bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictive Impact of Daily Physical Activity on New Vascular Events in Patients with Mild Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kono Yuji , Kawajiri Hiroyuki , Kamisaka Kenta , Kamiya Kuniyasu , Akao Keigo , Asai Chikako , Inuzuka Kana , Yamada Sumio 
Published: November 2014

Background Daily physical inactivity is associated with a substantially increased risk of cardiovascular events. However, the target level of daily physical activity remains unclear. Aim We aimed to evaluate the impact of physical activity on long-term vascular events in patients with mild ischemic stroke. Methods We designed a single hospital-based prospective observational study and studied 166 ischemic stroke patients (mean age: 63·9 ± 9·2) who had a modified Rankin Scale 0–1. We measured the daily step count as a variable of the daily physical activity after three-months from the stroke onset. Other clinical characteristics including age, body mass index, blood pressure, blood laboratory tests, vascular function and medications were also assessed. The primary outcomes were hospitalization due to stroke recurrence, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris and peripheral artery disease. Survival curves were calculated by a Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, and the hazard ratios for recurrences were determined by univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results After a median follow-up periods of 1332 days, 34 vascular events (23 stroke recurrences, 11 coronary artery disease) and 7 drop-outs occurred, and the remaining patients were divided into two groups: the without recurrence group ( n = 125) and the with recurrence group ( n = 34). The daily step count was lower in the nonsurvivor group than in the survivor group. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses revealed that the daily step counts was independent predictors of new vascular events. A daily step count cutoff value of 6025 steps per day was determined by analyzing the receiver-operating characteristics that showed a sensitivity of 69·4% and a specificity of 79·4%. The Kaplan–Meier survival curves after a log-rank test showed a significantly lower event rate in the more than 6025 steps per day group compared with the less than 6025 steps per day group ( P = 0·0002). The positive and negative predictive values of less than 6025 steps were 38·0% and 91·6%, respectively. Conclusion Our data indicate that daily physical activity evaluated by step counts may be useful for forecasting the prognosis in patients with mild ischemic stroke. Daily step counts of approximately 6000 steps per day may be an initial target level for reducing new vascular events.
Thematic analysis of psychiatric patients' perceptions of nursing staff
Authors: Stewart Duncan , Burrow Heather , Duckworth Alex , Dhillon Jasbir , Fife Sarah , Kelly Siobhan , Marsh‐Picksley Sophie , Massey Emma , O'Sullivan John , Qureshi Maria , Wright Steve , Bowers Len 
Published: November 2014

