bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterisation and impact of reported and unreported exacerbations: results from ATTAIN
Authors: Jones Paul W. , Lamarca Rosa , Chuecos Ferran , Singh Dave , Agustí Alvar , Bateman Eric D. , de Miquel Gonzalo , Caracta Cynthia , Garcia Gil Esther 
Published: September 2014

The frequency and impact of exacerbations identified using healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU) or the EXAcerbations of Chronic pulmonary disease Tool (EXACT) were compared prospectively in a 24-week, phase III trial (ATTAIN). Patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease received twice-daily aclidinium 200 μg, aclidinium 400 μg or placebo. All HCRU events were reported to physicians. “EXACT-identified” events were categorised as “EXACT-reported” (detected by EXACT and reported to the physician) and “EXACT-unreported” (detected but not reported). Health status was measured using the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ).Annualised EXACT-identified event rates were higher in all study arms (placebo 1.39, aclidinium 200 μg 1.00 and aclidinium 400 μg 0.98 per patient per year) versus HCRU (placebo 0.60, aclidinium 200 μg 0.43 and aclidinium 400 μg 0.40 per patient per year). Concordance between methods was low (kappa 0.16). Aclidinium reduced EXACT-identified events (rate ratioversusplacebo: aclidinium 200 μg 0.72 and aclidinium 400 μg 0.71; both p<0.05); HCRU events were similarly reduced.At week 24, SGRQ scores improved (-6.6versusbaseline) in patients with no event during weeks 1–12; improvements were significantly smaller in patients with HCRU events (-3.4; p=0.036) or EXACT-unreported events (-3.0; p=0.002).Unreported events were more frequent than reported events. Both had similar negative impact on health status. Aclidinium reduced the frequency of both types of event.
Outcome of pulmonary endarterectomy in symptomatic chronic thromboembolic disease
Authors: Taboada Dolores , Pepke-Zaba Joanna , Jenkins David P. , Berman Marius , Treacy Carmen M. , Cannon John E. , Toshner Mark , Dunning John J. , Ng Choo , Tsui Steven S. , Sheares Karen K. 
Published: September 2014

Chronic thromboembolic disease is characterised by persistent pulmonary thromboembolic occlusions without pulmonary hypertension. Early surgical treatment with pulmonary endarterectomy may improve symptoms and prevent disease progression. We sought to assess the outcome of pulmonary endarterectomy in symptomatic patients with chronic thromboembolic disease.Patients with symptomatic chronic thromboembolic disease and a mean pulmonary artery pressure <25 mmHg at baseline with right heart catheterisation and treated with pulmonary endarterectomy between January 2000 and July 2013 were identified. Patients were reassessed at 6 months and at 1 year following surgery.A total of 42 patients underwent surgery and the median length of stay in hospital was 11 days. There was no in-hospital mortality but complications occurred in 40% of patients. At 1 year, following surgery, 95% of the patients remained alive. There was a significant symptomatic improvement with 95% of patients in the New York Heart Association functional classes I or II at 6 months. There was a significant improvement in quality of life assessed by the Cambridge pulmonary hypertension outcome review questionnaire.In this carefully selected cohort of chronic thromboembolic disease patients, pulmonary endarterectomy resulted in significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life. Appropriate patient selection is paramount given the known surgical morbidity and mortality, and surgery should only be performed in expert centres.
Reproductive biology and genetic diversity of the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) in Vamizi island, Mozambique
Authors: Anastácio Rita , Santos Camila , Lopes Cardoso , Moreira Helena , Souto Luis , Ferrão Jorge , Garnier Julie , Pereira Mário J. 
Published: September 2014

Abstract

Introduction
Vamizi, an Island located in the Western Indian Ocean, is visited by a small and not fully characterized green turtle (Chelonia mydas (L.)) population. This population is threatened by natural hazards and several human activities, which are used to identify conservation priorities for marine turtles.
It was our aim to contribute to the knowledge of marine turtles that nest in Vamizi, with respect to its regional management, and to an area that may possibly be included on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to its potential Outstanding Universal Value.

