bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prenatal detection of transposition of the great arteries reduces mortality and morbidity
Authors: van Velzen C. L. , Haak M. C. , Reijnders G. , Rijlaarsdam M. E. B. , Bax C. J. , Pajkrt E. , Hruda J. , Galindo‐Garre F. , Bilardo C. M. , de Groot C. J. M. , Blom N. A. , Clur S. A. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo evaluate the prenatal detection of transposition of the great arteries (TGA), after the introduction of a Dutch screening program in 2007, as well as the effect of prenatal detection on pre‐ and postsurgical mortality and morbidity.MethodsIn a geographical cohort study, all infants with TGA who were born between 1 January 2002 and 1 January 2012 were included. The cases were divided into two groups: those with and those without a prenatal diagnosis. Pre‐ and postsurgical mortality was assessed, with a follow‐up of 1 year. Presurgical morbidity was assessed in terms of cardiovascular compromise, metabolic acidosis, renal and/or hepatic dysfunction and closure of the duct before initiation of therapy.ResultsOf all cases (n = 144), 26.4% were diagnosed prenatally, with detection rates of 15.7% and 41.0% in the first and last 5 years of the study period, respectively. First‐year mortality was significantly lower in cases with a prenatal diagnosis of TGA than in those without (0.0% vs 11.4%, respectively). Presurgical mortality (4.9%) only occurred in undetected simple TGA cases. Closure of the duct before treatment, renal dysfunction and hypoxia occurred significantly more often in the group without a prenatal diagnosis.ConclusionsThe prenatal detection rate of TGA has increased significantly since the introduction of the screening program in 2007. Prenatal diagnosis is an important factor that contributes to survival of the infant in the first postnatal year. Furthermore, some morbidity indicators were significantly higher in the group without a prenatal diagnosis. These results justify efforts to improve prenatal screening programs. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Chemical Sodiation of V2O5 by Na2S
Authors: Haberkorn Robert , Bauer Jessica , Kickelbick Guido 
Published: October 2014

AbstractChemical sodiation of V2O5 at low temperatures allows to synthesize NaxV2O5 with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1, while classic high temperature syntheses yield in either x ≤ 0.02 (α‐phase) or 0.7 ≤ x (α′‐phase), or other phases (β‐phase, δ‐phase) or mixtures thereof. A suspension of V2O5 in acetonitrile and Na2S as sodiation agent were used. The maximum amount of sodiation was obtained by using an excess of Na2S, refluxing the acetonitrile during the reaction, and precedent ball milling of the V2O5. If only low amounts of Na2S were used as starting material, a mixture of fractions of NaxV2O5 with different values of x was obtained. All these fractions belong to the α‐ or α′‐phase, space group Pmmn.
Long-term follow-up of thalidomide embryopathy: Malformations and development of osteoarthritis in the lower extremities and evaluation of upper extremity function
Authors: Ghassemi Jahani Shadi A. , Danielson Barbro , Karlsson Jón , Danielsson Aina J. 
Published: October 2014

