bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Numerical Solution to Drop Coalescence/Breakup with a Volume-Conserving, Positive-Definite, and Unconditionally Stable Scheme
Authors: Jacobson M. Z. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
This paper discusses a new volume- and volume concentration–conserving, positive-definite, unconditionally stable iterative numerical scheme for solving temporary cloud/raindrop coalescence followed by breakup and the coupling of the scheme with an existing noniterative, volume- and volume concentration–conserving collision/coalescence (coagulation) scheme. The breakup scheme alone compares nearly exactly with a constant-kernel analytical solution at a 300-s time step. The combined coagulation/breakup schemes are stable and conservative, regardless of the time step and number of size bins, and convergent with higher temporal and size resolution. The schemes were designed with these characteristics in mind for use in long-term global or regional simulations. The use of 30 geometrically spaced size bins and a time step of 60 s provides a good compromise between obtaining sufficient accuracy (relative to a much higher-resolution result) and speed, although solutions with a 600-s time step and 30 bins are stable and conservative and take one-eighth the computer time. The combined coagulation/breakup schemes were implemented into the nested Gas, Aerosol, Transport, Radiation, General Circulation, Mesoscale, and Ocean Model (GATOR-GCMOM), a global–urban climate–weather–air pollution model. Coagulation was solved over liquid, ice, and graupel distributions and breakup simultaneously over the liquid distribution. Each distribution included 30 size bins and 16 chemical components per bin. Timing tests demonstrate the feasibility of the scheme in long-term global simulations.
Effectiveness of a wheelchair skills training programme for community-living users of manual wheelchairs in Turkey: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Öztürk Asuman , Ucsular Ferda Dokuztug 
Published: November 2010

Objective: To test the hypothesis that, in comparison with those in a control group, community-dwelling wheelchair users in Turkey who have completed the Wheelchair Skills Training Program have better total percentage performance and safety scores on the Wheelchair Skills Test. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Subjects: The study group comprised individuals ( n = 24) who have to use a wheelchair for mobility in daily life. The subjects were randomly allocated to training ( n = 14) and control groups ( n = 10). Interventions: The training group attended a skill training session three times a week for four weeks. The control group did not participate in the training. Main outcome measures: At the beginning of the study, subjects underwent a Wheelchair Skills Test (version 4.1), which evaluated their performance and safety for a range of skills. The test was repeated at the end of the study. Results: The mean ± SD total percentage Wheelchair Skills Test performance scores increased significantly in both the training group ( P = 0.002) and control group ( P = 0.01), although the training group increased to a greater extent ( P = 0.034). The training group’s mean ± SD total percentage Wheelchair Skills Test safety scores increased significantly ( P = 0.001), but there was no significant change in the control group. A statistically significant improvement was found between the total percentage Wheelchair Skills Test safety scores in the training group compared with the control group ( P = 0.001). Conclusion: Community-living wheelchair users who received wheelchair skills training increased their total performance and safety scores to a greater extent than a control group.
Levetiracetam in chronic daily headache: A double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled study
Authors: Beran Roy G , Spira Paul J 
Published: November 2010

