjak to Pohorje at different altitudes. The aim of the study was to investigate how environmental and socio-economic parameters influence the diversity of plant species and, consequently, the conservation of grassland on acid soils, which are rare in Slovenia and are therefore more protected. The socioeconomic structure of farms was studied on the basis of an inquiry carried out on farms. Part-time farms prevail; the average age of farmers is 56.5 years, and 30% of farmers has no education or just elementary school. The relationship among the environmental, socio-economic parameters and floristic structures of grasslands was studied using canonic-correspondence analysis. The impact of 16 parameters was analysed, of which six were determined not to be statistically significant. The occurrence of chosen plant species was analysed in relation to environmental and socioeconomic parameters. The efficiency of agro-environmental subsidies in relation to plant species diversity was evaluated. It was determined that the education and age of farmers influence the intensity of farming and consequently have an impact on the diversity of plants species and the conservation status of grasslands.
Is Japan Ready for Enduring Powers? A Comparative Analysis of Enduring Powers Reform
Authors: Ryan Trevor 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThis article seeks to understand why the uptake of “third generation” enduring powers in Japan has been disappointing from the perspective of reformers who introduced the powers in 2000. In addition to questions about optimum design of this particular legal instrument, it is an opportunity to explore deeper questions about regulation and the role of law and the market in ageing, post-industrial societies such as Japan. First, the article explains the form that enduring powers take in Japan. Second, it presents statistics on the uptake of enduring powers. Third, the article presents possible reasons for this low uptake, including unsuitable social norms, a lack of awareness, excessive regulation, unresponsive doctrine, and entrenched judicial values. Finally, the article concludes that while these reasons all have explanatory value and are not easily disaggregated, comparative analysis presents some promising developments in Japan such as the growth in candidates to take on enduring powers who are regulated and organised through legal professions, civil society, local government, and the court system. At a deeper level, the article concludes that the fate of enduring powers turns not only on regulatory and doctrinal levers but also on the relative strengths within Japan’s continuing legal development of divergent views on the imposition of formal legal norms and market mechanisms upon relationships previously regulated by informal social norms or administrative decree.
Simulation of Composite Materials by a Network FEM with Error Control
Authors: Eigel Martin , Peterseim Daniel 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
A novel finite element method (FEM) for the computational
simulation in particle reinforced composite materials with many inclusions is presented.
It is based on a specially designed mesh consisting of triangles and channel-like connections between inclusions which form a network structure.
The total number of elements and, hence, the number of degrees of freedom are proportional to the number of inclusions.
The error of the method is independent of the possibly tiny distances of neighboring inclusions.
We present algorithmic details for the generation of the problem-adapted mesh and derive an efficient residual a posteriori error estimator which enables us to compute reliable upper and lower error bounds.
Several numerical examples illustrate the performance of the method and the error estimator.
In particular, it is demonstrated that the (common) assumption of a lattice structure of inclusions can easily lead to incorrect predictions about material properties.
Gaps in Material Specifications—A Manufacturer's Perspective
Authors: Hicks James K. 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
There are numerous areas of materials specifications accepted or not covered regarding current specifications in ASTM, American Concrete Institute (ACI), or other recognized standards groups. In the past, specifications made utilizing ASTM C150 portland cement and ASTM C33 aggregates were the norm. Utilization of supplementary cementitious materials added to the potential for quality improvements and cost control. Further expansion occurred with use of recycled aggregates, re-graded and blended with conventional aggregates. Newer cements and aggregates have been researched, produced on a limited basis and tested. Some have been proven to be successful and are in use commercially. Some are used in Ultra High Performance Concretes. The use of these materials has been hindered by lack of inclusion in specifications. In those cases that have had specifications for these newer materials developed, lack of acceptance by building codes, departments of transportation, and others has hindered their use. Efforts are needed to develop standard specifications as needed along with efforts to gain acceptance by building codes and transport bodies. It will describe acceptances gained and further efforts needed.
