bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On the eigenvalues of finite rank Bratteli–Vershik dynamical systems
Authors: BRESSAUD XAVIER , DURAND FABIEN , MAASS ALEJANDRO 
Published: September 2009

AbstractIn this article we study conditions to be a continuous or a measurable eigenvalue of finite rank minimal Cantor systems, that is, systems given by an ordered Bratteli diagram with a bounded number of vertices per level. We prove that continuous eigenvalues always come from the stable subspace associated with the incidence matrices of the Bratteli diagram and we study rationally independent generators of the additive group of continuous eigenvalues. Given an ergodic probability measure, we provide a general necessary condition for there to be a measurable eigenvalue. Then, we consider two families of examples, a first one to illustrate that measurable eigenvalues do not need to come from the stable space. Finally, we study Toeplitz-type Cantor minimal systems of finite rank. We recover classical results in the continuous case and we prove that measurable eigenvalues are always rational but not necessarily continuous.
Quality of life measures (EORTC QLQ-C30 and SF-36) as predictors of survival in palliative colorectal and lung cancer patients
Authors: Grande Gunn E. , Farquhar Morag C. , Barclay Stephen I.G. , Todd Christopher J. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractObjective:Self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important predictor of survival alongside clinical variables and physicians' prediction. This study assessed whether better prediction is achieved using generic (SF-36) HRQoL measures or cancer-specific (EORTC QLQ-C30) measures that include symptoms.Method:Fifty-four lung and 46 colorectal patients comprised the sample. Ninety-four died before study conclusion. EORTC QLQ-C30 and SF-36 scores and demographic and clinical information were collected at baseline. Follow-up was 5 years. Deaths were flagged by the Office of National Statistics. Cox regression survival analyses were conducted. Surviving cases were censored in the analysis.Results:Univariate analyses showed that survival was significantly associated with better EORTC QLQ-C30 physical functioning, role functioning, and global health and less dyspnea and appetite loss. For the SF-36, survival was significantly associated with better emotional role functioning, general health, energy/vitality, and social functioning. The SF-36 summary score for mental health was significantly related to better survival, whereas the SF-36 summary score for physical health was not. In the multivariate analysis, only the SF-36 mental health summary score remained an independent, significant predictor, mainly due to considerable intercorrelations between HRQoL scales. However, models combining the SF-36 mental health summary score with diagnosis explained a similar amount of variance (12%–13%) as models combining diagnosis with single scale SF-36 Energy/Vitality or EORTC QLQ-C30 Appetite Loss.Significance of results:HRQoL contributes significantly to prediction of survival. Generic measures are at least as useful as disease-specific measures including symptoms. Intercorrelations between HRQoL variables and between HRQoL and clinical variables makes it difficult to identify prime predictors. We need to identify variables that are as independent of each other as possible to maximize predictive power and produce more consistent results.
Validation of the Demoralization Scale in an Irish advanced cancer sample
Authors: Mullane Mary , Dooley Barbara , Tiernan Eoin , Bates Ursula 
Published: September 2009

AbstractObjective:This article presents a validation study of the Demoralization Scale, a 24-item, 5-point response questionnaire developed by Kissane et al. in 2004 to assess demoralization in advanced cancer patients.Method:One hundred Irish inpatients with advanced palliative cancer completed the Demoralization Scale and measures of depression, hopelessness, quality of life, and personal hopefulness.Results:Principal component analysis of the Demoralization Scale yielded four similar factors found by Kissane et al. (2004), namely, loss of meaning, dysphoria, disheartenment, and sense of failure. A new factor, the hopelessness factor, was also found in the current study. The reliability of the five factors was good, ranging from .72 to .93. Contrary to the findings of Kissane et al.'s (2004) study, divergent validity of the Demoralization Scale was not supported. Demoralized patients were significantly more likely to be depressed than those that did not score highly on the Demoralization Scale. In addition, this study found significantly lower levels of demoralization in general compared with Kissane et al.'s (2004) study.Significance of results:The results of the current study show that, in an Irish palliative care context, demoralization is not differentiated from depression. Additional factor analytic studies are needed to validate the Demoralization Scale.
Attitudes of Quebec doctors toward sedation at the end of life: An exploratory study
Authors: Blondeau Danielle , Dumont Serge , Roy Louis , Martineau Isabelle 
Published: September 2009

