bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanical Alternans Is Associated With Mortality in Acute Hospitalized Heart Failure
Authors: Kim Robert , Cingolani Oscar , Wittstein Ilan , McLean Rhondalyn , Han Lichy , Cheng Kailun , Robinson Elizabeth , Brinker Jeffrey , Schulman Steven S. , Berger Ronald D. , Henrikson Charles A. , Tereshchenko Larisa G. 
Published: March 2014

Background—
Acute hospitalized heart failure (AHHF) is associated with 40% to 50% risk of death or rehospitalization within 6 months after discharge. Timely (before hospital discharge) risk stratification of patients with AHHF is crucial. We hypothesized that mechanical alternans (MA) and T-wave alternans (TWA) are associated with postdischarge outcomes in patients with AHHF.

Methods and Results—

A prospective cohort study was conducted in the intensive cardiac care unit and enrolled 133 patients (59.6±15.7 years; 65% men) admitted with AHHF. Surface ECG and peripheral arterial blood pressure waveform via arterial line were recorded continuously during the intensive cardiac care unit stay. MA and TWA were measured by enhanced modified moving average method. All-cause death or heart transplant served as a combined primary end point. MA was observed in 28 patients (25%), whereas TWA was detected in 33 patients (33%). If present, MA was tightly coupled with TWA. Mean TWA amplitude was larger in patients with both TWA and MA when compared with patients with lone TWA (median, 37 [interquartile range, 26–61] versus 22 [21–23] μV;
P
=0.045). After a median of 10-month postdischarge, 42 (38%) patients died and 2 had heart transplants. MA was associated with the primary end point in univariable Cox model (hazard ratio, 1.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.00–3.40;
P
=0.05) and after adjustment for left ventricular ejection fraction, New York Heart Association HF class, and implanted implantable cardioverter defibrillator/cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (hazard ratio, 2.12 95% confidence interval, 1.13–3.98;
P
=0.020). TWA without consideration of simultaneous MA was not significantly associated with primary end point (hazard ratio, 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.77–2.64;
P
=0.260).

Conclusions—
MA is independently associated with outcomes in AHHF.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01557465.
Prediction of Fetal Hemoglobin in Sickle Cell Anemia Using an Ensemble of Genetic Risk Prediction Models
Authors: Milton Jacqueline N. , Gordeuk Victor R. , Taylor James G. , Gladwin Mark T. , Steinberg Martin H. , Sebastiani Paola 
Published: March 2014

Background—
Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is the major modifier of the clinical course of sickle cell anemia. Its levels are highly heritable, and its interpersonal variability is modulated in part by 3 quantitative trait loci that affect HbF gene expression. Genome-wide association studies have identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these quantitative trait loci that are highly associated with HbF but explain only 10% to 12% of the variance of HbF. Combining SNPs into a genetic risk score can help to explain a larger amount of the variability of HbF level, but the challenge of this approach is to select the optimal number of SNPs to be included in the genetic risk score.

Methods and Results—

We developed a collection of 14 models with genetic risk score composed of different numbers of SNPs and used the ensemble of these models to predict HbF in patients with sickle cell anemia. The models were trained in 841 patients with sickle cell anemia and were tested in 3 independent cohorts. The ensemble of 14 models explained 23.4% of the variability in HbF in the discovery cohort, whereas the correlation between predicted and observed HbF in the 3 independent cohorts ranged between 0.28 and 0.44. The models included SNPs in
BCL11A
, the
HBS1L-MYB
intergenic region, and the site of the
HBB
gene cluster, quantitative trait loci previously associated with HbF.

Conclusions—
An ensemble of 14 genetic risk models can predict HbF levels with accuracy between 0.28 and 0.44, and the approach may also prove useful in other applications.
Specialized Adult Congenital Heart Disease Care
Authors: Mylotte Darren , Pilote Louise , Ionescu-Ittu Raluca , Abrahamowicz Michal , Khairy Paul , Therrien Judith , Mackie Andrew S. , Marelli Ariane 
Published: March 2014

Background—
Clinical guidelines recommend specialized care for adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients. In reality, few patients receive such dedicated care. We sought to examine the impact of specialized care on ACHD patient mortality.

