bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does the prevalence of levator ani muscle avulsion differ when assessed using tomographic ultrasound imaging at rest vs on maximum pelvic floor muscle contraction?
Authors: van Delft K. , Thakar R. , Sultan A. H. , Kluivers K. B. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTObjectiveIt has been suggested that transperineal ultrasound images obtained during maximum pelvic floor muscle contraction improve the diagnosis of levator ani muscle (LAM) avulsion by comparison with those obtained at rest. The objective of this study was to establish, using transperineal tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI), the correlation between LAM avulsion diagnosed at rest and that on contraction.MethodsPrimiparous women were examined 3 months postpartum by Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP‐Q) assessment and for LAM avulsion clinically by digital palpation and by transperineal TUI performed at rest and on pelvic floor muscle contraction. LAM avulsion was diagnosed on TUI when the three central slices were abnormal. A comparison was made between LAM avulsion diagnosed at rest and on maximum contraction. Two independent blinded investigators performed the analyses and a third investigator resolved discrepancies.ResultsOne hundred and ninety primiparae were analyzed providing 380 results for comparison, as right and left LAM were analyzed independently. LAM avulsion was found in 36 (9.5%) images obtained at rest and in 35 (9.2%) on contraction, revealing moderate correlation between the two (ICC, 0.58 (95% CI, 0.51–0.64)). Twenty‐two cases of LAM avulsion were identified both at rest and on contraction. One woman had LAM avulsion on palpation, which was seen on TUI as LAM avulsion on contraction, but not at rest. More cases of anterior and posterior compartment prolapse were found in women with LAM avulsion diagnosed on contraction only compared to LAM avulsion observed at rest only (POP‐Q assessment point Ba, –1.8 vs –2.5 (P = 0.075) and point Bp, –2.5 vs –2.8 (P = 0.072)).ConclusionsFindings on transperineal TUI performed in women at rest and on contraction correlate reasonably well. However, given the trend towards an association with signs of pelvic floor dysfunction, diagnosis of LAM avulsion on contraction seems to be more reliable. Consistency in technique and interpretation should be maintained. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Fetal facial profile markers of Down syndrome in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy
Authors: Vos F. I. , de Jong‐Pleij E. A. P. , Bakker M. , Tromp E. , Kagan K. O. , Bilardo C. M. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the use of the maxilla–nasion–mandible (MNM) angle and fetal profile (FP) line to assess the degree of midfacial hypoplasia in Down‐syndrome fetuses in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.MethodsThe MNM angle and FP line were measured retrospectively in stored two‐dimensional images or three‐dimensional volumes of fetuses with Down syndrome. Data collected from January 2006 to July 2013 were retrieved from the digital databases of participating units. The MNM angle was expressed as a continuous variable (degrees) and the FP line as positive, negative or zero. Measurements were obtained from stored images in the midsagittal plane by two experienced examiners and compared with our previously reported normal ranges for euploid fetuses. A MNM angle below the 5th centile of the reference range and a positive or negative FP line were considered as abnormal.ResultsA total of 133 fetuses with Down syndrome were available for analysis, eight of which were subsequently excluded because of inadequate images. The MNM angle was not influenced by gestational age (P = 0.48) and was significantly smaller in Down‐syndrome fetuses than in euploid fetuses (mean, 12.90° vs 13.53°, respectively; P = 0.015). The MNM angle was below the 5th centile for euploid fetuses in 16.8% of fetuses with Down syndrome (P < 0.01). In the cohort of Down‐syndrome fetuses, a positive FP line was present in 41.6% of cases (with a false‐positive rate (FPR) of 6.3%) and was positively correlated with Down syndrome and gestational age (P < 0.01). There was no case with a negative FP line. In cases of Down syndrome, a positive FP line was correlated with a small MNM angle (P < 0.01).ConclusionsA small MNM angle and a positive FP line can be regarded as novel markers for Down syndrome. The FP line is an easy marker to measure, has a low FPR, does not require knowledge of normal reference values and has the potential to differentiate between Down syndrome and trisomy 18, as, in the latter, the FP line is often negative. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
