bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Limited Intercarpal Fusion as a Salvage Procedure for Advanced Kienbock Disease
Authors: Iorio Matthew L. , Kennedy Colin D. , Huang Jerry I. 
Published: December 2014

Background With progressive lunate collapse, salvage procedures in advanced Kienbock disease attempt to provide pain relief and maintain motion. Scaphocapitate arthrodesis may provide a durable option with comparable outcomes to proximal row carpectomy in the well-selected patient. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of all consecutive patients with Lichtman stage IIIA or IIIB Kienbock's disease who underwent either scaphocapitate or scaphotrapeziotrapezoid-capitate arthrodesis from January 2004 to December 2013. Results Twelve patients were included with a mean age of 41.6 years. Ten patients underwent scaphocapitate arthrodesis, while two patients underwent scaphotrapezio-trapezoid-capitate arthrodesis with an average clinical follow-up of 13.1 months. All patients achieved fusion. The average postoperative flexion-extension arc was 53° (range 20–110°). The average ulnar deviation was 9° (range 5–15°), and the average radial deviation was 13° (range 5–25°). Postoperative pain scores were significantly improved, having changed from an average of 6.6 preoperatively to 2.8 on a 10-point scale (W= 18, P<0.05). Conclusions Despite a mean flexion-extension arc that is reduced from that of a normal individual, the postoperative range of motion following a midcarpal arthrodesis was not significantly different than that reported in a recent systematic review of proximal row carpectomy (73.5° compared with 53°, respectively) ( P=0.05). Additionally, given the significant postoperative reduction in associated pain symptoms at the time of follow-up, scaphocapitate arthrodesis should be considered as a treatment option for wrist salvage in the patient with advanced Kienbock's disease.
Zytogenetische und molekularzytogenetische Methoden in der Pränataldiagnostik
Authors: Weise Anja , Mrasek Kristin , Liehr Thomas 
Published: December 2014

Zusammenfassung
Zytogenetische und ergänzende molekularzytogenetische Methoden sind nach wie vor die am häufigsten angewendeten Verfahren zur Abklärung möglicher genetischer Ursachen von pränatalen sonographischen Auffälligkeiten und/oder erhöhten Risikowerten basierend auf nichtinvasiven Voruntersuchungen. Ein Überblick über die verschiedenen Möglichkeiten der pränatalen Chromosomenanalyse wird in diesem Artikel gegeben.
Invasiv gewonnenes kindliches bzw. plazentares Material wird zur Darstellung der Chromosomen kultiviert, mit verschiedenen Bänderungstechniken angefärbt und kann anschließend für weiterführende molekularzytogenetische Methoden, z. B. bei bestimmten Indikationen oder auch parallel an Interphasekernen unkultivierter Zellen, verwendet werden. Eine Kombination aus zytogenetischen und molekularen Methoden erlaubt außerdem bei Abortuntersuchungen, auch bei nichtkultivierbaren Zellen, den Ausschluss bzw. Nachweis der häufigsten Ursachen für Frühaborte. Im Rahmen der humangenetischen Beratung erlaubt dies eine bessere Einschätzung eines Wiederholungsrisikos.
Noninvasive Prenatal Testing Using Cell-free DNA in Maternal Circulation
Authors: Benn Peter 
Published: December 2014

AbstractNoninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is revolutionizing prenatal screening and diagnosis. Through the analysis of cell free DNA in maternal plasma, it is possible to screen for trisomies 21, 18, and 13, sex chromosome aneuploidies, triploidy and some microdeletion syndromes. For aneuploidies the sensitivity and specificity approaches, but does not meet, that of diagnostic testing. It is estimated that the positive predictive value for NIPT for the identification of trisomy 21 is approximately 90 % compared to 4–6 % for conventional prenatal screening tests. Depending on the NIPT technology used, discordancy between NIPT and the true fetal karyotype can be due to low fetal DNA concentration, presence of a maternal chromosome abnormality, undetected vanishing twin, or mosaicism (including apparent confined placental mosaicism). NIPT can be expanded to include additional cytogenetic abnormalities such as other small copy number variations and will be increasingly used for monogenic disorders. The testing poses a number of ethical challenges including potentially increased pregnancy termination rates for affected pregnancies, the detection of milder or late onset disorders, and identification of fetal sex. Developing nations such as India have very high rates of birth defects and advanced molecular genetic technologies such as NIPT are needed to help reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality. It is important that the implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act that prohibits disclosure of fetal sex does not prevent access to this extraordinarily powerful new technology that offers substantial benefits to the Indian population.
A Unique Formulation of Piecewise Exact Method to Analyze a Nonlinear Spring System under Harmonic Excitation
Authors: Xie P.-S. , Shih P.-J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis paper introduces a unique, efficient, and exact formulation for solving a single-degree-of-freedom system with nonlinear stiffness under a harmonic loading. This formulation is one kind of the piecewise exact method, and its benefit lies in providing the closed-form exact solution in each displacement segment. Since the exact solution is given in each segment, the continuity between two segments can be confirmed. Consequently, no instability errors affect the analysis. To determine the exact solutions in these segments, this research develops a technique that shifts the equilibrium points of the piecewise linear segments, which are discretized from a nonlinear stiffness curve, to new equilibrium points in order to satisfy the typical linear exact solution. Thus, positive- and negative-stiffness linear segments can be solved with this technique. This formulation saves roughly 60% of the calculation time (error < 10−10) as compared to the numerical approximation.
‘Love ye therefore the strangers’: immigration and the criminal law in early modern England
Authors: LOCKWOOD MATTHEW 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTThis article offers a comprehensive examination of the relationship between foreign residents and the criminal law in early modern England, as well as an investigation of trials ‘de medietate lingue’, trials with half-English and half-foreign juries, in theory and practice. Because England witnessed both a series of foreign migrations and a series of geo-political crises in the years between 1674 and 1750, the article charts patterns of foreign prosecutions across the period in order to place them in their proper historical context. The article concludes that the protections offered by English law to foreign residents were real and significant and that these protections were especially important at points of geo-political stress.
Breast-feeding support in Ireland: a qualitative study of health-care professionals’ and women’s views
Authors: Whelan Barbara , Kearney John M 
Published: December 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo examine women’s experience of professional support for breast-feeding and health-care professionals’ experience of providing support.DesignWe conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews among women with experience of breast-feeding and health-care professionals with infant feeding roles. Interviews with women were designed to explore their experience of support for breast-feeding antenatally, in hospital and postnatally. Interviews with health-care professionals were designed to explore their views on their role and experience in providing breast-feeding support. Interview transcripts were analysed using content analysis and aspects of Grounded Theory. Overarching themes and categories within the two sets were identified.SettingUrban and suburban areas of North Dublin, Ireland.SubjectsTwenty-two women all of whom had experience of breast-feeding and fifty-eight health-care professionals.ResultsTwo overarching themes emerged and in each of these a number of categories were developed: theme 1, facilitators to breast-feeding support, within which being facilitated to breast-feed, having the right person at the right time, being discerning and breast-feeding support groups were discussed; and theme 2, barriers to breast-feeding support, within which time, conflicting information, medicalisation of breast-feeding and the role of health-care professionals in providing support for breast-feeding were discussed.ConclusionsBreast-feeding is being placed within a medical model of care in Ireland which is dependent on health-care professionals. There is a need for training around breast-feeding for all health-care professionals; however, they are limited in their support due to external barriers such as lack of time. Alternative support such as peer support workers should be provided.
Nutrieconomic model can facilitate healthy and low-cost food choices
Authors: Primavesi Laura , Caccavelli Giovanna , Ciliberto Alessandra , Pauze Emmanuel 
Published: December 2014

