bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving documentation and coding for acute organ dysfunction biases estimates of changing sepsis severity and burden: a retrospective study
Authors: Rhee Chanu , Murphy Michael V. , Li Lingling , Platt Richard , Klompas Michael ,   for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epicenters Program
Published: September 2015

Abstract
Introduction
Claims-based analyses report that the incidence of sepsis-associated organ dysfunction is increasing. We examined whether coding practices for acute organ dysfunction are changing over time and if so, whether this is biasing estimates of rising severe sepsis incidence and severity.

Methods
We assessed trends from 2005 to 2013 in the annual sensitivity and incidence of discharge ICD-9-CM codes for organ dysfunction (shock, respiratory failure, acute kidney failure, acidosis, hepatitis, coagulopathy, and thrombocytopenia) relative to standardized clinical criteria (use of vasopressors/inotropes, mechanical ventilation for ≥2 consecutive days, rise in baseline creatinine, low pH, elevated transaminases or bilirubin, abnormal international normalized ratio or low fibrinogen, and decline in platelets). We studied all adult patients with suspected infection (defined by ≥1 blood culture order) at two US academic hospitals.

Results
Acute organ dysfunction codes were present in 57,273 of 191,695 (29.9 %) hospitalizations with suspected infection, most commonly acute kidney failure (60.2 % of cases) and respiratory failure (28.9 %). The sensitivity of all organ dysfunction codes except thrombocytopenia increased significantly over time. This was most pronounced for acute kidney failure codes, which increased in sensitivity from 59.3 % in 2005 to 87.5 % in 2013 relative to a fixed definition for changes in creatinine (p = 0.019 for linear trend). Acute kidney failure codes were increasingly assigned to patients with smaller creatinine changes: the average peak creatinine change associated with a code was 1.99 mg/dL in 2005 versus 1.49 mg/dL in 2013 (p <0.001 for linear decline). The mean number of dysfunctional organs in patients with suspected infection increased from 0.32 to 0.59 using discharge codes versus 0.69 to 0.79 using clinical criteria (p <0.001 for both trends and comparison of the two trends). The annual incidence of hospitalizations with suspected infection and any dysfunctional organ rose an average of 5.9 % per year (95 % CI 4.3, 7.4 %) using discharge codes versus only 1.1 % (95 % CI 0.1, 2.0 %) using clinical criteria.

Conclusions
Coding for acute organ dysfunction is becoming increasingly sensitive and the clinical threshold to code patients for certain kinds of organ dysfunction is decreasing. This accounts for much of the apparent rise in severe sepsis incidence and severity imputed from claims.
Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease among the High Risk Population in South-Western Ghana; A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Ephraim Richard KD , Biekpe Sylvester , Sakyi Samuel A. , Adoba Prince , Agbodjakey Hope , Antoh Enoch O. 
Published: September 2015

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a major global health problem. CKD is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus and hypertension and carries a risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and progression to end-stage kidney disease. Objectives: This study sought to use the 2012 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) definitions to establish the prevalence and risk factors for CKD among a high risk population in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis. Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Effia-Nkwanta regional and the Takoradi Government hospitals in South Western Ghana. Patients: Two hundred eight consecutive adults with diabetes, hypertension or both. Measurements: Serum creatinine and urine albumin-creatinine ratio respectively. The Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) was used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Methods: CKD was classified according to KDIGO. Results: The prevalence of CKD was 30 %: 27 % in patients with diabetes, 22 % in patients with hypertension only and 74 % in patients with both diabetes and hypertension. GFR category G3a CKD was most prevalent stage (9 %). Albuminuria was highest among people with diabetes (39 %). Limitations: A convenience sample of patients attending clinics. Conclusion: CKD was prevalent in these high-risk patients.
