bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outcome After Surgical Repair of Proximal Hamstring Avulsions
Authors: van der Made Anne D. , Reurink Gustaaf , Gouttebarge Vincent , Tol Johannes L. , Kerkhoffs Gino M. 
Published: November 2014

Background: At the present time, no systematic review, including a quality assessment, has been published about the outcome after proximal hamstring avulsion repair. Purpose: To determine the outcome after surgical repair of proximal hamstring avulsions, to compare the outcome after acute (≤4 weeks) and delayed repairs (>4 weeks), and to compare the outcome after different surgical techniques. Study Design: Systematic review and best-evidence synthesis. Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, SPORTdiscus, Cochrane library, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched (up to December 2013) for eligible studies. Two authors screened the search results separately, while quality assessment was performed by 2 authors independently using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. A best-evidence synthesis was subsequently used. Results: Thirteen studies (387 participants) were included in this review. There were no studies with control groups of nonoperatively treated proximal hamstring avulsions. All studies had a low methodological quality. After surgical repair of proximal hamstring avulsion, 76% to 100% returned to sports, 55% to 100% returned to preinjury activity level, and 88% to 100% were satisfied with surgery. Mean hamstring strength varied between reporting studies (78%-101%), and hamstring endurance and flexibility were fully restored compared with the unaffected side. Symptoms of residual pain were reported by 8% to 61%, and reported risk of major complications was low (3% rerupture rate). No to minimal difference in outcome was found between acute and delayed repair in terms of return to sports, patient satisfaction, hamstring strength, and pain. Achilles allograft reconstruction and primary repair with suture anchors led to comparable results. Conclusion: The quality of studies included is low. Surgical repair of proximal hamstring avulsions appears to result in a subjective highly satisfying outcome. However, decreased strength, residual pain, and decreased activity level were reported by a relevant number of patients. Minimal to no differences in outcome of acute and delayed repairs were found. Limited evidence suggests that an Achilles allograft reconstruction yields results comparable with primary repair in delayed cases where primary repair is not possible. High-level studies are required to confirm these findings.
Aesthetic Perception and the Critique of Emblems: The Politics of the Visible in the Public Sphere in Africa
Authors: Bidima Jean-Godefroy 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThis paper examines the “policies of sign” developed in several African countries, describing some of the main emblems that are used to mark national or group identities: flags, coins, banknotes, and philately. It tries to bring to light the implicit narratives that belong to the way how these emblems are shaped, and draws conclusions that are relevant to the political, social, and cultural life of the involved communities.
Contending Views on Nigeria’s Diplomatic Missions
Authors: Saliu Hassan A. 
Published: November 2014

Nigeria since 1960 when she emerged on the global scene as an independent country has evolved a culture of having representation across the world in the categories of temporary and permanent missions. This she has been doing to give effect to her desire for rapid development and hegemonic role on the African continent. Within a space of twenty years and occasioned by the oil boom that visited the country, a kind of explosion took place in the number of diplomatic missions that she had. This increase necessarily brought about two noticeable major developments; inadequacy in the number of Foreign Service Personnel and the urge to open more missions for more global recognition. In the decades of the 1970s and 1980s, the high number of missions did not generate any debate as the strength of the national economy was capable of carrying the burden associated with the missions.  However, the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999 has raised the profile of diplomatic missions in the diplomatic circles. The cry for a reduction in the number of missions is loud enough to generate discomfort in the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that prefers reducing the diplomatic staff strength. Another perspective exists that calls for the restructuring of the missions to achieve balance and give adequate recognition to the new dynamics in Nigeria’s external relations. All these dimensions have invariably weakened the consensus necessary to propel the foreign policy to a higher level of delivery.  The thrust of this article is therefore an engagement of the contending views on Nigeria’s diplomatic missions. It holds the view that the raging debate on what the country should do with her high number of diplomatic missions is unhelpful as it has the potential of sweeping crucial issues such as the development of a strategic vision for her foreign policy that derives from her location in the international system, the place foreign policy in governmental affairs, etc., that have produced discernible effects on the country’s foreign policy under the carpet. This is the position taken in the article.
Psychometric Reevaluation of Parental Press for Academic Achievement and Postsecondary Planning Scale
Authors: Bates Samantha , Ball Annahita , Wilks Scott 
Published: November 2014

