bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Home hemodialysis: Beliefs, attitudes, and practice patterns
Authors: Jayanti Anuradha , Morris Julie , Stenvinkel Peter , Mitra Sandip 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThere is increasing interest of the worldwide kidney community in home hemodialysis (HHD). This is due to emerging evidence of its superiority over conventional hemodialysis (HD), largely attributed to improved outcomes on intensive schedule HD, best deployed in patient's own homes. Despite published work in this area, universal uptake remains limited and reasons are poorly understood. All those who provide HD care were invited to participate in a survey on HHD, initiated to understand the beliefs, attitudes, and practice patterns of providers offering this therapy. The survey was developed and posted on the Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation‐Educational (NDT‐E) website. Two hundred and seventy‐two responses were deemed suitable for complete analysis. It is apparent from the survey that there is great variability in the prevalence of HHD. Physicians have a great deal of interest in this modality, with majority viewing home as being the ideal location for the offer of intensive HD schedules (55%). A significant number (21%) feel intensive HD may be offered even outside the home setting. Those who offer this therapy do not see a financial disadvantage in it. Many units identify lack of appropriately trained personnel (35%) and funding for home adaptation (50.4%) as key barriers to widespread adoption of this therapy. Despite the interest and belief in this therapy among practitioners, HHD therapy is still not within reach of a majority of patients. Modifiable organizational, physician, and patient factors exist, which could potentially redefine the landscape of HHD provision. Well‐designed systematic research of national and local barriers is needed to design interventions to help centers facilitate change.
Physicians' perceptions of the value of prognostic models: the benefits and risks of prognostic confidence
Authors: Hallen Sarah A. M. , Hootsmans Norbert A. M. , Blaisdell Laura , Gutheil Caitlin M. , Han Paul K. J. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe communication of prognosis in end‐of‐life (EOL) care is a challenging task that is limited by prognostic uncertainty and physicians' lack of confidence in their prognostic estimates. Clinical prediction models (CPMs) are increasingly common evidence‐based tools that may mitigate these problems and facilitate the communication and use of prognostic information in EOL care; however, little is known about physicians' perceptions of the value of these tools.ObjectiveTo explore physicians' perceptions of the value of CPMs in EOL care.DesignQualitative study using semi‐structured individual interviews which were analysed using a constant comparative method.Setting and participantsConvenience sample of 17 attending physicians representing five different medical specialties at a single large tertiary care medical centre.ResultsPhysicians perceived CPMs as having three main benefits in EOL care: (i) enhancing their prognostic confidence; (ii) increasing their prognostic authority; and (iii) enabling patient persuasion in circumstances of low prognostic and therapeutic uncertainty. However, physicians also perceived CPMs as having potential risks, which include producing emotional distress in patients and promoting prognostic overconfidence in EOL care.Discussion and conclusionsPhysicians perceive CPMs as a potentially valuable means of increasing their prognostic confidence, communication and explicit use of prognostic information in EOL care. However, physicians' perceptions of CPMs also indicate a need to establish broad and consistent implementation processes to engage patients in shared decision making in EOL care, to effectively communicate uncertainty in prognostic information and to help both patients and physicians manage uncertainty in EOL care decisions.
Barriers to patient portal access among veterans receiving home‐based primary care: a qualitative study
Authors: Mishuris Rebecca G. , Stewart Max , Fix Gemmae M. , Marcello Thomas , McInnes D. Keith , Hogan Timothy P. , Boardman Judith B. , Simon Steven R. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundElectronic, or web‐based, patient portals can improve patient satisfaction, engagement and health outcomes and are becoming more prevalent with the advent of meaningful use incentives. However, adoption rates are low, particularly among vulnerable patient populations, such as those patients who are home‐bound with multiple comorbidities. Little is known about how these patients view patient portals or their barriers to using them.ObjectiveTo identify barriers to and facilitators of using My HealtheVet (MHV), the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) patient portal, among Veterans using home‐based primary care services.DesignQualitative study using in‐depth semi‐structured interviews. We conducted a content analysis informed by grounded theory.ParticipantsFourteen Veterans receiving home‐based primary care, surrogates of two of these Veterans, and three home‐based primary care (HBPC) staff members.Key ResultsWe identified five themes related to the use of MHV: limited knowledge; satisfaction with current HBPC care; limited computer and Internet access; desire to learn more about MHV and its potential use; and value of surrogates acting as intermediaries between Veterans and MHV.ConclusionsDespite their limited knowledge of MHV and computer access, home‐bound Veterans are interested in accessing MHV and using it as an additional point of care. Surrogates are also potential users of MHV on behalf of these Veterans and may have different barriers to and benefits from use.
Measuring the quality of surgical decisions for Latina breast cancer patients
Authors: Sepucha Karen , Feibelmann Sandra , Chang Yuchiao , Hewitt Sarah , Ziogas Argyrios 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundA high‐quality decision for breast cancer surgery requires that patients are well informed, meaningfully involved in decision making, and receive treatments that match their goals. There is little in the existing literature that examines a comprehensive measure of decision quality for Latina breast cancer patients.ObjectiveTo examine the quality of surgical decisions among Latina breast cancer survivors and explore factors associated with decision quality and decision regret.DesignCross‐sectional mailed survey.Main outcome measuresEnglish and certified Spanish translations of Breast Cancer Surgery Decision Quality Instrument (BCS‐DQI), Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (SASH) and decision regret.Participants and settingNinety‐seven breast cancer survivors of Hispanic or Spanish descent identified through the cancer registry from Orange or San Diego Counties in California.ResultsThe 97 respondents were on average 55.7 years old, 39.1% had high school diploma or more education, and 62.9% had low acculturation (SASH scores < 2.99). The average knowledge score was 48.2%, the average decision process score was 67.5%, and many (77.3%) received treatments that matched their goals. In multivariable models, there were no significant associations with education, age, acculturation and any aspect of decision quality or decision regret in this sample. Respondents who had higher decision process scores, indicating more involvement in decision making, had significantly lower decision regret.ConclusionsThe BCS‐DQI may require some adaptation for Latina populations to improve acceptability. The different aspects of decision quality, including knowledge, decision process and concordance, did not vary by level of acculturation.
Are suspected stroke patients identified by paramedics transported to appropriate stroke centres in Victoria, Australia?
Authors: Bray J. E. , Coughlan K. , Mosley I. , Barger B. , Bladin C. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractEmergency medical services (EMS) are vital to ensuring acute stroke patients are transported to thrombolysis and/or stroke unit centres. This 6‐month audit of Victorian EMS cases found the majority of suspected acute strokes are transported to appropriate stroke centres. However, there is still room for improvement, in particular, strategies to improve access to stroke services in some rural regions and to ensure patients/relatives are fully informed when requesting transport to a non‐stroke service hospital.
Prostate cancer: measuring PSA
Authors: Pezaro C. , Woo H. H. , Davis I. D. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractPopulation screening with prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) for detection of prostate cancer is a topic associated with ongoing dissent and confusion within the oncology and wider medical community. The PSA blood test has been used in various stages of prostate cancer management, including screening and the assessment of future risk of prostate cancer development, detection of recurrent disease after local therapy and in the management of advanced disease. However, PSA‐based decision‐making in prostate cancer has significant shortcomings. This review will summarise the evidence and current recommendations for the use of PSA in detection and management of prostate cancer.
Physical activity levels and patients' expectations of physical activity during acute general medical admission
Authors: Cattanach N. , Sheedy R. , Gill S. , Hughes A. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBedrest during hospital admission is common and might be harmful. There is scarce published evidence that quantifies physical activity levels and expectations regarding physical activity of general medical patients during an acute inpatient stay. The current study aimed to investigate physical activity levels and expectations regarding physical activity in general medical patients at a large Australian teaching hospital. A convenience sample of 24 general medical patients was observed at 10‐min intervals in one day between 8:00 and 17:00 and their physical activity status recorded. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding their expectations of physical activity during illness and hospital admission. Patients were observed to be in bed 51% of the time, were sitting out of bed 43% of the time, were standing 1% of the time and were walking 5% of the time. One third of participants (n = 8) were not observed to walk during the observation period. Questionnaire data indicated that nine (38%) participants expected to remain in bed while in hospital. General medical patients had low levels of physical activity during their hospital stay, which was consistent with many participants' expectations of appropriate activity when in hospital. If physical activity is an important part of acute general medical patient management, then patient expectations of the appropriateness of physical activity need to be addressed and methods to increase physical activity implemented.
Does Hepatic Steatosis Have an Impact on the Short Term Hepatic Response After Complete Attenuation of Congenital Extrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts? A Prospective Study of 20 Dogs
Authors: Hunt Geraldine B. , Luff Jennifer , Daniel Leticia , Zwingenberger Allison 
Published: May 2014

ObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship between hepatic steatosis and increase in liver size and resolution of shunting after surgical attenuation of congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts in dogs.Study DesignProspective study.AnimalsDogs (n = 20) with congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts.MethodsShunts were attenuated using ameroid ring constrictors. Portal blood flow and liver volume were evaluated using computed tomography before and ≥8 weeks after surgery. Hepatic steatosis was quantified by stereological point counting of lipid droplets and lipogranulomas (LG) in liver biopsies stained with Oil‐red‐O. Associations between steatosis and preoperative liver volume, liver growth after surgery, and development of acquired shunts were evaluated.ResultsAcquired shunts developed in 2 dogs (10%). Dogs with larger preoperative liver volumes relative to bodyweight had fewer lipid droplets per tissue point (P = .019). LG per tissue point were significantly associated with age: 0.019 ± 0.06 for dogs <12 months versus 0.25 ± 0.49 for dogs >12 months (P = .007). There was a significant positive association between liver growth after surgery and the number of LG/month of age in dogs >12 months (P = .003). There was no association between steatosis, presence of macrosteatosis, the number of LG or development of acquired shunts.ConclusionsThis preliminary study suggests that the presence of hepatic lipidosis and LG has no demonstrable effect on development of acquired shunts or the magnitude of increase in liver volume after attenuation of congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts in dogs.
Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy in Small Breed Dogs With High Tibial Plateau Angles Using a 4‐Hole 1.9/2.5 mm Locking T‐Plate
Authors: Witte Philip G. , Scott Harry W. 
Published: May 2014

