bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Productivity Growth in German Dairy Farming using a Flexible Modelling Approach
Authors: Emvalomatis Grigorios 
Published: September 2011

AbstractA random‐coefficients specification of an output distance function is used to measure and decompose productivity growth in German dairy farming. This specification can accommodate heterogeneity with respect to the technology employed by dairy farms, allowing for specialised and non‐specialised farms to be included in the analysis. The proposed modelling approach is favoured by the data when compared with the conventional translog specification of distance functions. The average total factor productivity growth rate for German dairy farms is estimated at 1.1%, with the technical progress component contributing most of this growth.
Antibodies to co‐trimoxazole (trimethoprim and/or sulfamethoxazole) related to the presence of the drug in a commercial low‐ionic‐strength solution
Authors: Pham Bach‐Nga , Gien Dominique , Bensaad Farid , Babinet Jérome , Dubeaux Isabelle , Rouger Philippe , Pennec Pierre‐Yves Le 
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND: Drug‐dependent antibodies have been associated with approximately 10% of acquired immune hemolytic anemia cases. These antibodies are a rare cause of interference in pretransfusion red blood cell (RBC) serologic testing. The aim of this work was to report three cases of subjects developing antibodies against co‐trimoxazole, a combination of trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX).CASE REPORT AND METHODS: Blood samples of donor/patients were referred to our laboratory for the exploration of a positive antibody detection test. There was no recent history of drug taking. Antibody identification was performed by gel test using an indirect antiglobulin test, with reagent RBCs in low‐ionic‐strength solutions (LISS) containing co‐trimoxazole or not.RESULTS: All three sera showed positive reactions when RBCs were resuspended in LISS containing co‐trimoxazole, but negative reactions when RBCs were resuspended in LISS without antibiotic. We detected antibodies against co‐trimoxazole showing three different antibody patterns: anti‐TMP plus anti‐SMX, anti‐TMP alone, or anti‐SMX alone. Anti‐TMP showed an apparent anti‐Ku specificity in the two cases where it was present. Anti‐SMX showed an apparent anti‐H specificity in one of the two cases described. The drug‐dependent antibodies were not associated with acquired hemolytic anemia or other pathologies.CONCLUSION: Antibodies against co‐trimoxazole may only be detected when using a diluent for reagent RBCs containing the drug in question. Antibody pattern (anti‐TMP and/or anti‐SMX) may vary according to individuals' immune response. Drug‐dependent antibodies may react as antibodies against a high‐prevalence antigen, supporting the hypothesis of antibodies to drug and membrane components. Drug‐dependent antibodies such as anti‐co‐trimoxazole may be a serologic finding without clinical features.
Birth Outcomes Across Three Rural‐Urban Typologies in the Finger Lakes Region of New York
Authors: Strutz Kelly L. , Dozier Ann M. , van Wijngaarden Edwin , Glantz J. Christopher 
Published: September 2011

