bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fluid overload at start of continuous renal replacement therapy is associated with poorer clinical condition and outcome: a prospective observational study on the combined use of bioimpedance vector analysis and serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide measurement
Authors: Chen Haiyan , Wu Buyun , Gong Dehua , Liu Zhihong 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Introduction
It is unclear whether the fluid status, as determined by bioimpedance vector analysis (BIVA) combined with serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptides (NT-pro-BNP) measurement, is associated with treatment outcome among patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Our objective was to answer this question.

Methods
Patients who were in the intensive care units of a university teaching hospital and who required CRRT were screened for enrollment. For the enrolled patients, BIVA and serum NT-pro BNP measurement were performed just before the start of CRRT and 3 days afterward. According to the BIVA and NT-pro BNP measurement results, the patients were divided into four groups according to fluid status type: type 1, both normal; type 2, normal BIVA results and abnormal NT-pro BNP levels; type 3, abnormal BIVA results and normal NT-pro BNP levels; and type 4, both abnormal. The associations between fluid status and outcome were analyzed.

Results
Eighty-nine patients were enrolled, 58 were males, and the mean age was 49.0 ± 17.2 years. The mean score of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) was 18.8 ± 8.6. The fluid status before CRRT start was as follows: type 1, 21.3% (19 out of 89); type 2, 16.9% (15 out of 89); type 3, 11.2% (10 out of 89); and type 4, 50.6% (45 out of 89). There were significant differences between fluid status types before starting CRRT on baseline values for APACHE II scores, serum creatinine, hemoglobin, platelet count, urine volume, and incidences of oliguria and acute kidney injury (P <0.05). There were significant differences between patients with different fluid status before CRRT start on hospital mortality—type 1, 26.3% (5 out of 19); type 2, 33.3% (5 out of 15); type 3, 40% (4 out of 10); and type 4, 64.4% (29 out of 45) (P = 0.019)—as well as renal function recovery rates: type 1, 57.1% (4 out of 7); type 2, 67.7% (6 out of 9); type 3, 50% (3 out of 6); and type 4, 23.7% (9 out of 38) (P = 0.051).

Conclusions
Fluid status abnormalities were common among patients receiving CRRT. Different types of fluid status distinguished by BIVA combined with serum NT-pro BNP measurements corresponded to different clinical conditions and treatment outcomes, which implies a value of this method for evaluation of fluid status among patients receiving CRRT.
Gender differences in outcome and use of resources do exist in Swedish intensive care, but to no advantage for women of premenopausal age
Authors: Samuelsson Carolina , Sjöberg Folke , Karlström Göran , Nolin Thomas , Walther Sten M 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Introduction
Preclinical data indicate that oestrogen appears to play a beneficial role in the pathophysiology of and recovery from critical illness. In few previous epidemiologic studies, however, have researchers analysed premenopausal women as a separate group when addressing potential gender differences in critical care outcome. Our aim was to see if women of premenopausal age have a better outcome following critical care and to investigate the association between gender and use of intensive care unit (ICU) resources.

Methods
On the basis of our analysis of 127,254 consecutive Simplified Acute Physiology Score III–scored Swedish Intensive Care Registry ICU admissions from 2008 through 2012, we determined the risk-adjusted 30-day mortality, accumulated nurse workload score and ICU length of stay. To investigate associations with sex, we used logistic regression and multivariate analyses on the entire cohort as well as on two subgroups stratified by median age for menopause (up to and including 45 years and older than 45 years) and six selected diagnostic subgroups (sepsis, multiple trauma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia and cardiac arrest).

Results
There was no sex difference in risk-adjusted mortality for the cohort as a whole, and there was no sex difference in risk-adjusted mortality in the group 45 years of age and younger. For the group of patients older than 45 years of age, we found a reduced risk-adjusted mortality in men admitted for cardiac arrest. For the cohort as a whole, and for those admitted with multiple trauma, male sex was associated with a higher nurse workload score and a longer ICU stay.

