bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Synchrotron Imaging of Diabetic Rat Coronary Microcirculation In Vivo
Authors: Jenkins Mathew J. , Edgley Amanda J. , Sonobe Takashi , Umetani Keiji , Schwenke Daryl O. , Fujii Yutaka , Brown Russell D. , Kelly Darren J. , Shirai Mikiyasu , Pearson James T. 
Published: November 2011

Objective—
In diabetes, long-term micro- and macrovascular damage often underlies the functional decline in the cardiovascular system. However, it remains unclear whether early-stage diabetes is associated with in vivo functional impairment in the coronary microvasculature. Synchrotron imaging allows us to detect and quantify regional differences in resistance microvessel caliber in vivo, even under conditions of high heart rate.

Methods and Results—

Synchrotron cine-angiograms of the coronary vasculature were recorded using anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats 3 weeks after treatment with vehicle or streptozotocin (diabetic). In the early diabetic state, in the presence of nitric oxide and prostacyclin, vessel diameters were smaller (
P
<0.01) and endothelium-dependent vessel recruitment was already depressed (
P
<0.05). Endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilatory responses in individual coronary vessels were not different in vivo. Inhibition of NO and PGI
2
production in diabetes uncovered early localized impairment in dilation. Diabetic animals displayed focal stenoses and segmental constrictions during nitric oxide synthase/cyclooxygenase blockade, which persisted during acetylcholine infusion (
P
<0.05), and a strong trend toward loss of visible microvessels.

Conclusion—
Synchrotron imaging provides a novel method to investigate coronary microvascular function in vivo at all levels of the arterial tree. Furthermore, we have shown that early-stage diabetes is associated with localized coronary microvascular endothelial dysfunction.
Three‐Year Ear, Nose, and Throat Cross‐sectional Analysis of Audiometric Protocols for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Screening of Acoustic Tumors
Authors: Cheng Teddy Caramoan , Wareing Michael J. 
Published: November 2011

Objectives(1) Evaluate audiometric protocols and recommend protocols with best sensitivity and specificity for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening of acoustic tumors; (2) determine clinical risks (false negative) of missing acoustic tumors and potential wastes in screening (false positive) nonacoustic tumors or radiologically “normal” cases; and (3) identify the decibel difference and range of frequencies compared by the best‐performing protocols.Study DesignCross‐sectional study with chart review.SettingEar, nose, and throat (ENT); audiology; and radiology departments in a tertiary‐care hospital.Subjects and MethodsThree‐year cohort (2006‐2009) of 1751 ENT patients underwent MRI screening and pure‐tone audiometry indicating sensorineural hearing loss. Audiometric protocols were ranked by highest sensitivity to acoustic tumors, specificity A to nonacoustic tumors, and specificity B to “radiologically normal” cases.ResultsNo audiometric protocols achieved 100% sensitivity or specificity rates. Only 2 protocols achieved ≥90% sensitivity: the AMCLASS‐A‐Urben protocol (93.16%) and the Mangham protocol (91.58%). Eleven of 15 protocols for specificity A and 12 of 15 protocols for specificity B achieved ≥50%. Clinical risks ranged from 6.84% to 18.95%, whereas potential wastes ranged from 33.56% to 68.37% for specificity A and 31.76% to 66.86% for specificity B. Interaural difference parameters indicating highest mean sensitivity were on the order of ≥10 dB, ≥15 dB, and ≥20 dB. For frequency comparison parameters, “2 or more adjacent frequency” and “single‐frequency” comparison indicated higher mean sensitivity than the “averaged multifrequency” comparison. Mean specificity showed an opposite pattern.ConclusionsFor optimum sensitivity, the Mangham protocol is preferred (sensitivity, 91.58%; specificity A, 44.23%; specificity B, 44.91%), which proposes a ≥10‐dB interaural difference, averaging 1 to 8 kHz. For optimum specificity, the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery protocol is preferred (sensitivity, 87.37%; specificity A, 65.38%; specificity B, 66.04%), which proposes ≥15 dB between ears, averaging 0.5 to 3 kHz.
SCFIA: a statistical corresponding feature identification algorithm for LC/MS
Authors: Cui Jian , Ma Xuepo , Chen Long , Zhang Jianqiu 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Identifying corresponding features (LC peaks registered by identical peptides) in multiple Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) datasets plays a crucial role in the analysis of complex peptide or protein mixtures. Warping functions are commonly used to correct the mean of elution time shifts among LC-MS datasets, which cannot resolve the ambiguity of corresponding feature identification since elution time shifts are random. We propose a Statistical Corresponding Feature Identification Algorithm(SCFIA) based on both elution time shifts and peak shape correlations between corresponding features. SCFIA first trains a set of statistical models, and then, all candidate corresponding features are scored by the statistical models to find the maximum likelihood solution.

