bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multicriteria decision analysis for sustainable data centers location
Authors: Covas Miguel T. , Silva Carlos A. , Dias Luis C. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractData centers (DCs) are complex organizational and technical infrastructures that assure the performance and reliability of modern information and communication systems. The high installation and operations costs of DCs and the stringent requirements regarding reliability and safety require close attention to the location of this type of facility. This paper proposes a multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach for identifying the most interesting locations to install sustainable DCs, taking into account technical, social, economic, and environmental dimensions. For each of these main dimensions, the evaluation was formulated as a multicriteria sorting problem. These problems were analyzed using the outranking MCDA method ELECTRE TRI through the IRIS software, allowing for uncertainty about the criteria weights. The results are summarized in a graphical form, without attempting to reduce such incommensurable dimensions to a single value.
One‐stage, simultaneous skin grafting with artificial dermis and basic fibroblast growth factor successfully improves elasticity with maturation of scar formation
Authors: Hamuy Rodrigo , Kinoshita Naoshi , Yoshimoto Hiroshi , Hayashida Kenji , Houbara Seiji , Nakashima Masahiro , Suzuki Keiji , Mitsutake Norisato , Mussazhanova Zhanna , Kashiyama Kazuya , Hirano Akiyoshi , Akita Sadanori 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe efficacy of one‐stage artificial dermis and skin grafting was tested in a nude rat model. Reconstruction with artificial dermis is usually a two‐stage procedure with 2‐ to 3‐week intermission. If one‐stage use of artificial dermis and split‐thickness skin grafting are effective, the overall burden on patients and the medical cost will markedly decrease. The graft take rate, contraction rate, tissue elasticity, histology, morphometric analysis of the dermal thickness, fibroblast counting, immunohistochemistry of α‐smooth muscle actin, matrix metalloproteinase‐2, CD31, and F4/80, as well as gelatin zymography, real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for matrix metalloproteinase‐2, and electron microscopy, were investigated from day 3 to 3 months postoperatively. The graft take rate was good overall in one‐stage artificial dermis and skin grafting groups up to 3 weeks, and the contraction rate was greater in the two‐staged artificial dermis and skin grafting group than in the skin grafting alone or one stage of artificial dermis and skin grafting groups. Split‐thickness skin grafting with artificial dermis and basic fibroblast growth factor at a concentration of 1 μg/cm2 showed significantly greater elasticity by Cutometer, and the dermal thickness was significantly thinner, fibroblast counting was significantly greater, and the α‐smooth muscle actin expression level was more notable with a more mature blood supply in the dermis and more organized dermal fibrils by electron microscopy at 3 weeks. Thus, one‐stage artificial dermis and split‐thickness skin grafting with basic fibroblast growth factor show a high graft take rate and better tissue elasticity determined by Cutometer analysis, maturity of the dermis, and increased fibroblast number and blood supply compared to a standard two‐stage reconstruction.
Earnings and income inequality in the EU during the crisis
Authors: DE BEER Paul 
Published: December 2012

Abstract.The author examines the impact of the economic crisis on employment, earnings, inequality and poverty in the EU, focusing on Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Spain and the United Kingdom during the period 2008–10. After reviewing the literature, he analyses recent trends, finding that during this stage of the crisis real wages reacted countercyclically in most countries, thus diverging from the pattern observed in previous recessions. He finds considerable cross‐national variation in the severity and direction of changes in terms of inequality and poverty rates. However, he argues that inequality may widen because of the potential regressive effects of the announced austerity programmes.
Risk Factors for Recurrence of Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy After Renal Transplantation: Single Center Study
Authors: Sato Keitaro , Ishida Hideki , Uchida Keiko , Nitta Kosaku , Tanabe Kazunari 
Published: December 2012

