bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Advantage of meditation over exercise in reducing cold and flu illness is related to improved function and quality of life
Authors: Obasi Chidi N. , Brown Roger , Ewers Tola , Barlow Shari , Gassman Michele , Zgierska Aleksandra , Coe Christopher L. , Barrett Bruce 
Published: November 2012

Please cite this paper as:Obasiet al.(2012) Advantage of meditation over exercise in reducing cold and flu illness is related to improved function and quality of life. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 00(0), 00–00.Purpose To examine whether apparent advantages following training in meditation over exercise can be attributed to specific symptoms, functional impairments, or quality‐of‐life indicators assessed by the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS‐24).Methods Results from the randomized controlled trial “Meditation or Exercise for Preventing Acute Respiratory Illness” showed mean global severity and total days of illness were worse in control (358, 8·9) compared with exercise (248, 5·1) or meditation (144, 5·0). Global severity of illness was estimated using area under the curve from daily self‐reported severity scores on the WURSS‐24. For this project, we estimated within‐group WURSS item‐level severity and between‐group effect sizes (Cohen’s “d” statistic)relative to control. The item‐level effect sizes were grouped into (i) symptom and (ii) function and quality of life domains.Results Among the three groups, mediators showed the lowest severity estimates for 21 of 22 WURSS items. Item‐level Cohen’s “d” indicated most benefit was evident in WURSS items representing function and quality of life. Compared with exercise, meditation fostered larger reductions in illness severity, although due mostly to improved function and the quality of life domain (d = −0·33,P < 0·001) compared with symptom domain (d = −0·22,P < 0·001).Conclusions The apparent advantage of training in meditation over exercise for reducing cold and flu illness is explained more by improved function and quality of life than by a reduction in symptom severity.
High‐temperature laser‐scanning confocal microscopy as a tool to study the interface instability during unsteady‐state solidification of low‐carbon steel
Authors: NIKNAFS S. , PHELAN D. , DIPPENAAR R. 
Published: November 2012

