bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Constructing and pre‐testing an instrument to assess smoking cessation services within the Brazilian public health system
Authors: Casado Letícia , Thuler Luiz Claudio Santos 
Published: February 2015

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesAssessing public health interventions is crucial for the development of public policies. Currently, there is no instrument to assess the inputs, activities and short‐term outcomes of the smoking cessation programme in the Brazilian public health system. This study reports the development of a questionnaire for that purpose and assesses its suitability.MethodsA multidimensional self‐administered questionnaire was constructed. Questions were compiled from three Brazilian governmental acts that define the standards and requirements for smoking cessation services. A panel of experts familiar with tobacco control programmes reviewed the instrument. A pre‐test was conducted to assess its suitability, with 18 health professionals working in eight different multidisciplinary teams, which treat smokers in two different Brazilian cities. Descriptive statistics were computed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 21; IBM, São Paulo, Brazil). This study was approved by the Committee on Ethics and Research of the Brazilian National Cancer Institute.ResultsA self‐administered multidimensional questionnaire comprising 30 questions was developed in Portuguese. The instrument had a high level of acceptance, and was considered clear and covering all parameters necessary to assess the treatment for smoking cessation by 100% of the pre‐test participants. The mean time spent to complete the questionnaire varied between 15 and 30 minutes.ConclusionAn understandable and easy‐to‐use questionnaire was developed with suitable content and it was well accepted by health professionals. Pre‐testing provided a substantial enhancement of the questionnaire, minimizing difficulties in understanding the questions and perfecting the response options. This instrument will contribute to the process of assessing smoking cessation services.
Causation in evidence‐based medicine: in reply to Kerry et al.
Authors: Strand Anders , Parkkinen Veli‐Pekka 
Published: February 2015

AbstractKerry et al. criticize our discussion of causal knowledge in evidence‐based medicine (EBM) and our assessment of the relevance of their dispositionalist ontology for EBM. Three issues need to be addressed in response: (1) problems concerning transfer of causal knowledge across heterogeneous contexts; (2) how predictions about the effects of individual treatments based on population‐level evidence from RCTs are fallible; and (3) the relevance of ontological theories like dispositionalism for EBM.
A comparison of the Beers and STOPP criteria for identifying the use of potentially inappropriate medications among elderly patients in primary care
Authors: Oliveira Márcio Galvão , Amorim Welma Wildes , de Jesus Sandra Rêgo , Heine Jacqueline Miranda , Coqueiro Hérica Lima , Passos Luiz Carlos Santana 
Published: February 2015

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesExplicit criteria for evaluating the appropriateness of medication use among the elderly have been extensively employed in several countries. The aim of the current study was to assess and characterize the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) according to the Screening Tool of Older People's Prescriptions (STOPP) criteria and compare these data with the 2012 Beers criteria.MethodsA prospective survey of the medications used by elderly patients was performed. A total of 142 participants were randomly selected via systematic sampling. The Beers and STOPP criteria were applied to evaluate the use of PIMs among the sample. All of the medications included in these criteria were assessed for their availability in Brazil. The prevalence of PIMs was chosen as an occurrence measure and compared among the exposure group using the prevalence ratio (PR) as a measure of association.ResultsThe prevalence of PIM use in the sample was 33.8% according to the STOPP criteria and 51.8% using the 2012 Beers criteria. The most prevalent PIMs according to the Beers criteria were short‐acting nifedipine (17.4%) and glyburide (11.9%); according to the STOPP criteria, they were acetylsalicylic acid (32.9%), clonazepam (10.1%) and diclofenac (6.3%). The use of four or more drugs (polypharmacy) was associated with a higher prevalence of PIM use (PR = 3.11, 95% CIs = 1.65–5.85).ConclusionsThe 2012 Beers criteria identified more PIMs than the STOPP criteria. This difference highlights the need to develop national criteria.
High‐Pressure Enhanced Infusion: Influence of Process Parameters
Authors: Mahadevan S. , Nitin N. , Salvi D. , Karwe M.V. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractHigh‐pressure processing (HPP) has been shown to enhance infusion of small‐size molecules into foods primarily because of cell membrane rupture. The enhanced infusion has been previously explained using increased effective diffusivity, which does not elucidate the actual mass transport mechanisms. This study evaluates and explains the role of transport processes and the influence of process parameters on enhanced infusion of antioxidants by HPP. Frozen‐thawed cranberries were infused with quercetin. A greater amount of quercetin (three times) was infused faster (18 times) in cranberries after HPP (100 MPa–551 MPa at 22C) compared with those infused at ambient conditions. While freeze‐thawing process ruptured cell membranes in cranberries, measured as cell permeability, there was no additional cell rupture after HPP. A similar degree of measured cell permeability before (0.48 ± 0.01) and after HPP (0.48 ± 0.04), and observed enhanced infusion under high‐pressure suggest that cell membrane permeabilization may not be the only cause for high–pressure‐assisted infusion.Practical ApplicationsConventional diffusion‐based mass transport methods currently used in the food industry are slow processes. In order to accelerate the process, this research investigates (1) the potential of high‐pressure processing (HPP) to enhance and accelerate infusion in cranberries and (2) the mechanisms operative during high–pressure‐assisted infusion. The present study was focused on understanding influence of process variables on extent of infusion and cell permeability. HPP significantly enhanced and accelerated infusion of quercetin in cranberries. Additionally, the commonly accepted explanation of cell permeabilization being the only cause for enhanced infusion under high pressure was not found to be operative in the current system of study. The success of this research can highlight the potential of HPP as an alternative technology that will be useful to the food industry to develop a broad class of nutrient infused food products.
