bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Prospective Cohort Study on the Effect of a Balance Training Program, Including Calf Muscle Strengthening, in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Maritz Carol A. , Silbernagel Karin Grävare 
Published: August 2015

Background:
Falls are the number 1 cause of injury, fractures, and death among the older population. In fact, one-third of adults older than 60 years will experience 1 or more falls annually. Factors including inactivity and decreased mobility are associated with overall declines in strength, balance, and functional mobility in older adults.

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a balance training program, including calf muscle strengthening, in community-dwelling older adults and to evaluate how calf muscle strength correlates with risk factors for falls.

Methods:
Community-dwelling older adults from a local senior center were invited to participate in a 5-week (10 sessions), 1-on-1, balance training program, which included calf muscle strengthening. All the participants were evaluated before and after the intervention. The outcome measures were static balance, unilateral heel-rise test, Timed Up and Go test (TUG), the 30-second Chair Stand Test (30-sCST), and the Activity Balance Confidence Scale.

Results:
Twenty-eight participants (6 males and 22 females) mean (standard deviation) age of 78 years were included in the study and completed the baseline evaluation. Eight participants did not complete the study. Static balance with eyes closed, heel rise, TUG, 30-sCST, and the Activity Balance Confidence Scale improved significantly (P < .05) following treatment compared with the baseline evaluation. The heel-rise ability correlated significantly (P < .05) with TUG (r = −0.484 to −0.528) and 30-sCST (r = 0.501-0.595). Sixty-three percent of the participants performed 10 reps or less of the unilateral heel rise on the right side and 60% on the left side. None of the participants who performed 10 reps or more of the unilateral heel rise had a high risk of falls based on the TUG.

Conclusions:
A balance training program that includes calf muscle strengthening performed twice a week for 5 weeks resulted in significant improvements in calf muscle strength, functional performance and balance, as well as a significant improvement in balance confidence. The results from this study identify the importance unilateral calf muscle strength has to falls risk among older adults.
Measurements of Weight Bearing Asymmetry Using the Nintendo Wii Fit Balance Board Are Not Reliable for Older Adults and Individuals With Stroke
Authors: Liuzzo Derek M. , Peters Denise M. , Middleton Addie , Lanier Wes , Chain Rebecca , Barksdale Brittany , Fritz Stacy L. 
Published: August 2015

Background:
Clinicians and researchers have used bathroom scales, balance performance monitors with feedback, postural scale analysis, and force platforms to evaluate weight bearing asymmetry (WBA). Now video game consoles offer a novel alternative for assessing this construct. By using specialized software, the Nintendo Wii Fit balance board can provide reliable measurements of WBA in healthy, young adults. However, reliability of measurements obtained using only the factory settings to assess WBA in older adults and individuals with stroke has not been established.

Purpose:
To determine whether measurements of WBA obtained using the Nintendo Wii Fit balance board and default settings are reliable in older adults and individuals with stroke.

Methods:
Weight bearing asymmetry was assessed using the Nintendo Wii Fit balance board in 2 groups of participants—individuals older than 65 years (n = 41) and individuals with stroke (n = 41). Participants were given a standardized set of instructions and were not provided auditory or visual feedback. Two trials were performed. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), standard error of measure (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC) scores were determined for each group.

Results:
The ICC for the older adults sample was 0.59 (0.35-0.76) with SEM95 = 6.2% and MDC95 = 8.8%. The ICC for the sample including individuals with stroke was 0.60 (0.47-0.70) with SEM95 = 9.6% and MDC95 = 13.6%.

Discussion:
Although measurements of WBA obtained using the Nintendo Wii Fit balance board, and its default factory settings, demonstrate moderate reliability in older adults and individuals with stroke, the relatively high associated SEM and MDC values substantially reduce the clinical utility of the Nintendo Wii Fit balance board as an assessment tool for WBA.

