bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Consumptions of plain water, moisture in foods and beverages, and total water in relation to dietary micronutrient intakes and serum nutrient profiles among US adults
Authors: Yang Meng , Chun Ock K 
Published: February 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate water contributors in relation to dietary and serum micronutrient profiles.DesignA cross-sectional study. The main exposures were water contributors. Selected dietary and serum micronutrient levels were outcome measures.SettingsThe US population and its subgroups.SubjectsUS adults (n2691) aged ≥20 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2006.ResultsThe daily mean total water intake was 3·1 (se0·047) litres, with 68 % of adults consuming below the Adequate Intake level. Total water intake was higher in adults with higher BMI and physical activity, those taking dietary supplements and alcohol consumers (P< 0·05). Plain water intake was positively associated with food moisture and negatively with beverage moisture (P< 0·001). Beverage moisture was negatively associated with food moisture (P< 0·001). In multivariate regression analyses, plain water and food moisture intakes were positively associated with Fe, Ca, vitamins A, B, C, E and K and carotenoid intakes (P< 0·05). However, beverage moisture was unrelated to Ca, niacin and vitamin B6intakes, and negatively associated with Fe, vitamin A, folate, vitamins C, E and K and carotenoid intakes (P< 0·05). Concentrations of serum vitamins A and C and carotenoids increased with plain water and food moisture intakes (P< 0·05) but decreased (P< 0·01) or were unrelated to beverage moisture intake.ConclusionsVarious contributors of total water intake differed in their associations with dietary and serum micronutrient profiles in US adults. The study provides evidence of plain water benefits on micronutrient adequacy over beverages.
Critical Strategic Practice and Sino-Japanese Pluralized Regional Leadership: Collective Leadership, Competitive Coexistence and a Blocking Power Relationship
Authors: PARK JINSOO 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThis paper aims to develop a coherent analytical tool to explain the dynamics of Sino-Japanese pluralized leadership. Highlighting the constructivist concept of critical strategic practice, it argues that the nature of pluralized leadership is not fixed by existing social structures, but rather can be dynamically changed by potential leaders through critical reflection and actions to transform identities. It then suggests three possible types of pluralized leadership: collective leadership, competitive coexistence, and a blocking power relationship. These are determined by whether two leadership aspirants succeed in establishing institutionalized social networks and shared norms between them and whether a leadership aspirant gains a majority of followers for its leadership project. The paper shows that China and Japan have engaged in both competitive coexistence and a blocking power relationship through their critical strategic practice.
The Instability of Korean Political Parties: Cue-givers and Cue-chasing Politicians
Authors: LEE JONGKON 
Published: February 2014

AbstractKorean political parties have been organizationally unstable for decades, even after 1987 when a democratic transition from authoritarian military-based politics was achieved. Many studies have argued that the instability has been caused by the Confucian culture of Korean politics. This paper suggests a different view of the political phenomenon: Korean party instability has been due to the ‘cue-chasing behaviors’ of self-interested politicians, rather than Confucian morality. This study examines the proposition with a historical exploration of Korean political parties between 1987 and 2012.
Enhanced Thermal Conductivity and Viscosity of Nanodiamond-Nickel Nanocomposite Nanofluids
Authors: Sundar L. Syam , Singh Manoj K. , Ramana E. Venkata , Singh Budhendra , Grácio José , Sousa Antonio C. M. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWe report a new type of magnetic nanofluids, which is based on a hybrid composite of nanodiamond and nickel (ND-Ni) nanoparticles. We prepared the nanoparticles by an in-situ method involving the dispersion of caboxylated nanodiamond (c-ND) nanoparticles in ethylene glycol (EG) followed by mixing of nickel chloride and, at the reaction temperature of 140°C, the use of sodium borohydrate as the reducing agent to form the ND-Ni nanoparticles. We performed their detailed surface and magnetic characterization by X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer. We prepared stable magnetic nanofluids by dispersing ND-Ni nanoparticles in a mixture of water and EG; we conducted measurements to determine the thermal conductivity and viscosity of the nanofluid with different nanoparticles loadings. The nanofluid for a 3.03% wt. of ND-Ni nanoparticles dispersed in water and EG exhibits a maximum thermal conductivity enhancement of 21% and 13%, respectively. For the same particle loading of 3.03% wt., the viscosity enhancement is 2-fold and 1.5-fold for water and EG nanofluids. This particular magnetic nanofluid, beyond its obvious usage in heat transfer equipment, may find potential applications in such diverse fields as optics and magnetic resonance imaging.
