bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diversity dynamics of mammals in relation to tectonic and climatic history: comparison of three Neogene records from North America
Authors: Badgley Catherine , Finarelli John A. 
Published: April 2013

In modern ecosystems, regions of topographic heterogeneity, when compared with nearby topographically homogeneous regions, support high species densities of mammals and other groups. This biogeographic pattern could be explained by either greater diversification rates or greater accommodation of species in topographically complex regions. In this context, we assess the hypothesis that changes in landscape history have stimulated diversification in mammals. Landscape history includes tectonic and climatic processes that influence topographic complexity at regional scales. We evaluated the influence of changes in topographic complexity and climate on origination and extinction rates of rodents, the most diverse clade of mammals.We compared the Neogene records of rodent diversity for three regions in North America. The Columbia Basin of the Pacific Northwest (Region 1) and the northern Rocky Mountains (Region 2) were tectonically active over much of the Cenozoic and are characterized by high topographic complexity today. The northern Great Plains (Region 3) have been tectonically quiescent, with low relief, throughout the Cenozoic. These three regions have distinctive geologic histories and substantial fossil records. All three regions showed significant changes in diversification and faunal composition over the Neogene. In the montane regions, originations and extinctions peaked at the onset and close, respectively, of the Miocene Climatic Optimum (17–14 Ma), with significant changes in faunal composition accompanying these episodes of diversification. In the Great Plains, rodents showed considerable turnover but infrequent diversification. Peak Neogene diversity in the Great Plains occurred during cooling after the Miocene Climatic Optimum. These histories suggest that climatic changes interacting with increasing topographic complexity intensify macroevolutionary processes. In addition, close tracking of diversity and fossil productivity with the stratigraphic record suggests either large-scale sampling biases or the mutual response of diversity and depositional processes to changes in landscape history.
Evaluation of Sweet Sorghum Bagasse as an Alternative Livestock Feed
Authors: Houx James H. , Roberts Craig A. , Fritschi Felix B. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTRecently, sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench] has garnered renewed attention as a promising feedstock for ethanol production. A byproduct of this is bagasse, which is sweet sorghum stalks remaining after juice extraction. It is possible that sweet sorghum bagasse could provide a source of livestock feed and that its nutritive value could be increased by ammoniation. Ammoniation refers to the treatment of low‐quality forages with NH3 to improve crude protein concentration, digestibility, and animal intake. The main objective of this study was to evaluate sweet sorghum bagasse as a livestock feed and determine the effect of ammoniation on in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) and crude protein (CP) of sweet sorghum bagasse. In vitro true digestibility and CP were determined on bagasse of 12 sweet sorghum cultivars grown in three environments and treated with and without anhydrous NH3 (39.0 g kg−1). Across environments, ammoniation increased bagasse IVTD from a mean of 731 g kg−1 dry matter (DM) to a mean of 750 g kg−1 DM, but IVTD of bagasse from only two of three environments was increased. Crude protein averaged 117 g kg−1 DM for ammoniated samples compared to 26 g kg−1 DM for nontreated samples. Ammoniation increased CP in every cultivar and in every environment. Sweet sorghum bagasse IVTD and CP characteristics combined with large yields indicate that this byproduct could serve as livestock feed and merits further investigation.
Breeding Potential of Elite Pee Dee Germplasm in Upland Cotton Breeding Programs
Authors: Campbell B. T. , Weaver D. B. , Sharpe R. , Wu J. , Jones D. C. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTSuccessful plant breeding programs begin with parental line selection. Effective parental line selection is facilitated when the breeding potential of candidate parental lines is known. Using topcross families involving germplasm from eight U.S. public cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) breeding programs, we evaluated the breeding potential of recently developed, elite Pee Dee germplasm. Based on parental line mean performance, hybrid performance, and genetic effect estimates, the breeding potential for recently developed, elite Pee Dee germplasm was similar to or better than the breeding potential of two well‐known, commercial cultivars. Results suggest that crosses involving germplasm from the USDA‐ARS, Stoneville, MS, and USDA‐ARS, Maricopa, AZ, cotton germplasm enhancement programs offer high fiber quality potential. In addition, our results suggest that recently developed, elite Pee Dee germplasm can be used to generate offspring with a lessened or absent negative relationship between agronomic performance and fiber quality. Cotton breeders can use the information provided herein to facilitate their efforts to develop elite breeding lines, recurrent parents, and/or commercial cultivars.
