bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduced quality of life when experiencing menstrual pain in women with primary dysmenorrhea
Authors: Iacovides Stella , Avidon Ingrid , Bentley Alison , Baker Fiona C. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractPrimary dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecological condition among women of reproductive age. Although dysmenorrhea has been reported to affect the ability of women to carry out daily activities, the impact of primary dysmenorrheic pain specifically on quality of life (QoL), has yet to be elucidated. We investigated whether QoL varies between women with and without severe primary dysmenorrhea, and whether QoL is impaired only during menstruation or also during pain‐free phases of the menstrual cycle. Twelve women with severe primary dysmenorrhea and nine control women completed the quality of life enjoyment and satisfaction questionnaire (Q‐LES‐Q‐SF) during menstruation and during the late follicular phase. Women with dysmenorrhea had a significant reduction in Q‐LES‐Q‐SF scores (mean ± SD: 54 ± 18%, percentage of the total maximum possible score) when they were experiencing severe menstrual pain compared with their own pain‐free follicular phase (80 ± 14%, p < 0.0001) and compared with controls during menstruation (81 ± 10%, p < 0.0001). They also rated their overall life satisfaction and contentment as poorer during menstruation. Severe menstrual pain associated with primary dysmenorrhea, therefore, impacts health‐related of QoL.
Marked reductions in visual impairment due to diabetic retinopathy achieved by efficient screening and timely treatment
Authors: Hautala Nina , Aikkila Riittaliisa , Korpelainen Juha , Keskitalo Antti , Kurikka Anne , Falck Aura , Bloigu Risto , Alanko Hannu 
Published: October 2013

AbstractPurposeDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common complication of diabetes and needs to be diagnosed early to prevent severe sight‐threatening retinopathy. Digital photography with telemedicine connections is a novel way to deliver cost‐effective, accessible screening to remote areas. Screening for DR in a mobile eye examination unit (EyeMo) is compared to traditional service models (i.e. local municipal services or a commercial service provider). The quality of images, delays from screening to treatment, the stage of DR, coverage of screening and the rate of visual impairment due to DR are evaluated.MethodsEyeMo utilizes telemedicine technology. The electronic databases of the hospital and information from the Finnish Register of Visual Impairment were used to determine delays and the rate of visual impairment.ResultsFourteen thousand eight hundred and sixty‐six fundus photographs were taken in EyeMo in 2007–2011. Coverage reached 78% of potential clients. No DR was detected in 43%, mild background retinopathy in 23%, moderate or severe background retinopathy in 31% and proliferative retinopathy in 3% of the evaluations. The quality of images was higher (p < 0.01) and delays shorter (p < 0.01) in EyeMo as compared to traditional service models. The rate of visual impairment due to DR decreased by 86% in the area covered by EyeMo, and the change compared favourably to the situation in the entire Finland (p < 0.0005).ConclusionEyeMo is a feasible model of telemedicine application for screening of DR. Effective screening and timely access to care may indeed have influenced the reduced rate of visual damage.
Effects of adding urea on fermentation quality of pruned persimmon branch silage and its digestibility, preference, nitrogen balance and rumen fermentation in beef cattle
Authors: Cao Yang , Zang Yanqing , Lv Renlong , Takahashi Toshiyoshi , Yoshida Norio , Yang Huanmin 
Published: October 2013

