bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perfusion of Ischemic Brain in Young and Aged Animals
Authors: Manwani Bharti , Friedler Brett , Verma Rajkumar , Venna Venugopal Reddy , McCullough Louise D. , Liu Fudong 
Published: December 2013

Background and Purpose—
Aging is an important determinant of ischemic stroke outcomes. Both clinical and experimental stroke studies have shown that aging negatively correlates with infarct volumes but is associated with worsened functional recovery after stroke. This may correspond to a differing cellular and molecular response to stroke in the aged versus young brain. It was hypothesized in this study that the smaller injury seen in the aged ischemic brain is because of structural differences in microvasculature with aging or differences in intraischemic tissue perfusion.

Methods—
Both young and aged C57BL6 mice were subject to middle cerebral artery occlusion modeling. Laser speckle flowmetry was used to study the functional dynamics of cerebral perfusion, and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran staining was performed to examine the structural change in microvasculature. In separate cohorts, cresyl violet staining and immunohistochemistry with CD31 and IgG antibodies were applied to further assess the microvascular density and blood–brain barrier breakdown after stroke.

Results—
No difference in cerebral blood flow was seen at the baseline, intraischemically, and postreperfusion in young versus aged mice. FITC-dextran and CD31 staining did not show significant differences in the microvascular density between young and aged ischemic brains. More extravasation of IgG through the blood–brain barrier was found in the young versus aged cohort at both 24 and 72 hours after stroke.

Conclusions—
Cerebrovascular dynamics and perfusion are not responsible for the different stroke phenotypes seen in the young versus aged animals, which may be more related to different levels of blood–brain barrier breakdown.
Catastrophic Natural Disasters and Economic Growth
Authors: Cavallo Eduardo , Galiani Sebastian , Noy Ilan , Pantano Juan 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
We examine the average causal impact of catastrophic natural disasters on economic growth by combining information from comparative case studies. For each country affected by a large disaster, we compute the counterfactual by constructing synthetic controls. We find that only extremely large disasters have a negative effect on output in both the short and the long runs. However, we also show that this results from two events where radical political revolutions followed the disasters. Once we control for these political changes, even extremely large disasters do not display any significant effect on economic growth.
Mechanism of Precipitation Increase with Urbanization in Tokyo as Revealed by Ensemble Climate Simulations
Authors: Kusaka Hiroyuki , Nawata Keiko , Suzuki-Parker Asuka , Takane Yuya , Furuhashi Nana 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThis study examines how urbanization affects the precipitation climatology in Tokyo, Japan. A unique aspect of this study is that an ensemble, regional climatological simulation approach is used with sensitivity experiments to reduce uncertainty arising from nonlinearity in the precipitation simulations. Another aspect is that the robustness of the precipitation response is tested with “stress response” simulations with increasing urban forcing. The results show that urbanization causes a robust increase in the amount of precipitation in the Tokyo metropolitan area and a reduction in the inland areas. These anomalies are statistically significant at the 95% and 99% levels in some parts. There is no measureable change in the surrounding rural and ocean areas. These precipitation responses are attributed to an increase of surface sensible heat flux in Tokyo, which destabilizes the atmosphere and induces an anomalous surface low pressure pattern and the convergence of grid-scale horizontal moisture flux. The anomalous convergence of grid-scale horizontal moisture flux is a consequence of urbanization modifying the sea breeze.
Mesoscale Energy Spectra of the Mei-Yu Front System. Part II: Moist Available Potential Energy Spectra
Authors: Peng Jun , Zhang Lifeng , Luo Yu , Xiong Chunhui 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
In Part II of this study, a new formulation of the spectral energy budget of moist available potential energy (MAPE) and kinetic energy is derived. Compared to previous formulations, there are three main improvements: (i) the Lorenz available potential energy is extended into a general moist atmosphere, (ii) the water vapor and hydrometeors are taken into account, and (iii) it is formulated in a nonhydrostatic framework. Using this formulation, the mesoscale MAPE spectra of the idealized mei-yu front system simulated in Part I are further analyzed.
At the mature stage, the MAPE spectra in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere also show a distinct spectral transition in the mesoscale: they develop an approximately −3 spectral slope for wavelengths longer than 400 km and − spectral slope for shorter wavelengths. In the upper troposphere, mesoscale MAPE is mainly deposited through latent heating and subsequently converted to other forms of energy at the same wavenumber. At wavelengths longer than roughly 400 km, the conversion of MAPE to horizontal kinetic energy (HKE) dominates, while at shorter wavelengths, the mechanical work produced by convective systems primarily adds to the potential energy of moist species and only secondarily generates HKE. However, this secondary conversion is enough to maintain the mesoscale − HKE spectral slope. Another positive contribution comes from the divergence term and the vertical flux. In the lower stratosphere, the main source of mesoscale MAPE is the conversion of HKE, although the vertical flux and the spectral transfer also have notable contributions.
Does Tourism Growth Influence Economic Development?
Authors: Cárdenas-García Pablo Juan , Sánchez-Rivero Marcelino , Pulido-Fernández Juan Ignacio 
Published: December 2013