SummarySolidification microstructure is a defining link between production techniques and the mechanical properties of metals and in particular steel. Due to the difficulty of conducting solidification studies at high temperature, knowledge of the development of solidification microstructure in steel is scarce. In this study, a laser‐scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) has been used to observe in situ and in real‐time the planar to cellular to dendritic transition of the progressing solid/liquid interface in low carbon steel. Because the in situ observations in the laser‐scanning confocal microscopy are restricted to the surface, the effect of sample thickness on surface observations was determined. Moreover, the effect of cooling rate and alloy composition on the planar to cellular interface transition was investigated. In the low‐alloyed, low‐carbon steel studied, the cooling rate does not seem to have an effect on the spacing of the cellular microstructure. However, in the presence of copper and manganese, the cell spacing decreased at higher cooling rates. Higher concentrations of copper in steel resulted on an increased cell spacing at the same cooling rates.
A global investigation intoin situnanoindentation experiments on zirconia: from the sample geometry optimization to the stress nanolocalization using convergent beam electron diffraction
Authors: CALVIÉ E. , JOLY‐POTTUZ L. , ESNOUF C. , DOUILLARD T. , GREMILLARD L. , MALCHÈRE A. , MASENELLI‐VARLOT K. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryNanoindentation experiments inside a transmission electron microscope are of much interest to characterize specific phenomena occuring in materials, like for instance dislocation movements or phase transformations. The key points of these experiments are (i) the sample preparation and the optimization of its geometry to obtain reliable results and (ii) the choice of the transmission electron microscope observation mode, which will condition the type of information which can be deduced from the experiment. In this paper, we will focus on these two key points in the case of nanoindentation of zirconia, which is a ceramic material well known to be sensitive to stress because it can undergo a phase transformation. In this case, the information sought is the stress localization at the nanometre scale and in real time. As far as the sample preparation is concerned, one major drawback of nanoindentation inside a transmission electron microscope is indeed a possible bending of the sample occurring during compression, which is detrimental to the experiment interpretation (the stress is not uniaxial anymore). In this paper, several sample preparation techniques have been used and compared to optimize the geometry of the sample to avoid bending. The results obtained on sample preparation can be useful for the preparation of ceramics samples but can also give interesting clues and experimental approaches to optimize the preparation of other kinds of materials.The second part of this paper is devoted to the second key point, which is the determination of the stress localization associated to the deformation phenomena observed by nanoindentation experiments. In this paper, the use of convergent beam electron diffraction has been investigated and this technique could have been successfully coupled to nanoindentation experiments. Coupled nanoindentation experiments and convergent beam electron diffraction analyses have finally been applied to characterize the phase transformation of zirconia.
Aplasia cutis congenita with fetus papyraceus: report and review of the literature
Authors: Tempark Therdpong , Shwayder Tor A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWe report a case of a 2‐week‐old white female who presented with large stellate atrophic skin defects on bilateral thighs and knees at birth. The pregnancy was complicated by the death of monozygotic twin at the 16th week of gestation. This represents aplasia cutis congenita with fetus papyraceus. This rare condition is defined as the congenital skin defect and intrauterine death of fetus with or without a stillborn fetus pressed flat by the growing twin (fetus papyraceus) at delivery time. Aplasia cutis congenita coexisting with fetus papyraceus has a distinctive and reproducible distribution pattern of bilateral symmetrical truncal, buttock, and thigh lesions related to fetal death during the late first to early second trimester. There are at least 44 reported cases of this disorder in the English literature. We discuss our case and review the literature.
Prolonged cyclosporine treatment of severe or recalcitrant psoriasis: descriptive study in a series of 20 patients
Authors: Borghi Alessandro , Corazza Monica , Mantovani Lucia , Bertoldi Alberto Maria , Giari Silvia , Virgili Annarosa 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground Although long‐term cyclosporine administration may induce toxic effects, it may be the only option for the treatment of severe psoriasis. The objective of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate efficacy and safety of long‐term cyclosporine treatment in a cohort of patients affected with moderate to severe psoriasis, recalcitrant or unresponsive to other treatments. Possible risk factors predicting an intolerance to cyclosporine were also investigated.Materials and methods Data were collected on psoriatic patients treated with cyclosporine for at least six months at our Psoriasis Outpatient Unit between January 2005 and September 2010. The primary measure for clinical efficacy was the PASI 75 response. Cyclosporine safety was assessed through the review of both laboratory tests and the adverse events registered during the treatment.Results Twenty patients affected with plaque or erythrodermic psoriasis were evaluated. At Week 16, the PASI 75 response was achieved by 85% of patients. Adverse events occurred in eight patients (40%): four experienced an increase in serum creatinine levels to more than 30% of their pre‐treatment values and four developed hypertension. Among these patients, five discontinued cyclosporine. Side effects resolved after stopping treatment.Conclusions Our findings suggest that long‐term cyclosporine regimen can be justified in severe psoriasis not responsive to other treatments. When cyclosporine administration is required, obesity, pre‐treatment controlled hypertension, increased age (>70 years), and metabolic syndrome should be taken into consideration, as a significant correlation with occurrence of cyclosporine‐induced side effects has been found.
Both combined oral azithromycin plus allopurinol and intramuscular Glucantime yield low efficacy in the treatment of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Dastgheib Ladan , Naseri Mahsa , Mirashe Zahra 
Published: November 2012

