bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamic User Task Composition Based on User Preferences
Authors: Mukhtar Hamid , Belaïd Djamel , Bernard Guy 
Published: February 2011

As the number of devices in a pervasive environment is increased, the number of components available on the network also grows rapidly. In such cases, it is possible to compose various applications through a combination of different sets of components. Considering the multifaceted problem of having varying device capabilities supporting a different set of protocols, and each device hosting a number of components providing the same functionality, it becomes very difficult to choose a particular device hosting a required component which can be the best-fit for the user. This becomes practically impossible when the required components are distributed across various devices in the networked environment.
We propose a solution for dynamic user task composition considering user preferences, device capabilities, and heterogeneity of communication protocols. With our proposed approach, a user task can be instantiated in different environments using a different set of devices and components, depending upon their capabilities and user preferences. We propose mechanisms for modeling device capabilities and user preferences and for modeling the user task as a graph. We then propose algorithms for selection of devices based on user preferences and task requirements. Since the underlying network is also modeled as a graph, we describe an algorithm for mapping of services in the user task on to the components distributed across devices in the pervasive environment. We also give an overview of our initial implementation and some results of our evaluations.
Total Arch Replacement Combined With Stented Elephant Trunk Implantation
Authors: Sun LiZhong , Qi RuiDong , Zhu JunMing , Liu YongMin , Zheng Jun 
Published: February 2011

Background—
Appropriate surgical management of type A dissection is a critical factor for achieving satisfactory outcome, but the choice of optimal procedure is controversial. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with aortic arch replacement for type A dissection involving the arch.

Methods and Results—

Excluding 14 cases of subtotal or total aortic replacement, 411 of 544 patients with type A dissection (stented elephant trunk=291, conventional surgical repair=120) underwent aortic arch replacement between January 2003 and September 2008. In-hospital mortality was 3.09% (9 of 291) for stented (acute=4.73%, 7 of 148; chronic=1.40%, 2 of 143) and 5.00% (6 of 120) for conventional repairs (acute=6.06%, 4 of 66; chronic=3.70%, 2 of 54). Spinal cord injury was 2.41% (7 of 291) in the stented and 0.83% (1 of 120) in the conventional group. The overall prevalence of stroke was 1.95% (8 of 411) (stented=2.41%, 7 of 291; conventional=0.83, 1 of 120). Secondary intervention was 2.34% (5 of 214) for acute dissection (stented=1 and conventional=4;
P
=0.031) and 3.05% (6 of 197) for chronic dissection (stented=4 and conventional=2;
P
=0.661) during follow-up. Obliteration of the false lumen around the stented elephant trunk occurred in 94.2% (130 of 138) of patients with acute dissection and in 92.0% (126 of 137) of patients with chronic dissection.

Conclusions—
Total arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk implantation demonstrated the superiority of the combination of the surgical and interventional approaches while avoiding the weaknesses associated with the individual methods. The encouraging surgical results could enable this procedure to become the new “standard” therapy for type A dissection involving repair of the aortic arch.
Depression treatment preferences among Japanese undergraduates: Using conjoint analysis
Authors: Okumura Yasuyuki , Sakamoto Shinji 
Published: February 2011

Background: Treatment preferences may contribute to seeking and adhering to professional help for depression. Few studies have considered practical barriers and controlled for individual difference factors. Objective: To clarify depression treatment preferences among Japanese undergraduates while considering practical barriers and controlling for individual difference factors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 985 undergraduates. Depression treatment preferences were assessed by presenting them with nine hypothetical clinics. Conjoint analysis was performed using a random effect ordered probit model, controlling for the effects of gender, age, department, lifetime use of healthcare services, perceived etiology of depression, stigma towards depression, transportation time, opening hours, and treatment options. Results: Transportation time and treatment options had the greatest average discrete changes than other factors. Although information is presented about treatment costs in the order medication (3,000 yen), psychotherapy (7,000 yen) and combination (10,000 yen), the order of predicted probabilities for positive ratings was combination (61.4%), psychotherapy (54.9%) and medication (23.2%). Sensitivity analyses showed similar results. Conclusion: Transportation time and treatment options have greater utility than other factors, and a combination of psychotherapy and medication is the most preferred treatment option despite having the highest treatment costs. Efforts to overcome these effects could help increase depression treatment preferences.
Public attitudes towards electroconvulsive therapy in the Chuvash Republic
Authors: Golenkov Andrei , Ungvari Gabor S. , Gazdag Gábor 
Published: February 2011