Physical Activity and Spatial Differences in Medial Knee T1rho and T2 Relaxation Times in Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Kumar Deepak , Souza Richard B. , Singh Justin , Calixto Nathaniel E. , Nardo Lorenzo , Link Thomas M. , Li Xiaojuan , Majumdar Sharmila 
Published: October 2014

Study Design Cross-sectional. Objectives To investigate the association between knee loading- related osteoarthritis (OA) risk factors (obesity, malalignment, and physical activity) and medial knee laminar (superficial and deep) T1rho and T2 relaxation times. Background The interaction of various modifiable loading-related knee risk factors and cartilage health in knee OA is currently not well known. Methods Participants with and without knee OA (n = 151) underwent magnetic resonance imaging at 3 T for superficial and deep cartilage T1rho and T2 magnetic resonance relaxation times in the medial femur (MF) and medial tibia (MT). Other variables included radiographic Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade, alignment, pain and symptoms using the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Individuals with a KL grade of 4 were excluded. Group differences were calculated using 1-way analysis of variance, adjusting for age and body mass index. Linear regression models were created with age, sex, body mass index, alignment, KL grade, and the IPAQ scores to predict the laminar T1rho and T2 times. Results Total IPAQ scores were the only significant predictors among the loading-related variables for superficial MF T1rho (P = .005), deep MT T1rho (P = .026), and superficial MF T2 (P = .049). Additionally, the KL grade predicted the superficial MF T1rho (P = .023) and deep MT T1rho (P = .022). Conclusion Higher physical activity levels and worse radiographic severity of knee OA, but not obesity or alignment, were associated with worse cartilage composition. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2014;44(12):964–972. Epub 29 October 2014. doi:10.2519/jospt.2014.5523
Influence of zinc (II) ion concentration on Ni–Zn–P coatings deposited onto aluminum and their corrosion behavior
Authors: Chouchane Karima , Levesque Alexandra , Aaboubi Omar , Crequy Samuel , Mesrati Nadir , Chopart Jean Paul 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Various Ni–Zn–P alloy coatings were deposited onto aluminum substrates using electroless plating from a sulphate bath containing varying amounts of zinc (II) ions. Different techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, were employed to characterize the morphology, composition and structural properties of the resulting films. The effect of varying Zn content on the corrosion properties of the coatings was tested in 3 wt.% NaCl media, by means of current–potential curves, potential transients and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. It was found that increasing ZnSO4 concentration from 5 to 25 g l−1 in the plating bath, increases the Zn content in the film from 9.90 wt.% to 12.7 wt.%, reduces the film thickness, modifies the surface morphology and significantly reduces the corrosion rate.
Development of a safer laboratory vervet monkey model for the study of human African trypanosomiasis
Authors: Waema Maxwell , Maina Naomi , Karanja Simon , Gachie Beatrice , Ngotho Maina , Kagira John 
Published: October 2014

Background: There are three subspecies of Trypanosoma brucei: T. b. gambiense, T. b. rhodesiense and T. b. brucei. The first two are infectious to humans, whilst T. b. brucei is not. Identifying an animal model of T. b. brucei that mimics human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) would enable researchers to study HAT without subjecting themselves to undue risks such as accidental infection. Objectives: This study assessed the sequential clinical, parasitological and haematological changes in vervet monkeys infected with T. b. brucei.Methods: Three vervet monkeys were infected with a 104 inoculum of T. b. brucei (isolate GUTat 1). Late-stage disease was induced by subcurative treatment with diminazene aceturate 28 days post-infection. The animals were treated curatively with melarsoprol upon relapse. Parasitaemia and clinical signs were monitored daily and, at weekly intervals, the monkeys’ blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were sampled for haematology and parasitosis assessments, respectively.Results: The first-peak parasitaemia was observed between seven and nine days post-infection. Clinical signs associated with the disease included fever, dullness, pallor of mucous membranes, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly and oedema. Late-stage signs included stiffness of joints and lethargy. The monkeys developed a disease associated with microcytic hypochromic anaemia. There was an initial decline, followed by an increase, in total white blood cell counts from early- to late-stage disease. Trypanosomes were detected in the CSF and there was a significant increase in white cell counts in the CSF during late-stage disease. Infected vervet monkeys displayed classical clinical symptoms, parasitological and haematological trends that were similar to monkeys infected withT.b. rhodesiense.Conclusion: The T. b. brucei vervet monkey model can be used for studying HAT without putting laboratory technicians and researchers at high risk of accidental infection.