Case description
Here, we evaluate the nesting parameters (incubation period, clutch size, hatching and emergence successes rates) and patterns over an 8-year (2003 – 2010) conservation program. We also present the results of genetic diversity based on the analysis of approximately an 850 pb fragment of the mitochondrial DNA control region.

Discussion and evaluation
We found that Vamizi beaches host a small number of nesting females, approximately 52 per year, but these have shown a reduction in their length. High hatching success (88.5 ± SD 17.2%, N = 649), emergence success rates (84.5 ± SD 20.4%, N = 649) were observed, and genetic diversity (N = 135), with 11 haplotypes found (7 new). It was also observed, in the later years of this study, a reduction in the incubation period, a dislocation of the nesting peak activity and an increase in the number of flooded nests and an increase of the number of nests in areas with lower human activity.

Conclusions
Some resilience and behavioral plasticity seems to occur regarding human territory occupancy and climate changes. However, regardless of the results, aspects like what seems to be the reduction of some cohorts, the number of flooded nests and the diminishing of the incubation period (East and South facing beaches), show that conservation efforts have to be improved.
Association between Hoehn and Yahr, Mini-Mental State Examination, age, and clinical syndrome predominance and diagnostic effectiveness of ioflupane I 123 injection (DaTSCANTM) in subjects with clinically uncertain parkinsonian syndromes
Authors: Bajaj Nin , Hauser Robert A , Seibyl John , Kupsch Andreas , Plotkin Michail , Chen Chris , Grachev Igor D 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Diagnostic effectiveness of Ioflupane I 123 injection (DaTSCANTM, DaTscanTM, or [123I]FP-CIT or ioflupane [123I]) SPECT imaging, was assessed in patients with clinically uncertain parkinsonian syndrome (CUPS).

Methods
We investigated the association between subject’s Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) stage, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), age, and motor symptom subgroups and diagnostic performance of ioflupane [123I] imaging. Phase 4 study data were used to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and accuracy in 92 CUPS subjects, using 1-year clinical diagnosis after ioflupane [123I] imaging as reference standard.

Results
Diagnostic effectiveness of ioflupane [123I] imaging was high in all subgroups: 91% to 100% for H&Y low (<2) and high (≥2) stage subjects; 93% to 96% for MMSE low (<29) or high (≥29) scores; 91% to100% in both age subgroups (younger [<68] and older [≥68]); and 92% to 100% in subjects with both tremor dominant and balanced motor signs. Specificity of ioflupane [123I] imaging for bradykinetic rigid or posturally (BRP) unstable motor subtype was lower, but better than for baseline clinical diagnosis.

Conclusions
Strongest diagnostic performance of ioflupane [123I] imaging for clinical diagnosis of Parkinson’s syndrome (PS) or non-PS was associated with tremor and balanced motor dominance rather than with BRP dominance. High diagnostic effectiveness of ioflupane [123I] imaging and favourable performance relative to final clinical diagnosis at 1 year post-scan in subjects with CUPS was demonstrated. This study suggests that the diagnostic performance of ioflupane [123I] imaging in CUPS remains high at all stages of disease, including early stage, and across both age groups and cognitive state (MMSE).
Stimulation of plant growth and biocontrol by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum FZB42 engineered for improved action
Authors: Qiao Jun-Qing , Wu Hui-Jun , Huo Rong , Gao Xue-Wen , Borriss Rainer 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
During the last decade, the use of plant-root colonizing bacteria with plant growth-promoting activity has been proven as an efficient and environmental-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Biofertilizer and biocontrol formulations prepared from endospore-forming Bacillus strains are increasingly applied due to their long shelf life, which is comparable with that of agrochemicals. Today, spore suspensions from natural representatives of mainly Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus pumilus are available. However, these biofertilizers, directly prepared from environmental strains, are sometimes hampered in their action and do not fulfill in each case the expectations of the appliers (Borriss R, Bacteria in agrobiology: plant growth responses, Springer, 2011, pp. 41-76). This review will focus on several ways to improve the action of B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum FZB42T, the type strain for the group of plant-associated B. amyloliquefaciens strains. We are focusing here on genomics and genetic engineering techniques as helpful tools for developing more powerful biofertilizer and biocontrol agents.
Potential Use of Deformed Shank Nails as a Solution to Annoying Vibrations in Wood Floor Systems
Authors: Olson Brent , Dolan J. Daniel , Duncan Bob , Schiedermeier Henry 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
In the United States, modern designs of wood floor systems rarely directly account for annoying floor vibration criteria, because it is not a required design criterion in the International Building Code or the International Residential Code. However, adhesives are sometimes used to supplement traditional subfloor fasteners in an effort to improve the floor vibration performance, but they are mainly used to reduce or eliminate homebuilder “callbacks” due to floor squeaks. This article addresses using high performance deformed shank fasteners rather than adhesives to minimize common annoying floor vibration problems.
Nevus-Associated Melanomas
Authors: Shitara Danielle , Nascimento Mauricio M. , Puig Susana , Yamada Sérgio , Enokihara Milvia M. S. S. , Michalany Nilceo , Bagatin Ediléia 
Published: September 2014

