bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recombinant AgB8/1 ELISA test vs. commercially available IgG ELISA test in the diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis
Authors: Tamarozzi F. , Sako Y. , Ito A. , Piccoli L. , Grisolìa A. , Itoh S. , Gatti S. , Meroni V. , Genco F. , Brunetti E. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryThe diagnosis and clinical management of cystic echinococcosis (CE) rely on imaging and serology, the latter still having a complementary role as its accuracy in assessing cyst viability is unsatisfactory. We used an experimental IgG ELISA test based on the recombinant antigen rEgAgB8/1 cloned from Echinococcus granulosus to differentiate active from inactive/cured CE infection, comparing its performance to that of a commercially available ELISA test used routinely in our hospital laboratory. Both tests were performed on sera from 88 patients with hepatic echinococcal cysts, grouped according to cyst stage based on ultrasonographical morphology, and on 17 patients surgically treated for echinococcosis and 18 patients with nonparasitic hepatic cysts included as controls. Tests’ performances did not differ significantly, but the overall concordance between tests drastically dropped when groups were analysed separately. Further longitudinal studies should evaluate whether these discrepancies reflect the different ability of either test to predict the evolution of cysts over time. Although the recombinant‐AgB8/1‐based ELISA test seems to have no clinical advantage over the commercially available ELISA test in the assessment of hepatic CE cyst viability, the easiness of production and reproducibility of high‐quality recombinant antigens makes rEgAgB8/1 a valid candidate for use in CE ELISA diagnostic tests.
Childhood Parental Death and Lifetime Suicide Attempt of the Opposite‐Gender Offspring in a Nationwide Community Sample of Korea
Authors: Jeon Hong Jin , Hong Jin Pyo , Fava Maurizio , Mischoulon David , Nyer Maren , Inamori Aya , Sohn Jee Hoon , Seong Sujeong , Cho Maeng Je 
Published: July 2013

Although previous studies have shown that childhood parental death influences suicide attempts of their offspring, few studies have examined influence of gender and age at exposure. Koreans show the third highest suicide rate in the world, and many children and adolescents lost their parents during and after the Korean War. A total of 12,532 adults, randomly selected through a one‐person‐per‐household method, completed the Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and questionnaire for suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt (response rate 80.2%). A total of 2,332 subjects experienced biological parental death in childhood (18.6%). Male suicide attempts were associated with age of exposure to maternal death from 0 to 4 years (adjusted OR = 4.48, 95% CI 1.32–15.18) and from 5 to 9 years (adjusted OR = 5.52, 95% CI 1.97–16.46), but not with paternal death, after adjusting for age, education years, marital status, monthly income, and psychiatric comorbidities. Female suicide attempts were associated with paternal death from 5 to 9 years (adjusted OR = 2.20, 95% CI 1.13–4.27), but not with maternal death. Childhood parental death is significantly associated with lifetime suicide attempt in the opposite‐gender offspring, especially when exposure occurs before age 10.
A Five‐Month Longitudinal Study of Psychache and Suicide Ideation: Replication in General and High‐Risk University Students
Authors: Troister Talia , Davis Michael P. , Lowndes Ashley , Holden Ronald R. 
Published: July 2013

Shneidman's (1993) model of psychache as the cause of suicide was evaluated in a 5‐month longitudinal study of psychological pain and suicide ideation. Replicating across general (N = 683) and high‐risk undergraduates (N = 262), psychache was significantly associated with suicide ideation, and change in psychache was significantly associated with change in suicide ideation. For general suicide ideation and suicide preparation, these significant results were maintained even when depression and hopelessness were statistically controlled. This research is a unique contribution being the first large‐sample longitudinal study that evaluates and supports Shneidman's psychache causal model of suicidality in general and high‐risk groups.