AbstractFour cattle were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment to study digestibility, ruminal fermentation, nitrogen retention and preference of ensiling pruned persimmon branch (PPB) chips treated with urea. After 60 days of ensiling, urea‐treated PPB showed higher (P < 0.05) pH, acetic acid and ammonia‐N levels than no‐urea PPB. Both urea‐treated PPB and rice straw diets showed higher (P < 0.05) apparent digestibility and digestible nutrient content in cattle than no‐urea PPB diet. Neither mold nor yeast was detected in any urea‐treated PPB. Urinary and fecal excretion as well as nitrogen retention in cattle fed urea‐treated PPB were higher (P < 0.05) than in those fed no‐urea PPB and rice straw. With the exception that ruminal ammonia‐N levels in cattle fed urea‐treated PPB were higher (P < 0.05) than in those given no‐urea PPB and rice straw, ruminal pH, volatile fatty acid concentrations, and the acetic : propionic acid ratio of rumen content were unaffected by diets. The rank order of preference was rice straw > low‐urea > no‐urea > high‐urea. The results suggested that urea treatment of PPB inhibited growth of mold and yeast during silage storage, enhanced its digestibility and had nutritive value almost equivalent to that of rice straw.
Repeated Randomization and Matching in Multi-Arm Trials
Authors: Xu Zhenzhen , Kalbfleisch John D. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryCluster randomized trials with relatively few clusters have been widely used in recent years for evaluation of health-care strategies. The balance match weighted (BMW) design, introduced in Xu and Kalbfleisch (2010, Biometrics 66, 813–823), applies the optimal full matching with constraints technique to a prospective randomized design with the aim of minimizing the mean squared error (MSE) of the treatment effect estimator. This is accomplished through consideration of M independent randomizations of the experimental units and then selecting the one which provides the most balance evaluated by matching on the estimated propensity scores. Often in practice, clinical trials may involve more than two treatment arms and multiple treatment options need to be evaluated. Therefore, we consider extensions of the BMW propensity score matching method to allow for studies with three or more arms. In this article, we propose three approaches to extend the BMW design to clinical trials with more than two arms and evaluate the property of the extended design in simulation studies.
Sadler, Randall (2012) Virtual worlds for language learningPeter Lang (Bern & New York) isbn 978‐3‐0351‐0573‐0 176 pp £35 http://www.peterlang.com/index.cfm?event=cmp.ccc.seitenstruktur.detailseiten&seitentyp=produkt&pk=58600&cid=334
Authors: Oddone Cristina 
Published: October 2013

SummarySadler's team describe the features of virtual environments and present them as a way to enhance language learning, promote collaborative learning, and improve communication skills, through simulations and lifelike experiences. The book may well be of value to teachers and researchers who are interested in learning something (or something more) on the potential of these virtual worlds. If it is likely to interest you, you may wish to borrow a copy for a while.Cristina Oddone
A place of our own: a narrative review of the family housing services literature
Authors: Chaviano Casey L. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe problem of family homelessness has been widely recognized by both policymakers and social service providers. What is not clear, however, is the overall effectiveness of housing intervention services provided to homeless families. This narrative review of the literature discusses 10 studies from 1991 to 2013 on both transitional and supportive housing in order to assess under what conditions and for whom these interventions are most effective. More specifically this review evaluates the research regarding which elements of intervention services are most helpful to families, the outcomes associated with these programmes, and the short‐ and long‐term effectiveness of housing interventions. Evidence suggests that while these programmes produce positive outcomes for families, a one‐size‐fits‐all model of housing may not be effective for all families. Limitations and directions for future research are also discussed.
Sketch‐to‐Design: Context‐Based Part Assembly
Authors: Xie Xiaohua , Xu Kai , Mitra Niloy J. , Cohen‐Or Daniel , Gong Wenyong , Su Qi , Chen Baoquan 
Published: October 2013