AbstractObjectivePromotion of healthy eating can no longer be postponed as a priority, given the alarming growth rate of chronic degenerative diseases in Western countries. We elaborated a nutrieconomic model to assess and identify the most nutritious and affordable food choices.DesignSeventy-one food items representing the main food categories were included and their nationally representative prices monitored. Food composition was determined using CRA-NUT (Centro di Ricerca per gli Alimenti e la Nutrizione) and IEO (Istituto Europeo di Oncologia) databases. To define food nutritional quality, the mean adequacy ratio and mean excess ratio were combined. Both prices and nutritional quality were normalised for the edible food content and for the recommended serving sizes for the Italian adult population.SettingStores located in different provinces throughout Italy.SubjectsNot applicable.ResultsCereals and legumes presented very similar nutritional qualities and prices per serving. Seasonal fruits and vegetables presented differentiated nutritional qualities and almost equal prices. Products of animal origin showed similar nutritional qualities and varied prices: the best nutrieconomic choices were milk, oily fish and poultry for the dairy products, fish and meat groups, respectively.ConclusionsAnalysing two balanced weekly menus, our nutrieconomic model was able to note a significant decrease in cost of approximately 30 % by varying animal-protein sources without affecting nutritional quality. Healthy eating does not necessarily imply spending large amounts of money but rather being able to make nutritionally optimal choices. The nutrieconomic model is an innovative and practical way to help consumers make correct food choices and nutritionists increase the compliance of their patients.
Electronically controlled wavelength‐tunable transmission filter based on metal grating incorporating polymer‐dispersed liquid crystal
Authors: Wang Qi , Tang Qingyong , Dai Bo , Wang Zhongfei , Huang Yuanshen , Ni Zhengji , Zhang Dawei 
Published: December 2014

A novel narrow‐band tunable transmission filter based on a sub‐wavelength metallic grating incorporating polymer‐dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) with a tunable range of 47.2 nm is demonstrated. The transmission peak wavelength can be tuned from 1524.9 to 1572.1 nm when the refractive index of the PDLC layer is varied by different applying voltages. More than 95% transmission efficiency can be achieved at the resonant wavelength, while the −3 dB bandwidth is about 1.6 nm. In addition, the resonant wavelength of the filter varies in a linear fashion with regard to the refractive index of the PDLC layer. Hence, a desired resonant wavelength can be selected easily by controlling the applied voltage.
Firms in International Trade: Trade Policy Implications of the New New Trade Theory
Authors: Ciuriak Dan , Lapham Beverly , Wolfe Robert , Collins‐Williams Terry , Curtis John 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis paper explores the implications of recent developments in firm‐based trade theory and empirics for trade policy and negotiations. While traditional trade theory focused on the country, and the new trade theory of the 1980s adopted the industry as the unit for analysis, the newest theory emphasizes the role of firms and firm heterogeneity in international trade. We describe insights from this reformulation of theory and the empirical literature that illuminates it. The realities of trade as now understood show the need for a new new trade policy. Evaluating trade at the level of the firm implies that overcoming firm‐level fixed costs of trade and reducing uncertainty lead to increased trade along margins that generate the highest productivity, innovation and welfare gains. The traditional market access agenda ought now to be less important on the multilateral agenda than services, standards, trade facilitation, procurement and innovation policy. The analytical needs of a new new trade policy require new models and more access to firm‐level data to formulate and evaluate the multifaceted impacts of trade policy.
MotionMeerkat: integrating motion video detection and ecological monitoring
Authors: Weinstein Ben G. 
Published: December 2014

Summary

Human observation is expensive and limits the breadth of data collection. For this reason, remotely placed video cameras are increasingly used to monitor animals. One drawback of field‐based video recordings is extensive review time. Computer vision can mitigate this cost and enhance data collection by extracting biological information from images with minimal time investment.

MotionMeerkat is a new standalone program that identifies motion events from a video stream. After running a video, the user reviews a folder of candidate motion frames for the target organism. This tool reduces the time needed to review videos and accommodates a variety of inputs.

I tested MotionMeerkat using hummingbird–plant videos recorded in a tropical montane forest. To validate the optimal parameter set for finding motion events, I counted hummingbirds observed from direct video review compared to events found in images returned from MotionMeerkat. To show the generality of the approach, MotionMeerkat was tested on a set of terrestrial and underwater videos. To assess the performance of the background subtraction for further image analysis, I hand counted the number of frames with target organisms and compared them to the MotionMeerkat output.

