bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Local tomography model of the northeastern Black Sea: intra-plate crustal underthrusting
Authors: Gobarenko Valentina , Yegorova Tamara , Stephenson Randell 
Published: October 2015

Abstract

The Greater Caucasus and southern Crimean Mountains form part of a fold–thrust belt located on the northern margin of the Black Sea, south of the Precambrian craton of eastern Europe. Its southern limit is approximated by the Main Caucasus Thrust, which runs to the west from onshore Russia and Georgia along the whole of the northern margin of the Black Sea. The Main Caucasus Thrust is related to a zone of present-day seismicity along the southern Crimea–Caucasus coast of the Black Sea called the Crimea–Caucasus Seismic Zone. Thick continental crust north of the Main Caucasus Thrust lies adjacent to the thin ‘suboceanic' or transitional crust of the Black Sea Basin. A local seismic tomography study of this area in the vicinity of the Kerch and Taman peninsulas, which lie between the Azov Sea and the Black Sea, has been carried out based on 195 weak (m
b
≤3) earthquakes occurring from 1975 to 2010 and recorded at four permanent and three temporary seismological stations on the Kerch and Taman peninsulas. The results, for a volume of about 200×100 km (east–west and north–south, respectively) and a depth of about 40 km, provide evidence for significant heterogeneity in the P-wave and S-wave velocities. Velocities inferred in the northern part of the model suggest that the continental crust underlying the Crimea–Azov region north of the Main Caucasus Thrust is of different tectonic affinity (cratonic) than that underlying the northeastern part of the Black Sea, south of the Main Caucasus Thrust (Neoproterozoic–Palaeozoic accretionary domain). In the southern part of the model, at depths of 25–40 km, the uppermost mantle below the thin quasi-oceanic crust of the Black Sea has anomalous low P-wave velocities with high P- to S-wave velocity ratios. This is tentatively interpreted as representing serpentinized upper mantle of continental lithosphere exhumed during Cretaceous rifting and lithospheric hyperextension of the eastern Black Sea. The transition between the continental domains and the crust underlain by anomalous upper mantle is closely related to the Crimea–Caucasus Seismic Zone, where earthquake foci deepen northwards, suggesting that the latter is being thrust under the former in this intra-plate setting.
Anticancer and Cancer Prevention Effects of Piperine-Free Piper nigrum Extract on N-nitrosomethylurea-Induced Mammary Tumorigenesis in Rats
Authors: Sriwiriyajan Somchai , Tedasen Aman , Lailerd Narissara , Boonyaphiphat Pleumjit , Nitiruangjarat Anupong , Deng Yan , Graidist Potchanapond 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
Piper nigrum (P. nigrum) is commonly used in traditional medicine. This current study aimed to investigate the anticancer and cancer preventive activity of a piperine-free P. nigrum extract (PFPE) against breast cancer cells and N-nitrosomethylurea (NMU)–induced mammary tumorigenesis in rats. The cytotoxic effects and the mechanism of action were investigated in breast cancer cells using the MTT assay and Western blot analysis, respectively. An acute toxicity study was conducted according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development guideline. Female Sprague-Dawley rats with NMU-induced mammary tumors were used in preventive and anticancer studies. The results showed that PFPE inhibited the growth of luminal-like breast cancer cells more so than the basal-like ones by induction of apoptosis. In addition, PFPE exhibited greater selectivity against breast cancer cells than colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and neuroblastoma cells. In an acute toxicity study, a single oral administration of PFPE at a dose of 5,000 mg/kg body weight resulted in no mortality and morbidity during a 14-day observation period. For the cancer preventive study, the incidence of tumor-bearing rats was 10% to 20% in rats treated with PFPE. For the anticancer activity study, the growth rate of tumors in the presence of PFPE-treated groups was much slower when compared with the control and vehicle groups. The extract itself caused no changes to the biochemical and hematologic parameters when compared with the control and vehicle groups. In conclusion, PFPE had a low toxicity and a potent antitumor effect on mammary tumorigenesis in rats. Cancer Prev Res; 9(1); 74–82. ©2015 AACR.
Preclinical In Vitro, In Vivo, and Pharmacokinetic Evaluations of FLLL12 for the Prevention and Treatment of Head and Neck Cancers
Authors: Anisuzzaman Abu Syed Md , Haque Abedul , Rahman Mohammad Aminur , Wang Dongsheng , Fuchs James R. , Hurwitz Selwyn , Liu Yuan , Sica Gabriel , Khuri Fadlo R. , Chen Zhuo (Georgia) , Shin Dong M. , Amin A.R.M. Ruhul 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
Despite its high promise for cancer prevention and therapy, the potential utility of curcumin in cancer is compromised by its low bioavailability and weak potency. The purpose of the current study was to assess the in vitro and in vivo efficacy and pharmacokinetic parameters of the potent curcumin analogue FLLL12 in SCCHN and identify the mechanisms of its antitumor effect. IC50 values against a panel of one premalignant and eight malignant head and neck cancer cell lines as well as apoptosis assay results suggested that FLLL12 is 10- to 24-fold more potent than natural curcumin depending on the cell line and induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. In vivo efficacy (xenograft) and pharmacokinetic studies also suggested that FLLL12 is significantly more potent and has more favorable pharmacokinetic properties than curcumin. FLLL12 strongly inhibited the expression of p-EGFR, EGFR, p-AKT, AKT, Bcl-2, and Bid and increased the expression of Bim. Overexpression of constitutively active AKT or Bcl-2 or ablation of Bim or Bid significantly inhibited FLLL12-induced apoptosis. Further mechanistic studies revealed that FLLL12 regulated EGFR and AKT at transcriptional levels, whereas Bcl-2 was regulated at the translational level. Finally, FLLL12 strongly inhibited the AKT downstream targets mTOR and FOXO1a and 3a. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that FLLL12 is a potent curcumin analogue with more favorable pharmacokinetic properties that induces apoptosis of head and neck cancer cell lines by inhibition of survival proteins including EGFR, AKT, and Bcl-2 and increasing of the proapoptotic protein Bim. Cancer Prev Res; 9(1); 63–73. ©2015 AACR.
Relationship Between Physician and Hospital Procedure Volume and Mortality After Carotid Artery Stenting Among Medicare Beneficiaries
Authors: Jalbert Jessica J. , Gerhard-Herman Marie D. , Nguyen Louis L. , Jaff Michael R. , Kumamaru Hiraku , Williams Lauren A. , Chen Chih-Ying , Liu Jun , Seeger John D. , Rothman Andrew T. , Schneider Peter , Brott Thomas G. , Tsai Thomas T. , Aronow Herbert D. , Johnston Joseph A. , Setoguchi Soko 
Published: October 2015

