bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intermittent Attendance at Breast Cancer Screening
Authors: Fleming Padraic , O'Neill Sinead , Owens Miriam , Mooney Therese , Fitzpatrick Patricia 
Published: September 2013

Background To determine why women skip rounds and factors influencing return of previous non attenders (PNAs) to breast screening. Design and methods Retrospective, quantitative, structured questionnaire posted to 2500 women. First PNAs did not attend their first screening appointment in 2007/2008 but then attended in 2010; First Controls first attended in 2010 without missed previous appointments. Women who attended screening in 2006 or earlier then skipped a round but returned in 2010 were Subsequent PNAs; Subsequent Controls attended all appointments. Results More First Controls than First PNAs had family history of cancer (72.7% vs 63.2%; P=0.003); breast cancer (31.3% vs 24.8%; P=0.04). More PNAs lived rurally; more First PNAs had 3rd level education (33.2% vs 23.6%; P=0.002) and fewer had private insurance than First Controls (57.7% vs 64.8%; P=0.04). Excellent/good health was reported in First PNAs and First Controls (82.9% vs 83.2%), but fewer Subsequent PNAs than Subsequent Controls (72.7% vs 84.9%; P=0.000). Common considerations at time of missed appointment were had mammogram elsewhere (33% First PNA) and postponed to next round (16% First PNA, 18.8% Subsequent PNA). Considerations when returning to screening were similar for First PNAs and Subsequent PNAs: I am older (35.4%, 29.6%), I made sure I remembered (29%, 23.6%), could reschedule (17.6%, 20.6%), illness of more concern (16.5%, 19%). More First PNAs stated my family/friends advised (22.3% vs 15.2%) or my GP (12.6% vs 4.6%) advised me to attend, heard good things about BreastCheck (28.8% vs 13.6%). Conclusions Intermittent attenders do not fit socio-demographic patterns of non-attenders; GP recommendation and word of mouth were important in women's return to screening. Fear and anxiety seem to act as a screening facilitator rather than an inhibitor.
Evaluation of Knowledge and Practice Behaviours of a Group of Iranian Obstetricians, General Practitioners, and Midwives, Regarding Periodontal Disease and its Effect on the Pregnancy Outcome
Authors: Golkari Ali , Khosropanah Hengameh , Saadati Faezeh 
Published: September 2013

Background Periodontal disease is considered as a risk factor for poor pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight. Only few studies have assessed the knowledge and practice behaviours of healthcare providers, concerning oral health during pregnancy, periodontal diseases and their role in adverse pregnancy outcomes. The present study aimed to compare the knowledge and practice behaviours of a group of Iranian obstetricians, general practitioners, and midwives about periodontal disease. Design and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered, structured questionnaire that was previously used in North Carolina. The questionnaire was translated into Persian language and was randomly distributed among 200 obstetricians, general practitioners, and midwives participating in an international congress. Data were analysed by Chi-square and spearman correlation tests using SPSS statistical software (version PASW 18). Results A total of 150 completed the questionnaires, achieving a response rate of 75%. Totally, the knowledge of the obstetricians was more accurate compared to the two other groups and the midwives were the worst. More experienced general practitioners (P=0.002) and obstetricians (P=0.049) did less dental examinations for their patients during their first visit or periodically. More experienced obstetricians also referred their patients for dental examinations during pregnancy less than their less experienced colleagues (P<0.001). Conclusions Although the participants had some knowledge about periodontal disease and its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes, there is much space for improvements. The participants’ attitude and knowledge were consistent.
Correlation between Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference in Nigerian Adults: Implication as Indicators of Health Status
Authors: Chinedu Shalom Nwodo , Ogunlana Olubanke O. , Azuh Dominic E. , Iweala Emeka E.J. , Afolabi Israel S. , Uhuegbu Chidi C. , Idachaba Mercy E. , Osamor Victor C. 
Published: September 2013

