bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distributed rainfall‐runoff simulation for an unclosed river basin with complex river system: a case study of lower reach of the Wei River, China
Authors: Peng D. , Xu Z. , Qiu L. , Zhao W. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractAs the largest tributary of Yellow River and the ‘Mother River’ of Guanzhong Plain in Shaanxi Province, Wei River plays a great role in the development of West China. The lower reach of Wei River is the key economic district of this region. In this study, TOPMODEL with infiltration excess runoff was modified and applied to simulate inflow process between the Xianyang and Huaxian (outlet of the study area) hydrological stations for an unclosed river basin with a complex river system as well as ungauged tributaries. At the Qinduzhen and Muduwang hydrological stations, the Nash‐Sutcliffe efficiencies were between 0.70 and 0.84, and the relative errors were between −2% and 12%. Integrated with the observed streamflow in Jing River and Shichuan River and the segmented Muskingum flow routing method, streamflow at Huaxian was simulated. Comparison of the simulation results with and without the south inflow showed that the simulated streamflow at Lintong hydrological station with the south inflow between Xianyang and Lintong was closer to the observed streamflow than the one without the south inflow. However, the difference between the simulated streamflow at Huaxian with and without the south inflow was insignificant. This demonstrates that the streamflow simulation at Lintong is important for simulating flows in the study area with reliability.
Aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index as a prospective predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma risk in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Hann Hie‐Won , Wan Shaogui , Lai Yinzhi , Hann Richard S , Myers Ronald E , Patel Fenil , Zhang Kejin , Ye Zhong , Wang Chun , Yang Hushan 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBackground and AimAPRI (aspartate aminotransferase [AST] to platelet ratio index) is widely used to assess fibrosis and cirrhosis risk, especially in hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected patients. Few studies have evaluated APRI and hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk. Prospective evidence is needed to assess whether APRI predicts HCC risk in HBV patients.MethodIn a prospectively enrolled clinical cohort of 855 HBV patients with a 1‐year exclusion window (followed for > 1 year and did not develop HCC within 1 year), the predictive value of APRI in HCC risk was evaluated by Cox proportional hazards model using univariate and multivariate analyses and longitudinal analysis.ResultsHigher APRI prospectively conferred a significantly increased risk of HCC in univariate analysis (quartile analysis, P trend = 2.9 × 10−7). This effect remained highly significant after adjusting for common host characteristics but not cirrhosis (P trend = 7.1 × 10−5), and attenuated when cirrhosis is adjusted (P trend = 0.021). The effect remained prominent when the analysis was restricted to patients with a more stringent 2‐year exclusion window (P trend = 0.008 in quartile analysis adjusting all characteristics including cirrhosis), indicating that the association was unlikely due to including undetected HCC patients in the cohort, thus minimizing the reverse‐causation limitation in most retrospective studies. Longitudinal comparison demonstrated a persistently higher APRI value in HBV patients who developed HCC during follow‐up than those remaining cancer free.ConclusionAPRI might be a marker of HCC risk in HBV patients in cirrhosis‐dependent and ‐independent manners. Further studies are warranted to validate this finding and test its clinical applicability in HCC prevention.
A multiaxis device for in‐focus manipulation of objects under a dissecting microscope
Authors: GRAS HERIBERT 
Published: July 2014

SummaryAn inexpensive specimen holder for objects under a dissecting microscope is described which allows arbitrary orientation and rotation of the object within the visual field and focal plane of the microscope. Based on a spherical cap upon a magnet, this apparatus is easy to construct and permits single‐handed manipulation of the specimen from some distance. Precise positioning is demonstrated for halteres of Drosophila under up to 120× magnification.Because of the restricted field of view and depth of focus of a dissecting microscope, it is often difficult to position tiny objects under study in varying orientation, especially if the specimen must simultaneously be dissected with forceps, microscissors or needles. The problem is solved most conveniently with a specimen holder based on a spherical cap which is held by a strong magnet on a steel ring. The specimen tilts vertically in any direction by up to 70° and—even in oblique orientation—rotates through 360° around the sphere's centre in the focal plane. By help of an interleaved plastic foil in a ring carrier, these movements can be controlled unimanually from outside the visual field.
DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION AND LABOUR MARKET CHANGES: IMPLICATIONS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA
Authors: Du Yang , Yang Cuifen 
Published: July 2014

AbstractChina has witnessed a rapid demographic transition in recent decades, which has driven changes in labour market outcomes as evidenced by labour shortages and increasing wages for unskilled workers. In this paper, the authors survey the literature on population transition, factors influencing fertility and how these have changed, and population policies in China. The fundamental role of demographic transition in labour market changes is also reviewed. In addition, the paper discusses the implications of demographic transition and labour market changes for economic development in China, including ageing, impacts on potential economic growth rates, and challenges to human capital accumulation.
Chiasmatic‐Hypothalamic Masses in Adults: A Case Series and Review of the Literature
Authors: Raelson Colin , Chiang Gloria 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTChiasmatic‐hypothalamic masses are commonly seen in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 and often demonstrate a benign clinical course. These masses are, however, rare in adults and require tissue sampling for diagnosis. Here, we present four cases of chiasmatic‐hypothalamic masses in adults with pathologically proven diagnoses. We also provide a review of the literature and propose a limited differential in this age group.
Wall Shear Stress in Major Cerebral Arteries as a Function of Age and Gender—A Study of 301 Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Zhao Xixi , Zhao Meide , Amin‐Hanjani Sepideh , Du Xinjian , Ruland Sean , Charbel Fady T. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDThe hemodynamic force of wall shear stress (WSS) has demonstrated a critical role in atherogenesis.PURPOSETo study the effect of age and gender on mean WSS (MWSS) values in major cerebral arteries.METHODThirteen cerebral arterial location sites in 301 healthy (157 M, 144 F; mean 47 ± 15 years; range 18‐84 years old) were studied. Quantitative magnetic resonance angiography was used to obtain volume flow and diameter, and subsequently to calculate MWSS via the Hagen‐Poiseuille equation.RESULTSMWSS decreased significantly with age in all vessels, declining from 9.5 to 5.7 dynes/cm2 in the neck vessels and from 22.9 to 16.2 dynes/cm2 in the intracranial vessels. MWSS is significantly higher in females than in males in all six neck vessels. The most significant drop in MWSS occurred between the age groups 48‐57 and 58‐67 (P < .05 for 12 vessels).CONCLUSIONThe overall decline in MWSS observed with age may be due to a decrease in flow. However, the marked drop in MWSS between the 48‐57 and 58‐67 age groups corresponded with an increase in diameter and systolic blood pressure rather than a significant drop in flow.
Metabolic parameters in rats receiving different levels of oral glycerol supplementation
Authors: Lisenko K. G. , Andrade E. F. , Lobato R. V. , Orlando D. R. , Damin D. H. C. , Costa A. C. , Lima R. R. , Alvarenga R. R. , Zangeronimo M. G. , Sousa R. V. , Pereira L. J. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryThe use of glycerol in the diets for animals is of interest because it is a residue of biodiesel production and rich in energy. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate metabolic and physiological parameters of rats receiving supplemental pure glycerol by gavage. We used 30 Wistar rats (initial weight 202.7 ± 29.98 g) receiving 0 (control/saline), 200, 400, 800 and 1600 mg glycerol/kg of body weight (bidistilled glycerine, 99.85% glycerol) beside food and water ad libitum for 28 days. We used a completely randomised design with five treatments and six replicates. At the end of the experiment, the animals were killed, and the results showed that there was no change (p > 0.05) in the intake and excretion of water, the average daily weight gain, dry matter, ash and crude protein in the carcass or plasma triacylglycerols. There was a beneficial effect (p < 0.05) up to a dose of 800 mg/kg glycerol on feed intake, percentage of carcass fat, plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), high‐density lipoprotein (HDLc) and low‐/very low‐density lipoprotein (LDLc + VLDLc). The levels of total cholesterol and glucose were increased with up to a dose of 800 mg/kg glycerol (but remained within the normal range); they were reduced with the dose of 1600 mg/kg. The total leucocyte count tended to be reduced, although it was within the reference values for rats. There were no renal or pancreatic lesions. In conclusion, glycerol presented as a safe supplement at the studied doses, even having some beneficial effects in a dose‐dependent manner in rats.