Background—
Clinical trials demonstrated the efficacy of carotid artery stenting (CAS) relative to carotid endarterectomy when performed by physicians with demonstrated proficiency. It is unclear how CAS performance may be influenced by the diversity in CAS and non-CAS provider volumes in routine clinical practice.

Methods and Results—
We linked Medicare claims to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ CAS Database (2005–2009). We assessed the association between 30-day mortality and past-year physician (0, 1–4, 5–9, 10–19, ≥20) and hospital (<10, 10–19, 20–39, ≥40) CAS volumes and past-year hospital coronary and peripheral stenting volumes (<200, 200–399, 400–849, ≥850) among beneficiaries at least 66 years of age. Unadjusted 30-day mortality risk was 1.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6–2.0) for 19 724 patients undergoing CAS by 2045 physicians in 729 hospitals. Median past-year CAS volume was 9 (interquartile range, 4–19) for physicians and 23 (interquartile range, 12–41) for hospitals. Compared to physicians performing ≥20 CAS in the past year, lower CAS volumes were associated with higher adjusted risks of 30-day morality (P value for trend < 0.05): 1.4 (95% CI, 0.9–2.3) for 0 past-year CAS, 1.3 (95% CI, 0.9–1.8) for 1 to 4, 1.1 (95% CI, 0.8–1.6) for 5 to 9, and 0.9 (95% CI, 0.7–1.4) for 10 to 19. An inverse relationship between 30-day mortality and past-year CAS hospital volume as well as past-year hospital non-CAS volume, past-year hospital non-CAS volume, and 30-day mortality was also noted.

