bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tidal breathing flow volume loop analysis of 21 healthy, unsedated, young adult maleBeagle dogs
Authors: Adamama‐Moraitou KK , Pardali D , Menexes G , Athanasiou LV , Kazakos G , Rallis TS 
Published: May 2013

BackgroundReference values for dogs regarding tidal breathing flow volume loop (TBFVL) parameters are scarce in the veterinary literature, so each new study requires a healthy reference population to be studied simultaneously with the diseased one.ObjectivesTo establish reference values forTBFVLparameters in healthy dogs, to detect any potential variability in loop shape and in variousTBFVLparameters and to propose clinically useful parameters forTBFVLanalysis.DesignCross‐sectional, prospective study.MethodsTwenty‐one healthy, unsedated, untrained, young adult, maleBeagle dogs, with minimum variability in body weight and somatometry were used. Their good health status was confirmed by physical examination, complete blood count, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, serology and parasitology forDirofilaria immitis, faecal examination, arterial blood gas analysis, electrocardiography, and radiographic and endoscopic examinations of the respiratory tract. The shape of theTBFVLswas assessed initially. Volume, time and flow parameters, as well as their ratios, were calculated; in total 44 parameters were evaluated. Statistical indices, including Cronbach's α, discrimination index, coefficient of variation (CV) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated for each parameter.ResultsOne consistently reproducible type ofTBFVLshape was identified that had a similar appearance to the letterD. Statistical analysis showed that only two parameters were found to haveCronbach's α lower than 0.80. TheCVfor theTBFVLparameters ranged from 1.5% to 49%, but the vast majority had values lower than 20%. Eight parameters had very lowCV, indicating increased homogeneity.ConclusionsA large number of clinically applicableTBFVLparameters were identified. Parameters related to flow and time were considered to correlate more objectively to the functional capacity of the respiratory system of healthy, unsedated dogs.
Reproduction and sexual dimorphism in two populations of the polymorphic spiny lizard Sceloporus minor from Hidalgo, México
Authors: Ramírez‐Bautista Aurelio , Stephenson Barry P. , Serrano Muñoz Carmen , Cruz‐Elizalde Raciel , Hernández‐Salinas Uriel 
Published: May 2013

AbstractMale‐biased sexual dimorphism is extensive in New World spiny lizards (Sceloporus: Phrynosomatidae) and is particularly prominent in the polymorphic minor lizard Sceloporus minor. However, the possible relationship between patterns of sexual dimorphism and gonadal development is little known for most species. In this study, we explored aspects of sexual dimorphism in noncolor morphological traits in S. minor and characterized the gonadal cycle in males and females from each of two sites (El Enzuelado and La Manzana) in Hidalgo, México, differing in key ecological aspects linked to life‐history trait expression in other lizards. Males were generally larger than females in each population and expressed larger forms of several other morphological traits, although not all comparisons attained statistical significance. Both sexes attained reproductive maturity at a larger size in El Enzuelado relative to La Manzana, and females from El Enzuelado had larger litters. Gonadal cycles differed substantially between the two populations and suggest that reproductive activity of males and females was synchronous at El Enzuelado and asynchronous at La Manzana, an unusual pattern. Geographic variation in sex‐specific responses to environmental variables may be at least partly responsible for the exceptional species diversity of spiny lizards in México.
Efficacy of ezetimibe for reducing serum low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels resistant to lifestyle intervention in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Oza Noriko , Takahashi Hirokazu , Eguchi Yuichiro , Kitajima Yoichiro , Kuwashiro Takuya , Ishibashi Eriko , Nakashita Shunya , Iwane Shinji , Kawaguchi Yasunori , Mizuta Toshihiko , Ozaki Iwata , Ono Naofumi , Eguchi Takahisa , Fujimoto Kazuma , Anzai Keizo 
Published: May 2013