Methods and Results—
We examined referral rates to specialized ACHD centers and ACHD patient mortality rates between 1990 and 2005 in the population-based Quebec Congenital Heart Disease database (n=71 467). This period covers several years before and after the publication of guidelines endorsing specialized care for ACHD patients. A time-series design, based on Joinpoint and Poisson regression analyses, was used to assess the changes in annual referral and patient mortality rates. The association between specialized ACHD care and all-cause mortality was assessed in both case–control and cohort studies. The time-series analysis demonstrated a significant increase in referral rates to specialized ACHD centers in 1997 (rate ratio, +7.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], +6.6% to +8.2%). In parallel, a significant reduction in expected ACHD patient mortality was observed after year 2000 (rate ratio, −5.0%;95% CI, −10.8% to −0.8%). In exploratory post hoc cohort and case–control analyses, specialized ACHD care was independently associated with reduced mortality (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.65–0.94) and a reduced odds of death (adjusted odds ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.08–0.97), respectively. This effect was predominantly driven by patients with severe congenital heart disease (hazard ratio, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.22–0.67).

Conclusions—
A significant increase in referrals to specialized ACHD centers followed the introduction of the clinical guidelines. Moreover, referral to specialized ACHD care was independently associated with a significant mortality reduction. Our findings support a model of specialized care for all ACHD patients.
The Use of Method Triangulation in Probation Research
Authors: Bauwens Aline 
Published: March 2014

Qualitative research in probation is predominantly interview-based. This article explores the use of method triangulation in Belgian probation research. At first, a methodological question remains: is the use of a wider range of methods better? Or is it simply more? Drawing from the author's experience in researching Belgian probation officers' daily work, the article concludes that using method triangulation (file analyses, interviews and observations) is a valuable approach that does not merely duplicate data, but also offers complementary insights and understandings, and can reveal some important discrepancies that might have remained uncovered through reliance on interviews alone.
Randomized trial of bendamustine-rituximab or R-CHOP/R-CVP in first-line treatment of indolent NHL or MCL: the BRIGHT study
Authors: Flinn Ian W. , van der Jagt Richard , Kahl Brad S. , Wood Peter , Hawkins Tim E. , MacDonald David , Hertzberg Mark , Kwan Yiu-Lam , Simpson David , Craig Michael , Kolibaba Kathryn , Issa Samar , Clementi Regina , Hallman Doreen M. , Munteanu Mihaela , Chen Ling , Burke John M. 
Published: March 2014

Key PointsThe complete response rate for first-line bendamustine/rituximab was statistically noninferior to R-CHOP or R-CVP in indolent NHL or MCL. The safety profile of bendamustine/rituximab is distinct from that of R-CHOP/R-CVP.
Anti-inflammatory effects of resolvin-D1 on human corneal epithelial cells: in vitro study
Authors: Erdinest Nir , Ovadia Haim , Kormas Ran , Solomon Abraham 
Published: March 2014

Abstract

Background
This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of Resolvin-D1 (RV-D1) and its mechanism of action in human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells.

Methods
HCE cells were incubated with different concentrations of RV-D1 for different time periods. Oleic acid (OA) and Dexamethasone (DM) served as negative and positive controls, respectively. Cells were stimulated with polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidylic acids (poly I:C). The protein contents and mRNA expression levels of Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and IL-8 were evaluated with multiplex fluorescent bead immunoassay (FBI) and real time-PCR, respectively. In addition, the expression of inhibitory factor-κBα (I-κBα) was evaluated with real time-PCR.

Results
The protein level of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and IL-8 significantly increased after stimulation with Poly I:C. RV-D1 treatment at concentration of 1 μM decreased the protein level of TNF-α to 20.76 ± 9.3% (P < 0.05), IL-6 to 43.54 ± 14.16% (P < 0.001), IL-1β to 46.73 ± 15.93% (P > 0.05) and IL-8 to 51.15 ± 13.01% (P < 0.05) compared with cells stimulated with poly I:C alone. Similarly, the mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and IL-8 were significantly reduced after treatment with RV-D1. A highly significant dose response curve was demonstrated for RV-D1 treated HCE cells for TNF-α and IL-1β.
DM treatment decreased the protein content for all of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, similar results were demonstrated at the mRNA level. The anti-inflammatory effects of RV-D1 were similar to those of DM for TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8.