Background Anthropometric measures have been widely used for body weight classification in humans. Waist circumference has been advanced as a useful parameter for measuring adiposity. This study evaluated the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference and examined their significance as indicators of health status in adults. Design and Methods The subject included 489 healthy adults from Ota, Nigeria, aged between 20 and 75 years, grouped into early adulthood (20-39 years), middle adulthood (40-59 years) and advanced adulthood (60 years and above). Weight, height and abdominal circumference were measured. BMI was calculated as weight kg/height2 (m2) and World Health Organization cut-offs were used to categorize them into normal, underweight, overweight and obese. Results Abnormal weight categories accounted for 60 % of the subjects (underweight 11 %, overweight 31%, and obese 18%). The waist circumference of overweight and obese categories were significantly (P<0.05) higher than the normal weight category. There was no significant difference between waist circumference of underweight and normal subjects. The correlation coefficient values of BMI with waist circumference (r=0.63), body weight (r=0.76) and height (r=-0.31) were significant (P<0.01) for the total subjects. Conclusions The study indicates that waist circumference can serve as a positive indicator of overweight and obesity in the selected communities; however, it may not be used to determine underweight in adults. Regular BMI and waist circumference screening is recommended as an easy and effective means of assessing body weight and in the prevention of weight related diseases in adults.
A Collocation Method for Solving Fractional Riccati Differential Equation
Authors: Gülsu Mustafa , Öztürk Yalçın , Anapali Ayşe 
Published: September 2013

AbstractIn this article, we have introduced a Taylor collocation method, which is based on collocation method for solving fractional Riccati differential equation. The fractional derivatives are described in the Caputo sense. This method is based on first taking the truncated Taylor expansions of the solution function in the fractional Riccati differential equation and then substituting their matrix forms into the equation. Using collocation points, the systems of nonlinear algebraic equation is derived. We further solve the system of nonlinear algebraic equation using Maple 13 and thus obtain the coefficients of the generalized Taylor expansion. Illustrative examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Conservative and Finite Volume Methods for the Convection-Dominated Pricing Problem
Authors: Ramírez-Espinoza Germán I. , Ehrhardt Matthias 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThis work presents a comparison study of different numerical methods to solve Black-Scholes-type partial differential equations (PDE) in the convection-dominated case, i.e., for European options, if the ratio of the risk-free interest rate and the squared volatility-known in fluid dynamics as Péclet number-is high. For Asian options, additional similar problems arise when the “spatial” variable, the stock price, is close to zero.Here we focus on three methods: the exponentially fitted scheme, a modification of Wang’s finite volume method specially designed for the Black-Scholes equation, and the Kurganov-Tadmor scheme for a general convection-diffusion equation, that is applied for the first time to option pricing problems. Special emphasis is put in the Kurganov-Tadmor because its flexibility allows the simulation of a great variety of types of options and it exhibits quadratic convergence. For the reduction technique proposed by Wilmott, a put-call parity is presented based on the similarity reduction and the put-call parity expression for Asian options. Finally, we present experiments and comparisons with different (non)linear Black-Scholes PDEs.
Flow Characteristics of Flapping Motion of a Plane Water Jet Impinging onto Free Surface
Authors: Zhao Liqing , Sun Jianhong 
Published: September 2013

AbstractA submerged turbulent plane jet in shallow water impinging vertically onto the free surface will produce a large-scale flapping motion when the jet exit velocity is larger than a critical one. The flapping phenomenon is verified in this paper through a large eddy simulation where the free surface is modeled by volume of fluid approach. The quantitative results for flapping jet are found to be in good agreement with available experimental data in terms of mean velocity, flapping-induced velocity and turbulence intensity. Results show that the flapping motion is a new flow pattern with characteristic flapping frequency for submerged turbulent plane jets, the mean centerline velocity decay is considerably faster than that of the stable impinging jet without flapping motion, and the flapping-induced velocities are as important as the turbulent fluctuations.
Constrained Large-Eddy Simulation of Compressible Flow Past a Circular Cylinder
Authors: Hong Renkai , Xia Zhenhua , Shi Yipeng , Xiao Zuoli , Chen Shiyi 
Published: September 2013