Abstract

Objectives:
The clinical significance of nevus-associated melanoma compared with de novo melanomas remains controversial. It has been suggested that nevus-associated melanomas have a higher Breslow thickness and therefore worse prognosis. Over a 10-year period, this study evaluated the incidence of nevus-associated melanoma and its prognostic significance related to clinicopathologic features.

Methods:
Cross-sectional study from 1995 through 2004 in a dermatopathology referral center. With available data, we evaluated sex, primary location, histologic subtype, Breslow thickness, Clark level, presence of ulceration, associated lesion, and histologic subtype of the associated lesion.

Results:
Of 135,653 pathologic records from skin biopsy specimens over a 10-year period, 1,190 melanoma records were selected. Nevus-associated melanomas corresponded to 390 (32.8%) melanomas, with thin melanomas having a nevus 1.52 times the association observed with thick melanomas (&gt;1.01 mm; 95% confidence interval, 1.16–1.99; P &lt; .001). Superficial spreading melanoma was the most frequent, while no lentigo maligna melanoma was associated with nevi. The median Breslow thickness of nevus-associated melanomas was lower than that of de novo melanomas.

Conclusions:
Nevus-associated melanomas, which represent one-third of the melanomas in southeast Brazil, are associated with intermittent sun exposure, superficial spreading melanomas, and lower Breslow thickness. This is one of the largest series describing nevus-associated melanomas in Latin America.
Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Stress and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in the Community
Authors: Gopal Deepa M , Larson Martin G , Januzzi James L , Cheng Susan , Ghorbani Anahita , Wollert Kai C , Kempf Tibor , D'Agostino Ralph B , Polak Joseph F , Ramachandran Vasan S , Wang Thomas J , Ho Jennifer E 
Published: September 2014

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Biomarkers of cardiovascular stress have been associated with incident cardiovascular outcomes. Their relations with measures of subclinical atherosclerosis, as assessed by carotid intima-media thickness, have not been well described.

METHODS
We measured plasma growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), soluble ST2 (sST2), and high-sensitivity troponin I (hsTnI) in 3111 Framingham Offspring participants who also underwent carotid ultrasonography during the sixth examination (1995–1998, mean age 58 years, 54% women). Carotid measurements included maximal internal carotid artery (ICA) intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque presence (defined as ICA IMT &gt;1.5 mm), and mean common carotid artery IMT. We carried out multivariable regressions for carotid measurements vs biomarkers using linear and logistic models; P &lt; 0.0056 was deemed statistically significant.

RESULTS
Maximal ICA IMT was significantly associated with plasma GDF-15 [β-estimate 0.04 per 1-U increase in log(GDF-15), SE 0.01, P &lt; 0.0001]. Similarly, the odds of having carotid plaque increased 33% [odds ratio 1.33 per 1-U increase in log(GDF-15), 95% CI 1.20–1.48, P &lt; 0.0001]. In contrast, there was no significant association of maximal ICA IMT or plaque presence with sST2 or hsTnI, and none of the 3 biomarkers was significantly associated with mean CCA IMT. GDF-15 was a stronger predictor of maximal ICA thickness and plaque presence compared with BNP and CRP when these conventional biomarkers were tested together.