AbstractTherapeutic and informal interactions with nurses are integral to the quality of care that psychiatric patients receive. How well these interactions are performed, and their impact on the experience and outcomes of inpatient care, have not been subject to systematic evaluation. The aim of the present study was to examine patients' perceptions of the personal and professional qualities of nursing staff and how these contribute to the ward environment. Patients (n = 119) from 16 acute psychiatric wards were interviewed using a schedule developed by a service‐user researcher. Transcriptions of interviews were coded and organized into six themes: staff duties, staff disposition, control, communication and engagement, therapeutic ward environment, and consistency. Patients recognized that nurses have a difficult and stressful job, but frequently expressed feelings of anger, frustration, and hopelessness about their experience of the wards. Patients frequently felt that nursing staff did not understand issues from their perspective or attempt to empathize with them. The findings indicate poorly‐communicated and inconsistent care. Initiatives to improve patients' experiences of acute psychiatric wards are urgently needed.
Horizontal cooperation in road transportation: a case illustrating savings in distances and greenhouse gas emissions
Authors: Pérez‐Bernabeu Elena , Juan Angel A. , Faulin Javier , Barrios Barry B. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThis paper discusses horizontal cooperation in road transportation and supports the relevance of this praxis as a way of reducing delivery costs and greenhouse gas emissions. In a competitive market, costs reduction due to economies of scale in short and long run constitutes a key issue for small and medium enterprises. The paper reviews the existing literature on the topic and then examines different scenarios in order to quantify the savings in route costs that can be attained throughout horizontal cooperation. This numerical analysis is based on a set of well‐known benchmarks for the Multidepot Vehicle Routing Problem, which has been adapted to illustrate a realistic but seldom considered example of horizontal cooperation. An Iterated Local Search algorithm is proposed to obtain high‐quality solutions for this collaborative scenario, while noncollaborative scenarios are solved using a well‐tested algorithm for the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem. The savings in routing costs—both regarding distance‐based and environmental costs—are computed taking into account different geographical distributions of customers with respect to their assigned service providers.
Economic selection of process mean and lot‐sizing decisions for multi‐newsvendor supply chain
Authors: Darwish M. A. , Aldaihani Majid M. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractTwo related problems are integrated in this paper, the first is the targeting problem and another is production/inventory decisions in a supply chain. The supply chain under consideration consists of a supplier of raw material, a single producer, and multiple newsvendors. The producer can adjust the process mean before starting the production run. Once set to a certain target value, the process mean is not changed until the production lot is completed. At the end of a production run, the producer screens the lot and uses specification limits to evaluate the quality of the item. Nonconforming items are scrapped with no salvage value; however, conforming items are delivered to newsvendors who are subjected to random demand. If demand on a newsvendor in a season is lower than anticipated, surplus items will be returned to the producer at a certain transportation cost. We first develop a mathematical model that maximizes the expected total profit of the supply chain. Then, a table for two special functions is devised to simplify the solution method and is used to find the optimal solution of the proposed model. We also study the significance of this integration by comparing the performance of the proposed model with an independent model where the process mean selection and lot‐sizing decisions are found separately.
Cross Relaxation of Sm3+ and Energy Transfer Between Sm3+ and Eu3+ Ions in (Ca0.97Sr0.03)3(VO4)2 Phosphor Host
Authors: Chiang Chung‐Hao , Lin Han‐Yu , Chu Sheng‐Yuan 
Published: November 2014

An attempt was made to verify that the inhibition of Sm3+→Eu3+ energy transfer in (Ca0.97Sr0.03)2.82(VO4)2:Sm3+,0.12Eu3+ phosphors at Sm3+ content levels of >0.06 mol can be ascribed to the cross‐relaxation effect. The emission peak at around 951 nm attributed to the 6F11/2→6H5/2 transition of Sm3+, which should be barely detectable according to the energy‐gap law, was observed in this work by exciting the 4K11/2 state of Sm3 + . The results indicate that cross‐relaxation channels, which can depopulate the 4F3/2 state of Sm3+, such as 1st Sm3+ (4F3/2) + 2nd Sm3+ (6H5/2)→1st Sm3+ (6F11/2) + 2nd Sm3+ (6F5/2) and 1st Sm3+ (4F3/2) + 2nd Sm3+ (6H5/2)→1st Sm3+ (6F5/2) + 2nd Sm3+ (6F11/2), may form and become efficient at an Sm3+ doping level of ≧0.06 mol. It was found that the 951‐nm emission suffered from concentration quenching, which resulted from a dipole–dipole multipolar interaction.
Vaginal cones or balls to improve pelvic floor muscle performance and urinary continence in women postpartum: a quantitative systematic review and meta‐analysis protocol
Authors: Oblasser Claudia , Christie Janice , McCourt Christine 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAimTo identify, critically appraise and synthesize the best current evidence on the use of vaginal cones or balls to improve pelvic floor muscle performance and urinary continence in women post partum.BackgroundThe vaginal use of cones or balls is a pelvic floor muscle training method that aims to enhance muscle performance and thereby prevent or treat urinary incontinence. Nonetheless to date, no systematic review has focused on the effectiveness of these devices specifically during the postpartum period.DesignQuantitative systematic review with potential meta‐analysis.MethodsThe review will be undertaken by searching 14 scientific databases (including PubMed and CINAHL, without date restriction) and the world‐wide web; experts will also be contacted for published and unpublished data. Included studies must be randomized or quasi‐randomized trials and have female participants until 1 year after childbirth. The intervention will be compared with no treatment, placebo, sham treatment or active controls. Outcome measures will relate to pelvic floor muscle performance or urinary incontinence. Studies will be selected, ‘risk of bias’ assessed and data extracted by two reviewers independently. Following inter‐reviewer agreement of included studies, data will be checked after entry into systematic review processing software. If appropriate, data will be synthesized by meta‐analysis; if this is not possible, a narrative review only will be undertaken.DiscussionThe information gained from this systematic review will help midwives, nurses, other health professionals and women after childbirth decide how to promote female pelvic floor health and in defining further areas of study.
Development and Operational Testing of a Super‐Ensemble Artificial Intelligence Flood‐Forecast Model for a Pacific Northwest River
Authors: Fleming Sean W. , Bourdin Dominique R. , Campbell Dave , Stull Roland B. , Gardner Tobi 
Published: November 2014