A Southern Ocean trigger for Northwest Pacific ventilation during the Holocene?
Authors: Rella S. F. , Uchida M. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractHolocene ocean circulation is poorly understood due to sparsity of dateable marine archives with submillennial-scale resolution. Here we present a record of mid-depth water radiocarbon contents in the Northwest (NW) Pacific Ocean over the last 12.000 years, which shows remarkable millennial-scale variations relative to changes in atmospheric radiocarbon inventory. Apparent decoupling of these variations from regional ventilation and mixing processes leads us to the suggestion that the mid-depth NW Pacific may have responded to changes in Southern Ocean overturning forced by latitudinal displacements of the southern westerly winds. By inference, a tendency of in-phase related North Atlantic and Southern Ocean overturning would argue against the development of a steady bipolar seesaw regime during the Holocene.
Noradrenergic plasticity of olfactory sensory neuron inputs to the main olfactory bulb
Authors: Eckmeier D , Shea SD 
Published: February 2014

AbstractSensory responses are modulated throughout the nervous system by internal factors including attention, experience, and brain state. This is partly due to fluctuations in neuromodulatory input from regions such as the noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC) in the brainstem. LC activity changes with arousal and modulates sensory processing, cognition and memory. The main olfactory bulb (MOB) is richly targeted by LC fibers and noradrenaline profoundly influences MOB circuitry and odor-guided behavior. Noradrenaline-dependent plasticity affects the output of the MOB. However, it is unclear whether noradrenergic plasticity includes modulation in the glomerular layer, the site of input to the MOB. Noradrenergic terminals are found in the glomerular layer, but noradrenaline receptor activation does not seem to acutely modulate olfactory sensory neuron terminalsin vitro. We investigated whether noradrenaline induces plasticity at the glomerulus. We used wide-field optical imaging to measure changes in odor responses following electrical stimulation of locus coeruleus in anesthetized mice. Surprisingly, the odor-evoked intrinsic optical signals at the glomerulus were persistently weakened after LC activation. Calcium imaging selectively from olfactory sensory neurons confirmed that this effect was due to a uniform gain suppression of presynaptic input, and did not require exposure to a stimulus during the LC activation. Finally, noradrenaline antagonists prevented glomerular suppression. We conclude that noradrenaline release from LC has persistent effects on odor processing already at the first synapse of the main olfactory system. This mechanism could contribute to arousal-dependent memories.
Novel acoustic evaluation system for scratching behavior in itching dermatitis: Rapid and accurate analysis for nocturnal scratching of atopic dermatitis patients
Authors: Noro Yuichi , Omoto Youichi , Umeda Koji , Tanaka Futa , Shiratsuka Yousuke , Yamada Tomomi , Isoda Kenichi , Matsubara Kimiko , Yamanaka Keiichi , Gabazza Esteban C. , Nishikawa Masakatsu , Mizutani Hitoshi 
Published: February 2014

AbstractQuantitative analysis of itching in patients with itching dermatitis including atopic dermatitis (AD) is indispensable for the evaluation of disease activity and response to therapy. However, the objective evaluation system for itching is limited. We have developed a new objective and quantitative scratching behavior detection system using a wristwatch‐type sound detector. The scratch sound detected on the wrist is recorded on a personal computer through a filtering, squaring and smoothing process by specific hardware. Subsequently, the data is automatically processed and judged for the scratching movement using specific software based on the periodicity and energy of the signal. Twenty‐four measurements for healthy volunteers and those with AD by this system were evaluated by comparison with a simultaneously recorded video analysis system. The ratio of scratching time in sleeping time evaluated by these two systems was almost identical. The healthy subjects scratched their skin approximately 2 min during 6 h of sleeping time, while the mean scratching time of AD subjects was 24 min in their sleeping time. In contrast to the time‐consuming video analysis system, this system takes only several minutes for evaluation of an overnight record. This scratch sound detection system is expected to serve as a new objective evaluation tool for itching dermatitis, namely, AD, and development of anti‐itch therapies for dermatitis.