Objective: Psychometric details of the Parental Press for Academic Achievement and Postsecondary Planning Scale (PPS), developed by Chicago Consortium of Chicago School Research, are scarce. The purpose of this study was to reexamine the properties of this 7-item measure. Method: The study utilized cross-sectional, self-reported data from 100 low-income, first-generation undergraduate students at a university in the southern United States. Results: Factor analysis on the PPS revealed two dimensions with all items loaded, accounting for 81.44% of the variance. Reliability of the PPS was sound, that is, average interitem correlation was .62 and Cronbach’s α and split-half coefficients were .918 and .923, respectively. Convergent validity was suggested via significant correlations between the PPS and its theoretically similar constructs, that is, valuation of high school ( r = .32) and parental support for college ( r = .82). Conclusion: The PPS appears to be psychometrically appropriate for appraising students’ perceptions of parental support for academic success and postsecondary education.
Evaluating surrogate endpoints, prognostic markers, and predictive markers: Some simple themes
Authors: Baker Stuart G , Kramer Barnett S 
Published: November 2014

Background: A surrogate endpoint is an endpoint observed earlier than the true endpoint (a health outcome) that is used to draw conclusions about the effect of treatment on the unobserved true endpoint. A prognostic marker is a marker for predicting the risk of an event given a control treatment; it informs treatment decisions when there is information on anticipated benefits and harms of a new treatment applied to persons at high risk. A predictive marker is a marker for predicting the effect of treatment on outcome in a subgroup of patients or study participants; it provides more rigorous information for treatment selection than a prognostic marker when it is based on estimated treatment effects in a randomized trial. Methods: We organized our discussion around a different theme for each topic. Results: “Fundamentally an extrapolation” refers to the non-statistical considerations and assumptions needed when using surrogate endpoints to evaluate a new treatment. “Decision analysis to the rescue” refers to use the use of decision analysis to evaluate an additional prognostic marker because it is not possible to choose between purely statistical measures of marker performance. “The appeal of simplicity” refers to a straightforward and efficient use of a single randomized trial to evaluate overall treatment effect and treatment effect within subgroups using predictive markers. Conclusion: The simple themes provide a general guideline for evaluation of surrogate endpoints, prognostic markers, and predictive markers.
Efficient p-type dye-sensitized solar cells with all-nano-electrodes: NiCo2S4 mesoporous nanosheet counter electrodes directly converted from NiCo2O4 photocathodes
Authors: Shi Zhiwei , Lu Hao , Liu Qiong , Cao Fengren , Guo Jun , Deng Kaimo , Li Liang 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
We report the successful growth of NiCo2S4 nanosheet films converted from NiCo2O4 nanosheet films on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates by a low-temperature solution process. Low-cost NiCo2S4 and NiCo2O4 nanosheet films were directly used for replacing conventional Pt and NiO as counter electrodes and photocathodes, respectively, to construct all-nano p-type dye-sensitized solar cells (p-DSSCs) with high performance. Compared to Pt, NiCo2S4 showed higher catalytic activity towards the I-/I3
- redox in electrolyte, resulting in an improved photocurrent density up to 2.989 mA/cm2, which is the highest value in reported p-DSSCs. Present p-DSSCs demonstrated a cell efficiency of 0.248 % that is also comparable with typical NiO-based p-DSSCs.
A new leader-based multicast scheme with a Raptor code in IEEE 802.11 multi-rate WLANs