Healthcare‐associated and nosocomial bacterial infections in cirrhosis: predictors and impact on outcome
Authors: Sargenti Konstantina , Prytz Hanne , Strand Anna , Nilsson Emma , Kalaitzakis Evangelos 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsPopulation‐based data on the occurrence of healthcare‐associated (HCA) and hospital‐acquired (HA) bacterial infections in cirrhosis, their predictors, and their impact on outcome are limited.MethodsAll patients with incident cirrhosis in 2001–2010 residing in an area of 600 000 inhabitants were retrospectively identified. All serious bacterial infections (resulting in or occurring during an inpatient hospital episode) during this period were registered. Acquisition type, site of infection, occurrence of infection‐related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF), acute kidney injury (AKI) and bacterial resistance were analysed. Patients were followed longitudinally until death, transplant or end of 2011.ResultsA total of 398 serious infections occurred in 241/633 (38%) patients. Forty‐seven per cent were HCA and 21% HA. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use was more common in HA (80%) vs. HCA (64%) vs. community‐acquired (44%) infections (P < 0.001). In regression analysis, decompensated status, use of antibiotics and PPIs at infection diagnosis were independent predictors of HCA/HA infections (P < 0.05). After adjustment for confounders, HCA/HA infections were significantly related to infection‐related ACLF (P < 0.05), but not severe sepsis, AKI or infection‐related mortality (P > 0.05). Antibiotic‐resistant infections were more frequent among HA (17%) than HCA (6%) or community‐acquired (8%) infections (P < 0.05). Antibiotic‐resistant HCA/HA infections were independently related to severe sepsis (P < 0.05).ConclusionsIn a population‐based cirrhotic cohort, two‐thirds of serious bacterial infections were HCA or HA. Decompensated liver disease, antibiotics and PPIs were predictors of serious HCA/HA infections, which were associated with the development of ACLF. Antibiotic resistance was frequent, especially in HA infections, and contributed to risk of severe sepsis.
Supplemental iron intake and the risk of glucose intolerance in pregnancy: re‐analysis of a randomised controlled trial in Finland
Authors: Kinnunen Tarja I. , Luoto Riitta , Helin Annika , Hemminki Elina 
Published: July 2014

AbstractObservational studies suggest that high iron intake during pregnancy is associated with the risk of gestational diabetes. As such studies are prone to bias, we re‐analysed data from a randomised controlled trial of iron supplementation to see whether it supports the risk found in observational studies. The trial was conducted in primary health care setting in five municipalities in Finland in 1985–1986. The participants were 2944 women (95% of pregnant women in the area) who were randomly allocated either to (1) the selective iron group (elemental iron 50 mg twice a day only if diagnosed as anaemic, continuing until their haemoglobin increased to 110 g L−1) or (2) the routine iron group (elemental iron 100 mg day−1 throughout the pregnancy regardless of haemoglobin level). The numbers of women in the analyses were 1358 and 1336, respectively. The main outcome measure was a composite variable including any glucose intolerance‐related outcome (e.g. glucosuria, gestational diabetes, large‐for‐gestational‐age child) in mothers' or children's patient records during pregnancy and post‐partum. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of the primary outcome between the selective iron and the routine iron groups (13.0 vs. 11.0%, P = 0.12). The most common outcome was large‐for‐gestational‐age calculated from children's hospital data (8.3 vs. 8.2%, P = 0.95). The results were mainly similar when stratified by the mothers' baseline haemoglobin level, body mass index or gestational weight gain. Routine iron supplementation throughout pregnancy did not increase the risk of glucose intolerance during pregnancy. The results need to be confirmed in future trials.