AimTo investigate the efficacy of ezetimibe and lifestyle intervention for treating patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and residual dyslipidemia via a combination of ezetimibe and lifestyle intervention.MethodsPatients with NAFLD with residual dyslipidemia after a 6‐month lifestyle intervention program were included. After completion of the 6‐month program, the patients received p.o. administration of ezetimibe at 10 mg/day, in addition to lifestyle intervention, for 6 months.ResultsOf the 59 patients with NAFLD who had participated in the 6‐month lifestyle intervention program between 2007 and 2012, 21 with residual dyslipidemia (10 males and 11 females) were enrolled. Median age was 58 years (range, 27–75), median bodyweight was 63.0 kg (range, 39.4–109.0), median body mass index was 25.4 kg/m2 (range, 18.2–37.1), median alanine aminotransferase was 23 IU/L (14–73), median high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) was 58 mg/dL (range, 37–93), median triglycerides (TG) was 105 mg/dL (range, 42–216) and median low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) was 153 (66–209) mg/dL. After 6 months of treatment with ezetimibe, serum LDL levels were improved in 15 of 20 (75%) patients (P = 0.0015), while no improvements were observed in the remaining five patient (25%). Ezetimibe was discontinued in one patient who developed skin rash.ConclusionEzetimibe is effective for treating residual dyslipidemia after lifestyle intervention in patients with NAFLD.
Conceptualizing the outcomes of involving people who use mental health services in policy development
Authors: Restall Gayle 
Published: May 2013

AbstractContextInclusion of people who use mental health services in policymaking is a goal of many mental health systems. However, the outcomes of such involvement have not been well articulated or researched.ObjectivesThe objectives of this research were to explore how the social and personal outcomes of citizen‐user involvement in mental health policymaking were conceptualized by policy actors and to create a conceptual framework to guide the development and evaluation of citizen‐user involvement.DesignThis qualitative instrumental case study explored the phenomenon of citizen‐user involvement using the policy field of mental health and social housing policy in the Province of Manitoba, Canada, as the focal case.ParticipantsA total of 21 informants from four policy actor groups, citizen‐users, representatives of advocacy organizations, government officials and service providers, participated in key informant interviews. Data also included policy documents relevant to the policy field.AnalysisData collected from interviews and policy documents were analysed using an inductive qualitative paradigm.ResultsParticipants identified multiple outcomes of citizen‐user involvement in policymaking. The resulting conceptual framework illustrated how outcomes in personal, substantive, instrumental and normative dimensions influence micro‐, meso‐ and macrosocial structures. The results also provided a cautionary tale by suggesting how attention needs to be paid to managing the risks as well as optimizing the rewards of involvement.ConclusionsThe framework has application in guiding the development and evaluation of mechanisms that aim to involve citizen‐users in policymaking. The framework encourages an approach that takes into account the complexity and multidimensional nature of engaging citizen‐users.
Turning the World Upside Down: Gender and Inversion in the work of David Underdown
Authors: Amussen Susan D. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe concept of inversion, or the world turned upside down, was a central theme in the work that David Underdown produced in the second half of his scholarly career. His writing on the subject began with the subject of scolds and skimmingtons, but extended over time to the examination of Jacobean court scandals and Jacobean drama. This article examines the development of Underdown's thinking about the subject, and in particular his emerging conviction that inversion provided a way of connecting the social, cultural, and political history of early modern England. Finally, it reflects on Underdown's unfinished manuscript on the subject, and shows how the study of inversion in early modern society and culture illuminates, and is illuminated by postmodern approaches to identity, the feminist concept of patriarchal equilibrium, and recent scholarship on humor.
Determination of APTT factor sensitivity – the misguiding guideline
Authors: Lawrie A. S. , Kitchen S. , Efthymiou M. , Mackie I. J. , Machin S. J. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryIntroductionThe Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) has produced a guideline detailing how to determine the activated partial thromboplastin time's (APTT) sensitivity to clotting factor deficiencies, by mixing normal and deficient plasmas. Using the guideline, we determined the factor sensitivity of two APTT reagents.MethodsAPTTs were performed using Actin FS and Actin FSL on a Sysmex CS‐5100 analyser. The quality of factor‐deficient and reference plasmas from three commercial sources was assessed by assaying each of the clotting factors within the plasmas and by performing thrombin generation tests (TGT).ResultsTesting samples from 50 normal healthy subjects gave a two‐standard deviation range of 21.8–29.2 s for Actin FS and 23.5–29.3 s for Actin FSL. The upper limits of these ranges were subsequently used to determine APTT factor sensitivity. Assay of factor levels within the deficient plasmas demonstrated that they were specifically deficient in a single factor, with most other factors in the range 50–150 iu/dL (Technoclone factor VII‐deficient plasma has 26 iu/dL factor IX). APTTs performed on mixtures of normal and deficient plasmas gave diverse sensitivity to factor deficiencies dependent on the sources of deficient plasma. TGT studies on the deficient plasmas revealed that the potential to generate thrombin was not solely associated with the levels of their component clotting factors.ConclusionDetermination of APTT factor sensitivity in accordance with the CLSI guideline can give inconsistent and misleading results.
Child and caregiver reported problems in using asthma medications and question-asking during paediatric asthma visits
Authors: Sleath Betsy , Carpenter Delesha M , Beard Ashley , Gillette Christopher , Williams Dennis , Tudor Gail , Ayala Guadalupe X 
Published: May 2013

