bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aortic Stiffness Is Associated With Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Controlled Transesophageal Echocardiographic Study
Authors: Roldan Carlos A. , Alomari Ihab B. , Awad Khaled , Boyer Nathan M. , Qualls Clifford R. , Greene Ernest R. , Sibbitt Wilmer L. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTBackgroundAortic stiffness and left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction are common and associated with increased morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).HypothesisIn SLE, aortic stiffness and LV diastolic dysfunction may be associated.MethodsThis 6‐year‐duration, cross‐sectional, and controlled study was conducted in 76 SLE patients (69 women; mean age, 37 ± 12 years) and 26 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. All subjects underwent clinical and laboratory evaluations and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to assess LV diastolic function and stiffness of the descending thoracic aorta using the pressure‐strain elastic modulus (PSEM). To validate results using PSEM, aortic strain, stiffness, and distensibility were assessed.ResultsPatients as compared with controls had higher PSEM (8.14 ± 4.25 vs 5.97 ± 2.31 U, P < 0.001) and had lower mitral inflow E/A and septal and lateral mitral annulus tissue Doppler E′/A′ velocity ratios, longer isovolumic relaxation time, lower septal and lateral mitral annulus E′ velocities, and higher mitral E/septal E′ and mitral E/lateral E′ velocity ratios (all P ≤ 0.03), all indicative of LV diastolic dysfunction. In patients, PSEM was correlated with parameters of LV diastolic dysfunction (all P < 0.05), was independently negatively associated with E/A and E′/A′ ratios and E′ velocities, and was positively associated with E/E′ ratios (P ≤ 0.02 for each parameter and P < 0.001 for all parameters as a profile). Aortic strain, stiffness, and distensibility were also worse in patients than in controls (all P < 0.05) and were correlated with parameters of LV diastolic dysfunction (all P ≤ 0.03).ConclusionsAortic stiffness is independently associated with LV diastolic dysfunction in young adult patients with SLE.
Evaluating the “recovery level” of endangered species without prior information before alien invasion
Authors: Watari Yuya , Nishijima Shota , Fukasawa Marina , Yamada Fumio , Abe Shintaro , Miyashita Tadashi 
Published: October 2013

AbstractFor maintaining social and financial support for eradication programs of invasive species, quantitative assessment of recovery of native species or ecosystems is important because it provides a measurable parameter of success. However, setting a concrete goal for recovery is often difficult owing to lack of information prior to the introduction of invaders. Here, we present a novel approach to evaluate the achievement level of invasive predator management based on the carrying capacity of endangered species estimated using long‐term monitoring data. In Amami‐Oshima Island, Japan, where the eradication project of introduced small Indian mongoose is ongoing since 2000, we surveyed the population densities of four endangered species threatened by the mongoose (Amami rabbit, the Otton frog, Amami tip‐nosed frog, and Amami Ishikawa's frog) at four time points ranging from 2003 to 2011. We estimated the carrying capacities of these species using the logistic growth model combined with the effects of mongoose predation and environmental heterogeneity. All species showed clear tendencies toward increasing their density in line with decreased mongoose density, and they exhibited density‐dependent population growth. The estimated carrying capacities of three endangered species had small confidence intervals enough to measure recovery levels by the mongoose management. The population density of each endangered species has recovered to the level of the carrying capacity at about 20–40% of all sites, whereas no individuals were observed at more than 25% of all sites. We propose that the present approach involving appropriate monitoring data of native organism populations will be widely applicable to various eradication projects and provide unambiguous goals for management of invasive species.