AbstractPurpose: The study is a descriptive, population‐based analysis of birth outcomes in the New York State Finger Lakes region designed to determine whether perinatal outcomes differed across 3 rural typologies.Methods: Hospital birth data for the Finger Lakes region from 2006 to 2007 were used to identify births classified as low birthweight (LBW), small for gestational age (SGA), and preterm delivery (PTD). Maternal residences were defined using 3 existing ZIP code‐level rural‐urban typologies: Census Bureau ZIP codes, Rural‐Urban Commuting Area codes, and Primary Service Areas. Within each typology, rural maternal characteristics and birth outcomes were compared to those in urban areas using multivariable logistic regression models.Findings: In bivariate analyses, rurality was associated with LBW and SGA for all typologies, whereas PTD was associated with residence in the Census Bureau typology only. After controlling for demographic characteristics, births to mothers in the most rural level of the Census Bureau typology and to all rural mothers in the Rural‐Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) and Primary Service Area typologies were more likely to be LBW and PTD. SGA was not consistently associated with residence across typologies.Conclusions: The typologies produced similar results for these outcomes, although effects were of greater magnitude in the RUCA and Primary Service Area typologies than in the Census Bureau typology. Comparison across typologies can have practical implications for researchers and policy makers interested in understanding the dynamics of rurality and birth outcomes in their regions.
An exploratory study into whether self‐monitoring improves adherence to daily flossing among dental patients
Authors: Suresh Ruby , Jones Katharine C. , Newton Jonathan Timothy , Asimakopoulou Koula 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjectives: This exploratory study evaluated the effectiveness of an action‐control behavioral intervention on adherence to dental flossing in patients with periodontal disease. Action control, that is, monitoring one's behavior and evaluating it against a self‐set standard, has been suggested as a self‐regulatory strategy that can assist people who intend to engage in behavioral change.Methods: In a single‐center, single‐blind prospective trial, 73 dental patients received a behavioral intervention, which was either matched or mismatched to their stage of behavioral change. Through responses to a standardized self‐report measure, participants were classified either as motivational (i.e., not ready to change) or volitional (i.e., contemplating change) with regard to dental flossing. The intervention consisted of a simple self‐monitoring tool for dental flossing in the form of a diary. Flossing frequency, dental plaque, and bleeding scores were measured before and at 4 weeks postintervention.Results: Flossing frequency, dental plaque, and bleeding scores improved (P < 0.001) in both stage‐matched and stage‐mismatched patients.Conclusions: A brief behavioral intervention enhances adherence to dental flossing, regardless of participants' stage of change. Keeping a flossing diary can increase dental flossing and reduce plaque and bleeding scores in patients with periodontal disease, in the short term.
LOWER BOUNDS ON THE SECOND ORDER NONLINEARITY OF BOOLEAN FUNCTIONS
Authors: LI XUELIAN , HU YUPU , GAO JUNTAO 
Published: September 2011

It is a difficult task to compute the r-th order nonlinearity of a given function with algebraic degree strictly greater than r > 1. Though lower bounds on the second order nonlinearity are known only for a few particular functions, the majority of which are cubic. We investigate lower bounds on the second order nonlinearity of cubic Boolean functions [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text], dl = 2il + 2jl + 1, m, il and jl are positive integers, n > il > jl. Furthermore, for a class of Boolean functions [Formula: see text] we deduce a tighter lower bound on the second order nonlinearity of the functions, where [Formula: see text], dl = 2ilγ + 2jlγ + 1, il > jl and γ ≠ 1 is a positive integer such that gcd(n,γ) = 1. Lower bounds on the second order nonlinearity of cubic monomial Boolean functions, represented by fμ(x) = Tr(μx2i+2j+1), [Formula: see text], i and j are positive integers such that i > j, were obtained by Gode and Gangopadhvay in 2009. In this paper, we first extend the results of Gode and Gangopadhvay from monomial Boolean functions to Boolean functions with more trace terms. We further generalize and improve the results to a wider range of n. Our bounds are better than those of Gode and Gangopadhvay for monomial functions fμ(x). Especially, our lower bounds on the second order nonlinearity of some Boolean functions F(x) are better than the existing ones.
ON THE PROOF COMPLEXITY OF THE NISAN–WIGDERSON GENERATOR BASED ON A HARD NP ∩ coNP FUNCTION
Authors: KRAJÍČEK JAN 
Published: September 2011

Let g be a map defined as the Nisan–Wigderson generator but based on an NP ∩ coNP -function f. Any string b outside the range of g determines a propositional tautology τ(g)b expressing this fact. Razborov [27] has conjectured that if f is hard on average for P/poly then these tautologies have no polynomial size proofs in the Extended Frege system EF. We consider a more general Statement (S) that the tautologies have no polynomial size proofs in any propositional proof system. This is equivalent to the statement that the complement of the range of g contains no infinite NP set. We prove that Statement (S) is consistent with Cook' s theory PV and, in fact, with the true universal theory T PV in the language of PV. If PV in this consistency statement could be extended to "a bit" stronger theory (properly included in Buss's theory [Formula: see text]) then Razborov's conjecture would follow, and if TPV could be added too then Statement (S) would follow. We discuss this problem in some detail, pointing out a certain form of reflection principle for propositional logic, and we introduce a related feasible disjunction property of proof systems.
CHAIN MODELS, TREES OF SINGULAR CARDINALITY AND DYNAMIC EF-GAMES
Authors: DŽAMONJA MIRNA , VÄÄNÄNEN JOUKO 
Published: September 2011