AbstractWe investigated the risk factors for recurrence of IgA nephropathy after kidney transplantation. Of the 184 recipients of allografts for end‐stage renal disease caused by primary IgA nephropathy at our institution and affiliated hospitals between 1990 and 2005, 70 developed recurrent IgA nephropathy (group 1), while the remaining 114 did not develop recurrent IgA nephropathy (group 2). The diagnosis of recurrent IgA nephropathy was based on case and/or protocol renal biopsies. We examined the risk factors for recurrence of IgA nephropathy by comparing the two groups. In addition, we also investigated the risk factors for graft loss in the patients with recurrent IgA nephropathy. The recipient's age at transplantation was significantly younger in group 1 than in group 2 (33.4 ± 10.4 vs. 36.7 ± 10.7, P = 0.037). No significant influence of the immunosuppressive regimens used was observed on the likelihood of recurrence of IgA nephropathy. In the analysis of the risk factors for graft loss, the mean age of the donor was significantly higher in the patient group with graft loss (59.1 ± 9.5 vs. 53.9 ± 9.0, P = 0.033), and the serum creatinine level at one year after surgery was also significantly higher in the patient group with graft loss (1.62 ± 0.52 vs. 1.34 ± 0.34, P = 0.022). Recipients with recurrent IgA nephropathy after transplantation, especially younger patients, need to be followed up carefully.
Cause‐Specific Excess Mortality Among Dialysis Patients: Comparison With the General Population in Japan
Authors: Wakasugi Minako , Kazama Junichiro James , Yamamoto Suguru , Kawamura Kazuko , Narita Ichiei 
Published: December 2012

AbstractDespite significant therapeutic advances, mortality of dialysis patients remains unacceptably high. The aim of this study is to compare mortality and its causes in dialysis patients with those in the general Japanese population. We used data for 2008 and 2009 from the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy registry and a national Vital Statistics survey. Cardiovascular mortality was defined as death attributed to heart failure, cerebrovascular disorders, myocardial infarction, hyperkalemia/sudden death, and pulmonary thromboembolism. Non‐cardiovascular mortality was defined as death attributed to infection, malignancies, cachexia/uremia, chronic hepatitis/cirrhosis, ileus, bleeding, suicide/refusal of treatment, and miscellaneous. We calculated standardized mortality ratios and age‐adjusted mortality differences between dialysis patients and the general population for all‐cause, cardiovascular versus non‐cardiovascular, and cause‐specific mortality. During the 2‐year study period, there were 2 284 272 and 51 432 deaths out of 126 million people and 273 237 dialysis patients, respectively. The standardized mortality ratio for all‐cause mortality was 4.6 (95% confidence interval, 4.6–4.7) for the dialysis patients compared to the general population. Age‐adjusted mortality differences for cardiovascular and non‐cardiovascular disease were 33.1 and 30.0 per 1000 person‐years, respectively. The standardized mortality rate ratios were significant for all cause‐specific mortality rates except accidental death. Our study revealed that excess mortality in dialysis patients compared to the general population in Japan is large, and differs according to age and cause of death. Cause‐specific mortality studies should be planned to improve life expectancies of dialysis patients.
Diagnostic Procedures in Ischaemic Stroke Patients with Dementia. A Population-Based Study
Authors: Béjot Yannick , Jacquin Agnès , Troisgros Odile , Rouaud Olivier , Aboa-Eboulé Corine , Hervieu Marie , Osseby Guy-Victor , Giroud Maurice 
Published: December 2012