Results
We test SCFIA on publicly available datasets. We first compare its performance with that of warping function based methods, and the results show significant improvements. The performance of SCFIA on replicates datasets and fractionated datasets is also evaluated. In both cases, the accuracy is above 90%, which is near optimal. Finally the coverage of SCFIA is evaluated, and it is shown that SCFIA can find corresponding features in multiple datasets for over 90% peptides identified by Tandem MS.

Conclusions
SCFIA can be used for accurate corresponding feature identification in LC-MS. We have shown that peak shape correlation can be used effectively for improving the accuracy. SCFIA provides high coverage in corresponding feature identification in multiple datasets, which serves the basis for integrating multiple LC-MS measurements for accurate peptide quantification.
Health worker motivation in the context of HIV care and treatment challenges in Mbeya Region, Tanzania: A qualitative study
Authors: Mbilinyi Deogratius , Daniel Marguerite L , Lie Gro Th 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Health worker motivation can potentially affect the provision of health services. The HIV pandemic has placed additional strain on health service provision through the extra burden of increased testing and counselling, treating opportunistic infections and providing antiretroviral treatment. The aim of this paper is to explore the challenges generated by HIV care and treatment and their impact on health worker motivation in Mbeya Region, Tanzania.

Methods
Thirty in-depth interviews were conducted with health workers across the range of health care professions in health facilities in two high HIV-prevalence districts of Mbeya Region, Tanzania. A qualitative framework analysis was adopted for data analysis.

Results
The negative impact of HIV-related challenges on health worker motivation was confirmed by this study. Training seminars and workshops related to HIV contributed to the shortage of health workers in the facilities. Lower status workers were frequently excluded from training and were more severely affected by the consequent increase in workload as seminars were usually attended by higher status professionals who controlled access. Constant and consistent complaints by clients have undermined health workers' expectations of trust and recognition. Health workers were forced to take responsibility for dealing with problems arising from organisational inefficiencies within the health system.

Conclusion
HIV-related challenges undermine motivation among health workers in Mbeya, Tanzania with the burden falling most heavily on lower status workers. Strained relations between health workers and the community they serve, further undermine motivation of health workers.
Residual tumor after the salvage surgery is the major risk factors for primary treatment failure in malignant ovarian germ cell tumors: A retrospective study of single institution
Authors: Lee Chung Won , Song Min Jong , Park Sung Taek , Ki Eun Young , Lee Sung Jong , Lee Keun Ho , Ryu Ki Sung , Park Jong Sup , Hur Soo Young 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors are rare, and knowledge of their prognostic factors is limited, with little available randomized data. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinicopathologic characteristics of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors and to determine the association of their prognostic factors to primary treatment failure.

Methods
The medical records of 57 patients with stages I to IV malignant ovarian germ cell tumor were retrospectively reviewed, and their clinicopathologic and treatment-related data were collected and analyzed.