Conclusions
Using information derived from a large multiple ICU register database, we found that premenopausal female sex was not associated with a survival advantage following intensive care in Sweden. When the data were adjusted for age and severity of illness, we found that men used more ICU resources per admission than women did.
Clinical effectiveness of a sedation protocol minimizing benzodiazepine infusions and favoring early dexmedetomidine: a before-after study
Authors: Skrupky Lee P , Drewry Anne M , Wessman Brian , Field R Ryan , Fagley Richard E , Varghese Linda , Lieu Angela , Olatunde Joshua , Micek Scott T , Kollef Marin H , Boyle Walter A 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Introduction
Randomized controlled trials suggest clinical outcomes may be improved with dexmedetomidine as compared with benzodiazepines; however, further study and validation are needed. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical effectiveness of a sedation protocol minimizing benzodiazepine use in favor of early dexmedetomidine.

Methods
We conducted a before-after study including adult surgical and medical intensive care unit (ICU) patients requiring mechanical ventilation and continuous sedation for at least 24 hours. The before phase included consecutive patients admitted between 1 April 2011 and 31 August 31 2011. Subsequently, the protocol was modified to minimize use of benzodiazepines in favor of early dexmedetomidine through a multidisciplinary approach, and staff education was provided. The after phase included consecutive eligible patients between 1 May 2012 and 31 October 2012.

Results
A total of 199 patients were included, with 97 patients in the before phase and 102 in the after phase. Baseline characteristics were well balanced between groups. Use of midazolam as initial sedation (58% versus 27%, P <0.0001) or at any point during the ICU stay (76% versus 48%, P <0.0001) was significantly reduced in the after phase. Dexmedetomidine use as initial sedation (2% versus 39%, P <0.0001) or at any point during the ICU stay (39% versus 82%, P <0.0001) significantly increased. Both the prevalence (81% versus 93%, P =0.013) and median percentage of days with delirium (55% (interquartile range (IQR), 18 to 83) versus 71% (IQR, 45 to 100), P =0.001) were increased in the after phase. The median duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly reduced in the after phase (110 (IQR, 59 to 192) hours versus 74.5 (IQR, 42 to 148) hours, P =0.029), and significantly fewer patients required tracheostomy (20% versus 9%, P =0.040). The median ICU length of stay was 8 (IQR, 4 to 12) days in the before phase and 6 (IQR, 3 to 11) days in the after phase (P =0.252).

Conclusions
Implementing a sedation protocol that targeted light sedation and reduced benzodiazepine use led to significant improvements in the duration of mechanical ventilation and the requirement for tracheostomy, despite increases in the prevalence and duration of ICU delirium.
Meniscal extrusion promotes knee osteoarthritis structural progression: protective effect of strontium ranelate treatment in a phase III clinical trial
Authors: Roubille Camille , Martel-Pelletier Johanne , Raynauld Jean-Pierre , Abram François , Dorais Marc , Delorme Philippe , Pelletier Jean-Pierre 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Introduction
To evaluate the impact of meniscal extrusion (Ext) on knee osteoarthritis (OA) structural progression and on response to strontium ranelate (SrRan) treatment at 36 months in patients with (+) or without (-) Ext, in association (+) or not (-) with bone marrow lesions (BML) in the medial compartment using X-rays (JSW) and qMRI.

Methods
Patients from the qMRI substudy of the SEKOIA trial (SrRan 1 g/day, n = 113; SrRan 2 g/day, n = 105; placebo, n = 112) were stratified based on whether meniscal extrusion and/or BML were present or not in the medial compartment.

Results
In the placebo group, Ext+ patients (n = 26) had more JSW loss (p = 0.002) and cartilage volume loss in the global knee (p = 0.034) and plateau (p = 0.005), and medial compartment (p = 0.0005) than Ext- patients (n = 86). Ext-BML+ patients (n = 18) demonstrated more JSW loss (p = 0.003) and cartilage volume loss in the global (p = 0.020) and medial femur (p = 0.055) than Ext-BML- (n = 68). Compared to Ext+ BML- (n = 14), Ext+ BML+ patients (n = 12) had more cartilage volume loss in the global femur (p = 0.028), with no change in JSW. The JSW loss (p = 0.0004) and cartilage volume loss (global knee, p = 0.033, medial compartment, p = 0.0005) were greater when Ext and BML were simultaneously present in the medial compartment. SrRan 2 g/day treatment demonstrated a reduction in OA knee structural progression with qMRI, but not with JSW, in which less cartilage volume loss was found in the plateaus (p = 0.007) in Ext+ patients (n = 15), and in the medial plateau (p = 0.046) in patients in whom both Ext and BML were co-localized.