Background Between 1959 and 1962, several children with multiple malformations were born after maternal intake of thalidomide during pregnancy, known as thalidomide embryopathy (TE). Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the malformations, their long-term effect on the function of the extremities and the development of degenerative osteoarthritis (OA) in the lower extremities. Methods All living persons with TE in Sweden were invited to participate in the study. Thirty-one patients were examined clinically as a part of a multi-disciplinary follow-up programme. Evaluation of upper and lower limb function was performed by validated questionnaires [Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Rheumatoid and Arthritis Outcome Score (RAOS), respectively] and radiographic appearance of lower limbs by the use of spiral computed tomography. Results Five individuals had severe malformations of the lower limbs and proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD), with significantly reduced function as found on the RAOS values. Twenty-seven patients had two fully functional arms and hands, despite the fact that 8% of shoulders, 26% of elbows/forearms and 70% of hands were malformed. Loss of gripping function did not significantly affect the upper extremity function, as measured by the DASH score. Ten patients without major deformities had OA in the hips and 15 in the knees, mostly mild and with no effect on the RAOS value. Conclusion A wide variety of malformations in the upper and lower limbs was found in the study group. Degenerative changes were found in the hips and the knees but were mostly mild and without major clinical significance. Despite upper limb anomalies that affected the fine motor skills, upper extremity function was not significantly reduced for most individuals. Individuals with PFFD along with major deformities of upper limbs had a reduced function of upper as well as lower limbs.
What do temporal profiles tell us about adolescent alcohol use? Results from a large sample in the United Kingdom
Authors: McKay Michael T. , Andretta James R. , Magee Jennifer , Worrell Frank C. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTThe psychological construct broadly known as time perspective is potentially useful in understanding a range of adolescent behaviours, including alcohol use. However, the utility of the construct has been hindered by measurement and conceptual problems. To date the vast majority of studies have assessed the relationship between time perspective and other measures in a variable‐focussed (correlational) rather than a person‐centred way. The present series of studies used a person‐centred approach to assess the relationship between temporal profiles and alcohol use in a large sample (n = 1620) of adolescents from High Schools in Northern Ireland. Although a ‘Balanced’ time perspective has been suggested as optimal, the present study suggests that having a ‘Future’ temporal profile is associated with less problematic use of alcohol, while having a ‘Past Negative’ or ‘Hedonist’ profile is associated with more problematic consumption. Results are discussed in the context of the time perspective and alcohol use literatures.
A new way to produce hyperketonemia: Use of ketone ester in a case of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Newport Mary T. , VanItallie Theodore B. , Kashiwaya Yoshihiro , King Michael Todd , Veech Richard L. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundProviding ketone bodies to the brain can bypass metabolic blocks to glucose utilization and improve function in energy‐starved neurons. For this, plasma ketones must be elevated well above the ≤0.2 mM default concentrations normally prevalent. Limitations of dietary methods currently used to produce therapeutic hyperketonemia have stimulated the search for better approaches.MethodDescribed herein is a new way to produce therapeutic hyperketonemia, entailing prolonged oral administration of a potent ketogenic agent—ketone monoester (KME)—to a patient with Alzheimer's disease dementia and a pretreatment Mini‐Mental State Examination score of 12.ResultsThe patient improved markedly in mood, affect, self‐care, and cognitive and daily activity performance. The KME was well tolerated throughout the 20‐month treatment period. Cognitive performance tracked plasma β‐hydroxybutyrate concentrations, with noticeable improvements in conversation and interaction at the higher levels, compared with predose levels.ConclusionKME‐induced hyperketonemia is robust, convenient, and safe, and the ester can be taken as an oral supplement without changing the habitual diet.
Short‐term trends in dementia prevalence in Germany between the years 2007 and 2009
Authors: Doblhammer Gabriele , Fink Anne , Fritze Thomas 
Published: October 2014