Background: Public attitudes towards a given medical procedure can have a significant influence on the employment of that method. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a medical procedure that has received an exceptionally ambiguous public reception since its inception. Aim: To survey the level of information about and attitudes towards ECT in a general population sample of the Chuvash Republic of the Russian Federation. Methods: A randomly selected cohort of 5,373 people was contacted by telephone. The respondents were asked three closed and three open questions. Results: The response rate was 74.7%. Only 35.2% of those interviewed said they knew anything about ECT. Health professionals and younger respondents were better informed. The two main sources of information about ECT were foreign films and the mass media. The main indication of ECT was thought to be schizophrenia. The majority (63.3%) of the respondents had negative opinions and emotions about ECT. Conclusion: Limited information about and generally negative attitudes towards ECT were found in the general population of the Chuvash Republic. Gender, age, education level, employment in the health industry, and information source were found to be the determining factors in the knowledge of and attitudes towards ECT.
Music therapy as a caring intervention: Swedish musicians learning a new professional field
Authors: Petersson Gunnar , Nyström Maria 
Published: February 2011

The question of competence in providing music therapy has rarely been the focus of interest in empirical research, as most music therapy research aims at measuring outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyse and describe musicians’ learning processes when they study music therapy as a caring intervention. An initial presumption is that musicians are highly qualified to take advantage of the potential of music but need to become familiar with the caring perspective. Ten freelance musicians participated in an education programme with music therapy anchored in a lifeworld-oriented caring science model. They were interviewed about their learning experiences. The data was analysed according to a phenomenographic method. The musicians’ understanding of their learning music therapy is described in terms of four qualitative categories: conversion, openness, reflection and practice. Learning as a continuous process is discussed in relation to pedagogic theories about tacit knowledge and ‘learning by doing’.
New prototype of femoral arterial SmartCannula with anterograde and retrograde flow
Authors: Berdajs Denis , Ferrari Enrico , Michalis Alexandre , Burki Marco , Pieterse Christian W. , Horisberger Judith , von Segesser Ludwig K. 
Published: February 2011

Objectives: Femoral artery cannulation is routinely used in circulatory support scenarios for cardiorespiratory support in patients with acute cardiac and/or pulmonary decompensation. During prolonged perfusion, this may cause acute ischemia of the leg and, in the worst case, even amputation. The aim of this experimental study was to test a newly designed arterial cannula allowing proximal and distal blood flow. Methods: Veno-arterial cardiopulmonary bypass was established in three calves (67.6 ± 5.1 kg). The venous line was secured by cannulation of the external jugular vein. The arterial line of each animal was secured by cannulation of iliac arteries on both legs. On one side, we used a modified SmartCannula (SmartCannula 18Fr 130 mm) and, on the other side, a standard rectilinear BioMedicus cannula system was used, 19 Fr for retrograde and an 8 Fr BioMedicus shunt for anterograde flow toward the leg. An ultrasonic flow probe was used to quantify the perfusion of the distal leg. Results: At 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 l/min, the anterograde leg blood flow increased steadily for each cannula, but remained higher in the self-expanding cannula. That is, the 8 F rectilinear cannula achieved a blood flow of 0.02 ± 0.01, 0.1 ± 0.04, 0.22 ± 0.09, and 0.21 ± 0.02 l/min, respectively, and the 18 F self-expanding cannula achieved 0.06 ± 0.02, 0.15 ± 0.03, 0.24 ± 0.07 and 0.36 ± 0.04 l/min. Conclusion: The modified self-expanding cannula exhibited superior distal arterial flow compared to the routinely used rectilinear shunt system. This has a potential to reduce ischemic events of the inferior extremity in prolonged perfusion.
The development of a simple questionnaire to screen patients with SLE for the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in routine clinical practice
Authors: Mosca M , Govoni M , Tomietto P , Aringer M , Boumpas D , Cervera R , Conti F , D’Cruz D , Doria A , De La Fuente D , Galeazzi M , Houssiau F , Huizinga TWJ , Khamashta MA , Ines L , Duarte C , Couto M , Meroni P , Montecucco C , Norkuviene E , Riemekasten G , Rios V , Schneider M , Shoenfeld Y , Steup-Beekman GM , Szmyrka-Kaczmarek M , Tani C , Tincani A , Tzioufas AG , Voll R , Bencivelli W , Salaffi F , Bombardieri S 
Published: February 2011