CONCLUSIONS
Increased GDF-15 concentrations are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis, including maximal ICA IMT and carotid plaque presence. Future studies investigating the role of GDF-15 for screening and management of patients with subclinical atherosclerosis are warranted.
Probability of bark stripping damage by red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Austria
Authors: Vospernik Sonja 
Published: September 2014

Bark stripping by red deer (Cervus elaphus) causes considerable damage to Austrian forests, however, the incidence of bark stripping was never examined from large scale survey data. In this manuscript we present a logistic regression model for bark stripping damage (static model) and a model for recent (5-year period) bark stripping damage to previously undamaged trees (dynamic model) developed from Austrian National Forest Inventory data. Both models showed bark stripping damage to be most frequent in core red deer habitat areas and less frequent in less suitable habitat. Damage was concentrated at elevations of 400â1200Â m and in alluvial forests (only static model). Norway spruce (Picea abies), European ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) and Sorbus spp. had 11â12 times more injuries than all the other species. Red deer preferred the smallest trees with a breast height diameter of 5Â cm for bark stripping and damage probability decreased rapidly for trees with a breast height diameter greater than 25Â cm. Our static model showed a maximum of bark stripping damage in stands with a mean height of 20Â m. In the dynamic model the probability for bark stripping damage decreased with decreasing mean height. Also, in the static model the probability for bark stripping damage increased with increasing spruce proportion and with increasing stand density whereas in the dynamic model the proportion of previous bark stripping damage was a good predictor. Goodness of fit and discrimination of both models were good. In combination with forest growth models, the bark stripping models can be used to predict the risk of damage associated with different forest and habitat management options.
How Consistent are Course Grades? An Examination of Differential Grading
Authors: Rauschenberg Samuel 
Published: September 2014

Differential grading occurs when students in courses with the same content and curriculum receive inconsistent grades across teachers, schools, or districts. It may be due to many factors, including differences in teacher grading standards, district grading policies, student behavior, teacher stereotypes, teacher quality, and curriculum adherence. If it occurs systematically, certain types of students may receive higher or lower grades relative to other students, despite having similar content mastery or ability. Using three years of statewide data on Algebra I and English I courses in North Carolina public high schools, I find that student characteristics are stronger predictors of differential grading than teacher, school, or district characteristics. Female, Limited English Proficient, and 12th grade students earn statistically significant higher grades than other students, holding test scores and student, teacher, school, and district characteristics constant. Low-income students, conversely, earn lower grades than other students, all else constant. With the exception of Algebra I low-income students, these differences are large enough to move a student one grade category on a plus/minus 7-point A-F grading scale. Black students earn higher Algebra I grades but lower English I grades than white or Asian students with the same test score, but these effect sizes are smaller than other student characteristics. Interactions between student and teacher race and gender yielded small estimates that were not consistent between subjects.
Long-Range Geo-Monitoring Using Image Assisted Total Stations
Authors: Wagner Andreas , Huber Ben , Wiedemann Wolfgang , Paar Gerhard 
Published: September 2014