AbstractRecent studies have been cautiously optimistic about declining trends in dementia prevalence and incidence. Newly available claims data from a German public health insurance company covering 30% of the total population permitted us to explore short‐term trends based on millions of observations up to the highest ages. Diagnoses stemmed from the inpatient and outpatient services and covered both the community‐dwelling population and those living in nursing homes. Data spanning more than 3 years were examined, and the examination revealed a significant yearly reduction between 1% and 2% in the prevalence of dementia among women aged 75 to 84 years. The extent of the reduction was comparable with reports from earlier studies. A similar tendency existed among men, however, statistically not significant. Trends in medical, lifestyle, and societal risk factors of dementia may have contributed to this decline.
APOE ε4 and risk for Alzheimer's disease: Do regionally distributed white matter hyperintensities play a role?
Authors: Brickman Adam M. , Schupf Nicole , Manly Jennifer J. , Stern Yaakov , Luchsinger José A. , Provenzano Frank A. , Narkhede Atul , Razlighi Qolamreza , Collins‐Praino Lyndsey , Artero Sylvaine , Akbaraly Tasnime N. , Ritchie Karen , Mayeux Richard , Portet Florence 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundWe previously demonstrated that parietal lobe white matter hyperintensities (WMH) increase the risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we examined whether individuals with apolipoprotein E gene (APOE ε4) have increased parietal WMH volume.MethodsParticipants were from the Washington Heights‐Inwood Columbia Aging Project (WHICAP; n = 694, 47 with dementia) in northern Manhattan and the Etude Santé Psychologique Prévalence Risques et Traitement study (ESPRIT; n = 539, 8 with dementia) in Montpellier. The association between regional WMH and APOE ε4 was examined separately in each group and then in a combined analysis.ResultsIn WHICAP, ε4 carriers had higher WMH volume particularly in parietal and occipital lobes. In ESPRIT, ε4 carriers had elevated WMH particularly in parietal and temporal lobes. In the combined analysis, ε4 carriers had higher WMH in parietal and occipital lobes. Increased WMH volume was associated with increased frequency of dementia irrespective of APOE ε4 status; those with the ε4 were more likely to have dementia if they also had increased parietal WMH.ConclusionsAPOE ε4 is associated with increased parietal lobe WMH.
Effects of Contralateral Versus Ipsilateral Cane Use on Gait in People with Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Fang Meika A. , Heiney Constance , Yentes Jennifer M. , Harada Nancy D. , Masih Sulabha , Perell‐Gerson Karen L. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the immediate effects of contralateral versus ipsilateral cane use on spatiotemporal gait parameters and peak vertical ground force in overweight or obese adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA).DesignProspective observational study.SettingAn academic tertiary Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center.ParticipantsThirty‐eight overweight or obese subjects with symptomatic knee OA who had not used a cane for the past 30 days.MethodsSpatiotemporal gait data were obtained with an optical motion capture system while subjects walked without a cane, with a cane contralateral to the more painful lower limb, or with a cane ipsilateral to the more painful lower limb at self‐selected speeds. An in‐shoe dynamic pressure distribution system was used to measure the vertical ground reaction force.Main Outcome MeasurementsSpatiotemporal measures of gait and peak vertical ground reaction force on both lower limbs were recorded for each walking condition: no cane, contralateral cane, and ipsilateral cane.ResultsWalking with a cane either contralateral or ipsilateral to the more symptomatic limb led to significant reductions in gait velocity (14%‐16%), cadence (12%‐14%), and peak vertical ground reaction force (normalized for body weight; 11%‐12%) on the more painful lower limb compared with walking unaided (P < .05). There were no significant differences in the peak vertical ground reaction force on either lower limbs when comparing walking with a cane contralateral to the more painful limb or walking with a cane ipsilateral to the more painful limb. Subjects also experienced a significant decrease in gait velocity with contralateral or ipsilateral cane use compared with walking without a cane; the lower walking speed was due to a decrease in cadence.ConclusionsThese results support the prescription of a single‐point cane to offload a lower limb with painful knee OA by holding the cane either ipsilateral or contralateral to the more painful lower limb.
ATROCITY PROPAGANDA AND THE NATIONALIZATION OF THE MASSES IN THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE DURING THE BALKAN WARS (1912–13)
Authors: Çetinkaya Y. Doğan 
Published: October 2014

AbstractDuring the Balkan Wars (1912–13), the mobilization of the home front became significant for the belligerent states, which initiated propaganda activities demonizing their enemies and galvanizing the emotions of their publics. This paper explores one type of such mobilization efforts from above, atrocity propaganda, through which states sought to invoke hatred and mobilize public support for war by focusing on the atrocities (mezalim) that their coreligionists had suffered at the hands of enemies. Although the term “atrocity propaganda” has been used exclusively in the context of World War I in the historiography, the practice it describes was effectively utilized during the earlier Balkan Wars. In the Ottoman Empire, both state and civil initiatives played crucial roles in the making of atrocity propaganda, which was disseminated through intense coverage in the Turkish-language press. The imagery it employed shifted with the onset of the wars, becoming increasingly shocking. Atrocity propaganda contributed to the well-known radicalization of nationalism in the late Ottoman Empire.
FEMALE EDUCATION AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH CHANGES IN SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC BEHAVIOUR: EVIDENCE FROM INDIA
Authors: BORKOTOKY KAKOLI , UNISA SAYEED 
Published: October 2014