Aim: The creation of a physician-administered questionnaire to screen patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) for the presence of symptoms suggestive of neuropsychiatric involvement (NPSLE). Methods: The development of the questionnaire followed three phases. First, a list of manifestations was prepared based on the ACR case definitions for NPSLE. A first questionnaire was constructed including 119 items. To reduce their number, a Delphi analysis was carried out and a second questionnaire with 62 questions was developed. This questionnaire was administered to 139 patients with SLE (58 with NPSLE: 29 active, 29 inactive; and 81 without NPSLE: 39 active, 42 inactive). Questions relevant to the screening of patients were selected on the basis of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Twenty-seven questions concerning central nervous system and psychiatric manifestations were found to be relevant; the remaining could be eliminated without significantly affecting AUC. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.69 (95% CI 0.61–0.78). A score above 17 was considered as suggestive of the presence of NPSLE with a sensitivity of 92.9% (95% CI 85.1–97.3 %) and specificity of 25.4% (95% CI 14.7–39.00 %). Conclusions: This questionnaire could represent a ‘core set’ of questions that could help in clinical practice to identify patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms requiring further evaluation.
Exploring social workers’ personal domains in rural practice
Authors: Wendt Sarah , Schiller Wendy , Cheers Brian , Francis Karen , Lonne Bob 
Published: February 2011

• Summary: This article is grounded on Cheers, Darracott, and Lonne’s (2007) framework for conceptualizing the factors that influence rural social care practitioners in their work. Focusing on the ‘personal domain’ we report results of qualitative interviews with 22 social workers who were part of a larger sample of 82 Australian rural social practitioners. As part of the larger study, practitioners were asked how they defined social care, whether they practised it and if so how, factors influencing their practice, and the information bases they used. • Findings: Analysis of the social work interviews identified that the personal domain had considerable influence on their day-to-day practice. Five themes emerged describing the personal domain: ‘life experiences’, ‘beliefs and values’, ‘ideas and theories’, ‘personal relationships’, and ‘personal characteristics’. We call for further research to conceptualize the domain more clearly, identify factors within it, and investigate how they influence practice, with special focus on how social workers’ personal moral-ethical frameworks influence their practice decisions. • Application: Opening space to explore the personal domain challenges social work practitioners and students to critically reflect on how their life experiences, beliefs and values, ideas and theories and personal relationships and characteristics influence their practice. It also provides practitioners, employers, and professional organizations with knowledge they need to help social workers cope with the demands of practice.
Elevation of surfactant protein A in plasma and sputum in cigarette smokers
Authors: Mazur W. , Toljamo T. , Ohlmeier S. , Vuopala K. , Nieminen P. , Kobayashi H. , Kinnula V.L. 
Published: February 2011