Use of reconstituted waters to evaluate effects of elevated major ions associated with mountaintop coal mining on freshwater invertebrates
Authors: Kunz James L. , Conley Justin M. , Buchwalter David B. , Norberg-King Teresa J. , Kemble Nile E. , Wang Ning , Ingersoll Christopher G. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

In previous laboratory chronic 7-d toxicity tests conducted with the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia, surface waters collected from Appalachian sites impacted by coal mining have shown toxic effects associated with elevated total dissolved solids (TDS). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of elevated major ions in chronic laboratory tests with C. dubia (7-d exposure), a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea; 28-d exposure), an amphipod (Hyalella azteca; 28-d exposure), and a mayfly (Centroptilum triangulifer; 35-d exposure) in 3 reconstituted waters designed to be representative of 3 Appalachian sites impacted by coal mining. Two of the reconstituted waters had ionic compositions representative of alkaline mine drainage associated with mountaintop removal and valley fill-impacted streams (Winding Shoals and Boardtree, with elevated Mg, Ca, K, SO4, HCO3), and a third reconstituted water had an ionic composition representative of neutralized mine drainage (Upper Dempsey, with elevated Na, K, SO4, and HCO3). The waters with similar conductivities but, with different ionic compositions had different effects on the test organisms. The Winding Shoals and Boardtree reconstituted waters were consistently toxic to the mussel, the amphipod, and the mayfly. In contrast, the Upper Dempsey reconstituted water was toxic to the mussel, the amphipod, and the cladoceran but was not toxic to the mayfly. These results indicate that, although elevated TDS can be correlated with toxicity, the specific major ion composition of the water is important. Moreover, the choice of test organism is critical, particularly if a test species is to be used as a surrogate for a range of faunal groups. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:2826–2835. © 2013 SETAC
Nineteen‐year oncologic outcomes and the benefit of elective neck dissection in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma
Authors: Lee So‐Yoon , Kim Bo Hwan , Choi Eun Chang 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe purposes of this study were to evaluate the oncologic outcomes of salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and to confirm the benefits of elective neck dissection.MethodsWe reviewed the records of 61 consecutive patients with ACC. Surgery was performed in all patients.ResultsThe occult metastasis rate was 15.38% (4 of 26 patients) and no regional recurrence in the elective neck dissection group was identified. Among 4 clinically node positive (cN+) patients, regional metastasis was identified in 3 through therapeutic neck dissection. Regional recurrence was identified in 4 patients (4 of 31) who had never undergone elective neck treatment of clinically node negative (cN‐) status, exclusively. Overall regional metastases (overall N+) were identified in 11 patients. The overall survival rate was 84.99% at 5 years, 81.13% at 10 and 15 years in (overall N‐) status, contrary to 56.82% at 5 years and 28.41% at 10 years in overall N+ status (p = .025).ConclusionCareful follow‐up of regional status is important, and proper therapeutic and elective neck treatment can achieve regional control in ACC. Elective neck dissection is recommendable and can provide valuable staging and prognostic information. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 1796–1801, 2014
Absolute monocyte count predicts overall survival in mantle cell lymphomas: correlation with tumour‐associated macrophages
Authors: Koh Young Wha , Shin Su‐Jin , Park Chansik , Yoon Dok Hyun , Suh Cheolwon , Huh Jooryung 
Published: October 2013

AbstractMantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is characterized by a variable clinical course in which patients can experience indolent disease or frequent relapses despite a good initial response to conventional therapy. Risk stratification of MCL is most frequently performed using the MCL International Prognostic Index (MIPI). Recent studies indicate that the peripheral blood absolute monocyte count (AMC) and tumour‐associated macrophages may reflect the state of the tumour microenvironment in lymphomas. The significance of AMC and tumour‐associated macrophages in the clinical course of MCL is unknown. The prognostic impact of the AMC, of CD68 expression and of CD163 expression was retrospectively