Reversible Structural Changes Accompanying the Two-Electron Redox Reaction of Pt(tacn) (tacn: 1,4,7-triazacyclononane) Complexes
Authors: Wada Tohru , Enami Koki , Kojima Ryohei , Okada Tomoki , Ishikawa Yuki , Miyazato Yuji , Horn Ernst , Mochizuki Yuji 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
Platinum complexes with 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (tacn) as facial ligands, [PtIVCl3(tacn)](ClO4), [PtIVCl(bpy)(tacn)](ClO4)3 ([1](ClO4), and [2](ClO4)3, bpy: 2,2′-bipyridine) were prepared, and their hexa-coordinated octahedral structures were determined via single-crystal X-ray analysis. In aqueous solutions containing NaCl as the electrolyte, [2]3+ exhibited a quasi-reversible two-electron redox wave at +0.22 V (vs. SCE) with a large peak separation (ΔE = Epc − Epa = 0.28 V). In addition, controlled-potential reduction of [2]3+ at −0.30 V in aqueous solutions containing NaCl afforded [PtII(bpy)(tacn)]2+ ([3]2+), which was then re-oxidized to regenerate [2]3+. X-ray analysis of [3]2+ revealed a tetra-coordinated square-planar structure in which both tacn and bpy were bound to the central Pt as bidentate ligands. The redox potential of this reaction is coupled with dissociation/association of Cl− from/to Pt in the solution. MO/DFT calculations indicate that structural changes in tacn promote the reversible two-electron redox reaction between the octahedral Pt(IV) and square planar Pt(II) complexes.
Interlayer Condensation of Protonated Layered Silicate Magadiite through Refluxing in N-Methylformamide
Authors: Asakura Yusuke , Hosaka Nami , Osada Shimon , Terasawa Taichi , Shimojima Atsushi , Kuroda Kazuyuki 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
Interlayer-condensed materials of protonated layered silicate (magadiite) are synthesized by refluxing in N-methylformamide (NMF) and the subsequent calcination. The obtained materials possess 2–3 times higher surface areas than calcined protonated magadiite, depending on the time of refluxing. NMF molecules in the interlayer spaces are converted to organic substances with higher thermal stability during the refluxing, which is useful for the control of the stacking sequence of silicate layers and for the following interlayer condensation to increase the microporosity. The microporosity of the material obtained by the treatment of protonated magadiite with NMF at r.t. and the subsequent calcination is similar to that of simply calcined protonated magadiite, indicating that the retention of thermally stable substances in the interlayer is critical for the increase in the pore volume and surface area of the derivative from magadiite. The method reported here will stimulate re-estimation of a large number of known layered silicate–organic intercalation compounds as possible candidates for the preparation of porous silica by interlayer condensation.
Film compression bandage
Authors: Ragg J. C. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryPurpose: Textile compression stockings or bandages are limited in comfort; they do not allow uninterrupted wearing. A novel elastic film bandage was evaluated regarding practicability, patient comfort and effect on vein regression. Main endpoint was the frequency of symptomatic inflammatory reactions.Methods: In a comparative pilot study, a compression film bandage (CFB, investigational) comprising an elastic, self-adhesive breathable polymer film of d <20 µm was continuously worn for 14 d after foam sclero-therapy. Inclusion: 62 patients (26–68 y.) frequently doing sports and taking daily showers, 90 legs with superficial varicosities, 5–12 mm ø (MW: 7.3 mm), randomized to A) CFB + medical compression stocking (MCS), B) MCS alone, C) CFB alone. Follow-up examinations including ultrasound and photography were performed after 2, 4 and 8 weeks.Results: Continuous wearing time of 14 days was completed in 57/60 cases with CFB (95.0 %, A+C), while 3/60 (5.0 %) finished wearing after 8–10 d. There were no adverse skin reactions except minor irritations at the upper edge (n = 2). Vein diameters were reduced within 14 days by 29–54 % (mean: 43.5 %) in group A, 16–44% (mean: 39.1 %) in group B, and 24–50 % (mean: 37.3 %) in group C. Symptomatic inflammation, indu-ration or discolouration was observed within 28 days in 5/60 cases (8.3 %) when using CFB (A, C) versus 19/30 (63.3%) related to stocking compression (B). Comfort was rated by the patients 6.6 (A), 4.3 (B) and 9.2 (C) on a 10 degree scale. This difference was statistically highly significant (p <0.01).Conclusions: The film bandage is an effective and safe compression modality. For superficial varicosities the adhesive bond to the skin seems to be relevant additional to the elastic properties. The device significantly improves vein regression of foam-treated superficial varicosities when combined with compression stockings or even as stand-alone modality. Continuous wearing for two weeks is well tolerated. The bandage may also offer an alternative for patients not tolerating textile compression media, or during summer.