Implications of municipal wastewater irrigation on soil health from a study in Bangladesh
Authors: Mojid M. A. , Wyseure G. C. L. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThis study evaluated soil health in fields of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Shatabdi) and potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) irrigated by different blends of municipal wastewater (hereafter called wastewater). The crops were grown with and without added fertilizers over three consecutive years. The wastewater contained high concentrations of organic carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S), zinc (Zn) and boron (B). It also contained negligible concentrations of a few heavy metals. Irrigation by wastewater resulted in an increase in the porosity of the surface soil and thus a reduced bulk density. Wastewater enhanced the saturated hydraulic conductivity and water retention capacity of the soils. The organic carbon, total N, available P and S, and exchangeable Na, K, Ca and Mg of the soils increased proportionately with the quantity of applied wastewater. C, N and K increased significantly (α = 0.05) when fields were irrigated using raw wastewater after applied fertilizers; the other elements accumulated in the soil insignificantly under both fertility levels. Electrical conductivity (EC) and pH of the upper 0–20 and 20–40 cm soil layers increased with the application of wastewater; the increase was significant only under raw wastewater irrigation. In the 40–60 cm soil layer, both EC and pH remained unchanged. The applied inorganic fertilizers raised EC but reduced soil pH. The wastewater contained large counts of total coliform (TC: 17.2 × 106 cfu/100 mL) and faecal coliform (FC: 13.4 × 103 cfu/100 mL). Irrigation using municipal wastewater is proposed for improving soil fertility as well as for alleviating water scarcity with the exception of some crops whose edible parts come in direct contact with wastewater and/or are eaten uncooked.
An assessment of hepatitisEvirus (HEV) inUSblood donors and recipients: no detectableHEV RNAin 1939 donors tested and no evidence forHEVtransmission to 362 prospectively followed recipients
Authors: Xu Chenyu , Wang Richard Y. , Schechterly Cathy A. , Ge Shengxiang , Shih James W. , Xia Ning‐Shao , Luban Naomi L.C. , Alter Harvey J. 
Published: July 2013

BackgroundHepatitisEvirus (HEV) infection has become relevant to blood transfusion practice because isolated cases of blood transmission have been reported and becauseHEVhas been found to cause chronic infection and severe liver disease in immunocompromised patients.Study Design and MethodsWe tested for immunoglobulin (Ig)GandIgMantibodies to theHEVand forHEV RNAin 1939 unselected volunteerUSblood donors. Subsequently, we tested the same variables in pre‐ and serial posttransfusion samples from 362 prospectively followed blood recipients to assess transfusion risk.ResultsIgGanti‐HEVseroprevalence in the total 1939 donations was 18.8%: 916 of these donations were made in 2006 at which time the seroprevalence was 21.8% and the remaining 1023 donations were in 2012 when the seroprevalence had decreased to 16.0% (p < 0.01). A significant (p < 0.001) stepwise increase in anti‐HEVseroprevalence was seen with increasing age. Eight of 1939 donations (0.4%) tested anti‐HEV IgMpositive; no donation wasHEV RNApositive. Two recipients had an apparent anti‐HEVseroconversion, but temporal relationships and linked donor testing showed that these were not transfusion‐transmittedHEVinfections.ConclusionNo transfusion‐transmittedHEVinfections were observed in 362 prospectively followed blood recipients despite an anti‐HEVseroprevalence among donations exceeding 16%.
In‐vessel composting under air pressure of organic fraction of municipal solid waste in Azemmour, Morocco
Authors: Makan A. , Assobhei O. , Mountadar M. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThis study aims to evaluate the performance of laboratory‐scale in‐vessel composting bioreactor for the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste treatment in Azemmour, Morocco. The bioreactor was specially designed and used for this study, and it was operated semicontinuously under 0.6 bar pressure. The evaluations studied included the operational indices, the compost maturity indices and the quality of the final compost. Obtained results showed that organic fraction of municipal solid waste could be composted successfully in 12 days. Moreover, high CO2 generations involve high temperature and high internal air pressure change, revealing vigorous microbial activity. The final compost was satisfactory for its agricultural application.
