bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Land Suitability Assessment for Afforestation with Elaeagnus Angustifolia L. in Degraded Agricultural Areas of the Lower Amudarya River Basin
Authors: Dubovyk Olena , Menz Gunter , Khamzina Asia 
Published: November 2014

AbstractDegradation of irrigated croplands in arid regions is of great environmental concern worldwide. Based on a series of field trials, afforestation with well‐adapted tree species was evaluated as a viable option for the cropland rehabilitation in the lower reaches of the Amudarya River basin in Uzbekistan. Our aim was to extend available site‐specific information for the entire regional landscape and provide spatially explicit guidance in support of afforestation land rehabilitation efforts. To this end, a geographic information system—based multicriteria decision‐making approach has been developed for assessing the suitability of degraded irrigated cropland for introducing plantations of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. This approach utilized expert knowledge, fuzzy logic, and a weighted linear combination to produce an afforestation land suitability map. Overall, 75 287 ha of degraded croplands (18% of the irrigated cropland area) was identified as suitable for introduction of E. angustifolia. We also conclude that irrigation water supply and groundwater table depth are the critical factors determining the suitability of degraded irrigated land. These findings improve an understanding of the spatial variability of areas suitable for the initiation of agroforests and support better informed decisions on cropland rehabilitation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of non‐ablative and ablative fractional laser treatments in a postoperative scar study
Authors: Shin Jung U , Gantsetseg Dorjsuren , Jung Jin Young , Jung Inhee , Shin Sungsik , Lee Ju Hee 
Published: November 2014

Background and ObjectivePostoperative scarring after thyroidectomy is a problem for both patients and clinicians. Recently, both non‐ablative and ablative fractional laser (NFL and AFL) systems have attracted attention as potential therapies for the revision of thyroidectomy scars. The present split‐scar study was designed to directly compare the efficacy of these two methods for the treatment of post‐thyroidectomy scars.Study Design/Materials and MethodsTwenty females (mean age 42.1 years, range 22–55) with scarring 2–3 months post‐thyroidectomy were enrolled in the study. One half of the scar (chosen at random) was treated with NFL and the other half was treated with AFL. In each case, two treatments were given at 2‐month intervals. Clinical photographs were taken at baseline, before each treatment, and at the final 3‐month evaluation. Independent clinician grading of improvement and patient satisfaction were measured on a quartile scale. Color (erythema and melanin indices) and scar hardness were measured at baseline and at three months post‐treatment with a dermaspectrometer and durometer, respectively.ResultsThe mean clinical improvement grades for AFL and NFL were highly similar, 2.45 ± 0.99 and 2.35 ± 0.85, respectively, without statistical significance (P = 0.752). However, NFL treatment resulted in statistically significant changes in erythema and pigmentation (P = 0.035 and P = 0.003, respectively), and skin hardness was significantly reduced after AFL treatment (P = 0.026).ConclusionsClinical improvement was not significantly different between the two systems; however, AFL was better at reducing scar hardness whereas NFL was superior for lightening color. These data suggest that a study assessing the feasibility of a combined approach for the revision of post‐thyroidectomy scarring might be warranted. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:741–749, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Classification of sodium MRI data of cartilage using machine learning
Authors: Madelin Guillaume , Poidevin Frederick , Makrymallis Antonios , Regatte Ravinder R. 
Published: November 2014

PurposeTo assess the possible utility of machine learning for classifying subjects with and subjects without osteoarthritis using sodium magnetic resonance imaging data. Theory: support vector machine, k‐nearest neighbors, naïve Bayes, discriminant analysis, linear regression, logistic regression, neural networks, decision tree, and tree bagging were tested.MethodsSodium magnetic resonance imaging with and without fluid suppression by inversion recovery was acquired on the knee cartilage of 19 controls and 28 osteoarthritis patients. Sodium concentrations were measured in regions of interests in the knee for both acquisitions. Mean (MEAN) and standard deviation (STD) of these concentrations were measured in each regions of interest, and the minimum, maximum, and mean of these two measurements were calculated over all regions of interests for each subject. The resulting 12 variables per subject were used as predictors for classification.ResultsEither Min [STD] alone, or in combination with Mean [MEAN] or Min [MEAN], all from fluid suppressed data, were the best predictors with an accuracy >74%, mainly with linear logistic regression and linear support vector machine. Other good classifiers include discriminant analysis, linear regression, and naïve Bayes.ConclusionMachine learning is a promising technique for classifying osteoarthritis patients and controls from sodium magnetic resonance imaging data. Magn Reson Med 74:1435–1448, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Das Quantengrinsen der Cheshire‐Katze
Authors: Lemmel Hartmut 
Published: November 2014

