bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validity and reliability of a visual scoring method for masticatory ability using test gummy jelly
Authors: Nokubi Takashi , Yoshimuta Yoko , Nokubi Fukuko , Yasui Sakae , Kusunoki Chie , Ono Takahiro , Maeda Yoshinobu , Yokota Kazunori 
Published: April 2012

Background:  For quantitative evaluation of masticatory ability of the elderly patients, there should be a simple and reliable method without special techniques and instruments.Objective:  The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of a visual scoring method for assessing masticatory performance.Materials and Methods:  A 10‐stage scale for visually scoring was rated based on the range of the glucose concentration dissolved from comminuted jelly. Photographic images of comminuted jellies were produced as a standard material for each score. Fifty subjects were recruited as raters who graded the visual score for 50 photographic images of comminuted jellies on the screen of a lap‐top three times in random order.Results:  There were strong correlations (rs = 0.911– 0.981, Spearman’s rank coefficient) between the actual scores determined from the glucose concentration and the visual scores graded by subjects in all three measurements. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of the inter‐rater reliability and the ICCs of the intra‐rater reliability of the visual scoring ranged from 0.946 to 0.947 and from 0.860 to 0.987 in three measurements, respectively.Conclusions:  These results indicated that the visual scoring method was valid and reliable for evaluation of masticatory performance.
Effects of the planting substratum on the growth of horseweed (Conyza sumatrensis (Retz.) Walker) in Zoysia japonica Steud. turf
Authors: Tanaka Satoru , Miura Reiichi , Tominaga Tohru 
Published: April 2012

AbstractTo explore the extent to which turfgrass–weed competition may be modified by the planting substratum, turfs of Zoysia japonica Steud. were established in pots containing four different materials: granitic sand, sandy loam, granular volcanic clay and waste concrete debris. Seedlings of horseweed (Conyza sumatrensis (Retz.) Walker) were later transplanted into the turfs growing in these pots. After 7 months of growth in competition, the biomasses of both turfgrass and weed were greatest on sandy loam. The proportion of weed biomass in the total plant biomass was also largest on sandy loam (28.4%), suggesting that high nutrient levels may enhance weed encroachment in Zoysia turf. Granular volcanic clay suppressed weed biomass to a low proportion of total biomass (5.8%) while supporting turfgrass growth equivalent to that on sandy loam.
Do Forest Products Prices Display Long Memory?
Authors: Niquidet Kurt , Sun Lili 
Published: April 2012