Conclusions:
Weight bearing asymmetry cannot be measured reliably in older adults and individuals with stroke using the Nintendo Wii Fit balance board without the use of specialized software.
Hybrid Segmentation Strategy and Multi-Agent SVMs for Corporate Risk Management in Class Imbalanced Situations
Authors: Chang Te-Min , Shih Ching-Hui , Hsu Ming-Fu 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
This study introduced an emerging architecture with a segmentation strategy for the classification of highly imbalanced datasets. The segmentation strategy was specifically performed by K-means, which divided the majority class into some less imbalanced datasets and yielded more robust training data. Superior forecasting performance of the ensemble mechanism/multi-agent mechanism came with a critical drawback, which was that it lacked interpretability. The study further dealt with the obscure nature of the ensemble mechanism by LEM2 algorithm. The human-readable rules could be taken as a guideline for decision makers to make a suitable judgment in a highly competitive financial environment.
Stability of metabolically healthy obesity over 8 years: the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Authors: Hamer Mark , Bell Joshua A , Sabia Severine , Batty G David , Kivimäki Mika 
Published: August 2015

ObjectiveMetabolically healthy obesity possibly reflects a transitional stage before the onset of metabolic dysfunction, but few studies have characterised this transition. We examined the behavioural and biological characteristics of healthy obese adults that progressed to an unhealthy state over 8 years follow-up.MethodsParticipants were 2422 men and women (aged 63.3±7.7 years, 44.2% men) from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥30 kg/m2. Based on blood pressure (BP), HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, HbA1c and C-reactive protein (CRP) participants were classified as ‘healthy’ (0 or 1 metabolic abnormality) or ‘unhealthy’ (≥2 metabolic abnormalities).ResultsOver 8 years follow-up, 44.5% of healthy obese subjects had transitioned into an unhealthy state, compared to only 16.6 and 26.2% of healthy normal-weight and overweight adults respectively. Compared with healthy obese adults who remained stable, those who progressed to an unhealthy state were more likely to have high BP (75.0% vs 37.0%, age- and sex-adjusted odds ratio (OR) 8.9, 95% CI 4.7–17.0), high CRP (53.7% vs 17.0%, OR=8.6, 95% CI 4.1–18.0), high HbA1c (46.3% vs 5.9%, OR=13.8, 95% CI 6.1–31.2) and high triglycerides (45.4% vs 11.9%, OR=5.9, 95% CI 2.9–12.0) at follow-up, with excess risk remaining independent of lifestyle factors including self-reported physical activity. Progression to an unhealthy state was also linked with significant gains in waist circumference (B=2.7, 95% CI, 0.5–4.9 cm).ConclusionThese data show that a healthy obesity phenotype is relatively unstable. Transition to an unhealthy state is characterised by multiple biological changes that are not fully explained by lifestyle risk factors.
Herausforderung Kleinanlegerschutz – eine explorative Untersuchung zu Verständnis und Akzeptanz in der Schweiz
Authors: Basel Jörn , Bürgi Daniel , Pohl Michael 
Published: August 2015

Zusammenfassung
MiFID (Markets in Financial Instruments Directive) in der EU und das in der Schweiz geplante FIDLEG (Finanzdienstleistungsgesetz) zielen, neben weiteren regulatorischen Vorgaben, auf einen Ausbau des Kleinanlegerschutzes. Die Frage ist jedoch, ob die im vorliegenden Beitrag dargestellten geplanten Maßnahmen von den Kleinanlegern akzeptiert und zentrale Inhalte richtig verstanden werden. Eine explorative Erhebung mit schweizer Kleinanlegern zeigt, dass diese den geforderten Anlegerschutz akzeptieren. Allerdings zeigt sich auch, dass mangelndes Verständnis finanzwirtschaftlicher Grundbegriffe und die Schwierigkeit einer validen Risikotoleranz-Messung dazu führen können, dass wesentliche Ziele des Kleinanlegerschutzes nicht erreicht werden. Neben den Chancen und Risiken des Anlegerschutzes werden insbesondere psychologische und psychometrische Aspekte wie Risiko-Präferenzen diskutiert.
Das Großkreditregime der CRR und die Änderungsvorschläge des Baseler Ausschusses
Authors: Lackhoff Klaus , Baldus Julia 
Published: August 2015