AbstractNach den Gesetzen der Quantenmechanik können sich Teilchen in einer Überlagerung verschiedener Zustände befinden. Daher können sie auch beide Wege eines Interferometers gleichzeitig durchlaufen. Kürzlich gelang es einer Forschergruppe sogar, Neutronen so zu manipulieren, dass sie selbst den einen Weg und ihr magnetisches Moment den anderen Weg nahmen.
Development and characterization of high‐amylose wheat lines
Authors: Rakszegi Marianna , Kisgyörgy Boglárka N. , Kiss Tibor , Sestili Francesco , Láng László , Lafiandra Domenico , Bedő Zoltán 
Published: November 2014

AbstractA complete SGP null mutant (Sgp‐A1B1D1 null) winter wheat line was crossed with three wheat varieties: ‘Ukrainka’, ‘Lona’ and ‘Solstice’. Three backcrosses (BCs) were carried out and marker assisted selection used to identify lines carrying all the three mutant alleles for each cross. BC3 and BC2xBC2 F3, F4 and F5 lines (2012‐2014) were studied in detail for physical (thousand kernel weight), compositional (protein, gluten, amylose) and starch viscosity properties (rapid visco analyser‐RVA). Ten triple mutant high‐amylose lines (∼40%) were identified among the BC2xBC2 lines, which had high protein content (>14%), low starch content, gluten index, starch viscosity values and thousand kernel weight. Two of these lines had moderately high amylose (∼30%) content, with outstanding gluten quality, but modified starch viscosity properties.
Academic and Social Integration on Campus Among Sexual Minority Students: The Impacts of Psychological and Experiential Campus Climate
Authors: Woodford Michael R. , Kulick Alex 
Published: November 2014

AbstractA heterosexist campus climate can increase risk for mental health problems for sexual minority students; however, the relationship between campus climate for sexual minorities and academic outcomes remains understudied. Using a sample of sexual minority respondents extracted from a campus climate survey conducted at a large university in the Midwest, we examine relationships between multiple dimensions of psychological and experiential campus climate for sexual minorities with academic integration (academic disengagement, grade‐point average [GPA]) and social integration (institutional satisfaction, acceptance on campus). We also investigate the protective role of engagement with informal academic and peer‐group systems. Findings suggest campus climate affects sexual minority students’ integration. In multivariate analyses, perceptions of whether lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people could be open about their sexual identity was positively associated with acceptance on campus; personal heterosexist harassment was positively associated with academic disengagement and negatively with GPA. Students’ informal academic integration (instructor relations) and informal social integration (LGB friends) demonstrated influential main effects but did not moderate any of the climate‐outcome relationships. Researchers should further explore the relationships between climate and academic outcomes among sexual minority students, both collectively and among specific sub‐groups, and address the role of other protective factors.
Genetics Health Professionals’ Views on Quality of Genetic Counseling Service Provision for Presymptomatic Testing in Late‐Onset Neurological Diseases in Portugal: Core Components, Specific Challenges and the Need for Assessment Tools
Authors: Paneque M. , Mendes Á. , Guimarães L. , Sequeiros J. , Skirton H. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractQuality assessment of genetic counseling practice for improving healthcare is a challenge for genetic services worldwide; however, there is scarce literature regarding quality issues in genetic counseling in the context of presymptomatic testing for late‐onset neurological diseases (Paneque et al. 2012) The aims of this qualitative study were to: (1) explore the views of professionals’ who provide genetic counseling services for presymptomatic testing for late‐onset neurological diseases regarding relevant quality indicators for counseling practice; and (2) examine current assessment of such counseling practice for Portuguese genetic services. Quality indicators are a means of measuring either the process or outcomes of patient services, with the aim of evaluating and improving quality of care (Mainz 2003). In this study, we defined quality indicators as measurable outcomes of the counseling process that may reflect good professional practice and desirable end‐term effects. We undertook interviews with 18 genetic health professionals (85 % of all genetic counseling professionals involved) from the major genetic services in Portugal. Results indicate that professionals valued some core components of genetic counseling, including providing information and decision‐making support, informing the consultand about the genetic counseling protocol, as well as exploring motivations, expectations for test results, consequent anticipated life changes, psychosocial adjustment, and personal and familial experience with the disease. Professionals were not, however, able to clearly elucidate quality indicators for effective practice and some reported they had not reflected on that topic before. Professionals also reported specific challenges in their practice, such as ambiguity of the health/illness status and affirming consultands’ autonomy. Results of the study have revealed a lack of knowledge about quality indicators and tools to assess counseling practice. A credible set of quality indicators for presymptomatic testing is required as a foundation for the development of specific tools.
Pollicization of the Index Finger for Radial Hypoplasia
Authors: Eccles Christian , Dunn John , Kozin Scott , Pirela-Cruz Miguel 
Published: November 2014