AbstractCompressible flow past a circular cylinder at an inflow Reynolds number of 2x105is numerically investigated by using a constrained large-eddy simulation (CLES) technique. Numerical simulation with adiabatic wall boundary condition and at a free-stream Mach number of 0.75 is conducted to validate and verify the performance of the present CLES method in predicting separated flows. Some typical and characteristic physical quantities, such as the drag coefficient, the root-mean-square lift fluctuations, the Strouhal number, the pressure and skin friction distributions around the cylinder,etc.are calculated and compared with previously reported experimental data, finer-grid large-eddy simulation (LES) data and those obtained in the present LES and detached-eddy simulation (DES) on coarse grids. It turns out that CLES is superior to DES in predicting such separated flow and that CLES can mimic the intricate shock wave dynamics quite well. Then, the effects of Mach number on the flow patterns and parameters such as the pressure, skin friction and drag coefficients, and the cylinder surface temperature are studied, with Mach number varying from 0.1 to 0.95. Non-monotonic behaviors of the pressure and skin friction distributions are observed with increasing Mach number and the minimum mean separation angle occurs at a subcritical Mach number of between 0.3 and 0.5. Additionally, the wall temperature effects on the thermodynamic and aerodynamic quantities are explored in a series of simulations using isothermal wall boundary conditions at three different wall temperatures. It is found that the flow separates earlier from the cylinder surface with a longer recirculation length in the wake and a higher pressure coefficient at the rear stagnation point for higher wall temperature. Moreover, the influences of different thermal wall boundary conditions on the flow field are gradually magnified from the front stagnation point to the rear stagnation point. Moreover, the influences of different thermal wall boundary conditions on the flow field are graduallymagnified from the front stagnation point to the rear stagnation point. It is inferred that the CLES approach in its current version is a useful and effective tool for simulating wall-bounded compressible turbulent flows with massive separations.
Biochemist‐tree: Using modular origami to understand the integration of intermediary metabolism
Authors: Sharp Duncan 
Published: September 2013

AbstractIntermediary metabolism can be a complex area to study due to the inherent modularity of the catabolic biochemical processes. This article outlines a novel, cost‐effective, and universally applicable teaching activity to enhance students understanding of the inter‐relationship between the key processes of intermediary metabolism. A simple origami model, the “Biochemist‐Tree” has been developed as a learning activity for intermediary metabolism, and its implementation was assessed. This modular origami model involves folding individual layers of the model, which must then be constructed into a “tree” with the metabolic process flowing correctly from macromolecules to ATP production from the electron transport chain/oxidative phosphorylation. Forty‐eight students were provided with the activity as a revision tutorial exercise toward the end of a module on the introduction to biochemistry. The findings from this study show that the students found the activity to be interesting (>75%), scientifically useful (95%), and would recommend other students (85%) using this for their revision of catabolic metabolism. The novel nature of the exercise meant that it was engaging for the students and one that they also felt improved the understanding of the integration of the metabolic processes included. Further to being a one‐off test of student understanding, the inclusion of key molecular structures and pathway steps helps to further embed these as a reference sources for revision. © 2013 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 41(5):309–314, 2013
Environmental regulation of plant gene expression: An RT‐qPCR laboratory project for an upper‐level undergraduate biochemistry or molecular biology course
Authors: Eickelberg Garrett J. , Fisher Alison J. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractWe present a novel laboratory project employing “real‐time” RT‐qPCR to measure the effect of environment on the expression of the FLOWERING LOCUS C gene, a key regulator of floral timing in Arabidopsis thaliana plants. The project requires four 3‐hr laboratory sessions and is aimed at upper‐level undergraduate students in biochemistry or molecular biology courses. The project provides students with hands‐on experience with RT‐qPCR, the current “gold standard” for gene expression analysis, including detailed data analysis using the common
method. Moreover, it provides a convenient starting point for many inquiry‐driven projects addressing diverse questions concerning ecological biochemistry, naturally occurring genetic variation, developmental biology, and the regulation of gene expression in nature. © 2013 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 41(5):325–333, 2013
Chemical fingerprint analysis and quantitative determination of steroidal compounds from Dioscorea villosa, Dioscorea species and dietary supplements using UHPLC‐ELSD
Authors: Avula Bharathi , Wang Yan‐Hong , Ali Zulfiqar , Smillie Troy J. , Khan Ikhlas A. 
Published: September 2013