AbstractCoastal catchments in British Columbia, Canada, experience a complex mixture of rainfall‐ and snowmelt‐driven contributions to flood events. Few operational flood‐forecast models are available in the region. Here, we integrated a number of proven technologies in a novel way to produce a super‐ensemble forecast system for the Englishman River, a flood‐prone stream on Vancouver Island. This three‐day‐ahead modeling system utilizes up to 42 numerical weather prediction model outputs from the North American Ensemble Forecast System, combined with six artificial neural network‐based streamflow models representing various slightly different system conceptualizations, all of which were trained exclusively on historical high‐flow data. As such, the system combines relatively low model development times and costs with the generation of fully probabilistic forecasts reflecting uncertainty in the simulation of both atmospheric and terrestrial hydrologic dynamics. Results from operational testing by British Columbia's flood forecasting agency during the 2013‐2014 storm season suggest that the prediction system is operationally useful and robust.
Stable Shareholdings, the Decision Horizon Problem and Earnings Smoothing
Authors: Shuto Akinobu , Iwasaki Takuya 
Published: November 2014

AbstractPrior studies argue that stable shareholders do not encourage firm managers to manage their earnings to achieve short‐term earnings goals. They also state that firm managers with stable shareholders have an incentive to report smooth earnings to maintain long‐term relationships with such shareholders. We focus on cross‐shareholdings and stable shareholdings owned by financial institutions as stable shareholdings in Japan, and investigate the effect of these ownership structures on earnings management patterns. Specifically, we hypothesize that stable shareholdings are positively associated with the informational components of earnings smoothing. Consistent with our hypothesis, we first find that as stable shareholdings increase, managers are more likely to conduct earnings smoothing that provides useful information to stable shareholders. Further, our additional analysis shows that stable shareholdings reduce incentives for managers to cut discretionary expenditures to meet short‐term earnings benchmarks, implying that stable shareholdings could reduce the possibility of a myopic problem. These results suggest that managers with stable shareholdings tend to report smoother and less volatile earnings, and do not tend to pursue earnings management to attain short‐term earnings targets.
Breeding status affects fine‐scale habitat selection of southern right whales on their wintering grounds
Authors: Rayment William , Dawson Steve , Webster Trudi 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAimTo develop and validate a model for fine‐scale distribution of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) on their calving grounds, accounting for breeding status.LocationPort Ross, a harbour at the northern end of the sub‐Antarctic Auckland Islands, approximately 450 km south of mainland New Zealand.MethodsSpecies–habitat surveys were conducted during annual winter expeditions to the Auckland Islands from 2010 to 2012. Presence locations for groups including calves (calf groups; n = 462) and not including calves (non‐calf groups; n = 313) were recorded during small‐boat surveys of Port Ross, and an equal number of pseudo‐absence locations were generated in a GIS analysis. Explanatory variables tested were water depth, seabed slope, distance to coast, distance to shelter from prevailing wind and average wave exposure (estimated from a custom‐built wave model). The occurrence of calf groups and non‐calf groups was separately related to explanatory variables using binomial generalized additive models, with best models chosen via the minimum Akaike information criterion score. Multi‐fold validation was conducted to assess model performance and temporal variation in distribution.ResultsThe best models for calf groups were consistent, always including wave exposure, distance to shelter, depth and distance to the coastline. In contrast, the best non‐calf group models were more variable and explained only a small proportion of the variation in the data. Validation metrics indicated that the calf group models were useful predictors of distribution in Port Ross during winter, and that the calf group models performed better than the non‐calf models using the same suite of environmental variables.Main conclusionsBreeding female southern right whales seek sheltered, nearshore waters during the early life‐stages of their calves and are more selective of these habitats than non‐calving whales. The results highlight the importance of sheltered habitat for taxa with vulnerable life‐history stages, and the need to account for reproductive status to refine species–habitat models.
Improving the Culture of Safety on a High‐Acuity Inpatient Child/Adolescent Psychiatric Unit by Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction Training of Staff
Authors: Hallman Ilze S. , O'Connor Nancy , Hasenau Susan , Brady Stephanie 
Published: November 2014