AbstractObjective:The induction of sedation at the end of life is a much debated practice and not very documented. The goal of this study was to explore the practice from both a clinical and ethical point of view.Methods:Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 19 Quebec physicians working in palliative care.Results:Doctors' first priority was their patients, not patients' families. Clinically, the therapeutic aim of sedation was strictly to relieve suffering on the part of the patient. Ethically, getting the patient's consent was imperative. The family's consent was only required in cases of incapacity. Generally, sedation and euthanasia were seen as two distinct practices.Significance of the research:There are still very few guidelines regarding end-of-life sedation in Québec, and its normative framework is more implicit than explicit. It should be noted that most of the respondents regarded sedation and euthanasia as two distinct practices.
A Comprehensive Data Portal for Global Climate Information
Authors: Diamond Howard J. , Lief Christina J. 
Published: September 2009

The Global Observing Systems Information Center (GOSIC), initiated in 1997 at the request of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Steering Committee (see http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/gcos/ Publications/gcos‐39.pdf), responds to a need identified by the global climate observing community for easier and more effective access to observational climate data and information. GOSIC manages an online portal providing an entry point for users of climate‐related global observing systems data and information systems.Following its initial development and implementation at the University of Delaware from 1997 to 2006, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) assumed operational responsibility for GOSIC on behalf of the international climate observing and data user communities. The goal of GOSIC is to provide basic user services, including a description of the systems and their data as well as a tailored search capability that facilitates access to a worldwide set of observations and derived products. GOSIC's unique value is its ability to quickly link users, via a consistent and user‐friendly interface, to a wide range of data sets that reside at multiple data centers; the GOSIC portal (http://GOSIC.org) provides users with links to data, metadata, other search tools, and related climate‐observing information.
Berkner Fellows at 2009 Joint Assembly
Authors: Fucugauchi Jaime Urrutia 
Published: September 2009

Students and young scientists from economically depressed and developing countries who were this year's recipients of Berkner Travel Fellowships gathered for a reception on 26 May during the Joint Assembly in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Joint Assembly, part of AGU's international collaboration program, was sponsored by eight societies: AGU; Canadian Geophysical Union; Geological Association of Canada; International Association of Hydrogeologists, Canadian National Chapter; Mineralogical Association of Canada; Society of Exploration Geophysicists; Mineralogical Society of America; and Geochemical Society.Attendance and participation in the meeting by students and young researchers from different countries and research fields are major objectives of AGU and partner societies. Berkner Travel Fellowships provide fellows with financial support for meeting registration, travel, and subsistence while attending the meeting. Applicants must be under 36 years of age, a first author and presenter of an oral or poster abstract at Joint Assembly, and a permanent resident of a low‐income or lower‐middle‐income country.
Combining tissue transcriptomics and urine metabolomics for breast cancer biomarker identification
Authors: Nam Hojung , Chung Bong Chul , Kim Younghoon , Lee KiYoung , Lee Doheon 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
Motivation: For the early detection of cancer, highly sensitive and specific biomarkers are needed. Particularly, biomarkers in bio-fluids are relatively more useful because those can be used for non-biopsy tests. Although the altered metabolic activities of cancer cells have been observed in many studies, little is known about metabolic biomarkers for cancer screening. In this study, a systematic method is proposed for identifying metabolic biomarkers in urine samples by selecting candidate biomarkers from altered genome-wide gene expression signatures of cancer cells. Biomarkers identified by the present study have increased coherence and robustness because the significances of biomarkers are validated in both gene expression profiles and metabolic profiles.
Results: The proposed method was applied to the gene expression profiles and urine samples of 50 breast cancer patients and 50 normal persons. Nine altered metabolic pathways were identified from the breast cancer gene expression signatures. Among these altered metabolic pathways, four metabolic biomarkers (Homovanillate, 4-hydroxyphenylacetate, 5-hydroxyindoleacetate and urea) were identified to be different in cancer and normal subjects (p &lt;0.05). In the case of the predictive performance, the identified biomarkers achieved area under the ROC curve values of 0.75, 0.79 and 0.79, according to a linear discriminate analysis, a random forest classifier and on a support vector machine, respectively. Finally, biomarkers which showed consistent significance in pathways' gene expression as well as urine samples were identified.
Contact: dhlee@biosoft.kaist.ac.kr
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
EasyMIFs and SiteHound: a toolkit for the identification of ligand-binding sites in protein structures
Authors: Ghersi Dario , Sanchez Roberto 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
Summary: SiteHound uses Molecular Interaction Fields (MIFs) produced by EasyMIFs to identify protein structure regions that show a high propensity for interaction with ligands. The type of binding site identified depends on the probe atom used in the MIF calculation. The input to EasyMIFs is a PDB file of a protein structure; the output MIF serves as input to SiteHound, which in turn produces a list of putative binding sites. Extensive testing of SiteHound for the detection of binding sites for drug-like molecules and phosphorylated ligands has been carried out.
Availability: EasyMIFs and SiteHound executables for Linux, Mac OS X, and MS Windows operating systems are freely available for download from http://sitehound.sanchezlab.org/download.html.
Contact: roberto@sanchezlab.org or roberto.sanchez@mssm.edu
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The accelerated post‐infarction progression of cardiac remodelling is associated with genetic changes in an untreated streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rat model
Authors: Song Guang‐Yuan , Wu Yong‐Jian , Yang Yue‐Jin , Li Jian‐Jun , Zhang Hong‐Liang , Pei Han‐Jun , Zhao Zhen‐Yan , Zeng Zeng‐Hua , Hui Ru‐Tai 
Published: September 2009

