bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Instrumental Variable Analysis to Compare Effectiveness of Stents in the Extremely Elderly
Authors: Yeh Robert W. , Vasaiwala Samip , Forman Daniel E. , Silbaugh Treacy S. , Zelevinski Katya , Lovett Ann , Normand Sharon-Lise T. , Mauri Laura 
Published: November 2013

Background—
Evaluating novel therapies is challenging in the extremely elderly. Instrumental variable methods identify variables associated with treatment allocation to perform adjusted comparisons that may overcome limitations of more traditional approaches.

Methods and Results—

Among all patients aged ≥85 years undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in nonfederal hospitals in Massachusetts between 2003 and 2009 (n=2690), we identified quarterly drug-eluting stent (DES) use rates as an instrumental variable. We estimated risk-adjusted differences in outcomes for DES versus bare metal stents using a 2-stage least squares instrumental variable analysis method. Quarterly DES use ranged from 15% to 88%. Unadjusted 1-year mortality rates were 14.5% for DES versus 23.0% for bare metal stents (risk difference, −8.5%;
P
<0.001), an implausible finding compared with randomized trial results. Using instrumental variable analysis, DES were associated with no difference in 1-year mortality (risk difference, −0.8%;
P
=0.76) or bleeding (risk difference, 2.3%;
P
=0.33) and with significant reduction in target vessel revascularization (risk difference, −8.3%;
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions—
Using an instrumental variable analysis, DES were associated with similar mortality and bleeding and a significant reduction in target vessel revascularization compared with bare metal stents in the extremely elderly. Variation in use rates may be useful as an instrumental variable to facilitate comparative effectiveness in groups underrepresented in randomized trials.
Blood pressure normalization post-jugular venous balloon angioplasty
Authors: Sternberg Zohara , Grewal Prabhjot , Cen Steven , DeBarge-Igoe Frances , Yu Jinhee , Arata Michael 
Published: November 2013

Objective This study is the first in a series investigating the relationship between autonomic nervous system dysfunction and chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency in multiple sclerosis patients. We screened patients for the combined presence of the narrowing of the internal jugular veins and symptoms of autonomic nervous system dysfunction (fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, sleeping disorders, headache, thermal intolerance, bowel/bladder dysfunction) and determined systolic and diastolic blood pressure responses to balloon angioplasty. Methods The criteria for eligibility for balloon angioplasty intervention included ≥50% narrowing in one or both internal jugular veins, as determined by the magnetic resonance venography, and ≥3 clinical symptoms of autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Blood pressure was measured at baseline and post-balloon angioplasty. Results Among patients who were screened, 91% were identified as having internal jugular veins narrowing (with obstructing lesions) combined with the presence of three or more symptoms of autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Balloon angioplasty reduced the average systolic and diastolic blood pressure. However, blood pressure categorization showed a biphasic response to balloon angioplasty. The procedure increased blood pressure in multiple sclerosis patients who presented with baseline blood pressure within lower limits of normal ranges (systolic ≤105 mmHg, diastolic ≤70 mmHg) but decreased blood pressure in patients with baseline blood pressure above normal ranges (systolic ≥130 mmHg, diastolic ≥ 80 mmHg). In addition, gender differences in baseline blood pressure subcategories were observed. Discussion The coexistence of internal jugular veins narrowing and symptoms of autonomic nervous system dysfunction suggests that the two phenomena may be related. Balloon angioplasty corrects blood pressure deviation in multiple sclerosis patients undergoing internal jugular vein dilation. Further studies should investigate the association between blood pressure deviation and internal jugular veins narrowing, and whether blood pressure normalization affects Patient's clinical outcomes.
Utility of expiratory thin-section CT for fibrotic interstitial pneumonia
Authors: Tokura Sayoko , Okuma Tomohisa , Akira Masanori , Arai Toru , Inoue Yoshikazu , Kitaichi Masanori 
Published: November 2013