AbstractDesigning 3D objects from scratch is difficult, especially when the user intent is fuzzy and lacks a clear target form. We facilitate design by providing reference and inspiration from existing model contexts. We rethink model design as navigating through different possible combinations of part assemblies based on a large collection of pre‐segmented 3D models. We propose an interactive sketch‐to‐design system, where the user sketches prominent features of parts to combine. The sketched strokes are analysed individually, and more importantly, in context with the other parts to generate relevant shape suggestions via adesign galleryinterface. As a modelling session progresses and more parts get selected, contextual cues become increasingly dominant, and the model quickly converges to a final form. As a key enabler, we use pre‐learned part‐based contextual information to allow the user to quickly explore different combinations of parts. Our experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach for efficiently designing new variations from existing shape collections.
No Evidence of Genotoxic Damage in a Group of Patients with Titanium Dental Implants and Different Metal Restorations in the Oral Cavity
Authors: Camacho‐Alonso Fabio , Sánchez‐Siles Mariano , Gilbel‐del Águila Osmundo 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundTitanium is the most widely used metal in implant dentistry. In spite of its biocompatibility, when it is released into the oral environment, it can have local negative biological effects.PurposeThe aims of this study were to detect the concentration of metal ions in patients with dental implants, to evaluate whether or not their release might be influenced by the presence of other metals, and to assay whether these ions might provoke genotoxic damage in oral mucosa cells.Materials and MethodsOne hundred five patients with a total of 180 dental implants were included. The sample was divided into seven groups (n = 15 per group). Group 1 consisted of patients with metal‐porcelain fixed crowns on dental implants; Group 2, patients with metal‐porcelain fixed crowns on teeth; Group 3, patients with dental amalgams; Group 4, patients with metal‐porcelain fixed crowns on dental implants and metal‐porcelain fixed crowns on teeth; Group 5, patients with metal‐porcelain fixed crowns on dental implants and dental amalgams; and Group 6, patients with metal‐porcelain fixed crowns on dental implants, metal‐porcelain fixed crowns on teeth, and dental amalgams. Group 7 was the control group, without any dental treatment. The concentration of metal ions was detected using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; genotoxicity was measured using the buccal micronucleus cytome assay protocol.ResultsGroup 5 displayed the highest concentration of metal ions in parts per billion (Ti, Co, Ni, Zn, Pd, Sn, and Pb). Group 6 was characterized by the highest presence of Hg. No signs of genotoxic damage were found in any of the study groups.ConclusionsPatients with titanium dental implants combined with other metal restorations presented higher concentrations of metal ions, but no genotoxic damage was observed in oral mucosal epithelial cells.
Colonic decompression and direct intraluminal medical therapy for Clostridium difficile‐associated megacolon using a tube placed endoscopically in the proximal colon
Authors: Causey M. W. , Walker A. , Cummings M. , Johnson E. K. , Maykel J. A. , Steele S. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAimUrgent colectomy for severe Clostridium difficile infection can be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We aimed to use endoscopic methods for treatment.MethodWe describe a technique of placing an intracolonic tube facilitating decompression and direct delivery of vancomycin to the proximal colon along with enemas on a regular and frequent basis that may not be possible with vancomycin enemas alone.ResultsSuccessful resolution of the C. difficile infection and avoidance of surgery.ConclusionWhile further long‐term evaluation is required, our initial results have shown it to be effective in treating select patients with recalcitrant Clostridium difficile‐associated megacolon.
Electrochemical method for quantitative determination of trace amounts of disperse dye in wastewater
Authors: Santos Daniela P , Trindade Magno A G , Oliveira Ricardo A G , Osugi Marly E , Bianchi Alex R , Zanoni Maria V B 
Published: October 2013