Zusammenfassung
Großkreditvorschriften bilden einen zentralen Baustein des Bankaufsichtsrechts. In der Capital Requirement Regulation (CRR) ist ihnen der vierte Teil gewidmet. Sie üben eine Steuerungswirkung auf die Kreditvergabe aus und Beschränkungen bei der Kreditvergabe an verbundene Unternehmen beeinflussen die Finanzierung von Institutsgruppen. Die CRR sieht für den nationalen Gesetzgeber und für die zuständige Aufsichtsbehörde Möglichkeiten vor, von den grundsätzlich vorgesehenen Beschränkungen für Großkredite abzuweichen. Der Beitrag gibt unter Einbeziehung von Erfahrungen aus der Praxis einen systematischen Überblick über das Großkreditregime der CRR. Er behandelt ebenfalls die Anwendung dieses Regimes im Rahmen des einheitlichen Aufsichtsmechanismus. Abschließend werden die Reformvorschläge des Baseler Ausschusses vom April 2014 vorgestellt.
Controlled electrochemical functionalization of MOx nanostructures by Au NPs for gas sensing application
Authors: Dilonardo E. , Penza M. , Alvisi M. , Di Franco C. , Palmisano F. , Torsi L. , Cioffi N. 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTStabilized Au NPs were directly deposited on nanostructured ZnO and ZrO2 by a simple one-step strategy based on sacrificial anode electrolysis. The annealed nanocomposites are proposed as active layers in resistive gas sensors for low-cost processes. Results on the performance of gas sensors based on pristine and Au-doped MOx nanostructured thin films, used for the detection of NO2 gas, were reported at an operating temperature of 300°C, evaluating the effects of the MOx chemical composition and morphology, and the Au-doping.
Editorial V.13, N1, 2015
Authors: Revista de Ensino de Bioquímica REB 
Published: August 2015

Editorial 2015 - 1Este número é dedicado ao professor Leopoldo de Meis, titular do Instituto de Bioquímica Médica (IBqM) da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), um dos grandes pesquisadores em Bioquímica que se dedicou, entre suas atividades, para o ensino de Bioquímica e divulgação da Ciência. Para homenageá-lo, teremos um breve relato do professor Wagner Seixas da Silva (IBqM – UFRJ).Destacamos que o professor Wagner teve sua iniciação na acadêmia, ainda no ensino médio, por meio de um programa coordenado pelo professor Leopoldo. Tal experiência o motivou ao ingresso na UFRJ e desde então seguiu os passos do grande mestre Leopoldo, dando continuidade aos seus projetos na área educacional.A partir desde número iniciamos, dentro da seção editorial, a divulgação de materiais (livros, softwares, vídeos, jogos entre outros) e portais educacionais na área de escopo da revista, visando ampliar a divulgação destes para a comunidade.Buscando ampliar a divulgação da revista e sua indexação, neste semestre a REB foi inserida em duas bases internacionais: Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) e Open Academic Journal Index (OAJI).Este ano, ocorrerá no Brasil a reunião da International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB), com a reunião anual da SBBq. O evento ocorrerá em Foz do Iguaçu, de 24 a 28 de agosto de 2015 (http://www.sbbq.org.br/iubmb2015). Destacamos que estão previstas atividades na área de educação, incluindo simpósios e apresentação de trabalhos por meio de painéis. Atenciosamente Bayardo B. Torres - USPEduardo Galembeck - UnicampGabriel Gerber Hornink - Unifal-MGVera Maria T. Trindade - UFRGS
Influence of fixed orthodontic treatment on the menstrual cycle of adult females: A prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Duan Peipei , Qu Wenwen , Zou Shujuan , Chen Yangxi , Lan Hui , Farella Mauro , Mei Li 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACT

Objective:
To investigate the influence of fixed orthodontic treatment on the menstrual cycle, including menstrual cycle length (MCL) and duration of menstrual bleeding (DMB), in adult female patients.

Materials and Methods:
This was a prospective longitudinal study conducted in Chengdu, China. A total of 164 adult women with normal menstrual cycles were recruited in the study, with 79 patients undergoing orthodontic treatment and 85 serving as controls. Data of MCL, DMB, and accompanying symptoms were collected over six consecutive menstrual cycles in each participant. Student’s t test, Chi-square test, Moses extreme reaction test, and repeated measures analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis.

Results:
The MCL of the first menstrual cycle (T1) was significantly elongated by 2.1 ± 0.5 days compared with baseline (P  =  .003, 95% CI [−3.7, −0.5]). Variability of MCL of the orthodontic group at T1 was also significantly greater (range, 15–46 days) than that of the control group (range, 24–36 days) (P &lt; .05). No significant difference in MCL was found in the subsequent five menstrual cycles (T2–T6) compared with baseline, and no significant differences in DMB or other accompanying symptoms were observed throughout the study.