AbstractOld World cutaneous leishmaniasis (OWCL) is an endemic and major health problem in Iran. The optimal treatment of OWCL is unknown, and current treatments are not ideally effective and have many adverse effects. To compare the efficacy and tolerability of combined oral azithromycin and allopurinol with intramuscular Glucantime in the treatment of OWCL, we conducted a prospective randomized clinical trial. A total of 86 patients with OWCL were assigned and divided randomly into two groups; they received a combination of azithromycin capsule 10 mg/kg/d and allopurinol tablet 10 mg/kg/d for two months or IM injection of Glucantime 20 mg/kg of antimony daily for 20 days. All patients were followed for two months after termination of treatment. Although immediately at the end of the treatment period, complete response was seen in 27.8% of patients on combination therapy vs. 0% in the Glucantime group. The combination of azithromycin and allopurinol had a better outcome; two months after the end of the treatment period, complete, partial, and no responses were seen in 38.9%, 22.2%, and 38.9% in combination therapy and 40%, 31.4%, and 28.6% in the Glucantime group. There was no significant difference between the response rate in both groups after two months (P = 0.5). No severe adverse effect occurred. This study demonstrated that the efficacy of combined oral azithromycin and allopurinol at the above doses and duration was similar to that of IM Glucantime in the treatment of OWCL.
Causes and management of aggression and violence in a forensic mental health service: Perspectives of nurses and patients
Authors: Dickens Geoffrey , Piccirillo Maria , Alderman Nick 
Published: November 2012