Indications for caesarean sections at ≥34 weeks among nulliparous women and differential composite maternal and neonatal morbidity
Authors: Chauhan SP , Beydoun H , Hammad IA , Babbar S , Hill JB , Mlynarczyk M , D'Alton ME , Abuhamad AZ , Vintzileos AM , Ananth CV 
Published: February 2014

ObjectiveTo compare composite maternal and neonatal morbidities (CMM, CNM) among nulliparous women with primary indications for caesarean section (CS) as acute clinical emergency (group I; ACE), non‐reassuring fetal heart rate (group II) and arrest disorder (group III).DesignA multicentre prospective study.SettingNineteen academic centres in the USA, with deliveries in 1999–2002.PopulationNulliparous women (n = 9829) that had CS.MethodsNulliparous women undergoing CS for three categories of indications were compared using logistic regression model, adjusted for five variables.Main outcome measuresCMM was defined as the presence of any of the following: intrapartum or postpartum transfusion, uterine rupture, hysterectomy, cystotomy, ureteral or bowel injury or death; CNM was defined as the presence of any of the following: umbilical arterial pH <7.00, neonatal seizure, cardiac, hepatic, renal dysfunction, hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy or neonatal death.ResultsThe primary reasons for CS were ACE in 1% (group I, n = 114) non‐reassuring FHR in 29% (group II; n = 2822) and failed induction/dystocia in the remaining 70% (group III; n = 6893). The overall risks of CMM and CNM were 2.5% (95% confidence intervals, CI, 2.2–2.8%) and 1.9% (95% CI 1.7–2.2), respectively. The risk of CMM was higher in group I than in group II (RR 4.1, 95% CI 3.1, 5.3), and group III (RR 3.2, 95% CI 2.7, 3.7). The risk of CNM was also higher in group I than in group II (RR 2.8, 95% CI 2.3, 3.4) and group III (RR 14.1, 95% CI 10.7, 18.7).ConclusionsNulliparous women who have acute clinically emergent caesarean sections are at the highest risks of both composite maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Increased plasma advanced oxidation protein products is an early marker of endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes patients without albuminuria 血浆晚期蛋白氧化产物浓度升高是无白蛋白尿的2型糖尿病患者内皮细胞功能异常的早期标志物
Authors: Liang Min , Wang Jun , Xie Chao , Yang Yan , Tian Jian Wei , Xue Yao Ming , Hou Fan Fan 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundEndothelial dysfunction is an early event of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and can occur before albuminuria. Oxidative stress has been found to play a key role in the development of endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, we hypothesized that increases in plasma advanced oxidized protein products (AOPPs), a family of oxidized, dityrosine‐containing protein compounds generated during oxidative stress, could serve as an early marker of endothelial dysfunction inT2Dpatients without albuminuria.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional investigation of 147 newly diagnosedT2Dpatients (112 without albuminuria and 35 with albuminuria) and 49 age‐matched healthy control subjects. Flow‐mediated vasodilation (FMD) was used to assess endothelium‐dependent vasodilator function, and plasma soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (sICAM‐1) concentrations were determined to evaluate vascular injury. PlasmaAOPPsconcentrations were measured using a modified spectrophotometric assay.ResultsPlasmaAOPPsconcentrations were significantly elevated in normoalbuminuric patients withT2Dcompared with healthy controls. PlasmaAOPPsconcentrations were correlated withFMDand plasmasICAM‐1 concentrations in this population. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that increased plasmaAOPPswas the strongest risk factor for impaired endothelial vasodilation and increasedsICAM‐1 in these patients. Similar results were observed inT2Dpatients with albuminuria.ConclusionsIncreased plasmaAOPPsconcentrations were an independent risk factor for endothelial dysfunction, and therefore may be an early marker of vasculopathy in individuals at an early stage of diabetes.