AimsThe mechanism by which diabetes mellitus exacerbates myocardial injury and the incidence of heart failure after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), remains unclear. We studied the severity of cardiac dysfunction and time‐dependent gene expression in a hyperglycaemic rat model with AMI.Methods and resultsThe diabetic model was produced by injection of streptozotocin in Sprague‐Dawley rats. Ten weeks after induction of diabetes, AMI was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Cardiac function and left ventricular (LV) dimensions were evaluated using two‐dimensional echocardiography. Structural changes were assessed by histological examination. Gene expression profile was documented by using affymetrix genechip U230 2.0 array and real time‐PCR. During 56 days post‐AMI, lower survival rates, worse LV function, more severe fibrosis, and larger LV diameters were identified in diabetic rats compared with non‐diabetic rats. A total 1221 genes involved in processes, such as glucose metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, extracellular matrix, and apoptosis, were found to be differentially expressed between diabetic and non‐diabetic rats, of these 770 were up‐regulated and 451 down‐regulated. Up‐regulation of the genes was found 1–2 weeks earlier in diabetic rats than in non‐diabetic rats.ConclusionThe present data suggest that hyperglycaemia up‐regulates remodelling‐related genes, which may be responsible for the worse outcomes in diabetics than in non‐diabetics after AMI.
Gender differences in survival in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction despite similar extent of myocardial scar measured on cardiac magnetic resonance
Authors: Kwon Deborah H. , Halley Carmel M. , Popovic Zoran B. , Carrigan Thomas P. , Zysek Victoria , Setser Randolph , Schoenhagen Paul , Flamm Scott D. , Starling Randall C. , Desai Milind Y. 
Published: September 2009