examined in 103 MCL samples using the receiver operating characteristic curved. Patients with an AMC ≥ 375 cells/μL at diagnosis were more likely to present with advanced‐stage disease (p = 0.026), leukocytosis (p < 0.001), lymphocytosis (p = 0.01) and granulocytosis (p = 0.003). On univariate analysis, a high AMC (≥375 cells/μL) correlated with poorer overall survival (OS) (p = 0.01). Neither CD68 nor CD163 expression was significantly associated with either OS or event‐free survival. Multivariate analysis showed that a high AMC was a prognostic factor for OS, independent of the MIPI [hazards ratio (HR), 1.811; 95% confidence interval, 1.018–3.223; p = 0.043]. This study demonstrates that the AMC at the time of diagnosis is an independent prognostic factor for OS in MCL, which suggests the possibility that AMC may be used in addition to the MIPI to predict outcome in patients with MCL. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pre-anthropocene mercury residues in North American freshwater fish
Authors: Hope Bruce K , Louch Jeff 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Mercury (Hg) has been entering the environment from both natural and anthropogenic sources for millennia, and humans have been influencing its environmental transport and fate from well before the Industrial Revolution. Exposure to Hg (as neurotoxic monomethylmercury [MeHg]) occurs primarily through consumption of finfish, shellfish, and marine mammals, and regulatory limits for MeHg concentrations in fish tissue have steadily decreased as information on its health impacts has become available. These facts prompted us to consider 2 questions: 1) What might the MeHg levels in fish tissue have been in the pre-Anthropocene, before significant human impacts on the environment? and 2) How would these pre-Anthropocene levels have compared with current regulatory criteria for MeHg residues in fish tissue? We addressed the first question by estimating pre-Anthropocene concentrations of MeHg in the tissues of prey and predatory fish with an integrated Hg speciation, transport, fate, and food web model (SERAFM), using estimated Hg concentrations in soil, sediment, and atmospheric deposition before the onset of significant human activity (i.e., ≤2000 BCE). Model results show MeHg residues in fish varying depending on the characteristics of the modeled water body, which suggests that Hg in fish tissue is best considered at the scale of individual watersheds or water bodies. We addressed the second question by comparing these model estimates with current regulatory criteria and found that MeHg residues in predatory (but not prey) fish could have approached or exceeded these criteria in some water bodies during the pre-Anthropocene. This suggests that the possibility of naturally occurring levels of Hg in fish below which it is not possible to descend, regardless of where those levels stand with respect to current regulatory limits. Risk management decisions made under these circumstances have the potential to be ineffectual, frustrating, and costly for decision makers and stakeholders alike, suggesting the need for regulatory flexibility when addressing the issue of Hg in fish. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2014;10:299–308. © 2013 SETAC
Key Points
Mercury has been entering the environment from natural sources for millennia but regulatory limits for mercury in fish have declined steadily since the 1960s. Because mercury is naturally occurring, is there a level of mercury in fish below which it is not possible to descend, regardless of regulatory imperatives? Modeling suggests that mercury levels in fish preferred by humans could have exceeded current regulatory limits in prehistoric times due solely to naturally occurring mercury. Attempts to manage mercury to below natural levels may thus be ineffectual, frustrating, and costly for both the regulated community and regulators, which suggests the need for watershed-specific regulatory flexibility when addressing mercury in fish.
Iodobenzene‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines from Aryl Ketones with mCPBA in Ionic Liquid
Authors: Chang Ya‐Li , Wang Huey‐Min , Hou Rei‐Sheu , Kang Iou‐Jiun , Chen Ling‐Ching 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIodobenzene‐catalyzed synthesis of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines from aryl ketones with mCPBA as a cooxidant in ionic liquid is described. The method is simple, rapid and practical, generating Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines from the aryl ketone without isolation of α‐tosyloxyketones in good to excellent yields.
