bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
18F-Sodium Fluoride Uptake Is a Marker of Active Calcification and Disease Progression in Patients With Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Dweck Marc R. , Jenkins William S.A. , Vesey Alex T. , Pringle Mark A.H. , Chin Calvin W.L. , Malley Tamir S. , Cowie William J.A. , Tsampasian Vasiliki , Richardson Hamish , Fletcher Alison , Wallace William A. , Pessotto Renzo , van Beek Edwin J.R. , Boon Nicholas A. , Rudd James H.F. , Newby David E. 
Published: February 2014

Background—
18F-Sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) are promising novel biomarkers of disease activity in aortic stenosis. We compared 18F-NaF and 18F-FDG uptake with histological characterization of the aortic valve and assessed whether they predicted disease progression.

Methods and Results—

Thirty patients with aortic stenosis underwent combined positron emission and computed tomography using 18F-NaF and 18F-FDG radiotracers. In 12 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement surgery (10 for each tracer), radiotracer uptake (mean tissue/background ratio) was compared with CD68 (inflammation), alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin (calcification) immunohistochemistry of the excised valve. In 18 patients (6 aortic sclerosis, 5 mild, and 7 moderate), aortic valve computed tomography calcium scoring was performed at baseline and after 1 year. Aortic valve 18F-NaF uptake correlated with both alkaline phosphatase (
r
=0.65;
P
=0.04) and osteocalcin (
r
=0.68;
P
=0.03) immunohistochemistry. There was no significant correlation between 18F-FDG uptake and CD68 staining (
r
=−0.43;
P
=0.22). After 1 year, aortic valve calcification increased from 314 (193–540) to 365 (207–934) AU (
P
<0.01). Baseline 18F-NaF uptake correlated closely with the change in calcium score (
r
=0.66;
P
<0.01), and this improved further (
r
=0.75;
P
<0.01) when 18F-NaF uptake overlying computed tomography–defined macrocalcification was excluded. No significant correlation was noted between valvular 18F-FDG uptake and change in calcium score (
r
=−0.11;
P
=0.66).

Conclusions—
18F-NaF uptake identifies active tissue calcification and predicts disease progression in patients with calcific aortic stenosis.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01358513.
Survey of a Protocol to Increase Appropriate Implementation of Dispatcher-Assisted Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Tanaka Yoshio , Nishi Taiki , Takase Keiko , Yoshita Yutaka , Wato Yukihiro , Taniguchi Junro , Hamada Yoshitaka , Inaba Hideo 
Published: February 2014

Background—
Dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DA-CPR) attempts to improve the management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by laypersons who are unable to recognize cardiac arrest and are unfamiliar with CPR. Therefore, we investigated the sensitivity and specificity of our new DA-CPR protocol for achieving implementation of bystander CPR in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims not already receiving bystander CPR.

Methods and Results—
Since 2007, we have applied a new DA-CPR protocol that uses supplementary key words. Fire departments prospectively collected baseline data on DA-CPR from January 2009 to December 2011. DA-CPR was attempted in 2747 patients; of these, 417 (15.2%) did not experience cardiac arrest. The sensitivity and specificity of the 2007 protocol versus estimated values of the previous standard protocol were 72.9% versus 50.3% and 99.6% versus 99.8%, respectively. We identified key words that may be useful for detecting out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the occurrence of cardiac arrest after an emergency call (odds ratio, 16.85) and placing an emergency call away from the scene of the arrest (odds ratio, 11.04) were potentially associated with failure to provide DA-CPR. Furthermore, at-home cardiac arrest (odds ratio, 1.61) and family members as bystanders (odds ratio, 1.55) were associated with bystander noncompliance with DA-CPR. No complications were reported in the 417 patients who received DA-CPR but did not have cardiac arrest.