Having recognized the importance of tourism to economic growth, most international organizations have begun to argue that tourism growth can influence, as well, the economic and sociocultural development of society. However, recently, a new approach that criticizes the relationship between both dimensions has begun to be developed; suggesting that this is not an automatic relationship. In this context, the aim of this study is to determine whether the economic growth experienced in some countries as a result of the expansion of the tourism activity over the last two decades influences an increase in the level of economic development. To that end, a sample of 144 countries has been used, which verifies that this relationship occurs, especially in more developed countries, which calls into question the conception of tourism as a driving force of economic development for the least developed countries, and even in developing countries.
Regional Differences in Gender Promotion and Scholarly Productivity in Otolaryngology
Authors: Eloy Jean Anderson , Mady Leila J. , Svider Peter F. , Mauro Kevin M. , Kalyoussef Evelyne , Setzen Michael , Baredes Soly , Chandrasekhar Sujana S. 
Published: December 2013

ObjectivesTo identify whether regional differences exist in gender disparities in scholarly productivity and faculty rank among academic otolaryngologists.Study Design and SettingAcademic otolaryngologists’ bibliometric data analyses.MethodsOnline faculty listings from 98 otolaryngology departments were organized by gender, academic rank, fellowship training status, and institutional location. The Scopus database was used to assess bibliometrics of these otolaryngologists, including the h‐index, number of publications, and publication experience.ResultsAnalysis included 1127 otolaryngologists, 916 men (81.3%) and 211 women (18.7%). Female faculty comprised 15.4% in the Midwest, 18.8% in the Northeast, 21.3% in the South, and 19.0% in the West (P =. 44). Overall, men obtained significantly higher senior academic ranks (associate professor or professor) compared to women (59.8% vs 40.2%, P <. 0001). Regional gender differences in senior faculty were found in the South (59.8% men vs 37.3% women, P =. 0003) and Northeast (56.4% men vs 24.1% women, P <. 0001) with concomitant gender differences in scholarly impact, as measured by the h‐index (South, P =. 0003; Northeast, P =. 0001). Among geographic subdivisions, female representation at senior ranks was lowest in the Mid‐Atlantic (22.0%), New England (30.8%), and West South Central (33.3%), while highest in Pacific (60.0%) and Mountain (71.4%) regions. No regional gender differences were found in fellowship training patterns (P‐values >. 05).ConclusionGender disparities in academic rank and scholarly productivity exist most notably in the Northeast, where women in otolaryngology are most underrepresented relative to men at senior academic ranks and in scholarly productivity.
Trends in Treatment of Advanced Ankle Arthropathy by Total Ankle Replacement or Ankle Fusion
Authors: Raikin Steven M. , Rasouli Mohammad R. , Espandar Ramin , Maltenfort Mitchell G. 
Published: December 2013