The Selective Use of Laparoscopic Repair is Safe in High‐Risk Patients Suffering from Perforated Peptic Ulcer
Authors: Teoh Anthony Yuen Bun , Chiu Philip Wai Yan , Kok Amy Siu Yan , Wong Simon Kin Hung , Ng Enders Kwok Wai 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackground
The use of laparoscopic repair for perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) was shown to be safe and recommended in low‐risk patients. However, whether the approach is safe to apply to high‐risk patients is uncertain.Study designThis was a retrospective study of all patients with PPU admitted between January 2002 and December 2012. The laparoscopy‐first approach (LFA) was adopted as a routine for all patients. The outcomes of LFA for PPU were reviewed and assessed to determine if the approach was safe in high‐risk patients.ResultsThree hundred and seventy three patients that suffered from PPU were included into the study and 50.9 % received laparoscopic repair. There was a significant increase in the number of operations performed yearly by the LFA (P < 0.001). 25.2 % of the patients had a Boey score of ≥2. High‐risk patients that received LFA suffered from larger ulcers (P < 0.001) with more severe contamination (P = 0.006) that required conversion (P = 0.002) when compared to the low‐risk patients. When compared to open surgery, more high‐risk patients in the open group had ASA grade ≥3 (P = 0.007) and suffered from mortality (P = 0.001). The only significant predictor to mortality in high‐risk patients was ASA grade ≥3 (P = 0.014).ConclusionsThe adoption of LFA in patients suffering from PPU was associated with acceptable rates of mortality and morbidity. The approach could also be selectively adopted in patients with Boey score ≥2 provided their ASA grading is low and hemodynamically stable.
Post-breeding migration of Night Herons Nycticorax nycticorax tracked by GPS/GSM transmitters
Authors: Ledwoń Mateusz , Betleja Jacek 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe migratory strategy of herons is poorly understood: only that of Purple Heron has been well studied. The migratory movements of three Night Herons from the Upper Vistula Valley (Poland) were studied using a GPS/GSM-tracking system in 2012. The results document a previously unknown autumn migration strategy of Night Herons with long stopovers en route, unlike that of Purple Herons. The different migration strategies of Purple Herons and Night Herons could be due to differences in wing-loadings and foraging ecology.
Comparisons of Three Radiographic Views in Assessing for Scapholunate Instability
Authors: Patel Ronak M. , Kalainov David M. , Chilelli Brian J. , Makowiec Richard L. 
Published: November 2014

Background Multiple wrist x-ray images have been described to assess for scapholunate (SL) instability. Some views may be redundant. The purpose of this study was to compare three plain x-ray views in identifying a traumatic diastasis of the SL interval. Methods Nineteen patients (19 wrists) with a positive scaphoid shift test and surgically confirmed SL ligament damage were identified. There were 15 males and 4 females with a mean age of 39 years. Pre-operative x-rays were reviewed, including posteroanterior (PA) neutral and PA ulnar deviation views of the injured wrist, and PA clenched fist views of the injured and uninjured wrists. Dynamic SL instability was defined by an SL mid-interval gap of <3 mm and static SL instability by a gap of ≥3 mm in the PA neutral views. The mid-interval measurements were compared between x-ray images. Results There were 10 dynamic and 9 static SL instability cases. The PA ulnar deviation and the PA clenched fist views showed significantly greater SL gaps in comparison to the PA neutral views in dynamic but not static SL instability cases. In both categories of instability, there was no significant difference in the SL gaps between the two stress images. The PA clenched fist view of the uninjured wrist revealed SL gapping of <3 mm in 50 % of patients but with generally greater gapping in the clenched fist view of the injured wrist. Conclusions The PA ulnar deviation and clenched fist stress views were equally effective in showing a dynamic SL diastasis following wrist injury. Neither view was more effective than a neutral PA view in diagnosing static SL instability.