The behavior of forest products prices has large implications for forest management and policy. Decisions such as the timing of harvesting and investment in new plantations depend on future price expectations and policy makers often are concerned about the persistence of price shocks for stabilization purposes. Previous research on the topic has been mixed and focused on the question of whether prices are integrated of order one (i.e., have a unit root) and are nonstationary or if they are integrated of order zero and are stationary and mean‐reverting. In an effort to understand the price process for two key forest products (lumber and pulp), time‐series tests were applied to over 40 years of monthly pricing data. Using a modified Dickey–Fuller test, we rejected the null hypothesis of a unit root on most series. However, a separate test also soundly rejected a stationary null hypothesis. Such a finding led us to test whether forest products prices are fractionally integrated, exhibiting long memory. Estimates of the memory parameter (d) for various lumber price series ranged between 0.68 and 0.81 and for pulp it was 0.64. This implies that prices are both mean‐reverting (in the sense that shocks die out) and nonstationary.Le comportement des prix des produits forestiers a d’importantes répercussions sur la gestion et la politique forestières. Certaines décisions, telles que le choix du moment de la récolte et les investissements dans de nouvelles plantations, dépendent des anticipations quant aux prix futurs et, souvent, les décideurs sont préoccupés par la persistance des chocs de prix pour des raisons de stabilisation. Les travaux de recherche antérieurs ont été variés et visaient à déterminer si les prix étaient intégrés de l’ordre 1 (c.‐à‐d. avec une racine unitaire) et non stationnaires ou s’ils étaient intégrés de l’ordre 0, stationnaires, avec une tendance au retour à la moyenne. Afin de comprendre le processus de prix de deux produits forestiers clés (bois d’œuvre et pâte), nous avons effectué une analyse de séries chronologiques comprenant des données de prix mensuelles recueillies sur une période de plus de 40 ans. À l’aide d’un test de Dickey‐Fuller modifié, nous avons rejeté l’hypothèse nulle de la présence d’une racine unitaire dans la plupart des séries. Un autre test a également permis de rejeter sans équivoque l’hypothèse nulle de stationnarité. Ces résultats nous ont amenés à vérifier si les prix des produits forestiers étaient fractionnellement intégrés et présentaient une mémoire longue. Les estimations du paramètre de mémoire (d) de diverses séries de prix variaient de 0,68 à 0,81 pour le bois d’œuvre et s’établissaient à 0,64 pour la pâte. Ces résultats autorisent à penser que les prix ont une tendance au retour à la moyenne (dans le sens où les chocs disparaissent) et qu’ils sont non stationnaires.
Validation of the exoplanet Kepler-21b using PAVO/CHARA long-baseline interferometry
Authors: Huber Daniel , Ireland Michael J. , Bedding Timothy R. , Howell Steve B. , Maestro Vicente , Mérand Antoine , Tuthill Peter G. , White Timothy R. , Farrington Christopher D. , Goldfinger P. J. , McAlister Harold A. , Schaefer Gail H. , Sturmann Judit , Sturmann Laszlo , ten Brummelaar Theo A. , Turner Nils H. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT
We present long-baseline interferometry of the Kepler exoplanet host star HD 179070 (Kepler-21) using the Precision Astronomical Visible Observations (PAVO) beam combiner at the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) Array. The visibility data are consistent with a single star and exclude stellar companions at separations ∼1–1000 mas (∼0.1–113 au) and contrasts &lt;3.5 mag. This result supports the validation of the 1.6 R ⊕ exoplanet Kepler-21b by Howell et al. and complements the constraints set by adaptive optics imaging, speckle interferometry and radial-velocity observations to rule out false positives due to stellar companions. We conclude that long-baseline interferometry has strong potential to validate transiting extrasolar planets, particularly for future projects aimed at brighter stars and for host stars where radial-velocity follow-up is not available.
JUSTIFYING COUNT‐BASED COMPARISONS
Authors: ENNIS JOHN M. , ENNIS DANIEL M. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTCount‐based comparisons such as “7 out of 10” or “2 to 1” are often used to quantify superior product performance. Because of experimental variability, statistics are needed to ensure confidence in such comparisons. Even so, count‐based comparisons commonly appear without any statistical treatment of the data. In this article, we discuss statistics to support these comparisons. Specifically, we identify two different types of count‐based comparisons: count‐based proportional comparisons and count‐based ratio comparisons. We then provide statistics to justify these comparisons before providing significance tables for practitioners.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSWhen an advertiser claims that one product offers a benefit over another, the consumer needs to be reasonably sure of experiencing the purported benefit. Similarly, when a product test result is compared with a benchmark, it is worth considering how confident we are in the comparison. Without statistics, there is no reason to expect that the results of a particular product test will be experienced in the future. Until now, the statistics needed to justify count‐based comparison such as “7 out of 10” and “2 to 1” have not appeared in the sensory literature. In this article, we remedy this lack by providing both statistical discussion and significance tables for practitioners.
The ‘Political Knight Errant’ at Bath: Charles Lucas's Attack on the Spa Medical Establishment in An Essay on Waters (1756)
Authors: MASON ADAM 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis article examines Charles Lucas's Essay on Waters (1756) as a polemic that illuminates the Bath waters as a subject enmeshed as much in politics as in medicine. It shows how Lucas styled himself a ‘political knight errant’ in his treatise to portray the local medical fraternity at the spa as a corrupt oligarchy intent on monopolising and stifling research into the famous mineral springs out of commercial self‐interest and greed. It further considers the critical response to the treatise by Tobias Smollett and Samuel Johnson, who were both forced to address the author's libertarian concerns.
Economic evaluation of short-term treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux in Peru
Authors: Bolaños-Díaz Rafael , Regalado-Rafael Roxana 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study is to analyse four alternatives for handling gastro-oesophageal reflux (GER) from the pharmacoeconomic standpoint: proton pump inhibitors (PPI), H2-histamine receptor antagonists (H2RA), antacids (AA) and alginates.MethodsA cost-effectiveness model based on a decision analysis that represents clinical evolution in a 4-week time horizon has been used, by applying any of the four alternatives for handling GER. Each alternative is evaluated according to its effectiveness: absolute benefit increase is then expressed as a percentage (%). The incremental C-E ratio (ICER) among the treatments has been calculated, as this allows finding out the cost necessary to achieve an extra unit of effectiveness. Costs have been calculated from the patient's perspective (‘pocket payments’).Key findingsCost effectiveness for interventions with alginate and AA have been estimated at US$ 957 and US$ 2177 respectively. The ICER between both treatments implies that each unit of difference among the interventions would cost US$ 426. Each extra unit of effectiveness between both treatments in a 100-patient cohort would cost US$ 426. Treatments with AA and alginate prevailed over those with H2RA and PPI respectively. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the results.ConclusionsAccording to the results of this study, the intervention with alginate proved to be more cost effective than AA. Treatments with AA and alginate prevailed over those with H2RA and PPI respectively. Sensitivity analyses evidenced the need for a moderate modification in the values assigned to the variables for offsetting the C-E difference between alginates and AA.
Remapping the Fiscal State After the Global Financial Crisis
Authors: van Hulten Andrew 
Published: April 2012