Conclusions—
Our 2007 protocol is safe and highly specific and may be more sensitive than the standard protocol. Understanding the factors associated with failure of bystanders to provide DA-CPR and implementing public education are necessary to increase the benefit of DA-CPR.
Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Elderly Chagas Disease Patients: 10‐Year Follow‐Up of the Bambuí Cohort Study of Aging
Authors: Ribeiro Antonio Luiz P. , Marcolino Milena S. , Prineas Ronald J. , Lima‐Costa Maria Fernanda 
Published: February 2014

Background

Electrocardiography has been considered an important tool in the management of Chagas disease (ChD) patients, although its value in elderly infected patients is unknown. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence and prognostic value of electrocardiographic abnormalities in

T
rypanosoma cruzi

infected and noninfected older adults.

Methods and Results

We studied 1462 participants in Bambuí City,
B
razil, with electrocardiogram (
ECG
) records classified by the
M
innesota Code. Follow‐up time was 10 years; the endpoint was mortality. Adjustment for potential confounding variables included age, gender, conventional risk factors, and B‐type natriuretic peptide (
BNP
). The mean age was 69 years (60.9% women). The prevalence of ChD was 38.1% (n=557).
ECG
abnormalities were more frequent in ChD patients (87.6% versus 77.7%,
P
<0.001). Right bundle branch block (
RBBB
) with left anterior hemiblock (
LAH
) was strongly related to ChD (
OR
: 11.99 [5.60 to 25.69]). During the mean follow‐up time of 8.7 years, 556 participants died (253 with ChD), and only 89 were lost to follow‐up.
ECG
variables of independent prognostic value for death in ChD included absence of sinus rhythm, frequent ventricular and supraventricular premature beats, atrial fibrillation,
RBBB
, old and possible old myocardial infarction, and left ventricular hypertrophy. The presence of any major
ECG
abnormalities doubled the risk of death in ChD patients (
HR
: 2.18 [1.35 to 3.53]), but it also increased the risk in non‐ChD subjects (
HR
: 1.50 [1.07 to 2.10]); the risk of death increased with the number of major abnormalities in the same patient.