Investigation of 3,5-dichlorosalicylate-copper(II)-(3-pyridylmethanol or N,N′-diethylnicotinamide) complex systems by EPR spectroscopy
Authors: Husáriková Lucia , Repická Zuzana , Valigura Dušan , Valko Marián , Mazúr Milan 
Published: April 2013

AbstractCopper(II) complex systems, containing 3,5-dichlorosalicylic acid (3,5-Cl2salH) and different copper salts (Cu(ac)2 or CuSO4), with varying concentrations of 3-pyridylmethanol (ronicol, ron) or N,N′-diethylnicotinamide (denia) as ligands, were prepared. The effects of Cu(II) salts containing anions of different basicity and two different N-donor ligands with varying ligand-to-metal ratio (x) on the formation of the resultant complexes in the water/methanol solutions were studied by EPR spectroscopy at low temperature of 98 K. When ligand concentration was increased, the resolution and signal intensity of the 14N perpendicular super-hyperfine splitting patterns increased (for ron more progressively), becoming saturated at higher ligand concentrations. In comparing the ronicoland denia-containing systems, both g-factors (g ⊥, g ‖) are systematically higher and the parallel hyperfine splitting (A ‖) systematically lower in denia-containing systems for both Cu(II) salts.
Electrical conductivity of systems based on Na3AlF6-SiO2 melt
Authors: Korenko Michal , Priščák Jozef , Šimko František 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe electrical conductivity of molten binary and ternary mixtures based on the NaF-AlF3-SiO2 system was investigated by means of a tube-cell (composed of pyrolytic boron nitride) with stationary electrodes. An impedance/gain-phase analyser (National Instruments; a high-performance modular chassis controlled by Labview™ software) was used for the cell impedance measurement. The conductivity was found to vary linearly with temperature in all the mixtures investigated. The concentration dependence of electrical conductivity (isotherms) thus obtained was divided into two parts. The first represents the concentration region of up to 10 mole % of SiO2, the second the region with a higher concentration of SiO2 (from 10 mole % to 40 mole %). While the conductivity decreased considerably with the concentration of SiO2 in the second part, it increased surprisingly in the low concentration range. From these results, the influence of electrolyte composition and temperature on the electrical conductivity was examined.
Thermodynamic properties of dimethyl phthalate + vinyl acetate, diethyl phthalate + vinyl acetate or bromocyclohexane, and dibutyl phthalate + vinyl acetate or 1,2-dichlorobenzene at T = 298.15–308.15 K
Authors: Rostamkolahi Abbas , Rostami Abbas , Koohyar Fardad , Kiani Farhoush 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThermodynamic properties (densities and viscosities) of binary mixtures of diethyl phthalate (DEP) + bromocyclohexane, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) + 1,2-dichlorobenzene, and vinyl acetate (1) + dimethyl phthalate (DMP) (2), + diethyl phthalate (2), or + dibutyl phthalate (2) were measured over the whole range of mole fractions at atmospheric pressure and different temperatures (T = 298.15 K to 308.15 K). For these mixtures, their excess molar volumes (V E) and viscosity deviations (Δη) were calculated from the experimental data. These results were correlated with the Redlich-Kister polynomial equation to derive the coefficients and standard errors.