Variable Retort Temperature Profiles for Canned Papaya Puree
Authors: Avila‐Gaxiola Evangelina , Delgado‐Vargas Francisco , Zazueta‐Niebla Jorge , López‐Angulo Gabriela , Vega‐García Misael , Caro‐Corrales Jose 
Published: February 2015

AbstractConstant retort temperature (CRT) processes for thermally treated foods are usually time‐consuming and have drastic impact on food quality. Variable retort temperature (VRT) processes may decrease the processing time and may retain better the food nutritional quality. Five isolethal profiles (one CRT and four VRT) for preparing papaya puree (pH 3.8) were designed using pectin methyl esterase as the target enzyme for thermal processing, and their effect on the puree quality was evaluated. The objective was to compare these profiles based on processing time, vitamin C retention, consistency index and color. The VRT isolethal profiles reduced the processing time up to 33.3% compared with CRT, whereas vitamin C, consistency index and chroma were retained up to 65, 71 and 89%, respectively, compared with fresh puree. The best resulting treatment was a VRT upstairs profile (75C/19 min, 80C/8.5 min, 90C/10.7 min and 6C/20.8 min). The results show that the use of VRT profiles allows retaining the nutritional quality of canned papaya puree.Practical ApplicationsThis research explored the use of variable retort temperature to increase product quality and improve processing time in canning of papaya puree. In an upstairs profile, 65% of vitamin C was retained compared with fresh product. The results would be useful for canning of conduction‐heated foods.
Yerba Maté (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.): Chemical and Physical Changes under Different Aging Conditions
Authors: Holowaty Santiago A. , Trela Valeria , Thea Ana E. , Scipioni Griselda P. , Schmalko Miguel E. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe variation of different physicochemical parameters related to yerba maté quality (caffeine, water extract, total polyphenol content, color parameters and antioxidant activity) was studied in yerba maté samples obtained by three different aging methods: (1) natural aging (NA); (2) temperature‐controlled aging (TCA); and (3) humidity‐ and temperature‐controlled aging (HTCA). Adsorption isotherms at low temperatures (20, 30, 40 and 50C) were also determined. Water extract and color parameters (L and a) increased significantly during aging in the three methods studied (P < 0.05). The results also showed that during NA the polyphenol content of yerba maté diminished (P < 0.05), while caffeine remained constant (P > 0.05). The antioxidant activities of yerba maté obtained by NA and HTCA were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the antioxidant activity of yerba maté without aging and the yerba maté obtained by TCA. These variations were explained by 0, 1 and 2 kinetic order equations. Kinetic rate constants were higher in the HTCA than in the TCA, and these values were higher than in the NA according to temperature decrease. Experimental data of equilibrium moisture content at different temperatures showed good fitting (P < 0.05) with the three models tested (GAB, Halsey and Henderson). No significant differences were found either with temperature or with the materials obtained using different aging methods. Although the results obtained demonstrate that different aging methods originate similar products, HTCA method is better because it provides a yerba maté with higher total polyphenol content.Practical ApplicationsAging is one stage in yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) processing. There are three methods commonly used to age yerba maté in industry, in which different air conditions (temperature and humidity) are employed. Sensorial analysis, usually carried out by expert tasters, is commonly used to control the aging method and the degree of aging of yerba maté. These tests are subjective and suffer from inconsistency and inaccuracy, so it is necessary to develop objective methods to identify the yerba maté quality, chemically or physically. This work evaluates the variation of different physicochemical parameters during the aging stage of yerba maté in order to differentiate the products obtained using the three aging methods. Data were fitted to different kinetic equations in order to predict the degree of aging and the time necessary to reach the end point.