Background Collagen vascular disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CVD-ILD) must be differentiated from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) since prognosis and treatment strategies differ between these two conditions. However, differentiating between CVD-ILD and IPF is often difficult. Purpose To examine the utility of expiratory high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) for differentiating between CVD-ILD and IPF. Material and Methods Seventy patients were examined with expiratory and inspiratory HRCT with CVD-ILD ( n = 36) or IPF ( n = 34). Associated diagnoses in patients with CVD-ILD were rheumatoid arthritis ( n = 22), Sjögren syndrome ( n = 3), scleroderma ( n = 2), polymyositis/dermatomyositis ( n = 1), and unspecified connective tissue disease ( n = 8). Parenchymal abnormalities on inspiratory HRCT and visual extent of air trapping on expiratory HRCT were evaluated, statistical differences in HRCT findings between the two conditions were determined, and air trapping CT scores were correlated with the results of pulmonary function testing. Results Air trapping was found in 27 (75%) of 36 cases of CVD-ILD and four (12%) of 34 cases of IPF. Seventeen of the 27 cases for which air trapping was exhibited with CVD-ILD were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. A significant difference in frequency of air trapping was seen between CVD-ILD and IPF ( P < 0.0001). Frequency of centrilobular nodules was significantly higher in CVD-ILD than in IPF ( P = 0.021). In contrast, frequencies of interlobular interstitial thickening and traction bronchiectasis were significantly higher in IPF than in CVD-ILD ( P = 0.005, P = 0.007, respectively). Correlations were seen between visual extent of air trapping and pulmonary function test results such as air trapping index ( P = 0.004, r = 0.34), closing volume/vital capacity ( P = 0.0002, r = –0.47), and closing capacity/total lung capacity ( P < 0.0001, r = –0.51). Conclusion The presence of air trapping on expiratory HRCT suggests CVD-ILD rather than IPF.
Sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation for the treatment of cluster headache
Authors: Láinez Miguel J. A. , Puche Miguel , Garcia Ana , Gascón Francisco 
Published: November 2013

Cluster headache is a severe, debilitating disorder with pain that ranks among the most severe known to humans. Patients with cluster headaches have few therapeutic options and further, 10–20% develop drug-resistant attacks. The often brief duration of cluster attacks makes abortive therapy a challenge, and preventive medications are almost always provided to patients, but the side effects of these preventive medications can be significant. The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) is believed to play a role in headache pain and cranial autonomic symptoms associated with cluster headache, which is a result of activation of the trigeminal-autonomic reflex. For over 100 years, the SPG has been a clinical target to treat primary headache disorders using pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic methods. Radiofrequency lesioning and nerve-resection therapies, while initially beneficial, are irreversible procedures, and the use of neurostimulation provides one method of interfacing with the neural pathways without causing permanent damage to neural tissue. SPG neurostimulation is both reversible and adjustable, and has recently been tested in both proof-of-concept work and in a randomized, sham-controlled trial for the treatment of cluster headache. A randomized, sham-controlled study of 32 patients was performed to evaluate further the use of SPG stimulation for the acute treatment of chronic cluster headache. Of the 32 patients, 28 completed the randomized experimental period. Overall, 68% of patients experienced an acute response, a frequency response, or both. In this study the majority of adverse events were related to the implantation procedure, which typically resolved or remained mild in nature at 3 months following the implant procedure. This and other studies highlight the promise of using SPG stimulation to treat the pain-associated cluster headache. SPG stimulation could be a safe and effective option for chronic cluster headache.
Monolithic carbon structures including suspended single nanowires and nanomeshes as a sensor platform
Authors: Lim Yeongjin , Heo Jeong-Il , Madou Marc , Shin Heungjoo 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
With the development of nanomaterial-based nanodevices, it became inevitable to develop cost-effective and simple nanofabrication technologies enabling the formation of nanomaterial assembly in a controllable manner. Herein, we present suspended monolithic carbon single nanowires and nanomeshes bridging two bulk carbon posts, fabricated in a designed manner using two successive UV exposure steps and a single pyrolysis step. The pyrolysis step is accompanied with a significant volume reduction, resulting in the shrinkage of micro-sized photoresist structures into nanoscale carbon structures. Even with the significant elongation of the suspended carbon nanowire induced by the volume reduction of the bulk carbon posts, the resultant tensional stress along the nanowire is not significant but grows along the wire thickness; this tensional stress gradient and the bent supports of the bridge-like carbon nanowire enhance structural robustness and alleviate the stiction problem that suspended nanostructures frequently experience. The feasibility of the suspended carbon nanostructures as a sensor platform was demonstrated by testing its electrochemical behavior, conductivity-temperature relationship, and hydrogen gas sensing capability.
The knockdown of OsVIT2 and MIT affects iron localization in rice seed
Authors: Bashir Khurram , Takahashi Ryuichi , Akhtar Shamim , Ishimaru Yasuhiro , Nakanishi Hiromi , Nishizawa Naoko K 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
The mechanism of iron (Fe) uptake in plants has been extensively characterized, but little is known about how Fe transport to different subcellular compartments affects Fe localization in rice seed. Here, we discuss the characterization of a rice vacuolar Fe transporter 2 (OsVIT2) T-DNA insertion line (osvit2) and report that the knockdown of OsVIT2 and mitochondrial Fe transporter (MIT) expression affects seed Fe localization.