AbstractImage Assisted Total Stations (IATS) unify geodetic precision of total stations with areal coverage of images. The concept of using two IATS devices for high-resolution, long-range stereo survey of georisk areas has been investigated in the EU-FP7 project DE-MONTES (www.de-montes.eu). The paper presents the used methodology and compares the main features with other terrestrial geodetic geo-monitoring methods. The theoretically achievable accuracy of the measurement systemis derived and verified by ground truth data of a distant clay pit slope and simulated deformations. It is shown that the stereo IATS concept is able to obtain higher precision in the determination of 3D deformations than other systems of comparable sensor establishment effort.
Influence of provisioning on primate behavior and primate studies
Authors: Sugiyama Yukimaru 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAfter World War II, primate studies began on Japanese macaques and artificial provisioning facilitated short-distance observation. During these early stages of primate field research, this method allowed for individual recognition and long-term studies whereby individual and social behaviors could be described in detail and, ultimately, social structure. Owing primarily to provisioning, monkeys and apes were able to innovate some cultural behaviors. However, provisioning influences the behavior of animals. Artificially fed primate populations in Japan grew rapidly and social relationships among individuals changed. After the 1980s, scientific reports tended to not mention the incidence of provisioning in descriptions of the environment. Such omissions could inadvertently lead to misleading interpretations of the data. Therefore, authors must describe the provisioning situation as an important element of the environment. Even in the early stages of the primate studies, it should have been noted that provisioning was an experimental method and was partly an artificial living condition applied to wild populations of animals, which could have both positive and negative outcomes. In this paper I defined the terms wild, provisioning, free-ranging and habituation in appropriate words.
Optical coherence tomography in diagnosing inflammatory diseases of ENT
Authors: Meller Alina , Shakhova Maria , Rilkin Yuriy , Novozhilov Alexey , Kirillin Mikhail , Shakhov Andrey 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe object of the study was to demonstrate the abilities of optical coherence tomography (OCT) technique in diagnostics of inflammatory processes in ear, nose, and throat (ENT). When used in diagnostics of the nose and pharynx, OCT facilitates differential diagnostics of rhinitis enabling differentiation between the normal state, two stages of allergic rhinitis, vasomotor and atrophic rhinitis and diagnostics of pharyngitis. This paper also demonstrates the ability of OCT to monitor changes in pharynx induced by cryotherapy. In diagnostics of the tympanic cavity the ability of OCT to differentiate between different stages of chronic otitis and retraction of the tympanic membrane is demonstrated. Finally a correlation is discussed between morphologic alterations induced by inflammatory processes and changes in diagnostic OCT images.
Cationic vinyl monomer-grafted polypropylene preparation and its use as a compatibilizer for polypropylene/poly(vinyl chloride) blends
Authors: Liu Guangtian 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Grafting polymerization is a valuable method for the modification of the chemical and physical properties of polymer surfaces. In this paper, the grafting of cationic vinyl monomer with quaternary ammonium groups, i.e., methacryloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (DMC), onto the isotactic polypropylene (iPP) granule was performed by the suspension solid-state grafting process. The technique offers new opportunities in modification of polyolefins, which has advantages of being solventless and having a lower process temperature. The grafted PP [PP-g-(St-co-DMC)] was systematically characterized by using various analytic tools including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The FTIR spectra of the grafted iPP confirmed that DMC was successfully grafted onto the iPP backbone. The results of TGA and the hydrophilicity measurement indicated that the thermal stability of the grafted iPP was enhanced remarkably, and the hydrophilicity was also enhanced due to the addition of hydrophilic quaternary ammonium groups. Furthermore, the mechanical properties effect of PP-g-(St-co-DMC) on PP/poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) blends was investigated. The measurements of tensile strength and impact strength indicated that the PP-g-(St-co-DMC) could remarkably enhance compatibility of PP/PVC blends. The tensile strength and the impact strength of PP/PVC blends with a concentration of PP-g-(St-co-DMC) at 4% (wt) increased up to 19.15% and 74.48%, respectively.
Drosophila Protamine-Like Mst35Ba and Mst35Bb Are Required for Proper Sperm Nuclear Morphology but Are Dispensable for Male Fertility
Authors: Tirmarche Samantha , Kimura Shuhei , Sapey-Triomphe Laure , Sullivan William , Landmann Frédéric , Loppin Benjamin 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
During spermiogenesis, histones are massively replaced with protamines. A previous report showed that Drosophila males homozygous for a genomic deletion covering several genes including the protamine-like genes Mst35Ba/b are surprisingly fertile. Here, we have precisely deleted the Mst35B locus by homologous recombination, and we confirm the dispensability of Mst35Ba/b for fertility.