Feedback Mechanism Development: MIOE Experience
Authors: ������������  , Rastashanskaya Tatyana , �����������  , Tabarovskaya Kseniya 
Published: September 2015

The article deals with the learners� satisfaction monitoring practiced in MIOE. All educational bodies providing Additional Professional Programs (APP)
are obliged by the Federal Law to do so, but are free to choose the method of monitoring.
The article concerns MIOE approach to quality assurance in APP implementation, shows the way from ascertaining experiment to the forming one, and
reveals the methods applied. Principles that underpin communication between MIOE departments are explained. The procedure of survey is detailed with
particular attention to transformation of survey instruments.
Investigation of endothelial growth using a sensors-integrated microfluidic system to simulate physiological barriers
Authors: Rajabi Taleieh , Ahrens Ralf , Huck Volker , März Martin , Gantenbein Hanna , Schneider Stefan W. , Schroten Horst , Guber Andreas E. 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
In this paper we present a microfluidic system based on transparent biocompatible polymers with a porous membrane as substrate for various cell types which allows the simulation of various physiological barriers under continuous laminar flow conditions at distinct tunable shear rates. Besides live cell and fluorescence microscopy, integrated electrodes enable the investigation of the permeability and barrier function of the cell layer as well as their interaction with external manipulations using the Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS) method.
Energy harvesting for active implants: powering a ruminal pH-monitoring system
Authors: Machts R. , Reuter T. , Prokop P.V. , Schewtschenko O. , Stubenrauch M. , Schilling C. , Witte H. 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
Energy harvesting is a feasible method to prolong service life of implanted devices. We present a thermal energy harvesting approach for a ruminal pH-monitoring probe in cattle. Thermoelectric generators utilize the temperature gradient between the probe and the ruminal fluid during water intake. The in vivo experiment yielded a maximum electric power of 32 μW.
Detecting phase singularities and rotor center trajectories based on the Hilbert transform of intraatrial electrograms in an atrial voxel model
Authors: Unger Laura Anna , Rottmann Markus , Seemann Gunnar , Dössel Olaf 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis work aimed at the detection of rotor centers within the atrial cavity during atrial fibrillation on the basis of phase singularities. A voxel based method was established which employs the Hilbert transform and the phase of unipolar electrograms. The method provides a 3D overview of phase singularities at the endocardial surface and within the blood volume. Mapping those phase singularities from the inside of the atria at the endocardium yielded rotor center trajectories. We discuss the results for an unstable and a more stable rotor. The side length of the areas covered by the trajectories varied from 1.5 mm to 10 mm. These results are important for cardiologists who target rotors with RF ablation in order to cure atrial fibrillation.
The impact of baseline wander removal techniques on the ST segment in simulated ischemic 12-lead ECGs
Authors: Pilia N.A. , Lenis G. , Loewe A. , Schulze W.H.W. , Dössel O. 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
Baseline wander removal is one important part of electrocardiogram (ECG) filtering. This can be achieved by many different approaches. This work investigates the influence of three different baseline wander removal techniques on ST changes. The chosen filters were phase-free Butterworth filtering, median filtering and baseline correction with cubic spline interpolation. 289 simulated ECGs containing ischemia were used to determine the influence of these filtering processes on the ST segment. Synthetic baseline wander and offsets were added to the simulated signals. All methods proved to be good approaches by removing most of the baseline wander in all signals. Correlation coefficients between the original signals and the filtered signals were greater than 0.93 for all ECGs. Cubic spline interpolation performed best regarding the preservation of the ST segment amplitude change when compared to the original signal. The approach modified the ST segment by 0.10 mV±0.06 mV at elevated K points. Median filtering introduced a variation of 0.33 mV±0.29 mV, Butterworth filtering reached 0.16 mV±0.14 mV at elevated K points. Thus, all methods manipulate the ST segment.