ABSTRACTUltra high‐performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) with evaporative light scattering detection was used for the quantification of steroidal saponins and diosgenin from the rhizomes or tubers of various Dioscorea species and dietary supplements that were purported to contain Dioscorea. The analysis was performed on an Acquity UPLC™ system with an UPLC™ BEH Shield RP18 column using a gradient elution with water and acetonitrile. Owing to their low UV absorption, the steroidal saponins were observed by evaporative light scattering detection. The 12 compounds could be separated within 15 min using the developed UHPLC method with detection limits of 5–12 µg/mL with 2 μL injection volume. The analytical method was validated for linearity, repeatability, accuracy, limits of detection and limits of quantification. The relative standard deviations for intra‐ and inter‐day experiments were <3.1%, and the recovery efficiency was 97–101%. The total content of standard compounds was found to be in the ranges 0.01–14.5% and 0.9–28.6 mg daily intake for dry plant materials and solid commercial preparations, respectively. UHPLC–mass spectrometry with a quadrupole mass analyzer and ESI source was used only for confirmation of the identity of the various saponins. The developed method is simple, rapid and especially suitable for quality control analysis of commercial products. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The adverse effects of reduced cerebral perfusion on cognition and brain structure in older adults with cardiovascular disease
Authors: Alosco Michael L. , Gunstad John , Jerskey Beth A. , Xu Xiaomeng , Clark Uraina S. , Hassenstab Jason , Cote Denise M. , Walsh Edward G. , Labbe Donald R. , Hoge Richard , Cohen Ronald A. , Sweet Lawrence H. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractBackgroundIt is well established that aging and vascular processes interact to disrupt cerebral hemodynamics in older adults. However, the independent effects of cerebral perfusion on neurocognitive function among older adults remain poorly understood. We examined the associations among cerebral perfusion, cognitive function, and brain structure in older adults with varying degrees of vascular disease using perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) arterial spin labeling (ASL).Materials and methods52 older adults underwent neuroimaging and were administered the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), and measures of attention/executive function. ASL and T1‐weighted MRI were used to quantify total brain perfusion, total brain volume (TBV), and cortical thickness.ResultsRegression analyses showed reduced total brain perfusion was associated with poorer performance on the MMSE, RBANS total index, immediate and delayed memory composites, and Trail Making Test B. Reduced frontal lobe perfusion was associated with worse executive and memory function. A similar pattern emerged between temporal lobe perfusion and immediate memory. Regression analyses revealed that decreased total brain perfusion was associated with smaller TBV and mean cortical thickness. Regional effects of reduced total cerebral perfusion were found on temporal and parietal lobe volumes and frontal and temporal cortical thickness.DiscussionReduced cerebral perfusion is independently associated with poorer cognition, smaller TBV, and reduced cortical thickness in older adults.ConclusionProspective studies are needed to clarify patterns of cognitive decline and brain atrophy associated with cerebral hypoperfusion.
Preimmunization of donor lymphocytes enhances antitumor immunity of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Suzuki Koji , Aida Kouichirou , Miyakawa Reina , Narumi Kenta , Udagawa Takeshi , Yoshida Teruhiko , Ohshima Yusei , Aoki Kazunori 
Published: September 2013