Background Dementia is a frequent condition in stroke patients. Aims To investigate the effect of dementia on access to diagnostic procedures in ischaemic stroke patients. Methods All cases of ischaemic stroke from 2006 to 2010 were identified from the population-based Stroke Registry of Dijon, France. Patients' characteristics were recorded, as was the use of brain computed tomography scans, brain magnetic resonance imaging, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and Doppler ultrasonography of the cervical arteries. Dementia was diagnosed according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV criteria. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations between dementia and the use of the diagnostic procedures. Results Of the 907 patients recorded, 104 were excluded because of death and inability to test cognition. Among the remaining 803 patients, 149 (18·5%) had dementia. Almost all of the patients underwent a brain computed tomography scan and an electrocardiogram during their stay. In contrast, the use of both Doppler ultrasonography of the cervical arteries (79·2% versus 90·2%, P < 0·001), echocardiography (32·9% versus 43·6%, P = 0·02), and brain magnetic resonance imaging (21·5% versus 34·4%, P < 0·001) were significantly lower in stroke patients with dementia than in those without. In multivariate logistic regression, dementia was associated with a lower use of both Doppler ultrasonography (odds ratio = 0·49; 95% confidence interval: 0·29–0·81, P = 0·005), echocardiography (odds ratio = 0·57; 95% confidence interval: 0·37–0·89, P = 0·012), brain magnetic resonance imaging (odds ratio = 0·55; 95% confidence interval: 0·34–0·89, P = 0·015), and a comprehensive assessment (odds ratio = 0·62; 95% confidence interval: 0·40–0·96, P = 0·033). Conclusion Demented patients were less likely to undergo diagnostic procedures after ischaemic stroke. Further studies are needed to determine whether this lower utilization could account for the reported excess in recurrent events in these patients.
Regional flood frequency analysis forSouthwestPeninsularMalaysia byLQ‐moments
Authors: Shabri A. , Jemain A.A. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractA regional flood frequency analysis based on theL‐moments procedure has been applied successfully for modelling floods. In this study, we propose an alternative regional frequency analysis by usingLQ‐moments. Annual maximum stream flow data observed at 12 sites inSouthwestPeninsularMalaysia are investigated. Three probability distributions, the generalised extreme value (GEV), generalisedPareto (GPA) and generalised logistic (GLO) distributions, were derived and used to develop the regional frequency analysis procedure. The moment ratio diagram andZ‐test were developed usingLQ‐moments to determine the best fitting distribution. A comparative study was performed betweenLQ‐moments andL‐moments for the study area. Analyses showed that theGLOandGEVdistributions were suitable for a homogeneous region based onL‐moments andLQ‐moments. The robustness of the designated regional frequency distributions was further investigated by assessing the relative root mean square error (RRMSE) and regional average relative bias (RBIAS) byMonteCarlo.
Functional Prognosis of Dizziness in Older Adults in Primary Care: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Dros Jacquelien , Maarsingh Otto R. , Beem Leo , van der Horst Henriëtte E. , Riet Gerben ter , Schellevis François G. , van Weert Henk C. P. M. 
Published: December 2012

ObjectivesTo investigate the 6‐month functional prognosis of dizziness in older adults in primary care, to identify important predictors of dizziness‐related impairment, and to construct a score to assist risk prediction.DesignProspective cohort study with 6‐month follow‐up.SettingTwenty‐four primary care practices in the Netherlands.ParticipantsFour hundred seventeen older adults (mean age 78.5, range 65–95, 74% female) presenting consecutively to primary care with dizziness.MeasurementsTests, including history and physical and additional examination, previously selected by an international expert panel and based on an earlier systematic review, were performed. The main outcome measure was 6‐month dizziness‐related impairment score measured using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory.ResultsFollow‐up was complete for 92% of participants. Although 61% of participants experienced less impairment at 6 months, 130 participants (34%) showed persistent dizziness‐related impairment. Factors most predictive of dizziness‐related impairment at 6 months were onset of dizziness at least 6 months before inclusion, standing still as a dizziness‐provoking circumstance, trouble with walking or (almost) falling (associated symptom), polypharmacy, absence of diabetes mellitus, presence of anxiety or depressive disorder, and impaired functional mobility. A score was constructed using these predictors to estimate the functional prognosis of dizziness at 6 months.ConclusionA score based on the presence of easily obtainable clinical information facilitates identification of older adults in primary care with poor functional prognosis of their dizziness without exactly knowing the cause(s) of their dizziness. Clinical management might be most effective by treating factors that can be influenced, such as polypharmacy, anxiety and depression, and functional mobility.
Factors associated with the calibration of a food frequency questionnaire for the Bambuí Project, Brazil
Authors: Lopes A. C. S. , Caiaffa W. T. , Sichieri R. , Mingoti S. A. , Lima‐Costa M. F. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe present study aimed to calibrate a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) using one 24‐h recall (R24) associated with foodstuff replicas.MethodsCalibration was performed by linear regression. Of a probability sample of 150 individuals (>18 years) of the town of Bambui, 98 completed the study.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 43.8 years and 63.3% were women. The calibration of the FFQ included sex for the estimation of iron, protein and zinc; and an interaction between sex and R24 was significant for vitamin A and cholesterol models. Age contributed to the vitamin C, polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins and zinc models, and an interaction between age and R24 was significant for protein and zinc.ConclusionsCalibration coefficients and many interactions in linear regression models revealed important differences between dietary methods, indicating the complexity encountered when combining two methodologies for estimating food intake.
Angiographic and Clinical Outcomes of Everolimus‐Eluting Stent in the Treatment of Extra Long Stenoses (AEETES)
Authors: JIM MAN‐HONG , YIU KAI‐HANG , HO HEE‐HWA , CHAN WAI‐LING , NG ANDREW KEI‐YAN , SIU CHUNG‐WAH , CHOW WING‐HING 
Published: December 2012