Conclusion:
Fixed orthodontic treatment may influence the MCL of adult females in the first month after bonding, but showed no effect on DMB or subsequent MCL through the follow-ups.
The Primary Glucose-Lowering Effect of Metformin Resides in the Gut, Not the Circulation: Results From Short-term Pharmacokinetic and 12-Week Dose-Ranging Studies
Authors: Buse John B. , DeFronzo Ralph A. , Rosenstock Julio , Kim Terri , Burns Colleen , Skare Sharon , Baron Alain , Fineman Mark 
Published: August 2015

OBJECTIVE
Delayed-release metformin (Met DR) is formulated to deliver the drug to the lower bowel to leverage the gut-based mechanisms of metformin action with lower plasma exposure. Met DR was assessed in two studies. Study 1 compared the bioavailability of single daily doses of Met DR to currently available immediate-release metformin (Met IR) and extended-release metformin (Met XR) in otherwise healthy volunteers. Study 2 assessed glycemic control in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) over 12 weeks.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Study 1 was a phase 1, randomized, four-period crossover study in 20 subjects. Study 2 was a 12-week, phase 2, multicenter, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study in 240 subjects with T2DM randomized to receive Met DR 600, 800, or 1,000 mg administered once daily; blinded placebo; or unblinded Met XR 1,000 or 2,000 mg (reference).

RESULTS
The bioavailability of 1,000 mg Met DR b.i.d. was ∼50% that of Met IR and Met XR (study 1). In study 2, 600, 800, and 1,000 mg Met DR q.d. produced statistically significant, clinically relevant, and sustained reductions in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels over 12 weeks compared with placebo, with an ∼40% increase in potency compared with Met XR. The placebo-subtracted changes from baseline in HbA1c level at 12 weeks were consistent with changes in FPG levels. All treatments were generally well tolerated, and adverse events were consistent with Glucophage/Glucophage XR prescribing information.

CONCLUSIONS
Dissociation of the glycemic effect from plasma exposure with gut-restricted Met DR provides strong evidence for a predominantly lower bowel-mediated mechanism of metformin action.
Recent glacier and glacial lake changes and their interactions in the Bugyai Kangri, southeast Tibet
Authors: Liu Qiao , Guo Wanqin , Nie Yong , Liu Shiyin , Xu Junli 
Published: August 2015

AbstractGlaciers in the Bugyai Kangri are located in a transition zone from southeast Tibet, where monsoonal temperate glaciers dominate, to inner Tibet, where continental glaciers dominate. Here we analyze glacier and glacial lake changes in this region using multi-year inventories based on Landsat images from 1981–2013. Results show that the total area of 141 glaciers in the region decreased by 30.44 ±0.89 km2from 198.35 ±9.54 km2(1980s) to 167.93 ±4.52 km2(2010s). The annual area shrinkage rate (–0.48% a–1) is lower than that reported for southeastern Tibet but higher than that of inner Tibet. Both the number and total area of glacial lakes increased between 1981 and 2013. Among all lakes, proglacial lakes contribute most (~81 %) to the expansion. The total area of ten proglacial lakes increased by 150.3 ± 13.17% and of these ten lakes the four that expanded most sharply showed increased calving at their upper margins, resulting in more rapid retreat of lake-terminating glaciers than land-terminating glaciers. Owing to rapid calving, several lakes may undergo further growth in the near future, increasing the potential risk of glacial lake outburst floods.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INVENTORY MANAGEMENT AND INDUSTRIES BECOMING SICK, ESPECIALLY IN THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES
Authors: Hoque A. K. M. Solayman , Biswas S.K. , Wazed M. A. 
Published: August 2015

This article finds the relationship of Inventory management with industries becoming sick. Inventory planning and control are of special importance to sales, production, and finance of any firm. Proper inventory management gives an idea of relationship between raw material, work-in-process and finished goods or consumption of finished goods. From the collected data it is clear that many local plants have either no fixed norm(s) or do not practice proper way of controlling the inventory. This might be the case in many third world countries. In this article it has been discussed how to overcome sickness of industries by controlling and standardizing inventory planning and control. Also how productivity and firms financial conditions are affected by proper inventory management has also been discussed in this article.
PRECIPITATION AND SOFTENING BEHAVIOUR OF CAST, COLD ROLLED AND HOT ROLLING PRIOR TO COLD ROLLED AL-6MG ALLOY ANNEALED AT HIGH TEMPERATURE
Authors: Kaiser M. S. 
Published: August 2015