High Pressure‐Enhanced Infusion in Fresh and Frozen‐Thawed Cranberries: A Comparative Study
Authors: Mahadevan S. , Salvi D. , Karwe M. V. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractHigh‐pressure processing (HPP) has been shown to enhance and accelerate infusion of molecules compared with osmosis‐driven diffusion. The primary cause for enhanced HPP infusion is attributed to cell membrane permeabilization. This study tests the validity of this commonly accepted mechanism by conducting HPP (100 MPa–551 MPa) infusion of quercetin into cranberries. Two systems used in this study were fresh cranberries, cells of which are intact, and frozen‐thawed cranberries, cells of which are permeabilized during freeze‐thaw process. Results showed that while fresh and frozen‐thawed cranberries had similar cell membrane permeability after HPP, twice as much quercetin was infused into fresh cranberries as compared with frozen‐thawed cranberries. If cell membrane permeability were the only cause of infusion, the amount of quercetin infused into cranberries in both systems should have been same. These results suggest that enhanced infusion caused by HPP is not just caused by cell permeabilization alone.Practical ApplicationsConventional diffusion based mass transport methods, currently used in the food industry for infusion, are slow processes. In order to accelerate the mass transport, this research investigated the potential of HPP to enhance and accelerate infusion in cranberries. The present study was focused on the comparison of infusion during HPP using fresh cranberries, cells of which were intact and frozen‐thawed cranberries, cells of which were permeabilized (with ruptured cell membranes) by freeze‐thaw process. Results showing increased infusion in fresh cranberries and similar cell permeability in both fresh and frozen‐thawed cranberries suggested that enhanced infusion during HPP was not caused only by cell permeabilization. This research opens new avenues for investigating additional mass transport mechanisms occurring during HPP, which will help develop accurate predictive mass transport models for HPP infusion processes.
Variation in Bioactive Compounds and Quality Parameters in Different Modified Atmosphere Packaging during Postharvest Storage of Traditional Leafy Vegetables (Amaranthus cruentus L and Solanum Retroflexum)
Authors: Mampholo Mmakatane B , Sivakumar Dharini , Van Rensburg Jansen 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAmaranthus cruentus L and Solanum retroflexum are popular traditional leafy vegetables produced for urban fresh produce markets. In this study, four types of bi‐orientated polypropylene packaging (BOPP), BOPP03, BOPP04, BOPP05 and BOPP06, with different perforations were tested on retention of quality parameters (weight loss, leaf yellowing, color L*, C*, h°), decay, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, bioactive compounds (carotenoids, ascorbic acid, total phenolic compounds), antioxidant scavenging activity and sensory properties at 10C at 2‐day intervals up to 14 days. The BOPP films without perforation or BOPP film with two macroperforation (two 2 mm holes) and unpacked leaves were included for comparison. The BOPP05 packaging retained the green color of the leaves (higher h°) and the overall appearance; maintained the chlorophyll content, bioactive compounds and antioxidant scavenging activity; and maintained the leaves, thereby being marketable for up to 8 days for A. cruentus and for 10 days for S. retroflexum at 10C. The BOPP05 packaging maintained 4.3% O2 and 7.3% CO2 for A. cruentus leaves and 5.6% O2 and 6.7% CO2 for S. reflexum at the equilibrium steady state on the eighth and the 10th day, respectively, at 10C.Practical ApplicationsThe highly perishable nature of Amaranthus cruentus L and Solanum retroflexum leaves limits their storage, distribution and marketing. Loss of quality and bioactive compounds in traditional leafy vegetables A. cruentus L and S. scrabum during marketing can be reduced by using bi‐orientated polypropylene (BOPP)05 modified atmosphere packaging. Therefore, the BOPP05 packaging can be recommended to extend the shelf life of A. cruentus L and S. scrabum leaves. This approach can be adopted to commercialize the underutilized vegetables A. cruentus L and S. scrabum that are rich in bioactive compounds.
Flood management in cities of developing countries: the example of Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Egbinola C.N. , Olaniran H.D. , Amanambu A.C. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractFlooding, a common environmental hazard worldwide has, in recent times, increased as a result of climate change, with the effect felt more by the poor in developing countries. In Nigeria, as in most developing countries, flooding has been linked to natural causes, urbanisation and poor management practices. It has resulted to loss of lives, income, property damage and spread of diseases. The recurrent incidences of flooding and associated risks in cities of developing countries have necessitated a review of the approaches to flood risk management in Nigeria. This paper takes a look at the incidence of flooding in Ibadan, a major city in Nigeria. It examines its causes, effects and the effectiveness of the flood management options. The study found that even with daunting challenges of financial constraints, mismanagement, lack of continuity in governance and policy, and small‐scale flood management remedies, such as proper waste management, dredging, clearing of channels and bridge throughway, have proven effective in the management of flood risks. The study recommends an intensification of non‐structural strategies of flood management.