Findings

osvit2 plants accumulated less Fe in their shoots when grown under normal or excess Fe conditions, while the accumulation of Fe was comparable to that in wild-type (WT) plants under Fe-deficient conditions. The accumulation of zinc, copper, and manganese also changed significantly in the shoots of osvit2 plants. The growth of osvit2 plants was also slow compared to that of WT plants. The concentration of Fe increased in osvit2 polished seeds. Previously, we reported that the expression of OsVIT2 was higher in MIT knockdown (mit-2) plants, and in this study, the accumulation of Fe in mit-2 seeds decreased significantly.

Conclusions
These results suggest that vacuolar Fe trafficking is important for plant Fe homeostasis and distribution, especially in plants grown in the presence of excess Fe. Moreover, changes in the expression of OsVIT2 and MIT affect the concentration and localization of metals in brown rice as well as in polished rice seeds.
Rheumatoid arthritis patients are not at increased risk for 30-day cardiovascular events, infections, or mortality after total joint arthroplasty
Authors: Michaud Kaleb , Fehringer Edward V , Garvin Kevin , O’Dell James R , Mikuls Ted R 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Serious infection, cardiovascular disease, and mortality are increased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Whether RA affects the risk for these complications after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is unknown, we hypothesize that it does. We compared the occurrence of 30-day postoperative complications and mortality in a large cohort of RA and osteoarthritis (OA) patients undergoing hip or knee TJA.

Methods
Analyses included 7-year data from the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program. The 30-day complications were compared by diagnosis by using logistic regression, and long-term mortality was examined by using Cox proportional hazards regression. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, and clustering by surgical site. Additional covariates included sociodemographics, comorbidities, health behaviors, and operative risk factors.

Results
The 34,524 patients (839 RA, 33,685 OA) underwent knee (65.9%) or hip TJA. Patients were 95.7% men with a mean (SD) age of 64.4 (10.7) years and had 3,764 deaths over a mean follow-up of 3.7 (2.3) years. Compared with OA patients, those with RA were significantly more likely to require a return to the operating room (odds ratio (OR), 1.45 (95% CI, 1.08 to 1.94), but had similar rates of 30-day postoperative infection, OR 1.02 (0.72 to 1.47), cardiovascular events, OR 0.69 (0.37 to 1.28), and mortality, OR 0.94 (0.38 to 2.33). RA was associated with a significantly higher long-term mortality; hazard ratio (HR), 1.22 (1.00 to 1.49).