Authors: Kim Dongwan , Boudriga Noureddine , An Sunshin 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Multimedia streaming using a multicast scheme over IEEE 802.11 multi-rate wireless local area networks (WLANs) faces many challenges owing to the heterogeneous channel conditions of receivers. Although many multicast schemes have been proposed to support multimedia streaming over multi-rate WLANs, those schemes do not deal with multicast transmission efficiently. In this paper, a new leader-based multicast scheme with a Raptor code is proposed. The proposed scheme consists of a leader selection block, a scalable video coding (SVC) block with unequal error protection (UEP), and a link adaptation block with a Raptor code. In the proposed scheme, one of the multicast group members is selected as a multicast group leader according to a leader cost, and then link adaptation operates between the multicast transmitter and the multicast group leader. In addition, SVC, UEP, and Raptor code mechanisms are applied to guarantee the minimum required performance of multicast group members. The proposed scheme aims to enhance the link utilization and guarantees the minimum quality-of-service requirement of multicast group members. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme performs better than previous multicast schemes.
Effects of follicular versus luteal phase-based strength training in young women
Authors: Sung Eunsook , Han Ahreum , Hinrichs Timo , Vorgerd Matthias , Manchado Carmen , Platen Petra 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Hormonal variations during the menstrual cycle (MC) may influence trainability of strength. We investigated the effects of a follicular phase-based strength training (FT) on muscle strength, muscle volume and microscopic parameters, comparing it to a luteal phase-based training (LT).
Eumenorrheic women without oral contraception (OC) (N = 20, age: 25.9 ± 4.5 yr, height: 164.2 ± 5.5 cm, weight: 60.6 ± 7.8 kg) completed strength training on a leg press for three MC, and 9 of them participated in muscle biopsies. One leg had eight training sessions in the follicular phases (FP) and only two sessions in the luteal phases (LP) for follicular phase-based training (FT), while the other leg had eight training sessions in LP and only two sessions in FP for luteal phase-based training (LT). Estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), total testosterone (T), free testosterone (free T) and DHEA-s were analysed once during FP (around day 11) and once during LP (around day 25). Maximum isometric force (Fmax), muscle diameter (Mdm), muscle fibre composition (No), fibre diameter (Fdm) and cell nuclei-to-fibre ratio (N/F) were analysed before and after the training intervention.
T and free T were higher in FP compared to LP prior to the training intervention (P < 0.05). The increase in Fmax after FT was higher compared to LT (P <0.05). FT also showed a higher increase in Mdm than LT (P < 0.05). Moreover, we found significant increases in Fdm of fibre type ΙΙ and in N/F only after FT; however, there was no significant difference from LT. With regard to change in fibre composition, no differences were observed between FT and LT. FT showed a higher gain in muscle strength and muscle diameter than LT.
As a result, we recommend that eumenorrheic females without OC should base the periodization of their strength training on their individual MC.
In vivo bioluminescence imaging for viable human neural stem cells incorporated within in situ gelatin hydrogels
Authors: Hwang Do Won , Park Kyung Min , Shim Hye-kyung , Jin Yeona , Oh Hyun Jeong , Oh So Won , Lee Song , Youn Hyewon , Joung Yoon Ki , Lee Hong J , Kim Seung U , Park Ki Dong , Lee Dong Soo 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Background
Three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel-based stem cell therapies contribute to enhanced therapeutic efficacy in treating diseases, and determining the optimal mechanical strength of the hydrogel in vivo is important for therapeutic success. We evaluated the proliferation of human neural stem cells incorporated within in situ-forming hydrogels and compared the effect of hydrogels with different elastic properties in cell/hydrogel-xenografted mice.

Methods
The gelatin-polyethylene glycol-tyramine (GPT) hydrogel was fabricated through enzyme-mediated cross-linking reaction using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

Results
The F3-effluc encapsulated within a soft 1,800 pascal (Pa) hydrogel and stiff 5,800 Pa hydrogel proliferated vigorously in a 24-well plate until day 8. In vitro and in vivo kinetics of luciferase activity showed a slow time-to-peak after d-luciferin administration in the stiff hydrogel. When in vivo proliferation of F3-effluc was observed up to day 21 in both the hydrogel group and cell-only group, F3-effluc within the soft hydrogel proliferated more vigorously, compared to the cells within the stiff hydrogel. Ki-67-specific immunostaining revealed highly proliferative F3-effluc with compactly distributed cell population inside the 1,800 Pa or 5,800 Pa hydrogel.