Autonomic dysfunction assessed by EZSCAN and subclinical atherosclerosisEZSCAN 检测自主神经功能紊乱与亚临床动脉粥样硬化相关性研究
Authors: Sun Jichao , Zhang Yinfei , Xu Baihui , Lv Xiaofei , Ding Lin , Chen Ying , Sun Wanwan , Lu Jieli , Xu Min , Bi Yufang , Ning Guang 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe present study aimed to explore the association between autonomic dysfunction and measurements of atherosclerosis in a middle‐aged and elderly Chinese population.MethodsA population‐based cross‐sectional study was performed in Shanghai, China, from March to August 2010, with 5076 participants included in the analysis. Autonomic function was assessed by a novel EZSCAN test based on sudomotor function analysis. Carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) was measured using B‐mode ultrasonography and brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (ba‐PWV) was measured using an autonomic device. Participants were divided into three groups based on EZSCAN values: Group 1: EZSCAN 0–24; Group 2, EZSCAN 25–49; and Group 3, EZSCAN 50–100. These groups denoted autonomic dysfunction risk groups as follows: no risk, moderate risk and high risk, respectively.ResultsThe prevalence of elevated CIMT and ba‐PWV increased markedly with increasing EZSCAN values (elevated CIMT 7.4%, 17.5%, and 29.7%, elevated ba‐PWV 3.2%, 19.7%, and 36.5%, in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively; both Ptrend < 0.0001). Logistic regressions revealed that EZSCAN values ≥50 were associated with a non‐significantly higher risk of elevated CIMT (odds ratio [OR] = 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98–2.07) and a significantly higher risk of elevated ba‐PWV (OR = 2.16; 95% CI 1.25–3.71) compared with EZSCAN values <25, after controlling for conventional risk factors.ConclusionA higher EZSCAN value (≥50), an index of high autonomic dysfunction risk, was associated with an increased risk of elevated ba‐PWV and CIMT. Such associations were partially explained by traditional atherosclerotic risk factors.
A Randomized Trial Exploring the Effect of a Telephone Call Follow‐up on Care Plan Compliance Among Older Adults Discharged Home From the Emergency Department
Authors: Biese Kevin , LaMantia Michael , Shofer Frances , McCall Brenda , Roberts Ellen , Stearns Sally C. , Principe Stephanie , Kizer John S. , Cairns Charles B. , Busby‐Whitehead Jan 
Published: February 2014

AbstractObjectivesOlder patients discharged from the emergency department (ED) have difficulty comprehending discharge plans and are at high risk of adverse outcomes. The authors investigated whether a postdischarge telephone call–mediated intervention by a nurse would improve discharge care plan adherence, specifically by expediting post–ED visit physician follow‐up appointments and/or compliance with medication changes. The second objectives were to determine if this telephone call intervention would reduce return ED visits and/or hospitalizations within 35 days of the index ED visit and to determine potential cost savings of this intervention.MethodsThis was a 10‐week randomized, controlled trial among patients aged 65 and older discharged to home from an academic ED. At 1 to 3 days after each patient's index ED visit, a trained nurse called intervention group patients to review discharge instructions and assist with discharge plan compliance; placebo call group patients received a patient satisfaction survey call, while the control group patients were not called. Data collection calls occurred at 5 to 8 days and 30 to 35 days after the index ED visits for all three groups. Chi‐square or Fisher's exact tests were performed for categorical data and the Kruskal‐Wallis test examined group differences in time to follow‐up.ResultsA total of 120 patients completed the study. Patients were 60% female and 72% white, with a mean age of 75 years (standard deviation [SD] ± 7.58 years). Intervention patients were more likely to follow up with medical providers within 5 days of their ED visits than either the placebo or the control group patients (54, 20, and 37%, respectively; p = 0.04). All groups performed well in medication acquisition and comprehension of medication indications and dosage. There were no differences in return visits to the ED or hospital within 35 days of the index ED visit for intervention patients, compared to placebo or control group patients (22, 33, and 27%, respectively; p = 0.41). An economic analysis showed an estimated 70% chance that this intervention would reduce total costs.ConclusionsTelephone call follow‐up of older patients discharged from the ED resulted in expedited follow‐up for patients with their primary care physicians. Further study is warranted to determine if these results translate into improved patient outcomes, decreased return ED visits or hospital admissions, and cost savings resulting from this intervention.