Abnormal rib count in scoliosis surgery: Impact on the reporting of spinal fusion levels
Authors: Spencer Hillard T. , Gold Meryl E. , Hresko M. Timothy 
Published: November 2014

Purpose Variation in rib numbering has been noted in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), but its effect on the reporting of fusion levels has not been studied. We hypothesized that vertebral numbering variations can lead to differing documentation of fusion levels. Methods We examined the radiographs of 161 surgical AIS patients and 179 control patients without scoliosis. For AIS patients, the operative report of fusion levels was compared to conventional vertebral labeling from the first thoracic level and proceeding caudal. We defined normal counts as 12 thoracic (rib-bearing) and five lumbar (non-rib-bearing) vertebrae. We compared our counts with data from 181 anatomic specimens. Results Among AIS patients, 22 (14 %) had an abnormal number of ribs and 29 (18 %) had either abnormal rib or lumbar count. In 12/29 (41 %) patients, the operative report differed from conventional labeling by one level, versus 3/132 (2 %) patients with normal numbering ( p < 0.001). However, there were no cases seen of wrong fusion levels based on curve pattern. Among controls, 11 % had abnormal rib count ( p = 0.41) compared to the rate in AIS. Anatomic specimen data did not differ in abnormal rib count ( p = 1.0) or thoracolumbar pattern ( p = 0.59). Conclusions The rate of numerical variations in the thoracolumbar vertebrae of AIS patients is equivalent to that in the general population. When variations in rib count are present, differences in numbering levels can occur. In the treatment of scoliosis, no wrong fusion levels were noted. However, for both scoliosis patients and the general population, we suggest adherence to conventional labeling to enhance clarity.
Maternity care provider knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding provision of postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices at a tertiary center in Ghana
Authors: Rupley Devon M. , Morhe Emmanuel S.K. , Moyer Cheryl A. , Dalton Vanessa K. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices of maternity care providers regarding the provision of postpartum intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) in Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi, Ghana.MethodsA descriptive, cross‐sectional study was conducted between June 28 and July 15, 2011. Specialists, residents, house officers, and nurse midwives who had been working in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for at least 3 months were included. Self‐administered questionnaires assessed formal training, current proficiency in IUD insertion, and attitudes toward postpartum IUD provision.ResultsOf 91 providers surveyed, 70 (77%) reported previous training in contraceptive counseling. Fewer than one in three respondents had ever inserted an IUD: 17 (44%) of 39 physicians and 9 (17%) of 52 midwives reported ever having inserted an IUD. A total of 33 (36%) respondents reported that they would recommend an IUD in the immediate postpartum period.ConclusionAlthough most maternity care providers at KATH had received training in contraceptive counseling, few felt confident in their ability to insert an IUD. Further training in postpartum contraceptive management is needed.
Asymmetric gravity–capillary solitary waves on deep water
Authors: Wang Z. , Vanden-Broeck J.-M. , Milewski P. A. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractWe present new families of gravity–capillary solitary waves propagating on the surface of a two-dimensional deep fluid. These spatially localised travelling-wave solutions are non-symmetric in the wave propagation direction. Our computation reveals that these waves appear from a spontaneous symmetry-breaking bifurcation, and connect two branches of multi-packet symmetric solitary waves. The speed–energy bifurcation curve of asymmetric solitary waves features a zigzag behaviour with one or more turning points.
Analyses of Wine-Tasting Data: A Tutorial
Authors: Olkin Ingram , Lou Ying , Stokes Lynne , Cao Jing 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to provide a tutorial of data analysis methods for answering questions that arise in analyzing data from wine-tasting events: (i) measuring agreement of two judges and its extension to m judges; (ii) making comparisons of judges across years; (iii) comparing two wines; (iv) designing tasting procedures to reduce burden of multiple tastings; (v) ranking of judges; and (vi) assessing causes of disagreement. In each case we describe one or more analyses and make recommendations on the conditions of use for each. (JEL Classifications: C10, C12, C13, C59, C90)
Coral reef conservation and political will
Authors: SALE PETER F. 
Published: November 2014

SUMMARYCoral reefs and their societal benefits are in decline, chiefly due to overfishing, pollution and inappropriate coastal development. Strengthened management is possible, but collective failure to build the needed political will to act diminishes lives of millions of people along tropical coasts. Political will can be built, but it requires committed leadership and sustained investment of time and resources. Accepting failure as inevitable is inappropriate.