Conclusion
The findings of this study are novel and could have an impact on future strategies regarding clinical trials. Indeed, data first argue for a combined, cumulative effect of meniscal extrusion and bone marrow lesions on cartilage loss and, secondly, they showed that SrRan may have protective effects in OA patients with meniscal extrusion as well as when both meniscal extrusion and BML are co-localized.
4D seismic interpretation in a Nigerian deepwater field
Authors: Effiom Oghogho , Maskall Robert , Quadt Edwin , Lawal Kazeem A. , Afolabi Raphael , Emakpor Jake , Mbah Reginald 
Published: March 2015

To improve the management of a Nigerian deep water field, two vintages of 4D data have been acquired since field start up in 2005. The first Nigerian 4D seismic (monitor-I) in water depths greater than 1000 m was taken in this field in 2008, and the second monitor (monitor-II) was acquired in 2012. Compared to monitor-I, better geometric repeatability was achieved in monitor-II as the lessons learned from monitor-I were incorporated to achieve better results. The final normalized root mean square of monitor-II fast-track volume was 12% compared to 25% for monitor-I. The improved quality is attributed to improvements in the acquisition methodology and prediction of the effects of currents. Seismic interpretation of the field revealed two distinct turbidite depositional settings: (1) An unconfined amalgamated lobe system with low relief, high net-to-gross reservoir sands that exhibit fairly homogeneous water flooding patterns on 4D and (2) an erosional canyon setting, filled with meander belts having a more complex 3D connectivity within and between the channels resulting in a challenging 4D interpretation. The time lapse data were instrumental for better understanding the reservoir architecture, enabling improved wells and reservoir management practices, the identification of infill opportunities, and more mature subsurface models. We evaluated the seismic acquisition and the 4D interpretation of the deepwater 4D seismic data, highlighting the merits of a multidisciplinary collaborative understanding to time-lapse seismic. At present, the value of information of the 4D monitor-II is conservatively estimated at 101 million United States dollars, equivalent to the cost of a well in this deepwater operating environment.
The Forecast of Phytoplankton Spring Blossoming in the Uchinsky Reservoir
Authors: Юсупова  , Yusupova K. , Корсак  , Korsak M. , Мошаров  , Mosharov Sergey , Кроленко  , Krolenko M. 
Published: March 2015

Increase of water treatment efficiency in water supply systems during the spring period directly depends on the forecast
accuracy related to mass blossoming of phytoplankton in drinking reservoirs. Object of research is the Uchinsky reservoir – the
drinking reservoir having insignificant its own water collection area, and fed by water of Moscow Canal. The data on seasonal
phytoplankton dynamics received in Akulovsky Hydrosite Laboratory of the MCUE &#34;Mosvodokanal&#34; for two stations: Pestovo
(reservoir’s headwater) and Listvyanka (reservoir’s lower part), and also actinometric data of continuous supervision from 1998
to 2003 performed by Lomonosov Moscow State University’s Geographical faculty Meteorological Observatory (MOMGU) have
been used in this work. Results of mathematical modeling for dependence of start date and peak values of phytoplankton’s
spring blossoming in the Uchinsky reservoir depending on intensity of total solar radiation during the period preceding the
phytoplankton blossoming have been presented. It has been established that the more solar energy streams’ values in the
range of photosynthetic active radiation (PhAR) will be received by the reservoir surface in the middle of February, the later
peaks of phytoplankton’s spring blossoming will be observed. Research results represent undoubted interest for the analysis of
reservoir’s light factor influence on phytoplankton’s seasonal dynamics, and also for the exact forecast related to beginning of
phytoplankton’s spring blossoming in drinking reservoirs when planning water treatment actions.
Construction of Heterogeneous Conjoint Choice Designs: A New Approach
Authors: Liu Qing , Tang Yihui (Elina) 
Published: March 2015