Conclusion

ECG
abnormalities are more common among elderly Chagas disease patients and strongly predict adverse outcomes.
A Social History of the Treasured Canon of the Mysterious Capital in North China under Mongol-Yuan Rule
Authors: Wang Jinping 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
The history of the Treasured Canon of the Mysterious Capital, printed and published by Quanzhen Daoists in 1244, demonstrates important changes in social and political relations in north China in the thirteenth century. The Quanzhen Daoist church attracted many former Confucian scholars, established a cross-regional institutional network, coordinated different lineages, and collaborated with Mongolian and Chinese sponsors in the political world to carry out the canon project. The publication of the canon gave rise to new teaching positions for scholarly Daoists in new Daoist-style schools, and offered them an alternate route to spiritual realization, fame, and power. When facing the 1281 canon-burning catastrophe, Quanzhen Daoists produced new inscriptions and steles to erase the canon’s place in earlier Quanzhen activities. Only when the political environment shifted again in favor of the Quanzhen order, did Quanzhen Daoists choose to resurrect the history of the publication of the Treasured Canon of the Mysterious Capital.
Fighting for His Majesty (II): The Shang Art of War
Authors: Wu Shu-hui 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThis essay, one of the two parts of my research on Shang militarism, focuses on Shang military rituals and war preparations. I tackle issues such as the Shang king’s way of decision-making in regard to battles and military actions, the Shang communications system and logistics network, and the details of how the Shang produced grains and meats. Finally, I argue that careful scrutiny of the excavated buildings at Yanshi city, an early Shang capital before Anyang, strongly suggests that the Shang excelled at defense as well. In contrast to the first part of my research, which relied on secondary materials published by modern Chinese scholars, in the present essay I utilize published collections of oracle bone inscriptions. I have analyzed more than one hundred inscriptions and also discuss several individual graphs in order to ground my arguments.
Adjustments in Tornado Counts, F-Scale Intensity, and Path Width for Assessing Significant Tornado Destruction
Authors: Agee Ernest , Childs Samuel 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe U.S. tornado record is subject to inhomogeneities that are due to inconsistent practices in counting tornadoes, assessing their damage, and measuring pathlength and path width. Efforts to improve the modern tornado record (1950–2012) have focused on the following: 1) the rationale for removing the years 1950–52, 2) identification of inconsistencies in F0, F1, and F2 counts based on implementation of the Fujita scale (F scale) and Doppler radar, 3) overestimation of backward-extrapolated F-scale intensity, and 4) a change in path-width reporting from mean width (1953–94) to maximum width (1995–2012). Unique adjustments to these inconsistencies are made by analyzing trends in tornado counts, comparing with previous studies, and making an upward adjustment of tornadoes classified by mean width to coincide with those classified by maximum width. Such refinements offer a more homogeneous tornado record and provide the opportunity to better evaluate climatological trends in significant (F/EF2–F/EF5) tornado activity. The median EF-scale (enhanced Fujita scale) wind speeds Vmed have been adopted for all significant tornadoes from 1953 to 2012, including an adjustment for overestimated intensities from 1953 to 1973. These values are used to calculate annual mean kinetic energy, which shows no apparent trend. The annual mean maximum path width from 1953 to 2012 (adjusted upward from 1953 to 1994 to obtain a common lower threshold), however, displays an increasing trend. Also, the EF-scale median wind speeds are highly correlated with . The quantity (Vmed × PWmax)2 is proposed as a tornado destruction index, and, when calculated as an annual cumulative value, the three largest years are 2007, 2008, and 2011.
On the Role of Asymmetric Convective Bursts to the Problem of Hurricane Intensification: Radiation of Vortex Rossby Waves and Wave–Mean Flow Interactions
Authors: Menelaou Konstantinos , Yau M. K. 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
The role of asymmetric convection to the intensity change of a weak vortex is investigated with the aid of a “dry” thermally forced model. Numerical experiments are conducted, starting with a weak vortex forced by a localized thermal anomaly. The concept of wave activity, the Eliassen–Palm flux, and eddy kinetic energy are then applied to identify the nature of the dominant generated waves and to diagnose their kinematics, structure, and impact on the primary vortex. The physical reasons for which disagreements with previous studies exist are also investigated utilizing the governing equation for potential vorticity (PV) perturbations and a number of sensitivity experiments.
From the control experiment, it is found that the response of the vortex is dominated by the radiation of a damped sheared vortex Rossby wave (VRW) that acts to accelerate the symmetric flow through the transport of angular momentum. An increase of the kinetic energy of the symmetric flow by the VRW is shown also from the eddy kinetic energy budget. Additional tests performed on the structure and the magnitude of the initial thermal forcing confirm the robustness of the results and emphasize the significance of the wave–mean flow interaction to the intensification process.
From the sensitivity experiments, it is found that for a localized thermal anomaly, regardless of the baroclinicity of the vortex and the radial and vertical gradients of the thermal forcing, the resultant PV perturbation follows a damping behavior, thus suggesting that deceleration of the vortex should not be expected.
Variance-Based Sensitivity Analysis: Preliminary Results in COAMPS
Authors: Marzban Caren , Sandgathe Scott , Doyle James D. , Lederer Nicholas C. 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Numerical weather prediction models have a number of parameters whose values are either estimated from empirical data or theoretical calculations. These values are usually then optimized according to some criterion (e.g., minimizing a cost function) in order to obtain superior prediction. To that end, it is useful to know which parameters have an effect on a given forecast quantity, and which do not. Here the authors demonstrate a variance-based sensitivity analysis involving 11 parameters in the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS). Several forecast quantities are examined: 24-h accumulated 1) convective precipitation, 2) stable precipitation, 3) total precipitation, and 4) snow. The analysis is based on 36 days of 24-h forecasts between 1 January and 4 July 2009. Regarding convective precipitation, not surprisingly, the most influential parameter is found to be the fraction of available precipitation in the Kain–Fritsch cumulus parameterization fed back to the grid scale. Stable and total precipitation are most affected by a linear factor that multiplies the surface fluxes; and the parameter that most affects accumulated snow is the microphysics slope intercept parameter for snow. Furthermore, all of the interactions between the parameters are found to be either exceedingly small or have too much variability (across days and/or parameter values) to be of primary concern.
Assessing Real-Time Tornado Information Disseminated through NWS Products
Authors: Blair Scott F. , Leighton Jared W. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractReal-time confirmation of a tornado specified in National Weather Service (NWS) warnings and statements is believed to increase the credibility and urgency of these critical warning messages for the end user, because it represents the greatest degree of certainty that the hazard exists. This timely tornado information disseminated in official NWS products and relayed through multiple sources by private and public partners may help the public believe, personalize, confirm, and respond to the warning message. This is the first study to explicitly assess the frequency of real-time confirmation of ongoing tornadoes within NWS products and explore what unique conditions may facilitate or hinder this process. Tornado reports and their respective NWS warnings and statements during a 5-yr period from 2007 to 2011 across the central contiguous United States were compiled and examined. Overall, 40% of tornadoes were confirmed in NWS products in real time. Increasing tornado pathlength, duration, and intensity subsequently resulted in an increasing likelihood of real-time confirmation prior to the tornado dissipating. The time of day was a factor; nighttime tornadoes were 20% less likely to receive real-time confirmation than daytime events. Additionally, increasing tornado forecast risk in products issued by the Storm Prediction Center corresponded to an increasing likelihood of real-time confirmation. Analysis of these data reveals specific scenarios when tornadoes are more or less likely to be reported in real time, providing some guidance for when timely ground-truth information may or may not be available.
Health, Community, and Spirituality
Authors: Gutierrez Jaime , Devia Carlos , Weiss Linda , Chantarat Tongtan , Ruddock Charmaine , Linnell Jill , Golub Maxine , Godfrey Loyce , Rosen Rosa , Calman Neil 
Published: February 2014