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to examine the angiographic and clinical results of stent full metal jacket in treating long lesions using everolimus‐eluting stents (EES).BackgroundData are lacking regarding the use of EES for this lesion subgroup.MethodsFrom 2007 to 2011, 77 symptomatic patients who had severe coronary stenoses necessitating implantation of stents with total length longer than 60 mm were treated with overlapping EES.ResultsThe mean age of patient was 61 ± 11 years with male predominance (66%). Diabetes mellitus was seen in 35 (45.5%) patients. Majority of patients had class III angina with normal heart function. On average, 3.1 stents were implanted per lesion; the mean stent size and length were 2.70 ± 0.28 mm and 82 ± 16 mm. Restudy angiography was performed on 71 patients (72 lesions) at 8.9 ± 2.5 months. Angiographic restenosis was seen in 9 (12.5%) lesions; the lesion length and late loss were 67 ± 15 mm and 0.4 ± 0.6 mm, respectively. The use of intravascular ultrasound has been found to be a predictor of less restenosis (P = 0.02; HR: 0.02; CI: 0.01–0.59). The in‐hospital and 1 year major adverse cardiac event rates were 7.8% and 13%. The annual cardiac death rates were 2.6%, 3.4%, and 5.3% in the first 3 years.ConclusionsThe use of EES full metal jacket for long lesions is only associated with good short‐term clinical and angiographic outcomes. Long‐term follow‐up has revealed a high cardiac death rate which may necessitate prolongation of dual antiplatelet therapy. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:22–28)
Australasian neonatal intensive care enteral nutrition survey: Implications for practice
Authors: Cormack Barbara , Sinn John , Lui Kei , Tudehope David 
Published: December 2012

AimThis survey investigated standardised feeding guidelines and nutrition policy in Australasian neonatal intensive care units and compared these with previously published surveys and international consensus nutrition recommendations.MethodsAn electronic survey on enteral nutrition comprising a wide range of questions about clinical practice was e‐mailed to all 25 Australasian neonatal intensive care unit directors of tertiary perinatal centres.ResultsTwenty‐five surveys were distributed; 24 (96%) were completed. All respondents preferred breast milk as the first feed. For infants <1000 g, 58% started feeds at 1 mL every 4 hours and 83% started enteral feeds on day 0–2 in the absence of contraindications. The identification of bile‐stained gastric aspirates significant enough to withhold feeds varied. Multicomponent breast milk fortifiers were added by 58% when enteral feeds reached 150 mL/kg day, while 21% added these earlier at 120 mL/kg day or less. Iron supplementation was started at 4 weeks by 63% and at 6 weeks by 27%. Only 42% of units had a neonatal dietitian. Of the 24 units who responded, 58% had no written enteral feeding guidelines.ConclusionEnteral nutrition was initiated earlier than in the past. Great variation remains in clinical practices. Nutritional implications are discussed. Standardisation of feeding guidelines and enteral nutrition policy based on current evidence and international consensus nutrition recommendations may be beneficial and should be encouraged.
Minor Differences in Anther Extrusion Affect Resistance to Fusarium Head Blight in Wheat
Authors: Kubo Katashi , Fujita Masaya , Kawada Naoyuki , Nakajima Takashi , Nakamura Kazuhiro , Maejima Hidekazu , Ushiyama Tomohiko , Hatta Koichi , Matsunaka Hitoshi 
Published: December 2012