Antimicrobial effect of ozonated water, sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine gluconate in primary molar root canals
Authors: Goztas Zeynep , Onat Halenur , Tosun Gul , Sener Yagmur , Hadimli Hasan Huseyin 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT
Objective: The aim was to determine the antimicrobial effect of ozonated water, ozonated water with ultrasonication, sodium hypochloride and chlorhexidine (CHX) in human primary root canals contaminated by Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis). Materials and Methods: Fifty-eight extracted human primary molar teeth were used. Crowns were cut off using a diamond saw under water-cooling. One hundred roots were obtained and mechanically prepared. The roots were then sterilized by autoclaving in water for 15 min at 121°C. All samples were contaminated with E. faecalis for 24 h and the root canals were randomly divided into five groups (n = 20). Group I: 25 mg/L of Ozonated water (O3aq), Group II: 25 mg/L of O3aq with ultrasonication, Group III: 2.5% Sodium hypochloride (NaOCl), Group IV: 2% CHX and Group V: Positive control. The canal of each specimen was irrigated for 4 min and positive control was untreated. All root canals were agitated with sterile saline solution. The saline solution was collected from canals with sterile paper points. For each specimen, the paper points were transposed to eppendorf vials containing 2 ml of brain heart infusion. According to bacterial proliferation, the mean values of optical density were achieved by ELİSA (Biotek EL ×800, Absorbance Microplate Reader, ABD) and the data were analyzed. Results: NaOCI, CHX and two types of O3aq were found statistically different than positive control group. NaOCI irrigation was found significantly most effective. Conclusions: NaOCl, CHX and O3aq applications provide antibacterial effect in vitro conditions in primary root canals.
Identification of a novel heterozygous truncation mutation in exon 1 of ARHGAP29 in an Indian subject with nonsyndromic cleft lip with cleft palate
Authors: Chandrasekharan Deepak , Ramanathan Arvind 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT
Objective: Mutations in exon 1 of ARHGAP29, a RhoA specific GTPase have been identified in North American and Filipino subjects with nonsyndromic cleft palate and cleft lip with or without cleft palate. Since the genetic status of ARHGAP29 in Indian subjects with nonsyndromic oral clefts is not known, we designed the present study to investigate the occurrence of the above mutations in them. Materials and Methods: Total genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood of 60 subjects with nonsyndromic cleft palate and cleft lip with or without cleft palate, and equal number of control healthy subjects were amplified with primers flanking exon 1 of ARHGAP29 gene and subjected to direct sequencing. Results: Sequencing analysis identified a nonsense mutation in exon 1 of ARHGAP29 that caused substitution of lysine to stop codon at codon position 32 in a subject with nonsyndromic cleft lip with cleft palate. The mutation, however, occurred in heterozygous condition. None of the other subjects carried mutation in this region. Conclusion: The study has thus identified a rare but novel truncation mutation in ARHGAP29 gene for the first time in nonsyndromic oral clefts.
Contemporary Management of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Venugopal Sangeetha , Sekeres Mikkael A. 
Published: August 2024

ImportanceAcute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal hematopoietic cancer that disrupts normal hematopoiesis, ultimately leading to bone marrow failure and death. The annual incidence rate of AML is 4.1 per 100 000 people in the US and is higher in patients older than 65 years. Acute myeloid leukemia includes numerous subgroups with heterogeneous molecular profiles, treatment response, and prognosis. This review discusses the evidence supporting frontline therapies in AML, the major principles that guide therapy, and progress with molecularly targeted therapy.ObservationsAcute myeloid leukemia is a genetically complex, dynamic disease. The most commonly altered genes include FLT3, NPM1, DNMT3A, IDH1, IDH2, TET2, RUNX1, NRAS, and TP53. The incidence of these alterations varies by patient age, history of antecedent hematologic cancer, and previous exposure to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for any cancer. Since 2010, molecular data have been incorporated into AML prognostication, gradually leading to incorporation of targeted therapies into the initial treatment approach of induction chemotherapy and subsequent management. The first molecularly targeted inhibitor, midostaurin, was approved to treat patients with AML with FLT3 variants in 2017. Since then, the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of AML has expanded, allowing the identification of additional potential targets for drug therapy, treatment incorporation of molecularly targeted therapies (midostaurin, gilteritinib, and quizartinib targeting FLT3 variants; ivosidenib and olutasidenib targeting IDH1 variants, and enasidenib targeting IDH2), and identification of rational combination regimens. The approval of hypomethylating agents combined with venetoclax has revolutionized the therapy of AML in older adults, extending survival over monotherapy. Additionally, patients are now referred for hematopoietic cell transplant on a more rational basis.Conclusions and RelevanceIn the era of genomic medicine, AML treatment is customized to the patient’s comorbidities and AML genomic profile.