Conclusions
RV-D1 may serve as a potent anti-inflammatory agent in ocular surface inflammation, as evaluated in cultured HCE cells. The anti-inflammatory effects of RV-D1 were comparable to those of DM, and were mediated through nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signal transduction.
Low-cost lipid production by an oleaginous yeast cultured in non-sterile conditions using model waste resources
Authors: Santamauro Fabio , Whiffin Fraeya M , Scott Rod J , Chuck Christopher J 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe yeastMetschnikowia pulcherrima, previously utilised as a biological control agent, was evaluated for its potential to produce lipids for biofuel production.ResultsCultivation in low cost non-sterile conditions was achieved by exploiting its ability to grow at low temperature and pH and to produce natural antimicrobial compounds. Although not previously classified as oleaginous, a combination of low temperature and restricted nutrient availability triggered high levels of oil production inM. pulcherrimacultures. This regime was designed to trigger the sporulation process but prevent its completion to allow the accumulation of a subset of a normally transitional, but oil-rich, ‘pulcherrima’ cell type. This approach resulted in yields of up to 40% lipid, which compares favourably with other oleaginous microbes. We also demonstrate thatM. pulcherrimametabolises glycerol and a diverse range of other sugars, suggesting that heterogeneous biomass could provide a suitable carbon source.M. pulcherrimaalso grows well in a minimal media containing no yeast extract. Finally, we demonstrate the potential of the yeast to produce lipids inexpensively on an industrial scale by culturing the yeast in a 500 L, open air, tank reactor without any significant contamination.ConclusionsThe production of antimicrobial compounds coupled to efficient growth at low temperature and pH enables culture of this oleaginous yeast in inexpensive, non-sterile conditions providing a potential route to economic biofuel production.
Three dimensional modeling of complex heterogeneous materials via statistical microstructural descriptors
Authors: Jiao Yang , Chawla Nikhilesh 
Published: March 2014

AbstractHeterogeneous materials have been widely used in many engineering applications. Achieving optimal material performance requires a quantitative knowledge of the complex material microstructure and structural evolution under external stimuli. Here, we present a framework to model material microstructure via statistical morphological descriptors, i.e., certain lower-order correlation functions associated with the material’s phases. This allows one to reduce the large data sets for a complete specification of all of the local states in a microstructure to a handful of simple scalar functions that statistically capture the salient structural features of the material. Stochastic reconstruction techniques can then be employed to investigate the information content of the correlation functions, suggest superior and sensitive structural descriptors as well as generate realistic virtual 3D microstructures from the given limited structural information. The framework is employed to successfully model a variety of materials systems including an anisotropic aluminium alloy, a polycrystalline tin solder, the structural evolution in a binary lead-tin alloy when aged, and a model structure of hard-sphere packing. Our framework also has ramifications in the development of integrated computational material design schemes and 4D materials modeling techniques.
Art attacks and killing jokes: The graphic language of punk humour
Authors: Bestley Russell 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
The first part of this study, published in Punk & Post Punk 2.2, positioned punk within an historical and cultural context in relation to humour, comedy, satire, profanity and the absurd. This second part of the article places further emphasis on the visual identity of punk, post punk and hardcore groups, and on the graphic strategies employed by designers to reflect an underlying satirical core at the heart of the subculture.
Rupert Loydell interviews Andrew Poppy, August 2013
Authors: Loydell Rupert 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Andrew Poppy is a composer, arranger, musician, performer, record producer, writer, creative and artistic director, teacher and mentor. An artist with a unique body of work, his collaborations mix acoustic and electronic sounds with language, visual images and performance disciplines. In the 1970s he studied music at Goldsmiths College, London University, and later attended a summer school with John Cage. He signed to Trevor Horn and Paul Morley’s maverick pop label ZTT in the mid-1980s, making three albums that evade classification. By this time his work as an arranger and orchestrator was sought after by bands and record labels. More recently this has led to remixing projects for other artists. Poppy continues to connect singers and musicians from contemporary classical music and popular culture, as in the current Shiny Floor Shiny Ceiling, a CD and staged performance with videos by Julia Bardsley, as well as Revolution Number Eight Airport for Joseph Beuys, which was presented on the South Bank by Jarvis Cocker. He is the artistic director of a number of ongoing creative projects, including The Sustaining Ensemble, Field Radio Recordings and BARDSLEY_POPPY projects. Andrew Poppy also works in arts education, developing postgraduate courses and modules, and as a mentor and workshop leader. Full CV and works list available at www.andrewpoppy.co.uk.
The Effect of Mutation and Selection on Codon Adaptation inEscherichia coliBacteriophage
Authors: Chithambaram Shivapriya , Prabhakaran Ramanandan , Xia Xuhua 
Published: March 2014

