bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retrospective case series of outcomes following spinal cord infarction
Authors: New P. W. , McFarlane C. L. 
Published: March 2012

Background and purpose:  There are very few studies of functional and rehabilitation outcomes in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) owing to infarction.Methods:  Retrospective chart review of consecutive admissions to a tertiary medical unit specializing in SCI rehabilitation, Melbourne, Australia. All admissions between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 2008 with a recent onset of SCI owing to ischaemia were included. Outcome measures included the following: demographic characteristics, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS), length of stay (LOS), medical complications, accommodation, support services, continence, mobility and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor scores. Outcome measures recorded at admission, discharge and at 12 months post discharge.Results:  Forty‐four patients were admitted for rehabilitation (men = 26, 59%), with a median age of 72 years (interquartile range [IQR], 62–79). On admission, 41 (93%) patients had paraplegia. The majority of patients (n = 33, 75%) had an incomplete SCI. Aetiology was vascular in 19 (43%) patients, idiopathic in 11 (25%) and other in 14 (33%). The median LOS in rehabilitation was 85 days (IQR, 24–129). The most common complications were pain (n = 34, 77%), urinary tract infection (n = 25, 57%), spasticity (n = 12, 27%), cardiac failure (n = 11, 25%) and pneumonia (n = 9, 20%). At rehabilitation discharge most patients (n = 35, 80%) had no change in their AIS grade. Despite this, the FIM motor subscale on admission (median = 28; IQR, 21–34) had significantly improved (P < 0.0000) by discharge (median = 66; IQR 42–78).Conclusion:  Despite their comorbidities and limited change in AIS, these patients had significant improvement in functional abilities during impatient rehabilitation.
The management of hepatocellular carcinoma around the world: a comparison of guidelines from 2001 to 2011
Authors: Song Peipei , Tobe Ruoyan G. , Inagaki Yoshinori , Kokudo Norihiro , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Sugawara Yasuhiko , Tang Wei 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIn the past 10 years, many guidelines for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been published worldwide. To promote standard care for HCC, we systematically evaluated 17 current guidelines for HCC around the world, including 5 guidelines from the USA, 7 from Asia and 5 from Europe, according to the selection criteria of credibility influence and multi‐faceted. After a systematic evaluation, we found that these guidelines have both similarities and differences in terms of what organizations or bodies drafted the guidelines and the approach, applicability, content and recent updates of the guidelines as well as in terms of diagnostic and treatment algorithms. The differences could be attributed to various aetiological factors, high‐risk patients, health systems, health resources, medical technology, treatment choices and income levels in different countries. Besides, although the full implementation of guidelines could benefit clinicians, patients and authorities, there is still a gap between projected goals and implementation. The factors potentially influencing implementation are what organizations or bodies are drafting guidelines, content and emphasis, modification and consistency of guidelines. Comparative analysis suggested that countries pay close attention to targeted audiences, a basis in evidence, a basis in available resources, applicable patients and systematic evaluation when establishing and implementing domestic guidelines for HCC.
Sources of Variation in Life Cycle Assessments of Desktop Computers
Authors: Teehan Paul , Kandlikar Milind 
Published: March 2012

SummaryLife cycle assessment (LCA) studies of desktop personal computers (PCs) are analyzed to assess the environmental impact of PCs and to explain inconsistencies and disagreements across existing studies. Impacts, characterized in this work in terms of primary energy demand and global warming potential, are decomposed into inventory components and impact per component in order to expose such inconsistencies. Additional information from related studies, especially regarding use‐phase energy consumption, helps interpret the LCA results. The weight of evidence strongly suggests that for primary energy demand and contribution to climate change, the use phase is the dominant life cycle phase; manufacturing impacts are smaller but substantial, and impacts due to product transportation and end‐of‐life activities are much smaller. Each of the few LCA studies that report manufacturing impacts as being greater than use‐phase impacts make unrealistically low assumptions regarding use‐phase energy consumption. Estimates of manufacturing impacts, especially those related to printed circuit boards and integrated circuits, are highly uncertain and variable; such estimates are very difficult to evaluate, and more systematic research is needed to reduce these uncertainties. The type of computer analyzed, such as low‐power light desktop or high‐power workstation, may dominate the total impact; future studies should therefore base their estimates on a large sample to smooth out this variation, or explicitly restrict the analysis to a specific type of computer.
Institutional design and the accountability paradox: A case study of three Aboriginal accountability regimes in Canada
Authors: Alcantara Christopher , Spicer Zachary , Leone Roberto 
Published: March 2012