abstractThe global financial crisis (GFC) refocuses attention on the capacity of states to regulate global finance. In this article, I argue that states are augmenting their regulatory capacity by promoting the interpenetration of national economic surveillance systems. I develop this argument by exploring the recent efforts of powerful states to address a particular form of offshore regulatory escape: tax evasion. Previous analyses of offshore processes have been framed by strong assumptions about the geographic domains of states and markets. I present a new analytic framework that weakens these geographic assumptions and explains why some states are more able than others to address offshore tax evasion through unilateral, bilateral, and multilateral channels. The framework is applied to explain the mechanisms through which powerful states have reclaimed evaded taxes and forced global transparency standards on tax havens after the GFC. I conclude that the regulatory changes brought about by recent attacks on tax havens constitute an important remapping of the fiscal state. These attacks provide an interesting case study of the ways in which states are augmenting their capacity to regulate a range of cross‐border financial flows.
Supraspinal fatigue after normoxic and hypoxic exercise in humans
Authors: Goodall Stuart , González‐Alonso José , Ali Leena , Ross Emma Z. , Romer Lee M. 
Published: April 2012

Key points
Processes leading to fatigue occur within the exercising muscle (peripheral fatigue) and the nervous system (central fatigue).
We asked whether central processes of fatigue would be increased after strenuous exercise in environments where oxygen availability is reduced (hypoxia) compared to the same absolute exercise intensity at sea‐level.
Our main finding was that the contribution of central processes to fatigue was increased after exercise in hypoxia (equivalent to ∼3800 m above sea‐level).
The greater amount of central fatigue in hypoxia was due to suboptimal neural output from the brain and was associated with reductions in oxygen availability.
The findings provide a plausible mechanism for why exercise performance is impaired at high altitude, and might help our understanding of exercise limitation in patients with reduced oxygen delivery to the brain.
Coxiella burnetii Alters Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Signaling during Growth in Macrophages
Authors: MacDonald Laura J. , Kurten Richard C. , Voth Daniel E. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTCoxiella burnetiiis the bacterial agent of human Q fever, an acute, flu-like illness that can present as chronic endocarditis in immunocompromised individuals. Following aerosol-mediated transmission,C. burnetiireplicates in alveolar macrophages in a unique phagolysosome-like parasitophorous vacuole (PV) required for survival. The mechanisms ofC. burnetiiintracellular survival are poorly defined and a recent Q fever outbreak in the Netherlands emphasizes the need for better understanding this unique host-pathogen interaction. We recently demonstrated that inhibition of host cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity negatively impacts PV formation. In the current study, we confirmed PKA involvement in PV biogenesis and probed the role of PKA signaling duringC. burnetiiinfection of macrophages. Using PKA-specific inhibitors, we found the kinase was needed for biogenesis of prototypical PV andC. burnetiireplication. PKA and downstream targets were differentially phosphorylated throughout infection, suggesting prolonged regulation of the pathway. Importantly, the pathogen actively triggered PKA activation, which was also required for PV formation by virulentC. burnetiiisolates during infection of primary human alveolar macrophages. A subset of PKA-specific substrates were differentially phosphorylated duringC. burnetiiinfection, suggesting the pathogen uses PKA signaling to control distinct host cell responses. Collectively, the current results suggest a versatile role for PKA inC. burnetiiinfection and indicate virulent organisms usurp host kinase cascades for efficient intracellular growth.
Enhancing the usability and performance of structured association mapping algorithms using automation, parallelization, and visualization in the GenAMap software system
Authors: Curtis Ross E , Goyal Anuj , Xing Eric P 
Published: April 2012