AbstractObjectivesThe objectives of the study were to describe the extent to which lay caregivers and children who reported asthma medication problems asked medication questions during their medical visits.MethodsChildren with asthma ages 8 through 16 years and their caregivers were recruited at five paediatric practices and their medical visits were audiotape recorded. Children were interviewed after their medical visits and caregivers completed questionnaires. A home visit was conducted 1 month later. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyse the data.Key findingsTwo hundred and ninety six families participated. Among those caregivers who reported asthma medication problems, only 35% had asked at least one medication question during the visit. Among children who reported asthma medication problems, only 11% had asked at least one medication question during their consultation. Caregivers and children who reported a problem with their asthma medications were significantly more likely to have asked medication questions if providers had asked more questions about control medications. Children who reported higher asthma management self-efficacy were significantly more likely to have asked an asthma medication question.ConclusionsOnly one in three caregivers and one in 10 children who reported an asthma medication problem asked a question during their medical visits and many still reported these problems 1 month later. Pharmacists should encourage caregivers and children to report problems they may be having using their asthma medications.
Profitability of Interest‐Free versus Interest‐Based Banks in Turkey
Authors: Soylu Ali , Durmaz Nazif 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe present article compares Islamic banks with interest‐based banks to measure their profitability. It also investigates what Islamic funding and investments are used by Islamic banks. Our results from this Turkish sample showed that interest‐free banks did have positive and reasonably strong rates of profitability, though their level of profitability was somewhat less than that of traditional banks, contrary to our initial prediction. Nevertheless, our results provide support for the view that interest‐free banks, based on Islamic principles, are a viable option, compared with traditional capitalist banks that derive a large portion of their profits from interest charges.
Risky sex in rural America: Longitudinal changes in a community‐based cohort of methamphetamine and cocaine users
Authors: Borders Tyrone F. , Stewart Katharine E. , Wright Patricia B. , Leukefeld Carl , Falck Russel S. , Carlson Robert G. , Booth Brenda M. 
Published: May 2013