The effect of cast, cold rolling and hot rolling prior to cold rolling reduction on the hardness, electrical conductivity and grain size of annealed Al-6Mg alloys was studied. It was found that the hot rolling prior to cold rolling attend the higher strength due to precipitation of b-phase during hot rolling which hinder the dislocation movement. At higher temperature of annealing electrical resistivity decreses due to particle coarcening but in case of cast alloy it increases due to precipitation of b-phase. It is seen from the microstructure that the cold worked structures are comprised of elongated grains. It is also observed that the cold rolled alloy attained almost fully re-crystallized state after annealing at 400oC for 60 minutes.
Vancomycin-resistance Enterococcal Colonization in Hospitalized Patients in Relation to Antibiotic Usage in a Tertiary Care Hospital of North India
Authors: Banerjee Tuhina , Anupurba Shampa , Filgona Joel , Singh Dinesh K 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACT
Background: Alarming rise of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is a global cause of concern. Several factors have been held responsible for such rise, of which antibiotic usage is a prominent one.
Objectives: This study was undertaken to determine the intestinal VRE colonization rate amongst hospitalized patients in relation to use of various antibiotics in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a tertiary care university hospital, India.
Materials and Methods: Stool samples were collected weekly from all the patients in the adult ICU for a period of 6 months and processed for isolation and phenotypic and genotypic characterization of VRE isolates. Patient and treatment details were noted and cases (those with VRE in stool) and controls (those without VRE in stool) were compared statistically. Further, a multivariate analysis was done to identify those antibiotics as independent risk factors for VRE colonization.
Results: VRE colonization was found in 34.56% (28/81) of the patients studied, with the majority 75% (21/28) carrying the vanA gene. The cases had significantly more (P < 0.05) duration of hospital stay and antibiotic exposure. Intake of metronidazole, vancomycin, and piperacillin-tazobactam were identified as significant risk factors both in univariate and multivariate analysis.
Conclusion: A potential reservoir of VRE was thus revealed even in low VRE prevalence setting. Based on this high colonization status, restriction of empirical antibiotic use, reviewing of the ongoing antibiotic policy, and active VRE surveillance as an integral part of infection control strategy were suggested.
Prevalence of Mupirocin Resistance Among Staphylococci, its Clinical Significance and Relationship to Clinical Use
Authors: Rudresh Manohar Shoorashetty , Ravi Giriyapur Siddappa , Motagi Aravind , Alex Ann Mary , Sandhya Parthasarathi , Navaneeth Bangalore Viswanath 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Mupirocin competitively inhibits bacterial isoleucyl transfer-RNA synthetase and inhibit bacterial protein synthesis. Widespread usage and over the counter availability of the drug has resulted in resistance among Staphylococcus species.
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the overall prevalence of mupirocin resistance among staphylococci. Correlate clinical significance of mupirocin resistance and its relationship to clinical use.
Methods: Consecutive, nonrepetitive, clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (n = 98), and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (n = 45) from skin and soft-tissue infections between January 2014 and June 2014 were studied. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Low- and high-level mupirocin resistance was screened by using 5 μg and 200 μg discs respectively and confirmed by agar dilution. Annual consumption of mupirocin was studied and correlated with resistance.
Results: High-level mupirocin resistance was found in 8.2% S. aureus and 15.6% of CoNS, while low-level mupirocin resistance was found in 17% S. aureus and 8.9% CoNS. High-level mupirocin resistance was more common in methicillin-sensitive S. aureus isolates when compared with methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates (P < 0.05). Mupirocin resistant S. epidermidis were associated with methicillin resistance and constitutive clindamycin resistance.
Conclusion: High prevalence of mupirocin resistance was found in the present study. Increased prevalence of mupirocin resistance among community-acquired staphylococci demands the judicious use of the drug in the community.
Renal Abscess Caused by Salmonella Typhi
Authors: Kaur Amarjeet , Sarma Smita , Kumar Navin , Sengupta Sharmila 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACT
Salmonella typhi is a true pathogen, which is capable of causing both intestinal and extraintestinal infections. Unusual presentations of Salmonella should always be kept in mind as this organism can cause disease in almost any organ of the body. S. typhi has been reported to cause the life-threatening infections such as meningitis, endocarditis, myocarditis, empyema, and hepatic abscess. Renal involvement by S. typhi is a relatively rare presentation. We report a case of renal abscess caused by S. typhi in an afebrile, 10-year-old child who did not have any clinical history of enteric fever. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of isolation of S. typhi from the renal abscess, and interestingly this isolate was found to be resistant to quinolones.