The Microcirculation Is Preserved in Emergency Department Low‐acuity Sepsis Patients Without Hypotension
Authors: Filbin Michael R. , Hou Peter C. , Massey Michael , Barche Apurv , Kao Erica , Bracey Alex , Skibsted Simon , Chang Yuchiao , Shapiro Nathan I. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractObjectivesMicrocirculatory dysfunction plays an important role in sepsis pathophysiology. Previous studies using sidestream dark‐field (SDF) imaging have demonstrated microcirculatory flow abnormalities in patients with septic shock; however, the microcirculation is relatively unstudied in lower‐acuity sepsis patients. The hypothesis was that patients with sepsis, but without hypotension, will demonstrate signs of flow abnormalities compared to noninfected control patients.MethodsThis was a prospective, observational study in a convenience sample of patients with sepsis and noninfected controls, conducted in three urban, tertiary care emergency departments (EDs) in the United States. Sepsis was defined as suspected infection plus two or more systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria; those with hypotension were excluded. Noninfected controls were ED patients without infection and without SIRS criteria. SDF imaging was obtained in all study patients during ED evaluation. Recommended microcirculatory flow parameters were measured, and the difference in these measures between sepsis patients and noninfected controls were calculated. The authors also correlated microcirculatory flow parameters with patient variables, including serum lactate.ResultsA total of 106 patients were enrolled: 63 with sepsis and 43 noninfected controls. There were no differences in microcirculatory flow scores between sepsis patients and noninfected controls. Median microvascular flow index (MFI; with interquartile range [IQR] was 3.00 (IQR = 2.73 to 3.00) in sepsis patients versus 2.93 (IQR = 2.73 to 3.00) in control patients (p = 0.33), and mean proportion of perfused small vessels (PPV) was 91.5% (95% CI = 89.7% to 93.3%) versus 91.8% (95% CI = 89.7% to 93.9%), with a mean difference of 0.3% (95% CI = –2.5% to 3.1%; p = 0.84). Similarly, there were no significant differences in total vessel density, perfused vessel density, or heterogeneity index (HI). In the subset of infected patients for whom serum lactates were obtained (n % 37), MFI and PPV were negatively correlated with elevated serum lactate values: r = –0.32, p = 0.04; and r = –0.44, p < 0.01, respectively.ConclusionsMeasureable microcirculatory flow abnormalities were not observed in patients with early sepsis in the absence of hypotension. However, microcirculatory abnormalities were correlated with elevated serum lactate in normotensive sepsis patients, supporting the notion that impaired microcirculatory flow is coupled with cellular distress.
Procalcitonin as a Marker of Serious Bacterial Infections in Febrile Children Younger Than 3 Years Old
Authors: Mahajan Prashant , Grzybowski Mary , Chen Xinguang , Kannikeswaran Nirupama , Stanley Rachel , Singal Bonita , Hoyle John , Borgialli Dominic , Duffy Elizabeth , Kuppermann Nathan 
Published: February 2014

AbstractObjectivesThere is no perfectly sensitive or specific test for identifying young, febrile infants and children with occult serious bacterial infections (SBIs). Studies of procalcitonin (PCT), a 116‐amino‐acid precursor of the hormone calcitonin, have demonstrated its potential as an acute‐phase biomarker for SBI. The objective of this study was to compare performance of serum PCT with traditional screening tests for detecting SBIs in young febrile infants and children.MethodsThis was a prospective, multicenter study on a convenience sample from May 2004 to December 2005. The study was conducted in four emergency departments (EDs): one pediatric ED and three EDs with pediatric units, all with academic faculty on staff. A total of 226 febrile children 36 months old or younger who presented to the four participating EDs and were evaluated for SBI by blood, urine, and/or cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) cultures were included.ResultsThe test characteristics (with 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of the white blood cell (WBC) counts including neutrophil and band counts were compared with PCT for identifying SBI. Thirty children had SBIs (13.3%, 95% CI = 8.85 to 17.70). Four (13.3%) had bacteremia (including one with meningitis), 18 (60.0%) had urinary tract infections (UTIs), and eight (26.6%) had pneumonia. Children with SBIs had higher WBC counts (18.6 × 109 ± 8.6 × 109 cells/L vs. 11.5 × 109 ± 5.3 × 109 cells/L, p < 0.001), higher absolute neutrophil counts (ANCs; 10.6 × 109 ± 6.7 × 109 cells/L vs. 5.6 × 109 ± 3.8 × 109 cells/L, p = 0.009), higher absolute band counts (0.90 × 109 ± 1.1 × 109 cells/L vs. 0.35 × 109 ± 0.6 × 109 cells/L, p = 0.009), and higher PCT levels (2.9 ± 5.6 ng/mL vs. 0.4 ± 0.8 ng/mL, p = 0.021) than those without SBIs. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, the absolute band count and PCT were the two screening tests independently associated with SBI, although the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for PCT was the largest (0.80, 95% CI = 0.71 to 0.89).ConclusionsProcalcitonin is a more accurate biomarker than traditional screening tests for identifying young febrile infants and children with serious SBIs. Further study on a larger cohort of young febrile children is required to definitively determine the benefit of PCT over traditional laboratory screening tests for SBIs.