Opportunistic in‐hospital screening for kidney disease using the Kidney Health Check
Authors: Hewitt Nathan A. , Elder Grahame J 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health issue and early detection may prevent morbidity and mortality. Screening for CKD is simply assessed using the Kidney Health Check (KHC), a compilation of blood pressure (BP), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinalysis (UA). KHC screening of high risk hospital inpatients is recommended, but its implementation and cost‐effectiveness is unknown.AimsWe aimed to determine the proportion of patients currently tested for all components of the KHC during an acute hospital admission, and to compare the estimated costs of screening and subsequent follow‐up with other screening programs.MethodsA retrospective audit was conducted of consecutively admitted adult patients, and the frequency of BP, eGFR and UA testing recorded. Using published data, the likely costs and benefits of components of the KHC were estimated.ResultsTwo hundred patients (median age 75 years, range 20–98) were assessed. All had a documented BP and eGFR, and 55% had a UA, representing a complete KHC. Of the total, 141 (71%) had one or more abnormalities detected, and of 71 with an eGFR <60 mL/min per 1.73 m2, only 22 (31%) had a recorded diagnosis of CKD. Estimated costs of opportunistic in‐hospital KHC screening are below those of current Australian screening programs.ConclusionsHospital in‐patients frequently have a full KHC and most have abnormalities detected. Opportunistic inpatient KHC screening would have little impact on hospital costs, but may result in significant health benefits. The KHC should be included in routine discharge documentation.
Relationship of cystatin‐C change and the prevalence of death or dialysis need after acute kidney injury: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Feng Yunlin , Zhang Yue , Li Guisen , Wang Li 
Published: July 2014

AbstractAimCystatin‐C (CysC) has been demonstrated as a sensitive and reliable biomarker to predict the onset of acute kidney injury (AKI). However, there are few studies concerned about the relationship between CysC and the outcomes of AKI. The aim of the present study was to determine whether CysC elevation prior to definite diagnosis of AKI is related to higher prevalence of death and dialysis need outcome.MethodsA meta‐analysis was conducted by searching PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library database using the terms related to AKI combined with ‘cystatin‐C’. Bibliographies of relevant papers were reviewed manually. Eligible studies were those investigating death and dialysis need outcomes after AKI with CysC measurement, and were limited to English articles. Non‐human studies were excluded. Random effect Mantel‐Haenszel statistical method was used.ResultsSix studies were finally enrolled, consisting of 2332 patients. All of these studies were hospital‐based prospective cohort studies. The follow‐up duration varied from 5 days to 1 year. The odds ratio values for baseline CysC elevation and death as well as baseline CysC elevation and dialysis need were 2.34 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.46–3.75) and 4.40 (95% CI 1.58–12.22), respectively (both P < 0.05).ConclusionPatients with CysC elevated prior to AKI diagnosis have higher risk to develop death and need dialysis during short‐ and long‐term follow‐up after AKI, thus having worse outcomes. This population deserves more careful observation and might benefit from more frequent follow‐up visits in the clinic. Future work is needed to get a consensus cut‐off value defining CysC elevation.
Fragmented sleep and fatigue during postpartum hospitalization in older primiparous women
Authors: Tsuchiya Miyako , Mori Emi , Iwata Hiroko , Sakajo Akiko , Maehara Kunie , Ozawa Harumi , Morita Akiko , Maekawa Tomoko , Saeki Akiko 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe objective of this cross‐sectional study was to investigate the associations among sleep characteristics, feeding variables, and fatigue among older Japanese primiparas (≥ 35 years old) during hospitalization after childbirth. A convenience sample of 16 participants who had given birth to a single newborn were recruited from maternity wards, and before discharge they completed a sleep assessment and questionnaires. Sleep characteristics were assessed using actigraphs. Diaries of daily activities recorded infant caregiving and subjective hours of sleep. The degree of fatigue was assessed using self‐administered questionnaires. Although participants' sleep was found to be significantly fragmented by the average number of feeds per night, sleep loss in this sample was not severe compared with previous actigraph studies of young Japanese mothers. Lower percentages of sleep efficiency (percentage of sleep between going to bed and waking up) and parameters of fragmented sleep were significantly correlated with higher degrees of fatigue. Nurses and other healthcare providers should observe mothers' sleep and assess levels of fatigue. Assistance should be offered to mothers who are tired, so that they can have less fragmented sleep during the night.