AbstractStudying phage codon adaptation is important not only for understanding the process of translation elongation, but also for reengineering phages for medical and industrial purposes. To evaluate the effect of mutation and selection on phage codon usage, we developed an index to measure selection imposed by host translation machinery, based on the difference in codon usage between all host genes and highly expressed host genes. We developed linear and nonlinear models to estimate the C→T mutation bias in different phage lineages and to evaluate the relative effect of mutation and host selection on phage codon usage. C→T-biased mutations occur more frequently in single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) phages than in double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) phages and affect not only synonymous codon usage, but also nonsynonymous substitutions at second codon positions, especially in ssDNA phages. The host translation machinery affects codon adaptation in both dsDNA and ssDNA phages, with a stronger effect on dsDNA phages than on ssDNA phages. Strand asymmetry with the associated local variation in mutation bias can significantly interfere with codon adaptation in both dsDNA and ssDNA phages.
Effective Messages in Vaccine Promotion: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Nyhan Brendan , Reifler Jason , Richey Sean , Freed Gary L. 
Published: March 2014

OBJECTIVES:
To test the effectiveness of messages designed to reduce vaccine misperceptions and increase vaccination rates for measles-mumps-rubella (MMR).

METHODS:
A Web-based nationally representative 2-wave survey experiment was conducted with 1759 parents age 18 years and older residing in the United States who have children in their household age 17 years or younger (conducted June–July 2011). Parents were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 4 interventions: (1) information explaining the lack of evidence that MMR causes autism from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (2) textual information about the dangers of the diseases prevented by MMR from the Vaccine Information Statement; (3) images of children who have diseases prevented by the MMR vaccine; (4) a dramatic narrative about an infant who almost died of measles from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fact sheet; or to a control group.

RESULTS:
None of the interventions increased parental intent to vaccinate a future child. Refuting claims of an MMR/autism link successfully reduced misperceptions that vaccines cause autism but nonetheless decreased intent to vaccinate among parents who had the least favorable vaccine attitudes. In addition, images of sick children increased expressed belief in a vaccine/autism link and a dramatic narrative about an infant in danger increased self-reported belief in serious vaccine side effects.