ObjectivesTo report clinical experiences with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) to address cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease in small breed dogs with high tibial plateau angles (TPA) using a specific 4‐hole locking T‐plate.Study designRetrospective case series.AnimalsSmall breed dogs (<15 kg) with high TPA (>30°): n = 19 (29 CCL ruptures).MethodsTPLO was performed by standard technique using a 1.9/2.5 mm 4‐hole locking T‐plate. Preoperative, immediate postoperative, and 6–8 weeks postoperative TPA were measured from radiographs. Lameness was scored subjectively preoperatively and 6–8 weeks postoperatively. Mid to long term follow‐up was by client telephone questionnaire (mean, 12.1 months after surgery).ResultsMean ± SD preoperative TPA was 37.0 ± 4.9°, immediate postoperative TPA, 6.4 ± 2.8° and 6–8 weeks postoperative TPA, 8.0 ± 4.9°. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 dogs (13.8%) all of which had been operated as single‐session bilateral procedures. Three stifles had failure of a single screw and postoperative increase in TPA. Periprosthetic infection necessitated plate removal in 1 dog. Lameness scores by veterinary assessment reduced from mean 3.4/5 preoperatively to 0.4/5 at 6–8 weeks postoperatively. Mid to long‐term follow‐up revealed no lameness by owner assessment.ConclusionA 4‐hole 1.9/2.5 mm locking T‐plate may be used in the stabilization of unilateral TPLO in small breed dogs with high TPA.
Risk adjustment and prevention
Authors: Eggleston Karen , Ellis Randall P. , Lu Mingshan 
Published: May 2014

Abstract Widespread integration of market‐based incentives into healthcare systems calls for – and has elicited – increasing adoption of risk adjustment. By deterring selection, risk adjustment helps to assure fair and efficient payments among health insurers or capitated provider groups. However, since conventional risk adjustment allocates funds among regions or insurers according to current population health status, it does not reward – indeed, it penalizes – preventive efforts that improve population health. This prevention penalty of risk adjustment represents a hidden cost of unclear magnitude, undermining provider incentives for health promotion. We develop a theoretical model of selection and prevention demonstrating this problem with conventional risk adjustment and suggesting a simple alternative: risk adjustment should be linked to pay‐for‐performance for prevention.
Theoretical Investigations on the Structural, Electronic, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties of MP2O7 (M = Ti,Hf)
Authors: Xiang Huimin , Feng Zhihai , Zhou Yanchun 
Published: May 2014