AbstractLymphopenia‐induced homeostatic proliferation (HP) of T cells following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) skews the T‐cell repertoire by engaging tumor‐associated antigens (TAAs), leading to an induction of antitumor immunity. Here, as the tumor‐reactive lymphocytes preferentially proliferate during the condition of HP, we examined whether the priming of a donor lymphocytes to TAAs could enhance HP‐induced antitumor immunity in autologous HSCT recipients. First, to examine whether the tumor‐bearing condition of donor influences the antitumor effect of HSCT, the lymphocytes isolated from CT26 tumor‐bearing mice were infused into lethally irradiated mice. The growth of tumors was substantially suppressed in the mice that received HSCT from a tumor‐bearing donor compared with a naïve donor, suggesting that a fraction of donor lymphocytes from tumor‐bearing mice are primed in response to TAAs and remain responsive upon transplantation. We previously reported that type I interferon (IFN) maturates the dendritic cells and promotes the priming of T cells. We then investigated whether the further priming of donor cells by IFN‐α can strengthen the antitumor effect of HSCT. The intratumoral IFN‐α gene transfer significantly increased the number of IFN‐γ‐positive lymphocytes in response to CT26 cells but not the syngeneic lymphocytes in donor mice. The infusion of primed donor lymphocytes markedly suppressed the tumor growth in recipient mice, and cured 64% of the treated mice. Autologous HSCT with the infusion of primed donor lymphocytes is a promising strategy to induce an effective antitumor immunity for solid cancers.
Mechanical Stress on Lysozyme Crystals during Dynamic Cross‐Flow Filtration
Authors: Cornehl B. , Grünke T. , Nirschl H. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThe influence of mechanical stress on the crystal size distribution of lysozyme crystal slurries in a dynamic cross‐flow device is discussed. The reduction of crystal size may have an influence on mass and resistance of the fouling layer. A filter test device with a filter area of 130 cm2 is used for thickening. After thickening, a model impurity, namely bovine serum albumin, is washed out of the suspension. A reduction of crystal size due to stirring and a reduced fouling layer with increasing stirrer speed is observed. Furthermore, a higher stirring speed increases the specific filtrate flux. In the presence of the impurity, more crystal aggregates than single isometric crystals are formed and, hence, the decrease of crystal size due to shear forces is more pronounced than without impurity.
Study of Unsteady‐State Operation of Methanation by Modeling and Simulation
Authors: Güttel R. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractMethanation of CO under unsteady‐state operation conditions was studied systematically based on a simplified mathematical model for an integral reactor using steady‐state kinetics available in the literature. The inlet composition of CO and H2 was changed stepwise and the step response of the system was monitored in order to study the dynamic behavior of the reactor. Furthermore, periodic changes were applied with different cycling times. It was observed that the time average reaction rate could not be improved by cycling the feed composition. Moreover, the reactor appears to be self‐stabilizing, since the amplitude at the outlet is reduced, leading to a steady state for high cycling frequencies. The results allow conclusions on principles to design a methanation reactor for unsteady‐state operation. However, it also becomes obvious that unsteady‐state kinetics is mandatory in order to describe the experimental results obtained under dynamic conditions.
Size and Shape of Calcium Alginate Beads Produced by Extrusion Dripping
Authors: Lee B.‐B. , Ravindra P. , Chan E.‐S. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractAlginate hydrogel beads are widely used as an encapsulation medium for biomedical, bioprocessing, and pharmaceutical applications. The size and shape of the beads are often critically controlled since in many usages the beads are monodisperse in size and spherical in shape. Extrusion dripping is a well‐known method to produce alginate beads. Nevertheless, the production of beads of desired size and spherical shape is often achieved based on one's experience or trial and error. An overview is provided on alginate properties, formulation and preparation of alginate and gelling solutions, production conditions, and post‐production treatment that may influence the bead size and shape. Various methods of bead size and shape measurement are also discussed.