AbstractWhile academic interest in accountability and transparency mechanisms in Aboriginal governance has risen over the past few years, very few studies have examined how these mechanisms operate in practice. One author, Shin Imai (), argues that Indigenous groups in Canada are faced with an accountability paradox that gives too much power to the federal government to intervene in band affairs, while giving too little power to band members to hold their local officials accountable for their actions. This paper examines the extent to which Aboriginal groups can avoid this paradox by reviewing three experiments in institutional design and self‐government in Aboriginal communities: the Sechelt Indian Band and the Westbank First Nation in British Columbia, and Nunatsiavut in Labrador. While considerable variation exists in terms of how well these communities overcome Imai's paradox, each community's accountability regime is an improvement over the one imposed by the Indian Act. The effectiveness of these regimes depends heavily on the institutional designs chosen by the Indigenous groups.
Carer psychoeducation in first-episode psychosis: Evaluation outcomes from a structured group programme
Authors: Petrakis Melissa , Oxley Julia , Bloom Hannah 
Published: March 2012

Background: Carers play an important role in supporting client adjustment and relapse prevention following a first psychotic episode. The caring experience however is a stressful and demanding one, and carers require support to develop coping strategies and sustain themselves in their role. Aims: To evaluate a psychoeducation programme provided within a public adult mental health service, designed for the families of clients experiencing first-episode psychosis. Methods: A pre- and post-test questionnaire was administered to quantitatively measure the participants’ changes in perceptions of their knowledge and understanding regarding mental illness and its treatment through attending the group. Qualitative items were included to ascertain other knowledge gained or benefits perceived and any critical feedback. Results: The programme significantly improved carers’ perceptions of their understanding of psychosis, recovery and relapse prevention. Additional feedback replicated previous findings that participants value support and feel less isolated through group attendance, gaining a sense of collective experience and the opportunity to share experiences and feel heard by peers. Conclusions: The evaluation demonstrates the efficacy of such a group and the importance of public mental health services in providing family interventions in first-episode psychosis care.
The Schedule for Evaluating Persistent Symptoms (SEPS): A new method of recording medically unexplained symptoms
Authors: Tyrer Helen , Ali Leila , Cooper Faye , Seivewright Paula , Bassett Paul , Tyrer Peter 
Published: March 2012

Background: Medically unexplained symptoms are difficult to measure and in most cases the diagnosis is made either from independent data such as consultants’ opinions or medical outcomes, or by proxy measures such as numbers of symptoms or consultations. A valid self-rated measure would be of value in assessing this highly prevalent condition. Aims: To describe a new scale of nine items, the Schedule for Evaluation of Persistent Symptoms (SEPS), its properties, its internal consistency, its distribution in a sample of 470 medical patients, its relationship to social functioning and health anxiety (hypochondriasis), and its construct validity by comparing its results with an independent diagnostic examination of each patient’s notes two years subsequent to assessment. Method: A prevalence study was carried out in 405 consenting medical patients in primary care, cardiology, respiratory medicine, gastroenterology and endocrine clinics, in which the SEPS scale, the Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI) and the Social Functioning Questionnaire (SFQ) were each completed. Results: The mean score on the SEPS scale in 470 patients was 13.4. Exploratory factor analysis revealed two main factors, one concerned focus on symptoms and the other on their attribution. Examination of all data showed a cut-off point of 14 as indicating the presence of pathological medically unexplained symptoms (MUS). Agreement between the consultants’ diagnosis and pathological MUS scores was fairly good with a score of 14 or more on the SEPS showing sensitivity of 0.65 and negative predictive accuracy of 0.90. Conclusion: It is concluded that the SEPS scale has potential value in screening patients with suspected medically unexplained symptoms.
Arthroscopic Inferior Capsular Shift
Authors: Fleega Basim A. , El Shewy Mohamed T. 
Published: March 2012