Conclusions—
Among Medicare patients, an inverse relationship exists between physician and hospital CAS volumes and hospital non-CAS stenting volume and 30-day mortality, even after adjusting for all pertinent patient- and hospital-level factors.
Effects of Vegetarian Diets on Blood Lipids: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Wang Fenglei , Zheng Jusheng , Yang Bo , Jiang Jiajing , Fu Yuanqing , Li Duo 
Published: October 2015

Background
Vegetarian diets exclude all animal flesh and are being widely adopted by an increasing number of people; however, effects on blood lipid concentrations remain unclear. This meta‐analysis aimed to quantitatively assess the overall effects of vegetarian diets on blood lipids.

Methods and Results

We searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase,
ISI
Web of Knowledge, and the Cochrane Library through March 2015. Studies were included if they described the effectiveness of vegetarian diets on blood lipids (total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride). Weighted mean effect sizes were calculated for net changes by using a random‐effects model. We performed subgroup and univariate meta‐regression analyses to explore sources of heterogeneity. Eleven trials were included in the meta‐analysis. Vegetarian diets significantly lowered blood concentrations of total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and non–high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the pooled estimated changes were −0.36 mmol/L (95%
CI
−0.55 to −0.17;
P
<0.001), −0.34 mmol/L (95%
CI
−0.57 to −0.11;
P
<0.001), −0.10 mmol/L (95%
CI
−0.14 to −0.06;
P
<0.001), and −0.30 mmol/L (95%
CI
−0.50 to −0.10;
P
=0.04), respectively. Vegetarian diets did not significantly affect blood triglyceride concentrations, with a pooled estimated mean difference of 0.04 mmol/L (95%
CI
−0.05 to 0.13;
P
=0.40).

Conclusions
This systematic review and meta‐analysis provides evidence that vegetarian diets effectively lower blood concentrations of total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and non–high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Such diets could be a useful nonpharmaceutical means of managing dyslipidemia, especially hypercholesterolemia.
WRF-Solar: Description and Clear-Sky Assessment of an Augmented NWP Model for Solar Power Prediction
Authors: Jimenez Pedro A. , Hacker Joshua P. , Dudhia Jimy , Haupt Sue Ellen , Ruiz-Arias Jose A. , Gueymard Chris A. , Thompson Gregory , Eidhammer Trude , Deng Aijun 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWRF-Solar is a specific configuration and augmentation of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model designed for solar energy applications. Recent upgrades to the WRF Model contribute to making the model appropriate for solar power forecasting and comprise 1) developments to diagnose internally relevant atmospheric parameters required by the solar industry, 2) improved representation of aerosol–radiation feedback, 3) incorporation of cloud–aerosol interactions, and 4) improved cloud–radiation feedback. The WRF-Solar developments are presented together with a comprehensive characterization of the model performance for forecasting during clear skies. Performance is evaluated with numerical experiments using a range of different external and internal treatment of the atmospheric aerosols, including both a model-derived climatology of aerosol optical depth and temporally evolving aerosol optical properties from reanalysis products. The necessity of incorporating the influence of atmospheric aerosols to obtain accurate estimations of the surface shortwave irradiance components in clear-sky conditions is evident. Improvements of up to 58%, 76%, and 83% are found in global horizontal irradiance, direct normal irradiance, and diffuse irradiance, respectively, compared to a standard version of the WRF Model. Results demonstrate that the WRF-Solar model is an improved numerical tool for research and applications in support of solar energy.
Changes in government spending on healthcare and population mortality in the European union, 1995–2010: a cross-sectional ecological study
Authors: Budhdeo Sanjay , Watkins Johnathan , Atun Rifat , Williams Callum , Zeltner Thomas , Maruthappu Mahiben 
Published: October 2015