Let κ be a singular cardinal. Karp's notion of a chain model of size κ is defined to be an ordinary model of size κ along with a decomposition of it into an increasing union of length cf (κ). With a notion of satisfaction and (chain)-isomorphism such models give an infinitary logic largely mimicking first order logic. In this paper we associate to this logic a notion of a dynamic EF-game which gauges when two chain models are chain-isomorphic. To this game is associated a tree which is a tree of size κ with no κ-branches (even no cf (κ)-branches). The measure of how non-isomorphic the models are is reflected by a certain order on these trees, called reduction. We study the collection of trees of size κ with no κ-branches under this notion and prove that when cf (κ) = ω this collection is rather regular; in particular it has universality number exactly κ+. Such trees are then used to develop a descriptive set theory of the space cf (κ)κ. The main result of the paper gives in the case of κ strong limit singular an exact connection between the descriptive set-theoretic complexity of the chain isomorphism orbit of a model, the reduction order on the trees and winning strategies in the corresponding dynamic EF games. In particular we obtain a neat analog of the notion of Scott watershed from the Scott analysis of countable models.
Early Postoperative Outcomes and Blood Product Utilization in Adult Cardiac Surgery
Authors: DeSantis Stacia M. , Toole J. Matthew , Kratz John M. , Uber Walter E. , Wheat Margaret J. , Stroud Martha R. , Ikonomidis John S. , Spinale Francis G. 
Published: September 2011

Background—
Aprotinin was a commonly used pharmacological agent for homeostasis in cardiac surgery but was discontinued, resulting in the extensive use of lysine analogues. This study tested the hypothesis that early postoperative adverse events and blood product utilization would affected in this post-aprotinin era.

Methods and Results—

Adult patients (n=781) undergoing coronary artery bypass, valve replacement, or both from November 1, 2005, to October 31, 2008, at a single institution were included. Multiple logistic regression modeling and propensity scoring were performed on 29 preoperative and intraoperative variables in patients receiving aprotinin (n=325) or lysine analogues (n=456). The propensity-adjusted relative risk (RR) for the intraoperative use of packed red blood cells (RR, 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57 to 0.99), fresh frozen plasma (RR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.64), and cryoprecipitate (RR:0.06; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.22) were lower in the aprotinin versus lysine analog group (all
P
<0.05). The risk for mortality (RR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.16 to 1.79) and neurological events (RR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.35 to 2.18) remained similar between groups, whereas a trend for reduced risk for renal dysfunction was observed in the aprotinin group.

Conclusions—
In the post-aprotinin era, with the exclusive use of lysine analogues, the relative risk of early postoperative outcomes such as mortality and renal dysfunction have not improved, but the risk for the intraoperative use of blood products has increased. Thus, improvements in early postoperative outcomes have not been realized with the discontinued use of aprotinin, but rather increased blood product use has occurred with the attendant costs and risks inherent with this strategy.
Percutaneous Versus Surgical Revascularization in Patients With Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation
Authors: Kang Duk-Hyun , Sun Byung Joo , Kim Dae-Hee , Yun Sung-Cheol , Song Jong-Min , Choo Suk Jung , Chung Cheol Hyun , Song Jae-Kwan , Lee Jae-Won , Park Seong-Wook , Park Seung-Jung 
Published: September 2011

Background—
The proper way of revascularization remains controversial in patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR). We sought to compare the long-term results of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and surgical revascularization in IMR.

Methods and Results—

From 1996 to 2008, 185 consecutive patients (132 men; age, 63±9 years) with significant IMR underwent PCI (PCI group) (n=66) or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OP group) (n=119). In the OP group, 68 (57%) patients also underwent concomitant mitral annuloplasty. Significant IMR was defined as functional MR occurring >1 week after myocardial infarction with an effective regurgitant orifice area ≥0.2 cm
2
. During a median follow-up of 54 months, there were 2 operative mortalities, 26 cardiac deaths, and 11 heart failure hospitalizations in the OP group and 22 cardiac deaths and 10 heart failure hospitalizations in the PCI group. The survival and cardiac mortality rates were not significantly different between the 2 groups, but event-free survival rates were significantly higher in the OP group. For the 45 propensity score-matched pairs, the risk of cardiac events was significantly lower in the OP group than in the PCI group (hazard ratio, 0.499; 95% CI, 0.251 to 0.990;
P
=0.043). Compared with patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery alone, event-free survival rates were significantly higher in those who underwent additional mitral annuloplasty.