CONCLUSIONS:
Current public health communications about vaccines may not be effective. For some parents, they may actually increase misperceptions or reduce vaccination intention. Attempts to increase concerns about communicable diseases or correct false claims about vaccines may be especially likely to be counterproductive. More study of pro-vaccine messaging is needed.
Simulation of Co-Rotating Twin Screw Extrusion Process Subject to Pressure-Dependent Wall Slip at Barrel and Screw Surfaces: 3D FEM Analysis for Combinations of Forward- and Reverse-Conveying Screw Elements
Authors: Malik M. , Kalyon D. M. , Golba J. C. 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Mathematical modeling and simulation of the coupled flow, deformation, heat and mass transfer, and rate of reactions occurring in the twin screw extruder allow the optimization of process parameters and the screw and barrel geometries. In mathematical modeling of the twin screw extrusion process the conventional flow boundary condition at the screw and barrel walls is the no-slip condition. However, most complex fluids, including polymers, polymeric suspensions and blends, exhibit wall slip, with the slip behavior depending on the intrinsic properties of the materials being processed, the operating conditions, the geometries of the barrel, screw and the die, and the properties of the solid surfaces. Typically, the slip velocity is specified to be a function of temperature, stress condition at the wall and the materials of construction. However, recent investigations have further revealed that the wall slip behavior can also be significantly affected by pressure. With an objective of considering the effects of wall slip on the dynamics of twin screw extrusion, fully-intermeshing co-rotating twin screw extrusion of a concentrated suspension is analyzed using three-dimensional finite element method, FEM, subject to the wall slip boundary condition. The wall slip boundary condition is first applied systematically to barrel and screw surfaces individually followed by the application of wall slip to both surfaces simultaneously. In an integrated fashion both the forward-conveying (pressure-generating) and reverse-conveying (pressure-losing) screw sections are considered. The effects of pressure on wall slip are also analyzed and elucidated.
Preparation of Polymer-Clay Nanocomposites by Melt Mixing in a Twin Screw Extruder: Using On-Line SAOS Rheometry to Assess the Level of Dispersion
Authors: Mould S. , Barbas J. , Machado A. V. , Nóbrega J. M. , Covas J. A. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractA prototype on-line rotational rheometer was fixed between a twin screw extruder and a multi-rod die of an industrial pelletization line used for the manufacture of polymer-clay nanocomposites. After diverting the required amount of melt to the device, measurements were performed in small amplitude oscillatory shear and used to estimate the level of dispersion of the organoclay in the polypropylene matrix, by means of correlations that are commonly utilized. The aim is to determine whether changes in clay type, clay content, feed rate and screw speed cause detectable alterations in the rheological response and thus in the level of dispersion, with a view to practical process monitoring and control. The analysis of the data is supported by XRD and electron (scanning and transmission) microscopy observations.
Reading Kafka Enactively
Authors: Troscianko Emily T. 
Published: March 2014

I argue that understanding cognition as enactive — that is, as constituted of physical interaction between embodied minds and the environment — can illuminate the opening of Kafka's novel Der Proceß (The Trial), revealing it as cognitively realistic in this respect. I show how enactivism is relevant to this passage in several ways: in terms of enactive vision and imagination (based on the sensorimotor account of vision), enactive language (with a focus on basic-level categorization and readers' motor responses), and enactive emotion (drawing on appraisal theory). I also suggest that these cognitively realistic features might result in ambivalent reactions on the reader's part.
Dialysate Cytokine Levels do not Predict Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis
Authors: Goodlad Catriona , Tam Frederick W.K. , Ahmad Sohail , Bhangal Gurjeet , North Bernard V. , Brown Edwina A. 
Published: March 2014

Background Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a rare but devastating complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD). There is no well-validated method for predicting which patients will develop the condition, although known risk factors include long duration of PD, high glucose exposure and lack of residual renal function. We have investigated whether dialysate cytokines (MCP-1 (monocyte chemotactic protein-1), CCL18 (pulmonary and activation-regulated cytokine, PARC), IL-6 (interleukin-6), CCL15 (leukotactin) and angiogenin) could be used to predict the onset of EPS more effectively than known clinical risk factors. Methods Samples of dialysate and clinical data were prospectively collected from 151 patients at the West London Renal center between 2003 and 2010. Dialysate cytokine levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay (ELISA) technique. Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis subsequently developed in 17 patients during a follow-up period of 27 – 113 months. Cytokines found at higher levels in dialysate of pre-EPS patients were investigated as candidate predictors of EPS using logistic regression analysis. Results Dialysate IL-6, MCP-1 and CCL15 were significantly higher in patients who subsequently developed EPS; however, a logistic regression model using dialysate cytokines to predict EPS was no better than a model using well-recognized clinical markers (length of time on PD and membrane transport status). Conclusions Although MCP-1, IL-6 and CCL15 were found at higher levels in the dialysate of patients who subsequently developed EPS, dialysate levels of these cytokines do not improve prediction of future EPS above a model using known clinical risk factors.