Conclusions
We examined the in vivo effectiveness of different elastic types of hydrogels encapsulating viable neural stem cells by successfully monitoring the proliferation of implanted stem cells incorporated within a 3D hydrogel scaffold.
A Budget Impact Analysis of the Introduction of Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agent Subsequent Entry Biologics for the Treatment of Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease in Canada
Authors: Tsao Nicole W , Lo Clifford , Leung Marianna , Marin Judith G , Martinusen Dan 
Published: November 2014

Background: In Europe, epoetin subsequent entry biologics (SEBs) have been in use since 2007. Canadian patents of erythropoietin stimulating agents are expiring in 2014, therefore it is predicted that epoetin SEBs will penetrate the Canadian market in the near future. Objective: To estimate the economic impact and costs offsets associated with the uptake and use of one or more epoetin SEBs in Canada for the treatment of anemia in chronic kidney disease. Design: A Canada-wide epidemiological-based budget impact analysis was conducted to estimate cost outcomes under two scenarios: with and without the availability of epoetin SEB. Setting: The analysis was conducted from the perspective of the Canadian healthcare payer, over a 5-year time horizon from 2015 to 2019. Patients: Patients included in the model were those with chronic kidney disease stages 3 to 5, who have renal anemia and require treatment with erythropoietin stimulating agents. Methods: Only direct medical costs pertaining to drug acquisition of currently available erythropoietin stimulating agents in Canada were incorporated in the model. Cost of epoetin SEBs, market shares, uptake rates, and other model inputs were estimated from published sources or databases. No discounting of future costs was applied. Results: Based on our analysis, under market phenomena similar to those seen in the Europe and without considering potential switching from originator epoetin to epoetin SEB, we could expect that Canadian adoption of epoetin SEBs could result in $35 million (2013 CAD, year 1) to $50 million (year 5) cost savings annually, with cumulative savings of $221 million after 5 years. In one-way sensitivity analyses, model variables with substantial impact on cost savings were the prevalence of chronic kidney disease and epoetin SEB uptake rates. Limitations: We did not take into account costs associated with overhead, administration, or adverse events. Conclusion: The advent of SEBs represents an opportunity to relieve financial pressure in our healthcare system. Under the assumption that the efficacy and safety of epoetin SEBs are non-inferior to originator products, we have shown that the adoption of epoetin SEBs can lead to cost savings for the Canadian payer.
Spectral induced polarization of clay-sand mixtures: Experiments and modeling
Authors: Okay Gonca , Leroy Phillipe , Ghorbani Ahmad , Cosenza Phillipe , Camerlynck Christian , Cabrera Justo , Florsch Nicolas , Revil André 
Published: November 2014

Spectral induced polarization or complex conductivity is a promising electric method in hydrogeophysics because of its sensitivity to water saturation, permeability, and particle size distribution (PSD). However, the physical and chemical mechanisms that generate the low-frequency complex conductivity of clays are still debated. To explain these mechanisms, the complex conductivity of kaolinite, smectite, and clay-sand mixtures was measured in the frequency range 1.4 mHz–12 kHz with various clay contents (100%, 20%, 5%, and 1% in volume of the clay-sand mixture) and salinities (distilled water, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] of NaCl in solution). The results indicated the strong impact of the cation exchange capacity of smectite upon the complex conductivity of the material. The quadrature conductivity increased steadily with the clay content and was fairly independent of the pore fluid salinity. A mechanistic induced polarization model was also developed. It combined a Donnan equilibrium model of the surface electrochemical properties of clays and sand, a conduction model of the Stern and diffuse layers, a polarization model of the Stern layer, and a macroscopic conductivity model based on the differential effective medium theory. It also included the effect of the PSD. Our complex conductivity model predicted very well the experimental data, except for very low frequencies ([Formula: see text]) at which membrane polarization may dominate the observed response.
Cognitive Outcome After Pediatric Stem-Cell Transplantation: Impact of Age and Total-Body Irradiation
Authors: Willard Victoria W. , Leung Wing , Huang Qinlei , Zhang Hui , Phipps Sean 
Published: November 2014