Background: Total ankle replacement (TAR) and ankle fusion (AF) are the 2 major operative options for treatment of advanced ankle arthropathy; there is, however, no large epidemiologic study comparing nationwide trends of these 2 procedures. The current study used a nationwide database to compare epidemiologic profiles of TAR and AF. Methods: Data collected for the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2000 to 2010 were reviewed. Procedures were identified by searching for ICD-9-CM codes 81.11 (AF) and 81.56 (TAR). Patients’ demographics and comorbidities, geographic distribution, and cost of procedures were compared. Results: The NIS analysis identified 2666 TAR and 16 419 AF cases which was extrapolated to 13 145 TAR and 80 426 AF nationwide. Spearman’s ρ showed an increase in the number of AF per year while the number of TAR cases remained relatively flat per year until 2006, after which there was a steady increase in the number of TAR performed. Patients receiving a TAR tended to be older, female, and white. Patients who underwent AF were more likely to be obese or diabetic than TAR patients. Both TAR and AF were performed more frequently in private urban hospitals through 2007. However, in 2010, the number of TAR procedures was greater in academic centers compared to private urban hospitals. Conclusions: Despite recent increases in the number of TAR implanted, AF was still performed more than 6 times more frequently for advanced ankle arthropathy. A trend was demonstrated toward an increasing number of TAR being implanted in academic centers, and in patients with more underlying comorbidities than was previously seen. Level of Evidence: Level II, prognostic study.
Cystourethroscopy in the cat
Authors: Berent Allyson 
Published: December 2013

Practical relevance: Diagnostic and therapeutic cystourethroscopy has become very popular in the diagnosis and treatment of canine lower and upper urinary tract disease in the past 5–7 years. As expertise is expanding, the use of similar techniques in feline patients is growing. Outline: This is a brief overview of the indications, equipment needed and procedure for performing cystourethroscopy in feline patients. The principal focus is normal feline lower urinary tract anatomy. Some examples of abnormalities that might be seen are also provided, and therapeutic cystourethroscopy is touched upon.
New techniques on the horizon
Authors: Berent Allyson 
Published: December 2013

Practical relevance: Interventional radiology and interventional endoscopy (IR/IE) uses contemporary imaging modalities, such as fluoroscopy and endoscopy, to perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in various body parts. The majority of IR/IE procedures currently undertaken in veterinary medicine pertain to the urinary tract, and this subspecialty has been termed ‘endourology’. This technology treats diseases of the renal pelvis, ureter(s), bladder and urethra. In human medicine, endourology has overtaken traditional open urologic surgery in the past 20–30 years, and in veterinary medicine similar progress is occurring. Aim: This article presents a brief overview of some of the more common IR/IE procedures currently being performed for the treatment of urinary tract disease in veterinary patients. These techniques include percutaneous nephrolithotomy for lithotripsy of problematic nephrolithiasis, mesenchymal stem cell therapy for chronic kidney disease, sclerotherapy for the treatment of idiopathic renal hematuria, various diversion techniques for ureteral obstructions, laser lithotripsy for lower urinary tract stone disease, percutaneous cystolithotomy for removal of bladder stones, hydraulic occluder placement for refractory urinary incontinence, percutaneous cystostomy tube placement for bladder diversion, urethral stenting for benign and malignant urethral obstructions, and antegrade urethral catheterization for treatment of urethral tears. Evidence base: The majority of the data presented in this article is solely the experience of the author, and some of this has only been published and/or presented in abstract form or small case series. For information on traditional surgical approaches to these ailments readers are encouraged to evaluate other sources.
Subjective Memory Complaints, Cognitive Performance, and Psychological Factors in Healthy Older Adults
Authors: Steinberg Susanne I. , Negash Selamawit , Sammel Mary D. , Bogner Hillary , Harel Brian T. , Livney Melissa G. , McCoubrey Hannah , Wolk David A. , Kling Mitchel A. , Arnold Steven E. 
Published: December 2013