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate Fine, Fit, and Fabulous (FFF), a faith-based diabetes prevention program for black and Latino congregants at churches in low-income New York City neighborhoods. FFF includes nutrition education and fitness activities while incorporating Bible-based teachings that encourage healthy lifestyles. Methods FFF is a 12-week, bilingual program developed by the Bronx Health REACH coalition, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded Center of Excellence for the Elimination of Disparities. This program has been implemented in 15 Bronx and Harlem churches, engaging a primarily black and Latino overweight and obese urban population. Pre–post surveys, nutrition tests, and weight logs were collected to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding healthy eating and physical activity. Results Participants (n = 183) reported statistically significant improvements in knowledge and healthy behaviors from baseline. Increased numbers of participants reported exercising in the past 30 days, eating fruit daily, being able to judge portion sizes, and reading food labels. Statistically significant numbers reported that they ate less fast food and were less likely to overeat at follow-up. The average weight loss across churches was 4.38 lbs or 2% of participants’ initial body weight. Significant differences were observed when stratifying by race/ethnicity. Conclusion Evaluation results show FFF’s success at engaging overweight adults in behavior changes related to healthy eating and exercise. FFF demonstrates the potential of faith-based health interventions to address obesity and diabetes risk in high-need communities of color.
Body weight-supported treadmill training vs. overground walking training for persons with chronic stroke: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Combs-Miller Stephanie A , Kalpathi Parameswaran Anu , Colburn Dawn , Ertel Tara , Harmeyer Amanda , Tucker Lindsay , Schmid Arlene A 
Published: February 2014