Barriers to autism screening in family medicine practice: a qualitative study
Authors: Fenikilé Tsehaiwork Sunny , Ellerbeck Kathryn , Filippi Melissa K. , Daley Christine M. 
Published: November 2014

AimWe explored potential barriers to adoption of recommended screening for autism by family physicians at 18- and 24-month well-child visits.BackgroundThe American Academy of Pediatrics recommends early detection and intervention of autism through the use of a standardized autism-specific screening tool on all children at the 18- and 24-month well-child visits. However, not all family physicians screen for autism.MethodsThree focus groups and six semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 family physicians in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Verbatim transcripts were inductively coded; data were analyzed using standard text analysis.FindingsParticipants had differing views on the increased incidence of autism. Most participants attributed the increase to changes in diagnostic criteria. There was no consensus on the benefit of implementing universal screening for autism during the 18- or 24-month visit. Many preferred to identify potential problems through general developmental assessments and observations. No participants used specific screening tools for autism, and only one participant was aware of such a tool (M-CHAT). Lack of adequate training on child development and screening methods as well as limited availability of community-based resources to manage children with autism was seen as major barriers to routine screening. Suggested solutions included working toward a stronger evidence base, improving physician training and continuing education, and making systemic changes in healthcare. In conclusion, universal screening for autism at the 18- and 24-month visits is not widely accepted, nor is it implemented by family physicians.
Swimming by reciprocal motion at low Reynolds number
Authors: Qiu Tian , Lee Tung-Chun , Mark Andrew G. , Morozov Konstantin I. , Münster Raphael , Mierka Otto , Turek Stefan , Leshansky Alexander M. , Fischer Peer 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBiological microorganisms swim with flagella and cilia that execute nonreciprocal motions for low Reynolds number (Re) propulsion in viscous fluids. This symmetry requirement is a consequence of Purcell’s scallop theorem, which complicates the actuation scheme needed by microswimmers. However, most biomedically important fluids are non-Newtonian where the scallop theorem no longer holds. It should therefore be possible to realize a microswimmer that moves with reciprocal periodic body-shape changes in non-Newtonian fluids. Here we report a symmetric ‘micro-scallop’, a single-hinge microswimmer that can propel in shear thickening and shear thinning (non-Newtonian) fluids by reciprocal motion at low Re. Excellent agreement between our measurements and both numerical and analytical theoretical predictions indicates that the net propulsion is caused by modulation of the fluid viscosity upon varying the shear rate. This reciprocal swimming mechanism opens new possibilities in designing biomedical microdevices that can propel by a simple actuation scheme in non-Newtonian biological fluids.
NF-κB-induced KIAA1199 promotes survival through EGFR signalling
Authors: Shostak Kateryna , Zhang Xin , Hubert Pascale , Göktuna Serkan Ismail , Jiang Zheshen , Klevernic Iva , Hildebrand Julien , Roncarati Patrick , Hennuy Benoit , Ladang Aurélie , Somja Joan , Gothot André , Close Pierre , Delvenne Philippe , Chariot Alain 
Published: November 2014

AbstractConstitutive activation of EGFR- and NF-κB-dependent pathways is a hallmark of cancer, yet signalling proteins that connect both oncogenic cascades are poorly characterized. Here we define KIAA1199 as a BCL-3- and p65-dependent gene in transformed keratinocytes. KIAA1199 expression is enhanced on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and is aberrantly expressed in clinical cases of cervical (pre)neoplastic lesions. Mechanistically, KIAA1199 binds Plexin A2 and protects from Semaphorin 3A-mediated cell death by promoting EGFR stability and signalling. Moreover, KIAA1199 is an EGFR-binding protein and KIAA1199 deficiency impairs EGF-dependent Src, MEK1 and ERK1/2 phosphorylations. Therefore, EGFR stability and signalling to downstream kinases requires KIAA1199. As such, KIAA1199 promotes EGF-mediated epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Taken together, our data define KIAA1199 as an oncogenic protein induced by HPV infection and constitutive NF-κB activity that transmits pro-survival and invasive signals through EGFR signalling.