AbstractNurses' attitudes about the causes and management of aggression affects their choice of intervention. We aimed to compare the attitudes held by patients and staff in a forensic mental health service with the Management of Aggression and Violence Attitudes Scale, and examine the factor validity of the tool in this setting by conducting a prospective comparative questionnaire survey. Staff (n = 72) and patient (n = 98) attitudes differed to a limited extent. Confirmatory factor analysis refuted the previously reported structure of the tool. Exploratory factor analysis suggested three underlying factors related to modifiability of aggression, hands on management, and hands off management. Patients were more optimistic than nurses about the modifiability of aggressive behaviour. Male patients and those with diagnoses other than personality disorder were significantly more likely to agree about modifiability than controls. Forensic inpatients recognize the need for the use of a range of techniques to prevent and manage aggression and violence, but selected groups are most likely to believe that aggression is modifiable. Prevention and management of aggression training should emphasize the modifiability of aggressive behaviour. The development of measures of modifiability and management style would assist in the evaluation of training and would offer new avenues for research.
Alvimopan for prevention of postoperative paralytic ileus in radical cystectomy patients: a cost‐effectiveness analysis
Authors: Hilton William M. , Lotan Yair , Parekh Dipen J. , Basler Joseph W. , Svatek Robert S. 
Published: November 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?
No cost‐effectiveness studies exist in patients after radical cystectomy for the routine use of alvimopan for the prevention of postoperative ileus.
The present study provides a reasonable estimate of the cost‐effectiveness of alvimopan for the prevention of postoperative ileus in the patient after radical cystectomy.
Objective
To determine if the cost of administering alvimopan, to help restore bowel function after abdominal surgery, to all patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) is cost prohibitive.
Patients and Methods
A cost‐effective analysis was conducted from a healthcare payer perspective using a decision‐tree model that incorporated direct healthcare costs and probabilities associated with the possible events and outcomes.
Sensitivity analyses were conducted on the influence of the cost and effectiveness of the drug, the probability of POI in RC patients, and the extended length of stay (LOS) as a result of POI.
Precision in estimates was determined using probabilistic sensitivity analyses with 5000 Monte‐Carlo simulations.
Results
Under the base case assumption, the additional cost of a patient's LOS related to POI was $10 246 per person. Under the assumption that 15.6% of patients will have POI, the mean cost associated with POI in a cohort of patients not treated with alvimopan was $1597 (90% confidence interval [CI] $1335–1875) per patient.
Conversely, the routine use of alvimopan for all patients undergoing RC was associated with a mean POI‐associated cost of $1495(90% CI $1312–1696) per person, which represents the cost of alvimopan ($700 per hospitalisation) and a 50% reduction in the rate of POI.
Sensitivity analyses revealed that there is a cost savings with the routine use of alvimopan under the following conditions: the POI results in extending LOS by ≥3.5 days, POI occurs in ≥14% of patients undergoing RC, or the drug results in a relative risk reduction of ≥44%.
Conclusions
Routine use of perioperative alvimopan may not be cost prohibitive because of its influence on POI rate and associated costs.
The cost‐effectiveness of alvimopan is influenced by the POI incidence and the degree to which the drug can decrease the LOS.
Policy Uncertainty about Australia's Carbon Price: Expert Survey Results and Implications for Investment
Authors: Jotzo Frank , Jordan Tim , Fabian Nathan 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAustralia's carbon‐pricing policy remains in doubt due to a lack of bipartisan political support. A survey of Australian‐based carbon‐pricing experts demonstrates profound policy uncertainty: 40 per cent of respondents expect the current carbon‐pricing mechanism to be repealed, but 80 per cent expect that there will be a carbon price in 2020. The forward price curve is U‐shaped and has great variance, with the 60 per cent confidence interval spanning from zero to A$25/t in 2020. Carbon policy uncertainty causes large excess costs in Australia's energy sector and may result in delay and diversion of investment.
Aspectual Constraints on the (Anti)Causative Alternation in Old Italian
Authors: Cennamo Michela 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis paper discusses the strategies used for the anticausative alternation and the constraints on their distribution in two early Italian vernaculars, Old Florentine and Old Neapolitan, focusing on the emergence of aspectual notions such as telicity in determining variability in the occurrence of the reflexive morpheme si/se, the main/only strategy for anticausatives with some inherently telic and punctual verbs, depending on the vernacular. It is also shown that in the early varieties the reflexive in the anticausative alternation mainly signals the suppression of the Actor, only gradually coming to mark the presence of a terminal point in the meaning of the verb/predicate.
Modelling linoleic acid and α‐linolenic acid requirements for infants and young children in developing countries
Authors: Yang Zhenyu , Huffman Sandra L. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractEssential fatty acids (EFAs), linoleic acid (LA) and α‐linolenic acid (ALA), play a critical role in the growth and development of infants and young children. However, national guidelines for recommended intakes of EFAs are lacking in most developing countries. The objective of this study was to convert international EFA recommendations based on % of daily energy intake to recommended daily amounts for children aged 6–23 months in developing countries. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports adequate intakes (AIs) for ALA as 0.4–0.6% of energy intake for children 6–23 months of age and as 3.0–4.5% of energy intake for LA. In order to estimate energy intakes, FAO daily energy requirements based on body weight were used. The daily AI amounts for these EFAs were calculated using the median body weight of the World Health Organization (WHO) Growth Standard population and median body weights with varying levels of malnutrition. The AI for ALA is equivalent to 0.3–0.4, 0.3–0.5 and 0.4–0.6 g day−1, and the AI for LA is equivalent to 2.1–3.1, 2.4–3.5 and 2.8–4.3 g day−1 for children aged 6–8, 9–11 and 12–23 months, respectively. While the lower median body weights of children in developing countries and associated reduced energy intake recommendations give lower estimated EFA requirements, recommendations based on median body weights in the WHO Reference Growth Standard is suggested. The upper levels of these calculated AIs are lower than or equal to those in North America (ALA: 0.5 and 0.7 g day−1; LA: 4.6 and 7 g day−1 for children aged 6–12 months and 1–3 years, respectively). The FAO AIs (g day−1) calculated here for ALA and LA can serve as a guideline for developing countries for setting national standards.
Combination of thermographic and ultrasonographic assessments for early detection of deep tissue injury
Authors: Higashino Takuya , Nakagami Gojiro , Kadono Takafumi , Ogawa Yuki , Iizaka Shinji , Koyanagi Hiroe , Sasaki Sanae , Haga Nobuhiko , Sanada Hiromi 
Published: November 2012