Extant research on choice designs in marketing focuses on the construction of efficient homogeneous designs where all respondents get the same design. Recently marketing scholars proposed the construction of efficient heterogeneous designs where different respondents or groups of respondents get different subdesigns, and demonstrated substantial efficiency gain when such heterogeneous designs are employed. A significant hurdle in the widespread adoption of heterogeneous designs is the high computation cost, even when the number of subdesigns contained in the heterogeneous design is restricted to be small. In this paper we propose a new approach for the construction of efficient heterogeneous choice designs. In contrast to extant approaches that are based on an exact design framework where it is computationally prohibitive to do an exhaustive search to find a globally optimal design, our proposed approach is based on the continuous design framework where well-established mathematical theories can be leveraged for quick identification of a globally optimal design. The proposed approach makes it feasible to generate a highly efficient choice design that is completely heterogeneous—a unique subdesign for each individual respondent in the choice experiment. The proposed approach is the first in the marketing literature to find a completely heterogeneous choice design with assured high global design efficiency using the continuous design framework. Results from simulation and empirical studies demonstrate superior performance of the proposed approach over extant approaches in constructing efficient heterogeneous choice designs. Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mksc.2014.0897 .
Large Neighborhoods with Implicit Customer Selection for Vehicle Routing Problems with Profits
Authors: Vidal Thibaut , Maculan Nelson , Ochi Luiz Satoru , Vaz Penna Puca Huachi 
Published: March 2015

We consider several vehicle routing problems (VRP) with profits, which seek to select a subset of customers, each one being associated with a profit, and to design service itineraries. When the sum of profits is maximized under distance constraints, the problem is usually called the team orienteering problem. The capacitated profitable tour problem seeks to maximize profits minus travel costs under capacity constraints. Finally, in the VRP with a private fleet and common carrier, some customers can be delegated to an external carrier subject to a cost. Three families of combined decisions must be taken: customer’s selection, assignment to vehicles, and sequencing of deliveries for each route. We propose a new neighborhood search for these problems, which explores an exponential number of solutions in pseudo-polynomial time. The search is conducted with standard VRP neighborhoods on an exhaustive solution representation, visiting all customers. Since visiting all customers is usually infeasible or suboptimal, an efficient select algorithm, based on resource constrained shortest paths, is repeatedly used on any new route to find the optimal subsequence of visits to customers. The good performance of these neighborhood structures is demonstrated by extensive computational experiments with a local search, an iterated local search, and a hybrid genetic algorithm. Intriguingly, even a local-improvement method to the first local optimum of this neighborhood achieves an average gap of 0.09% on classic team orienteering benchmark instances, rivaling with the current state-of-the-art metaheuristics. Promising research avenues on hybridizations with more standard routing neighborhoods are also open.
Intraluminal Volume Dose Alteplase for the Clearance of Occluded Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Lines at a Long-Term Acute Care Hospital: Efficacy and Economic Impact
Authors: Sapienza Stephen P. , Ciaschini Darrin R. 
Published: March 2015

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy and economic impact of a maximum of 2 doses of intraluminal volume 1 mg/1 mL dose alteplase for the clearance of occluded peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines at a long-term acute care hospital (LTACH). Methods Open-label, nonrandomized quasi-experimental trial taking place over a 3-month period from December 2013 to March 2014. Patients had a standing order of either standard (2 mg/2 mL) or intraluminal volume (1 mg/1 mL) dose alteplase entered for any potential occlusions. The primary efficacy outcome was restored line patency after a maximum of 2 doses of alteplase. Secondary efficacy outcomes included restored patency after 1 dose of alteplase, reocclusion rate, mean time to reocclusion, and mean number of occlusions per patient. Results A total of 168 patients were enrolled into the study (intraluminal volume, n = 54; standard, n = 114) and a total of 270 occlusions were recorded; 90 received intraluminal volume dose alteplase and 180 received the standard dose. The primary efficacy endpoint was 93.3% for the intraluminal volume dose group and 94.4% for the standard dose group. Secondary outcomes were similar between groups. The average cost per dose was $123.77 and $60.62 for the standard and intraluminal volume dose alteplase groups, respectively. Conclusion For the clearance of occluded PICC lines at our LTACH, there was no statistical difference in the efficacy of a maximum of 2 doses of intraluminal volume dose alteplase versus the standard dose. Use of intraluminal volume dose alteplase was found to be significantly more cost-effective.
Relación clima-vegetación: adaptaciones de la comunidad del jarillal al clima semiárido, Parque Nacional Lihué Calel, provincia de La Pampa, Argentina
Authors: Duval Valeria Soledad , Benedetti Graciela María , Campo Alicia María 
Published: March 2015