ProblemThe purpose of this study was to reduce perceived levels of interprofessional staff stress and to improve patient and staff safety by implementing a brief mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) training program on a high‐acuity psychiatric inpatient unit.MethodsA one‐group repeated measure design was utilized to measure the impact of the (MBSR) training program on staff stress and safety immediately post‐training and at 2 months. Two instruments were utilized in the study: the Toronto Mindfulness Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale.FindingsThe MBSR program reduced staff stress across the 2‐month post‐training period and increased staff mindfulness immediately following the brief training period of 8 days, and across the 2‐month post‐training period. A trend toward positive impact on patient and staff safety was also seen in a decreased number of staff call‐ins, decreased need for 1:1 staffing episodes, and decreased restraint use 2 months following the training period.ConclusionsA brief MBSR training program offered to an interprofessional staff of a high‐acuity inpatient adolescent psychiatric unit was effective in decreasing their stress, increasing their mindfulness, and improving staff and patient safety.
Association of Hyperuricemia With Conventional Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Elderly Patients
Authors: Marotta Teodoro , Liccardo Maria , Schettini Federico , Verde Francesco , Ferrara Aldo L. 
Published: November 2014

The relationship between serum uric acid (UA) and cardiovascular risk profile was investigated in 557 outpatients (415 women) aged 60 years and older. Patients were grouped according to a UA cutoff level of 5.5 mg/dL. Prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and impaired glucose metabolism was increased in women with higher UA, who had higher body mass index (37.7±6.9 vs 33.1±5.9 kg/m2,P<.001), waist circumference, and serum glucose and triglyceride concentrations than women with lower UA levels. Conversely, men with higher UA levels showed lower high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher left ventricular mass than men with lower UA levels. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was reduced in patients with high UA levels of both sexes (65±17 vs 72±16 mL/min/1.73 m2,P<.001, for women; 70±16 vs 76±15 mL/min/1.73 m2,P<.03, for men). Grouping patients by sex‐specific median UA concentrations produced similar results. These data indicate that, even in the elderly, UA clusters in a sex‐specific fashion with features of metabolic syndrome and signs of target organ damage.
Association between FABP2 Ala54Thr polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes mellitus risk: a HuGE Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Qiu Chun‐Jian , Ye Xiao‐Zheng , Yu Xiao‐Juan , Peng Xiao‐Ren , Li Tong‐Huan 
Published: November 2014

AbstractMany studies have examined the association between the FABP2 (rs1799883) Ala54Thr gene polymorphism and type 2 diabetes mellitus risk (T2DM) in various populations, but their results have been inconsistent. To assess this relationship more precisely, A HuGE review and meta‐analysis were performed. The PubMed and CNKI database was searched for case‐control studies published up to April 2014. Data were extracted and pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Ultimately, 13 studies, comprising 2020 T2DM cases and 2910 controls were included. Overall, for the Thr carriers (Ala/Thr and Thr/Thr) versus the wild‐type homozygotes (Ala/Ala), the pooled OR was 1.18 (95% CI = 1.04–1.34, P = 0.062 for heterogeneity), for Thr/Thr versus Ala/Ala the pooled OR was 1.17 (95% CI = 1.05–1.41 P = 0.087 for heterogeneity). In the stratified analysis by ethnicity, the significantly risks were found among Asians but not Caucasians. This meta‐analysis suggests that the FABP2 (rs1799883) Ala54Thr polymorphisms are associated with increased susceptibility to T2DM risk among Asians but not Caucasians.
Telocytes damage in endometriosis‐affected rat oviduct and potential impact on fertility
Authors: Yang Xiao‐Jun , Yang Jian , Liu Zhen , Yang Gang , Shen Zong‐Ji 
Published: November 2014