Introducing the Adherence Strategy Engineering Framework (ASEF)
Authors: Toftegaard T. S. , Bertelsen O. W. , Wagner S. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryBackground: Patients performing self-care in the unsupervised setting do not always adhere to the instructions they were initially provided with. As a consequence, a patient’s ability to successfully comply with the treatment plan cannot be verified by the treating healthcare professional, possibly resulting in reduced data quality and suboptimal treatment.Objectives: The aim of this paper is to introduce the Adherence Strategy Engineering Framework (ASEF) as a method for developing novel technology-based adherence strategies to assess and improve patient adherence levels in the unsupervised setting.Methods: Key concepts related to self-care and adherence were defined, discussed, and implemented as part of the ASEF framework.ASEF was applied to seven self-care case studies, and the perceived usefulness and feasibility of ASEF was evaluated in a questionnaire study by the case study participants. Finally, we reviewed the individual case studies usage of ASEF.Results: A range of central self-care concepts were defined and the ASEF methodological framework was introduced. ASEF was successfully used in seven case studies with a total of 25 participants. Of these, 16 provided answers in the questionnaire study reporting ASEF as useful and feasible. Case study reviews illustrated the potential of using context-aware technologies to support self-care in the unsupervised setting as well as ASEF’s ability to support this.Conclusion: Challenges associated with moving healthcare to the unsupervised setting can be overcome by applying novel context-aware technology using the ASEF method. This could lead to better treatment outcomes and reduce healthcare expenditures.
A Comprehensive E-prescribing Model to Allow Representing, Comparing, and Analyzing Available Systems
Authors: Mazzola L. , Bonacina S. , Tarquini P. , Donzelli P. , Pinciroli F. , Marceglia S. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryBackground: Even though ePrescribing systems are now available in many healthcare systems and have been a crucial milestone of the roadmaps towards eHealth in the last years, there is still a large heterogeneity among functionalities and performances of different systems.Objective: In this paper, we propose an updated comprehensive model for the ePre-scribing process able to represent, analyze, and compare current systems and to support the design of new, more general, systems suitable also to sustain the ePrescription process in National Healthcare Systems.Methods: After a preliminary literature review, we identified six main phases of the ePrescribing process, namely Assign, Transmit, Dispense, Administer, Monitor, and Analysis & Decision. Each phase produces a digital object characterized by formal properties that ensure the collection of appropriate data and information and works as input for the next one. The impact, in terms of benefits, of ePrescribing on governance, drug sur -veillance, and quality of care at the individual, territorial, and governmental levels are related to the formal properties of the digital objects created at the end of each phase.Results and Conclusions: The model-based implementation of each phase has an impact on the quality of care, the access to care, and the effectiveness of care delivery. The model does not cover cost evaluation, but the benefits identified can be used as basis for cost-benefit or cost-effectiveness analysis of heterogeneous systems.
Prototyping Sensor Network System for Automatic Vital Signs Collection
Authors: Noma H. , Naito C. , Tada M. , Yamanaka H. , Takemura T. , Nin K. , Yoshihara H. , Kuroda T. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryObjective: Development of a clinical sensor network system that automatically collects vital sign and its supplemental data, and evaluation the effect of automatic vital sensor value assignment to patients based on locations of sensors.Methods: The sensor network estimates the data-source, a target patient, from the position of a vital sign sensor obtained from a newly developed proximity sensing system. The proximity sensing system estimates the positions of the devices using a Bluetooth inquiry process. Using Bluetooth access points and the positioning system newly developed in this project, the sensor network collects vital sign and its 4W (who, where, what, and when) supplemental data from any Blue-tooth ready vital sign sensors such as Continua-ready devices. The prototype was evaluated in a pseudo clinical setting at Kyoto University Hospital using a cyclic paired comparison and statistical analysis.Results: The result of the cyclic paired analysis shows the subjects evaluated the proposed system is more effective and safer than POCS as well as paper-based operation. It halves the times for vital signs input and eliminates input errors. On the other hand, the prototype failed in its position estimation for 12.6% of all attempts, and the nurses overlooked half of the errors. A detailed investigation clears that an advanced interface to show the system’s “confidence”, i.e. the probability of estimation error, must be effective to reduce the oversights.Conclusions: This paper proposed a clinical sensor network system that relieves nurses from vital signs input tasks. The result clearly shows that the proposed system increases the efficiency and safety of the nursing process both subjectively and objectively. It is a step toward new generation of point of nursing care systems where sensors take over the tasks of data input from the nurses.