Objective: To determine whether subjective memory complaints (SMCs) are associated with performance on objective cognitive measures and psychological factors in healthy, community-dwelling older adults. Method: The cohort was composed of adults, 65 years and older with no clinical evidence of cognitive impairment (n = 125). Participants were administered: CogState computerized neurocognitive battery, Prospective Retrospective Memory Questionnaire, personality and meaning-in-life measures. Results: SMCs were associated with poorer performance on measures of executive function (p = 0.001). SMCs were also associated with impaired delayed recall (p = 0.006) but this did not remain significant after statistical adjustment for multiple comparisons. SMCs were inversely associated with conscientiousness (p = 0.004) and directly associated with neuroticism (p < 0.001). Higher scores on SMCs were associated with higher perceived stress (p = 0.001), and ineffective coping styles (p = 0.001). Factors contributing to meaning-in-life were associated with fewer SMCs (p < 0.05). Conclusions: SMCs may reflect early, subtle cognitive changes and are associated with personality traits and meaning-in-life in healthy, older adults.
Updated molecular epidemiology of carbapenem-non-susceptible Escherichia coli in Taiwan: first identification of KPC-2 or NDM-1-producing E. coliin Taiwan
Authors: Ma Ling , Siu L Kristopher , Lin Jung-Chung , Wu Tsu-Lan , Fung Chang-Phone , Wang Jann-Tay , Lu Po-Liang , Chuang Yin-Ching 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
The global spread and increasing incidence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae have resulted in treatment and public health concerns. Here, we present an investigation of the molecular mechanisms and clonality of carbapenem-non-susceptible Escherichia coli (CnSEC) based on a nationwide survey in Taiwan.

Methods
We collected 32 and 43 carbapenem-non-susceptible E. coli isolates in 2010 and 2012, respectively. The genes encoding cabapenemases and plasmidic AmpC-type and extended-spectrum β-lactamases (EBSLs) were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The major porin channels OmpF and OmpC were evaluated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Molecular typing was performed with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST).

Results
The resistance rates of CnSEC isolates to cefazolin, cefotaxime, cefoxitin, ceftazidime, and ertapenem were all 100%, and most (94.7%) isolates were CMY producers. The main mechanism of CnSEC in Taiwan is via plasmidic AmpC β-lactamase CMY-2 and DHA-1 in combination with the loss of OmpC/F. In 2010, one isolate was confirmed to harbor bla
IMP-8; a KPC-2 producer and an NDM-1 producer were detected in 2012. No isolate had VIM- or OXA-carbapenemases. ST131 was the predominant ST type (33.3%). PFGE revealed no large cluster in CnSEC isolates in Taiwan.

Conclusions
The co-existence of plasmidic AmpC β-lactamase and outer membrane protein loss is the main mechanism for CnSEC in Taiwan. The emergence of KPC-2 and NDM-1 in 2012 and the predominance of ST131 warrant close monitoring and infection control.
Associations between overweight, obesity, health measures and need for recovery in office employees: a cross-sectional analysis
Authors: van der Starre Robine E , Coffeng Jennifer K , Hendriksen Ingrid JM , van Mechelen Willem , Boot Cécile RL 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
With both a high need for recovery (NFR) and overweight and obesity being a potential burden for organizations (e.g. productivity loss and sickness absence), the aim of this paper was to examine the associations between overweight and obesity and several other health measures and NFR in office workers.

Methods
Baseline data of 412 office employees participating in a randomised controlled trial aimed at improving NFR in office workers were used. Associations between self-reported BMI categories (normal body weight, overweight, obesity) and several other health measures (general health, mental health, sleep quality, stress and vitality) with NFR were examined. Unadjusted and adjusted linear regression analyses were performed and adjusted for age, education and job demands. In addition, we adjusted for general health in the association between overweight and obesity and NFR.