High-speed Intravascular Photoacoustic Imaging of Lipid-laden Atherosclerotic Plaque Enabled by a 2-kHz Barium Nitrite Raman Laser
Authors: Wang Pu , Ma Teng , Slipchenko Mikhail N. , Liang Shanshan , Hui Jie , Shung K. Kirk , Roy Sukesh , Sturek Michael , Zhou Qifa , Chen Zhongping , Cheng Ji-Xin 
Published: November 2014

AbstractLipid deposition inside the arterial wall is a key indicator of plaque vulnerability. An intravascular photoacoustic (IVPA) catheter is considered a promising device for quantifying the amount of lipid inside the arterial wall. Thus far, IVPA systems suffered from slow imaging speed (~50 s per frame) due to the lack of a suitable laser source for high-speed excitation of molecular overtone vibrations. Here, we report an improvement in IVPA imaging speed by two orders of magnitude, to 1.0 s per frame, enabled by a custom-built, 2-kHz master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA)-pumped, barium nitrite [Ba(NO3)2] Raman laser. This advancement narrows the gap in translating the IVPA technology to the clinical setting.
Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Giardia Infection among Indigenous Communities in Rural Malaysia
Authors: Choy Seow Huey , Al-Mekhlafi Hesham M. , Mahdy Mohammed A. K. , Nasr Nabil N. , Sulaiman Maria , Lim Yvonne A. L. , Surin Johari 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThis study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of Giardia infection among indigenous people in rural Malaysia. Faecal samples were collected from 1,330 participants from seven states of Malaysia and examined by wet mount and formalin-ether sedimentation methods while demographic, socioeconomic and environmental information was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. The overall prevalence of Giardia infection was 11.6% and was significantly higher among those aged ≤ 12 years compared to their older counterparts. Multivariate logistic regression identified age of ≤12 years, lacking of toilet at household, not washing hands before eating, not washing hands after playing with animals, not boiling water before consumption, bathing in the river and not wearing shoes when outside as the significant risk factors of Giardia infection among these communities. Based on a multilocus genotyping approach (including tpi, gdh and bg gene sequences), 69 isolates were identified as assemblage A and 69 as assemblage B. No association between the assemblages and presence of symptoms was found. Providing proper sanitation, as well as provision of clean drinking water and proper health education regarding good personal hygiene practices will help significantly in reducing the prevalence and burden of Giardia infection in these communities.
Flat band slow light in silicon photonic crystal waveguide with large delay bandwidth product and low group velocity dispersion
Authors: Sharma Ankita , Kumar Mukesh 
Published: November 2014

Flat band slow light is achieved in a silicon photonic crystal waveguide with large normalised delay bandwidth product (NDBP) while maintaining smaller values of group velocity dispersion. By altering the waveguide width through shifting the position of two rows of air holes adjacent to the waveguide, it is possible to achieve a high NDBP value. The NDBP values of 0.40, 0.41 and 0.43 over bandwidths of 11, 14 and 18 nm are, respectively, reported. Towards the applicability of the proposed slow light waveguide for buffering applications on silicon, buffering capacity as high as 140 bits can be achieved with the proposed design approach.z
Sliding mode regulator for maximum power tracking and copper loss minimisation of a doubly fed induction generator
Authors: Weng Yung‐Tsai , Hsu Yuan‐Yih 
Published: November 2014

Maximum power tracking and copper loss minimisation of a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) can be achieved through the control of rotor currents. In this study, a sliding mode regulator (SMR) is presented to regulate the rotor current of a DFIG. The purpose of the SMR is to regulate the rotor current to the target commands of maximum power tracking and copper loss minimisation with stator flux orientation. The robustness to parameter variations can be accomplished by the proposed SMR when the wind turbine is subject to changing wind speed. Simulation results of the DFIG system on a 2.5 MW generator are provided and compared with a fixed‐gain proportional–integral (PI) regulator. It is observed from the simulation results that the dynamic responses achieved by the proposed SMR are more robust than those by the fixed‐gain PI regulator. The chattering effect caused by the switching function of the SMR can be reduced by an integral type SMR.