Abstract

Background
Structured association mapping is proving to be a powerful strategy to find genetic polymorphisms associated with disease. However, these algorithms are often distributed as command line implementations that require expertise and effort to customize and put into practice. Because of the difficulty required to use these cutting-edge techniques, geneticists often revert to simpler, less powerful methods.

Results
To make structured association mapping more accessible to geneticists, we have developed an automatic processing system called Auto-SAM. Auto-SAM enables geneticists to run structured association mapping algorithms automatically, using parallelization. Auto-SAM includes algorithms to discover gene-networks and find population structure. Auto-SAM can also run popular association mapping algorithms, in addition to five structured association mapping algorithms.

Conclusions
Auto-SAM is available through GenAMap, a front-end desktop visualization tool. GenAMap and Auto-SAM are implemented in JAVA; binaries for GenAMap can be downloaded from http://sailing.cs.cmu.edu/genamap.
Bilateral multifocal Warthin's tumors in upper neck lymph nodes. report of a case and brief review of the literature
Authors: Naujoks Christian , Sproll Christoph , Singh Daman Deep , Heikaus Sebastian , Depprich Rita , Kübler Norbert R , Handschel Jörg 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Cystadenolymphomas (Warthin's tumors) are the second most frequent lesions of the parotid gland. Due to their benign clinical behavior, the low rates of recurrence and malignant transformation they were classified as tumor-like lesions. In addition, a polyclonal growth of the epithelial components of the tumor could be detected. Warthin's tumors occur bilateral in 7-10%, whereas a multifocal appearance is extremely rare. Even if the pathogenesis is still unclear a heterotopia of salivary tissue during embryogenesis is the most likely explanation for the origin of these tumors in the upper neck and periparotideal region. Here we present a rare case of bilateral, multifocal, extraglandular Warthin's tumors in lymph nodes of the upper neck and give a brief review of the literature. If a primary malignancy can be excluded by a careful staging procedure prior to the operation an isolated excision of the lesions of the neck is the adequate treatment.
Carboplatin- or Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy in First-Line Treatment of Small-Cell Lung Cancer: The COCIS Meta-Analysis of Individual Patient Data
Authors: Rossi Antonio , Di Maio Massimo , Chiodini Paolo , Rudd Robin Michael , Okamoto Hiroaki , Skarlos Dimosthenis Vasilios , Früh Martin , Qian Wendi , Tamura Tomohide , Samantas Epaminondas , Shibata Taro , Perrone Francesco , Gallo Ciro , Gridelli Cesare , Martelli Olga , Lee Siow-Ming 
Published: April 2012

Purpose Since treatment efficacy of cisplatin- or carboplatin-based chemotherapy in the first-line treatment of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains contentious, a meta-analysis of individual patient data was performed to compare the two treatments. Patients and Methods A systematic review identified randomized trials comparing cisplatin with carboplatin in the first-line treatment of SCLC. Individual patient data were obtained from coordinating centers of all eligible trials. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). All statistical analyses were stratified by trial. Secondary end points were progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and treatment toxicity. OS and PFS curves were compared by using the log-rank test. ORR was compared by using the Mantel-Haenszel test. Results Four eligible trials with 663 patients (328 assigned to cisplatin and 335 to carboplatin) were included in the analysis. Median OS was 9.6 months for cisplatin and 9.4 months for carboplatin (hazard ratio [HR], 1.08; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.27; P = .37). There was no evidence of treatment difference between the cisplatin and carboplatin arms according to sex, stage, performance status, or age. Median PFS was 5.5 and 5.3 months for cisplatin and carboplatin, respectively (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.94 to 1.29; P = .25). ORR was 67.1% and 66.0%, respectively (relative risk, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.84 to 1.16; P = .83). Toxicity profile was significantly different for each of the arms: hematologic toxicity was higher with carboplatin, and nonhematologic toxicity was higher with cisplatin. Conclusion Our meta-analysis of individual patient data suggests no differences in efficacy between cisplatin and carboplatin in the first-line treatment of SCLC, but there are differences in the toxicity profile.
Long-term Reduction in Adverse Drug Events: An Evidence-Based Improvement Model
Authors: Gazarian Madlen , Graudins Linda Velta 
Published: April 2012