Results
The median age at the diagnosis was 23.3 years (range: 8-65 years), and the median follow-up period was 108 months (range: 48-205 months). The histological types of the tumors were immature teratoma (n = 24), dysgerminoma (n = 20), endodermal sinus tumor (n = 8), mixed germ cell tumor (n = 4), and choriocarcinoma (n = 1). 66.7% of the patients had stage I disease; 5.2%, stage II; 26.3%, stage III; and 1.8%, stage IV. After the initial surgery, 49 patients (86%) received cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The five-year survival rate was 96.5%. There were six primary treatment failures, with two of the patients dying of the disease, and the median time to the recurrence was 8 months. The histological diagnosis (P < 0.0001), tumor stage (P = 0.0052), elevation of beta-hCG (P = 0.0134), operation methods (P = 0.0006), and residual tumor after the salvage surgery (P < 0.0001) were significantly associated with the risk of primary treatment failure in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, the residual tumor after the salvage surgery was the only significant variable associated with primary treatment failure (P = 0.0011, Hazard ratio = 29.046, 95% Confidence interval 3.832-220.181).

Conclusion
Most malignant ovarian germ cell tumors have excellent prognoses with primary treatment, and good reproductive outcomes can be expected. Because primary treatment failure is associated with the residual disease after the salvage surgery, knowledge of the presence or absence of this risk factor may be helpful in risk stratification and individualization of adjuvant therapy in malignant ovarian germ cell tumors. Further large-scale prospective studies to confirm these results should be performed.
Atomistic aspects of ductile responses of cubic silicon carbide during nanometric cutting
Authors: Goel Saurav , Luo Xichun , Reuben Robert L , Rashid Waleed Bin 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Cubic silicon carbide (SiC) is an extremely hard and brittle material having unique blend of material properties which makes it suitable candidate for microelectromechanical systems and nanoelectromechanical systems applications. Although, SiC can be machined in ductile regime at nanoscale through single-point diamond turning process, the root cause of the ductile response of SiC has not been understood yet which impedes significant exploitation of this ceramic material. In this paper, molecular dynamics simulation has been carried out to investigate the atomistic aspects of ductile response of SiC during nanometric cutting process. Simulation results show that cubic SiC undergoes sp

3

-sp

2
order-disorder transition resulting in the formation of SiC-graphene-like substance with a growth rate dependent on the cutting conditions. The disorder transition of SiC causes the ductile response during its nanometric cutting operations. It was further found out that the continuous abrasive action between the diamond tool and SiC causes simultaneous sp

3

-sp

2
order-disorder transition of diamond tool which results in graphitization of diamond and consequent tool wear.
Differential Gene Expression to Investigate the Effects of Low-level Electrochemical Currents on Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Szkotak Robert , Niepa Tagbo H R , Jawrani Nikhil , Gilbert Jeremy L , Jones Marcus B , Ren Dacheng 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
With the emergence and spread of multidrug resistant bacteria, effective methods to eliminate both planktonic bacteria and those embedded in surface-attached biofilms are needed. Electric currents at μA-mA/cm2 range are known to reduce the viability of bacteria. However, the mechanism of such effects is still not well understood. In this study, Bacillus subtilis was used as the model Gram-positive species to systematically investigate the effects of electrochemical currents on bacteria including the morphology, viability, and gene expression of planktonic cells, and viability of biofilm cells. The data suggest that weak electrochemical currents can effectively eliminate B. subtilis both as planktonic cells and in biofilms. DNA microarray results indicate that the genes associated with oxidative stress response, nutrient starvation, and membrane functions were induced by electrochemical currents. These findings suggest that ions and oxidative species generated by electrochemical reactions might be important for the killing effects of these currents.
Androgen Receptor Repression of GnRH Gene Transcription
Authors: Brayman Melissa J. , Pepa Patricia A. , Berdy Sara E. , Mellon Pamela L. 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Alterations in androgen levels lead to reproductive defects in both males and females, including hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, anovulation, and infertility. Androgens have been shown to down-regulate GnRH mRNA levels through an androgen receptor (AR)-dependent mechanism. Here, we investigate how androgen regulates expression from the GnRH regulatory region in the GT1-7 cell line, a model of GnRH neurons. A synthetic androgen, R1881, repressed transcription from the GnRH promoter (GnRH-P) in an AR-dependent manner, and liganded AR associated with the chromatin at the GnRH-P in live GT1-7 cells. The three known octamer-binding transcription factor-1 (Oct-1) binding sites in GnRH-P were required for AR-mediated repression, although other sequences were also involved. Although a multimer of the consensus Oct-1 binding site was not repressed, a multimer of the cluster of Oct-1, Pre-B cell leukemia transcription factor (Pbx)/Prep, and NK2 homeobox 1 (Nkx2.1) binding sites, found at −106/−91 in GnRH-P, was sufficient for repression. In fact, overexpression of any of these factors disrupted the androgen response, indicating that a balance of factors in this tripartite complex is required for AR repression. AR bound to this region in EMSA, indicating a direct interaction of AR with DNA or with other transcription factors bound to GnRH-P at this sequence. Collectively, our data demonstrate that GnRH transcription is repressed by AR via multiple sequences in GnRH-P, including three Oct-1 binding sites, and that this repression requires the complex interaction of several transcription factors.
The Impact of Medication Use in a Multicomponent Intervention: Results from the WISEWOMAN Program
Authors: Khavjou Olga A. , Finkelstein Eric A. , Will Julie C. 
Published: November 2011