MotionMeerkat was highly successful in finding motion events and often reduced the number of frames needed to capture hummingbird visitation by over 90%. Both background approaches effectively found a variety of organisms in ecological videos. I provide general recommendations for parameter settings and extending this approach in the future.
The pathophysiology and consequences of red blood cell storage
Authors: Orlov D. , Karkouti K. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryRed cell transfusion therapy is a common treatment modality in contemporary medical practice. Although blood collection and administration is safer and more efficient than ever before, red cells undergo multiple metabolic and structural changes during storage that may compromise their functionality and viability following transfusion. The clinical relevance of these changes is a hotly debated topic that continues to be a matter of intense investigation. In the current review, we begin with an in‐depth overview of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying red cell storage, with a focus on altered metabolism, oxidative stress and red cell membrane damage. We proceed to review the current state of evidence on the clinical relevance and consequences of the red cell storage lesion, while discussing the strengths and limitations of clinical studies.
Evidence and triggers for the transfusion of blood and blood products
Authors: Shah A. , Stanworth S. J. , McKechnie S. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryAllogeneic red cell transfusion is a commonly used treatment to improve the oxygen carrying capacity of blood during the peri‐operative period. Increasing arterial oxygen content by increasing haemoglobin does not necessarily increase tissue oxygen delivery or uptake. Although the evidence‐base for red cell transfusion practice is incomplete, randomised studies across a range of clinical settings, including surgery, consistently support the restrictive use of red cells, with no evidence of benefit for maintaining patients at higher haemoglobin thresholds (liberal strategy). A recent meta‐analysis of 7593 patients concluded that a restrictive transfusion strategy was associated with a reduced risk of healthcare‐associated infections (pneumonia, mediastinitis, wound infection, sepsis) when compared with a liberal transfusion strategy. The degree to which the optimal haemoglobin concentration or transfusion trigger should be modified for patients with additional specific risk factors (e.g. ischaemic heart disease), remains less clear and requires further research. Although most clinical practice guidelines recommend restrictive use of red cells, and many blood transfusion services have seen marked falls in overall usage of red cells, the use of other blood components such as fresh frozen plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitate has risen. In clinical practice, administration of fresh frozen plasma is usually guided by laboratory tests of coagulation, mainly prothrombin time, international normalised ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time, but the predictive value of these tests to predict bleeding is poor.
The current place of aprotinin in the management of bleeding
Authors: Royston D. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryThere is a considerable difference between the mechanism of action of the lysine analogues, tranexamic acid and epsilon‐aminocaproic acid, and the serine protease inhibitor aprotinin. Aprotinin acts to inactivate free plasmin, but with little effect on bound plasmin, whereas the lysine analogues are designed to prevent excessive plasmin formation by fitting into plasminogen's lysine‐binding site to prevent the binding of plasminogen to fibrin. Aprotinin is associated with a reduction in bleeding and transfusion requirements following major surgery, and has a dose‐response profile, compared with no dose‐response effect in the one study investigating tranexamic acid in cardiac surgical patients. Following its withdrawal in 2007, which is explained in detail in this review, the regulators have now licensed aprotinin for myocardial revascularisation only, which is relatively low‐risk for bleeding.
Pre‐operative anaemia