Conclusions—
Compared with PCI, surgical revascularization is associated with an improved long-term event-free survival, and concomitant mitral annuloplasty should be considered in patients with significant IMR.
Biventricular Circulatory Support With Two Miniaturized Implantable Assist Devices
Authors: Krabatsch Thomas , Potapov Evgenij , Stepanenko Alexander , Schweiger Martin , Kukucka Marian , Huebler Michael , Hennig Ewald , Hetzer Roland 
Published: September 2011

Background—
Up to 30% of patients with end-stage heart failure experience biventricular failure that requires biventricular mechanical support. For these patients, only bulky extracorporeal or implantable displacement pumps or the total artificial heart have been available to date, which enables only limited quality of life for the patients. It was our goal to evaluate a method that would allow the use of 2 implantable centrifugal left ventricular assist devices as a biventricular assist system.

Methods and Results—
Seventeen patients have been implanted with 2 HeartWare HVAD pumps, 1 as a left ventricular assist device and 1 as a right ventricular assist device. Seventy-seven percent of the patients had idiopathic dilated or ischemic cardiomyopathy. Their age ranged from 29 to 73 years (mean 51.8±14.5 years), and 11 (64.7%) received intravenous catecholamine support preoperatively. The right ventricular assist device pump was implanted into the right ventricular free wall. The afterload of this pump was artificially increased by local reduction of the outflow graft diameter, and the effective length of its inflow cannula was reduced by the addition of two 5-mm silicon suture rings to the original HVAD implantation ring. All right ventricular assist device devices could be operated in appropriate speed ranges and delivered a flow of between 3.0 and 5.5 L/min. Thirty-day survival was 82%, and 59% of the patients could be discharged home after recovering from the operation. There was no clinically relevant hemolysis in any of the patients.

Conclusions—
Two HeartWare HVAD pumps can be used as a biventricular assist system. This implantable biventricular support gives the patients more comfort and mobility than usual biventricular ventricular assist devices with large and noisy displacement pumps.
Sustained Reduction of Vein Graft Neointima Formation by Ex Vivo TIMP-3 Gene Therapy
Authors: George Sarah J. , Wan Song , Hu Jia , MacDonald Robert , Johnson Jason L. , Baker Andrew H. 
Published: September 2011

Background—
Coronary artery vein graft failure, resulting from thrombosis, intimal thickening, and atherosclerosis, is a significant clinical problem, with approximately 50% of vein grafts failing within 10 years. Intimal thickening is caused by migration of vascular smooth muscle cells from the media to the intima, where they proliferate. Interventions using gene transfer to inhibit vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation and migration are attractive because ex vivo access to the graft is possible. The involvement of matrix-degrading metalloproteinases in intimal thickening is well established, and we previously showed that adenoviral-delivered overexpression of an endogenous inhibitor, the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP-3), significantly retarded intimal thickening in short-term autologous porcine arteriovenous interposition grafts (28 days). However, it is essential to determine whether this approach will provide longer-term benefits.

Methods and Results—

We assessed whether a recombinant adenovirus that overexpresses TIMP-3 (RAdTIMP-3) affects vein graft intimal thickening in the longer term (at 3 months). Porcine saphenous veins were subjected to luminal infection with 2.5×10
10
pfu/mL RAdTIMP-3 or RAd60 (control virus) or vehicle control, for 30 minutes before implantation into the carotid artery. Analysis of grafts harvested 3 months after delivery revealed that RAdTIMP-3–infected grafts had significantly reduced intimal areas compared with both controls (3.2±0.4 mm
2
versus 5.6±0.7 mm
2
and 5.9±0.5 mm
2
, RAdTIMP-3, RAd60, and vehicle, respectively). Medial areas were also significantly decreased by TIMP-3 (3.8±0.3 mm
2
versus 6.7±1.0 mm
2
and 5.2±0.4 mm
2
, RAdTIMP-3, RAd60, and vehicle, respectively).