Background: Neer and Foster’s open inferior capsular shift to treat acquired cases of anteroinferior shoulder instability due to an overstretched and redundant capsule is described with good results. Recently, new arthroscopic techniques were described to manage this problem. Purpose: To assess the results of a new arthroscopic reinforced inferior capsular shift technique based on Neer and Foster’s open inferior capsular shift. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: This new technique of arthroscopic inferior capsular shift was used to treat 108 patients with anteroinferior shoulder instability due to capsular redundancy as confirmed clinically and during arthroscopy. It reduces the size of the redundant capsular pouch and reinforces the thinned-out capsule. Intraoperatively, patients with associated labral tears (n = 25) and patients with open rotator intervals (n = 8) were excluded, and only 75 patients with pure capsular redundancy were included in this study. Results: Patients were followed for a minimum of 7 years. All 75 patients had patulous and redundant capsules. Three patients (4.0%) had a redislocation after a significant trauma. The range of motion preoperatively was 168.1° ± 7.5° in forward elevation, 64.7° ± 7.9° in external rotation, and T5.0 ± T0.8 in internal rotation. Postoperatively, it was 167.2° ± 5.8° in forward elevation, 59.95° ± 4.9° in external rotation, and T7.1 ± T1.0 in internal rotation. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) (70.76 to 97.53; P < .001), Constant (90.02 to 99.24; P < .001), and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) (21.97 to 33.84; P < .001) scores demonstrated significant improvement postoperatively. Conclusion: This novel technique of arthroscopic capsular shift addresses the problem of capsular redundancy present in many cases of anteroinferior shoulder instability. It tries to achieve a capsular shift based on the principles of Neer. The long-term results are very good.
The Role of Medial Retinaculum Plication Versus Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction in Combined Procedures for Recurrent Patellar Instability in Adults
Authors: Zhao Jinzhong , Huangfu Xiaoqiao , He Yaohua 
Published: March 2012

Background: The comparative clinical outcome of medial retinaculum plication (MRP) versus medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) for recurrent patellar instability in adults is unknown. Hypothesis: Arthroscopic MRP can yield similar results to MPFLR for recurrent patellar instability in adults. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: One hundred patients with recurrent patellar instability were randomly divided into 2 groups receiving either arthroscopic MRP or MPFLR. Lateral release and anteromedial or distal tibial tubercle transfers were also performed as indicated. Follow-ups were performed at 12, 24, and 60 months postoperatively, and computed tomography (CT) was performed immediately after the operation and at follow-up. The passive patella glide test was performed before surgery and at each follow-up point. The degree of knee function was evaluated preoperatively and at 2 and 5 years postoperatively using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm, and Kujala rating scales. Survival analysis was performed, and redislocation or multiple episodes of patellar instability were considered as indicating failure. Results: Forty-three patients in the MRP group and 45 patients in the MPFLR group were followed for 5 years and received complete evaluations. The correction of the static patellar position deteriorated over time in both groups, but significantly better results were observed for the MPFLR group. The results of the passive patella glide test indicated more stable patellae in the MPFLR group at each follow-up point. Functional evaluations at 2 and 5 years (final Lysholm score, 69.3 ± 6.9 vs 86.9 ± 6.1; Kujala score, 73.8 ± 5.5 vs 87.4 ± 5.7) revealed statistically significant superior results in the MPFLR group. Finally, 4 patients (9.3%) in the MRP group and 1 (2.2%) in the MPFLR group experienced episodes of redislocation, and 7 patients (16.3%) in the MRP group and 3 (6.7%) in the MPFLR group experienced multiple episodes of patellar instability ( P = .037). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and a log-rank test indicated better results and a significantly higher survival rate ( P = .006) in the MPFLR group. Conclusion: MPFLR results in better static patellar position and functional outcome than MRP in the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation in adults.
Effects of maleated-PLA compatibilizer on the properties of poly(lactic acid)/halloysite clay composites
Authors: Chow WS , Tham WL , Seow PC 
Published: March 2012