Introduction: Chronic daily headache (CDH) represents a temporal profile of headache (15+ days/month; 4+ hours/day; >6 months). We report the first comprehensive and largest levetiracetam (LEV) trial in CDH. Methods: A 27-week, multi-centre, randomised, placebo-controlled, cross-over, phase III B study assessed efficacy of a target of 3 g/day LEV of 6 placebo tablets/day in CDH. Primary efficacy was headache-free rate (HFR) while secondary parameters were loss of diagnostic criteria; severity; duration; disability; associated features; pain; and quality of life. Results: Ninety-six patients were recruited (baseline HFR 10.4 ± 14.6%; median 0%). At onset of history 73 (74.1%) had migraine +/− aura and 35 (36.5%) had tension-type headache (TTH). Over the six months preceding recruitment 54 (56.3%) had migraine and 42 (43.8%) had TTH. Headache history was 22.6 ± 15.0 years (median 20.0). Eighty-eight received placebo and 89 received LEV with >80 receiving stable dose in either arm. LEV achieved 3.9% increased HFR over placebo, showing a trend but not significance. There was 9.9% increase in loss of CDH diagnostic criteria re: headache days/month for LEV over placebo ( p = .0325), reduced disability ( p = .0487) and reduced pain severity for LEV ( p = .0162). The Short-Form Quality of Life assessment instrument (SF-36) showed impaired mental health on LEV ( p = .001). Discussion: These findings conflict with reports of LEV efficacy, mandating placebo control in headache trials. Primary efficacy equated to one extra headache-free day/month with reduced disability and pain intensity. Mental health was reduced on LEV. The 10% loss of diagnostic criteria, decreased intensity and disability suggest a subpopulation with CDH where LEV remains a therapeutic option.
Improved Corticosteroid Treatment of Recalcitrant de Quervain Tenosynovitis With a Novel 4-Point Injection Technique
Authors: Pagonis Thomas , Ditsios Konstantinos , Toli Paraskevi , Givissis Panagiotis , Christodoulou Anastasios 
Published: November 2010