Objective Economic measures such as unemployment and gross domestic product are correlated with changes in health outcomes. We aimed to examine the effects of changes in government healthcare spending, an increasingly important measure given constrained government budgets in several European Union countries. Design Multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the effect of changes in healthcare spending as a proportion of total government expenditure, government healthcare spending as a proportion of gross domestic product and government healthcare spending measured in purchasing power parity per capita, on five mortality indicators. Additional variables were controlled for to ensure robustness of data. One to five year lag analyses were conducted. Setting and Participants European Union countries 1995–2010. Main outcome measures Neonatal mortality, postneonatal mortality, one to five years of age mortality, under five years of age mortality, adult male mortality, adult female mortality. Results A 1% decrease in government healthcare spending was associated with significant increase in all mortality metrics: neonatal mortality (coefficient −0.1217, p = 0.0001), postneonatal mortality (coefficient −0.0499, p = 0.0018), one to five years of age mortality (coefficient −0.0185, p = 0.0002), under five years of age mortality (coefficient −0.1897, p = 0.0003), adult male mortality (coefficient −2.5398, p = 0.0000) and adult female mortality (coefficient −1.4492, p = 0.0000). One per cent decrease in healthcare spending, measured as a proportion of gross domestic product and in purchasing power parity, was both associated with significant increases ( p < 0.05) in all metrics. Five years after the 1% decrease in healthcare spending, significant increases ( p < 0.05) continued to be observed in all mortality metrics. Conclusions Decreased government healthcare spending is associated with increased population mortality in the short and long term. Policy interventions implemented in response to the financial crisis may be associated with worsening population health.
‘Mastication rage’: a review of misophonia – an under-recognised symptom of psychiatric relevance?
Authors: Bruxner George 
Published: October 2015

Objective: To explore the condition of misophonia, its definition, possible neurological correlates, its associated morbidity, its possible psychiatric relevance and potential treatment. Method: Provision of an illustrative case vignette and a review of the limited literature. Results: Misophonia is a symptom associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders and may be a syndrome in itself associated with significant distress and avoidance. Treatments are not well validated. Conclusion: Misophonia may be an under-recognised condition of psychiatric relevance.
CRH as a Predictor of Preterm Birth in Minority Women
Authors: Ruiz R. Jeanne , Gennaro Susan , O’Connor Caitlin , Dwivedi Alok , Gibeau Anne , Keshinover Tayra , Welsh Tia 
Published: October 2015

Objective: To determine the predictive capability of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) as a biomarker of preterm birth (PTB) in minority women. Study Design: Venous blood samples were obtained at 22–24 weeks’ gestation in a prospective, descriptive study of 707 minority women experiencing low-risk pregnancies. CRH was analyzed using a radioimmunoassay and methanol extraction protocol. Result: CRH predicted PTB in both African American and Hispanic women. The odds ratio was 1.8 times greater for having a PTB if the CRH level was >24 pg/ml. The median CRH for African American women having a PTB was 46.6 pg/ml and for Hispanic women was 35.03 pg/ml. Using a receiver–operating characteristic curve, the threshold for CRH among the African American women was 30.6 pg/ml and among the Hispanic women was 27.4 pg/ml. Conclusion: CRH may be an important biomarker for predicting PTB in minority women, especially when combined with other predictors.
Poor Outcomes of Complicated Pouch-Related Fistulas after Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis Surgery
Authors: Kjaer M. D. , Kjeldsen J. , Qvist N. 
Published: October 2015

Background and Aims: Development of a pouch-related fistula tract is an uncommon but highly morbid complication to restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Pouch failure with permanent ileostomy is reported in 21%–30% of patients, yet the factors contributing to pouch excision remain poorly defined. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and treatment results of complicated pouch-related fistula, as well as to evaluate factors involved in excision after pouch failure. Material and Methods: The study was conducted as a retrospective study. All patients with diagnosed pouch-related fistulas were registered with information related to fistula classification, treatments, and outcome. Results and Conclusion: The final analysis included 48 (10.7%) of the 447 total ileal pouch-anal anastomosis patients with complicated pouch-related fistulas. Pouch-vaginal fistulas, pouch-perianal fistulas, and other pouch-related fistulas were observed in 19 (63%), 29 (60%), and 10 (21%) patients, respectively, corresponding to an accumulated risk of 8%, 6%, and 2%, respectively. Time from ileal pouch-anal anastomosis surgery to fistula presentation was 24 (0.2–212) months. Overall pouch failure, defined as pouch excision or a diverting stoma, was seen in 34 (71%) patients, while pouch excision was seen in 23 (48%) of the patients. Patients who developed Crohn’s disease had a significantly higher risk of pouch excision, as did patients with an early onset of the fistula after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis ( P = 0.006 and P = 0.007, respectively). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated a high risk of pouch failure in patients with complicated pouch-related fistulas. Furthermore, it showed that Crohn’s disease and the development of early onset fistulas are associated with pouch excision.
The Where is Norovirus Control Lost (WINCL) Study: an enhanced surveillance project to identify norovirus index cases in care settings in the UK and Ireland
Authors: Curran Evonne T , Wilson Jennie , Haig Caroline E , McCowan Colin , Leanord Alistair , Loveday Heather 
Published: October 2015