Assessment of flood damage behaviour in connection with large‐scale climate indices
Authors: Ozger M. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractFlood damage assessment is a necessary tool in the planning of flood‐prone areas. There are several factors affecting the flood damages. It is not easy to detect these effective factors by classical methods. In this study, correlation coefficient and cross wavelet analysis are used to look for a possible connection between flood losses and large‐scale climate indices. Some strong connections suggest that sea surface temperature anomalies influence the general characteristic of flood damage distribution across the United States. Time‐series analyses of flood damage data reveal that there is an upward trend in the flood losses. This apparent trend can be related to increase in population. Also, an autoregressive model and a regression model are proposed on the predictability of flood damages. It is shown that model errors stay within the acceptable error limits.
An operational model of a reservoir system simulation for real‐time flood control in the Han River Basin
Authors: Lee S. , Kang T. , Lee K.S. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAn operational model of a reservoir system simulation was developed for real‐time flood control in the Han River Basin, Korea. The developed simulation model jointly operates the four flood control dams. The reservoir system operation model decides or alters a control point and the target river for flood control according to the dam state defined by the two levels of the dam: the maximum forecasted reservoir level and the restricted water level in the flood season. In addition, the model switches the release objectives corresponding to the flood stages, which are normal hydropower release, maximum hydropower release, and spillway release. The reservoir system operation model determines flood releases by reflecting two major concepts: the model pursues reservoir balance at the end of a joint operation and the channel capacity on a downstream control point may limit the release amount from an upstream dam. The application of the model to two historical flood events showed that the channel capacity may limit dam releases and thus may contribute to the reduction of peak discharge on the downstream control point. The model has been operationally used for flood control in the Han River Basin.
Quantitative Analysis of Fish Microbiological Quality Using Electronic Tongue Coupled with Nonlinear Pattern Recognition Algorithms
Authors: Han Fangkai , Huang Xingyi , Teye Ernest , Gu Haiyang 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe objective of this study was to establish quantitative evaluation models for fish microbiological quality analysis based on electronic tongue technique coupled with nonlinear pattern recognition algorithms. Crucian carp stored at 4C were used. A commercial electronic tongue system was employed. The total viable counts (TVCs) of fish samples were measured by the classical microbiological plating method. Partial least square regression, support vector regression (SVR) and back propagation neural network (BP‐NN) were applied comparatively to predict TVC values. The multivariate regression models were evaluated by the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) and the correlation coefficient in prediction set (Rpre). Results revealed that the performance of BP‐NN model was superior to that of PLS model and SVR model. The RMSEP and Rpre of the BP‐NN model for TVC prediction were 0.211 ln colony‐forming unit (cfu)/g and 0.993, respectively. This study showed that electronic tongue together with BP‐NN model could be a reliable technique for the detection of fish microbiological quality.Practical ApplicationsFish is a highly perishable commodity after harvesting and postmortem as a consequence of microbial breakdown mechanisms. Total viable count (TVC) method is the most widely used microbiological indicator for the evaluation of fish microbiological quality. However, the conventional analytical methods for the determination of TVC are cumbersome and time wasting. This work provides a practical and efficient way for rapid, accurate and convenient determination of TVC in fish using electronic tongue combined with regression algorithms to address these limitations.
Neuroimaging in Sensory Neuronopathy
Authors: Casseb Raphael Fernandes , Martinez Alberto Rolim Muro , de Paiva Jean Levi Ribeiro , França Marcondes Cavalcante 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTSensory neuronopathies (SN) are a group of disorders characterized by primary damage to the dorsal root ganglia neurons. Clinical features include multifocal areas of hypoaesthesia, pain, dysautonomia, and sensory ataxia, which is the major source of disability. Diagnosis relies upon clinical assessment and nerve conductions studies, but sometimes it is difficult to distinguish SN from similar conditions, such as axonal polyneuropathies and some myelopathies. In this scenario, underdiagnosis is certainly an important issue for SN patients and additional diagnostic tools are needed. MRI is able to evaluate the dorsal columns of the spinal cord and has proven useful in the workup of SN patients. Although T2 weighted hyperintensity restricted to the posterior fasciculi without contrast enhancement is the typical finding, additional abnormalities have been recently reported. The aim of this review is to gather available information on neuroimaging findings of SN, discuss their clinical correlates and the potential impact of novel MRI‐based techniques.
AIDS Presenting as Granulomatous Amebic Encephalitis: PET and MR Imaging correlation
Authors: Dowell Joshua D. , Mukherjee Sugoto , Raghavan Prashant , Rehm Patrice K. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTGranulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) is a rare and oftentimes fatal disease in immune compromised patients caused by free living amebae Acanthamoeba and Balamuthia. We report a patient in whom GAE secondary to Acanthamoeba was the initial presentation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in a 41‐year‐old male, and discuss the FDG positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging findings that preceded the pathological diagnosis. The PET results provided complementary information when coupled with the MR brain findings. Improved understanding of the clinical and imaging findings of this deadly disease is the best hope for early diagnosis and treatment of this uncommon but deadly disease.