El estudio de la vegetación desde la Geografía se centra en el análisis de su distribución espacial y los factores que inciden en la misma. Uno de ellos es el clima que determina las características de las formaciones vegetales y en una escala más grande, a las comunidades. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la relación clima-vegetación mediante las adaptaciones de la comunidad del jarillal con respecto al clima semiárido en el Parque Nacional Lihué Calel, provincia de La Pampa, Argentina. Para ello se realizó el balance hídrico de Thornthwaite y Mather para el área de estudio utilizando datos de la estación meteorológica del parque pertenecientes al período 1995-2010. Se aplicaron los índices bioclimáticos de Lang, Emberger, De Martonne y Currey y se realizaron los cuadrados o stands correspondientes para conocer la composición florística y su fisonomía. Finalmente se analizaron las respuestas adaptativas identificadas en los individuos vegetales relevados y se comprobó que el clima semiárido condiciona la morfología y fisonomía del jarillal. Para el área de estudio se definió la presencia de vegetación xerófila con predominio de arbustos y un patrón de distribución abierta. El déficit hídrico da lugar a adaptaciones como por ejemplo la: pérdida de hojas en la estación desfavorable, el reemplazo de espinas por hojas, hojas pequeñas y resinosas, inclinación de la hoja y raíces extensas.
Post menopause and Osteoporosis - Unfolding the link
Authors: Sahithi Dathar , Reddy Sudhakara , Rajesh N. , Priyadarshini Sheela , Krishnan Meenakshi , Upendra Gurugubelli 
Published: March 2015

Background: Osteoporosis is one of the most systemic diseases prevalent among the postmenopausal women attributing to the increased risk of occurrence of fractures. Hence, early detection of this disease is of utmost importance which can be determined by concentration of calcium in saliva and radiographically by quantitative radiomorphometric indices like panoramic mandibular Index (PMI).Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the salivary calcium levels and PMI in order to identify the risk group of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.Methods: A case-control study was carried out among 60 female subjects who were equally categorized into two groups. Salivary Â Â Â calcium levels were calorimetrically assessed by spectrophotometry and PMI index was calculated using Digora software from the Digital Panoramic image obtained for individual patient.Results: The results had shown that salivary calcium among the case group was significantly higher than the control group (p value = 0.001) and PMI values among the case group were significantly lower than the control group (p value = 0.001).With the advancing duration of menopause, the salivary calcium levels were increasing and PMI values were found to be decreasing and both were statistically significant.Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that both salivary calcium and PMI can certainly be used as screening tools to identify the risk of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women.
Visualizing onomasiological change: Diachronic variation in metonymic patterns for woman in Chinese
Authors: Zhang Weiwei , Geeraerts Dirk , Speelman Dirk 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis paper introduces an innovative method to aid the study of conceptual onomasiological research, with a specific emphasis on diachronic variation in the metonymic patterns with which a target concept is expressed. We illustrate how the method is applied to explore and visualize such diachronic changes by means of a case study on the metonymic patterns forwomanin the history of Chinese. Visualization is done with the help of a Multidimensional Scaling solution based on the profile-based distance calculation (Geeraerts et al. 1999; Speelman et al. 2003) and by drawing diachronic trajectories in a set of MDS maps, corresponding to different metonymic targets. This method proves to be effective and feasible in detecting changes in the distribution of metonymic patterns in authentic historical corpus data. On the basis of this method, we can show that different targets exhibit different degrees of diachronic variation in their metonymic patterns. We find diachronically more stable targets (e.g.imperial woman), targets with a dominant trend in diachronic variation (e.g.a woman), and targets with highly fluctuating historical variation (e.g.beautiful woman). Importantly, we can identify the cultural and social changes that may lie behind some of these changes. Examining the results uncovered by the method offers us a better understanding of the dynamicity of metonymic conceptualizations.