Conclusion
In this study of US veterans, RA patients were not at an increased risk for short-term mortality or other major complications after TJA, although they returned to the operating room more often and had increased long-term mortality.
Neurological outcomes in patients transported to hospital without a prehospital return of spontaneous circulation after cardiac arrest
Authors: Goto Yoshikazu , Maeda Tetsuo , Nakatsu-Goto Yumiko 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Introduction
As emergency medical services (EMS) personnel in Japan are not allowed to perform termination of resuscitation in the field, most patients experiencing an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) are transported to hospitals without a prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). As the crucial prehospital factors for outcomes are not clear in patients who had an OHCA without a prehospital ROSC, we aimed to determine the prehospital factors associated with 1-month favorable neurological outcomes (Cerebral Performance Category scale 1 or 2 (CPC 1–2)).

Methods
We analyzed the data of 398,121 adult OHCA patients without a prehospital ROSC from a prospectively recorded nationwide Utstein-style Japanese database from 2007 to 2010. The primary endpoint was 1-month CPC 1–2.

Results
The rate of 1-month CPC 1–2 was 0.49%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the independent variables associated with CPC 1–2 were the following nine prehospital factors: (1) initial non-asystole rhythm (ventricular fibrillation (VF): adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 9.37; 95% confidence interval (CI), 7.71 to 11.4; pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT): aOR, 8.50; 95% CI, 5.36 to 12.9; pulseless electrical activity (PEA): aOR, 2.75; 95% CI, 2.40 to 3.15), (2) age <65 years (aOR, 3.90; 95% CI, 3.28 to 4.67), (3) arrest witnessed by EMS personnel (aOR, 2.82; 95% CI, 2.48 to 3.19), (4) call-to-hospital arrival time <24 minutes (aOR, 2.58; 95% CI, 2.22 to 3.01), (5) arrest witnessed by any layperson, (6) physician-staffed ambulance, (7) call-to-response time <5 minutes, (8) prehospital shock delivery, and (9) presumed cardiac cause. When four crucial key factors (with an aOR >2.0 in the regression model: initial non-asystole rhythm, age <65 years, EMS-witnessed arrest, and call-to-hospital arrival time <24 minutes) were present, the rates of 1-month CPC 1–2 and 1-month survival were 16.1% and 23.2% in initial VF, 8.3% and 16.7% in pulseless VT, and 3.8% and 9.4% in PEA, respectively.