A series of maleic anhydride grafted poly(lactic acid) (PLA-g-MAH) was prepared by mixing PLA, dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and maleic anhydride (MAH). Effects of DCP and MAH concentration on the grafting percentage were determined. PLA composites were prepared via melt mixing with halloysite clay (HNC; 3 wt%) and various amount of PLA-g-MAH (4–10 phr) using internal mixer followed by compression molding. Properties of the PLA composites were characterized using three-point bending flexural tests, scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that the grafting percentage of PLA-g-MAH was influenced by both DCP and MAH concentrations; however, DCP showed more profound effect. By the addition of PLA-g-MAH, the adhesion between PLA and HNC improved, which can be manifested by the enhancement in flexural properties. Degree of crystallinity of PLA/HNC increased significantly by the addition of PLA-g-MAH.
A novel k-mer mixture logistic regression for methylation susceptibility modeling of CpG dinucleotides in human gene promoters
Authors: Yang Youngik , Nephew Kenneth , Kim Sun 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background
DNA methylation is essential for normal development and differentiation and plays a crucial role in the development of nearly all types of cancer. Aberrant DNA methylation patterns, including genome-wide hypomethylation and region-specific hypermethylation, are frequently observed and contribute to the malignant phenotype. A number of studies have recently identified distinct features of genomic sequences that can be used for modeling specific DNA sequences that may be susceptible to aberrant CpG methylation in both cancer and normal cells. Although it is now possible, using next generation sequencing technologies, to assess human methylomes at base resolution, no reports currently exist on modeling cell type-specific DNA methylation susceptibility. Thus, we conducted a comprehensive modeling study of cell type-specific DNA methylation susceptibility at three different resolutions: CpG dinucleotides, CpG segments, and individual gene promoter regions.

Results
Using a k-mer mixture logistic regression model, we effectively modeled DNA methylation susceptibility across five different cell types. Further, at the segment level, we achieved up to 0.75 in AUC prediction accuracy in a 10-fold cross validation study using a mixture of k-mers.

Conclusions
The significance of these results is three fold: 1) this is the first report to indicate that CpG methylation susceptible "segments" exist; 2) our model demonstrates the significance of certain k-mers for the mixture model, potentially highlighting DNA sequence features (k-mers) of differentially methylated, promoter CpG island sequences across different tissue types; 3) as only 3 or 4 bp patterns had previously been used for modeling DNA methylation susceptibility, ours is the first demonstration that 6-mer modeling can be performed without loss of accuracy.
Infant feeding practices among mildly wasted children: a retrospective study on Nias Island, Indonesia
Authors: Inayati Dyah Ayu , Scherbaum Veronika , Purwestri Ratna Chrismiari , Hormann Elizabeth , Wirawan Nia Novita , Suryantan Julia , Hartono Susan , Bloem Maurice Alexander , Pangaribuan Rosnani Verba , Biesalski Hans Konrad , Hoffmann Volker , Bellows Anne Camilla 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background
This study investigated the infant feeding practices of participating mothers who were recruited into a research project aimed at improving the nutritional status of mildly wasted children (< -1.0 to ≥ -1.5 Weight-for-Height Z-score s) aged ≥ 6 to < 60 months on Nias Island, Indonesia.

Methods
Cross-sectional, questionnaire-based interview of mothers of the index children (n = 215) who were admitted to the community program for mildly wasted children in the study area. Four focus groups and twenty in-depth interviews were conducted to explore further information on infant feeding practices in the study area.