Toward an Operational Land Surface Temperature Algorithm for GOES
Authors: Sun Donglian , Yu Yunyue , Fang Li , Liu Yuling 
Published: July 2013

AbstractFor most land surface temperature (LST) regression algorithms, a set of optimized coefficients is determined by manual separation of the different subdivisions of atmospheric and surface conditions. In this study, a machine-learning technique, the regression tree (RT) technique, is introduced with the aim of automatically finding these subranges and the thresholds for the stratification of regression coefficients. The use of RT techniques in LST retrieval has the potential to contribute to the determination of optimal regression relationships under different conditions. Because of the lack of split-window channels for the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) M–Q series (GOES-12–GOES-15, plus GOES-Q), a dual-window LST algorithm was developed by combining the infrared 11-μm channel with the shortwave-infrared (SWIR) 3.9-μm channel, which presents lower atmospheric absorption than does the infrared split-window channels (11 and 12 μm). The RT technique was introduced to derive the regression models under different conditions. The algorithms were used to derive the LST product from GOES observations and were evaluated against the 2004 Surface Radiation budget network. The results indicate that the RT technique outperforms the traditional regression method.
Response of Tropical Deep Convection to Localized Heating Perturbations: Implications for Aerosol-Induced Convective Invigoration
Authors: Morrison Hugh , Grabowski Wojciech W. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractA cloud-system-resolving model is used to investigate the effects of localized heating/cooling perturbations on tropical deep convection, in the context of the aerosol “invigoration effect.” This effect supposes that a reduction of droplet collision–coalescence in polluted conditions leads to lofting of cloud water in convective updrafts and enhanced freezing, latent heating, and buoyancy. To specifically isolate and test this mechanism, heating perturbations were applied to updrafts with corresponding cooling applied in downdrafts. Ensemble simulations were run with either perturbed or unperturbed conditions and large-scale forcing from a 7.5-day period of active monsoon conditions during the 2006 Tropical Warm Pool–International Cloud Experiment. In the perturbed simulations there was an initial invigoration of convective updrafts and surface precipitation, but convection returned to its unperturbed state after about 24 h because of feedback with the larger-scale environment. This feedback led to an increase in the horizontally averaged mid-/upper-tropospheric temperature of about 1 K relative to unperturbed simulations. When perturbed conditions were applied to only part of the domain, gravity waves rapidly dispersed buoyancy anomalies in the perturbed region to the rest of the domain, allowing convective invigoration from the heating perturbations to be sustained over the entire simulation period. This was associated with a mean mesoscale circulation consisting of ascent (descent) at mid-/upper levels in the perturbed (unperturbed) region. In contrast to recent studies, it is concluded that the invigoration effect is intimately coupled with larger-scale dynamics through a two-way feedback, and in the absence of alterations in the larger-scale circulation there is limited invigoration beyond the convective adjustment time scale.
Impacts of A Priori Databases Using Six WRF Microphysics Schemes on Passive Microwave Rainfall Retrievals
Authors: Kim Ju-Hye , Shin Dong-Bin , Kummerow Christian 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Physically based rainfall retrievals from passive microwave sensors often make use of cloud-resolving models (CRMs) to build a priori databases of potential rain structures. Each CRM, however, has its own cloud microphysics assumptions. Hence, approximated microphysics may cause uncertainties in the a priori information resulting in inaccurate rainfall estimates. This study first builds a priori databases by combining the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) precipitation radar (PR) observations and simulations from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with six different cloud microphysics schemes. The microphysics schemes include the Purdue–Lin (LIN), WRF Single-Moment 6 (WSM6), Goddard Cumulus Ensemble (GCE), Thompson (THOM), WRF Double-Moment 6 (WDM6), and Morrison (MORR) schemes. As expected, the characteristics of the a priori databases are inherited from the individual cloud microphysics schemes. There are several distinct differences in the databases. Particularly, excessive graupel and snow exist with the LIN and THOM schemes, while more rainwater is incorporated into the a priori information with WDM6 than with any of the other schemes. Major results show that convective rainfall regions are not well captured by the LIN and THOM schemes-based retrievals. Rainfall distributions and their quantities retrieved from the WSM6 and WDM6 schemes-based estimations, however, show relatively better agreement with the PR observations. Based on the comparisons of the various microphysics schemes in the retrievals, it appears that differences in the a priori databases considerably affect the properties of rainfall estimations.