Next-generation vision testing: the quick CSF
Authors: Dorr Michael , Wille Manuel , Viulet Tiberiu , Sanchez Edward , Bex Peter J , Lu Zhong-Lin , Lesmes Luis 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
The Contrast Sensitivity Function relates the spatial frequency and contrast of a spatial pattern to its visibility and thus provides a fundamental description of visual function. However, the current clinical standard of care typically restricts assessment to visual acuity, i.e. the smallest stimulus size that can be resolved at full contrast; alternatively, tests of contrast sensitivity are typically restricted to assessment of the lowest visible contrast for a fixed letter size. This restriction to one-dimensional subspaces of a two-dimensional space was necessary when stimuli were printed on paper charts and simple scoring rules were applied manually. More recently, however, computerized testing and electronic screens have enabled more flexible stimulus displays and more complex test algorithms. For example, the quick CSF method uses a Bayesian adaptive procedure and an information maximization criterion to select only informative stimuli; testing times to precisely estimate the whole contrast sensitivity function are reduced to 2-5 minutes. Here, we describe the implementation of the quick CSF method in a medical device. We make several usability enhancements to make it suitable for use in clinical settings. A first usability study shows excellent results, with a mean System Usability Scale score of 86.5.
Evaluating the microsoft kinect skeleton joint tracking as a tool for home-based physiotherapy
Authors: Phommahavong Somphong , Haas Dominik , Yu Jing , Krüger-Ziolek Sabine , Möller Knut , Kretschmer Jörn 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
In physiotherapy, rehabilitation outcome is majorly dependent on the patient to continue exercises at home. To support a continuous and correct execution of exercises composed by the physiotherapist it is important that the patient stays motivated. With the emergence of game consoles such as Nintendo Wii, PlayStation Eye or Microsoft Kinect that employ special controllers or camera based motion recognition as means of user input those technologies have also been found to be interesting for other real-life applications such as providing individual physiotherapy exercises and an encouraging rehabilitation routine. Due to the intended use of those motion tracking systems in a computer-game environment it remains questionable if the accuracy of the skeleton joint tracking hardware and algorithms is suflicient for physiotherapy applications. We present a basic evaluation of the joint tracking accuracy where angles between various body extremities calculated by a Kinect system were compared with a high resolution motion capture system. Results show promising results with tracking deviations between 2.7° and 14.2° with a mean of the absolute deviations of 8.7°.
GPU-based real-time generation of large ultrasound volumes from freehand 3D sweeps
Authors: Jauer Philipp , Hainer Franziska , Ernst Floris 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
In the recent past, 3D ultrasound has been gaining relevance in many biomedical applications. One main limitation, however, is that typical ultrasound volumes are either very poorly resolved or only cover small areas. We have developed a GPU-accelerated method for live fusion of freehand 3D ultrasound sweeps to create one large volume. The method has been implemented in CUDA and is capable of generating an output volume with 0.5 mm resolution in real time while processing more than 45 volumes per second, with more than 300.000 voxels per volume. First experiments indicate that large structures like a whole forearm or high-resolution volumes of smaller structures like the hand can be combined efficiently. It is anticipated that this technology will be helpful in pediatric surgery where X-ray or CT imaging is not always possible.
Identification of surgical instruments using UHF-RFID technology
Authors: Bourouah Mohamed , Goridko Vadim , Schumacher Dietmar , Scheithauer Hermann , Knappmann Stephan , Nommensen Peter 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
The paper presents research, development and advantage of Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) technology based system for medical instrument management and safe usage. The system is developed for two scenarios. In the first scenario, a Ultra High Frequency (UHF) is used and the UHF–interrogator system with UHF-antennas is constructed to work as conveyor-belt and instruments are placed between two antennas. Second scenario, suitable for the operating rooms, includes four antennas, placed under the table with instruments, system’s phase shifter, inserted between the antenna and reader in order to reduce the effect of dead spots, caused by the electromagnetic reflections. High reliable identification rate is achieved by synchronizing phase shifters with particular interrogator. The system is software calibrated and can be re-calibrated at run-time to achieve high efficiency of power transmission to the antenna and in order to enable the receiver to decode the tag signals. With currently on the market available RFID tags and previously mentioned technology approaches, detection rate of 87.5% can be achieved.