AbstractWomen with endometriosis (EMs) have unexplained infertility. The recently identified telocytes (TCs) might participate in the maintenance of structural and functional integrity of oviduct tissue, but so far the involvement of TCs in EMs‐affected oviduct tissue and potential impact on fertility capacity remain unknown. By an integrated technique of haematoxylin and eosin staining, in situ immunohistochemistry and double‐labelled immunofluorescence staining and electron microscopy approach, TCs were studied in the autotransplantation Sprague–Dawley rat model of EMs‐affected oviduct tissue and in sham control, respectively, together with determination of iNOS, COX‐2, LPO and estradiol. TCs were found in perivascular connective tissue and smooth muscle bundles in sham oviduct, with typical ultrastructural features (a slender piriform/spindle/triangular cell body, and one or more extremely long prolongations, emerged from cell bodies and extend to various directions), and specific immunophenotype of CD34‐positive/vimentin‐positive/c‐kit‐negative. However, in EMs‐affected oviduct tissue (grade III), extensive ultrastructural damage (degeneration, discontinue, dissolution and destruction), significant decrease or loss of TCs and interstitial fibrosis were observed, together with elevated level of iNOS, COX‐2, LPO and estradiol, thus suggestive of inflammation and ischaemia‐induced TCs damage. Based on TCs distribution and intercellular connections, we proposed that such damage might be involved in structural and functional abnormalities of oviduct, such as attenuated intercellular signalling and oviduct contractility, impaired immunoregulation and stem cell‐mediated tissue repair, 3‐D interstitial architectural derangement and tissue fibrosis. Therefore, TCs damage might provide a new explanation and potential target for EMs‐induced tubal damage and fertility disorders.
A protective role of ciglitazone in ox‐LDL‐induced rat microvascular endothelial cells via modulating PPARγ‐dependent AMPK/eNOS pathway
Authors: Xu Lei , Wang Shijun , Li Bingyu , Sun Aijun , Zou Yunzeng , Ge Junbo 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThiazolidinediones, the antidiabetic agents such as ciglitazone, has been proved to be effective in limiting atherosclerotic events. However, the underlying mechanism remains elucidative. Ox‐LDL receptor‐1 (LOX‐1) plays a central role in ox‐LDL‐mediated atherosclerosis via endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling and nitric oxide reduction. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that ciglitazone, the PPARγ agonist, protected endothelial cells against ox‐LDL through regulating eNOS activity and LOX‐1 signalling. In the present study, rat microvascular endothelial cells (RMVECs) were stimulated by ox‐LDL. The impact of ciglitazone on cell apoptosis and angiogenesis, eNOS expression and phosphorylation, nitric oxide synthesis and related AMPK, Akt and VEGF signalling pathway were observed. Our data showed that both eNOS and Akt phosphorylation, VEGF expression and nitric oxide production were significantly decreased, RMVECs ageing and apoptosis increased after ox‐LDL induction for 24 hrs, all of which were effectively reversed by ciglitazone pre‐treatment. Meanwhile, phosphorylation of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) was suppressed by ox‐LDL, which was also prevented by ciglitazone. Of interest, AMPK inhibition abolished ciglitazone‐mediated eNOS function, nitric oxide synthesis and angiogenesis, and increased RMVECs ageing and apoptosis. Further experiments showed that inhibition of PPARγ significantly suppressed AMPK phosphorylation, eNOS expression and nitric oxide production. Ciglitazone‐mediated angiogenesis and reduced cell ageing and apoptosis were reversed. Furthermore, LOX‐1 protein expression in RMVECs was suppressed by ciglitazone, but re‐enhanced by blocking PPARγ or AMPK. Ox‐LDL‐induced suppression of eNOS and nitric oxide synthesis were largely prevented by silencing LOX‐1. Collectively, these data demonstrate that ciglitazone‐mediated PPARγ activation suppresses LOX‐1 and moderates AMPK/eNOS pathway, which contributes to endothelial cell survival and function preservation.