Conclusions—
Overexpression of TIMP-3 provides a sustained retardation of vein graft intimal thickening and highlights the translational potential for ex vivo TIMP-3 gene therapy.
Human Leukocyte Antigen I Knockdown Human Embryonic Stem Cells Induce Host Ignorance and Achieve Prolonged Xenogeneic Survival
Authors: Deuse Tobias , Seifert Martina , Phillips Neil , Fire Andrew , Tyan Dolly , Kay Mark , Tsao Philip S. , Hua Xiaoqin , Velden Joachim , Eiermann Thomas , Volk Hans-Dieter , Reichenspurner Hermann , Robbins Robert C. , Schrepfer Sonja 
Published: September 2011

Background—
Although human embryonic stem cells (hESC) have enormous potential for cell replacement therapy of heart failure, immune rejection of hESC derivatives inevitably would occur after transplantation. We therefore aimed to generate a hypoantigeneic hESC line with improved survival characteristics.

Methods and Results—

Using various in vivo, nonischemic, hindlimb xenotransplant models (immunocompetent and defined immunodefective mouse strains) as well as human in vitro T-cell and natural killer (NK)-cell assays, we revealed a central role for T cells in mediating hESC rejection. The NK-cell susceptibility of hESC in vivo was found to be low, and the NK response to hESC challenge in vitro was negligible. To reduce the antigenicity of hESC, we successfully generated human leukocyte antigen (HLA) I knockdown cells (hESC
siRNA+IB
) using both HLA I RNA interference (siRNA) and intrabody (IB) technology. HLA I expression was ≈99% reduced after 7 days and remained low for weeks. Cellular immune recognition of these hESC
siRNA+IB
was strongly reduced in both xenogeneic and allogeneic settings. Immune rejection was profoundly mitigated after hESC
siRNA+IB
transplantation into immunocompetent mice, and even long-term graft survival was achieved in one third of the animals without any immunosuppression. The survival benefit of hESC
siRNA+IB
was further confirmed under ischemic conditions in a left anterior descending coronary artery ligation model.

Conclusions—

HLA I knockdown hESC
siRNA+IB
provoke T-cell ignorance and experience largely mitigated xenogeneic rejection. By generating hypoantigeneic hESC lines, the generation of acceptable hESC derivatives may become a practical concept and push cell replacement strategies forward.
Detection of Intimal Defect by 64-Row Multidetector Computed Tomography in Patients With Acute Aortic Intramural Hematoma
Authors: Kitai Takeshi , Kaji Shuichiro , Yamamuro Atsushi , Tani Tomoko , Kinoshita Makoto , Ehara Natsuhiko , Kobori Atsushi , Kim Kitae , Kita Toru , Furukawa Yutaka 
Published: September 2011

Background—
Previous pathological and clinical studies demonstrated an intimal defect in patients with acute aortic intramural hematoma (IMH). The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and clinical outcome of intimal defect detected by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in patients with IMH.

Methods and Results—

We retrospectively analyzed 38 consecutive patients with IMH in whom 64-row MDCT was performed during the acute phase (median, 5 days from the onset). Intimal defect was defined as continuity disruption of the inner layer of thrombosed false lumen, which could be detected by 1-mm axial and longitudinal interactive multiplanar reformation images. Clinical outcome of intimal defect was assessed in patients with type B IMH (n=32). A total of 48 lesions in 27 (71%) patients were recognized as intimal defects. The incidence of intimal defect was not affected by the timing of MDCT examination (1 to 3 days, 79%; 4 to 7 days, 58%; 8 to 14 days, 75%;
P
=0.56). In type B IMH, 16 (76%) of 21 patients with intimal defect showed progression (enlargement or progression to aortic aneurysm) in the chronic phase. In contrast, all 11 patients without intimal defect had complete resorption of hematoma. In lesion-based analysis, a depth of intimal defect of ≥5 mm predicted progression with sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 84%, 95%, 94%, and 86%, respectively.

Conclusions—
A considerable portion of patients with IMH showed intimal defect detected by MDCT even in the very early stage, and defects frequently enlarged. Patients with intimal defect should be carefully followed up with serial imaging.