Results
A significant positive association was observed between stress and NFR (B = 18.04, 95%CI:14.53-21.56). General health, mental health, sleep quality and vitality were negatively associated with NFR (p < 0.001). Analyses also showed a significant positive association between obesity and NFR (B = 8.77, 95%CI:0.01-17.56), but not between overweight and NFR.

Conclusions
The findings suggest that self-reported stress is, and obesity may be, associated with a higher NFR. Additionally, the results imply that health measures that indicate a better health are associated with a lower NFR.

Trial registration
The trial is registered at the Dutch Trial Register (NTR) under trial registration number: NTR2553.
The Diabetes Care Project: an Australian multicentre, cluster randomised controlled trial [study protocol]
Authors: Leach Matthew J , Segal Leonie , Esterman Adrian , Armour Caroline , McDermott Robyn , Fountaine Tim 
Published: December 2013

Abstract

Background
Diabetes mellitus is an increasingly prevalent metabolic disorder that is associated with substantial disease burden. Australia has an opportunity to improve ways of caring for the growing number of people with diabetes, but this may require changes to the way care is funded, organised and delivered. To inform how best to care for people with diabetes, and to identify the extent of change that is required to achieve this, the Diabetes Care Project (DCP) will evaluate the impact of two different, evidence-based models of care (compared to usual care) on clinical quality, patient and provider experience, and cost.

Methods/Design
The DCP uses a pragmatic, cluster randomised controlled trial design. Accredited general practices that are situated within any of the seven Australian Medicare Locals/Divisions of General Practice that have agreed to take part in the study were invited to participate. Consenting practices will be randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups for approximately 18 to 22 months: (a) control group (usual care); (b) Intervention 1 (which tests improvements that could be made within the current funding model, facilitated through the use of an online chronic disease management network); or (c) Intervention 2 (which includes the same components as Intervention 1, as well as altered funding to support voluntary patient registration with their practice, incentive payments and a care facilitator). Adult patients who attend the enrolled practices and have established (≥12 month’s duration) type 1 diabetes mellitus or newly diagnosed or established type 2 diabetes mellitus are invited to participate. Multiple outcomes will be studied, including changes in glycosylated haemoglobin (primary outcome), changes in other biochemical and clinical metrics, incidence of diabetes-related complications, quality of life, clinical depression, success of tailored care, patient and practitioner satisfaction, and budget sustainability.

Discussion
This project responds to a need for robust evidence of the clinical and economic effectiveness of coordinated care for the management of diabetes in the Australian primary care setting. The outcomes of the study will have implications not only for diabetes management, but also for the management of other chronic diseases, both in Australia and overseas.

Trial registration
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12612000363886); World Health Organisation (U1111-1128-0481).
Removal and injection of keypoints for SIFT-based copy-move counter-forensics
Authors: Amerini Irene , Barni Mauro , Caldelli Roberto , Costanzo Andrea 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
Recent studies exposed the weaknesses of scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT)-based analysis by removing keypoints without significantly deteriorating the visual quality of the counterfeited image. As a consequence, an attacker can leverage on such weaknesses to impair or directly bypass with alarming efficacy some applications that rely on SIFT. In this paper, we further investigate this topic by addressing the dual problem of keypoint removal, i.e., the injection of fake SIFT keypoints in an image whose authentic keypoints have been previously deleted. Our interest stemmed from the consideration that an image with too few keypoints is per se a clue of counterfeit, which can be used by the forensic analyst to reveal the removal attack. Therefore, we analyse five injection tools reducing the perceptibility of keypoint removal and compare them experimentally. The results are encouraging and show that injection is feasible without causing a successive detection at SIFT matching level. To demonstrate the practical effectiveness of our procedure, we apply the best performing tool to create a forensically undetectable copy-move forgery, whereby traces of keypoint removal are hidden by means of keypoint injection.