Objective: To compare the effects of body weight-supported treadmill training and overground walking training when matched for task and dose (duration/frequency/intensity) on improving walking function, activity, and participation after stroke. Design: Single-blind, pilot randomized controlled trial with three-month follow-up. Settings: University and community settings. Subjects: A convenience sample of participants ( N = 20) at least six months post-stroke and able to walk independently were recruited. Interventions: Thirty-minute walking interventions (body weight-supported treadmill training or overground walking training) were administered five times a week for two weeks. Intensity was monitored with the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale at five-minute increments to maintain a moderate training intensity. Main Measures: Walking speed (comfortable/fast 10-meter walk), walking endurance (6-minute walk), spatiotemporal symmetry, and the ICF Measure of Participation and ACTivity were assessed before, immediately after, and three months following the intervention. Results: The overground walking training group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in comfortable walking speed compared with the body weight-supported treadmill training group immediately (change of 0.11 m/s vs. 0.06 m/s, respectively; p = 0.047) and three months (change of 0.14 m/s vs. 0.08 m/s, respectively; p = 0.029) after training. Only the overground walking training group significantly improved comfortable walking speed ( p = 0.001), aspects of gait symmetry ( p = 0.032), and activity ( p = 0.003) immediately after training. Gains were maintained at the three-month follow-up ( p < 0.05) for all measures except activity. Improvements in participation were not demonstrated. Conclusion: Overgound walking training was more beneficial than body weight-supported treadmill training at improving self-selected walking speed for the participants in this study.
Effects of Tai Chi on balance and fall prevention in Parkinson’s disease: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gao Qiang , Leung Aaron , Yang Yonghong , Wei Qingchuan , Guan Min , Jia Chengsen , He Chengqi 
Published: February 2014

Objectives: To examine the effects of Tai Chi on balance and functional mobility in people with Parkinson’s disease, and determine whether fall incidence could be reduced by the Tai Chi exercise. Design: Single blinded randomized control trial with 6 months’ follow-up. Setting: A hospital and general community. Participants: Patients ( n=76) diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, over 40 years old, able to walk independently and fell at least one time during the past 12 months. Interventions: The Tai Chi group ( n=37) received 24-form Yang style Tai Chi exercise for 60 minutes each time, three times a week and lasted for 12 weeks. The control group ( n=39) received no intervention. Main outcome measures: Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III, Timed Up&Go (TUG) and occurrences of falls. Results: The Tai Chi group improved more than the control group on the BBS ( p<0.05), but there was no difference on UPDRS III scores and Timed Up&Go ( p>0.05). During the 6-month follow-up, only 8 (21.6%) out of 37 patients in the Tai Chi group had experience of falls comparing to 19 (48.7%) out of 39 patients in the control group ( p<0.05). The average times of falls were 0.30±0.62 in the Tai Chi group compared with 0.64±0.74 in the control group ( p<0.05). Conclusions: Our findings suggested that Tai Chi exercise could improve the balance and decrease the fall risks in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Test–retest reliability of the Swedish version of the Life-Space Assessment Questionnaire among community-dwelling older adults
Authors: Kammerlind Ann-Sofi C , Fristedt Sofi , Ernsth Bravell Marie , Fransson Eleonor I 
Published: February 2014

Objective: To examine the test–retest reliability of the Swedish version of the Life-Space Assessment Questionnaire. Design: Test–retest reliability study. Subjects: A total of 298 community-dwelling subjects between 75 and 90 years of age. Methods: The Life-Space Assessment Questionnaire was translated into Swedish. By personal interviews during home visits and two weeks later by telephone interviews the subjects were asked about their life-space mobility during the past four weeks, and how often and whether they were independent or needed assistance from another person or equipment to reach different life-space levels. Results: None of the four scoring methods showed significant difference between test sessions. The mean (SD) total scores were 65 (22) and 65 (23) out of the maximum possible score of 120 at the two sessions. High levels were found for independent, assisted, and maximal life-space at both sessions. Intraclass correlation coefficients and weighted Kappa-values between 0.84–0.94 were found for the total score, the independent, and the assisted life-space levels, indicating good to excellent reliability. A lower Kappa-value was observed for the maximal life-space level, mainly owing to skewed distributions. The method error values showed that a change of 10 in the total score and a change of one level in any of the three life-space levels can be considered to indicate a real change in clinical practice. Conclusion: The Swedish version of the Life-Space Assessment Questionnaire can be reliably used among community-dwelling older adults.