Application of Cloud Occurrence Climatology from CALIOP to Evaluate Performances of Airborne and Satellite Electro-Optical Sensors
Authors: Bizard A. , Caillault K. , Lavigne C. , Roblin A. , Chervet P. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
A wide variety of optronic sensors, on board a satellite or airborne platform, are used for remote sensing, surveillance applications, and telecommunications. Cloud presence in the field of view is one of the key factors limiting the performances of these sensors. Consequently, cloud presence must be taken into account in order to evaluate their performances. To that end, a Monte Carlo method is used. Geometrical and optical cloud properties necessary to build the model are obtained from Cloud–Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) measurements that enable one to deal with the optically thinnest clouds. Different viewing geometries are presented, corresponding to surveillance missions by an airborne sensor with close-to-the-horizon viewing and to an optical link between an aircraft and a satellite. Results obtained are compared to a previous study and improvements reached with this new method are discussed.
The Evolution and Role of the Saharan Air Layer during Hurricane Helene (2006)
Authors: Braun Scott A. , Sippel Jason A. , Shie Chung-Lin , Boller Ryan A. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
The Saharan air layer (SAL) has received considerable attention in recent years as a potential negative influence on the formation and development of Atlantic tropical cyclones. Observations of substantial Saharan dust in the near environment of Hurricane Helene (2006) during the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Activities (AMMA) Experiment (NAMMA) field campaign led to suggestions about the suppressing influence of the SAL in this case. In this study, a suite of satellite remote sensing data, global meteorological analyses, and airborne data are used to characterize the evolution of the SAL in the environment of Helene and assess its possible impact on the intensity of the storm. The influence of the SAL on Helene appears to be limited to the earliest stages of development, although the magnitude of that impact is difficult to determine observationally. Saharan dust was observed on the periphery of the storm during the first two days of development after genesis when intensification was slow. Much of the dust was observed to move well westward of the storm thereafter, with little SAL air present during the remainder of the storm's lifetime and with the storm gradually becoming a category-3 strength storm four days later. Dry air observed to wrap around the periphery of Helene was diagnosed to be primarily non-Saharan in origin (the result of subsidence) and appeared to have little impact on storm intensity. The eventual weakening of the storm is suggested to result from an eyewall replacement cycle and substantial reduction of the sea surface temperatures beneath the hurricane as its forward motion decreased.
Improvements in antenatal screening for Down's syndrome
Authors: Wald N J , Bestwick J P , Huttly W J 
Published: July 2013

Objectives To estimate improvements to four antenatal screening tests for Down's syndrome (first trimester Combined, second trimester Quadruple, and first and second trimester Integrated and Serum Integrated tests) based on adding ductus venosus pulsatility index (DVPI), fetal nasal bone examination (NBE) and serum placental growth factor (PlGF). Setting Statistical analysis of data from several sources modelled using the maternal age distribution of live births in England and Wales from 2006 to 2008. Methods Monte Carlo simulation carried out to estimate the screening performance of tests with the addition of combinations of DVPI, NBE and PlGF. Results At a 95% detection rate (DR), with first trimester markers measured at 11 completed weeks’ gestation, the addition of DVPI, NBE and PlGF decreased the false-positive rate (FPR) of the Combined test from 16.1% to 3.0%, the addition of PlGF to the Quadruple test decreased the FPR from 15.7% to 15.3%, the addition of DVPI, NBE and PlGF to the Integrated test decreased the FPR from 4.1% to 0.6% and the addition of PlGF to the Serum Integrated test decreased the FPR from 15.1% to 11.1%. At a 90% detection rate, the reductions in the FPR were from 6.8% to 0.8%, 7.7% to 7.4%, 1.2% to 0.1% and 6.2% to 4.8%, respectively. Conclusions The addition of DVPI, NBE and PlGF to the Combined and Integrated tests significantly improves screening performance, reducing the FPRs by over 80%. The Integrated test with DVPI, NBE and PlGF is significantly better than the Combined test with DVPI, NBE and PlGF.