OBJECTIVES:
To develop and test an evidence-based model for reducing medication errors and harm in hospitalized children.

METHODS:
Prospective interrupted time series study evaluating the effectiveness of a multifaceted, staged intervention over 4 years in a major urban pediatric referral hospital. Guidelines for safe pediatric prescribing were implemented by using an evidence-based model. Key components included early clinician engagement and improved multidisciplinary communication, consensus development, interactive education, and timely data feedback by using iterative Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. Impact on medication error and harm (adverse drug events, [ADEs]) was measured by using standard definitions and a multimethod approach. Prospective data from voluntary reports by nursing, medical, and pharmacy staff and intensive chart review were combined. All data were reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel, including causality assessments for ADEs.

RESULTS:
Reviewed over 3 time periods were 1011 patients with 6651 medication orders. Total ADEs decreased by &gt; 50% in the first year and this was maintained at 4 years. Greatest improvements were in potential ADEs, which decreased from 12.26 per 100 patients at baseline to 4.60 per 100 patients at 4 years (P &lt; .05). Total medication errors decreased from 4.51 per 100 orders at baseline to 2.78 per 100 orders at 4 years (P &lt; .05). Prescribing errors decreased by 65%, from 4.07 per 100 orders at baseline to 2.05 orders at 4 years (P &lt; .05).

CONCLUSIONS:
A multifaceted, evidence-based model for safe prescribing guideline implementation, engaging multidisciplinary clinicians, was effective in reducing medication error and harm in hospitalized children, resulting in sustained long-term improvement.
La chirurgie esthétique et plastique au service du mieux vieillir
Authors: Mateu Jacques 
Published: April 2012

Les chirurgiens-plasticiens doivent-ils avoir honte de pratiquer une chirurgie esthétique, notamment auprès des femmes et des hommes vieillissants ? À partir de la présentation du concept de chirurgie esthétique, l’article analyse les motivations des patients, les réponses apportées par les chirurgiens et leurs effets dans la vie des personnes.
Le corps sexué au cœur du politique. Dépendances et justice sociale
Authors: Gardien Ève 
Published: April 2012

Avec la définition du concept de santé sexuelle en 1974, l’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS) a mis en avant la part de responsabilité de nos sociétés dans l’état de bonne ou mauvaise santé sexuelle des populations. La sexualité sortant ainsi du champ de l’intime, se pose la question de la justice sociale. Après un détour pour appréhender la part de l’environnement social dans l’apprentissage des techniques sexuelles, le développement des corps humains et la production des situations de dépendance, John Rawls et Amartya Sen seront sollicités. Si Rawls permettra de fonder un cadre de principes généraux, la proposition théorique de Sen amènera vers un nouvel objectif de compensation : une égale liberté sexuelle.
Les transformations de la vie sexuelle après cinquante ans : un vieillissement genré
Authors: Bajos Nathalie , Bozon Michel 
Published: April 2012

Une comparaison entre les enquêtes nationales sur les comportements sexuels menées en France en 1970 et en 2006 met en évidence une prolongation, une intensification et une diversification de la vie sexuelle après 50 ans au fil du temps, ainsi qu’un rapprochement des comportements des femmes et des hommes. Néanmoins une tendance à se retirer de la vie sexuelle continue à apparaître dès 50 ans chez les femmes, au moment où elles sortent de la phase reproductive de leur vie, alors qu’elle ne se manifeste que dix ans plus tard chez les hommes, au moment où s’arrête leur vie professionnelle.