Purpose To examine the influence of age and conditioning with total-body irradiation (TBI) on the trajectory of cognitive functioning after treatment with pediatric hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (SCT). Patients and Methods Pediatric patients who were scheduled to undergo a SCT were eligible for the study, with 315 patients completing a baseline assessment. Of these, 183 patients (58.1%) were alive at 1 year after SCT and completed additional assessments at 1, 3, and 5 years after SCT. Half of the long-term sample (52.1%) received TBI during conditioning. Cognitive functioning was assessed via age-appropriate standardized measures. Results At baseline, there were no differences in intelligence quotient (IQ) based on age. At 5 years after SCT, the youngest patients (< 3 years old at baseline) who received TBI demonstrated a significantly lower IQ than those who did not receive TBI (P = .05). Longitudinal analyses (piecewise linear mixed-effects models with a knot at 1 year after SCT) revealed a significant impact of age and TBI over time. The youngest patients evidenced declines in cognitive functioning during the first year; however, patients who did not receive TBI largely recovered their functioning in subsequent years. In contrast, young patients who received TBI failed to recover the losses experienced during the first year after SCT, demonstrating stability in their functioning, but at a lower level. Conclusion Our findings clarify the relationship between TBI and age on cognitive outcomes in pediatric SCT survivors. Young patients who receive TBI may benefit from early intervention efforts to minimize cognitive losses during the first year after SCT and to maximize potential recovery.
C-Type Natriuretic Peptide Plasma Levels Are Elevated in Subjects With Achondroplasia, Hypochondroplasia, and Thanatophoric Dysplasia
Authors: Olney Robert C. , Prickett Timothy C. R. , Espiner Eric A. , Mackenzie William G. , Duker Angela L. , Ditro Colleen , Zabel Bernhard , Hasegawa Tomonobu , Kitoh Hiroshi , Aylsworth Arthur S. , Bober Michael B. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract

Context:
C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a crucial regulator of endochondral bone growth. In a previous report of a child with acromesomelic dysplasia, Maroteaux type (AMDM), caused by loss-of-function of the CNP receptor (natriuretic peptide receptor-B [NPR-B]), plasma levels of CNP were elevated. In vitro studies have shown that activation of the MAPK kinase (MEK)/ERK MAPK pathway causes functional inhibition of NPR-B. Achondroplasia, hypochondroplasia, and thanatophoric dysplasia are syndromes of short-limbed dwarfism caused by activating mutations of fibroblast growth factor receptor-3, which result in overactivation of the MEK/ERK MAPK pathway.

Objective:
The purpose of this study was to determine whether these syndromes exhibit evidence of CNP resistance as reflected by increases in plasma CNP and its amino-terminal propeptide (NTproCNP).

Design:
This was a prospective, observational study.

Subjects:
Participants were 63 children and 20 adults with achondroplasia, 6 children with hypochondroplasia, 2 children with thanatophoric dysplasia, and 4 children and 1 adult with AMDM.

Results:
Plasma levels of CNP and NTproCNP were higher in children with achondroplasia with CNP SD scores (SDSs) of 1.0 (0.3–1.4) (median [interquartile range]) and NTproCNP SDSs of 1.4 (0.4–1.8; P &lt; .0005). NTproCNP levels correlated with height velocity. Levels were also elevated in adults with achondroplasia (CNP SDSs of 1.5 [0.7–2.1] and NTproCNP SDSs of 0.5 [0.1–1.0], P &lt; .005). In children with hypochondroplasia, CNP SDSs were 1.3 (0.7–1.5) (P = .08) and NTproCNP SDSs were 1.9 (1.8–2.3) (P &lt; .05). In children with AMDM, CNP SDSs were 1.6 (1.4–3.3) and NTproCNP SDSs were 4.2 (2.7–6.2) (P &lt; .01).

Conclusions:
In these skeletal dysplasias, elevated plasma levels of proCNP products suggest the presence of tissue resistance to CNP.