Background: Previously described corticosteroid injection techniques for de Quervain tenosynovitis (DQT) refer to either 1-point or 2-point injection techniques, showing superiority of the latter. Hypothesis: The authors’ novel 4-point injection technique (point 4 technique) yields more favorable results than do the older techniques. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: The authors treated 2 groups (A and B), each including 24 high-resistance training individuals (randomly allocated to each group) with persistent DQT. Group A received the point 4 technique, and group B, the 2-point injection technique. Follow-up was in 2, 4, 8, and 52 weeks after the first treatment. Results: After 2 weeks of treatment, 7 group A patients were symptom-free, whereas the rest scored better than their group B counterparts on the DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) Outcome Measure, of whom only 1 was symptom-free. Ten group A patients received repeated injections, in contrast to 19 from group B. Four weeks after the first treatment, 13 group A patients were symptom-free, in contrast to 4 from group B. In group A, 2 patients received repeated injections, in contrast to 20 in group B. Eight weeks after the first treatment, 1 group A patient received repeated injection. One group B patient relapsed, whereas 4 opted for surgical decompression and 16 received repeated injections. Fifty-two weeks after the first treatment, 21 patients in group A were symptom-free, 1 was operated on, and 2 relapsed; in group B, 12 were symptom-free, 9 were operated on, 3 relapsed, and 3 received repeated injections. Conclusion: In high-resistance training athletes, recalcitrant DQT responds more favorably to the novel point 4 technique than to the standard 2-point injection technique.
Bayesian inference of the number of factors in gene-expression analysis: application to human virus challenge studies
Authors: Chen Bo , Chen Minhua , Paisley John , Zaas Aimee , Woods Christopher , Ginsburg Geoffrey S , Hero Alfred , Lucas Joseph , Dunson David , Carin Lawrence 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBackgroundNonparametric Bayesian techniques have been developed recently to extend the sophistication of factor models, allowing one to infer the number of appropriate factors from the observed data. We consider such techniques for sparse factor analysis, with application to gene-expression data from three virus challenge studies. Particular attention is placed on employing the Beta Process (BP), the Indian Buffet Process (IBP), and related sparseness-promoting techniques to infer a proper number of factors. The posterior density function on the model parameters is computed using Gibbs sampling and variational Bayesian (VB) analysis.ResultsTime-evolving gene-expression data are considered for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Rhino virus, and influenza, using blood samples from healthy human subjects. These data were acquired in three challenge studies, each executed after receiving institutional review board (IRB) approval from Duke University. Comparisons are made between several alternative means of per-forming nonparametric factor analysis on these data, with comparisons as well to sparse-PCA and Penalized Matrix Decomposition (PMD), closely related non-Bayesian approaches.ConclusionsApplying the Beta Process to the factor scores, or to the singular values of a pseudo-SVD construction, the proposed algorithms infer the number of factors in gene-expression data. For real data the "true" number of factors is unknown; in our simulations we consider a range of noise variances, and the proposed Bayesian models inferred the number of factors accurately relative to other methods in the literature, such as sparse-PCA and PMD. We have also identified a "pan-viral" factor of importance for each of the three viruses considered in this study. We have identified a set of genes associated with this pan-viral factor, of interest for early detection of such viruses based upon the host response, as quantified via gene-expression data.
Suppression of microRNA-31 increases sensitivity to 5-FU at an early stage, and affects cell migration and invasion in HCT-116 colon cancer cells
Authors: Wang Chao-Jie , Stratmann Johannes , Zhou Zong-Guang , Sun Xiao-Feng 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenously expressed noncoding RNAs with important biological and pathological functions. Although several studies have shown that microRNA-31 (miR-31) is obviously up-regulated in colorectal cancer (CRC), there is no study on the functional roles of miR-31 in CRC.MethodsAnti-miR™ miRNA 31 inhibitor (anti-miR-31) is a sequence-specific and chemically modified oligonucleotide to specifically target and knockdown miR-31 molecule. The effect of anti-miR-31 transfection was investigated by real-time PCR. HCT-116p53+/+and HCT-116p53-/-colon cancer cells were treated by anti-miR-31 with or without 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay; apoptosis was detected by DAPI staining; cell cycle was evaluated by flow cytometry; colony formation, migration and invasion assays were performed to investigate the effect of suppression of miR-31 on the cell lines.ResultsReal-time PCR results showed that anti-miR-31 was efficiently introduced into the cells and reduced miR-31 levels to 44.1% in HCT-116p53+/+and 67.8% in HCT-116p53-/-cell line (p= 0.042 and 0.046). MTT results showed that anti-miR-31 alone had no effect on the proliferation of HCT-116p53+/+or HCT-116p53-/-. However, when combined with 5-FU, anti-miR-31 inhibited the proliferation of the two cell lines as early as 24 h after exposure to 5-FU (p= 0.038 and 0.044). Suppression of miR-31 caused a reduction of the migratory cells by nearly 50% compared with the negative control in both HCT-116p53+/+and HCT-116p53-/-(p= 0.040 and 0.001). The invasive ability of the cells were increased by 8-fold in HCT-116p53+/+and 2-fold in HCT-116p53-/-(p= 0.045 and 0.009). Suppression of miR-31 had no effect on cell cycle and colony formation (p> 0.05).ConclusionsSuppression of miR-31 increases sensitivity to 5-FU at an early stage, and affects cell migration and invasion in HCT-116 colon cancer cells.
A Test Protocol to Quantify the Uplift Resistance of Adhesive Applied Roofing Specimens Subjected to Tensile Loading
Authors: Baskaran A. , Current J. , Tanaka H. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Adhesive applied roofing systems (AARS), a new generation of built-up roofs, are gaining popularity in North American low slope application. AARS uses no fasteners and all components (e.g., deck, vapour barrier, insulation board, and membrane) are integrated by the use of adhesives. As there are no metal fasteners, AARS can offer an advantage of reduction in condensation and thermal bridges for the roof assemblies. Even though, AARS have been in use, there have been no standard that exists to quantify its wind uplift performances. An industries-university-Canadian government collaborative research project, “Development of Wind Uplift Standard for Adhesive Applied Low Slope Roofing System,” has been initiated with three major tasks: Experimental investigation, formulation of a numerical model and development of wind design guide and standards. This paper documents a standardized small scale laboratory test method for the quantification of uplift resistance subject to tensile loading. As part of Task 1 of the project, this systematic investigation focuses on three key parameters: Loading rate, specimen size and end condition. The investigations were completed by constructing over 400 specimens. Both the maximum uplift resistance and the consistence in the failure plane are equally considered during the test method standardization. The data from this small scale testing can facilitate roofing industries to optimize the material combinations such that the uplift resistance data can be used as an indicator before performing a full-scale wind uplift testing.
Considerations for Thermal Injury Analysis for RF Ablation Devices
Authors: Chang Isaac A. 
Published: November 2010