Serum surfactant protein (SP)-A has been postulated to associate with pulmonary fibrosis, but its role in cigarette smoking-related lung diseases is undefined.SP-A levels in plasma and induced sputum in nonsmokers, smokers with respiratory symptoms (cough and/or phlegm) and symptom-free smokers were assessed using a validated EIA method. A total of 474 current smokers without any diseases or medications were enrolled and followed for 2 yrs with 111 of them succeeding in stopping.Plasma SP-A level was detectable in all subjects and elevated in smokers independently of the symptoms compared to nonsmokers (p = 0.001). After 2 yrs of follow-up, the SP-A level was higher in those who continued smoking compared to the quitters (p<0.001). Plasma SP-A levels were associated with age, smoking history and lung function. Sputum (n = 109) SP-A was nondetectable in most nonsmokers, whereas smoking and symptoms increased sputum SP-A highly significantly (p = 0.001).In conclusion, SP-A may be involved in pathogenesis of cigarette smoking-related lung diseases. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of SP-A in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Comparison of cardiac and pulmonary-specific quality-of-life measures in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Chen H. , De Marco T. , Kobashigawa E.A. , Katz P.P. , Chang V.W. , Blanc P.D. 
Published: February 2011

Studies systematically comparing the performance of health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) instruments in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are lacking. We sought to address this by comparing cardiac and respiratory-specific measures of HRQoL in PAH.We prospectively assessed HRQoL in 128 patients with catheterisation-confirmed PAH at baseline and at 6, 12 and post-24 month follow-up visits. Cardiac-specific HRQoL was assessed using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (LHFQ); respiratory-specific HRQoL was assessed using the Airways Questionnaire 20 (AQ20); and general health status was assessed using the 36-item Short Form physical component summary (SF-36 PCS).The LHFQ and AQ20 were highly intercorrelated. Both demonstrated strong internal consistency and converged with the SF-36 PCS. Both discriminated patients based on World Health Organization (WHO) functional class, 6-min walking distance (6MWD) and Borg dyspnoea index (BDI), with the exception of a potential floor effect associated with low 6MWD. The LHFQ was more responsive than the AQ20 to changes over time in WHO functional class, 6MWD and BDI. In multivariate analyses, the LHFQ and AQ20 were each longitudinal predictors of general health status, independent of functional class, 6MWD and BDI.In conclusion, both cardiac-specific and respiratory-specific measures appropriately assess HRQoL in most patients with PAH. Overall, the LHFQ demonstrates stronger performance characteristics than the AQ20.
Mycobacterial hypersensitivity pneumonitis requires TLR9–MyD88 in lung CD11b+ CD11c+ cells
Authors: Daito H. , Kikuchi T. , Sakakibara T. , Gomi K. , Damayanti T. , Zaini J. , Tode N. , Kanehira M. , Koyama S. , Fujimura S. , Ebina M. , Ishii K.J. , Akira S. , Takai T. , Watanabe A. , Nukiwa T. 
Published: February 2011