A systematical ab initio analysis on MP2O7 (M = Ti, Hf) is presented in this work. Density functional theory (DFT) computations were performed for the electronic, mechanical, and thermal properties of MP2O7. Heterogeneous bonding nature of MP2O7 was revealed by examining the structural and electronic properties, M–O bonds were weaker than P–O bonds. The elastic constants and polycrystalline mechanical properties of MP2O7 were reported. Based on the low shear‐modulus‐to‐bulk‐modulus ratios and positive Cauchy pressure, MP2O7 ceramics were predicted to be “quasi‐ductile”. In addition, the minimum thermal conductivities were estimated to be 1.52 and 0.99 W·m−1·K−1 for TiP2O7 and HfP2O7, respectively. The ultra‐low thermal conductivities were contributed to the lattice phonon scattering due to the heterogeneous bonding nature. Our theoretical results emphasize the importance of weak M–O bonds in the determination of mechanical and thermal properties of MP2O7.
Nonlinear Absorption of Submicrometer Grain‐Size Cobalt‐Doped Magnesium Aluminate Transparent Ceramics
Authors: Wajler Anna , Kozłowska Anna , Nakielska Magdalena , Leśniewska‐Matys Kamila , Sidorowicz Agata , Podniesiński Dariusz , Putyra Piotr 
Published: May 2014

Transparent cobalt‐doped magnesium aluminate spinel (Co:MgAl2O4) ceramics with a submicrometer grain size were prepared by spark plasma sintering. For the first time, the nonlinear absorption of Co:MgAl2O4 transparent ceramics was experimentally demonstrated. Both ground state absorption (σGSA) and excited state absorption (σESA) were estimated using the solid‐state slow saturable absorber model based on absorption saturation measurements performed at 1.535 μm. σGSA and σESA for 0.03 at.% Co:MgAl2O4 were found to be 4.1 × 10−19 cm2 and 4.0 × 10−20 cm2, respectively. In the case of 0.06 at.% Co:MgAl2O4 ceramics, σGSA = 2.6 × 10−19 cm2 and σESA= 5.3 × 10−20 cm2 were determined.
Determination of Heat Conductivity and Thermal Diffusivity of Waste Glass Melter Feed: Extension to High Temperatures
Authors: Rice Jarrett A. , Pokorny Richard , Schweiger Michael J. , Hrma Pavel 
Published: May 2014

The heat conductivity (λ) and the thermal diffusivity (a) of reacting glass batch, or melter feed, control the heat flux into and within the cold cap, a layer of reacting material floating on the pool of molten glass in an all‐electric continuous waste glass melter. After previously estimating λ of melter feed at temperatures up to 680°C, we focus in this work on the λ(T) function at T > 680°C, at which the feed material becomes foamy. We used a customized experimental setup consisting of a large cylindrical crucible with an assembly of thermocouples, which monitored the evolution of the temperature field while the crucible with feed was heated at a constant rate from room temperature up to 1100°C. Approximating measured temperature profiles by polynomial functions, we used the energy equation to estimate the λ(T) approximation function, which we subsequently optimized using the finite‐volume method combined with least‐squares analysis. The heat conductivity increased as the temperature increased until the feed began to expand into foam, at which point the conductivity dropped. It began to increase again as the foam turned into a bubble‐free glassmelt. We discuss the implications of this behavior for the mathematical modeling of the cold cap.
Silica Activity Measurements in the Y2O3–SiO2 System and Applications to Modeling of Coating Volatility
Authors: Jacobson Nathan S. 
Published: May 2014