The electrochemical behaviour of Disperse Red 13 dye at a glassy carbon electrode was investigated in both organic and aqueous organic mixtures. Best results were obtained in N,N‐dimethylformamide/Britton–Robinson buffer (1:1, v/v), which displays a well‐defined peak at ‐0.40 V (vs Ag/AgCl) owing to reduction of the protonated nitro group. This method can be successfully applied to the electroanalytical determination of Disperse Red 13 in a very simple and inexpensive way. All the differential pulse voltammetry parameters were optimised by using a glassy carbon electrode modified with poly(glutamic acid) films. The targeted analytical method presented a linear response from Disperse Red 13 concentrations between 2.5 × 10−7 and 3 × 10−6 mol l−1 (r = 0.997), with a detection limit of 1.5 × 10−8 mol l−1 and recoveries of 89.7–95.10% in water samples. Disperse Red 13 was successfully determined in textile industry wastewater by means of the proposed method after pre‐extraction in a solid‐phase extraction cartridge.
Prevalence and clinical predictors of drug‐resistant tuberculosis in three clinical settings in Calabar, Nigeria
Authors: Otu Akaninyene , Umoh Victor , Habib Abdulrazak , Ansa Victor 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackground and AimsDrug‐resistant tuberculosis (TB) poses a serious challenge to global control of TB. This multicentre study was to identify risk factors for drug resistance to the first line anti‐TB drugs among TB patients presenting for care in three health facilities in Calabar, Nigeria.Materials and MethodsA cohort of 100 consecutive TB patients were recruited. Demographic information such as age, sex, weight, height, occupation, previous TB diagnosis and treatment, smoking, alcohol dependence and substance abuse were obtained. Sputum samples were collected from participants and cultured on Lowenstein – Jensen (LJ) slopes. Drug susceptibility testing was then carried out for the isolates identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, using isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and streptomycin.ResultsForty‐two of the 100 participants evaluated were found to be resistant to at least one drug. Multi‐drug‐resistant TB was seen in four persons. Statistically significant differences were found with respect to three variables: younger age, abandonment of TB treatment and presence of cavitary lesions on chest radiograph. The variables sex, alcohol dependence, tobacco use and previous imprisonment were not significantly associated with TB drug resistance. Four variables were significant following the multivariate analysis with the following adjusted odds ratios: abandonment of TB treatment (9.34), cavitary lesions on chest radiograph (5.88), younger age (6.25) and male sex (3.25).ConclusionThus, risk stratification of TB patients is advocated in clinical settings where diagnostic facilities for drug‐resistant TB are scarce using the identified predictors. This group will benefit from close monitoring and early drug susceptibility testing.
Seed handling behaviours of native and invasive seed‐dispersing ants differentially influence seedling emergence in an introduced plant
Authors: PRIOR KIRSTEN M. , SAXENA KRITI , FREDERICKSON MEGAN E. 
Published: October 2013

Myrmecochory, or ant‐mediated seed dispersal, is an important ecological interaction in which ants benefit by gaining nutrition from lipid‐rich elaiosomes attached to seeds and plants benefit from having their seeds dispersed away from parent plants. Most research on the benefits of myrmecochory focuses on primary dispersal, in which ants move seeds to nests, or secondary dispersal, in which ants deposit intact seeds in middens after consuming elaiosomes. Less is known about how ants handle seeds inside nests and if handling influences plant fitness.
The seed handling behaviours of a native ‘keystone disperser’, Aphaenogaster rudis s.l., and an invasive seed‐disperser, Myrmica rubra L., on an introduced herb, Chelidonium majus L., were compared. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to test if handling by ants, manual removal of elaiosomes, or no handling (controls) influenced seedling emergence. Colony‐level differences in handling behaviours and plant responses were also examined.
Aphaenogaster rudis retained seeds inside nests longer than M. rubra, but there was no difference in the amount of elaiosome removed by the two species. There was no difference in the proportion of seedlings that emerged among treatments, but seedlings emerged earlier when handled by A. rudis. Additionally, more seedlings emerged and seedlings emerged earlier the longer seeds were retained inside ant nests.
This study suggests that handling by ants may be a benefit of myrmecochory. This is probably not due to elaiosome removal; rather favourable nest conditions may enhance emergence. Also, functional differences in ant species may result in different outcomes for plant partners.
Cavernoma‐related epilepsy: Review and recommendations for management—Report of the Surgical Task Force of the ILAE Commission on Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Rosenow Felix , Alonso‐Vanegas Mario A. , Baumgartner Christoph , Blümcke Ingmar , Carreño Maria , Gizewski Elke R. , Hamer Hajo M. , Knake Susanne , Kahane Philippe , Lüders Hans O. , Mathern Gary W. , Menzler Katja , Miller Jonathan , Otsuki Taisuke , Özkara Cigdem , Pitkänen Asla , Roper Steven N. , Sakamoto Americo C. , Sure Ulrich , Walker Matthew C. , Steinhoff Bernhard J. ,   The Surgical Task Force, Commission on Therapeutic Strategies of the ILAE
Published: October 2013

SummaryCerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are well‐defined, mostly singular lesions present in 0.4–0.9% of the population. Epileptic seizures are the most frequent symptom in patients with CCMs and have a great impact on social function and quality of life. However, patients with CCM‐related epilepsy (CRE) who undergo surgical resection achieve postoperative seizure freedom in only about 75% of cases. This is frequently because insufficient efforts are made to adequately define and resect the epileptogenic zone. The Surgical Task Force of the Commission on Therapeutics of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and invited experts reviewed the pertinent literature on CRE. Definitions of definitive and probable CRE are suggested, and recommendations regarding the diagnostic evaluation and etiology‐specific management of patients with CRE are made. Prospective trials are needed to determine when and how surgery should be done and to define the relations of the hemosiderin rim to the epileptogenic zone.
Shape features of epileptic spikes are a marker of epileptogenesis in mice
Authors: Huneau Clément , Benquet Pascal , Dieuset Gabriel , Biraben Arnaud , Martin Benoît , Wendling Fabrice 
Published: October 2013

SummaryPurposeTo identify reliable biomarkers for quantitatively assessing the development of epilepsy in brain.MethodsIn a kainate mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy, we performed long‐term video–electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring (several weeks) of freely moving animals, from kainic acid injection to chronic epileptic stage. Using signal processing techniques, we automatically detected single epileptic spikes (ESs), and we quantified the evolution of shape features during the epileptogenesis process. Using a computational model of hippocampal activity (neuronal population level), we investigated excitatory‐related and inhibitory‐related parameters involved in morphologic changes of ESs.Key FindingsThe frequency of ESs increases during epileptogenesis. Regarding shape features, we found that both the initial spike component and the wave component of opposite polarity of ESs gradually increase during epileptogenesis. These very specific alterations of the shape of ESs were reproduced in a computational physiologically relevant neuronal population model. Using this model, we disclosed some key parameters (related to glutamatergic and γ‐aminobutyric acid [GABA]ergic synaptic transmission) that explain the shape features of simulated ESs. Of interest, the model predicted that the decrease of GABAergic inhibition is responsible for the increase of the wave component of ESs. This prediction (at first sight counterintuitive) was verified in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Finally, from aforementioned electrophysiologic features, we devised a novel and easily computable index (wave area/spike amplitude ratio) indicative of the progression of the disease (early vs. late stage).SignificanceResults suggest that dendritic inhibition in hippocampal circuits undertake dramatic changes over the latent period. These changes are responsible for observed modifications in the shape of ESs recorded in local field potential (LFP) signals. The proposed index may constitute a biomarker of epileptogenesis.
The evolution of a discard policy in Europe
Authors: Borges Lisa 
Published: October 2013

AbstractOcean sustainability is a widespread public concern in Europe, and the issue of fisheries discards is one that is now widely known. With this increase in public awareness comes the need to adapt fisheries management policies to manage issues like fisheries discards that were not previously taken into account. In this context, this study analyses the evolution of the European Union's discard policy since its inception in 2006 until the present day and the events that shaped its current format. It analyses the policy's advantages and disadvantages, and its political, environmental and scientific consequences. It argues that an increase in public awareness, due to public campaigns against fisheries discards, has focused managers' attention onto a symptom of fisheries mismanagement, rather than on its underlying causes of over‐exploitation and lack of fisheries control. This has distorted the discussion of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and potentially undermined its provisions relating to discards.
Changing the hemodialysis prescription for hemodialysis patients with subdural and intracranial hemorrhage
Authors: Davenport Andrew 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAlthough continuous modalities of renal replacement therapy offer an advantage to the patient with compromised cerebral perfusion and intracranial hypertension, they are generally limited to the intensive care unit setting. Many hemodialysis patients admitted with strokes and subdural hematoma are managed on general wards. As such, these patients are generally treated by intermittent hemodialysis, and their dialysis prescription should be altered to minimize changes in serum osmolality, and fall in blood pressure during dialysis. Such patients require more frequent but shorter dialysis sessions, using minimally bioincompatible small surface area dialyzers with lower blood flows, in combination with higher sodium and cooled dialysate. In patients at risk of intracranial hemorrhage and those with invasive intracranial monitoring, systemic anticoagulants should be avoided, choosing no anticoagulation protocols or regional anticoagulants.