Background and ObjectivesThis study examined the longitudinal associations between stimulant use and sexual behaviors.MethodsData are from a 3‐year community‐based study of 710 rural stimulant users. Past 30‐day crack cocaine, powder cocaine, and methamphetamine use and sexual behaviors (any sex, inconsistent condom use, and multiple sexual partners) were assessed through in‐person interviews every 6 months.ResultsGEE analyses revealed that the odds of having sex remained steady over time, with crack cocaine and methamphetamine use positively associated with having sex. The odds of multiple sexual partners declined, but the odds of inconsistent condom use remained steady over time. Crack cocaine use was positively associated with multiple sexual partners, whereas powder cocaine use was negatively associated with inconsistent condom use.Conclusions and Scientific SignificanceMany rural stimulant users could potentially benefit from safe sex educational programs. Such efforts could reduce the incidence of HIV and other STIs in rural America. (Am J Addict 2013;22:535–542)
Decision‐making deficits in pathological gambling: The role of executive functions, explicit knowledge and impulsivity in relation to decisions made under ambiguity and risk
Authors: Ochoa Cristian , Álvarez‐Moya Eva M. , Penelo Eva , Aymami M. Neus , Gómez‐Peña Mónica , Fernández‐Aranda Fernando , Granero Roser , Vallejo‐Ruiloba Julio , Menchón José Manuel , Lawrence Natalia S. , Jiménez‐Murcia Susana 
Published: May 2013

BackgroundA variety of cognitive and emotional processes influence the decision‐making deficits observed in pathological gambling (PG). This study investigated the role of immediate/delayed sensitivity to reward and punishment, executive functions, impulsivity and explicit knowledge in relation to decision‐making performance on the original Iowa Gambling Task (IGT‐ABCD) and a variant (IGT‐EFGH).MethodsWe assessed 131 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of PG by using executive functioning and decision‐making tasks, self‐report measures of impulsivity and explicit knowledge.ResultsThe majority of pathological gamblers (PGs) showed deficits in decision‐making, characterized mainly by myopia for the future. Decisions made under risk showed different predictors. Performance on the IGT‐ABCD for decisions made under risk was predicted by medium and high levels of explicit knowledge of the task, as well as by scores on the Disorderliness subscale and the degree of Stroop interference. By contrast, IGT‐EFGH results were only associated with self‐report impulsivity measures.ConclusionsDecision making in PG involves distinct patterns of deficits, and the predictors differ depending on the reinforcement schedule. Decisions made under risk on the IGT‐ABCD are associated with explicit knowledge, executive functions and impulsivity traits related to conscious awareness and control processes. On the IGT‐EFGH, however, only impulsivity traits predict decision making. (Am J Addict 2013;22:492–499)
Presidential Preferences? The Supreme Federal Tribunal Nominations in Democratic Brazil
Authors: Llanos Mariana , Lemos Leany Barreiro 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis article studies the processes of nomination and appointment to the Supreme Federal Tribunal in Brazil made by Presidents Sarney through Lula da Silva. It shows that in relations with the Senate, presidential anticipation prevails over presidential dominance. Brazilian presidents are successful appointers because they invest great effort in the moment of selection, when potential candidates are tested in the juridical and political communities. As a consequence, a uniform Senate approval of candidates coexists with a differential pattern of candidate recruitment. Sometimes presidents can select close candidates from their government; sometimes first-choice candidates are ruled out for lack of consensus. The type of coalition the president heads and the number of vacancies available affect the president's chances of imposing a candidate. The filter posed by center-right parties in the Senate induces the selection of nominees with centrist preferences.
Commemorating Chile's Coup: The Dynamics of Collective Behavior
Authors: Barrera María del Valle , Koch Tomás , Aguirre Benigno E. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis article examines the dynamics of collective behavior in Santiago, Chile every September 11, the date of the 1973 coup that brought General Augusto Pinochet to power. It uses a multiple-method strategy that includes participant observation, personal interviews, and content analysis of three major newspapers during the period 2003–8. The theoretical approach emphasizes time and space coordinates of specified social actors, sociocultural emergence, a limited range of dominant emotions, and dramaturgy to describe the complexity of ritualized commemorations. It shows that incidents occurring on this date are not primarily caused by the actions of social movement organizations. Moreover, the dichotomy of “day and night” used to understand the peaceful and violent commemorations is an oversimplification of a complex network of events, actors, and scenarios that has the effect of denying any legitimacy to actions that fall outside the state-approved practices.
Hydroxyl Content of BaTiO3 Nanoparticles with Varied Size
Authors: Adam Jens , Klein Gabi , Lehnert Tobias 
Published: May 2013