AbstractFusarium head blight (FHB) remains a serious problem due to yield loss and mycotoxin accumulation in wheat production worldwide. We previously reported that the closed‐flowering (no anther extrusion) characteristic was effective for increasing resistance to FHB infection. In this study, we investigated the relationships between the degree of anther extrusion (AE) and FHB damage using double haploid lines (DHLs), derived from F1 plants from crosses between closed‐flowering and opened‐flowering varieties. These DHLs exhibited various degrees of AE, and the degree of AE was significantly different among DHLs, regardless of the year and environment (pot‐ or field‐grown). FHB severity was the lowest in closed‐flowering DHLs, and DHLs with partially extruded anthers showed significantly higher FHB symptoms than those with closed‐flowering phenotypes. In general, DHLs with partially extruded anthers also had relatively severe FHB symptoms compared with those exhibiting full anther extrusion. FHB severity was significantly correlated with Fusarium‐damaged kernels and deoxynivalenol concentration. The results of this study showed that partially extruded anthers were considered to be a source of FHB infection. The closed‐flowering phenotype improved resistance to FHB infection. Meanwhile, phenotypes with rapid anther extrusion and ejection also could contribute to the avoidance of FHB infection.
Pathogen espionage: multiple bacterial adrenergic sensors eavesdrop on host communication systems
Authors: Karavolos Michail H. , Winzer Klaus , Williams Paul , Khan C. M. Anjam 
Published: December 2012

SummaryThe interactions between bacterial pathogens and their eukaryotic hosts are vital in determining the outcome of infections. Bacterial pathogens employ molecular sensors to detect and facilitate adaptation to changes in their niche. The sensing of these extracellular signals enables the pathogen to navigate within mammalian hosts. Intercellular bacterial communication is facilitated by the production and sensing of autoinducer (AI) molecules via quorum sensing. More recently, AI‐3 and the host neuroendocrine (NE) hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline were reported to display cross‐talk for the activation of the same signalling pathways. Remarkably, there is increasing evidence to suggest that enteric bacteria sense and respond to the host NE stress hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline to modulate virulence. These responses can be inhibited by α and β‐adrenergic receptor antagonists implying a bacterial receptor‐based sensing and signalling cascade. In Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella, QseC has been proposed as the adrenergic receptor. Strikingly, there is an increasing body of evidence that not all the bacterial adrenergic responses require signalling through QseC. Here we provide additional hypotheses to reconcile these observations implicating the existence of alternative adrenergic receptors including BasS, QseE and CpxA and their associated signalling cascades with major roles in interkingdom communication.
The effect of luminal content and rate of occlusion on the interpretation of colonic manometry
Authors: Arkwright J. W. , Dickson A. , Maunder S. A. , Blenman N. G. , Lim J. , O’Grady G. , Archer R. , Costa M. , Spencer N. J. , Brookes S. , Pullan A. , Dinning P. G. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackground  Manometry is commonly used for diagnosis of esophageal and anorectal motility disorders. In the colon, manometry is a useful tool, but clinical application remains uncertain. This uncertainty is partly based on the belief that manometry cannot reliably detect non‐occluding colonic contractions and, therefore, cannot identify reliable markers of dysmotility. This study tests the ability of manometry to record pressure signals in response to non‐lumen‐occluding changes in diameter, at different rates of wall movement and with content of different viscosities.Methods  A numerical model was built to investigate pressure changes caused by localized, non‐lumen‐occluding reductions in diameter, similar to those caused by contraction of the gut wall. A mechanical model, consisting of a sealed pressure vessel which could produce localized reductions in luminal diameter, was used to validate the model using luminal segments formed from; (i) natural latex; and (ii) sections of rabbit proximal colon. Fluids with viscosities ranging from 1 to 6800 mPa s−1 and luminal contraction rates over the range 5–20 mmHg s−1 were studied.Key Results  Manometry recorded non‐occluding reductions in diameter, provided that they occurred with sufficiently viscous content. The measured signal was linearly dependent on the rate of reduction in luminal diameter and also increased with increasing viscosity of content (R2 = 0.62 and 0.96 for 880 and 1760 mPa s−1, respectively).Conclusions & Inferences  Manometry reliably registers non‐occluding contractions in the presence of viscous content, and is therefore a viable tool for measuring colonic motility. Interpretation of colonic manometric data, and definitions based on manometric results, must consider the viscosity of luminal content.