Evaluation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage in Malagasy patients
Authors: Rasamiravaka Tsiry , Rasoanandrasana Saida , Zafindraibe Norosoa Julie Julie , Rakoto Alson Aimee Olivat , Rasamindrakotroka Andry 
Published: April 2013

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important cause of infections. It is well recognized that nasal carriage of S. aureus represents a potent and increasingly prevalent risk factor for subsequent S. aureus infection. However, in Madagascar no data exist concerning this nasal carriage of S. aureus. Methodology: Nasal swabs from 304 different patients attending the Laboratory of Training and Research in Medical Biology of Madagascar were cultured for methicillin sensitive (MSSA) and MRSA. Results: One hundred and sixteen patients had S. aureus in their noses (38.16 ± 5.46%) of whom 45 (14.80 ± 3.99%) had MRSA. A risk factor for MSSA nasal carriage included a history of hospitalization when antibiotics were administered (odds ratio [OR] 2.25, 1.09 - 4.64). Among MRSA nasal isolates, high rate of resistance to other antibiotics was observed, particularly for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (68.89%), erythromycin (66.67%) and ofloxacin (53.33%). Conclusion: Our data showed a high rate of MRSA nasal carriage and a high rate of multidrug resistance. A strategic policy against the spread of multidrug resistant strains is desirable.
Safety of Abatacept Administered Intravenously in Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Integrated Analyses of up to 8 Years of Treatment from the Abatacept Clinical Trial Program
Authors: Weinblatt Michael E. , Moreland Larry W. , Westhovens Rene , Cohen Roger B. , Kelly Sheila M. , Khan Nader , Pappu Ramesh , Delaet Ingrid , Luo Allison , Gujrathi Sheila , Hochberg Marc C. 
Published: April 2013

Objective.To assess the overall safety, including rare events, of intravenous (IV) abatacept treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods.Data from 8 clinical trials of IV abatacept in RA were pooled. Safety events were assessed during the short-term (duration ≤ 12 months) and cumulative (short-term plus longterm extensions) abatacept treatment periods. Incidence rates per 100 patient-years were calculated. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) for hospitalized infections and malignancies were compared with external RA cohorts and, for malignancies, with the US general population.Results.There were 3173 IV abatacept-treated patients with 2331 patient-years of exposure in the short-term periods, and 4149 IV abatacept-treated patients with 12,132 patient-years of exposure in the cumulative period. Incidence rates for serious infections were low and consistent over time (3.68 for abatacept vs 2.60 for placebo during the short-term, and 2.87 for abatacept during the cumulative period). Hospitalized infections were generally similar to external RA patient cohorts and were consistent over time. Incidence rates of malignancies were similar for abatacept- and placebo-treated patients during the short-term period (0.73 vs 0.59) and remained low during the abatacept cumulative period (0.73). SIR of some tissue-specific malignancies (e.g., colorectal and breast) in the cumulative period tended to be lower, while others (lymphoma and lung) tended to be higher, compared with the general population; however, incidence rates were comparable with RA cohorts. Autoimmune events were rare and infusion reactions uncommon.Conclusion.Longterm safety of IV abatacept was consistent with the short-term, with no unexpected events and low incidence rates of serious infections, malignancies, and autoimmune events.