Conclusions
In OHCA patients transported to hospitals without a prehospital ROSC, nine prehospital factors were significantly associated with 1-month CPC 1–2. Of those, four are crucial key factors: initial non-asystole rhythm, age <65 years, EMS-witnessed arrest, and call-to-hospital arrival time <24 minutes.
Field and Laboratory Decay Evaluations of Wood–Plastic Composites
Authors: Ibach Rebecca E. , Gnatowski Marek , Sun Grace 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Experimental wood–plastic composites (WPCs) were made so that they matched the manufacturing process, dimensions, and water absorption of some commercial decking boards. WPC samples from selected formulations were divided into two identical groups. The first group was exposed in exterior conditions in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Hilo, Hawaii, at sun and shadow sites. Water absorption and biological activity were monitored by field inspection, density change measurement, and optical and scanning electron microscopy. The second group was used for soil block culture testing performed according to AWPA E10 (or ASTM D1413). Specimens were conditioned by immersion in water at room and elevated temperatures. Results of fungal decay activity are reported as specimen weight loss or corresponding density decrease. Observed density changes during field exposure and soil block culture testing are compared. Samples exposed to aggressive exterior conditions underwent decay, which was detected by microscopic inspection of board cross sections and calculated density decrease. Fruiting bodies of brown-rot decay fungi (Dacryopinax spathularia) were found on some sample surfaces during field inspections. The decay process of tested materials in the field seemed to require an initiation period dependent on exposure site. The shortest initiation time and the most aggressive environment for decay of WPC samples were found at the sunny site in Hilo. Laboratory soil block culture testing showed weight loss and density decrease of experimental WPCs to depend on conditioning. Correlations between laboratory test results and WPC performance in the field are described.
Effect of In-Woods Storage of Unprocessed Logging Residue on Biomass Feedstock Quality
Authors: Lin Yingqian , Pan Fei 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
An air-drying process was designed to avoid material decomposition and eliminate the high cost involved in other drying and storage methods. This process, which involved no chipping of biomass at the harvest site, was tested at two study sites in Escanaba, Upper Peninsula, Michigan, from June to November 2011. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of air-drying on biomass moisture content (MC) and higher heating value (HHV) over field storage. In addition the impacts of different positions within a pile, biomass pile sizes, and weather conditions on biomass moisture change were also tested. Results showed that biomass MCs were significantly reduced during the 5-month field storage period. In addition, the biomass MCs at different positions within a biomass pile were found to be statistically uniform. Results further suggested that making a biomass pile smaller is an appropriate way to store woody biomass when it is scheduled for short-term use, while larger piles should be considered as an option for long-term storage. Biomass HHVs were found to be stable during the 5-month storage period. These results indicate that field piling of unprocessed biomass is a reliable solution for year-round biomass supply without incurring additional costs. Regression analysis also showed that field-stored biomass MC can be significantly impacted by air humidity, while the effect of air temperature and cumulative precipitation on biomass MC was minor.
“I can't remember them ever not doing whatI tell them!”: Negotiating face and power relations in ‘upward’ refusals in multicultural workplaces in Hong Kong
Authors: Schnurr Stephanie , Zayts Olga 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
This paper explores how refusals are constructed and negotiated in multicultural workplaces in Hong Kong. A particular focus is on the ways in which Hong Kong Chinese subordinates negotiate issues of face and power relations when refusing their expatriate superiors.
Despite abundant research on refusals in a variety of contexts across cultures, there are very few studies of multicultural workplaces. This is particularly surprising considering that refusals have been described as a frequent “ ‘sticking point’ in cross-cultural communication” (Beebe et al. 1990). This paper addresses this gap by drawing on more than 80 hours of authentic audio- and video-recorded spoken workplace discourse and a corpus of emails collected in multicultural workplaces in Hong Kong.
Findings of this exploratory study indicate that refusals are complex communicative activities that are carefully negotiated among participants. We argue that in contrast to earlier studies, participants' socio-cultural backgrounds do not appear to be the main determining factor of how issues of face and power relations are negotiated in upward refusals. Rather, a range of other factors, including media of communication, normative ways of interacting in a workplace, the relationship between interlocutors, as well as the content of the refusal, are more relevant for explaining participants’ communicative behavior.
Genre de vie vezo , pêche « traditionnelle » et mondialisation sur le littoral sud-ouest de Madagascar
Authors: Grenier Christophe 
Published: November 2013

Le littoral sud-ouest de Madagascar, le long duquel s’étend l’un des plus grands écosystèmes coralliens de la Terre, est habité par une population vezo dont le genre de vie fondé exclusivement sur la pêche a fait preuve d’une adaptation séculaire à l’environnement marin. Depuis les années 1990, cette région littorale centrée sur Tuléar connaît une forte croissance démographique, un rapide développement de la pêche commerciale et une dégradation accélérée de l’écosystème corallien, ce qui entraîne la raréfaction de certaines espèces recherchées et de sérieuses perturbations dans la société vezo. Cet article vise à montrer que cette crise systémique est due à l’ouverture géographique de cette région littorale, un processus en grande partie lié à la rapide mondialisation de la pêche vezo. Les institutions internationales et agences de développement ont modernisé les filières et les engins d’une pêche vezo toujours qualifiée de « traditionnelle » mais dont les produits sont vendus sur des marchés mondiaux par des réseaux de collecteurs et d’entreprises transnationales.