Speckle-based off-axis holographic detection for non-contact photoacoustic tomography
Authors: Buj C. , Horstmann J. , Münter M. , Brinkmann R. 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
A very fast innovative holographic off-axis non-contact detection method for Photoacoustic Tomography (PAT) is introduced. It overcomes the main problems of most state-of-the-art photoacoustic imaging approaches that are long acquisition times and the requirement of acoustic contact. In order to increase the acquisition speed significantly, the surface displacements of the object, caused by the photoacoustic pressure waves, are measured interferometrically in two dimensions. Phase alterations in the observed speckle field are used to identify changes in the object’s topography. A sampling rate of up to 80 MHz is feasible, which reduces the occurrence of motion artefacts.
This approach was validated with a silicone phantom with cylindrical absorbers that are similar to the shape of blood vessels. A tomographic reconstruction leads to the three dimensional location of the absorbers. A reliable reconstruction proves the ability of the method.
Mesh structure-independent modeling of patient-specific atrial fiber orientation
Authors: Wachter Andreas , Loewe Axel , Krueger Martin W , Dössel Olaf , Seemann Gunnar 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
The fiber orientation in the atria has a significant contribution to the electrophysiologic behavior of the heart and to the genesis of arrhythmia. Atrial fiber orientation has a direct effect on excitation propagation, activation patterns and the P-wave. We present a rule-based algorithm that works robustly on different volumetric meshes composed of either isotropic hexahedra or arbitrary tetrahedra as well as on 3-dimensional triangular surface meshes in patient-specific geometric models. This method fosters the understanding of general proarrhythmic mechanisms and enhances patient-specific modeling approaches.
Biomechanical parameter determination of scaffold-free cartilage constructs (SFCCs) with the hyperelastic material models Yeoh, Ogden and Demiray
Authors: Reuter T. , Ponomarev I. 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
The biomechanical properties are crucial indicators for the functional characterization of cartilaginous tissue. In this contribution native articular cartilage and three-dimensional scaffold-free cartilage constructs (SFCCs) are characterized by hyperelastic material models (Yeoh, Ogden and Demiray). SFCCs were developed for the therapy of damaged articular cartilage. The normalized error (NE) of fit and experiment is in the range of 0.04 and 0.13. The material model Yeoh with two parameters yields the best fit. The stress-like parameterc
20 is 0.489 MPa for native cartilage, 0.120 MPa and 0.041 MPa for SFCCs produced from mesenchymal stem cells and chondrocytes, respectively. The significance of the fits and the derived parameters are presented and evaluated.
Philosophie als Kritik
Authors: Jaeggi Rahel 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
Michael Hampes Buch ist, als mit Verve vorgebrachter Einspruch gegen das Selbstverstandnis der zeitgenossischen Philosophie, eine hochst willkommene Intervention. Das Buch etabliert aber in der Fulle seiner Themen und Einfalle seinerseits nicht nur eine Kritik an der Philosophie, sondern auch positiv ein bestimmtes Verstandnis von Philosophie, namlich das einer Philosophie als Kritik, einer Kritik, die die gesellschaftlichen Ordnungen im Namen der Erringung semantischer Autonomie uberschreitbar machen soll. Diesem Gegenbild mochte ich im Folgenden nachgehen. Dabei teile ich so viele seiner Positionen und Intuitionen, dass meine Einwande eher als Versuch einer kritischen Aufnahme und Weiterfuhrung der von Hampe ausgehenden Anregungen zu verstehen sind denn als fundamentaler Einspruch.
Fatigue Life Improving of Drill Rod by Inclusion Control
Authors: Wang Linzhu , Yang Shufeng , Li Jingshe , Liu Wei , Zhou Yinghao 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
Large and hard inclusions often deteriorate the service performance and reduce the fatigue lifetime of drill rods. In this paper, the main reasons of the rupture of drill rods were analyzed by the examination of their fracture and it is found that the large inclusions were the main reason of breakage of rod drill. The inclusions were high of Ca content or Al2O3 rich. Smaller and better deformability inclusions were obtained by the optimization of refining slag, calcium treatment process and the flow control devices of tundish. Results of industrial experiment after optimization show that total oxygen content of drill rods decreased by more than 50%, macro-inclusions weight fraction decreased from about 4 mg/10 kg to about 0.3 mg/10 kg and the micro-inclusions average size decreased from 6 to 3.6 μm. The average using times of drill rods after optimization were increased by about 60%.