Background:The estimation of lesion size is an integral part of treatment planning for the clinical applications of radiofrequency ablation. However, to date, studies have not directly evaluated the impact of different computational estimation techniques for predicting lesion size. In this study, we focus on three common methods used for predicting tissue injury: (1) iso-temperature contours, (2) Cumulative equivalent minutes, (3) Arrhenius based thermal injury.Methods:We created a geometric model of a multi-tyne ablation electrode and simulated thermal and tissue injury profiles that result from three calculation methods after 15 minutes exposure to a constant RF voltage source. A hybrid finite element technique was used to calculate temperature and tissue injury. Time-temperature curves were used in the assessment of iso-temperature thresholds and the method of cumulative equivalent minutes. An Arrhenius-based formulation was used to calculate sequential and recursive thermal injury to tissues.Results:The data demonstrate that while iso-temperature and cumulative equivalent minute contours are similar in shape, these two methodologies grossly over-estimate the amount of tissue injury when compared to recursive thermal injury calculations, which have previously been shown to correlate closely within vitropathologic lesion volume measurement. In addition, Arrhenius calculations that do not use a recursive algorithm result in a significant underestimation of lesion volume. The data also demonstrate that lesion width and depth are inadequate means of characterizing treatment volume for multi-tine ablation devices.Conclusions:Recursive thermal injury remains the most physiologically relevant means of computationally estimating lesion size for hepatic tumor applications. Iso-thermal and cumulative equivalent minute approaches may produce significant errors in the estimation of lesion size.
From Systematic Reviews to Clinical Recommendations for Evidence-Based Health Care: Validation of Revised Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (R-AMSTAR) for Grading of Clinical Relevance
Authors: Kung Jason , Chiappelli Francesco , Cajulis Olivia O , Avezova Raisa , Kossan George , Chew Laura , Maida Carl A 
Published: November 2010

Research synthesis seeks to gather, examine and evaluate systematically research reports that converge toward answering a carefully crafted research question, which states the problem patient population, the intervention under consideration, and the clinical outcome of interest. The product of the process of systematically reviewing the research literature pertinent to the research question thusly stated is the “systematic review”.
The objective and transparent approach of the systematic review aims to minimize bias. Most systematic reviews yield quantitative analyses of measurable data (e.g., acceptable sampling analysis, meta-analysis). Systematic reviews may also be qualitative, while adhering to accepted standards for gathering, evaluating, and reporting evidence. Systematic reviews provide highly rated recommendations for evidence-based health care; but, systematic reviews are not equally reliable and successful in minimizing bias.
Several instruments are available to evaluate the quality of systematic reviews. The 'assessment of multiple systematic reviews' (AMSTAR) was derived from factor analysis of the most relevant items among them. AMSTAR consists of eleven items with good face and content validity for measuring the methodological quality of systematic reviews, has been widely accepted and utilized, and has gained in reliability, reproducibility. AMSTAR does not produce quantifiable assessments of systematic review quality and clinical relevance.
In this study, we have revised the AMSTAR instrument, detracting nothing from its content and construct validity, and utilizing the very criteria employed in the development of the original tool, with the aim of yielding an instrument that can quantify the quality of systematic reviews. We present validation data of the revised AMSTAR (R-AMSTAR), and discuss its implications and application in evidence-based health care.
Early Steroid Withdrawal in Repeat Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Mujtaba Muhammad A. , Taber Tim E. , Goggins William C. , Yaqub Muhammad S. , Mishler Dennis P. , Milgrom Martin L. , Fridell Jonathan A. , Lobashevsky Andrew , Powelson John A. , Sharfuddin Asif A. 
Published: November 2010

Summary

Background and objectives
Kidney re-transplantation (KRT) candidates are considered at high risk for graft failure. Most of these patients are kept on a chronic steroid maintenance (CSM) regimen. The safety of early steroid withdrawal (ESW) remains unanswered in KRT.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
This study was aimed at comparing the outcomes of ESW and CSM in KRT. Retrospective analysis of 113 KRT patients (ESW, n = 59; CSM, n = 54) was performed. All patients received rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin/steroid induction and were maintained on mycophenolate/tacrolimus (±steroids).