Background Associated with anomalies such as VACTERL and Fanconi anemia, congenital hypoplasia of the thumb has a strong association with radial hypoplasia. The majority of patients have bilateral thumb underdevelopment, and those that have a unilateral deformity tend to have the right hand more commonly affected. In order to gain an opposable thumb, patients with a deficient carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, a floating thumb, or complete absence of the thumb can benefit with a thumb amputation and a translocation of the index finger (pollicization) to the thumb position. This video demonstrates the technical steps involved in performing a pollicization procedure in a patient with radial hypoplasia. The video is available electronically. Methods All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2008 (5). Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the video. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Results Pollicization allows for improved functional results in patients with radial hypoplasia. Conclusions This video has reviewed the essential steps in performing a pollicization procedure in patients with radial hypoplasia.
Language Barriers in Hispanic Patients: Relation to Upper-Extremity Disability
Authors: Menendez Mariano E. , Eberlin Kyle R. , Mudgal Chaitanya S. , Ring David 
Published: November 2014

Background Although upper-extremity disability has been shown to correlate highly with various psychosocial aspects of illness (e.g., self-efficacy, depression, kinesiophobia, and pain catastrophizing), the role of language in musculoskeletal health status is less certain. In an English-speaking outpatient hand surgery office setting, we sought to determine (1) whether a patient's primary native language (English or Spanish) is an independent predictor of upper-extremity disability and (2) whether there are any differences in the contribution of measures of psychological distress to disability between native English- and Spanish-speaking patients. Methods A total of 122 patients (61 native English speakers and 61 Spanish speakers) presenting to an orthopaedic hand clinic completed sociodemographic information and three Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-based computerized adaptive testing questionnaires: PROMIS Pain Interference, PROMIS Depression, and PROMIS Upper-Extremity Physical Function. Bivariate and multivariable linear regression modeling were performed. Results Spanish-speaking patients reported greater upper-extremity disability, pain interference, and symptoms of depression than English-speaking patients. After adjusting for sociodemographic covariates and measures of psychological distress using multivariable regression modeling, the patient's primary language was not retained as an independent predictor of disability. PROMIS Depression showed a medium correlation ( r=–0.35; p<0.001) with disability in English-speaking patients, while the correlation was large ( r=–0.52; p<0.001) in Spanish-speaking patients. PROMIS Pain Interference had a large correlation with disability in both patient cohorts (Spanish-speaking: r=–0.66; p<0.001; English-speaking: r=–0.77; p<0.001). The length of time since immigration to the USA did not correlate with disability among Spanish speakers. Conclusion Primary language has less influence on symptom intensity and magnitude of disability than psychological distress and ineffective coping strategies. Interventions to optimize mood and to reduce pain interference should be considered in patients of all nationalities. Type of study/level of evidence: Prognostic II.
Primary adrenal lymphoma: three case reports and review of Japanese cases
Authors: Nakazawa Shigeaki , Uemura Motohide , Ujike Takeshi , Fujita Kazutoshi , Takao Tetsuya , Miyagawa Yasushi , Nonomura Norio 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Although primary adrenal lymphoma (PAL) is thought to be extremely rare, its prognosis is much worse than that of other extranodal malignant lymphomas. There are so far about 130 reported cases in the English literature, while 186 cases have been reported in the Japanese literature. Thus, the incidence of PAL in the Japanese population may be higher than in other races. The typical characteristics of PAL in Japanese patients are similar to those previously reported in Western literature: it predominantly occurs in male and elderly patients and involves bilateral involvement of the adrenal glands, which frequently leads to adrenal insufficiency. Here, we review three recent cases of PAL at our hospital, and analyze data from our institution regarding patients with PAL from 2002 to 2014. On biochemical analysis, median levels of sIL2R (5027.5 U/mL) and LDH (1111.46 U/L) were elevated in Japanese PAL patients compared to other adrenal tumors. It is critical that clinicians be familiar with the traits of PAL, especially for its differential diagnosis from adrenal large tumors.
Cognition, structural brain changes and complicated grief. A population-based study
Authors: Saavedra Pérez H. C. , Ikram M. A. , Direk N. , Prigerson H. G. , Freak-Poli R. , Verhaaren B. F. J. , Hofman A. , Vernooij M. , Tiemeier H. 
Published: November 2014