Thumbs down: a molecular‐morphogenetic approach to avian digit homology
Authors: Čapek Daniel , Metscher Brian D. , Müller Gerd B. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTAvian forelimb digit homology remains one of the standard themes in comparative biology and EvoDevo research. In order to resolve the apparent contradictions between embryological and paleontological evidence a variety of hypotheses have been presented in recent years. The proposals range from excluding birds from the dinosaur clade, to assignments of homology by different criteria, or even assuming a hexadactyl tetrapod limb ground state. At present two approaches prevail: the frame shift hypothesis and the pyramid reduction hypothesis. While the former postulates a homeotic shift of digit identities, the latter argues for a gradual bilateral reduction of phalanges and digits. Here we present a new model that integrates elements from both hypotheses with the existing experimental and fossil evidence. We start from the main feature common to both earlier concepts, the initiating ontogenetic event: reduction and loss of the anterior‐most digit. It is proposed that a concerted mechanism of molecular regulation and developmental mechanics is capable of shifting the boundaries of hoxD expression in embryonic forelimb buds as well as changing the digit phenotypes. Based on a distinction between positional (topological) and compositional (phenotypic) homology criteria, we argue that the identity of the avian digits is II, III, IV, despite a partially altered phenotype. Finally, we introduce an alternative digit reduction scheme that reconciles the current fossil evidence with the presented molecular‐morphogenetic model. Our approach identifies specific experiments that allow to test whether gene expression can be shifted and digit phenotypes can be altered by induced digit loss or digit gain. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 322B: 1–12, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Correlation between tissue metabolism and cellularity assessed by standardized uptake value and apparent diffusion coefficient in peritoneal metastasis
Authors: Yu Xue , Lee Elaine Yuen Phin , Lai Vincent , Chan Queenie 
Published: October 2013

PurposeTo evaluate the correlation between standardized uptake value (SUV) (tissue metabolism) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) (water diffusivity) in peritoneal metastases.Materials and MethodsPatients with peritoneal dissemination detected on 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (FDG‐PET/CT) were prospectively recruited for MRI examinations with informed consent and the study was approved by the local Institutional Review Board. FDG‐PET/CT, diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), MRI, and DWI/MRI images were independently reviewed by two radiologists based on visual analysis. SUVmax/SUVmean and ADCmin/ADCmean were obtained manually by drawing ROIs over the peritoneal metastases on FDG‐PET/CT and DWI, respectively. Diagnostic characteristics of each technique were evaluated. Pearson's coefficient and McNemar and Kappa tests were used for statistical analysis.ResultsEight patients were recruited for this prospective study and 34 peritoneal metastases were evaluated. ADCmean was significantly and negatively correlated with SUVmax (r = −0.528, P = 0.001) and SUVmean (r = −0.548, P = 0.001). ADCmin had similar correlation with SUVmax (r = −0.508, P = 0.002) and SUVmean (r = −0.513, P = 0.002). DWI/MRI had high diagnostic performance (accuracy = 98%) comparable to FDG‐PET/CT, in peritoneal metastasis detection. Kappa values were excellent for all techniques.ConclusionThere was a significant inverse correlation between SUV and ADC. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:99–105 © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A linear programming model for minimum‐cost procurement and operation of marine corps training aircraft
Authors: Bracken Jerome , Burnham Philip R. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIn military situations of sharply increasing combat activity the Marine Corps is faced with training problems in its expanding aviator corps. Additional training aircraft are required, and procurement decisions must be made. In view of the significant costs involved in procurement and operation of new high performance aircraft, it is very desirable to buy and operate an efficient mix of aircraft necessary for training the pilots to make the Marine Aircraft Wings essentially 100‐percent tactically qualified.The mathematical model presented here enables computation of a least‐cost mix of training aircraft which satisfies certain specified training requirements. The basic element allowing tradeoffs is the commonality of training available in the F4, RF4, A6, and EA6 types of aircraft. Both airframe oriented and mission oriented training are necessary, but the airframe oriented training can be conducted in either of the aircraft possessing the commonality. Training requirements over a five year period are considered, and the mix of training aircraft has the minimum five year procurement and operating cost.