Purpose. To assess the impact of medication use on improvements in coronary heart disease (CHD) risk among WISEWOMAN participants. Design. Pre-post analysis. Setting. WISEWOMAN projects operating at the local level in 8 states. Subjects. WISEWOMAN participants with baseline and one-year follow-up data with at least one abnormal risk factor at baseline (N = 2385; 24% of women with baseline visits). Intervention. WISEWOMAN provides low-income uninsured women with CHD risk factor screenings, lifestyle interventions, access to medications, and referral services. Measures. One-year changes in blood pressure, cholesterol, and 10-year CHD risk by medication status. Analysis. Regression analysis was used to estimate risk factor changes by medication status (newly medicated women, women medicated at baseline, or not medicated women) and quantify the percentage of improvements in risk factors attributed to medication use. Results. Participants experienced statistically significant improvements in systolic (12.6 mm Hg) and diastolic (9.7 mm Hg) blood pressure, total (25.7 mg/dl) and HDL (4.9 mg/dl) cholesterol, and 10-year CHD risk (11.6%). Medication use was responsible for 4% to 5% of the reduction in blood pressure, 32% of the reduction in total cholesterol, 3% of the increase in HDL cholesterol, and 31% of the reduction in 10-year CHD risk. Conclusions. Some of the improvements in CHD risk factors can be attributed to medication use; however, the majority of improvements are likely driven by a combination of other factors, including screenings, risk factor counseling, and lifestyle interventions.
Association of Neighborhood Design and Recreation Environment Variables with Physical Activity and Body Mass Index in Adolescents
Authors: Kligerman Morton , Sallis James F. , Ryan Sherry , Frank Lawrence D. , Nader Philip R. 
Published: November 2011

Purpose. To examine associations of neighborhood walkability and recreation environment variables with physical activity in adolescents. Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted with 98 white or Mexican-American adolescents (mean age = 16.2 years). Physical activity was measured with 7 days of accelerometer monitoring. Height and weight were measured to compute body mass index (BMI). Environmental measures were created using geographic information systems. A neighborhood walkability index was based on land use mix, retail density, street connectivity, and residential density. Proximity to public and private recreation facilities was assessed. Results. In a linear regression, the walkability index within 0.5 mile of homes was related to minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, explaining approximately 4% of variance. Recreation variables were not related to physical activity, and BMI was not explained by environmental variables. Conclusion. Neighborhood walkability was related to adolescents' physical activity, similar to findings for adults.
Urban Form Relationships with Walk Trip Frequency and Distance among Youth
Authors: Frank Lawrence , Kerr Jacqueline , Chapman Jim , Sallis James 
Published: November 2011