BackgroundSeveral psychosocial risk factors for complicated grief have been described. However, the association of complicated grief with cognitive and biological risk factors is unclear. The present study examined whether complicated grief and normal grief are related to cognitive performance or structural brain volumes in a large population-based study.MethodThe present research comprised cross-sectional analyses embedded in the Rotterdam Study. The study included 5501 non-demented persons. Participants were classified as experiencing no grief (n= 4731), normal grief (n= 615) or complicated grief (n= 155) as assessed with the Inventory of Complicated Grief. All persons underwent cognitive testing (Mini-Mental State Examination, Letter–Digit Substitution Test, Stroop Test, Word Fluency Task, word learning test – immediate and delayed recall), and magnetic resonance imaging to measure general brain parameters (white matter, gray matter), and white matter lesions. Total brain volume was defined as the sum of gray matter plus normal white matter and white matter lesion volume. Persons with depressive disorders were excluded and analyses were adjusted for depressive symptoms.ResultsCompared with no-grief participants, participants with complicated grief had lower scores for the Letter–Digit Substitution Test [Z-score −0.16v.0.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.36 to −0.04,p= 0.01] and Word Fluency Task (Z-score −0.15v.0.03, 95% CI −0.35 to −0.02,p= 0.02) and smaller total volumes of brain matter (933.53 mlv.952.42 ml, 95% CI −37.6 to −0.10,p= 0.04).ConclusionsParticipants with complicated grief performed poorly in cognitive tests and had a smaller total brain volume. Although the effect sizes were small, these findings suggest that there may be a neurological correlate of complicated grief, but not of normal grief, in the general population.
Glycol chitosan nanoparticles as specialized cancer therapeutic vehicles: Sequential delivery of doxorubicin and Bcl-2 siRNA
Authors: Yoon Hong Yeol , Son Sejin , Lee So Jin , You Dong Gil , Yhee Ji Young , Park Jae Hyung , Swierczewska Maggie , Lee Seulki , Kwon Ick Chan , Kim Sun Hwa , Kim Kwangmeyung , Pomper Martin G. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractConventional chemotherapy is plagued with adverse side effects because cancer treatments are subject to numerous variations, most predominantly from drug resistance. Accordingly, multiple or multistage chemotherapeutic regimens are often performed, combining two or more drugs with orthogonal and possibly synergistic mechanisms. In this respect, glycol chitosan (GC)-based nanoparticles (CNPs) serve as an effective platform vehicle that can encapsulate both chemotherapeutics and siRNA to achieve maximal efficacy by overcoming resistance. Herein, DOX-encapsulated CNPs (DOX-CNPs) or Bcl-2 siRNA-encapsulated CNPs (siRNA-CNPs) exhibited similar physicochemical properties, including size, surface properties and pH sensitive behavior, regardless of the different physical features of DOX and Bcl-2 siRNA. We confirmed that the CNP platform applied to two different types of drugs results in similar in vivo biodistribution and pharmacokinetics, enhancing treatment in a dose-dependent fashion.
Real time 3D localization and mapping for USAR robotic application
Authors: Będkowski Janusz , Masłowski Andrzej , De Cubber Geert 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a real time 3D localization and mapping approach for the USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) robotic application, focusing on the performance and the accuracy of the General‐purpose computing on graphics processing units (GPGPU)‐based iterative closest point (ICP) 3D data registration implemented using modern GPGPU with FERMI architecture.Design/methodology/approachThe authors put all the ICP computation into GPU, and performed the experiments with registration up to 106 data points. The main goal of the research was to provide a method for real‐time data registration performed by a mobile robot equipped with commercially available laser measurement system 3D. The main contribution of the paper is a new GPGPU based ICP implementation with regular grid decomposition. It guarantees high accuracy as equivalent CPU based ICP implementation with better performance.FindingsThe authors have shown an empirical analysis of the tuning of GPUICP parameters for obtaining much better performance (acceptable level of the variance of the computing time) with minimal lost of accuracy. Loop closing method is added and demonstrates satisfactory results of 3D localization and mapping in urban environments. This work can help in building the USAR mobile robotic applications that process 3D cloud of points in real time.Practical implicationsThis work can help in developing real time mapping for USAR robotic applications.Originality/valueThe paper proposes a new method for nearest neighbor search that guarantees better performance with minimal loss of accuracy. The variance of computational time is much less than SoA.
Vision‐based isolated translations and rotations estimation for inverted robot approaching a target
Authors: Jan Ibrar , Khan Umer , Iqbal Naeem 
Published: November 2014