Phloem flow and sugar transport in Ricinus communis L. is inhibited under anoxic conditions of shoot or roots
Authors: PEUKE ANDREAS D. , GESSLER ARTHUR , TRUMBORE SUSAN , WINDT CAREL W. , HOMAN NATALIA , GERKEMA EDO , VAN AS HENK 
Published: July 2014

AbstractAnoxic conditions should hamper the transport of sugar in the phloem, as this is an active process. The canopy is a carbohydrate source and the roots are carbohydrate sinks. By fumigating the shoot with N2 or flooding the rhizosphere, anoxic conditions in the source or sink, respectively, were induced. Volume flow, velocity, conducting area and stationary water of the phloem were assessed by non‐invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) flowmetry. Carbohydrates and δ13C in leaves, roots and phloem saps were determined.Following flooding, volume flow and conducting area of the phloem declined and sugar concentrations in leaves and in phloem saps slightly increased. Oligosaccharides appeared in phloem saps and after 3 d, carbon transport was reduced to 77%. Additionally, the xylem flow declined and showed finally no daily rhythm. Anoxia of the shoot resulted within minutes in a reduction of volume flow, conductive area and sucrose in the phloem sap decreased. Sugar transport dropped to below 40% by the end of the N2 treatment. However, volume flow and phloem sap sugar tended to recover during the N2 treatment.Both anoxia treatments hampered sugar transport. The flow velocity remained about constant, although phloem sap sugar concentration changed during treatments. Apparently, stored starch was remobilized under anoxia.
Unrestricted Quantification
Authors: Florio Salvatore 
Published: July 2014

AbstractSemantic interpretations of both natural and formal languages are usually taken to involve the specification of a domain of entities with respect to which the sentences of the language are to be evaluated. A question that has received much attention of late is whether there is unrestricted quantification, quantification over a domain comprising absolutely everything there is. Is there a discourse or inquiry that has absolute generality? After framing the debate, this article provides an overview of the main arguments for and against the possibility of unrestricted quantification, highlighting some of the broader implications of the debate.
Iris Marion Young's Legacy for Feminist Theory
Authors: La Caze Marguerite 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe work of Iris Marion Young (1949–2006) comprises major contributions in the areas of feminist phenomenology, international justice, political theory, and ethical responses to differences. Many of Young's articles, such as ‘Throwing like a Girl’, ‘Pregnant Embodiment’, ‘Women Recovering our Clothes’, ‘Gender as Seriality’, and ‘House and home’, in addition to her booksJustice and the Politics of Difference(1990) andInclusion and Democracy(2000) are particularly significant. My paper shows how Young's earlier essays in feminist phenomenology concerning the lived body can be linked to her later political thought, despite her own separation of these two strands in her work. Furthermore, I explore her legacy by examining how feminists have challenged her self‐criticisms and have also developed Young's ideas in these fields, including her work on oppression and responsibility.
Philosophical Issues in Recent Paleontology
Authors: Turner Derek D. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe distinction between idiographic science, which aims to reconstruct sequences of particular events, and nomothetic science, which aims to discover laws and regularities, is crucial for understanding the paleobiological revolution of the 1970s and 1980s. Stephen Jay Gould at times seemed conflicted about whether to say (a) that idiographic science is fine as it is or (b) that paleontology would have more credibility if it were more nomothetic. Ironically, one of the lasting results of the paleobiological revolution was a new way of doing historical science that defies categorization as idiographic or nomothetic. Yet the tension between (a) and (b) persists in some recent work in the philosophy of science, with Carol Cleland defending a version of (a) and Dan McShea and Robert Brandon defending a version of (b). In placing Cleland's work into conversation with that of McShea and Brandon, this paper defends a third (c) synthetic approach that emphasizes the blending of idiographic and nomothetic work.