Rare‐earth silicate compounds, such as those in the Y2O3–SiO2 system, are promising candidates for coatings of SiC‐based ceramics and ceramic matrix composites in combustion environments. The predicted lower activity of silica in these silicates will lead to less reactivity with the water vapor combustion products. A procedure for measuring silica activities in this system is discussed. Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry is used and the measured vapor pressure of SiO(g) is correlated to activity. Due to the low vapor pressure of SiO(g) in the temperature range of interest, a reducing agent is utilized to boost this vapor pressure without altering the solid‐state composition. In addition, corrections are made for nonequilibrium vaporization. The measured silica activities are: Y2O3 + Y2O3·SiO2 two phase field: log[a(SiO2)] = −5200.26(1/T) + 0.0567 (1532 < T(K) < 1670) Y2O3·SiO2 + Y2O3·2SiO2 two phase field: log[a(SiO2)] = 4.2252(1/T)−0.5531 (1628 < T(K) < 1747) It is shown how these results can be used to predict reduced volatilization rates of the coatings.
Synthesis and Persistent Luminescence Mechanism of a Novel Orange Emitting Persistent Phosphor Sr5(BO3)3Cl:Eu2+
Authors: Jin Yahong , Hu Yihua , Chen Li , Wang Xiaojuan 
Published: May 2014

A series of Eu2+‐doped Sr5(BO3)3Cl phosphors were prepared successfully using a conventional solid‐state reaction method. The luminescent properties were studied systematically by utilizing photoluminescence spectra, decay curves, persistent luminescence spectra, and thermoluminescence glow curves. Energy transfer from host to emission center Eu2+ was affirmed. The orange persistent luminescence emission was observed for the first time. The optimal doping concentration of Eu2+ for persistent luminescence was experimentally to be approximately 0.5% and the orange persistent luminescence duration can persist about 15 min. On the basis of the experimental results, a model was constructed and the relevant mechanism of persistent luminescence was illustrated in detail. Two different ways of trapping the charge carriers were also discussed.
Effect of Texture on Temperature‐Dependent Properties of K0.5Na0.5NbO3 Modified Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3–xBaTiO3
Authors: Fancher Chris M. , Jo Wook , Rödel Jürgen , Blendell John E. , Bowman Keith J. 
Published: May 2014

Textured (1−x−y)Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3–xBaTiO3–yK0.5Na0.5NbO3 (BNT–100xBT–100yKNN) ceramics with a {001} pseudocubic (pc) orientation were fabricated by templated grain growth using Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3 templates. Temperature‐dependent electromechanical results demonstrate that the strain response of templated BNT–xBT–yKNN ceramics is stable from room temperature (RT) to 125°C. The temperature‐dependent strain and polarization response are compared to randomly oriented ceramics, for BNT–100xBT–2KNN (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.07). Textured BNT–7BT–2KNN reached a maximum 0.47% strain response at 5 kV/mm, an almost 50% increase compared to randomly oriented BNT–7BT–2KNN. Over the temperature range RT–125°C, the strain response of templated BNT–6BT–2KNN degraded from 0.38% to 0.22% (−42.1%) compared to 0.37% to 0.18% (−51.4%) for randomly oriented ceramics. The temperature‐dependent strain response suggests that templated BNT–100xBT–100yKNN ceramics are well suited for elevated temperature applications.
Prevention of involuntary admission through Family Group Conferencing: a qualitative case study in community mental health nursing
Authors: de Jong Gideon , Schout Gert , Abma Tineke 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimTo understand whether and how Family Group Conferencing might contribute to the social embedding of clients with mental illness.BackgroundEnsuring the social integration of psychiatric clients is a key aspect of community mental health nursing. Family Group Conferencing has potency to create conditions for clients' social embedding and subsequently can prevent coercive measures.DesignA naturalistic qualitative case study on the process of one conference that was part of 41 conferences that had been organized and studied from January 2011–September 2013 in a public mental health care setting in the north of the Netherlands.MethodsSemi‐structured interviews (N = 20) were conducted with four stakeholder groups (N = 13) involved in a conference on liveability problems in a local neighbourhood wherein a man with schizophrenia resides.FindingsTo prevent an involuntary admission to a psychiatric ward of a man with schizophrenia, neighbourhood residents requested a family group conference between themselves, the sister of the man and the mental health organization. As a possible conference aggravated psychotic problems, it was decided to organize it without the client. Nine months after the conference, liveability problems in the neighbourhood had been reduced and coercive measures adverted. The conference strengthened the community and resulted in a plan countering liveability problems.ConclusionThe case indicates that social embedding of clients with severe psychiatric problems can be strengthened by Family Group Conferencing and that hence coercive measures can be prevented. A shift is required from working with the individual client to a community driven approach.