Mycobacteria are among the most common causes of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), but controversy persists with regard to the involvement of the infectious potency of the organism in mycobacterial HP (hot tub lung). This study aimed to establish a mouse model of hot tub lung to clarify its pathophysiology.Mice were exposed intranasally to formalin-killedMycobacterium aviumfrom a patient with hot tub lung (HP strain) or chronic pulmonary infection (non-HP strain), and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and lung tissues were evaluated for allergic inflammation.DeadM. aviumHP strain, but not non-HP strain, elicited marked HP-like pulmonary inflammation in wild-type mice. Although the inflammation was induced in mice lacking CD4 or CD8, the induction of HP-like responses was prevented in mice lacking myeloid differentiation factor (MyD)88 or Toll-like receptor (TLR)9. Cultured lung CD11c+ cells responded toM. aviumin a TLR9-dependent manner, and reconstitution of TLR9-/- mice with lung CD11c+ cells from wild-type mice restored the inflammatory responses. Further investigation revealed that pulmonary exposure toM. aviumHP strain increased the number of lung CD11b+ CD11c+ cells (dendritic cells) through TLR9 signalling.Our results provide evidence that hot tub lung developsviathe mycobacterial engagement of TLR9–MyD88 signalling in lung CD11b+ dendritic cells independent of the mycobacterial infectious capacity.
The nephrogenic potential of the transcription factors osr1, osr2, hnf1b, lhx1 and pax8 assessed in Xenopus animal caps
Authors: Drews Christiane , Senkel Sabine , Ryffel Gerhart U 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackgroundThe three distinct types of kidneys, pronephros, mesonephros and metanephros, develop consecutively in vertebrates. The earliest form of embryonic kidney, the pronephros, is derived from intermediate mesoderm and the first expressed genes localized in the pronephros anlage are the transcription factors osr1, osr2, hnf1b, lhx1 and pax8, here referred to as the early nephrogenic transcription factors. However, the pathway inducing nephrogenesis and the network of theses factors are poorly understood. Treatment of the undifferentiated animal pole explant (animal cap) of Xenopus with activin A and retinoic acid induces pronephros formation providing a powerful tool to analyze key molecular events in nephrogenesis.ResultsWe have investigated the expression kinetics of the early nephrogenic transcription factors in activin A and retinoic acid treated animal caps and their potential to induce pronephric differentiation. In treated animal caps, expression of osr1, osr2, hnf1b and lhx1 are induced early, whereas pax8 expression occurs later implying an indirect activation. Activin A alone is able to induce osr2 and lhx1 after three hours treatment in animal caps while retinoic acid fails to induce any of these nephrogenic transcription factors. The early expression of the five transcription factors and their interference with pronephros development when overexpressed in embryos suggest that these factors potentially induce nephrogenesis upon expression in animal caps. But no pronephros development is achieved by either overexpression of OSR1, by HNF1B injection with activin A treatment, or the combined application of LHX1 and PAX8, although they influenced the expression of several early nephrogenic transcription factors in some cases. In an additional approach we could show that HNF1B induces several genes important in nephrogenesis and regulates lhx1 expression by an HNF1 binding site in the lhx1 promoter.ConclusionsThe early nephrogenic transcription factors play an important role in nephrogenesis, but have no pronephros induction potential upon overexpression in animal caps. They activate transcriptional cascades that partially reflect the gene activation initiated by activin A and retinoic acid. Significantly, HNF1B activates the lhx1 promoter directly, thus extending the known activin A regulation of the lhx1 gene via an activin A responsive element.
Sodium selectivity of Reissner's membrane epithelial cells
Authors: Yamazaki Muneharu , Kim Kyunghee X , Marcus Daniel C 
Published: February 2011

Abstract

Background
Sodium absorption by Reissner's membrane is thought to contribute to the homeostasis of the volume of cochlear endolymph. It was previously shown that the absorptive transepithelial current was blocked by amiloride and benzamil. The most commonly-observed target of these drugs is the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), which is composed of the three subunits α-,β- and γ-ENaC. However, other less-selective cation channels have also been observed to be sensitive to benzamil and amiloride. The aim of this study was to determine whether Reissner's membrane epithelial cells could support parasensory K+ absorption via amiloride- and benzamil-sensitive electrogenic pathways.

Results
We determined the molecular and functional expression of candidate cation channels with gene array (GEO GSE6196), RT-PCR, and whole-cell patch clamp. Transcript expression analysis of Reissner's membrane detected no amiloride-sensitive acid-sensing ion channels (ASIC1a, ASIC2a, ASIC2b) nor amiloride-sensitive cyclic-nucleotide gated channels (CNGA1, CNGA2, CNGA4, CNGB3). By contrast, α-,β- and γ-ENaC were all previously reported as present in Reissner's membrane. The selectivity of the benzamil-sensitive cation currents was observed in whole-cell patch clamp recordings under Cl--free conditions where cations were the only permeant species. The currents were carried by Na+ but not K+, and the permeability of Li+ was greater than that of Na+ in Reissner's membrane. Complete replacement of bath Na+ with the inpermeable cation NMDG+ led to the same inward current as with benzamil in a Na+ bath.

Conclusions
These results are consistent with the amiloride/benzamil-sensitive absorptive flux of Reissner's membrane mediated by a highly Na+-selective channel that has several key characteristics in common with αβγ-ENaC. The amiloride-sensitive pathway therefore absorbs only Na+ in this epithelium and does not provide a parasensory K+ efflux route from scala media.