Background: Norovirus outbreaks have a significant impact on all care settings; little is known about the index cases from whom these outbreaks initiate. Aim: To identify and categorise norovirus outbreak index cases in care settings. Methods: A mixed-methods, multi-centre, prospective, enhanced surveillance study identified and categorised index cases in acute and non-acute care settings. Results: From 54 participating centres, 537 outbreaks were reported (November 2013 to April 2014): 383 (71.3%) in acute care facilities (ACF); 115 (21.4%) in residential or care homes (RCH) and 39 (7.3%) in other care settings (OCS). Index cases were identified in 424 (79%) outbreaks. Of the 245 index cases who were asymptomatic on admission and not transferred within/into the care setting, 123 (50%) had been an inpatient/resident for 4 days. Four themes emerged: missing the diagnosis, care service under pressure, delay in outbreak control measures and patient/resident location and proximity. Conclusion: The true index case is commonly not identified as the cause of a norovirus outbreak with at least 50% of index cases being misclassified. Unrecognised norovirus cross-transmission occurs frequently suggesting that either Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) are being insufficiently well applied, and or SICPs are themselves are insufficient to prevent outbreaks.
Pedobarographic and kinematic analysis in the functional evaluation of two post‐operative forefoot offloading shoes
Authors: Caravaggi Paolo , Giangrande Alessia , Berti Lisa , Lullini Giada , Leardini Alberto 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundForefoot offloading shoes are special orthopaedic footwear designed to protect and unload the injured part of the foot after surgery and for conservative treatments.The offloading action is often achieved by transferring plantar load to the rearfoot via rocker shoes with reduced contact area between shoe and ground. While these shoes are intended to be worn only for short periods, a compromise must be found between functionality and the risk of alterations in gait patterns at the lower limb joints. In this study, the pedobarographic, kinematic and kinetic effects of a traditional half‐shoe and a double‐rocker full‐outsole shoe were compared to those of a comfortable shoe (control).MethodsTen healthy female participants (28.2 ± 10.0 years) were asked to walk in three different footwear conditions for the left/right foot: control/half‐shoe, control/full‐outsole, and control/control. Full gait analysis was obtained in three walking trials for each participant in each condition. Simultaneously a sensor insole system recorded plantar pressure in different foot regions. Normalized root‐mean‐square error, coefficient of determination, and frame‐by‐frame statistical analysis were used to assess differences in time‐histories of kinematic and kinetic parameters between shoes.ResultsThe half ‐shoe group showed the slowest walking speed and the shortest stride length. Forefoot plantar load was significantly reduced in the half‐shoe (maximum force as % of Body Weight: half‐shoe = 62.1; full‐outsole = 86.9; control = 93.5; p < 0.001). At the rearfoot, mean pressure was the highest in the full‐outsole shoe. At the ankle, sagittal‐plane kinematics in the full‐outsole shoe had a pattern more similar to control.ConclusionsThe half‐shoe appears significantly more effective in reducing plantar load at the forefoot than a double‐rocker full‐outsole shoe, which is designed to reduce forefoot loading by using an insole with a thicker profile anteriorly as to maintain the foot in slight dorsiflexion. However, the half‐shoe is also associated with altered gait spatio‐temporal parameters, more kinematic modifications at the proximal lower limb joints and reduced propulsion in late stance.
“The Quota Encouraged Me to Run”
Authors: Nanes Stefanie 
Published: October 2015

AbstractGender quotas are a means to improve women’s political representation. This article examines the impact of Jordan’s municipal quota enacted in 2007. The quota drew into the political arena women who would otherwise not have run for office. Women councillors have firmly established their rightful presence on the local councils, a public realm previously deemed only for men. They successfully navigated the give-and-take of local Jordanian politics. In the process they gained a hard-won, invaluable political education and emerged as Jordan’s first sizable body of experienced women politicians on the local level. This article draws on extensive personal interviews with twenty-six female councillors from the first cohort of women elected under the quota. The results show that even a quota enacted in a clientelist system such as Jordan’s can bring positive change for women’s representation in politics.