Different types of tetragonal BaTiO3 particles were synthesized in a wet chemical process including an autoclave treatment. The synthesis and autoclaving medium was varied from isopropyl alcohol to water in different ratios, leading to a size variation of the particles from 38 to 145 nm. By applying combustion analysis of carbon and hydrogen (C/H analysis) released from the samples, it can be demonstrated that the amount of hydroxyl impurities incorporated into the crystal lattices of the particles increases with the water content of the synthesis medium. C/H analysis is a suitable tool for this characterization task as it allows discriminating different sources of these elements, i.e., different impurities. By comparing the self‐synthesized particles with commercial ones, it can be concluded that the particle size has the dominant influence on the tetragonality, if the amount of internal hydroxyl groups is relatively low. In contrast, if the amount of water originating from the internal OH groups is elevated (greater than ~0.4 wt%) an impairment of the tetragonality is caused.
New Methods for Preparing Submicrometer Powders of The Tungstate‐Ion Conductor Sc2(WO4)3 and its Al and In Analogs
Authors: Higgins Brittany , Graeve Olivia A. , Edwards Doreen D. 
Published: May 2013

Two new methods for preparing submicrometer powders of M2(WO4)3, M = Sc, In, and Al via combustion synthesis are reported. Stoichiometric combinations of trivalent metal nitrates, ammonium metatungstate, and either urea or carbohydrazide as the fuel were reacted at 550°C, producing amorphous or poorly crystallized powders with an average particle size ranging from 164 to 350 nm. Calcining the powders at 800°C for 1 h produced well‐crystallized, phase‐pure powders with an average particle size ranging from 210 to 711 nm. Powders sintered at 1000°C for 14 h resulted in pellets that were 87%–95% of the theoretical density, which is notably higher than typically obtained from powders prepared by solid‐state reaction. Whereas there was little difference in the microstructure of Al2(WO4)3 pellets prepared with the two different powders, the carbohydrazide‐derived powders resulted in In2(WO4)3 and Sc2(WO4)3 pellets with a larger grain size than those prepared with urea‐derived powders. The electrical conductivity of the sintered pellets, while comparable to that reported for polycrystalline M2(WO4)3 prepared by solid‐state reaction, was strongly influenced by grain‐boundary effects.
Alterations of angiopoietin‐related growth factor (Angptl6) during pregnancy and in pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Xia Guiyu , Fang Ming , He Yao , Zhang Tao , Jin Yangyang , Jiang Lingxiang 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to clarify the alterations of angiopoietin‐related growth factor (AGF, also known as Angptl6/ARP5) in the serum of normally pregnant women and pre‐eclamptic women and to explore the role of AGF in pre‐eclampsia.Material and MethodsThirty healthy non‐pregnant women, 118 normally pregnant women (30 at 6–12 gestational weeks, 30 at 13–28 weeks and 58 at 29–40 weeks, respectively) and 46 pre‐eclamptic women were recruited. Fasting blood samples were obtained from all subjects. Fifteen women of healthy pregnant women provided their blood samples at 24 and 48 h after cesarean section, respectively. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the serum level of AGF.ResultsSerum levels of AGF were significantly higher in normally pregnant women than non‐pregnant women (P < 0.001 of all). Although serum AGF of the first trimester was significantly higher than that of the second trimester (P = 0.033), there were no significant differences of serum AGF in the comparison between the first and third trimester (P = 0.064) and between the second and third trimester (P = 0.546). Serum AGF significantly decreased after delivery (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in AGF of maternal serum between pre‐eclamptic women and normally pregnant control women (P = 0.285). There were no significant differences in circulating AGF concentration between non‐pregnant women and postpartum groups (P = 0.052 for 24 h after delivery and P = 0.083 for 48 h after delivery).ConclusionThe serum level of AGF was elevated in normal pregnancy compared with non‐pregnant women, suggesting that placenta is an important source of circulating AGF during pregnancy.