AimsWe sought to determine the association between myocardial scarring, gender, and survival in patients with significant coronary artery disease (CAD) and severe systolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction using delayed hyper‐enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (DHE‐CMR).Methods and resultsWe studied 339 patients (24% women, mean age 65 ± 11 years) referred for assessment of myocardial viability by DHE‐CMR. Scar was defined as myocardium with an intensity >2 SD above viable myocardium. Left ventricular scar (defined as a percentage of total LV myocardium), LV volumes, risk factors, cardiac transplantation (CTx), and all‐cause mortality were recorded. There were 84 deaths and five CTx over 3.7 ± 1.6 years (median 4 years, interquartile range 2.6–4.9 years). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in men was only slightly different from women (23% ± 9 vs. 25% ± 10, P = 0.05), whereas mean scar % was similar in both groups (32 ± 21 vs. 29 ± 20, P = 0.3). On univariable survival analysis, age [hazard ratio, HR, 1.03 (1.01–1.05), P = 0.002], female gender [HR 2.02 (1.31–3.12), P = 0.001], and scar % [HR 1.01 (1.003–1.02), P = 0.009] predicted outcomes; and also on multivariable analysis (χ2 32, P < 0.0001). Women with scar % greater than the median had more events, compared with men with or without a high scar burden (log‐rank P < 0.001).ConclusionIn patients with CAD and severely reduced LVEF, women have worse outcomes than men, irrespective of myocardial scar burden.
A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study to determine the effects of valsartan on exercise time in patients with symptomatic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Parthasarathy Hari K. , Pieske Burkert , Weisskopf Marianne , Andrews Chris D. , Brunel Patrick , Struthers Allan D. , MacDonald Thomas M. 
Published: September 2009

AimsTo determine whether valsartan improves treadmill exercise time, in patients with symptomatic heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF), compared with placebo.Methods and resultsIn this multicentred, double‐blind, 14‐week study, patients were randomized to receive valsartan (V) 80 mg or placebo (P) once daily on top of background medications. The dose of valsartan was force‐titrated up to 320 mg. A total of 152 patients were randomized (V = 70, P = 82). Most patients had well‐controlled hypertension (V = 91.2%, P = 89.0%) (mean baseline systolic BP ~130 mmHg) and >50% were receiving an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor and/or beta‐blocker (V = 57.4%, P = 54.9%). The mean ejection fraction at baseline was 70.48% in the placebo group (n = 64) and 71.52% in the valsartan group (n = 79). Valsartan had no significant effect on exercise time (primary variable), gas exchange variables, 6 min walk test distance, exertion‐related symptoms, brain natriuretic peptide levels, echocardiographic parameters, or quality‐of‐life scores. Valsartan significantly lowered peak exercise systolic BP (−13.1 mmHg vs. placebo; P < 0.001) and improved ratings of perceived exertion (Borg score) (−0.69 vs. placebo; P = 0.008).ConclusionIn this population, which predominantly included patients with well‐controlled hypertension and symptomatic HFPEF, addition of valsartan did not increase exercise time within 14 weeks. However, valsartan 320 mg reduced blood pressure and improved symptoms of perceived exertion (Borg score) during exercise and was generally well‐tolerated.
Left ventricular remodelling and torsional dynamics in dilated cardiomyopathy: reversed apical rotation as a marker of disease severity
Authors: Popescu Bogdan A. , Beladan Carmen C. , Călin Andreea , Muraru Denisa , Deleanu Dan , Roşca Monica , Ginghină Carmen 
Published: September 2009

AimsDecreased left ventricular (LV) rotation and torsion and even reversed systolic apical rotation have been described in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). We sought to test in patients with DCM whether reversed apical rotation with loss of LV torsion is related to the extent of LV remodelling and to the severity of LV dysfunction.Methods and resultsFifty consecutive patients with DCM (aged 49 ± 13 years) were enrolled prospectively. Forty‐seven healthy volunteers served as controls. All subjects underwent clinical examination, 12‐lead electrocardiography, and a comprehensive echocardiogram. Basal and apical LV rotation and LV torsion were quantified by speckle tracking echocardiography. Left ventricular systolic rotation and torsion were reduced in patients, compared with controls (P < 0.001). Normally directed (counterclockwise) apical rotation was found in 24 patients (group 1), whereas 26 had reversed (clockwise) apical rotation (group 2). Patients in group 2 had larger LV volume, increased LV sphericity (P ≤ 0.02), more severe systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction 26 ± 7 vs. 33 ± 12%), and higher filling pressures (E/E′ ratio 19 ± 10 vs. 14 ± 6; P < 0.05). The main correlates of LV apical rotation were LV volume, sphericity index, and QRS duration.ConclusionReversed apical rotation and loss of LV torsion in patients with DCM is associated with significant LV remodelling, increased electrical dyssynchrony, reduced systolic function, and increased filling pressures, indicating a more advanced disease stage.
Intake of very long chain n‐3 fatty acids from fish and the incidence of heart failure: the Rotterdam Study
Authors: Dijkstra S. Coosje , Brouwer Ingeborg A. , van Rooij Frank J.A. , Hofman Albert , Witteman Jacqueline C.M. , Geleijnse Johanna M. 
Published: September 2009