AbstractEarly detection and intervention of deep tissue injury are important to lead good outcome. Although the efficiency of ultrasonographic assessment of deep tissue injury has been reported previously, it requires a certain level of skill for accurate assessment. In this study, we present an investigation of the combination of thermographic and ultrasonographic assessments for early detection of deep tissue injury. We retrospectively reviewed 28 early‐stage pressure ulcers (21 patients) presenting at the University of Tokyo Hospital between April 2009 and February 2010, surveying the associated thermographic and ultrasonographic findings. The wound temperature patterns were divided into low, even and high compared with the surrounding skin. Ultrasonographic findings were classified into unclear layer structure, hypoechoic lesion, discontinuous fascia and heterogeneous hypoechoic area. All 13 ulcers that were associated with low temperature showed good outcome; three ulcers had even temperatures and 12 ulcers showed high temperature on thermographic assessment. The two deep tissue injuries were rated high on thermographic assessment and showed heterogeneous hypoechoic area findings on ultrasonographic assessment. No non‐deep tissue injury lesion was associated with these two findings simultaneously. The combination of thermographic and ultrasonographic assessments is expected to increase the accuracy of the early detection of deep tissue injuries.
Is Female Sexual Function Related to the Male Partners' Erectile Function?
Authors: Jiann Bang-Ping , Su Cheng-Chen , Tsai Jeng-Yu 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

Introduction
There are limited data concerning the relationship between the sexual functioning of each partner in a heterosexual couple.

Aim
This cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between female sexual function and the male partners' erectile function.

Methods
Two self-administered questionnaires were used, one distributed to 2,159 female employees of two hospitals in Southern Taiwan and the other to their male partners, if available, to assess sexual function in each partner of the couple.

Outcome Measure
Female sexual function and male erectile function were assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), respectively.

Results
Among the 1,580 female and 779 male respondents, 632 sexually active couples were eligible for the analysis with mean ages of 36.9 years (range 21–67) and 39.5 years (range 18–80) for the women and men, respectively. After adjustment for female age group, nearly all the FSFI and IIEF domain scores correlated significantly to a slight to moderate degree. On the basis of the FSFI and IIEF scores, 42.9% (255/594) of the women reported sexual difficulty, and 15.0% (96/632) of the men reported mild to moderate erectile dysfunction (ED). After adjustment for female age group, the female partners of men with ED had significantly lower total and domain scores of the FSFI than those of men without ED, with effect sizes of ηp2 = 0.02–0.08. After further adjustment for other risk factors, ED of the male partner was still a significant risk factor for female sexual difficulty as well as for sexual difficulty in the aspects of arousal, orgasm, sexual satisfaction, and sexual pain (odds ratio = 2.5–3.3).

Conclusions
Significant correlations between female sexual functioning and male erectile function were identified.
Rural Population Estimates: An Analysis of a Large Secondary Data Set
Authors: Bennett Kevin J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractPurposeHealth services research often utilizes secondary data sources such as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Since 2006, the released BRFSS data do not include respondents who live in counties with 10,000 or fewer residents, and the CDC no longer offers the opportunity to access the unrestricted data set. As a result, rural residents can be underrepresented in BRFSS data after 2005. The purpose of this analysis is to examine the potential for bias introduced by rural underestimation.MethodsWe utilized 6 BRFSS data sets; the 2005 full data and the 2005‐2009 restricted data. We estimated population sizes for each survey year, and we compared these estimates to comparable data from the US Census intercensal estimates. We also compared estimates of preventive service utilization (mammography, Pap tests, colorectal cancer screening, and influenza vaccinations) between the two 2005 data versions.ResultsRural populations were underrepresented, particularly with the smaller counties excluded. Remote rural residents were the most consistently underrepresented. Preventive service delivery estimates differed between the full and restricted 2005 data versions. Mammography and Pap test estimates tended to be higher in the restricted data, while colorectal cancer screening and influenza vaccinations were similar or inconsistent. These results indicate that restricting by county size introduced bias in these estimates.ConclusionsHaving quality, nationally representative data is important to study disparities in service delivery. The potential bias introduced by the BRFSS county restriction may result in rural research being less effective for policy recommendations and interventions.