PurposeVision‐based inverted robot control exhibits a complex and a multi‐parameter estimation task. Compromises over speed and accuracy must be made to reduce the cost of the system, if high profile techniques are not utilized. The purpose of this paper is to present such a technique where many parameter estimation problems admit partitioning process. The process eliminates the complexity by dividing such a high dimension task into several reduced dimension problems. The partition procedure is defined by human understanding of the task. Here a mechanical setup is designed that handles the pose parameters estimations as a set of sub‐problems. The estimated pose parameters are applied to an inverted robot approaching a target on the floor.Design/methodology/approachA novel technique that helps the inverted robot to approach its target is detailed here. The new methodology is based upon the modified versions of existing and proven techniques of pure translations and rotations estimations. Providing valid conditions, the parameters of the two vectors of the camera's pose are isolated. In the first pass, the roll angle is adjusted. A subsequent pass uses modified 2‐point algorithm to estimate partial translational vector. Introducing 4‐point algorithm; an extension of pure rotational vector estimation technique, to estimate partial rotational vector. Lastly, visual depth is estimated to complete the task. For simplicity, the robot dynamics are not detailed here. It is assumed that the robot can possibly achieve any position if the desired pose parameters are known.FindingsIt is found that the isolated vectors estimation process reduces the complexity of the system and so reduces the computational cost and processing time. The proposed technique is applied to a prototype inverted Cartesian robot having 3D rotary wrist. Through analysis, it is observed that the estimated parameters are very close to the actual pose parameters.Practical implicationsThe proposed technique can aid CNC vertical milling machines to countercheck the exact position and orientation of the tool w.r.t. the job. Similar systems in practice are DECKEL MAHO, DMU 60/80/100, 5‐axis package and DMC 35 V series.Originality/valueThe dynamic nature of the method proposed in the paper makes it more efficacious for mechanical/robotic systems with vertically downward tool under gravity effect.