AimsEvidence is accumulating for a cardioprotective effect of fish or its n‐3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). We examined EPA plus DHA and fish intake in relation to incident heart failure in the population‐based Rotterdam Study.Methods and resultsThe analysis comprised 5299 subjects (41% men, age ~68 years) free from heart failure for whom dietary data were available. During 11.4 years of follow‐up, 669 subjects developed heart failure. The relative risk (RR) of heart failure in the top vs. bottom quintile of EPA plus DHA intake was 0.89 (95% CI 0.69–1.14), after adjustment for lifestyle and dietary factors. For fish intakes ≥20 g/day, the RR was 0.96 (0.78–1.18) compared with no fish intake. In sex‐specific analysis, a high EPA plus DHA intake tended to be protective in women (RR = 0.75, 0.54–1.04) but not in men (RR = 1.00, 0.73–1.36). An inverse association for EPA plus DHA was also observed in diabetics (RR = 0.58, 0.32–1.06), which was borderline statistically significant.ConclusionOur findings do not support a major role for fish intake in the prevention of heart failure. The potentially protective effect of EPA plus DHA in diabetic patients, however, warrants further investigation.
Emergency Legal Preparedness Among Select US Local Governments
Authors: Anderson Evan D. , Hodge James G. 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACTLegal preparedness is an essential component of effective public health emergency response, evinced recently by the numerous emergency declarations issued at the federal, state, and local levels to address the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak. Although the impact of these emergency laws at the federal and state levels has been studied extensively, the scope and role of local emergency laws have not been similarly assessed. In this article, we examine key issues of emergency laws among select US localities in the context of the recent H1N1 outbreak and their application to volunteer health professionals, who are often needed to meet patient surge capacity during local emergencies.Localities represent the front line of emergency preparedness and must address an array of legal challenges before and during declared emergencies. Local legal preparedness differs based on overarching restrictions such as the degree of home rule provided to localities under state law. Some localities take innovative legal approaches to address emergency preparedness. Although beneficial in many respects, these variations add additional complexity to legal preparedness and intensify the need for predisaster planning, exercises, and coordination. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2009;3(Suppl 2):S176–S184)
A Comparison of Endovascular Repair versus Open Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in a Community Setting
Authors: Karmy-Jones Riyad , Bloch Robert , Nicholls Stephen 
Published: September 2009

Objective To compare outcomes between endovascular versus surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in a community hospital setting. Methods A retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing repair of AAA during 2007. Inclusion criteria included stability and anatomic suitability for endovascular repair (EVAR). Data analyzed included comorbidity, length of stay, complications, and cost to the hospital. Results Thirty-one endovascular and 12 open cases fit criteria. There were no significant differences in mortality risk, size of aneurysm, or age between the groups (endovascular 71.6 ± 8 years vs. open 66.7 ± 9 years, P = 0.07). The endovascular group included three patients with contained retroperitoneal rupture, one of whom died secondary to visceral embolization and thrombosis (the only mortality). EVAR was performed with local anesthesia in three and spinal in three cases. Twenty-three cases were performed completely percutaneously. There were no deaths in the surgical group, but four patients experienced major complications. There was no difference between groups in terms of “contribution” costs, but EVAR had significantly greater cost/benefit when measuring “fully loaded” costs (endovascular 4436 ± 7418$ vs. open −1418 ± 6756$, P = 0.02). Endovascular was associated with significantly shorter intensive care unit stay (1.3 ± 0.7 days vs. 2.8 ± 2.1 days, P = 0.001) and overall stay (2.5 ± 2.1 days vs. 7.2 ± 1.6 days, P = 0.001). Conclusions Endovascular of AAA seems to be at least equivalent to open repair in terms of acute outcomes, with much improved cost/benefit predominantly linked to reduced length of stay.