Bifid Median Nerve Causing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: MRI and Surgical Correlation
Authors: Bagatur A. Erdem , Yalcinkaya Merter , Atca Ali Onder 
Published: April 2013

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be secondary in some patients, and vascular anomalies (usually a persistent median artery), median nerve variations, or both are among the etiologic factors. High division of the median nerve proximal to the carpal tunnel (known as a bifid median nerve) is a median nerve anomaly that has an incidence rate of 2.8%. This rare entity is often associated with various abnormalities that are clinically relevant, such as vascular malformations (persistent median artery), aberrant muscles, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The bifid median nerve is one cause of carpal tunnel syndrome because of its relatively higher cross-sectional area compared with a nonbifid median nerve. Obtaining magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasounds of bifid median nerves has helped surgeons avoid potential surgical hazards.
This article describes 3 men with 4 bifid median nerves associated with a persistent median artery. Mean patient age was 38 years (range, 37–40 years). Mean follow-up was 7 years (range, 3–11 years). Patients were diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and underwent open carpal tunnel release. To reveal a morphological etiology in patients in whom it the possibility of having idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome is unlikely, preoperative imaging studies should be obtained. Bifid median nerves associated with a persistent median artery in the carpal tunnel are important to understand for their clinical and surgical significance. A secondary nature should be suspected in patients with unilateral symptoms, especially those with a history of symptoms and when the symptomatic hand shows severe neurophysiologic impairment but the contralateral hand is neurophysiologically intact. Inadvertent injury to the median nerve during carpal tunnel surgery can be minimized if the variations of the median nerve are recognized.
T1 Intralaminar Screws: An Anatomic, Morphologic Study
Authors: Weaver John , Seipel Shane , Eubanks Jason 
Published: April 2013

In some scenarios, such as complex revisions or tumor cases, intralaminar screw placement in the upper thoracic spine can be used to supplement or replace traditional pedicle screw placement. Despite the theortic feasibility of placing these screws, no thorough anatomic study has evaluated the morphology of the T1 lamina for screw placement.
Anatomic data of the T1 lamina, including height, width (the upper, middle, and lower one-third segments), and length (with and without penetration of the facet articulation) were analyzed for 112 T1 vertebrae. The placement of screws with widths of 3.5 or 4 mm and screws with lengths of 24 or 26 mm in the T1 lamina was feasible in all of the laminas measured with the exception of 2 outliers. Furthermore, relationships were found between T1 lamina size and patient height and between T1 lamina size and sex, but no relationship was found between T1 lamina size and race.
The morphology of the T1 lamina allows for the simple and safe placement of common screw diameters and is a viable salvage or alternative to the traditional pedicle screw.
Metal Sensitivity After TKA Presenting With Systemic Dermatitis and Hair Loss
Authors: Post Zachary D. , Orozco Fabio R. , Ong Alvin C. 
Published: April 2013

Recent problems with metal-on-metal bearings in total hip arthroplasty have highlighted a connection between metal particles and allergic responses. Metal sensitivity associated with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is less understood and poorly characterized. However, metal sensitivity can lead to TKA failure. Accurate and reliable testing for this phenomenon is elusive; therefore, the diagnosis of metal sensitivity remains one of exclusion. Only skin testing and lymphocyte transformation testing are commonly available to assess hypersensitivity, and neither test is reliable.This article describes a woman who presented with severe whole-body dermatitis and hair loss. After prolonged pain and progressive stiffness, including failed manipulation while under anesthesia and open synovectomy, the patient had a positive skin test, but the lymphocyte transformation test was negative. She was treated for metal sensitivity with TKA revision to nonallergenic components, and all symptoms resolved. One year after revision, she had good range of motion, complete dermatitis resolution, and hair loss restoration.To the authors’ knowledge, this is the only report that describes hair loss as a symptom of metal sensitivity secondary to TKA and hair regrowth after revision. The authors now include metal sensitivity in a differential of causes of pain and other unusual symptoms after TKA that are otherwise unexplained.