Results
Retrospective results indicated that 6% of the mothers never breastfed. Fifty two percent of mothers initiated breastfeeding within six hours of birth, but 17% discarded colostrum. Exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of age was practiced by 12%. Seventy-four percent of the mothers offered supplementary liquids besides breast milk within the first 7 days of life, and 14% of infants received these supplementary liquids from 7 days onwards until 6 months of age. Moreover, 79% of the infants were given complementary foods (solid, semi-solid, or soft foods) before 6 months of age. About 9% of the children were breastfed at least two years. Less than one in five of the mildly wasted children (19%) were breastfed on admission to the community program. Qualitative assessments found that inappropriate infant feeding practices were strongly influenced by traditional beliefs of the mothers and paternal grandmothers in the study areas.

Conclusion
Generally, suboptimal infant feeding was widely practiced among mothers of mildly wasted children in the study area on Nias Island, Indonesia. To promote breastfeeding practices among mothers on Nias Island, appropriate nutrition training for community workers and health-nutrition officers is needed to improve relevant counseling skills. In addition, encouraging public nutrition education that promotes breastfeeding, taking into account social-cultural factors such as the influence of paternal grandmothers on infant feeding practice, is needed.
Predicting new molecular targets for rhein using network pharmacology
Authors: Zhang Aihua , Sun Hui , Yang Bo , Wang Xijun 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background
Drugs can influence the whole biological system by targeting interaction reactions. The existence of interactions between drugs and network reactions suggests a potential way to discover targets. The in silico prediction of potential interactions between drugs and target proteins is of core importance for the identification of new drugs or novel targets for existing drugs. However, only a tiny portion of drug-targets in current datasets are validated interactions. This motivates the need for developing computational methods that predict true interaction pairs with high accuracy. Currently, network pharmacology has used in identifying potential drug targets to predicting the spread of drug activity and greatly contributed toward the analysis of biological systems on a much larger scale than ever before.

Methods
In this article, we present a computational method to predict targets for rhein by exploring drug-reaction interactions. We have implemented a computational platform that integrates pathway, protein-protein interaction, differentially expressed genome and literature mining data to result in comprehensive networks for drug-target interaction. We used Cytoscape software for prediction rhein-target interactions, to facilitate the drug discovery pipeline.

Results
Results showed that 3 differentially expressed genes confirmed by Cytoscape as the central nodes of the complicated interaction network (99 nodes, 153 edges). Of note, we further observed that the identified targets were found to encompass a variety of biological processes related to immunity, cellular apoptosis, transport, signal transduction, cell growth and proliferation and metabolism.

Conclusions
Our findings demonstrate that network pharmacology can not only speed the wide identification of drug targets but also find new applications for the existing drugs. It also implies the significant contribution of network pharmacology to predict drug targets.
Optical design of camera optics for mobile phones
Authors: Steinich Thomas , Blahnik Vladan 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
At present, compact camera modules are included in many mobile electronic devices such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants or tablet computers. They have various uses, from snapshots of everyday situations to capturing barcodes for product information. This paper presents an overview of the key design challenges and some typical solutions. A lens design for a mobile phone camera is compared to a downscaled 35 mm format lens to demonstrate the main differences in optical design. Particular attention is given to scaling effects.
Physical, chemical, thermal, and mechanical assessments of Roselle-reinforced composites
Authors: Chauhan Ashish , Singh Balbir 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Hibiscus sabdariffa stem fiber has 73.9% cellulose, high mechanical strength and is found in abundance throughout the world. Hibiscus sabdariffa graft copolymers were synthesized, characterized by FTIR, XRD, TGA, DTA, and SEM techniques, and evaluated for physicochemical changes in properties such as moisture absorption, chemical resistance against 1 n NaOH and 1 n HCl. These graft copolymers were reinforced in phenol-formaldehyde polymer matrix to form biocomposites that were characterized by advanced techniques and evaluated for physicochemicothermal resistance. The mechanical strength was accessed on the basis of hardness, flexural strength, Young modulus, and stress at the limit of proportionality, which was found to be high. These novel materials could have numerous scientific and industrial application to pave the way for development of technology.