Hearing screening and diagnosis in a large sample of infants in Central China
Authors: Liu Zhiqi , Liu Lisi 
Published: July 2013

Objective To investigate the referral rate, prevalence and aetiology of neonatal hearing loss. Methods A total of 11,894 infants were screened by two-stage transient evoked otoacoustic emission testing. Those who failed were diagnosed by distortion product otoacoustic emission, 1000 Hz probe tone tympanometry and auditory brainstem response. The results of these tests were analysed by statistical software SPSS16.0. Results The initial referral rate was 17.36%. The rescreening referral rate was 21.29%. The referral rate of initial screening in maternity wards (15.37%) was lower than in neonatal intensive care unit wards (22%) (chi-square [ χ2], P < 0.05). There were 68 cases (106 ears) diagnosed with hearing loss (incidence 0.571%). Of these, 31 cases were conductive, 16 cases were sensorineural, and 21 cases were mixed hearing loss. The prevalence of hearing loss was 12.92% (38/294) in the bilateral referred group and 5.00% (30/600) in the unilateral referred group. The moderate/severe hearing loss was 33.33% (10/30) and 86.84% (66/76), respectively ( χ2, P < 0.05). The causes of hearing loss included jaundice (24.56%, 14/57), infection (24.56%, 14/57), asphyxia (19.30%, 11/57), low birth weight (17.54%, 10/57) and other factors (14.04%, 8/57). Conclusion Bilateral referrals were more likely to suffer greater degrees of hearing loss than unilateral referrals. Jaundice, infection, asphyxia and low birth weight were the major aetiologies of neonatal hearing loss.
Promoting cervical screening after introduction of the human papillomavirus vaccine: the effect of repeated mass media campaigns
Authors: Mullins R , Coomber K , Broun K , Wakefield M 
Published: July 2013

Objectives In 2007, Australia implemented an ongoing, school-based human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme for school-aged girls, and a catch-up programme for 18–26-year-old women that ran until the end of 2009. The availability of what is widely known as the ‘cervical cancer vaccine’ means there is the potential for women to believe, incorrectly, that they no longer require regular cervical screening, and this risk needs to be addressed. The current study aimed to assess the effect of three mass media campaigns to promote cervical screening on the rate of cervical screening tests in the Australian state of Victoria, after HPV vaccine became available. Methods Seasonal time series assessed the effect of media campaigns broadcast in 2007, 2009 and 2010 on the rate of weekly cervical screening tests in Victorian women from 2006 to 2010, stratified by time since last screening test. Results The 2007 and 2009 media campaigns significantly increased the number of cervical screening tests per week. The 2007 campaign had a significant impact on lapsed screeners (>36 months since last test), overdue screeners (28–36 months since last test), and women never previously screened. The 2009 campaign significantly increased screening tests for overdue screeners, and the 2010 media campaign was associated with a significant increase in screening tests for lapsed screeners. Conclusions A well-researched and carefully pretested television advertising campaign with accurate, actionable messages can elicit appropriate screening behaviour among some of the appropriate groups even in a changed environment of complex, and potentially competing, messages.
The impact of repeat testing in the New Zealand antenatal HIV screening programme: a qualitative study
Authors: McAllister Susan , Lovell Sarah , Dickson Nigel 
Published: July 2013

Objectives To investigate the impact on women, and their healthcare providers, of initial-reactive HIV test results which required re-testing in the New Zealand antenatal HIV screening programme. Methods Women with initial-reactive HIV test results from 2007 to 2011 were identified through the antenatal HIV screening programme. Semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken with seven women and 30 healthcare providers. Responses to questions were written verbatim. Three researchers undertook preliminary coding of the interviews and identified common themes which were applied to the transcripts and key excerpts obtained. Results All of the women interviewed experienced considerable anxiety upon receiving the result, but the extent of this anxiety was rarely appreciated by their healthcare provider. Their main worries were for their own health, that of their children and family, and their relationship with a spouse or partner. Despite this stressful experience, support for the screening programme was strong. Adequate information and timely receipt of results were identified as vital. Healthcare providers also supported the programme but stressed that clear, timely and personal communication with laboratory personnel was important. Conclusions The ideal way to alleviate anxiety in women from re-testing is to limit the need for this by obtaining as much information as possible from the original sample. If re-testing is necessary, healthcare providers need to appreciate the anxiety that will arise, ensure that they have the best possible information and communicate this to the women, as soon as is practicable, in an easily understood manner.