On a new approach to the analysis of stationary inventory problems
Authors: Leneman Oscar A. Z. , Beutler Frederick J. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe intent of this paper is to demonstrate that the theory of stationary point processes is a useful tool for the analysis of stationary inventory systems. In conventional inventory theory, the equilibrium distributions for a specified inventory policy are obtained, whenever possible, by recursive or limiting procedures, or both. A different and more direct approach, based on stationary point processes, is proposed here. The time instants at which stock delivery is effected are viewed as points of the stationary point process, which possesses uniform statistical properties on the entire real axis; hence the equilibrium statistics of the inventory process can be calculated directly. In order to best illustrate this approach, various examples are given, including some that constitute new results.
Uniformly minimum variance unbiased estimates of operational readiness and reliability in a two‐state system
Authors: Mazumdar M. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThis paper obtains the uniformly minimum variance unbiased estimates of two indices of performance of a system which alternates between two states “up” or “down” in accordance with a Markov process. The two indices are (1) operational readiness, which measures the probability that the system will be up when needed; and (2) operational reliability, which measures the probability that the system will be up during the entire time of need. For the purpose of obtaining these estimates, two types of observations are considered: (a) those which reveal only the state of system at isolated time‐points, and (b) those which continuously record the duration of the “up” and “down” times of the system.
War reserve spares kits supplemented by normal operating assets
Authors: Brooks Robin B. S. , Lu John Y. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIn peacetime, base stock levels of spares are determined on the assumption of normal resupply from the depot. In the event of war, however, a unit must be prepared to operate from stock on hand for a period of time without being resupplied from the depot. This paper describes a mathematical model for determining such war reserve spares (WRS) requirements. Specifically, the model solves the following kind of optimization problem: find the least‐cost WRS kits that will keep the probability of a stockout after K cannibalizations less than or equal to some target objective α. The user of the model specifies the number of allowable cannibalizations, and the level of protection that the kit is supposed to provide.One interesting feature of this model is that in the probability computation it takes into account the possiblility of utilizing normal base operating assets. Results of a sensitivity analysis indicate that if peacetime levels were explicitly taken into account when designing a WRS kit, a cost saving of nearly 40 percent could be effected without degrading base supply performance in wartime.
A simulated port facility in a theatre of operations
Authors: Davis Reed E. , Faulkender Robert W. , Hines William W. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractA hypothetical port facility in a theatre of operations is modeled and coded in a special purpose simulation language, for the purpose of conducting simulation experiments on a digital computer. The experiments are conducted to investigate the resource requirements necessary for the reception, discharge, and clearance of supplies at the port. Queue lengths, waiting times, facility utilizations, temporary storage levels, and ship turn‐around times are analyzed as functions of transportation and cargo handling resources, using response surface methodology. The resulting response surfaces are revealing in regard to the sensitivity of port operations to transportation resource levels and the characteristics of the port facility's load factor. Two specific conclusions of significant value are derived. First, the simulation experiments clearly show that the standard procedures for determining discharge and clearance capacities take insufficient account of the effects of variability. Second, the response surfaces for ship turn‐around times and temporary storage levels indicate that an extremely steep gradient exists as a function of troop levels.
Interactions between the experiment designer and the computer
Authors: Webb Steve 
Published: October 2013

AbstractPopularized scientific accounts have publicized the use of the computer for solving combinatorial problems associated with the construction of specific kinds of experiment designs, such as sets of orthogonal Latin squares and Hadamard matrices. Historically, the regular combinatorial properties associated with such designs have been required to obviate extremely tedious calculations required for design analysis. Now computers are generally available for performing these computations, so that interest in regular designs is waning. The experiment designer is now free to select a design for its appropriateness to the experiment and its statistical properties. Once again, he interacts with the computer, using it to evaluate the statistical properties of designs, even before the experiment is carried out. Based on such calculations, he may make a selection from a number of ad hoc designs constructed for a given experiment without regard for combinatorial properties.Although the experiment designer will always be a frequent computer user, the most important interaction between the two will probably be in the application of experiment design to computer simulation. Parametric studies of comprehensive system models that have been programmed for computers can be conducted efficiently and economically with experiment design and the associated analysis techniques. A typical example is given.