Results
One- and 5-year patient survival for the ESW and the CSM group were not significantly different (98 versus 96% and 91 versus 88%, respectively; P = 0.991). No significant difference was seen in the graft survival for both groups at 1 and 5 years (98 versus 93% and 80 versus 74%, respectively; P = 0.779). Mean 1- and 5-year estimated GFR was not statistically different between the groups (P = 0.773 and 0.790, respectively). The incidence of acute rejection at 1 year was 17 and 22% in ESW and CSM patients, respectively (P = 0.635). Compared with the ESW group, patients in the CSM group were more likely to be hyperlipidemic (P = 0.044), osteoporotic (P = 0.010), post-transplant diabetics (P = 0.051) and required more medications to control BP (P = 0.004).

Conclusions
ESW seems to be a reasonable approach in KRT recipients because the short and intermediate patient survival, graft survival, and graft function is comparable to CSM immunosuppression.
Switching from Calcineurin Inhibitor-based Regimens to a Belatacept-based Regimen in Renal Transplant Recipients
Authors: Rostaing Lionel , Massari Pablo , Garcia Valter Duro , Mancilla-Urrea Eduardo , Nainan Georgy , Rial Maria del Carmen , Steinberg Steven , Vincenti Flavio , Shi Rebecca , Di Russo Greg , Thomas Dolca , Grinyó Josep 
Published: November 2010

Summary

Background and objectives
Prolonged use of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) in kidney transplant recipients is associated with renal and nonrenal toxicity and an increase in cardiovascular risk factors. Belatacept-based regimens may provide a treatment option for patients who switch from CNI-based maintenance immunosuppression.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
This is a randomized, open-label Phase II trial in renal transplant patients with stable graft function and receiving a CNI-based regimen. Patients who were ≥6 months but ≤36 months after transplantation were randomized to either switch to belatacept or continue CNI treatment. All patients received background maintenance immunosuppression. The primary end point was the change in calculated GFR (cGFR) from baseline to month 12.

Results
Patients were randomized either to switch to belatacept (n = 84) or to remain on a CNI-based regimen (n = 89). At month 12, the mean (SD) change from baseline in cGFR was higher in the belatacept group versus the CNI group. Six patients in the belatacept group had acute rejection episodes, all within the first 6 months; all resolved with no allograft loss. By month 12, one patient in the CNI group died with a functioning graft, whereas no patients in the belatacept group had graft loss. The overall safety profile was similar between groups.

Conclusions
The study identifies a potentially safe and feasible method for switching stable renal transplant patients from a cyclosporine- or tacrolimus-based regimen to a belatacept-based regimen, which may allow improved renal function in patients currently treated with CNIs.
Present and Prospective Clinical Therapeutic Options for the Elderly Patient with Hypertension
Authors: Lechleitner Monika , Hoppichler Friedrich 
Published: November 2010

Purpose The purpose of this review was to summarize current treatment guidelines and recently published studies about the efficacy and safety of antihypertensive therapy in elderly patients. Methods A literature research (MEDLINE) was performed with respect to the prevalence of hypertension in the elderly, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and current treatment options. Results Hypertension affects up to 70% of the population aged 65 years and older and results in a significant increase of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Antihypertensive drug therapy reduces the risk of cardiovascular complication and end organ damage not only in younger, but also in elderly patients. The most frequently applied classes of antihypertensive medication are diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE-inhibitors, angiotensin II-AT1-receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonists, centrally acting drugs and vasodilators. Side effects of antihypertensive medication have to be considered especially in the vulnerable elderly patients. The recently published HYVET study added important information on the value of antihypertensive therapy in patients at an age of 80 years or older. In the treatment group with indapamide and periondopril (compared to the placebo group) the risk of stroke was reduced by 30%, all-cause mortality by 21% and cardiovascular mortality by 23%. Conclusion Co-morbidities and age related changes of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics require a very distinct choice of therapy in elderly people. Individual drug classes might be of advantage in certain conditions, including diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction, heart failure and stroke.