Authors: Clevenger B. , Richards T. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryPre‐operative anaemia is a relatively common finding, affecting a third of patients undergoing elective surgery. Traditionally associated with chronic disease, management has historically focused on the use of blood transfusion as a solution for anaemia in the peri‐operative period. Data from large series now suggest that anaemia is an independent risk associated with poor outcome in both cardiac and non‐cardiac surgery. Furthermore, blood transfusion does not appear to ameliorate this risk, and in fact may increase the risk of postoperative complications and hospital length of stay. Consequently, there is a need to identify, diagnose and manage pre‐operative anaemia to reduce surgical risk. Discoveries in the pathways of iron metabolism have found that chronic disease can cause a state of functional iron deficiency leading to anaemia. The key iron regulatory protein hepcidin, activated in response to inflammation, inhibits absorption of iron from the gastrointestinal tract and further reduces bioavailability of iron stores for red cell production. Consequently, although iron stores (predominantly ferritin) may be normal, the transport of iron either from the gastrointestinal tract or iron stores to the bone marrow is inhibited, leading to a state of ‘functional’ iron deficiency and subsequent anaemia. Since absorption from the gastrointestinal tract is blocked, increasing oral iron intake is ineffective, and studies are now looking at the role of intravenous iron to treat anaemia in the surgical setting. In this article, we review the incidence and impact of anaemia on the pre‐operative patient. We explain how anaemia may be caused by functional iron deficiency, and how iron deficiency anaemia may be diagnosed and treated.
Cesium radioactivity in peripheral blood is linearly correlated to that in skeletal muscle: Analyses of cattle within the evacuation zone of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Fukuda Tomokazu , Kino Yasushi , Abe Yasuyuki , Yamashiro Hideaki , Kobayashi Jin , Shimizu Yoshinaka , Takahashi Atsushi , Suzuki Toshihiko , Chiba Mirei , Takahashi Shintaro , Inoue Kazuya , Kuwahara Yoshikazu , Morimoto Motoko , Shinoda Hisashi , Hiji Masahiro , Sekine Tsutomu , Fukumoto Manabu , Isogai Emiko 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP) released a large amount of radioactive substances into the environment. Furthermore, beef contaminated with radioactive cesium above the 500 Bq/kg safety standard was circulated in the food chain in 2011. Japanese consumers remain concerned about the safety of radioactively contaminated food. In our previous study, we detected a linear correlation between radioactive cesium (137Cs) activity in blood and muscle around 500 to 2500 Bq/kg in cattle. However, it was unclear whether the correlation was maintained at a lower radioactivity close to the current safety standard of 100 Bq/kg. In this study, we evaluated 17 cattle in the FNPP evacuation zone that had a 137Cs blood level less than 10 Bq/kg. The results showed a linear correlation between blood 137Cs and muscle 137Cs (Y = 28.0X, R2 = 0.590) at low radioactivity concentration, indicating that cesium radioactivity in the muscle can be estimated from blood radioactivity. This technique would be useful in detecting high‐risk cattle before they enter the market, and will contribute to food safety.
Using electrical signals of microbial fuel cells to detect copper stress on soil microorganisms
Authors: Deng H. , Jiang Y. B. , Zhou Y. W. , Shen K. , Zhong W. H. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryA method based on microbial fuel cells (MFCs) was used to evaluate the effects of copper (Cu2+) on soil microorganisms. Soil spiked with 50–400 mg kg−1 of Cu2+ as CuCl2 was incubated for 24 hours before being packed into the MFC anode chambers and assayed for dehydrogenase activity (DHA), substrate‐induced respiration (SIR) and microbial biomass carbon (Cmic). Soil was amended with 5% (w/w) glucose to accelerate ‘start‐up’ and improve power generation, followed by 150 hours of operation. Anode biofilm and soil was extracted to recover total nucleic acids and the 16S rRNA gene was subjected to PCR‐DGGE, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Results showed that increases in soil Cu2+ concentrations reduced voltage and postponed start‐up. The quantity of generated electrons within 48 hours was 32.5 coulomb (C) in the without‐Cu control and decreased with increasing Cu2+ concentrations (11.7, 7.7, 2.0 and 1.3 C under 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg kg−1 Cu2+, respectively). Cyclic voltammetry identified decreased soil electrochemical activity with increasing Cu2+ concentrations. The results indicate that Cu2+ reduced electrical signals by inhibiting the electrochemical activity, metabolic activity and biomass of microorganisms. The 16S sequences of recovered anodic bacteria were assigned to Firmicutes, including Bacillaceae, Acetobacteraceae, Clostridium, Bacillus and Sporolactobacillus. In general, the DGGE band intensity of anodic bacteria decreased with increasing Cu2+ concentrations, except for bands assigned to Firmicutes and Bacillus, which increased with increasing Cu2+ concentrations. We suggest that the short‐term electrical signals generated from MFCs with contaminated soil can be used to assess the toxic effect of heavy metal pollutants on soil microorganisms.