SummaryEducation is a crucial factor in influencing the pattern and timing of marriage for women, and the changes in levels of female literacy will also change the dynamics of family formation. India has experienced consistent improvement in levels of female literacy; therefore, this study examined the association of women's education with the changes in their demographic behaviour in the Indian context. The central idea of the paper is to examine the differences in age at marriage and first birth, choice of marriage partner and the number of children ever born based on educational attainment of women. In addition, the study examined incongruence in years of schooling and discontinuation from school, for children based on education of the mother. The study utilized data from the third round of District Level Household and Facility Survey. The sample constituted 344,164 ever-married women aged 35 years and above with surviving children aged 5–20 years. The results imply that women with higher education are more likely to marry late and have fewer children compared with less educated women. Accordingly, increase in education of women also increases the probability of marrying men with better education than themselves. The study further observed that education of wife has a greater association with the number of children ever born than the education of husband. At the same time, incongruence in years of schooling and drop-out from school are both high for children of uneducated women. The study also found that the children from urban areas are more likely to drop out than their rural counterparts. In addition to education of the mother, number and composition of children in the family and economic condition of the household are some other factors that influence the educational attainment of children.
Residential Mobility of Elderly Canadians: Trends and Determinants
Authors: Edmonston Barry , Lee Sharon M. 
Published: October 2014

RÉSUMÉUne bonne compréhension des tendances et des déterminants de la mobilité résidentielle des Canadiens âgés est essentiel pour les politiques publiques et la planification. Étude des patrons, change au fil du temps, et les déterminants de la mobilité des Canadiens âgés sont devenus de plus en plus important que la population vieillit. La mobilité résidentielle des personnes âgées a diminué considérablement depuis 1971, et près de la moitié de cette baisse est due à des changements dans la composition de la population. Parce que l’analyse multivariée de ce document ne tient pas compte de la plupart des tendances à la baisse de la mobilité résidentielle, toutefois, d’autres travaux sont nécessaires sur les explications spéculatives abordés dans cet article.
Continuous performance test in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder and tic disorders: the role of sustained attention
Authors: Lucke Ilse M. , Lin Charlotte , Conteh Fatmata , Federline Amanda , Sung Huyngmo , Specht Matthew , Grados Marco A. 
Published: October 2014

ObjectivePediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and tic disorders (TD) are often associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In order to clarify the role of attention and inhibitory control in pediatric OCD and TD, a continuous performance test (CPT) was administered to a cohort of children and adolescents with OCD alone, TD alone, and OCD+TD.MethodsA clinical cohort of 48 children and adolescents with OCD alone (n=20), TD alone (n=15), or OCD+TD (n=13) was interviewed clinically and administered the Conners Continuous Performance Test II (CPT-II). The Conners CPT-II is a 14-minute normed computerized test consisting of 6 blocks. It taps into attention, inhibitory control, and sustained attention cognitive domains. Key parameters include errors of omission (distractability), commission (inhibitory control), and variable responding over time (sustained attention).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) criteria were applied in a best-estimate process to diagnose OCD, TD, ADHD, and anxiety disorders.ResultsChildren with OCD+TD had more errors of omission (p=0.03), and more hit RT block change (p=0.003) and hit SE block change (p=0.02) than subjects with OCD alone and TD alone. These deficits in sustained attention were associated with younger age and hoarding tendencies. A clinical diagnosis of ADHD in the OCD+TD group also determined worse sustained attention.ConclusionsA deficit in sustained attention, a core marker of ADHD, is also a marker of OCD+TD, compared to OCD alone and TD alone. Biological correlates of sustained attention may serve to uncover the pathophysiology of OCD and TD through genetic and imaging studies.
A COMBINED ADAPTIVE CONTROL PARAMETRIZATION AND HOMOTOPY CONTINUATION TECHNIQUE FOR THE NUMERICAL SOLUTION OF BANG–BANG OPTIMAL CONTROL PROBLEMS
Authors: MEHRPOUYA M. A. , SHAMSI M. , RAZZAGHI M. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractWe present an efficient computational procedure for the solution of bang–bang optimal control problems. The method is based on a well-known adaptive control parametrization method, which is one of the direct methods for numerical solution of optimal control problems. First, the adaptive control parametrization method is reviewed and then its advantages and disadvantages are illustrated. In order to resolve the need for a priori knowledge about the structure of optimal control and for resolving the sensitivity to an initial guess, a homotopy continuation technique is combined with the adaptive control parametrization method. The present combined method does not require any assumptions on the control structure and the number of switching points. In addition, the switching points are captured accurately; also, efficiency of the method is reported through illustrative examples.
Identification and prioritization of farmers' innovations in northern Ghana
Authors: Tambo Justice A. , Wünscher Tobias 
Published: October 2014

AbstractFarmers are innovators and experimenters and not just adopters of introduced technologies. The innovations developed by farmers could complement the highly promoted externally driven technologies in addressing the numerous challenges facing agriculture. The aim of this paper was to identify outstanding innovations developed by smallholder farmers in northern Ghana, and prioritize the high potential ones for further scientific validation or dissemination. Using an innovation contest that rewards farmers' creativity, we identified 29 promising innovations. Additionally, 19 innovations were scouted through a household survey. The innovations are largely extensive modifications of existing practices or combinations of different known practices in unique ways to save costs or to address crop and livestock production constraints. While some of the identified innovations can be recommended or disseminated to other farmers, most of them may require further validation or research. However, validating all of these innovations will be very expensive and time-consuming. We propose the multi-criteria decision-making analysis (MCDM) as a simple method to prioritize farmers' innovations. Using this method, we find that among the most promising innovations are those involving the control of weeds, pests and diseases using plant residues and extracts, and the treatment of livestock diseases using ethnoveterinary medicines. We briefly explain the six most highly ranked innovations. This case study from northern Ghana provides further proof that smallholder farmers develop diverse and spectacular innovations to address the myriad challenges they face, and these need to be recognized and promoted. We also conclude that contest and MCDM are useful methods that can be applied in unearthing and prioritizing farmer innovations, respectively.
miR-491-5p-induced apoptosis in ovarian carcinoma depends on the direct inhibition of both BCL-XL and EGFR leading to BIM activation
Authors: Denoyelle C , Lambert B , Meryet-Figuière M , Vigneron N , Brotin E , Lecerf C , Abeilard E , Giffard F , Louis M-H , Gauduchon P , Juin P , Poulain L 
Published: October 2014

AbstractWe sought to identify miRNAs that can efficiently induce apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells by overcoming BCL-XLand MCL1 anti-apoptotic activity, using combined computational and experimental approaches. We found that miR-491-5p efficiently induces apoptosis in IGROV1-R10 cells by directly inhibiting BCL-XLexpression and by inducing BIM accumulation in its dephosphorylated form. This latter effect is due to direct targeting of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by miR-491-5p and consequent inhibition of downstream AKT and MAPK signalling pathways. Induction of apoptosis by miR-491-5p in this cell line is mimicked by a combination of EGFR inhibition together with a BH3-mimetic molecule. In contrast, SKOV3 cells treated with miR-491-5p maintain AKT and MAPK activity, do not induce BIM and do not undergo cell death despite BCL-XLand EGFR downregulation. In this cell line, sensitivity to miR-491-5p is restored by inhibition of both AKT and MAPK signalling pathways. Altogether, this work highlights the potential of miRNA functional studies to decipher cell signalling pathways or major regulatory hubs involved in cell survival to finally propose the rationale design of new strategies on the basis of pharmacological combinations.