Purpose. To assess the relationship among objectively measured urban form variables, age, and walking in youth. Design. Cross-sectional analyses of travel diary data mapped against urban form characteristics within a 1-km buffer of participant's place of residence. Setting. Youth in the Atlanta, Georgia region with selection stratified by income, household size, and residential density. Subjects. A total of 3161 5- to 20-year-olds who completed 2-day travel diaries. Diaries of those under 15 years were completed by a parent or legal guardian. Measures. Walking distances were calculated from a 2-day travel diary. Residential density, intersection density, land use mix, and commercial and recreation space were assessed within a 1-km network distance around residences. Analysis. Logistic regression analyses were performed for each urban form variable by age groups controlling for the demographic variables. All variables were then entered simultaneously into an analysis of the whole sample. Results. All five urban form variables tested were related to walking. Recreation space was the only variables associated with walking across the four different age groups. All the urban form variables were related to walking in the 12 to 15 years age cohort. For this group, the odds of walking were 3.7 times greater for those in highest- versus lowest-density tertile and 2.6 times greater for those with at least one commercial and 2.5 times greater for those with at least one recreational destination within 1 km from home. In the analysis of the full sample, number of cars, recreation space, and residential density were most strongly related to walking. Conclusions. Access to recreation or open space was the most important urban form variable related to walking for all age groups. Children aged 12 to 15 years old may be particularly influenced by urban form.
Albigensian Crusades (1209–1226)
Authors: Marvin Laurence W. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe Albigensian Crusade, one of the most notorious yet little‐understood military events of the Middle Ages, began for religious reasons but eventually changed the political map of western Europe. The pope called for a Crusade after a papal representative, Peter of Castelnau, was assassinated in late 1208. The Albigensian Crusade was the first Crusade preached against an ostensibly Christian land in the Middle Ages. The area it was preached against, modern‐day Languedoc‐Rouissillon, was only loosely part of the French crown. The region had long tolerated a dualist heresy (called Catharism or Albigensianism) that attracted many adherents and noble protectors, but the church had tried to suppress it in a variety of ways. Popes and prelates had long considered a military solution, but until the assassination there was little enthusiasm for it. Contrary to modern popular belief, the pope preached not against the heretics but against the noble primarily identified as protecting them: Count Raymond VI of Toulouse. Count Raymond quickly reconciled himself back into the good graces of the church by promising to punish heresy, but by then perhaps as many as twenty thousand men had already taken the cross to campaign. Someone, perhaps Raymond himself, convinced the leaders of the Crusade to spare his lands by moving against another noble in the region suspected of harboring heretics, Raymond‐Roger Trencavel, Raymond of Toulouse's nephew.
Anglo‐Asante Wars (1823–1831, 1863–1864, 1873–1874, 1896, 1900)
Authors: Vandervort Bruce 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
The Kingdom of Asante, whose empire stretched from the rainforests in the heart of what is today the nation of Ghana in West Africa into the savannah far to the north, resisted European encroachment throughout most of the nineteenth century. With a territory of some 140,000 sq miles, Asante, with its capital at Kumasi, had long been a regional power. The state had been founded as a confederacy of vassal kingdoms in 1701 under the rule of King Osei Tutu I. The symbol of royal sovereignty was the Golden Stool, which was believed to hold the soul of the Asante people and over which all kings were lowered and raised three times without touching it upon their accession to the throne. The mistaken British belief that the Golden Stool was an actual throne and that, once their armies had seized control over Asante, it should be surrendered so that their royal governors could sit upon it, would lead to conflict with the Asante in 1900.
Anglo‐Norman invasion of Ireland (1169–1171)
Authors: Duffy Seán 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
The Anglo‐Norman invasion of Ireland that culminated in Ireland's subjection to English rule, and which has dominated relations between both countries ever since, began in the late 1160s, although connections were of long standing and England's kings since the Norman Conquest in particular had expressed an interest in the country. One of Henry II's first councils, held at Winchester in September 1155, was called for the specific purpose of organizing a conquest of Ireland for his brother William, although their mother apparently vetoed the proposal.