Validation of MLC leaf open time calculation methods for PSQA in adaptive radiotherapy with tomotherapy units
Authors: Nasrallah Marie , Bochud François , Tellapragada Neelima , Bourhis Jean , Chao Edward , Casey Dylan , Moeckli Raphaël 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundTreatment delivery safety and accuracy are essential to control the disease and protect healthy tissues in radiation therapy. For usual treatment, a phantom‐based patient specific quality assurance (PSQA) is performed to verify the delivery prior to the treatment. The emergence of adaptive radiation therapy (ART) adds new complexities to PSQA. In fact, organ at risks and target volume re‐contouring as well as plan re‐optimization and treatment delivery are performed with the patient immobilized on the treatment couch, making phantom‐based pretreatment PSQA impractical. In this case, phantomless PSQA tools based on multileaf collimator (MLC) leaf open times (LOTs) verifications provide alternative approaches for the Radixact® treatment units. However, their validity is compromised by the lack of independent and reliable methods for calculating the LOT performed by the MLC during deliveries.PurposeTo provide independent and reliable methods of LOT calculation for the Radixact® treatment units.MethodsTwo methods for calculating the LOTs performed by the MLC during deliveries have been implemented. The first method uses the signal recorded by the build‐in detector and the second method uses the signal recorded by optical sensors mounted on the MLC. To calibrate the methods to the ground truth, in‐phantom ionization chamber LOT measurements have been conducted on a Radixact® treatment unit. The methods were validated by comparing LOT calculations with in‐phantom ionization chamber LOT measurements performed on two Radixact® treatment units.ResultsThe study shows a good agreement between the two LOT calculation methods and the in‐phantom ionization chamber measurements. There are no notable differences between the two methods and the same results were observed on the different treatment units.ConclusionsThe two implemented methods have the potential to be part of a PSQA solution for ART in tomotherapy.
A Single‐Component Sb/Ho: Cs2Na0.9Ag0.1(In/Bi)Cl6 White Phosphor with a Record Color Rendering Index of 97.4
Authors: Zhang Manjia , Jin Shilin , Pang Tao , Lin Bing , Wu Tianmin , Zeng Lingwei , Lei Lei , Chen Daqin 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe study on phosphors‐converted white light‐emitting diodes (pc‐WLEDs) using lead‐free double perovskites (DPs) as single‐component white phosphors is widely concerned. However, the photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQY) of white luminescence and color rendering index (CRI) of WLED are not satisfactory. Herein, a new Sb/Ho: Cs2Na0.9Ag0.1(In/Bi)Cl6 single‐component white phosphor with the highest PLQY of 93% and a record CRI of 97.4 is reported. Experimental data and theoretical calculations evidence that in addition to broadband yellow emission of the self‐trapped exciton (STE) recombination, the material also exhibits blue emission from Sb3+: 3P1→1S0 transition and red one assigned to Ho3+: 5F5→5I8 transition. Steady‐state and time‐resolved PL spectra verify the existence of two energy transfer channels from both Sb3+ and STE to Ho3+ dopants. As a demo, Sb/Ho: Cs2Na0.9Ag0.1(In/Bi) Cl6‐based WLED is constructed, showing excellent comprehensive optical performance with specially improved saturation red index R9 and blue one R12. This work provides a novel single‐component rare‐earth doped DP white phosphor for high CRI full‐spectrum solid‐state lighting.